Foam Structure Preservation during Microwave-Assisted Vacuum Drying: Significance of Interfacial and Dielectric Properties of the Bulk Phase of Foams from Polysorbate 80-Maltodextrin Dispersions

Construction of asymmetric dual-layer polysaccharide-based porous structure on multiple sources for potential application in biomedicine

Biomedical materials can produce high efficiency and special behavior with an integrated internal structure. It is possible that changing the structure of biomedical materials could extend and promote the application of eco-friendly and multifunctional biomaterials. However, the instantaneous formation of complex structures between tannic acid (TA) and polysaccharides is disrupted, and the reconstruction of the new porous structure becomes a key issue. Here, we present an innovative one-step forming method for an asymmetric dual-layer porous structure of carboxymethyl chitosan (CC)/sodium alginate (SA)/TA, which can be utilized in various biomedical applications. Even after 6 months of storage, it still demonstrates a range of desirable properties including tailorable performance, efficient antibacterial activity, ultrarapid antioxidant activity, low differential blood clotting index and cytotoxicity. This suggests its potential for regulating and controlling wound bleeding, providing flexible possibilities for potential applications in biomedicine.

Stability of Foams in Vacuum Drying Processes. Effects of Interactions between Sugars, Proteins, and Surfactants on Foam Stability and Dried Foam Properties

The hypothesis was that saccharides mediate interactions between surface-active components and that this will have an impact on foam decay during the drying process. Static light scattering was performed to determine changes in interactions between the foam stabilizer on a molecular level. Furthermore, pendant drop and oscillating drop measurements were performed to examine the surface tension and surface rheology. Foams were dried in conventional dryers as well as microwave-supported vacuum dryers. Final foam properties were determined. It was shown that the addition of sugars, often added as protective substances for sensitive organic molecules, resulted in lower repulsion between different types of surface-active components, namely polysorbate 80 and β-lactoglobulin (β-lg). Differences in impact of the types of sugars and between different types of surfactant, protein, and small molecules were observed influencing the foam decay behavior. The interfacial properties of polysorbate 80 and β-lg were influenced by the type of the used sugars. The surface elasticity of protein stabilized surfaces was higher compared to that of polysorbate stabilized systems. Protein stabilized systems remained more stable compared to polysorbate systems, which was also affected by the used saccharide. Overall, a correlation between molecular interactions and foam decay behavior was found.

Foam Structure Preservation during Microwave-Assisted Vacuum Drying: Significance of Interfacial and Dielectric Properties of the Bulk Phase of Foams from Polysorbate 80-Maltodextrin Dispersions

This study aimed at examining the cause of differences in the structure preservation of polysorbate 80–maltodextrin foams during microwave-assisted vacuum drying (MWVD) versus conventional vacuum drying (CVD). Aqueous dispersions of 3% polysorbate 80 and 0–40% maltodextrin were characterized for their dielectric and interfacial properties, and results were related to their drying performance in a foamed state. Surface tension and surface dilatational properties as well as dielectric properties clearly responded to the variation in the maltodextrin content. Likewise, the foam structure preservation during CVD was linked to the maltodextrin concentration. Regarding MWVD, however, foams collapsed at all conditions tested. Nevertheless, if the structure during MWVD remained stable, the drying time was significantly reduced. Eventually, this finding could be linked to the dielectric properties of polysorbate 80 rather than its adsorption kinetics and surface film viscoelasticity as its resonant frequency fell within the working frequency of the microwave drying plant.