Original research.
24 November 2022
Porous alginate hydrogel beads cross‑linked with citric acid
containing tannic acid: structural analysis, antimicrobial
properties and release behavior
Celile Demirbilek Bucak, Research and Application Centre for Technology
and Research and Development, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Tayfur Sokmen
Campus, Antakya, Hatay, Türkiye.
Journal Club Presentation
ROSHNI GAYEN, M.PHARM (Pharmaceutics)
JIS UNIVERSITY
Content
Introduction
Objectives
Research Gap
Materials & Methodology
Characterization
Result & Discussion
References
Introduction
Hydrogels are three-dimensional (3D) networks of cross-linked hydrophilic polymer
chains, which have been gained tremendous importance in numerous fields due to their
unique water absorption along with their retention capacity.
The pH-sensitive hydrogels are the most widely used smart hydrogels that can be
stimulated by varying pH to give a significant swelling and de-swelling process. Thus
they can be used in controlled release drug delivery systems.
Hydrogels prepared from natural polymers are more attractive because of their non-
toxicity, biodegradability,biocompatibility, and availability.
In this study, in order to combine more than one feature in a single material structure, a
natural polymer sodium alginate (SA) and phenolic compound Tannic acid (TA) were
combined and cross-linked with a natural compound citric acid (CA).
Objectives
The main objectives of the proposed work are
Preparation of tannic acid incorporated citric acid crosslinked hydrogel beads.
To increase the stability of the active ingredients under control by controlling the
release of functional ingredients.
Characterization of prepared hydrogel beads.
Antimicrobial evaluation of prepared hydrogel beads.
Research Gap
The basis of this study is to rapidly prepare hydrogel beads from sodium alginate/tannic
acid by dropping a small organic molecule into citric acid as a crosslinking agent instead of
traditional divalent metal salts such as CaCl2 to improve the stability of bioactive
components and antioxidants by forming a biocomposite with phenolic materials, which are
active functional materials. For this purpose, natural polymer alginate and tannic acid as
phenolic compound were used in this study.
This study focused on cross-linking sodium alginate polymer with a diferent method than
conventional methods. For this purpose, a complex of Na-Alg with TA was prepared and
dripped into the CA solution. . As a result, hydrogel spheres containing the phenolic active
ingredient TA were formed. Hydrogel spheres were washed with distilled water and
characterized in terms of bond formation, thermal properties, crystal structure and
morphological structure.
Materials and methodology
Materials used:
Sodium alginate
Tannic acid
Citric acid
Distilled water
Methodology
Fig: Synthesis steps of alginate/TA hydrogel beads
Methodology
Fig: Composition of hydrogel beads
Characterization
FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic) study
DSC (Differential scanning calorimetry)
TGA (Thermogravimetric analysis)
XRD (X-ray diffraction diffractometer)
Swelling test
In vitro drug release study
SEM (Scanning electron microscope)
Antibacterial activities of hydrogel beads.
Result and discussion
FTIR study
FTIR spectra of TA, alginate,
ATC-0, and ATC-4 spheres
Differential scanning calorimetry
Fig: DSC thermograms of TA, alginate, TA/alginate spheres
Thermogravimetric analysis
Decomposition temperatures and % weight
Loss values obtained from TGA thermograms
TGA thermograms
X-ray diffraction diffractometer
XRD patterns of TA, alginate, TA/alginate spheres
Swelling study
Effect of TA amount on the swelling ratio (%) of ATC-0, ATC-1, ATC-2, ATC-3, ATC-4 hydrogel beads
In vitro drug release study
The calculated correlation coefficients of TA in vitro
Release profile from ATC hydrogel beads
Release behavior of TA from alginate beads in SGF (200min) .
And SIF (260 min) at 37˚ C
Scanning electron microscope
SEM images of the surface and crosssection of the ATC hydrogel beads
Antibacterial activities of hydrogel beads
Diameters of inhibition zone for sodium
Antibacterial activity against E.coli Antibacterial activity against S.aureus Alginate/TA hydrogel beads against
S.aureus and E.coli
Conclusion
In this study, SA/TA hydrogel beads were successfully synthesized by the
dropwise addition of SA and TA mixtures to the CA solution by utilizing the strong
H-bond formation. All structures were found to have good swelling properties. It
was observed that hydrogel beads containing more TA swelled less at all pH values
due to the steric effect.. Tg value increased as TA amount increased in beads.
According to XRD patterns, a more crystalline structure was formed when the
amorphous SA polymer was cross-linked with CA. It was seen from the SEM
photographs that the TA-free hydrogel beads were porous and folded. In general, it
can be said that the TA release kinetics in hydrogel beads ft the Korsmeyer-Peppas
model. According to antibacterial activities results, SA-TA-CA hydrogel spheres
were more efective against S.aueus than against E.coli.
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