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Abstract
The physical properties of collagen-based biomaterials are profoundly influenced by
the method and extent of crosslinking. In this study, the influence of various crosslinking
treatments on the physical properties of reconstituted collagen membranes was assessed.
Five crosslinking agents viz., GTA, DMS, DTBP, a combination of DMS and GTA and acyl
azide method were used to stabilize collagen matrices. Crosslinking density, swelling
ratio, thermo-mechanical properties, stress-strain characteristics and resistance
to collagenase digestion were determined to evaluate the physical properties of crosslinked
matrices. GTA treatment induced the maximum number of crosslinks (13) while DMS treatment
induced the minimum (7). Of the two diimidoesters (DMS and DTBP), DTBP was a more
effective crosslinking agent due to the presence of disulphide bonds in the DTBP crosslinks.
T(s) for DTBP and DMS crosslinked collagen were 80 degrees C and 70 degrees C, and
their HIT values were 5.4 and 2.85MN/m(2), respectively. Low concentration of GTA
(0.01%) increased the crosslinking density of an already crosslinked matrix (DMS treated
matrix) from 7 to 12. Lowest fracture energy was observed for the acyl azide treated
matrix (0.61MJ/m(3)) while the highest was observed for the GTA treated matrix (1.97MJ/m(3)).
The tensile strength of GTA treated matrix was maximum (12.4MPa) and that of acyl
azide treated matrix was minimum (7.2MPa). GTA, DTBP and acyl azide treated matrices
were equally resistant to collagenase degradation with approximately 6% solubilization
after 5h while the DMS treated was least stable with 52.4% solubilization after the
same time period. The spatial orientation of amino acid side chain residues on collagen
plays an important role in determining the crosslinking density and consequent physical
properties of the collagen matrix.