Enhancing mechanical and water barrier properties of starch film using chia mucilage.

Biodegradable packaging materials are increasingly being investigated due to rising concerns about food safety and environmental conservation. This study examines the incorporation of chia mucilage (CM) into starch-based films using the casting method, aiming to understand its effects on the structure and functionality of the films. CM, an anionic heteropolysaccharide, is hypothesized to enhance the mechanical and barrier properties of the films through polymer interactions and hydrogen bonding.

Deciphering the binding mechanism of an anti-cancer phytochemical plumbagin with calf thymus DNA using biophysical and techniques.

Plumbagin (PLM), a plant derivative, is well known for a wide range of therapeutic effects in humans including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-microbial. Cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of this phytochemical has been studied which demands further insight. DNA being a major target for several drugs was taken to study against PLM to understand its effects on the cellular system.

Synergizing Multi-Plasticizers for a Starch-Based Edible Film.

Synergized multi-plasticizers for a starch-based edible film were developed for food packaging. The most popular edible plasticizers, water, glycerol, and sorbitol were used as modal materials to demonstrate the synergized function of multi-plasticizers. The efficiency, stability, and compatibility of each plasticizer, as well as their synergized functions were investigated based on the characterizations of tensile properties after storing under different humidity conditions and for different times.

Improved hydrophobicity, antibacterial and mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol/quaternary chitosan composite films for antibacterial packaging.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CS) are attractive polymeric feedstocks for developing eco-environmental materials. In this work, a biodegradable and antibacterial film was developed based on PVA blending with different long-chain alkyl and different contents of quaternary chitosan through solution casting, in which quaternary chitosan not only acted as an antibacterial agent but also improved hydrophobicity and mechanical properties. A novel peak appeared at 1470 cm in Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and a new CCl bond spectral peak at 200 eV in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra suggested that CS was successfully modified by quaternary.

Coating of chitosan on poly D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid thymoquinone nanoparticles enhances the anti-tumor activity in triple-negative breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer around the world. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the absence of three receptors: progesterone, estrogen, and human epidermal growth factor-2 receptor (HER2). Various synthetic chemotherapies have gained attention but they caused unwanted side effects.

Corrigendum: Phenotype-based drug screening: An strategy to classify and identify the chemical compounds modulating zebrafish M-cell regeneration.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.

Phenotype-based drug screening: An strategy to classify and identify the chemical compounds modulating zebrafish M-cell regeneration.

Several disease-modulatory FDA-approved drugs are being used in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. However, information on their toxicity-related profiles is very limited. Therefore, measurement of drug toxicity is essential to increase the knowledge of their side effects.

Developing Edible Starch Film Used for Packaging Seasonings in Instant Noodles.

Edible starch-based film was developed for packaging seasoning applied in instant noodles. The edible film can quickly dissolve into hot water so that the seasoning bag can mix in the soup of instant noodles during preparation. To meet the specific requirements of the packaging, such as reasonable high tensile properties, ductility under arid conditions, and low gas permeability, hydroxypropyl cornstarch with various edible additives from food-grade ingredients were applied to enhance the functionality of starch film.

The increasing hunger concern and current need in the development of sustainable food security in the developing countries.

Background: COVID-19 has affected millions of people worldwide. Recently, international agencies have revealed that poverty and hunger could kill more people than COVID-19 victims. Many global workforces have lost their jobs during this pandemic situation.

Preparation and characterization of starch/enteromorpha/nano-clay hybrid composites.

Environmentally friendly and biodegradable hybrid composites of starch/enteromorpha/nano-clay were developed. Enteromorpha was used as cheaper filler since it is a waste from marine pollution, while nano-clay acted as a reinforcing agent. The microstructures and performance of these composites were investigated by SEM, DMA, XRD, TGA and tensile testing.