| abstract |
A supported polyionic hydrogel containing biologically active material is prepared by impregnating into a porous support material a solution of anionic polysaccharide, a solution of cationic polysaccharide and a biologically active material. The anionic polysaccharide and the cationic polysaccharide react with each other to form a hydrogel containing the biologically active material. The hydrogel may be dried such as by lyophilization. The biologically active material can be in either polysaccharide solution or in another solution impregnated into the porous support material. A paper material or a textile material may be used as the porous support material. Preferably, the anionic polysaccharide is xanthan, dicarboxystarch or dicarboxycellulose and the cationic polysaccharide is chitosan. Especially preferred is a hydrogel formed from xanthan and chitosan. Biologically active materials in the hydrogel can be enzymes, antibody-producing cells or water-soluble drugs such as the antimicrobial agent, chlorohexidine. |