Superabsorbent hydrogel composed of covalently crosslinked gum arabic with fast swelling dynamics

Application of protein/polysaccharide aerogels in drug delivery system: A review

Drug delivery systems have emerged as a prominent research focus in the field of drug development, offering enhanced stability and improved bioavailability. Among them, protein (silk, gelatin and whey) or polysaccharide (alginate, chitosan, cellulose, starch, pectin and carrageenan) aerogels derived from natural sources have gained increasing popularity due to their unique advantages, such as cost-effectiveness, flexible preparation, bioactivity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. However, despite their growing significance, there remains a lack of comprehensive information and ongoing confusion regarding the application of protein/polysaccharide aerogels in drug delivery system. Hence, the objective of this review was to provide a comprehensive review of the research progress in protein/polysaccharide aerogels for drug delivery systems from the perspective of aerogels category, synthesis strategy, drug-loading method, performance characteristic and release mechanism. Furthermore, by consolidating the existing information, we aimed to present our own perspectives and insights on the future development of protein/polysaccharide aerogels in drug delivery system. In conclusion, this comprehensive review served as a valuable resource for researchers and scholars, addressing the current gaps in knowledge and clarifying the complex landscape of protein/polysaccharide aerogels in drug delivery system.

Gum arabic-OPO3H2 as a new natural-based green catalyst for the one-pot pseudo-four-component synthesis of naphtho[1,2-e][1,3]oxazines

Gum arabic-OPO₃H₂ (GA-OPO₃H₂) as a unique natural-based green catalyst was synthesized by the reaction of phosphorus pentoxide with gum arabic. The structure and properties of the catalyst were studied via several analysis methods such as FT-IR, MAPPING, EDS, SEM, XRD, and TGA. The efficiency of the above-mentioned catalyst was investigated for the synthesis of naphtho-1,3-oxazines via a pseudo-four-component reaction of primary amines, formaldehyde, and 2-naphthol under the solvent-free grinding condition at room temperature using an electrical mortar-heater. The obtained results indicated that GA-OPO₃H₂ is a highly efficient green catalyst for the synthesis of naphtho[1,2-e][1,3]oxazines with high yields, simple workup, and benign reaction condition.

Gum arabic-OPO₃H₂ (GA-OPO₃H₂) as a unique natural-based green catalyst was synthesized by the reaction of phosphorus pentoxide with gum arabic.

The peritrophic membrane as a target of proteins that play important roles in plant defense and microbial attack

The peritrophic membrane (or peritrophic matrix: PM) is a thin membranous structure that lies along the midgut epithelium in the midgut lumen and consists of chitin and proteins. PM exists between ingested food material and midgut epithelium cells and it is on the frontline of insect-plant and insect-microbe interactions. Therefore, proteins that play major roles in plant defense against herbivorous insects and in microbial attack on insects should penetrate, destroy or modify the PM to accomplish their roles. Recently, it has become clear that some proteins crucial to plant defense or microbial attack have the PM as their primary target. In addition, several plant defense proteins have been reported to affect the PM, although it is still unclear whether the PM is their primary target. This review introduces several of these proteins: fusolin and enhancin, two proteins produced by insect viruses that greatly enhance infection of the viruses by disrupting the PM; the MLX56 family proteins found in mulberry latex as defense proteins against insect herbivores, which modify the PM to a thick structure that inhibits digestive processes; Mir1-CP, a defense cysteine protease from maize that inhibits the growth of insects at very low concentrations and degrades the PM structures; and chitinases and lectins. The importance, necessary characteristics, and modes of action of PM-targeting proteins are then discussed from a strategic point of view, by spotlighting the importance of selective permeability of the PM. Finally, the review discusses the possibility of applying PM-targeting proteins for the control of pest insects.

Abnormal swelling of the peritrophic membrane in Eri silkworm gut caused by MLX56 family defense proteins with chitin-binding and extensin domains

MLX56 family defense proteins, MLX56 and its close homolog LA-b, are chitin-binding defense proteins found in mulberry latex that show strong growth-inhibitions against caterpillars when fed at concentrations as low as 0.01%. MLX56 family proteins contain a unique structure with an extensin domain surrounded by two hevein-like chitin-binding domains, but their defensive modes of action remain unclear. Here, we analyzed the effects of MLX56 family proteins on the peritrophic membrane (PM), a thin and soft membrane consisting of chitin that lines the midgut lumen of insects. We observed an abnormally thick (>1/5 the diameter of midgut) hard gel-like membrane consisted of chitin and MLX56 family proteins, MLX56 and LA-b, in the midgut of the Eri silkworms, Samia ricini, fed a diet containing MLX56 family proteins, MLX56 and LA-b. When polyoxin AL, a chitin-synthesis-inhibitor, was added to the diet containing MLX56 family proteins, the toxicity of MLX56 family proteins disappeared and PM became thinner and fragmented. These results suggest that MLX56 family proteins, through their chitin-binding domains, bind to the chitin framework of PM, then through their extensin-domain (gum arabic-like structure), which functions as swelling agent, expands PM into an abnormally thick membrane that inhibits the growth of insects. This study shows that MLX56 family proteins are plant defense lectins with a totally unique mode of action, and reveals the functions of extensin domains and arabinogalactan proteins as swelling (gel-forming) agents of plants.

Microwave Accelerated Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Gum Arabic and their Physico-Chemical Properties Assessments

Microwave enhanced gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were synthesized using gum Arabic as both reducing and stabilizing agents. Response surface methodology was applied to study effects of the Au NPs synthesized parameters, namely, microwave exposure time (90–180 s) and the amount of AgNO3 solution (1–10 mL) on the mean particle size, mixture solution color and concentration of the synthesized Au NPs. The colloidal solution containing well-dispersed and spherical fabricated Au NPs with mean particle size (22 nm) and maximum concentration (159 ppm) and color (1.12 absorbance unit, a.u.), were obtained at the optimal synthesis conditions, using 8.17 mL of HAuCl4 (1 mM) and 2 mL of gum Arabic solution (4% w/v) during microwave exposure time of 180 s. The physico-chemical properties of the synthesized Au NPs at obtained optimum synthesis conditions were characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy.

Self-assembly of a swollen chitosan/chondroitin sulfate hydrogel by outward diffusion of the chondroitin sulfate chains

A hydrogel constituted of chitosan (CT) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) was synthesized. In previously reported works the stochiometric ratio has been used, but in this paper an excess of CS (40% CT and 60% CS) was used because the hydrogel could be applied as a CS carrier. The hydrogel properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), scanning electron microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Changes in the pH of the gel-surrounding liquid had a considerable effect on both the release and the molecular reorganization of CS. Furthermore, the formed hydrogel exhibited interesting parameters for use in biotechnology, such as water affinity, thermal properties and morphology upon sequential pH variation. The protonation or deprotonation of the different groups that participate in the complex formation and the coiling or uncoiling of like or unlike chains concomitant to the release of CS are believed to be the main factors affecting the hydrogel properties. CS was released mainly at pH higher than 6.5, the value of pK(aCT), and the released CS maximum fraction was approximately 0.5. The WAXS data demonstrated that the CT/CS complex in the hydrogel presented macromolecular reorganization at pHs ranging from 6 to 12.