Porous matrix of calcium alginate/gelatin with enhanced properties as scaffold for cell culture.

Hydrophilic polysaccharides can be used to prepare porous matrices with a range of possible applications. One such application involves acting as scaffolds for cell culture. A new homogeneous and highly porous biopolymeric porous matrix (BPM) of calcium alginate/gelatin was produced by following a simple process. The key to this process was the selection of the porogen (aerated gelatin). The preparation technique comprises the following steps: incorporating the porogen into the solution of alginate (3%), molding, cross-linking the alginate in 1.41% CaCl2 (maximum gel strength; Cuadros et al., 2012. Carbohydr. Polym. 89, 1198-1206), molding, leaching and lyophilization. Cylinders of BPM were shown to have a relative density of 0.0274 ± 0.002, porosity of 97.26 ± 0.18%, an average internal pore size of 204 ± 58 µm and enhanced mechanical properties, while imbibing more than 11 times their dry weight in water. In vitro cell culture testing within BPM using mesenchymal stem cells was demonstrated by MTT assays and expression of alkaline phosphatase. The BPM provided a suitable microenvironment for seeding, adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of cells. The preparation technique and resulting porous matrix represent potential tools for future study and further applications.

Mechanical properties of calcium alginate fibers produced with a microfluidic device.

Fibers are important microstructural elements in many foods. The main objective of this research was to produce calcium alginate fibers with uniform diameters (about 300 and 550 µm) using a microfluidic device (MFD) and to study the effect of concentration of sodium alginate [Alg] and calcium chloride [CaCl2] on their mechanical properties (MP). Moisture content (MO) and MP as maximum tensile stress (σmax), tensile strain at break (ΔL/L0) and apparent Young's modulus (E) of fibers were determined and a statistical model and surface responses were developed as a function of [Alg] and [CaCl2]. As [CaCl2] increased first a strengthening and then a weakening of fibers were observed. Furthermore, σmax increased with the addition of Ca(2+) and a maximum of σmax was obtained for a [CaCl2] around 1.4% (exceeding several times the stoichiometric requirements of the carboxylate groups of the polymer). Such behavior prompted a molecular explanation of what happens during gelation based on the "egg-box model" and this model is tried to complete. Moreover, fibers with [Alg] ≥1.8% showed high extensibility (ΔL/L0 around 100%) and low values of MO. High values of E (∼0.5 MPa) were obtained for [CaCl2] close to 1.4%. A greater understanding is needed of the interaction between cation-polysaccharide-water, taking into account [Alg] and [CaCl2] to predict the mechanical behavior of fibers. Calcium alginate fibers are important in food engineering as texture and microencapsulation agents.