New anionic crosslinked multi-responsive pullulan hydrogels

► Thermoassociative, pH sensitive polysaccharide hydrogels were prepared and characterized. ► New crosslinking agents were used: difunctional, biocompatible Jeffamines. ► Performances of application in controlled drug delivery or enzyme immobilization were evaluated. The paper studies the synthesis and characterization of anionic thermoassociative carboxymethylpullulan hydrogels through crosslinking of carboxymethylpullulan with two difunctional Jeffamines: ED-600 and ED-2003; taking into account that the Jeffamines contain polyoxyalkyleneamines (polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide) backbone with thermoassociative properties, is expected that the polysaccharide-Jeffamine derivatives also possess amphiphilic and thermosensitive characteristics. The hydrogels were characterized through FTIR spectra, swelling behavior in various media, at various pH or temperatures, retention of hydrophobic molecules, to appreciate their polyelectrolyte and thermoassociative properties. The interaction with biomolecules as proteins: lysozyme and BSA and as antioxidants: lutein was studied to estimate some potential application domains of these newly synthesized hydrogels.