Effect of ScCO2 on the decontamination of PECs-based cryogels: A comparison with H2O steam and H2O2 nebulization methods

Cristiana S A Bento; Henrique Carrelo; Susana Alarico; Nuno Empadinhas; Hermínio C de Sousa; Maria Teresa Cidade; Mara E M Braga

doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123451

Effect of ScCO₂ on the decontamination of PECs-based cryogels: A comparison with H₂O steam and H₂O₂ nebulization methods

Int J Pharm. 2023 Nov 5:646:123451. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123451. Epub 2023 Sep 27.

Authors

Cristiana S A Bento¹, Henrique Carrelo², Susana Alarico³, Nuno Empadinhas³, Hermínio C de Sousa¹, Maria Teresa Cidade², Mara E M Braga⁴

Affiliations

¹ Chemical Process Engineering and Forest Products Research Centre (CIEPQPF), Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal.
² i3N/CENIMAT, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA), Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
³ Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC) and Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Faculty of Medicine, Polo I, 1st floor, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal.
⁴ Chemical Process Engineering and Forest Products Research Centre (CIEPQPF), Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: marabraga@eq.uc.pt.

PMID: 37774759
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123451

Abstract

Biopolymers present ideal properties to be used in wound dressing solutions. By mixing two oppositely charged macromolecules it is possible to form polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) based cryogels using lyophilization. Their application in the biomedical field is limited due to their sterilization requirements, as conventional methods compromise their physicochemical properties. ScCO₂ appears as an alternative method for decontamination. This work assessed several cryogel PEC formulations, chitosan-pectin, gelatine-xanthan gum and alginate-gelatine. PEC formation was confirmed by FTIR and rheological analysis. While steam sterilization compromised cryogels' chemical and morphological properties, decontamination with scCO₂ proved to be a promising method for decontamination of PEC-cryogels, because, similarly to what is observed with hydrogen peroxide, it does not compromise their physicochemical properties.

Keywords: Decontamination; H(2)O steam; H(2)O(2) nebulization; Natural polymers; PECs-based cryogels; Wound dressing; scCO(2).