Modification of eggshell membrane to impart biospecific properties

Eggshell membrane (ESM) represents an inexpensive, environmentally friendly and nontoxic byproduct. Besides the unique mechanical properties of the material, the ESM surface is rich in functional groups susceptible to further modifications. In the current study two modification pathways were applied to enrich the ESM surface with glucopyranosyl units. One was based on the reaction of activated surface carboxylic groups with glucosamine and the other exploited the reactivity of the surface amino groups for grafting poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains bearing end glucopyranosyl and benzaldehyde moieties. The functionalization of the PEG chains with molar masses 400 and 1500 g mol(-1) was evidenced from H-1 NMR and C-13 NMR spectral data. The modified ESMs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area and the total pore volume of ESM decreased upon modification. Decoration of ESM with glucopyranosyl units imparted protein recognition properties that were tested via binding studies with concanavalin A as model lectin. Further, grafting of glucose units via PEG linkers reduced bacterial adhesion onto the membrane surface. (c) 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.