Versatile preparation of spherically and mechanically controllable liquid-core-shell alginate-based bead through interfacial gelation. (15th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Hongxiang; Liu, Fei; Ma, Yun; Goff, H. Douglas; Zhong, Fang
• Is Part Of: Carbohydrate polymers. Volume 236(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05-15
• Subjects: Sodium alginate (PubChem CID: 133126842) -- Calcium chloride (PubChem CID: 5284359); Liquid-core-shell bead -- Alginate -- Interfacial gelation -- Sphericity -- Mechanical property; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 547.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.115980
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8617

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Dripping Ca 2+ solution with polymer into SA solution formed liquid-core-shell beads. Natural polymer slowed down the interfacial SA-Ca 2+ ionic cross-linking process. CS affected the mechanical properties of beads due to the interaction with SA. Reducing surface tension of SA solution enlarged spherical bead forming boundary. Mechanical properties of beads depended on reactant concentration and reaction time. Abstract: Developing alginate-based beads with liquid-core-shell structure is highly appealing for industrial applications as a promising delivery matrix material. Herein, based on the reaction-diffusion mechanism, a facile method that includes dissolving natural polymer in calcium ion core solution followed by dripping it to alginate shell bath is proposed through interfacial gelation. By facilely tuning the viscosity and surface tension, the boundary condition for forming spherical beads with applicable mechanical properties was obtained. The universal viscosity-boundary relationship was independent of the type or charge condition of polymers in liquid-core. However, chitosan in the core solution significantly affected mechanical properties due to polyelectrolyte interaction with alginate, based on FTIR and SEM analyses. Moreover, a larger spherical zone was obtained by adding a surfactant into the shell bath. By varying calcium ion concentration and reaction time, beads of superior mechanical properties were obtained with an increase in shell membrane compactness.