The influence of halide-mediated oxidation on algae-born adhesives

Stimulation of wound healing using bioinspired hydrogels with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study is to stimulate wound healing using bioinspired hydrogels with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Inspired by the crosslinking mechanism in algae-based adhesives, hydrogels were fabricated with gum arabic, pectin, and Ca2+. The physical properties of the bioinspired hydrogels were characterized, and the in vitro release of bFGF was investigated. Then, the in vitro scratch assay for wound healing and in vivo wound healing experiment in a full-thickness excision wound model were performed for the bioinspired hydrogels with bFGF. Finally, histological examinations and organ toxicity tests were conducted to investigate the wound healing applications of the bioinspired hydrogels with bFGF.

RESULTS

The in vitro and in vivo results showed that the bioinspired hydrogels with bFGF could significantly enhance cell proliferation, wound re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and contraction without any noticeable toxicity and inflammation compared with the hydrogels without bFGF and commercial wound healing products.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest the potential application of bioinspired hydrogels with bFGF for wound healing.

Experimental and computational analysis of a novel flow channel to assess the adhesion strength of sessile marine organisms

Bioadhesives produced by marine macroalgae represent a potential source of inspiration for the development of water-resistant adhesives. Assessing their adhesion strength, however, remains difficult owing to low volumes of adhesive material produced, low solubility and rapid curing time. These difficulties can be circumvented by testing the adhesion strength of macroalgae propagules attached to a substrate. In this paper, we present a simple, novel flow channel used to test the adhesion strength of the germlings of the fucalean alga Hormosira banksii to four substrates of biomedical relevance (PMMA, agar, gelatin and gelatin + lipid). The adhesion strength of H. banksii germlings was found to increase in a time-dependent manner, with minimal adhesion success after a settlement period of 6 h and maximum adhesion strength achieved 24 h after initial settlement. Adhesion success increased most dramatically between 6 and 12 h settlement time, while no additional increase in adhesion strength was recorded for settlement times over 24 h. No significant difference in adhesion strength to the various substrates was observed. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to estimate the influence of fluid velocity and germling density on drag force acting on the settled organisms. CFD modelling showed that, on average, the drag force decreased with increasing germling number, suggesting that germlings would benefit from gregarious settlement behaviour. Collectively, our results contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms allowing benthic marine organisms to thrive in hydrodynamically stressful environments and provide useful insights for further investigations.

Biomimetic soy protein nanocomposites with calcium carbonate crystalline arrays for use as wood adhesive

Despite the biodegradability, non-toxicity, and renewability, commercially available soy protein-based adhesives still have not been widely adopted by industry, partially due to their disappointing performances, i.e., low glue strength in the dry state and no glue strength in the wet state. In this study, biomimetic soy protein/CaCO(3) hybrid wood glue was devised and an attempt made to improve the adhesion strength. The structure and morphology of the adhesive and its fracture bonding interface and adhesion strength were investigated. Results showed that the compact rivets or interlocking links, and ion crosslinking of calcium, carbonate, hydroxyl ions in the adhesive greatly improving the water-resistance and bonding strength of soy protein adhesives. Glue strength of soy protein hybrid adhesive was higher than 6 MPa even after three water-immersion cycles. This green and sustainable proteinous hybrid adhesive, with high glue strength and good water-resistance, is a good substitute for formaldehyde wood glues.

The halogenated metabolism of brown algae (Phaeophyta), its biological importance and its environmental significance

Brown algae represent a major component of littoral and sublittoral zones in temperate and subtropical ecosystems. An essential adaptive feature of this independent eukaryotic lineage is the ability to couple oxidative reactions resulting from exposure to sunlight and air with the halogenations of various substrates, thereby addressing various biotic and abiotic stresses i.e., defense against predators, tissue repair, holdfast adhesion, and protection against reactive species generated by oxidative processes. Whereas marine organisms mainly make use of bromine to increase the biological activity of secondary metabolites, some orders of brown algae such as Laminariales have also developed a striking capability to accumulate and to use iodine in physiological adaptations to stress. We review selected aspects of the halogenated metabolism of macrophytic brown algae in the light of the most recent results, which point toward novel functions for iodide accumulation in kelps and the importance of bromination in cell wall modifications and adhesion properties of brown algal propagules. The importance of halogen speciation processes ranges from microbiology to biogeochemistry, through enzymology, cellular biology and ecotoxicology.