Cristiana S.A. Bento , Dhara Leite Lopes , Cristiane Flora Villarreal , Nuno Empadinhas , Susana Alarico , Hermínio C. de Sousa , Mara E.M. Braga
{"title":"Shelf-life of sterilised alginate-gelatine aerogels developed through an integrated high-pressure and supercritical CO2 process","authors":"Cristiana S.A. Bento , Dhara Leite Lopes , Cristiane Flora Villarreal , Nuno Empadinhas , Susana Alarico , Hermínio C. de Sousa , Mara E.M. Braga","doi":"10.1016/j.supflu.2025.106781","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shelf-life studies on sterile biopolymeric aerogels are scarce. This study investigated four storage conditions (C<sub>1</sub> - C<sub>4</sub>), varying temperature, humidity, and light exposure, on alginate-gelatine aerogels produced via an integrated high-pressure and supercritical CO<sub>2</sub> process. Mild storage conditions (C<sub>1</sub> - 25 ºC, 60 % humidity and no light) effectively preserved aerogels’ structural and functional properties, with minimal changes over time. In contrast, accelerated storage conditions (C<sub>2</sub> - 40 ºC, 75 % humidity, no light) induced hydrolytic degradation, causing chain scission and structural damage, due to heat and moisture. Light exposure at mild storage conditions (C<sub>3</sub>) induced mild photooxidative effects without significant impact on properties. The combination of all stressors at accelerated storage (C<sub>4</sub>) severely compromised network, thermal and mechanical stability. Swelling profile increased under storage but it was mitigated under conditions with high temperature and humidity. Storage for 6 months did not promote microbial growth on the sterilised aerogels under the tested conditions, confirming the effectiveness of the CO<sub>2</sub> sterilisation process. Aerogels did not present cytotoxicity, regardless of the storage conditions, however wound-healing potential declined under storage conditions C<sub>2</sub>, C<sub>3</sub> and C<sub>4</sub>, while C<sub>1</sub> maintained performance for three months.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17078,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Supercritical Fluids","volume":"228 ","pages":"Article 106781"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Supercritical Fluids","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896844625002682","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Shelf-life studies on sterile biopolymeric aerogels are scarce. This study investigated four storage conditions (C1 - C4), varying temperature, humidity, and light exposure, on alginate-gelatine aerogels produced via an integrated high-pressure and supercritical CO2 process. Mild storage conditions (C1 - 25 ºC, 60 % humidity and no light) effectively preserved aerogels’ structural and functional properties, with minimal changes over time. In contrast, accelerated storage conditions (C2 - 40 ºC, 75 % humidity, no light) induced hydrolytic degradation, causing chain scission and structural damage, due to heat and moisture. Light exposure at mild storage conditions (C3) induced mild photooxidative effects without significant impact on properties. The combination of all stressors at accelerated storage (C4) severely compromised network, thermal and mechanical stability. Swelling profile increased under storage but it was mitigated under conditions with high temperature and humidity. Storage for 6 months did not promote microbial growth on the sterilised aerogels under the tested conditions, confirming the effectiveness of the CO2 sterilisation process. Aerogels did not present cytotoxicity, regardless of the storage conditions, however wound-healing potential declined under storage conditions C2, C3 and C4, while C1 maintained performance for three months.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Supercritical Fluids is an international journal devoted to the fundamental and applied aspects of supercritical fluids and processes. Its aim is to provide a focused platform for academic and industrial researchers to report their findings and to have ready access to the advances in this rapidly growing field. Its coverage is multidisciplinary and includes both basic and applied topics.
Thermodynamics and phase equilibria, reaction kinetics and rate processes, thermal and transport properties, and all topics related to processing such as separations (extraction, fractionation, purification, chromatography) nucleation and impregnation are within the scope. Accounts of specific engineering applications such as those encountered in food, fuel, natural products, minerals, pharmaceuticals and polymer industries are included. Topics related to high pressure equipment design, analytical techniques, sensors, and process control methodologies are also within the scope of the journal.