Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41892588›Full record

ReviewGels (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Effect of Biopolymer Additives on Functional Properties of Alginate-Based Composite Hydrogels.

Tanja Krunic, Nevena Ilic, Andrea Osmokrovic

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Gels (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Tanja KrunicInnovation Center of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy Ltd., University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.ORCID 0000-0001-7013-8521
Nevena IlicInnovation Center of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy Ltd., University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.ORCID 0000-0001-7995-316X
Andrea OsmokrovicFaculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.ORCID 0000-0002-6489-8302

Funding

Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia 9802
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Hydrogels constructed from natural biomacromolecules with multifunctional properties, such as improved mechanical strength, ionic stability, biocompatibility, and ionic conductivity, are highly desirable for advanced food and biomedical applications, yet remain challenging to design. Although alginate is one of the most widely used hydrogel-forming polysaccharides due to its biocompatibility and gelation ability, its intrinsic limitations often hinder the development of hydrogels with fully optimized performance. This review provides a systematic comparison of alginate-based composite hydrogels formed with complementary biopolymers, including whey proteins, gelatin, pectin, starch, and chitosan, focusing on their synergistic effects on structural, mechanical, and functional properties. Recent studies are critically analyzed to elucidate how polymer-polymer interactions influence gel network formation, environmental ionic stability, and encapsulation performance. Particular attention is given to fabrication strategies and formulation parameters that enhance the immobilization and controlled release of probiotics, vitamins, polyphenols, and other bioactive compounds. By integrating current knowledge on structure-function relationships and processing approaches, this review offers practical design guidelines for the development of multifunctional alginate-based hydrogel systems for applications in functional foods and nutraceutical delivery.

Indexed as

chitosangelatinpectinstarchwhey protein

Identifiers

PMID41892588
PMCPMC13026169

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.