Degradation and bioavailability of dried alginate hydrocolloid capsules in simulated soil system

Abstract

Hydrocolloid capsules are common chemical carriers used in many types of applications in foods, biotechnology, and agriculture. Alginate microbeads and macrobeads are some of the more prevalent types of hydrocolloid capsules. Most studies to date have focused on alginate carrier applications but only a few have looked at their bioavailability after use. In this study, alginate carriers were subjected to simulated field conditions and their biodegradation in the soil was evaluated by respiration measurements, visualization, and volatile solids reduction. Using respiration rate, the degradation rate was calculated at 32 AE 3.1% (w/w) after 2 months. The visually estimated volume and volatile solids reduction gave degradation rates of 40 AE 8.6% (v/v) and 22.5 AE 2.5% (w/w), respectively. Moreover, water-loss calculations suggested that the carriers can serve as a stand-alone soil amendment for water retention. These findings emphasize the importance of studying hydrocolloid bioavailability in the soil and alginate carrier suitability for future applications.

Physical Properties, Chemical Analysis, and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Response of New Polylactide/Alginate/Copper Composite Materials

“…Such requirements are fulfilled by alginates, marine-originated [24], biodegradable [25][26][27][28][29] biopolymers applied as a basis for drug delivery, wound dressings, and tissue engineering [30][31][32][33][34].…”

“…Such requirements are fulfilled by alginates, marine-originated [ 24 ], biodegradable [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ] biopolymers applied as a basis for drug delivery, wound dressings, and tissue engineering [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. The strong affinity of alginates to metal cations allows for their application as antibacterial hybrids (e.g., [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]), and also for the removal of heavy metal salts, e.g., copper, lead, and mercury (e.g., [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ]).…”

HClO/ClO–-Indicative Interpenetrating Polymer Network Hydrogels as Intelligent Bioactive Materials for Wound Healing

“…Alginate is a polysaccharide obtained by linear polymerization of α- l -guluronic acid, β- d -mannuronic acid, or alternating α- l -guluronic and β- d -mannuronic acids, forming an ionically cross-linked network in water. Sodium alginate has good stability and biocompatibility, which is required for pharmaceutical formulation excipients, and is therefore widely used in the field of biomedical materials. − Then the cross-linking RhB-AC network can be formed by aqueous radical polymerization of RhB-AC using a bifunctional monomer as the cross-linker. The ingredient TEMED can catalyze the production of free radicals by ammonium persulfate and initiate free radical polymerization.…”

Macroalgal-Derived Alginate Soil Amendments for Water Retention, Nutrient Release Rate Reduction, and Soil pH Control

“…Alginate is a natural carbohydrate that can be used to produce biodegradable hydrogels, and in contrast to synthetic polymers, enriches the soil through its degradation [ 23 ]. It is a linear co-polymeric carbohydrate with a structural function in brown macroalgal species.…”