Calcium Pectinate Research Articles

Tofacitinib Citrate Coordination-Based Dual-Responsive/Scavenge Nanoplatform Toward Regulate Colonic Inflammatory Microenvironment for Relieving Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammation of the colon characterized by immune dysregulation and intestinal inflammation. Developing safe oral nanomedicines that suppress intestinal inflammation, while modulating colonic inflammatory microenvironment by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is crucial for the effective treatment of colitis. Here, the tofacitinib citrate and copper coordination-based nanoparticle (TF-Cu nanoparticle, T-C) to dual-scavenge ROS and H2S by coordination competition is synthesized. Moreover, the coordination of T-C using computer simulation is explored. To enhance the acid stability and inflammatory targeting of T-C, it is encapsulated with hyaluronic acid-modified chitosan, along with a calcium pectinate coating (T-C@HP). Owing to the dual pH/pectinase-responsive characteristics of T-C@HP, the nanoplatform can target inflamed colonic lesions, inhibiting phosphorylated Janus kinase 1. Furthermore, T-C@HP scavenges ROS and H2S, as well as increases NADPH levels, which is investigated by combining biosensor (HyPer7 and iNap1/c) and chemical probes. T-C@HP also alleviates colitis by regulating the colonic inflammatory microenvironment through multiple processes, including the modulation of apoptosis, macrophage polarization, tight junction, mucus layer, and intestinal flora. Complemented by satisfactory anti-inflammatory and biosafety results, this nanoplatform represents a promising, effective, and safe treatment option for colitis patients.

Probiotics encapsulated by calcium pectin/chitosan-calcium pectin/sodium alginate-pectin-whey through biofilm-based microencapsulation strategy and their preventive effects on ulcerative colitis

Biofilm-based probiotics have emerged as a compelling approach for administering probiotics. Selecting appropriate wall materials for enclosing probiotics in biofilm structure is viewed as an advanced method of microencapsulation. In this study, Lactiplantibacillus paraplanturm LR-1 was enclosed in three different types of wall materials to create calcium pectin beads (CPB), chitosan-calcium pectin beads (C-CPB), and sodium alginate-pectin-whey beads (SPW). The biofilm cells of LR-1 were cultured externally and then encapsulated to create CPB-ex-LR-1, C-CPB-ex-LR-1 and SPW-ex-LR-1. In contrast, LR-1 was cultured within the microcapsules to form biofilms in situ, resulting in CPB-situ-LR-1, C-CPB-situ-LR-1 and SPW-situ-LR-1. The microcapsules displayed a relatively uniform morphology with the water contents below 10%. Nevertheless, there were noticeable edge effects in the distribution of strains within the in situ-type microcapsules. The detection of distinctive peaks unique to Lactiplantibacillus within the microcapsules confirmed the successful encapsulation. Additionally, a decrease in the intensity of the peaks linked to the wall materials indicated the formation of an amorphous structure within the microcapsules. The bacterial concentrations of situ-type microcapsules were found to surpass 10 lg CFU/g. The SPW-situ-LR-1 demonstrated superior tolerance performance, optimal release properties in simulated gastrointestinal fluids, and exceptional stability during the storage period. Additionally, SPW-situ-LR-1 showed similar effectiveness in alleviating colitis compared to fresh Biofilm-LR-1. Both Biofilm-LR-1 and SPW-situ-LR-1 pre-treatments exhibited positive effects on regulation, with SPW-situ-LR-1 administration significantly increasing the presence of Lactobacillus. This study provides valuable insights into the development of the next-generation probiotics.

Grafted calcium pectinate-whey protein isolate covalent immobilizers: Optimization, kinetics, thermodynamics, and application

Whey protein isolate (WPI) was incorporated within calcium pectinate (CPT) beads in order to boost their anionic qualities and meliorate their glutaraldehyde (GA)-polyethyleneimine (PEI) grafting process. The Box-Behnken Design (BBD) verified that WPI inclusion significantly raised the GA-PEI-CPT-WPI beads immobilized β-D-galactosidase (iβ-GLD) activity. The BBD also revealed the optimal settings for WPI concentration, PEI pH, PEI concentration, and GA concentration, which were 2.91 %, 10.8, 3.5 %, and 2.24 %, respectively. The GA-PEI-CPT-WPI beads grafting process was scrutinized via FTIR, EDX, and SEM. The optimal GA-PEI-CPT-WPI immobilizers provided fine β-GLD immobilization efficiencies, which reached up to 65.28 %. The free and GA-PEI-CPT-WPI iβ-GLDs pH and temperature profiles were scrutinized. It was also unveiled that the thermal stability of the iβ-GLD surpassed that of its free compeer as it provided lesser kd and ΔS values and larger t1/2, D-values, Ed, ΔH, and ΔG values. Furthermore, the iβ-GLD provided 92.00±3.39 % activity after 42 storage days, which denoted its fine storage stability. The iβ-GLD short duration (15 min) operational stability was also inspected, and 82.70±0.78 % activity was provided during the fifteenth degradation run. Moreover, the iβ-GLD long duration (24 h) operational stability was inspected while degrading the lactose of buffered lactose solution (BLS) and cheese whey (CW). It was unveiled that 81.86±0.96 % and 73.58±2.24 % of the initial glucose were detected during the sixth degradation runs, respectively.

In situ sono-rheometric assessment of procaine-loaded calcium pectinate hydrogel for enhanced drug releasing under ultrasound stimulation

Ultrasound (US) triggered alterations in the viscoelastic behavior of the procaine-loaded ionically gelatinized pectin hydrogel matrix, and drug release was observed using a sono-device rheometer. The gel softened immediately upon activation of the ultrasound operated at 43 kHz and remained in a softened state throughout the irradiation. Upon cessation of ultrasound, the gel promptly reverted to its original hardness. This cycle of softening was consistently observed in ionically crosslinked pectin hydrogels, resulting in the promotion of procaine release, particularly with higher US power and lower calcium concentration. As the amount of loaded procaine increased, the gel weakened due to ion exchange with the calcium crosslinker and procaine. The most substantial release efficiency, reaching 82 % with a concentration of 32 μg/ml, was achieved when the hydrogels contained 0.03 % procaine within the gelatinized hydrogel medicine at a calcium concentration of 0.9 M, representing a six-fold increase compared to that without US. Notably, US exposure affected the 3D porous structure and degradation rate, leading to hydrogel collapse and facilitating medicine release. Additionally, the procaine-loaded pectin hydrogels with 0.9 M calcium exhibited improved fibroblast cell viability, indicating non-toxicity compared to those hydrogels prepared at a higher Ca2+ concentration of 2.4 M.

Stress tolerance and characterization of biofilm-like probiotic bacteria encapsulated in calcium pectin beads

Probiotics can regulate gut microbes to maintain human health. However, probiotics are sensitive to environmental conditions, which reduces their survival rates. There are two forms of bacterial cells: single (planktonic) cells and biofilms. Many investigations have verified that biofilm-formed probiotic strains are more resistant to adverse environments than their planktonic counterparts. This study successfully produced high-density probiotic microcapsules in a biofilm state by preparing probiotic cells in biofilm mode and combining them with microencapsulation techniques (>10 log CFU/g). Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum L-ZS9 was cultured within calcium pectin beads (CPB) to create CPB-Biofilm-situ. Subsequent tolerance experiments revealed that the CPB-Biofilm-situ was highly resistant to acid, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) environment, and freeze-drying. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the cells in CPB-Biofilm-situ displayed a marginalization tendency for the culture. The water content of the beads was approximately 10%, which was deemed acceptable, and the texture characteristics were also determined. The physicochemical properties and structure of the beads were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). This work is a valuable reference for a new generation of probiotic agents in the biofilm state.

Valorising Wood Ash as an Effective Green Alternative Pulping Agent for Achieving a High Yield of Banana Micro-Lignocellulose Fibres of Enhanced Crystallinity

AbstractThis study aims to explore the use of wood ash, a common waste, as an alternative and eco-friendly pulping agent. The first and most important singularity of the study is that wood ash solution, though mild in nature, has proven to be an effective pulping agent (in comparison with the common pulping solution, sodium hydroxide): comparable lignin (45%) and hemicellulose (50%) removal, high crystallinity (72–77%) and high pulp yield (70%) were obtained. Another particularity of this study is that the reported advanced aspects of pulped banana fibres, notably the chemical functionality, crystallinity and crystallite size have been correlated with the chemical composition of the wood ash used: calcium pectinate was formed on the pulped fibre surface. It apparently played a role in enhancing the fibre crystallinity. Moreover, another specialness of this study is that non-conventional factors, which would have significant bearing during industrial scale processing, such as liquor ratio, fibre input size and duration have been investigated—the latter has shown that to attain maximum delignification, small fibre input size at a high liquor ratio of 40 for an extended period of 2 h are necessary. Finally, the pulped banana fibres (which were intended to be used for membrane fabrication for use in water purification system) have depicted their applicability in the fabrication of ultrafiltration membranes by virtue of their aspect ratio, semi-hydrophilicity (due to presence of residual lignin) and projected high mechanical strength (due to high crystallinity and low crystallite size). Graphical Abstract Graphical abstract showing outcomes when pulping with wood ash solution.

Load mechanism and release behaviour of synephrine-loaded calcium pectinate beads: Experiments characterizations, theoretical calculations and mathematical modeling

It is an appropriate strategy to construct the carrier material with polysaccharide pectin, which is the characteristics of good bio-compatible, safe and non-toxic, avoiding the functional loss of bioactive ingredients and achieve sustained release. However, the loading mechanism of the active ingredient and the release behaviour of the active ingredient from the carrier material is still at the stage of conjecture. In this study, a kind of synephrine-loaded calcium pectinate beads (SCPB) with high encapsulation efficiency (95.6 %), loading capacity (11.5 %) and excellent controlled release behaviour was constructed. The interaction between synephrine (SYN) and quaternary ammonium fructus aurantii immaturus pectin (QFAIP) was revealed by FTIR, NMR and density functional theory (DFT) calculation. An inter-molecular hydrogen bond and Van der Waals forces between 7-OH, 11-OH and 10-NH of SYN and -OH, -C=O and N + (CH3)3 of QFAIP were formed. The release experiment in vitro showed that the QFAIP could effectively avoid the release of SYN in gastric fluid, and also realized the slow and full release of SYN in intestinal tract. Moreover, the release mechanism of SCPB in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) was Fickian diffusion, while in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) was a non-Fickian diffusion controlled by both diffusion and skeleton dissolution.

Nano-calcium alleviates the cracking of nectarine fruit and improves fruit quality

To explore the use of L-aspartic acid nano-calcium (nano-Ca) to reduce nectarine fruit-cracking, we sprayed the crack-susceptible nectarine cultivar ‘Huaguang’ [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nectarina (Ait.) Maxim.] with nano-Ca. The results showed that nano-Ca could reduce the fruit-cracking percentage of nectarine by more than 20%. Nano-Ca was effective because it increased the calcium pectinate content of the peel, reduced the activity of cell-wall metabolic enzymes, and changed the peel structure and enhanced its toughness. We also found that nano-Ca enhanced calmodulin activity in leaves, upregulated key genes of sucrose synthesis in leaves and sucrose transport in stem phloem, and significantly increased the soluble sugar content in the fruit by more than 2%. In addition, Nano-Ca also enhanced calmodulin activity in peel and up-regulated key genes related to anthocyanin-synthesis, promoting anthocyanin accumulation in the peel. The result will lay a theoretical foundation for the physiological and molecular mechanisms of nectarine-cracking and its prevention.

Thiolated pectin-chitosan composites: Potential mucoadhesive drug delivery system with selective cytotoxicity towards colorectal cancer

Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems (DDS) may promote safer chemotherapy for colorectal cancer (CRC) by maximizing local drug distribution and residence time. Carbohydrate polymers, e.g. pectin (P) and chitosan (CS), are potential biomaterials for CRC-targeted DDS due to their gelling ability, mucoadhesive property, colonic digestibility, and anticancer activity. Polymer mucoadhesion is augmentable by thiolation, e.g. pectin to thiolated pectin (TP). Meanwhile, P-CS polyelectrolyte complex has been shown to improve structural stability. Herein, we fabricated, characterized, and evaluated 5-fluorouracil-loaded primary DDS combining TP and CS as a composite (TPCF) through triple crosslinking actions (calcium pectinate, polyelectrolyte complex, disulfide). Combination of these crosslinking yields superior mucoadhesion property relative to single- or dual-crosslinked counterparts, with comparable drug release profile and drug compatibility. PCF and TPCF exhibited targeted cytotoxicity towards HT29 CRC cells with milder cytotoxicity towards HEK293 normal cells. In conclusion, TP-CS composites are promising next-generation mucoadhesive and selectively cytotoxic biomaterials for CRC-targeted DDS.

Optimization and release characteristics of catechin-loaded calcium pectinate beads by internal gelation.

The aim of this study was to optimize the composition of catechin-loaded calcium pectinate gel (CPG) beads formed using internal gelation and to evaluate the sustained-release behavior of catechin. The pectin concentration, catechin-to-pectin ratio, and calcium carbonate-to-pectin ratio were optimized for the sustained catechin release (2.89, 28.92, and 32.79%, respectively). The catechin release profiles were analyzed using the simple enzyme kinetic-like semi empirical model newly proposed in this study. The actual release rate was found to be the fastest in the simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), followed by the simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and the pH 4.5 buffer, whereas the thermodynamic equilibrium was achieved fastest in the pH 4.5 buffer, followed by SGF and SIF. Glutaraldehyde treatment suppressed catechin release in all tested media. These results suggest that internally gelled CPG beads are suitable for catechin delivery, and crosslinkers, such as glutaraldehyde, can effectively sustain their release.

Preharvest Spraying of CaCl2 Alleviates the Scape Bending of Gerbera ‘Harmony’ Flowers by Strengthening the Pectin Crosslinks through Ca2+ Bonds

Scape bending is the primary cause shortening the vase life of cut gerbera flowers (Gerbera jamesonii ‘Harmony’). A previous study showed that this bending is closely related to the scape hardness, which is attributed to cell wall rigidity maintained by calcium ion bonds. In this experiment, the developing gerbera scape was sprayed with 0.5 and 1% calcium chloride to determine whether exogenous calcium directly influences scape hardness and whether it is related to pectin crosslinks. The calcium spray hardened the scape by 12% and efficiently reduced bending, thereby prolonging the vase life of the cut gerbera flowers. A 9% increase in calcium ions (Ca2+) was detected in the CaCl2-treated flowers compared to the control flowers. Additionally, the pectin content increased by up to 14% in the CaCl2-treated flowers as compared to that in the control. Pectins are the main polysaccharides of cell walls that impact plant tissue integrity and rigidity, with calcium ions acting as bonds for pectin crosslinking. Calcium treatment efficiently increased the content of total pectin in the cell walls and slowed the conversion of insoluble pectin (IP) to water-soluble pectin (WSP) during vase life. The results suggest that exogenously applied calcium increases the Ca2+ in cellular tissue and affects the pectin levels, which may aid in increasing the scape hardness by strengthening the calcium–pectin combination in cell walls.

Influence of In Situ Calcium Pectinate Coating on Metoprolol Tartrate Pellets for Controlled Release and Colon-Specific Drug Delivery.

In situ calcium pectinate-coated pellets were proposed by applying an alternate coating method to drug-layered pellets to achieve colon-specific drug delivery. Solution layering of metroprolol tartrate, a water-soluble model drug, on inert core pellets was achieved using a centrifugal granulator followed by successive alternate coating with pectin and calcium chloride layers using a fluidized bed bottom spray coater. The effect of the coating sequence on the drug release was studied in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 and 6.0. These test conditions were used to mimic the physiological environments in the distal small intestine and proximal colon, respectively. The results showed that the in situ calcium pectinate layer was successfully generated from the alternate coating of pectin and calcium layers after hydration to form gelation, which was able to control the drug release. The coating sequence played an important role in the drug release. The outermost pectin layer tended to retard the drug release whilst the outermost calcium layer accelerated the release regardless of the number of coating layers. These findings indicate that the release behavior followed the Higuchi model, with the drug release from the coated pellets described by a diffusion control mechanism. It is concluded that the success of the in situ calcium pectinate-coated pellets in controlling the drug release is due to the coating of the outermost layer with pectin and the maintenance of the optimum ratio of calcium to pectin upon hydration.

Development and in vitro Characterization of Gastroretentive Formulations as Calcium Pectinate Hydrogel Pellets of Pregabalin by Ionotropic Gelation Method

Abstract: Introduction: Pregabalin (PG) is primarily prescribed for epilepsy, painful diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and fibromyalgia. Also, it is used in clinical practice to treat general anxiety disorder due to its anxiolytic properties. Pectin is a watersoluble ionic polysaccharide. As a result of the interaction of pectin with calcium ions, a hydrophilically coated insoluble carrier system is formed by complexing between surfaces, which provides a sustained release. In this direction, floating hydrogel pellets containing PG were developed and characterized in our study. This study aimed to make a sustained release of PG, reach the optimum level in characterization, and bring a new approach to widely used oral drug therapy. Materials and Methods: PG was a gift from Ilko Pharmaceuticals (Turkey) and pectin was purchased from CPKelco (USA). The ionotropic gelation technique was used to prepare pellets. To characterize the pellets, flotation/swelling degrees, yield, drug loading capacity/encapsulation efficiency, particle size/distribution, in-vitro release/kinetics, and morphological studies have been done. Also, the structural features of pellets have determined via the Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Results: The formulations have been successfully developed without using any coating agent to prolong drug release for 24 h with an encapsulation efficiency of ~82%. Optimum results were obtained in characterization studies. As a result of BET analysis, it has been proven that the structure is porous and there is no change in the chemical and crystal structure of PG by FT-IR and XRD studies. Conclusion: We anticipate that the formulation we developed will provide an alternative to the sustained-release PG preparations in the current pharmaceutical market. Key words: Gastroretentive drug delivery, Pregabalin, Pectin, HPLC, FT-IR, BET, XRD.

Synthesis and Characterization of Pectin Beads for the Smart Delivery of Agrochemicals

Aim: The study was conducted to design pectin beads for achieving slow release of agrochemicals in wetlands via ion gelation method.
 Place and Duration of the Study: The laboratory experiment was carried out at the Department of Nano Science & Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu during March-July 2021.
 Methodology: Pectin beads were synthesized varying the concentrations of pectin (4, 6, 8, and 10 per cent) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) concentrations (0.5, 1, and 2 per cent). Calcium pectinate beads of different combinations were synthesized via ion gelation method. Calcium pectinate beads were characterized based on the recovery yield of beads, while surface characterization was done through Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope to understand the topography of beads and assess the size of the beads respectively. Pore volume and surface area were also studied using BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) analyzer.
 Results: The yield of calcium pectinate beads were higher while using the concentration of pectin @ 4 per cent and CaCl2 @ 2 per cent as cross-linking agent. The spherical and smooth surface of beads was achieved with the concentrations of 6 and 2 per cent pectin and CaCl2 respectively, while beads were flat and smooth with concentration of pectin @ 4 per cent. Similarly, complete solubility of pectin was not achieved with concentrations of 8 and 10 per cent. BET results of beads showed that beads are non-porous in nature.
 Conclusion: Pectin and CaCl2 concentrations @ 6 and 2 per cent respectively were found to be ideal for the delivery of agrochemical based on the yield and surface morphology.

Slaked Lime Solution as a Viable Eco-friendly Treatment to Improve the Tensile Strength of Maize Stem Fibers

ABSTRACT In this study, the effect of the environmentally friendly slaked lime solution on the tensile strength of maize stem fibers was investigated and compared with the tensile strength obtained with a 3% wt NaOH and 10% wt NaHCO3 solutions. Maize fibers from dried stems were manually extracted, cleaned, and treated with the respective three solutions at different soaking periods. The results showed that a maximum increase in tensile strength of 165.1% was obtained with the NaOH treatment (at 24 hours) followed by an increase of 107.1% (at 21 hours) for the Ca(OH)2, and a 46.6% (at 18 hours) increase for the NaHCO3 treatment. Analysis of the FTIR spectra revealed that the significant improvement in the tensile strength for the NaOH treatment is attributed to the partial transformation of cellulose I to cellulose II. However, the increase in the strength of the Ca(OH)2-treated fibers has been attributed first, to the significant reduction in the fiber cross-sectional area, second, to the removal of specific amorphous constituents such as hemicellulose, and to the formation of a stable calcium pectinate layer, which improves the fiber’s resistance to fracture.

Polymeric Microparticles of Calcium Pectinate Containing Urea for Slow Release in Ruminant Diet.

In ruminant feeding, mechanisms for controlling the rate of ammonia release in the rumen are important for increasing the efficiency of transforming dietary nitrogen into microbial protein. Three microencapsulated formulations, with increased urea concentrations of 10 (MPec1), 20 (MPec2) and 30% (MPec3) from the w/w, based on the mass of citrus pectin solution, employ the external ionic gelation/extrusion technique. The properties of microencapsulated urea were examined as a completely randomized design with 5 treatments each with 10 replicates for evaluation, and the ratios of dietary to free urea were compared using 5 fistulated male Santa Ines sheep in a Latin 5 × 5 square design. The degradation kinetics showed that the rate of controlled release from the microencapsulated systems was significantly reduced compared with that of free urea (p < 0.05). The population density of ruminal protozoa increased when sheep received the microencapsulated urea (p < 0.05). The disappearance of dry matter and crude protein reached a degradation plateau during the first minutes for the MPec1 and MPec2 systems and was slower for MPec3. The MPec1 and MPec2 systems presented higher (p < 0.05) blood serum concentrations of albumin, urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and total cholesterol and did not affect (p > 0.05) the other blood metabolites. The MPec2 systems are recommended because they consist of microspheres with more (p < 0.05) controlled core release, delaying the peak of urea released in the rumen and BUN without affecting (p < 0.05) ruminal pH and temperature. Microencapsulation with calcium pectinate provided better utilization of urea, reducing the risk of ruminant intoxication.

Development of melatonin loaded pectin nanoparticles for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: In vitro and in vivo studies

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a general term including long-term inflammatory disorders of all or some parts of the digestive system. Nanoparticles (NPs) can accumulate in the inflamed zone independently of the polymers’ mucoadhesive character.The aim of this study was to prepare and investigate the melatonin loaded pectin-based nanoparticles for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Melatonin (MEL) was loaded into nanoparticle system with a modified ionotropic-gelation method. In vitro characterization studies of the nanoparticles were carried out.The effectiveness of the oral and intracolonically administered nanoparticles were investigated in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis rats. The indicators of oxidative stress and inflammation in the colonic tissue like nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, glutathione, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, Interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-17 levels were investigated. In addition, the histological evaluation was performed.The mean diameter, zeta potential and polydispersity index values of the obtained nanoparticles were 75.3 ± 3.3 nm, 24.24 ± 1.03 mV and 0.109 ± 0.067, respectively. The in vitro drug release studies showed that 84.0 ± 0.7% of the drug was released from the nanoparticles for 8 h. MEL-loaded pectin nanoparticles ameliorated the TNBS-induced colitis. Treatment of the melatonin decreased the damage score by 73.2% in oral and by 67.1% in intracolonic route, respectively. A meaningful decrease was observed in colonic fibrosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory parameters of the colon accompanying histologic injury. The results of the experiments and histological data showed that MEL-loaded calcium pectinate nanoparticle may be a promising alternative in colonic tissue damage which develops due to oxidative stress in IBD.

Carrageenan stabilized calcium pectinate beads and their utilization as immobilization matrices

Carrageenan (Car) was merged with pectin in order to concoct mechanically stable Car-calcium pectinate (CPT) beads that could be easily handled. The Car-CPT beads were utilized as immobilization matrices for β-d-galactosidase (βgal) following a polyethyleneimine and glutaraldehyde treatment. The treated Car-CPT beads were characterized via SEM and EDX. These treated beads were superior to the formerly concocted CPT based carriers with respect to their mechanical stability. They also acquired a loftier βgal activity recovery percent of 47.13%, and they shifted the βgal optimal temperature to a higher range (55–65 °C). Furthermore, βgal experienced a loftier increment in its thermal denaturation activation energy (Ed) following its immobilization via the treated Car-CPT beads where its Ed reached 284.77 kJmol-1. The immobilized βgal (im-βgal) storage stability was also superior as it kept 90.43 ± 0.71% of its inceptive activity following 43 storage days. Finally, the im-βgal was utilized to concoct galacto-oligosaccharides and to hydrolyze lactose in whey permeate.

Optimization of calcium pectinate gel production from high methoxyl pectin.

Calcium pectinate (CaP) gel is traditionally prepared by de-esterifying high methoxyl pectin (HMP) to low methoxyl pectin (LMP), followed by gelation with calcium. To save both time and cost in the production of CaP gel, an alternative method was developed by the addition of CaCl2 to HMP at alkaline pH. To optimize the production, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the effects of temperature (30-50 °C), time (20-40 min) and pH (8-10) on yield, calcium content of the CaP gel and the degree of esterification (DE) of pectin following decalcification of CaP (DC-pectin). The linear term for pH had a significant effect (P < 0.01) on all three responses, whereas interaction effects were not significant (P > 0.01), except on the calcium content (P < 0.01). The optimized process conditions (temperature, time and pH) to obtain maximum CaP-HMP gel yield (88.83%) were 50 °C, 40 min and pH 9.6, and for the highest calcium content (97.23 mg g-1 ) they were 40 °C, 30 min and pH 9.7. DC-pectin was a typical LMP with DE varying from 26.92% to 50.33%. The DE of DC-pectin could be predicted by a model that proved significant (R2 =0.9888). The optimum conditions were established to produce CaP gels from HMP with high yield and calcium content. Also, LMP with predictable DE can be produced following a significant model. This study provides new insights into the production and application of CaP gel. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Silica-coated calcium pectinate formulations for controlling carbendazim release: water and soil release studies

This study aims to encapsulate the fungicide carbendazim using a biodegradable polymer (pectin). First, we have obtained calcium pectinate beads (CPG-Carb) by ionotropic gelation using calcium ions as a crosslinking agent. These beads were then coated with silica starting from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), by a sol-gel process to form hybrid beads (CPG-Carb-SG). The morphology, composition and structure of both beads were characterized and the controlled release assays of the fungicide were studied in both water and soil columns. The encapsulation efficiency for CPG-Carb was slightly higher (75%) compared to CPG-Carb-SG (67%) due to carbendazim loss during the impregnation and condensation steps. The release rate in water and soil columns was about 4 times lower for CPG-Carb-SG than CPG-Carb demonstrating the efficiency of the silica coating to delay the release of carbendazim. Moreover, the release of CPG-Carb-SG is due to the erosion of the silica layer during the first two weeks. After this period, the silica layer was degraded, and the release is then controlled by the swelling of the organic part of the bead as observed for CPG-Carb. Finally, the biodegradability of the pectin, and the release profile make such systems promising candidates for sustained and economical pesticide delivery systems.