Degradation of the sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs) in human plasma. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fan, Teng-Fei; Hwang, Youngkyu; Potroz, Michael G.; Lau, Kai-Lin; Tan, Ee-Lin; Shahrudin Ibrahim, Mohammed; Miyako, Eijiro; Cho, Nam-Joon
• Is Part Of: Applied materials today. Volume 19(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Pollen -- Sporopollenin exine capsules -- Degradation -- Human plasma; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmt.2020.100594
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-9407

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: The sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs) have recently attracted the attention of biological applications. The stability of SECs in human fluids is revealing important issue to develop the controllable methods for the drug delivery system. The current finding can lead to important pathway to use plant pollen as an eco-friendly materials innovation. Abstract: The sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs) have recently attracted the attention of biological applications. The stability of SECs in human fluids is important issue to develop the controllable methods for the drug delivery system. Here, we analyzed the human plasma-triggered degradation of three species of SECs, i.e., camellia ( Camellia sinensis L.), cattail ( Typha angustifolia L.), and dandelion ( Taraxacum officinale L.), regarding the physical and chemical aspects. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images showed no significant changes in the surface morphology of the SECs as increasing incubation time in human plasma, but we observed the increase of the rupture ratio by dynamic image particle analysis (DIPA). Also, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) combined with principal component analysis (PCA) addressed the chemical degradation in a species-specific manner. Specifically, the OH groups of camellia SECs, COC groups of cattail SECs, and CO groups of dandelion SECs showed significant changes.