Fabrication and Characterization of a Low-Cost Microfluidic System for the Manufacture of Alginate–Lacasse Microcapsules

Abstract

The development of microfluidics-based systems in the recent years has provided a rapid and controlled method for the generation of monodisperse microencapsulates for multiple applications. Here, we explore the design, manufacture and characterization of a low-cost microsystem for the encapsulation of the fungal laccase from Pycnoporus sanguineus CS43 in alginate microcapsules. Multiphysics simulations were used to overview the fluid behavior within the device and estimate the resulting capsule size. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) sheets were used for final microsystem manufacture. Different flow rates of the continuous (Qc) and discrete (Qd) phases in the ranges of 83–293 mL/h and 1–5 mL/h, respectively, were evaluated for microcapsule fabrication. Universal Serial Bus (USB) microscope and image analysis was used to measure the final particle size. Laccase encapsulation was evaluated using spectrophotometry and with the aid of fluorescent dyes and confocal microscopy. Results showed microcapsule size was in the range of 203.13–716.00 μm and Qc was found as the dominant parameter to control capsule size. There was an effective enzyme encapsulation of 65.94% with respect to the initial laccase solution.

Polymethyl Methacrylate-Based Bone Cements Containing Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Oxide: An Overview of Physical, Mechanical, and Biological Properties

“…It has been demonstrated that PMMA-based BCs cannot form covalent bonds with the natural bone, and a lack of interactions may induce implant loosening after a while. According to the results, the addition of CNTs, GO, and carbon-based composites [ 144 , 145 , 146 , 147 , 148 , 149 , 150 , 151 , 152 , 153 , 154 , 155 , 156 , 157 , 158 , 159 , 160 , 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 , 165 , 166 ] can enhance the setting times, temperature, strength, bioactivity, and cellular activity of the PMMA-based BCs. However, it is believed that utilization of GO could have further impact than CNTs reinforcing agents on enhancement of the strength and durability of PMMA-based BCs, conquering the potential issue presented by premature failure of the implant.…”

PLGA-based biodegradable microspheres in drug delivery: recent advances in research and application

“…There are many kinds of carrier polymers for biodegradable microspheres, including both natural biodegradable polymers and synthetic ones. Most of the natural polymers come from plants, animals or microorganisms, such as starch (Lin et al, 2013 ; Sommer et al, 2018 ; Tesfay et al, 2020 ), chitosan (Li et al, 2017 ; Calzoni et al, 2019 ; Huang et al, 2019 ; Li et al, 2020 ; Cirri et al, 2021 ), alginate (Campana et al, 2020 ; Ghumman et al, 2020 ; Panchal & Vasava, 2020 ), gelatin (Kim et al, 2018 ; Chen et al, 2019 ; Javanbakht et al, 2019 ), etc. They are used as microsphere carriers due to their rich properties and good biocompatibility (Prajapati et al, 2015 ).…”

Congo Red Decolorization Using Textile Filters and Laccase-Based Nanocomposites in Continuous Flow Bioreactors

“…To overcome the recoverability, reusability, and stability issues, laccase immobilization has been considered as an attractive route [ 18 , 19 ]. Enzymatic immobilization can be performed through physical, covalent, or affinity interactions [ 20 ], among which covalent immobilization leads to superior thermal and storage stability, ease for downstream recovery, and very often increased regio- and stereo-selectivity [ 21 , 22 ]. Some of the preferred materials for immobilization include macroscopic materials, such as metal oxides, natural polymers, and some minerals, as well as nanomaterials, such as magnetite, gold, and silica [ 11 , 21 , 23 , 24 ].…”