Novel Hydrogel Membranes Based on the Bacterial Polysaccharide FucoPol: Design, Characterization and Biological Properties

FucoPol, a fucose-rich polyanionic polysaccharide, was used for the first time preparation of hydrogel membranes (HMs) using Fe3+ as crosslinking agent. This study evaluated impact and FucoPol concentrations on HMs’ strength. The results show that, above 1.5 g/L, concentration had limited influence strength, varying more significant effect. Three different (1.0, 1.75 2.5 wt.%) were combined with (1.5 g/L), resulting in HMs water content 97 wt.% an up to 0.16 wt.%. lower exhibited denser porous microstructure polymer increased. Moreover, low HM presented highest swelling ratio (22.3 ± 1.8 g/g) hardness value (32.4 5.8 kPa). However, improved mechanical properties (221.9 10.2 kPa) along decrease (11.9 1.6 obtained higher content. Furthermore, all non-cytotoxic revealed anti-inflammatory activity. incorporation structuring agent bioactive ingredient development opens new possibilities its use tissue engineering, drug delivery wound care management.