Interpenetrating network formation in agarose--kappa-carrageenan gel composites

Structure and rheology of the polysaccharides from Schizymenia dubyi: Isolation of an unusual glucurono-carrageenan

The system of polysaccharides from Schizymenia dubyi (Nemastomatales) was investigated. It contains a mixture of hybrid dl galactans (SH-S) and carrageenan-like polysaccharides, which were separated by means of precipitation with KCl at high concentrations. The structural features of the carrageenan-like fraction (SH-I) were investigated by methylation analysis, desulfation, uronic acid reduction, and NMR spectroscopy. It was concluded that the structure has the typical alternance α-(1 → 3), β-(1 → 4) of d-galactose units, with most of the 3-linked units sulfated in O-2 (and some in O-4), and most of the 4-linked units sulfated in O-3, and substituted in O-2 by single stubs of β-d-glucuronic acid (partly sulfated in each of the three available positions). This substituent has been only seldom found in red seaweed galactans. Rheological studies of 5 % and 10 % w/v SH, SH-S and SH-I aqueous systems, either without ions, or in KCl or CaCl2 solution gave thickening behaviors. Their random coil conformations justify the pseudoplastic behavior observed in the viscosity versus shear rate curves. As SH-S and SH-I are both contained in SH, an interpenetrating network could form in SH between the glucurono-carrageenan and the agaran, as inferred from the mechanical spectra recorded in water, especially with potassium ion.

New insights into food hydrogels with reinforced mechanical properties: A review on innovative strategies

Enhancement on the mechanical properties of hydrogels leads to a wider range of their applications in various fields. Therefore, there has been a great interest recently for developing new strategies to reinforce hydrogels. Moreover, food gels must be edible in terms of both raw materials and production. This paper reviews innovative techniques such as particle/fiber-reinforced hydrogel, double network, dual crosslinking, freeze-thaw cycles, physical conditioning and soaking methods to improve the mechanical properties of hydrogels. Additionally, their fundamental mechanisms, advantages and disadvantages have been discussed. Important biopolymers that have been employed for these strategies and also their potentials in food applications have been summarized. The general mechanism of these strategies is based on increasing the degree of crosslinking between interacting polymers in hydrogels. These links can be formed by adding fillers (oil droplets or fibers in filled gels) or cross-linkers (regarding double network and soaking method) and also by condensation or alignment of the biopolymers (freeze-thaw cycle and physical conditioning) in the gel network. The properties of particle/fiber-reinforced hydrogels extremely depend on the filler, gel matrix and the interaction between them. In freeze-thaw cycles and physical conditioning methods, it is possible to form new links in the gel network without adding any cross-linkers or fillers. It is expected that the utilization of gels will get broader and more varied in food industries by using these strategies.

Structural Diversity in Galactans From Red Seaweeds and Its Influence on Rheological Properties

Galactans are important components of many plant cell walls. Besides, they are the major polysaccharides in extracellular matrixes from different seaweeds, and other marine organisms, which have an acidic character due to the presence of sulfate groups in their structures. In particular, most of the red seaweeds biosynthesize sulfated galactans with very special linear backbones, constituted by alternating (1→3)-β-d-galactopyranose units (A-unit) and (1→4)-α-galactopyranose residues (B-unit). In the industrially significant seaweeds as source of hydrocolloids, B-units belong either to the d-series and they produce carrageenans (as in the order Gigartinales), or to the l-series, and they are sources of agarose and/or structurally related polymers (i.e., Gelidiales, Gracilariales). In both cases, the latter units appear as cyclized 3,6-anhydro-α-galactose in certain amounts, which can be increased by alkaline cyclization of α-galactose 6-sulfate units. Besides, it has been clearly shown that some red algae produce different amounts of both galactan structures, known as d/l-hybrids. It is not yet clear if they comprise both diasteromeric types of units in the same molecule, or if they are mixtures of carrageenans and agarans that are very difficult to separate. It has been reported that the biosynthesis of these galactans, showing that the nucleotide transport for d-galactopyranose units is UDP-d-Gal, while for l-galactose, it is GDP-l-Gal, so, there is a different pathway in the biosynthesis of agarans. However, at least in those seaweeds that produce carrageenans as major galactans, but also agarans, both synthetic pathways should coexist. Another interesting characteristic of these galactans is the important variation in the sulfation patterns, which modulate their physical behavior in aqueous solutions. Although the most common carrageenans are of the κ/ι- and λ-types (with A-units sulfated at the 4- and 2-positions, respectively) and usually in agarans, when sulfated, is at the 6-position, many other sulfate arrangements have been reported, greatly influencing the functional properties of the corresponding galactans. Other substituents can modify their structures, as methyl ethers, pyruvic acid ketals, acetates, and single stubs of xylose or other monosaccharides. It has been shown that structural heterogeneity at some extent is essential for the proper functional performance of red algal galactans.

Hydrogen isotope replacement changes hydration and large scale structure, but not small scale structure, of agarose hydrogel networks

Agarose samples of low (Ag1) and high (Ag2) O -methyl content on position 6 of the galactose residue were studied in H₂O and D₂O. Differential scanning calorimetry, turbidity and rheological measurements showed a [Formula: see text] 2 ^° C shift in the coil-to-helix transition temperature, indicating higher helix stability in D₂O. The differential scanning calorimetry data could be superimposed using a temperature shift factor, suggesting similar extents of helix aggregation in both solvents. Small angle X-ray scattering of H₂O and D₂O gels were essentially identical, indicating no change in the small scale ( [Formula: see text] 0.05-20 nm) network structure on isotopic exchange. Larger ([Formula: see text] 1 μm) scale heterogeneities were more pronounced in deuterium gels. The ¹HT₂ relaxation times were measured at different H/D ratios. These relaxation times were analyzed using a model assuming regular solution mixing of H₂O, HDO and D₂O between the solvent and gel phases. The fit results suggested that H₂O has higher affinity for the agarose network than HDO and D₂O. The difference, however, was much larger for the Ag2 sample. This finding implies that the higher hydrophobic effect observed in D₂O affects the hydration state much more strongly for the more hydrophobic (and more polarizable) agarose sample Ag2. As a consequence, Ag2 (but not Ag1) gels retained more H₂O than D₂O. In contrast, the bulk rheology of either hydrogel was not affected by the isotopic exchange.

Modified biopolymer-dextrin based crosslinked hydrogels: application in controlled drug delivery

This review describes hydrogels and their classifications along with the synthesis and properties of biopolymer-dextrin based crosslinked hydrogels towards potential application in controlled drug delivery.

Fabrication of endothelial cell-laden carrageenan microfibers for microvascularized bone tissue engineering applications

Recent achievements in the area of tissue engineering (TE) have enabled the development of three-dimensional (3D) cell-laden hydrogels as in vitro platforms that closely mimic the 3D scenario found in native tissues. These platforms are extensively used to evaluate cellular behavior, cell-cell interactions, and tissue-like formation in highly defined settings. In this study, we propose a scalable and flexible 3D system based on microsized hydrogel fibers that might be used as building blocks for the establishment of 3D hydrogel constructs for vascularized bone TE applications. For this purpose, chitosan (CHT) coated κ-carrageenan (κ-CA) microfibers were developed using a two-step procedure involving ionotropic gelation (for the fiber formation) of κ-CA and its polyelectrolyte complexation with CHT (for the enhancement of fiber stability). The performance of the obtained fibers was assessed regarding their swelling and stability profiles, as well as their ability to carry and, subsequently, promote the outward release of microvascular-like endothelial cells (ECs), without compromising their viability and phenotype. Finally, the possibility of assembling and integrating these cell-laden fibers within a 3D hydrogel matrix containing osteoblast-like cells was evaluated. Overall, the obtained results demonstrate the suitability of the microsized κ-CA fibers to carry and deliver phenotypically apt microvascular-like ECs. Furthermore, it is shown that it is possible to assemble these cell-laden microsized fibers into 3D heterotypic hydrogels constructs. This in vitro 3D platform provides a versatile approach to investigate the interactions between multiple cell types in controlled settings, which may open up novel 3D in vitro culture techniques to better mimic the complexity of tissues.

Chitosan/agarose hydrogels: cooperative properties and microfluidic preparation

The preparation of composite biopolymer hydrogels offers the capability to produce biocompatible and biodegradable materials with cooperative properties. In this paper, two natural polymers, namely, chitosan and agarose were employed to prepare composite hydrogels with dual pH and temperature properties. The elastic modulus of the composite hydrogels increased with agarose concentration reaching the value of 1 kPa for the chitosan/agarose gel with a 2% (w/v) concentration of agarose. In addition, composite gels exhibited a higher stability in acidic aqueous solutions, in comparison with agarose gels. The drug release properties of the composite hydrogels were tested by loading a model anticancer drug, 5-Fluorouracil, in the hydrogel interior. At pH=7.4, the cumulative release of 5-FU was ∼ 50% within 96 h and decreased to ∼ 33% at pH = 5.2, which was attributed to the different solubility of 5-FU as a function of pH. The preparation of composite microgels with controllable dimensions in the range from 42 to 18 μm and with narrow size distribution (polidispersity not exceeding 1.5%) was achieved by the microfluidic emulsification of an aqueous mixture of chitosan and agarose and subsequent gelation of the precursor droplets by cooling.

Oxidized dextrins as alternative crosslinking agents for polysaccharides: application to hydrogels of agarose-chitosan

Hydrogel networks that combine suitable physical and biomechanical characteristics for tissue engineering scaffolds are in demand. The aim of this work was the development of hydrogel networks based on agarose and chitosan using oxidized dextrins as low cytotoxicity crosslinking agents, paying special attention to the study of the influence of the polysaccharide composition and oxidation degree of the dextrins in the final characteristics of the network. The results show that the formation of an interpenetrating or a semi-interpenetrating polymer network was mainly dependent on a minimum agarose content and degree of oxidation of dextrin. Spectroscopic, thermal and swelling analysis revealed good compatibility with an absence of phase separation of polysaccharides at agarose:chitosan proportions of 50:50 and 25:75. The analysis of atomic force microscopy images showed the formation of a fibrillar microstructure whose distribution within the crosslinked chitosan depended mainly on the crosslinker. All materials exhibited the viscoelastic behaviour typical of gels, with a constant storage modulus independent of frequency for all compositions. The stiffness was strongly influenced by the degree of oxidation of the crosslinker. Cellular response to the hydrogels was studied with cells of different strains, and cell adhesion and proliferation was correlated with the homogeneity of the samples and their elastic properties. Some hydrogel formulations seemed to be candidates for tissue engineering applications such as wound healing or soft tissue regeneration.

Crosslinked ionic polysaccharides for stimuli-sensitive drug delivery

Polysaccharides are gaining increasing attention as components of stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems, particularly since they can be obtained in a well characterized and reproducible way from the natural sources. Ionic polysaccharides can be readily crosslinked to render hydrogel networks sensitive to a variety of internal and external variables, and thus suitable for switching drug release on-off through diverse mechanisms. Hybrids, composites and grafted polymers can reinforce the responsiveness and widen the range of stimuli to which polysaccharide-based systems can respond. This review analyzes the state of the art of crosslinked ionic polysaccharides as components of delivery systems that can regulate drug release as a function of changes in pH, ion nature and concentration, electric and magnetic field intensity, light wavelength, temperature, redox potential, and certain molecules (enzymes, illness markers, and so on). Examples of specific applications are provided. The information compiled demonstrates that crosslinked networks of ionic polysaccharides are suitable building blocks for developing advanced externally activated and feed-back modulated drug delivery systems.

Mixed biopolymer aqueous solutions--phase behaviour and rheology

Mixed biopolymer solutions are found in many food systems and household products, and are also employed in industrial processes such as bio-separation and purification. They display a rich phase behaviour, ranging from association and precipitation to the more common segregative phase separation into two liquid phases. Understanding the underlying physics of their phase behaviour and of the rheology-morphology relationships of the resulting phases is a topic of interest and importance in terms of being able to reliably design and produce products containing mixed biopolymer solutions and predicting their behaviour. The science of mixed biopolymer solutions is complicated by the fact that they are ternary systems, typically comprising mostly water, and that the biopolymers themselves are liable to structural transitions such as gelation. Both of these factors can play an important role in the phase behaviour of the mixtures, and the morphology of the resulting phases. In the following, an introduction is given to the physics of mixed biopolymer solutions and the behaviour of their phases, with a view to highlighting the unique aspects of such materials in comparison to other liquid-liquid mixtures, such as emulsions and polymer blends, and also the more interesting topics for future research in these fascinating materials.

Morphology and mechanical properties of bicontinuous gels of agarose and gelatin and the effect of added lipid phase

This study examines the structural properties of binary and tertiary mixtures made of the cold-setting biopolymers agarose and gelatin and a lipid phase with solid or liquid-like viscoelasticity. The working protocol included the techniques of small-deformation dynamic oscillation on shear, modulated differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy, and theoretical modeling that adapted ideas of relating the morphology to the elastic modulus of synthetic polyblends and block polymers. The experimental setting was designed to encourage extensive phase separation in the binary gel of agarose and gelatin whose mechanical properties were rationalized on the basis of a bicontinuous blending law. The presence of two continuous phases allowed the slower-gelling component (gelatin) to exhibit favorable relative affinity for the solvent with increasing concentrations of the protein in the system. This is an unexpected outcome that contradicts the central finding of a single value of the p factor observed in the distribution of solvent between the continuous matrix and discontinuous inclusions of deswelled binary gels reported earlier in the literature. The incorporation of a lipid phase of effectively zero elastic modulus or in excess of 10(8) Pa in the composite aqueous gel weakens or reinforces the matrix accordingly. The elastic moduli and morphology of the tertiary blend were related to changing the relative phase volumes of components using analytical expressions of isotropically dispersed soft or rigid filler particles in a polymeric matrix.

Morphology of molecular soy protein fractions in binary composite gels

We investigate the structural properties of gels of binary mixtures of the three major soy protein fractions: 11S, 7S, and 2S. Gels are formed at 25 degrees C in the presence of glucono-delta-lactone and studied using a combination of dynamic rheology and scanning electron microscopy. The theological data was then modeled using a blending-law approach that yields insights into the solvent distribution between the gelled protein fractions and first-order reaction kinetics that follow the gelation process of the single fractions and their mixtures. Gelled mixtures of 11S and 7S yielded enhanced network strength with increasing solid content; in these gels, 50% more solvent partitioned into the 11S phase as compared to that in the 7S phase. In contrast, the addition of small-molecular-weight counterpart 2S to either 11S or 7S results in a catastrophic drop in the values of the overall strength of the mixture. The unexpected phase behavior has been rationalized on the basis of the high water-holding capacity of 2S; 450% more solvent partitions preferentially into the 2S phase as compared to that in the 11S phase. As the concentration of 2S is increased relative to that of 11S or 7S, it becomes the dominant phase and entraps the polymeric segments of 11S (or 7S), thus preventing them from becoming the structural knots of the gel. In addition to the solvent distribution in the gel, the rates of gelation differ markedly between 11S and 2S (with the 11S rate of gelation being up to 2 orders of magnitude greater); a fixed 11S concentration, the rate of gelation decreases with increasing amounts of 2S, further confirming that the latter essentially becomes the dominant phase in the composite gel.

Phase model interpretation of the structural properties of two molecular soy protein fractions

The structural properties of mixtures of two molecular soy fractions, 11S (glycinin) and 2S, were investigated in the presence of glucono-delta-lactone (GDL) during an isothermal run at 25 degrees C for 1500 min. Analytical methodology included small-deformation dynamic oscillation, visual observations, scanning electron microscopy, and blending-law modeling. The aim of the work was to identify the state of phase separation and the pattern of solvent distribution between the two constituent polymers. It was found that the high molecular weight distribution of 11S supported rapid kinetics of structure formation, with this continuous matrix being concentrated and, hence, further reinforced in the presence of small additions of 2S. Blending-law modeling suggested that 2S was able to retain disproportionate volumes of solvent within its phase. A consequence of such property was that high additions of 2S leading to equal concentrations of the two molecular fractions in the blend resulted in a catastrophic drop in the values of the overall network strength. This behavior is rather unexpected for the structural properties of a phase-separated system, and it has been rationalized on the basis of the high water-holding capacity of the small molecular weight fraction. 2S entraps in its phase the polymeric segments of glycinin, which are then unable to become structural knots of a cohesive three-dimensional morphology observed in single 11S preparations.

Characterization of Nano-Clay Reinforced Phytagel-Modified Soy Protein Concentrate Resin

Phytagel and nano-clay particles were used to improve the mechanical and thermal properties and moisture resistance of soy protein concentrate (SPC) resin successfully. SPC and Phytagel were mixed together to form a cross-linked structure. The Phytagel-modified SPC resin (PH-SPC) showed improved tensile strength, modulus, moisture resistance, and thermal stability as compared to the unmodified SPC resin. The incorporation of 40% Phytagel and 20% glycerol led to an overall 340% increase in the tensile strength (over 50 MPa) and approximately 360% increase in the Young's modulus (over 710 MPa) of the SPC resin. Nano-clay was uniformly dispersed into PH-SPC resin to further improve the properties. The PH-SPC (40% Phytagel) resin modified with 7% clay nanoparticles (CPH-SPC) had a modulus of 2.1 GPa and a strength of 72.5 MPa. The dynamic mechanical properties such as storage modulus together with the glass transition temperature of the modified resins were also increased by the addition of clay nanoparticles. The moisture resistance of the CPH-SPC resin was higher as compared to both SPC and PH-SPC resins. The thermal stability of the CPH-SPC resin was seen to be higher as compared to the unmodified SPC.

Release of theophylline from polymer blend hydrogels

Polymer blending is a simple yet attractive method to obtain combined physical and mechanical properties of polymers. In this paper, three types of blend hydrogels were prepared, each by physically blending two different natural polymers, and a model drug, theophylline (TPH), was immobilized into these hydrogels for the studies of drug release. The release profiles of TPH from various types of hydrogels were determined by UV-vis absorption measurement at 272 nm. The experimental results show that the releases of TPH from these hydrogels are dependent upon the composition of the hydrogel, the type of component, the possible interactions between two component polymers, as well as external temperature. All the release profiles clearly demonstrate a temperature effect. Among the three blend hydrogels, the slowest release was observed from the blend hydrogel of gelatin and agar with a weight ratio of 1:1. The drug release patterns and release mechanisms have been discussed by considering the possible molecular interactions and gel network structures.

Bridging the Divide between the High- and Low-Solid Analyses in the Gelatin/κ-Carrageenan Mixture

Over the past few years, a considerable amount of work has been done in several laboratories on the measurement of structural properties of low-solid biopolymer mixtures or high-solid materials of a single biopolymer in the presence of co-solute. The main objective of this work has been to establish a correlation between the two types of systems and extend it to a binary mixture in a high-solid environment. In doing so, it employed well-characterized kappa-carrageenan and gelatin samples in an aqueous preparation or in the presence of glucose syrup and sucrose. The phase behavior of the composite gel was ascertained using small-deformation dynamic oscillation, differential scanning calorimetry, and light microscopy. Experimental observations were built into polymer blending laws that argued for an explicit phase topology and distribution of solvent between the two networks. A working hypothesis was formulated and applied to high-solid mixtures thus identifying phase or state transitions in the time/temperature function. This led to the development of a mechanical glass transition temperature as the threshold of two distinct molecular processes governing the "rubber-to-glass" transformation. A stage was reached at which the predictions of the hypothesis were found to be in good agreement with the experimental development of viscoelasticity in the high-solid kappa-carrageenan/gelatin mixture ranging from the rubbery plateau and the transition region to the glassy state.