Reuben Wang, Yu-Jia Yeh, Yu-Ning An, Virly
Encapsulation of phages represents a key approach for improving phage stability and controlling phage delivery dosage. The hydrogel made from positively charged quaternized chitosan (QCS) and multivalent crosslinker, aldehyde-modified poly(xylitol sebacate)-co-poly(ethylene glycol) (APP) was introduced for the first time for drug (phage 44AHJD) delivery. The freeze-thawing (FT) treatment enhanced the porous structure and the stress resistance of native hydrogel with increased compression stress (stiffness) from 10 to 20 kPa. The stiffness of the phage-loaded hydrogel (FTP) was suitable for the proper release of phage particles and polymer chains, both working synergistically against bacterial growth. The FTP followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model's anomalous diffusion of phage particles at different temperatures (30–45 °C) and pH (6.6–8.5) conditions. FTP was sensitive to pH, which released more phage particles at pH-neutral conditions, while the release under acidic and alkaline conditions was more based on gel degradation. The high biocompatibility of FTP hydrogel at its working concentration of 30 mg mL−1 was demonstrated through a hemolysis ratio of <2 %. Sixty percent of the total encapsulated phages and 6 mg mL−1 of hydrogel debris were released after 10 h of hydrogel submerge treatment, which can fight the growing bacteria and the emergence of phage-resistant bacteria. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.
Institute of Food Safety and Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan; Master of Public Health (MPH) Program, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan; GIP-TRIAD Master's Degree in Agro-Biomedical Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan; Global Health Program, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Widya Mandala Surabaya Catholic University, Surabaya, Indonesia