Preparing antibacterial and in-situ formable double crosslinking chitosan/hyaluronan composite hydrogels

Abstract In-situ formable double crosslinking chitosan/hyaluronan composite hydrogel was prepared with maleilated chitosan, thiol derivatised hyaluronan and chitosan via Michael addition reaction and physical crosslinking. The gelation time, swelling behaviors, mechanical properties and antibacterial ability of hydrogels were evaluated. Results showed that shorter gelation time, lower swelling ratio and higher storage modulus were observed in the double crosslinking hydrogels with the same thiol/vinyl molar ratios, due to the introduction of chitosan/β-glycerophosphate based physical cross-linked network into the initial chemical cross-linked gelling system. Furthermore, the hydrogels presented good antibacterial performance against Staphylococcus aureus.