Comparison of the Stability of a Camu Camu Extract Dried and Encapsulated by Means of High-Throughput Electrospraying Assisted by Pressurized Gas.

This study explores the impact on the stability of drying and the encapsulation of a camu camu extract (CCX) using the non-thermal, high-throughput electrospraying assisted by pressurized gas (EAPG) technique. The dried and encapsulated products by the EAPG processing techniques were compared in terms of total soluble phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and storage stability. Whey protein concentrate (WPC) and zein (ZN) were selected as the protective excipients for encapsulation.

Performance Enhancement of Biopolyester Blends by Reactive Compatibilization with Maleic Anhydride-Grafted Poly(butylene succinate--adipate).

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is a very promising biodegradable copolyester of high interest in food packaging. Its inherent brittleness and narrow processing window make it necessary to blend it with flexible biopolyesters, such as poly(butylene succinate--adipate) (PBSA). However, the resultant biopolyester blends are thermodynamically immiscible, which impairs their performance and limits their applications.

Multilayer Film Comprising Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate and Cellulose Nanocrystals with High Barrier and Compostable Properties.

In the present study, a multilayer, high-barrier, thin blown film based on a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) blend with polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), and composed of four layers including a cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) barrier layer and an electrospun poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) hot-tack layer, was characterized in terms of the surface roughness, surface tension, migration, mechanical and peel performance, barrier properties, and disintegration rate. The results showed that the film exhibited a smooth surface. The overall migration tests showed that the material is suitable to be used as a food contact layer.

On the Unique Morphology and Elastic Properties of Multi-Jet Electrospun Cashew Gum-Based Fiber Mats.

This study investigates the unique morphology and mechanical properties of multi-jet electrospun cashew gum (CG) when combined with high-molecular-weight polyethylene oxide (PEO) and glycerol. Cashew gum (CG) is a low-cost, non-toxic heteropolysaccharide derived from trees. Initially, the electrospinnability of aqueous solutions of cashew gum alone or in combination with PEO was evaluated.

NMR Analyses and Statistical Modeling of Biobased Polymer Microstructures-A Selected Review.

NMR analysis combined with statistical modeling offers a useful approach to investigate the microstructures of polymers. This article provides a selective review of the developments in both the NMR analysis of biobased polymers and the statistical models that can be used to characterize these materials. The information obtained from NMR and statistical models can provide insights into the microstructure and stereochemistry of appropriate biobased polymers and establish a systematic approach to their analysis.

Development of Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Electrospun Yarns of Application Interest as Antimicrobial Surgical Suture Materials.

Surgical site infections (SSI) occur very frequently during post-operative procedures and are often treated with oral antibiotics, which may cause some side effects. This type of infection could be avoided by encapsulating antimicrobial/anti-inflammatory drugs within the surgical suture materials so that they can more efficiently act on the site of action during wound closure, avoiding post-operative bacterial infection and spreading. This work was aimed at developing novel electrospun bio-based anti-infective fibre-based yarns as novel suture materials for preventing surgical site infections.

Electrospun films incorporating humic substances of application interest in sustainable active food packaging.

Sustainable active food packaging is essential to reduce the use of plastics, preserve food quality and minimize the environmental impact. Humic substances (HS) are rich in redox-active compounds, such as quinones, phenols, carboxyl, and hydroxyl moieties, making them functional additives for biopolymeric matrices, such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV). Herein, composites made by incorporating different amounts of HS into PHBV were developed using the electrospinning technology and converted into homogeneous and continuous films by a thermal post-treatment to obtain a bioactive and biodegradable layer which could be part of a multilayer food packaging solution.

Nanoencapsulation and Nanocoating of Bioactives of Application Interest in Food, Nutraceuticals and Pharma.

Bioactives are functional molecules that pose several challenges, including poor solubility, low permeability, and low chemical, biochemical, or process stability, resulting in reduced functionality and bioavailability [...

Postharvest Quality Improvement of Tomato ( L.) Fruit Using a Nanomultilayer Coating Containing .

The effectiveness of an alginate/chitosan nanomultilayer coating without (NM) and with liquid fraction (NM+Av) was evaluated on the postharvest quality of tomato fruit at 20 °C and 85% relative humidity (RH) to simulate direct consumption. Both nanomultilayer coatings had comparable effects on firmness and pH values. However, the NM+Av coating significantly reduced weight loss (4.

Non-emulsion-based encapsulation of fish oil by coaxial electrospraying assisted by pressurized gas enhances the oxidative stability of a capsule-fortified salad dressing.

The influence of the encapsulation technology (spray-drying, mono- or coaxial electrospraying assisted by pressurized gas, EAPG) and the oil load (13, 26 or 39 wt%) on the oxidative stability of: i) fish oil-loaded capsules, and ii) capsule-fortified salad dressings were investigated. The highest encapsulation efficiency (EE > 83%) was achieved by the emulsion-based encapsulation methods (e.g.

Effect of the Presence of Lignin from Woodflour on the Compostability of PHA-Based Biocomposites: Disintegration, Biodegradation and Microbial Dynamics.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) has gained attention as a possible substitute for conventional polymers that could be integrated into the organic recycling system. Biocomposites with 15% of pure cellulose (TC) and woodflour (WF) were prepared to analyze the role of lignin on their compostability (58 °C) by tracking the mass loss, CO evolution, and the microbial population. Realistic dimensions for typical plastic products (400 µm films), as well as their service performance (thermal stability, rheology), were taken into account in this hybrid study.

Dragon's Blood Sap Microencapsulation within Whey Protein Concentrate and Zein Using Electrospraying Assisted by Pressurized Gas Technology.

Dragon's blood sap (DBS) obtained from the bark of Croton lechleri (Müll, Arg.) is a complex herbal remedy of pharmacological interest due to its high content in polyphenols, specifically proanthocyanidins. In this paper, electrospraying assisted by pressurized gas (EAPG) was first compared with freeze-drying to dry natural DBS.

Electrospun Multilayered Films Based on Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate), Copolyamide 1010/1014, and Electrosprayed Nanostructured Silica.

In this research, bio-based electrospun multilayered films for food packaging applications with good barrier properties and close to superhydrophobic behavior were developed. For this purpose, two different biopolymers, a low-melting point and fully bio-based synthetic aliphatic copolyamide 1010/1014 (PA1010/1014) and the microbially synthesized poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and food-contact-complying organomodified silica (SiO) nanostructured microparticles, were processed by electrospinning. The production of the multilayer structure was finally obtained by means of a thermal post-treatment, with the aim to laminate all of the components by virtue of the so-called interfiber coalescence process.

Development and Characterization of Electrospun Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Biopapers Containing Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles for Active Food Packaging Applications.

Food quality is mainly affected by oxygen through oxidative reactions and the proliferation of microorganisms, generating changes in its taste, odor, and color. The work presented here describes the generation and further characterization of films with active oxygen scavenging properties made of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) loaded with cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONPs) obtained by electrospinning coupled to a subsequent annealing process, which could be used as coating or interlayer in a multilayer concept for food packaging applications. The aim of this work is to explore the capacities of these novel biopolymeric composites in terms of O scavenging capacity, as well as antioxidant, antimicrobial, barrier, thermal, and mechanical properties.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) Electrospun Nanofibers Containing Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents Exhibiting a 3D Rugose Morphology and Charge Retention Properties.

In the present study, electrospun nanofibers of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), a biodegradable polyester, containing natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) were obtained and reported for the first time, exhibiting an unreported 3D morphology and enhanced charge retention properties. Choline chloride (ChCl)/urea/water in a molar ratio of 1:2:1 was used as the NADES model system. Electrospun nanofibers were produced from a 10 wt % solution of PHBV containing 26 wt % NADES with respect to the polymer and were deposited on different substrates, that is, aluminum foil and non-woven spunbond polypropylene (PP).

Monitoring monkeypox virus in saliva and air samples in Spain: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The transmission of monkeypox virus occurs through direct contact, but transmission through saliva or exhaled droplets and aerosols has not yet been investigated. We aimed to assess the presence of monkeypox virus DNA and infectious virus in saliva samples and droplets and aerosols exhaled from patients infected with monkeypox virus.

Methods: We did a cross-sectional study in patients with monkeypox confirmed by PCR who attended two health centres in Madrid, Spain.

Development of Multilayer Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride Electrospun Patches for Buccal Drug Delivery.

Bacterial infections in the oral cavity can become a serious problem causing pain, sores and swelling for several weeks. This type of infection could be alleviated using mucoadhesive delivery systems, allowing local administration of the antibiotic to inhibit bacterial spreading. This work reports the development of a multilayer antibiotic patch containing ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CPX)-loaded electrospun fibers for the treatment of such infections.

Effect of Whey Protein Purity on the Characteristics of Algae Oil-Loaded Encapsulates Obtained by Electrospraying Assisted by Pressurized Gas.

In this paper, the effect of protein purity in three different whey protein grades on the characteristics of algae oil encapsulates obtained via room-temperature electrospraying assisted by pressurized gas (EAPG) encapsulation process was studied. Three different commercial grades of whey protein purity were evaluated, namely 35, 80, and 90 wt.%.

Development and Characterization of Fully Renewable and Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoate Blends with Improved Thermoformability.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-valerate) (PHBV), being one of the most studied and commercially available polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), presents an intrinsic brittleness and narrow processing window that currently hinders its use in several plastic applications. The aim of this study was to develop a biodegradable PHA-based blend by combining PHBV with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH), another copolyester of the PHA family that shows a more ductile behavior. Blends of PHBV with 20% wt.

Antimutagenic and Antiproliferative Activity of the L. Extract Loaded in Nanofibers of Gelatin/Agave Fructans Elaborated by Electrospinning.

Background: The Coccoloba uvifera L. species is currently considered an important source of compounds of high biological value such as lupeol. This is related to different and important biological activities to human health.

Role of Plasticizers on PHB/bio-TPE Blends Compatibilized by Reactive Extrusion.

Poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a biopolymer biologically synthesized by controlled bacterial fermentation from a wide variety of microorganisms. PHB is proposed as a potential green alternative to commonly used plastics in packaging, due to its biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, if PHB is to replace commodities, it has some limitations regarding its thermo-mechanical performance to overcome.

Preparation and Characterization of Electrospun Polysaccharide FucoPol-Based Nanofiber Systems.

The electrospinnability of FucoPol, a bacterial exopolysaccharide, is presented for the first time, evaluated alone and in combination with other polymers, such as polyethylene oxide (PEO) and pullulan. The obtained fibers were characterized in terms of their morphological, structural and thermal properties. Pure FucoPol fibers could not be obtained due to FucoPol's low water solubility and a lack of molecular entanglements.

Development of an Electrospun Patch Platform Technology for the Delivery of Carvedilol in the Oral Mucosa.

The work herein presented aims to develop and characterize carvedilol (CVD) releasable non-water-soluble monolayers and a multilayer patch made of ultrathin micron and submicron fibers for drug delivery into the sublingual mucosa. Firstly, the developed formulations containing CVD within different biopolymers (PDLA, PCL, and PHB) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), and for their in vitro drug release. SEM micrographs assessed the fiber morphology attained by adding carvedilol.

Photothermal Activatable Mucoadhesive Fiber Mats for On-Demand Delivery of Insulin via Buccal and Corneal Mucosa.

Electrospun fiber mats loaded with therapeutics have gained considerable attention as a versatile tool in the biomedical field. While these bandages are largely based on fast-dissolving polymers to release the cargo, stimuli-responsive fiber mats have the advantages of providing a timely and spatially controlled drug delivery platform, which can be refilled and reused several times. These benefits make electrospun fiber patches original platforms for painless and convenient on-demand hormone release.

Super-Repellent Paper Coated with Electrospun Biopolymers and Electrosprayed Silica of Interest in Food Packaging Applications.

In the current work, a super-repellent biopaper suitable for food contact applications was developed. To do this, three different kinds of biopolymers, namely polylactide (PLA), poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), and hydrophobic silica microparticles (SiO), were sequentially processed by electrohydrodynamic processing (EDHP). As a first step, the ultrathin biopolymer fibers were deposited onto a commercial food contact cellulose paper by electrospinning and, thereafter, the nanostructured silica was sequentially electrosprayed.