Advances in polysaccharides for probiotic delivery: Properties, methods, and applications

Recent advances in the preservation effects of spice essential oils on fruits and vegetables

Spice essential oils (SEOs) are currently a prominent area of investigation in food preservation due to their natural, effective, and environmentally friendly properties. This review discussed the latest research progress concerning the application of SEO in fruits and vegetables preservation. The article commenced with an overview of the sources of SEOs and their main components, explored their bioactivities, antimicrobial mechanisms, and the microencapsulation and nanotechnology utilizing spice essential oils. Further research explored the applications of SEOs in culinary, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, and food industries, with a focus on evaluating their effectiveness in extending the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, it discusses limitations such as intense aroma and toxicity concerns, while also outlining prospects for future research and applications in the food sector. Overall, SEOs offer promising avenues for effectively prolonging the storage period of post-harvested fruits and vegetables while maintaining their quality attributes.

Alisma plantago-aquatica polysaccharides ameliorate acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury by regulating hepatic metabolic profiles and modulating gut microbiota

Acetaminophen (APAP) has emerged as a predominant contributor to acute liver failure (ALF) in United States. Alismatis rhizoma, a commonly used traditional herbal medicine, contains small molecular components with extensive hepatoprotective activity. However, the specific role of Alismatis rhizoma polysaccharide (ARP) in liver protection remains unclear. ARP50 and ARP70, derived through graded alcohol precipitation and refinement, predominantly consisted of varying proportions of glucose, galactose, and arabinose. In vitro experiments on free radical scavenging demonstrated notable antioxidant capabilities of ARP50 and ARP70. To investigate the hepatoprotective effects, an APAP-induced acute liver injury (ALI) model was established in mice. ARP50 and ARP70 exerted dose-dependent therapeutic effects on APAP-induced liver injury. Further analysis of liver metabolites revealed that ARPs facilitated the reconstruction of the liver antioxidant system by modulating the metabolism network centered on l-glutamine. In addition, the abundance of gut microbiota was altered under the influence of ARPs. ARP50 significantly reduced the levels of Pseudarthrobacter and markedly increased the levels of Faecalibacterium，At the same time, ARP50 could increase the levels of acetic acid in the liver and serum. Meanwhile, ARP70 significantly increased the abundance of Dubosiella, Muribaculum, Ileibacterium, and Prevotellaceae UCG 001, while reducing the abundance of Escherichia Shigella and Pseudarthrobacter. The results indicated that ARPs could exert a protective effect against APAP-induced acute liver injury by reshaping the liver metabolic profile and modulating the gut microbiota.

Development of soybean protein-based bioactive substances delivery systems: A systematic overview based on recent researches

Some bioactive substances in food have problems such as poor solubility, unstable chemical properties and low bioavailability, which limit their application in functional foods. In recent years, in order to improve the above problems of bioactive substances, soybean protein-based drug delivery systems have been developed. This article reviewed the structure and properties of several major soybean protein commonly used to construct bioactive substance delivery systems. Several common carrier types based on soybean protein were then introduced. The biological functions and limitations of several common soybean protein delivery bioactive substances and the role of soybean protein-based delivery systems were discussed. At present, soybean protein is the most widely used in drug delivery systems. Soybean protein-based nano-particles are currently the most commonly used delivery carriers. Soybean protein-based hydrogels, emulsions, microcapsules and electrospinning are also widely used. Polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamins, functional oils and probiotics are bioactive substances that are frequently delivered. However, in order to promote the application of soybean protein-based delivery systems in food, soybean protein peptidyl delivery vectors and collaborative delivery are the future development trends. In addition, a number of challenges must be addressed, including the sensitization of soybean protein, intolerance to environmental conditions, and the limitations of processing technologies.

Biopolymer encapsulation for improved probiotic delivery: Advancements and challenges

Probiotics, known for their health benefits as living microorganisms, hold significant importance across various fields, including agriculture, aquaculture, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. Optimal delivery and storage of probiotic cells are essential to maximize their effectiveness. Biopolymers, derived from living sources, plants, animals, and microbes, offer a natural solution to enhance probiotic capabilities and they possess distinctive qualities such as stability, flexibility, biocompatibility, sustainability, biodegradability, and antibacterial properties, making them ideal for probiotic applications. These characteristics create optimal environments for the swift and precisely targeted delivery of probiotic cells that surpass the effectiveness of unencapsulated probiotic cells. Various encapsulation techniques using diverse biopolymers are employed for this purpose. These techniques are not limited to spray drying, emulsion, extrusion, spray freeze drying, layer by layer, ionic gelation, complex coacervation, vibration technology, electrospinning, phase separation, sol-gel encapsulation, spray cooling, fluidized, air suspension coating, compression coating, co-crystallization coating, cyclodextrin inclusion, rotating disk, and solvent evaporation methods. This review addresses the latest advancements in probiotic encapsulation materials and techniques, bridging gaps in our understanding of biopolymer-based encapsulation systems. Specifically, we address the limitations of current encapsulation methods in maintaining probiotic viability under extreme environmental conditions and the need for more targeted and efficient delivery mechanisms. Focusing on the interactions between biopolymers and probiotics reveals how customized encapsulation approaches can enhance probiotic stability, survival, and functionality. Through detailed comparative analysis of the effectiveness of various encapsulation methods, we identify key strategies for optimizing probiotic deployment in challenging conditions such as high-temperature processing, acidic environments, and gastrointestinal transit. The findings presented in this review highlight the superior performance of novel encapsulation methods using biopolymer blends and advanced technologies like electrospinning and layer-by-layer assembly, which provide enhanced protection and controlled release of probiotics by offering insights into the development of more robust encapsulation systems that ensure the sustained viability and bioavailability of probiotics, thus advancing their application across multiple industries. In conclusion, this paper provides the foundation for future research to refine encapsulation techniques to overcome the challenges of probiotic delivery in clinical and commercial settings.

Development of Pickering water-in-oil emulsions using a dual stabilization of candelilla wax and acylated EGCG derivatives to enhance the survival of probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum) powder

Probiotics have considerable interest due to their inseparable link to human health. However, probiotic products are seriously challenged during processing, preservation, and intake. Food-grade probiotic delivery systems need to be further explored as an effective way to enhance cell viability. In this study, water-in-oil (W/O) Pickering emulsions were fabricated by adding candelilla wax (CLW) as a network stabilizer based on acylated EGCG derivatives in the crystalline form as a Pickering stabilizer. The effects of acylated EGCG derivatives' concentration, CLW concentration, and oil phase volume fraction on the droplet size distribution, microstructure, and physical stability of Pickering emulsions were explored. The presence of CLW reduced the particle size and improved the physical stability of acylated EGCG-based emulsions, and the effect was more positive with increasing concentration. The protective effect of emulsions with different oil phase volume fractions on Lactobacillus plantarum during freeze-thaw cycles, storage, and gastrointestinal digestion was evaluated. The outer-phase physical barrier of W/O emulsions co-stabilized with acylated EGCG derivatives and CLW facilitated the sensitivity of probiotics to ice crystal growth, temperature changes, acidic environments, and digestive enzymes. The emulsions formulated with 40% oil phase volume fractions allowed Lactobacillus plantarum to survive up to 7.75 log CFU g-1 in the harsh gastrointestinal environment. The results offer promising strategies for applying W/O emulsion probiotic delivery systems in food processing, storage, and oral administration.

Recent trends in nanocellulose: Metabolism-related, gastrointestinal effects, and applications in probiotic delivery

Nanocellulose, a versatile and sustainable nanomaterial derived from cellulose fibers, has attracted considerable attention in various fields due to its unique properties. Similar to dietary fibers, nanocellulose is difficult to digest in the human gastrointestinal tract. The indigestible nanocellulose is fermented by gut microbiota, producing metabolites and potentially exhibiting prebiotic activity in intestinal diseases. Additionally, nanocellulose can serve as a matrix material for probiotic protection and show promising prospects for probiotic delivery. In this review, we summarize the classification of nanocellulose, including cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), cellulose nanofibers (CNF), and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), highlighting their distinct characteristics and applications. We discuss the metabolism-related characteristics of nanocellulose from oral ingestion to colon fermentation and introduce the prebiotic activity of nanocellulose in intestinal diseases. Furthermore, we provide an overview of commonly used nanocellulose-based encapsulation techniques, such as emulsification, extrusion, freeze drying, and spray drying, as well as the delivery systems employing nanocellulose matrix materials, including microcapsules, emulsions, and hydrogels. Finally, we discuss the challenges associated with nanocellulose metabolism, prebiotic functionality, encapsulation techniques, and delivery systems using nanocellulose matrix material for probiotics. This review will provide new insight into the application of nanocellulose in the treatment of intestinal diseases and probiotic delivery.

Co-encapsulation of probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and polyphenol within novel polyvinyl alcohol/fucoidan electrospun nanofibers with improved viability and antioxidation

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/fucoidan (FUC) blend nanofibers were systematically fabricated to co-encapsulate probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 69-2 (LP69-2) and four kinds of polyphenols by electrospinning for the first time. Scanning electron microscopy showed that some areas of PVA/FUC nanofibers encapsulated with LP69-2 were locally broadened. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction suggested that LP69-2 and polyphenol were successfully encapsulated in PVA/FUC electrospun nanofibers. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the addition of LP69-2 and polyphenol enhanced the thermal stability of nanofibers. Moreover, the incorporation of FUC and polyphenol significantly increased the ABTS+ and DPPH radical scavenging ability of PVA nanofibers (P < 0.05). Notably, PVA/FUC/LP69-2/DMY nanofibers displayed the highest DPPH radical scavenging ability. After 21 d, these nanofibers loaded with polyphenols could maintain viability of LP69-2 over 7 lg CFU/g at 4 °C and the viability of LP69-2 in PVA/FUC/DMY nanofibers was the highest. Overall, the co-encapsulation of probiotic and polyphenol within PVA/FUC electrospun nanofibers increased the viability of probiotics and enhanced antioxidant activity of nanofibers. This study provided unique insights for protecting probiotics and developing novel functional foods with higher probiotics.

Nanoformulations in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications: Green Perspectives

This study provides a brief discussion of the major nanopharmaceuticals formulations as well as the impact of nanotechnology on the future of pharmaceuticals. Effective and eco-friendly strategies of biofabrication are also highlighted. Modern approaches to designing pharmaceutical nanoformulations (e.g., 3D printing, Phyto-Nanotechnology, Biomimetics/Bioinspiration, etc.) are outlined. This paper discusses the need to use natural resources for the "green" design of new nanoformulations with therapeutic efficiency. Nanopharmaceuticals research is still in its early stages, and the preparation of nanomaterials must be carefully considered. Therefore, safety and long-term effects of pharmaceutical nanoformulations must not be overlooked. The testing of nanopharmaceuticals represents an essential point in their further applications. Vegetal scaffolds obtained by decellularizing plant leaves represent a valuable, bioinspired model for nanopharmaceutical testing that avoids using animals. Nanoformulations are critical in various fields, especially in pharmacy, medicine, agriculture, and material science, due to their unique properties and advantages over conventional formulations that allows improved solubility, bioavailability, targeted drug delivery, controlled release, and reduced toxicity. Nanopharmaceuticals have transitioned from experimental stages to being a vital component of clinical practice, significantly improving outcomes in medical fields for cancer treatment, infectious diseases, neurological disorders, personalized medicine, and advanced diagnostics. Here are the key points highlighting their importance. The significant challenges, opportunities, and future directions are mentioned in the final section.

Extraction, Characterisation and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Probiotic Growth Potential of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from Ulva rigida Macroalgae

Ulva rigida green macroalgae contain a variety of polysaccharides. A recent study investigated the optimum concentration and yield of polysaccharide extraction from oven-dried U. rigida biomass using a water-soluble polysaccharide extraction method that adhered to safety standards. This study utilised complete factorial experiments to examine the effects of varying factors on polysaccharide extraction. Results showed a positive correlation between increased levels of all factors and higher polysaccharide extraction yield. This study also found that the main factors and their interaction had a significant impact on the extracted polysaccharides from U. rigida. The highest polysaccharide content and yield were 9.5 mg/mL and 189 mg/g, respectively. Water-soluble polysaccharides demonstrated the presence of reducing sugar (8 mg/g), phenolics (0.69 mg/g) and flavonoids (1.42 mg/g) and exhibited antioxidant properties. Results revealed that freeze-dried polysaccharide powders were primarily composed of the monosaccharide rhamnose. Preliminary results on the effect of these powders on probiotics demonstrated that supplementation of polysaccharides from U. rigida promoted viable Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 growth during cultivation. This discovery has the potential to revolutionise the human food industry and promote the development of functional ingredients for novel and future food products, with numerous applications in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Effect of levan polysaccharide on chronological aging in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Levan is a fructose-based biopolymer with diverse applications in the medicinal, pharmaceutical, and food industries. However, despite its extensive biological and pharmacological actions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties, research on its anti-aging potential is limited. This study explored levan's impact on the chronological lifespan (CLS) of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the first time. The results show that levan treatment significantly extended the CLS of wild-type (WT) yeast by preventing the accumulation of oxidative stress markers (reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonyl content) and ameliorating apoptotic features such as reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, loss of plasma membrane integrity, and externalization of phosphatidylserine. By day 40 of the CLS, a significant increase in yeast viability of 6.8 % (p < 0.01), 11.9 % (p < 0.01), and 20.8 % (p < 0.01) was observed at 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/mL of levan concentrations, respectively, compared to control (0 %). This study's results indicate that levan treatment substantially modulates the expression of genes involved in the TORC1/Sch9 pathway. Moreover, levan treatment significantly extended the CLS of yeast antioxidant-deficient mutant sod2Δ and antiapoptotic gene-deficient mutant pep4Δ. Levan also extended the CLS of signaling pathway gene-deficient mutants such as pkh2Δ, rim15Δ, atg1, and ras2Δ, while not affecting the CLS of tor1Δ and sch9Δ.

Extraction, purification, structural features, modifications, bioactivities, structure-activity relationships, and applications of polysaccharides from garlic: A review

Garlic is a common vegetable and spice in people's daily diets, in which garlic polysaccharide (GP) is one of the most important active components with a variety of benefits, such as antioxidant, immune-enhancing, anti-inflammatory, liver-protective and bowel-regulating properties. >20 types of GPs, mainly crude polysaccharides, have been identified. However, the exact chemical composition of GPs or the mechanism underlying their pharmacological activity is still not fully understood. The extraction and purification methods of GPs are compared in this review while providing detailed information on their structural features, identification methods, major biological activities, mechanisms of actions, structural modifications, structure-activity relationships as well as potential applications. Finally, the limitations of GP research and future issues that need to be addressed are discussed in this review. GPs are widely recognized as substances with great potential in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the latest research progresses in the field of GPs, together with scientific insights and a theoretical support for the development of GPs in research and industrialization.

Nanocellulose-based platforms as a multipurpose carrier for drug and bioactive compounds: From active packaging to transdermal and anticancer applications

The nanocellulose has unique characteristics, such as biocompatibility, good mechanical strength, and low cytotoxicity. The nanocellulose crystalline portion is responsible for good mechanical resistance, while the amorphous portion is responsible for flexibility. Such features make it a promising candidate for multiple applications related to the modulation of substance release: targeted cancer therapy, transdermal drug delivery, and controlled-release packaging materials. Thus, in this study, we discussed nanocellulose as a multipurpose material for drug delivery and bioactive compound carriers in controlled delivery systems with varied applications in pharmaceutic fields. Herein, we focus on understanding key factors such as i) polymer-drug interactions and surface modification strategies in controlled release rates, ii) therapeutic efficacy, and iii) biocompatibility aspects. The tunable chemistry surface plays a fundamental approach limiting the quick release of active substances in drug delivery systems. Several works on a pre-clinical stage of investigation were overviewed, reporting robust evidence on nanocellulose to design bioactive compounds/drug delivery carriers based on stimuli-responsive drug release and controlled delivery systems for higher efficiency in cancer therapies, purposing target therapy and reduced side effects. Nanocellulose was also identified as a solid candidate material in active packaging for pharmaceutical products. Cellulose nanocrystals and bacterial cellulose demonstrated strong potential to overcome the challenge of controlled release profile and open novel insights in advanced active packaging materials for pharmaceutics with controlled release of antioxidant and antimicrobial substances. Moreover, the concept overview in this work might be extended in active food packaging technologies to flavor-releasing/absorbing systems or antimicrobial/antioxidant carriers for extending the shelf life of foods.