NANOMODIFICATION OF CHITOSAN MICROSPHERES WITH DENDRON MOLECULES

AGUSTINA ALDANA; MIRIAM C. STRUMIA; MARISA MARTINELLI

Journal of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering

ASP

Año: 2012

2157-9083

The importance of dendritic structures in biology and medicine lies in their multivalency. Dendrons represent a structural component of the parent dendrimer; they have nano-dimensions and their immobilization on surfaces would lead to structural features within this dimensional range. Novel dendronized surface of chitosan microspheres was prepared by reaction between cross-linked biopolymer and Behera´s or bis Behera´s amine dendrons. According to FTIR analysis, it can be concluded that the dendronization took place; the shape and size were homogeneous and independent of the dendronization, according SEM images. Interactions between dendron-polymer network and hydrophilic / hydrophobic characteristics of the dendron modify the physical properties of the microspheres. The swelling studies of dendronized films at pH 1.2 and 7.4 evidenced the so-called “dendritic effect”. In addition, the microspheres remained stable for an extended period. The highlights of the present research were to develop nanostructured dendronized surfaces on spheres of polymer supports that seem to be appropriate for biomedical applications. The work aimed at studying the effect of dendronization of the surface on the original properties of chitosan microspheres.