Co-delivery of astaxanthin using positive synergistic effect from biomaterials: From structural design to functional regulation

The powerful antioxidant properties of astaxanthin (AST) face two significant challenges: low water solubility and poor chemical stability. To overcome them, extensive research and development efforts have been directed toward creating effective delivery systems. Among them, the positive synergistic effect between biomaterials can be used to refine the design of delivery systems. Understanding the relationship between structure and function aids in tailoring applications to specific needs. This review outlines the challenges associated with delivering AST and reviews the mechanisms involved in creating delivery systems, specifically focusing on the structure-function relationship of biomaterials. It comprehensively introduces the positive synergistic effect of biomaterials with enhancing the functional properties of AST, and analyzes the impact of designed structures on function regulation and the application prospects of the delivery system in the food industry. The future demand for efficient delivery of AST will increasingly depend on the positive synergistic effect between biomaterials.

Design of near-infrared light induced functionalized upconverting nanoparticles as support in enzyme immobilization: Enhanced biocatalyst activity and stability

In this study, we hypothesized that the emission of upconverted nanoparticles (UCNP) can trigger PEG-L-ASNase (P-Lase) activity through Förster Resonance Energy Transfer under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. To enhance stability and activity of P-Lase, it was immobilized on functionalized NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+, Nd3+. Upon immobilization, the obtained NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+, Nd3+/GPTMS-P-Lase exhibited excellent pH stability, thermal stability, metal ions or organic solvent tolerance, and storage stability. The relative activity of NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+, Nd3+/GPTMS-P-Lase had about 65 % after 20 cycles and maintained 68 % and 59 % at +4 and 25 °C, respectively, after 4 weeks. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity and hemolysis tests confirmed that the synthesized UCNPs were biocompatible. Most importantly, the activity of P-Lase was enhanced ≥4-fold under suitable NIR irradiation. It is reasonable to believe that this investigation may supply a novel technique to trigger the catalytic efficiency of P-Lase and may have promising application in leukemia treatment.

Mechanically robust calcium alginate/polyacrylamide/tannic acid hydrogel with super toughness, adhesiveness and antimicrobial activity for pork freshness monitoring

Food spoilage concerns millions, making early detection crucial; however, traditional hydrogels for freshness monitoring suffer mechanical defects limiting their real-time packaging use. Herein, we developed a super-tough calcium alginate/polyacrylamide/tannic acid hydrogel with mechanical robustness, adhesiveness, and antimicrobial activity for monitoring pork freshness. By varying the sodium alginate content to 0.28 mg/mL, the hydrogels outperformed the current hydrogel indicator with a breaking elongation of 4020 %, remarkable toughness of 102 MJ/m3 and excellent tearing resistance (tear energy exceeding 1500 J/m2). Moreover, the developed hydrogels displayed excellent adhesion, antioxidant activity, and >99 % antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. When m-cresol purple or neutral red, along with their mixtures in ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:3, were incorporated into the hydrogel system, hydrogel containing neutral red exhibited superior sensitivity with visual color changes for pork freshness monitoring. This hydrogel showed strong positive correlations with pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), total viable count (TVC) and storage time, highlighting their interdependence (P < 0.05). Additionally, ΔE displayed a positive correlation with pH, TVB-N, and TVC, confirming its effectiveness as a visual freshness indicator for pork. This work presents a high-performance hydrogel as a freshness indicator to enhance meat quality monitoring in food industry.

Enhancement of polycaprolactone nanofiber film performance by hydrogen bonding interactions with chitosan for food packaging

Hybrid environmentally friendly nanocomposite films were synthesized via electrospinning using polycaprolactone (PCL) and chitosan (CH). The resulting nanofiber films displayed a homogeneous fibrous microstructure with average diameters between 250-270 nm. Molecular simulation experiments revealed a progressive increase in hydrogen bonding over time. The impact of different CH concentrations on surface roughness was investigated, with results showing that PCL/CH (2 %) reduced surface roughness by 240 % compared to pure PCL film. Furthermore, the addition of CH imparted stable hydrophobic properties to the nanofiber film, with a water contact angle remaining steady at 107° after 20 s. L929 cell experiments confirmed that the nanofiber film exhibits good biocompatibility. Practical application studies using blueberries demonstrated that the PCL/CH (2 %) film effectively preserved freshness at room temperature for up to 5 days. These findings indicate that PCL/CH (2 %) films hold significant potential for use in fruit packaging applications.

Selection of biofilm-inhibiting ssDNA aptamers against antibiotic-resistant Edwardsiella tarda by inhibition-SELEX and interaction with their binding proteins

Biofilms can increase bacterial resistance to antibiotic therapies. Edwardsiella tarda with biofilm is highly resistant to antibacterial treatment, especially for the antibiotic-resistant strain. In this study, we obtained biofilm-inhibiting aptamers against antibiotic-resistant E. tarda via a novel systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) technique, called inhibition-SELEX. After four rounds of screening and validation, we identified aptamers IB1, IB2, and IB3, which demonstrated biofilm-inhibition and biofilm-degradation rates of 69 %, 75 %, and 62 % and 51 %, 63 %, and 45 % at 2 μmol/L, respectively, against antibiotic-resistant E. tarda. Magnetic separation, SDS-PAGE, and mass spectrometry analyses revealed that all three aptamers could bind to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), while IB2 could also bind to formate C-acetyltransferase (FA). Through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, it was found that the four complexes primarily interact through hydrogen bonding. Among them, IB1-GAPDH exhibited the strongest stability, followed by IB2-FA, then IB2-GAPDH, and IB3-GAPDH was the least stable. Our results suggest that IB1, IB2, and IB3 may inhibit and degrade E. tarda biofilm by interfering with the synthesis, secretion, and transportation of its extracellular polysaccharides and proteins by interacting with GAPDH and FA.

Influence pathways of covalent and non-covalent interactions on the stability of deamidated gliadin-tannic acid-based Pickering emulsions

This study aimed to elucidate the pathways through which covalent and non-covalent interactions between deamidated gliadin (DG) and tannic acid (TA) on influence the stability of Pickering emulsions. The interactions induced protein unfolding, as evidenced by increased ultraviolet absorption and a red shift in fluorescence emission. DG-TA composite nanoparticles effectively stabilized high internal phase emulsions, whereas DG nanoparticles alone did not. Covalent DG-TA nanoparticle stabilized Pickering emulsions (C-DGTAE) retained a consistent mean droplet size after 30 d of storage. Lipid hydroperoxide and malondialdehyde levels in C-DGTAE and N-DGTAE were reduced by 59.1 %-69.5 % and 38.9 %-44.4 %, respectively. Furthermore, the retention of β-carotene in the emulsions was significantly enhanced. All emulsions exhibited elastic behavior, characterized by higher G' than G″. Notably, N-DGTAE demonstrated the highest apparent viscosity, G' and G″, attributed to the connected nanoparticles around the droplets. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that C-DGTAE droplets possessed the thickest layer, corroborated by the highest interfacial nanoparticle content of 76 % and an interfacial thickness of 441 nm. These findings suggest that covalent interactions enhance the interfacial nanoparticle layer, while non-covalent interactions promote nanoparticle networking, providing valuable insights for optimizing the stability of Pickering emulsions.

Impact of composition and surfactant-templating on mesoporous bioactive glasses structural evolution, bioactivity, and drug delivery property

This study explores mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) that show promise as advanced therapeutic delivery platforms owing to their tailorable porous properties enabling enhanced drug loading capacity and biomimetic chemistry for localized, sustained release. This work systematically investigates the complex relationship between MBG composition and surfactant templating on structural evolution, in vitro bioactive response, resultant drug loading efficiency and release. A total of 12 samples of sol-gel-derived MBG were synthesized using cationic and non-ionic structure-directing agents (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, Pluronic F127 and P123) while modulating the SiO2/CaO content, generating MBG with surface areas of 60-695 m2/g. Electron microscopy and nitrogen desorption studies verified the successful synthesis of the 12 ordered MBG formulations. Assessment of hydroxyapatite conversion kinetics via FTIR spectroscopy and SEM demonstrated accelerated deposition for 70-80% SiO2 formulations, independent of the surfactant used. However, the templating agent had an impact on drug loading as observed in this study where MBG synthesized by the templating agent Pluronic P123 had higher drug loading compared to the other surfactants. To determine the drug release mechanisms, the in vitro kinetic profiles were fitted to various mathematical models including ze-ro. Most compositions exhibited release properties closest to zero-order, indicating a concentration-independent drug elution rate. These results in this study explain the relationship between tailored hierarchical architecture and intrinsic ion release rates to enable advanced functionality.

Pore formation mechanism and size regulation study of atmospheric dried cellulose nanofiber aerogel templated by emulsions

Atmospheric pressure drying (APD) method holds great promise in the large-scale production of aerogels without specialized equipment and critical conditions. However, atmospheric-dried cellulose- based aerogels are challenged by the collapse of the pore walls induced by the capillary force that arises during solvent evaporation. This study prepared an atmospheric dried cellulose nanofiber (CNF) aerogel with a low shrinkage rate (17.31 %), low density (26.5 mg/cm3), high porosity (97.53 %), excellent mechanical compressive strength (9197 Pa at 50 % strain), and adjustable pore size by embedding oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion templates in an ionically crosslinked CNF network. The effect of the emulsion template, network crosslinking density, and the solvent displacement process on the aerogel formability was studied to elucidate the pore formation mechanism. Additionally, the effect of emulsion droplet size on the aerogel pore size was studied. This work is of great significance in understanding the construction mechanism of atmospheric dried aerogels.

Mucilage-based composites films and coatings for food packaging application: A review

Developing sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions has garnered significant interest in recent years. Mucilage-based coatings and composites offer a promising approach due to their biodegradability, renewable nature, and ability to enhance food quality protection. This review paper discusses the impact of mucilage-based composites and coatings on various packaging applications, focusing on their physical, mechanical, morphological, barrier, and functional properties. These materials' adaptability, flexibility, transparency, and compatibility with various food products make them highly suitable for food packaging. The morphological structure of mucilage-based films contributes to improved adhesion, surface roughness, and homogeneity. Enhanced barriers against moisture, oxygen, and other gases extend the shelf life of packaged food while maintaining its quality. Mucilage from different plant sources exhibits functional properties such as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, which enhance food preservation. These attributes and mucilage's biocompatibility and biodegradability align with the growing demand for environmentally friendly packaging options. The review also addresses cost-effectiveness, regulatory compliance, consumer acceptance, recycling infrastructure compatibility, supply chain considerations, and the need for ongoing innovation. Future advancements in mucilage-based packaging will depend on optimizing performance, scalability, and sustainability. By understanding the effects on physio-mechanical, morphological, barrier, and functional attributes, mucilage-based composites and coatings hold great potential for advancing sustainable food packaging solutions.

Enhanced storage and gastrointestinal stability of spray-dried whey protein emulsions with chitosan and gum Arabic

Protein-based emulsions are widely utilized for delivering bioactives but suffer from thermodynamic instability, microbial spoilage, and gastrointestinal instability, necessitating enhancement strategies. This study explores the improvement of whey protein isolate (WPI) emulsions through chitosan (CS) coating and spray drying with maltodextrin (MD) or gum Arabic (GA). Canola oil droplets were stabilized with WPI, electrostatic coated with CS, and spray-dried. CS addition significantly increased entrapment efficiency from ∼75-78 % to ∼95-98 %, correlating with enhanced storage and gastrointestinal stability. During a 2-h gastric digestion study, CS/GA-protected powders demonstrated only 3.6 % lipolysis compared to 27.1 % for unprotected WPI emulsions, exhibiting superior gastric resistance. Under small intestinal conditions, their digestion rate constant was one-fifth of that for unprotected WPI emulsions. Furthermore, CS/GA-protected powders maintained excellent storage stability for one year. These findings highlight the potential of WPI-based emulsion powders as effective oral delivery systems for lipophilic bioactives, offering improved storage and gastrointestinal stability.

Recent progress in polysaccharide microsphere-based hemostatic material for intravascular and extravascular hemostasis: A review

Hemorrhage, a common consequence of diseases, surgical procedures, and traffic accidents, poses a significant threat to public health. Effective hemostasis is crucial for patient survival and prognosis, particular in case of internal bleeding. While polysaccharide microsphere-based hemostatic materials have gained clinical acceptance due to their effectiveness, good biocompatibility, and versatility in both intravascular and extravascular hemostasis, they are limited by their single function and insufficient hemostatic properties. Recently, booming developments have been witnessed in microsphere-based biomaterials to achieve a combination therapy for hemostasis. This review first examines the fundamentals of coagulation process, hemostatic mechanisms, and microsphere fabrication techniques. We then discuss the latest investigations in functionalized microsphere-based hemostatic materials for controlling intravascular and extravascular hemorrhage, focusing on design strategies, hemostatic properties, and clinical implementation. Finally, we also propose some limitations and challenges of these hemostatic materials, aiming to provide valuable insights for future research in novel polysaccharide microsphere-based biomaterial.

Spinal cord injury repair based on drug and cell delivery: From remodeling microenvironment to relay connection formation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) presents a formidable challenge in clinical settings, resulting in sensory and motor function loss and imposing significant personal and societal burdens. However, owning to the adverse microenvironment and limited regenerative capacity, achieving complete functional recovery after SCI remains elusive. Additionally, traditional interventions including surgery and medication have a series of limitations that restrict the effectiveness of treatment. Recently, tissue engineering (TE) has emerged as a promising approach for promoting neural regeneration and functional recovery in SCI, which can effectively delivery drugs into injury site and delivery cells and improve the survival and differential. Here, we outline the main pathophysiology events of SCI and the adverse microenvironment post injury, further discuss the materials and common assembly strategies used for scaffolds in SCI treatment, expound on the latest advancements in treatment methods based on materials and scaffolds for drug and cell delivery in detail, and propose future directions for SCI repair with TE and highlight potential clinical applications.

From nature to nanotech: Harnessing the power of electrospun polysaccharide-based nanofibers as sustainable packaging

Today, the applications of natural polysaccharide-based nanofibers are growing in drug delivery and food industries. They also showed their capability as packaging due to biodegradability, mechanical strength, barrier properties, thermal stability, antioxidant, and antimicrobial features. Natural polysaccharides come from different sources, such as plants, microbes, and animals. Natural polysaccharide-based nanofibers can be considered sustainable packaging in contrast to plastic packaging due to their safety and biodegradability. Smart packaging is a new trend in packaging materials, and natural polysaccharides can be applied as smart packaging. They can work as an indicator that confirms food health in food packaging. Electrospinning is one of the most used methods for the fabrication of nanofibers, and it can also be used for the fabrication of natural polysaccharide nanofibers. This method can be scaled up and used to fabricate nanofibers on a large scale. This paper will review recent studies on natural polysaccharide-based nanofiber as packaging materials and their benefits. We also discuss the challenges and limitations of their scale-up and electrospinning process. Furthermore, we will discuss the future perspective of natural polysaccharide-based nanofiber as a new sustainable packaging.

Animal-free coacervates: The combination of fungal chitosan-gum Arabic for the encapsulation of lipophilic compounds

In this study, fungal chitosan (FC) and gum Arabic (GA) were combined to develop non-animal complex coacervates for encapsulation. Optimal coacervate formation occurred at pH 5 with a 1:4 (FC:GA) weight ratio. Innovative complementary approaches, including rheology coupled with phase-contrast microscopy, revealed that FC-GA coacervates could withstand high shear rates, reverting to their original structure afterward, making them suitable for industrial applications. FTIR, DSC, and TGA analyses confirmed the electrostatic interactions and thermal stability, making them suitable for high-temperature procedures like spray-drying or extrusion. Higher GA concentrations increased coacervate hydrophilicity, while low-dielectric-constant liquids reduced particle size and disrupted coacervates. This study also explored interactions with solvents used in cosmetics, finding that isohexadecane, ethylhexyl stearate, and ethanol improved wetting properties by reducing electrostatic interactions, while polar solvents such as water and glycerol hindered them due to stronger interactions. The coacervates effectively encapsulated α-tocopherol, achieving an 82.6 % of encapsulation efficiency at a 1:1 (w/w) wall material-to-active ratio. These findings highlight the potential of FC-GA coacervates as stable, easy-to-prepare encapsulation materials for high-shear and high-temperature conditions, offering promising applications in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Enhancing performance of in-situ synthesized biocompatible shape memory polyurethane acrylate by cellulose nanocrystals

This study presents the development of biocompatible and biodegradable nanocomposites utilizing renewable cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in polycaprolactone (PCL)-based polyurethane acrylates (PUA) through in situ polymerization. First, CNCs were derived from cotton linter via acid hydrolysis; then functionalized with 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane to produce silane-modified CNCs (S-CNCs). CNCs offered uniform dispersion in PUA up to 2 wt% loading, resulting in significant property enhancements, including ∼60 % increase in tensile strength and ∼25 % increase in Young's modulus. Despite the chemical interaction of S-CNCs with PUA, they tended to agglomerate beyond 0.5 wt% loading due to the promotion of chemical interactions between S-CNC particles at higher concentrations. Despite this, comparable improvements (e.g. ∼50 % in tensile strength and ∼25 % in Young's modulus) were observed at just 0.5 wt% S-CNC loading. Both neat PUA and PUA nanocomposites demonstrated exceptional shape memory properties, with shape fixity exceeding 95 % and shape recovery approaching 100 %. However, S-CNCs also halved the shape recovery time compared to neat PUA, a critical advancement for time-sensitive applications. Meanwhile, the biocompatibility of PUA was largely preserved in the presence of the nanoparticles, particularly for S-CNC.

Enhancing curcumin stability and bioavailability through chickpea protein isolate-citrus pectin conjugate emulsions: Targeted delivery and gut microecology modulation

The limited solubility, rapid metabolism, and poor bioavailability of curcumin restrict its application. In this study, we synthesized chickpea protein isolate (CPI)-citrus pectin (CP) conjugates to prepare an emulsion delivery system that enhances the stability and bioavailability of curcumin. The CPI-CP emulsion achieved a curcumin encapsulation efficiency of 86.15 %. Additionally, the stability of curcumin within CPI-CP emulsion was enhanced under conditions of thermal, UV irradiation, and oxidation. In vitro digestion demonstrated that the CPI-CP conjugates effectively preserved the interfacial film integrity during gastric digestion, facilitating targeted delivery of curcumin to the small intestine. This resulted in a substantial increase in curcumin bioavailability, from 50.60 % to 85.60 %. In vivo, the emulsion alleviated liver oxidative stress by improving antioxidant enzyme activity and promoted gut health through increased short-chain fatty acid production and modulation of gut microbiota. This research presents an effective strategy for enhancing the stability and bioavailability of curcumin and demonstrates the potential application of CPI-CP conjugates in delivery systems for bioactive substances.

Interaction effects on acoustic emissions of submicron ultrasound contrast agents at subharmonic resonances

Submicron ultrasound contrast agents hold great potential to extend the bubble-mediated theranostics beyond the vasculature, but their acoustic response and the interaction effects between them remain poorly understood. This study set out to numerically examine the interaction effects on the subharmonic oscillations of nanobubbles and the resultant acoustic emissions under subharmonic resonance conditions. Results showed that a negative correlation between bubble size and subharmonic resonance frequency is readily obtained from the radius response curves. Moreover, it was also found that the larger nanobubble in a two-nanobubble system generally acts as the primary determinant for the subharmonic oscillations of the smaller one. Specifically, a larger nanobubble excited at its subharmonic resonance conditions can force a smaller nanobubble to undergo subharmonic oscillations, resulting in the generation of subharmonic acoustic emissions. Conversely, under specific resonance conditions, a smaller nanobubble undergoing subharmonic oscillations can also be restrained by a larger nanobubble that is off-resonance and consequently its subharmonic component disappears. Furthermore, it also clearly demonstrated that the generation of subharmonic resonance is pressure threshold dependent and the subharmonic resonant radius is distinctly reduced as the acoustic pressure increases. By contrast, a larger nanobubble has a lower pressure threshold than that of a smaller one, when subjected to their subharmonic resonance conditions respectively. More importantly, the higher pressure threshold of a smaller nanobubble can be prominently decreased by the interaction effects from a nearby larger nanobubble. For two interacting nanobubbles, the interaction effects strongly depend on the inter-bubble distance, and the farther the two nanobubbles is, the weaker the interaction effects become and even can be ignored. Additionally, the impacts of the lipid shell properties indicated that increasing shell viscoelasticity can increase the subharmonic resonant radius but dampen the subharmonic oscillations and the resultant acoustic emissions, which is more sensitive to the shell viscosity. This study can contribute to a better understanding of the complex interaction effects between submicron ultrasound contrast agents on the resultant acoustic emissions, potentially advancing nanobubble-specific ultrasound applications.

Stabilization of metal-doped magnesium oxide nanoparticles with PAMAM dendrimers to improve alpha-amylase enzyme inhibition

The present study aimed to synthesize metal-doped magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles to drastically reduce polydispersity and stabilize them with generation 5 of poly(amidoamine) (G5 PAMAM) dendrimers to assess their antidiabetic properties via controlled release. Zinc and silver metals were selected as dopants due to their ionic radius (0.74 Å and 1.16 Å, respectively) for MgO crystal defect reduction (ionic radii - 0.72 Å), allowing for the comparison of the dopants' effect on the nanoparticles' properties. Later, the resultant nanoparticles were formulated into G5 PAMAM dendrimers, and their amylase inhibition was evaluated and compared with that of non-formulated samples. The results showed that the addition of dopants led to smaller, more stable, and slightly monodispersed spherical, hexagonal, and elongated hexagonal/rod-shaped MgO nanoparticles. The smaller size (∼11-72 nm), surface charge (ca. 17-24 mV), crystallite size ranging from 9.07 nm (Zn-doped MgO) to 17.44 nm (Ag-doped MgO), and distinct shapes have led to enhanced stabilization via G5 dendrimer. Notably, unlike other shapes, spherical nanoparticles were highly stabilized by dendrimers because of the absence of edged atoms. Amylase inhibition assay revealed that dendrimer-stabilized zinc-doped MgO nanoparticles exhibited enhanced inhibitory activity (82.9 %) at 0 h, which decreased to 66.6 % after 24 h, indicating controlled nanoparticle release by the dendrimer. Therefore, this study confirmed the significant role of dendrimer-stabilized metal-doped MgO nanoparticles in enhancing their ability to inhibit enzymes in a controlled manner. These findings led to a novel mechanism that has not been proposed in previous studies.

Design of pH-responsive and amphiphilic pullulan-based biological macromolecule for gene delivery

Nanomedicine, particularly gene delivery, holds immense potential and offers promising therapeutic options. Non-viral systems gained attention due to their binding capacity, stability and scalability. Among these, natural polysaccharides, such as pullulan, are advantageous in terms of sustainability, biocompatibility and potential degradability. In our study, a pH-responsive and amphiphilic pullulan derivative, pullulan norbornene carboxylate (PNC-DMA) was developed, by a two-step synthetic process involving esterification with hydrophobic norbornene group and radical thiol-ene reaction to introduce a pH-dependent cationic group. The molar mass of the polymer was systematically varied to adjust its hydrophobicity and pH-responsive properties, with DS values ranging from 0.4 to 1.4. The created pullulan library exhibited apparent pKa values between 6.5 and 7.1, which were inversely proportional to the degree of substitution (DS). This increase enhanced the polymer's affinity for genetic material, facilitated responsive complexation, provided protection against DNase, and boosted transfection efficiency. However, increased DS was associated with cytotoxicity and protein interaction. Thus, PNC-DMA(140) emerged as the most promising candidate for aqueous formulation and gene delivery in HEK293T cells, even in the presence of serum proteins. This structure-activity-relationship study paves the way for further exploration of the potential advantages of using polysaccharides in gene delivery applications.

Interfacial properties of whey protein hydrolysates monitored by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation

Whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) can be used to develop hypoallergenic foods. However, the stabilization mechanism of WPH-stabilized emulsion is not fully understood. Here, a real-time quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) was used in conjunction with a rheometer to investigate the interfacial properties of WPH. Initially, the properties of WPH with different (6 %, 8 %, 10 %, 12 % and 14 %) degree of hydrolysis (DH) were investigated. 8 %-WPH demonstrated superior emulsifying (11.49 m2/g, 81.34 min) and foaming properties (14.00 %, 7.78 %). Subsequently, the stability of different WPH-stabilized emulsions were examined. 8 %-WPH emulsion exhibited the lowest centrifugal precipitation rate (4.50 %) and Turbiscan stability index (2.24). Additionally, the 8 %-WPH promoted the adsorption and retention of molecules at the interface, which effectively reduced the interfacial tension. QCM-D measurement further proved that the 8 %-WPH possessed excellent adsorption mass and viscoelasticity. Finally, we characterized the interface-adsorbed WPH. The 8 %-WPH exhibited the highest surface hydrophobicity (1072.60) and flexibility (0.22). Notably, the 8 %-WPH showed the highest β-sheet (41.11 %). This led to stronger interactions between neighboring interfacial WPH molecules, which protected the emulsion droplets from destabilizing factors. Nevertheless, excessive hydrolysis (10 %-14 %) caused WPH molecules aggregation, which consequently diminished the viscoelasticity of the interfacial film and the emulsion stability.

Enhancing pork meat batter with curdlan gum-guar gum composite microgels: Impact of fat replacer on gel properties, water distribution, and sensory perception

This work investigated the effects of curdlan gum-guar gum composite microgels (CG microgels) as a fat replacer on the gel properties, water distribution, and microstructures of pork meat batters, using techniques including rheometry, SEM, and LF-NMR. Between 55 °C and 80 °C, the addition of 30 % CG microgels enhanced the viscoelastic response of pork meat batters. Additionally, the CG microgels reduced cooking loss from 18.31 % to 15.06 % and increased the water holding capacity from 85.07 % to 86.20 %. In the low-fat group, the replacement of pork backfat with CG microgels resulted in a denser gel network structure, enhancing their texture and gel strength. This denser network also reduced flow of water, shifting from free water to more immobilized water, and contributed to improve the apparent state, color, flavor and texture of pork meat batters. This research provides valuable methodological insights for enhancing the quality of low-fat pork meat batters.

Impact of 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol on pancreatic lipase activity in emulsions: Multispectral, molecular docking, and in vitro digestion analysis

2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP) is an additive used in food packaging. The inhibitory effects of 2,4-DTBP on pancreatic lipase (PL) were investigated in this study. Kinetic analysis indicated that 2,4-DTBP competitively and reversibly inhibited PL activity. At 4.85 mM, PL activity decreased by 35.5 ± 1.6 %. 2,4-DTBP quenched the fluorescence of PL by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that 2,4-DTBP induced changes in the secondary structure of PL. Molecular docking revealed that 2,4-DTBP interacted with Phe77, Leu153, and Ser152 residues of PL, which account for suppressing lipid hydrolysis. An in vitro digestion study showed that 2,4-DTBP inhibited the digestion of lipid in oil-in-water emulsions. This study improved our understanding of the effects of 2,4-DTBP on digestive enzyme. It also underscored the need for better monitoring and control of the leaching of this additive from packaging materials into foods.

Nanoscale insight into the interaction mechanism underlying the transport of microplastics by bubbles in aqueous environment

The ecological risk of microplastics (MPs) is raising concern about their transport and fate in aquatic ecosystems. The capture of MPs by bubbles is a ubiquitous natural phenomenon in water-based environment, which plays a critical role in the global cycling of MPs, thereby increasing their environmental threats. However, the nanoscale interaction mechanisms between bubbles and MPs underlying MPs transport by bubbles in complex environmental systems remain elusive. This work for the first time directly measured and evaluated the interactions between bubble and polystyrene microplastic (PSMP) under various environmental factors in aqueous media using atomic force microscope (AFM) combined with a Stokes-Reynold-Young-Laplace (SRYL) model. Since hydrophobic interaction was strong enough to act across the repulsive barrier, bubble-PSMP attachment always occurred at different NaCl concentrations, pH and hydrodynamic conditions, and a decay length D0 of hydrophobic interaction was determined as 0.65 ± 0.05 nm. No bubble attachment was observed during approach for aged PSMP (APSMP) with the weakened hydrophobic interaction (D0 = 0.33 ± 0.02 nm), while in 100 mM NaCl, APSMP-bubble attachment occurred during retraction due to the hydrodynamic suction effect. The decreased D0 arose from the increased oxygen-containing groups on APSMP surfaces that significantly reduced the hydrophobicity of MPs surface as evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and water contact angle measurement. It was further evident from transport tests that aging plays a crucial role in MPs transport driven by bubbles. This work provides nanoscale information on the interaction mechanism underlying the MPs transport by bubbles, with implications to evaluate the fate of MPs in aqueous environments.

Novel nanomaterials-based combating strategies against drug-resistant bacteria

Numerous types of contemporary antibiotic treatment regimens have become ineffective with the increasing incidence of drug tolerance. As a result, it is pertinent to seek novel and innovative solutions such as antibacterial nanomaterials (NMs) for the prohibition and treatment of hazardous microbial infections. Unlike traditional antibiotics (e.g., penicillin and tetracycline), the unique physicochemical characteristics (e.g., size dependency) of NMs endow them with bacteriostatic and bactericidal potential. However, it is yet difficult to mechanistically predict or decipher the networks of molecular interaction (e.g., between NMs and the biological systems) and the subsequent immune responses. In light of such research gap, this review outlines various mechanisms accountable for the inception of drug tolerance in bacteria. It also delineates the primary factors governing the NMs-induced molecular mechanisms against microbes, specifically drug-resistant bacteria along with the various NM-based mechanisms of antibacterial activity. The review also explores future directions and prospects for NMs in combating drug-resistant bacteria, while addressing challenges to their commercial viability within the healthcare industry.

Insights into the oil-water interfacial adsorption properties of whey protein-γ-oryzanol Pickering emulsion gel during in vitro simulated digestion

This work elucidated the digestion behavior of low-oil phase Pickering emulsion gel (LOPPEG) stabilized by whey protein isolate (WPI) -γ-Oryzanol (γO) aggregated particles and interfacial adsorption properties of its simulated digestion products. Initially, following simulated digestion, WPI-γO LOPPEG exhibited lower free fatty acid release and protein digestibility compared to WPI LOPPEG. WPI-γO LOPPEG maintained lower interfacial tension and higher interfacial thickness than WPI LOPPEG. The quartz crystal microbalance results further demonstrated that the viscoelasticity and oil-water interfacial adsorption quality of WPI-γO LOPPEG were higher than those of WPI LOPPEG. Ultimately, WPI-γO/pH 7.5 LOPPEG showed the best interfacial adsorption characteristics and anti-digestive properties. This work could provide the theoretical guidance for the development of the slow-digestive foods.

Rheology of dilute and semi-dilute non-Brownian suspensions made of irregular porous particles in a Newtonian fluid

HYPOTHESIS

The porosity affects the rheological response of porous particle suspensions.

EXPERIMENTS

Non-Brownian suspensions of porous particles immersed in a Newtonian Polyisobutene are investigated. Three different particles, with different porosity, pore structure and similar size, and non-porous irregular particles are used. The steady state and dynamic response of the suspensions are analyzed at several volume fractions.

FINDINGS

The behavior of the three porous particle suspensions is unique if the particle effective volume fraction, accounting for the polymer adsorbed into the particles, is considered. These suspensions are Newtonian until a critical volume fraction, beyond which they are shear thinning and exhibit a yield stress. Their rheological response differs from that of suspensions made of non-porous irregular particles as: (a) their critical volume fraction is much smaller than that of the irregular particle suspensions; (b) their viscoelastic spectra are different suggesting a denser and stronger percolated microstructure after a slow preshear. These results can be understood by considering the reduction of lubrication force induced by the porosity via two mechanisms: Darcyan flow through the porosity and propagation of the interparticle shear flow within the porosity. The first dominates at low shear rates, when the percolated microstructure is generated, the second prevails at high shear rates, where the particle clusters are disaggregated.

Hydrosilylation of porous silicon: Unusual possibilities and potential challenges

Among the many types of surface modifications on porous silicon (pSi), hydrosilylation stands out to be an important approach due to the formation of highly stable surface linkage through Si-C bonding. Since its conceptualization in 1998, hydrosilylation had gradually gained popularity for pSi surface modifications and had become an important approach for stabilizing pSi surfaces especially for biological applications. Over the past decade, significant advancements have been made in the hydrosilylation process for modifying porous silicon (pSi) surfaces. These developments have progressed to the point of enabling the incorporation of multiple chemical functionalities onto a single surface. This review aims to highlight the most recent studies on hydrosilylation of pSi surfaces, explore some of the more unconventional reaction mechanisms available in pSi surface chemistry, and discuss the challenges associated with implementing these strategies.

Microfluidic design and preparation of hydrogel microcapsules of Mesona chinensis polysaccharide: Characterization, pH-responsive behavior and gastrointestinal protection for Lactobacillus plantarum

Probiotics have brought many health benefits to the human body. However, their viability during gastrointestinal transit is a concern. Therefore, this study selected Mesona chinensis polysaccharide (MCP), an edible natural polysaccharide, and constructed a new type of microcapsules using MCP as raw material to prepare cross-linked calcium ions through a microfluidic system as an ideal intestinal targeting carrier to achieve precise delivery of bioactive substances. The results showed that the Mesona chinensis polysaccharide microcapsules (MCM) had high monodispersity, stable morphology and uniform particle size (737.25 ± 10.40-511.65 ± 10.99 μm) under various parameters, and had good pH-response ability in simulated body fluids. In vivo imaging demonstrated the targeting and protective effects of the microcapsules. Compared to the free group, MCM had a longer retention time in the intestine. After encapsulating Lactobacillus plantarum, MCM formed a dense protective layer on the outer layer in simulated gastric fluid, which improved the survival and storage stability of Lactobacillus plantarum. It can be reasonably proposed that MCM represents a viable alternative as a carrier with gastric acid protection and intestinal targeting. This has the potential to expand the application of MCP in functional food and medicine, while also facilitating the future delivery of bioactive substances.

Hybrid three-dimensional printing and encapsulation process for cellulose hydrogel sensors

The advancement of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has further promoted the scientific progression of hydrogels within the realm of wearable devices. However, when the viscosity of the hydrogel precursor is large but does not meet the self-supporting requirements, or lacks the participation of monomer with gel phase change characteristics, the 3D printing preparation of hydrogels often becomes difficult. This study delves into a novel 3D printing method aimed at combining direct ink writing (DIW) with vat photopolymerization (VPP) to achieve a broad spectrum of adjustable mechanical properties by introducing cellulose as a medium to modulate both the mechanical and rheological properties of hydrogels. This hybrid method facilitates the efficacious printing preparation of low-viscosity hydrogels, thereby mitigating the stringent viscosity prerequisites inherent in printable hydrogels. Furthermore, the employment of a dual-core coaxial printing technique for the hybrid printing of hydrogel and elastomer serves to ameliorate hydrogel water loss predicaments. As a result, this new 3D printing method broadens the mechanical properties of printable hydrogels and the adjustable range of system viscosity. At the same time, it realizes the integrated printing of encapsulation layer, and improves the service life of hydrogels, and can be applied to the hydrogel-based sensors.

Cellulose-based multifunctional materials with robust hydrophobic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties through dynamic cross-linked network structures

Environmental pollution and health problems caused by traditional non-degradable fossil-based plastics are significant concerns, rendering green and renewable bio-based materials, such as cellulose and C36-Priamine (1074), as attractive substitutes. In particular, the low plasticity of cellulose can be optimized using soft alkyl chains. Herein, multifunctional cellulose-based materials were constructed via covalent adaptable networks using the Schiff base reaction of oxidized microcrystalline cellulose with varying aldehyde (dialdehyde cellulose (DAC)) contents and C36-Priamine (1074). Subsequently, a series of DAC/1074 bio-based films were formed via a simple heat-pressing process (T = 90 °C). The resulting films exhibited excellent properties, including high stresses (16.8-28.6 MPa), high strains (4.94-25.38 %), good transparency (>80 %), excellent toughness (118.24-267.61 J/m3), and enhanced water resistance (92.9-94.5 %) and hydrophobicity (water contact angle of 120.6°-132.83°). Owing to their excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, our prepared DAC/1074 films have diversified applications in food packaging, medical materials, and cosmetics.

Unlocking the potential of green-engineered carbon quantum dots for sustainable packaging biomedical applications and water purification

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with well-defined architectures offer highly fascinating properties such as excellent water-solubility, exceptional luminescence, large specific surface area, non-toxicity, biocompatibility and tuneable morphological, structural, and chemical features. This review comprehensively overviews recent breakthroughs and critical milestones in the green synthesis of CQDs from renewable sources and provides guidance for their sustainable development towards fulfilling the goals of green chemistry. It also discusses the interaction of CQDs with various biopolymers to improve the material performance and functionality. This paper also highlights the latest technological applications of CQDs in numerous fields, including sustainable packaging, biosensing, bioimaging, cancer therapy, drug delivery as well as water purification. Finally, it summarizes the main challenges and provides an outlook on the future directions of CQDs in packaging and biomedical fields. This review can act as a roadmap to guide researchers for tailoring the properties of CQDs for important composite and biomedical fields.

Advancements in functional adsorbents for sustainable recovery of rare earth elements from wastewater: A comprehensive review of performance, mechanisms, and applications

Rare earth elements (REEs) are crucial metallic resources that play an essential role in national economies and industrial production. The reclaimation of REEs from wastewater stands as a significant supplementary strategy to bolster the REEs supply. Adsorption techniques are widely recognized as environmentally friendly and sustainable methods for the separation of REEs from wastewater. Despite the growing interest in adsorption-based REEs separation, comprehensive reviews of both traditional and novel adsorbents toward REEs recovery remain limited. This review aims to provide a thorough analysis of various adsorbents for the recovery of REEs. The types of adsorbents examined include activated carbons, functionalized silica nanoparticles, and microbial synthetic adsorbents, with a detailed evaluation of their adsorption capacities, selectivity, and regeneration potential. This study focuses on the mechanisms of REEs adsorption, including electrostatic interactions, ion exchange, surface complexation, and surface precipitation, highlighting how surface modifications can enhance REEs recovery efficiency. Future efforts in designing high-performance adsorbents should prioritize the optimization of the density of functional groups to enhance both selectivity and adsorption capacity, while also maintaining a balance between overall capacity, cost, and reusability. The incorporation of covalently bonded functional groups onto mechanically robust adsorbents can significantly strengthen chemical interactions with REEs and improve the structural stability of the adsorbents during reuse. Additionally, the development of materials with high specific surface areas and well-defined porous structures is benifitial to facilitating mass transfer of REEs and maximizing adsorption efficiency. Ultimately, the advancement of the design of efficient, highly selective and recyclable adsorbents is critical for addressing the growing demand for REEs across diverse industrial applications.

Detergent induced structural perturbations in peanut agglutinin: insights from spectroscopic and molecular dynamic simulation studies

The three dimensional structure of a protein is very important for its structure. Studies relating to protein structure have been numerous and the effect of denaturants on proteins can help understand the process of protein folding and misfolding. Detergents are important denaturants and play important roles in various fields. Here we explored the effect of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on the structure of peanut agglutinin (PNA). The protein was purified from its natural source and impact of SDS and CTAB was studied by circular dichroism, intrinsic fluorescence, 8-anilino-1-napthalenesulfonic acid, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Pure peanut agglutinin showed a trough at 220 nm and positive ellipticity peak at 195 nm, specific for lectins. Results from the experimental and simulation studies suggest how oppositely charged detergents can interact differently and lead to varied structural perturbations in PNA. Both the surfactants induce all α protein-like circular dichroism in the protein, above its critical micelle concentrations, with significant change in accessible surface area that became more hydrophobic upon the treatment. Major interactions between the surfactants and protein, resulting in PNA conformational rearrangement, are electrostatic and van der Waals interactions. However, CTAB, a cationic surfactant, has similar effects as anionic surfactant (SDS) but at significantly very low concentration. Though the effects followed same pattern in both the surfactant treatment, i.e. above respective CMC, the surfactants were inducing all α protein-like conformation in PNA.

Spontaneous formation of small and ultrasmall unilamellar vesicles in mixtures of drug surfactant and phospholipid: Effect of chemical structure of phospholipid tails on vesicle size

We have investigated the effect of length and chemical structure of phospholipid tails on the spontaneous formation of unilamellar liposomal vesicles in binary solute mixtures of cationic drug surfactant and zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine phospholipids. Binary drug surfactant-phospholipid mixtures with four different phospholipids with identical headgroups (two saturated phospholipids 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC, 14:0) and 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC, 16:0), and two unsaturated lipids 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC, 18:1) and 1,2-Dierucoyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphatidylcholine (DEPC, 22:1)) combined with two different tricyclic antidepressant drugs (amitriptyline hydrochloride (AMT) and doxepin hydrochloride (DXP)) have been investigated with small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). We observe a conspicuous impact of phospholipid tail structure on both micelle-to-vesicle transition point and vesicle size. In particular, ultrasmall unilamellar vesicles, i.e. with a diameter less than 20 nm, were observed in several samples with the two unsaturated phospholipids DOPC and DEPC, but not in any samples with the saturated phospholipids DMPC and DPPC. The smallest vesicles observed in DOPC and DEPC mixtures were smaller than 18 nm in diameter. In contrast, the smallest vesicles observed in DMPC mixtures were about 30 nm in diameter and always larger than 100 nm in DPPC mixtures. The ultrasmall vesicles showed exceptional colloidal stability. Moreover, bilayer vesicles predominated over micelles in a much wider range of concentrations for DOPC and DEPC mixtures as a result of having a smaller phospholipid mole fraction in the aggregates at the micelle-to-vesicle transition. Our results have been theoretically rationalized by combining solution thermodynamics with bending elasticity theory.

The practical feasibility of bismuth oxyhalide semiconductors with controlled surface defects in photocatalytic degradation of toluene in air

The photocatalytic degradation (PCD) of toluene (as model aromatic volatile organic compound (VOC)) is studied using two-dimensional semiconductors (bismuth oxyhalides (BiOX (X = Cl and Br)) synthesized with surface defects (BiOX-R (R = reduction)) through a solvothermal-induced reduction process. The PCD efficiency of BiOCl-R against 5 ppm toluene (20 % relative humidity (RH)) is 98.6 % under ultraviolet light irradiation with the quantum yield and clean air delivery rate of 1.04E-03 molecules photon-1 and 3 L/h, respectively. A combined evaluation of catalyst properties, experimental data, and density functional theory simulations consistently indicates that the formation of surface defects should promote the adsorption and activation of toluene, molecular oxygen (O2), and water (H2O) molecules. Meanwhile, the geometric and electronic structure of defective BiOX favorably generates superoxide anion (O2-) and hydroxyl (OH) radicals through electron (e-)-assisted O2 activation and hole (h+)-mediated H2O oxidation, respectively. Notably, the BiOCl-R surface becomes more advantageous to reduce the reaction energy barrier in the ring-opening processes of intermediate forms like benzaldehyde and benzoic acid. Overall, the results of this study offer practical guidelines for the design of advanced photocatalysts with controlled surface defects for the efficient PCD of aromatic VOCs in air.

Thin liquid films stabilized by plant proteins: Implications for foam stability

HYPOTHESIS

Plant-based proteins offer a sustainable solution for stabilizing multiphase food materials like edible foams and emulsions. However, challenges in understanding and engineering plant protein-stabilized interfaces persist, mostly because of the commonly poorer functionality and complex composition of the respective protein isolates. We hypothesize that part of the limited understanding is related to the lack of experimental data on the length-scale of the thin liquid film that separates two neighboring bubbles. By conducting such experiments, we aim to better understand the mechanisms by which plant proteins stabilize foams, a critical material in food applications.

EXPERIMENTS

In this study, we employ the dynamic thin film balance method to study the equilibrium properties and dynamic drainage behavior of foam thin liquid films stabilized by proteins derived from two main plant protein sources, yellow peas and rapeseeds, to investigate potential differences in film stabilization.

FINDINGS

Our thin film results provide new insights into the general foam stabilization mechanism of the two plant proteins. Most studies in this field focus on the impact of surface rheological parameters on stability of plant protein-based foam. We show that for such foams the half-life scales linearly with film thickness, the latter being closely related to the steric and electrostatic interactions developed across the respective films in equilibrium. Our study demonstrates the value of thin film studies in complementing traditional methods for studying protein-stabilized interfaces and facilitates an understanding of foam stabilization mechanisms that are universal among various surface-active species.

Modifying the antibacterial performance of Cu surfaces by topographic patterning in the micro- and nanometer scale

Antimicrobial surfaces are a promising approach to reduce the spread of pathogenic microorganisms in various critical environments. To achieve high antimicrobial functionality, it is essential to consider the material-specific bactericidal mode of action in conjunction with bacterial surface interactions. This study investigates the effect of altered contact conditions on the antimicrobial efficiency of Cu surfaces against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The fabrication of line-like periodic surface patterns in the scale range of single bacterial cells was achieved utilizing ultrashort pulsed direct laser interference patterning. These patterns create both favorable and unfavorable topographies for bacterial adhesion. The variation in bacteria/surface interaction is monitored in terms of strain-specific bactericidal efficiency and the role of corrosive forces driving quantitative Cu ion release. The investigation revealed that bacterial deactivation on Cu surfaces can be either enhanced or decreased by intentional topography modifications, independent of Cu ion emission, with strain-specific deviations in effective pattern scales observed. The results of this study indicate the potential of targeted topographic surface functionalization to optimize antimicrobial surface designs, enabling strain-specific decontamination strategies.

Morphological dynamics of thin liquid films formed by bubbles oscillating near a free surface: Experimental and numerical investigation

HYPOTHESIS

Bubbles oscillating near a free surface are common across numerous systems. Thin liquid films (TLFs) formed between an oscillating bubble and a free surface can exhibit distinct morphological features influenced by interfacial properties, evaporation, and deformation history. We hypothesize that a continuous film presence throughout oscillation results in a wimple morphology, whereas intermittent film presence leads to a dimple formation. Additionally, we propose that the thickness of a wimpled film depends solely on the capillary number Ca, whether the bubble oscillates toward and away from the free surface or is pressed against it in two consecutive motions.

EXPERIMENTS

Using dynamic film interferometry, we investigate the morphology and drainage of TLFs formed with BSA and SDS surfactants. Controlled bubble oscillations allow us to test various deformation histories, and a lubrication theory-based model aids in interpreting the experimental findings.

FINDINGS

Experiments confirm that film morphology is heavily influenced by deformation history, with continuous film presence throughout the entire deformation process leading to wimple formation. A modified lubrication-theory-based scaling captures the universal behavior of film thickness as a function of the capillary number across different morphologies. Our model aligns well with observed transitions between wimple and dimple shapes, offering valuable insights for the design of nanostructured surfaces.

Waste cooking oils as a sustainable feedstock for bio-based application: A systematic review

Waste cooking oils (WCOs) are common wastes and promising green, eco-friendly and sustainable feedstocks for bio-based applications. While the primary valorisation strategy revolves around the concept of waste-to energy, new research trends have emerged in the last decade. This systematic review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the art in the conversion of WCOs into bio-based molecules. Based on the PRISMA methodology, 64 papers were selected using different databases and sources, such as: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and MDPI. The data extraction process focused on studies reporting the biological and chemical conversion of WCOs into value-added bioproducts. Many of the selected publications deal with the development of bioactive molecules, including biosurfactants, with application in pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and bioremediation. Bioconversion processes mainly featured engineered Yarrowia lipolytica and Escherichia coli strains, even if additional microorganisms were also employed. In the same way, different chemical processes have been thoroughly studied. A smaller segment of research is directed to the production of feed supplements and soaps. Regulatory constraints limit further development in feed supplements due to potential contaminants, while soap production needs further stability studies. The present systematic review shows promising outcomes in the valorisation of WCOs through the development of value-added molecules and products. Despite the wide range of applications, these findings identify that the scalability and economic sustainability of the selected processes require further investigation. This study seeks to summarize the current state of the art and identify potential gaps to advance the industrialization of WCOs valorisation.

Interfacial behavior and emulsifying properties of coconut protein glycated by polygalacturonic acid with different molecular weight

Glycosylation can be used to improve the emulsifying properties of protein by covalently binding with sugar. In this study, we prepared coconut protein (CP) -polygalacturonic acid (PA) conjugates by dry-heat method, studied the effect of PA with different molecular weight on the structure and functionality of CP, and characterized the interfacical behavior of CP at the oil-water interface to establish the relationship between interfacial behavior and emulsion stability. The results showed that different molecular weights of PA (28.4 ± 2.01 kDa, 20.3 ± 3.09 kDa, 16.3 ± 3.07 kDa, 11.6 ± 2.33 kDa) significantly affected the grafting degree between CP and PA (14.57 % ± 0.98 %, 53.74 % ± 0.1 %, 45.5 % ± 1.81 %, 36.54 % ± 0.38 %, respectively). The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the successful preparation of PA-CP conjugates. The dynamic interfacial tension of the conjugate was lowest (11.03 ± 0.07 mN/m) at the lowest PA molecular weight (11.6 ± 2.33 kDa), which increased with the increase of molecular weight. The diffusion, penetration and rearrangement rates of the conjugate were the highest when the molecular weight of PA was 20.3 ± 3.09 kDa. Compared to mixtures, conjugates tended to form a more elastic and stable interfacial film at the oil-water interface. In addition, the glycosylation reaction could improve the emulsion stability, resulting in smaller droplets size and higher zeta potential. With the decrease of molecular weight of PA, the emulsifying performance of CP was also improved. In conclusion, this work can further expand the application of coconut protein in the food industry and indicate the direction for further development of pectin with different molecular weights in the food industry.

Stable emulsion produced by thermal modified coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) globulins-xanthan gum for protection of curcumin

In order to explore the potential applications of thermal modified (90 and 120 °C, 20 min) coconut globulins (CG) in encapsulation systems, the long-term emulsion stability was improved by adding xanthan gum (XG). Subsequently, the protection effect of thermal modified CG-XG emulsion on curcumin (Cur) was demonstrated. The results showed that the XG decreased the interfacial adsorption of heated-CG. When 0.1 % XG was added, the Kr value and interfacial viscoelasticity of 90 °C-CG were significantly increased. However, when the concentration of XG increased to 0.2 %, the Kr value and interfacial viscoelasticity showed significant decrease. The interfacial viscoelasticity of 120 °C-CG decreased with the increase of XG. However, the emulsion prepared by 120 °C-CG-XG had a higher viscosity and a more compacted three-dimensional gel network structure, which led to the higher long-term stability. The heated-CG-XG emulsion system showed an excellent encapsulation effect on Cur, especially for the 120 °C-CG-0.2XG encapsulation system, which could improve the bioaccessibility of Cur from 18.21 % to 36.23 % (p < 0.05). Our work indicated that the 120 °C-CG emulsion system have the potential use in Cur encapsulation delivery, which is of great significance for the commercial application of thermal modified CG.

Starch nanoparticles regulate the steric conformation of soy protein isolate to stabilize high internal phase Pickering emulsions for curcumin encapsulation

This study aimed to the fabrication of high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPEs) via regulating the complexation of starch nanoparticles (SNPs) with soy protein isolate (SPI) at the oil-water interface. The formation of SNPs-SPI complexes was driven by the electrostatic adsorption and hydrogen bond interactions, which enhanced the biphasic wettability and reduced the interfacial tension. The SNPs-SPI complexes exhibited the superior emulsifying properties compared to those of SPI, with the SNPs3-SPI achieving the highest emulsion activity index (EAI, 65.67 m2/g) and emulsion stability index (ESI, 138.48 min). The rheological measurement revealed that the HIPEs stabilized by SNPs-SPI complexes (SNPs-SPI-E) exhibited the higher viscoelastic and gel-like structure than those of HIPEs stabilized by SPI (SPI-E). The adsorption of SNPs at the oil-water interface endowed the SNPs-SPI-E with higher encapsulation efficiency of curcumin (83.19 %-92.37 %) than that of SPI-E (75.42 %), which impeded the degradation and oxidation of curcumin. Moreover, the SNPs-SPI-E possessed the excellent storage and thermal stabilities than those of SPI-E. The curcumin encapsulated in SNPs-SPI-E exhibited the increased bioaccessibility, with SNPs3-SPI-E reaching the highest value of 38.92 %. This research would be beneficial to development of SNPs-SPI complexes interface for stabilizing HIPEs and modulating the encapsulation of bioactive ingredients.

Multifunctional electrospinning periosteum: Development status and prospect

In the repair of large bone defects, loss of the periosteum can result in diminished osteoinductive activity, nonunion, and incomplete regeneration of the bone structure, ultimately compromising the efficiency of bone regeneration. Therefore, the research and development of tissue-engineered periosteum which can replace the periosteum function has become the focus of current research. The functionalized electrospinning periosteum is expected to mimic the natural periosteum and enhance bone repair processes more effectively. This review explores the construction strategies for functionalized electrospun periosteum from the following perspectives: ⅰ) bioactive factor modification (bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) etc.), ⅱ) inorganic compound modification, ⅲ) drug modification, ⅳ) artificial periosteum in response to physical stimuli. Furthermore, the construction of artificial periosteum through electrospinning, in conjunction with other strategies, is also analyzed. Finally, the current challenges and prospects for the development of electrospinning periosteum are also discussed.

Cysteine-induced disulfide cleavage enhances the solubility of alkali-treated pea protein and its elasticity contribution in low-salt hybrid meat gels

This study investigated the effectiveness of cysteine in improving the functional properties of pea proteins within low-salt myofibrillar protein (MP) gels. Cysteine treatment, at a concentration of 3.3 mM/g protein, cleaved 71-82 % of the disulfide bonds in native and pH-shifted pea protein isolates (PPIN and PPIpH), which increased the solubility and hydrophobicity of PPIpH. PPIN showed slight changes, primarily an increase in tryptophan fluorescence. The cleavage of disulfide bonds improved the hardness, elastic component (G'), and network integrity of hybrid gels. When combined with transglutaminase, the MP + PPIpH gel reached its maximum hardness (0.38 N) at a cysteine concentration of 1.7 mM/g protein. SDS-PAGE patterns and gels treated with additional N-ethylmaleimid confirmed the involvement of cysteine-treated PPI in the gel matrix. Consequently, cysteine-mediated disulfide bond disruption effectively modifies pea proteins, rendering them a more suitable functional ingredient for enhancing the texture of low-salt meat products.

Foaming of semi-solid gel - An emerging concept in the food lipid sector

The research on the foaming of semi-solid gel (oleogel) has recently attracted the attention of food scientists owing to its functional characteristics that make it a potential alternative to saturated fat and trans-fat used in food products. The oleofoams are prepared by heating the vegetable oil with an oleogelator followed by cooling to form a semi-solid gel and then incorporating air in the semi-solid gel to form an air-in-oil system having higher stability to deformation. Oleofoams provide new opportunities for the development of novel aerated food products free of saturated and trans fatty acids to meet the growing demand of consumers for healthy foods. The objective of the present review is to understand the development of new research area in food technology thereby focusing on the process of formulation of oleofoams covering the effect of process parameters on the stability of oleofoams, functional characteristics of oleofoam system, food application, and research gap.

Effect of 4-methylbenzoquinone concentration on its covalent conjugates with β-lactoglobulin: Structural and functional properties

This study examined the effect of quinone concentration on covalent interaction between β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) and 4-methylbenzoquinone (4MBQ). β-Lg-4MBQ-0.2, β-Lg-4MBQ-0.4, and β-Lg-4MBQ-0.8 were prepared at 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1 M ratio of 4MBQ to β-Lg thiols, respectively. β-Lg-4MBQ-0.8 had the highest polyphenol content (19.04 ± 0.17 mg/g) and the lowest free sulfhydryl (17.12 ± 0.18 μmol/g) and amino group (181.28 ± 5.37 μmol/g) contents. Compared to β-Lg, β-Lg-4MBQ conjugates showed reduced α-helix (0.82-1.26 %) and increased β-sheet (1.17-1.50 %) content. β-Lg-4MBQ-0.8 and β-Lg-4MBQ-0.4 exhibited higher surface hydrophobicity and emulsifying properties than β-Lg-4MBQ-0.2 and β-Lg. Antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS scavenging) followed: β-Lg-4MBQ-0.8 (46.75 ± 0.17 % and 50.97 ± 0.51 %) > β-Lg-4MBQ-0.4 (39.50 ± 0.27 % and 46.63 ± 0.59 %) > β-Lg-4MBQ-0.2 (33.35 ± 0.71 % and 43.00 ± 0.39 %) > β-Lg (31.50 ± 0.56 % and 36.25 ± 0.90 %). β-Carotene emulsions stabilized by β-Lg-4MBQ-0.4 exhibited the highest stability. These findings provide insights into developing antioxidant emulsifiers.

Plant-based protein amyloid fibrils: Origins, formation, extraction, applications, and safety

Amyloid fibrils (AFs) are highly ordered nanostructures formed through the self-assembly of proteins under specific conditions. Due to their unique properties, AFs have garnered significant attention as biomaterials over the past decade. Nevertheless, the increasing reliance on animal proteins for AFs production raises sustainability concerns, highlighting the need for a transition to plant-based proteins as more environmentally friendly feedstocks. This review summarizes the conditions, mechanisms, and factors influencing the fibrillisation of over 20 plant-based protein amyloid fibrils (PAFs). The effectiveness of enzymatic extraction and membrane separation for isolating PAFs was also evaluated. Additionally, the review discusses the potential for enhancing PAFs' suitability through cross-linking with external agents. In the future, PAFs may be developed as advanced nanomaterials for a range of applications, including food hydrogels, cell-cultured meat scaffolds, and food detection sensors. However, thorough investigation of safety concerns and process improvements remain the primary challenges for the development of PAFs.

Collaborative stabilizing effect of trehalose and myofibrillar protein on high internal phase emulsions: Improved freeze-thaw stability and 3D printability

This study investigated the improvement of adding trehalose (Tre) on freeze-thaw (F-T) stability and 3D printability of myofibrillar protein (MP)-based high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), also the underlying mechanism. Appropriate Tre addition formed thicker shell-like structure around MP by hydrogen bonds, and induced protein unfolding to ameliorate amphiphilicity. Additionally, Tre promoted the MP diffusion to interface to reduce interfacial tension. After interface saturation, Tre inducing MP rearrangement contributed more to form compact interface layer. Larger interface coverage increased hydrophobic interactions between droplets, constructing stronger MP-Tre-HIPEs gel network, inhibiting more free water to form ice crystals, confirmed by reduced destabilization index and freezing point. Such gel network enhanced their own viscoelasticity and thixotropic recovery, exhibiting superior printing accuracy. Conversely, excessive Tre aggregates (15 %-20 %) competed with MP for interfacial adsorption and filled between interfacial layer of adjacent droplets, weakening gel network. These findings expanded MP-HIPEs high-value application in frozen-foods and 3D printing.

Ultrasound-mediated soybean-egg white protein acid-induced emulsion gels: A multi-design approach integrating techno-functional properties, digestibility, and nutritional value

This study investigated the effects of formulation and ultrasound on the processing properties and nutrient digestion of soy protein isolate (SPI)-egg white protein (EWP) emulsion gels. The incorporation of EWP significantly improved the texture properties and freeze-thaw stability through disulfide bonds and homogeneous networks in comparison to SPI emulsion gels. However, swelling ratio of emulsion gels at SPI:EWP ratios of 3:1 and 2:1 decreased due to disruption of SPI network continuity. After ultrasound, SPI-EWP emulsion gels exhibited higher gel strength, freeze-thaw stability, and swelling ratio. Digestion kinetics showed an increased half-life time of SPI-EWP emulsion gels with no significant difference in PCmax. Flexible proteins could adsorb around small droplets, forming tight interfacial layers and a dense and uniform network according to particle size and Cryo-SEM. This work elucidated the mechanism of performance stabilization and digestion kinetics of SPI-EWP emulsion gels, supporting the design of animal and plant protein complex products.

Investigation of thermodynamic and solubility properties of poly (4-methyl styrene - alt - maleic anhydride) and poly (4-methyl styrene - alt - n-propyl maleimide) copolymers by inverse gas chromatography

Poly (4-methyl styrene - alt - maleic anhydride) (PMS-A) copolymer was synthesized by free radical polymerization, and then modified with n-propyl amine through ring opening of maleic anhydride units to prepare modified poly (4-methyl styrene - alt - n-propyl maleimide) (PMS-I) copolymer. FT-IR analysis confirmed the composition of these copolymers. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), glass transition temperature (Tg), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were investigated for the copolymers. Some thermodynamic and physicochemical properties were determined for different groups of test solutes at infinite dilution by inverse gas chromatography (IGC) in the temperature ranges 373-393 K and 373-433 K for the PMS-A and the PMS-I copolymers, respectively. The physicochemical characterization of the IGC included the determination of the molar heat enthalpy of sorption, mixing and vaporization (ΔH1S,ΔH1∞,ΔHV), weight fraction activity coefficient,Ω1∞, Flory-Huggins interaction parameters, X12∞ at infinite dilution, Hildebrand solubility parameter, δ2, total and partial Hansen solubility parameters, δT,δd,δp,δh. The results showed that the solubility of the PMS-A copolymer in nonpolar solutes is poor but moderate for the PMS-I copolymer. The solubility of the PMS-A copolymer in benzene and toluene solutes is moderate, but it is good for the PMS-I copolymer. The solubility of the PMS-A copolymer in ketones, halogens, nitriles, acetates, heterocyclic, and alcohol solutes is good, but the solubility of the PMS-I copolymer with these solutes is the best. Values of the Hildebrand solubility parameters of the PMS-A and PMS-I copolymers ranged from 17.57 - 16.73 and 19.48 - 18.06, respectively. In addition, the total Hansen solubility parameters ranged from 18.82 - 17.12 and 16.65 - 15.20.