Eco-friendly oxidized microcrystalline cellulose/quaternized chitosan/gelatin hydrogels based on schiff-base reaction as wound dressing and naringin release kinetic

Abstract

Use of by-product waste from farm products to prepare clinical dressings is a resource-saving and eco-friendly approach. In this research, a series of pH-sensitive hydrogels constructed with oxidized microcrystalline cellulose from pineapple peel, quaternized chitosan from hericium erinaceus residue and gelatin were prepared based on Schiff-base reaction.The structures of the prepared hydrogels were characterized by FT-IR, XRD and SEM. Absorption peak at around 1656 cm⁻¹ (due to –C = N–) appeared and peak at 1726 cm⁻¹ disappeared of the hydrogel confirmed occurrence of Schiff-base reaction. XRD and SEM results showed the composite hydrogels are compatible and well cross-linked. A series of experiments were performed to investigate the blood clotting activity and physicochemical property. It was found that the composite hydrogels show shrink and expansion behaviors under different pH environments, and exhibited adjustable in swelling ability (up to 4383%), water evaporation rate, gel time and mechanical property as change of gelatin content. Oxidized microcrystalline cellulose/quaternized chitosan/gelatin (OMQCS-G) hydrogel showed well coagulation effect and controlled release of the loaded naringin. Naringin release of OMQCS-G5 reached more than 70% within initial 6 h, suggesting the potential of the prepared hydrogels used as wound dressing.

Graphical abstract

The brief preparation processes of OMQCS-G hydrogel and used as wound dressing. The oxidized microcrystalline cellulose (OMCC) and quaternized chitosan (QCS) is obtained from pineapple peel residues and hericium erinaceus residues after extraction and modification, the gelatin is from pig skin. Then the OMCC/QCS-G hydrogel is formed via Schiff-base reaction, applied for drug delivery and blood clotting.