Hemocompatibility, biodegradability and acute toxicity of acetylated cellulose nanocrystals of different types in comparison.

Promotion of promising cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) is largely dependent on the relationship between their morphology, surface chemical composition, and supramolecular structure with toxicity, hemocompatibility, and biodegradability. This paper outlines comparative and integrated analysis of the mentioned biocompatibility aspects of partially acetylated rod-, and disc-lake morphology of CNC with crystalline cellulose allomorphs I and II. These data have also included the study of CNC obtained from the sulfuric acid solutions. The aqueous solution of all types of tested CNC has not been toxic to mice after oral administration. Morphology of internal organs has not changed. However, in case of disc-like particles, the kidney mass coefficient noticeably changed. CNC have neither triggered platelet aggregation nor destroyed the red cell membrane. Intravenous administration to rabbits has not affected the plasma clotting time. Rod-like CNC are more resistant, and the disc-like particles are more susceptible to degradation under the influence of cellulases.

Synthesis and hemocompatibility of amino (di-)butyldeoxy modified hydroxyethyl starch.

Cationic polymers are of interest as the basis for obtaining various biomaterials. Hydrophilic biopolymers and their modification products are of main interest. Biocompatibility is the prime criterion that makes this material usable for said purposes. In this research, hydroxyethyl starch (HES) was used as a basis for synthesis of aminodeoxy derivatives, containing n-butylamin (BA) and dibutylamin (DBA) fragments. Bromodeoxy HES was an intermediate compound. The structure of synthesized polymers was confirmed with NMR, elemental analysis and FTIR methods. The derivatives with 0.6 and 0.9 degree of substitution were tested for compatibility with blood. The research showed that HES base does not have an anticoagulation activity, does not affect human platelet aggregation and in concentrations up to 10 mg/mL of cell suspension in a buffer solution does not destroy red blood cell membrane, and therefore can be used as a component of drug delivery systems. Addition of aminodeoxy derivatives of HES hindered development of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Derivatives of HES-DBA and HES-BA0.9 may also be of interest, but their concentration must not exceed 1 * 10-5 mg/mL of blood. Biodegradation of HES cationic derivatives were analyzed through identification of reducing sugars after treatment with amylase and pancreatin.

Disk-like nanocrystals prepared by solvolysis from regenerated cellulose and colloid properties of their hydrosols.

One possible way of obtaining cellulose nanocrystals and aqueous sols with novel properties is based on modification of supramolecular structure of the polysaccharide. This modification involves rearrangements of hydrogen bonds and has an effect on polymer morphology, formation of surface reactive sites and interface interactions. Disc-like nanocrystals of cellulose II were prepared by solvolysis of regenerated cellulose in acetic acid/octanol medium in the presence of 0.4 mol% of phosphotungstic acid. The starting cellulose samples were dissolved and regenerated in the NaOH/thiourea system. Cellulose nanocrystals were studied by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD and thermogravimetric analysis. Colloidal stability of aqueous suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals in the presence of electrolyte (KCl) was studied. Their acid-base properties were revealed using potentiometric titration. The influence of electrolyte concentration on dynamic viscosity of the obtained hydrosols and their ability to show birefringence was established.

Extraction and structural characteristics of pectic polysaccharides from Abies sibirica L.

Structurally different pectins were isolated from the wood greenery of Abies sibirica L. by the sequential extraction with water (ASW), HCl solution (pH∼4) (ASA), and NH3 solution (pH∼8.5) (ASN). The GalA/Rha molar ratios for the ASW (15), ASA (8.9), and ASN (3.9) polysaccharides diminish in the order ASW>ASA>ASN, indicating a decrease in homogalacturonans and increase in rhamnogalacturonan I in this series. The ASWH, ASAH, and ASNH homogalacturonans derived by acid hydrolysis of ASW, ASA, and ASN have similar Mw 23.8, 21.1, and 18.9kDa, respectively, corresponding to a mean polymerization degree of 97-122 for the GalA residue. The macromolecule backbone of ASN was represented mainly by moieties of partially methylesterified homogalacturonan and partially 2-O- and/or 3-O-acetylated rhamnogalacturonan I. The carbohydrate side chains of the branched region are primarily made up of terminal, 1,5-O-, 1,3,5-di-O- and 1,2,3,5-tri-O-substituted α-L-Araf residues and terminal, 1,3-O- and 1,3,6-di-O-substituted ß-D-Galp residues. The currently known pectin models were refined.