title: Preparation of free-standing films of natural polysaccharides using hot press technique and their surface functionalization with biomimetic apatite.
abstract: This study demonstrated that gel-like polyion complexes obtained by mixing of aqueous solution of chondroitin sulfate, heparin, and hyaluronic acid with that of chitosan were able to form their free-standing films using hot press treatments. These films, having thicknesses ca. 50 and 100 μm, depending on the spacer thickness, were homogeneous and non-porous at the microscopic level, and were not water-soluble. The present fabrication process required neither cross-coupling agents nor introduction of other functional groups to the polysaccharides. Hydroxyapatite deposition on the film surfaces under body fluid conditions was also achieved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan. mhashizu@ci.kagu.tus.ac.jp
authors.forename: Mineo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hashizume
authors.forename: Hironobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Masafumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohashi
mesh_terms: D001031:Apatites / Q000737:chemistry*; D032701:Biomimetics; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000737:chemistry; D006493:Heparin / Q000737:chemistry; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001031:Apatites; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011134:Polysaccharides; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D006493:Heparin; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D048271:Chitosan