Chemical Modifications, Solid Phase, Radio-Chemical and Enzymatic Transformations of Hyaluronic Acid

This chapter focuses on two subjects related to the field of mechanically stimulated reactions: (1) chemical and photochemical cross‐linking of HA in aqueous solutions and (2) advanced methods of solid‐phase polysaccharide modification. From these processes, the cross‐linked hyaluronic hydrogels acquire a number of valuable properties that significantly extend the range of their medical applications. Radio‐chemical transformations of hyaluronan aqueous solutions are studied by the radiation chemistry of biopolymers. Radiolysis of hyaluronan aqueous solutions could be described as destructive oxidative processes in which hydroxyl radical OH* plays the major role. Understanding of the mechanism of radiolysis of hyaluronan is necessary in order to develop a strategy to protect the polysaccharide from the destructive effects of oxidative radicals.