(541e) Crosslinked Natural Interpenetrating Polymeric Network As Microgels from Hyaluronic Acid and Carboxymethyl Chitosan

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural polymer with a specific binding capability of tumor cells via cell surface adhesion receptors. Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) is a derivative of chitosan containing glucosamine components with high solubility properties and is considered a biopesticide due to the innate antibacterial and antifungal properties of chitosan. Here, micrometer-sized hyaluronic acid-co-carboxymethyl chitosan (HA-co-CMCh) interpenetrating network IPN) microgels were synthesized in a micro emission crosslinking method. Using divinyl sulfone (DVS) as a crosslinker at different weight ratios of natural polymers e.g., 10%, 25%, and 50wt%, the size and hydrolytic degradation of the synthesized microgels were controlled. The isoelectric point (IEP) of HA-co-CMCh IPN microgels prepared via 50wt% crosslinker was determined as pH 2.3 through zeta potential measurements at different pH solutions. The bare CMCh has an IEP value of pH 5.2 whereas the IEP of bare HA could not be detected in the pH range of 2-12. However, it is understood that HA has IEP pH <2. The hydrolytic degradation of HA-co-CMCh IPN microgels in different buffer solutions e.g., pH 1.0 and 7.4 were studied at 37.5°C. The biocompatibility HA-co-CHCh IPN microgels were done on L929 fibroblasts via MTT cell viability assay and the blood compatibility of the microgels was done utilizing hemolysis% assay and blood clotting index% assays. Also, the antibiotic and anticancer drug-carrying capabilities of HA-co-CHCh IPN microgels are investigated at 37.5°C. Moreover, Fe(II) chelating capability of HA-co-CHCh IPN microgels was determined.