Multifunctional hybrid materials assembling pollen and zif-8 for biomedical applications

Biomaterials are natural or synthetic substances engineered to interact with biological systems. Their primary advantage lies in their biocompatibility, so they can function within the body without triggering harmful responses. These materials are used in various medical devices and have therapeutic applications. This thesis aims to explore the challenges and the potential of using natural compounds in biomedical applications, examining the properties of multiflora pollen, resveratrol, and their corresponding composite materials. In particular, multiflora pollen and resveratrol are employed for biomaterials in combination with a synthetic compound, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), a metal-organic framework (MOF) known for its biocompatibility. The integration of ZIF-8 enhances the absorption capacity and structural stability. Multiflora pollen sourced from a local company was selected due to its porous grain structure, higher availability and low cost. To fabricate the composite materials, pollen was first treated to increase its porosity by removing the main biomolecules from its pores. Several attempts were performed by using both mineral acids and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES). The treated pollen was then used as a co-template for the in-situ synthesis of ZIF-8. After several trials, the conditions to obtain a uniform coating of ZIF-8 particles on the hollow pollen shells were set up, leading to a hybrid material with enhanced porosity and stability. The resulting composite materials have potential applications in areas such as biomedicine and water remediation. Studies are conducted to evaluate the conditions to increase encapsulation efficiency and stability of resveratrol, a natural antioxidant extracted from grapes, into hybrid pollen-Zif-8 materials. In this research, the final resveratrol-based material is intended as a drug delivery platform and for other pharmacological uses in disease treatment.