Cellulose-based Biomaterial Engineering Development Service

Cellulose-based Biomaterial Engineering Development Service at CD BioGlyco

At CD BioGlyco, our goal is to meet the biomedical, and tissue engineering needs of our clients through the Development of Biomaterials Based on Marine Carbohydrates (Carrageenan, Ulvan, cellulose, etc). Cellulose is a linear polysaccharide consisting of glucose residues linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. Its water retention capacity, modifiability, biocompatibility, renewability, and biodegradability make it an ideal biopolymer for use as a biomaterial. We provide a high-quality service for the development of cellulose-based hydrogels and 3D scaffolds from design, preparation, and optimization to testing.

Fig.1 Types of engineering development of cellulose-based biomaterials. (CD BioGlyco)

Cellulose-based Biomaterials Engineering Development Services

• Hydrogels obtained from natural cellulose
  The presence of hydroxyl groups in cellulose makes it easy to form crosslinks through hydrogen bonding. We obtain cellulose-based hydrogels from cellulose solutions by physical cross-linking.
• Hydrogels obtained from cellulose derivatives
  Water-soluble cellulose derivatives are usually biocompatible and are therefore used as adhesives, film-forming agents, surfactants, thickeners, etc. We prepare hydrogels based on cellulose derivatives by chemical and physical cross-linking. Selectable cellulose derivatives include hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, and methylcellulose. Physically crosslinked hydrogels are formed through associative polymer-polymer interactions, ionic bonding, or hydrogen bonding. Chemically crosslinked hydrogels are fabricated by crosslinking two or more polymer chains under UV irradiation or through the use of functionalized crosslinking agents.
• Hybrid hydrogels
  The blending of different polymers is an ideal and favorable method to obtain novel structural materials. We blend cellulose (or its derivatives) with natural biodegradable polymers such as chitosan, alginate, chitin, hyaluronic acid, and starch for the preparation of novel materials.

In addition to this, we also provide various cellulose-based 3D scaffold development services, such as cellulose-organic composite scaffolds, cellulose-inorganic composite scaffolds, and so on. During the fabrication process, we optimize the basic properties of the scaffolds including mineralization, porosity, mechanical strength, biodegradability, and so on.

After fabrication we Analyze by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), dissolution test analysis, etc., to evaluate the structure and morphology of the material.

Modification of Cellulose

The functionality of cellulosic materials is modified by surface alterations, including derivatization of functional groups, the physical adsorption of molecules, etc. Physical and chemical modifications will enhance the properties of biomaterials prepared from cellulose. We also combine two or more compounds to optimize the material properties.

Fig.2 Methods of cellulose modification. (CD BioGlyco)

Publication Data

Technology: Freeze-drying

Journal: Gels

IF: 4.6

Published: 2023

Results: In this study, a novel nanofibrillar cellulose (NFC) hydrogel was prepared by mixing a certain amount of PBS buffer with 1.7 wt% cellulose. The hydrogel (0.8 wt%) was freeze-dried to observe the results by SEM. The results showed that the hydrogel exhibited interconnected macropores with micropores (~5 to 20 μm) and macropores (~20-60 μm), suggesting less restriction of mass transfer. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) were cultured in this hydrogel, and the results showed that the hydrogel could maintain cell survival and form colonies.

Fig.3 Characterization (a) XRD of nanofibrillar cellulose (b) SEM images of NFC hydrogel (0.8 wt%) at different magnifications. (Hao, et al., 2023)

Applications

• Cellulose-based hydrogels are used as scaffolds for cell culture, and cartilage models.
• Cellulose-based biomaterials are loaded with therapeutic agents to enhance osteoinductive, osteoconductive, and anti-inflammatory properties in bone repair.
• Cellulose-based biomaterials are used as food packaging materials.

Highlights of Us

• We enhance the performance of cellulose-based materials through chemical and physical modification of cellulose.
• We have extensive experience in the engineering and development of cellulose-based biomaterials.
• We are capable of accomplishing the development of various hydrogels and three-dimensional scaffolds.

At CD BioGlyco, our goal is to develop materials that need to fulfill a wide range of properties, such as porous structure, internal connectivity, good mechanical properties, and so on. To this end, we are constantly updating and optimizing our fabrication technologies and have experienced biomaterials experts to lead projects. Please feel free to contact us for more detailed materials on the modification of cellulose, hydrogel preparation methods, types of scaffolds, and more.