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Generation of Alginate Microspheres for Biomedical Applications
Published on: August 12, 2012
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Electron beam treated injectable agarose/alginate beads prepared by electrospraying
Catharina Krömmelbein1, Xiaofan Xie2, Jakob Seifert3
1Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering (IOM), Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Division of Surface Physics, Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 5, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|October 14, 2022
Summary
High-energy electron irradiation of granular agarose/alginate hydrogels sterilizes and softens them. These injectable hydrogels retain crucial dynamic properties for biomedical applications like 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials science
- Tissue engineering
- Radiation chemistry
Background:
- Granular hydrogels offer unique dynamic properties like injectability and porosity.
- These properties make them suitable for advanced biomedical applications, including 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering.
- High-energy electron irradiation provides a method for sterilization and material property modification without cytotoxic chemicals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of high-energy electron irradiation on the mechanical properties and dynamic characteristics of granular agarose/alginate hydrogels.
- To characterize the changes in microparticle size, individual bead mechanics, and bulk hydrogel behavior after irradiation.
- To assess the suitability of irradiated hydrogels for biomedical applications requiring injectability.
Main Methods:
- Granular agarose/alginate hydrogels were prepared using electrospraying.
- Hydrogels were treated with 10 MeV electron irradiation across a sterilization-relevant dose range (0–30 kGy).
- Microparticle size, atomic force microscopy (AFM) of individual beads, and rheological analysis of bulk hydrogel properties were performed.
Main Results:
- Electron irradiation resulted in a size reduction of the microparticles.
- AFM measurements indicated gel softening of individual beads due to radiation-induced chain scission.
- Rheological studies confirmed that the hydrogels maintained shear-thinning and self-healing properties, enabling injection through 27-gauge needles, despite changes in viscoelasticity.
Conclusions:
- High-energy electron irradiation effectively sterilizes granular agarose/alginate hydrogels while inducing beneficial mechanical changes like softening.
- The preserved shear-thinning and self-healing characteristics ensure injectability, crucial for in situ applications.
- This study expands the range of injectable hydrogels and provides a foundation for their use in diverse biomedical scaffolds and regenerative medicine.
