Quince-Mucin Hydrogel Fabrication

Free-radical polymerization technique was used to fabricate a quince/mucin co-poly (methacrylate) hydrogel. Polymers, monomers and a cross-linker were incorporated at different ratios. The compositions of different formulations (QHM1–QHM12) are presented in Table 1. Specified amounts of each QH were dissolved in deionized water (5 mL) on a magnetic stirrer (VELP Scientifica) until the QH fragments were properly distributed. Similarly, mucin, APS, MAA and MBA were dissolved separately in deionized water (5 mL) on a hot plate magnetic stirrer. The solutions of the polymers (quince and mucin) were mixed together with continuous stirring (100 rpm), followed by APS incorporation. MBA was added to the solution of MAA with continuous stirring. This solution was transferred to the activated polymeric solution with continuous stirring. The whole mixture was sonicated for 5 min, transferred into glass tubes, and sealed with aluminum foil. The test tubes were kept in a thermostatically controlled water bath (Memmert, Tokyo, Japan) at 55 °C for 2 h and then at 65 °C for 8 h. After a specified period of time, the test tubes were removed from the water bath and placed at room temperature for some time. The prepared hydrogel was removed with the help of a spatula and impregnated with ethanol. The cutting of the prepared hydrogels in the form of discs (5 mm thick) was carried out with the help of a sharp blade. Washing was executed with an ethanol and water mixture (70:30) for 30 min to remove unreacted contents. The drying of the discs was accomplished in a hot air oven at 45 °C until a constant weight was achieved [20 (link),21 (link)].