Efect of ionic crosslinking on chitosan membrane swelling in extracellular hanks' buffer

Two- and three-component chitosan membranes (Ch) crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) and/or sodium alginate (NaAlg) were prepared. Formation of ionic crosslinks between Ch and high-molecular compound - NaAlg and/or low-molecular - TPP was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. The effcct of crosslinking agents on membrane swelling in extracellular Hanks' buffer was estimated. The obtained results allow to state, that ionic crosslinking of chitosan results in increase of membrane stability in extracellular media. However, only TPP crosslinkcd chitosan membranes are not soluble in Hanks' buffer.