The present thesis presents new renewable, antimicrobial and biodegradable superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), produced from the cell wall of zygomycetes fungi. The cell wall was characterized and chitosan, being one of the most important ingredients, was extracted, purified, and converted to SAP for use in disposable personal care products designed for absorption of different body fluids. The cell wall of zygomycetes fungi was characterized by subsequent hydrolysis with sulfuric and nitrous acids and analyses of the products. The main ingredients of the cell wall were found to be polyphosphates (4-20%) and copolymers of glucosamine and N-acetyl glucosamine, i.e. chitin and chitosan (45-85%). The proportion of each of these components was significantly affected by the fungal strain and also the cultivation conditions. Moreover, dual functions of dilute sulfuric acid in relation to chitosan, i.e. dissolution at high temperatures and precipitation at lowered temperatures, were discovered and thus used as a basis for development of a new method for extraction and purification of the fungal chitosan. Treatment of the cell wall with dilute sulfuric acid at room temperature resulted in considerable dissolution of the cell wall polyphosphates, while chitosan and chitin remained intact in the cell wall residue. Further treatment of this cell wall residue, with fresh acid at 120°C, resulted in dissolution of chitosan and its separation from the remaining chitin/chitosan of the cell wall skeleton which was not soluble in hot acid. Finally, the purified fungal chitosan (0.34 g/g cell wall) was recovered by precipitation at lowered temperatures and pH 8-10. The purity and the yield of fungal chitosan in the new method were significantly higher than that were obtained in the traditional acetic acid extraction method. As a reference to pure chitosan, SAP from shellfish chitosan, was produced by conversion of this biopolymer into water soluble carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), gelation of CMCS with glutaraldehyde in aqueous solutions (1-2%), and drying the resultant gel. Effects of carboxymethylation, gelation and drying conditions on the water binding capacity (WBC) of the final products, were investigated. Finally, choosing the best condition, a biological superabsorbent was produced from zygomycetes chitosan. The CMCS-based SAPs were able to absorb up to 200 g water/g SAP. The WBC of the best SAP in urine and saline solutions was 40 and 32 g/g respectively, which is comparable to the WBC of commercially acceptable SAPs under identical conditions (34-57 and 30-37 g/g respectively). / <p>Disputationen sker fredagen den 1 oktober kl. 10.00 i KA-salen, Kemigården 4, Chalmers, Göteborg</p>

In this research, a series of synthetically engineered copolymers were synthesized containing polysaccharides (e.g., β-cyclodextrin and chitosan) to address the removal of trihalomethanes (THMs) from water environments. There are two main parts in this research thesis: i) the preparation and characterization of polysaccharide-based copolymers; ii) sorption studies of the copolymers with chloroform and total THMs (TTHMs) in aqueous solution. In the first part of this thesis, grafted polyester, polyester and grafted polyamide copolymers were prepared by cross-linking β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and chitosan (CS) with various cross-linkers, including poly (acrylic acid) (PAA), terephthaloyl (TCl), and sebacoyl chloride (SCl), respectively. The synthesized copolymer materials were characterized by Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), elemental (C and H) analyses, and NMR spectroscopy. Nitrogen porosimetry was used to analyze the surface area and pore structure characteristics of the copolymers and starting materials in solid state. The sorption properties of the copolymers in aqueous solution were studied using different dye probes (e.g., p-nitrophenol and methylene blue) by UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The copolymers showed markedly varied interactions with dye probes in accordance with their composition, surface area, and pore structure characteristics. Diverse materials were afforded by variation of the synthetic conditions. The sorption isotherms were evaluated with various isotherm models (e.g., Langmuir, BET, Freundlich and Sips). The Sips isotherm showed the best overall agreement with the experimental results and the sorption parameters provided estimates of the sorbent surface area and the sorption capacity for various copolymers in aqueous solution. The copolymer sorbents display tunable physicochemical properties according to the synthetic conditions. In the second part of this thesis, the direct aqueous injection (DAI) method with gas chromatography (GC) with electron capture or electrolytic conductivity detectors (ECD) enabled quantitative detection of chloroform and TTHMs in water. A preliminary adsorption study and kinetic study of chloroform provided the information to establish the experimental protocol for the sorption study. The sorption parameters were evaluated using the Sips model. The sorption capacity (Qm) values of chloroform for these synthetically engineered copolymers at similar conditions ranged from 0.00335-1.70 mmol/g. The relative ordering of the Qm values was observed: β-CD/PAA 1:5 > SCl-5 > SCl-10 ~ CP-1 > β-CD/PAA 1:10 > CP-5 > AC > β-CD/PAA 1:5 at high mixing speed. An extension of the sorption study for copolymers toward the multi-component THMs in water was carried out. The copolymers showed distinct adsorption capacities to THMs: chloroform (0.0485-0.287 mmol/g); DBCM (0.0712-0.277 mmol/g); BDCM (0.0684-0.387mmol/g); and bromoform (0.0522-1.07 mmol/g). The copolymers exhibited relatively high selectivity toward individual components of THMs due to their variable molecular size and polarizability. The copolymers showed favorable adsorption (e.g., β-CD/PAA 1:5, CP-1) and each type of polysaccharide (e.g., β-CD and CS) copolymers displays great potential for the removal of halomethane-based contaminants.

Controlled release formulations deliver an active ingredient over an extended period of time. It is an ideal dosage form for an active ingredient with a short elimination half-life. An active ingredient with a short elimination half-life would be released in small portions over an extended period of time and thus less frequent administration is necessary and this improve patient compliance. Other advantages of these formulations include: decreased side effects, constant drug levels in the blood, improvement in treatment efficiency and reduction in cost of administration. Controlled release beads are formulated in such a way that the active ingredient is embedded in a matrix of insoluble substance like chitosan; the dissolving drug then has to find its way through the pores of the matrix into the surrounding medium. The chitosan matrix swells to form a gel, the drug then has to first dissolve in the matrix and diffuse through the outer surface into the surrounding medium. Chitosan is a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer of natural origin. It has mucoadhesive properties as well as the ability to manipulate the tight junctions in the epithelium membrane and these properties have qualified chitosan as an effective drug carrier in controlled release dosage forms. The effect of a modern controlled release polymer namely Kollidon® SR in combination with chitosan on drug release was investigated. Ketoprofen was chosen as model drug. Ketoprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug that causes gastrointestinal side effects in conventional dosage forms. Ketoprofen has a short elimination half-life of 2.05 ± 0.58 h and this characteristic makes it an ideal candidate for use in a controlled release formulation. The aim of this study was to achieve controlled release and minimize gastrointestinal effects of ketoprofen with chitosan particles. Kollidon® SR was used as polymer because it exhibits pH independent release characteristics and previous studies have shown potential for this combination. Chitosan beads and chitosan-Kollidon® SR beads, as well as chitosan granules and chitosan-Kollidon® SR granules, were prepared and investigated as potential controlled release formulations. Chitosan beads were prepared through the inotropic gelation method using tripolyphosphate as a cross linking agent. Granules were prepared through wet granulation using 2% v/v acetic acid as the granulating fluid or by dissolving ketoprofen in ethanol and Kollidon® SR in 2-pyrrolidinone and using the solution as granulating fluid. Kollidon® SR was added in concentrations of 0.25, 0.5 and 1% (w/v) in the bead formulations and concentrations of 1, 5 and 10% (w/w) in the granule formulations. The beads and granules were characterised by evaluating the following properties: morphology, drug loading and drug release. Additionally swelling and friability tests were also conducted on the bead formulations. The cross linking times of the bead formulations were varied to investigate the effect of cross linking time on the characteristics of the beads. Chitosan-Kollidon® SR beads showed promising results for controlled release formulations and ketoprofen were released over an extended period of time. Drug loading of the plain chitosan beads was 74.65 ± 0.71% and it was noted that the inclusion of Kollidon® SR in the beads resulted in an increase in drug loading and the formulation containing 1% (w/v) Kollidon® SR, cross linked for 30 minutes had a drug loading of 77.38 ± 0.01%. Drug loading of the beads that were cross linked for a longer time were slightly lower which is an indication that some of the drug might have leached out during cross linking. The degree of swelling was promising with some beads swelling to a degree of 2.5 in phosphate buffer solution pH 5.6. Granules had a drug loading between 81.73 ± 1.53% and 93.30 ± 0.50%. Ketoprofen release from the beads and the granules in PBS pH 7.40 at 37 °C over a period of 6 hours were investigated. The bead formulations were more effective in achieving controlled release and it was noted that the bead formulations that was cross linked for a longer period was more efficient in achieving controlled release. The granules did not form a matrix and were not effective in achieving controlled release. Controlled release of ketoprofen were achieved and the results show potential for chitosan-Kollidon® SR formulations in the future. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

O objetivo desse estudo foi sintetizar e caracterizar um primer experimental contendo Nanopartículas (NLS) de Quitosana e avaliar algumas de suas propriedades. Foram utilizados 50 molares humanos os quais foram seccionados no sentido mesio-distal e oclusal. Esses foram polidos com lixas de diferentes granulações. Após foi realizada a síntese e caracterização de primers experimentais contendo nanopartículas de Quitosana. Os grupos experimentais foram determinados por um ensaio de atividade antimicrobiana e alocados da seguinte forma: 1) Sem aplicação de primer experimental, 2) Aplicação de um primer experimental contendo Clorexidina (CHX) 2% 3) Aplicação de um primer experimental de NLS Quitosana 2% 4) Aplicação de um primer experimental de NLS Quitosana 0,6% 5) Aplicação de um primer experimental de NLS Quitosana 0,4%. Os primers experimentais foram aplicados sobre a dentina sadia. Para a análise de Microtração, foi confeccionado um platô de resina composta Z350 (3M Dental Products, St, Paul, MN, EUA), onde foram realizadas secções para a confecção dos palitos. Foi realizada a caracterização dos primers experimentais por meio de espalhamento de luz dinâmica e o ensaio da atividade de MMPs por meio de Zimografia in situ. Para a analise de Microtração foi utilizada a análise de variância (ANOVA) \"one way\" (p=0,9054). Para a análise de Zimografia in situ foi utilizada ANOVA seguido do teste de Holm-Sidak (p<0,05). A caracterização das NLS de Quitosana demonstrou sua estabilidade em todos os tempos analisados. No ensaio de atividade antimicobriana foi observado concentração de 0,4% para CIM e 0,6% para CBM. Na Resistência a Microtração, não foi observada diferença estatística entre os grupos experimentais (p=0,9054). O ensaio de Zimografia in situ mostrou que o primer experimental contendo Quitosana 2% apresentou maior atividade de inativação de MMPs comparado com os demais grupos experimentais (p<0,05). O primer experimental contendo NLS de Quitosana possui atividade antimicrobiana, não altera a resistência adesiva e possui efeito de inativação de MMPs presentes na dentina / The objective of this study was to synthesize and characterize an experimental primer containing Chitosan Nanoparticles (NLS) and to evaluate some of its properties. Fifity human molars were used which were sectioned mesio-distally and occlusally. These were polished with sandpaper of different granulations. After the synthesis and characterization of experimental primers containing chitosan nanoparticles were performed. The experimental groups were determined by an antimicrobial activity assay and were allocated as follows: 1) Without application of experimental primer 2) Application of an experimental primer containing Chlorhexidine (CHX) 2% 3) Application of an experimental primer of NLS Chitosan 2 % 4) Application of an experimental primer of NLS Chitosan 0.6% 5) Application of an experimental primer of NLS Chitosan 0.4%. The experimental primers were applied on the dentin sound. A composite resin plateau Z350 (3M Dental Products, St, Paul, MN, USA) was used for the analysis of Microtration, where sections were made for making the toothpicks. Characterization of the experimental primers was carried out by means of dynamic light scattering and the assay of MMP activity by means of Zimography in situ. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) \"one way\" (p = 0.9054) was used for the analysis of Microtraction. For the analysis of Zimography in situ was used ANOVA followed by the Holm-Sidak test (p <0.05). The characterization of the NLS of Chitosan demonstrated its stability at all times analyzed. In the antimycobrian activity assay, a concentration of 0.4% for MIC and 0.6% for CBM was observed. In the Microtensile Strength, no statistical difference was observed between the experimental groups (p = 0.9054). The in situ Zimography assay showed that the experimental primer containing Chitosan 2% presented higher inactivation activity of MMPs compared to the other experimental groups (p <0.05). The experimental primer containing Chitosan NLS has antimicrobial activity, does not alter the adhesive resistance and has an inactivation effect of MMPs present in dentin

O presente estudo avaliou, por meio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e análise Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), a capacidade de limpeza e as alterações da superfície dentinária após diferentes tratamentos. Foram utilizados 32 incisivos bovinos, dos quais obteve-se uma amostra de dentina do terço médio radicular de cada espécime. Inicialmente as 32 amostras foram analisadas em FT-IR após os seguintes tratamentos: dentina normal, sem tratamento (T1); NaOCl 2,5% por 5´ (T2). Os espécimes foram, então, distribuídos em quatro agrupamentos conforme tratamento com soluções (n=8): T3- EDTA 15%; T4- quitosana 1% diluída em ácido acético 1% + genipina 0,06%; T5- quitosana 1% diluída em ácido acético 1% + EDTA 15% + genipina 0,06%; T6- quitosana 1% diluído em EDTA 5% + genipina 0,06%. Os dados referentes a relação amidaIII/fosfato de cada tratamento foi submetida ao teste ANOVA, com dados vinculados seguido do teste de Tukey (p<0,001). Para a avaliação em MEV, após biomecânica de 8 raízes bovinas com limas rotatórias e NaOCl 2,5%, as mesmas foram distribuídas em 4 grupos (n=2), conforme irrigação final. As soluções utilizadas em G1, G2 G3 e G4 foram, respectivamente, as mesmas empregadas em T3, T4, T5 e T6, com volume de 1mL por 5´. Foram obtidas 6 fotomicrografias do terço médio radicular de cada espécime para análise da capacidade de limpeza e da deposição de quitosana/genipina sobre a superfície dentinária. Os resultados mostraram não haver diferença na porcentagem da razão amidaIII/fosfato entre T1 e T2. Houve diferença significante entre a porcentagem da razão amidaIII/fosfato de T3, T4, T5 e T6 em relação à T1. A porcentagem da razão amidaIII/fosfato foi significantemente menor para T4 em relação a T3, T5 e T6. Todos os grupos, com exceção de G2, removeram a camada de smear. Observou-se deposição de quitosana/genipina sobre a dentina do G3 e G4. Dentre os tratamentos propostos, o uso de quitosana solubilizada em EDTA associada à genipina removeu a camada de smear sem erudir o tecido, além de evidenciar a presença de aglomerado de quitosana/genipina sobre a superfície dentinária. / The present study evaluated, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis, the cleaning ability and the changes of the dentin surface after different treatments. Thirty-two bovine incisors were used, from which a dentin sample was obtained from the middle third of each specimen. Initially the 32 samples were analyzed in FT-IR after the following treatments: normal dentin, without treatment (T1); NaOCl 2.5% by 5\' (T2). The specimens were then distributed into four groups according to treatment with solutions (n = 8): T3- EDTA 15%; T4- chitosan 1% diluted in acetic acid 1% + genipine 0.06%; T5- chitosan 1% diluted in acetic acid 1% + EDTA 15% + genipine 0.06%; T6 chitosan 1% diluted in 5% EDTA + 0.06% genipine. The data concerning the amideIII / phosphate ratio of each treatment was submitted to the ANOVA test, with bound data followed by the Tukey test (p <0.001). For evaluation in SEM, after biomechanics of 8 bovine roots with rotating files and 2.5% NaOCl, they were distributed in 4 groups (n = 2), according to final irrigation. The solutions used in G1, G2, G3 and G4 were, respectively, the same as those employed in T3, T4, T5 and T6, with a volume of 1mL per 5\'. Six photomicrographs of the root mean third of each specimen were obtained for analysis of the cleaning capacity and chitosan/genipine deposition on the dentin surface. The results showed no difference in the percentage of the amide III/phosphate ratio between T1 and T2. There was a significant difference between the percentage of amide III/phosphate ratio of T3, T4, T5 and T6 in relation to T1. The percentage of the amide III/phosphate ratio was significantly lower for T4 compared to T3, T5 and T6. All groups, except for G2, removed the smear layer. Chitosan/genipine deposition was observed on G3 and G4 dentin. Among the proposed treatments, the use of chitosan solubilized in EDTA associated to genipine removed the smear layer without erode the tissue, besides evidencing the presence of agglomerate of chitosan/genipine on the dentin surface.

Estima-se, que, no Brasil, ocorram cerca de um milhão de vítimas de queimaduras por ano, e mesmo com a dinâmica de inovações na área da saúde, a reparação deste tipo de lesão tecidual, permanece um grande desafio. Os queimados tendem a contrair infecções sistêmicas, as quais poderão levar a óbito, se não houver o tratamento adequado ao paciente. Desta forma, são necessários cuidados extremos nas etapas que envolvem este complexo reparo tissular. Diante das dificuldades na substituição ou regeneração de órgãos ou tecidos lesionados, surgiu um campo interdisciplinar chamado de engenharia de tecidos, com foco no estudo para o desenvolvimento de suportes tridimensionais, constituídos de materiais sintéticos ou naturais, onde são cultivadas células do próprio paciente, para posteriormente serem reinseridas reparando tecidos ou substituindo órgãos por inteiro. A quitosana é um dos biopolímeros mais utilizados hoje na área de engenharia de tecidos, devido a sua capacidade de agir de forma significativa nas três fases que envolvem a cicatrização de queimaduras, sendo elas: a fase inflamatória, a fase proliferativa e a fase reparadora, e por sua alta ação bacteriostática e fungistática. Diante das propriedades já existentes da quitosana, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi o estudo para intensificá-las, através do aumento do seu grau de desacetilação e modificando-a para uma escala nanométrica aumentando assim sua área superficial. Para isso, a quitosana foi submetida a meio altamente alcalino com variação de temperatura e variação do tempo de reação, utilizando a ferramenta estatística fatorial completo 23. Após a obtenção das amostras desacetiladas, foi verificado, através dos espectros obtidos por espectroscopia na região do infravermelho, que os maiores valores de grau de desacetilação ocorreram utilizando os níveis máximos em todos os fatores envolvidos na reação. Para analisar a cinética da reação e confirmar as informações obtidas do fatorial 23, foi feito um novo planejamento fatorial 22, fixando o tempo de seis horas de reação, e no decorrer deste tempo foram retiradas onze alíquotas, para análise de seus graus de desacetilação (GD). O padrão de resultados dos experimentos permitiu a aplicação de um modelo matemático que representou a realidade do que ocorreu durante a reação, sendo este o modelo do núcleo não reagido. Posteriormente, a quitosana com alto grau de desacetilação foi submetida ao método de ultrassom e pelas análises do diâmetro das partículas, potencial zeta e índice de polidispersão, foi possível verificar que a quitosana após ser submetida ao ultrassom e no pH adequado, foi possível atingir partículas em escala nanométrica. / It is estimated that in Brazil about one million burn victims occur per year, and even with the dynamics of innovations in the health area, the repair of this type of tissue injury, remains a great challenge. Burns tend to contract systemic infections, which can lead to death if the patient is not adequately treated. In this way, extreme care is required in the steps involved in this complex tissue repair. Faced with difficulties in the replacement or regeneration of injured organs or tissues, an interdisciplinary field called tissue engineering has emerged, focusing on the study for the development of three-dimensional supports, consisting of synthetic or natural materials, where the patient\'s own cells are cultured, subsequently reinserted by repairing tissues or replacing whole organs. Chitosan is one of the most widely used biopolymers nowadays in the field of tissue engineering, due to its capacity to act in a significant way in the three phases that involve the healing of burns, namely: inflammatory phase, proliferative phase and repair phase, and for its high bacteriostatic and fungiostatic action. In view of the existing properties of chitosan, the objective of this research was to intensify them by increasing its degree of deacetylation and modifying it to a gauge scale, thus increasing its surface area. For this, chitosan was submitted to a highly alkaline medium with temperature variation and reaction time variation, using the complete factorial statistical tool 23. After obtaining the deacetylated samples, it was verified by spectroscopy in the infrared region, that the highest values of deacetylation degree occurred after using the maximum levels in all factors involved in the reaction. In order to analyze the kinetics of the reaction and to confirm the information obtained from factorial 23, a new 22 factorial design was made, fixing the time of six hours of reaction, during which eleven aliquots were taken for analysis of their degree of desacetylation (GD). The pattern of results of the experiments allowed the application of a mathematical model that represented the reality of what occurred during the reaction, being this the model of the shrinking core model. Subsequently, the chitosan with a high degree of deacetylation was subjected to the ultrasound method and the analysis of particle diameter, zeta potential and polydispersion index allowed to verify that chitosan after being submitted to ultrasound at the appropriate pH achieved particles in nanometer scale.

A quitosana é um biopolímero funcional com grande potencial de desenvolvimento, podendo gerar diferentes tipos de materiais com variadas funções. Conforme modificações na sua estrutura, a quitosana tem encontrado aplicações nas mais diversas áreas, possuindo um grande leque de aplicações. Apesar do crescente uso da quitosana e do aumento das pesquisas por novas aplicações, a prospecção de outras opções de fontes (que não crustáceos) de quitosana não têm sido consistentemente apresentadas. O objetivo do presente projeto é realizar a prospecção quantitativa e qualitativa de uma nova fonte renovável de quitosana. Temos como uma fonte alternativa para a produção de quitosana, os blatódeos que são comumente conhecidos como baratas. Eles são organismos terrestres que apresentam uma reprodução consideravelmente rápida, se adaptam aos mais variados ambientes e tem o custo de criação baixíssimo devido à sua fácil adaptação ao ambiente e alimentação. Além disso, os blatódeos não possuem sazonalidade, e ainda realizam ecdises, podendo-se utilizar as exúvias para a produção de quitosana. Foram determinados o processo e o rendimento do processo de obtenção de quitosana a partir de blatódeos (Phoetalia pallida). Os blatódeos foram submetidos a tratamento com solução de hidróxido de sódio 50% (p/v) em temperatura de 120 ºC por sete tempos diferentes (1, 2, 3, 6, 10 e 20 horas). As quitosanas obtidas foram caracterizadas mediante técnicas de espectroscopia no Infravermelho (FTIR), comportamento térmico (TG/DTG e DSC), difração de raios-x, viscosimetria e teste de solubilidade. A obtenção de quitosana a partir de blatódeos apresentou vantagens em relação à produção a partir de crustáceos: reduzido número de etapas do processo e dispensa o tratamento com HCl, que é um poluente. O processo de obtenção de quitosana teve rendimento de aproximadamente 15%, variando de acordo com o tempo de reação. De uma maneira geral, as quitosanas de barata apresentaram características semelhantes à quitosana de camarão. / Chitosan is a functional biopolymer with great development potential, which can generate different types of materials with several purposes. Depending on changes in its structure, chitosan has found applications in several areas, having a wide range of applications. Despite the increasing use of chitosan and the increase in research for new applications, the exploration of other options as sources of chitosan (other than shellfish) have not been consistently shown. The goal of this project is to conduct a quantitative and qualitative exploration of a new renewable source of chitosan. Blattaria, commonly known as cockroaches, are an alternative source for the production of chitosan. They are terrestrial organisms that present a considerably fast reproduction, adapt to many different environments and have a very low cost of growing, due to its easy adaptation to the environment and food. Moreover, the cockroaches don´t present seasonality and still perform ecdysis, where the exuvia can be used to produce chitosan. The process and the efficiency of the process of obtaining chitosan from the cockroaches, Phoetalia pallida, were determined: they were treated with a solution of sodium hydroxide 50% (w / v) at a temperature of 120 °C for seven different time periods (1, 2, 3, 6, 10 and 20 hours). Chitosans obtained therefrom were characterized by Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal behavior (TG / DTG and DSC), x-ray diffraction, viscosimetry and solubility test. Obtaining chitosan from cockroaches showed advantages over the production from shellfish: reduced number of process steps and not requiring treatment with HCl, which is a pollutant. The process of obtaining chitosan showed an efficiency of approximately 15%, depending upon the reaction time. In general, the cockroach chitosan showed characteristics similar to shrimp chitosan.

A quitosana é um polissacarídeo produzido pela desacetilação da quitina e tem sido estudada para aplicação como biomaterial por apresentar características, tais como: biocompatibilidade, atoxidade e ação antimicrobiana. O objetivo deste estudo foi o desenvolvimento e caracterização química, física e biológica de membranas à base de quitosana (QUI) e carboximetilcelulose (CMC) para aplicação na área biomédica. Foram realizados ensaios de resistência, capacidade de absorção de água e perda de massa em solução salina de tampão fosfato (PBS) e saliva artificial, infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), bioatividade, citoxicidade e degradação. Nos ensaios de citotoxidade, observou-se que as membranas desenvolvidas são atóxicas e nos ensaios de absorção de água que a carboximetilcelulose aumentou significamente a capacidade de absorção da membrana. As características naturais dos polímeros não foram alteradas, como observado no ensaio térmico (DSC) e no FTIR. Referente à liberação da lisozima, as membranas de QUI e QUI/CMC/QUI obtiveram melhores resultados, tanto na liberação quanto na atividade da enzima. As principais aplicações das membranas estudadas na área biomédica são como bandagens. / Chitosan is a polysaccharide produced from chitin by deacetylation and has been studied for application as biomaterial for presenting characteristics, such as biocompatibility and antimicrobial atoxidade. The objective of this study was the development and characterization chemical, physical and biological of membranes based on chitosan and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) for application in the biomedical area. Tests of resistance, water absorption capacity and mass loss in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and artificial saliva, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), bioactivity and cytotoxicity. The tests of cytotoxicity revealed that the membranes developed are non toxic and water absorption test the CMC increased significantly absorption capacity of membrane. The natural characteristics of the polymers were not changed, as observed on DSC and FTIR. With regard to the release of lysozyme, membranes CHI and CHI/CMC/CHI obtained better results in both the release and in the activity of the enzyme. The main applications of the membranes studied in the biomedical field are like bandages.

Enzimas são proteínas utilizadas em processos tecnológicos diversos. Estas enzimas dependendo do tipo e grau de pureza são geralmente caras. Comumente as enzimas exigem controle contínuo do processo no que se refere à temperatura, pH, agitação, entre outros, e após o uso são descartadas, o que torna o custo do processo mais elevado. Em decorrência disto, a imobilização de enzimas em suportes insolúveis e inertes, vem sendo proposta com resultados promissores de manutenção e até mesmo aumento da atividade enzimática, resistência mecânica, térmica e de pH, bem como por apresentar maior facilidade de remoção da enzima do sistema e possibilitar sua reutilização. Por causa disto, diferentes tipos de suportes vêem sendo estudados, dentre estes, os materiais poliméricos, tem recebido atenção especial. A quitosana é um polímero natural, biocompatível, biodegradável e atóxico. É obtida de fontes renováveis provenientes do descarte de cascas de crustáceos da indústria de alimentos, o que constitui um fator ambiental importante atualmente. Neste trabalho a enzima pepsina foi imobilizada em membranas liofilizadas de quitosana e O-carboximetilquitosana reticuladas ou não com glutaraldeído. A pepsina imobilizada na membrana de quitosana reticulada com glutaraldeído manteve sua atividade enzimática e o suporte apresentou propriedades físico-químicas de resistência a solubilização em pH ácido, o qual é necessário para atividade da pepsina. O processo de liofilização preservou a estrutura do suporte e não comprometeu a atividade enzimática. Demonstrando que o processo de liofilização é viável para secagem e incorporação de enzimas. / Enzymes are proteins used in a wide variety of biotechnological processes. Commonly, enzymes require stringent conditions, such as a particular pH, temperature, stirring, etc. In chemical and biochemical reactions, purified enzymes can be rather costly and additionally, must be discarded after each use, which is still less economical. As a result of this, enzyme immobilization on insoluble and inert supports has been studied as a manner to overcome these problems and optimize enzymes use. Promising results of greater immobilized enzyme activity and stability over a broader range of pH and temperature have been reported. As well, immobilized enzymes can be easily removed from the system and reused. Various materials have been employed as enzymes supports, among then, the polymers have received special attention. Chitosan is a natural polymer that presents biocompatibility, biodegradability and nontoxicity. Chitosan is obtained from crustacean shell wastes discarded by the food industry, and recover this material constitutes an important environmental factor nowadays. In this work the enzyme pepsin was immobilized on freezedried chitosan and O-Carboxymethylchitosan membranes crosslinked or not with glutaraldehyde. Pepsin immobilized on chitosan membrane crosslinked with glutaraldehyde maintained its enzymatic activity and the polymer support provided physicochemical properties such resistance to dissolution in acid pH. Acid pH is required for pepsin activity. The freeze-drying process preserved the support structure and did not compromise the enzymatic activity. Demonstrating that, freeze drying process, is viable for drying and enzymes incorporation.

Este trabalho teve como principal objetivo produzir membranas porosas de carboximetilquitosana e hidrogéis de quitosana com propriedades físico-químicas e mecânicas adequadas para aplicações em Engenharia de Tecidos. Para isso, quitosanas com diferentes graus de acetilação (4,0%&lt;GA&lt;40%) e de elevada massa molar média viscosimétrica (Mv&gt;750.000 g.mol-1) foram produzidas através da aplicação de processos consecutivos de desacetilação assistida por irradiação de ultrassom de alta intensidade (DAIUS) à beta-quitina extraída de gládios de lulas Doryteuthis spp. A carboximetilação de quitosana extensivamente desacetilada (Qs-3; GA=4%) foi realizada pela reação com ácido monocloroacético em meio isopropanol/solução aquosa de NaOH, gerando a amostra CMQs-0 (GS&asymp;0,98; Mv&asymp;190.000 g.mol-1). A irradiação de ultrassom de alta intensidade foi empregada para tratar solução aquosa de CMQs-0 durante 1 h e 3 h, resultando nas amostras CMQs-1 (Mv&asymp;94.000 g.mol-1) e CMQs-3 (Mv&asymp;43.000 g.mol-1), respectivamente. Para a produção de membranas reticuladas, genipina foi adicionada em diferentes concentrações (1,0x10-4 mol.L-1, 3,0x10-4 mol.L-1 ou 5,0x10-4 mol.L-1) às soluções aquosas das CMQs, que foram vertidas em placas de Petri e a reação de reticulação procedeu por 24 h. Em seguida, as membranas reticuladas (M-CMQs) foram liofilizadas, neutralizadas, lavadas e liofilizadas novamente, resultando em nove amostras, que foram caracterizadas quanto ao grau médio de reticulação (GR), grau médio de hidratação (GH), morfologia, propriedades mecânicas e quanto à susceptibilidade à degradação por lisozima. O grau médio de reticulação (GR) foi tanto maior quanto maior a concentração de genipina empregada na reação, variando de GR&asymp;3,3% (M-CMQs-01) a GR&asymp;17,8% (M-CMQs-35). As análises de MEV revelaram que as membranas reticuladas M-CMQs são estruturas porosas que apresentam maior densidade de poros aparentes quanto maiores os valores de Mve GR. Entretanto, as membranas preparadas a partir de CMQs de elevada massa molar (Mv&gt;94.000 g.mol-1) e pouco reticuladas (GR&lt;10%), apresentaram propriedades mecânicas superiores em termos de resistência máxima à tração (&gt;170 kPa) e elongação máxima à ruptura (&gt;40%). Por outro lado, as membranas mais susceptíveis à degradação enzimática foram aquelas preparadas a partir de CMQs de baixa massa molar (Mv&asymp;43.000 g.mol-1) e que exibiram baixos graus de reticulação (GR&lt;11%). Hidrogéis estáveis de quitosana sem o uso de qualquer agente de reticulação externo foram produzidos a partir da gelificação de soluções aquosas de quitosana com solução de NaOH ou vapor de NH3. Os hidrogéis produzidos a partir de soluções de quitosana de elevada massa molar média ponderal (Mw&asymp;640.000 g.mol-1) e extensivamente desacetilada (DA&asymp;2,8%) em concentrações poliméricas acima 2,0%, exibiram melhores propriedades mecânicas com o aumento da concentração polimérica, devido à formação de numerosos emaranhamentos físicos das cadeias poliméricas em solução. Os resultados mostram que as propriedades físico-químicas e mecânicas dos hidrogéis de quitosana podem ser controladas variando a concentração do polímero e o processo de gelificação. A avaliação biológica de tais hidrogéis para a regeneração de miocárdio infartado de ratos revelou que os hidrogéis de quitosana preparados a partir de soluções de polímero a 1,5% foram perfeitamente incorporados sobre a superfície do epicárdio do coração e apresentaram degradação parcial acompanhada por infiltração de células mononucleares. / The aim of this study was to produce and characterize porous membranes of carboxymethylchitosan and chitosan-based hydrogel with physicochemical and mechanical properties appropriate for applications in tissue engineering. For this, chitosans with different degrees of acetylation (4,0%&lt;GA&lt;40%) and high viscosity average molecular weight (Mv&gt;750.000 g.mol-1) were produced by application of consecutive processes of ultrasound-assisted deacetylation (USAD) of the beta-chitin extracted from squid pens (Doryteuthis spp.). The carboxymethylation of extensively deacetylated chitosan (Qs-3; DA=4%) was carried out by reaction with monochloroacetic acid in isopropanol/aqueous NaOH, producing CMQs-0 sample (GS&asymp;0,98; Mv&asymp;190.000 g.mol-1). The ultrasonic irradiation was employed to depolymerize the CMQs-0 samples by irradiation for 1 h and 3 h, resulting in CMQs-1 samples (Mv&asymp;94.000 g.mol-1) and CMQs-3 (Mv&asymp;43.000 g.mol-1), respectively. For the production of crosslinked membranes, genipin was added at different concentrations (1,0x10-4 mol.L-1, 3,0x10-4 mol.L-1 ou 5,0x10-4 mol.L-1) in the aqueous solutions of CMQs, which were poured into Petri dishes and the crosslinking reaction proceeded for 24 h. Then, the crosslinked membranes (M-CMQs) were lyophilized, neutralized, washed, and lyophilized again resulting in nine samples which were characterized by crosslinking degree (CrD), swelling ration (SR), morphology, mechanical properties and the susceptibility to enzymatic degradation by lysozyme. The crosslinking degree (CrD) increased with increasing concentration of genipin used in the reaction, varying from CrD&asymp;3.3% (M-CMQs-01) to CrD&asymp;17.8% (M-CMQs-35). The SEM analysis showed that the crosslinked membranes M-CMQs are porous structures that have a higher apparent pores density with increasing values of Mv and CrD. However, the membranes prepared from high molecular weight CMQs (Mv&gt;94.000 g.mol-1) and low crosslinked (GR&lt;10%) showed superior mechanical properties in terms of ultimate tensile strength (&gt;170 kPa) and maximum elongation at break (&gt;40%). However, the more susceptible membrane to enzymatic degradation was prepared from low molecular weight CMQs (Mv&asymp;43.000 g.mol-1) and low cross-linking degrees (GR&lt;11%). Stable chitosan hydrogels without any external crosslinking agent was successfully achieved by inducing the gelation of a viscous chitosan solution with aqueous NaOH or gaseous NH3. The hydrogels produced from high molecular weight (Mw&asymp;640.000 g.mol-1) and extensively deacetylated chitosan (DA&asymp;2,8%) at polymer concentrations above &asymp;2.0% exhibited improved mechanical properties due to the increase of the chain entanglements and intermolecular junctions. The results also show that the physicochemical and mechanical properties of chitosan hydrogels can be controlled by varying their polymer concentration and by controlling the gelation kinetics, i.e. by using different gelation routes. The biological evaluation of such hydrogels for regeneration of infarcted myocardium revealed that chitosan hydrogels prepared from 1.5% polymer solutions was perfectly incorporated onto the epicardial surface of the heart and presented partial degradation accompanied by mononuclear cell infiltration.