FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of this study?

The aim of this project is to prove the functionality of alchite fibers in the medical field by comparing the rate of release of alchite fibers compared to the rate of release of alginate fibers not coated in chitosan. We succeeded by demonstrating how the diffusion of a drug can be slowed by coating alginate with a solution of chitosan.

What is alginate, chitosan, and alchite?

Alginic acid, or alginate, is a linear, unbranched polysaccharide manufactured from brown seaweed, which is harvested from oceans worldwide. Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide created by deacetylating chitin, which can be found in the shells of crustaceans.

Alchite is formed when alginate is coated in a layer of chitosan. When a strand of alginate gel is submerged in a bath of chitosan deacetylated by acetic acid, the result is a fibrous, cotton-like substance.

How will the formation of a patch demonstrate the controlled release of alginate hydrogels?

To create fibers that are thin enough to be woven into cloth, calcium alginate gel must be forced through pinholes with the same radius as the desired radius of each string. This device can be manufactured through 3D printing, though a syringe would be just as effective.

Why use alchite instead of cotton for bandages?

Alchite is naturally antimicrobial, an advantage not found in typical cotton dressings. It is also significantly more absorbent than cotton, getting rid of any liquid from a burn wound.

What medication will be used in the patch?

A protein called flourescein isothiocynate (FITC-BSA) will be used to simulate medication in this project, as it contains properties similar to traditional medicines. Only a small amount will be needed relative to the amount of alginate that it will be absorbed in (about .5 mg in 7 mL of alginate solution).

How will the absorbance of alchite compared to the absorbance of alginate be tested?

Through spectroscopy, the absorbances of both regular alginate and alchite (alginate coated in chitosan) will be compared. The substance that retains its absorbance longer will be the one with greater absorbent properties. Hypothetically, the alchite should stay absorbent longer.

Are there any disadvantages to using alchite?

One concern is with alchite's organic properties, as it may cause inflammation in patients that are allergic to shellfish, though a warning can be labeled on a packaged product. Also, with cotton being so common, it may take a while for alchite to go mainstream.