Recent Advances in Biopolymer Gels

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 August 2024 | Viewed by 1051

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Multidisciplinary Agroindustry Research Laboratory, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca 3467987, Chile
Interests: alginate; chitosan based gels; molecular dynamics; aroma biosynthesis; cell wall polymers; food chemistry; biotechnology; microbiology; biochemistry; antioxidant activity
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is focused on the utilization of natural biopolymer gels such as chitosan, alginate, BHA, and cellulose. These gels are known for their low cost, biodegradability as environmentally friendly resources, and wide availability. Due to their remarkable affinity for contaminant compounds like heavy metal ions, toxins, organic solvents, and organic molecules, biopolymer gels are gaining increasing attention as renewable alternative feedstocks in the production of biopolymers as a possible solution to several environmental challenges. Additionally, this Special Issue will explore the diverse applications of biopolymer gels in the food industry. Macro- and nanoscale food-grade materials are commonly used to enhance food products. These materials serve various purposes, including for antimicrobial food packaging and targeted delivery of biomolecules, enzymes, and probiotics. They are versatile in their ability to modify food matrix structures and functional properties, playing roles as carriers and acting in target/multistage delivery, foam formation, biomolecule conjugation, gelling systems, and colloidal formation.

Dr. Luis Morales-Quintana
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • synthesis and characterization of biodegradable biopolymers
  • approaches for biodegradable biopolymers (wastewater treatment)
  • biodegradable biopolymeric with properties of detoxification, bioremediation, or bio-absorption
  • biopolymer gels in the food industry
  • biopolymer gels for controlled release

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 13251 KiB  
Article
The Controlled Release of Abscisic Acid (ABA) Utilizing Alginate–Chitosan Gel Blends: A Synergistic Approach for an Enhanced Small-Molecule Delivery Controller
by Oscar Valdes, Daniel Bustos, Luis Guzmán, Marcelo Muñoz-Vera, Gabriela Urra, Ricardo I. Castro and Luis Morales-Quintana
Gels 2024, 10(3), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10030185 - 08 Mar 2024
Viewed by 844
Abstract
The integration of abscisic acid (ABA) into a chitosan–alginate gel blend unveils crucial insights into the formation and stability of these two substances. ABA, a key phytohormone in plant growth and stress responses, is strategically targeted for controlled release within these complexes. This [...] Read more.
The integration of abscisic acid (ABA) into a chitosan–alginate gel blend unveils crucial insights into the formation and stability of these two substances. ABA, a key phytohormone in plant growth and stress responses, is strategically targeted for controlled release within these complexes. This study investigates the design and characterization of this novel controlled-release system, showcasing the potential of alginate–chitosan gel blends in ABA delivery. Computational methods, including molecular dynamics simulations, are employed to analyze the structural effects of microencapsulation, offering valuable insights into complex behavior under varying conditions. This paper focuses on the controlled release of ABA from these complexes, highlighting its strategic importance in drug delivery systems and beyond. This controlled release enables targeted and regulated ABA delivery, with far-reaching implications for pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and plant stress response studies. While acknowledging context dependency, the paper suggests that the liberation or controlled release of ABA holds promise in applications, urging further research and experimentation to validate its utility across diverse fields. Overall, this work significantly contributes to understanding the characteristics and potential applications of chitosan–alginate complexes, marking a noteworthy advancement in the field of controlled-release systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Biopolymer Gels)
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