Comparison of the stability of poly-γ-glutamate hydrogels prepared by UV and γ-ray irradiation

Abstract

Poly-γ–glutamate (γ-PGA) has various applications due to its desirable characteristics in terms of safety and biodegradability. Previous studies have been conducted on γ-PGA hydrogels produced by γ-ray irradiation, but these hydrogels have proved unstable in solutions. This study was conducted to enable the γ-PGA hydrogel to maintain a stable form in solutions. The γ-PGA mixture for UV-irradiation was prepared with a cross-linker (N,N,N-trimethyl-3-[(2-methylacryloyl)amino]propan-1-aminium). Both γ-PGA hydrogels’ characteristics, including stability in solutions, were examined. The UV-irradiated γ-PGA hydrogel maintained a stable form during the nine weeks of the study, but the γ-ray irradiated hydrogel dissolved after one week.