Alginate Research Articles

Development and Evaluation of pH‐Responsive Microbeads Incorporated with Nickel Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles for Controlled Release of Doxorubicin

AbstractThe development of a pH‐responsive, biocompatible polymeric carrier for controlled delivery of bioactive agents holds significant practical value for pharmaceutical applications. In this study, we used the gelation method to make pH‐responsive polymeric microbeads using sodium alginate (SA), poly(vinylpyrrolidone‐co‐vinyl acetate) (PVPVA), and nickel zinc ferrite (NZF) nanoparticles for controlled release of doxorubicin (DOX). The generated microbeads are characterized using various techniques, including Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Swelling studies reveal enhanced permeability at pH 6.4, and in vitro release studies demonstrate a higher release rate at pH 6.4 compared to pH 2.0. Cytotoxicity tests on MCF‐7 cells (a type of breast cancer cell line) showed that NZF‐loaded microbeads, especially SP‐NZFNPs‐DOX, were more effective than other carriers, indicating their potential usefulness in cancer treatment. Furthermore, biocompatibility tests demonstrate that the SA/PVPVA microbeads and nanoparticles are biocompatible with 3T3 fibroblasts. This study contributes valuable insights to the evolving landscape of nanotechnology in cancer treatment, emphasizing the synergistic role of NZF nanoparticles, SA, and PVPVA in optimizing drug delivery systems.

Development of phage-containing hydrogel for treating Enterococcus faecalis-infected wounds.

Chronic wound infections caused by Enterococcus faecalis pose formidable challenges in clinical management, exacerbated by the emergence of vancomycin-resistant strains. Phage therapy offers a targeted approach but encounters delivery hurdles. Due to their biocompatibility and controlled release properties, hydrogels hold promise as carriers. This study aimed to fabricate phage-containing hydrogels using sodium alginate (SA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and hyaluronic acid (HA) to treat E. faecalis-infected wounds. We assessed the efficacy of these hydrogels both in vitro and in vivo. The hydrogel was prepared using SA-CMC-HA polymers. Phage SAM-E.f 12 was incorporated into the SA-CMC-HA hydrogel. The hydrogel's swelling index was measured after 24 h, and degradation was assessed over seven days. Surface morphology and composition were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Antibacterial activity was tested via optical density (OD) and disk diffusion assays. Phage release and stability were evaluated over a month. In vivo efficacy was tested in mice through wound healing and bacterial count assays, with histopathological analysis. Hydrogels exhibited a swelling index of 0.43, a water absorption rate of %30, and 23% degradation over seven days. FTIR confirmed successful polymer incorporation. In vitro studies demonstrated that phage-containing hydrogels significantly inhibited bacterial growth, with an OD of 0.3 compared to 1.1 for the controls. Hydrogels remained stable for four weeks. In vivo, phage-containing hydrogels reduced bacterial load and enhanced wound healing, as shown by improved epithelialization and tissue restoration. Phage-containing hydrogels effectively treat wounds infected with E. faecalis-infected wounds, promoting wound healing through controlled phage release. These hydrogels can improve clinical outcomes in the treatment of infected wounds.

Defining critical quality attributes and composition parameters for burn wound dressings: Antibiotic-anesthetic films as a model

The management of wounds primarily revolves around pain relief, effective infection control and the promotion of tissue regeneration to prevent complications like chronic skin wounds. While polymeric bioactive films are innovative alternatives to conventional wound dressings, there exists a dearth of guidance regarding their quality control. This underscores the imperative need to establish precise critical quality attributes, a task undertaken within this study using an antibiotic-anesthetic film as a model. The aim was to establish the influence of critical composition and process parameters and optimize the formula.First, the quality target product profile was defined, and critical quality attributes were identified. Our material selection included ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (an antimicrobial), lidocaine hydrochloride (an anesthetic), as well as excipients, such as sodium alginate, sodium hyaluronate, carbomer and glycerol. The critical components were identified through a risk assessment matrix, and their influence on film composition was determined by experimental verification using Design-Expert® software. A full factorial design was employed to assess the effects of sodium hyaluronate, carbomer and glycerol (as independent variables) on transparency, homogeneity, folding capacity and handling. Following this, an optimized formulation was achieved and subjected to further characterization.These optimized antibiotic-anesthetic films exhibited uniform micro-distribution of components, ensuring dosage uniformity. Both ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and lidocaine hydrochloride displayed sustained release profiles, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for skin wounds. Furthermore, the resistance and elongation properties were similar to those of human skin.Utilizing a QbD approach, we successfully developed an optimized antibiotic-anesthetic film that adhered to the essential critical quality attributes. This films exhibits potential utility as a wound dressing. The findings presented in this study establish a fundamental framework for delineating the critical quality attributes of dressing films and refining their formulation to optimize wound treatment.

Electrospinning of Sodium Alginate/Copper Oxide Nanofibrous Composite Membrane and Its Application of Cationic Dye Adsorption

AbstractDye wastewater is becoming one of the most significant sources of water pollution, and its impact on human survival is immeasurable. In this study, we successfully synthesized a nanofiber membrane with environmentally friendly and efficient properties using electrospinning of a mixture of sodium alginate (SA) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles, aimed at effective dye removal. The adsorption performance of the SA/CuO nanofiber membrane was evaluated using the cationic dye methylene blue (MB). The maximum adsorption capacity of the nanofiber membrane was increased significantly with the addition of CuO nanoparticles, reaching a maximum value of 1633.4 mg g−1, almost twice as much as that of pure SA membrane. The adsorption kinetics follows the pseudo‐second‐order model, where chemisorption acts as the rate‐limiting step. The adsorption isotherm data indicate that the adsorption is monolayer. The nanofibrous membranes showed better dye removal under an alkaline environment. After four cycles of adsorption/desorption, the MB removal efficiency remained at 70.1% of the original adsorption capacity. The addition of CuO nanoparticles facilitated the adsorption of MB dyes, while the form of the nanofibrous membrane is easily recoverable and reusable. Therefore, the as‐prepared SA/CuO nanofibrous composite membrane is a potentially favorable adsorbent material for wastewater treatment applications.

3D-printed artificial cornea featuring aligned fibrous structure and enhanced mechanical strength

The global shortage of donor eye bank tissue has significantly impeded advancements in biomaterial for corneal implantation. To address this issue, we have developed a 3D-printed artificial cornea using a composite hydrogel of sodium alginate (SA) and cellulose nanofibers (CNF), crosslinked with poly-L-lysine-co-L-glutamic acid (PLL80GA20, PG) and calcium chloride (CaCl2, CC). The 2 wt% SA/CNF composite hydrogel offers several advantages, including low toxicity, cost-effectiveness, excellent printability, and high mechanical strength, even with low crosslinker concentrations. The PG was synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of L-glutamate N-carboxyl anhydride (BGNCA) and L-lysine N-carboxyl anhydride (CBZNCA). The purity of the monomers was verified through DSC analysis, revealing a melting point of 97 ℃. The molecular weight of the synthesized PG was determined to be 47 kDa. A dual crosslinking strategy was employed, starting with electrostatic crosslinking, followed by ionic crosslinking using varying concentrations of PG and CC at different effective charge concentrations of 6.25 mM, 12.25 mM, and 25 mM. The hydrogel and 3D-printed cornea were comprehensively evaluated for chemical structure, surface functional groups, water content, mechanical strength, orientation, cytotoxicity, biocompatibility, and transparency. Notably, the inclusion of PG significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of the 3D-printed cornea, with the hydrogel achieving a storage modulus of 2,360 kPa at 6.25 mM of PG/CC, while maintaining over 95% water content. The artificial cornea demonstrated 86% transparency, and the cell viability showed 96% viable on Day 7 with degradation rate of 35.9% in 28 days. The superior hydrophilicity, transparency, and mechanical strength of the printed hydrogel highlights its potential for the development of full-thickness corneal structures, making it a promising candidate for future corneal implants.

Polysaccharide-Based Injectable Hydrogel Loaded with Quercetin Promotes Scarless Healing of Burn Wounds by Reducing Inflammation.

Moisture loss, infection, and severe inflammatory reactions are the primary factors affecting burn wound healing and leading to scar formation. Herein, we developed a quercetin-loaded polysaccharide-based injectable hydrogel (named PECE). The PECE consists of oxidized sodium alginate (OAlg) coupled with chitosan (CS) via Schiff bases and electrostatic interactions, while Que is incorporated via hydrogen bonding. Benefiting from the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, PECE features distinguished moisturizing ability. Additionally, the sustained release of Que imparts remarkable antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Likewise, PECE demonstrates favorable in vitro anti-inflammatory capacity as released Que significantly downregulates pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α) secreted by RAW 264.7 macrophages. More importantly, in a rat model of deep second-degree burn wounds, PECE effectively inhibits wound infection, reduces inflammation, and promotes angiogenesis and collagen deposition, ultimately minimizing scar formation. Overall, this work presents a promising strategy for scarless healing of burn wounds.

Oriented Alginate-Poly(vinyl alcohol) Electrospun Nanofibers for Multimodal Sensing and Gesture Language Recognition.

Flexible nanofiber sensors have gained substantial attention in extending application scenarios owing to their desirable lightweight, comfort, and breathability. Nevertheless, disorder and uneven dimension issues of nanofibers are the leading concerns in their multifunctional response, which often leads to erratic response signals as well as poor linearity. In this work, a high-performance oriented nanofiber film with a three-dimensional network consisting of alginate sodium, poly(vinyl alcohol), and poly(ethylene oxide) was successfully fabricated by a controllable directional electrospinning technique. The main properties of the nanofibers are capable of being regulated intentionally by varying the electrospinning temperature, collector rotation speed, and polymer concentrations. Based on the favorable structure orientation, the nanofiber film displays satisfied biodegradability and high mechanical strength (575.1 MPa). Being integrated with modified magnetic particles, the sensors not only display a fast response speed, high magnetic sensitivity, and exceptional recoverability in response to magnetic fields but also show favorable sensitivities and reliable long-term durability under mechanical excitations. As a wearable sensor, it can accurately perceive the physiological signals generated by the human body in real-time. Furthermore, with the assistance of a convolutional neural network model, a gesture language recognition system is developed by integrating multiple sensors to realize a high recognition accuracy (∼99.08%). This study provides a feasible strategy to manufacture high-performance multimodal sensors for wearable human-machine interaction applications.

Development of modular extrusion bioprinter prototype

Introduction: The aim of this work was to develop a prototype of a modular extrusion bioprinter capable of performing 2D and 3D printing with hydrogels based on sodium alginate and gelatin. Materials and methods: The bioprinter uses Cartesian coordinate system, the print head is movable in Y and Z axes, the printing platform is in X axis and equipped with cooling system. Constructs were printed with 3 types of gels: based on gelatin with the addition various concentrations of xanthan gum; based on combination of gelatin and sodium alginate; based on gelatin and xanthan gum with the addition of carbon nanotubes. Results: The constructs from various gels corresponded to the structure determined by their digital models. Conclusions: The developed system allows performing 2D and 3D printing with gels based on gelatin, sodium alginate, including those containing carbon nanotubes and/or xanthan gum for a wide range of experimental tasks.

Direct Preparation of Alginate Oligosaccharides from Brown Algae by an Algae-Decomposing Alginate Lyase AlyP18 from the Marine Bacterium Pseudoalteromonas agarivorans A3

Alginate oligosaccharides (AOs), derived from alginate degradation, exhibit diverse biological activities and hold significant promise in various fields. The enzymatic preparation of AOs relies on alginate lyases, which offers distinct advantages. In contrast to the conventional use of sodium alginate derived from brown algae as the substrate for the enzymatic preparation of AOs, AO preparation directly from brown algae is more appealing due to its time and energy efficiency. Thus, the identification of potent alginate lyases and cost-effective brown algae substrates is crucial for optimizing AO production. Herein, we identified and characterized an alginate lyase, AlyP18, capable of efficiently decomposing algae, from a marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas agarivorans A3 based on secretome analysis. AlyP18 is a mesothermal, endo-type and bifunctional alginate lyase with high enzymatic activity. Two brown algae substrates, Laminaria japonica roots and Macrocystis pyrifera, were used for the AO preparation by AlyP18. Upon optimization of AlyP18 hydrolysis parameters, the substrate degradation efficiency and AO production reached 53% and ~32% for L. japonica roots, respectively, and 77% and ~46.5% for M. pyrifera. The generated AOs primarily consisted of dimers to pentamers, with trimers and tetramers being dominant. This study provides an efficient alginate lyase and alternative brown algal feedstock for the bioconversion of high-value AOs from brown algae.

Sodium Alginate Microneedles Loaded with Vancomycin for Skin Infections

Background: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) present significant treatment challenges. These infections often require systemic antibiotics such as vancomycin, which poses a risk for increased bacterial resistance. Topical treatments are hindered by the barrier function of the skin, and microneedles (MNs) offer a promising solution, increasing patient compliance and negating the need for traditional needles. Methods: This study focused on the use of sodium alginate MNs for vancomycin delivery directly to the site of infection via a cost-effective micromolding technique. Dissolving polymeric MNs made of sodium alginate and loaded with vancomycin were fabricated and evaluated in terms of their physical properties, delivery ability, and antimicrobial activity. Results: The MNs achieved a 378 μm depth of insertion into ex vivo skin and a 5.0 ± 0 mm zone of inhibition in agar disc diffusion assays. Furthermore, in ex vivo Franz cell experiments, the MNs delivered 34.46 ± 11.31 μg of vancomycin with around 35% efficiency, with 9.88 ± 0.57 μg deposited in the skin after 24 h. Conclusions: These findings suggest that sodium alginate MNs are a viable platform for antimicrobial agent delivery in SSTIs. Future in vivo studies are essential to confirm the safety and effectiveness of this innovative method for clinical use.

High-Density Fermentation of Lactobacillus plantarum P6: Enhancing Cell Viability via Sodium Alginate Enrichment.

Lactobacillus plantarum exhibits a wide range of beneficial physiological functions, including maintaining intestinal microbiota balance, reducing serum cholesterol, and promoting digestive health. According to the specific nutrient requirements of Lactobacillus plantarum P6, we investigated the effects of various carbon sources, nitrogen sources, trace elements, growth-promoting substances, as well as the initial pH and inoculum size on the growth of Lactobacillus plantarum P6 under fermentation conditions. The optimal growth conditions for Lactobacillus plantarum P6 were identified to facilitate high-density fermentation in small-scale fermenter production, achieving a cell concentration of 1.03 × 1011 CFU/mL. This resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in bacterial wet weight, and fermentation time was reduced to 12 h when utilizing a specific medium enriched with 0.2% sodium alginate. It is hypothesized that sodium alginate forms a protective film around the bacterial cells, promoting cell aggregation and enhancing self-coalescence, potentially triggering a bacterial community effect. These results provide a basis for the industrial-scale high-density cultivation of Lactobacillus plantarum, offering potential for enhanced biotechnological applications.

Evaluation effect of alginate hydrogel containing losartan on wound healing and gene expression.

Skin tissue engineering has become an increasingly popular alternative to conventional treatments for skin injuries. Hydrogels, owing to their advantages have become the ideal option for wound dressing, and they are extensively employed in a mixture of different drugs to accelerate wound healing. Sodium alginate is a readily available natural polymer with advantages such as bio-compatibility and a non-toxicological nature that is commonly used in hydrogel form for medical applications such as wound repair and drug delivery in skin regenerative medicine. Losartan is a medicine called angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that can prevent fibrosis by inhibiting AT1R (angiotensin II type 1 receptor). In this research, for the first time, three-dimensional scaffolds based on cross-linked alginate hydrogel with CaCl2 containing different concentrations of losartan for slow drug release and exudate absorption were prepared and characterized as wound dressing. Alginate hydrogel was mixed with 10, 1, 0.1, and 0.01mg/mL of losartan, and their properties such as morphology, chemical structure, water uptake properties, biodegradability, stability assay, rheology, blood compatibility, and cellular response were evaluated. In addition, the therapeutic efficiency of the developed hydrogels was then assessed in an in vitro wound healing model and with a gene expression. The results revealed that the hydrogel produced was very porous (porosity of 47.37 ± 3.76µm) with interconnected pores and biodegradable (weight loss percentage of 60.93 ± 4.51% over 14days). All hydrogel formulations have stability under various conditions. The use of CaCl2 as a cross-linker led to an increase in the viscosity of alginate hydrogels. An in vitro cell growth study revealed that no cytotoxicity was observed at the suggested dosage of the hydrogel. Increases in Losartan dosage, however, caused hemolysis. In vivo study in adult male rats with a full-thickness model showed greater than 80% improvement of the primary wound region after 2weeks of treatment with alginate hydrogel containing 0.1mg/mL Losartan. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis showed a decrease in expression level of TGF-β1 and VEGF in treatment groups. Histological analysis demonstrated that the alginate hydrogel containing Losartan can be effective in wound repair by decreasing the size of the scar and tissue remodeling, as evidenced by future in vivo studies.

Blends of Silk Waste Protein and Polysaccharides for Enhanced Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration: Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Perspectives.

Wound healing is a highly sophisticated process, and therefore, a pioneering approach for designing excellent wound dressings with desirable characteristics vital for maintaining the external wound environment by assessing the inherent conditions of a patient for effective wound healing. Silk fibroin (SF), a versatile biocompatible material, has garnered significant attention for its potential in the field of wound healing and tissue regeneration. When SF is blended with polysaccharides, their synergistic properties can result in a material with enhanced bioactivity and tunable mechanical properties that facilitate the controlled release of therapeutic agents. This review explores how SF interacts with certain polysaccharides such as cellulose, chitosan, alginate, and hyaluronic acid (HA) and also delves into the underlying mechanisms through which these SF-polysaccharide blends induce processes such as cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation for enhanced wound healing and tissue regeneration. This review also emphasizes the potential of the aforementioned blends in diverse wound healing applications in conjunction with other treatment approaches, further addressing the current challenges in this domain and future directions for optimizing SF-polysaccharide blends for clinical research.

Win-Win Strategies Enable Efficient Anode-Less Zinc-Ion Hybrid Supercapacitors.

Boosting the energy and power densities of electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices to broaden their practicality is of great significance and emergently desirable. Recently, the EES cells with an anode-free concept have been announced to realize those targets. Herein, 20 μm of a zincophilic layer prepared by blending ZIF-8 and sodium alginate (SA) is uniformly coated on Cu foil (Z8-SA@Cu) as an alternative anode for anode-less zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors (ALZHSCs). Contributing by the distinctive features evidenced by electrochemical measurements and post-mortem analyses: (1) less nucleation barrier and overpotential, (2) limited zincate formation, (3) improved Zn2+ flux and (4) efficient Zn plating/stripping, the as-prepared Z8-SA@Cu is rationally considered to be a promising anode for ALZHSCs. Encouragingly, the assembled ALZHSC device not only delivers an impressive rate capability (40 mAh/g at 1 mA/cm2 and 34 mAh/g at 10 mA/cm2) but also achieves the excellent cycling stability (capacity retention: 88 % after 12,000 cycles at 5 mA). Most importantly, the ALZHSC device also reveals significant increases in gravimetric energy density and high-power ability as compared to the traditional ZHSCs.

Enhancing industrial wastewater treatment: Magnetite-embedded matrix membrane for efficient tetrahydrofuran separation by pervaporation and vapor permeation techniques

The treatment of industrial wastewater is crucial for recovering water of high purity, especially considering its significance in mitigating environmental pollution and ensuring sustainable water resources. This study focuses on the purification of industrial wastewater, emphasizing the separation of tetrahydrofuran (THF) from aqueous solutions using membrane-based techniques. Composite membranes incorporating magnetic nanomaterial (magnetite) within a sodium alginate matrix were synthesized and evaluated for their effectiveness in purifying water from THF mixtures. Both Pervaporation (PV) and Vapor Permeation (VP) processes were employed, with thorough analysis conducted on the impact of magnetite content on permeate purity. The study identified optimal magnetite content for industrial wastewater treatment and developed a new membrane composition based on these findings. The VP process’s performance was evaluated by determining the permeation flux and separation factor. The highest separation factor of 460 was obtained for an 80% wt. THF-water solution in the VP process. Using these findings, the optimal magnetite content for industrial wastewater treatment was identified, and a new membrane composition was developed. The activation energies for the permeation of THF through the NaAlg-Fe20 membrane were found to be 10.50 kcal/mol and 7 kcal/mol for the VP and PV processes, respectively.

Development of printable bacterial nanocellulose bioinks for bioprinting applications

This research has developed a printable bioink formulated with bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and sodium alginate. The bioink composition offers a unique combination of printability, mechanical strength, and high BNC content. A low-cost 3D bioprinting platform, with in-situ crosslinking capabilities, was designed and fabricated to facilitate the creation of complex constructs. Rheological analysis revealed shear-thinning behaviour, a critical property for efficient 3D bioprinting. The printed constructs exhibited exceptional resolution, printability, and self-supporting features at BNC loadings up to 72 wt.% in dried structures. The optimal ink composition was found, containing 7.8 wt.% BNC and 3 wt.% sodium alginate. These findings highlight the potential for this BNC-alginate bioink for bio-fabrication applications demanding both printability and high biomaterial content.Graphical

Double-Network Hydrogel 3D BioPrinting Biocompatible with Fibroblast Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications

The present study examines the formulation of a biocompatible hydrogel bioink for 3D bioprinting, integrating poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and sodium alginate (SA) using a double-network approach. These materials were chosen for their synergistic qualities, with PEGDA contributing to mechanical integrity and SA ensuring biocompatibility. Fibroblast cells were included in the bioink and printed with a Reg4Life bioprinter employing micro-extrusion technology. The optimisation of printing parameters included needle size and flow velocities. This led to precise structure development and yielded results with a negligible deviation in printed angles and better control of line widths. The rheological characteristics of the bioink were evaluated, demonstrating appropriate viscosity and shear-thinning behaviour for efficient extrusion. The mechanical characterisation revealed an average compressive modulus of 0.38 MPa, suitable for tissue engineering applications. The printability of the bioink was further confirmed through the evaluations of morphology and diffusion rates, confirming structural integrity. Biocompatibility assessments demonstrated a high cell viability rate of 82.65% following 48 h of incubation, supporting the bioink’s suitability for facilitating cell survival. This study introduced a reliable technique for producing tissue-engineered scaffolds that exhibit outstanding mechanical characteristics and cell viability, highlighting the promise of PEGDA–SA hydrogels in bioprinting applications.

Effect of glycerin on the physical properties of polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate blend

Because of the abundance of sodium resources, sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) offer a promising alternative electrochemical energy storage solution. One of the current roadblocks to the development of NIBs technology is a lack of electrode materials capable of reversibly storing/releasing sodium ions for a sufficiently long time. Thus, this work aims to study, theoretically, the effect of glycerin incorporation on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/sodium alginate (Na Alg) blend as electrode materials for NIBs. The electronic, thermal, and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) descriptors of polymer electrolytes based on a blend of PVA and Na Alg and glycerin are the main topics of this work. These properties are examined here using semi-empirical methods and the density functional theory (DFT). Bandgap energy (Eg) is examined because the structural analysis reveals details regarding the interactions between PVA/Na Alg and glycerin. The findings indicate that the addition of glycerin caused the Eg value to drop to 0.2814 eV. The molecular electrostatic potential surface, or MESP, shows the electron-rich and deficit regions throughout the electrolyte system as well as the distribution of molecular charges. Thermal parameters that are studied include enthalpy (H), entropy (ΔS), heat capacity (Cp), Gibbs’ free energy (G), and heat of formation. Additionally, the study examines several QSAR descriptors, such as total dipole moment (TDM), total energy (E), ionization potential (IP), Log P, and Polarizability. The results show that H, ΔS, Cp, G, and TDM increased with increasing temperature and glycerin content. Meanwhile, heat of formation, IP, and E decreased, improving reactivity and polarizability. Additionally, the cell voltage increased to 2.488 V due to glycerin addition. The overall DFT and PM6 calculations of cost-effective PVA/Na Alg based glycerin electrolytes indicate that they can partially replace lithium-ion batteries due to their multifunctionality, but requires further improvement and investigations.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum encapsulated by chitosan-alginate and soy protein isolate-reducing sugars conjugate for enhanced viability

To investigate the protective effects of various wall materials on probiotics, two types of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 90 (Lp90) microcapsules were prepared using sodium alginate and chitosan (Lp-AC), soy protein isolate (SPI) and reducing sugars conjugate (Lp -MRP) as wall materials, respectively. The physical properties, cell viability under different conditions and the application of the microcapsules were investigated. Results showed that the selected wall materials were safe to Lp90 and their simulated digestion products exhibited antioxidant activities and prebiotic properties. The encapsulation efficiencies of Lp-AC and Lp-MRP were above 80 %. Both microcapsules significantly enhanced cell survival rates under various conditions including low pH, bile salts, thermal processing, mechanical force, storage, and gastrointestinal digestion, with Lp-MRP demonstrating superior protective effects. When incorporated into milk and orange juice and stored at 4 °C for 28 d, the colony counts of beverages containing Lp90 microcapsules exceeded 6 Log CFU/mL, with minimal changes in total soluble solids. Lp-MRP exhibited higher cell viability and smaller viscosity changes at 25 °C for 28 d. Therefore, the single-layer encapsulation using SPI and reducing sugars conjugate showed promise over traditional chitosan-alginate double-layer encapsulation concerning probiotic protection, targeted delivery, and application.

In Situ Forming Hydrogel Reinforced with Antibiotic-Loaded Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Bacterial Keratitis.

Bacterial keratitis (BK) is a serious ocular infection that can lead to vision impairment or blindness if not treated promptly. Herein, we report the development of a versatile composite hydrogel consisting of silk fibroin and sodium alginate, reinforced by antibiotic-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for the treatment of BK. The drug delivery system is constructed by incorporating vancomycin- and ceftazidime-loaded MSNs into the hydrogel network. The synthesized MSNs were found to be spherical in shape with an average size of about 95nm. The loading capacities of both drugs were approximately 45% and 43%, for vancomycin and ceftazidime respectively. Moreover, the formulation exhibited a sustained release profile, with 92% of vancomycin and 90% of ceftazidime released over a 24h period. The cytocompatibility of the drug carrier was also confirmed by MTT assay results. In addition, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to better reflect the drug-drug and drug-MSN interactions. The results obtained from RMSD, number of contacts, and MSD analyses perfectly corroborated the experimental findings. In brief, the designed drug-MSN@hydrogel could mark an intriguing new chapter in the treatment of BK.