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Investigation of alginate gel inhomogeneity in simulated gastro-intestinal conditions using magnetic resonance imaging and transmission electron microscopy

Investigation of alginate gel inhomogeneity in simulated gastro-intestinal conditions using magnetic resonance imaging and transmission electron microscopy

Authors :
Luca Marciani
Phillippa Rayment
Elisabetta Ciampi
Caroline L. Hoad
Michael van Ginkel
Penny A. Gowland
Michael F. Butler
Anthony C. Weaver
Peter Wright
Source :
Carbohydrate Polymers. 77:306-315
Publication Year :
2009
Publisher :
Elsevier BV, 2009.

Abstract

The inhomogeneity of alginate gel beads prepared by an external diffusion method has been characterised using spatially resolved nuclear magnetic resonance or “magnetic resonance imaging” (MRI) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The beads exhibited various degrees of inhomogeneity although reducing the length of exposure to the gelling bath and the presence of non-gelling ions decreased gel inhomogeneity. In order to gain information regarding the gastro-intestinal functionality of these beads for in vivo applications, they were exposed to simulated gastro-intestinal conditions. The increased polymer concentration at the edge of the beads was shown to persist throughout our gastro-intestinal model despite the centre of the bead becoming progressively more porous in nature. The porosity of the alginate gels has been quantified by image analysis of transmission electron micrographs and shown to depend on both location within the bead and gastro-intestinal conditions. We suggest that such changes in porosity of these alginate beads during simulated gastro-intestinal conditions may make these an attractive option for controlled delivery applications in vivo.

Details

ISSN :
01448617
Volume :
77
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Carbohydrate Polymers
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........d3bbff74b0e7d2fb93dbc39b2d5e5e12
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2008.12.025