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Polysaccharide Gels for Biomedical and Environmental Applications
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Polysaccharide Gels for Biomedical and Environmental Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2025) | Viewed by 12288

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ioana A. Duceac

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Guest Editor
Department of Polyaddition and Photochemistry, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Romanian Academy, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: polysaccharides; hydrogels; nanocomposites; polyacrylates
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Jana Čopíková

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Guest Editor
Department of Carbohydrates and Cereals, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, 16628 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: polysaccharides; chromatography; chocolate; confectionery
Dr. Sergiu Coseri

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Guest Editor
“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Romanian Academy, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: polysaccharides; cellulose; bio-based materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, “Polysaccharide Gels for Biomedical and Environmental Applications”, is dedicated to recent developments in carbohydrate gels, from fundamental to applicative aspects, as well as challenges in material science and solutions for the most relevant applications.

Polysaccharides are a highly valuable renewable resource and their use has an immense economical, ecological, medical and social impact. Research on materials based on this biopolymer class is broad and complex; therefore, this Special Issue will contain only a few representative examples, illustrating some of the innovations of scientists related to the following aspects:

  • The chemical versatility of carbohydrates, which offers many new possibilities for functionalization and gel crosslinking that can be explored, such as dynamic bonds and photocrosslinking;
  • The design and preparation methods of gels, which are diverse, varying from bulk and beads to films, microparticles, nanogels, and 3D-printed constructs;
  • The investigation of specific properties, which offers answers in relation to the structure and application: gelling, swelling, rheological properties, loading and release of relevant molecules, mechanical strength and elasticity, adhesion, injectability, sensitivity to external factors (dynamic properties), (bio)degradation, biocompatibility, etc.
  • Gels as powerful tools providing innovative solutions for advanced applications: drug delivery (especially in cancer), wound dressing, tissue engineering, diagnosis tools, sensors, water and soil purification, nutrient delivery, pollutants, degradation, etc.

It is hoped that these topics will stimulate new research and discoveries in the field, and the submission of both theoretical and experimental studies is welcome.

Dr. Ioana A. Duceac
Prof. Dr. Jana Čopíková
Dr. Sergiu Coseri
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

  • natural and modified polysaccharides
  • dynamic and photoreactive crosslinks
  • (nano)gels, gel composites and 3D-printed constructs
  • structure–property–application relationships
  • drug delivery and diagnosis in cancer and other diseases
  • wound dressing and tissue engineering
  • sensors
  • environmental applications

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3591 KB  
Article
Development and Characterization of a Wound-Healing System Based on a Marine Biopolymer
by Catalina Natalia Cheaburu Yilmaz, Melisa Sirin Yildirim, Defne Govem, Hulya Ayar Kayali and Onur Yilmaz
Gels 2025, 11(11), 881; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11110881 - 3 Nov 2025
Viewed by 625
Abstract
Marine algae are a sustainable and eco-friendly resource, growing rapidly without freshwater or arable land while aiding carbon sequestration. Their extract is rich in biodegradable polysaccharides like alginate, fucoidan, carrageenan, agar, and Ulvan which can be used further in wound healing thanks to [...] Read more.
Marine algae are a sustainable and eco-friendly resource, growing rapidly without freshwater or arable land while aiding carbon sequestration. Their extract is rich in biodegradable polysaccharides like alginate, fucoidan, carrageenan, agar, and Ulvan which can be used further in wound healing thanks to their unique characteristics such as ensuring moisture balance and tissue regeneration by forming biocompatible hydrogels with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, key requirements in wound healing. The present study explored the utilization of local grown marine algae (i.e., Aegean seashores from Türkiye) and transforming the waste into useful end-products for dermatocosmetics and healing systems. The extracted polyssacharide, e.g., Ulvan which was characterized by means of FT-IR spectroscopy, DSC, and antioxidant activity, was included inside a semi-solid formulation and combined with other polysaccharides from other natural sources such a chitosan, alginate, and hyaluronic acid to form bioactive hydrogels with wound closure activity. The formulated hydrogels exhibited significant swelling capacity, antioxidant activity, and the selected optimal formulation exhibited enhanced wound closure rates in vitro, demonstrating potential for wound-healing applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharide Gels for Biomedical and Environmental Applications)
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15 pages, 2541 KB  
Article
Rational Design of N-Doped Carbon Aerogel with Well-Defined Micropore Structure to Adsorb Dye from Water for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes
by Yuang Xiong, Kelin Zhu, Lixia Yang, Rong Huang, Xingtang Liang, Binbin Zhang, Yanzhen Yin, Xia Chen and Zirun Chen
Gels 2025, 11(11), 857; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11110857 - 27 Oct 2025
Viewed by 368
Abstract
N-doped carbon aerogels have garnered increasing research interest in the field of energy and environment due to their unique structural features. Organic dyes, which contain redox-active sites and act as pollutants, are attractive candidates for cathode materials in Li-ion batteries but still suffer [...] Read more.
N-doped carbon aerogels have garnered increasing research interest in the field of energy and environment due to their unique structural features. Organic dyes, which contain redox-active sites and act as pollutants, are attractive candidates for cathode materials in Li-ion batteries but still suffer from poor cycle stability and rate performance. Therefore, there is still a lack of an easy and effective approach to rationally design the pore structure of N-doped carbon aerogels for efficiently and stably trapping dye molecules and converting them into high-performance cathode materials. Herein, we propose an innovative strategy for preparing nitrogen-doped carbon aerogels with a well-defined micropore structure (MNCAs) for efficient adsorption of dye molecules, subsequently converting them into high-performance lithium-ion battery cathode materials. MNCAs were synthesized via Schiff-based polymerization using polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) as a template, resulting in a carbon framework with well-defined micropores. Benefiting from their high specific surface area and well-defined micropore structure, MNCAs exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity at equilibrium of 2273 mg g−1 for indigo. Notably, the indigo@nitrogen-doped carbon aerogel composite (IDG@MNCAs) exhibits high specific capacity, outstanding cycling stability, and remarkable rate capability. The discharge specific capacity of IDG@MNCAs retains 89% of its capacity (120 mAh g−1) after 200 cycles at 100 mA g−1 and maintains 70% capacity retention after 1200 cycles at the higher current density of 1000 mA g−1, surpassing many recently reported organic cathode materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharide Gels for Biomedical and Environmental Applications)
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21 pages, 19117 KB  
Article
Biofunctional Carboxymethyl Chitosan Hydrogel Incorporating Hyaluronic Acid and RGD Peptides for Accelerated Wound Repair
by Shuyue Wang, Qing Yang, Jiren Xu, Youshiqi Zhou, Xiaoqing Tian, Wenhui Wu, Jeevithan Elango and Xiaozhen Diao
Gels 2025, 11(10), 765; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11100765 - 23 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1556
Abstract
Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC)-based hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates for wound dressing applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and tunable physicochemical properties. In this study, a novel hydrogel functionalized with hyaluronic acid (HA) and RGD peptides (RGD) was fabricated and evaluated for its [...] Read more.
Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC)-based hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates for wound dressing applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and tunable physicochemical properties. In this study, a novel hydrogel functionalized with hyaluronic acid (HA) and RGD peptides (RGD) was fabricated and evaluated for its structural characteristics and wound-healing potential. Using CMC as the base matrix and EDC/NHS as crosslinking agents, four hydrogel variants were fabricated: CMC gel, CMC-HA gel, CMC-RGD gel, and CMC-HA-RGD gel. The preliminary cell compatibility experiment identified the optimal formulation as 1% CMC, 0.9% HA, and 0.02 mg/mL RGD, crosslinked with 1 vol% EDC and 0.05 wt% NHS. Scanning electron microscopy showed a porous architecture (100–400 μm), conducive to fibroblast viability and proliferation. Zeta potential measurements (|ζ| > 30 mV) indicated colloidal stability of the hydrogel system. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed successful crosslinking and integration of HA and RGD via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, forming a stable three-dimensional network. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed enhanced thermal stability upon HA/RGD incorporation. CCK-8 assays demonstrated significantly improved cell viability with HA/RGD loading (p < 0.05), while Ki-67 immunofluorescence confirmed enhanced fibroblast proliferation, with the CMC-HA-RGD gel showing the most pronounced effect. In vitro scratch assay results demonstrated that the CMC-HA-RGD hydrogel dressing significantly enhanced cellular migration compared to other carboxymethyl chitosan-based hydrogel groups (p < 0.05). The observed statistically significant improvement in cell migration rate versus controls underscores the distinctive enhancement of synergistic HA and RGD modification in accelerating cellular migration and facilitating wound repair. Collectively, these findings suggest that the CMC-HA-RGD hydrogel possesses favorable physicochemical and biological properties and holds strong potential as an advanced wound dressing for the treatment of chronic and refractory wounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharide Gels for Biomedical and Environmental Applications)
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14 pages, 9713 KB  
Article
Green Minimalistic Approach to Synthesize Chitosan-Based Durable Polymer Hydrogel Materials for Supporting Cell Growth
by Justyna Pawlik, Klaudia Borawska, Piotr Wieczorek and Kamil Kamiński
Gels 2025, 11(7), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11070485 - 23 Jun 2025
Viewed by 679
Abstract
In this work, we present an innovative, crosslinker-free method for preparing chitosan-based hydrogel precursors, fully aligned with green chemistry principles and composed of only five non-toxic, readily available reagents. The key novelty lies in the use of glycerin, which, during thermal annealing, evaporates [...] Read more.
In this work, we present an innovative, crosslinker-free method for preparing chitosan-based hydrogel precursors, fully aligned with green chemistry principles and composed of only five non-toxic, readily available reagents. The key novelty lies in the use of glycerin, which, during thermal annealing, evaporates and triggers a surface or bulk chemical transformation of chitosan, depending on its concentration. This process significantly enhances the material’s mechanical properties after swelling—with up to a 35% increase in tensile strength and a notable reduction in water uptake compared to systems containing AMPS-based crosslinkers. FTIR analysis indicates a partial re-acetylation of chitosan, shifting its structure toward that of chitin, which correlates with improved hydrophobicity (as shown by increased contact angles up to 92°) and greater structural integrity. These improvements are particularly pronounced at glycerin concentrations of 10–20%, whereas higher concentrations (50%) result in brittle, non-moldable films. Importantly, preliminary biological tests confirm that the resulting hydrogels are effectively colonized by mammalian cells, making them promising candidates for bioimplant or tissue engineering applications. Surface morphology and compatibility were further assessed via SEM, AFM, and contact angle measurements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharide Gels for Biomedical and Environmental Applications)
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17 pages, 2818 KB  
Article
Unlocking the Rich Potential of a Soft Gel-Cream Enriched with Royal Jelly for Topical Use
by Monica-Elisabeta Maxim, Raluca-Marieta Toma, Ludmila Aricov, Anca-Ruxandra Leonties, Aurica Precupas, Rodica Tatia and Elena Iulia Oprita
Gels 2025, 11(4), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11040294 - 16 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2828
Abstract
For decades, royal jelly achieved notoriety and became an ultra-rich ingredient with numerous pharmacological properties especially for its use in production of topical ointments and creams. A novel formulation enriched with 2% royal jelly has been developed and characterized. Rheological results highlight a [...] Read more.
For decades, royal jelly achieved notoriety and became an ultra-rich ingredient with numerous pharmacological properties especially for its use in production of topical ointments and creams. A novel formulation enriched with 2% royal jelly has been developed and characterized. Rheological results highlight a gel-like behavior of the product in the packaging, as it does not flow from the costumer’s hand after application and behaves like a liquid, spreading evenly onto clean skin. A clear comparison in size distribution of pure and cream samples was noticed by dynamic light scattering analysis and completed further by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) which showed off shift changes in the gel sample as compared to pure compounds. MTT assays were conducted in quintuplicate on murine fibroblasts cell line (NCTC L-929) for testing the biocompatibility of the product in the range of 50–1000 μg/mL over 24, 48 and 72 h. The designed formulation is typically intended to deliver active compounds to the skin surface and potentially into deeper layers. A molecular docking study was performed for binding mode prediction of P-gp protein residues with two ligands, quercetin and myricetin, in order to investigate their role in the internal modulation of drug transport across cell membranes within the skin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharide Gels for Biomedical and Environmental Applications)
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Review

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26 pages, 990 KB  
Review
Advances in the Application of Nanocomposite Hydrogels in Crops
by Diego Gael Hernández-Echave, Gonzalo Casillas-Moreno, Andrés Isaí Romo-Galindo, Tonantzin Anahí Gutiérrez-Gómez, Gilberto Velázquez-Juárez, Moyses Alejandro Rodríguez-Ortega, Rubén Octavio Muñoz-García and Diego Alberto Lomelí-Rosales
Gels 2025, 11(12), 957; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11120957 - 28 Nov 2025
Viewed by 396
Abstract
Conventional agricultural practices, based on intensive irrigation and heavy fertilizer and pesticide inputs, are increasingly incompatible with climate change, soil degradation, and sustainability goals. Hydrogels have emerged as promising soil amendments to improve water and nutrient management, and fall broadly into two categories: [...] Read more.
Conventional agricultural practices, based on intensive irrigation and heavy fertilizer and pesticide inputs, are increasingly incompatible with climate change, soil degradation, and sustainability goals. Hydrogels have emerged as promising soil amendments to improve water and nutrient management, and fall broadly into two categories: synthetic polyacrylate/polyacrylamide-based systems and natural biobased hydrogels derived from polysaccharides such as alginate, cellulose, and chitosan. The latter, often obtained from agro-industrial residues, offer biodegradable and potentially lower-impact alternatives to persistent synthetic matrices. This review analyzes recent advances in the design and application of nanocomposite hydrogels in agricultural crops, with emphasis on high-value systems such as tomato, chili pepper and maize. Representative studies show that hydrogel–nanofertilizer formulations can increase soil water retention in tomato from ~55–56% to ~78–79%, nearly double swelling capacity in wheat, reduce irrigation requirements by around 15% in legumes, and improve plant biomass by ~30–40% under drought conditions. In parallel, nanocomposite hydrogels loaded with micronutrients, phytochemicals or biostimulants can enhance nutrient uptake, provide 36–80% protection against Fusarium wilt, and reduce postharvest pathogen growth by up to ~90%, while in some cases improving the nutraceutical quality of fruits. These outcomes illustrate a dual mechanism of action in which the hydrogel matrix acts as a micro-reservoir that buffers water and nutrients, whereas nano- and phytochemical components operate as physiological eustressors that modulate plant defense and metabolism. Finally, we discuss environmental and translational challenges, including hydrogel biodegradation pathways, the long-term fate and ecotoxicity of released nanoparticles, regulatory uncertainty, and market and field acceptance. Addressing these gaps through integrative agronomic, ecotoxicological, and regulatory studies is essential to ensure that nanocomposite hydrogels evolve into truly sustainable smart carriers for fertilizers, pesticides, and biostimulants in future cropping systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharide Gels for Biomedical and Environmental Applications)
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31 pages, 7032 KB  
Review
Rheological, Structural, and Biological Trade-Offs in Bioink Design for 3D Bioprinting
by Jeevithan Elango and Camilo Zamora-Ledezma
Gels 2025, 11(8), 659; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11080659 - 19 Aug 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3323
Abstract
Bioinks represent the core of 3D bioprinting, as they are the carrier responsible for enabling the fabrication of anatomically precise, cell-laden constructs that replicate native tissue architecture. Indeed, their role goes beyond structural support, as they must also sustain cellular viability, proliferation, and [...] Read more.
Bioinks represent the core of 3D bioprinting, as they are the carrier responsible for enabling the fabrication of anatomically precise, cell-laden constructs that replicate native tissue architecture. Indeed, their role goes beyond structural support, as they must also sustain cellular viability, proliferation, and differentiation functions, which are critical for applications in the field of regenerative medicine and personalized therapies. However, at present, a persistent challenge lies in reconciling the conflicting demands of rheological properties, which are essential for printability and biological functionality. This trade-off limits the clinical translation of bioprinted tissues, particularly for vascularized or mechanically dynamic organs. Despite huge progress during the last decade, challenges persist in standardizing bioink characterization, scaling production, and ensuring long-term biomimetic performance. Based on these challenges, this review explores the inherent trade-off faced by bioink research optimizing rheology to ensure printability, shape fidelity, and structural integrity, while simultaneously maintaining high cell viability, proliferation, and tissue maturation offering insights into designing next-generation bioinks for functional tissue engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharide Gels for Biomedical and Environmental Applications)
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23 pages, 2058 KB  
Review
Alginate Sphere-Based Soft Actuators
by Umme Salma Khanam, Hyeon Teak Jeong, Rahim Mutlu and Shazed Aziz
Gels 2025, 11(6), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11060432 - 5 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1674
Abstract
Alginate hydrogels offer distinct advantages as ionically crosslinked, biocompatible networks that can be shaped into spherical beads with high compositional flexibility. These spherical architectures provide isotropic geometry, modularity and the capacity for encapsulation, making them ideal platforms for scalable, stimuli-responsive actuation. Their ability [...] Read more.
Alginate hydrogels offer distinct advantages as ionically crosslinked, biocompatible networks that can be shaped into spherical beads with high compositional flexibility. These spherical architectures provide isotropic geometry, modularity and the capacity for encapsulation, making them ideal platforms for scalable, stimuli-responsive actuation. Their ability to respond to thermal, magnetic, electrical, optical and chemical stimuli has enabled applications in targeted delivery, artificial muscles, microrobotics and environmental interfaces. This review examines recent advances in alginate sphere-based actuators, focusing on fabrication methods such as droplet microfluidics, coaxial flow and functional surface patterning, and strategies for introducing multi-stimuli responsiveness using smart polymers, nanoparticles and biologically active components. Actuation behaviours are understood and correlated with physical mechanisms including swelling kinetics, photothermal effects and the field-induced torque, supported by analytical and multiphysics models. Their demonstrated functionalities include shape transformation, locomotion and mechano-optical feedback. The review concludes with an outlook on the existing limitations, such as the material stability, cyclic durability and integration complexity, and proposes future directions toward the development of autonomous, multifunctional soft systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharide Gels for Biomedical and Environmental Applications)
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