title: Structural analysis of dextrins and characterization of dextrin-based biomedical hydrogels.
abstract: The characterization of several commercial dextrins and the analysis of the potential of dextrin derived hydrogels for biomedical applications were performed in this work. The structural characterization of dextrins allowed the determination of the polymerization and branching degrees, which ranged from 6 to 17 glucose residues and 2 to 13%, respectively. Tackidex, a medical grade dextrin was choosen for further characterization. The combination of hydrogel with a dextrin nanogel and urinary bladder matrix was achieved without compromising the mechanical properties or microstructure. The encapsulation of cells, preserving its viability, confirms the biocompatibility of the injectable hydrogels, which have therefore great potential for biomedical applications.
authors.affiliation: CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, IBB-Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Department of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Dina M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: QOPNA, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cláudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, IBB-Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Department of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: QOPNA, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana S P
authors.initials: ASP
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: QOPNA, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria Rosário M
authors.initials: MRM
authors.lastname: Domingues
authors.affiliation: QOPNA, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Manuel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Coimbra
authors.affiliation: CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, IBB-Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Department of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. Electronic address: fmgama@deb.uminho.pt.
authors.forename: Francisco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Gama
mesh_terms: D003912:Dextrins / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
chemical_list: D003912:Dextrins; D020100:Hydrogels
keywords: Dextrin; Injectable hydrogels; MALDI-MS; SEC; Structural analysis