NMDA receptor

Engineering

Polymer chemistry

Ionotropic effect

Materials science

Receptor

Biochemistry

Chemical engineering

Food science

Swelling

Drug delivery

Polymer

Nanotechnology

Self-healing hydrogels

Composite material

Chemistry

Chemical modification

Gellan gum

Pharmaceutics

Hydrogels have a tridimensional structure. They have the ability to absorb a significant amount of water or other natural or simulated fluids that cause their swelling albeit without losing their structure. Their properties can be exploited for encapsulation and modified targeted drug release. Among the numerous natural polymers suitable for obtaining hydrogels, gellan gum is one gaining much interest. It is a gelling agent with many unique features, and furthermore, it is non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. Its ability to react with oppositely charged molecules results in the forming of structured physical materials (films, beads, hydrogels, nanoparticles). The properties of obtained hydrogels can be modified by chemical crosslinking, which improves the three-dimensional structure of the gellan hydrogel. In the current review, an overview of gellan gum hydrogels and their properties will be presented as well as the mechanisms of ionotropic gelation or chemical crosslinking. Methods of producing gellan hydrogels and their possible applications related to improved release, bioavailability, and therapeutic activity were described.

Ionotropic Gelation and Chemical Crosslinking as Methods for Fabrication of Modified-Release Gellan Gum-Based Drug Delivery Systems