Efeitos da reticulação com genipina em membranas de quitosana/colágeno para potencial uso como biomaterial.

Abstract

The development of biodegradable polymeric biomaterials with a focus on regenerative medicine for the treatment of wounds, skin lesions or controlled drug release has shown promising potential due to its specific characteristics. Based on this, the objective of this work is to evaluate the effects of Genipin-crosslinked Chitosan/Collagen membranes and their potential use as biomaterials. To that end, the collagen was extracted from the eggshell membrane and the dense membranes of chitosan and chitosan/collagen were produced by the solvent evaporation method. Two types of crosslinking by immersion in genipin solution were adopted: first in 0.25% Genipin Alcoholic Solution (G1), then Alcoholic Extract of the Jenipapo Pulp (G2). A 1% (v/v) solution of Ammonium Hydroxide was used to neutralize the membranes. All membranes were submitted to chemical, physical and biological analysis by techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Optical Microscopy (OM), Thermogravimetry (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), mechanical tests of traction, wettability, swelling, biodegradation and cytotoxicity tests. During the extraction process of collagen, the methodology adopted yielded a result as recorded in the literature. The membranes presented a suitable texture and color alteration after the crosslinking process. In the FTIR analysis it was possible to identify the interaction occurred between the materials. Optical microscopy pointed differences in homogeneity, transparency and texture between chitosan, chitosan/collagen membranes and reticulated membranes, showing that the crosslinking process was responsible for altering the thickness, roughness and ripple parameters. Through TGA and DSC, it can be affirmed that G2 crosslinking increased the thermal resistance of chitosan/collagen membranes. The tension test revealed that the Genipin-crosslinking presented alterations in some parameters, such as tensile strength and strain rate. All membranes showed hydrophilic characteristics, and the Genipin-crosslinking process helped the swelling degree to increase. During the biodegradation tests it was possible to observe that the presence of collagen reduced the rate of degradation of the biomaterial, while the Genipin-crosslinking accelerated it. On the other hand, both collagen and crosslinking increased the biocompatibility of membranes. Based on this, it can be concluded that the crosslinking in Alcoholic Extract of the Jenipapo Pulp was more efficient, since it conferred better properties to the membranes, as well as a much lower cost alternative to the Genipin-crosslinking membranes production.