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Gelation and release behavior of visible light-curable alginate

Polymer Journal volume 52, pages 323–332 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Visible light-curable alginate was prepared by coupling alginate with furfurylamine. The furan content of the alginate was investigated through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The prepared furfuryl alginate (F-Alginate) underwent gelation in the presence of a photosensitizer, such as Rose Bengal or riboflavin, under visible light irradiation. The time course of this gelation was similar to that of conventional Ca2+-induced gelation. When the formed gel was assessed using a rheometer, it was found that F-Alginate has a high storage modulus G′ comparable with that of a Ca2+-cross-linked gel. It was possible to encapsulate substances in the gel through simple mixing. The release rate of encapsulated substances depended on their molecular weight. As the molecular weight of encapsulated dextran increased, slower release was observed. These release behaviors are comparable with those of a Ca2+-cross-linked gel. The release rate of a growth factor protein was the same as that of dextran with the same molecular weight. Cell growth was enhanced in response to a sustained release of insulin-like growth factor-1 from the F-Alginate hydrogel.

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Acknowledgements

YH is grateful for the support of the RIKEN Junior Research Associate program. We thank Conn Hastings, PhD, from Edanz Group (www.edanzediting.com/ac) for editing a draft of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Emergent Bioengineering Materials Research Team, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan

    Yun Heo, Jun Akimoto & Yoshihiro Ito

  2. Department of Environmental Chemistry and Engineering, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8502, Japan

    Yun Heo & Eiry Kobatake

  3. Nano Medical Engineering Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan

    Jun Akimoto, Eiry Kobatake & Yoshihiro Ito

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  1. Yun Heo
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Heo, Y., Akimoto, J., Kobatake, E. et al. Gelation and release behavior of visible light-curable alginate. Polym J 52, 323–332 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-019-0280-6

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