Characterization of active films based on chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol integrated with ginger essential oil-loaded bacterial cellulose and application in sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicas) packaging

The poor mechanical properties, low water-resistance, and limited antimicrobial activity of chitosan (CS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based film limited its application in aquatic product preservation. Herein, bacterial cellulose (BC) was used to load ginger essential oil (GEO). The effects of the addition of BC and different concentrations of GEO on the physicochemical and antimicrobial activities of films were systematically evaluated. Finally, the application of sea bass fillets was investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) analysis indicated dense networks were formed, which was verified by enhanced physical properties. The mechanical properties, barrier properties, and antimicrobial activities enhanced as GEO concentration increased. CPB0.8 (0.8 % GEO) film had better tensile strength (TS) and barrier performance, improved the quality, and extended the shelf-life of sea bass for another 6 days at least. Overall, active films are potential packaging materials for aquatic products.

Application of biodegradable colorimetric films based on purple tomatoes anthocyanins loaded chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol in pork meat

A series of biodegradable colorimetric films were prepared by using chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol as matrix, in which, the weight ratio of chitosan: Polyvinyl alcohol was 100: 0, 80: 20, 50: 50, 20: 80, or 0: 100, with addition of 10% (w/w, relative to chitosan) anthocyanins extracted from purple tomatoes (purple tomatoes anthocyanin) as pigment. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of weight ratio (chitosan: Polyvinyl alcohol) on the mechanical properties, contact angle, swelling rate, pH sensitivity, antioxidant properties of chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol/purple tomatoes anthocyanins films, and the antibacterial activity of films produced for pork packaging. In addition, the films as a smart colorimetric indicator for monitoring the freshness of pork was investigated. The results showed that as the ratio of chitosan to polyvinyl alcohol decreases, the elongation at break, hydrophilicity, and swelling rate of the films increased especially from 16.5% to 174.2% for elongation at break and 93.0° to 53.8° for water contact angle, however, the tensile strength decreased from 67.3 to 24.7 MPa. With decreasing of chitosan: Polyvinyl alcohol, the antibacterial activity on pork was decreased, and the antioxidant properties of films increased first then decreased. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated there were interactions among chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, and purple tomatoes anthocyanins. The color response of films was depended on pH, as well as the immersion time. The longer immersion resulted in a more pronounced color change. The color changed from purplish red (pH 2-4) to green (pH 5-10) to yellow (pH 10-12). In monitoring the freshness of pork, the film showed a nice visual color change, indicating a potential application in smart packaging. These bio-based materials may be useful alternatives to synthetic plastics for food applications such as active and smart packaging, thereby improving the environmental friendliness and sustainability of the food supply.

Research progress, models and simulation of electrospinning technology: a review

In recent years, nanomaterials have aroused extensive research interest in the world's material science community. Electrospinning has the advantages of wide range of available raw materials, simple process, small fiber diameter and high porosity. Electrospinning as a nanomaterial preparation technology with obvious advantages has been studied, such as its influencing parameters, physical models and computer simulation. In this review, the influencing parameters, simulation and models of electrospinning technology are summarized. In addition, the progresses in applications of the technology in biomedicine, energy and catalysis are reported. This technology has many applications in many fields, such as electrospun polymers in various aspects of biomedical engineering. The latest achievements in recent years are summarized, and the existing problems and development trends are analyzed and discussed.

Enhancement of bioavailability through transdermal drug delivery of paliperidone palmitate-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers

Aim: The work describes enhanced bioavailability of paliperidone palmitate through transdermal delivery using nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC). Materials & methods: NLCs were formulated by nanoprecipitation method followed by incorporation in transdermal patch and physicochemical characterization. Results: NLCs showed high percentage entrapment efficiency of 83.44 ± 0.8%, drug loading of 24.75 ± 1.10% (w/w), particle size of 173.8 ± 3.25 nm, polydispersity index of 0.143 ± 0.05 and zeta potential of -15.9 ± 0.75 mV. In vitro and ex vivo studies indicated zero-order controlled drug release from NLCs and transdermal patch up to 48 h. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated 1.76-fold enhanced bioavailability by transdermal route as compared with oral drug delivery. Conclusion: From the results, it was concluded that drug-loaded NLCs-transdermal patch is promising drug delivery system for poorly bioavailable drugs.

Sprayed in-situ synthesis of polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan loaded silver nanocomposite hydrogel for improved antibacterial effects

To overcome the practical limitations of hydrogel preparations, applications and strength-based problems, the present study utilizes the use of sprayers for preparing polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan (PVA/CH) hydrogels. The particle size, morphology, stability, release studies and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) had been studied. The particle size of AgNPs was found to be in the range of 4.59-10 nm (75 °C) with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.84. The morphological images exhibited inter-connecting porous structure with pore size in submicron's (<1 µm). Major infra-red spectral peaks of PVA (2946.67 cm^-1; stretching of CH, 1142.72 cm^-1; CO stretching) and CH (3287.49 cm^-1; OH stretching, 2917.48 cm^-1; CH stretching) maintain their place in PVA/CH and PVA/CH/Ag hydrogels. In addition, X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern showed peaks with 2θ values at 38.08°, 44.29° and 64.50° corresponding to the crystal planes of (1 1 1), (2 0 0) and (2 2 0), respectively, allocated to face-centered cubic crystalline structure of AgNPs. The drug release and antibacterial studies showed a maximum release of 91.83% from hydrogels and a concentration dependent zone of inhibition (ZOI) for >24 h, respectively. Thus, the newly developed sprayed hydrogels could turn out to be a suitable dressing material for wound healing applications.

Chitosan-based delivery systems for curcumin: A review of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic aspects

Effective drug delivery is one of the most important issues associated with the administration of therapeutic agents that have low oral bioavailability. Curcumin is an active ingredient in the turmeric plant, which has low oral bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility. One strategy that has been considered for enhancing the aqueous solubility, and, thus, its oral bioavailability, is the use of chitosan as a carrier for curcumin. Chitosan is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer that is relatively water-soluble. Therefore, various studies have sought to improve the aqueous solubility of chitosan. The use of different pharmaceutical excipients and formulation strategies has the potential to improve aqueous solubility, formulation processing, and the overall delivery of hydrophobic drugs. This review focuses on various methods utilized for chitosan-based delivery of curcumin.

Preparation and Characterization of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Chitosan Composite Films Reinforced with Cellulose Nanofiber

In this study microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was oxidized by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation. The treated cellulose slurry was mechanically homogenized to form a transparent dispersion which consisted of individual cellulose nanofibers with uniform widths of 3–4 nm. Bio-nanocomposite films were then prepared from a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-chitosan (CS) polymeric blend with different TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCN) contents (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt %) via the solution casting method. The characterizations of pure PVA/CS and PVA/CS/TOCN films were performed in terms of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), tensile tests, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results from FESEM analysis justified that low loading levels of TOCNs were dispersed uniformly and homogeneously in the PVA-CS blend matrix. The tensile strength and thermal stability of the films were increased with the increased loading levels of TOCNs to a maximum level. The thermal study indicated a slight improvement of the thermal stability upon the reinforcement of TOCNs. As evidenced by the FTIR and XRD, PVA and CS were considered miscible and compatible owing to hydrogen bonding interaction. These analyses also revealed the good dispersion of TOCNs within the PVA/CS polymer matrix. The improved properties due to the reinforcement of TOCNs can be highly beneficial in numerous applications.

Optimization and formulation design of gels of Diclofenac and Curcumin for transdermal drug delivery by Box-Behnken statistical design

The aim of this study was to develop and optimize a transdermal gel formulation for Diclofenac diethylamine (DDEA) and Curcumin (CRM). A 3-factor, 3-level Box-Behnken design was used to derive a second-order polynomial equation to construct contour plots for prediction of responses. Independent variables studied were the polymer concentration (X(1)), ethanol (X(2)) and propylene glycol (X(3)) and the levels of each factor were low, medium, and high. The dependent variables studied were the skin permeation rate of DDEA (Y(1)), skin permeation rate of CRM (Y(2)), and viscosity of the gels (Y(3)). Response surface plots were drawn, statistical validity of the polynomials was established to find the compositions of optimized formulation which was evaluated using the Franz-type diffusion cell. The permeation rate of DDEA increased proportionally with ethanol concentration but decreased with polymer concentration, whereas the permeation rate of CRM increased proportionally with polymer concentration. Gels showed a non-Fickian super case II (typical zero order) and non-Fickian diffusion release mechanism for DDEA and CRM, respectively. The design demonstrated the role of the derived polynomial equation and contour plots in predicting the values of dependent variables for the preparation and optimization of gel formulation for transdermal drug release.

Evaluation of Modified CMC and CMC-PVA as Miscible Polymer Blend Membranes for Hepatocytes

CMC and CMC-PVA were blended either with type I collagen, BSA or CS to obtain biocompatible membranes for evaluation as potential hepatocyte culture substrates. Pure and modified forms of CMC showed distinct surface, mechanical, and cell attachment properties. While the hydrophilicity decreased, the mechanical stability and the porosity of CMC membranes increased after blending. Serum proteins were adsorbed by all types of membranes. Among eight membranes tested, collagen-modified CMC was found to be a suitable membrane material for hepatocyte culture, in terms of mechanical and cell interaction properties.

Preparation, characterization, and properties of chitosan-g-poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymer

The graft copolymer chitosan-g-poly(vinyl alcohol), with nontoxicity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, was prepared by a novel method. The copolymer with porous net structure was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is a potential method to combine chitosan with the synthetic polymers. The grafting reactions were conducted with various poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/6-O-succinate-N-phthaloyl-chitosan (PHCSSA) feed ratios to obtain chitosan-g-poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymers with various PVA contents. The chemical structure of the chitosan-g-poly(vinyl alcohol) was characterized by Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and SEM were also detected to characterize the copolymer.

Facile preparation of biodegradable chitosan derivative having poly(butylene glycol adipate) side chains

Various modes are being explored for the construction of functional materials from nanoparticles. Despite these efforts, the assembly of nanoparticles remains challenging with respect to the requirement of multiple component organization on varying dimensions and length scales. The graft copolymers of chitosan with poly(butylene glycol adipate) (PBGA) were prepared due to the esterification reaction between PBGA and 6-O-succinate-N-phthaloyl-chitosan (PHCSSA) in the presence of toluene as a swelling agent. The graft copolymers are nanoparticles with the size of few hundred nanometers as observed from TEM. It is a potential method to combine chitosan with the hydrophobic synthetic polymers. The grafting reactions were conducted with various PBGA/PHCSSA feed ratios to obtain chitosan-g-PBGA copolymers with various PBGA contents. FT-IR, NMR, XRD, spectrofluorophotometer, and TEM were detected to characterize the copolymers.