A method of producing microparticles by spray drying comprises the steps of providing a spray-drying feedstock solution comprising water, a volatile divalent metal salt, weak acid, 5-15% dairy or vegetable protein (w/v) and 1-20% active agent (w/v). The feedstock solution is adjusted to have a pH at which the volatile divalent metal salt is substantially insoluble. The feedstock solution is then spray-dried at an elevated temperature to provide atomised droplets, whereby the volatile divalent metal salt disassociates at the elevated temperature to release divalent metal ions which crosslink and aggregate the protein in the atomised droplets to produce microparticles having a crosslinked aggregated protein matrix and active agent dispersed throughout the matrix.

There is provided a method for preparing a dense hydrogel comprising an at least partially gelled hydrogel, placing the at least partially gelled hydrogel in fluid communication with an end of a capillary, and driving the at least partially gelled hydrogel into the capillary to form a dense hydrogel. There is also provided a system for preparing the dense hydrogel comprising a capillary having a bore; and a driver in communication with an end of the capillary for driving an at least partially gelled hydrogel into the bore of the capillary to form a dense hydrogel.

A layer includes polyvinyl alcohol and 20 wt % or more calcium carbonate, based on the total weight of the layer. Another layer includes polyvinyl alcohol and calcium carbonate. A container includes a body that defines an internal cavity capable of holding an article, the body including a layer including polyvinyl alcohol and 20 wt % or more of calcium carbonate, based on the total weight of the layer. Another container includes a layer including polyvinyl alcohol and calcium carbonate.

The invention provides a method for rapid gelation of a silk fibroin solution under physiological conditions. The method comprises steps of: (1) weighing NapFF solid powder into a glass vial and adding ultrapure water; (2) adding a NaOH solution, dissolving and heating for 1-2 min at 70° C. to form a transparent solution; (3) slowly adding a HCl solution and stirring until the pH is 7.2-7.5; (4) adding a silk fibroin solution; (5) adding ultrapure water to set the volume to 200 μL; and (6) standing horizontally, and observing the gelation process by tilting and inverting the glass vial. In the invention a low concentration of silk fibroin solution can be induced to rapidly gelate in a short time. The silk fibroin gel can be degraded by proteolytic hydrolysis in human body, has no toxic side effects, has good biocompatibility, and thus can be used as a good biomaterial.

To provide a collagen sponge excellent in mechanical strength and a production method for the collagen sponge. A collagen sponge including a porous construct having a pore structure, the collagen sponge having a tensile strength of 1 N or more and 5 N or less in every direction including a length direction and a width direction. The collagen sponge may be produced by a production method including the following steps: (1) a step of subjecting a collagen solution obtained by mixing collagen and a solvent to stirring and deaeration treatment; (2) a step of subjecting the collagen solution to freeze-dry treatment; and (3) a step of subjecting a dried collagen product after the freeze-dry treatment to insoluble treatment.

This document describes a process of producing gel microparticles, which are consistent in size and morphology. Through the process of coacervation, large volumes of gel microparticle slurry can be produced by scaling up reactor vessel size. Particles can be repeatedly dehydrated and rehydrated in accordance to their environment, allowing for the storage of particles in a non-solvent such as ethanol. Gel slurries exhibit a Bingham plastic behavior in which the slurry behaves as a solid at shear stresses that are below a critical value. Upon reaching the critical shear stress, the slurry undergoes a rapid decrease in viscosity and behaves as a liquid. The rheological behavior of these slurries can be adjusted by changing the compaction processes such as centrifugation force to alter the yield-stress. The narrower distribution and reduced size of these particles allows for an increase in FRESH printing fidelity.

The invention provides a method for inducing gelation and biomimetic mineralization of a silk fibroin solution by alkaline phosphatase. A micromolecular polypeptide that is sensitive to ALP and has good biocompatibility and self-assembly property is introduced as a gelator precursor, which can remove a phosphate group under the catalytic action of ALP to generate NY, to trigger supramolecular self-assembly, and therefore SF co-self-assembly is synergistically induced, finally resulting in rapid formation of SF hydrogel. ALP wrapped in an SF-NY hydrogel network still retains its catalytic activity and catalyzes beta-glycerophosphate to release free phosphate ions, so that formation of apatite minerals is induced in the gel. The biomimetic mineralized SF gel can be used as a biomimetic scaffold to promote the adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro, and can also promote the natural healing of femoral defects in a rat model.

Protein-based nanoparticles and methods of forming such protein-based nanoparticles via electrohydrodynamic jetting methods are provided. The nanoparticle may comprise a water-soluble protein having an average molecular weight of ≥ about 8 kDa and < about 700 kDa. In certain variations, the water-soluble protein is cross-linked (e.g., with an optional crosslinking agent) and defines a mesh structure having an average linear mesh size of ≥ about 1 nm to ≤ about 4 nm. Methods of making such nanoparticles may include jetting a liquid comprising the water-soluble protein through a nozzle, followed by exposing the liquid to an electric field sufficient to solidify the liquid and form the protein-based nanoparticles described above.

C

A microfibrillated cellulose-loaded foam is indicated, comprising microfibrillated cellulose, at least one thickening agent and/or at least one adhesive biopolymer. Furthermore, a method for producing such a microfibrillated cellulose-loaded foam and a use of such a foam are provided.

Disclosed herein are matrices, compositions and methods of making matrices. The matrix comprises a biomolecule and the matrix is a dried, cross-linked foam. The matrix is not lyophilized. The method comprises foaming the composition, crosslinking the composition and drying the composition. Matrices disclosed herein are useful as wound dressings and treating wounds.