Chitosan-melanin complex microsphere: A potential colonic delivery system for protein drugs

The characteristics and performance of chitosan-based colon delivery systems are significantly influenced by the method of preparation. Insect chitosan-melanin complex (CMC) may offer superior attributes over traditional shrimp and crab chitosan (CS) for colon-targeted administration. This study used dung beetle CMC as the carrier matrix and comprehensively examined the impact of various crosslinking techniques on the colonic drug delivery efficacy of microspheres, encompassing drug loading, swelling, drug release behavior, adhesion, enzymatic degradation, and absorption enhancement. The results indicate that F-TPPLC microspheres, crosslinked with a combination of formaldehyde and sodium tripolyphosphate, exhibit superior drug loading capabilities, optimal swelling behavior, and controlled in vitro drug release profiles in the colonic environment, along with excellent adhesion and enzymatic degradation properties within intestinal tract. Notably, these F-TPPLC microspheres increase paracellular permeability, possibly by disrupting the calcium-dependent adhesion junctions. In comparison to commercial CS, CMC demonstrates superior drug encapsulation efficiency, enhanced colonic drug release, adhesion, and absorption promotion, rendering it a favorable candidate as a carrier in colon-targeted drug delivery systems. Consequently, F-TPPLC microspheres derived from CMC are highly suitable for colon drug delivery applications and show promising potential for the oral delivery of peptide and protein-based therapeutics to the colon.

Potential of Cricket Chitosan for Nanoparticle Development Through Ionotropic Gelation: Novel Source for Cosmeceutical Delivery Systems

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Crickets are recognized as an alternative source of chitosan. This study aimed to assess the potential of cricket-derived chitosan as a natural source to develop chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs).

METHODS

Chitosan were isolated from different cricket species, including Gryllus bimaculatus, Teleogryllus mitratus, and Acheta domesticus. The isolated chitosan were characterized by their functional groups, crystallographic and thermal properties, molecular structure, morphology, water solubility, molecular weight, binding capacity, irritation potential, and cytotoxicity in comparison to commercial shrimp-based chitosan. CNPs were developed through an ionotropic gelation method, followed by the evaluation of particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential.

RESULTS

The findings of this study indicate that chitosan can be successfully isolated from the three cricket species, with yields ranging from 4.35% to 5.22% w/w of the dried material. The characteristics of cricket-based chitosan were similar to those of commercial chitosan, except that the cricket-based chitosan displayed a higher crystallinity and a lower molecular weight. Additionally, CPNs were successfully produced from cricket-based chitosan using sodium citrate as a crosslinking agent. All cricket-based chitosan exhibited no irritation or cytotoxicity. Chitosan derived from A. domesticus however was found to be the most suitable to develop CPNs, as it produced the smallest particle size (522.0 ± 12.1 nm) with a comparatively narrow PDI (0.388 ± 0.026) and an acceptable positive zeta potential (34.2 ± 4.4 mV).

CONCLUSIONS

Cricket-derived chitosan compares favorably with crustacean-derived chitosan and showed potential for a range of applications, including the use as a nanocosmeceutical delivery system in topical and cosmetic formulations.

Multifaceted roles of plant-derived bioactive polysaccharides: A review of their biological functions, delivery, bioavailability, and applications within the food and pharmaceutical sectors

Plant-derived bioactive polysaccharides (PDBPs), versatile polymers originating from various botanical sources, exhibit a spectrum of biological functionalities crucial for human health. This review delves into the multifaceted roles of these bioactive compounds, elucidating their immune-boosting properties, antioxidant prowess, anti-inflammatory capabilities, and contributions to gut health. Amidst their pivotal roles, the efficiency of PDBPs delivery and bioavailability in the human system stands as a central determinant of their efficacy and utilization. This review paper extensively and systematically examines the diverse biological activities, such as immunomodulatory effects, delivery mechanisms like microencapsulation, and promising applications of PDBPs within the realms of both food (functional foods and nutraceuticals) and pharmaceutical (antimicrobial agents and anti-inflammatory drugs) sectors. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive overview of the classification, sources, and structural diversity of these polysaccharides, highlighting various identification techniques and rheological considerations. Moreover, the review addresses critical safety and regulatory concerns alongside global legislation about plant bioactive polysaccharides, envisaging a broader landscape for their utilization. Through this synthesis, we aim to underscore the holistic significance of PDBPs and their potential to revolutionize nutritional and therapeutic paradigms.

Investigation on novel chitin and chitosan from dung beetle Heteronitis castelnaui (Harold, 1865) and its potential application for organic dyes removal from aqueous solution

Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide, has attracted considerable attention as an environmentally friendly and highly efficient adsorbent for dye removal. It is usually produced by deacetylation or partial deacetylation of chitin. However, conventional sources of chitin and chitosan are limited, prompting the need for alternative sources with improved adsorption capabilities. Herein, this study focuses on exploring a novel chitin and chitosan source derived from the dung beetle and evaluates its potential for organic dye removal from aqueous solutions. The research involves the extraction and characterization of chitin and chitosan from dung beetle Heteronitis castelnaui (Harold, 1865) using various analytical techniques, including SEM, FT-IR, TGA, XRD, NMR, deacetylation degree and elemental analysis. The chitosan obtained was used for the formation of hydrogels with sodium alginate via cross-linking with calcium chloride. And then the prepared hydrogels were evaluated for its adsorption capacity through batch adsorption experiments using methylene blue as a model pollutant. The adsorption capacity for methylene blue was 1294.3 mg/g at room temperature with solution pH = 12, MB concentration of 1800 mg/L. Furthermore, the kinetics of the adsorption process were analyzed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models to understand the rate of adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacities were determined using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. This study provides valuable insights for the development of sustainable dye adsorption technologies, specifically investigating a novel chitosan source derived from the dung beetle.

Update on Chitin and Chitosan from Insects: Sources, Production, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications

Insects, renowned for their abundant and renewable biomass, stand at the forefront of biomimicry-inspired research and offer promising alternatives for chitin and chitosan production considering mounting environmental concerns and the inherent limitations of conventional sources. This comprehensive review provides a meticulous exploration of the current state of insect-derived chitin and chitosan, focusing on their sources, production methods, characterization, physical and chemical properties, and emerging biomedical applications. Abundant insect sources of chitin and chitosan, from the Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Dictyoptera, Odonata, and Ephemeroptera orders, were comprehensively summarized. A variety of characterization techniques, including spectroscopy, chromatography, and microscopy, were used to reveal their physical and chemical properties like molecular weight, degree of deacetylation, and crystallinity, laying a solid foundation for their wide application, especially for the biomimetic design process. The examination of insect-derived chitin and chitosan extends into a wide realm of biomedical applications, highlighting their unique advantages in wound healing, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and antimicrobial therapies. Their intrinsic biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties position them as promising candidates for innovative solutions in diverse medical interventions.

Application of Polysaccharide-Based Edible Coatings on Fruits and Vegetables: Improvement of Food Quality and Bioactivities

Most foods derived from plant origin are very nutritious but highly perishable products. Nowadays, the food industry is focusing on the development of efficient preservation strategies as viable alternatives to traditional packaging and chemical treatments. Hence, polysaccharide-based edible coatings have been proposed because of their properties of controlled release of food additives and the protection of sensitive compounds in coated foods. Thus, this technology has allowed for improving the quality parameters and extends the shelf life of fruits and vegetables through positive effects on enzyme activities, physicochemical characteristics (e.g., color, pH, firmness, weight, soluble solids), microbial load, and nutritional and sensory properties of coated foods. Additionally, some bioactive compounds have been incorporated into polysaccharide-based edible coatings, showing remarkable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Thus, polysaccharide-based edible coatings incorporated with bioactive compounds can be used not only as an efficient preservation strategy but also may play a vital role in human health when consumed with the food. The main objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of materials commonly used in the preparation of polysaccharide-based edible coatings, including the main bioactive compounds that can be incorporated into edible coatings, which have shown specific bioactivities.

Development and Investigation of Zein and Cellulose Acetate Polymer Blends Incorporated with Garlic Essential Oil and β-Cyclodextrin for Potential Food Packaging Application

The obtainment of new materials with distinct properties by mixing two or more polymers is a potential strategy in sustainable packaging research. In the present work, a blend of cellulose acetate (CA) and zein (60:40 wt/wt CA:zein) was manufactured by adding glycerol or tributyrin as plasticizers (30% wt/wt), and garlic essential oil (GEO), complexed (IC) or not with β-cyclodextrin (βCD), to produce active packaging. Blends plasticized with tributyrin exhibited a more homogeneous surface than those containing glycerol, which showed major defects. The blends underperformed compared with the CA films regarding mechanical properties and water vapor permeability. The presence of IC also impaired the films’ performance. However, the blends were more flexible than zein brittle films. The films added with GEO presented in vitro activity against Listeria innocua and Staphylococcus aureus. The IC addition into films, however, did not ensure antibacterial action, albeit that IC, when tested alone, showed activity against both bacteria. These findings suggest that the mixture of CA and plasticizers could increase the range of application of zein as a sustainable packaging component, while essential oils act as a natural bioactive to produce active packaging.