Issue 7, 2013

Triggered release kinetics of living cells from composite microcapsules

Abstract

We have developed a theoretical model for the kinetics of release of living cells from composite shellac–cell microcapsules. The model describes the kinetics of cell release from the microcapsules triggered by: (i) pH change, which dissolves the shellac and (ii) the growth of the encapsulated cells, when placed in culture media. For pH triggered release of cells from the composite microcapsules, the rate constant of cell release depends on the swelling/dissolution rate of the shellac matrix and varies with the pH of the aqueous media. The model links the microcapsules disintegration time with the cell release rate constant. For growth triggered release of cells from the composite microcapsules, the cell release rate constant depends on concentration of nutrients in the culture media and the volume fraction of cells in the microcapsules. In a complementary experimental study we compare the release rate constants of cells from shellac–cell microcapsules at different values of pH in the aqueous media. This study may allow fine-tuning of the rate of cell release in a variety of encapsulated cell products, including cell implants, probiotics, and live vaccines.

Graphical abstract: Triggered release kinetics of living cells from composite microcapsules

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 Jun 2012
Accepted
10 Dec 2012
First published
10 Dec 2012

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2013,15, 2337-2344

Triggered release kinetics of living cells from composite microcapsules

S. A. Hamad, S. D. Stoyanov and V. N. Paunov, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2013, 15, 2337 DOI: 10.1039/C2CP42100C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements