Click gelatin hydrogels: Characterization and drug release behaviour

The effect of the functionalization of porcine gelatin, cross-linker amount and environmental pH and salt concentration on the network structure and behaviour of gelatin-based hydrogels prepared using the Diels-Alder click reaction in aqueous media was studied. The amount of cross-linker employed and the swelling media proved to have an effect on the porosity and the maximum swelling ratio was related to the amount of hydrophilic cross-linker used. Release studies showed that the microstructure of the network was crucial for the drug uptake and delivery. Finally, the release mechanism was related to the porosity of the network and hydrophilicity of the cross-linker. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.