Adhesives derived from bioadhesive polyphenolic proteins

摘要

An adhesive or coating formulation useful in biomedical application and particularly well suited for use in aqueous environments is provided comprising: (1) a bioadhesive polyphenolic protein component having from about 5 to about 99 weight percent of a proteinaceous substance comprising from about 10 to about 400 of the following repeating decapeptide unit: <IMAGE> <IMAGE> +TR <IMAGE> in which each X is hydrogen or hydroxyl and each R is hydrogen or methyl; (2) from about 1.0 to about 40 weight percent of a cross-linking agent which promotes cross-linking of the decapeptide; (3) one or more additives which promote the desired properties of the formulation, said additives comprising at least one surfactant and being present in an amount of from 0% to about 90% by weight, and (4) a filler compatible with the intended use of the formulation, said filler being present in an amount of from 0% to about 50% by weight.