Examination of the short term & long term gluing properties of double crosslink tissue adhesive (DCA)

Previously, a novel double crosslink tissue adhesive (DCA) was designed for wide area in vivo applications such as seroma prevention. Most mussel adhesive protein (MAP) biomimetic tissue adhesives employ a one-step approach in its curing process, which often result in limitations in their applications. The DCA, however, utilizes a stepwise approach to maximize the roles of the crosslinkers used while achieving optimal adhesive properties. Hence, it is of great interest to further examine the independent contribution by each of the crosslinker to the adhesive properties of the DCA. In continuation to the previous findings, this paper examines the adhesive properties of the short term and long term adhesive function of the aforementioned tissue adhesive separately. Factors such as reaction temperature, concentration of rapid crosslinker (Fe3+), effect of Fe3+ to adhesive properties and tissue stability were investigated. The adhesive strength of the adhesive was found to increase with higher concentration of FeCl3 added. In addition, the gelation times of the tissue adhesives were also observed to be significantly shortened at higher incubation temperature of 37°C as compared to 25°C. Despite the advantageous controllable and rapid crosslinking functions contributed by the addition of Fe3+, it also caused the modulation of the large adhesive strength contributed by the long term crosslinker, genipin. Similarly, G’ and G” of the DCA, which determines the adhesive’s viscoelastic properties were also found to be moderated with the addition of Fe3+.Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering