To enhance the antibacterial activity of natural rubber latex foam (NRLF), chitin was added during the foaming process in amounts of 1–5 phr (per hundred rubber) to prepare an environmentally friendly antibacterial NRLF composite. In this research, NRLF was synthesized by the Dunlop method. The swelling, density, hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break, compressive strength and antibacterial activity of the NRLFs were characterized. FTIR and microscopy were used to evaluate the chemical composition and microstructure of the NRLFs. The mechanical properties and antibacterial activity of the NRLF composites were tested and compared with those of pure NRLF. The antibacterial activity was observed by the inhibition zone against E. coli. NRLF composite samples were embedded in a medium before solidification. The experimental results of the inhibition zone indicated that with increasing chitin content, the antibacterial activity of the NRLF composites increased. When the chitin content reached 5 phr, the NRLF composite formed a large and clear inhibition zone in the culture dish. Moreover, the NRLF–5 phr chitin composite improved the antibacterial activity to 281.3% of that of pure NRLF against E. coli.

Photo-controlled release hydrogel provides a new strategy for treating tumours. Under the stimulation of external light sources, the ability to release the entrapped drug on time and space on demand has outstanding advantages in improving drug utilisation, optimising treatment, and reducing toxicity and side effects. In this study, a photo-controlled drug delivery system for disulphide cross-linked polyaspartic acid (PASP-SS) hydrogels encapsulating proteinase K (ProK) adsorbed with platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) was designed. The injectable cysteamine-modified polyaspartic acid (PASP-SH) sol and PtNPs adsorbed by ProK (ProK-PtNPs) as regulatory factors were prepared. Then, ProK-PtNPs and lentinan were dissolved in the sol, and the oxidant was added to the matrix to form the gel in situ quickly after injection. Finally, the degradation of PASP-SS hydrogel by ProK and the controllability of drug release under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation were elucidated. In vitro degradation of hydrogels and drug release experiments showed that the degradation rate of PASP-SS hydrogel significantly increased and the drug release rate increased significantly under near-infrared radiation. The results of cytotoxicity test showed that PASP-SS, ProK-PtNPs, and lentinan all had more than 90% cell survival rate on NIH3T3, and the lentinan released from the carrier obviously inhibited the proliferation of MCF7. PASP hydrogel has the potential to respond to on-demand light control.

In the present study, cationic xanthan gum (CXG) was synthesized to enhance the rheological property of xanthan gum (XG) by attaching quaternary amine groups to the backbone of XG. The efficacy of the substitution was confirmed by FT-IR spectra and ¹³C NMR. The surface morphology was changed considerably as demonstrated by SEM. The examined rheological properties of XG and CXG include steady-state and dynamic rheological properties. The results show that quaternary amine groups are successfully grafted onto the XG molecule. Apparent viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus of CXG solutions are greater than those of XG solutions under the same conditions. It is moreover found that apparent viscosity and viscoelasticity increase with the degree of substitution. The data indicate that the modified XG has much better heat resistance. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Poly(aspartic acid) (PASP) hydrogel is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer with high water absorbing ability. Traditionally, the production of PASP hydrogel consumes large amounts of organic solvents, i.e., dimethylformamide (DMF) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). This traditional approach is now considered costly, complex and environmentally unfriendly due to required used solvent disposal. The present research explores two novel methods in preparing PASP hydrogel without organic solvent, by using hydrazine hydrate and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDGE) or poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE) as the cross-linkers. Absorbent ability and other characteristics are determined. Preparing PASP hydrogel in aqueous solution is promising and finds its use in many applications.