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•Novel near-infrared (NIR) responsive alginate-based hydrogels have been developed.•The hydrogels were click-cross-linked via tetrazine-norbornene chemistry.•Gelation time was only in ...a few minutes at physiological conditions.•NIR light triggered the de-cross-linking of hydrogels and release of loaded DOX.•With the ratio of precursors, we could manipulate the degradation of the hydrogels.
A biodegradable, near-infrared (NIR) - responsive hydrogel is one of the most promising strategies as a remotely triggered drug carrier. In this study, novel NIR-responsive hydrogels based on alginate structures were prepared for controllable drug release. The hydrogels were formed rapidly by reacting norbornene-functionalized alginates and tetrazine cross-linkers containing diselenide bonds via inverse electron demand Diels-Alder click chemistry. In order to manipulate their properties, we prepared hydrogels with various cross-linking densities. NIR sensitive indocyanine green (ICG) and a drug, doxorubicin (DOX) were incorporated in the hydrogel matrix during gelation. The hydrogels showed a suppressed release profile under physiological conditions, while NIR light triggered a rapid release of DOX. Under NIR-light irradiation, ICG generated reactive oxygen species which could decompose diselenide bonds in the hydrogel matrix, inducing the gel-sol transition and release of entrapped DOX. The degradation of hydrogels could be also controlled by the ratio of the precursors.
Alginate is an edible heteropolysaccharide that abundantly available in the brown seaweed and the capsule of bacteria such as Azotobacter sp. and Pseudomonas sp. Owing to alginate gel forming ...capability, it is widely used in food, textile and paper industries; and to a lesser extent in biomedical applications as biomaterial to promote wound healing and tissue regeneration. This is evident from the rising use of alginate-based dressing for heavily exuding wound and their mass availability in the market nowadays. However, alginate also has limitation. When in contact with physiological environment, alginate could gelate into softer structure, consequently limits its potential in the soft tissue regeneration and becomes inappropriate for the usage related to load bearing body parts. To cater this problem, wide range of materials have been added to alginate structure, producing sturdy composite materials. For instance, the incorporation of adhesive peptide and natural polymer or synthetic polymer to alginate moieties creates an improved composite material, which not only possesses better mechanical properties compared to native alginate, but also grants additional healing capability and promote better tissue regeneration. In addition, drug release kinetic and cell viability can be further improved when alginate composite is used as encapsulating agent. In this review, preparation of alginate and alginate composite in various forms (fibre, bead, hydrogel, and 3D-printed matrices) used for biomedical application is described first, followed by the discussion of latest trend related to alginate composite utilization in wound dressing, drug delivery, and tissue engineering applications.
Alginate and alginate composite in four major forms (fibre, bead, hydrogel, and 3D printed matrices) and their use in selected biomedical application (wound dressing, tissue engineering, and drug delivery). Display omitted
Alginate is a polysaccharide belonging to the family of linear (unbranched), non-repeating copolymers, consisting of variable amounts of β-D-mannuronic acid and its C5-epimer α-L-guluronic acid ...linked via β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. Like DNA, alginate is a negatively charged polymer, imparting material properties ranging from viscous solutions to gel-like structures in the presence of divalent cations. Bacterial alginates are synthesized by only two bacterial genera, Pseudomonas and Azotobacter, and have been extensively studied over the last 40 years. While primarily synthesized in form of polymannuronic acid, alginate undergoes chemical modifications comprising acetylation and epimerization, which occurs during periplasmic transfer and before final export through the outer membrane. Alginate with its unique material properties and characteristics has been increasingly considered as biomaterial for medical applications. The genetic modification of alginate producing microorganisms could enable biotechnological production of new alginates with unique, tailor-made properties, suitable for medical and industrial applications.
Alginate is a hydrocolloid from algae, specifically brown algae, which is a group that includes many of the seaweeds, like kelps and an extracellular polymer of some bacteria. Sodium alginate is one ...of the best-known members of the hydrogel group. The hydrogel is a water-swollen and cross-linked polymeric network produced by the simple reaction of one or more monomers. It has a linear (unbranched) structure based on d-mannuronic and l-guluronic acids. The placement of these monomers depending on the source of its production is alternating, sequential and random. The same arrangement of monomers can affect the physical and chemical properties of this polysaccharide. This polyuronide has a wide range of applications in various industries including the food industry, medicine, tissue engineering, wastewater treatment, the pharmaceutical industry and fuel. It is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing or feeding practice. This review discusses its application in addition to its structural, physical, and chemical properties.
To enhance the physicochemical properties and extend the release duration of sodium alginate (SA) hydrogels, this study explored the impact of acidifier type and the number of cross-linking on the ...physicochemical characteristics and in vitro anthocyanin release from SA hydrogels, utilizing calcium carbonate as the cross-linking agent. The findings revealed that the utilization of gluconolactone (GDL) as an acidifying agent in the preparation of SA hydrogels, as opposed to hydrochloric acid, resulted in a deceleration of the hydrolysis process of calcium carbonate. This deceleration led to the strengthening of hydrogen-bonding interactions and the development of a more compact network structure within the SA hydrogels. Consequently, there was a noticeable enhancement in the hardness, relaxation time, and anthocyanin encapsulation efficiency of the gels. Additionally, the release of anthocyanins in simulated intestinal fluid was delayed. Secondary cross-linking was found to facilitate ionic interactions between SA and Ca2+, further intensifying the denseness of the network structure and enhancing the physicochemical characteristics of the SA hydrogels. Overall, SA hydrogels processed with GDL as the acidifier and subjected to secondary cross-linking exhibited improved physicochemical properties, delayed release effects, and proved to be an efficient system for the delayed release of anthocyanins.
•GDL is a more suitable acidifying agent for SA hydrogel.•Secondary cross-linking enhances the ionic interaction of the hydrogel.•Secondary cross-linked hydrogels can slow down the rate of anthocyanin release•The release of anthocyanin follows both the first-order model and Higuchi's model.
The use of beneficial microorganisms and polysaccharides for the biocontrol of plant diseases currently represents a promising tool for the management of soil-borne pathogens. Despite advancements, ...enhancing the efficacy and sustainability of these biocontrol methods, particularly in complex soil environments, remains a challenge. Thus, we investigated the potential of four PGPR strains encapsulated in natural alginate extracted from a brown seaweed Bifurcaria bifurcata to evaluate its biocontrol capacities against Verticillium wilt of tomato, ensuring optimal performance through a synergistic effect and innovative bacterial release. Our research demonstrated that the application of PGPR and alginate reduced disease severity and mortality rate and increased the natural defenses of tomato. Results showed that supplying alginate or the PGPR consortium at the root level s stimulates phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity (the key enzyme of the phenylpropanoid metabolism) and the accumulation of phenolic compounds and lignin in leaves and roots. Treatment with PGPR encapsulated in alginate beads showed the best biocontrol efficiency and was accompanied by a synergistic effect reflecting a rapid, intense, and systemic induction of defense mechanisms known for their effectiveness in inducing resistance in tomato. These promising results suggest that such bioformulations could lead to innovative agricultural practices for sustainable plant protection against pathogens.
•Pretreatment of plants with alginate or PGPR reduced Verticillium wilt.•The encapsulation of PGPR in alginate reflected a synergistic effect.•The disease suppression is associated with the inhibition of the pathogen growth.•Disease suppression is associated with the stimulation of natural defenses of the host plant.
In this study, chitosan-alginate polyelectrolyte microparticles containing the antibiotic, vancomycin chloride were prepared using the ionotropic gelation (coacervation) technique. In vitro release ...and drug transport mechanisms were studied concerning the chitosan only and alginate only microparticles as a control group. Further, the effect of porosity on the drug transport mechanism was also studied for chitosan-alginate mixed particles produced by lyophilizing in contrast to the air-dried non-porous particles. According to the in vitro release data, alginate only and chitosan only microparticles showed burst release and prolonged release respectively. Chitosan-alginate lyophilized microparticles showed the best-controlled release of vancomycin with the average release of 22μg per day for 14days. Also, when increasing alginate concentration there was no increase in the release rate of vancomycin. The release data of all the microparticles were treated with Ritger-Peppas, Higuchi, Peppas-Sahlin, zero-order, and first-order kinetic models. The best fit was observed with Peppas-Sahlin model, indicating the drug transport mechanism was controlled by both Fickian diffusion and case II relaxations. Also, Fickian diffusion dominates the drug transport mechanism of all air-dried samples during the study period. However, the Fickian contribution was gradually reducing with time. Porosity significantly effects the drug transport mechanism as case II relaxation dominates after day 10 of the lyophilized microparticles.
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In recent years, the use of transplanted living cells pumping out active factors directly at the site has proven to be an emergent technology. However a recurring impediment to rapid development in ...the field is the immune rejection of transplanted allo- or xenogeneic cells. Immunosuppression is used clinically to prevent rejection of organ and cell transplants in humans, but prolonged usage can make the recipient vulnerable to infections, and increase the likelihood of tumorigenesis of the transplanted cells. Cell microencapsulation is a promising tool to overcome these drawbacks. It consists of surrounding cells with a semipermeable polymeric membrane. The latter permits the entry of nutrients and the exit of therapeutic protein products, obtaining in this way a sustained delivery of the desirable molecule. The membrane isolates the enclosed cells from the host immune system, preventing the recognition of the immobilization cells as foreign. This review paper intends to overview the current situation in the cell encapsulation field and discusses the main events that have occurred along the way. The technical advances together with the ever increasing knowledge and experience in the field will undoubtedly lead to the realization of the full potential of cell encapsulation in the future.
In this study, 7 Pseudomonas strains were isolated from a wastewater treatment plant, and the alginate production of Pseudomonas strains under different environmental conditions was evaluated. ...Subsequently, alginate-biomass hydrogel beads were prepared using alginate and biomass of Pseudomonas, and their adsorption performances and mechanism to Pb2+ and Cd2+ were analyzed. The results show that weakly acidic pH and 37 °C is favorable for alginate synthesis of Pseudomonas strains, and P. alcaligenes YLS18 have the highest alginate yield (29.4 mg/g). The adsorption processes of Pb2+ and Cd2+ by hydrogel beads are well described by Langmuir model, indicating that the adsorption process is monolayer. Among the biomass of these strains, P. nitroreducens YLB32 shows the highest biosorption capacities, reaching 110.7 mg/g for Pb2+ and 54.3 mg/g for Cd2+ at pH 5. Alginate-biomass hydrogel beads obtain higher adsorption capacity to Pb2+ (184.0 mg/g) and Cd2+ (92.4 mg/g), and exhibit good reusability. The adsorption mechanism of Pb2+ and Cd2+ by hydrogel beads involves physical tapping of ions, electrostatic interactions, complexation, cation exchange and precipitation. These results provide strong support for promoting alginate recovery from activated sludge and for treating heavy metal wastewater.
•Weakly acidic condition and 37 °C were favorable for alginate synthesis.•Pseudomonas nitroreducens YLB32 have high adsorption capacity for Pb2+ and Cd2+.•Alginate-biomass hydrogel increased the adsorption capacity of strain biomass.•This study supports alginate recovery and heavy metal wastewater treatment.
Alginate, a group of polyuronic saccharides, has been widely used in both pharmaceutical and food industries due to its unique physicochemical properties as well as beneficial health effects. ...However, the potential applications of alginate are restricted because of its low water solubility and high solution viscosity when significant concentrations are needed, particularly in food products. Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS), oligomers containing 2 to 25 monomers, can be obtained via hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds, organic synthesis, or through biosynthesis. Generally, AOS have shorter chain lengths and thus improved water solubility when compared with higher molecular weight alginates of the same monomers. These oligosaccharides have attracted interest from both basic and applied researchers. AOS have unique bioactivity and can impart health benefits. They have shown immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, prebiotic, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antitumor, anticoagulant, and other activities. As examples, they have been utilized as prebiotics, feed supplements for aquaculture, poultry, and swine, elicitors for plants and microorganisms, cryoprotectors for frozen foods, and postharvest treatments. This review comprehensively covers methods for AOS production from alginate, such as physical/chemical methods, enzymatic methods, fermentation, organic synthesis, and biosynthesis. Moreover, current progress in structural characterization, potential health benefits, and AOS metabolism after ingestion are summarized in this review. This review will discuss methods for producing and modified AOS with desirable structures that are suited for novel applications.
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