4.7 Applications
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of cardiac tissue regeneration, alginates have also been used as a pharmaceutical
excipient for the release of angiogenesis drugs, cell transfer, and promote interaction
between implant and cardiac cell.
Alginate-based hydrogels are also used as injectable fillers in cosmetic dermatological procedures to alter facial features such as lip plumpness and appearance. One
such product is commercially available since 2010 under the brand name Novabel
(Moulonguet et al. 2011).
4.7.5 Alginate Oligomers and Monomers
Oligosaccharides of alginates are of commercial significance as they offer a range
of high-value bioactive properties. These bioactivities include antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antiproliferative effects (Wan et al. 2018). For this reason, they have
found applications in food (animals and humans), agriculture, pharmaceutics and
cosmetics industry.
In agriculture, alginate oligosaccharides are used for their growth-promoting abilities to promote endothelial cells and multiple cytokines. When used as animal feed
supplement, alginate oligosaccharides boost serum hormone levels and antioxidant
activity and also improve intestinal functions and integrity in pigs (Wan et al. 2017).
The method of degradation of alginate by alginate lyase has been shown to be
a factor in influencing the bioactivity of the resulting oligomer. Alginate lyasederived oligomers had superior bioactive properties such as antitumor effect while
acid hydrolyzed alginate oligomers only had the reduced chain length without the
bioactive properties (Takeshita and Oda 2016).
4.7.6 Other Applications
Other uses of alginates include use in animal feed to improve texture and stability
and in welding rods where sodium silicate is coated unto the surface of the metal
rods. Alginate is used to bind the coating and hold it in place hence aiding a uniform
coating upon drying. This is achieved by the gelling property of alginate. In the
paper, industry alginate is used as a partial replacement for rosin pulp. It is used to
achieve a smoother surface and better absorption of ink during printing. It also aids
production of crumple resistant paper by promoting absorption of wax and grease.
Alginates are attractive in micro- and nanoparticle formulation due to their ability
to form stable structure (Paques 2015). Alginate is also used in the encapsulation of
live bacteria and active enzymes (Qin et al. 2018). Another well-known application
of alginate in the cosmetic industry is for use as a color retainer in lipstick.
87
of cardiac tissue regeneration, alginates have also been used as a pharmaceutical
excipient for the release of angiogenesis drugs, cell transfer, and promote interaction
between implant and cardiac cell.
Alginate-based hydrogels are also used as injectable fillers in cosmetic dermatological procedures to alter facial features such as lip plumpness and appearance. One
such product is commercially available since 2010 under the brand name Novabel
(Moulonguet et al. 2011).
4.7.5 Alginate Oligomers and Monomers
Oligosaccharides of alginates are of commercial significance as they offer a range
of high-value bioactive properties. These bioactivities include antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antiproliferative effects (Wan et al. 2018). For this reason, they have
found applications in food (animals and humans), agriculture, pharmaceutics and
cosmetics industry.
In agriculture, alginate oligosaccharides are used for their growth-promoting abilities to promote endothelial cells and multiple cytokines. When used as animal feed
supplement, alginate oligosaccharides boost serum hormone levels and antioxidant
activity and also improve intestinal functions and integrity in pigs (Wan et al. 2017).
The method of degradation of alginate by alginate lyase has been shown to be
a factor in influencing the bioactivity of the resulting oligomer. Alginate lyasederived oligomers had superior bioactive properties such as antitumor effect while
acid hydrolyzed alginate oligomers only had the reduced chain length without the
bioactive properties (Takeshita and Oda 2016).
4.7.6 Other Applications
Other uses of alginates include use in animal feed to improve texture and stability
and in welding rods where sodium silicate is coated unto the surface of the metal
rods. Alginate is used to bind the coating and hold it in place hence aiding a uniform
coating upon drying. This is achieved by the gelling property of alginate. In the
paper, industry alginate is used as a partial replacement for rosin pulp. It is used to
achieve a smoother surface and better absorption of ink during printing. It also aids
production of crumple resistant paper by promoting absorption of wax and grease.
Alginates are attractive in micro- and nanoparticle formulation due to their ability
to form stable structure (Paques 2015). Alginate is also used in the encapsulation of
live bacteria and active enzymes (Qin et al. 2018). Another well-known application
of alginate in the cosmetic industry is for use as a color retainer in lipstick.