Improving the Processability and Performance of Micronized Fiber-Reinforced Green Composites through the Use of Biobased Additives.

Green composites made of bioplastics reinforced with natural fibers have gained considerable attention over recent years. However, the use of natural fibers in composites usually compromise some key properties, such as the impact strength and the processability of the final materials. In the present study, two distinct additives, namely an epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) and a sugar-based surfactant, viz.

Assessment of the Performance of Cationic Cellulose Derivatives as Calcium Carbonate Flocculant for Papermaking.

Cationic polyacrylamides (CPAMs) are usually used as filler retention agents in papermaking formulations. However, increasing environmental restrictions and their non-renewable origin have driven research into bio-based alternatives. In this context, cationic lignocellulosic derivatives have been attracting considerable research interest as a potential substitute.

Effect of cationization pretreatment on the properties of cationic Eucalyptus micro/nanofibrillated cellulose.

Micro/nanofibrillated celluloses (M/NFCs) have attracted considerable research interest over the past few decades, with various pretreatments being used to reduce energy consumption and/or increase fibrillation. To date, few studies have considered cationization as a pretreatment for their preparation. In this work, quaternary ammonium groups were attached to cellulose fibers by a direct reaction with 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride or by a two-step method (periodate oxidation + Girard's reagent T).

Effect of the Micronization of Pulp Fibers on the Properties of Green Composites.

Green composites, composed of bio-based matrices and natural fibers, are a sustainable alternative for composites based on conventional thermoplastics and glass fibers. In this work, micronized bleached Eucalyptus kraft pulp (BEKP) fibers were used as reinforcement in biopolymeric matrices, namely poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). The influence of the load and aspect ratio of the mechanically treated microfibers on the morphology, water uptake, melt flowability, and mechanical and thermal properties of the green composites were investigated.

Unravelling the distinct crystallinity and thermal properties of suberin compounds from Quercus suber and Betula pendula outer barks.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of suberin (a naturally occurring aromatic-aliphatic polyester ubiquitous to the vegetable realm) as a renewable source of chemicals and, in particular, to assess their physical properties. A comparison between cork and birch suberin fragments obtained by conventional depolymerisation processes (hydrolysis or methanolysis) is provided, focusing essentially on their thermal and crystallinity properties. It was found that suberin fragments obtained by the hydrolysis depolymerisation of birch had a high degree of crystallinity, as indicated by their thermal analysis and corroborated by the corresponding XRD diffractions, as opposed to hydrolysis-depolymerised cork suberin counterparts, which were essentially amorphous.

Do bacterial cellulose membranes have potential in drug-delivery systems?

Introduction: Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an extremely pure form of cellulose, which, due to its unique properties, such as high purity, water-holding capacity, three-dimensional nanofibrilar network, mechanical strength, biodegradability and biocompatibility, shows a high potential as nanomaterial in a wide range of high-tech domains including biomedical applications, and most notably in controlled drug-delivery systems.

Areas Covered: This appraisal is intended to cover the major characteristics of BC, followed by the key aspects of BC production both in static and agitated conditions, and a glance of the major applications of BC, giving some emphasis to biomedical applications. Finally, a detailed discussion of the different applications of BC in controlled drug-delivery systems will be put forward, with focus on topical and oral drug-delivery systems, using either native BC or composite materials thereof.

Nanostructured bacterial cellulose-poly(4-styrene sulfonic acid) composite membranes with high storage modulus and protonic conductivity.

The present study reports the development of a new generation of bio-based nanocomposite proton exchange membranes based on bacterial cellulose (BC) and poly(4-styrene sulfonic acid) (PSSA), produced by in situ free radical polymerization of sodium 4-styrenesulfonate using poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) as cross-linker, followed by conversion of the ensuing polymer into the acidic form. The BC nanofibrilar network endows the composite membranes with excellent mechanical properties at least up to 140 °C, a temperature where either pure PSSA or Nafion are soft, as shown by dynamic mechanical analysis. The large concentration of sulfonic acid groups in PSSA is responsible for the high ionic exchange capacity of the composite membranes, reaching 2.

Bacterial cellulose membranes as transdermal delivery systems for diclofenac: in vitro dissolution and permeation studies.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes were explored as novel nanostructured transdermal delivery systems for diclofenac sodium salt (a typical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Diclofenac sodium salt loaded BC membranes were prepared through a simple methodology, using glycerol as plasticizer, and characterized in terms of structure, morphology and swelling behavior. The membranes were very homogeneous, quite flexible and presented a considerably higher swelling behavior when compared with pure BC.

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry applied to the identification of valuable phenolic compounds from Eucalyptus wood.

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) was applied for the first time in the analysis of wood extracts. The potential of this technique coupled to ion trap mass spectrometry in the rapid and effective detection and identification of bioactive components in complex vegetal samples was demonstrated. Several dozens of compounds were detected in less than 30min of analysis time, corresponding to more than 3-fold reduction in time, when compared to conventional HPLC analysis of similar extracts.

Nanostructured composites obtained by ATRP sleeving of bacterial cellulose nanofibers with acrylate polymers.

Novel nanostructured composite materials based on bacterial cellulose membranes (BC) and acrylate polymers were prepared by in situ atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). BC membranes were functionalized with initiating sites, by reaction with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide (BiBBr), followed by atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and n-butyl acrylate (BA), catalyzed by copper(I) bromide and N,N,N',N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA), using two distinct initiator amounts and monomer feeds. The living characteristic of the system was proven by the growth of PBA block from the BC-g-PMMA membrane.

Antifungal activity of transparent nanocomposite thin films of pullulan and silver against Aspergillus niger.

Silver has been mainly investigated as an antibacterial agent and less as a fungicide in which concerns antimicrobial properties. In this research, the antifungal activity of composite films of pullulan and Ag nanoparticles (NP) against Aspergillus niger was evaluated using standard protocols. These new materials were prepared as transparent cast films (66-74 μm thickness) from Ag hydrosols containing the polysaccharide.

Supercritical fluid extraction of Eucalyptus globulus bark-A promising approach for triterpenoid production.

Eucalyptus bark contains significant amounts of triterpenoids with demonstrated bioactivity, namely triterpenic acids and their acetyl derivatives (ursolic, betulinic, oleanolic, betulonic, 3-acetylursolic, and 3-acetyloleanolic acids). In this work, the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of Eucalyptus globulus deciduous bark was carried out with pure and modified carbon dioxide to recover this fraction, and the results were compared with those obtained by Soxhlet extraction with dichloromethane. The effects of pressure (100-200 bar), co-solvent (ethanol) content (0, 5 and 8% wt), and multistep operation were studied in order to evaluate the applicability of SFE for their selective and efficient production.

Bacterial cellulose membranes applied in topical and transdermal delivery of lidocaine hydrochloride and ibuprofen: in vitro diffusion studies.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biomaterial with unique physical and mechanical properties that triggered considerable interest, but there are few studies addressing the use of such membranes for drug loading and controlled release. This study aimed to investigate the applicability of BC membranes in topical or transdermal drug delivery systems. To assess its therapeutic feasibility, the permeation through human epidermis of two model drugs (lidocaine hydrochloride and ibuprofen) in BC and other formulation systems was compared in vitro.

Antibacterial activity of optically transparent nanocomposite films based on chitosan or its derivatives and silver nanoparticles.

Colloidal silver nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using the citrate and borohydride reduction methods and were then investigated as fillers in three matrices: unmodified chitosan, water-soluble chitosan and a N-alkyl chitosan derivative. The nanocomposites were used to prepare cast thin films (9-19 μm thickness) and characterized for their optical and antimicrobial properties. The optical properties of the materials were adjusted either by varying the Ag NPs content in the films (0.

Biocellulose membranes as supports for dermal release of lidocaine.

Biocellulose (BC) is a highly pure form of cellulose, produced in the form of a swollen membrane, with several applications in the biomedical area. In this study, the behavior of BC membranes as systems for topical delivery of lidocaine was evaluated. The BC-lidocaine membranes were prepared and characterized in terms of structural and morphological properties.

Utilization of residues from agro-forest industries in the production of high value bacterial cellulose.

Bacterial cellulose (BC), a very peculiar form of cellulose, is gaining considerable importance due to its unique properties. In this study, several residues, from agro-forestry industries, namely grape skins aqueous extract, cheese whey, crude glycerol and sulfite pulping liquor were evaluated as economic carbon and nutrient sources for the production of BC. The most relevant BC amounts attained with the residues from the wine and pulp industries were 0.

Miscanthus x giganteus bark organosolv fractionation: fate of lipophilic components and formation of valuable phenolic byproducts.

The behavior of Miscanthus x giganteus bark lipophilic extractives during three acid organosolv pulping processes (Acetosolv, formic acid fractionation, and Milox) was investigated. It was demonstrated that nearly 90% of the lipophilic extractives were removed from pulps by either dissolution in the organosolv liquors (fatty acids and alcohols) or extensive degradation (sterols). The organosolv liquors were found to be rich in vanillin, syringaldehyde, and ferulic, vanillic, and p-coumaric acids.

Antibacterial activity of nanocomposites of silver and bacterial or vegetable cellulosic fibers.

Cellulose/Ag nanocomposites were prepared using two distinct methodologies and two cellulose substrates: vegetable and bacterial cellulose. These nanocomposites were characterized in terms of their morphology and chemical composition. Detailed studies on the antibacterial activity of these materials were carried out for Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Superhydrophobic cellulose nanocomposites.

Superhydrophobic cellulose nanocomposites were prepared using a multi-step nanoengineering process. The combination of different techniques made it possible to construct novel features at the ensuing surface, characterized by both an increase in its roughness induced by amorphous silica particles and a reduction in its energy insured by perfluoro moieties, giving rise to water contact angles approaching 150 degrees . The modification calls upon an aqueous LbL system followed by siloxane hydrolysis, both conducted at room temperature in air.

Characterization and evaluation of the hydrolytic stability of trifluoroacetylated cellulose fibers.

The controlled heterogeneous modification of cellulose fibers with trifluoroacetic anhydride was investigated. The characterization of the ensuing materials was performed by elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry, and surface analysis (XPS, ToF-SIMS, and contact angles measurements). The trifluoroacetylation enhanced significantly the hydrophobic and lipophobic character of the fibers, whereas their thermal stability and cristallinity were only modestly affected by this treatment, except under the most severe conditions for the latter.

Bi-phobic cellulose fibers derivatives via surface trifluoropropanoylation.

The surface modification of cellulose fibers with 3,3,3-trifluoropropanoyl chloride (TFP) was studied in a toluene suspension. The characterization of the modified fibers was performed by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 13C-solid-state NMR, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and surface analysis (XPS, ToF-SIMS, and contact angles measurements). The degree of substitution (DS) of the ensuing trifluoropropanoylated fibers ranged from less than 0.

Cytotoxic activity of lignans from Hibiscus cannabinus.

The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of six lignans isolated from the core and bark acetone extracts of Hibiscus cannabinus have been investigated. Two compounds (2 and 3) showed strong cytotoxic activity against HeLa, Hep-2 and A-549 cell lines while compound 5 showed moderate activity on HeLa cells when they were in advanced stage of cellular division. The compounds did not exhibit antimicrobial activity.

Electrostatic assembly and growth of gold nanoparticles in cellulosic fibres.

Synthetic studies of nanocomposites containing gold nanoparticles attached onto wood or bacterial cellulosic fibres have been performed in situ in the presence of the fibres or by polyelectrolyte-assisted deposition. The optical properties of the final nanocomposites could be tailored not only by the starting Au nanoparticles characteristics but also by the preparative method associated to the type of cellulosic fibres used as the substrate. Thus, gold nanoparticles assembled or generated in situ within cellulosic fibres, are excellent components for long term optical and chemically stable nanocomposites, which appear particularly interesting for security paper applications.

Demonstration of long-chain n-alkyl caffeates and delta7-steryl glucosides in the bark of Acacia species by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The GC-MS identification of several abundant long-chain aliphatic n-alkyl caffeates, together with other phydroxycinnamic acid esters, in the dichloromethane extracts of the bark of Acacia dealbata and A. melanoxylon, is reported. In addition, the unambiguous differentiation between two delta7-steryl glucosides (namely, spinasteryl glucoside and dihydrospinasteryl glucosides) and the homologous delta5-steryl glucosides was achieved based on the EI-MS fragmentation features of their trimethylsilyl derivatives.