Oxidation Assisted Fabrication of Sterculia Gum/Protein Hybrid Hydrogel Networks through Schiff Base Formation: Characterization and Swelling Kinetic Studies

Abstract

Polysaccharide/protein hybrid conjugate system becomes an emerging system with integrated characteristics of protein as well as polysaccharide to be exploited for recent advancements in biomedical sectors. Present study is an attempt to fabricate a sterculia gum/gelatin hybrid hydrophilic network system via Schiff base formation using oxidative route at ambient conditions. This route transforms hydrogel synthesis through green mode without employing any crosslinking systems so as to minimize the toxicity issues associated. Fabricated Schiff base based gel systems have been characterized by FT-IR, powdered XRD, FESEM and EDX to confirm the inclusion of new characteristics, morphological changes and functionalization. Oxidation of natural gum drastically alter the physico-chemical behaviour of the gum as confirmed by powdered XRD by incorporating crystalline nature of oxidized sterculia gum as compared to the native sterculia gum and the Schiff base formed. The changes observed are due to the chemical modification of sterculia gum during Schiff base formation. Further the swelling capacity of oxidized sterculia gum and crosslinked network formed is also modulated and was less as compared to native sterculia gum and gelatin. This article also elaborates the mechanistic changes which take place during oxidative route of hydrogel formation in various segments of sterculia gum during oxidation and Schiff base formation.