Macroporous Cryo-Structured Material Based on Vanillin-Cross-Linked Chitosan and Its Mechanical, Physicochemical, Sanitary-Chemical, and Antibacterial Properties

Abstract

This paper proposes a method for producing a macroporous cryostructured hydrogel material based on chitosan cross-linked with a low-toxicity agent, vanillin. The method involves a two-stage process: cryostructuring followed by freeze-drying and thermal cross-linking, resulting in the formation of Schiff bases. The resulting material is characterized by a developed system of interconnected pores with an average size of approximately 60 μm, a high swelling rate, and sufficient mechanical properties determined by its porous structure. The selective antibacterial activity of this material against Staphylococcus aureus (growth inhibition rate of 24.3%) was demonstrated, and its sanitary and chemical evaluation was also conducted. It was found that the material retains its key physical, mechanical, and sanitary properties after sterilization with ionizing radiation at doses of up to 25 kGy. The results demonstrate the potential of the developed material for use as a basis for biomedical products, such as wound dressings, hemostatic agents, and implants.