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Updated: Oct 30, 2025
Generation of Alginate Microspheres for Biomedical Applications
Published on: August 12, 2012
Design and Optimization of a Self-Assembling Complex Based on Microencapsulated Calcium Alginate and Glutathione
Ricardo I Castro1, Luis Morales-Quintana2, Nancy Alvarado3
1Multidisciplinary Agroindustry Research Laboratory, Carrera de Ingeniería en Construcción, Instituto de Ciencias Químicas Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, 5 Poniente 1670, Talca 3460000, Chile.
Abstract:
The aim of this work was to characterize and optimize the formation of molecular complexes produced by the association of calcium alginate and reduced glutathione (GSH). The influence of varying concentrations of calcium and GSH on the production of microcapsules was analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM). The microcapsules were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA-DTG) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in order to assess the hydration of the complexes, their thermal stability, and the presence of GSH within the complexes. The optimum conditions proposed by RSM to reach the maximum concentration of GSH within complexes were a 15% w/v of GSH and 1.25% w/v of CaCl2, with which a theorical concentration of 0.043 mg GSH per mg of CAG complex was reached.
