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Title: CONVERSION OF PECTIN AND RELATED POLYSACCHARIDES INTO UNIQUE BIOMATERIALS FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

Author
item Liu, Linshu
item Fishman, Marshall
item Hicks, Kevin

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/20/2003
Publication Date: 11/20/2003
Citation: Liu, L.S., Fishman, M.L., Hicks, K.B. 2003.Conversion of pectin and related polysaccharides into unique biomaterials for biomedical applications. Meeting Abstract. Proceedings of the cooperative pogram in Natural Resources (UJNR). Protein Resource Panel. 32nd Annual Meeting, Tsukuba, Japan. pp.404-409.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The aim of the research was to develop matrices from plant polysaccharides for the delivery of biologically active substances for medical applications. To this end, a new biodegradable matrix composed of a hydrophobic poly(lactide-co-glycolide), p(LGA), network entangled with another network of hydrophilic pectin was created. The method combines creating pores and cross-linking polymers in one reaction. Microscopic imaging and dynamic mechanical analysis revealed a double-network structure of the composite matrices. The pectin enables the composite to carry signal molecules by linking them to the pectin networks physically or chemically. The p(LGA) networks in the composite impart mechanical properties comparable to p(LGA) alone. Furthermore, the pectin-containing matrices improved cell adhesion and proliferation when compared to plain p(LGA) matrices, as determined in vitro by osteoblast culture.