Biopolymers最新文献

In the present study, it was aimed to prepare single and double network chitosan (Ch) cryogels cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (G), which can be recommended for use as model wound dressings and hemostatic agents, and to reveal in vivo studies with Galleria mellonella. An in vivo study about Ch cryogels with these larvae was not declared in the literature, so our study is the first of its kind. G. mellonella was used to determine the effects of cryogels on immunity, oxidative stress, and wound healing. Cinnamic acid (CA) was loaded onto the cryogels, and the percent cumulative release data of CA were found to be in the range of 69%–80%. The results show that loading of CA onto [Ch-3]_cry cryogels considerably improved immune responses; the [Ch-3]_cry-CA group was the most successful in terms of immunological response, oxidative stress balance, and wound healing. In accordance with the 3R principles of ethical animal research, the use of G. mellonella in this study served as a scientifically relevant and ethically responsible alternative model to mammals for preliminary assessment of wound healing potential and innate immune activation. The porous structures, high mechanical strengths, and rapidly swelling-deswelling abilities of [Ch-2@Ch]_cry and [Ch-3]_cry cryogels indicated that these may be suitable for biomedical applications. Analysis of SEM micrographs indicated that the morphology of dual network cryogels prepared in the form of interpenetrating polymeric networks (IPNs) was more regular and homodispersed with respect to single network cryogels. The compressive elasticity modulus (E) values of IPNs cryogels (0.160 N/mm) is approximately 4.6 times that of Ch cryogels with a single network (0.035 N/mm).

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are biomolecules with applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and nutraceutical industries. However, traditional GAG sources, such as animal tissues and marine organisms, present imminent challenges, including structural heterogeneity, contamination risk, and geographical sourcing limitations. This review explores the potential of the eggshell matrix, an abundant yet underutilized by-product of the egg industry, as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative source of GAG production. This review examined the composition of the eggshell matrix, highlighting its rich content of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and other valuable GAGs, coupled with their extraction and purification techniques. The advantages of eggshell matrix-derived GAGs, including their consistent molecular properties, lower allergenicity, and alignment with circular economy principles, are also discussed. Additionally, this review highlights the industrial scalability of eggshell matrix valorization and its potential to mitigate environmental waste while meeting global GAG demand. The eggshell matrix shows promise for GAG production, with hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and dermatan sulfate already identified, but more work is needed to improve extraction efficiency, broaden industrial uses, and ensure commercial success. This represents the broad areas of process optimization, technological integration, and comprehensive economic evaluation. By addressing current challenges and future research directions, this review underscores the transformative potential of eggshell matrix-derived GAGs for advancing sustainable biomaterial production.

The packaging industry remains largely dominated by non-degradable synthetic materials, raising environmental concerns and prompting increased interest in sustainable alternatives. As a result, biopolymers such as starch and cellulose have gained considerable attention. The present study investigates the thermal, mechanical, and hydrophilic properties of regenerated cellulose film as a potential eco-friendly packaging material. The biopolymers utilized in this study were derived from secondary biowaste sources. The presence of transmittance bands corresponding to calcium and phosphate groups in the FTIR spectra, as well as the results of elemental composition analysis (EDX), confirmed the elemental makeup of the particles. FTIR analysis further revealed significant interactive bonding between the hydroxyl groups in the cellulose matrix and the calcium components of the FSHAp fillers. These interactions resulted in shifts in the IR transmittance bands in the biopolymer composite films. The incorporation of FSHAp fillers into the cellulose matrix enhanced the thermal stability of the cellulose films, with an observed improvement of 24%. At a filler concentration of 3 wt%, the char residue was 74.89% higher than that of the unfilled cellulose film. Additionally, the cellulose film containing 2 wt% FSHAp exhibited a tensile strength of 23 MPa, representing a 30% increase compared to the unfilled sample. This study introduces a novel biopolymer composite film as a promising sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastic-based packaging materials. Furthermore, it supports the principles of the circular economy by offering a viable solution for managing abundantly available biomass waste.

Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM)-based biomaterials have been widely used for their applications in tissue engineering. In particular, pepsin digestion of dECM can be used to generate injectable forms, including ECM hydrogels as well as an intravascularly infusible ECM (iECM). However, fundamental materials characterization of these materials has been limited, and thus little is known about what exactly drives gelation of ECM hydrogels or the conditions for fibril assembly and growth. With this study, we sought to answer a fundamental question on how these materials assemble or gel, as well as a translational question on what storage conditions are suitable for these materials. Here, we used second-harmonic generation and transmission electron microscopy to investigate the mechanism of gelation for ECM hydrogels and the nanofibril assembly of the iECM. Overall, these microscopies revealed the origin and morphology of self-assembly and that type I collagen lateral and longitudinal growth drives ECM hydrogel formation. On the contrary, the iECM preserved the same mechanism for nanofiber assembly without gelation. In terms of translation, ensuring the stability after rehydration is critical for therapeutic injection timing since changes in the material could impact both safety and efficacy. Via microscopy in conjunction with bulk material characterization, we found that dECM formulations are best kept at 4°C for a maximum of 24 h after rehydration in order to maintain their original properties. Overall, this work provides evidence for the type I collagen directed self-assembly within heterogeneous, injectable, decellularized ECM biomaterials and also determines clinically relevant material storage conditions.

In this study, alginate/gelatin (AL/GEL) spherical beads are prepared and encapsulated with 1 wt % of needle-shaped gallic acid (GA) crystals to develop a drug delivery system. The % encapsulation efficiency of GA into AL/GEL beads, its release rate, and the stability of the beads are evaluated, followed by cytocompatibility studies. The interactions between GA, AL, and GEL are examined by using FTIR. Morphological observations reveal that increasing the GEL concentration above 0.4 wt.% possibly hinders the binding of calcium ions with the carboxylate groups of AL, resulting in the formation of beads with larger diameters. In contrast, the bead diameter decreases with the incorporation of GA due to hydrogen bonding. EDX analysis of GA-loaded AL/GEL beads indicated that GA binds to the GEL-rich region. Furthermore, EDX analysis of mineralized beads demonstrated that GA enhanced calcium deposition near the alginate-rich region. In vitro studies demonstrate that AL/GEL beads loaded with ≤ 0.5 (wt.) % GA are cytocompatible and MC3T3-E1 murine pre-osteoblast cells proliferated over a 5-day period. Overall, the prepared beads show potential as a drug delivery system for bone regeneration applications.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most prominent biopolymers and is considered a viable alternative to petroleum-based polymers. While it exhibits comparable properties to conventional polymers like PET, in certain applications, particularly those involving elevated temperatures, PLA has performance limitations. In addition, the properties of PLA are dependent on the processing parameters in injection molding. Non-optimal process parameters can lead to defects or undesirable effects that cannot be detected immediately after injection molding. This includes orientation and residual stresses, which significantly influence the material and failure properties. The present study investigates the influence of injection molding machine settings on the residual stress state in PLA components. Test specimens were produced using two different mold tools: an ejector pin and a full-surface ejector, while varying key machine settings. Residual stress was assessed using a polariscope and the hole drilling method. The polariscope identified distinct isochromatic fringe patterns, particularly near the sprue, indicating regions of elevated residual stress. The hole drilling method confirmed the presence of high residual stress at the specimen edges, extending to a depth of 600 μm, with a peak stress value of 47 MPa. Results revealed that the ejector pin mold induced both tensile and compressive stress states, whereas the full-surface ejector mold predominantly caused high compressive stresses at the edges. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing injection molding parameters to minimize residual stress and improve the mechanical performance of PLA components.