The Controlled Release of Abscisic Acid (ABA) Utilizing Alginate–Chitosan Gel Blends: A Synergistic Approach for an Enhanced Small-Molecule Delivery Controller
Oscar Valdes,
Daniel Bustos,
Luis Guzmán,
Marcelo Muñoz-Vera,
Gabriela Urra,
Ricardo I. Castro,
Luis Morales-Quintana
Affiliations
Oscar Valdes
Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule (CIEAM), Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile
Daniel Bustos
Laboratorio de Bioinformática y Química Computacional, Departamento de Medicina Traslacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3480094, Chile
Luis Guzmán
Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunohematología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Talca, Avenida Lircay, s/n, Casilla 747-721, Talca 3460000, Chile
Marcelo Muñoz-Vera
Multidisciplinary Agroindustry Research Laboratory, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Cinco Pte. N° 1670, Talca 3467987, Chile
Gabriela Urra
Laboratorio de Bioinformática y Química Computacional, Departamento de Medicina Traslacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3480094, Chile
Ricardo I. Castro
Multidisciplinary Agroindustry Research Laboratory, Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas, Facultad de Arquitectura, Construcción y Medio Ambiente, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Cinco Pte. N° 1670, Talca 3467987, Chile
Luis Morales-Quintana
Multidisciplinary Agroindustry Research Laboratory, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Cinco Pte. N° 1670, Talca 3467987, Chile
The integration of abscisic acid (ABA) into a chitosan–alginate gel blend unveils crucial insights into the formation and stability of these two substances. ABA, a key phytohormone in plant growth and stress responses, is strategically targeted for controlled release within these complexes. This study investigates the design and characterization of this novel controlled-release system, showcasing the potential of alginate–chitosan gel blends in ABA delivery. Computational methods, including molecular dynamics simulations, are employed to analyze the structural effects of microencapsulation, offering valuable insights into complex behavior under varying conditions. This paper focuses on the controlled release of ABA from these complexes, highlighting its strategic importance in drug delivery systems and beyond. This controlled release enables targeted and regulated ABA delivery, with far-reaching implications for pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and plant stress response studies. While acknowledging context dependency, the paper suggests that the liberation or controlled release of ABA holds promise in applications, urging further research and experimentation to validate its utility across diverse fields. Overall, this work significantly contributes to understanding the characteristics and potential applications of chitosan–alginate complexes, marking a noteworthy advancement in the field of controlled-release systems.