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Alginate-Based Gels: Preparation, Characterization and Application
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Alginate-Based Gels: Preparation, Characterization and Application

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 14117

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Bjørn Torger Stokke

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Guest Editor
Biophysics and Medical Technology, Department of Physics, NTNU The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
Interests: biopolymers; biopolymer mesoscale structure formation (PEC, multilayers, hydrogels, and fibrills); microfluidics assisted soft materials asssembly; hydrogel structure; bioresponsive hydrogels; biosensors; biopolymers at the single molecule level
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Cheng Hu

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Guest Editor
College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
Interests: biomaterials; hydrogels; drug delivery; tissue repair; myocardial infarction; wound healing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Kongyin Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, National Center for International Joint Research on Separation Membranes, School of Material Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
Interests: alginate hydrogel; alginate composite material; filtration membrane; adsorption and separation; protein molecular imprinting
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue on “Alginate-based Gels: Preparation, Characterization and Application” is dedicated to recent developments from theoretical and fundamental aspects to the synthesis, characterization, and applications of Alginate-based gels. Within this context, a broad range of subjects, including structure and characterization, molecular modeling and simulation, and applications will be discussed.

Under the severe situation of the gradual depletion of petrochemical resources and the requirements of carbon neutralization, it is urgent to develop new materials for sustainable development. Alginate is a natural polysaccharide extracted from algae. Alginate presents high biocompatibility, low toxicity and ease of gelation by addition of divalent cations such as Ca2+. Alginate gel is widely used in food, medical, tissue engineering, daily chemical, textile, printing, dyeing, biotechnology and wastewater treatment. It can be used to produce ice cream, beverages, food, adhesives, thickeners, slow release materials, medical dressing, dental materials, facial mask, printing paste, water treatment agents, welding rods, paper additives and other products.

As a natural polymer, alginate has complex and changeable structure and molecular weight distribution. Owing to the complexity of the interactions in alginate gel, an understanding of these materials has been slow to develop despite the importance of alginate gels. Alginate gel mostly has low mechanical strength. Mechanical damage is easily occurred during the use process, and the performance of the gel is greatly reduced after being damaged. Progress in this field requires an interdisciplinary effort to accomplish a more detailed understanding of the structure and interactions that define the behavior of complex polyelectrolyte systems, and makes it possible to tailor the properties of these materials. It is hoped that the topics will stimulate new research and discoveries in the field of alginate gels.

Prof. Dr. Bjørn Torger Stokke
Dr. Cheng Hu
Dr. Kongyin Zhao
Guest Editors

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

  • alginate hydrogel
  • alginate gel
  • alginate composite material
  • synthesis and characterization of alginate
  • applications of alginate
  • theory and simulation of alginate

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3893 KiB  
Article
Bovine Serum Albumin Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensors Modified by Carboxylated Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes/CaAlg Hydrogels
by Letian Cheng, Zhilong Guo, Yuansheng Lin, Xiujuan Wei, Kongyin Zhao and Zhengchun Yang
Gels 2023, 9(8), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9080673 - 20 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1066
Abstract
In this paper, sodium alginate (NaAlg) was used as functional monomers, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as template molecules, and calcium chloride (CaCl2) aqueous solution was used as a cross-linking agent to prepare BSA molecularly imprinted carboxylated multi-wall carbon nanotubes [...] Read more.
In this paper, sodium alginate (NaAlg) was used as functional monomers, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as template molecules, and calcium chloride (CaCl2) aqueous solution was used as a cross-linking agent to prepare BSA molecularly imprinted carboxylated multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CMWCNT)/CaAlg hydrogel films (MIPs) and non-imprinted hydrogel films (NIPs). The adsorption capacity of the MIP film for BSA was 27.23 mg/g and the imprinting efficiency was 2.73. The MIP and NIP hydrogel film were loaded on the surface of the printed electrode, and electrochemical performance tests were carried out by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) using the electrochemical workstation. The loaded MIP film and NIP film effectively improved the electrochemical signal of the bare carbon electrode. When the pH value of the Tris HCl elution solution was 7.4, the elution time was 15 min and the adsorption time was 15 min, and the peak currents of MIP-modified electrodes and NIP-modified electrodes reached their maximum values. There was a specific interaction between MIP-modified electrodes and BSA, exhibiting specific recognition for BSA. In addition, the MIP-modified electrodes had good anti-interference, reusability, stability, and reproducibility. The detection limit (LOD) was 5.6 × 10−6 mg mL−1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alginate-Based Gels: Preparation, Characterization and Application)
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16 pages, 4548 KiB  
Article
Comparative Electrokinetic Study of Alginate-Coated Colloidal Particles
by Viktoria Milkova
Gels 2023, 9(6), 493; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9060493 - 16 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 983
Abstract
Alginates are a family of natural polysaccharides with promising potential in biomedical applications and tissue regeneration. The design of versatile alginate-based structures or hydrogels and their stability and functionality depend on the polymer’s physicochemical characteristics. The main features of alginate chains that determine [...] Read more.
Alginates are a family of natural polysaccharides with promising potential in biomedical applications and tissue regeneration. The design of versatile alginate-based structures or hydrogels and their stability and functionality depend on the polymer’s physicochemical characteristics. The main features of alginate chains that determine their bioactive properties are the molar ratio of mannuronic and glucuronic residues (M/G ratio) and their distribution along the polymer chain (MM-, GG-, and MG blocks). The present study is focused on investigating the influence of the physicochemical characteristics of alginate (sodium salt) on the electrical properties and stability of the dispersion of polymer-coated colloidal particles. Ultrapure and well-characterized biomedical-grade alginate samples were used in the investigation. The dynamics of counterion charge near the vicinity of adsorbed polyion is studied via electrokinetic spectroscopy. The results show that the experimental values of the frequency of relaxation of the electro-optical effect are higher compared to the theoretical ones. Therefore, it was supposed that polarization of the condensed Na+ counterions occurs at specific distances according to the molecular structure (G-, M-, or MG-blocks). In the presence of Ca2+, the electro-optical behavior of the particles with adsorbed alginate molecules almost does not depend on the polymer characteristics but was affected by the presence of divalent ions in the polymer layer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alginate-Based Gels: Preparation, Characterization and Application)
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16 pages, 2671 KiB  
Article
Mechanistic Insights into the Selective Synthesis of 4H-Pyran Derivatives On-Water Using Naturally Occurring Alginate from Sargassum muticum: Experimental and DFT Study
by Khaoula Oudghiri, Zahira Belattmania, Hamid Elmouli, Salaheddine Guesmi, Fouad Bentiss, Brahim Sabour, Lahoucine Bahsis and Moha Taourirte
Gels 2022, 8(11), 713; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels8110713 - 04 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1352
Abstract
The naturally occurring sodium alginate (SA) biopolymer from the Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt was employed as a green organocatalyst for the synthesis of 4H-pyran derivatives. The naturally extracted macromolecule was fully characterized using different analyses, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier-transform [...] Read more.
The naturally occurring sodium alginate (SA) biopolymer from the Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt was employed as a green organocatalyst for the synthesis of 4H-pyran derivatives. The naturally extracted macromolecule was fully characterized using different analyses, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX). The catalytic activity of SA was investigated in the one-pot reaction between aldehydes, malononitrile, and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in water at room temperature, and the corresponding 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-pyran derivatives were obtained with good to excellent yields. This organocatalyst was easily separated from the reaction mixture and reused for at least two consecutive cycles without a significant loss of its catalytic activity or selectivity. From the mechanistic point of view, density functional theory (DFT) and NCI analyses were performed for the first time to explain the regioselectivity outcomes for the synthesis of 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-pyran derivatives using SA as a green organocatalyst. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alginate-Based Gels: Preparation, Characterization and Application)
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17 pages, 1348 KiB  
Article
Macroalgal-Derived Alginate Soil Amendments for Water Retention, Nutrient Release Rate Reduction, and Soil pH Control
by Roelof du Toit van der Merwe, Neill Jurgens Goosen and Robert William McClelland Pott
Gels 2022, 8(9), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels8090548 - 29 Aug 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2472
Abstract
There is a need to develop sustainably sourced products that can address the needs for improved water retention in soils, slow the release rate of fertilizers (to prevent leaching and downstream eutrophication), and control soil pH for use in agriculture. This article investigates [...] Read more.
There is a need to develop sustainably sourced products that can address the needs for improved water retention in soils, slow the release rate of fertilizers (to prevent leaching and downstream eutrophication), and control soil pH for use in agriculture. This article investigates the use of industrial kelp solid waste extracted alginate (IW) slurries to produce soil amendment beads, potentially improving soil water retention, acting as slow-release fertilizers (SRFs), and combined with limestone controls soil pH levels. Alginate extracted from the IW was determined to have a lower guluronic (G) to mannuronic (M) acid ratio than pure laboratory-grade (LG) alginate (0.36 vs. 0.53). Hydrogels produced from the IW alginate achieved significantly higher equilibrium swelling ratios (1 wt% IW = 1.80) than LG hydrogels with similar concentrations (1 wt% LG = 0.61). Hydrogel beads were impregnated with ammonium nitrate and potassium chloride to produce potential SRFs. The release rates of K+ and NO3− nutrients from the produced SRFs into deionised water were decreased by one order of magnitude compared to pure salts. The nutrient release rates of the IW-based SRFs were shown to be similar to SRFs produced from LG alginate. Hydrogel beads were impregnated with limestone, and it was determined that the alginate-based hydrogels could significantly decrease the nutrient release rate. Using industrial kelp solid waste extracted alginate slurries shows potential for soil amendments production. This report emphasises, for the first time, the use of a crude alginate product in soil amendment formation. Further, it demonstrates slower release rates and soil pH control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alginate-Based Gels: Preparation, Characterization and Application)
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13 pages, 3440 KiB  
Article
Facile Synthesis of Sustainable Tannin/Sodium Alginate Composite Hydrogel Beads for Efficient Removal of Methylene Blue
by Jie Gao, Zhenzhen Li, Ziwen Wang, Tao Chen, Guowen Hu, Yuan Zhao and Xiaobing Han
Gels 2022, 8(8), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels8080486 - 03 Aug 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1912
Abstract
To meet the requirement of sustainable development, bio-based adsorbents were developed for the removal of dye contaminant. To improve the adsorption capacity of pure sodium alginate (SA) adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB), aromatic bio-based tannin (Tan) was incorporated through the [...] Read more.
To meet the requirement of sustainable development, bio-based adsorbents were developed for the removal of dye contaminant. To improve the adsorption capacity of pure sodium alginate (SA) adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB), aromatic bio-based tannin (Tan) was incorporated through the cross-linking with calcium ion. The obtained Tan/SA composite hydrogel beads were characterized with SEM, FTIR and TG, demonstrating that millimeter-sized beads were obtained through calcium cross-linking with enhanced thermal stability. The maximum capacity (247.2 mg/g) at optimal condition (pH = 12, T = 45 °C) was obtained for the 40%Tan/SA adsorbents, with a removal efficiency of 82.4%. This can be ascribed to the electrostatic attraction between SA and MB, as well as the formation of π–π stacking between Tan and MB. The adsorption process for MB is endothermic, and chemical adsorption, the removal efficiency was exceeded 90% after five cycles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alginate-Based Gels: Preparation, Characterization and Application)
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Review

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27 pages, 3159 KiB  
Review
Alginate Gel-Based Carriers for Encapsulation of Carotenoids: On Challenges and Applications
by Milan Milivojević, Aleksandra Popović, Ivana Pajić-Lijaković, Ivan Šoštarić, Stefan Kolašinac and Zora Dajić Stevanović
Gels 2023, 9(8), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9080620 - 01 Aug 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1726
Abstract
Sodium alginate is one of the most interesting and the most investigated and applied biopolymers due to its advantageous properties. Among them, easy, simple, mild, rapid, non-toxic gelation by divalent cations is the most important. In addition, it is abundant, low-cost, eco-friendly, bio-compatible, [...] Read more.
Sodium alginate is one of the most interesting and the most investigated and applied biopolymers due to its advantageous properties. Among them, easy, simple, mild, rapid, non-toxic gelation by divalent cations is the most important. In addition, it is abundant, low-cost, eco-friendly, bio-compatible, bio-adhesive, biodegradable, stable, etc. All those properties were systematically considered within this review. Carotenoids are functional components in the human diet with plenty of health benefits. However, their sensitivity to environmental and process stresses, chemical instability, easy oxidation, low water solubility, and bioavailability limit their food and pharmaceutical applications. Encapsulation may help in overcoming these limitations and within this review, the role of alginate-based encapsulation systems in improving the stability and bioavailability of carotenoids is explored. It may be concluded that all alginate-based systems increase carotenoid stability, but only those of micro- and nano-size, as well as emulsion-based, may improve their low bioaccessibility. In addition, the incorporation of other biopolymers may further improve encapsulation system properties. Furthermore, the main techniques for evaluating the encapsulation are briefly considered. This review critically and profoundly explains the role of alginates in improving the encapsulation process of carotenoids, suggesting the best alternatives for those systems. Moreover, it provides a comprehensive cover of recent advances in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alginate-Based Gels: Preparation, Characterization and Application)
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29 pages, 1817 KiB  
Review
A Critical Review on Classified Excipient Sodium-Alginate-Based Hydrogels: Modification, Characterization, and Application in Soft Tissue Engineering
by Rishav Sharma, Rishabha Malviya, Sudarshan Singh and Bhupendra Prajapati
Gels 2023, 9(5), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9050430 - 22 May 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3232
Abstract
Alginates are polysaccharides that are produced naturally and can be isolated from brown sea algae and bacteria. Sodium alginate (SA) is utilized extensively in the field of biological soft tissue repair and regeneration owing to its low cost, high biological compatibility, and quick [...] Read more.
Alginates are polysaccharides that are produced naturally and can be isolated from brown sea algae and bacteria. Sodium alginate (SA) is utilized extensively in the field of biological soft tissue repair and regeneration owing to its low cost, high biological compatibility, and quick and moderate crosslinking. In addition to their high printability, SA hydrogels have found growing popularity in tissue engineering, particularly due to the advent of 3D bioprinting. There is a developing curiosity in tissue engineering with SA-based composite hydrogels and their potential for further improvement in terms of material modification, the molding process, and their application. This has resulted in numerous productive outcomes. The use of 3D scaffolds for growing cells and tissues in tissue engineering and 3D cell culture is an innovative technique for developing in vitro culture models that mimic the in vivo environment. Especially compared to in vivo models, in vitro models were more ethical and cost-effective, and they stimulate tissue growth. This article discusses the use of sodium alginate (SA) in tissue engineering, focusing on SA modification techniques and providing a comparative examination of the properties of several SA-based hydrogels. This review also covers hydrogel preparation techniques, and a catalogue of patents covering different hydrogel formulations is also discussed. Finally, SA-based hydrogel applications and future research areas concerning SA-based hydrogels in tissue engineering were examined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alginate-Based Gels: Preparation, Characterization and Application)
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