Influence of Various Model Compounds on the Rheological Properties of Zein-Based Gels

The controlled release of a compound entrapped in a biocompatible formulation is a sought-after goal in modern pharmaceutical technology. Zein is a hydrophobic protein which has several advantageous properties that make it suitable for use as a biocompatible and degradable material under physiologic...

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Main Authors: Agnese Gagliardi, Silvia Voci, Donatella Paolino, Massimo Fresta, Donato Cosco
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/14/3174
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author Agnese Gagliardi
Silvia Voci
Donatella Paolino
Massimo Fresta
Donato Cosco
author_facet Agnese Gagliardi
Silvia Voci
Donatella Paolino
Massimo Fresta
Donato Cosco
author_sort Agnese Gagliardi
collection DOAJ
description The controlled release of a compound entrapped in a biocompatible formulation is a sought-after goal in modern pharmaceutical technology. Zein is a hydrophobic protein which has several advantageous properties that make it suitable for use as a biocompatible and degradable material under physiological conditions. It is, therefore, proposed for different biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. In particular, due to its gelling properties, it can be used to form a polymeric network able to preserve biomolecules from harsh environments. The current study was designed to investigate the influence of different probes on the rheological properties of gels made up of zein, in order to characterize the systems as a function of the polymer concentration. Four model compounds characterized by different physico-chemical properties were entrapped in zein gels, and different behaviors (viscoelastic or pronounced solid-like characteristics) of the systems were observed. Zein-based gels showed various release profiles of the encapsulated compounds, suggesting that there are different interaction rates between the probes and the polymeric matrix.
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spelling doaj.art-a5eeaf5607de4170a3bdc4095b23a6412023-11-20T06:31:23ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492020-07-012514317410.3390/molecules25143174Influence of Various Model Compounds on the Rheological Properties of Zein-Based GelsAgnese Gagliardi0Silvia Voci1Donatella Paolino2Massimo Fresta3Donato Cosco4Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Campus Universitario “S. Venuta”, I-88100 Catanzaro, ItalyDepartment of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Campus Universitario “SVenuta”, I-88100 Catanzaro, ItalyDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Campus Universitario “S. Venuta”, I-88100 Catanzaro, ItalyDepartment of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Campus Universitario “SVenuta”, I-88100 Catanzaro, ItalyDepartment of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Campus Universitario “SVenuta”, I-88100 Catanzaro, ItalyThe controlled release of a compound entrapped in a biocompatible formulation is a sought-after goal in modern pharmaceutical technology. Zein is a hydrophobic protein which has several advantageous properties that make it suitable for use as a biocompatible and degradable material under physiological conditions. It is, therefore, proposed for different biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. In particular, due to its gelling properties, it can be used to form a polymeric network able to preserve biomolecules from harsh environments. The current study was designed to investigate the influence of different probes on the rheological properties of gels made up of zein, in order to characterize the systems as a function of the polymer concentration. Four model compounds characterized by different physico-chemical properties were entrapped in zein gels, and different behaviors (viscoelastic or pronounced solid-like characteristics) of the systems were observed. Zein-based gels showed various release profiles of the encapsulated compounds, suggesting that there are different interaction rates between the probes and the polymeric matrix.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/14/3174controlled releasegelspolymeric matrixprobesrheologyzein
spellingShingle Agnese Gagliardi
Silvia Voci
Donatella Paolino
Massimo Fresta
Donato Cosco
Influence of Various Model Compounds on the Rheological Properties of Zein-Based Gels
Molecules
controlled release
gels
polymeric matrix
probes
rheology
zein
title Influence of Various Model Compounds on the Rheological Properties of Zein-Based Gels
title_full Influence of Various Model Compounds on the Rheological Properties of Zein-Based Gels
title_fullStr Influence of Various Model Compounds on the Rheological Properties of Zein-Based Gels
title_full_unstemmed Influence of Various Model Compounds on the Rheological Properties of Zein-Based Gels
title_short Influence of Various Model Compounds on the Rheological Properties of Zein-Based Gels
title_sort influence of various model compounds on the rheological properties of zein based gels
topic controlled release
gels
polymeric matrix
probes
rheology
zein
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/14/3174
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AT donatellapaolino influenceofvariousmodelcompoundsontherheologicalpropertiesofzeinbasedgels
AT massimofresta influenceofvariousmodelcompoundsontherheologicalpropertiesofzeinbasedgels
AT donatocosco influenceofvariousmodelcompoundsontherheologicalpropertiesofzeinbasedgels