Studying the impact of selenium complex chemical structure on collagen-starch hydrogels for enhanced tissue growth

Selenium complexes modifying their chemical structure through the variation of amino acids such as L-phenylalanine, L-histidine, and L-tryptophan were dispersed in collagen-starch hydrogels (1 wt.%), generating the (Se-F), (Se-H), and (Se-T) biomatrices, respectively. SEM/EDS analysis confirmed a uniform selenium distribution, with (Se-H) biomatrix displaying the largest aggregates, influencing the formation and size of aggregates within the biopolymer matrix. All matrices exhibited a semicrystalline nature; notably (Se-T) decreased fibrillar structure crystallinity of collagen. Physicochemical assessments revealed (Se-H) with the shortest gelation time (10 ± 1 minutes), highest swelling (4500 ± 230%) and superior resistance to proteolytic degradation. (Se-T) demonstrated the highest crosslinking index (52 ± 4%), while (Se-F) was characterized by having the highest storage modulus (840 Pa at 1 hz), enabling the sustained release of methylene blue for up to 7 days. Upon contact with commercial plant substrate, all matrices showed negligible mass variation. Biological findings showcased (Se-F) stimulating monocyte metabolism and proliferation, while (Se-H) fostered fibroblast metabolism, proliferation, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) secretion in monocytes, alongside reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) secretion. All matrices decreased TNF-α secretion in monocytes, signifying potential as advanced wound healing dressings. For plant tissue, all matrices enhanced tomato cell metabolism and proliferation. Seeds grown on commercial plant substrate revealed (Se-F) yielding plants with larger stem sizes, while (Se-T) resulted in higher leaf counts within 30 days, indicating their potential agricultural applications.