Ice-Templated and Cross-Linked Xanthan-Based Hydrogels: Towards Tailor-Made Properties
The use of polysaccharides with good film-forming properties in food packaging systems is a promising area of research. Xanthan gum (XG), an extracellular polysaccharide, has many industrial uses, including as a common food additive (E415). It is an effective thickening agent, emulsifier, and stabil...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/9/7/528 |
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| author | Irina Elena Raschip Nicusor Fifere Maria Marinela Lazar Gabriela-Elena Hitruc Maria Valentina Dinu |
| author_facet | Irina Elena Raschip Nicusor Fifere Maria Marinela Lazar Gabriela-Elena Hitruc Maria Valentina Dinu |
| author_sort | Irina Elena Raschip |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The use of polysaccharides with good film-forming properties in food packaging systems is a promising area of research. Xanthan gum (XG), an extracellular polysaccharide, has many industrial uses, including as a common food additive (E415). It is an effective thickening agent, emulsifier, and stabilizer that prevents ingredients from separating. Nevertheless, XG-based polymer films have some disadvantages, such as poor mechanical properties and high hydrophilic features, which reduce their stability when exposed to moisture and create difficulties in processing and handling. Thus, the objective of this work was to stabilize a XG matrix by cross-linking it with glycerol diglycidyl ether, 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether, or epichlorohydrin below the freezing point of the reaction mixture. Cryogelation is an ecological, friendly, and versatile method of preparing biomaterials with improved physicochemical properties. Using this technique, XG-based cryogels were successfully prepared in the form of microspheres, monoliths, and films. The XG-based cryogels were characterized by FTIR, SEM, AFM, swelling kinetics, and compressive tests. A heterogeneous morphology with interconnected pores, with an average pore size depending on both the nature of the cross-linker and the cross-linking ratio, was found. The use of a larger amount of cross-linker led to both a much more compact structure of the pore walls and to a significant decrease in the average pore size. The uniaxial compression tests indicated that the XG-based cryogels cross-linked with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether exhibited the best elasticity, sustaining maximum deformations of 97.67%, 90.10%, and 81.80%, respectively. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:03:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1c4013d4edf0480d9fc91c4e05888c0f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2310-2861 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:03:24Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Gels |
| spelling | doaj.art-1c4013d4edf0480d9fc91c4e05888c0f2023-11-18T19:27:25ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612023-06-019752810.3390/gels9070528Ice-Templated and Cross-Linked Xanthan-Based Hydrogels: Towards Tailor-Made PropertiesIrina Elena Raschip0Nicusor Fifere1Maria Marinela Lazar2Gabriela-Elena Hitruc3Maria Valentina Dinu4“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, RomaniaThe use of polysaccharides with good film-forming properties in food packaging systems is a promising area of research. Xanthan gum (XG), an extracellular polysaccharide, has many industrial uses, including as a common food additive (E415). It is an effective thickening agent, emulsifier, and stabilizer that prevents ingredients from separating. Nevertheless, XG-based polymer films have some disadvantages, such as poor mechanical properties and high hydrophilic features, which reduce their stability when exposed to moisture and create difficulties in processing and handling. Thus, the objective of this work was to stabilize a XG matrix by cross-linking it with glycerol diglycidyl ether, 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether, or epichlorohydrin below the freezing point of the reaction mixture. Cryogelation is an ecological, friendly, and versatile method of preparing biomaterials with improved physicochemical properties. Using this technique, XG-based cryogels were successfully prepared in the form of microspheres, monoliths, and films. The XG-based cryogels were characterized by FTIR, SEM, AFM, swelling kinetics, and compressive tests. A heterogeneous morphology with interconnected pores, with an average pore size depending on both the nature of the cross-linker and the cross-linking ratio, was found. The use of a larger amount of cross-linker led to both a much more compact structure of the pore walls and to a significant decrease in the average pore size. The uniaxial compression tests indicated that the XG-based cryogels cross-linked with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether exhibited the best elasticity, sustaining maximum deformations of 97.67%, 90.10%, and 81.80%, respectively.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/9/7/528xanthancross-linkingice templatingstabilizationcontrolled swellingporosity |
| spellingShingle | Irina Elena Raschip Nicusor Fifere Maria Marinela Lazar Gabriela-Elena Hitruc Maria Valentina Dinu Ice-Templated and Cross-Linked Xanthan-Based Hydrogels: Towards Tailor-Made Properties Gels xanthan cross-linking ice templating stabilization controlled swelling porosity |
| title | Ice-Templated and Cross-Linked Xanthan-Based Hydrogels: Towards Tailor-Made Properties |
| title_full | Ice-Templated and Cross-Linked Xanthan-Based Hydrogels: Towards Tailor-Made Properties |
| title_fullStr | Ice-Templated and Cross-Linked Xanthan-Based Hydrogels: Towards Tailor-Made Properties |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ice-Templated and Cross-Linked Xanthan-Based Hydrogels: Towards Tailor-Made Properties |
| title_short | Ice-Templated and Cross-Linked Xanthan-Based Hydrogels: Towards Tailor-Made Properties |
| title_sort | ice templated and cross linked xanthan based hydrogels towards tailor made properties |
| topic | xanthan cross-linking ice templating stabilization controlled swelling porosity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/9/7/528 |
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