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Design and development of gellan gum–derived photocrosslinkable hydrogel-based biomaterial inks for extrusion-based 3D printing

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Shambhavee Annurakshita, Hatai JongprasitkulORCiD, Professor David FultonORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Abstract

© 2026 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Three-dimensional (3D) printing enables the fabrication of hydrogel constructs with precise architecture, yet developing photocurable hydrogel biomaterial ink that combine printability, structural stability, and biofunctionality remains a challenge. Here, we present a gallol-functionalized gellan gum methacrylate (GGMA-GA) hydrogel as a robust photocrosslinkable biomaterial ink for extrusion-based 3D bioprinting. A dual-crosslinking strategy was employed in which mild ionic pre-crosslinking enhances shear-thinning and print fidelity, followed by photocrosslinking of methacrylate groups to reinforce mechanical stability post-printing. Incorporation of gallol moieties provides antioxidant activity and tissue adhesion, mitigating oxidative stress and promoting construct integration. We systematically evaluated rheological and swelling properties, printability, and cytocompatibility, demonstrating that GGMA-GA hydrogels maintain structural fidelity while supporting cell viability. The combination of low swelling degree, enhanced functionality, and precise printability positions GGMA-GA as a versatile photocurable hydrogel platform for extrusion-based 3D fabrication, with potential for long-term and in situ biomedical applications.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Annurakshita S, Jongprasitkul H, Niemela M, Turunen S, Kalpio T, Fulton DA, Kellomaki M, Parihar VS

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

Year: 2026

Volume: 377

Print publication date: 01/10/2026

Online publication date: 05/07/2026

Acceptance date: 01/07/2026

Date deposited: 03/08/2026

ISSN (print): 0141-8130

ISSN (electronic): 1879-0003

Publisher: Elsevier BV

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.153330

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.153330

Data Access Statement: Data will be made available on request.

PubMed id: 42402296

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