Gels最新文献

To test whether fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and inulin (INU) molecules can improve the hardness of cooked rice through forming a hydrogel network, we added FOS or INU at 0%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 10% concentrations to two cooking japonica rice and compared the cooking and textural parameters, the pasting, thermal, and thermo-mechanical properties, and the microstructure of the cooked rice. General Linear Model Univariate (GLMU) analysis revealed that, compared with no oligofructose addition, both FOS and INU addition reduced the rice cooking time and increased the gruel solid loss. The addition of these dietary fibers (DFs) to cooking rice lowered the hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness of the rice, but maintained the cohesiveness and increased the resilience. Compared with no oligofructose addition, FOS and INU addition improved the smell, taste, and total sensory score of cooked rice. The addition of these DFs significantly decreased the trough, peak, final, breakdown, and setback viscosities, but increased the pasting temperature and peak time. Both FOS and INU addition decreased the enthalpy of gelatinization but increased the peak and conclusion temperature of gelatinization of rice flour paste. After the retrograded flour pastes were kept at 4 °C for 21 days, both FOS and INU significantly increased amylopectin aging compared with no oligofructose addition. The FOS-added and INU-added rice doughs had a higher dough development time and stability time, gelatinization peak torque, setback torque, and gelatinization speed, with a lower protein weakening degree, amylase activity, breakdown torque, heating speed, and enzymatic hydrolysis speed. Compared with no oligofructose addition, both FOS and INU addition reduced the amorphous region of starch and β-sheet percentage, but increased the percentages of random coils, α-helixes, and β-turns in cooked rice. Principal component analysis (PCA) further demonstrated that the gruel solid loss, cooked rice hardness, chewiness, gumminess, taste, and the peak, trough, breakdown, final, and setback viscosities were sensitive parameters for evaluating the effects of species and the amount of oligofructose addition on rice quality. The microstructure showed that FOS or INU addition induced thickening of the matrix walls and an increase in the pore size, forming a soft and evenly swollen structure. These results suggest that FOS or INU addition inhibits amylose recrystallization but maintains amylopectin recrystallization in cooked rice, with INU addition producing greater improvements in the texture and sensory scores of cooked rice compared withFOS addition. This study provides evidence of the advantages of adding DFs and probiotics such as INU and FOS to cooked rice.

Artemisia absinthium L. is a medicinal plant well known for the bitterness of its sesquiterpenoids. To mask its intense taste while preserving these active compounds, an ethanolic extract (AAE) was prepared, and two microencapsulation techniques (spray drying and ionotropic gelation) were investigated under different process conditions. The best-performing formulation was selected for larger-scale production and a characterisation of the microparticles (MPs) was carried out. MPs were then incorporated into baked products (biscuits), which were subsequently characterised for proximate composition, total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AA). Bitter compounds were quantified through HPLC-DAD. A panel test was conducted on 50 volunteers, which compiled a satisfactory questionnaire. Ionotropic gelation proved to be the most suitable technique for producing AAE alginate-based MPs for incorporation into biscuit dough, yielding a product with a desirable particle size and flowability. The biscuits still retained a significant amount of TPC and AA, indicating that microencapsulation is a suitable strategy. Data from the acceptance questionnaire revealed that biscuits containing MPs loaded with absinthin-rich extract were comparable to the control ones regarding overall acceptance. In conclusion, a promising product was developed that effectively masks the bitterness of appetite-modulating bioactive compounds, with significant health-promoting potential. However, further investigation into the biological effects (e.g., hormonal responses, feelings of hunger, etc.) of these baked products is required.

This study presents the development of a smart packaging material utilizing garlic-derived nitrogen-doped carbon dots (CDs) integrated into a whey protein-starch (WP-S) emulsion. The research aimed to create a real-time, non-invasive biosensor capable of detecting microbial spoilage. The synthesized CDs demonstrated strong pH-sensitive photoluminescence, exhibiting distinct changes in CIE coordinates and fluorescence intensity in response to varying pH values. The WP-S-CDs emulsion was tested against E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. The results showed that the composite film provided a clear colorimetric shift and fluorescence quenching, both of which are directly correlated with microbial metabolic activity. The physical and electronic properties of the composite were investigated to understand the sensing mechanism. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the dried film revealed that the WP-S-CDs system formed a more porous structure with larger pore sizes (3.63-8.18 µm) compared to the control WP-S film (1.62-6.52 µm), which facilitated the rapid diffusion of microbial metabolites. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated that the incorporation of CDs significantly enhanced the composite's electronic properties by reducing its band gap and increasing its dipole moment, thereby heightening its reactivity and sensitivity to spoilage byproducts. In a practical application on apples, the WP-S-CDs coating produced a visible red spot, confirming its function as a dynamic sensor. The material also showed a dual-action antimicrobial effect, synergistically inhibiting C. albicans while exhibiting an antagonistic effect against bacteria. These findings validate the potential of the WP-S-CDs emulsion as a powerful, multi-faceted intelligent packaging system for food quality monitoring.

This study examines how varying the isolated pea protein (IPP) levels (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50%) together with key extrusion conditions, including moisture level, barrel heating profile, and screw rotation speed, affect the physicochemical attributes and textural characteristics of high-moisture meat analogs (HMMAs). Results indicated that increased IPP content reduced the fiber structure, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, cutting strength, and integrity index of HMMAs. Processing conditions resulted in pronounced changes in both the physicochemical attributes and texture of HMMAs. The increase in moisture content resulted in a decrease in HMMA fiber structure and textural properties. In contrast, increases in barrel temperature and screw speed were associated with higher TPA values, greater cutting strength in both vertical and parallel orientations, and an improved integrity index in HMMAs. Furthermore, the gelation behavior of IPP played a critical role in the formation of the fibrous structure, with optimal gel strength and water retention achieved under specific extrusion conditions. These findings underscore the importance of protein gelation in structuring IPP-based meat analogs and provide insights into the gel-based mechanisms underlying their textural properties. Overall, the optimum IPP content to produce HMMAs in this experiment was 30%, and the process variables were 55% moisture content, barrel temperature of 160 °C, and screw speed of 250 rpm.

Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) carries a high risk of severe hemorrhage and potential loss of fertility. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on uterine artery embolization (UAE) using absorbable gelatin sponge (GS), focusing on GS preparation, procedural approaches, and reported outcomes. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched from January 2015 to 31 December 2024 for peer-reviewed studies reporting UAE with GS for CSP (GS alone or combined with intra-arterial methotrexate and/or adjunct particles). Fifty studies (N = 3139) were included. Technical success was 3133/3139 (~99.8%) and clinical success was 2975/3139 (~94.8%), with most cohorts reporting high clinical control. Severe complications were infrequently reported (typically ~2-4% in most series). Menstrual function, when assessed, generally recovered within ~1-2 months. Subsequent pregnancy outcomes were inconsistently reported and follow-up durations were heterogeneous, predominantly in retrospective designs. Overall, UAE with GS appears effective for hemostasis in CSP and may reduce escalation to hysterectomy in appropriately selected patients. Standardized reporting of GS preparation and outcomes, as well as prospective multicenter registries/studies, are needed to refine best practices.

Chitin-glucan complex (CGC) is a naturally occurring heteropolysaccharide in which chitin chains are covalently integrated with β-glucans, forming a rigid structural framework in fungal and yeast cell walls. CGC exhibits a broad spectrum of functional properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, adsorption, and tissue-regenerative activities; however, its technological exploitation has been severely constrained by its intrinsic insolubility in water and most common solvents. In this work, CGC was isolated from Aspergillus niger mycelial biomass and, for the first time, completely dissolved in a precooled aqueous NaOH/urea solvent system (12 wt.% NaOH, 8 wt.% urea) within 5 min at ambient temperature, yielding a clear and stable solution. The influence of alkali concentration on dissolution efficiency and solution stability was systematically examined. Structural integrity and covalent linkage between chitin/chitosan and glucan segments were confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy, two-dimensional NMR, and electron microscopy. The degree of deacetylation determined by NMR was approximately 25%. Rheological analysis revealed concentration- and temperature-dependent sol-gel transitions, with well-defined storage and loss moduli during gelation. Crosslinking with epichlorohydrin enabled the fabrication of lightweight, highly porous three-dimensional CGC aerogels. In vitro cytocompatibility studies using NIH 3T3 fibroblasts demonstrated no detectable cytotoxicity over 72 h. These results establish a green, efficient route for CGC dissolution and processing and highlight the promise of CGC aerogels as sustainable biomaterials for biomedical and environmental applications.

African catfish (Clarias gariepinus, AC) is one of the most widely farmed freshwater fish species in Central Europe. Processing operations generate up to 55% by-products (BPs), predominantly carcasses rich in proteins, lipids, and minerals. This study develops a comprehensive valorization process for ACBPs to recover gelatin, protein hydrolysate, fish oil, and pigments. The processing protocol consisted of sequential washing, oil extraction, demineralization, and biotechnological treatment to disrupt the collagen quaternary structure. A two-factor experimental design was employed to optimize the processing conditions. The factors included the extraction temperatures of the first (35-45 °C) and second fraction (50-60 °C). We hypothesized that enzymatic conditioning, combined with sequential hot-water extraction, would yield gelatin with properties comparable to those of mammalian- and fish-derived gelatins, while enabling a near-zero-waste process. The integrated process yielded 18.2 ± 1.2% fish oil, 9.8 ± 2.1% protein hydrolysate, 1.7 ± 0.7% pigment extract, and 25.3-37.8% gelatin. Optimal conditions (35 °C/60 °C) produced gelatin with gel strength of 168.8 ± 3.6 Bloom, dynamic viscosity of 2.48 ± 0.02 mPa·s, and yield of 34.76 ± 1.95%. Life cycle assessment (LCA) identified two primary environmental hotspots: water consumption and energy demand. This near-zero-waste biorefinery demonstrates the potential for comprehensive valorization of aquaculture BPs into multiple value-added bioproducts.

To develop nutrient-rich whole-food gels for individuals with dysphagia, this study constructed a pork-whole soy milk composite gel (PSG) using a hybrid animal-plant protein approach. The effects of xanthan gum, konjac glucomannan, and guar gum at different concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) on the gel properties, protein conformation, and microstructure of different PSGs were systematically investigated. The results indicated that polysaccharides interfered with protein cross-linking and disrupted the gel network, leading to reduced gel hardness. Due to their abundant hydrophilic groups, the polysaccharides significantly enhanced the water-holding capacity (p < 0.05), achieving a synergistic outcome of structural softening and functional reinforcement. A comprehensive evaluation identified the PSG with 1.0% xanthan gum as the optimal formulation, which exhibited a 43.2% increase in water-holding capacity and a hardness only 23.5% of the control, complying with both International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) Level 5 and Japanese Dysphagia Diet Level III standards. This study elucidates the mechanism by which polysaccharides modulate whole-food protein gels and provides a practical strategy for developing dysphagia-friendly foods that preserve nutritional quality and are suitable for industrial production.

Defect engineering in semiconductor heterojunctions offers a promising route for enhancing the selectivity of photocatalytic CO₂ conversion. In this work, a ZnS/gel-derived TiO₂ photocatalyst featuring sulfur vacancies introduced via hydrazine hydrate (N₂H₄) treatment is developed. XRD, HRTEM, and XPS analyses confirm the formation of a crystalline heterointerface and a defect-rich ZnS surface, enabling effective interfacial electronic modulation. The optimized ZnS/gel-derived TiO₂-0.48 composite achieves CH₄ and CO yields of 6.76 and 14.47 μmol·g^-1·h^-1, respectively, with a CH₄ selectivity of 31.8% and an electron selectivity of 65.1%, clearly outperforming pristine TiO₂ and the corresponding single-component catalysts under identical conditions. Photoluminescence quenching, enhanced photocurrent response, and reduced charge-transfer resistance indicate significantly improved interfacial charge separation. Mott-Schottky analysis combined with optical bandgap measurements reveals pronounced interfacial charge redistribution in the composite system. Considering the intrinsic band structure of ZnS and gel-derived TiO₂, a Z-scheme-compatible interfacial charge migration model is proposed, in which photogenerated electrons with strong reductive power are preferentially retained on ZnS, while holes with strong oxidative capability remain on gel-derived TiO₂. This charge migration pathway preserves high redox potentials, facilitating multi-electron CO₂ methanation and water oxidation. Density functional theory calculations further demonstrate that sulfur vacancies stabilize *COOH and *CO intermediates and reduce the energy barrier for *COOH formation from +0.51 eV to +0.21 eV, thereby promoting CO₂ activation and CH₄ formation. These results reveal that sulfur vacancies not only activate CO₂ molecules but also regulate interfacial charge migration behavior. This work provides a synergistic strategy combining defect engineering and interfacial electronic modulation to enhance selectivity and mechanistic understanding in CO₂-to-CH₄ photoconversion.

Lost circulation in fractured formations is a common yet challenging technical problem in drilling engineering. Conventional plugging methods often form sealing layers with poor stability and low pressure-bearing capacity. This study developed an efficient composite plugging agent composed of calcite particles (rigid particles), elastic gel particles, and polypropylene fibers. Utilizing a laboratory-scale fracture plugging evaluation apparatus and standard comparative experimental methods, the synergistic plugging effects of different composite systems were investigated. The results indicate that while single rigid particles can form a basic bridging structure, the pressure-bearing capacity of the resulting sealing layer is limited. Single elastic gel particles or fibrous materials struggle to effectively plug fractures of varying widths. Composite use of the plugging agents significantly enhanced the plugging performance, with the rigid/elastic/fiber ternary composite system demonstrating the best results. The optimal formulation (5% calcite particles + 3% elastic gel particles + 2% polypropylene fibers) achieved a plugging pressure-bearing capacity of 13 MPa for 2 mm-wide fractures, with a fluid loss of only 50 mL and temperature resistance up to 180 °C. Furthermore, the composite plugging agent exhibited good compatibility with the drilling fluid system and demonstrated excellent adaptability and plugging performance for fractures with different roughness levels, indicating promising potential for field application.