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Innovative exopolysaccharide-based hydrogel for controlled phycoerythrin release: Synthesis and characterization
Latifa Tounsi1, Hajer Ben Hlima2, Omayma Ben Soltana2
1Laboratoire de Génie Enzymatique et Microbiologie, Équipe de Biotechnologie des Algues, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, Université de Sfax, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia; Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont Auvergne INP, CNRS, Institut Pascal, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Optimized B-phycoerythrin production in Porphyridium sp. using Box-Behnken design led to a 3.34-fold increase. The resulting exopolysaccharide hydrogel shows promise for controlled drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Marine Biology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Porphyridium sp. is a source of valuable biomolecules like B-phycoerythrin and exopolysaccharides (EPS).
- Optimizing cultivation conditions is crucial for maximizing B-phycoerythrin yield.
- EPS from microalgae can be utilized for developing novel biomaterials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize B-phycoerythrin accumulation in Porphyridium sp. using response surface methodology.
- To characterize the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of B-phycoerythrin.
- To develop and evaluate an exopolysaccharide-based hydrogel for controlled B-phycoerythrin release.
Main Methods:
- Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize NaCl, MgCl2·6H2O, and CaCl2 concentrations for B-phycoerythrin production.
- B-phycoerythrin's antioxidant and antibacterial activities were assessed in vitro.
- Exopolysaccharide was extracted, characterized, and crosslinked with sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) to form a hydrogel.
- Drug release studies were conducted at different pH levels (5.5 and 7.4).
Main Results:
- A 3.34-fold increase in B-phycoerythrin accumulation was achieved under optimized conditions (37 g/L NaCl, 8.6 g/L MgCl2·6H2O, 1.625 g/L CaCl2).
- B-phycoerythrin exhibited significant antioxidant properties and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.
- The Porphyridium sp. EPS hydrogel demonstrated excellent swelling capacity and controlled release of B-phycoerythrin, with lower release at pH 7.4.
- The release kinetics followed the Higuchi model.
Conclusions:
- Optimized cultivation significantly enhances B-phycoerythrin production in Porphyridium sp.
- B-phycoerythrin possesses valuable therapeutic properties.
- The EPS-STMP hydrogel is a promising platform for controlled drug delivery applications.
