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Tuning casein coagulation and structure: Exploring the effects of ionic strength and glycerol
Davood Kolahreez1, Laleh Ghasemi-Mobarakeh2, Farzaneh Alihosseini2
1Department of Textile Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran; Institute of Chemistry of Renewable Resources, Department of Natural Sciences and Sustainable Resources, BOKU University, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 24, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria; Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Agricultural Sciences, BOKU University, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 20, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Austria.
Ionic strength significantly impacts casein hydrogel properties. Higher ionic strength yields denser, stronger hydrogels, while lower strength results in more opaque, less compact materials, offering tunable biomaterial design.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Materials Chemistry
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Casein-based materials are sustainable biomaterials.
- The effect of ionic strength on casein hydrogel structure is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate how ionic strength affects casein hydrogel coagulation and properties.
- Explore potential applications of tunable casein hydrogels.
Main Methods:
- Coagulation of sodium caseinate solutions at varying buffer strengths (30-300 mM).
- Characterization of hydrogel water content, compactness, mechanical, and optical properties.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for structural analysis, aided by glycerol treatment.
Main Results:
- Buffer strength significantly influences hydrogel water content, compactness, mechanical strength, and opacity.
- Lower ionic strength (100 mM) resulted in less compact, weaker, and more opaque hydrogels compared to higher ionic strength (300 mM).
- Glycerol treatment prevented drying-induced collapse and improved rehydration, revealing hydroresponsive switchable opacity.
Conclusions:
- Ionic strength is a critical parameter for tailoring casein hydrogel properties.
- Tunable mechanical and optical properties enable applications in wound dressings, tissue engineering scaffolds, and drug delivery.
- Controlled coagulation conditions are key for designing advanced casein-based biomaterials.
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