Stabilization of alginate beads using radiation polymerized polyacrylamide.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Materials Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Calcium alginate beads are commonly used for cell immobilization.
• Conventional calcium alginate beads are susceptible to dissolution in citrate solutions, limiting their reusability.
• There is a need for stabilized immobilization matrices that maintain cell viability and activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for stabilizing calcium alginate beads using radiation-polymerized acrylamide.
• To evaluate the chemical stability and reusability of the stabilized beads for biocatalytic applications.

Main Methods:

• A mixture of cells, sodium alginate, acrylamide, and N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide was dropped into cold toluene.
• Frozen beads were stabilized by exposure to 60Co gamma radiation (0.5 KGy).
• Stabilized beads were thawed in CaCl2 solution and tested for stability in trisodium citrate and reusability for sucrose inversion.

Main Results:

• The conjugate beads exhibited enhanced stability and did not dissolve in 3% trisodium citrate solution.
• Stabilized beads successfully entrapped yeast cells.
• The immobilized yeast cells retained activity and chemical integrity over 15 reuse cycles for sucrose inversion.

Conclusions:

• Radiation polymerization of acrylamide provides an effective method for stabilizing calcium alginate beads.
• The stabilized beads offer a robust and reusable matrix for cell immobilization in biocatalysis.
• This technique enhances the longevity and applicability of alginate-based immobilization systems.