Fabrication of ulvan-based ionically cross-linked 3D-biocomposite: synthesis and characterization

Polysaccharides are among the multifunctional and highly abundant biomolecules of the plant kingdom. Their diversities range from being a homopolymer to heteropolymers with a vast list of applications precisely for the marine algae-derived sulfated polysaccharides. Ulvans, a green marine macroalgae-derived sulphated heteropolymer, have been modified by number of methodologies to prepare biocomposites, tissue scaffolds, hydrogels, aerogels, thin films, etc. The present study demonstrates for the first time use of ionic cross-linking using calcium as a green cross linker to construct a 3D scaffold. The assessment of cross-linking by 1 H NMR shows potential involvement of methyl group of l -rhamnose, whereas surface analysis from FE-SEM-EDX rendered heterogeneous spores with a homogeneous distribution of calcium and sulphur. The characterization confirms functional group modifications taking place in the back-bone potentially due to calcium binding. The combined physico-chemical response of the scaffold makes it a potential alternative for a chemically cross-linked synthetic polymers for drug delivery, controlled release, and tissue engineering applications.