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A B S T R A C TPolysaccharide aerogels are a good alternative as carriers for drug delivery, since they allow high loading of the active compounds in matrices that are non-toxic, biocompatible and from a renewable feedstock. In this work, barley and yeast β-glucans aerogels were produced by gelation in aqueous solution, followed by solvent exchange and drying with supercritical CO 2 . First, viscoelastic properties and melting profile of the hydrogels were determined. Then, the obtained aerogels were analyzed regarding morphology, mechanical properties and behavior in physiological fluid. Both in the hydrogels and in the aerogels, big differences were observed between barley and yeast β-glucans due to their different chain structure and gelation behavior. Finally, impregnation of acetylsalicylic acid was performed at the same time as the drying of the alcogels with supercritical CO 2 . The release profile of the drug in PBS was analyzed in order to determine the mechanism governing the release from the β-glucan matrix.http://dx.

Porous polymeric materials are studied in tissue engineering, because they can act as support for cell proliferation and as drug delivery vehicles for regeneration of tissues. Hydrogel foaming with supercritical CO 2 is a suitable alternative for the creation of these structures, since it avoids the use of organic solvents and high temperature in the processing. In this work, β-glucans were used as raw materials to create hydrogels due to their easily gelation and biological properties. The enhancement of porosity was generated by a fast decompression after keeping the hydrogels in contact with CO 2. The effect of the processing conditions and type of β-glucan in the final properties was assessed regarding morphological and mechanical properties. Finally, the ability of these materials to sustainably deliver dexamethasone was evaluated. The scaffolds had good morphology and provided a controlled release, thus being suitable to be used as scaffolds and drug delivery vehicles.

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