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A computational investigation is furnished to explore the responses of a Darcy–Forchheimer EMHD Williamson flow of a Sodium Alginate ( C 6 H 9 NaO 7) -based Ag-Al2O3 hybrid nanofluid passing over a vertically exponentially stretching cylinder emerged through a porous region. The prime focus of this research is to encompass the inclusion of nonlinear variations in heat distribution, Newtonian boundary heating (NBH) effects, and the influence of thermo-convection alongside suction effects. Key parameters, including thermal buoyancy, Darcy porous medium effects, heat source/sink effects, Biot number, variable thermal index, and thermal convection factor, are comprehensively analyzed as these combining factors can play a crucial role in optimizing the efficacy of several systems such as heat exchanger, material processing and geothermal system that involve the concept of thermo-transportation mechanism. The physical flow dynamics are modeled, employing suitable similarity transformations, and subsequently translated into a dimensionless form. The ensuing collection of modified nonlinear ordinary differential equations is solved by employing the Bvp4c solver bundled into the MATLAB program. Several parameters are scrutinized through graphical presentations to elucidate their impacts on the velocity curve, temperature curve, skin friction coefficient, and Nusselt index. It is worth mentioning that the heat distribution profile significantly escalated for the rising values of several factors such as electric field parameter, varying thermal index, Biot number and shape factor, but the reverse is the pattern with suction and thermo-convection effect. Also, the thermal transportation rate at the proximity of the vertical cylindrical wall appears to exhibit an increment of about an average of 47% in SA-based Williamson hybrid nanofluid compared to Williamson fluid for thermo-convective effect, NBH, and thermal buoyancy. Furthermore, the proximate shear stress rate appears to be amplified by approximately 39% in Williamson hybrid nanofluid when contrasted with Williamson fluid for electric field parameter and thermo-convection effect alongside the raised Darcy–Forchheimer factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a straightforward method was employed to synthesize HNTs@PDA/SA/ZIF-8 gel beads, which involved the in situ formation of ZIF-8 on halloysite nanotubes coated with polydopamine/sodium alginate (HNTs@PDA/SA). The resultant beads were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of pH, contact time, and initial concentration were investigated in binary adsorption systems for heavy metals. The adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model, in contrast to the pseudo-first-order and intraparticle diffusion models. Furthermore, the adsorption isotherms were effectively modeled using the extended Langmuir (EL), extended Langmuir–Freundlich (ELF), and modified competitive Langmuir (MCL) isotherm models, which all provided reasonable fits to the experimental data. Notably, the HNTs@PDA/SA@ZIF-8 gel beads demonstrated excellent resistance to co-existing ion interference and exhibited robust regeneration capabilities over four adsorption–desorption cycles. Overall, the HNTs@PDA/SA@ZIF-8 gel beads proved to be highly effective for the adsorption of heavy metals in binary systems, making them promising candidates for wastewater treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, bonito (Sarda sarda) fillets were treated with sucrose-sorbitol, sodium tripolyphosphate, and sodium alginate as cryoprotectants before freezing to prevent changes in fish muscle during multiple freezing cycles and frozen storage. Lower soluble protein contents were determined in cryoprotectant-treated groups than in the control group. Lower polar and non-polar free amino acid contents were determined with the sodium tripolyphosphate group in the last cycle compared to the other groups. Cryoprotectant-added fillets had higher water-holding capacity and lower hardness values than the control. It was determined that the most effective cryoprotectant was sodium tripolyphosphate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inefficiency of traditional fertilizers in nutrient utilization has led to various ecological and environmental problems. Green agriculture requires environmentally friendly fertilizers that can respond to environmental changes to regulate nutrient release. In this study, N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and sodium alginate (SA) were utilized as monomers sensitive to temperature and pH variations, while hydrochloric acid-modified attapulgite (ATP) served as an inorganic filler to prepare composite hydrogels (SPAA) with environmentally responsive properties, and these composite hydrogels were used as carriers for the preparation of hydrogel fertilizers for urea. The results showed that the compositing of modified ATP could enhance the swelling properties of hydrogels. Compared with the blank sample, the maximum water absorption capacity of the ATP-composite hydrogel was enhanced by about 75.4%, and the water preserved by the ATP-composite hydrogel was about 2.75 times of that of the blank sample under drying condition of 30°C for 6 h. Meanwhile, hydrogel fertilizers SPAA-U(S) and SPAA-U(P) were prepared by solubilization adsorption and polymerization embedding in this study, and both fertilizers possessed slow-release characteristics, with nutrient release time in water exceeding 30 h. The nutrient release behavior of the fertilizers responded to the environment, and the slow-release effect was optimal under the conditions of 20°C and pH = 7. Under acidic, alkaline and high temperature conditions, the ability of the hydrogel to immobilize water molecules decreases, which also leads to easier release of urea from the hydrogel matrix along with water molecules. The hydrogel fertilizer developed in this work can improve the utilization of fertilizer and promote the high quality and sustainable development development of agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treating osteoarthritis (OA) associated pain is a challenge with the potential to significantly improve patients lives. Here, we report on a hydrogel for extracellular RNA scavenging and releasing bevacizumab to block neurovascularization at the osteochondral interface, thereby mitigating OA pain and disease progression. The hydrogel is formed by cross-linking aldehyde-phenylboronic acid-modified sodium alginate/polyethyleneimine-grafted protocatechuic acid (OSAP/PPCA) and bevacizumab sustained-release nanoparticles (BGN@Be), termed OSPPB. The dynamic Schiff base bonds and boronic ester bonds allow for injectability, self-healing, and pH/reactive oxygen species dual responsiveness. The OSPPB hydrogel can significantly inhibit angiogenesis and neurogenesis in vitro. In an in vivo OA model, intraarticular injection of OSPPB accelerates the healing process of condyles and alleviates chronic pain by inhibiting neurovascularization at the osteochondral interface. The injectable hydrogel represents a promising technique to treat OA and OA associated pain. Treating osteoarthritis associated pain is challenging. Here, the authors on a hydrogel for extracellular RNA scavenging and releasing bevacizumab to block angiogenesis and neurogenesis at the osteochondral interface, mitigating pain and disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organoids as self-organized structure derived from stem cells can recapitulate the function of an organ in miniature form which have developed great potential for clinical translation, drug screening and personalized medicine. Nevertheless, the majority of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) are currently being cultured in the basement membrane matrices (BMMs), which are constrained by xenogeneic origin, batch-to-batch variability, cost, and complexity. Besides, organoid culture relies on biochemical signals provided by various growth factors in the composition of medium. We propose sodium alginate hydrogel scaffold in addition to the fibroblast conditioned medium (FCM)-enriched culture medium that is inexpensive and easily amenable to clinical applications for the culture of bladder cancer PDOs. PDOs grown in sodium alginate and FCM based medium have proliferation potential, growth rate, and gene expression that are similar to PDOs cultured in BME. According to the results, sodium alginate has substantial mechanical properties and reduces variance in early passage bladder tumor organoid cultures collected from patients. Furthermore, using FCM based medium as an alternative solution to eliminate some essential growth factors can be considered, especially for low-resource situation and develop cost effective tumor organoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels have emerged as a promising material for the removal of heavy metal ions from contaminated water owing to their high water absorption capacity and biocompatibility. Despite notable advancements in improving the adsorptive capacity of hydrogels, the demand for a more efficient structure persists. Here, we explore the ion adsorption performance of crosslinked hydrogels based on chitosan and sodium alginate with various ratios of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene platelets (GNP). This study highlights the adsorption of chromium ions and the thermal stability of hydrogels for pure, single-particle, and hybrid nanocomposites. The results depict a uniform microstructure attained when CNT, GNP, or both are implemented into the hydrogel due to the strong interaction of functional moieties. The incorporation of CNT and GNP manipulates the crystalline structure of the hydrogels, lowering their crystallinity by around 28% and 13%, respectively. The synergistic effect of CNT and GNP in hybrid hydrogels raises the decomposition temperature by 16%, indicating a favorable interplay interaction between nanoparticles and polymers. Calculations of the adsorption capacity accentuate such a mutual effect between CNT and GNP in various loads of ion capture from aqueous solutions. Kinetic models fitted to the hydrogel nanocomposites reveal that the pseudo-second-order model aligns better with the experimental data in comparison to the pseudo-first-order and intraparticle diffusion models, addressing the adsorption mechanisms while capturing chromium ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin tissue engineering has become an increasingly popular alternative to conventional treatments for skin injuries. Hydrogels, owing to their advantages have become the ideal option for wound dressing, and they are extensively employed in a mixture of different drugs to accelerate wound healing. Sodium alginate is a readily available natural polymer with advantages such as bio-compatibility and a non-toxicological nature that is commonly used in hydrogel form for medical applications such as wound repair and drug delivery in skin regenerative medicine. Losartan is a medicine called angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that can prevent fibrosis by inhibiting AT1R (angiotensin II type 1 receptor). In this research, for the first time, three-dimensional scaffolds based on cross-linked alginate hydrogel with CaCl2 containing different concentrations of losartan for slow drug release and exudate absorption were prepared and characterized as wound dressing. Alginate hydrogel was mixed with 10, 1, 0.1, and 0.01 mg/mL of losartan, and their properties such as morphology, chemical structure, water uptake properties, biodegradability, stability assay, rheology, blood compatibility, and cellular response were evaluated. In addition, the therapeutic efficiency of the developed hydrogels was then assessed in an in vitro wound healing model and with a gene expression. The results revealed that the hydrogel produced was very porous (porosity of 47.37 ± 3.76 µm) with interconnected pores and biodegradable (weight loss percentage of 60.93 ± 4.51% over 14 days). All hydrogel formulations have stability under various conditions. The use of CaCl2 as a cross-linker led to an increase in the viscosity of alginate hydrogels. An in vitro cell growth study revealed that no cytotoxicity was observed at the suggested dosage of the hydrogel. Increases in Losartan dosage, however, caused hemolysis. In vivo study in adult male rats with a full-thickness model showed greater than 80% improvement of the primary wound region after 2 weeks of treatment with alginate hydrogel containing 0.1 mg/mL Losartan. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis showed a decrease in expression level of TGF-β1 and VEGF in treatment groups. Histological analysis demonstrated that the alginate hydrogel containing Losartan can be effective in wound repair by decreasing the size of the scar and tissue remodeling, as evidenced by future in vivo studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sprouting and glycoside alkaloid induction usually occur in potato tubers, which are the main challenges in potato tuber storage. Essential oils bear the potential to inhibit potato sprouting, but their high volatility and instability limit their application. In this study, citronella essential oil (CEO) hydrogels were prepared by the ionic gelation method to enhance the sprout inhibition effect. The optimal conditions for the preparation of CEO hydrogels were sodium alginate (SA) concentration of 1.56%, CaCl2 concentration of 2.26%, core-to-wall ratio of 2.02:1, and Tween-80 concentration of 0.15%. The SEM, FT-IR, XRD, and DSC images demonstrated that the CEO had been successfully encapsulated in hydrogels with improved thermal stability. CEO hydrogel slowly releases CEO within 1 week for sustained sprout inhibition. At 16 days of storage at 25 °C, the sprouting rate of the CEO hydrogel-treated potatoes was 42.06%, while that of the control check (CK) group was 100.00%, and at 180 days of storage at 3 °C, the sprouting rate was 10.83% in the treated potato tubers, while that of the CK group was 58.33%. The potato tubers treated with CEO hydrogel at either 3 or 25 °C maintained better quality. This indicated that CEO hydrogel can be used as a new potential potato sprout inhibitor in potato tubers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Leonurine has many biological activities such as improving microcirculation, anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis, scavenging free radicals, anti- inflammation, and anti-fibrosis, and can promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, which has the potential to be applied in the treatment of periodontitis. OBJECTIVE: To explore the anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects of leonurine loading into chitosan/sodium glycerophosphate/sodium alginate hydrogel. METHODS: (1) Chitosan/sodium glycerophosphate/sodium alginate hydrogel (blank hydrogel) and chitosan/sodium glycerophosphate/sodium alginate/leonurus alkali hydrogel were prepared respectively. RAW 264.7 and MC3T3-E1 cells were inoculated with the two kinds of hydrogel. The cytotoxicity of hydrogels was detected by CCK-8 assay and live/dead cell staining. (2) RAW 264.7 cells were cultured in five groups. The blank group was cultured for 24 hours routinely. The lipopolysaccharide group was treated with lipopolysaccharide. The simple hydrogel group was treated with lipopolysaccharide and blank hydrogel. The drug- loaded hydrogel group was treated with lipopolysaccharide and drug-loaded hydrogel. The inhibitor group was treated with lippolysaccharide, drug-loaded hydrogel, and PI3K inhibitor LY294002. 24 hours later, mRNA expression of inflammation-related factors was detected by qRT-PCR. Western blot assay was utilized to detect the protein expression of inflammation-related factors and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. (3) MC3T3-E1 cells were inoculated in four groups. The blank group was cultured without any material. The simple hydrogel group was treated with blank hydrogel. The drug-loaded hydrogel group was treated with drug-loaded hydrogel. The inhibitor group was treated with drug-loaded hydrogel and PI3K inhibitor LY294002 for 7 days. Alkaline phosphatase staining was performed. mRNA expression levels of osteogenic factors were detected by qRT-PCR. The protein expression levels of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The results of CCK-8 assay and live/dead cell staining showed that the two kinds of hydrogels had no cytotoxic effect and had good cytocompatibility. (2) Compared with the blank group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 1β were significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the protein expression levels of p-AKT, p-PI3K, p-p65, and p-IκBα were significantly increased in the lipopolysaccharide group (P < 0.05). Compared with lipopolysaccharide group, mRNA and protein expression levels of the above indexes were decreased in drug-loaded hydrogel group (P < 0.05). Compared with the drug-loaded hydrogel group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of the above indexes were decreased in the inhibitor group (P < 0.05). (3) The activity of alkaline phosphatase in drug-loaded hydrogel group was higher than that in the blank group, simple hydrogel group, and inhibitor group (P < 0.05). Compared with blank group, the mRNA expression levels of alkaline phosphatase, Runx2, osteocalcin, and type I collagen were increased (P < 0.05), and the protein expression levels of p-AKT and p-PI3K were increased in the simple hydrogel group (P < 0.05). Compared with the simple hydrogel group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of the above indexes were increased in the drug-loaded hydrogel group (P < 0.05). Compared with the drug-loaded hydrogel group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of the above indexes were decreased in the inhibitor group (P < 0.05). (4) These findings conclude that chitosan/sodium glycerophosphate/sodium alginate/leonurine hydrogel has anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects, which may be related to the regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel hydrogel nanofiltration (NF) membrane is developed through the coating-crosslinking method by synergistically utilizing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) into the hydrogel coatings of sodium alginate (SA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on a porous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix membrane. The experimental findings demonstrate that the P-MT@SA-PVA-PVDF hydrogel NF membrane displays outstanding separation performance, hydrophilicity, and antifouling properties. When the ratio of MWCNTs to PVP is kept at 1:4, the pure water flux of the prepared hydrogel NF membrane reaches 226.2 L/(m2ˑh). The rejection rates for Coomassie brilliant blue, Congo red, and Methylene blue are 96.3%, 95.8%, and 92.1%, respectively. Moreover, the total fouling rate of the membrane is merely 28.7%, and the flux recovery rate can attain 93.1%. The remarkable hydrophilicity and highly efficient rejection rates for dyes indicate broad application prospects of MWCNTs-modified hydrogel NF membranes in the field of printing and dyeing wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel microspheres are attracting interest in biomedical applications due to their easy degradation and non-toxic nature. However, their high swelling capacity and limited loading efficiency for hydrophobic drugs hinder their application in controlled drug release. The objective of the work is to develop smart vehicles that show effective loading and controlled release of hydrophobic drug. In this study, a series of tragacanth gum/β-cyclodextrin/sodium alginate (TG/β-CD/SA) hydrogel microspheres were designed via the ionotropic gelation method for delivery of hydrophobic drug aspirin. The effect of variation in TG, SA, and β-CD concentration on hydrogel microspheres swelling (%) was examined. The hydrogel microspheres were analyzed using Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques. ATR-FTIR confirmed the successful synthesis of crosslinked TG/β-CD/SA hydrogel microspheres. PXRD showed that the microspheres are amorphous and that the drug is uniformly dispersed within the hydrogel. SEM revealed that the polymeric network has a porous and spherical surface morphology. The drug loading (%), sol–gel fraction (%), degradation (%), and rheological studies were investigated. The in vitro analysis shows a controlled release pattern at pH 1.2 and 7.4 in the TG/β-CD/SA hydrogel. The rheological analysis revealed that the elastic nature is dominant over the viscous one (G' > G") in synthesized TG/β-CD/SA hydrogel microspheres. The cytotoxicity evaluations conducted on the HCT-116 cell line indicate the excellent biocompatibility (87.9%) of the hydrogel. The degradation profile of the hydrogel microsphere in pH 7.4 demonstrates complete degradation (100%). Hence, the TG/β-CD/SA hydrogel microsphere reflects its potential as a non-toxic, degradable, and pH-dependent drug delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of advanced adsorbents for the removal of heavy metal ion pollution from organic dyes and industrial wastewater has garnered significant research interest. In this study, a novel composite gel consisting of chitosan modified diatomite (DE/CS), sodium alginate (SA), and polyethyleneimine (PEI) (DE/CS-PEI@SA) was synthesized using the ion crosslinking method. The composite gels were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry/thermal gravimetric analysis (DSC/TGA), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller systems (BET). Their adsorption properties and mechanisms towards copper Cu(II) and lead Pb(II) ions were investigated using infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive spectroscopy, (EDS) and Zeta potential analyses. The DE/CS-PEI@SA composite gels exhibited numerous uniform folds on its surface, boasting a specific surface area (18.96 m2/g) and a pore size ranging from 1.5 to 80.0 nm, demonstrating robust thermal stability pre- and post- adsorption. Notably, the composite gels demonstrated impressive adsorption capacities for Cu(II) (174.39 mg/g) and Pb(II) (295.04 mg/g), respectively. The incorporation of DE/CS and PEI into the composite gel contributed to a complex pore structure with numerous accessible sites. The adsorption behavior of the composite gel was effectively described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model. The primary adsorption mechanism was characterized by single-molecule chemisorption, which encompassed coordination adsorption, ion exchange, and electrostatic attraction. Furthermore, the composite gel demonstrated significant efficiency in adsorption, cost-effectiveness, and ease of separation, making it a promising candidate for wastewater treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: Epalrestat is the most common Aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) approved for blood glucose management in several countries and has also shown efficacy in preventing the onset of diabetic neuropathy (DN), and diabetic retinopathy. The present study aims to formulate and evaluate the effectiveness of Alginate beads of epalrestat in Streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetic rats in order to effectively manage the diabetes. Method: Various formulations of Sodium cross-linked alginate beads containing epalrestat (F1 to F9) were prepared based on full factorial design by ionotropic gelation method. The formulations were characterized for particle size, % Drug entrapment efficiency (DEE), Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction Study (X-RD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and In-Vitro Release Studies. Optimized formulation (F6) [containing sodium alginate (2.5%w/v), epalrestat (2.5%w/v), and calcium chloride (2.5%w/v)] was subjected to in-Vivo efficacy testing in diabetic rats. Result: Epalrestat-loaded beads were prepared (F1 to F9; Size = 3.21 μm; DEE = 97%) successfully using sodium alginate as polymer and calcium chloride solution as the crosslinking agent by modified ionotropic gelation method Optimized formulation showed a % DEE of 97% and highest drug release of 95% at the end of 10 hrs. Drug Release Kinetic of optimized formulation followed first-order kinetic. Further, the hypoglycemic effect was observed over a longer period 50% reduction after 2 hrs and continued till 4 hrs. In addition, normoglycemia was maintained till 12 hrs (20% reduction) in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Conclusion: The formulation F6 was found to be superior compared to all the other formulations because the percentage drug entrapment efficiency was highest and there was no chemical interaction took place between the drug and polymer (Confirmed by DSC and XRD studies). In-vivo study showed prolonged hypoglycaemia till 12 hrs with a maximum reduction at 2 hrs Compared to plain drug suspension (20% reduction till 5 hrs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phycocyanin from Spirulina sp. exhibits significant nutritive benefits but faces major limitations in industrial applications due to instability toward abiotic stress factors such as light, temperature, and pH. Encapsulation is an effective solution to enhance phycocyanin's stability against these stressors. The present study analyzed the double encapsulation of phycocyanin by optimizing encapsulant ratios of maltodextrin (MD) and sodium alginate (SA). The testing formulations used in the study were 6.5%, 7.5%, and 8.5% w/w of MD and 3.5%, 2.5%, and 1.5% w/w of SA, formulated in the ratio of 6.5 MD:3.5SA, 7.5 MD:2.5SA, and 8.5 MD:1.5SA and encapsulated phycocyanin in 1:1 ratio. The results showed that the 8.5 MD:1.5 SA matrix achieved the highest encapsulation efficiency (99.8 ± 0.01%), supported by structural and functional analyses, including thermal degradation and antioxidant activity studies. Thermal stability of the 8.5 MD:1.5 SA encapsulated phycocyanin was retained for 30 min at 60 °C, and antioxidant activity remained high, with 90.2 ± 0.47% at 30 min. In vitro release studies further revealed that the 8.5 MD:1.5 SA matrix effectively protected phycocyanin in acidic environments, with the potential for targeted release in the small intestine. Overall, the 8.5 MD:1.5 SA encapsulated phycocyanin demonstrates enhanced stability, making it a promising candidate as a functional food and natural colorant in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn this study, liposomes consisting of soybean phosphatidyl choline (SoyPC) and different molar concentrations (10 mol% and 20 mol%) of dioleoyl trimethylammoniumpropane (DOTAP) were prepared by the thin film hydration method and coated with sodium hyaluronate (NaHA) of different MWs (8–15 kDa, 30–50 kDa and 90–130 kDa) and concentrations (0.01–0.2% w/w) using phosphate buffer (PB) or glycerol phosphate buffer (G-PB) as the hydration medium. These NaHA coated liposomes could have a potential in the treatment of dry mouth since glycerol and NaHA are known for their lubricating and hydrating properties. The liposomes composed of SoyPC-DOTAP 20 mol%, and coated with NaHA MW 90–130 kDa, 0.05% w/w were found to be most stable during storage. The liposomes with 20 mol% DOTAP coated with NaHA MW 30–50 kDa, 0.05% w/w showed promising results as these stayed stable for at least two weeks. However, the liposomes coated with NaHA MW 8–15 kDa were generally unstable irrespective of the combinations of the investigated parameters. When the stable liposomes were introduced into artificial saliva (AS), aggregation rapidly occurred. Sodium alginate (NaAlg) coated liposomes that were prepared for comparison were found to be stable in AS. The study has demonstrated the influence of the amount of charged lipid which must be high, the polymer MW which must lay in the area 30 kDa-130 kDa and coating concentration which should be intermediate 0.05% w/w in preparing stable NaHA coated liposomes. Further studies need to be conducted to understand the instability exhibited by the NaHA coated liposomes in AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]