Anti-biofouling membrane coated with polyvinyl alcohol/sodium carboxymethylcellulose/tannic acid hydrogel for efficient dye/salt separation.

Biofouling is the most severe challenge for separation membranes. In this study, a metal-organic framework (MOF)-based mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)/tannic acid (TA) hydrogel coating exhibited a comprehensive anti-biofouling property and high efficient for dye/salt separation. For the hydrogel layer, ethanol inhibited the cross-linking of the hydrogen bond between the PVA, CMC and TA, forming a uniform "hydrogel paint" applied to the membrane surface using the coating method.

Construction of immobilized laccase hydrogels via sodium alginate-dopamine/polyethylene glycol and its efficient degradation of dyeing wastewater.

Laccases with highly catalytic properties have been widely used in developing green applications for water remediation. However, the poor stability and low reutilization rate of free laccase make it difficult to be applied practically. Hence, in this study, an immobilized laccase was prepared using dopamine (DA) functionalized sodium alginate (SA)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) composite hydrogels to realize the recyclability of the laccase.

Polydopamine bridging encapsulated laccase on MOF-based mixed-matrix membrane for selective dye/salt separation.

Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) exhibit significant potential for dye/salt separation. However, overcoming the "trade-off" between permeability and selectivity, as well as membrane fouling, remains a formidable task. In this work, a biocatalytic membrane was prepared using polydopamine (PDA) as a "bridge" connecting the metal-organic framework (MOF)-based MMM and immobilized laccase.

Non-ionic surfactant PEG: Enhanced cutinase-catalyzed hydrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate.

To enhance the enzymatic digestibility of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is highly oriented and crystallized, a polyethylene glycol (PEG) surfactant of varying molecular weights was utilized to improve the stability of mutant cutinase from Humicola insolens (HiC) and to increase the accessibility of the enzyme to the substrate. Leveraging the optimal conditions for HiC hydrolysis of PET, the introduction of 1 % w/v PEG significantly increased the yield of PET hydrolysis products. PEG600 was particularly effective, increasing the yield by 64.

Co-immobilizing laccase-mediator system by in-situ synthesis of MOF in PVA hydrogels for enhanced laccase stability and dye decolorization efficiency.

The laccase mediator system (LMS) with a broad substrate range has attracted much attention as an efficient approach for water remediation. However, the practical application of LMS is limited due to their high solubility, poor stability and low reusability. Herein, the bimetallic Cu/ZIFs encapsulated laccase was in-situ grown in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymer matrix.

Solvent-free synthesis of hydrophobic and amphiphilic esters using a chemically modified lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus: a comparative study with native and immobilized forms.

Using lipases to catalyze the synthesis of the most differentiated type of compounds remains one of the major challenges among scientists. Seeking more economic and advantageous catalysts is a current goal of green chemistry. In this work, we demonstrate the potential of a chemically modified form of lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (cmLTL) for the synthesis of both hydrophobic (heptyl heptanoate, heptyl octanoate, heptyl decanoate, decyl heptanoate, decyl octanoate and decyl decanoate) and amphiphilic (2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyl oleate and 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyl linoleate) esters, in bulk.

Laccase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Added-Value Polymers from Cork and Grape Extracts.

The development of products from natural plant sources, including agriculture and food wastes, contributes significantly to the circular economy and global sustainability. Cork and grape wastes were employed as the primary sources in this study to obtain compounds of interest under mild extraction conditions. Laccase was applied to oxidize the cork and grape extracts, with the aim of producing value-added molecules with improved properties.

Changing human hair fibre colour and shape from the follicle.

Introduction: Natural hair curvature and colour are genetically determined human traits, that we intentionally change by applying thermal and chemical treatments to the fibre. Presently, those cosmetic methodologies act externally and their recurrent use is quite detrimental to hair fibre quality and even to our health.

Objectives: This work represents a disruptive concept to modify natural hair colour and curvature.

In-situ encapsulation and construction of Lac@HOFs/hydrogel composite for enhancing laccase stability and azo dyes decolorization efficiency.

Enzymes with high catalytic activity and stability have been used for the sustainable development of green chemical applications, such as water remediation. Immobilized laccase can be used to construct a synergistic system for adsorption and degradation, which has great potential for water remediation. Herein, a hydrogen-bonded organic framework was installed onto laccase in-situ to form a net-carboxylate-arranged defective cage, which enhanced its catalytic stability.

Addressing the Structural Organization of Silicone Alternatives in Formulations by Molecular Dynamics Simulations and a Novel Equilibration Protocol.

The world of cosmetics is an always-evolving field with constant updates on its formulation components. The current reality asks for an ever-increasing need for natural and sustainable replacements for synthetic compounds in all fields of modern consumer products. However, the research and development stages of finding these alternatives can be an expensive, time-consuming, and often wasteful process that turns this task into a laborious procedure.

A Comprehensive Review of Mammalian Pigmentation: Paving the Way for Innovative Hair Colour-Changing Cosmetics.

The natural colour of hair shafts is formed at the bulb of hair follicles, and it is coupled to the hair growth cycle. Three critical processes must happen for efficient pigmentation: (1) melanosome biogenesis in neural crest-derived melanocytes, (2) the biochemical synthesis of melanins (melanogenesis) inside melanosomes, and (3) the transfer of melanin granules to surrounding pre-cortical keratinocytes for their incorporation into nascent hair fibres. All these steps are under complex genetic control.

Lipase-Catalysed Polymerization of Eutectic Mixtures.

Aiming to reduce the toxicity and operational costs often associated to chemical processes, the enzymatic synthesis is applied herein as a sustainable route for producing polyesters. The use of NADES' (Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents) components as a source of monomers for the synthesis of polymers through lipase-catalyzed esterification in an anhydrous medium is detailed for the first time. Three NADES composed by glycerol and an organic base, or acid, were used to produce polyesters, through polymerization reactions catalyzed by Aspergillus oryzae lipase.

Encapsulated laccase in bimetallic Cu/Zn ZIFs as stable and reusable biocatalyst for decolorization of dye wastewater.

Laccase have received extensive attention in pollutant degradation, but its practical viability is largely affected by the poor stability, easy inactivation and difficulty in recycling for the present. Enzyme immobilization offers enhanced enzyme stability and constructs a synergistic system for the efficient adsorption and degradation of pollutants. In this study, bimetallic Cu/Zn ZIFs were synthesized by co-precipitation method as the protective carrier for laccase.

Acetylation and phosphorylation processes modulate Tau's binding to microtubules: A molecular dynamics study.

The microtubule-associated protein Tau has its normal function impaired when undergoing post-translational modifications. In this work, molecular modelling techniques were used to infer the effects of acetylation and phosphorylation in Tau's overall conformation, electrostatics, and interactions, but mostly in Tau's ability to bind microtubules. Reported harmful Lys sites were mutated by its acetylated form, generating eight different acetylated Tau (aTau) analogues.

Folate-Targeted Liposomal Formulations Improve Effects of Methotrexate in Murine Collagen-Induced Arthritis.

Methotrexate (MTX) is first-line therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), however, its use may be limited by side effects notably post-injection malaise. When patients are intolerant or become unresponsive, second-line or antibody therapy may be indicated. A folate-targeted liposomal formulation of MTX (FL-MTX) is tropic to arthritic paws and prevents the onset of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in the mouse.

Mapping hair follicle-targeted delivery by particle systems: What has science accomplished so far?

The importance of the hair follicle in the process of cutaneous drug penetration has been established since this skin appendage was recognized as an entry point for topically applied substances. A comprehensive review on the hair follicle as a target per se is here provided, exploring the current knowledge on both targeted regions and delivery systems that take advantage of this permeation route. The follicular penetration is a complex process, whose effectiveness and efficiency strongly depends on a diversity of different factors including follicular density and size, activity status of hair follicles and physicochemical properties of the topically applied substances.

Biotechnology of functional proteins and peptides for hair cosmetic formulations.

Cosmetics procedures and products combined with environmental insults and daily routines induce irreversible changes in hair. As result of damage, the hair loses some of its properties like strength, elasticity, and smoothness. Recent studies revealed the positive effects of protein-based cosmetics in providing protection to hair.

Changing the shape of wool yarns via laccase-mediated grafting of tyrosine.

The shape of wool yarns was changed by laccase-assisted grafting of tyrosine. Prior to tyrosine grafting a cysteine pre-treatment was optimized aiming to increase the amount of thiol reaction groups available. The best operational conditions for laccase-assisted tyrosine grafting were: i) pre-treatment with cysteine (2.

Effect of ultrasound on protein functionality.

The review focus on the effect of ultrasound on protein functionality. The presence of transient ultrasonic mechanical waves induce various sonochemical and sonomechanical effects on a protein. Sonochemical effects include the breakage of chains and/or the modification of side groups of aminoacids.

Comparing the delivery to the hair bulb of two fluorescent molecules of distinct hydrophilicities by different nanoparticles and a serum formulation.

The follicular route is an important drug penetration pathway in any topical application, either concerning dermatological and cosmetic skin treatments or any transdermal administration regimen. Efficient transport into follicles will depend on drug inherent properties but also on the chosen vehicle. The main study goal was to compare several systems for the delivery to the hair bulb of two fluorescent molecules of different water affinities: the hydrophobic Nile Red and the quite similar but hydrophilic Nile Blue.

Design of liposomes as drug delivery system for therapeutic applications.

Liposomes are spherical vesicles consisting of one or more concentric phospholipid bilayers enclosing an aqueous core. Being both nontoxic and biodegradable, liposomes represent a powerful delivery system for several drugs. They have improved the therapeutic efficacy of drugs through stabilizing compounds, overcoming obstacles to cellular and tissue uptake and increasing drug biodistribution to target sites in vivo, while minimizing systemic toxicity.

Ohmic heating as a new tool for protein scaffold engineering.

Ohmic heating (OH) is recognised as an emerging processing technology which recently is gaining increasing attention due to its ability to induce and control protein functionality. In this study, OH was used for the first time in the production of scaffolds for tissue engineering. BSA/casein solutions were processed by OH, promoting protein denaturation and aggregation, followed by cold-gelation through the addition of Ca.