1. Construction and characterization of alginate/calcium β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate hydrogels: Effect of M/G ratios and calcium ion concentration.
- Author
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Wang, Yu-Qiao, Zhang, Qian, Liu, Jia-Cheng, Yan, Jia-Nan, Wang, Ce, Lai, Bin, Zhang, Li-Chao, and Wu, Hai-Tao
- Abstract
Calcium β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (CaHMB), a functional calcium salt, is used to maintain and improve muscle health. Here, a new hydrogel material prepared from alginate (ALG) with three M/G ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 1:2) and CaHMB (0–2 mg/mL) was investigated. CaHMB regulates the formation and properties of ALG hydrogels through chelation and hydrogen bonding. When the M/G ratio was 2:1, the anionic groups of CaHMB containing carboxyl and hydroxyl groups formed hydrogen bonds with the polysaccharide chains, hindering the capture of Ca2+ by the G-residue fragments of ALG, which in turn retarded the gelation process. The noncalcium cross-linked polysaccharide chain structure of ALG and the anionic group of CaHMB also affected the water distribution in the hydrogel, especially when M residue content ≥G residue content. Lower M/G ratios and higher CaHMB concentrations could increase the number of "egg box" crosslinking junctions of calcium alginate, and the microstructure was denser in the gel pores, resulting in a stronger gel strength and more free water bound in the gel matrix. This study provides a theoretical and methodological basis for the design of novel hydrogels by studying the crosslinking features of ALG/CaHMB. • Alginate and calcium β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (ALG/CaHMB) successfully form gels. • Hydrogen bonds between anionic groups of CaHMB and ALG delay the gel formation. • More guluronate residues enhance the crosslinking density forming denser networks. • Higher CaHMB concentrations promote the formation of more "egg box" structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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