Preparation of Chitosan Microcapsules Containing Red Ginger Oleoresin Using Emulsion Crosslinking Method

Synthesis and Characterization of Reproducible Linseed Oil-Loaded Silica Nanoparticles with Potential Use as Oxygen Scavengers in Active Packaging

Commercially available oxygen scavengers used to prevent lipid autoxidation, microbial growth and enzymatic browning in food products present several issues, which include the usage of metals and their moisture dependence to work properly. We present the synthesis and characterization of a moisture-independent oil-based oxygen scavenging system comprised of linseed oil and silica nanoparticles. The system was synthesized via sol-gel chemistry and was characterized using morphological analysis (SEM, AFM, TEM, and N₂ adsorption/desorption), oil-loading analysis (TGA), and surface analysis (ζ-potential and ATR-FTIR). Performance of the system was evaluated through headspace measurements and reproducibility of synthetic procedure was verified using six replicates. Nanoparticles showed the desired spherical shape with a diameter of (122.7 ± 42.7 nm) and mesoporosity (pore diameter = 3.66 ± 0.08 nm), with an encapsulation efficiency of 33.9 ± 1.5% and a highly negative ζ-potential (-56.1 ± 1.2 mV) in basic solution. Performance of the system showed a promising high value for oxygen absorption of 25.8 ± 4.5 mL O₂/g of encapsulated oil (8.3 ± 1.5 mL O₂/g of nanocapsules) through a moisture independent mechanism, which suggests that the synthesized system can be used as an oxygen scavenger in dry atmosphere conditions.

Development of Cyclodextrin-Functionalized Transethoniosomes of 6-Gingerol: Statistical Optimization, In Vitro Characterization and Assessment of Cytotoxic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

The poor solubility and stability of 6-gingerol (6-G) could hamper its clinical applications. The aim of the current study was to develop a novel ultra-deformable cyclodextrin-functionalized transethoniosomes (CD-TENs) as a promising delivery system for 6-G. Transethoniosomes (TENs) are flexible niosomes (NVs) due to their content of ethanol and edge activators (EAs). CD-functionalized nanoparticles could improve drug solubility and stability compared to the corresponding nanovesicles. 6-G-loaded ethoniosomes (ENs) were formulated by the ethanol injection technique in the presence and absence of EA and CD to explore the impact of the studied independent variables on entrapment efficiency (EE%) and % 6-G released after 24 h (Q_24h). According to the desirability criteria, F8 (CD-functionalized transethoniosomal formula) was selected as the optimized formulation. F8 demonstrated higher EE%, permeation, deformability and stability than the corresponding TENs, ENs and NVs. Additionally, F8 showed higher cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activity than pure 6-G. The synergism between complexation with CD and novel ultra-deformable nanovesicles (TENs) in the form of CD-TENs can be a promising drug delivery carrier for 6-G.

Bentong ginger oleoresin mitigates liver injury and modulates gut microbiota in mouse with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease induced by high-fat diet

The present study aimed to examine the protective effect of Bentong ginger oleoresin (BGO) on the occurrence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its underlying mechanism. In the present study, 14-week BGO treatment reduced the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. The serum total cholesterol (TC) was reduced from 4.76 ± 0.30 to 3.542 ± 0.49 mmol/L and fatty liver score decreased to the normal level (1.6 ± 0.55). BGO had antihypercholesterolemia activity, alleviated abnormal lipid metabolism, and improved liver fat accumulation. In addition, liver inflammatory cytokine tests and Western blotting analysis indicated that BGO might play an anti-inflammatory role by mediating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, BGO regulated the gut microbiota in NAFLD mice and finally mediated their benefits for the host, which might be associated with reduced abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Fournierella. BGO showed effective liver protection and regulation of gut microbiota for the HFD-induced NAFLD in obese mice. As a result, BGO may serve as an effective dietary supplement for the improvement of NAFLD-related metabolic diseases. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study provides a new way to improve the added value of Bentong ginger. It also provides certain experimental data on BGO as a kind of the functional food ingredient. The current work also provides new ideas for the improvement and treatment of NAFLD.

Preparation of W/O Hypaphorine-Chitosan Nanoparticles and Its Application on Promoting Chronic Wound Healing via Alleviating Inflammation Block

Chronic wound repair is a common complication in patients with diabetes mellitus, which causes a heavy burden on social medical resources and the economy. Hypaphorine (HYP) has good anti-inflammatory effect, and chitosan (CS) is used in the treatment of wounds because of its good antibacterial effect. The purpose of this research was to investigate the role and mechanism of HYP-nano-microspheres in the treatment of wounds for diabetic rats. The morphology of HYP-NPS was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RAW 264.7 macrophages were used to assess the bio-compatibility of HYP-NPS. A full-thickness dermal wound in a diabetic rat model was performed to evaluate the wound healing function of HYP-NPS. The results revealed that HYP-NPS nanoparticles were spherical with an average diameter of approximately 50 nm. The cell experiments hinted that HYP-NPS had the potential as a trauma material. The wound test in diabetic rats indicated that HYP-NPS fostered the healing of chronic wounds. The mechanism was through down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α in the skin of the wound, and accelerating the transition of chronic wound from inflammation to tissue regeneration. These results indicate that HYP-NPS has a good application prospect in the treatment of chronic wounds.

The Development, Evaluation, and Antioxidant Activity Analysis of Chitosan Microcapsules Containing Red Ginger Oleoresin with Sodium Tripolyphosphate Prepared by Emulsion Cross-linking Technique

In this study, chitosan-based carrier of red ginger oleoresin was prepared using the emulsion cross-linking technique with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as a cross-linking agent. The effect of chitosan and TPP concentration, as well as pH on the encapsulation efficiency, particle size and characterization of chitosan microcapsule was determined. The antioxidant activity of microcapsules was analyzed. Chitosan microcapsules containing red ginger oleoresin were produced although with non-smooth surfaces.

A Novel Shell Material-Highland Barley Starch for Microencapsulation of Cinnamon Essential Oil with Different Preparation Methods

Highland barley starch (HBS), as a carbohydrate shell material with excellent performance in microcapsule applications, has rarely been reported. In the present study, three different microcapsules (CEO-SWSM, CEO-PM, and CEO-UM) were synthesized successfully via saturated aqueous solution method, molecular inclusion method and ultrasonic method, respectively, using HBS as shell material coupled with cinnamon essential oil (CEO) as the core material. The potential of HBS as a new shell material and the influence of synthetic methods on the performance of microcapsules, encapsulation efficiency (EE), yield, and release rate of CEO-SWSM, CEO-PM, and CEO-UM were determined, respectively. The results confirmed that CEO-PM had the most excellent EE (88.2%), yield (79.1%), as well as lowest release rate (11.5%, after 25 days of storage). Moreover, different kinetic models were applied to fit the release process of these three kinds of microcapsules: CEO-SWSM, CEO-PM, and CEO-UM had the uppermost R-squared value in the Higuchi model, the zero-order model, and the first-level model, respectively. Over all, this work put forward a novel perspective for the improved encapsulation effect of perishable core materials (e.g., essential oil) for the food industry.