Abstract:
The properties of 5 different compositions of hydrogels were investigated to determine the potential for future medical applications. Each batch consisted of an aqueous agent, which was water, a primary polymer, a secondary polymer, and an additive, which was 45S5 bioglass. The primary polymers used were either gelatin or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and the secondary polymers used were cellulose gum or anhydrous borax. The first of two tests used to investigate the properties of the hydrogels was swelling studies. Samples from each batch were placed in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and left to incubate overnight. After 24 hours, the samples were observed and batches 1 and 2 had noticeable swelling while samples from batches 3, 4, and 5 had dissolved. The following day observations were made again and batches 1 and 2 had started to dissolve as well. Bacterial testing was then conducted with 3 samples for each batch being placed in LB agar and tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli). Batches 3, 4, and 5 all had varying sizes of inhibition zones and batches 1 and 2 showed no signs of inhibition of bacterial growth. Batches 3, 4, and 5 all had anhydrous borax as the secondary polymer while batches 1 and 2 had cellulose gum.
