Mixed gels based on alginate and pectin: synthesis and properties

K.Y. Samchenko; O.V. Goncharuk; P.V. Vorotytskiy; L.O. Kernosenko; T.P. Poltoratska; N.O. Pasmurtceva; V.G. Kolesnichenko; Yu.M. Samchenko

doi:10.15407/hftp17.01.012

Authors

K.Y. Samchenko F.D. Ovcharenko Institute of Biocolloid Chemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine / National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”
O.V. Goncharuk F.D. Ovcharenko Institute of Biocolloid Chemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine / Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2554-8297
P.V. Vorotytskiy F.D. Ovcharenko Institute of Biocolloid Chemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2250-7798
L.O. Kernosenko F.D. Ovcharenko Institute of Biocolloid Chemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
T.P. Poltoratska F.D. Ovcharenko Institute of Biocolloid Chemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
N.O. Pasmurtceva F.D. Ovcharenko Institute of Biocolloid Chemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
V.G. Kolesnichenko Frantsevich Institute for Problems of Materials Science of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7143-9456
Yu.M. Samchenko F.D. Ovcharenko Institute of Biocolloid Chemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15407/hftp17.01.012

Keywords:

polysaccharides, alginate, pectin, mixed gels, ionotropic cross-linking, thermal analysis, kinetics of swelling, diffusion exponent, types of diffusion

Abstract

Biopolymers, particularly polysaccharides such as pectin, chіtosan and alginate, offer significant potential in addressing numerous current environmental and health issues. In contrast to synthetic polymers, natural polysaccharides possess valuable properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity. Due to that, they have proven their efficiency in biomedical applications for drug encapsulation and delivery, wound healing and tissue engineering. Moreover, their natural origin and environmental compatibility make them highly suitable for applications in agriculture, particularly in soil conditioning and remediation. These well-known, commercially available biopolymers have unique functional properties which, when combined, can improve their physicochemical properties synergistically.

Methods of Calcium Alginate and mixed polysaccharides based on Alginate and Pectins A and LM synthesis in the form of spherical beads with adjustable diameter were developed, and the influence of the nature and concentration of the components on their properties was analysed. The morphology of the synthesized polysaccharide gels (based on Alginate, Alginate-Pectin A and Alginate-Pectin LM) was examined by means of electron microscopy (SEM), while their chemical structure was confirmed by FTIR. The elemental composition of the synthesised polysaccharides was studied using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), while their thermostability and thermolysis processes were analysed using thermogravimetric analysis. It was demonstrated that the synthesised polysaccharide beads could withstand steam sterilisation at 121 °C without undergoing significant changes. This opens up the possibility of using them in various biomedical technologies. Studying the swelling kinetics of polysaccharide gels in different solvents (water, saline and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)) enabled us to determine their inherent Fick diffusion type.

The developed mixed polysaccharides show promise as a synthetic soil conditioner for agricultural use and for targeted delivery and controlled release of medicine.

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