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Generation of Alginate Microspheres for Biomedical Applications
Published on: August 12, 2012
Calcium phosphate-alginate microspheres as enzyme delivery matrices
C C Ribeiro1, C C Barrias, M A Barbosa
1Laboratório de Biomateriais, INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Rua do Campo Alegre 823, Porto 4150-180, Portugal. cribeiro@ineb.up.pt
Biomaterials
|March 30, 2004
Summary
Novel calcium titanium phosphate-alginate and hydroxyapatite-alginate microspheres were developed for enzyme delivery and bone regeneration. Different incorporation methods yielded distinct enzyme release profiles, enhancing application versatility.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Materials Engineering
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Alginate-based microspheres are promising for biomedical applications.
- Calcium titanium phosphate (CTP) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) are biocompatible ceramics with potential in bone regeneration.
- Controlled enzyme release is crucial for therapeutic efficacy in various diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and characterize novel CTP-alginate and HAp-alginate microspheres.
- To investigate the immobilization and release kinetics of glucocerebrosidase from these microspheres.
- To evaluate the potential of these microspheres as enzyme delivery matrices and bone regeneration templates.
Main Methods:
- Microsphere preparation using varying polymer concentrations and ceramic-to-polymer ratios.
- Characterization of ceramic powders (XRD, laser granulometry, BET, zeta potential, FT-IR) and alginate (HPSEC).
- Enzyme (glucocerebrosidase) incorporation via pre-adsorption or dispersion, followed by release studies.
Main Results:
- Homogeneous microspheres with uniform size were successfully prepared.
- Two distinct enzyme release profiles were observed based on incorporation method: slow release via pre-adsorption, fast release via dispersion.
- The release profile achieved by dispersion closely mimicked that of alginate microspheres alone.
Conclusions:
- CTP-alginate and HAp-alginate microspheres are effective matrices for enzyme immobilization and controlled release.
- The method of enzyme incorporation significantly influences release kinetics, allowing for tailored delivery strategies.
- These novel microspheres offer versatile applications in enzyme therapy and bone tissue engineering.
