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Published on: October 8, 2021
Novel biopolymer matrices for microencapsulation of phages: enhanced protection against acidity and protease activity
Cecilia Dini1, Germán A Islan, Patricio J de Urraza
1CIDCA (CONICET-UNLP) CCT La Plata, 1900, La Plata, Argentina. cdini@biol.unlp.edu.ar
Abstract:
Phage therapy by oral administration requires enhanced resistance of phages to the harsh gastric conditions. The aim of this work is the microencapsulation of phages in natural biopolymeric matrices as a protective barrier against the gastric environment. Alginate and pectin are used as base polymers. Further emulsification with oleic acid or coating with a different biopolymer is also studied. Emulsified pectin shows the maximum encapsulation efficiency and the highest protection against acidity, leaving more than 10(3) active phages after 30 min exposure at pH = 1.6, and protects phage from pepsin activity (4.2 mg mL(-1)). Non-encapsulated phages are fully inactivated at pH = 1.6 or with pepsin (0.5 mg mL(-1)) after 10 min.
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