Electron beam irradiation crosslinked hydrogels based on tyramine conjugated gum tragacanth

• Tyramine conjugated tragacanth hydrogel was prepared by electron beam irradiation.
• Gel content of the hydrogels was in the range of 75–85%.
• Equilibrium swelling degree of the hydrogels was in the range of 14–51.
• This hydrogel is a promising candidate for biomedical applications.
• Tyramine conjugation is a useful way to crosslink polymers by ionizing irradiation.

In the present study, electron beam irradiation was applied to prepare a chemically crosslinked hydrogel based on tyramine conjugated gum tragacanth. Then, the gel content, swelling behavior and cytotoxicity of the hydrogels were evaluated. The gel content of the hydrogels was in the range of 75–85%. Equilibrium swelling degree of the hydrogels decreased from 51 to 14 with increasing polymer concentration and irradiation dose. Moisture retention capability of the hydrogels after 5 h incubation at 37 °C was in the range of 45–52 that is comparable with of commercial hydrogels. The cytotoxicity analysis showed the good biocompatibility of hydrogels. These results indicated that electron beam irradiation is a promising method to prepare chemically crosslinked tyramine conjugated gum tragacanth hydrogels for biomedical applications. Also, the versatility of electron beam irradiation for crosslinking of a variety of polymers possessing tyramine groups was demonstrated.