Abstract
Pollen-based microcapsules such as hollow sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs) have emerged as excellent drug delivery and microencapsulation vehicles. To date, SECs have been extracted primarily from a wide range of natural pollen species possessing largely spherical geometries and uniform surface features. Nonetheless, exploring pollen species with more diverse architectural features could lead to new application possibilities. One promising class of candidates is dandelion pollen grains, which possess architecturally intricate, cage-like microstructures composed of robust sporopollenin biopolymers. Here, we report the successful extraction and macromolecular loading of dandelion SECs. Preservation of SEC morphology and successful removal of proteinaceous materials was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, elemental CHN analysis, dynamic image particle analysis (DIPA) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Among the tested processing schemes, acidolysis using 85% (v/v) phosphoric acid refluxed at 70 °C for 5 hours yielded an optimal balance of intact particle yield, protein removal, and preservation of cage-like microstructure. For proof-of-concept loading, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was encapsulated within the dandelion SECs with high efficiency (32.23 ± 0.33%). Overall, our findings highlight how hollow microcapsules with diverse architectural features can be readily prepared and utilized from plant-based materials.
Highlights
Pollen-based microcapsules have attracted much interest as microencapsulation materials due to their eco-friendly nature, uniform micron-scale size, and chemical and physical stability[1,2]
Dandelion sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs) are of particular interest based on their complex architecture and large internal cavities
Based on the results obtained throughout the course of this work, highly monodisperse, intact and clean dandelion SECs may be obtained through acidolysis using phosphoric acid at an elevated temperature
Summary
Pollen-based microcapsules have attracted much interest as microencapsulation materials due to their eco-friendly nature, uniform micron-scale size, and chemical and physical stability[1,2]. Harsh reflux conditions such as high temperature, use of toxic solvents and prolonged heating, are often necessary[16] This poses a particular problem for more complex or highly ornamented pollen grains, with such aggressive treatment makes it challenging to perform quality extraction of hollow SECs featuring minimal damage to the exine surface. The two dandelion species, Taraxacum officinale and Taraxacum erythrospermum, are the most commonly found wild flowers worldwide They have a long history of being used as medicinal herbs, and have been used as food coloring with the US Food and Drug Administration approving dandelion extracts as “Generally Recognized as Safe”[20,21,22,23,24]. We decided to investigate the extraction and loading of dandelion SECs
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