title: Bio-inspired network optimization in soft materials--insights from the plant cell wall.
abstract: The dynamic-mechanical responses of ionotropic gels made from the biopolymer pectin have recently been investigated by microrheological experiments and found to exhibit behaviour indicative of semi-flexible polymer networks. In this work we investigate the gelling behaviour of pectin systems in which an enzyme (pectinmethylesterase, PME) is used to liberate ion-binding sites on initially inert polymers, while in the presence of ions. This is in contrast to the previous work, where it was the release of ions (rather than ion-binding groups) that was controlled and the polymers had pre-existing cross-linkable moieties. In stark contrast to the semi-flexible network paradigm of biological gels and the previous work on pectin, the gels studied herein exhibit the properties of chemically cross-linked networks of flexible polymers.
authors.affiliation: IFS, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cucheval
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hemar
authors.forename: M A K
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D032701:Biomimetics / Q000379:methods*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism*; D006245:Hardness Tests; D027845:Malus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D010368:Pectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D059828:Plant Cells; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010368:Pectins; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; C022323:pectinesterase; D002118:Calcium