Green and Effective: Chitosan Blends with Fish Collagen and Aloe vera Exudate

Chitosan (CS) blends with collagen (CL) and Aloe vera (AV) have gained significant attention in the biomedical field due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and potential for wound healing applications. In this study, we investigated the preparation and characterization of CS/CL and CS/AV blends using selective precipitation and co-precipitation techniques. The synthesis processes were analyzed for yield and 4-hydroxyproline content (in CS/CL blends). The materials were characterized using bromatological analyses, viscosity measurements, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These eco-friendly methods effectively promoted interactions between the biopolymers, resulting in homogeneous blends with tunable properties. Besides, they are simple, fast, safe, and require minimal infrastructure. This study demonstrated that selective precipitation and co-precipitation are effective methods for producing chitosan/collagen and chitosan/Aloe vera blends. These methods foster interactions and miscibility between the biopolymers, as confirmed by FTIR, XRD, viscosity, and 4-Hy content analyses. They also align with green chemistry principles by avoiding organic solvents, reducing environmental risks, and minimizing waste. The high yields achieved, especially for CS/AV blends (exceeding 96%), make these materials compatible with lyophilization procedures. The absence of segregated phases after appropriate washing underscores their suitability for pharmaceutical formulations and other applications.