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Gels
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Biopolymer Hydrogels: Synthesis, Properties and Applications
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Biopolymer Hydrogels: Synthesis, Properties and Applications

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 2705

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rogelio Rodríguez-Rodríguez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Natural and Exact Sciences. Centro Universitario de los Valles (CUVALLES), Universidad de Guadalajara, Ameca 46600, Mexico
Interests: hydrogels; in vitro characterizations; rheological characterization; in vitro biocompatibility
Dr. Jose Manuel Cervantes-Uc

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro de Investigacion Cientifica de Yucatan, Unidad de Materiales, Merida 97205, Mexico
Interests: biopolymers; biomaterials; polymer degradation; polymer characterization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, hydrogels have emerged as versatile biomaterials with applications in areas such as the biomedical, food, and agricultural sectors. Hydrogels have exhibited remarkable properties, including high water absorption and retention, controllable biodegradability, suitable mechanical characteristics, and excellent biocompatibility. These properties can be tailored through the polymer and crosslinking method used or by combining different polymers, ultimately resulting in hydrogels with suitable properties for specific functions.

This Special Issue is dedicated to exploring the synthesis, structural design, and engineering of hydrogels, with particular emphasis on synthesis methods,  including physical and chemical crosslinking, as well as the incorporation of bioactive compounds and nanomaterials to improve their properties. Contributions may also focus on the evaluation of critical properties of hydrogels, such as internal and external microstructure, rheological and mechanical properties, water uptake, and chemical characterization by FTIR, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy, among others.

Submissions that address the relationship between synthesis and processing conditions and the resulting functional properties are especially encouraged. In addition, studies on “smart” hydrogels—materials capable of responding to external stimuli such as pH, temperature, and biological signals—are particularly welcome.

The scope of this Special issue also includes advances in areas such as biomedical (tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, wound dressings), agricultural (soil conditioning, water retention, agrochemical delivery), and environmental (adsorption of pollutants, wastewater treatment) applications.

We invite original research articles, reviews, and short communications that contribute to advancing the understanding of biopolymer hydrogel processing and design. The focus of this Special Issue includes the above aspects but is not limited to them.

Dr. Rogelio Rodríguez-Rodríguez
Dr. Jose Manuel Cervantes-Uc
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biopolymer hydrogels
  • gel processing and engineering
  • smart hydrogels
  • crosslinking process
  • biomedical and environmental applications

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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20 pages, 3020 KB  
Article
Structural, Swelling, and In Vitro Digestion Behavior of DEGDA-Crosslinked Semi-IPN Dextran/Inulin Hydrogels
by Tamara Erceg, Miloš Radosavljević, Ružica Tomičić, Vladimir Pavlović, Milorad Miljić, Aleksandra Cvetanović Kljakić and Aleksandra Torbica
Gels 2026, 12(2), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12020103 - 26 Jan 2026
Viewed by 484
Abstract
In this study, semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogels based on methacrylated dextran and native inulin were designed as biodegradable carriers for the colon-specific delivery of uracil as a model antitumor compound. The hydrogels were synthesized via free-radical polymerization, using diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA) [...] Read more.
In this study, semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogels based on methacrylated dextran and native inulin were designed as biodegradable carriers for the colon-specific delivery of uracil as a model antitumor compound. The hydrogels were synthesized via free-radical polymerization, using diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA) as a crosslinking agent at varying concentrations (5, 7.5, and 10 wt%), and their structural, thermal, and biological properties were systematically evaluated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed successful crosslinking and physical incorporation of uracil through hydrogen bonding. Concurrently, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed an increase in glass transition temperature (Tg) with increasing crosslinking density (149, 153, and 156 °C, respectively). Swelling studies demonstrated relaxation-controlled, first-order swelling kinetics under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 37 °C) and high gel fraction values (84.75, 91.34, and 94.90%, respectively), indicating stable network formation. SEM analysis revealed that the hydrogel morphology strongly depended on crosslinking density and drug incorporation, with increasing crosslinker content leading to a more compact and wrinkled structure. Uracil loading further modified the microstructure, promoting the formation of discrete crystalline domains within the semi-IPN hydrogels, indicative of physical drug entrapment. All formulations exhibited high encapsulation efficiencies (>86%), which increased with increasing crosslinker content, consistent with the observed gel fraction values. Simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion showed negligible drug release under gastric conditions and controlled release in the intestinal phase, primarily governed by crosslinking density. Antimicrobial assessment against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis, used as an initial or indirect indicator of cytotoxic potential, revealed no inhibitory activity, suggesting low biological reactivity at the screening level. Overall, the results indicate that DEGDA-crosslinked dextran/inulin semi-interpenetrating (semi-IPN) hydrogels represent promising carriers for colon-targeted antitumor drug delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer Hydrogels: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)
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20 pages, 7928 KB  
Article
Annealing-Fabricated Poria cocos Glucan-Tannic Acid Composite Hydrogels: Integrated Multifunctionality for Accelerated Wound Healing
by Yong Gao, Ruyan Qian, Chenyi Feng, Dan Li, Xinmiao He, Wengui Xu, Jiaxin Zhu and Zongbao Zhou
Gels 2026, 12(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12010096 - 22 Jan 2026
Viewed by 320
Abstract
Multifunctional wound dressings integrating moisture retention, antibacterial activity, and bioactive delivery are in demand, yet balancing structural stability and functional synergy in polysaccharide hydrogels remains a challenge. This study focused on developing such advanced dressings. Poria cocos glucan (PCG) hydrogels were fabricated via [...] Read more.
Multifunctional wound dressings integrating moisture retention, antibacterial activity, and bioactive delivery are in demand, yet balancing structural stability and functional synergy in polysaccharide hydrogels remains a challenge. This study focused on developing such advanced dressings. Poria cocos glucan (PCG) hydrogels were fabricated via annealing, with PCG-4 (4 wt.%) identified as the optimal matrix. PCG-tannic acid (TA) composite hydrogels were subsequently prepared via TA loading, followed by systematic property characterization and in vivo wound healing evaluation in a rat full-thickness wound model. The composite hydrogel exhibited balanced porosity (56.7 ± 3.4%) and swelling (705.5 ± 11.3%), along with enhanced mechanical rigidity. It enabled temperature-responsive TA release, coupled with high antioxidant activity and antibacterial efficacy. Additionally, it showed excellent biocompatibility (hemolysis rate <2%; NIH-3T3 cell viability >98%) and accelerated rat wound closure with enhanced collagen deposition, suggesting a beneficial combined effect of the composite’s components. PCG-TA holds promise as an advanced wound dressing, and the scalable annealing fabrication strategy supports its translational application potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer Hydrogels: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)
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17 pages, 2593 KB  
Article
Part II: The Influence of Crosslinking Agents on the Properties and Colon-Targeted Drug Delivery Efficacy of Dextran-Based Hydrogels
by Tamara Erceg, Miloš Radosavljević, Milorad Miljić, Aleksandra Cvetanović Kljakić, Sebastian Baloš, Katarina Mišković Špoljarić, Ivan Ćorić, Ljubica Glavaš-Obrovac and Aleksandra Torbica
Gels 2026, 12(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12010025 - 28 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 644
Abstract
In this study, dextran-based hydrogels were synthesized in dimethyl sulfoxide via free-radical polymerization with three structurally different crosslinking agents: divinyl benzene (DVB), diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA), and 4,4′-di(methacryloylamino)azobenzene (DMAAazoB). Their morphology, swelling ability, mechanical properties, and potential for controlled release of the model [...] Read more.
In this study, dextran-based hydrogels were synthesized in dimethyl sulfoxide via free-radical polymerization with three structurally different crosslinking agents: divinyl benzene (DVB), diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA), and 4,4′-di(methacryloylamino)azobenzene (DMAAazoB). Their morphology, swelling ability, mechanical properties, and potential for controlled release of the model substance (uracil) were examined, with the results showing that the chemical structure and chain length of the crosslinking agents significantly influence the structural and functional properties of hydrogels. Hydrogels crosslinked with DMAAazoB showed the highest swelling ability at pH 3 and pH 6 (2552 and 1696%, respectively), associated with protonation effects and sponge-like morphology, while simultaneously showing the lowest mechanical strength (20 and 47 MPa). In vitro simulations of gastrointestinal digestion showed that uracil was not released in the gastric phase, while in the intestinal environment, the release was significant, especially in Dex-DMAAzoB hydrogels (88.52%). The absence of azoreductases in the simulated system indicates that the release of the drug in real conditions would likely be even more pronounced. The Dex-DAAazoB hydrogel exhibited a slight antibacterial effect, producing inhibition zones of 8 and 7 mm against Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, respectively. In contrast, the remaining hydrogel formulations showed no detectable antibacterial activity toward either bacterial strain, indicating their microbiological inertness and supporting their suitability as carrier matrices for antitumor drug delivery in colorectal cancer therapy. The obtained results confirm that azo-crosslinked dextran hydrogels, with an optimized amount of crosslinking agent, are promising carriers for the targeted and controlled delivery of antitumor drugs to the colorectal region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer Hydrogels: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)
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20 pages, 2610 KB  
Article
The Influence of Synthesis Parameters on the Properties of Dextran-Based Hydrogels for Colon-Targeted Antitumor Drug Delivery Part I: Room Temperature Synthesis of Dextran/Inulin Hydrogels for Colon-Targeted Antitumor Drug Delivery
by Tamara Erceg, Miloš Radosavljević, Milorad Miljić, Aleksandra Cvetanović Kljakić, Sebastian Baloš, Katarina Mišković Špoljarić, Ivan Ćorić, Ljubica Glavaš-Obrovac and Aleksandra Torbica
Gels 2025, 11(12), 1011; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11121011 - 16 Dec 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 794
Abstract
This research successfully developed novel hydrogels composed of methacrylated dextran and inulin for targeted drug delivery in colorectal cancer therapy. The formulation exploits the natural degradation of both biopolymers by the large intestine’s microflora. A key achievement was the development of a room-temperature [...] Read more.
This research successfully developed novel hydrogels composed of methacrylated dextran and inulin for targeted drug delivery in colorectal cancer therapy. The formulation exploits the natural degradation of both biopolymers by the large intestine’s microflora. A key achievement was the development of a room-temperature free radical polymerization synthesis method. The study thoroughly investigated how varying inulin content (10 and 20 wt%) influenced the hydrogels’ properties. The formulation with 20 wt% inulin exhibited the highest swelling ability at both pH 3 and pH 6, and consequently the lowest elastic modulus, measured by a newly established technique for granulated hydrogels. Using uracil as a model drug, in situ incorporated, confirmed that the greatest drug release occurs in the colorectal region for the neat dextran-based hydrogel, triggered by specific microbial enzymes. Notably, the addition of inulin did not enhance biodegradation-driven drug release in combination with dextran; instead, inulin primarily acted as a protective component against premature hydrolysis in the gastric medium. These findings strongly confirm that the targeted action is predominantly governed by the dextran component. The synthesized hydrogels, particularly the dextran-only formulation, therefore show strong potential as effective carriers for colon-targeted drug delivery. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of modified and unmodified dextran and inulin as biodegradable carriers for enzyme-triggered, colon-targeted drug delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer Hydrogels: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)
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