|
1
|
Chiriac AP, Ghilan A, Croitoriu A, Serban A, Bercea M, Stoleru E, Nita LE, Doroftei F, Stoica I, Bargan A, Rusu AG, Chiriac VM. Study on cellulose nanofibrils/copolymacrolactone based nano-composites with hydrophobic behaviour, self-healing ability and antioxidant activity. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 262:130034. [PMID: 38340942 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The multiple uses of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) originate from their availability from renewable resources, and are due to their physico-chemical properties, biodegradability and biocompatibility. At the same time, reducing sensitivity to humidity, increasing interfacial adhesion and hydrophobic modification of the CNF surface to diversify applications and improve operation, are current targets pursued. This study focuses on the preparation of a novel gel structure using cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and poly(ethylene brassylate-co-squaric acid) (PEBSA50/50), a bio-based copolymacrolactone. The primary goal is to achieve the gel with reduced sensitivity to humidity and enhanced hydrophobic behaviour. The new system was characterized in comparison to its constituent components using various techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and NIR - chemical imaging. Rheological tests demonstrated the formation of the CNF_PEBSA50/50 gel as a result of physical interactions between the two polymeric partners and revealed self-healing abilities for the prepared gels. Determination of the contact angle, surface free energy, as well as dynamic measurements of the vapour sorption of the CNF_PEBSA50/50 system, confirmed the achievement of the study's aim. Furthermore, the CNF_PEBSA50/50 network was utilized to encapsulate citric acid, resulting in the creation of a new bioactive composite with both antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurica P Chiriac
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania.
| | - Alina Ghilan
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alexandra Croitoriu
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alexandru Serban
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
| | - Maria Bercea
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
| | - Elena Stoleru
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
| | - Loredana Elena Nita
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
| | - Florica Doroftei
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
| | - Iuliana Stoica
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alexandra Bargan
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alina Gabriela Rusu
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
| | - Vlad Mihai Chiriac
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41 A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Hu P, Yuan M, Guo B, Lin J, Yan S, Huang H, Chen JL, Wang S, Ma Y. Citric Acid Promotes Immune Function by Modulating the Intestinal Barrier. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1239. [PMID: 38279237 PMCID: PMC10817003 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Amidst increasing concern about antibiotic resistance resulting from the overuse of antibiotics, there is a growing interest in exploring alternative agents. One such agent is citric acid, an organic compound commonly used for various applications. Our research findings indicate that the inclusion of citric acid can have several beneficial effects on the tight junctions found in the mouse intestine. Firstly, the study suggests that citric acid may contribute to weight gain by stimulating the growth of intestinal epithelial cells (IE-6). Citric acid enhances the small intestinal villus-crypt ratio in mice, thereby promoting intestinal structural morphology. Additionally, citric acid has been found to increase the population of beneficial intestinal microorganisms, including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. It also promotes the expression of important protein genes such as occludin, ZO-1, and claudin-1, which play crucial roles in maintaining the integrity of the tight junction barrier in the intestines. Furthermore, in infected IEC-6 cells with H9N2 avian influenza virus, citric acid augmented the expression of genes closely associated with the influenza virus infection. Moreover, it reduces the inflammatory response caused by the viral infection and thwarted influenza virus replication. These findings suggest that citric acid fortifies the intestinal tight junction barrier, inhibits the replication of influenza viruses targeting the intestinal tract, and boosts intestinal immune function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengcheng Hu
- Joint Laboratory of Animal Pathogen Prevention and Control of Fujian-Nepal, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (P.H.); (M.Y.); (S.Y.); (J.-L.C.); (S.W.)
| | - Meng Yuan
- Joint Laboratory of Animal Pathogen Prevention and Control of Fujian-Nepal, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (P.H.); (M.Y.); (S.Y.); (J.-L.C.); (S.W.)
| | - Bolun Guo
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (B.G.); (J.L.); (H.H.)
| | - Jiaqi Lin
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (B.G.); (J.L.); (H.H.)
| | - Shihong Yan
- Joint Laboratory of Animal Pathogen Prevention and Control of Fujian-Nepal, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (P.H.); (M.Y.); (S.Y.); (J.-L.C.); (S.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (B.G.); (J.L.); (H.H.)
| | - Huiqing Huang
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (B.G.); (J.L.); (H.H.)
| | - Ji-Long Chen
- Joint Laboratory of Animal Pathogen Prevention and Control of Fujian-Nepal, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (P.H.); (M.Y.); (S.Y.); (J.-L.C.); (S.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (B.G.); (J.L.); (H.H.)
| | - Song Wang
- Joint Laboratory of Animal Pathogen Prevention and Control of Fujian-Nepal, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (P.H.); (M.Y.); (S.Y.); (J.-L.C.); (S.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (B.G.); (J.L.); (H.H.)
| | - Yanmei Ma
- Joint Laboratory of Animal Pathogen Prevention and Control of Fujian-Nepal, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (P.H.); (M.Y.); (S.Y.); (J.-L.C.); (S.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (B.G.); (J.L.); (H.H.)
| |
Collapse
|