Alginate: From Food Industry to Biomedical Applications and Management of Metabolic Disorders

Roxana Gheorghita Puscaselu; Andrei Lobiuc; Mihai Dimian; Mihai Covasa

doi:10.3390/polym12102417

journal article Open Access Oct 20, 2020

Alginate: From Food Industry to Biomedical Applications and Management of Metabolic Disorders

Roxana Gheorghita Puscaselu Andrei Lobiuc Mihai Dimian

Mihai Covasa

Polymers Vol. 12 No. 10 pp. 2417 · MDPI AG

View at Publisher Save 10.3390/polym12102417

Abstract

Initially used extensively as an additive and ingredient in the food industry, alginate has become an important compound for a wide range of industries and applications, such as the medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors. In the food industry, alginate has been used to coat fruits and vegetables, as a microbial and viral protection product, and as a gelling, thickening, stabilizing or emulsifying agent. Its biocompatibility, biodegradability, nontoxicity and the possibility of it being used in quantum satis doses prompted scientists to explore new properties for alginate usage. Thus, the use of alginate has been expanded so as to be directed towards the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, where studies have shown that it can be used successfully as biomaterial for wound, hydrogel, and aerogel dressings, among others. Furthermore, the ability to encapsulate natural substances has led to the possibility of using alginate as a drug coating and drug delivery agent, including the encapsulation of probiotics. This is important considering the fact that, until recently, encapsulation and coating agents used in the pharmaceutical industry were limited to the use of lactose, a potentially allergenic agent or gelatin. Obtained at a relatively low cost from marine brown algae, this hydrocolloid can also be used as a potential tool in the management of diabetes, not only as an insulin delivery agent but also due to its ability to improve insulin resistance, attenuate chronic inflammation and decrease oxidative stress. In addition, alginate has been recognized as a potential weight loss treatment, as alginate supplementation has been used as an adjunct treatment to energy restriction, to enhance satiety and improve weight loss in obese individuals. Thus, alginate holds the promise of an effective product used in the food industry as well as in the management of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity. This review highlights recent research advances on the characteristics of alginate and brings to the forefront the beneficial aspects of using alginate, from the food industry to the biomedical field.

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Details

Published: Oct 20, 2020
Vol/Issue: 12(10)
Pages: 2417
License: View

Authors

R

Roxana Gheorghita Puscaselu

Department of Health and Human Development, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, 720229 Suceava, Romania

A

Andrei Lobiuc

Department of Health and Human Development, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, 720229 Suceava, Romania

M

Mihai Dimian

Department of Computers, Electronics and Automation, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, 720229 Suceava, Romania; Integrated Center for Research, Development and Innovation in Advanced Materials, Nanotechnologies, and Distributed Systems for Fabrication and Control, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, 720229 Suceava, Romania

M

Mihai Covasa

Department of Health and Human Development, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, 720229 Suceava, Romania; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA

Funding

European Regional Development Fund Award: 120/16.09.2016

Cite This Article

Roxana Gheorghita Puscaselu, Andrei Lobiuc, Mihai Dimian, et al. (2020). Alginate: From Food Industry to Biomedical Applications and Management of Metabolic Disorders. Polymers, 12(10), 2417. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12102417

Alginate: From Food Industry to Biomedical Applications and Management of Metabolic Disorders

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