Modifying Pollen for Innovative Applications
Researchers are exploring the potential of pollen grains for various applications by first removing their sticky outer layer in a process known as defatting. This initial step involves eliminating lipids and allergenic proteins, paving the way for the creation of empty capsules intended for drug delivery, which are of particular interest to scientists like Csaba.
A significant advancement occurred in 2020 when Cho and his team discovered that incubating pollen in a potassium hydroxide alkaline solution at a temperature of 80° Celsius (176° Fahrenheit) could drastically modify the surface chemistry of the pollen grains. This transformation allows the grains to absorb and retain water more efficiently.
Describing the newly treated pollen, Shahrudin Ibrahim, a research fellow in Cho’s laboratory, likens its texture to Play-Doh. Prior to the treatment, pollen grains resemble hard, inert marbles, but the post-treatment product is pliable and can adhere to itself easily, facilitating the formation of more complex structures. Ibrahim proudly showcases a vial of the yellow-brown substance created in the lab.
When dried and cast onto a flat surface, the resulting microgel can form either paper or film, depending on the desired thickness. This material exhibits both strength and flexibility, along with sensitivity to external factors such as changes in pH and humidity. The treatment with alkaline solutions enhances the hydrophilic properties of pollen’s constituent polymers, allowing the gel to expand or contract in response to moisture levels, according to Ibrahim.
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The unique properties of this pollen-based film have led researchers in Singapore to propose numerous potential applications. These include smart actuators that can detect and react to environmental changes, as well as wearable health trackers designed for monitoring cardiac signals. Additionally, due to its natural UV protection, there is enthusiasm about its possible role in replacing certain photonically active substrates within perovskite solar cells and other optoelectronic devices.
