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This study focused on the development and optimization of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) biobased active packaging films by incorporation with grape seed oil, alpha‐tocopherol, and rice husk. In the compound and film production step during extrusion for biobased active packaging film two variables, the antioxidant substance concentration (Grape seed oil, 0.5–4%; alpha‐tocopherol, 0.5–4%; rice husk, 1–5%), TPS concentration (60–90%) were optimized through response surface methodology (RSM) for highest tensile strength (MPa) and antioxidant activity (%) as responses. Among the resulting films, samples containing grape seed oil in particular exhibited an optimal balance, showcasing robust mechanical properties alongside potent antioxidant characteristics. Comprehensive analyses encompassing thickness, density, color, opacity, FTIR spectroscopy, total phenolic content, and energy consumption were conducted to assess the films' viability for potential deployment within the food industry. Based on the findings, it was determined that these biobased active packaging films made of TPS/PBAT held promise in safeguarding food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain water content (GWC) is a key determinant for mechanical harvesting of maize (Zea mays). In our previous research, we identified a quantitative trait locus, qGWCl, associated with GWC in maize. Here, we examined near-isogenic lines (NILs) NILL and NILH that differed at the qGWC1 locus. Lower GWC in NILL was primarily attributed to reduced grain water weight (GWW) and smaller fresh grain size, rather than the accumulation of dry matter. The difference in GWC between the NILs became more pronounced approximately 35 d after pollination (DAP), arising from a faster dehydration rate in NILL. Through an integrated analysis of the transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome, coupled with an examination of hormones and their derivatives, we detected a marked decrease in JA, along with an increase in cytokinin, storage forms of IAA (IAA-Glu, IAA-ASP), and IAA precursor IPA in immature NILL kernels. During kernel development, genes associated with sucrose synthases, starch biosynthesis, and zein production in NILL, exhibited an initial up-regulation followed by a gradual down-regulation, compared to those in NILH. This discovery highlights the crucial role of phytohormone homeostasis and genes related to kernel development in balancing GWC and dry matter accumulation in maize kernels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrapping phytochemical bioactive compounds into nano-structured biocompatible polymers has been successfully utilized for improving cancer treatment efficiency. Silibinin is a potent compound that shows promising anticancer properties. In the present study, the Zein-β-cyclodextrin complex was used to encapsulate silibinin and evaluate the induced cell death type and cytotoxic impacts on human cancer cells. The silibinin-loaded Zein-β cyclodextrin nano-carriers (SZBC-NCs) were synthesized utilizing a gradual ultrasound-mediated homogenization technique and characterized by Zeta potential, DLS, FESEM, and FTIR analysis. The SZBC-NCs' antioxidant activity was studied by conducting ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays. Finally, the SZBC-NCs selective toxicity and cellular death induction mechanism were studied on the HT-29 and AGS cancer cells by measuring the cell survival and apoptotic gene (Caspase 3, 9), respectively, which were verified by conducting the DAPI staining analysis. The negatively charged (− 27.47 mV) nanoparticles (286.55 nm) showed significant ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Moreover, the remarkable decrease in the IC50 concentrations of the SZBC-NCs among the HT-29 and AGS cancer cell lines exhibited their selective cytotoxic potential. Also, the overexpressed apoptotic (Caspases 3 and 9) and down-regulated necrotic (NFKB) gene expressions following the SZBC-NCs treatment doses indicated the apoptotic activity of SZBC-NCs, which were verified by the increased apoptotic morphology of the DAPI-stained HT-29 cancer cells. The antioxidant and colon cancer cell-related apoptotic activity of the SZBC-NCs make it an appropriate anti-colon cancer nano delivery system. Therefore, they can potentially be used as a safe efficient colon cancer treatment strategy. However, further in vivo experiments including animal cancer models have to be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene oxide (GO) has attracted huge attention in biomedical sciences due to its outstanding properties and potential applications. In this study, we synthesized GO using our recently developed 1-pyrenebutyric acid-assisted method and assessed how the GO as a filler influences the mechanical properties of GO–gelatine nanocomposite dry films as well as the cytotoxicity of HEK-293 cells grown on the GO–gelatine substrates. We show that the addition of GO (0–2%) improves the mechanical properties of gelatine in a concentration-dependent manner. The presence of 2 wt% GO increased the tensile strength, elasticity, ductility, and toughness of the gelatine films by about 3.1-, 2.5-, 2-, and 8-fold, respectively. Cell viability, apoptosis, and necrosis analyses showed no cytotoxicity from GO. Furthermore, we performed circular dichroism, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses to decipher the interactions between GO and gelatine. The results show, for the first time, that GO enhances the mechanical properties of gelatine by forming non-covalent intermolecular interactions with gelatine at its amorphous or disordered regions. We believe that our findings will provide new insight and help pave the way for potential and wide applications of GO in tissue engineering and regenerative biomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Block copolymers based on fish collagen and chitosan were obtained by ultrasonic irradiation of a blend of homopolymers. The molecular weight of the block copolymer was 310 kDa. The tensile strength of the block copolymer film increases by more than 200% compared to the original chitosan and by 145% compared to films based on a mechanical blend of collagen and chitosan, and amounts to 123 MPa. The growth density of hTert-BJ5ta fibroblast cells on the surface of film samples was calculated. For chitosan, the cell growth density was 97,000 cells/cm2. Films made from mechanical blend were characterized by the lowest adhesion and cell proliferation - 35,000 cells/cm2. However, the block copolymer films had a significant cell growth density - 90,000 cells/cm2, which is close to the values of the original chitosan. The totality of the results obtained shows that compositions based on block copolymers are superior to films made from homopolymers and their blends in mechanical properties, adhesion and proliferation of fibroblast cells, which is important for their use in tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fisetin (FIS) is a natural flavonoid compound with promising anti-cancer, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. Despite these benefits, the low aqueous solubility of fisetin prevents its delivery through intravenous administration resulting in poor bioavailability. Hence, it is important to develop suitable delivery approaches to boost the overall performance of FIS and make it suitable for various medical applications. In this study, we formulated FIS-loaded polymannose (PM) nanoparticles (FIS-PM NPs) to increase their solubility and therapeutic efficacy. In addition, we have nanotized the FIS (Nano FIS) using the antisolvent precipitation method and compared its efficacy with the FIS. The nanoformulations FIS-PM NPs and nanotized FIS were characterized using different techniques such as Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), UV-vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, the anticancer effect of FIS and its nanoformulations were tested in breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231). The apoptotic potential of the nanoformulations was examined using different staining techniques and Annexin-V apoptosis assay using flow cytometry. The cell cycle analysis was performed to check the exact mechanism of cell death. The FIS-PM NPs revealed an average size of 250 nm, while Nano FIS showed an average size of 139 nm. FIS-loaded PM NPs showed an encapsulation efficiency of 88% and a drug content of 37%. In vitro drug release studies of the FIS-PM NPs showed a concentration-dependent controlled release of the FIS followed by an initial burst release of ≈ 40 % in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at different pH. FIS-PM NPs treated cells showed more cytotoxicity in comparison with nanotized FIS and FIS. We observed more apoptosis in FIS-PM NPs and Nano FIS treated cells compared to FIS and control cells as early as 24 h after the treatment. The cell cycle arrest was seen in the G1 phase of the cells treated with FIS-PM NPs and Nano FIS. In conclusion, the anticancer potential of FIS-PM NPs and Nano FIS has improved in MDA-MB-231 compared to raw FIS which can be attributed to the enhanced solubility of FIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the solvent casting technique was used to prepare wound dressing films based on honey incorporated gellan gum and guar gum biopolymers, and presented the effect of the honey concentration (in the range of 0–10 g on each film). The film structures were assessed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The physical properties of the films were investigated by swelling, degradation, mechanical tests, and water vapor transmission rate. The swelling capacity of the films decreased with an increase in the honey amount, and the presence of honey increased the degradation percentage of the films. The incorporation of honey significantly enhanced the tensile strength of the film, and the increase in honey concentration caused a decrease in the water vapor transmission rate values. The antioxidant activity of the films was determined by DPPH assay, and the films showed good antioxidant abilities. The biocompatibility of the films was evaluated by using an MTT assay with biofilm extract against human skin fibroblast cells, and the wound healing activity of the films was evaluated via in vitro scratch assay. The obtained outcomes showed that the synthesized non-cytotoxic and biocompatible films supported cell migration and proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, breast cancer is considered one of the most upsetting malignancies among females. Encapsulation of celecoxib (CXB) and prodigiosin (PDG) into zein/sodium caseinate nanoparticles (NPs) produce homogenous and spherical nanoparticles with good encapsulation efficiencies (EE %) and bioavailability. In vitro cytotoxicity study conducted on human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell lines revealed that there was a significant decline in the IC50 for encapsulated drugs when compared to each drug alone or their free combination. In addition, results demonstrated that there is a synergism between CXB and PDG as their combination indices were 0.62251 and 0.15493, respectively. Moreover, results of scratch wound healing assay revealed enhanced antimigratory effect of free drugs and fabricated NPs in comparison to untreated cells. Furthermore, In vitro results manifested that formulated nanoparticles exhibited induction of apoptosis associated with reduced angiogenesis, proliferation, and inflammation. In conclusion, nanoencapsulation of multiple drugs into nanoparticles might be a promising approach to develop new therapies for the managing of triple negative breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon-based nanostructures have been firmly established as highly scalable and versatile platforms, which have found extensive applications in several fields of multifunctional nanocomposites, energy storage, environment protection, and electronics device. Pickering emulsion template method is one of the efficient strategies for assembling metastable carbon nanomaterials into stable macroarchitectures. Here, the combination of graphene oxide (GO) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was chemically and continuously treated with 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI) to acquire tunable wettability. The hybridization of CNTs and reduction of GO can make the as-synthesized carbon nanohybrids be capable of stabilizing oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) Pickering emulsions, respectively. The major shift in the type of Pickering emulsion is conveniently implemented through the catalytic reduction of GO by EMI. The sp2-hybridized carbon networks self-assembled with CNTs and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) are intentionally located at the biphasic liquid interface of different types of Pickering emulsions, which can endow the architecture elaborated from Pickering emulsion strategy with multiple functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant proteins have become attractive for biomedical applications such as wound dressing and drug delivery. In this research, nanofibers from pristine zein (plant protein) and zein loaded with tungsten oxide (WO3) were prepared (WO3@zein) using less toxic solvents (ethanol and acetic acid). Morphological and biological properties of the zein nanofiber were determined. Prepared nanofibers were defined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (X-RD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy. The average fiber diameter was unchanged with an increase in WO3 concentration from 0.001 to 0.008%. FT-IR spectroscopy and X-RD indicated the presence of WO3 in WO3@zein nanofibers. In comparison to WO3-free, WO3@zein nanofibers showed higher safety and preserved the anticancer effect of WO3 against human melanoma cell line (A375) melanoma cells compared to WO3-free. Moreover, both WO3-free and WO3@zein caused a fourfold increase in the cellular proliferation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the treated A375 cells compared to untreated cells. ROS elevation led to apoptosis-dependent cell death of A375 cells as evidenced by up-regulating the expression of p53-downstream genes (p21 and Bax) (tumor-suppressor gene) while down-regulating the expression of key oncogenes (BCL2 and cyclin D). In conclusion, the prepared nanofiber represents a promising and safe candidate for anticancer applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among natural sources, guava leaf oil (GLO) has emerged as a potential anticancer agent. However, its limited water solubility poses a significant challenge for its use. Oil-in-water nanoemulsions are used to address the limitation of water solubility of GLO prior to its incorporation into orodipersible films. Nanoemulsions containing GLO:virgin coconut oil (VCO) at a ratio of 50:50 to 70:30 presented a small droplet size of approximately 50 nm and a relatively low zeta potential. GLO:VCO at a ratio of 70:30 was selected for incorporation into sodium alginate film at various concentrations ranging from 1% to 30% w/w. Tensile strength and elongation at break relied on the concentration of nanoemulsions as well as the internal structure of films. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that GLO was compatible with sodium alginate. Film containing 2% w/w of nanoemulsions (2G_ODF) exhibited effective in vitro antioral cancer activity, with an IC50 of 62.49 ± 6.22 mg/mL; furthermore, its anticancer activity showed no significant difference after storage at 25 °C for 1 year. Moreover, 2G_ODF at IC60 arrested colony formation and cell invasion. There is also evidence that cell death occurred via apoptosis, as indicated by nuclear fragmentation and positive Annexin-V staining. These findings highlight the potential of orodispersible films containing GLO nanoemulsions as a prospective oral anticancer agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivated meat is a nascent technology that aims to create an environmentally and animal-friendly alternative to conventional meat. Producing skeletal muscle tissue in an animal-free system allowing for high levels of myofusion and maturation is important for the nutritional and sensorial value of cultivated meat. Alginate is an attractive biomaterial to support muscle formation as it is food-safe, sustainable and cheap and can be crosslinked using non-toxic methods. Although alginate can be functionalized to promote cell attachment, limitations in its mechanical properties, including form, viscosity, and stress relaxation, hinder the cellular capacity for myogenic differentiation and maturation in alginate-based hydrogels. Here, we show that the addition of electrospun short-stranded zein fibers increased hydrogel degradation, resulting in faster compaction, improved cell–gel interaction, and enhanced alignment of bovine muscle precursor cells. We conclude that fiber-hydrogel composites are a promising approach to support optimal formation of 3D constructs, by improving tissue stability and thus prolonging culture duration. Together, this improves muscle-related protein content by facilitating myogenic differentiation and priming muscle organoids for maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disposable surgical gowns are used to protect health care workers from microorganisms and body fluids to meet the needs of surgical applications. In addition to protection, it has a significant impact on the surgical team members' comfort and thus, the success of the operations. In this study, a dual layer surgical gown-an outer layer of film and an inner layer of nonwoven fabric-was developed. Produced composite laminated fabrics are SMS (spunbond/meltblown/spunbond) nonwoven fabric laminated microporous polyethylene film and SMS (spunbond/meltblown/spunbond) nonwoven fabric laminated thermoplastic polyurethane films. These fabrics were compared with nonporous polyethylene film-coated SS (spunbond/spunbond) nonwoven fabric available in the local market. The study aims to investigate the effect of some structural factors of composite nonwoven laminated fabrics, including lamination process, manufacturing process, and film type; microporous or monolithic, nonwoven fabric manufacturing process, and helium atmospheric-pressure glow discharge plasma treatment, on their functional performance properties, including air permeability, water vapour permeability, hydrostatic pressure resistance, and wet bacterial penetration resistance. The results showed that the produced composite fabrics offer outstanding breathability and, thus, the surgical team members' comfort. Produced composite fabrics had no wet bacterial penetration of Staphylococcus aureus and thus contributed to the prevention of the transfer of bacterial pathogens to prevent surgical site infection or post-operative infection. Produced composite fabrics offer superior liquid barriers according to the barrier protection classification of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (ANSI/AAMI PB 70:12) and thus contribute to the prevention of the transfer of body fluids during surgical operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Except for chemical composition, surface morphology may endue colloidal nanoparticles with special interfacial behaviors, which is highly desired in certain scenarios, for example, ultra-stable Pickering emulsion for pharmaceutical applications where only limited chemicals are allowed. Herein, silica colloidal nanoparticle was chosen as a demo to illustrate a kinetically-controlled seeded growth strategy for the surface morphology regulation of colloidal nanoparticles. Surface chemical heterogeneity was primarily introduced to the silica seed nanoparticles by a seeded growth process in the presence of mixed silicate moieties with thermodynamical incompatibility. Then a further kinetically-controlled seeded growth step was performed to regulate the surface morphology of silica nanoparticles by promoting the selective condensation of tetraethoxysilane on the hydrophilic microdomains. Upon reducing the growing rate, tetraethoxysilane hydrolysates tend to condensate on silica microdomains, resulting in the formation of raspberry-like nanoparticles. The generality of the kinetically-controlled seeded growth strategy was validated by its success on differently-sized silica seeds modified with a range of silane coupling agents. This established strategy is facile and effective for massive production of raspberry-like silica colloidal nanoparticles with precisely-designed surface morphology and size, offering an ideal platform for the investigation on the exclusive contribution of morphology to the interfacial behaviors of nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic cancer is the most aggressive malignant tumor with difficulty in early diagnosis, very short survival time in advanced stage, and lack of effective treatment options. In this work, a novel combination chemotherapy strategy based on bioactive black phosphorus (BP) and gemcitabine (GEM) is developed for efficient treatment of pancreatic cancer. The combined cell cycle blockage in G2/M phase induced by BP and G0/G1 phase by GEM results in synergistic killing of pancreatic cancer cells with the combination index (CI) < 1. The iRGD modified zein nanoparticles co-loaded with BP quantum dots (BPQDs) and GEM are designed and prepared as a targeted nanoplatform (BP-GEM@NPs). After intravenous injection, the in vivo distribution and pharmacokinetics results demonstrate that BP-GEM@NPs shows excellent tumor targeting capability and significantly prolonged blood circulation time. The targeted co-delivery of BPQDs and GEM induces much more pancreatic tumor cell apoptosis and synergistically inhibits tumor growth in both subcutaneous xenograft and orthotopic models. Meanwhile, BP-GEM@NPs exhibit good biocompatibility without bring adverse effects. This work indicates the great potential of BP-GEM@NPs as a combination chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer and provides insights into development of biomedicine by exploring the intrinsic bioactivities of nanomaterials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeted drugs have been used to treat mitochondrial dysfunction-related diseases, including metabolic disorders and cancer; however, targeting and penetrating intracellular organelles remains a challenge. Dominant targeting approaches for therapeutic delivery are detailed in many nanoemulsion studies and show the tremendous potential of targeted delivery to inhibit cancer cell growth. Dequalinium (DQA) and α-tocopherol succinate (α-TOS) are good agents for targeting mitochondria. In this study, we aimed to develop a mitochondria-targeting emulsion, using DQA and α-TOS (DTOS), for cancer treatment. DTOS emulsions of 150–170 nm in diameter were formulated using homogenization. DQA and α-TOS were used as bifunctional agents (surfactants) to stabilize the nanoemulsion and anticancer drugs. Various molar ratios of DQA and α-TOS were tested to determine the optimal condition, and DTOS 5-5 was selected for further study. The DTOS emulsion showed improved stability, as evidenced by its ability to remain stable for three years at room temperature. This stability, combined with its effective targeting of mitochondria, led to inhibition of 71.5% of HeLa cells after 24 h. The DTOS emulsion effectively inhibited spheroid growth in the 3D model, as well as prevented the growth of HeLa cells grafted onto zebrafish larvae. These results highlight the DTOS emulsion's promising potential for mitochondria-targeting and cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anthocyanin-rich litchi shell extract (LE) was mixed with the matrix to prepare active/intelligent food packaging composite films. The microstructure and properties of composite films were characterized. The results showed that the composite films incorporated with LE had texture-oriented layered, compact, uniform cross-sections. The composite films with LE showed different degrees of red. The composite films had similar water vapor transmission rates (1.62–1.65 × 10−12 g·cm/cm2·Pa·s). However, gelatin/chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol/litchi shell extract (Gel/Csa/PVA/LE) film had better UV blocking rates (0–20 %), the best tensile strength (18.6 MPa) and elongation at break (116%). When the composite films monitored for fish freshness at 4 °C (10 d) and 25 °C (3 d), the Gel/Csa/PVA/LE film had the pH sensitivity to show an obvious color change at 25 °C, 1th day. The results suggested that the Gel/Csa/PVA/LE film could be applied to intelligent food packaging film to indicate the freshness of fish. [Display omitted] • A novel active and intelligent food packaging composite film incorporated with litchi shell extract was prepared. • Litchi shell extract had excellent antibacterial properties. • Litchi shell extract had extremely high UV shielding properties. • The composite film with litchi shell extract had outstanding mechanical properties. • The intelligent packaging film with litchi shell extract could be used as pH indicator of fish freshness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluated the potential of zein–resins nanoparticles to act as a carrier for water‐insoluble oil carvacrol. The rosin and shellac were used as natural resins in different mass ratios to plant protein zein. Rosin is one of the natural gums. Shellac is a resinous secretion of the insect. The influence of nanoparticle composition on colloidal properties, encapsulation efficiency, and release of oil was studied. Zeta potential and size of thus prepared nanoparticles were studied. Carvacrol encapsulation efficiency and release were determined by the HPLC method developed for these compounds. Results showed that the resin type and share affect encapsulation efficiency and release of carvacrol. It was also shown that the addition of resins enhanced release from nanoparticles, compared to plain zein nanoparticles. Findings in the present work will help further understanding the interaction between alcohol–soluble biopolymers and provide new insight into the development of natural carriers for bioactive compounds. Novelty impact statement: Natural polymers derived from food are considered desirable materials for constructing delivery systems to encapsulate, protect, and release bioactive components in nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and food. Therefore, this paper is approached to fabricate the carvacrol‐loaded zein/rosin (Z/R) and zein/shellac (Z/S) composite nanoparticles (NPs). Findings in the present work will help further understanding of the interaction between alcohol–soluble biopolymers (e.g., zein, rosin, and shellac) and provide new insight into the development of natural carriers for bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fucoxanthin (FX) is a carotenoid from a marine origin that has an important role in our health, especially in the regulation and alleviation of type 2 diabetes. Its specific molecular structure makes it very unstable, which greatly affects its delivery in the body. In this study, FX was encapsulated in a mono-carrier using a hydrolyzed zein to form a nanocomplex with a stable structure and chemical properties (FZNP). Its stability was demonstrated by characterization and the efficacy of FX before and after encapsulation in alleviating diabetes in mice, which was evaluated by in vivo experiments. FZNP reduced the level of fasting blood glucose and restored it to normal levels in T2DM mice, which was not caused by a decrease in food intake, and effectively reduced oxidative stress in the organism. Both FX and FZNP repaired the hepatocyte and pancreatic β-cell damage, increased serum SOD and reduced INS values significantly, upregulated PI3K-AKT genes as well as CaMK and GNAs expression in the pancreas. FZNP increased ADPN and GSH-PX values more significantly and it decreased serum HOMA-IR and MDA values, upregulated GLUT2 expression, promoted glucose transport in pancreatic and hepatocytes, regulated glucose metabolism and glycogen synthesis with much superior effects than FX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, the electrospun nanocomposite scaffolds were developed utilizing poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), zein, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at varying concentrations of MWCNTs including 0.5 and 1 wt%. Based on the SEM evaluations, the scaffold containing 1 wt% MWCNTs (PZ-1C) exhibited the lowest fiber diameter (384 ± 99 nm) alongside a suitable porosity percentage. The presence of zein and MWCNT in the chemical structure of the scaffold was evaluated by FTIR. Furthermore, TEM images revealed the alignment of MWCNTs with the fibers. Adding 1 % MWCNTs to the PHB-zein scaffold significantly enhanced tensile strength by about 69 % and reduced elongation by about 31 %. Hydrophilicity, surface roughness, crystallinity, and biomineralization were increased by incorporating 1 wt% MWCNTs, while weight loss after in vitro degradation was decreased. The MG-63 cells exhibited enhanced attachment, viability, ALP secretion, calcium deposition, and gene expression (COLI , RUNX2 , and OCN) when cultivated on the scaffold containing MWCNTs compared to the scaffolds lacking MWCNTs. Moreover, the study found that MWCNTs significantly reduced platelet adhesion and hemolysis rates below 4 %, indicating their favorable anti-hemolysis properties. Regarding the aforementioned results, the PZ-1C electrospun composite scaffold is a promising scaffold with osteogenic properties for bone tissue engineering applications. [Display omitted] • Nano composite electrospun scaffold composing of PHB-zein/MWCNTs was fabricated. • Utilizing 1 wt% MWCNTs revealed optimized features for bone tissue engineering. • MWCNTs incorporation improved hydrophilicity, biomineralization, mechanical and structural properties. • MG-63 cells showed enhanced viability, attachment, ALP secretion, calcium deposition, and gene expression on the fabricated scaffold. • The optimized scaffold exhibited excellent blood compatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a natural biological macromolecule, zein has broad application prospects in drug delivery due to its unique self-assembly properties. In this work, zein/sodium alginate (Zein/SA) nanocomposites were prepared by a pH-cycle method, Then Zein/SA/PEI (ZSP) nanocomposites were prepared by efficient layer-by-layer assembly method, ZSP nanocomposite of higher transfection performance was further labeled by folic acid (FA). After characterizing the physicochemical properties of ZSP by various methods, the potential of ZSP as a gene delivery vehicle was explored in vitro. The results showed that ZSP had good dispersibility and stability, the diameter distribution was in the range of 124–203 nm, and it had a typical core-shell structure, which could effectively condensate DNA and protect it from nuclease hydrolysis. ZSP exhibited proton buffering capacity similar to PEI, lower cellular toxicity, lower protein adsorption and erythrocyte hemolysis effect than PEI. ZSP/pDNA complexes could be taken up by cells and exhibited higher transfection efficiency than PEI/DNA complexes at the same weight ratio. The transfection efficiency of the complex in HeLa and 293T cells can be improved by FA labeling, especially in HeLa cells. These results provide new perspective for the design and development of efficient zein-based gene delivery systems. • PEI functionalized hydrophilic nanocomposites (ZSP) were prepared based on sodium alginate doping. • ZSP nanocomposites showed good stability and specific safety. • ZSP nanocomposites exhibited higher gene delivery efficiency than polyethylenimine. • Tumor targeting of ZSPs can be conferred by folic acid modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resveratrol (RSV), a non-flavonoid stilbene polyphenol, possesses anti-carcinogenic activities against all the major stages of cancer. Zein nanoparticles (ZN NPs) have been utilized successfully in delivery of variant therapeuticals by virtue of their histocompatible nature. The goal of this work was to comparatively explore the antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic and oxidative stress potentials of RSV-ZN NPs versus RSV against human colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 cells. ZN-RSV NPs were developed and assayed for particle size analysis and RSV diffusion. The selected formula obtained 137.6 ± 8.3 nm as mean particle size, 29.4 ± 1.8 mV zeta potential, 92.3 ± 3.6% encapsulation efficiency. IC50 of the selected formula was significantly lower against HCT-116 cells versus Caco-2 cells. Also, significantly enhanced cellular uptake was generated from RSV-ZN NPs versus free RSV. Enhanced apoptosis was concluded due to increased percentage cells in G2-M and pre-G1 phases. The pro-apoptotic potential was explained by caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 increased mRNA expression in addition to NF-κB and miRNA125b decreased expression. Biochemically, ZN-RSV NPs induced oxidative stress as demonstrated by enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) isoenzyme increased levels. Conclusively, ZN-RSV NPs obtained cell cycle inhibition supported with augmented cytotoxicity, uptake and oxidative stress markers levels in HCT-116 tumor cells in comparison with free RSV. These results indicated intensified chemopreventive profile of RSV due to effective delivery utilizing ZN nano-dispersion against colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A new gelatin‐protocatechuic acid (PCA) film with Escherichia coli O157:H7 phage JN01 was developed and characterised. After incorporated with JN01, swelling value, water vapour permeability, water solubility and elongation at break of gelatin‐PCA film were not significantly different. The addition of JN01 increased b value and transparency of film, while it decreased L value, a value and tensile strength of film. Moreover, the gelatin‐PCA‐JN01 film presented antioxidant activity of 60.07%. Furthermore, JN01 could be steadily released from gelatin‐JN01 and gelatin‐PCA‐JN01 films in aqueous solution, and their release rates were 7.56% and 0.12% after 11 h, respectively. The microstructure analysis showed that JN01 particles were clustered and uniformly distributed in film, and the aggregation would be attenuated in the presence of PCA. Meanwhile, E. coli O157:H7 counts were 1.13 log10CFU mL−1 and 0.45 log10CFU mL−1 lower in gelatin‐JN01 and gelatin‐PCA‐JN01 films compared with pure gelatin film in vitro at 4 °C for 24 h, respectively. After stored at 4 °C for 7 days, Escherichia coli O157:H7 counts were 1.00 log10CFU g−1 and 0.80 log10CFU g−1 lower in beef packed with these two gelatin films, compared with beef without gelatin film, respectively. In conclusion, the developed gelatin‐PCA‐JN01 film has potential application in food preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese yam polysaccharides PLGA nanoparticles were applied as stabilizers in this study to prepare O/W Pickering emulsion. The optimized preparation conditions were PLGA concentration of 5 mg/mL, ultrasonic power of 50 %, and ultrasonic time of 2 min. The CYP-PPAS emulsion exhibits a raspberry-like morphology with a large number of nanoparticles surrounding the oil droplets. The CYP-PPAS emulsion exhibited outstanding stability at 4 °C and 37 °C for 28 days with high antigen loading efficiency and provided a controlled and sustained release of Chinese yam polysaccharides and OVA antigen in vitro. CYP-PPAS/OVA elicited robust antigen-specific immune response and induced a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response after immunization. Furthermore, CYP-PPAS/OVA caused a high CD4+/CD8+ ratio leading in increased activation of splenic T lymphocytes subpopulations. Moreover, CYP-PPAS is a safe vaccination adjuvant with high safety profile in vivo. Thus, the novel designed Pickering emulsion CYP-PPAS was a safe and effective adjuvant for inducing the strong and long-term immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work produced graphene oxide (GO)-reinforced curcumin (CUR)-loaded zein-based electrospun nanofibers. FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed the formation of interaction between zein, GO, and CUR. However, other than entanglement changes, as confirmed by DSC analysis, this composite formation had little effect on the thermal stability, surface polarity, and crystallinity of the fibers. Meanwhile, the addition of GO increased the tensile strength of the fibers from (0.83 ± 0.19) to (6.87 ± 2.47) MPa, but the incorporation of CUR decreased it to ≈ 2.71 MPa. Cytocompatibility tests confirmed the growth of cells throughout the fibers; release assays indicated a two-stage release. Combined with the low swelling capacity (< 1 g g−1), the fibers absorb exudates, release bioactive molecules into the wound, give the body time to metabolize the released drug, and allow cell proliferation, creating a suitable environment for healing. Despite these results, in vivo are still prospects of this work. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an innovative approach for targeted drug delivery through the development of Glycyrrhizic acid-loaded zein nanoparticles (GA-LNPs) as a proficient carrier system. The juxtaposition of zein, a hydrophobic biological macromolecule as a protein carrier, and Glycyrrhizic acid (GA), a hydrophilic therapeutic compound, exemplifies the adaptability of hydrocolloids within cutting-edge drug delivery systems. The characterization and functional traits of research encompass multifaceted analyses of natural macromolecules, which elucidate the homogeneous and spherical morphology of GA-LNPs with an average size of 170.49 nm. The controlled drug release profile of GA, orchestrated under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, adheres to diffusion-based Higuchi kinetics, reflecting the controlled release of the natural macromolecules. The intermolecular interactions among Zein, GA, and cross-linker EDC, facilitated through molecular dynamics simulations, fortify the structural integrity of the encapsulation matrix. In Vitro studies revealed enhanced cellular uptake of GA-LNPs in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. This cellular internalization was further confirmed through cytotoxicity assessments using MTT and apoptosis assays (fluorescence microscopy), which demonstrated the prominent anticancer effects of GA-LNPs on MCF-7 in time/dose-dependent manner. The successful formulation of GA-LNPs, coupled with their sustained release and potent anticancer properties, makes them a potential platform for advanced targeted therapeutic strategies in biomedical applications. [Display omitted] • GA-LNPs exhibit superior cellular uptake and promising targeted drug delivery in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. • Exhibit controlled release of GA under gastrointestinal condition indicating its potential as promising drug delivery systems. • GA-LNPs induces cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells, promoting apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation. • The study exemplifies the application of natural macromolecules in potent anticancer effects for biomedical advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of supplementation with concentrate feeds of meal from protein plants on bull fattening on natural pastures. Material and Methods: One hundred crossbred bullocks (1/4 Holstein x 3/4 Zebu and 5/8 Holstein x 3/8 Zebu) were used, distributed in a complete randomized design. Two treatments were established. A) grazing on natural pastures plus supplementation with a concentrate feed formulated with meal from the protein plants Morus alba L. and Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray and B) grazing on natural pastures plus supplementation with a concentrate feed formulated with Glycine max (L.) Merr. Each treatment had grazing divided into two paddocks and an area of 36,84 and 53,0 ha, respectively, with rotation time of 15 days. The prevailing pastures in the pastureland were Paspalum notatum Alain ex Flügé and Dichanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf. The initial stocking rate was 1,1 animals/ha (0,46 LAU/ha). Results: No significant differences were found for the live weight and daily weight gain in the 10 months the research lasted. The animals were slaughtered at 10 months, with live weight of 379-380 and 380-383 kg for the crossbred R1 (1/4 Holstein x 3/4 Zebu) and Siboney (5/8 Holstein x 3/8 Zebu) animals in treatments A and B, respectively. The average daily live weight gains were 0,454-0497 and 0,510-0,467 in the dry season and 0,65-0,636 and 0,59-0,489 kg/ animal/d in the rainy season in treatments A and B, in the crossbred animals R1 and Siboney, respectively. Conclusions: The utilization of concentrate feed formulated with the inclusion of meal from M. alba and T. diversifolia allowed live weight gains in fattening bullocks similar to the animals supplemented with concentrate feed based on soybean meal and the costs were more economical for Cuba than when G. max was used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of zein coating (Z) impregnated with ginger extract (GE) and Pimpinella anisum essential oil (AEO) on microbial, chemical and sensory characteristics of beef samples packaged in modified atmosphere (MAP). The treatments were assessed during refrigerated storage for 20 days. GC-MS analysis exhibited that anethole (78.39%) was the dominant component of GE. Results indicated that meat treatment with zein coating containing GE 3% and AEO, resulted in the highest reduction rate of mesophilic bacteria (4.13 log CFU/g), lactic acid bacteria (2.68 log CFU/g), Enterobacteriaceae (3.84 log CFU/g), Pseudomonas spp. (2.74 log CFU/g), and yeasts–molds (1.99 log CFU/g) as compared to the untreated (control) samples. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of GE enhanced with increasing the concentration and a synergistic effect was observed when combined with AEO. Chemical properties including total volatile nitrogen, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), peroxide value (PV) and pH were notably lower in all treated meats compared to control samples. However, PV and TBARS were higher in MAP only treated meats. Regarding organoleptic properties, Z-GE 3%-A was mostly acceptable the panelists until the last day of experiment. Our findings indicate the potential of zein edible coating incorporated with GE and AEO in reducing the deterioration of fresh beef and improving its shelf life under MAP conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The function of miRNAs in intestinal inflammatory injury regulation has been studied extensively. However, the targeted delivery of these functional nucleic acid molecules to specific organs through encapsulation carriers and exerting their functional effects remain critical challenges for further research. Here, we constructed miR-146a-5p overexpression plasmid and validated the anti-inflammatory properties in the cell model. Then, the plasmid was encapsulated by the Pickering double emulsion system to investigate the role of Pickering double emulsion system in LPS-induced acute intestinal inflammatory injury. The results showed that the Pickering double emulsion system could effectively protect the integrity of plasmids in the intestinal tract, alleviate intestinal inflammatory injury, and upregulate the relative abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri. Mechanically, in vivo and in vitro experiments have shown that miR-146a-5p inhibits TLR4/NF-κB pathway to alleviate intestinal inflammation. In addition, miR-146a-5p can also regulate intestinal homeostasis by targeting the RNA polymerase sigma factor RpoD and α-galactosidase A , thereby affecting the growth of Lactobacillus reuteri. Above all, this study reveals a potential mechanism for miR-146a-5p to treat intestinal inflammation and provides a new delivery strategy for miRNAs to regulate intestinal homeostasis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of viruses such as Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya affects human health worldwide, and insect repellents are recommended for individual protection. Formulations incorporating nanotechnology should be carefully assessed for toxicity, particularly regarding the security levels established for human health and the environment. This study evaluates the cytotoxicity of a repellent formulation containing zein nanoparticles (NP) loading geraniol (Ger) and icaridin (Ica) in three cell lines: NIH/3T3, HaCaT, and SIRC. To address formulation hazards, IC 50 values were determined by MTT and Calcein-AM assays. In both NIH/3T3 and HaCaT, the IC 50 values for NP + Ger + Ica formulation were around 0.2%. For risk assessment, cell viability was also determined after a single exposure and repeated exposure to the formulation. No evidence of cytotoxicity was observed for NP + Ger + Ica formulation-treated cells. The risk assessment for eye damage revealed cytotoxicity in SIRC cells when exposed to a 5% concentration, which may be attributed to ocular geraniol toxicity, because zein nanoparticles alone did not exhibit any signs of toxicity. Cell internalization indicated low uptake in NIH/3T3 and HaCaT cells. Phenotypic profiling resulted in similar phenotypes for untreated cells and cells exposed to NP + Ger + Ica formulation. The toxicological profile outlined by the multiparametric and orthogonal approach suggests that the NP + Ger + Ica formulation poses no significant risk to the topical application under the tested conditions. Adopting an orthogonal approach brings robustness to our findings. • Zein nanoparticles are safe for geraniol and icaridin repellent formulations. • Zein nanoparticles do not add any toxicity to the skin or eye cell model. • The cellular uptake of the zein nanoparticles in skin cells is low. • For nanotoxicity, the classical and the orthogonal approach are complementary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ureteral stents are among the most frequently used human implants, with urothelium trauma, blood clots, and bacterial colonization being their main reasons for failure. In this study, berberine-loaded zein (ZB) nanoparticles with high drug encapsulation efficiency (>90 %) were fabricated via electrospray on flat and 3D stainless steel structures. Physico-chemical characterization revealed that the ZB nanoparticles created a highly hydrophilic, antioxidant, and scratch-resistant continuous coating over the metal structure. Results showed that the drug release rate was faster at neutral pH (i.e., PBS pH 7.4) than in an artificial urine medium (pH 5.3) due to the different swelling behavior of the zein polymeric matrix. In vitro evaluation of ZB particles onto human dermal fibroblasts and blood cells demonstrated good cell proliferation and enhanced anti-thrombotic properties compared to bare stainless steel. The ability of the electrosprayed zein particles to resist bacterial adherence and proliferation was evaluated with Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, showing high inhibition rates (−29 % and −46 % for empty and berberine-loaded particles, respectively) compared to the medical-grade metal substrates. Overall, the proposed composite coating fulfilled the requirements for ureteral applications, and can advance the development of innovative biocompatible, biodegradable, and antibacterial coatings for drug-eluting stents. [Display omitted] • A nanoparticle-based coating for ureteral stents was developed with zein and berberine. • Desirable adhesion properties and wettability were achieved on coated SS substrates. • Zein nanoparticles exhibited sustained drug release in an artificial urine medium. • Excellent biocompatibility with HDFa was achieved while enhancing the anti-thrombotic activity of the device. • Loaded zein nanoparticles inhibited the adhesion and proliferation of E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Adjuvant chemotherapy is highly recommended for liver cancer to enhance survival rates due to its tendency to recur frequently. Localized drug-eluting implants have gained traction as an alternative to overcome the limitations of systemic chemotherapy. This work describes the development of biodegradable 3D printed (3DP) bilayer films loaded with 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and cisplatin (Cis) with different infill percentages where the 5FU layers were 40%, 30%, and 30% and Cis layers were 10%, 15%, and 10% for films A, B, and C, respectively. The relevant characterization tests were performed, and the drug content of films was 0.68, 0.50, and 0.50 mg of 5FU and 0.39, 0.80, and 0.34 mg of Cis for films A, B, and C, respectively. Cis release was affected by the alterations to the film design, where films A, B, and C showed complete release at 12, 14, and 23 days, respectively. However, 5FU was released over 24 h for all films. The films were stable for up to two weeks after storage at 25 °C/65% relative humidity and four weeks at 4 °C where drug content, tensile strength, FTIR, and thermal analysis results demonstrated negligible alterations. The cytotoxicity of the films was assessed by MTS assays using HepG2 cell lines demonstrating up to 81% reduction in cell viability compared to blank films. Moreover, apoptosis was confirmed by Western Blots and the determination of mitochondrial cell potential, highlighting the potential of these films as a promising approach in adjuvant chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D 3 stability has been a concern in the functional food industry. Protein conjugated with saccharides showed potential for an improvement in vitamin D 3 stability. Novel and sustainable proteins, such as cricket protein, are of interest worldwide. Therefore, this research examined the utilization of cricket protein-fructooligosaccharide (FOS) conjugates formed through the Maillard reaction as a delivery system for vitamin D 3 in an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. O/W emulsions with vitamin D 3 stabilized by cricket protein powder (CP), cricket protein-FOS mixture (CPM), and cricket protein-FOS conjugates (CPF) with varying concentrations (0.3%, 0.5%, and 1.0% w/v). All emulsions had di-modal distributions with mean particle size diameters (D [4,3]) between 4.17 and 12.62 μm. The CPF emulsion had larger particle size diameters (8.46–12.62 μm) but less span value (3.26–4.76) when compared with CP and CPM (4.17–5.88 μm, 4.87–6.38). The storage stability of emulsions and vitamin D 3 release (4 °C, 0–30 days) was improved by conjugated products. The CPF-stabilized vitamin D 3 emulsions exhibited enhanced vitamin D 3 bioaccessibility (37–54%), surpassing that of CP (27–34%) and CPM (32–37%). Furthermore, CPF showed superior vitamin D 3 stability during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The concentration required for 50% inhibition of cell viability of CP, CPM, CPF, and CPF-vitamin D 3 emulsion was 0.643, 0.552, 0.474, and 0.229 mg/mL, respectively, indicating low cytotoxic activity. These findings validate the effectiveness of cricket protein-FOS conjugates, particularly at a 1% (w/v) concentration, in improving the release of vitamin D 3 in emulsion-based delivery systems and their potential for fortifying functional food products. [Display omitted] • Conjugated cricket protein (CPF) improved vitamin D 3 stability in O/W emulsion. • Several types and concentrations of cricket protein were tested for vitamin D 3 stability. • CPF-stabilized vitamin D 3 emulsions enhanced vitamin D 3 bioaccessibility. • CPF showed superior vitamin D 3 stability during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. • Low cytotoxic activity of CPF-vitamin D 3 emulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zein, an alcohol‐soluble protein in corn, can self‐assemble into spherical nanoparticles, which makes it an ideal carrier material for the encapsulation of hydrophobic bioactive molecules. However, zein nanoparticles easily aggregate in water and are sensitive to enzymatic degradation in the digestive system. A strategy to overcome their limitations is the incorporation of polysaccharides as a second polymer layer that provides stability to zein nanoparticles. This review introduces the characteristics of zein as they relate to understanding the formation of zein/polysaccharide nanoparticles. Particular attention is paid to the preparation methods for the zein/polysaccharide nanoparticles, as well as to the morphological observation methods and detection mechanism. Moreover, the properties and applications of zein/polysaccharide nanoparticles are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oridonin (ORI) has obvious anticancer effects, but its solubility is poor. Nanocrystal (NC) is a novel nano-drug delivery system for increasing bioavailability for ORI. However, the endocytosis and transcytosis behaviours of oridonin nanocrystals (ORI-NCs) through epithelial membrane are still unclear. ORI-NCs were prepared and characterized. The in vitro cytotoxicity and endocytosis and transcytosis process on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) monolayer were investigated. Anti-solvent precipitation method was adopted in preparation of ORI-NCs. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were adopted to explore crystallography of ORI-NCs. Sulforhodamine B (SRB) method was used to test the inhibition effect on proliferation of MDCK cells. Quantitative analysis by HPLC was performed to study the endocytosis and transcytosis of ORI-NCs and ORI bulk drug, and the process was observed by confocal laser spectrum microscopy (CLSM) and flow cytometry. The particle size of ORI-NCs was about 274 nm. The crystallography form of ORI was not changed after prepared into NCs. The dissolution rate of ORI-NCs was higher than pure ORI in 120 min. At higher concentrations (34, 84 and 135 μg/mL), ORI-NCs significantly reduced the cell viability compared with free ORI (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). ORI-NCs demonstrated higher endocytosis in MDCK cells than free ORI (p < 0.01). In the transport process, ORI-NC was taken up into cells in an intact form, and excreted out from basolateral membrane of polarized epithelial cells in an intact form. The internalization and transmembrane amount increased as a function of time. ORI-NCs transported through the MDCK monolayers in an intact form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the zein (10% w/w, dry basis) isolated from corn gluten meal from Bajaura Makka (Zea mays L.) variety of H.P. was solubilised in hot ethanol (90%) using glycerol and fructose as plasticizers. The three types of zein films were prepared, first film preparation was done by mixing zein with absolute ethanol (90%), second film prepared was zein and ethanol added with glycerol 5% (w/w) as plasticizer and third was zein and ethanol added with fructose 4% (w/w). The various physiochemical properties of these three zein films viz. colour, thickness, solubility, water vapour transmission rate were evaluated. The thickness for zein ethanol film was 0.14±0.02 mm and the thickness of films prepared by zein ethanol glycerol mixture and zein ethanol fructose mixture were 0.22±0.04 mm and 0.19±0.07 mm respectively. The water vapour transmission rate of different zein films i.e. zein ethanol mixture, zein ethanol fructose and zein ethanol glycerol was observed as 0.54 × 10-3, 0.36 × 10-3 and 0.25 × 10-3 (g/m²/sec) respectively and solubility of these zein films was 17±0.67%, 25±0.42% and 20±0.80% respectively. The color of zein ethanol film was 1.3 red units, 3.6 yellow units, 4.20 white units and color of zein ethanol fructose film was 1.2 red units, 10 yellow units, 7.4 white units and color of zein ethanol glycerol film was 1 red units, 4.7 yellow units, 4.1 white units as observed in Lovibond Tintometer. The results showed that the film prepared with combination of zein + ethanol + glycerol was having higher film thickness, water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) than other two zein films. These zein films were further used for coating of different model food products viz. Himalayan fig (Ficus palmata) leather, roasted nuts, chocolate cookies and vanilla cookies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stable oil-in-water (O/W) magnetic emulsion was prepared by the emulsification of organic ferrofluid in an aqueous media, and its theranostic applications were investigated. The synthesis and characterization of the organic ferrofluid were carried out comprising of superparamagnetic maghemite nanoparticles with oleic acid coating stabilized in octane. Both exhibit spherical morphology with a mean size of 6 nm and 200 nm, respectively, as determined by TEM. Thermogravimetric analysis was carried out to determine the chemical composition of the emulsion. The research work described here is novel and elaborates the fabrication of thin-film gradients with 5, 10, 15, and 20 bilayers by layer-by-layer technique using polydimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride (PDAC) and prepared magnetic colloidal particles. The thin-film gradients were characterized for their roughness, morphology, and wettability. The developed gradient films and colloids were explored in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and hyperthermia. T1- and T2-weighted images and their corresponding signal intensities were obtained at 1.5 T. A decreasing trend in signal intensities with an increase in nanoparticle concentration in colloids and along the gradient was observed in T2-weighted images. The hyperthermia capability was also evaluated by measuring temperature rise and calculating specific absorption rates (SAR). The SAR of the colloids at 259 kHz, 327 kHz, and 518 kHz were found to be 156 W/g, 255 W/g, and 336 W/g, respectively. The developed magnetic combinatorial thin-film gradients present a significant potential for the future efficient simultaneous diagnostic and therapeutic bioapplications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechniques show significant merits in terms of improving the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, the mechanisms behind are not clear yet. For instance, what is the contribution of free drug released during nanogranule transcytosis, as well as the impact of drug transporter and chylomicron? To address these issues, sorafenib nanogranules (SFN-NGs) were prepared as model by the high-gravity antisolvent precipitation method which approaches to practical mass production. Then, a multiaspect study on the transcytosis mechanism of SFN-NGs was conducted in Caco-2 cells and rats, including paracellular transport, endocytosis, intracellular trafficking, transmembrane pathway, as well as the involvement of transporter and chylomicron. Pharmacokinetics in rats demonstrated an obvious superiority of SFN-NGs in oral absorption and lymphatic transfer over SFN crude drugs. Different from free SFN, SFN-NGs could be internalized in cells in early stage by caveolin/lipid raft or clathrin induced endocytosis, and transported intactly through the polarized cell monolayers. While in late stage, transporter-mediated transport of free SFN began to play a vital role on the transmembrane of SFN-NGs. No paracellular transport of SFN-NGs was found, and the trafficking of SFN-NGs was affected by the pathway of ER-Golgi complexes. Surprisedly, the intracellular free SFN was the main source of transmembrane for SFN-NGs, which was entrapped into chylomicrons and then secreted into the extracellular space. Generally, the findings in current study may shed light on the absorption mechanism of oral nanoformulations. Unlabelled Image • Both vesicle transport and molecule transport contribute to the transcytosis enhancement of SFN-NGs. • OATP-C play an important role on the transcytosis of SFN-NGs in late stage. • Chylomicron pathway accounts for most of the transcytosis of SFN-NGs. • Drugs' intrinsic transport characteristics always influence the transcytosis of drug nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A perfect wound dressing should be able to maintain a high moisture content, manage exudates effectively, provide thermal insulation, and provide reliable mechanical strength. In this study, we attempted to design the desired wound dressing with curcumin (Cur) loaded electrospun zein–silk fibroin–chitosan (ZSFC) nanofibers to improve the bioavailability of Cur during the wound healing procedure. Cur with different concentrations (0.25, 0.50, and 0.75% w/v) was loaded into the ZSFC nanofibers and successful fabrication was achieved by the electrospinning method. The SEM images of the electrospun nanofibers indicate that the mean fiber diameter changed from 176.05 ± 66.21 to 484.43 ± 176.74 nm, depending on the weight ratio (wt%) of the zein:silk fibroin:chitosan. The stiffness of the nanofibers is improved when the Cur concentration is increased. Cur release investigations show a burst release at the starting stage with almost 45% of the Cur released in 10 hours. Besides, ZSFC and ZSFC/Cur nanofibers show enhanced cell proliferation and adhesion, and they do not have any cytotoxic effect on human gingival fibroblast (HGF-1) cells. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, degradation studies, and analyses of mechanical properties and thermal stability were also performed for these nanofibers. Therefore, the above results indicate the Cur-loaded ZSFC nanofibers are a potential candidate for application in wound dressing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zein as a hydrophobic plant protein has high tendency to form nanofibers. In this research, needle-less electrospinning with rotating spiked-like spinneret was applied for pilot-scale production of zein nanofibers and then produced fibers were used for improvement of properties of gelatin edible films. The properties of zein solutions were analyzed to investigate their effects on features of nanofibers. With increasing of zein concentration and decreasing applied voltage, the diameters of the fibers raised. FTIR data revealed that the second structure of zein did not change during needle-less electrospinning. Thermal gravimetric analysis showed an important increase in thermal stability of zein nanofiber in comparison to the pure zein. The prepared nanofibers under optimum criteria (zein concentration of 13% (W/V) and voltage of 21 kV) had mean diameter of 334±139nm and were used as scaffolds for gelatin film. With applying zein nanofiber in gelatin films, moisture content, water solubility, swelling percentage, vapor permeability, elongation at breaking point and transparency decreased while thickness, tensile strength and elastic modulus increased. An enhancement in hydrophobicity of gelatin films were observed with increasing of zein concentration in nanofiber. The results indicated that this novel needle-less electrospinning can be applied for large-scale production of nanofibers and enhancement of properties of gelatin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ACP was introduced to improve the surface hydrophilic of zein films. • Surface roughness and O- and N- groups were responsible for modification. • ACP improved the cytocompatibility C2C12 cells on zein films. The cell adhesion and proliferation of zein-based biomaterials in cell culture application are limited by the strong hydrophobic surface with low surface energy. In this study, atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) was developed as a modification approach in enhancing the surface hydrophilic and cytocompatibility of zein films. The results indicated that water contact angles decreased from 72.85° (untreated) to 47.43° under the voltage of 100 V. The improvement of the surface free energy (SFE) was mainly attributed to the polar component rather than dispersive component. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicated the change of surface physicochemical properties was mainly due to the partially transformation of long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons (C H and/or C C) to oxygen- and nitrogen-containing bonds (C O, C O and C N). Furthermore, the content of secondary structure demonstrated β-turn and α-helix were transformed into β-sheet and random coil after ACP treatment. Combining with the cell experiment results, plasma treatment could significantly improve the adhesion rate and proliferation activity of C2C12 cells on zein films. With better cytocompatibility, the potentials of zein in tissue engineering scaffold could be readily exploited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising non‐invasive cancer therapy without any side‐effects. The photosensitizers (PSs) used in PDT are usually hydrophobic and not soluble in water. Water‐soluble PSs have been rarely studied in PDT research. Therefore, preparing water‐soluble PSs for clinical trials in PDT remains challenging. Here, we prepared water‐soluble organic nanoparticles (WSONs) using the following three chlorin derivatives: methyl pyropheophorbide a (MPPa), zinc metal‐introduced MPPa, and purpurin‐18 methyl ester. We used a very simple co‐precipitation method to develop WSONs through nanoprecipitation (solvent‐exchange) from THF to water. In this method, WSONs were developed in 87–112 nm sizes, based on TEM, with good water solubility and high water stability for more than a month. We evaluated intracellular accumulation and cell viability of these WSONs, exhibiting PDT results comparable to that of free PSs using HeLa cells. All WSONs were accumulated in mitochondria to induce mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis via effective PDT activity. This result is important not only for preparing WSONs with hydrophobic PSs to form highly water‐soluble PSs having good water stability in nanometre size, but also for retaining PDT activity with reduced dark toxicity, enabling potential applications for biocompatible PDT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zein is a major by-product of corn processing and has a wide range of applications in many fields due to its unique solubility and specific amino acid composition. The aim of this study is to hydrolyze zein stepwise using alcalase and proteinase K while considering the enzymatic hydrolysis sequence and assessing the zeinchelating ability, solubility, foaming, and emulsification properties of the zein hydrolysate. The antioxidant activity of Zn2+ chelating peptide was determined. Zinc-chelating ability was used as the evaluation index, and proteinase K was further hydrolyzed on the basis of alcalase hydrolysis. The optimal hydrolysis conditions were reaction time of 2 h, substrate concentration of 10 mg mL-1, enzyme addition amount of 2.8 U mg-1, reaction temperature of 60 °C, and hydrolysate chelation ability of 12.16 mg g-1, thereby corresponding to a degree of hydrolysis (DH) of 35.30 %. On the basis of the hydrolysis by proteinase K, alcalase was further hydrolyzed, and the optimal hydrolysis conditions were reaction time of 3 h, substrate concentration of 10 mg mL-1, enzyme addition amount of 8.0×105 U mg-1, reaction temperature of 50 °C, and hydrolysate chelation ability of 13.72 mg g-1, thereby corresponding to a DH of 29.32 %. Zein Zn2+-chelating peptide is significant for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and ABTS·+. The clearance effect is positively correlated with the mass concentration of the polypeptide. Zein Zn2+-chelating peptide has good Zn2+ chelating ability and antioxidant activity. Hence, it has broad research prospects for new dietary supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface modification to obtain high dispersion stability and biocompatibility is a key factor for bio-application of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). A systematic study of UCNPs modified with four hydrophilic molecules separately, comparing their dispersion stability in biological buffers and cellular biocompatibility is reported here. The results show that carboxyl-functionalized UCNPs (modified by 3,4-dihydrocinnamic acid (DHCA) or poly(monoacryloxyethyl phosphate (MAEP)) with negative surface charge have superior even-distribution in biological buffers compared to amino-functionalized UCNPs (modified by (aminomethyl)phosphonic (AMPA) or (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES)) with positive surface charge. Subsequent investigation of cellular interactions revealed high levels of non-targeted cellular uptake of the particles modified with either of the three small molecules (AMPA, APTES, DHCA) and high levels of cytotoxicity when used at high concentrations. The particles were seen to be trapped as particle-aggregates within the cellular cytoplasm, leading to reduced cell viability and cell proliferation, along with dysregulation of the cell cycle as assessed by DNA content measurements. The dramatically reduced proportion of cells in G 1 phase and the slightly increased proportion in G 2 phase indicates inhibition of M phase, and the appearance of sub-G 1 phase reflects cell necrosis. In contrast, MAEP-modified UCNPs are bio-friendly with increased dispersion stability in biological buffers, are non-cytotoxic, with negligible levels of non-specific cellular uptake and no effect on the cell cycle at both low and high concentrations. MAEP-modified UCNPs were further functionalized with streptavidin for intracellular microtubule imaging, and showed clear cytoskeletal structures via their upconversion luminescence. Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) are an exciting potential nanomaterial for bio-applications. Their anti-Stokes luminescence makes them especially attractive to be used as imaging probes and thermal therapeutic reagents. Surface modification is the key to achieving stable and compatible hydrophilic-UCNPs. However, the lack of criteria to assess molecular ligands used for ligand exchange of nanoparticles has hampered the development of surface modification, and further limits UCNP's bio-application. Herein, we report a systematic comparative study of modified-UCNPs with four distinct hydrophilic molecules, assessing each particles' colloidal stability in biological buffers and their cellular biocompatibility. The protocol established here can serve as a potential guide for the surface modification of UCNPs in bio-applications. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zein is known to able to form viscoelastic dough with wheat‐like properties under certain conditions. Several studies have been conducted to explain the mechanism behind this ability and to improve the functionality and end‐use quality of zein‐based dough systems. However, most of this research has been conducted using zein in combination with isolated starches or high‐starch flours. To investigate the production of additional zein–whole sorghum flour breads, experiments were conducted to determine factors impacting zein–whole sorghum flour dough and bread quality. Optimizing water levels, using defatted zein and/or sorghum flour, and increasing zein content in dough formulas were investigated as initial formulation steps. Of these factors, increasing zein content from 20% to 30% (flour weight basis) had the greatest impact, resulting in stronger zein‐based dough and improved bread quality. Additives and zein treatments shown to impact zein functionality were then investigated for their effect of zein–whole sorghum flour breads. Mixing zein and whole sorghum flour with 0.5% hydrogen peroxide, 5% ethanol, or 3% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose resulted in improved dough strength and bread quality. Breads made from whole white sorghum flour had improved quality compared to zein‐based breads made with black or high‐tannin whole sorghum flour. Practical Application: Zein is known to be able to form wheat‐like dough when mixed under the right conditions. Most of the research on zein‐based dough and food products has used high‐starch flours. This project investigated optimizing the production of zein–whole sorghum flour dough and bread as an alternative. Increasing the zein content in the formula and using additives including ethanol and HPMC produced breads from zein–whole sorghum flour that were like those made with zein and pure starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]