Characterization of Polylactic Acid Biocomposites Filled with Native Starch Granules from Tubers.

Biocomposites were fabricated utilizing polylactic acid (PLA) combined with native starch sourced from mountain's yam ( Knuth), an underexplored tuber variety. Different starch compositions (7.5, 15.

Effect of surface modification of graphene oxide with a reactive silane coupling agent on the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of acrylic bone cements.

Carbon allotrope materials (i.e. carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, graphene oxide (GO)), have been used to reinforce acrylic bone cement.

Antiviral capacity of polypropylene/(1-Hexadecyl) trimethyl-ammonium bromide composites against COVID-19.

During the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, scientists from different areas are looking for alternatives to fight it. SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the infectious respiratory disease COVID-19, is mainly transmitted through direct or indirect contact with infected respiratory droplets. The integrity of the virus structure is crucial for its viability to attack human cells.

Influence of Molecular Weight and Grafting Density of PEG on the Surface Properties of Polyurethanes and Their Effect on the Viability and Morphology of Fibroblasts and Osteoblasts.

Grafting polyethylene glycol (PEG) onto a polymer's surface is widely used to improve biocompatibility by reducing protein and cell adhesion. Although PEG is considered to be bioinert, its incorporation onto biomaterials has shown to improve cell viability depending on the amount and molecular weight (MW) used. This phenomenon was studied here by grafting PEG of three MW onto polyurethane (PU) substrata at three molar concentrations to assess their effect on PU surface properties and on the viability of osteoblasts and fibroblasts.

Physicochemical, Mechanical, and Structural Properties of Bio-Active Films Based on Biological-Chemical Chitosan, a Novel Ramon () Starch, and Quercetin.

The properties of biological-chemical chitosan (BCh) films from marine-industrial waste and a non-conventional Ramon starch (RS) () were investigated. Blended films of BCh/RS were prepared to a volume ratio of 4:1 and 1:4, named (BChRS-80+q, biological-chemical chitosan 80% / and Ramon starch, BChRS-20+q, biological-chemical chitosan 20% / and Ramon starch, both with quercetin), Films from commercial chitosan (CCh) and corn starch (CS), alone or blended (CChCS-80+q, commercial chitosan 80% / and corn starch, CChCS-20+q commercial chitosan 20% / and corn starch, both with quercetin) were also prepared for comparison purposes. Films were investigated for their physicochemical characteristics such as thickness, moisture, swelling, water-vapor permeability, and water solubility.

Silanized graphene oxide as a reinforcing agent for acrylic bone cements: physicochemical, mechanical and biological characterization.

Recently, different carbon-based nanomaterials have been used as reinforcing agents in acrylic bone cement formulations. Among them, graphene oxide (GO) has attracted the attention of scientific community since it could improve not only the mechanical properties but also the biocompatibility characteristics of these materials. However, using GO presents some drawbacks, such as its poor dispersion and lack of interaction with polymeric matrices, which should be prior resolved to achieve its optimal performance in acrylic bone cement.

Ceiba pentandra cellulose crosslinked with citric acid for drug release systems.

An alternative for the production of drug delivery system is proposed based on the Ceiba pentandra milkweed. The kapok cellulose was chemically crosslinked with citric acid (CA) at different CA proportions, and loaded with chlorhexidine diacetate (CHX) at different concentrations. Cellulose crosslinking was followed with FTIR and XPS analysis, and the CHX loading was determined using elemental analysis.

Characterization of starches obtained from several native potato varieties grown in Cusco (Peru).

Ten native potato varieties grown in Cusco (at 3,672 m above sea level) were used for starches extraction (at a pilot scale), and their physicochemical, functional, morphological, and structural characteristics were assessed. The content of protein, apparent amylose and phosphorus ranged from 0.1% to 0.

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) reinforced alginate based biodegradable nanocomposite film.

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) reinforced alginate-based nanocomposite film was prepared by solution casting. The NCC content in the matrix was varied from 1 to 8% ((w/w) % dry matrix). It was found that the nanocomposite reinforced with 5 wt% NCC content exhibits the highest tensile strength which was increased by 37% compared to the control.

Production and properties of nanocellulose-reinforced methylcellulose-based biodegradable films.

Methylcellulose (MC)-based films were prepared by casting from its 1% aqueous solution containing 0.5% vegetable oil, 0.25% glycerol, and 0.