|
|
Mechanical and Transport Properties of Hybrid Hydrogel Systems
Klímová, Eliška ; Sedláček, Petr (referee) ; Kalina, Michal (advisor)
This master´s thesis deals with the study on mechanical and transport properties of hybrid hydrogel systems. Considering applications of hydrogels, especially in chemical industry, pharmacy, or eventually medical applications, for the study gellan and alginate-based hydrogels were selected. In order to compare individual characteristics physical and hybrid hydrogels were prepared. Gellan hydrogels were prepared in deionization aqua solution, calcium chloride dihydrate and tween 80 solution. Alginate hydrogels were prepared in calcium chloride dihydrate solution as well, and polyacrylamide with N,N´–methylenbisacrylamide. For the study of mechanical properties moisture analyser and rheology measurements were selected. Transport properties were studied using the diffusion experiments combined with UV-VIS spectroscopic detection. Concluding of this thesis is summarization of measured values, which provides comprehensive review of the problematics. It was discovered that the conveniently selected concentrations of structural components of hydrogel matrix and the additives can influence both the mechanical as well as the transport properties of studied hydrogels.
|
|
|
Isolation and characterization of natural active components and their application in food supplements
Šmídová, Veronika ; Němcová, Andrea (referee) ; Skoumalová, Petra (advisor)
The diploma thesis is focused on the characterisation and isolation of naturally occurred active compounds, especially on lipophilic compounds. The next part of the thesis deals with enzymes and their encapsulation into alginate particles to suggest new enzymatic dietary supplement for children with optimal nutrient composition. The theoretical part is focused on the issue of child nutrition, accordingly the necessary nutrients that children need to grow without any health difficulties. It is also focused on the availability of enzymatic food supplements for children. Finally, the theoretical part deals with the lack of chosen natural substances and their effects in connection with cancer. In the experimental part, four types of oils obtained from seeds were characterized. The oils were obtained by two methods: cold pressing with a Yoda kitchen press and extraction in an organic solvent with Soxtherm. Seeds were linseed, sesame, pumpkin, and cumin. With these oils were characterized natural active substances, polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidants, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and fatty acids. Liposomes were also prepared from selected extracts, in which an effect on intestinal tumour cells were observed. Furthermore, some enzymes were selected, and they were encapsulated into alginate particles with average size 450 µm. In these particles was specified encapsulation efficiency as well as the proteolytic activity after testing in digest juices. The last part of this thesis was focused on the optimization of a complete enzymatic food supplement with addition of alginate particles as enzyme carriers. Samples of these supplements were finally subjected to a sensory analysis.
|
|
|
Study on relaxation properties of hydrogels using rheological techniques
Lorenc, Pavel ; Klučáková, Martina (referee) ; Smilek, Jiří (advisor)
Submitted bachelor’s thesis deals with the study of relaxation and time stress of viscoelastic substances (hydrogels) using selected rheological techniques, especially with regard to oscillation tests. Hydrogels with different types of crosslinking were prepared and their properties were compared during the measurement. Agarose hydrogels (physically), alginate hydrogels (physicochemically), polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels (chemically) and hyaluronic acid hydrogels (ionically). In this bachelor's thesis, methods for measuring the relaxation properties of these hydrogels using a rheometer were designed and subsequently applied. We examined the relaxation properties of hydrogels using time-dependent tests that examined changes in amplitude over time. We performed a test that had 3 intervals, in which we monitored the response of hydrogels to the changes by changing the amplitudes of deformation with time. The relaxation properties of these hydrogels were studied, which showed significant differences in the behavior of hydrogels in measurements.By these methods, it was found that the structure of hydrogels and concentrations have an influence on relaxation. From the measured results, it was shown that the best relaxing properties have chemically crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel, the lowest ability to relax was shown by physico-chemically crosslinked alginate hydrogel.The results from the measured data were finally compared, assessed and commented on the differences between the individual hydrogels.
|
|
|
Preparation of bioactive wound dressings and testing their interaction with human cells
Bendová, Agáta ; Márová, Ivana (referee) ; Skoumalová, Petra (advisor)
The thesis was focused on the preparation and optimization of the preparation of wound dressing from materials with bioactive ingredients. In this work were prepared nanofiber dressings based on polyhydroxybutyrate and non-fibrous dressings from alginate and chitosan. Nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning and forcespinning methods. The bioactive components, which were used to functionalize the prepared dressings, were plant extracts, clotrimazole, ampicillin, lysozyme, and proteolytic enzymes. The theoretical part is focused on the description of the use of nanofibrous and non-fibrous materials in medicine, characterization of materials for the production of wound dressings and bioactive components. Furthermore, this section describes the methods used to prepare and characterize wound dressings. In the practical part were prepared aqueous and oil extracts from selected plants. Extracts were characterized for polyphenols content and antioxidant activity. PHB-based nanofibers were prepared using electrospinning and forcepinning methods. Nanofibers were enriched with selected plant oil extracts and clotrimazol. Modified nanofibres were detemined for antioxidant activity, short-term and long-term stability. Non-fibrous wound dressings were prepared from alginate and chitosan. These dressings were functionalized by the addition of selected aqueous extracts, ampicillin, lysozyme, papain, bromelain, and collagenase. Non-fibrous wound dressings were determined for antioxidant activity, short-term stability and proteolytic activity. The prepared wound dressings were tested for their antimicrobial effects on cultures of Micrococcus luteus, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli. In conclusion, successfully prepared bioactive wound dressings with antioxidant and antimicrobial agents were tested for safety on human cells. The determination was performed using the MTT cytotoxicity test on human keratinocytes.
|
|
|
Preparation and characterization of hybrid hydrogels matrix
Magera, Lukáš ; Kalina, Michal (referee) ; Smilek, Jiří (advisor)
Submitted bachelor’s thesis aims for preparation and subsequent optimisation of hybrid hydrogels, which represent material with high application potential because of their unique properties. Hybrid hydrogels have extraordinary mechanical resistance and other beneficial properties (e.g. transportation) due to their unique hybrid network structure, strong interpenetrating network entanglement and efficient energy dissipation system. This work engages in chemically-physically crosslinked hybrid gel, namely the combination of alginate-polyacrylamide. The hybrid hydrogel was formed and then underwent the tests of drying and swelling. The main purpose of the experimental part was to determine viscoelastic properties of hybrid hydrogels using standard oscillation tests. Swelling tests showed that the hybrid network containing limitedly swelling alginate gel reaches lower degree of swelling than the single unlimitedly swelling polyacrylamide gel. Viscoelastic tests unveiled an influence on the mechanical properties by value augmentation of the hybrid gel´s storage modulus in comparison with the reference alginate hydrogel. Hybrid hydrogel reported an increase in the linear viscoelastic area compared to the reference polyacrylamide gel, whose hybrid structure prevents from creating microcracks, that caused earlier rupture of the reference polyacrylamide gel.
|
|
|
Dry gel forms - aerogels, xerogels - preparation, properties and potential use.
Sedlář, Marian ; Smilek, Jiří (referee) ; Sedláček, Petr (advisor)
The content of this bachelor thesis was to find out what influence has the drying of hydrogel on its internal structure on an appropriate model hydrogel system. In the theoretical part of this thesis selected methods of structural analysis that are commonly used for characterization on gels in their original hydrated state and in dry state were described. In the practical part, agarose based hydrogels with different concentrations and with various additions of polyelectrolytes were chosen as the model hydrogel system. Cryo-scanning electron microscopy and turbidimetry were used for the structural analysis of hydrogels. For the dry gels, scanning microscopy and mercury porosimetry were used. The obtained data and results for our model system can be use in analyse of other hydrogel systems and their dry forms.
|
|
|
Development and characterization of hydrogel carriers for modern agricultural applications
Mai, Thuy Ha ; Kalina, Michal (referee) ; Sedláček, Petr (advisor)
The bachelor thesis is focused on characterization of hydrogel carriers and their application in agriculture. Entrapment of active phase within the hydrogel matrix would allow release of its content in controlled rate. The theoretical part describes encapsulation techniques and suitable biocompatible materials involved in encapsulation. For the experimental part, the release of soil bacteria Cupriavidus necator H16 from alginate matrix was examined. The focus was on the release rate of bacteria via diffusion and later, on the release rate of bacteria encouraged by chemical or enzymatic reagents. Further modification of carrier was suggested by adding hydrophobic barrier composed of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). The modified alginate beads seemed to be more resistant toward enzymatic or chemical agents, thus the process of the release was to some extent suppressed. This fact might suggest PHB as a possible vessel for optimization of controlled release system of hydrogel carriers.
|
|
|
Encapsulation of soil bacteria in hydrogel carriers
Orišková, Sofia ; Smilek, Jiří (referee) ; Sedláček, Petr (advisor)
The goal of this bachelor thesis was both to review existing literature regarding the topic of inoculation of soil bacteria and test a relevant encapsulation method and optimize it. The evaluation process involved the study of various encapsulation techniques that involve hydrogel carriers suitable for agronomic purposes. Encapsulation allows controlled release of soil bacteria, and protects and stabilizes it, while ensuring longer shelf life. For the practical testing, Cupriavidus necator H16 was chosen as a nitrogen fixing bacteria for the inoculation. Through an ionic gelation method, it was encapsulated into alginate carriers, forming matrix microcapsules. Sodium alginate reacts with the cross-linking agent calcium chloride to form the capsules. The impact on the quality of the product was tested through several variables. What was revealed was that molecular weight of alginate was proven to have a significant impact. Alginate with higher molecular weight was shown to be suitable for the given system. The most desirable environment was distilled water or a TRIS-HCl buffer. However, the TRIS-HCl was unsuitable in cases of retrieving a dry product by lyophilization. Eventually, the viability of encapsulated cells was examined, and it was proven that encapsulated bacteria endure the process of encapsulation in the above-mentioned environment and they were gradually released from the carrier.
|
|
|
The Utilization of Light Scattering Techniques for the Study on Hydrogel Gelation
Candráková, Simona ; Smilek, Jiří (referee) ; Kalina, Michal (advisor)
This bachelor thesis focuses on the study of hydrogel gelation using light scattering methods. For these purposes two different biopolymers (agarose and sodium alginate), with different sol to gelation phase transition, were selected. In the case of agarose, the gelation is caused by temperature change. On the other side, the gelation of sodium alginate is initiated by addition of polyvalent cations. In the experimental part of the work, agarose gelation was studied by DLS, temperature gradients of agarose solutions (40 – 30 °C) were measured. During the measurement the particle size distributions in the solutions having different concentrations were monitored as well as the temperature influence on the diffusion coefficient. The DLS method provided the values of the gelling temperatures of the solutions at a concentration of 0,5 wt.% and 1,0 wt.%. Furthermore, the DLS microrheology method was used, where temperature dependences of viscoelastic characteristics of agarose solutions (40 – 30 °C) were also measured, from which the gelling temperatures of agarose solutions of 0,1 wt.% and 0,5 wt.% were evaluated. The classical rheology was also used in the work to compare the viscoelastic behaviour of the samples and to determine the gelation point of the agarose solutions. By this method were determined gelling temperatures for all studied concentration of agarose (0,1 wt.%, 0,5 wt.% and 1,0 wt.%). The DLS method was also used to monitor the interactions of sodium alginate with the addition of Ca2+ ions, these interactions were then also evaluated and discussed in the experimental part.
|
|
|
Encapsulation of probiotics and prebiotics for use in nutritional products for children
Šnajdarová, Karolína ; Němcová, Andrea (referee) ; Skoumalová, Petra (advisor)
The Diploma thesis deals with designing of probiotic dietary supplement for children with strains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium breve and with prebiotics. Used prebiotics were Inulin, Chia fiber, Bamboo fiber, Chlorella + Spirulina and Yakon syrup. The theoretical part is focused on probiotics, prebiotics and their biological influence. In experimental part the possibilities of encapsulation into alginate particle and lyophilisation of probiotic cells were observed to find their good form to final nutritional product for children. Several types of probiotic with addition of prebiotics were tested in model conditions of gastrointestinal tract. It was found that addition of prebiotic highly increases viability of probiotic cells and their resistance to model conditions of gastrointestinal tract. In this case, the best prebiotic was found in Yakon syrup. The prebiotics were also characterised in terms of nutritional composition, amount of total and reducing sugars, oligosaccharides, proteins, lipids, polyphenols and chlorophyll were obtained. Finally, Chia fiber, Chlorella + Spirulina and Yakon syrup were chosen as prebiotics with best characterisation/properties. In conclusion, a dietary supplement with lyophilized alginate particles containing probiotic cells and with the most appropriate prebiotics were designed. Forms of the product were powder and gummy-bear.
|
guest ::
