Abstract
The natural anionic polyelectrolyte alginate and its derivatives are of particular interest for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Most interesting for such applications are alginate hydrogels, which can be processed into various shapes, self-standing or at surfaces. Increasing efforts are underway to functionalize the alginate macromolecules prior to hydrogel formation in order to overcome the shortcomings of purely ionically cross-linked alginate hydrogels that are hindering the progress of several sophisticated biomedical applications. Particularly promising are derivatives of alginate, which allow simultaneous ionic and covalent cross-linking to improve the physical properties and add biological activity to the hydrogel. This review will report recent progress in alginate modification and functionalization with special focus on synthesis procedures, which completely conserve the ionic functionality of the carboxyl groups along the backbone. Recent advances in analytical techniques and instrumentation supported the goal-directed modification and functionalization.
Highlights
Alginates are natural anionic polyelectrolytes, which are quite abundant in nature [1].Commercial alg are generally produced by extraction from marine brown algae, though some bacteria are able to synthesize alg as well [2]
Alg beads were reported for the immobilization of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which are essential for a healthy intestinal flora but are very sensitive to the acidic pH of gastric fluid
Most O-sulfation reactions on alg are aiming to provide the polysaccharide with features similar to those of heparin
Summary
Alginates (alg) are natural anionic polyelectrolytes, which are quite abundant in nature [1]. Polymers 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW applications, increasing efforts are underway to functionalize the alg macromolecules prior to hydrogel macromolecules prior to hydrogel formation in order to overcome these shortcomings. In terms of regulatory aspects for modified alg intended for biomedical applications, . In terms of regulatory aspects for modified alg intended for biomedical applications, appropriate The weight average molar mass of commercial Na-alg 4 constitute the polymer chain. The weight average molar mass of commercial Na-alg varies from 4 × 10 varies from 4 × 104 to 5 × g/mol.
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