Casein and Ag nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, and their application in biopolymer‐based bilayer film

Bioinspired caffeic acid-laden milk protein-based nanoparticles targeting folate receptors for breast cancer treatment

AIMS

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Conventional chemotherapeutic therapies lack the specific targeting effect toward the cancerous cells resulting in extensive side effects. Our current study endeavors to prepare novel bioinspired folic acid-functionalized caffeic acid (CA)-loaded casein nanoparticles (CS NPs) for curbing breast cancer.

METHODS

CA-CS NPs were prepared by simple coacervation method followed by lyophilization. Functionalized CS NPs were achieved using folic acid as the targeting moiety. Entire comparative characterization between unconjugated and conjugated NPs were implemented in terms of size, polydispersity index, surface charge, 1H-NMR, surface morphology, in-vitro drug release, sterilization, cytotoxicity, and animal studies.

RESULTS

Conjugated NPs attained PS = 157.23 ± 2.64 nm, PDI = 0.309 ± 0.199, ZP = -25.53 ± 2.31 mV and IC50 = 40 ± 2.9 µg/ml. Significant reduction in the biochemical marker levels of Carcino-embryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 15-3, and malondialdehyde while increased superoxide dismutase levels were achieved in the tumor -induced rats treated by the conjugated NPs. Histopathological examinations showed great improvement in the mammary and necrotic regions.

CONCLUSION

The present work paves the road of 'back to nature' approach in designing biocompatible bioinspired conjugated nanocarriers for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.

Animal derived biopolymers for food packaging applications: A review

It is essential to use environment-friendly, non-toxic, biodegradable and sustainable materials for various applications. Biopolymers are derived from renewable sources like plants, microorganisms, and agricultural wastes. Unlike conventional polymers, biopolymer has a lower carbon footprint and contributes less to greenhouse gas emission. All biopolymers are biodegradable, meaning natural processes can break them down into harmless products such as water and biomass. This property is of utmost importance for various sustainable applications. This review discusses different classifications of biopolymers based on origin, including plant-based, animal-based and micro-organism-based biopolymers. The review also discusses the desirable properties that are required in materials for their use as packaging material. It also discusses the different processes used in modifying the biopolymer to improve its properties. Finally, this review shows the recent developments taking place in using specifically animal origin-based biopolymer and its use in packaging material. It was observed that animal-origin-based biopolymers, although they possess unique properties however, are less explored than plant-origin biopolymers. The animal-origin-based biopolymers covered in this review are chitosan, gelatin, collagen, keratin, casein, whey, hyaluronic acid and silk fibroin. This review will help in renewing research interest in animal-origin biopolymers. In summary, biopolymer offers a sustainable and environment-friendly alternative to conventional polymers. Their versatility, biocompatibility will help create a more sustainable future.

Sustainable Biodegradable Biopolymer-Based Nanoparticles for Healthcare Applications

Biopolymeric nanoparticles are gaining importance as nanocarriers for various biomedical applications, enabling long-term and controlled release at the target site. Since they are promising delivery systems for various therapeutic agents and offer advantageous properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and stability compared to various toxic metal nanoparticles, we decided to provide an overview on this topic. Therefore, the review focuses on the use of biopolymeric nanoparticles of animal, plant, algal, fungal, and bacterial origin as a sustainable material for potential use as drug delivery systems. A particular focus is on the encapsulation of many different therapeutic agents categorized as bioactive compounds, drugs, antibiotics, and other antimicrobial agents, extracts, and essential oils into protein- and polysaccharide-based nanocarriers. These show promising benefits for human health, especially for successful antimicrobial and anticancer activity. The review article, divided into protein-based and polysaccharide-based biopolymeric nanoparticles and further according to the origin of the biopolymer, enables the reader to select the appropriate biopolymeric nanoparticles more easily for the incorporation of the desired component. The latest research results from the last five years in the field of the successful production of biopolymeric nanoparticles loaded with various therapeutic agents for healthcare applications are included in this review.

Bio-based multilayer films: A review of the principal methods of production and challenges

The development of biodegradable packaging materials has been drawing attention worldwide to minimize the environmental impact of traditional petroleum-based plastics. Nevertheless, it is challenging to obtain bio-based materials with suitable properties for packaging applications. Films produced from a single biopolymer often lack some important properties. An alternative to overcome this limitation is the multilayer assembly. Under this technology, two or more materials with specific and complementary properties are combined into a single-layered structure, thus improving the performance of bio-polymer plastics. This review presents the main aspects of bio-based multilayer film production technologies, discussing their advantages and disadvantages, which have to be considered to produce the most suitable film for each specific application. Most of the studies reported that such films resulted in increased mechanical performance and decreased water, oxygen, and dioxide carbon permeability. This approach allows the addition of compounds leading to antioxidant or antibacterial activity. Finally, a discussion about the future challenges is also presented.