Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alena Wulf, Rais Mendgaziev, Rawil Fakhrullin, Vladimir Vinokurov, Dmitry Volodkin, Anna S. Vikulina
Summary: One of the main challenges in modern tissue engineering is designing biocompatible scaffolds with finely tuned porous architecture and the ability to load bioactive molecules that guide cell growth and differentiation. This study proposes a strategy to design porous alginate scaffolds by leaching sacrificial vaterite CaCO3 microspheres packed in alginate, resulting in well-tuned architecture. The pore size and interconnectivity of the scaffold depend on the dimensions and packing of the CaCO3 spheres, as well as the concentration of alginate. By varying these parameters, it is possible to achieve almost complete pore interconnectivity or no interconnectivity at all. The mechanical properties of the scaffolds are suitable for cell seeding, with the potential for encapsulation of macromolecules in individual pores to create a multifunctional scaffold. Culturing different cell lines on these scaffolds showed promising results in terms of cell viability and adhesiveness.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Natalia Czaplicka, Donata Konopacka-Lyskawa, Agata Nowotnik, Aleksandra Mielewczyk-Gryn, Marcin Lapinski, Rafal Bray
Summary: This paper investigates the effects of rhamnolipids presence on the precipitation of CaCO3 in alginate hydrogel. It discusses the characteristics of the formed particles and proposes a mechanism for CaCO3 precipitation in alginate hydrogel containing rhamnolipids.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yaqiong Chen, Hongdong Song, Kai Huang, Xiao Guan
Summary: The study successfully developed novel insulin-loaded porous starch-alginate hydrogel systems, and enhanced the encapsulation efficiency of insulin in hydrogel beads by coating them with different thicknesses of HA films. The hydrogel beads achieved the goal of triggered release under experimental conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alison. L. White, Hazel A. Javier, Sarah Withey, Simon R. Biggs, Stephen Rose, Simon G. Puttick, Andrew K. Whittaker
Summary: Efficient encapsulation of small molecule active ingredients has been a challenge in various commercial applications. A new method using thin mineral shells to protect active ingredients was developed. The majority of the microcapsules formed a non-porous protective shell, with only the defective ones releasing small concentrations of the core material.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Pariya Zare, Mohamad Pezeshki-Modaress, Seyed Mohammad Davachi, Pouria Zare, Fatemeh Yazdian, Sara Simorgh, Hadi Ghanbari, Hamid Rashedi, Zohreh Bagher
Summary: In this study, two different arrangements of laminated composite scaffolds were fabricated based on Alginate, showcasing improved mechanical features and sustained drug release. The optimized scaffold displayed advantages such as interconnected pores, controlled biodegradability, and no cytotoxic effect, making it a promising candidate for tissue regeneration.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wei Zhang, Ji Ou, Bin Wang, Hongyu Wang, Qiulai He, Jianyang Song, Huining Zhang, Meiyi Tang, Lean Zhou, Yang Gao, Shiquan Sun
Summary: A novel porous alginate-based nanocomposite hydrogel was developed for efficient removal of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) ions from water by incorporating modified graphene oxide as reinforcing fillers. The optimized hydrogel showed superior adsorption capacities for both metal ions, with good reusability in single/binary adsorption systems.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Valerie Ow, Jun Jie Chang, Wai Hon Chooi, Yi Jian Boo, Rebekah P. T. Tan, Joey H. M. Wong, Bhav Harshad Parikh, Xinyi Su, Shi Yan Ng, Xian Jun Loh, Kun Xue
Summary: Hydrogels with multiple modes of crosslinking, such as the EPC-Alg hydrogel discussed in this study, offer improved control over properties like mechanical strength through the use of multiple stimuli, in this case temperature and Ca2+. These orthogonally crosslinked hydrogels are non-toxic to cells and have fully reversible crosslinks, allowing for modulation of gel strength by selectively removing one or both stimuli. The EPC-Alg hydrogel showed tunable modulation of thermal stability, stiffness, and gelation temperatures, and demonstrated feasibility in cell-based biomedical applications including cell encapsulation and cell therapy.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anna S. Vikulina, Jack Campbell
Summary: An undeniable trend in modern bioengineering and nanotechnology is the use of various biomolecules, primarily polymeric, for designing novel functional materials in controlled drug delivery, bioimaging, tissue engineering, and other bioapplications. Biogenic polymers with features like biocompatibility, biodegradability, replicating natural cellular microenvironments, and minimal toxicity, have gained growing interest as building blocks for fourth-generation biomaterials. Recent studies highlight the promise of hard-templating approach in fabricating nano- and microparticles using biopolymers, covering up-to-date knowledge on this topic and assessing the progress and challenges in the field.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Laura G. Gomez-Mascaraque, Vincent Chambon, Kata Trifkovic, Andre Brodkorb
Summary: This study investigates the feasibility of producing alginate microcapsules by directly extruding and dripping them onto bovine milk. Three types of milk (skimmed, whole, and enriched milk) were used as a calcium source for capsule formation. The study analyzed the impact of milk type and properties, as well as alginate type and concentration, on the formation of capsules. The results showed that milk properties, particularly viscosity, influenced the deformation of microcapsules more than when using a CaCl2 solution. More concentrated alginate solutions and G-rich alginate resulted in more spherical capsules. The study also observed a decrease in soluble calcium and total protein content in milk after microcapsule production, indicating interactions with the alginate network
FOOD STRUCTURE-NETHERLANDS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Chanez Bennacef, Sylvie Desobry-Banon, Laurent Probst, Stephane Desobry
Summary: This paper provides an overview of coextrusion methods for encapsulation, exploring the different techniques available and their potential applications in various industries. The study examines four specific methods, discussing their parameters and the size of capsules they can produce. Coextrusion technology is a promising encapsulation technique for preserving active molecules and has significant economic implications.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Chanez Bennacef, Stephane Desobry, Laurent Probst, Sylvie Desobry-Banon
Summary: Encapsulation is a technology used in various industries to protect active molecules and control their release. Coextrusion encapsulation methods can produce core-shell capsules. This review focuses on the applications of coextrusion encapsulation for preserving oils, essential oils, probiotics, and other bioactives. This technology isolates the active molecules, enhances their stability, and allows controlled release. Coextrusion offers valuable opportunities for preserving active molecules in pharmaceutical, food, and agriculture sectors.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chen Tan, Cristian Dima, Meigui Huang, Elham Assadpour, Jing Wang, Baoguo Sun, Mohammad Saeed Kharazmi, Seid Mahdi Jafari
Summary: This review article discusses the recent progress in utilizing calcium carbonate particles in various advanced delivery systems. The challenges in rapid dissolution, low retention ability, and lack of sustained release are addressed through modification and integration with other encapsulation systems. The applications and challenges of these advanced systems for the protection and controlled delivery of bioactive compounds in the biological, pharmaceutical, and functional food fields are emphasized.
ADVANCES IN COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anna Vikulina, Joseph Webster, Denis Voronin, Evgenii Ivanov, Rawil Fakhrullin, Vladimir Vinokurov, Dmitry Volodkin
Summary: Additive-free fabrication of mesoporous vaterite crystals ranging in size from submicron to tens of microns has been successfully achieved, offering new possibilities for drug delivery and tissue engineering in the field of biomedicine.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hamed Shieh, Maryam Saadatmand, Mahnaz Eskandari, Dariush Bastani
Summary: This study explores the on-chip production of microgels using external gelation in microfluidic devices, proposing a novel design and utilizing a shielding oil phase to address challenges. The microfluidic device demonstrated the capability of generating highly monodispersed spherical droplets and alginate microgels effectively.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wei Zhang, Ji Ou, Meiyi Tang, Qiulai He, Anlin Long, Shuangxue Luo, Shiquan Sun, Junli Wan, Yang Gao, Lean Zhou, Bin Wang, Hongyu Wang
Summary: In this study, an alginate-based porous nanocomposite hydrogel (CPGA) was developed for enhanced Cu(II) removal from water. The CPGA exhibited good adsorption performance and anti-interference ability, and showed potential for heavy metal removal from water in multi-ions system. The study also demonstrated the good cycle stability of CPGA.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alena Wulf, Rais Mendgaziev, Rawil Fakhrullin, Vladimir Vinokurov, Dmitry Volodkin, Anna S. Vikulina
Summary: One of the main challenges in modern tissue engineering is designing biocompatible scaffolds with finely tuned porous architecture and the ability to load bioactive molecules that guide cell growth and differentiation. This study proposes a strategy to design porous alginate scaffolds by leaching sacrificial vaterite CaCO3 microspheres packed in alginate, resulting in well-tuned architecture. The pore size and interconnectivity of the scaffold depend on the dimensions and packing of the CaCO3 spheres, as well as the concentration of alginate. By varying these parameters, it is possible to achieve almost complete pore interconnectivity or no interconnectivity at all. The mechanical properties of the scaffolds are suitable for cell seeding, with the potential for encapsulation of macromolecules in individual pores to create a multifunctional scaffold. Culturing different cell lines on these scaffolds showed promising results in terms of cell viability and adhesiveness.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Nadezhda G. Balabushevich, Ekaterina A. Kovalenko, Liliya N. Maltseva, Lyubov Yu Filatova, Anastasia M. Moysenovich, Elena Mikhalchik, Dmitry Volodkin, Anna S. Vikulina
Summary: This study proposes the use of hybrid mucin/vaterite microparticles for the immobilization of catalase, an important antioxidant enzyme. The catalase is impregnated into the crystals by adsorption without chemical modifications. The presence of mucin matrix hinders catalase penetration into the crystals but promotes the protection of antioxidant activity. The immobilized catalase shows pH sensitivity and can be used for multiple cycles before losing activity.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nadezhda G. Balabushevich, Ekaterina A. Kovalenko, Lyubov Y. Filatova, Ekaterina A. Kirzhanova, Elena Mikhalchik, Dmitry Volodkin, Anna S. Vikulina
Summary: Local delivery of proteolytic enzymes is an alternative to antibiotic treatment, and this study proposes hybrid microspheres made of mucin and biodegradable crystals as carriers for chymotrypsin delivery. The encapsulated chymotrypsin shows preserved enzymatic activity and enhanced stability.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ana M. Ferreira, Anna Vikulina, Gareth W. V. Cave, Michael Loughlin, Valeria Puddu, Dmitry Volodkin
Summary: This study aimed to develop an approach to load silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into mesoporous calcium carbonate vaterite crystals (CaCO3 vaterite) to improve their stability and controlled release. Different capping agents were used to enhance the colloidal stability of AgNPs, and the loading and release mechanisms of AgNPs in CaCO3 crystals were investigated. The results demonstrated that certain capping agents effectively maintained the colloidal stability of AgNPs during co-precipitation with CaCO3 crystals. The developed approach has potential applications in stabilizing, protecting, storing, and releasing AgNPs for antimicrobial use. Rating: 7/10
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jack Campbell, Ana M. Ferreira, Laura Bowker, John Hunt, Dmitry Volodkin, Anna Vikulina
Summary: Nowadays, there is a growing demand for the development of novel drug delivery systems using materials that are already approved for biomedical use. In this study, hybrid organic-inorganic mesoporous crystals were fabricated in physiologically relevant conditions through co-synthesis of vaterite CaCO3 in the presence of dextran (DEX) or its functional derivatives. The effects of DEX molecular weight and chemical structure on the morphology, porosity, and stability of the hybrids were investigated. The results provide important insights into the crystallization of DEX/vaterite hybrids and their potential as functional delivery carriers for biomedical and other applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anna Vikulina, Alena Wulf, Guy Guday, Rawil Fakhrullin, Dmitry Volodkin
Summary: Cells recognize cues and exhibit molecular responses at their interfaces to implement specific functions. Researchers have developed an approach to mimic the cellular external microenvironment by assembling a lipid bilayer on top of a polyelectrolyte multilayer cushion, creating a 3D artificial extracellular matrix (ECM).
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Konstantinos T. Kotoulas, Jack Campbell, Andre G. Skirtach, Dmitry Volodkin, Anna Vikulina
Summary: The coating of particles or decomposable cores with polyelectrolytes via Layer-by-Layer assembly creates free-standing functional particles. However, previous literature lacks discussion on how these particles immobilize onto solid surfaces. This review evaluates examples of immobilized LbL-assembled particles, examining the forces and factors that influence immobilization and proposing a fundamental theory for immobilization pathways.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Farida Akhatova, Svetlana Konnova, Marina Kryuchkova, Svetlana Batasheva, Kristina Mazurova, Anna Vikulina, Dmitry Volodkin, Elvira Rozhina
Summary: Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant extracts is a viable alternative to traditional methods, offering simplicity, affordability, and environmentally friendly processes. This study successfully produced silver and iron nanoparticles using sphagnum extract and traditional methods. Various techniques, including DLS, UV-visible spectroscopy, TEM with EDS, AFM, dark-field hyperspectral microscopy, and FT-IR, were employed to analyze the structure and properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. The findings demonstrated strong antibacterial activity, including biofilm formation, and suggested the potential for further research on nanoparticles synthesized using sphagnum moss extracts.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Natalia Velk, Janos Keller, Claus Duschl, Gerald Brezesinski, Dmitry Volodkin
Summary: In this study, the conformation of the protein lysozyme (Lys) loaded into polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) was investigated using polarized attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) technique. The results showed that Lys in the PEMs existed as tightly bound and poorly bound fractions, which differed in their conformation and release behavior. The tightly bound fraction exhibited preferential orientation of alpha helical structures, beta sheets, and turns.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana M. Ferreira, A. Vikulina, G. W. V. Cave, M. Loughlin, V. Puddu, D. Volodkin
Summary: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) loaded into vaterite CaCO3 crystals can be protected, stored, and controlled for release, resulting in CaCO3/AgNPs hybrids. The addition of poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) sodium salt (PSS) stabilizes and targets the release of AgNPs. This study sheds light on the release mechanisms of AgNPs from the inorganic hybrids and has implications for understanding the release profiles of other compounds from vaterite.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana M. Ferreira, Anna Vikulina, Michael Loughlin, Dmitry Volodkin
Summary: This study investigates the effects of different capping agents on the stability and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The results demonstrate that dextran and carboxymethyl-dextran coated AgNPs exhibit good stability in water and strong antibacterial activity against various bacteria. The selection and properties of capping agents have a significant impact on the stability and antibacterial performance of AgNPs.
