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Published on: November 9, 2016
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High precision microfluidic microencapsulation of bacteriophages for enteric delivery
Gurinder K Vinner1, Danish J Malik1
1Chemical Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, United Kingdom.
Research in Microbiology
|June 11, 2018
Summary
This study microencapsulated Salmonella bacteriophage Felix O1 using pH-responsive polymers and microfluidics. The resulting microparticles offer targeted gastrointestinal delivery and controlled release, effectively arresting bacterial growth.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Bacteriophages offer a promising alternative to antibiotics for combating bacterial infections.
- Effective delivery of bacteriophages to the gastrointestinal tract requires protection from harsh acidic conditions.
- Microencapsulation techniques are crucial for developing stable and targeted phage-based therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a pH-responsive microencapsulation system for Salmonella bacteriophage Felix O1.
- To investigate the impact of microparticle size and alginate concentration on phage protection and release.
- To evaluate the efficacy of microencapsulated phages in simulated gastrointestinal conditions.
Main Methods:
- Microencapsulation of bacteriophage Felix O1 using Eudragit® S100 and sodium alginate in a pH-responsive polymer formulation.
- Utilized commercially available co-flow microfluidic devices for controlled droplet generation (50-200 μm).
- Assessed phage protection in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and release in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), followed by bacterial growth inhibition assays.
Main Results:
- Microparticle size and alginate concentration significantly influenced acid protection and phage release profiles.
- Larger microparticles (∼100 μm) and higher alginate concentrations (up to 2% w/v) enhanced acid protection.
- Formulations with 10% Eudragit® S100 and 1% alginate provided excellent phage protection in SGF, with subsequent release and bacterial growth inhibition in SIF.
Conclusions:
- Readily available microfluidic chips enable efficient production of phage-encapsulated microparticles for targeted gastrointestinal delivery.
- The developed system demonstrates effective protection and controlled release of bacteriophages, showing potential for phage therapy applications.
- Optimized microencapsulation parameters are key to enhancing the stability and efficacy of phage-based antimicrobials.
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