Biopolymers最新文献

Protease-catalyzed synthesis of a peptide composed of l-tyrosine and l-phenylalanine (2.2:1 M ratio) was achieved in a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) medium and subsequently employed to encapsulate the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). IL-10 was loaded into enzyme-mediated peptide nanocrystals at doses of 200 and 400 ng, achieving stable nanocomposite formulations. Release studies were conducted in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) at 37°C under gentle agitation, revealing a sustained release profile extending up to 30–31 days, with an initial release of approximately 16% within the first 5 days and near-complete release between Days 10 and 25, depending on loading. Encapsulation effectively protected IL-10 from rapid degradation observed for the free cytokine under identical conditions, resulting in markedly enhanced stability. The nanocrystals were further integrated into porcine gelatin–hyaluronic acid (Ge:HA) and microbial poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) (PHBV) matrices, where IL-10 release was further modulated, reaching up to ~80% release from Ge:HA and ~100% from PHBV-based systems over 31 days. Cytotoxicity assays using primary human dermal fibroblasts confirmed excellent biocompatibility of all formulations. Moreover, studies in PMA-activated THP-1 macrophage-like cells demonstrated reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and suppression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6, highlighting the combined protective and immunomodulatory effects of IL-10 encapsulation. The presence of tyrosine residues within the nanocarrier further suggests intrinsic antioxidant contributions. Overall, these results support enzyme-mediated peptide nanocrystals as an effective platform for the stabilization and prolonged release of IL-10, with strong potential for treating inflammation-related skin conditions.

The functionalization of alginate through the introduction of sulfonate groups represents a promising strategy for the targeted improvement of its bioactive characteristics. In this study, novel alginic acid derivatives modified with benzene sulfonate groups were synthesized in an aqueous alkaline medium, achieving a degree of substitution up to 0.51. The chemical structures of the obtained ethers were confirmed by NMR, FTIR, and UV spectroscopy. The effects of pH and ionic strength on the size of macromolecular aggregates in aqueous solutions were investigated using dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering techniques. Potentiometric titration results revealed enhanced intra- and intermolecular interactions correlating with increasing degrees of substitution. Furthermore, the anticoagulant activity of the modified alginates was assessed, demonstrating a significant prolongation of blood and plasma coagulation times.

Rice husk–polyvinyl alcohol (RH–PVA) biocomposites offer a biodegradable alternative to synthetic mulches but are prone to moisture-induced degradation under tropical conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the hydrolytic stability of RH–PVA composites enhanced with NPK-Mg fertilizer at 0%, 9%, and 18% (w/w) under simulated field watering levels of 4, 8, and 16 mm/day. Fertilizer incorporation markedly improved dimensional and mechanical stability. At 16 mm/day, unfertilized mats showed a 27.5% thickness reduction and 12% diameter shrinkage, whereas 9%–18% fertilizer mats maintained > 97.5% thickness and > 96% diameter. Biomass loss decreased from 42% (0% fertilizer) to 35% (18% fertilizer), while tensile strength increased from 0.21 to 0.37 MPa (1.8-fold) and stress resistance from 2.6 to 7.6 MPa (2.9-fold). Scanning electron microscopy imaging indicated fertilizer-induced PVA agglomeration forming a continuous protective matrix that reduced fiber–matrix separation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed selective PVA degradation but preserved Si–O–Si bands, indicating silica network stability and controlled nutrient release. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed progressive melting point depression from 223.6°C for pure PVA to 190.8°C for the composite with 18% fertilizer and reduced crystallinity consistent with ionic interactions restricting polymer chain mobility. Overall, fertilizer integration significantly enhances RH–PVA moisture resistance, supporting its use as a durable, biodegradable mulch for high-rainfall agricultural systems.

The phyto-fabrication of nanoparticles offers an eco-friendly route to novel functional materials. This study demonstrates the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. extract and their incorporation into an Eri silk fibroin (ESF) film to create a novel antimicrobial biomaterial. The AgNPs and the resulting composite films were characterized via UV–Vis, FTIR, and SEM–EDX analyses. Incorporating the green-synthesized AgNPs significantly enhanced the film's physical properties, resulting in high porosity (up to 88.46%) and an optimal water vapor transmission rate (2503.19 g/m²/day). The final ESF-AVAg composite film exhibited potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Specifically, the Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) area for the optimal concentration (AVAg6) was 13.00 mm² against Escherichia coli, 13.69 mm² against Staphylococcus aureus, and 17.55 mm² against Candida albicans, significantly outperforming the controls. This work successfully bridges sustainable green synthesis with biomaterial engineering, demonstrating that Aloe vera-derived AgNPs can be effectively integrated into a silk fibroin matrix to produce a high-performance antimicrobial film.

Chitosan, a naturally occurring cationic biopolymer, is a linear polysaccharide composed of D-glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. It is produced from demineralization and deproteinization of chitin, which is abundant in the exoskeletons of arthropods, fungal cell walls, algae, microorganisms, and the radulae and beaks of mollusks and cephalopods. Chitosan exhibits several favorable properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, and unique biological and physiological characteristics. These attributes make chitosan a promising material for diverse applications across various industries. Chitosan nanoparticles, in particular, have found extensive use in fields such as biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food technology, cosmetics, water treatment, and textiles. Their versatile applications include functioning as food additives and preservatives, antimicrobial agents, encapsulations of active ingredients, enzyme immobilizers, gelling and coating agents, and biopolymeric nanofilms. Ongoing clinical trials and a steadily growing number of patents across pharmaceutical, biomedical, food, agricultural, and environmental sectors highlight chitosan's multipurpose industrial potential and promising future as a versatile biopolymer.

The use of medicinal plant extracts in the repair of dermal wounds has been widely discussed in the literature, especially those based on collagen, due to the diverse biological activities conferred by these extracts in combination with the biocompatibility and interactivity of the material. This study aimed to develop films based on collagen and Jatropha mutabilis stalk extracts (SEJM) to evaluate the scar repair process in rodents. SEJM demonstrated the presence of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity (DPPH: IC₅₀ of 7.522 ± 0.068 μg mL⁻¹; β-carotene %: 83.770 ± 2.636), and antimicrobial action against different strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, hydrolyzed collagen was combined with PVA, glycerol, and SEJM to produce healing films (C_SEJM). Preclinical studies showed that treatment with C_SEJM was able to accelerate reepithelialization from the edges to the center of the wound, enhancing wound repair tissue in the open skin lesion model in rodents. In this study, J. mutabilis extract presented a possible clinical application for the treatment of skin lesions due to its important healing, antioxidant, and antibacterial in vivo and in vitro activities, which accelerated wound healing by stimulating tissue formation.

Biopolymer binders have been proposed as sustainable soil stabilizers due to their gelation properties and extraction process. This study investigates the potential of gum arabic, a polysaccharide-based biopolymer, for soil stabilization. Various types of sands are used to examine the strength and stiffness characteristics of gum arabic-treated sand. Three different biopolymer contents are used to investigate the influence of gum arabic on rheological behavior, the strength, and stiffness characteristics of treated sand. Rheological analysis indicated that both shear stress and viscosity remain almost constant for 24 h, regardless of biopolymer content. The rheological behavior, such as shear thinning and thickening, of hydrogel varies with biopolymer content. The compressive strength of treated specimens improved significantly within the range of 1.3–7.5 MPa after curing for 28 days. The shear wave measurements demonstrate enhanced stiffness across curing periods, with higher biopolymer contents demonstrating the most significant improvements. Microscopy image of the treated sand shows the effective bonding and cohesive network formed by gum arabic hydrogel, which filled pore spaces and reinforced the soil matrix. Therefore, the findings from this study suggest that gum arabic biopolymer can serve as a soil stabilizer, providing effective strength and stiffness improvement.