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Polysaccharide Gels and Beyond: From the Synthesis to Application

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2024) | Viewed by 9706

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Hongwei Cheng

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Guest Editor

School of Public Health, Center of Molecular Imaging Translation Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
Interests: functional polymer; molecular imaging; nanotherapeutics; hydrogel

Prof. Dr. Weicheng Hu

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Guest Editor

School of Life Science, Huaiyin Normal University, Huai'an 223300, China
Interests: polysaccharide; drug delivery system; formulation science; anti-inflammatory; bioavailability

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As a typical flexible material, polysaccharide gels have good viscoelasticity, porosity, transparency, and biocompatibility. Benefitting from their similar structure and performance to that of human soft tissues, polysaccharide gels have shown great scientific value and broad application prospects in tumor therapy, tissue engineering, biosensing, and other biomedical fields. In recent years, the development of polysaccharide gels in the fields of engineering, food, and cosmetics has also received extensive attention, such as flexible electronics, food additives, or skin care products. Considering the special application scenarios, different requirements in the aspect of mechanical properties, functional design, and biocompatibility are still a major challenge in material design.

This Special Issue focuses on emerging progress in polysaccharide gels, including natural polysaccharide gels and other polymer materials. Additionally, we welcome contributions regarding the mechanism study of polysaccharide material.

Dr. Hongwei Cheng
Prof. Dr. Weicheng Hu
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

Polysaccharide
Hydrogel
Polymer
Natural compounds
Structure design
Functionalization
Cancer therapy
Tissue engineering
Biosensor
Food additives
Skin protection

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 6743 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cytotoxicity and Degradation Resistance of Cryo- and Hydrogels Based on Carboxyethylchitosan at Different pH Values

by Elena Blinova, Anastasia Korel, Ekaterina Zemlyakova, Alexander Pestov, Alexander Samokhin, Maxim Zelikman, Vadim Tkachenko, Viktoria Bets, Elena Arzhanova and Ekaterina Litvinova

Gels 2024, 10(4), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10040272 - 17 Apr 2024

Viewed by 419

Abstract

Background: The use of chitosan-based gels is still limited due to their restricted solubility in acid solutions, where the molecules have a positive charge. The functionalization of chitosan makes it possible to significantly expand the possibilities of using both the polymer itself and hydrogels based on its derivatives. Objective: To evaluate the effect of the conditions for the production of cryo- and hydrogels based on carboxyethylchitosan (CEC) crosslinked with glutaraldehyde on gel swelling and its resistance to degradation depending on pH and cytotoxic effects and to test the hypothesis that the amount of crosslinking agent during synthesis may affect the cytotoxicity of the gel. Methods: Gels’ swelling values and degradation resistance were determined using the gravimetric method. The cytotoxic effect was evaluated during the co-cultivation of gels in the presence of human fibroblasts using light optical microscopy and flow cytometry. Results: All CEC-based cryogels had a higher equilibrium swelling value and degradation time than the CEC hydrogel in the pH range from 4.6 to 8.0. This demonstrates the superiority of cryogels relative to CEC-based hydrogels in terms of swelling potential and degradation resistance, while an increase in the number of crosslinks with glutaraldehyde contributes to longer swelling of the cryogel. The positive control (intact fibroblasts) and all gel samples were statistically identical in the number of viable cells. On the third day, the viability of the fibroblast cells was consistently high (above 95%) and did not differ between all tested CEC-based gels. And in general, the cell morphology analysis results corresponded with the results obtained in the flow cytometry-based cytotoxicity test. We also did not find proof in our experiment to support our hypothesis that the amount of crosslinking agent during synthesis may affect the cytotoxicity of the material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharide Gels and Beyond: From the Synthesis to Application)

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21 pages, 42043 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Swelling Properties and Sorption Capacity of Maltodextrin-Based Cross-Linked Polymers

by Claudio Cecone, Gjylije Hoti, Fabrizio Caldera, Marco Ginepro, Adrián Matencio and Francesco Trotta

Gels 2024, 10(4), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10040232 - 28 Mar 2024

Viewed by 538

Abstract

The development of polymers obtained from renewable sources such as polysaccharides has gained scientific and industrial attention. Cross-linked bio-derived cationic polymers were synthesized via a sustainable approach exploiting a commercial maltodextrin product, namely, Glucidex 2^®, as the building block, while diglycidyl ethers and triglycidyl ethers were used as the cross-linking agents. The polymer products were characterized via FTIR-ATR, TGA, DSC, XRD, SEM, elemental analysis, and zeta-potential measurements, to investigate their composition, structure, and properties. Polydispersed amorphous granules displaying thermal stabilities higher than 250 °C, nitrogen contents ranging from 0.8 wt % and 1.1 wt %, and zeta potential values between 10 mV and 15 mV were observed. Subsequently, water absorption capacity measurements ranging from 800% to 1500%, cross-linking density determination, and rheological evaluations demonstrated the promising gel-forming properties of the studied systems. Finally, nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate removal tests were performed to assess the possibility of employing the studied polymer products as suitable sorbents for water remediation. The results obtained from the ion chromatography technique showed high sorption rates, with 80% of nitrates, over 90% of sulfates, and total phosphates removal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharide Gels and Beyond: From the Synthesis to Application)

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13 pages, 1364 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Hydrocolloids on Penetration Tests and Syneresis of Binary Gum Gels and Modified Corn Starch–Gum Gels

by Hong-Ting Victor Lin, Jenn-Shou Tsai, Hsiao-Hui Liao and Wen-Chieh Sung

Gels 2023, 9(8), 605; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9080605 - 26 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1142

Abstract

The interactions among agar, gellan gum, gelatin, and modified waxy corn starch in the formation of mixed gels were examined in five different ratios. Binary hydrocolloid gels were prepared using three ingredients: two hydrocolloids (total hydrocolloid concentration: 0.5 wt%, ratios of mixture: 0/0.5, 0.1/0.4, 0.2/0.3, 0.3/0.2, 0.4/0.1, and 0.5/0) and water. The textural properties of the hydrocolloid gels were studied by measuring the gel strength, rigidity, breaking force, breaking point, and syneresis as functions of the mixing ratio. The higher syneresis percentage of binary modified waxy corn starch and gum gels than that of mixed gum gels after cold storage was mainly due to the retrogradation of amylopectin. Agar was shown be the most influential with regards to increasing the gel strength, breaking force, and rigidity among the three kinds of gum, while gellan gum was more effective against syneresis than agar and gelatin for storage periods of 7 and 14 days. In the mixed gels, a dramatic increase in the breaking point from 0 to 0.5% was only exhibited for gellan gum. The results provided useful information, including gel strength, rigidity, breaking force, breaking point, and syneresis, for gum and modified corn starch ingredients selected from refrigerated binary gum gels such as pudding for food product development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharide Gels and Beyond: From the Synthesis to Application)

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15 pages, 3781 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Creating a Functional Biomimetic Cartilage Implant Using Hydrogels Based on Methacrylated Chondroitin Sulfate and Hyaluronic Acid

by Gerke H. Schuiringa, Marko Mihajlovic, Corrinus C. van Donkelaar, Tina Vermonden and Keita Ito

Gels 2022, 8(7), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels8070457 - 21 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2130

Abstract

The load-bearing function of articular cartilage tissue contrasts with the poor load-bearing capacity of most soft hydrogels used for its regeneration. The present study explores whether a hydrogel based on the methacrylated natural polymers chondroitin sulfate (CSMA) and hyaluronic acid (HAMA), injected into warp-knitted spacer fabrics, could be used to create a biomimetic construct with cartilage-like mechanical properties. The swelling ratio of the combined CSMA/HAMA hydrogels in the first 20 days was higher for hydrogels with a higher CSMA concentration, and these hydrogels also degraded quicker, whereas those with a 1.33 wt% of HAMA were stable for more than 120 days. When confined by a polyamide 6 (PA6) spacer fabric, the volumetric swelling of the combined CSMA/HAMA gels (10 wt%, 6.5 × CSMA:HAMA ratio) was reduced by ~53%. Both the apparent peak and the equilibrium modulus significantly increased in the PA6-restricted constructs compared to the free-swelling hydrogels after 28 days of swelling, and no significant differences in the moduli and time constant compared to native bovine cartilage were observed. Moreover, the cell viability in the CSMA/HAMA PA6 constructs was comparable to that in gelatin–methacrylamide (GelMA) PA6 constructs at one day after polymerization. These results suggest that using a HydroSpacer construct with an extracellular matrix (ECM)-like biopolymer-based hydrogel is a promising approach for mimicking the load-bearing properties of native cartilage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharide Gels and Beyond: From the Synthesis to Application)

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Review

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24 pages, 2336 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Polysaccharide-Based Edible Gels as Functional Ingredients: Characterization, Applicability, and Human Health Benefits

by Mihaela Stefana Pascuta, Rodica-Anita Varvara, Bernadette-Emőke Teleky, Katalin Szabo, Diana Plamada, Silvia-Amalia Nemeş, Laura Mitrea, Gheorghe Adrian Martău, Călina Ciont, Lavinia Florina Călinoiu, Gabriel Barta and Dan Cristian Vodnar

Gels 2022, 8(8), 524; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels8080524 - 21 Aug 2022

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4530

Abstract

Nowadays, edible materials such as polysaccharides have gained attention due to their valuable attributes, especially gelling property. Polysaccharide-based edible gels (PEGs) can be classified as (i) hydrogels, (ii) oleogels and bigels, (iii) and aerogels, cryogels and xerogels, respectively. PEGs have different characteristics and benefits depending on the functional groups of polysaccharide chains (e.g., carboxylic, sulphonic, amino, methoxyl) and on the preparation method. However, PEGs are found in the incipient phase of research and most studies are related to their preparation, characterization, sustainable raw materials, and applicability. Furthermore, all these aspects are treated separately for each class of PEG, without offering an overview of those already obtained PEGs. The novelty of this manuscript is to offer an overview of the classification, definition, formulation, and characterization of PEGs. Furthermore, the applicability of PEGs in the food sector (e.g., food packaging, improving food profile agent, delivery systems) and in the medical/pharmaceutical sector is also critically discussed. Ultimately, the correlation between PEG consumption and polysaccharides properties for human health (e.g., intestinal microecology, “bridge effect” in obesity, gut microbiota) are critically discussed for the first time. Bigels may be valuable for use as ink for 3D food printing in personalized diets for human health treatment. PEGs have a significant role in developing smart materials as both ingredients and coatings and methods, and techniques for exploring PEGs are essential. PEGs as carriers of bioactive compounds have a demonstrated effect on obesity. All the physical, chemical, and biological interactions among PEGs and other organic and inorganic structures should be investigated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharide Gels and Beyond: From the Synthesis to Application)

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