Study on the stabilisation of collagen with vegetable tannins in the presence of acrylic polymer

Collagen, a unique connective tissue protein finds extensive application as biocompatible biomaterial in wound healing, as drug carriers, cosmetics, etc. A study has been undertaken to stabilise, Type-I collagen of rat-tail tendon using plant polyphenol (Acacia Mollissima) in the presence of an acrylic polymer. It has been found that collagen fibres pre-treated with acrylic polymer followed by the treatment with Acacia Mollissima exhibited an increase in hydrothermal stability by 25degreesC. Infrared spectroscopic studies display the changes in the spectral characteristics of native and treated collagen films. Transmission electron microscopic and circular dichroic studies provide an insight into the understanding of the improved stabilisation of collagen, due to treatment with acrylic polymer and plant polyphenols. The study is expected to enhance the biomaterial applications of collagen tissues. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.