Citric acid: A green cross-linker of biomaterials for biomedical applications

• Published in: European polymer journal Vol. 146; p. 110271
• Main Authors: Salihu, Rabiu, Abd Razak, Saiful Izwan, Ahmad Zawawi, Nurliyana, Rafiq Abdul Kadir, Mohammed, Izzah Ismail, Norjihada, Jusoh, Norhana, Riduan Mohamad, Mohd, Hasraf Mat Nayan, Nadirul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 05.03.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; Biomaterials; Biomedical applications; Biomedical materials; Citrate-based biomaterials; Citrate-based fluorescent biomaterials; Citric acid; Cross-linker; Crosslinking; Immunology; Material properties; Mechanical properties; Tissue engineering; Wound healing; Citrate-based fluorescent biomaterials; Biomedical applications; Citrate-based biomaterials; Cross-linker; Citric acid; Biomaterials
• ISSN: 0014-3057; 1873-1945
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110271

[Display omitted] The application of biomaterials in biomedicine currently suffers some drawbacks, such as inflammation and immunological responses due to mismatching and/or limited compatibility. Biomaterials that are cross-linked with citric acid (CA), also called citrate-based biomaterials (CBBs), have exhibited advanced in-vitro and in-vivo material properties that make them suitable for various biomedical applications. Tunable mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biofunctionality are among other factors that make CBBs interesting in this field. To emphasize the safety and greenness nature of CA, in this review, we have highlighted the history, potential considerations of exploration, and a summarized stage-wise criterion for developing CBBs. We also discuss several points of view about the application of CA and CBBs in many different aspects of biomedicine, such as in tissue engineering, cancer therapy, and wound dressings.