Application of texture profile analysis to investigate the mechanical properties of thermosensitive injectable chitosan hydrogels

In this paper, the mechanical properties of hybrid chitosan hydrogels were investigated using the texture profile analysis test. Scaffolds obtained from a polysaccharide of various molecular weights were studied, which, with the addition of glycerophosphate salt, formed a three-dimensional structure in vivo. The obtained systems were also enriched with collagen and calcium carbonate to improve the mechanical properties. The determined texture parameter values indicate that the mechanical properties of the hybrid hydrogel depend on the molecular weight of the polymer, the type of solvent and, the pH-neutralizing substance, as well as the type and concentration of the filler. Moreover, in some cases the TPA test was the only way to evaluate the mechanical properties of the obtained hydrogels due to the inability to determine the Young's modulus. Consequently, the texture analysis test is a valuable tool for selecting solutions depending on the intended application of the scaffolds.