Macromolecular Research, Vol.30, No.10, 737-744, October, 2022
Antioxidant and Physical Properties of Dual-Networked Contact Lenses Containing Quercetin Using Chitosan and Alginate
The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical properties and antioxidant properties of dual networked contact lenses containing quercetin using chitosan and alginate. For sample preparation, the first step was to prepare contact lenses by adding quercetin, and the second step was to perform IPN (Interpenetrating Polymer Network) with 1% chitosan and alginate for 24 hours. The physical properties of contact lenses were evaluated in terms of light transmittance, water content, oxygen permeability, wettability, protein adsorption, and antibacterial properties. Antioxidant properties were evaluated by DPPH and ABTS assays. The higher the concentration of quercetin, the better the antioxidant properties. IPN-polymerized contact lenses with chitosan and alginate continuously released quercetin for more than 24 hours, extending the duration of antioxidant activity. Contact lenses containing quercetin showed lower physical properties compared to contact lenses without quercetin. However, contact lenses treated with IPN using alginate and chitosan had improved water content, oxygen permeability, and wettability. It was confirmed that quercetin improved the antioxidant properties of contact lenses, and alginate and chitosan further improved the antioxidant properties and physical properties of contact lenses.