Dextran and Its Derivatives: Biopolymer Additives for the Modulation of Vaterite CaCO ₃ Crystal Morphology and Adhesion to Cells

Nowadays, a great demand for the development of novel drug delivery systems with high potential bench-to-market transition attracts scientific attention toward materials that are already approved biomedical use. Here, controlled fabrication hybrid organic inorganic mesoporous crystals is realized in physiologically relevant conditions by co-synthesis vaterite CaCO3 presence dextran (DEX) or its functional derivatives. The effects DEX molecular weight and chemical structure on morphology, porosity, stability hybrids investigated. Molecular does not affect crystal growth but leads to partial blocking pores. Co-synthesis functionalized either carboxymethyl (CM) diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) groups drastically increased porosity without influencing size. pH-dependent vaterite-to-calcite recrystallization significantly suppressed inclusion carboxymethyl-dextran (CM-DEX), making stable acidic medium, whereas incorporation diethylaminoethyl-dextran (DEAE-DEX) has no effect. prepared charged derivatives possess stronger adhesion normal human dermal fibroblasts: three times higher adherence compared pristine crystals. These results provide fundamental physical–chemical insights into crystallization DEX/vaterite discussed view these carriers other applications.