Microrheological characterization and insulin release properties of low-methoxyl pectin hydrogels

Authors

Cindy L. Flores ⋅ PH Medical Biophysics Group, Department of Physics, University of San Carlos
Anthonddiemn Olin M. Navarro ⋅ PH Mosquito Research Lab, Department of Biology, University of San Carlos https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4522-3221
Lourenz O. Baliber ⋅ PH Medical Biophysics Group, Department of Physics, University of San Carlos
Marvie Rose A. Madriaga ⋅ PH Medical Biophysics Group, Department of Physics, University of San Carlos
Wilfred V. Rios ⋅ PH Medical Biophysics Group, Department of Physics, University of San Carlos
Rommel G. Bacabac ⋅ PH Medical Biophysics Group, Department of Physics, University of San Carlos https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6148-6268

Abstract

This study investigates the microscale viscoelastic properties of clarified iota-carrageenan/amidated low-methoxyl pectin (ICPec) hydrogels and their functional behavior in controlled insulin release applications. Using passive microrheology, we characterized the local mechanical properties of these polysaccharide-based hydrogels by tracking embedded microspheres and analyzing their mean squared displacement (MSD). The frequency-dependent viscoelastic moduli were determined using the generalized Stokes-Einstein relation, revealing predominantly elastic behavior at physiologically relevant frequencies ranging from 0.1−10 Hz. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to evaluate insulin release kinetics under basal and glucose-stimulated conditions. Our findings indicate that while ICPec hydrogels demonstrate tunable viscoelastic properties with significant potential for drug delivery applications, they exhibit minimal glucose-responsive insulin release characteristics. The microstructural analysis provides critical insights into the relationship between hydrogel network organization and therapeutic molecule diffusion, contributing to the rational design of biomaterials for controlled drug delivery systems.

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Issue

2025: Proceedings of the 43rd Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Conference

Article ID

SPP-2025-2H-03

Section

Biological and Medical Physics

Published

2025-06-14

How to Cite

[1]

CL Flores, AOM Navarro, LO Baliber, MRA Madriaga, WV Rios, and RG Bacabac, Microrheological characterization and insulin release properties of low-methoxyl pectin hydrogels, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 43, SPP-2025-2H-03 (2025). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2025-2H-03.