Interfacial adsorption behavior of ovalbumin/ sodium carboxymethyl cellulose colloidal particles: The effects of preparation methods

Optimization of emulsification conditions with rice bran concentrates for the preliminary formulation of potential vegan dressings and their characterization

A fraction of rice bran (RB), generated during the brown rice polishing, is utilized to extract oil, resulting in defatted RB (DRB). The aim of this study was to optimize the emulsification conditions to enhance the value of this byproduct by formulating potential vegan dressings and characterizing them. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the starch present in DRB yields the DRB concentrate (DRBC). A central composite design was applied and the results were analyzed using response surface methodology to select optimal conditions for an oil-in-water emulsion formula. Two formulations were chosen: one corresponds to the optimal conditions, with 26.5% of oil and 73.5% of DRBC dispersion (eoptimal), and the other one with 21.7% of oil and 78.3% of dispersion (eED8). The eoptimal formulation exhibited significantly lower mean De Brouckere diameter (D4,3) value and higher viscosity when compared with eED8. For both emulsions, the particle size distribution and D4,3 remained unchanged during storage, whereas viscosity decreased, and backscattering (BS) increased. Initially, both emulsions exhibited solid viscoelastic behavior, which was partially lost during quiescent storage. The increase in BS was attributed to particle disaggregation, ultimately leading to the aforementioned change in rheological behavior. In conclusion, although the designed emulsions underwent microstructural changes, they were stable against gravitational separation. To improve stability during quiescent storage, it is suggested to incorporate a thickening agent. Hence, it is propose to procced with the development of a vegan dressing based on the eoptimal emulsion, as it exhibits superior physicochemical properties.

Decoding the conformational binding of drug mixtures on ovalbumin: An integrated multimodal network

This research addresses the crucial necessity for a deeper understanding of the binding interactions between surfactants and proteins, with a specific focus on ovalbumin. Considering ovalbumin's role in diverse biochemical processes, it remains a subject of significant interest for drug discovery and design. To fill existing knowledge gaps, we investigated the binding interaction between dicloxacillin and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on ovalbumin, employing a comprehensive approach that combines computational modeling with experimental validations. Using the ezPocket tool, the computational phase predicted ten relevant binding sites on ovalbumin's surface. The isobologram combination index (CI) heatmap strongly suggested a complex interplay of antagonistic and synergistic effects. Besides, a conformational drug-drug interaction network was proposed to explore the stability of the surfactant mixture within specific binding sites of ovalbumin, revealing a dynamic landscape of suggested antagonist effects. Experimental validations through UV-vis, Fluorescence, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy further corroborated the computational findings, confirming the formation of stable complexes. Finally, this study not only advances our comprehension of ovalbumin's interactions with surfactants but also offers a multidimensional perspective and an advanced methodological framework for efficient therapeutic strategies, opening new avenues for future applications in drug development and applied biochemistry.

Preparation and characterization of sodium caseinate-apricot tree gum/gum Arabic nanocomplex for encapsulation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)

Nanocomplexes (NCs) were formed through electrostatic complexation theory using Na-caseinate (NaCa), gum Arabic (GA), and Prunus armeniaca L. gum exudates (PAGE), aimed to encapsulate Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Encapsulation was optimized using NaCa (0.1 %-0.5 %), GA/PAGE (0.1 %-0.9 %) and CLA (1 %-5 %), and central composite design (CCD) was employed for numerical optimization. The optimum conditions for NC containing GA (NCGA) were 0.336 %, 0.437 %, and 3.10 % and for NC containing PAGE (NCPAGE) were 0.403 %, 0.730 %, and 4.177 %, of NaCa, GA/PAGE, and CLA, respectively. EE and particle size were 92.46 % and 52.89 nm for NCGA while 88.23 % and 54.76 nm for NCPAGE, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated that CLA was physically entrapped. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the electrostatic complex formation. The elastic modulus was predominant for NCGA and NCPAGE dispersions while the complex viscosity of NCPAGE suspension was slightly higher than that of NCGA. The CLA in NCGA-CLA and NCPAGE-CLA exhibited higher oxidative stability than free CLA during 30 days of storage without a significant difference between the results of CLA oxidative stability tests obtained for NCs. Consequently, NCPAGE and NCGA could be applied for the entrapment and protection of nutraceuticals in the food industry.

Investigation of physicochemical and biological properties of bacterial cellulose & zein-reinforced edible nanocomposites based on flaxseed mucilage containing Origanum vulgare L. essential oil

In the present study, the effect of zein and different amounts of bacterial cellulose (BC; 1, 2 and 3 wt%) on the physical, mechanical and barrier properties of flaxseed mucilage/carboxymethyl cellulose (FM/CMC) composite was investigated. The appearance of the absorption band at 1320cm-1 in the ATR-FTIR spectra of nanocomposites indicated the successful introduction of zein into their structure. The characteristic peak at 2θ of 9° belonging to zein disappeared in XRD patterns of the prepared composites suggesting the successful coating of zein via hydrogen bonding interactions. SEM images proved the formation of semi-spherical zein microparticles in the FM/CMC matrix. TGA plots ascertained the addition of zein and nanocellulose caused a significant increase in the thermal stability of FM/CMC film, although zein showed a greater effect. The presence of zein and nanocellulose increased the mechanical strength of nanocomposites. The WVP of FM/CMC decreased after the incorporation of zein and nanocellulose, which created a tortuous path for the diffusion of water molecules. The zein particles exhibited a greater influence on improving the mechanical and barrier properties compared to nanocellulose. FM/CMC-Z film exhibited the highest mechanical strength (49.07 ± 5.89 MPa) and the lowest WVP (1.179 ± 0.076). The composites containing oregano essential oil (EO) showed higher than 60 % antibacterial properties. The bactericidal efficiency of FM/CMC/Z-EO and FM/CMC/Z-EO/BC1 nanocomposites decreased about 10% compared to FM/CMC/EO and FM/CMC-Z/BC1. This evidenced the successful encapsulation of EO molecules in zein particles. According to the in vitro release study, entrapment of EO into zein particles could delay the release and provide the extended antimicrobial effect.

Effects of high acyl gellan gum on the rheological properties, stability, and salt ion stress of sodium caseinate emulsion

Sodium caseinate (SC) is widely used as a biological macromolecular emulsifier in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. However, the SC-stabilized emulsions were unstable. High-acyl gellan gum (HA) is an anionic macromolecular polysaccharide that improves emulsion stability. This study aimed to investigate the effects of HA addition on the stability and rheological properties of SC-stabilized emulsions. Study results revealed that HA concentrations >0.1 % could increase Turbiscan stability, reduce the volume average particle size, and increase the zeta-potential absolute value of the SC-stabilized emulsions. In addition, HA increased the triple-phase contact angle of SC, transformed SC-stabilized emulsions into non-Newtonian fluids, and effectively inhibited the movement of emulsion droplets. The effect of 0.125 % HA concentration was the most effective, allowing SC-stabilized emulsions to maintain good kinetic stability over a 30-d period. NaCl destabilized SC-stabilized emulsions but had no significant effect on HA-SC emulsions. In summary, HA concentration had a significant effect on the stability of SC-stabilized emulsions. HA altered the rheological properties and reduced creaming and coalescence by forming a three-dimensional network structure, increasing the electrostatic repulsion of the emulsion and the adsorption capacity of SC at the oil-water interface, and thereby improving the stability of SC-stabilized emulsions during storage and in the presence of NaCl.

Improving the Intrinsic Stretchability of Fully Conjugated Polymer for Deep-Blue Polymer Light-Emitting Diodes with a Narrow Band Emission: Benefits of Self-Toughness Effect

It is challenging to construct the intrinsically stretchable active layer of rigid conjugated polymers (CPs) toward flexible deep-blue light-emitting diodes (FLEDs). Inspired by the self-toughness effect, sacrificial hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) and a cross-linked network synergistically enabled polydiarylfluorene (PFs-NH) films to present efficient deep-blue emission and excellent intrinsic stretchability. In particular, a cross-linked network structure presenting viscoelasticity behaviors, which was successfully inherited into postprocessed films with interchain interpenetration and a crystallinity domain and behaved as energy absorption and dissipation centers, was induced by the interchain H-bonding interaction in toluene (Tol) precursor solutions where the storage moduli (G') gradually exceeded the loss moduli (G″). Subsequently, intrinsic stretchable films with a tensile rate of 30% were prepared from Tol solutions, different from the brittle films from polar solvents. Eventually, narrow band, deep-blue PLEDs showed a maximum EQE of 1.28% and a full width half-maximum (fwhm) of 28 nm. Therefore, the self-toughness effect induced by hierarchical structures will be feasible to obtain high-performance FLEDs.