Preparation and characterization of cryogels based on pectin and chitosan

Novel cryogels based on pectin and chitosan were obtained by a cryotropic gelation method. Percentage of chitosan in the cryogels was estimated by elemental analysis. The obtained values were from 3.50 to 15.03 % for Apple pectin/Chitosan cryogels and from 9.44 to 17.64 % for Heracleum pectin/Chitosan cryogels. Internal structure and porosity of the cryogels were measured by scanning electron microscopy. According to the scanning electron microscopy, cryogels have a macroporous sheet-like structure. In the future, cryogels can be used in biotechnology and medicine as biocompatible, biodegradable materials.