Stability Studies, Biodegradation Tests, and Mechanical Properties of Sodium Alginate and Gellan Gum Beads Containing Surfactant

Abstract

The excessive presence of single-use plastics is rapidly degrading our natural environment on a global scale due to their inherent resistance to decomposition. Wet wipes used for personal or household purposes contribute significantly to the accumulation of plastic waste. One potential solution to address this problem involves developing eco-friendly materials that possess the ability to degrade naturally while retaining their washing capabilities. For this purpose, the beads from sodium alginate, gellan gum, and a mixture of these natural polymers containing surfactant were produced using the ionotropic gelation method. Stability studies of the beads by observing their appearance and diameter were performed after incubation in solutions of different pH values. The images showed that macroparticles were reduced in size in an acidic medium and swelled in solution of pH-neutral phosphate-buffered saline. Moreover, all the beads first swelled and then degraded in alkaline conditions. The beads based on gellan gum and combining both polymers were the least sensitive to pH changes. The compression tests revealed that the stiffness of all macroparticles decreased with the increasing pH of the solutions in which they were immersed. The studied beads were more rigid in an acidic solution than in alkaline conditions. The biodegradation of macroparticles was assessed using a respirometric method in soil and seawater. It is important to note that the macroparticles degraded more rapidly in soil than in seawater.

A Review of the Strategic Use of Sodium Alginate Polymer in the Immobilization of Microorganisms for Water Recycling

“…Its stability across various pH levels and its water retention capacity make it valuable for use in coatings and thickeners across diverse industries [42,43]. Characterized by low toxicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, alginate is a natural polymer with gelation and thickening properties and is renowned for its cost-effectiveness [44][45][46]. Its ionotropic gelation ability upon contact with cations is particularly noteworthy [47].…”

Encapsulation of Active Substances in Natural Polymer Coatings

“…The beads prepared from a mixture of gellan gum and sodium alginate exhibit better stability in solutions with pH values ranging from acidic to alkaline than the alginate beads ( Figure 21 ). The beads retained their shape, integrity, and functionality even after 24 h of incubation [ 113 ].…”

Exploring gellan gum-based hydrogels for regenerating human embryonic stem cells in age-related macular degeneration therapy: A literature review

“…Moreover, the stability of gellan gum across a wide range of pH and temperature conditions, as discussed by Stachowiak et al. [2023], enhances its versatility in diverse environments, further broadening its applicability [ 48 ]. Overall, the combination of mechanical tunability, biocompatibility, ease of fabrication, and stability positions gellan gum hydrogels as a superior choice compared to many other hydrogel materials for various biomedical applications, as highlighted in the aforementioned studies.…”

“…Synthetic polymers like Polyethylene Glycol exhibit variability in stability. [ [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] , [45] , [46] , [47] , [48] , [49] ] …”