Temperature-triggered structural arrangement and properties of transparent pectin-arginine films

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.150868

Transparent and flexible pectin-arginine films with excellent hemocompatibility and self-healing properties were synthesized using ionotropic gelation at 20 °C or 45 °C to investigate the impact of temperature on their structural arrangement and properties. The degree of amidation increased with synthesis temperature, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy confirmed bond formation between arginine and pectin at both temperatures. Films prepared at two different temperatures exhibited distinct surface hydrophilicity and rheological behaviors. The arginine-based film synthesized at 45 °C (P-AR-45) showed lower surface energy and the most ductile fracture behavior. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that film morphology remained unchanged upon arginine incorporation. Compared to the neat pectin film, arginine-containing films reduced the swelling percentage and water vapor permeability. In vitro tests demonstrated excellent cytocompatibility, efficient wound healing, hemocompatibility, and hemostatic properties. A DPPH test was also conducted to measure the films' antioxidant characteristics, and the radical scavenging activity increased by up to 90% with the addition of arginine. P-AR-45 demonstrated non-irritant properties on the chorioallantoic membrane model while sustaining a maintained vascular response, indicating its potential for further translational evaluation in wound-dressing applications. In addition, in vivo rat liver and tail bleeding models confirmed its hemostatic efficacy. These findings suggest that P-AR-45 is promising candidates for advanced biomedical applications.