title: Processing ulvan into 2D structures: cross-linked ulvan membranes as new biomaterials for drug delivery applications.
abstract: The polysaccharide ulvan, composed of sulphated rhamnose, glucoronic and iduronic acids was used to produce polymeric membranes by solvent casting. As ulvan is soluble in water, a cross-linking step was necessary to render the membrane insoluble in water and stable at physiological conditions. Cross-linked ulvan membranes were characterized by FTIR, SEM, swelling behaviour was investigated and the mechanical performance assessed by quasi-static tensile testing. Furthermore, the ability and mechanism of sustained release of a model drug from ulvan membranes was investigated. Produced membranes revealed remarkable ability to uptake water (up to ∼1800% of its initial dry weight) and increased mechanical performance (1.76 MPa) related with cross-linking. On the other hand, medicated ulvan dressings demonstrate the potential as drug delivery devices. Using a model drug we have observed an initial steady release of the drug - of nearly 49% - followed by slower and sustained release up to 14 days. The properties of ulvan membranes herein revealed suggest a great potential of this natural sulphated polysaccharide as a wound dressing.
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4806-909 Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Associated Laboratory, Portugal. Electronic address: anabela.pinto@dep.uminho.pt.
authors.forename: Anabela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4806-909 Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Associated Laboratory, Portugal.
authors.forename: Elisabete D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Pinho
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4806-909 Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Associated Laboratory, Portugal.
authors.forename: Nuno M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Neves
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4806-909 Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Associated Laboratory, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rui A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4806-909 Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Associated Laboratory, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rui L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D001458:Bandages; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002072:Butylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000737:chemistry*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004339:Drug Compounding; D007700:Kinetics; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008956:Models, Chemical; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013499:Surface Properties; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002072:Butylene Glycols; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011134:Polysaccharides; C571831:ulvan; D003907:Dexamethasone; C014376:1,4-bis(2,3-epoxypropoxy)butane