Production of natural herbal biopolymers that can be used in joints

ABSTRACT MS. Thesis PRODUCTION OF NATURAL HERBAL BIOPOLYMERS THAT CAN BE USED IN JOINTS YUNUS EMRE UZUNDUMLU Erzurum Technical University Gradute School of Natural and Applied Sciences Department of Biomedical Engineering Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Tuba Yetim In order to improve the decreasing quality of life of people due to the negativities experienced in the joints as a result of joint diseases from past to present, this study aimed to produce a biopolymeric fluid material that can be used between the joints. In the literature research, no herbal additives were found in biopolymeric fluid materials that could use for joints. For this purpose an artificial synovial fluid (YSS), as a natural herbal source okra exopolymeric substance was added to artificial synovial fluid (BYSS), polyethylene glycol (PEG) added to artificial synovial fluid (PYSS), both the okra exopolymeric substance and the PEG added to artificial synovial fluid (BPYSS) were synthesized. Structural, tribiological, electrochemical, hemolysis and antibacterial properties of the synthesized artificial synovial fluids were investigated. It has been determined that the okra exopolymeric substance and PEG contribute to the lubrication feature of YSS. Also, they provide better lubricity together at 1 N load. The corrosion rate order from fast to slow was BYSS, PYSS, BPYSS and YSS. The contact angles of the liquids were super hydrophilic for all synthesized fluids. It has been determined that hemolysis didn't occur in all synthesized fluid medias and also, that all fluid medias were biocompatible. 2023, 196 page Keywords: Synovial Fluid, Okra, PEG, Biocompatibility, Corrosion