U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Liu, Linshuitem
                                            KENDE, MEIR - USAMRIIDitem
                                            RUTHEL, GORDON - USAMRIIDitem
                                            Fishman, Marshallitem
                                            Hicks, Kevin
  Submitted to: Drug Delivery
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 8/29/2005
                                    Publication  Date: 10/30/2006
                                    Citation: Liu, L.S., Kende, M., Ruthel, G., Fishman, M.L., Hicks, K.B. 2006. Pectin/zein beads for potential colon-specific drug delivery:  synthesis and in vitro evaluation. Drug Delivery, 13:417-423.Interpretive Summary: About 500,000-800,000 dry tons of pectin are available annually from the by-products of the U.S. beet sugar and fruit juice industries; only 8 million pounds of them will be consumed by the U.S. food market.  Finding new uses for this biodegradable and biocompatible polysaccharide is critical for U.S. agribusiness.  In this study, composite pectin hydrogel beads were synthesized.  The composite beads showed suitable physical properties and  stability to be used as a drug delivery system for the treatment of colon diseases.  Sugar beet and citrus fruits growers and processors will benefit from this research when this process is commercialized since it will create more demand for pectin and pectin-containing byproducts.
                                Technical Abstract: Novel complex hydrogel beads were prepared from two edible polymers: pectin, a carbohydrate from citrus fruits and zein, a protein from corn.  The pectin/zein complex hydrogels did not swell in physiological environments, but hydrolyzed in the presence of pectinases.  An in vitro study showed the capacity of the hydrogels to endure protease attack and residence time variation.  The physical and biological properties of the new hydrogels were attributed to molecular entanglement of the two polymers.  The pectin networks were stabilized by the bound zein molecules.  In turn, the pectin networks shielded the bound zein from protease digestion.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov