Morphology study of alginate micro/nano particles for the encapsulation of divalents Mg2+ AND Zn2+ IONS

This research work aimed to promote the formation of alginic acid particles and the encapsulation of divalent ions, such as Zn2+ and Mg2+; but using a combination of internal alginate gelation and micro-emulsification method. Both ions are essential elements of the human body, i.e., they are present in tissues and body fluids and participates in many bodily functions. The influence of different parameters was evaluated relate to the formation of the particles in micro/nano-scale, and their morphology was observed. The concentration of both ions used in the formulation was varied considering [0.075, 0.15 and 0.25] mol/L. It was found in general that the formation of particles in nanoscale, with a spherical shape and smooth surfaces (also by Atomic force microscopy AFM) after characterizing by electron microscopy (Scanning SEM and Transmission TEM) with energy-dispersed analysis of X-rays (SEM/EDX). The only evidence of formation of particles at higher concentrations of the ion ([0.25] mol/L) was found when the magnesium ion was used (MgSO4) while the smallest particles (?100nm) were formed when ZnSO4 ([0.25] mol/L) was used. The results suggest that these particles can be used as a coat or carrier for essential nutrients for food fortification, for instance, for others applications in biomedicine or charge drugs in delivery systems

A Low-Cost Open Source Device for Cell Microencapsulation

Microencapsulation is a widely studied cell therapy and tissue bioengineering technique, since it is capable of creating an immune-privileged site, protecting encapsulated cells from the host immune system. Several polymers have been tested, but sodium alginate is in widespread use for cell encapsulation applications, due to its low toxicity and easy manipulation. Different cell encapsulation methods have been described in the literature using pressure differences or electrostatic changes with high cost commercial devices (about 30,000 US dollars). Herein, a low-cost device (about 100 US dollars) that can be created by commercial syringes or 3D printer devices has been developed. The capsules, whose diameter is around 500 µm and can decrease or increase according to the pressure applied to the system, is able to maintain cells viable and functional. The hydrogel porosity of the capsule indicates that the immune system is not capable of destroying host cells, demonstrating that new studies can be developed for cell therapy at low cost with microencapsulation production. This device may aid pre-clinical and clinical projects in low- and middle-income countries and is lined up with open source equipment devices