In vitro degradation of a poly(ether urethane) by trypsin

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Abstract
In vitro enzymatic degradation of nonporous films of segmented poly(etherurethane) (Pellethane 2363–80AE) was investigated by incubating the biomaterial in concentrated trypsin solutions for 5 months at room temperature. Chemical degradation of films was monitored by surface analysis techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopyattenuated total reflectance and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis. This latter technique proved to be much superior in detecting chemical changes. Extraction of films with methanol and characterization of the extracts by gel permeation chromatography revealed the presence of low-molecular-weight polymers. Results have shown that trypsin has the ability to induce degradation in PEU, the soft segment being most affected, particularly the CH2O bond of the either linkages.