Novel bioactive films were developed from the incorporation of Lactococcus lactis into polysaccharide films. Two different biopolymers were tested: cellulose derivative (hydroxylpropylmethylcellulose (HPMC)) and corn starch. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) free or previously encapsulated in alginate-pectin composite hydrogel microbeads were added directly to the film forming solution and films were ...

We present a new rapid and easy-to-use immunoassay chip which we have named the immuno-pillar chip. It has hydrogel pillars, fabricated inside a microchannel, with many antibody molecules immobilized onto 1 µm diameter polystyrene beads. To evaluate the chip performance, we applied it to the sandwich assay of C-reactive protein (CRP), α-fetoprotein (AFP) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a c...

The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fine chemicals and polymers has been gaining attention recently. Regenerated lignocellulose beads (RLBs) were prepared by an emulsification/precipitation technique, using wheat straw as a raw material and [Bmim]Cl as a solvent. The morphology and properties of the obtained beads were characterized. The RLBs were perfectly spherical, with a porous m...

The potential of polysaccharide Irvingia gabonensis matrix as enzyme immobilization support was investigated. Lipase of Aspergillus niger F7-02 was immobilized by entrapment using glutaraldehyde as the cross-linking agent and stabilized in ethanolic-formaldehyde solution. The pH and temperature stability and activity yield of the immobilized enzyme were determined. Such parameters as enzyme loa...

Objective: The objective of this study was to formulate an oral sustained release delivery system of ezetimibe mucoadhesive beads by ionic gelation technique based on sodium alginate used as a hydrophilic carrier in combination with carbopol 934P which acts as a rate modifier. Methods: Microbeads of ezetimibe were prepared using an easy method of ionotropic gelation by little modification while...

The preparation of superporous hydrogels based beads (SPHBs) with various concentrations of polymers such as guar gum,sodium alginate and hydroxy propyl cellulose combination. The superporous hydrogels beads containing carbonate salt, as a gas-forming agent, were prepared by dispersing carbonate salt in polymers solution and then extruding into either neutral or acidified solution of calcium ch...

Prolonged release drug delivery system of stavudine was made by ionotropic gelation and polyelectrolyte complexation technique. Cross-linking reinforced chitosan-gellan complex beads were prepared by gelation of anionic gellan gum, the primary polymer, with oppositely charged counter ion to form beads which were further complexed with chitosan as a polyelectrolyte. The effect of this polymer on...

Controlled manipulation of particles from very large volumes of fluid at high throughput is critical for many biomedical, environmental and industrial applications. One promising approach is to use microfluidic technologies that rely on fluid inertia or elasticity to drive lateral migration of particles to stable equilibrium positions in a microchannel. Here, we report on a hydrodynamic approac...

Polymeric beads with diameter in the micrometer range find use in vanous medical applications, such as bone cements', in local delivery of drugs' and in treatment of female stress urinary incontinence.r" Medical microspheres usually consists of poly (methyl methacrylate), poly (lactic acid-eo-glycolic acid), poly (tetra fluoroethylene) or silicone rubbers. A particularly important application o...

The utilization of natural and chemically modified polysaccharides as a part of drug development has increased in the past two decades. Great attention has also been focused on biopolymer based hydrogels for use as potential carriers in controlled drug delivery. Hydrogels are three dimensional, hydrophilic networks capable of imbibing large amount of water or biological fluids, mimics biologica...