Fabrication and characterization of tannic acid-crosslinked glutenin scaffolds for wound healing and tissue engineering applications

The demand for biodegradable, biocompatible biomaterials in wound dressings and tissue engineering has led to research on protein-derived scaffolds that offer superior biodegradability, cost-effectiveness, and minimal immunogenicity. Herein, a functional porous glutenin scaffold crosslinked with tannic acid (TA) was synthesized, involving lyophilization of glutenin gels followed by post-crosslinking via steam sterilization and TA treatment. XPS confirmed TA crosslinking through hydrogen bonding between catechol and amide groups, while XRD indicated enhanced crosslinking at lower glutenin concentrations. Analytical results showed that glutenin concentration and crosslinking influenced scaffold properties, with porosity decreasing from 77.7 ± 4.54% (2.5% glutenin) to 67.62 ± 3.64% (5% glutenin) and 58.55 ± 2.68% (7.5% glutenin). TA crosslinking improved mechanical performance, particularly at lower glutenin concentrations. Pristine glutenin scaffolds exhibited intrinsic antimicrobial activity, which enhanced after TA crosslinking from 32 ± 3% to 45 ± 4% against Staphylococcus aureus and from 43 ± 3% to 81 ± 4% against Salmonella paratyphi. TA also improved scaffold stability, with a degradation rate of 70.25 ± 1.58% for a 5% TA-glutenin scaffold after 22 days. The TA-crosslinked scaffold exhibited 72% DPPH scavenging activity and enhanced cell viability to 169% after 6 days. The scaffolds demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, biocompatibility, swelling capabilities, and controlled biodegradability, making them promising for wound dressing and tissue engineering applications.