Influence of curing temperature on adhesive strength of byssus plaques in a marine mussel

Abstract

Mussel adhesive protein (MAP) shows promise for the future as a new artificial adhesive material for bonding surgical incisions. The adhesive properties of MAP, however, have not been clarified until now. The purpose of this study was to assess the adhesive strength of MAP with respect to various substrates. The effect of curing temperature on the curing time of MAP after bonding to the substrate was also investigated. Adhesive strength was measured, using a newly developed peel test, using byssus preparations exposed to different curing temperatures (20°C, 40°C, 70°C) for 24 hours following an initial 48 hours of curing at 20°C. Adhesive strength depended on the curing temperature, being 19% lower at a curing temperature at 40°C than at 20°C, and 41% lower at 70°C. In terms of its adhesive strength, MAP may thus be suitable as a medical adhesive in surgery.