Antioxidant, antibacterial, injectable lignin-gelatin composite cryogels for wound healing and tissue engineering

Abstract

A cryogel which includes lignin nanoparticles embedded in crosslinked gelatin. The cryogel is formed at subfreezing temperatures where aggregation of polymerized or crosslinked materials is prevented by ice crystals. When thawed, the cryogel is a densely crosslinked microporous composition with a plurality of pores ranging from 50-150 μm in size. The cryogel combines a natural bio waste polymer in the form of lignin together with a collagen derived natural polymer. Incorporation of lignin within gelatin improves the mechanical performance of the cryogel and enhances its shape recovery rate. The macropororous composition inhibits growth of both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. In addition, the macoporous composition exhibits excellent free radical scavenging activity. All of the properties make the cryogel an excellent material for wound healing and tissue engineering applications.

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