title: Novel biopolymer matrices for microencapsulation of phages: enhanced protection against acidity and protease activity.
abstract: Phage therapy by oral administration requires enhanced resistance of phages to the harsh gastric conditions. The aim of this work is the microencapsulation of phages in natural biopolymeric matrices as a protective barrier against the gastric environment. Alginate and pectin are used as base polymers. Further emulsification with oleic acid or coating with a different biopolymer is also studied. Emulsified pectin shows the maximum encapsulation efficiency and the highest protection against acidity, leaving more than 10(3) active phages after 30 min exposure at pH = 1.6, and protects phage from pepsin activity (4.2 mg mL(-1)). Non-encapsulated phages are fully inactivated at pH = 1.6 or with pepsin (0.5 mg mL(-1)) after 10 min.
authors: CIDCA (CONICET-UNLP) CCT La Plata, 1900, La Plata, Argentina. cdini@biol.unlp.edu.ar
authors: Cecilia
authors: C
authors: Dini
authors: Germán A
authors: GA
authors: Islan
authors: Patricio J
authors: PJ
authors: de Urraza
authors: Guillermo R
authors: GR
authors: Castro
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D001435:Bacteriophages; D001704:Biopolymers; D004339:Drug Compounding; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D001704:Biopolymers; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases