Design of blue crab chitosan responsive nanoparticles as controlled-release nanocarrier: Physicochemical features, thermal stability and in vitro pH-dependent delivery properties

Effect of molecular weight of chitosan on quercetin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles

BACKGROUND

The widespread use of quercetin is limited by its instability, low solubility and poor oral bioavailability. Encapsulation of quercetin using a nanoparticle delivery system is an effective way to overcome these drawbacks.

RESULTS

The effect of the molecular weight (Mw) of chitosan (CS) (100, 200, 500 and 1000 kDa) on quercetin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (QCNPs) was investigated. The structure, stability, release properties and antioxidant activities of the nanoparticles (QCNP-10, QCNP-20, QCNP-50 and QCNP-100) were assessed. Particle size of QCNPs decreased and polydispersity index increased with the increasing Mw of CS. The main forces involved in the formation of QCNPs were hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction. X-ray diffraction verified that quercetin was loaded into CS nanoparticles. The photostability and thermal stability of QCNPs increased with increasing Mw of CS. QCNP-100 exhibited the lowest release rate in a mixture of water and anhydrous ethanol. The antioxidant activities of QCNPs were enhanced with increasing Mw of CS, and QCNP-100 possessed the highest antioxidant activities, which might be relevant to its smallest particle size.

CONCLUSION

Overall, these results revealed that the Mw of CS affected the properties of QCNPs, and QCNP-100 possessed the smallest particle, best stability, lowest release rate and highest antioxidant activities. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Lignin and green solvent extracted phenolic compounds from date palm leaves as functional ingredients for the formulation of soy protein isolate biocomposite packaging materials: A circular packaging concept

The current study investigated valorization of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) and phenolic compounds loaded in chitosan (DLECNPs) extracted from date palm leaves into the soy protein isolate (SPI) biocomposite films. The mechanical, structural, barrier, physiochemical, thermal, optical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of the formulated composite films were investigated. The findings showed that the incorporation of DLECNPs into the SPI films significantly improved the film's antioxidant properties by more than 3 times and showed antibacterial inhibition zone in the range of 10-15 mm against six pathogenic bacteria. Further, incorporating LNPs into SPI-DLECNPs films notably improved the mechanical properties from 4.32 MPa and 29.27 % tensile strength and elongation at break, respectively to 10.13 MPa and 54.94 %, the water vapor permeability from 7.38 g/Pa s m to 5.59 g/Pa s m, and the antibacterial inhibition zone from a range of 10.2 mm to 15.0-21.5 mm as well as making the films more heterogeneous and stronger than control SPI film. Moreover, LNPs changed the initial films' color from light yellow to dark red and reduced the films' transparency. The results indicated that LNPs reinforced SPI composite films showed significant improvements in several properties and thus can be used as a potential ingredient for formulation of biodegradable packaging films.

Nanoparticle-mediated dsRNA delivery for precision insect pest control: a comprehensive review

Nanoparticle-based delivery systems have emerged as powerful tools in the field of pest management, offering precise and effective means of delivering double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), a potent agent for pest control through RNA interference (RNAi). This comprehensive review aims to evaluate and compare various types of nanoparticles for their suitability in dsRNA delivery for pest management applications. The review begins by examining the unique properties and advantages of different nanoparticle materials, including clay, chitosan, liposomes, carbon, gold and silica. Each material's ability to protect dsRNA from degradation and its potential for targeted delivery to pests are assessed. Furthermore, this review delves into the surface modification strategies employed to enhance dsRNA delivery efficiency. Functionalization with oligonucleotides, lipids, polymers, proteins and peptides is discussed in detail, highlighting their role in improving stability, cellular uptake, and specificity of dsRNA delivery.This review also provides valuable guidance on choosing the most suitable nanoparticle-based system for delivering dsRNA effectively and sustainably in pest management. Moreover, it identifies existing knowledge gaps and proposes potential research directions aimed at enhancing pest control strategies through the utilization of nanoparticles and dsRNA.

Nose to brain delivery of Astragaloside IV by β-Asarone modified chitosan nanoparticles for multiple sclerosis therapy

Multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease, has been considered an inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) with demyelination and axonal damage. Although there are certain first-line therapies to treat MS, their unsatisfactory efficacy is partly due to the limited CNS access after systemic administration. Besides, there is an urgent need to treat MS by enhancing remyelination or neuroprotection, or dampen the activity of microglia. Astragaloside IV (ASI) bears anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, remyelination and neuroprotective activity. While its poor permeability, relatively high molecular weight and low lipophilicity restrict it to reach the brain. Therefore, β-asarone modified ASI loaded chitosan nanoparticles (ASI-βCS-NP) were prepared to enhance the nose-to-brain delivery and therapeutic effects of ASI on EAE mice. The prepared ASI-βCS-NP showed mean size of about 120 nm, and zeta potential from +19 to +25 mV. DiR-βCS-NP was confirmed with good nose-to-brain targeting ability. After intranasal administration, the ASI-βCS-NP significantly reduced behavioral scores, decreased weight loss, suppressed inflammatory infiltration and astrocyte/microglial activation, reduced demyelination and increased remyelination on a mice EAE model. Our findings indicate that ASI-βCS-NP may be a potent treatment for MS after nose-to-brain drug delivery.

Formulated chitosan-sodium tripolyphosphate nanoparticles for co-encapsulation of ellagic acid and anti-inflammatory peptide: characterization, stability and anti-inflammatory activity

BACKGROUND

Chitosan (CS) and tripolyphosphate (TPP) can be combined in the development of a material with synergistic properties and promising potential for the conservation of food products. In this study, ellagic acid (EA) and anti-inflammatory peptide (FPL)-loaded CS nanoparticles (FPL/EA NPs) were prepared using the ionic gelation method and optimal preparation conditions were obtained through a single factor design.

RESULTS

The synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Nanoparticles were spherical, with an average size of 308.33 ± 4.61 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.254, a zeta potential of +31.7 ± 0.08 mV, and a high encapsulation capacity (22.16 ± 0.79%). An in vitro release study showed that EA/FPL had a sustainable release from FPL/EA NPs. The stability of the FPL/EA NPs was evaluated for 90 days at 0, 25, and 37 °C. Significant anti-inflammatory activity of FPL/EA NPs was verified by nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) reduction.

CONCLUSION

These characteristics support the use of CS nanoparticles to encapsulate EA and FPL and improve their bioactivity in food products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro digestion of folate conjugated chitosan-loaded proanthocyanidins nanoparticles

Proanthocyanidins have significant biological activity and pharmacological effects and are widely used in food, medicine, and cosmetics. Chitosan nanoparticles loaded with proanthocyanidins have been proven to improve their biological activity. Given some deficiencies of chitosan (CS), the modification of chitosan by folic acid (FA) can obtain new variants with different functions. For this objective, the folic acid conjugated chitosan was designed, and in vitro properties of proanthocyanidins loaded nanoparticles were studied systemically. Firstly, folic acid-chitosan conjugate (FA-CS) was synthesized and characterized. Folate-coupled chitosan-loaded proanthocyanidin nanoparticles (PC-CS/FA-NPs) were prepared by ionic gelation technique using FA-CS as a carrier. The successful nanoparticle synthesis was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited a spherical shape and smooth and uniform distribution features with a size range of less than 300 nm, as observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Meanwhile, PC-CS/FA-NPs had good thermal and gastrointestinal digestive stability and had a protective effect on AAPH-induced erythrocyte oxidative hemolysis. In conclusion, folic acid decorated chitosan nanoparticles improved the stability and bioavailability of proanthocyanidins in gastrointestinal digestion.

Formulation and physicochemical characterization of azithromycin-loaded cubosomes

Background and purpose

Azithromycin (AZ) is a macrolide antibiotic that is soluble in saliva pH; its bitter taste can be well sensed, decreasing the ability of the patient to get the drug. Thus, handling such a bitter taste is challenging in developing the oral formulation. A wide range of methods has been applied to tackle this problem. Cubosomes are considered nanoparticles forming cubic three-dimensional structures with a taste-masking effect. This research aimed to apply cubosomes to mask AZ's bitter taste.

Experimental approach

Cubosomes which contained AZ were obtained by applying the film hydration method. Design expert software (version 11) was then employed for optimizing cubosomes that contained the drug. The encapsulation efficiency, particle size as well as polydispersity index of drug-loaded cubosomes were then subjected to evaluation. Assessment of particle morphology was done through SEM. The antimicrobial qualities of AZ-loaded cubosomes were then assessed by utilizing the disc diffusion method. Then, the taste masking study was carried out by referring to human volunteers.

Finding/Results

AZ-loaded cubosomes were spherical in terms of shape and in the 166-272 nm range, with a polydispersity index of 0.17-0.33 and encapsulation efficiency of 80-92%. The results related to the microbial culture revealed that the antimicrobial qualities related to AZ-loaded cubosomes were like those of AZ. The results obtained by taste evaluation also revealed that the cubosomes could well mask the drug's bitter taste.

Conclusion and implications

These findings, thus, revealed that while the antimicrobial impact of AZ is not under the influence of loading in cubosomes, its taste could be well improved.

Improving the thermal stability of natural bioactive ingredients via encapsulation technology

Bioactive compounds (bioactives) such as phenolic acids, coumarins, flavonoids, lignans and carotenoids have a marked improvement effect on human health by acting on body tissues or cells. Nowadays, with increasing levels of knowledge, consumers prefer foods that can provide bioactives beside the necessary nutrients (e.g., vitamins, essential fatty acids and minerals). However, an important barrier for incorporating bioactives into foods is their low thermal stability. Nevertheless, thermal processing is widely used by the food industries to achieve food safety and desired texture. The aim of this work is to give an overview of encapsulation technology to improve thermal stability of bioactives incorporated into different food products. Almost all thermal analysis and non-thermal methods in the literature suggest that incorporation of bioactives into different walls can effectively improve the thermal stability of bioactives. The level of such thermal enhancement depends on the strength of the bioactive interaction and wall molecules. Furthermore, contradictory results have been reported in relation to the effect of encapsulation technique using the same wall on thermal stability of bioactives. To date, the potential to increase the thermal resistance of various bioactives by gums, carbohydrates, and proteins have been extensively studied. However, further studies on the comparison of walls and encapsulation methods to form thermally stable carriers seem to be needed. In this regard, the same nature of bioactives and the specific protocol in the report of study results should be considered to compare the data and select the optimum conditions of encapsulation to achieve maximum thermal stability.

Loading and Release of Phenolic Compounds Present in Mexican Oregano (Lippia graveolens) in Different Chitosan Bio-Polymeric Cationic Matrixes

Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, but low bioaccessibility. Therefore, in the present work the micro/nano-encapsulation of these compounds in two different matrixes of chitosan (CS) and chitosan-b-poly(PEGMA2000) (CS-b-PPEGMA) is described and assessed. The particle sizes of matrixes of CS (~955 nm) and CS-b-PPEGMA (~190 nm) increased by 10% and 50%, respectively, when the phenolic compounds were encapsulated, yielding loading efficiencies (LE) between 90–99% and 50–60%, correspondingly. The release profiles in simulated fluids revealed a better control of host–guest interactions by using the CS-b-PPEGMA matrix, reaching phenolic compounds release of 80% after 24 h, while single CS retained the guest compounds. The total reducing capacity (TRC) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of the phenolic compounds (PPHs) are protected and increased (more than five times) when they are encapsulated. Thus, this investigation provides a standard encapsulation strategy and relevant results regarding nutraceuticals stabilization and their improved bioaccessibility.

Development of Turmeric Oil—Loaded Chitosan/Alginate Nanocapsules for Cytotoxicity Enhancement against Breast Cancer

Turmeric oil (TO) exhibits various biological activities with limited therapeutic applications due to its instability, volatility, and poor water solubility. Here, we encapsulated TO in chitosan/alginate nanocapsules (CS/Alg-NCs) using o/w emulsification to enhance its physicochemical characteristics, using poloxamer 407 as a non-ionic surfactant. TO-loaded CS/Alg-NCs (TO-CS/Alg-NCs) were prepared with satisfactory features, encapsulation efficiency, release characteristics, and cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells. The average size of the fabricated TO-CS/Alg-NCs was around 200 nm; their distribution was homogenous, and their shapes were spherical, with smooth surfaces. The TO-CS/Alg-NCs showed a high encapsulation efficiency, of 70%, with a sustained release of TO at approximately 50% after 12 h at pH 7.4 and 5.5. The TO-CS/Alg-NCs demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity against two breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, compared to the unencapsulated TO, suggesting that CS/Alg-NCs are potential nanocarriers for TO and can serve as prospective candidates for in vivo anticancer activity evaluation.

Arsenic removal approaches: A focus on chitosan biosorption to conserve the water sources

Globally, millions of people have no access to clean drinking water and are either striving for that or oppressed to intake polluted water. Arsenic is considered one of the most hazardous contaminants in water bodies that reaches there due to various natural and anthropogenic activities. Modified chitosan has gained much attention from researchers due to its potential for arsenic removal. This review focuses on the need and potential of chitosan-based biosorbents for arsenic removal from water systems. Chitosan is a low-cost, abundant, biodegradable biopolymer that possesses unique structural aspects and functional sites for the adsorption of contaminants like arsenic species from contaminated water. The chitosan-based biosorbents had also been modified using various techniques to enhance their arsenic removal efficiencies. This article reviews various forms of chitosan and parameters involved in chitosan modification which eventually affect the arsenic removal efficiency of the resultant sorbents. The literature revealed that the modified chitosan-based sorbents could express higher adsorption efficiency compared to those prepared from native chitosan. The sustainability of the chitosan-based sorbents has also been considered in terms of reusability. Finally, some recommendations have been underlined for further improvements in this domain.

Preparation, characterization and biological activity of proanthocyanidin-chitosan nanoparticles

In this study, proanthocyanidin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (PC-CS-NPs) were produced using ionotropic gelation and characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The synthesized nanoparticles were smaller than 300 nm and had a spherical shape, smooth topography and homogenous morphology as observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vitro release study showed that proanthocyanidins (PC) had a sustainable release from PC-CS-NPs in different buffer media. PC-CS-NPs had higher or comparable potency in scavenging DPPH and ABTS free radicals as compared to native drugs. Furthermore, PC-CS-NPs also inhibited the growth of four bacteria species, whose degree of inhibition depended on the bacterial strain. The results of SEM confirmed the changes in the microstructure of bacteria. Our findings support the use of chitosan nanoparticles to encapsulate PC and improve its bioactivity in food products.

Preparing, optimising, and evaluating chitosan nanocapsules to improve the stability of anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa

During in vitro digestion and enviromental storage, the chitosan nanocapsulation was successfully improved the physical and oxidative stability of anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa.

Non-hydrolytic synthesis of caprylate capped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles and their application against Erwinia carotovora and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Magnetic cobalt Ferrite nanoparticles capped with caprylate groups, CH₃(CH₂)₆CO₂^-, have been synthesized using a novel non-hydrolytic coprecipitation method under inert conditions. Particle diameter was characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The spinel ferrite crystal phase was verified using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the presence of the capping agent was confirmed using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Bactericidal effects of the particles were tested against broth cultures of Erwinia carotovora and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The final particles had an average diameter of 3.81 nm and readily responded to a neodymium magnet. The particles did have a significant effect on the OD600 of both broth cultures.

Magnetic nanoparticles double wrapped into cross-linked salep/PEGylated carboxymethyl cellulose; a biocompatible nanocarrier for pH-triggered release of doxorubicin

A magnetic nanocarrier was synthesized in which Fe3O4 nanoparticles were encapsulated into double layers of polysaccharide shells. The first shell, which was composed of cross-linked salep polysaccharide, contained multiple nitrogen atoms in its structure and provided numerous sites for multiple functionalization. A fluorescence dye and doxorubicin, as widely used chemotherapy agent, were easily attached to the first shell and then a second shell of PEGylated carboxymethyl cellulose enveloped the drug loaded carrier to enhance its biocompatibility and regulates the drug release behavior. The results of drug loading and release behavior showed that the resulting nanocarrier can carry large amounts of drug molecules and a remarkable pH-sensitive release was observed in vitro. The hemolysis and coagulation assays proved the biocompatibility of nanocarrier toward red blood cells and the MTT experiments confirmed that the drug loaded nanocarrier is highly toxic for MCF-7 cancer cells while the unloaded nanocarrier was almost nontoxic. Further flow cytometry experiments and confocal microscopy demonstrated that the double layered magnetic nanocarrier can penetrate into the cells and efficiently release the drug molecules into the cell nucleus. Moreover, the results of MRI experiments performed on the nanocarrier showed that it can be serve as a negative MRI contrast agent.