Robert Tylingo

Preparation and characterization of genipin cross-linked porous chitosan–collagen–gelatin scaffolds using chitosan–CO2 solution

Novel porous scaffolds composed of chitosan, collagen and gelatin were prepared by the multistep procedure involving final freeze-drying and characterized. To eliminate the need for residual acid removal from the material after drying, carbon dioxide saturation process was used for chitosan blend formulation. The use of CO2 for chitosan dissolution made the scaffold preparation process more reproducible and economically sustainable. Genipin was applied to stabilize the structure of the scaffolds and those crosslinked at a level of 7.3% exhibited a homogenous porous structure (33.1%), high swelling capacity (27.6g/g for wound exudate like medium; 62.5 g/g for water), and were stable under cyclic compression. The values of other investigated parameters: dissolution degree (30%), lysozyme-induced degradation (5% after 168 h), good antioxidant properties (DPPH, ABTS, Fe(2+) assays) and especially very low in vitro cytotoxicity against fibroblasts (103%, MTT assay), were highly advantageous for possible biomedical applications of the novel materials.

Chitosan–protein scaffolds loaded with lysostaphin as potential antistaphylococcal wound dressing materials

The development of technology for preparing chitosan–protein scaffolds loaded with lysostaphin, which potentially could be used as dressing for wound treatment and soft tissue infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Structure and properties of the exopolysaccharides produced by Pseudomonas mutabilis T6 and P. mutabilis ATCC 31014.

This paper presents a study on the purification, primary structure, and rheological properties of exopolysaccharides isolated from cultures of Pseudomonas mutabilis T6 and P. mutabilis ATCC 31014. Both polymers are exopolysaccharides of D-mannose. The mannan isolated from P. mutabilis T6 contains on average about 5% of residual β-D-glucose, in contrast to the mannan from P. mutabilis ATCC 31014, which contained only trace amounts of residual β-D-glucose (less than 1%). Based on the (13)C NMR spectra, all of the remaining carbohydrates in the exopolysaccharides occur in the form of pyranose rings. All of the mannose residues have the α configuration at the anomeric carbon atom while the glucose adopts the β configuration. The reaction of both polysaccharide hydrolysates with an optically active alcohol indicates that all of the sugar residues have the D configuration. We found that the main chain of the exopolysaccharide is composed of mannose residues connected through α-(1→6) linkages, of which a large number are substituted on O2 with D-mannose and the remaining are substituted with di- to pentasaccharide fragments. The rheological properties of the exopolysaccharide isolated from P. mutabilis T6 show that its viscosity is over 30 times greater than that of P. mutabilis ATCC 31014.

Isolation and Characterization of Acid Soluble Collagen from the Skin ofAfrican Catfish (Clarias gariepinus), Salmon (Salmo salar) and Baltic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Acid-soluble collagen (ASC) from the fish skin of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), Salmon (Salmo salar) and Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) was extracted and characterized. The ASC extraction yield was 75%, 73% and 68%, respectively. The denaturation and melting temperatures of African catfish ASC (29.3°C and 100.0°C) were significantly higher than ASC of Salmon and Baltic cod (20.6°C and 90.5°C; 15.2°C and 86.7°C, respectively), assessed by differential scanning calorimetry. The SDS-PAGE profile showed that each of tested ASC was the type I collagen and consisted of two different α chains, α1 and α2, as well as a β component. The FTIR spectra of all collagens indicate that the overall their chemical compositions are quite similar. The fish skin collagen is easy to prepare and represents a possible resource for use on industrial scale.

The effect of high pressure at subzero temperature on proteins solubility, drip loss and texture of fish (cod and salmon) and mammal’s (pork and beef) meat

One of the possibilities of using high-pressure technique in inactivation of microorganism is conducting this process at subzero temperature. However, for its practical application in meat preservation the appropriate properties of meat should be maintained. Therefore, the aim of this work was to examine the effect of pressure at subzero temperature (without freezing of water) on proteins and texture of mammal’s and cold-adapted fish meat. The data showed that cod and salmon meat proteins were more susceptible to pressure-induced denaturation/aggregation than beef and pork proteins. Glucose and saccharose exerted protective effect on fish meat proteins treated with pressure of 111 MPatc and −10 ℃ but not at 193 MPatc and −20 ℃. The pressure treatment under the latter conditions increased cook loss of fish meat but not of mammal’s meat. However, after cooking the hardness of all kinds of pressurized meat was at the same level as that for unpressurized cooked samples.

Investigation of an elutable N-propylphosphonic acid chitosan derivative composition with a chitosan matrix prepared from carbonic acid solution

Porous chitosan composites using CO2 dissolution procedure and including water soluble N-propylphosphonic chitosan derivative (p-CHI) were obtained and characterized. In contrast to the control material, composites containing modified chitosan distinguished by a rapid moisture absorption and good adhesion to the skin. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of propylphosphonic group in the structure of the polymer. The porosity of the materials was in the range 55-77% and decreased with increasong amount of modified chitosan in materials. Solubility of composites was dependent on the content of p-CHI in scaffolds (40%, 25% and 15%) and reached values 11%, 9% and 6,5%, respectively. The values of other parameters like swelling degree (30g/g) good antioxidant and antimicrobial properties (almost 100% reduction of S.aureus, E.coli and C. albicans growth) and low in vitro cytotoxicity against fibroblasts were highly advantageous for possible biomedical applications of the composites.