Kappa-carrageenan-polyethylene oxide hydrogel blends prepared by gamma irradiation

A composite hydrogel system from kappa-carrageenan (KC) and polyethylene oxide was prepared by gamma irradiation, KC was blended with low (LPEO) and medium (MPEO) molecular weight PEO having a concentration of 5% (w/w) at a ratio of 1:1. The properties of the blended hydrogels were evaluated in terms of gel fraction, swelling behavior and gel strength. KC/MPEO hydrogel system has a gel content of 75% at a dose of 10 kGy while 60% gel content was noted for KC/LPEO at the same dose. Water gain of more 10,000% was exhibited by both systems investigated. Gel strength of KC/MPEO was higher compared to KC/LPEO hydrogel. KC/MPEO hydrogel retained 88% (364 N) of its gel strength even after autoclave sterilization. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.