Controlled Loading and Release of Beta-Lactoglobulin in Calcium-Polygalacturonate Hydrogels
Journal article, 2020

We show here how the structure of polygalacturonate (polyGalA) hydrogels cross-linked by Ca2+ cations via external gelation controls the loading and release rate of beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), a globular protein. Hydrogels prepared from a polyGalA/BLG solution are found to be similar to those obtained from a polyGalA solution in our previous study (Maire du Poset et al. Biomacromolecules 2019, 20 (7), 2864-2872): they exhibit similar transparencies and gradients of mechanical properties and polyGalA concentrations. The nominal BLG/polyGalA ratio of the mixtures is almost recovered within the whole mixed hydrogel despite such strong concentration gradients, except in the part of the hydrogels with the largest mesh size, where more BLG proteins are present. This gradient enables one to tune the amount of protein loaded within the hydrogel. At a local scale, the proteins are distributed evenly within the hydrogel network, as shown by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The release of proteins from hydrogels is driven by Fickian diffusion, and the release rate increases with the mesh size of the network, with a characteristic time of a few hours. The specific structure of these polysaccharide-based hydrogels allows for control of both the dosage and the release rate of the loaded protein and makes them good candidates for use as oral controlled-delivery systems.

Author

Aline Maire Du Poset

University of Burgundy - Franche-Comté

University Paris-Saclay

SOLEIL Synchrotron

Mikaela Börjesson

University Paris-Saclay

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry

Céline Rameau

University of Burgundy - Franche-Comté

Claire Madeleine-Perdrillat

University Paris-Saclay

Adrien Lerbret

University of Burgundy - Franche-Comté

Camille Loupiac

University Paris-Saclay

University of Burgundy - Franche-Comté

Fabrice Cousin

University Paris-Saclay

Ali Assifaoui

University of Burgundy - Franche-Comté

Biomacromolecules

1525-7797 (ISSN) 1526-4602 (eISSN)

Vol. 21 4 1417-1426

Subject Categories

Polymer Chemistry

Physical Chemistry

Biophysics

DOI

10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01722

PubMed

32109357

More information

Latest update

5/19/2020