SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF FISH PROTEIN-BASED HYDROGEL

The novel use of fish protein (FP) in the manufacture of a superabsorb ent hydrogel was investigated. Following the introduction of a large n umber of hydrophilic groups into fish protein by modification with eth ylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride (EDTAD), proteins were cross-linke d by sulfhydryl-disulfide interchange reaction between the endogenous sulfhydryl groups and disulfide bonds to produce an insoluble gel stru cture. The water uptake of 76% EDTAD-modified FP hydrogel was 540 g wa ter/g dry gel al 214 x g, and it depended on pH and ionic strength of the solution. The structural changes in proteins consequent to modific ation were also investigated. EDTAD-FP hydrogels had increased rigidit y after glutaraldehyde treatment but displayed diminished water uptake characteristics.