Gelatin and galactomannan-based scaffolds: Characterization and potential for tissue engineering applications

•Gelatin and galactomannan films were produced by casting.•Reaction of galactomannan/gelatin and EDC promoted crosslinking on films.•Modified and insoluble films showed improved mechanical properties.•Cell based assays confirmed that films were not cytotoxic. In this work, we produced gelatin films containing different concentrations of galactomannan by casting solutions. The films were crosslinked by immersion in 30mM solution of 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). The crosslinking of gelatin-containing films was confirmed by the reduction of free amine band intensity (3400–3200cm−1) in the GEL IR, as well as by the evaluation of its behavior when immersed in phosphate-buffer solution. The crosslinking of galactomannan film was confirmed by the formation of new ether bonds, as observed by increasing intensity of the band at 1148cm−1, and the reduction of OH band intensity (3600–3200cm−1). The presence of galactomannan and the crosslinking mediated by EDC were responsible to improve elasticity in the gelatin-based films. The samples did not show cytotoxicity during 24h or 48h. In addition, rat mesenchymal stem cells adhered to the films regardless of galactomannan concentration. The results indicated that the gelatin/galactomannan films are potential biomaterials for use as scaffolds for tissue engineering.