The synthesis and characterization of alginate-melanin hydrogels for applications in forensic science

Skin simulants are essential in forensic research to investigate skin behavior at crime scenes. We present alginate-melanin hydrogels as candidate forensic skin simulants, characterizing their optical and mechanical properties. We investigated encapsulated and crosslinked hydrogel systems. Synthetic melanin was modified by introducing alkynyl moieties for subsequent click chemistry reactions with the alginate polymer backbone. UV-VIS spectroscopy showed broadband absorption in the visible region consistent with melanin compounds. ATR-FT-IR, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR analyses indicated alkynyl group incorporation, and DART-MS showed molecular size increase, albeit with significant ion suppression. Although structural identification of reaction products was inconclusive, hydrogel formation proceeded to observe properties of covalently bound and/or crosslinked alginate-melanin hydrogels. Using click chemistry, alginate-azide was covalently crosslinked with alkynyl-melanin, yielding hydrogels with conserved optical properties. Rheological tests demonstrated viscoelasticity, with increased stiffness in covalently crosslinked hydrogels. These findings establish alginate-melanin hydrogels as proof-of-concept pigmented skin simulants for applications in forensic research.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Applied Bioscience

Grantor

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Rampete, Kgalalelo

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Stotesbury, Theresa

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10155/1903

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ontariotechu.scholaris.ca:10155/1903