Synthesis and Characterization of Triticale Starch-Based Hydrogel for pH Responsive Controlled Diffusion.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Declining profitability of natural sources for biomaterials necessitates sustainable alternatives.
• Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) is an underutilized cereal crop with potential for biomaterial synthesis.
• Existing biomaterials often lack specific stimulus-response properties for targeted applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a novel, natural anionic hydrogel from Eronga triticale starch.
• To investigate the hydrogel's gastrointestinal pH stimulus-response properties.
• To evaluate triticale starch-based hydrogels as a sustainable smart material alternative.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of anionic hydrogel using triticale starch and citrate cross-linking.
• Characterization via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and 1H NMR.
• Thermal analysis (DSC/TGA), rheological measurements, and drug release studies (BSA) under varying pH conditions.

Main Results:

• Characterization confirmed starch granule types, semicrystallinity, presence of anionic groups (COOH), and esterification.
• Hydrogels exhibited good thermal stability and viscoelastic properties, influenced by glycerol content.
• Demonstrated significant gastrointestinal pH sensitivity (pH ~2-7.8) with controlled BSA release kinetics (anomalous and Case-II diffusion).

Conclusions:

• Triticale starch is a viable, low-cost biomass for creating functional anionic hydrogels.
• The synthesized hydrogel exhibits desirable pH-responsive behavior and rheological performance.
• This triticale starch-based hydrogel presents a promising, sustainable smart material for diverse applications.