PEROXIDASE-CATALYZED CROSSlINKING OF FUNCTIONALIZED POLYASPARTIC ACID POLYMERS

ABSTRACT The formation of biodegradable hydrogels is reported based on enzymatic crosslinking reactions of modified polyaspartic acid. Poly(aspartic acid) polymers functionalized with aromatic groups were crosslinked in aqueous solution via peroxidase with hydrogen peroxide to form hydrogels. The reaction products were characterized based on time to gel, swelling ratio, sol fraction, storage and loss modulus, and entrapped enzyme. Optimum reaction conditions for gel synthesis were determined. Poly(aspartic acid) hydrogels have significant potential for use in biomedical applications such as in drug delivery due to the aqueous, non-toxic synthesis conditions as well as their inherent biodegradability by proteases.