(114c) Improving a Biopolymer through Disulfide Cross-Linking of Chitosan Polymer Chains

Chitosan has gained momentum in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to its widespread availability, degradation ability, and low immune response in vivo. However, chitosan lacks the desirable mechanical and cell interaction properties that could widen its use as a biomaterial. Recent progress has been made towards promoting the mucoadhesive properties of chitosan by attaching sulfhydryl functional groups to the glucosamine units of chitosan polymer chains. Sulfhydryl attachment to chitosan has the potential to create a network of disulfide bonds that may add desireable mechanical properties to the polymer. This report discusses some of the beneficial mechanical properties that arise from carbodiimide mediated N-acetyl-L-cysteine attachment to chitosan. Specifically, a 500% increase in strain was observed, as well as a 351% increase in maximum tensile stress. Cell proliferation studies were also promising, indicating that cells have a better chance of spreading and proliferating on thiolated chitosan compared to unmodified chitosan.