Development of edible film from Acanthophora spicifera : Structural, rheological and functional properties

The green seaweed Ulva: tomorrow's "wheat of the sea" in foods, feeds, nutrition, and biomaterials

Ulva, a genus of green macroalgae commonly known as sea lettuce, has long been recognized for its nutritional benefits for food and feed. As the demand for sustainable food and feed sources continues to grow, so does the interest in alternative, plant-based protein sources. With its abundance along coastal waters and high protein content, Ulva spp. have emerged as promising candidates. While the use of Ulva in food and feed has its challenges, the utilization of Ulva in other industries, including in biomaterials, biostimulants, and biorefineries, has been growing. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current status, challenges and opportunities associated with using Ulva in food, feed, and beyond. Drawing on the expertise of leading researchers and industry professionals, it explores the latest knowledge on Ulva's nutritional value, processing methods, and potential benefits for human nutrition, aquaculture feeds, terrestrial feeds, biomaterials, biostimulants and biorefineries. In addition, it examines the economic feasibility of incorporating Ulva into aquafeed. Through its comprehensive and insightful analysis, including a critical review of the challenges and future research needs, this review will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in sustainable aquaculture and Ulva's role in food, feed, biomaterials, biostimulants and beyond.

Edible-algae base composite film containing gelatin for food packaging from macroalgae, Gracilaroid (Gracilaria fisheri)

BACKGROUND

Conventional petroleum-based packaging films cause severe environmental problems. In the present study, bio-edible film was introduced as being safe to replace petroleum-based polymers. A food application for edible sachets and a composite edible film (EF) from marine algae, Gracilaria fisheri (GF) extract, were proposed.

RESULTS

Carbohydrates were the most prevalent component in fresh GF fronds. Under neutral conditions comprising 90 °C for 40 min, the structure of the extract was determined by Fourier transform infrared to be a carrageenan-like polysaccharide. Glycerol was the best plasticizer for EF formation because it had the highest tensile strength (TS). The integration of gelatin into the algal composite film with gelatin (CFG) was validated to be significant. The best casting temperatures for 2 h were 70 and 100 °C among the four tested temperatures (25, 60, 70 and 100 °C). Temperatures did not result in any significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences in any character (color values, TS, water vapor permeability, oxygen transmission, thickness and water activity), except elongation at break. Visually, the CFG had a slightly yellow appearance. The best-to-worst order of film stability in the three tested solvents was oil, distilled water (DW) and ethanol. Its stability in ethanol (0-100%), temperature of DW (30-100 °C) and pH (3-7 in DW) demonstrated inverse relationships with the concentration or different conditions, except for pH 8-10 in DW. All treatments were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) different.

CONCLUSION

The novel material made from polysaccharides from algae, G. fisheri, was used to improve EF. The edible sachet application is plausible from the EF. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

3D Printed gelatin film with Garcinia atroviridis extract

Active packaging, such as edible film with antibacterial properties, can help extend the shelf life of food. The research aimed to develop a 3D printed gelatin edible film by using glycerol and Garcinia atroviridis extract (GAE). Mechanical properties of gelatin gel, physical, mechanical, and antimicrobial properties of edible film with glycerol and GAE were determined. Water solubility, total colour difference, and elongation of break of gelatin edible film increased as glycerol concentration increased (0-25% w/w), whereas tensile strength and Young's modulus value decreased from 26.5 to 4.64 MPa and 3.04 to 0.13 MPa, respectively. On the other hand, increasing GAE from 1 to 4% (w/w) increases elongation at break from 40.83 to 98.27%, while decreasing edible film tensile strength and gelatin gel hardness value from 8.94 to 6.21 MPa and 1848.67 to 999.67 g, respectively. Using 20% (w/w) glycerol and 4% (w/w) GAE, the best 3D printed film with low tensile strength (6.21 MPa), high elongation at break (98.27%), and antibacterial activity against S. aureus with 7.23 mm zone of inhibition was developed. It seems to have a great potentiality as an active packaging material for 3D printed gelatin edible film.

Effect of crude polysaccharide from seaweed, Dictyopteris divaricata (CDDP) on gut microbiota restoration and anti-diabetic activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1DM mice

Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is regarded as a multifunctional, immune-related disease which causes massive destruction of islet β-cells in pancreas resulting in hyperglycemic, hypoinsulinemia and hyperlipidimic conditions. The aim of the present study, was to investigate the hypothesis that streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1DM in Balb/c mice when treated with crude polysaccharide from seaweed, Dictyopteris divaricata (CDDP) depicts improvement in diabetes-related symptoms. Treatment with CDDP resulted in decreased body weight loss, improved food consumption and water intake disbalances. The CDDP effectively improved fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance (OGTT), serum insulin, insulin secretion, rejuvenation of β-cells mass, serum lipid profile and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels. Additionally, treatment with CDDP increased the population of beneficial bacteria such as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Lactobacillus at phylum, family and genus levels by 16S rRNA sequencing. Furthermore, immunohistological examination confirmed that CDDP reduces the inflammation and restored the structural morphology of colon and upraised the levels of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), Mucin-2 (MUC-2) and tight-junction proteins (TJs) whereby maintaining the gut structures and barrier permeability. Thus, the above presented data, highlights the safe and therapeutic effects of crude polysaccharide (CDDP) from D. divaricata in the treatment and restoration of T1DM disorders and can be used as a food supplement alternative to diabetes medicine.

Protective effect against gastric mucosa injury of a sulfated agaran from Acanthophora spicifera

In this study, a polysaccharide from marine alga Acanthophora spicifera (PAs) was isolated and structurally characterized. Its protective potential against chemically-induced gastric mucosa injury was evaluated. The gel permeation chromatography experiments and spectroscopy spectrum showed that PAs is a sulfated polysaccharide with a high molecular mass (6.98 × 10⁵g/mol) and degree of sulfation of 1.23, exhibiting structural characteristic typical of an agar-type polysaccharide. Experimental results demonstrated that PAs reduced the hemorrhagic gastric injury, in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, PAs reduced the intense gastric oxidative stress, measured by glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. PAs also prevented the reduction of mucus levels adhered to the gastric mucosa, promoted by the aggressive effect of ethanol. In summary, the sulfated polysaccharide from A. spicifera protected the gastric mucosa through the prevention of lipid peroxidation and enhanced the defense mechanisms of the gastric mucosa, suggesting as a promising functional food as gastroprotective agent.

Theoretical and experimental investigation of sodium alginate composite films containing star anise ethanol extract/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex

The aim of this study is to prepare composite films incorporated with star anise ethanol extract (SAEE)/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) inclusion complex. The effects of sodium alginate concentration on mechanical properties of films are tested. Sodium alginate, SAEE, and SAEE/HP-β-CD inclusion complex-based composite films are characterized in terms of UV-visible spectroscopy, microstructure characterizations, including transmission electron microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and ¹ H NMR analysis, and molecular modeling calculations. With various stoichiometries, the complexes of sodium alginate/SAEE/HP-β-CD are compared through both theoretical and experimental analyses. Molecular simulations are applied to predict the possible orientations of SAEE inside the HP-β-CD cavity and the optimal stoichiometry of the complex formation. According to the simulation, the system of sodium alginate/SAEE (or SAEE/HP-β-CD inclusion complex) in a 3:1 stoichiometry reaches the lowest total energy and achieves a balance in complex system. In addition, the composite films can maintain high-content vitamin C and reduce weight loss rate of fresh-cut Chinese yam. In conclusion, coinciding with the experimental results, the molecular modeling successfully calculates the reasonable molecular structure and molecular behavior of sodium alginate/SAEE/HP-β-CD inclusion complex. The composite films in this study have the potential to be used for food packaging applications. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In this paper, we present composite films incorporated with star anise ethanol extract (SAEE)/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) inclusion complex for the use of fresh-cut Chinese yam preservation. The present study demonstrates a successful application of molecular modeling to predict the geometry of the final complex. It can serve as a powerful tool to calculate the energy of association between inclusion complex and sodium alginate molecules.

Pectin-Based Films Loaded with Hydroponic Nopal Mucilages: Development and Physicochemical Characterization

Nopal is a potential source of mucilage that can be used in different food applications. One of its potential use is the development of films and coatings where it can act as a packaging material but also as a source of bioactive compounds. Therefore, this work aimed to develop and characterize pectin-based films loaded with mucilage extracted from two species of nopal, Copena F1 (Cop) and Villanueva (Vi). The obtained mucilages were denominated as materials without fibre (Copwtf and Viwtf) and with fibre (Copwf and Viwf), according to the fibre’s size. Films were produced with pectin (2% w/v), mucilage (2.5% w/v) and glycerol (0.5% w/v) by the casting method. The addition of mucilages was shown to influence the visual appearance, optical properties and morphology of the films. The presence of mucilage also changed the moisture content, water contact angle and water vapour permeability of the films. The pectin-based films without mucilage presented the best mechanical properties. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed similar signals in terms of frequency and intensity, for all the films, not showing any chemical modification. Results show that the mucilage obtained from different nopal fractions can be used in pectin-based films foreseeing their use as films or coatings in food applications.

Cytotoxic and pharmacokinetic studies of Indian seaweed polysaccharides for formulating raindrop synbiotic candy

Gut microbiome evidenced as the assembling mode of action facilitates the relationship of environmental factors (such as diet and lifestyle) with colorectal cancer. The cytotoxic and anticancer studies of the enzymatically extracted polysaccharides from selected Indian seaweeds (such as S. wightii, E. compressa, and A. spicifera) on Raw 264.7 macrophage and HT-29 human colon cancer cell line were investigated. E. compressa showed nitric oxide production up to a concentration of 6.99 ± 0.05 μM. The polysaccharide extract of seaweed (PES), A. spicifera (100 μg/ml) had shown the highest in-vitro cytotoxicity effect on HT-29 cells up to 52.13 ± 1.4%. Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) predictions were performed for exploring the possibility of anti-cancer drug development. The formulated synbiotic candy exhibited post storage survivability of probiotic species L. plantarum NCIM 2083 up to 10⁷ CFU/ml until three weeks and it could be an aesthetic functional food for treating colon cancer.

Anti-diabetic activity of crude polysaccharide and rhamnose-enriched polysaccharide from G. lithophila on Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced in Wistar rats

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the anti-diabetic effects of the crude polysaccharide and rhamnose-enriched polysaccharide derived from G. lithophila on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Treatment with crude polysaccharide and rhamnose-enriched polysaccharide showed increases in body weight and pancreatic insulin levels and a decrease in blood glucose levels compared with control diabetic rats. The blood concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) decreased, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased both in the crude polysaccharide- and rhamnose-enriched polysaccharide-treated rats. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels increased, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased in the livers, kidneys and pancreases of crude polysaccharide- and rhamnose-enriched polysaccharide-treated rats. Immunohistological examination further confirmed that restoration of the normal cellular size of the islets of Langerhans and the rebirth of β-cells were found to be greater in the body region than in the head and tail regions of the pancreas. The crude polysaccharide- and rhamnose-enriched polysaccharide-treated diabetic rats showed normal blood glucose levels and insulin production, and reversed cholesterol levels and enzymatic actions. Therefore, rhamnose-enriched polysaccharide from G. lithophila acts as a potent anti-diabetic agent to treat diabetes and can lead to the development of an alternative medicine for diabetes in the future.

Multi-elemental concentration in different body parts of Sepiella inermis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The present study examined the accumulation of metal on Sepiella inermis from the Mudasalodai Landing Center, from southeast coastal region of India. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine metals including aluminium, boron, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, nickel, lead and zinc. The results showed that metal concentration in S. inermis detected in the head, arm, mantle, eye, ink, liver and nidamental gland with higher concentration of magnesium up to 992.78 mg/kg, and tentacle showed maximum concentration of aluminium 306.72 mg/kg. Further, copper found in low concentration ranges from 0.04 to 0.55 mg/kg in different parts of S. inermis. Heavy metal like cadmium detected high in tentacle with 0.24 mg/kg, and the manganese present in eye was 0.55 mg/kg. However, no accumulation of nickel was found in the tentacle part.

Chemical structure and biological properties of a polysaccharide isolated from Pleurotus sajor-caju

Herein, a polysaccharide obtained from Pleurotus sajor-caju was fractionated via anion-exchange column chromatography and purified using gel permeation column chromatography.