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Fruit and vegetable processing byproducts have a high concentration of biologically useful components and nutritional fibre, though they are frequently discarded as manufacturing waste. The purpose of this study was to improve the nutritional value of the Indian recipe papad, a low-moisture dish with a thin, crisp, wafer-like texture, by utilizing the beneficial properties of dehydrated carrot pomace powder (CPP), which is usually discarded as a food industry bio-waste. Carrot pomace powder was prepared and examined for nutritional and functional properties (10, 20, and 30%), and the developed samples were coded as P0 (control, 100% black gram flour), P1 (black gram flour: carrot pomace powder; 90:10), P2 (black gram flour: carrot pomace powder; 80:20), and P3 (black gram flour: carrot pomace powder; 70:30). The physical, sensory, and storage properties of the developed value-added papads were evaluated. Adding CPP to the flour mix increased the moisture, ash, and crude fiber content while decreasing the protein and carbohydrate content. Based on sensory evaluation, sample P1 was found to be the most acceptable by the sensory panel. The product's microbiological studies showed that, up to a 30-day storage period, the product was well within safe limits. Based on the water activity (at 36.7°C/83% RH) and overall acceptability scores, triple-laminated aluminum bags were considered an appropriate packaging material for storing the value-added papads. This study has established the incorporation of CPP as a healthier alternative to produce an inexpensive, fiber-rich, value-added papads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technology of food packaging is responding to significant market dynamics such as the rapid growth in e-commerce and preservation of fresh food, a sector that accounts for over 40% of plastic waste. Further, mandates for sustainability and recent changes in national governmental policies and regulations that include banning single-use plastic products as observed in sweeping reforms in Europe, Asia, and several US States are forcing industries and consumers to find alternative solutions. This review highlights an ongoing shift of barrier coatings from traditional synthetic polymers to sustainable breakthrough materials for paper-based packaging and films. Advantages, challenges and adapting feasibility of these materials are described, highlighting the implications of selecting different materials and processing options. A brief description on progress in methods of coating technologies is also included. Finally, the end fate of the barrier materials is classified depending on the packaging type, coating materials used and sorting facility availability. Different types of coatings, such as water-based biopolymers, due to their greater environmental compatibility, are making inroads into more traditional petroleum-based wax and plastic laminate paperboard products for fresh food bakery, frozen food, and take-out containers applications. In addition, nano-biocomposites have been studied at an accelerating pace for developing active and smart packaging. Based on the momentum of recent developments, a strong pace of continuing developments in the field can be expected. [Display omitted] • Top trends in food packaging are driven by sustainability, e-commerce, and the end fate of the materials. • Recent developments in bio-based materials have the potential of replacing petro-based polymers. • High speed and specialized coating methods have emerged in the past few years for food packaging development. • Businesses are focused on the recycling of synthetic and biopolymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An innovative approach for preparing hemp fibers from hemp hurds for use in tissue and towel grades of paper is described. Hemp hurds are a low value by-product of industrial hemp processing that are generally used for animal bed litter. Tissue paper was fabricated from hemp hurd fibers by following three pulping processes: autohydrolysis (hydrothermal), sodium carbonate-based defibration, and high yield kraft pulping, and benchmarked against hardwood pulp. To meet industrial standards, hardwood and hemp pulp fibers were mixed at a dry mass ratio of 75:25, from which tissue paper sheets were prepared. Desirable tissue paper properties, such as water absorption, burst resistance, softness, and tensile strength (dry and wet), were measured and compared. Characterization of morphological and chemical properties of tissue handsheets was conducted with SEM and time-of-flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The combined kraft pulped hardwood and autohydrolyzed hemp pulp fibers displayed improvements in tensile index, burst resistance, and softness of tissue handsheets compared to only kraft hardwood pulp handsheets without adversely impacting water absorption. Hardwood fibers showed a sparse distribution of surface lignin compared to hemp fibers using the same defibration. This technology can lead to a variety of eco-friendly tissue paper products that are not only highly energy efficient, but avoid harsh chemical processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Developed Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide)-Cellulose Nanocrystal hydrogel films. • Achieved unique thermo-responsivity and tunable optical performance. • Developed a hybrid materials system to modulate LCST and moisture content for thermo-responsivity and optical tunability. • Demonstrated a ∼ 15 °C reduction of the LCST relative to pure PNIPAm hydrogel films. • Below the LCST, PNIPAm/CNC hydrogel films exhibit transparency or semi-transparency. Abstract A hybrid materials system to modulate lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and moisture content for thermo-responsivity and optical tunability was strategically developed by incorporating cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) into a poly(N -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) hydrogel matrix. The PNIPAm/CNC hydrogel films exhibit tunable optical properties and wavelength bandpass selectivity as characterized by PROBE Spectroscopy and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). Importantly, the micro/nano structures of the PNIPAm/CNC hydrogel films were completely different when dried below and above the LCST. Below the LCST, PNIPAm/CNC hydrogel films exhibit transparency or semi-transparency due to the uniform bonding of hydrophilic PNIPAm and CNC through hydrogen bonds. Above the LCST, the hydrogel films engage in both hydrophobic PNIPAm and hydrophilic CNC interactions due to changes in PNIPAm conformation which lead to light scattering effects and hence opacity. Furthermore, the incorporation of CNC induces a ∼ 15 °C reduction of the LCST relative to pure PNIPAm hydrogel films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • A new pathway for sustainable packaging materials was engineered by formulating multilayer CNF/CNC barrier coatings. • CNF and CNC synergistically enabled high oil and grease resistance (a kit rating of 11) comparable to fluorochemicals. • A significant reduction in oxygen transmission rate was demonstrated (∼by a factor of about 260) compared to uncoated paper. • Sustainable biomaterials are relevant to society's ongoing efforts to improve health, safety, and environmental stewardship. Abstract Cellulose derivatives such as cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) have enormous potential to reduce or replace petroleum and fluorochemicals for food and other packaging applications. CNFs have been studied for their excellent oxygen and gas barrier properties; however, their performance rapidly decreases in the presence of moisture and higher humidity. CNCs are less sensitive to moisture due to their highly crystalline nature; however, coatings and films made of CNCs are much more prone to fracture due to their high brittleness. Our work demonstrates a unique composite barrier coating system of CNF and CNC that synergistically enables oil and grease resistance (a kit rating of 11) comparable to fluorochemicals. It also demonstrates a significant increase in air resistance (∼by a factor of about 300), and a reduction in oxygen transmission rate (∼by a factor of about 260) compared to uncoated paper. The improvements in oil and gas barrier properties were evaluated with respect to the molecular, chemical, and structural properties of the developed coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the potential of yoga as a health promotion lifestyle tool.

Aim: The present study was aimed to assess the contractile status of neonatal small intestinal smooth muscle of dilated pre-atretic part of intestinal atresia to resolve debatable issues related to mechanisms of persistent dysmotility after surgical repair. Materials and Methods: A total of 34 longitudinally sectioned strips were prepared from pre-atretic dilated part of freshly excised 8 jejunal atresia type III a cases. Spontaneous as well as acetylcholine- and histamine-induced contractions were recorded in vitro by using organ bath preparations. Chemically evoked contractions were further evaluated after application of atropine (muscarinic blocker), pheniramine (H1 blocker), and lignocaine (neuronal blocker) to ascertain receptors and neuronal involvement. Histological examinations of strips were made by using Masson trichrome stain to assess the fibrotic changes. Results: All 34 strips, except four showed spontaneous contractions with mean frequency and amplitude of 5.49 ± 0.26/min and 24.41 ± 5.26 g/g wet tissue respectively. The response to ACh was nearly twice as compared to histamine for equimolar concentrations (100 µM). ACh (100 µM) induced contractions were attenuated (by 60%) by atropine. Histamine (100 µM)-induced contractions was blocked by pheniramine (0.32 µM) and lignocaine (4 µM) by 74% and 78%, respectively. Histopathological examination showed varying degree of fibrotic changes in muscle layers. Conclusions: Pre-atretic dilated part of jejunal atresia retains functional activity but with definitive histopathologic abnormalities. It is suggested that excision of a length of pre-atretic part and early stimulation of peristalsis by locally acting cholinomimetic or H1 agonist may help in reducing postoperative motility problems in atresia patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Extraction of lignin-containing cellulose nanofibers (LCNF) from hemp hurds waste. • Development of LCNF coatings/films with reduced polarity and low hydrophilicity. • Elucidation of the role of lignin content and distribution on barrier properties. • Significantly higher water contact angle with LCNF coatings and films. • LCNF-based coatings/films can contribute to a circular economy and sustainability. Residual hemp (Cannabis sativa) hurd fibers obtained from hydrothermal, carbonate, and kraft treatments were the resources used to obtain lignocellulosic nanofibers (LCNF) by using an ultra-fine friction grinder. The morphological, crystallinity, and chemical characteristics of the nanocellulose films were carried out using SEM, XRD, EDX and ToF-SIMS. Water barrier properties of the same were measured in terms of water contact angle, water vapor permeability (WVP) and water absorption. The barrier properties were found to be dependent not only on the lignin content and lignin distribution, but also on the film density and porous structure. LCNF films and coatings showed much higher water contact angle (WCA) (80°-102°) than films produced from the bleached CNF. WVP was found to be more dependent on the density of films than lignin content. Overall, LCNF-based films and coatings derived from hemp hurd residual fibers can contribute to a circular economy and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Tunable poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide)-cellulose nanofibrils hydrogel films. • Fabrication using inverted SLA 3D printing to provide a new manufacturing platform. • Switchable bio-adhesion to bacteria depending on the CNF content and distribution. • Unique thermo-responsivity and tunable optical performance. • Modulation of LCST (∼ 8 °C reduction) relative to pure PNIPAm hydrogel films. A hybrid poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm)/cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) hydrogel composite was fabricated by inverted stereolithography 3D printing to provide a new platform for regulating lower critical solution temperature (LCST) properties and thus tuning optical and bioadhesive properties. The phenomena of interest in the as-printed PNIPAm/CNF hydrogels may be attributed to the fiber-reinforced composite system between crosslinked PNIPAm and CNFs. The optical tunability was found to be correlated to the micro/nano structures of the PNIPAm/CNF hydrogel films. It was found that PNIPAm/CNF hydrogels exhibit switchable bioadhesivity to bacteria in response to CNF distribution in the hydrogels. After 2.0 wt% CNF was incorporated, it was found that a remarkable 8°C reduction of the LCST was achieved relative to PNIPAm hydrogel crosslinked by TEGDMA without CNF. The prepared PNIPAm/CNF hydrogels possessed highly reversible optical, bioadhesion, and thermal performance, making them suitable to be used as durable temperature-sensitive sensors and functional biomedical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review article was prompted by a remarkable growth in the number of scientific publications dealing with the use of nanocellulose (especially nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), and bacterial cellulose (BC)) to enhance the barrier properties and other performance attributes of new generations of packaging products. Recent research has confirmed and extended what is known about oxygen barrier and water vapor transmission performance, strength properties, and the susceptibility of nanocellulose-based films and coatings to the presence of humidity or moisture. Recent research also points to various promising strategies to prepare ecologically-friendly packaging materials, taking advantage of nanocellulose-based layers, to compete in an arena that has long been dominated by synthetic plastics. Some promising approaches entail usage of multiple layers of different materials or additives such as waxes, high-aspect ratio nano-clays, and surface-active compounds in addition to the nanocellulose material. While various high-end applications may be achieved by chemical derivatization or grafting of the nanocellulose, the current trends in research suggest that high-volume implementation will likely incorporate water-based formulations, which may include water-based dispersions or emulsions, depending on the enduses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objectives: Pipistrellus ceylonicus bat species is widely distributed in South Asia, with additional populations recorded in China and Southeast Asia. Bats are the natural reservoir hosts for a number of emerging zoonotic diseases. Attempts to isolate bat-borne viruses in various terrestrial mammalian cell lines have sometimes been unsuccessful. The bat cell lines are useful in isolation and propagation of many of the viruses harboured by bats. New stable bat cell lines are needed to help such investigations and to assist in the study of bat immunology and virus-host interactions. In this study we made an attempt to develop a cell line from P ceylonicus bats. Methods: An effort was made to establish cell line from embryo of P ceylonicus species of bat after seeding to Dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DNLEM) supplemented with 10 per cent foetal bovine serum; a primary cell line was established and designated as NIV-BtEPC. Mitochondrial DNA profile analysis was done using cyt-b and ND-i gene sequences from the cell line. Phylogenetic tree was constructed using neighbour-joining algorithm for cyt-b.and ND-i genes with 1000-bootstrap replicates. Results: NIV-BtEPC cell line was susceptible to Chandipura (CHPV) and novel adenovirus (BtAdv- RLM) isolated from Rousettus leschenaulti from India but did not support multiplication of a number of Bunyaviruses, Alphaviruses and Flavivirus. This might be useful for isolation of a range of viruses and investigation of unknown aetiological agents. Interpretation & conclusions: In this study, a new bat cell line was developed from P ceylonicus. This cell line was successfully tested for the susceptibility to Chandipura and BtAdv-RLM virus isolated from bats. The approach developed and optimised in this study maybe applicable to the other species of bats and this established cell line can be used to facilitate virus isolation and basic research into virus-host interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]