Green fabrication and characterization of debranched starch nanoparticles via ultrasonication combined with recrystallization

Effect of ultrasound/CaCl2 co-treatment on the microstructure, gelatinization, and film-forming properties of high amylose corn starch

The effect of ultrasound/CaCl2 co-treatment on aggregation structure, thermal stability, rheological, and film properties of high amylose corn starch (HACS) was investigated. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed the number of starch fragments and malformed starch granules increased after co-treatment. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed the co-treated HACS got a lower gelatinization temperature (92.65 ± 0.495 °C) and enthalpy values (ΔH, 4.14 ± 0.192 J/g). The optical microscope images indicated that lesser Maltase crosses were observed in co-treated HACS. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated ultrasound influenced the compactness of amorphous zone and CaCl2 damaged the crystalline region of HACS granules. Additionally, the rheology properties of HACS dispersion demonstrated the apparent viscosity of co-treated dispersion increased as the ultrasound time prolonged. The mechanical strength and structural compactness of HACS films were improved after ultrasound treatment. The mechanism of ultrasound/CaCl2 co-treatment improved the gelatinization and film-forming ability of HACS was that (i) ultrasound wave loosened the HACS granules shell, promoted the treatment of CaCl2 on HACS granules, and (ii) ultrasound wave improved the uniform distribution of HACS dispersion, increased the interaction between CaCl2 and starch chains during the process of film-forming.

Preparation of starch/PVA nanoparticles and evaluation of their ability to stabilize Pickering emulsions

Biodegradable and biocompatible polymer-based nanoparticles (NPs) hold great promise for various industries. We report the first development of composite NPs consisting of starch (St) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) using the nanoprecipitation technique with ethanol as an antisolvent. We varied the St:PVA ratios in the precursor solutions to evaluate their impact on the structure and properties of the composite NPs. The ratios used were 4:1, 1:1, and 1:4. Characterization by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis revealed distinct XRD and TGA patterns for the composite St/PVANPs compared to their corresponding physical blends. This indicated the presence of mixed St/PVA crystallites within their structures. Additionally, the crystallinity of St/PVANPs increased with rising St content. Dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy showed that nanoparticle sizes increased with higher PVA proportions. The St/PVANPs showed superior performance as stabilizers in Pickering emulsions, forming denser continuous networks in the gel-like structure of the emulsions. Additionally, increasing the PVA content in the composition of St/PVANPs strengthened the structure of Pickering emulsions. The emulsion stabilized by St20/PVA80NPs showed exceptional stability for one month. These findings highlight the potential of St/PVANPs as innovative materials for various applications, including emulsion stabilization.

A Comprehensive Review of Nanoparticles: From Classification to Application and Toxicity

Nanoparticles are structures that possess unique properties with high surface area-to-volume ratio. Their small size, up to 100 nm, and potential for surface modifications have enabled their use in a wide range of applications. Various factors influence the properties and applications of NPs, including the synthesis method and physical attributes such as size and shape. Additionally, the materials used in the synthesis of NPs are primary determinants of their application. Based on the chosen material, NPs are generally classified into three categories: organic, inorganic, and carbon-based. These categories include a variety of materials, such as proteins, polymers, metal ions, lipids and derivatives, magnetic minerals, and so on. Each material possesses unique attributes that influence the activity and application of the NPs. Consequently, certain NPs are typically used in particular areas because they possess higher efficiency along with tenable toxicity. Therefore, the classification and the base material in the NP synthesis hold significant importance in both NP research and application. In this paper, we discuss these classifications, exemplify most of the major materials, and categorize them according to their preferred area of application. This review provides an overall review of the materials, including their application, and toxicity.

EGCG-based nanoparticles: synthesis, properties, and applications

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a natural phenolic substance found in foods and beverages (especially tea) that exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Its potential in cardiovascular and brain health has garnered significant attention. However, its clinical application remains limited due to its poor physicochemical stability and low oral bioavailability. Nanotechnology can be used to improve the stability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic profile of EGCG by encapsulating it within nanoparticles. This article reviews the interactions of EGCG with various compounds, the synthesis of EGCG-based nanoparticles, the functional attributes of these nanoparticles, and their prospective applications in drug delivery, diagnosis, and therapy. The potential application of nanoencapsulated EGCG in functional foods and beverages is also emphasized. Top-down and bottom-up approaches can be used to construct EGCG-based nanoparticles. EGCG-based nanoparticles exhibit enhanced stability and bioavailability compared to free EGCG, making them promising candidates for biomedical and food applications. Notably, the non-covalent and covalent interactions of EGCG with other substances significantly contribute to the improved properties of these nanoparticles. EGCG-based nanoparticles appear to have a wide range of applications in different industries, but further research is required to enhance their efficacy and ensure their safety.

Preparation and characterization of fine and stable short amylose nanocarriers for curcumin using a highly efficient and convenient method

To prepare fine and stable nanocarriers for curcumin using a highly efficient and convenient method, nanoprecipitation combined with ultrasonication and a high-speed dispersion (US+HSS) method were used to prepare short amylose nanoparticles with pre-formed helical structures. Their morphology, structural characteristics, and embedding effects for curcumin were investigated. The results showed that the optimal ratio of ethanol to short amylose solution and ultrasonic time was 4:1 and 4 min, respectively. The nanoparticles showed a small size (82.43 nm), relatively high loading capacity (11.57 %), and a peak gelatinization temperature of 97.74 °C. Compared to the nanoprecipitation method, the short amylose nanoparticles prepared using the US+HSS method possessed a higher V-type crystalline structure ratio. In addition, the US+HSS method was easier to use to prepare nanoparticles with high stability against NaCl, and the stable nanoparticles showed the best in vitro sustained release effect for curcumin. The Peppas-Sahlin model was the optimal model that matched curcumin release from nanoparticles during digestion.

Polymorphic nanostarch-mediated assembly of bioactives

Starch as an edible, biosafe, and functional biopolymer, has been tailored at nanoscale to deliver bioactive guests. Nanostarches fabricated in various morphologies including nanosphere, nanorod, nanoworm, nanovesicle, nanopolyhedron, nanoflake, nanonetwork etc., enable them to assemble different kinds of bioactives due to structural particularity and green modification. Previous studies have reviewed nanostarch for its preparation and application in food, however, no such work has been done for the potential of delivery system via polymorphic nanostarches. In this review, we focus on the merits of nanostarch empowered by multi-morphology for delivery system, and also conclude the assembly strategies and corresponding properties of nanostarch-based carrier. Additionally, the advantages, limitations, and future perspectives of polymorphic nanostarch are summarized to better understand the micro/nanostarch architectures and their regulation for the compatibility of bioactive molecules. According to the morphology of carrier, nanostarch effectively captures bioactives on the surface and/or inside core to form tight complexes, which maintains their stability in the human microenvironment. It improves the bioavailability of bioactive guests by different assembly approaches of carrier/guest surface combination, guest@carrier embedment, and nanostarch-mediated encapsulation. Targeted release of delivery systems is stimulated by the microenvironment conditions based on the complex structure of nanostarch loaded with bioactives.

Starch Nanoparticles: Preparation, Properties and Applications

Starch as a natural polymer is abundant and widely used in various industries around the world. In general, the preparation methods for starch nanoparticles (SNPs) can be classified into 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' methods. SNPs can be produced in smaller sizes and used to improve the functional properties of starch. Thus, they are considered for the various opportunities to improve the quality of product development with starch. This literature study presents information and reviews regarding SNPs, their general preparation methods, characteristics of the resulting SNPs and their applications, especially in food systems, such as Pickering emulsion, bioplastic filler, antimicrobial agent, fat replacer and encapsulating agent. The aspects related to the properties of SNPs and information on the extent of their utilisation are reviewed in this study. The findings can be utilised and encouraged by other researchers to develop and expand the applications of SNPs.

Polyphenols as Plant-Based Nutraceuticals: Health Effects, Encapsulation, Nano-Delivery, and Application

Plant polyphenols have attracted considerable attention because of their key roles in preventing many diseases, including high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and cancer. A variety of functional foods have been designed and developed with plant polyphenols as the main active ingredients. Polyphenols mainly come from vegetables and fruits and can generally be divided according to their structure into flavonoids, astragalus, phenolic acids, and lignans. Polyphenols are a group of plant-derived functional food ingredients with different molecular structures and various biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. However, many polyphenolic compounds have low oral bioavailability, which limits the application of polyphenols in nutraceuticals. Fortunately, green bio-based nanocarriers are well suited for encapsulating, protecting, and delivering polyphenols, thereby improving their bioavailability. In this paper, the health benefits of plant polyphenols in the prevention of various diseases are summarized, with a review of the research progress into bio-based nanocarriers for the improvement of the oral bioavailability of polyphenols. Polyphenols have great potential for application as key formulations in health and nutrition products. In the future, the development of food-grade delivery carriers for the encapsulation and delivery of polyphenolic compounds could well solve the limitations of poor water solubility and low bioavailability of polyphenols for practical applications.

Mesona chinensis polysaccharide accelerates the short-term retrogradation of debranched waxy corn starch

The effect of non-starch polysaccharides on the structural and functional properties of native starch have been extensively studied. However, the effect of non-starch polysaccharides on the structural characteristics of debranched starch, a kind of enzymatic modified starch, remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Mesona chinensis polysaccharide (MP) on starch retrogradation and structural properties of debranched waxy corn starch (DWS). The results showed that only appropriate addition of MP (0.5 or 1%) can effectively promote the short-term retrogradation of DWS, while excessive MP (3 or 5%) had a negative effect. Gel hardness results revealed that the short-term retrogradation (24 h) of DWS could be divided into two phases. The retrogradation of DWS-MP gels mainly occurred at first stage (0–4 h), which was demonstrated by the rapid increase of gel hardness and relative crystallinity in this stage. In the second stage (4–24 h), DWS-MP gels were more likely to undergo the aggregation of starch granules as proved by SEM and particle size results. The degree of short-range ordered decreased during the total retrogradation stage. Overall, this work aims to provide an insight into the effect of non-starch polysaccharides on the short-term retrogradation of DWS.

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Only the appropriate addition of MP could accelerate the retrogradation of DWS.

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The short-term retrogradation of DWS could be divided into two stages.

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Gel hardness and relative crystallinity increased significantly in the first stage.

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The degree of short-range ordered reduced monotonically with retrogradation time.

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Starch particles mainly underwent aggregation in the second stage.

Synthesis, characteristics, and applications of modified starch nanoparticles: A review

Nowadays, starch nanoparticles (SNPs) are drawing attention to the scientific community due to their versatility and wide range of applications. Although several works have extensively addressed the SNP production routes, not much is discussed about the SNPs modification techniques, as well as the use of modified SNPs in typical and unconventional applications. Here, we focused on the SNP modification strategies and characteristics and performance of the resulting products, as well as their practical applications, while pointing out the main limitations and recommendations. We aim to guide researchers by identifying the next steps in this emerging line of research. SNPs esterification and oxidation are preferred chemical modifications, which result in changes in the functional groups. Moreover, additional polymers are incorporated into the SNP surface through copolymer grafting. Physical modification of starch has demonstrated similar changes in the functional groups without the need for toxic chemicals. Modified SNPs rendered differentiated properties, such as size, shape, crystallinity, hydrophobicity, and Zeta-potential. For multiple applications, tailoring the aforementioned properties is key to the performance of nanoparticle-based systems. However, the number of studies focusing on emerging applications is fairly limited, while their applications as drug delivery systems lack in vivo studies. The main challenges and prospects were discussed.

Characterization of Cationic Modified Short Linear Glucan and Fabrication of Complex Nanoparticles with Low and High Methoxy Pectin

In this study, we chemically modified the short linear glucan (SLG) using the 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethylammonium chloride to introduce a positive surface charge via cationization (CSLG). We then prepared CSLG-based binary nanocomplex particles through electrostatic interactions with low and high methoxyl pectin. The two new types of binary nanocomplex were comprehensively characterized. It was found that the nanocomplex particles showed a spherical shape with the particle size of <700 nm, smooth surface, homogeneous distribution, and negative surface charge. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that the driving forces to form nanocomplex were primarily electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding. In addition, increasing the CSLG concentration in the nanocomplex significantly enhanced both thermal stability and digestive stability. By comparing the two complex nanoparticles, the HMP-CSLG has a larger particle size and better stability under the GI condition due to the high content of the methoxy group. Additionally, the HMP-CSLG nanoparticle has a higher encapsulation efficiency and slower release rate under simulated gastrointestinal fluid for tangeretin compared with the LMP-CSLG. These results provide new insights into designing the CSLG-based nanocomplex as a potential oral delivery system for nutraceuticals or active ingredients.

Isothermal and temperature-cycling retrogradation of high-amylose corn starch: Impact of sonication on its structural and retrogradation properties

In this study, the effects of sonication and temperature-cycled storage on the structural properties and resistant starch content of high-amylose corn starch were investigated. Sonication induced a partial depolymerization of the molecular structures of amylopectin and amylose. Sonication treatment induced the appropriate structural changes for retrogradation. Although the relative crystallinity of sonicated starch was lower than that of non-sonicated starch, sonicated starch after retrogradation showed much higher relative crystallinity than non-sonicated starch. Regardless of sonication treatment, temperature-cycled storage resulted in a higher degree of retrogradation than isothermal storage, but the rate of retrogradation was greater in sonicated starch than in non-sonicated starch, as supported by retrogradation enthalpy, the Avrami constant, and relative crystallinity. The highly developed crystalline structure in sonicated starches due to retrogradation was reflected by the large amount of resistant starch.

Pharmaceutical applications of starch nanoparticles: A scoping review

Starch nanoparticles (SNPs) have been applied to different areas of material sciences, especially in pharmaceuticals due to their characteristics such as small particle size, high surface ratio-volume, and biological compatibility. However, in pharmaceutical sciences, there are no records of a scoping review that had extensively mapped all available information about SNPs. A scoping review was performed here by searching electronic databases (Pubmed and Science Direct) to identify studies published previous to June 2020. From 699 total records, 37 matched the criteria for inclusion. The findings showed that SNPs have been used, not only for the development of different active pharmaceutical ingredient delivery systems, but also as an enzyme inhibitor, adsorption, and DNA precipitation agent. In conclusion, by combining different starch sources and methods SNPs show a remarkable diversity in pharmaceutical applications. Future studies should explore SNPs safety and provide information about variables that may affect important properties for this kind of application.

Effect of zirconia on improving NOx reduction efficiency of Nd2Zr2O7 nanostructure fabricated by a new, facile and green sonochemical approach

Here, we offer an easy and eco-friendly sonochemical pathway to fabricate Nd2Zr2O7 nanostructures and nanocomposites with the help of Morus nigra extract as a new kind of capping agent. For the first time, the performance of Nd2Zr2O7-based ceramic nanostructure materials has been compared upon NOx abatement. Diverse kinds of techniques have been employed to specify purity and check the attributes of the fabricated Nd2Zr2O7-based nanostructurs by Morus nigra extract. Outcomes revealed the successful fabrication of Nd2Zr2O7 nanostructures and nanocomposites applying Morus nigra extract through sonochemical pathway. All nanostructured samples have been fabricated through ultrasonic probe with power of 60 W (18 KHz). Further, the fabricated Nd2Zr2O7-based ceramic nanostructure materials can be applied as potential nanocatalysts with appropriate performance for propane-SCR-NOx, since the conversion of NOx to N2 for the best sample (Nd2Zr2O7-ZrO2 nanocomposite) was 70%. In addition, in case of Nd2Zr2O7-ZrO2 nanocomposite, the outlet quantity of CO as an unfavorable and unavoidable product was lower than the rest.