Yeast cells immobilized in spherical gellan particles cross-linked with magnesium acetate.

In this paper we report on the production of microbioreactors using ionically cross-linked gellan containing immobilized yeast cells with potential application in glucose fermentation. Cross-linking was achieved through a novel extrusion process in capillary by ionotropic gelation under the action of magnesium acetate. Compared to commonly used methods, this provides a host of practical advantages.

New hybrid magnetic nanoparticles based on chitosan-maltose derivative for antitumor drug delivery.

The aim of the present study is to obtain, for the first time, polymer magnetic nanoparticles based on the chitosan-maltose derivative and magnetite. By chemically modifying the chitosan, its solubility in aqueous media was improved, which in turn facilitates the nanoparticles' preparation. Resulting polymers exhibit enhanced hydrophilia, which is an important factor in increasing the retention time of nanoparticles in the blood flow.

Carbohydrate based nanoparticles for drug delivery across biological barriers.

In this review, we will summarize the particularities of each of the following barriers from the point of view of drugs passing across them; blood brain barrier, ocular barriers, skin and mucosal barriers. Also, for each biological barrier the most representative examples of polysaccharides and cyclodextrins nanoformulations are presented.