Complexation with Alginate in Pumpkin Leaf Protein Solutions for the Encapsulation of Folic Acid: The Effect of Extraction Protocols.

This study aimed to assess pumpkin leaves as a protein source and determine the feasibility of these proteins to form complexes with alginate for the encapsulation of folic acid. Different isolation protocols, two based on isoelectric precipitation (one with thermal pretreatment and the other with alkali pre-extraction) and one based on stepwise precipitation with ammonium sulfate, were compared regarding the yield and structural properties of the obtained leaf protein concentrates (LPC). The highest purity of protein was achieved using the thermal-acid protocol and the salting-out protocol at 40% saturation.

Physicochemical Characterization of Polysaccharide-Protein Carriers with Immobilized Yeast Cells Obtained Using the Freeze-Drying Technique.

New techniques for the immobilization of yeast cells have the potential for enhancement of the beer production process. Alongside conventional materials for cell immobilization, there is a rising trend toward polysaccharide-protein systems. This study focused on the immobilization of yeast cells () via a freeze-drying process.

Design and Characterization of Liposomal-Based Carriers for the Encapsulation of Fruit Extract: Gastrointestinal Release Behavior.

The increasing demand for natural compounds as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants and conservans has led to the utilization of secondary plant metabolites in the food industry, as these bioactive compounds possess great antioxidative and antimicrobial properties without side effects on human health. Despite this, the sensitivity of plant-derived compounds is a restrictive factor in terms of their full potential. The current research aimed to characterize rosehip-fruit-extract-loaded liposomes (non-treated and UV-irradiated) in terms of their density, surface tension, viscosity, chemical composition (FTIR and HPLC analyses), and thermal behavior.

Ultrasound as Green Technology for the Valorization of Pumpkin Leaves: Intensification of Protein Recovery.

The recovery of valuable nutritional compounds, like proteins, from waste streams and by-products is a key strategy for enhancing production sustainability and opening up new market potential. This research aimed to use high-intensity ultrasound as an innovative technique to extract the soluble proteins from the pumpkin leaves. The impact of various sonication amplitudes and duration periods on protein yield, functional properties, antioxidant qualities, and structural characteristics, were studied.

The Application of Protein Concentrate Obtained from Green Leaf Biomass in Structuring Nanofibers for Delivery of Vitamin B12.

Nanofibers made of natural proteins have caught the increasing attention of food scientists because of their edibility, renewability, and possibility for various applications. The objective of this study was to prepare nanofibers based on pumpkin leaf protein concentrate (LPC) as a by-product from some crops and gelatin as carriers for vitamin B12 using the electrospinning technique. The starting mixtures were analyzed in terms of viscosity, density, surface tension, and electrical conductivity.

Rosehip Extract-Loaded Liposomes for Potential Skin Application: Physicochemical Properties of Non- and UV-Irradiated Liposomes.

In the present study, rosehip ( L.) extract was successfully encapsulated in phospholipid liposomes using a single-step procedure named the proliposome method. Part of the obtained liposomes was subjected to UV irradiation and non-treated (native) and UV-irradiated liposomes were further characterized in terms of encapsulation efficiency, chemical composition (HPLC analysis), antioxidant capacity, particle size, PDI, zeta potential, conductivity, mobility, and antioxidant capacity.

Effects of poly(vinyl alcohol) blending with Ag/alginate solutions to form nanocomposite fibres for potential use as antibacterial wound dressings.

In this work, nanocomposite fibres and microfibres based on alginate and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were produced and characterized for potential application as antibacterial wound dressings. PVA/Ag/Na-alginate colloid solution was used for the preparation of the fibres by a simple extrusion technique followed by freezing-thawing cycles. UV-Visible spectroscopy confirmed successful preservation of AgNPs in fibres while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has shown a balanced combined effect on the Ca-alginate spatial arrangement with the addition of both AgNPs and PVA.

Effect of gentisic acid on the structural-functional properties of liposomes incorporating β-sitosterol.

Multifunctional liposomes incorporating β-sitosterol were developed for delivery of gentisic acid (GA). The interactions of both compounds with phospholipid bilayer were interpreted viaeffects of different β-sitosterol content (0, 20 and 50 mol %) and different gentisic acid to lipid ratio (n/n from 10 to 1) on membrane fluidity and thermotropic properties. Multilamellar vesicles of phosphatidylcholines (with size range between 1350 and 1900 nm) effectively encapsulated GA (54%) when n/n was higher than 0.

PVA Cryogel as model hydrogel for iontophoretic transdermal drug delivery investigations. Comparison with PAA/PVA and PAA/PVP interpenetrating networks.

The use of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cryogel as a model hydrogel for iontophoretic transdermal investigations is proposed. Due to the excellent combination of its properties, it could be used for evaluating iontophoretic transdermal delivery of variety of drugs, regardless of pK, pH or presence of auxiliary ions. Applicability of PVA Cryogel for drug delivery purposes was compared to those of polyacrylic acid/polyvinyl alcohol (PAA/PVA) and polyacrylic acid/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PAA/PVP) adhesive interpenetrating networks.

Influence of ultrasound probe treatment time and protease type on functional and physicochemical characteristics of egg white protein hydrolysates.

The objective of this study was to discover the relationship between the ultrasound probe treatment (UPT) on egg white proteins (EWPs) before EWPs hydrolysis by different proteases, and the functional properties of the obtained hydrolysates. To fulfill this goal, the protein solubility, foaming, and emulsifying properties were studied as a function of the UPT time and then related to the surface characteristics and structural properties. The changes in the hydrolysates microstructures and macromolecular conformation, induced by the UPT, were followed using scanning electron microscope analyzis (SEM) and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Calcium-Alginate-Inulin Microbeads as Carriers for Aqueous Carqueja Extract.

Carqueja (Pterospartum tridentatum) is an endemic species and various bioactive compounds have been identified in its aqueous extract. The aim of this study was to protect the natural antioxidants from the aqueous extract of carqueja by encapsulation in Ca-alginate microbeads and Ca-alginate microbeads containing 10% and 20% (w/v) of inulin. The microbeads produced by electrostatic extrusion technique had an average diameter from 625 μm to 830 μm depending on the portion of inulin.