Alginate-based microcapsules are used for immunoisolation of cells to release therapeutics on a minute-to-minute basis. Unfortunately, alginate-based microcapsules are suffering from varying degrees of success, which is usually attributed to differences in tissue responses. This results in failure of the therapeutic cells. In the present study we show that commercial, crude alginates may contai...

There has been considerable interest in the biological functions of astaxanthin and its potential applications in the nutraceutical, cosmetics, food, and feed industries in recent years. However, the unstable structure of astaxanthin considerably limits its application. Therefore, this study reports the encapsulation of astaxanthin in calcium alginate beads using the extrusion method to improve...

The catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) can be oxidized by enzymatic action, and then turned into quinone. Laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) is an enzyme produced mainly by fungi of white decomposition, which contains copper, and catalyzes the oxidation of phenolic substrates by coupling the reduction of O 2 to water. The aim of this study is to evaluate the reutilization of Alginate Chitosan Laccase (ACL) bea...

This study presents larvicidal effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) and karanja (Pongamia glabra) oil encapsulated calcium alginate beads (individuals and combination) against mosquito species (Aedes aegypti). Studies were conducted by combining these two oils with and without converting into alginate based encapsulation formulation. Combination (30% neem oil and 70% karanja oil) was found to be...

Alginate beads are one of the most common vehicles for encapsulation. When designing bioartificial organs, they are used as matrix for cell culture. Cell survival and activity depend essentially on the bead physical and mechanical properties. Our objective is to study the feasibility of evaluating mechanical properties of millimetric beads using an ultrasound technique. We show that Lamé’s firs...

Diclofenac sodium and alginate was intercalated into montmorillonite to form uniform sized beads by gelation method. The structure and surface morphology of the synthesized composite beads were characterized by powdered X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Diclofenac release kinetics of the composite in simulat...

Thermally sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide, NIPAAm) hydrogel beads conjugated with a cell adhesive motif, GRGDY, were prepared and utilized as cell culture substrate for chondrocytes. They were produced to be uniform in size and distribution by using calcium alginate as a temporal mold. The RGD moieties were introduced, in a spatially selective manner, to the surface of the beads by conjuga...

A novel, injectable bone tissue engineering material was developed that consisted of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) beads as the solid phase and alginate as the gel phase. To prepare the instantaneously formed composite scaffold, an aqueous calcium chloride solution was dried on the surface of beta-TCP beads and crosslinked with an alginic acid sodium solution, thereby forming stable beta...

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) protoplasts were isolated from the cells of a suspension culture or calli with a solution of Cellulase, Pectinase and Hemicellulase and embedded in Ca-alginate beads. They were cultured with or without nurse cells in MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D and 6-benzylaminopurine at 25°C. After several changes of medium, cell-clusters appeared on the surface of the Ca-algi...