Protein‐ and homo poly(amino acid)‐based hydrogels with super‐swelling properties

Abstract

The use of super-swelling polymers is steadily increasing and the applications in industry are continuing to grow. With the authorization of the superabsorbents in food packaging by the Food and Drug Administration recently, demand may soon take off in the market. However, the increase in prices of petroleum products in recent years may be a drawback for these acrylic-based materials. Thus, there is now a need to develop natural-based super-swelling hydrogels which are more economical and environment friendly. In addition, the super-swelling gels are promising novel functions in the biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. This review is aimed to highlight research and trends in protein-and homo poly(amino acid)-based super-swelling hydrogels. Thus, the proteinaceous hydrogels, including chemically modified soy-, fish-and collagen-based proteins, are discussed. The protein-polysaccharide, protein-synthetics, and the inorganic composites are also investigated as hybrid materials. Finally, the super-swelling hydrogels based on homo polypeptides, i.e. poly(aspartic acid), poly(glutamic acid), and poly(e-L-lysine) are reviewed.

Seafood Processing By-products: Collagen and Gelatin

“…The properties of gelatin hybrid hydrogels, such as super-swelling produced by mixing with synthetic polymers, have been exhaustively revised, particularly with reference to their swelling capacity, degradation rate, and controlled release of drugs (Zohuriaan-Mehr et al 2009 ). Transglutaminase (TGase) can be used to prompt enzymatic cross-linking.…”

Aspartic acid in a new role: Synthesis and application of a pH-responsive cyclopolymer containing residues of the amino acid

“…The precipitation and inhibition of calcium sulfate (gypsum) scale formation were evaluated at 40 ± 1°C in a supersaturated solution of 2598 mg L − 1 of Ca 2+ and 6300 mg L − 1 of SO 4 2 − in the presence of newly synthesized antiscalant 9 (Table 1, entry 9) (x ppm) using the procedure described elsewhere [20]. Induction time was assigned as the time when a rapid decrease in conductivity indicated the beginning of precipitation of CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O ( Table S1).…”

“…They offer advantageous features that render them suitable for use as corrosion inhibitors [2], antiscalants [3], super-swelling material in diaper and food packaging [4], detergents and dispersants [1], carriers for drug delivery [5], hydrogels [6], etc. The ever-expanding list of applications also includes industrial, medical, and agricultural applications to replace many non-biodegradable traditional polyanionic materials such as polyacrylates [7].…”

Mechanical characterization of polysaccharide/polyaminoacid hydrogels as potential scaffolds for tissue regeneration

“…8 Synthetic polyaminoacids and their derivatives are known to exhibit interesting biochemical and biomedical properties. 9 They offer several advantages respect to natural polypeptides such as: chemical versatility, possibility to control their molecular weight as a function of the final application, absence of toxicity and immunogenicity, easy processing and low production cost. In our previous patent, a hybrid hydrogel obtained by a chemical cross-linking between HA and a synthetic polyaminoacid such as α,β-poly(aspartylhydrazide) (PAHy) has been reported and now it is developed as a porous scaffold for cartilage regeneration.…”