Spirulina based bioactive hydrojels

Diabetes wounds, wounds due to circulatory disorders, varicose veins and (pressure) wounds in long-term hospitalized patients are chronic wounds that negatively affect our quality of life and our lives. Oxygen is vital in wound healing. Oxygen is required not only for increased energy requirements, but also for many chemical processes. Cyanobacteria are called 'blue green algae' because of the photosynthetic pigments they contain. Thanks to the pigments in its structure, it converts CO2 and water into carbohydrates with the effect of light, thus increasing the nutritional value and dissolved O2 ratio in the aquatic environment. In this study, considering these characteristics of cyanobacteria, it was predicted that Spirulina sp., a cyanobacterial species, could be used as an oxygen producer. In addition, the fact that Spirulina sp. is currently used in many different ways, such as a functional food additive, a supplement to daily nutrition, and a collagen crystal patch gel patch for the eye, has been an important factor in its non-toxicity. Hydrogels, on the other hand, are three-dimensional hydrophilic polymeric networks that can absorb large amounts of water or biological fluids. It is known that hydrogels have ideal properties in wound dressing applications. The high water absorption capabilities enable them to remove water from the environment, while also providing the moist environment necessary for healing. The most widely used natural hydrogel in wound treatment is silk fibroin. Silk fibroin-based hydrogels are known to promote proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts when used in the treatment of tissue wounds. Considering these features: In order to provide the necessary oxygen to the scar tissue, a hydrogel-based wound dressing consisting of the filling material Spirulina sp. was made. The oxygen production capacity of Spirulina sp., which will be included in this cover, was used. Silk fibroin hydrogel was synthesized in different formations and characterization analyzes (TGA, F-TIR) of the synthesized hydrogels were performed. Oxygen production capacities were also determined by oxygen experiments.