Synthesis of tunable hydrogels based on O-acetyl-galactoglucomannans from spruce

Hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties based on O-acetyl-galactoglucomannans (GGMs) from spruce functionalized with tyramine, a molecule containing crosslinkable phenolic groups, were prepared. Gel formation was induced by enzymatic crosslinking at the addition of horse radish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide to the modified GGMs. The degree of substitution determined the hydrogels final properties, and was varied by TEMPO oxidation of GGM to a degree of oxidation from 10 to 60%. GGM and its derivatives were characterized by gas chromatography and high pressure size exclusion chromatography to analyze sugar composition and molar mass, respectively. Tyramine-conjugated GGM was evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Measurements of moduli over time showed crosslinking within 20 s and maximum stress of the prepared gels were compared by compression testing. Overall this system presents a cell friendly hydrogel from a renewable, low cost resource which could be applied in cell delivery, wound dressings, and biofabrication.