Metastable hydrogels from aromatic dipeptides

Abstract

We demonstrate that the well-known self-assembling dipeptide diphenylalanine (FF) and its amidated derivative (FF-NH₂) can form metastable hydrogels upon sonication of the dipeptide solutions. The hydrogels show instantaneous syneresis upon mechanical contact resulting in rapid expulsion of water and collapse into a semi-solid gel.