creators_name: Srivastava, Nandita
creators_name: Roy Choudhury, Anirban
type: article
datestamp: 2026-02-01 13:40:53
lastmod: 2026-02-01 13:40:53
metadata_visibility: show
title: Understanding the combinatorial impact of amino acids as bio-linker on rheological behavior of gellan hydrogel blends
keywords: Amino acid; Bio-linker; Gellan gum; Hydrogel; Polysaccharide
abstract: Amino acids (AAs) can serve as essential bio-linkers due to their different functional groups, which may facilitate physical cross-linking in hydrogels. The mechanical properties of such hydrogels can be fine-tuned by varying the type and concentration of cross-linking agents. In this study, we developed novel gellan gum (GG) hydrogels by incorporating combinations of native AAs, including �-Arginine, �-Lysine, �-Glutamic acid, and �-Aspartic acid. These hydrogels exhibit thermo-reversible properties attributed to non-covalent interactions, enabling a gel-to-sol transition at temperatures above 37 °C owing to their upper critical solution temperature (UCST). Interestingly, these hydrogels were transparent, suggesting a uniform network structure. Moreover, they display a relatively low swelling capacity (10-25 %), indicating strong electrostatic interactions between AAs and GG. Rheological analyses highlight the significant role of AA combinations in modulating hydrogel behavior, showing improvements in shear-thinning, elasticity, self-healing, creep resistance, and overall mechanical performance. Mathematical modeling further supported these findings. Notably, mixtures containing �-Aspartic acid and �-Glutamic acid exhibited enhanced mechanical strength and stability, highlighting the importance of strategic cross-linker selection. These results demonstrate that tailoring cross-linkers can transform hydrogel properties, enabling the development of innovative materials for industrial applications.
date: 2025-04
publication: Int. J. Biol. Macromol.
volume: 303
number: 140686
publisher: Elsevier BV
pagerange: 140686
citation:   Srivastava, Nandita and Roy Choudhury, Anirban  (2025) Understanding the combinatorial impact of amino acids as bio-linker on rheological behavior of gellan hydrogel blends.  Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 303 (140686).  p. 140686.