β-cyclodextrin- soy soluble polysaccharide based core-shell bionanocomposites hydrogel for vitamin E swelling controlled delivery

Dual encapsulation and sequential release of cisplatin and vitamin E from soy polysaccharides and β-cyclodextrin bioadhesive hydrogel nanoparticles

Chemically cross-linked hydrogel nanoparticles (HGNPs) offer enhanced properties over their physical counterparts, particularly in drug delivery and cell encapsulation. This study applied pH-thermal dual responsive bio-adhesive HGNPs for dual complexation and enhanced the controlled release and bioavailability of cisplatin (CDDP) and Vitamin E (VE) drugs. The CDDP was loaded into the HGNPs via chemical conjugation with the carboxyl groups in the HGNPs surface by soy polysaccharides (SSPS). At the same time, the host-guest interaction complexed the VE through the β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The HGNPs showed a uniform HGNPs size distribution of 90.77 ± 14.77 nm and 81.425 ± 13.21 nm before and after complexation, respectively. The FTIR, XRD, XPS, and zeta potential confirmed the conjugation. The cumulative release percent of CDDP reached 98 % at pH 1.2, while <45 % was released at pH 7.4. Our HGNPs enhance the incorporation of CDDP by substituting its chlorides with carboxyl groups of the SSPS; the loading of CDDP and VE was 15 ± 0.33 and 11.32 ± 0.25 wt%, respectively. Moreover, the CDDP and VE also released slower from the HGNPs at 25 °C than at 37 °C and 42 °C. The (VE/CDDP)-loaded HGNPs exhibited longer circulation time in vivo than free CDDP and free VE suspension.

Cyclodextrins and their potential applications for delivering vitamins, iron, and iodine for improving micronutrient status

Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been investigated as potential biopolymeric carriers that can form inclusion complexes with numerous bioactive ingredients. The inclusion of micronutrients (e.g. vitamins or minerals) into cyclodextrins can enhance their solubility and provide oxidative or thermal stability. It also enables the formulation of products with extended shelf-life. The designed delivery systems with CDs and their inclusion complexes including electrospun nanofibers, emulsions, liposomes, and hydrogels, show potential in enhancing the solubility and oxidative stability of micronutrients while enabling their controlled and sustained release in applications including food packaging, fortified foods and dietary supplements. Nano or micrometer-sized delivery systems capable of controlling burst release and permeation, or moderating skin hydration have been reported, which can facilitate the formulation of several personal and skin care products for topical or transdermal delivery of micronutrients. This review highlights recent developments in the application of CDs for the delivery of micronutrients, i.e. vitamins, iron, and iodine, which play key roles in the human body, emphasizing their existing and potential applications in the food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals industries.

Investigating the rheological properties and 3D printability of tomato-starch paste with different levels of xanthan gum

Tomato is an inexpensive vegetable with high nutritional value，but it does not have the suitable self-supporting ability for 3D printing. Xanthan gum (XG) is a common thickener that may improve 3D printability of tomatoes paste. This study evaluated the printability of tomato-starch paste (TSP) by examining its rheological and textural properties and microstructure of 3D samples. The rheological results showed that apparent viscosity, recovery rate, storage modulus, loss modulus, initial and average rheological forces, and shear stress increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increase of XG levels in tomato-starch paste. The low-field NMR results showed that T21 and T22 of the TSP decreased with increase of XG levels (P < 0.05). With increase of XG levels, a dense network structure in the TSP was formed as observed in the microstructural images. The TSP with 5 g/kg XG had the highest printing accuracy, and the textural property showed that the addition of 5 g/kg of XG significantly improved the hardness, elasticity, and chewability of TSP (P < 0.05). Overall, with increase of XG levels the fluidity of the pseudoplastic gel formed by the tomato-starch system and increased the density of the structure, resulting in improved extrudability, shape stability, and self-supporting property.

Recent advances in encapsulation of fat-soluble vitamins using polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids: A review on delivery systems, formulation, and industrial applications

Fat-soluble vitamins (FSVs) offer a range of beneficial properties as important nutrients in human nutrition. However, the high susceptibility to environmental conditions such as high temperature, light, and oxygen leads to the degradation of these compounds. This review highlights the different formulations underlying the encapsulation of FSVs in biopolymer (polysaccharide and protein) and lipid-based micro or nanocarriers for potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries. In particular, the function of these carrier systems in terms of encapsulation efficiency, stability, bioavailability, and bio-accessibility is critically discussed. Recently, tremendous attention has been paid to encapsulating FSVs in commercial applications. According to the chemical nature of the active compound, the vigilant selection of delivery formulation, method of encapsulation, and final application (type of food) are the key important factors to be considered in the encapsulation of FSVs to ensure a high loading capacity, stability, bioavailability, and bio-accessibility. Future studies are recommended on the effect of different vitamin types and micro and nano encapsulate sizes on bioaccessibility and biocompatibility through in vitro/in vivo studies. Moreover, the toxicity and safety evaluation of encapsulated FSVs in human health should be evaluated before commercial application in food and pharmaceuticals.

Intrinsically Nonswellable Multifunctional Hydrogel with Dynamic Nanoconfinement Networks for Robust Tissue-Adaptable Bioelectronics

Developing bioelectronics that retains their long-term functionalities in the human body during daily activities is a current critical issue. To accomplish this, robust tissue adaptability and biointerfacing of bioelectronics should be achieved. Hydrogels have emerged as promising materials for bioelectronics that can softly adapt to and interface with tissues. However, hydrogels lack toughness, requisite electrical properties, and fabrication methodologies. Additionally, the water-swellable property of hydrogels weakens their mechanical properties. In this work, an intrinsically nonswellable multifunctional hydrogel exhibiting tissue-like moduli ranging from 10 to 100 kPa, toughness (400-873 J m^-3 ), stretchability (≈1000% strain), and rapid self-healing ability (within 5 min), is developed. The incorporation of carboxyl- and hydroxyl-functionalized carbon nanotubes (fCNTs) ensures high conductivity of the hydrogel (≈40 S m^-1 ), which can be maintained and recovered even after stretching or rupture. After a simple chemical modification, the hydrogel shows tissue-adhesive properties (≈50 kPa) against the target tissues. Moreover, the hydrogel can be 3D printed with a high resolution (≈100 µm) through heat treatment owing to its shear-thinning capacity, endowing it with fabrication versatility. The hydrogel is successfully applied to underwater electromyography (EMG) detection and ex vivo bladder expansion monitoring, demonstrating its potential for practical bioelectronics.

Cyclodextrin regulated natural polysaccharide hydrogels for biomedical applications-a review

Cyclodextrin and its derivative (CDs) are natural building blocks for linking with other components to afford functional biomaterials. Hydrogels are polymer network systems that can form hydrophilic three-dimensional network structures through different cross-linking methods and are developing as potential materials in biomedical applications. Natural polysaccharide hydrogels (NPHs) are widely adopted in biomedical field with good biocompatibility, biodegradability, low cytotoxicity, and versatility in emulating natural tissue properties. Compared with conventional NPHs, CD regulated natural polysaccharide hydrogels (CD-NPHs) maintain good biocompatibility, while improving poor mechanical qualities and unpredictable gelation times. Recently, there has been increasing and considerable usage of CD-NPHs while there is still no review comprehensively introducing their construction, classification, and application of these hydrogels from the material point of view regarding biomedical fields. To draw a complete picture of the current and future development of CD-NPHs, we systematically overview the classification of CD-NPHs, and provide a holistic view on the role of CD-NPHs in different biomedical fields, especially in drug delivery, wound dressing, cell encapsulation, and tissue engineering. Moreover, the current challenges and prospects of CD-NPHs are discussed rationally, providing an insight into developing vibrant fields of CD-NPHs-based biomedicine, and facilitating their translation from bench to clinical medicine.

Designation and characterization of cold-set egg white protein/dextran sulfate hydrogel for curcumin entrapment

This study aimed to design a cold-set hydrogel of egg white protein (EWP) with good mechanical properties for encapsulating curcumin. Dextran sulfate (DS) and transglutaminase (TGase) were used to control the aggregation and gelation behavior of EWP at preheating step and gelation step, respectively. The optimum soluble protein aggregate size was obtained in the EWP/DS mixture at a mass ratio of 10 under 85 °C preheated (HED₁₀). The presence of TGase further enhanced the cross-linking degree between protein aggregates during the gelation step. The highest gel hardness was found in HED₁₀ hydrogel with TGase, which is almost 10 times the pure EWP gel. Besides, the HED hydrogels effectively slowed down the release rate of curcumin in gastrointestinal digestion. This work provides a theoretical basis for the development of cold-set EWP hydrogel with good mechanical strength by sulfated polysaccharide addition and TGase cross-linking as encapsulation delivery systems.

Binary Hydrogels: Induction Methods and Recent Application Progress as Food Matrices for Bioactive Compounds Delivery-A Bibliometric Review

Food hydrogels are biopolymeric materials made from food-grade biopolymers with gelling properties (proteins and polysaccharides) and a 3D network capable of incorporating large amounts of water. They have sparked considerable interest because of their potential and broad application range in the biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors. However, hydrogel research in the field of food science is still limited. This knowledge gap provides numerous opportunities for implementing their unique properties, such as high water-holding capacity, moderated texture, compatibility with other substances, cell biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high resemblance to living tissues, for the development of novel, functional food matrices. For that reason, this article includes a bibliometric analysis characterizing research trends in food protein-polysaccharide hydrogels (over the last ten years). Additionally, it characterizes the most recent developments in hydrogel induction methods and the most recent application progress of hydrogels as food matrices as carriers for the targeted delivery of bioactive compounds. Finally, this article provides a future perspective on the need to evaluate the feasibility of using plant-based proteins and polysaccharides to develop food matrices that protect nutrients, including bioactive substances, throughout processing, storage, and digestion until they reach the specific targeted area of the digestive system.

The thermal resistance and targeting release of zein-sodium alginate binary complexes as a vehicle for the oral delivery of riboflavin

Riboflavin (RF) is one kind of vitamin B, which has low bioavailability due to the low water solubility and the high photosensitivity during food processing and storage. The anti-solvent precipitation method was applied to fabricate a zein-sodium alginate (SA) binary complexes delivery system with the loading of RF, which was aimed to enhance the delivery efficiency, stability, and controlled release of RF in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The formation mechanism, physicochemical properties as well as the digestion behaviors were investigated. The incorporation of SA significantly increased the diameter and decreased the surface positive charge of the nanoparticles. The surface morphology of the nanoparticles was characterized using the scanning electron microscope. The FTIR analysis revealed that the electrostatic attraction was the dominant binding force in the formation of the zein-SA binary complexes nanoparticles. In addition, the study on the in vitro release process showed that the zein-SA nanoparticles could delay the release of the RF under the simulated GI tract conditions, which improved their oral bioavailability. In summary, the zein-SA nanoparticle is an effective vehicle for the oral delivery of RF as well as other vitamins and bioactives in the applications of food and nutrition.

Exploring the interaction mechanism of dietary protein ovalbumin and folic acid: A combination research of molecular simulation technology and multispectroscopy

This study aims to reveal the mechanism of the interaction between folic acid (FA) and egg ovalbumin (OVA) through the method of multi-spectroscopic, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation in order to probe OVA as the possibility of a carrier of unstable vitamins. The results of the fluorescence spectra indicated a static quenching in the OVA-FA with a strong affinity of 6.998 × 10⁴ M^-1. At the same time, the complex formed by FA and OVA has changed the microenvironment. The measurement results of circular dichroism and particle size showed that FA and OVA gradually formed larger particles without changed the secondary structure of the protein. In addition, the results of molecular simulations indicated that the interaction between OVA and FA is mainly stabilized by strong hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds. This research was expanded the application prospect of dietary protein OVA as a transportation and protection system of vitamin substances.

Polysaccharide-based nano-delivery systems for encapsulation, delivery, and pH-responsive release of bioactive ingredients

Polysaccharides are natural polymers isolated from plants, microorganisms, algae, and some animals they are composed of aldoses or ketoses linked by glycosidic bonds. Due to the affordability, abundance, safety, and functionality, polysaccharides are widely used in the foods and medicines to construct oral delivery systems for sensitive bioactive ingredients. In this article, the characteristics and applications of nanoscale polysaccharide-based delivery carriers are reviewed, including their ability to encapsulate, protect, and deliver bioactive ingredients. This review discusses the sources, characteristics, and functional properties of common food polysaccharides, including starch, pectin, chitosan, xanthan gum, and alginate. It also highlights the potential advantages of using polysaccharides for the construction of nano-delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, nanogels, nanoemulsions, nanocapsules, and nanofibers. Moreover, the application of delivery systems assembled from polysaccharides is summarized, with a focus on pH-responsive delivery of bioactives. There are some key findings and conclusions: Nanoscale polysaccharide delivery systems provide several advantages, including improved water-dispersibility, flavor masking, stability enhancement, reduced volatility, and controlled release; Polysaccharide nanocarriers can be used to construct pH-responsive delivery vehicles to achieve intestinal-targeted delivery and controlled release of bioactive ingredients; Polysaccharides can be used in combination with other biopolymers to form composite delivery systems with enhanced functional attributes.

Cyclodextrin-Containing Hydrogels: A Review of Preparation Method, Drug Delivery, and Degradation Behavior

Hydrogels possess porous structures, which are widely applied in the field of materials and biomedicine. As a natural oligosaccharide, cyclodextrin (CD) has shown remarkable application prospects in the synthesis and utilization of hydrogels. CD can be incorporated into hydrogels to form chemically or physically cross-linked networks. Furthermore, the unique cavity structure of CD makes it an ideal vehicle for the delivery of active ingredients into target tissues. This review describes useful methods to prepare CD-containing hydrogels. In addition, the potential biomedical applications of CD-containing hydrogels are reviewed. The release and degradation process of CD-containing hydrogels under different conditions are discussed. Finally, the current challenges and future research directions on CD-containing hydrogels are presented.

Ultrasonic-assisted preparation of α-Tocopherol/casein nanoparticles and application in grape seed oil emulsion

In this work casein (CN) was used as a carrier system for the hydrophobic agent α-tocopherol (α-TOC), and an amphiphilic self-assembling micellar nanostructure was formed with ultrasound treatment. The interaction mechanism was detected with UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, proton spectra, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The stability of the nanoparticles was investigated by using typical processing and storage conditions (thermal, photo, 20 ± 2 °C and 4 ± 2 °C). Oil-in-water emulsions containing the self-assembled nanoparticles and grape seed oil were prepared, and the effect of emulsion oxidation stability was studied using the accelerated Rancimat method. The results indicated that the UV-Vis spectra of α-TOC/CN nanoparticles complexes were different for ultrasonic treatments performed with different combinations of power (100, 200, 300 W) and time (5, 10, and 15 min). The results of UV-Vis fluorescence spectrum data indicated that the secondary structure of casein changed in the presence of α-TOC. The nanoparticles exhibited the chemical shifts of conjugated double bonds. Interactions between α-TOC and casein at different molar concentrations resulted in a quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence at 280 nm and 295 nm. Moreover, by performing FTIR deconvolution analysis and multicomponent peak modeling, the relative quantitative amounts of α-helix and β-sheet protein secondary structures were determined. The self-assembled nanoparticles can improve the stability of α-TOC by protecting them against degradation caused by light and oxygen. The antioxidant activity of the nanoparticles was stronger than those of the two free samples. Lipid hydroperoxides remained at a low level throughout the course of the study in emulsions containing 200 mg α-TOC/kg oil with the nanoparticles. The presence of 100 and 200 mg α-TOC/kg oil led to a 78.54 and 63.54 μmol/L inhibition of TBARS formation with the nanoparticles, respectively, vs the free samples containing control after 180 mins.

Alginate-based delivery systems for food bioactive ingredients: An overview of recent advances and future trends

Due to its advantagessuch as ionic crosslinking, pH responsiveness, excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability and low price, alginate has become one of the most important natural polysaccharides extensively used in constructing desired delivery systems for food bioactive ingredients. In this review, the fundamental knowledge of alginate as a building block for construction of nutraceutical delivery systems is introduced. Then, various types of alginate-based nutraceutical delivery systems are classified and summarized. Furthermore, the future trends of alginate-based delivery systems are highlighted. Currently, alginate-based delivery systems include hydrogel, emulsion, emulsion-filled alginate hydrogel, nanoparticle, microparticle, core-shell particle, liposome, edible film, and aerogel. Although alginate has been widely used in the fabrication of food bioactive ingredient delivery systems, further efforts and improvements are still needed. For this purpose, the future perspectives of alginate-based delivery systems are discussed. The feasible research trends of alginate-based delivery systems include the development of novel large-scale commercial preparation technology, multifunctional delivery system based on alginate, alginate oligosaccharide-based delivery system and alginate-based oleogel. Overall, the objective of this review is to provide useful guidance for rational design and application of alginate-based nutraceutical delivery systems in the future.

Recent advances in composite hydrogels prepared solely from polysaccharides

The proliferating demand for sustainable, biodegradable, and biologically safe materials has triggered the development of polysaccharide-based hydrogels. The translation of research on single polysaccharide-based hydrogels into their desired clinical or industrial application is minimal. This is attributable to their lack of mechanical strength, inadequate stability, and constrained the possibility of their modulation to obtain the desired property. Polysaccharide-based composite hydrogels (PCHs) have proven their mantle to counteract this issue while expanding the horizons for their applications. PCHs can be fabricated by physical and/or chemical interlinking techniques, which entails the association of macromolecular chain linkages. The resulting composites can impart remarkably higher stability and elevate the suitability and efficiency of the system. Owing to these advantages, the research on PCHs has been gaining momentum. They are emerging as a lucrative alternative for the conventional molecules used for the fabrication of such materials. The review would initially focus on providing a detailed outlook for the various physical/chemical techniques involved in the preparation of PCHs. Subsequently, the characterization techniques used to understand the structural and chemical behavior of PCHs would be discussed. The article would also elaborate on the various fields of application and the possible areas for future research of PCHs.

Vitamin E beyond Its Antioxidant Label

Vitamin E, comprising tocopherols and tocotrienols, is mainly known as an antioxidant. The aim of this review is to summarize the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways linked to inflammation and malignancy modulated by its vitamers. Preclinical reports highlighted a myriad of cellular effects like modulating the synthesis of pro-inflammatory molecules and oxidative stress response, inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, regulating cell cycle, and apoptosis. Furthermore, animal-based models have shown that these molecules affect the activity of various enzymes and signaling pathways, such as MAPK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, JAK/STAT, and NF-κB, acting as the underlying mechanisms of their reported anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer effects. In clinical settings, not all of these were proven, with reports varying considerably. Nonetheless, vitamin E was shown to improve redox and inflammatory status in healthy, diabetic, and metabolic syndrome subjects. The anti-cancer effects were inconsistent, with both pro- and anti-malignant being reported. Regarding its neuroprotective properties, several studies have shown protective effects suggesting vitamin E as a potential prevention and therapeutic (as adjuvant) tool. However, source and dosage greatly influence the observed effects, with bioavailability seemingly a key factor in obtaining the preferred outcome. We conclude that this group of molecules presents exciting potential for the prevention and treatment of diseases with an inflammatory, redox, or malignant component.

High-Amylose Corn Starch/Konjac Glucomannan Composite Film: Reinforced by Incorporating β-Cyclodextrin

Glycerol-plasticized high-amylose corn starch/konjac glucomannan (HCS/KGM) composite films incorporated with various concentrations of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were prepared and investigated for structural, mechanical, and physical properties. The results of X-ray diffraction, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, and scanning electron microscopy indicated that β-CD excluded from the polymer chains and aggregated to form crystals during film formation, which drove HCS to interact with KGM more compactly. The thickness and transparency of the films increased after β-CD was incorporated. More associations of HCS/KGM enhanced the mechanical properties and reduced the moisture content of the films. The water vapor permeability of the HCS/KGM composite film was also improved significantly with the incorporation of β-CD. The enhanced association between biopolymers in the presence of β-CD will advance the development of a degradable active composite packaging film.

Ethyl cellulose particles loaded with α-tocopherol for inhibiting thermal oxidation of soybean oil

Most endogenous antioxidants degrade and lose efficiency during frying. The study aimed to inhibit thermal oxidation of soybean oil by fabricating α-tocopherol loaded particles with ethyl cellulose (EC) of different viscosity grades (M9, M70 and M200) via anti-solvent method. As the viscosity of ethyl cellulose increased, particle size decreased from micrometer to nanometer. Confocal laser scanning microscope confirmed successful encapsulation and uniform distribution of α-tocopherol in the loaded particles. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that loaded particles protected α-tocopherol from oxidation and degradation. Meanwhile, Fourier transformed infrared demonstrated that α-tocopherol interacted with EC through hydrogen bond and hydrophobic effects. With excellent dispersibility in soybean oil, loaded particles effectively inhibited thermal oxidation of soybean oil and loaded M200 nanoparticles was the most effective, which performed far better than tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ). Therefore, the nanoparticles offered a promising way to enhance oxidative stability of oils during thermal processing.