AdBioInk offers methacrylated kappa-carrageenan (KapMA). Kappa-carrageenan (κCA), a natural linear water-soluble polysaccharide with one sulphated group per disaccharide (25 to 30% ester sulfate content), is one of the appropriate biomaterials in tissue engineering.  Kappa-carrageenan has been seen as a potential candidate for this area in injectable form, due to its gelation properties, mechanical strength and closely mimicking behavior of the glycosaminoglycan structure which is one of the most important constituents of native tissues extracellular matrix. Kappa-carrageenan is the thixotropic polymer and can be converted into hydrogel form via ionic crosslinking method. However, these crosslinking methods offer hydrogels that have low structural stability under physiological conditions and reduce their applicability in the tissue engineering field. In order to overcome these drawbacks, methacrylated kappa-carrageenan, KapMA, is preferred. Photocrosslinking is performed in the presence of an ultraviolet (UV) or visible light and a chemical photoinitiator to enable the formation of stable crosslinked methacrylated kappa-carrageenan hydrogels.

By using AdBioInk methacrylated kappa-carrageenan, KapMA -based scaffolds can be prepared in the form of sponges, cryogels, and injectable hydrogels. In addition, our methacrylated kappa-carrageenan can be used for tailoring your own bioink formulation.