Investigation of hydrogel materials enriched with plant and fungal extracts for potential biomedical applications

Magdalena Bańkosz; Zuzanna Stępińska; Julia Sztrumpf; Wiktoria Wrzesińska; Bożena Tyliszczak

doi:10.37705/TechTrans/e2026017

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Investigation of hydrogel materials enriched with plant and fungal extracts for potential biomedical applications

Technical Transactions

Volume 123 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)

By: Magdalena Bańkosz , Zuzanna Stępińska, Julia Sztrumpf, Wiktoria Wrzesińska and Bożena Tyliszczak

Open Access

|Jul 2026

Abstract

This study presents the characterization of hydrogels enriched with natural extracts of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) and Lentinula edodes (shiitake) with respect to their potential biomedical applications. The obtained materials were evaluated in terms of swelling capacity, stability in different incubation media (Ringer’s solution, PBS, distilled water), antioxidant activity, as well as morphological and chemical changes after incubation. The results demonstrated that all hydrogels preserved their structural integrity over a 7-day period, while their properties depended on the type and ratio of incorporated extracts. Samples enriched with Lentinula edodes showed higher antioxidant activity but underwent more pronounced morphological changes, whereas hydrogels containing Withania somnifera were more structurally stable. FT-IR analysis confirmed the preservation of the polymeric backbone after incubation. Overall, the results indicate that the investigated hydrogels can serve as carriers of natural bioactive compounds, and their tunable composition offers promising potential for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37705/TechTrans/e2026017 | Journal eISSN: 2353-737X | Journal ISSN: 0011-4561

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Language: English

Submitted on: Oct 14, 2025

Accepted on: May 29, 2026

Published on: Jul 15, 2026

Published by: Cracow University of Technology

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

Keywords:

hydrogels,

Withania somnifera,

Lentinula edodes,

antioxidant activity,

biomaterials,

incubation,

stability

Related subjects:

Architecture and design,

Architecture,

Architects, buildings,

Engineering,

Mechanical engineering,

Mechanics,

Industrial chemistry,

Chemical engineering,

Materials sciences,

Materials sciences, other

© 2026 Magdalena Bańkosz, Zuzanna Stępińska, Julia Sztrumpf, Wiktoria Wrzesińska, Bożena Tyliszczak, published by Cracow University of Technology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License.

Volume 123 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)