Gelatin/Cellulose nanowhiskers hydrogels intended for the administration of drugs in dental treatments: Study of lidocaine as model case

Gelatin based hydrogels were synthesized by the thawing-freezing method employing gum Arabic as crosslinking agent. The incorporation of cellulose nanowhiskers (NC) was analyzed aiming to reach a control over the solubility/degradation rate, swelling properties and their ability to load anaesthetic drugs. Three concentrations of NC were explored, i.e: 1, 2 and 5%w/w with respect to the gelatin mass. The raw and NC containing hydrogels were well...