A review on bioactivity, plant safety, and metal-reducing potential of lignin, its micro/nanostructures, and composites.

Modern science focuses on sustainability-oriented innovation. Structurally sophisticated lignin is a sustainable alternative to non-renewable resources. Over the last several years, a tremendous scientific effort has been made to innovate lignin-based sustainable materials for numerous advanced applications.

Design and Characterization of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Kappa-Carrageenan Pickering Emulsion Biocomposite Films for Potential Wound Care Applications.

This study aimed to develop polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and kappa-carrageenan (κCA) biocomposite films using a Pickering emulsion technique for wound care applications. Juniper essential oil and modified sepiolite were incorporated to enhance functionality, with films prepared via solvent casting and characterized for structural, thermal, and mechanical properties. The PCOS-2 film exhibited the highest mechanical performance, with Young's modulus of 6.

Research upon Cu-Doping Contents in TiO Nanoparticles Incorporated onto Cellulose Nanofibers for Dye Removal and Self-Cleaning Applications.

Cu-doping contents in the TiO lattice structure were studied to show the effects on the crystal structure, morphology, and photocatalytic activity of TiO nanoparticles and thus composite cellulosic nanofibrous membranes. Pristine and copper-doped TiO nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel technique, a wet chemical method with the advantages of low synthesizing temperature, uniform nanosize distribution, and purity. The as-synthesized semiconductor nanoparticles were first tested with the dye removal process and then impregnated onto electrospun cellulose nanofibers (CL nanofibers) to acquire modified nanofibers with self-cleaning properties.

Sustainable bioactive food packaging based on electrospun zein-polycaprolactone nanofibers integrated with aster yomena extract loaded halloysite nanotubes.

Compostable zein-polycaprolactone (PZ) electrospun nanofiber integrated with different concentrations of Aster yomena extract loaded halloysite nanotubes (A. yomena-HNT) as bioactive nanofibrous food packaging is reported. SEM micrographs reveal heterogeneous nanofibers.

PVA/Inulin-Based Sustainable Films Reinforced with Pickering Emulsion of Niaouli Essential Oil for Potential Wound Healing Applications.

In this study, sustainable water-based films were produced via the solvent-casting method. Petroleum-free-based polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and carbohydrate-based inulin (INL) were used as matrices. Vegetable-waste pumpkin powder was used in the study because of its sustainability and antibacterial properties.

Synthesized bioactive lignin nanoparticles/polycaprolactone nanofibers: A novel nanobiocomposite for bone tissue engineering.

The use of artificial biomaterial with enhanced bioactivity for osteostimulation is a major research concern at present days. In this research, antibacterial and osteostimulative core-shell lignin nanoparticles (LgNP) were synthesized from alkali lignin using tetrahydrofuran (THF) as solvent via a simultaneous pH and solvent shifting technology. Later, LgNP-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) composite nanofibers were fabricated via the electrospinning technique.

leaf extracted and incorporated polycaprolactone/polyvinylpyrrolidone electrospun microfibers for antibacterial application.

is a valuable reforestation conifer and traditional medicinal plant. In order to retain the physiological and pharmacological activities of the plant and obtain a fibrous material with better antibacterial properties, a mixed solvent of dichloromethane and ,'-dimethylformamide was used to obtain the leaf extracts, and leaf extract (ScLE)-loaded PCL/PVP microfibers were successfully fabricated by electrospinning. The whole preparation process was carried out at room temperature to avoid deterioration of active ingredients.

Development of PVA-Psyllium Husk Meshes via Emulsion Electrospinning: Preparation, Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity.

In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and psyllium husk (PSH)/D-limonene electrospun meshes were produced by emulsion electrospinning for use as substrates to prevent the growth of bacteria. D-limonene and modified microcrystalline cellulose (mMCC) were preferred as antibacterial agents. SEM micrographs showed that PVA-PSH electrospun mesh with a 4% amount of D-limonene has the best average fiber distribution with 298.

Investigation of Mechanical, Chemical, and Antibacterial Properties of Electrospun Cellulose-Based Scaffolds Containing Orange Essential Oil and Silver Nanoparticles.

This study demonstrated a controllable release properties and synergistic antibacterial actions between orange essential oil (OEO) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) incorporated onto cellulose (CL) nanofibers. The preparation of AgNPs attached on CL nanofibers was conducted through multiple processes including the deacetylation process to transform cellulose acetate (CA) nanofibers to CL nanofibers, the in situ synthesis of AgNPs, and the coating of as-prepared silver composite CL nanofibers using OEO solutions with two different concentrations. The success of immobilization of AgNPs onto the surface of CL nanofibers and the incorporation of OEO into the polymer matrix was confirmed by SEM-EDS, TEM, XRD, and FT-IR characterizations.

Development of a Potent Antimicrobial Peptide With Photodynamic Activity.

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a serious challenge to medical practice worldwide. A small peptide with sequence RWRWRW was previously identified as a core antimicrobial peptide with limited antimicrobial spectrum to bacteria, especially Gram-positive bacteria. By conjugating this peptide and its analogs with lipophilic phthalocyanine (Pc), we identified a new antibiotic peptide [PcGK(RW)].

Fabricating Antibacterial and Antioxidant Electrospun Hydrophilic Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers Loaded with AgNPs by Lignin-Induced In-Situ Method.

Concerning the environmental hazards owing to the chemical-based synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), this study aimed to investigate the possibility of synthesizing AgNPs on the surface polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers utilizing biomacromolecule lignin. SEM observations revealed that the average diameters of the produced nanofibers were slightly increased from ~512 nm to ~673 nm due to several factors like-swellings that happened during the salt treatment process, surface-bound lignin, and the presence of AgNPs. The presence of AgNPs was validated by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis.

Evaluating Antibacterial Efficacy and Biocompatibility of PAN Nanofibers Loaded with Diclofenac Sodium Salt.

Side effects of the drugs' oral administration led us to examine the possibility of using diclofenac sodium (DLF) in a polymeric drug delivery system based on electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers, which can be produced cost-effectively and with good applicability for transdermal treatments. The inclusion of DLF in PAN nanofibers increased the nanofiber diameter from ~200 nm to ~500 nm. This increase can be attributed to the increase in the spinning solution viscosity.

Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) Based Electrospun Composite Nanofiber Mats for Food Packaging.

Cellulose is one of the most abundantly available natural polymers. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) belongs to the cellulose family and has different degrees of substitution. Current research comprises the fabrication and characterization of CMC nanofibers using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as capping agents and carriers for sustainable food packaging applications.

Lignin-mediated in-situ synthesis of CuO nanoparticles on cellulose nanofibers: A potential wound dressing material.

Herein we present our research on the synthesis of CuO nanoparticles on the surface of electrospun cellulose (CE) nanofibers using alkali lignin as a reducing agent. Fascinatingly, CA nanofibers were deacetalized during alkali lignin treatment, which was verified by FTIR-ATR spectra. The morphology of the produced nanofibers was observed with SEM and TEM.

Synthesis of novel nicotinamide susbstituted phthalocyanine and photodynamic antomicrobial chemotherapy evaluation potentiated by potassium iodide against the gram positive S. aureus and gram negative E. coli.

In the present work, we propose the synthesis of novel nicotinamide subsituted phthlocyanine photosensitizer (PS) and characterized by FTIR, UV-visible, H-NMR and MALDI Toff spectroscopy. Nicotinamide plays a vital rule in the central nervous system and its potential as a therapeutic for neurodegenerative disease. Nicotinamide substituted PS (3) efficiently produced ROS via type-1 process as measured by DCF assay.

Wet-spun bi-component alginate based hydrogel fibers: Development and in-vitro evaluation as a potential moist wound care dressing.

In this study, bi-component alginate-hyaluronic acid (AHA) fibers were developed by using two different routes. In the first method, sodium alginate dope solution was extruded into a coagulation bath containing CaCl and subsequently dip-coated with hyaluronic acid (HA) whereas, in the second method, hyaluronic acid-containing sodium alginate dope solution was directly extruded into CaCl bath. The resulting AHA fibers were then dehydrated in 25-100% v/v acetone solutions and dried in air.

A review on the fabrication of several carbohydrate polymers into nanofibrous structures using electrospinning for removal of metal ions and dyes.

Water contamination by heavy metals and dyes has been one of the most severe problems globally. Various techniques have been employed to remove these contaminants from water, including adsorption and photocatalysis, which are highly efficient and environmentally friendly approaches. The overuse of traditional petroleum-based plastics in the production of filtration systems aggravates the status quo due to negative impacts on the environment.

Bioactive Sambong oil-loaded electrospun cellulose acetate nanofibers: Preparation, characterization, and in-vitro biocompatibility.

Blumea balsamifera oil loaded cellulose acetate nanofiber mats were prepared by electrospinning. The inclusion of blumea oil increased the nanofiber diameter. FTIR spectra confirm the addition of blumea oil in the nanofiber mats.

Optimized Loading of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) in Tri-component Electrospun Nanofibers Having Uniform Morphology.

Cellulose is one of the most hydrophilic polymers with sufficient water holding capacity but it is unstable in aqueous conditions and it swells. Cellulose itself is not suitable for electrospun nanofibers' formation due to high swelling, viscosity, and lower conductivity. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is also super hydrophilic polymer, however it has the same trend for nanofibers formation as that of cellulose.

Polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposite super hydrophilic membrane integrated with Polyaniline-Graphene oxide nano fillers for treatment of textile effluents.

Water pollution from the fashion industries containing dyes has become a major source of water pollution. These anthropogenic contaminated waters directly enter irrigation and drinking water systems, causing irreversible environmental damage to human health. Nanomembrane technology has attracted extensive attention to remove these toxic chemicals but new approaches are still required for improving removal efficiency and control the channel size.

Reusability Comparison of Melt-Blown vs Nanofiber Face Mask Filters for Use in the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Shortage of face masks is a current critical concern since the emergence of coronavirus-2 or SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). In this work, we compared the melt-blown (MB) filter, which is commonly used for the N95 face mask, with nanofiber (NF) filter, which is gradually used as an effective mask filter, to evaluate their reusability. Extensive characterizations were performed repeatedly to evaluate some performance parameters, which include filtration efficiency, airflow rate, and surface and morphological properties, after two types of cleaning treatments.

Probing the physio-chemical appraisal of green synthesized PbO nanoparticles in PbO-PVC nanocomposite polymer membranes.

Different plants can be used to prepare nanoparticles. This is termed as green technology. It is one of the best ecofriendly and low-cost method for the preparation of nanoparticles which has no harmful effects.

DNA physical interaction mediated b-lymphoma treatment offered by tetra benzimidazole-substituted zinc (ii) phthalocyanine derivative.

Role of heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen substitution in therapeutic frontiers is well established. The efforts made in this study are directed to dissect the biological significance of benzimidazole-substituted zinc phthalocyanine derivative. Its capacity to act as an anticancer agent against the 2 B-lymphoma cell lines (low-grade and high-grade malignancy) was found out by recording florescence using Alamar blue dye.