Production and characterization of a blood analogue based on alginate microparticles

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2024-04-08

Authors

Campos, JBLM (Author) FEUP; Miranda, JM (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects

Vol. 693

ISSN: 0927-7757

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-010-CYY

DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2024.134022

Abstract (EN): This work addresses the need for a universal blood substitute by focusing on developing alginate -based microparticles engineered to replicate the mechanical properties of red blood cells (RBCs). Alginate, known for its biocompatibility and tunable mechanical properties, is used to create microparticles that closely resemble RBCs in size and shape. These alginate microparticles are produced through premix membrane emulsification (PME), ensuring a uniform size distribution. The viscosity ratio and the size of the filter pores influence the final size of the microparticles. Filters with pores of 20 mu m were used to produce 5 wt% alginate microparticles with a diameter of 7.81 mu m +/- 0.77, and filters with pores of 30 mu m were used to produce 0.5 wt% alginate microparticles with a diameter of 8.69 mu m +/- 3.30. The Deformability Index (DI) of the alginate microparticles follows the correlation that microparticles with higher elastic modulus exhibit lower DI values. The DI found for 0.5 wt% alginate microparticles solution is higher than the DI found for 5 wt% alginate microparticles. The DI of RBCs is higher than the ones found for the alginate microparticles, however the value is in the range of the experimental error. Rheological studies reveal that suspensions of 25 - 30 wt% alginate microparticles exhibit a shear -thinning behavior similar to human blood. The DI of the alginate microparticles shows little influence on the rheology of the suspensions. Furthermore, the Cell -Free Layer (CFL) of alginate microparticles is close to that of RBCs, reinforcing the potential of alginate as a suitable material for blood substitute development. The alginate microparticles produced in this work show a great potential to contribute to creating a blood -mimicking fluid for applications in medical treatments and research.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10