ENZYMATIC AND CHEMOENZYMATIC APPROACHES TO SYNTHESIS OF SUGAR BASED POLYMER AND HYDROGELS

We have prepared a variety of sugar-based polymers using enzymatic and chemoenzymatic synthetic methods. In enzymatic synthesis, the regiose lectivity of enzymes was used to copolymerize a sugar and a diester to make poly(sucrose adipate). Sugars including sucrose and glucose deri vatives such as alpha-methyl glucoside have been used. In chemoenzymat ic synthesis, the regioselectivity of enzymes was used to make the sug ar-based monomers, while standard free radical or condensation methods were used for polymerization. The sugars could be in the backbone (po ly(sucrose adipamide)) or as a pendant group (poly(sugar acetylene)s, poly(sugar acrylate)s, and poly(sugar methacrylate)s). We also prepare d poly(sugar acrylate) and poly(sugar methacrylate) hydrogels and thei r copolymers with acrylic acid. The degree of swelling of these gels w as studied as a function of pH and ionic strength. Potential applicati ons of these materials include water absorbents, food additives and dr ug delivery systems.