title: Rhodamine B doped silica encapsulation matrices for the protection of photosynthetic organisms.
abstract: An advanced encapsulation matrix that efficiently protects microalgae from harmful UV light without causing toxicity to the entrapped culture is developed based on the electrostatic adsorption of the dye Rhodamine B on silica preformed particles during sol-gel synthesis. The three microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) were previously immobilized in alginate following the Two-step procedure. Once entrapped in the silica gel, Rhodamine B act as an inner cut-off filter, protecting the encapsulated organisms from UV radiation. This matrix allows the sterilization of encapsulation devices without affecting the viability of the entrapped microalgae cells. The condensation of Si(IV) in the presence of silica particles with adsorbed dye generates silica matrices with good mechanical stability. Furthermore; no appreciable differences in microstructure, as assessed by SAXS (Small Angle X-ray Scattering), are caused by the addition of the dye.
authors.affiliation: INQUIMAE-DQIAQF, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pab. II, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: mercedesp@qi.fcen.uba.ar.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perullini
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement, Ecole Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'Etat, rue Maurice Audin, 69518 Vaulx-en-Velin, Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Durrieu
authors.affiliation: INQUIMAE-DQIAQF, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pab. II, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Matías
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jobbágy
authors.affiliation: INQUIMAE-DQIAQF, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pab. II, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Sara A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bilmes
mesh_terms: D016825:Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D048408:Chlorella vulgaris / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D044367:Phase Transition; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D012235:Rhodamines; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; C029773:rhodamine B
keywords: Living-cell encapsulation; Microalgae; Sol–gel; UV-protection