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TITLE
NOVEL CROSSLINKER AGENTS FROM PHYTIC ACID

HIGHLIGHTS
The invention relates to to the synthesis of novel crosslinking agents based on phytic acid
(PA) derivatives of condensates of PA with hydroxylic compounds and its procedure of
obtainment. This type of natural crosslinking agent demonstrated to be useful in the
preparation of stable biodegradable crosslinked gels of proteins and/or polysaccharides,
useful in biotechnology and biomedicine

CONTEXT
Myoinositol hexaphosphate or phytic acid (PA) is a natural and ubiquitous antioxidant that
constitutes 1-5 wt % of most cereals, nuts, legumes, and oil seeds. PA has the ability to bind
minerals, proteins and polysaccharides. However, despite the potential energy inherent in the six
phosphoric ester linkages, phytic acid is very stable at neutral and alkaline pHs. Cations of the
natural polymer are able to bind directly with anions of PA through electrostatic charges.

BENEFITS
Polysaccharides can also bind to PA via hydrogen bond formation. The advantages of PA against
other multivalent non-toxic polyanions, like tripolyphosphate (TPP), are that the number of anions
capable of reacting with cations is two-fold higher than TPP. Chitosan has been crosslinked with
PA via ionic gelation for encapsulation of insulin in a chitosan matrix for oral delivery of insulin.
Scaffolds of nanofibers of hemoglobin/gelatin/fibrinogen crosslinked with PA have been developed
for regeneration of the ischemic myocardium.

PROOF OF CONCEPT
The present invention discloses novel, stable and biodegradable membranes of proteins and/or
polysaccharides, particularly of chitosan and chitosan/hyaluronic acid, useful as scaffolds for bone
tissue engineering. These membranes were fabricated by mixtures of polysaccharides and proteins
of interest and novel crosslinking agents consisting of phytic acid (PA) derivatives obtained by a
condensation reaction between phytic acid (PA) with a hydroxylic compound.

POTENCIAL COMMERCIAL USE /APPLICATIONS

Many areas of PA utilization include industrial and medical applications. In the biomedical field,
PA has been used as a natural crosslinking agent of proteins and polysaccharides.

INVENTORS AND RESEARCH UNIT

Ana Leite Oliveira1, Filipe Alexandre Monteiro Barbosa1, Julio San Roman del Barrio2, Maria Blanca
Vazquez Lasa2, Luis Fernandez Garcia2
1
Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia - Universidade
Católica Portuguesa; 2 CSIC
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COOPERATION OPTIONS
Sell the patent application
Licensing the exploitation rights

PATENT STATUS
Patent Pending: FT P/1062
Spanish Patent: PCT/IB2017/054211

CONTACTS (ESB) E-MAIL PHONE

Ana Leite Oliveira aloliveira@porto.ucp.pt +351 22 558 0001