An ammonia-responsive aerogel-type colorimetric sensor for non-destructive monitoring of shrimp freshness.

The colorimetric sensor for volatile amines (VA) detection can realize non-destructive monitoring of shrimp quality. However, its sensing performance still needs to be improved. In this study, we proposed an aerogel-type colorimetric sensor to improve VA sensing performance and realize early detection of shrimp spoilage.

Konjac glucomannan-based foams incorporating cellulose phase change microcapsules for efficient thermal energy regulation.

Biomass foam with porous structure has broad application prospects in thermal energy management. However, traditional foams can only passively insulate heat, unable to effectively store thermal energy and prolong the insulation time. In this work, microcapsules rich in paraffin were prepared using the Pickering emulsion template method with phosphorylated cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) as an emulsifier.

Konjac glucomannan foams integrated with bilayer phase change microcapsules for efficient heat storage and thermal insulation.

The traditional foams can only block heat loss, and cannot effectively store and release heat energy on demand to extend the insulation time. In this work, the paraffin-rich monolayer microcapsules were prepared using negatively charged phosphorylated cellulose nanofibers (CNF) as the emulsifier of Pickering emulsion. The positive chitosan was assembled on the surface of the monolayer microcapsules through an electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly method to prepare the bilayer microcapsules.

Improved konjac glucomannan/curdlan-based emulsion coating by mung bean protein addition for cherry tomato preservation.

Biopolymer-based emulsion systems have been used for food preservation. In this study, mung bean protein (MBP) was added to konjac glucomannan (KGM)/curdlan-based camellia oil emulsion (KC-CO) to develop KCM-CO emulsion system. KCM-CO emulsions showed good compatibility and stability during storage.

Superior flame retardancy, thermal insulation, and mechanical properties of konjac glucomannan/sodium alginate biomass aerogel modified by supramolecular assembled phytic acid-melamine nanosheet.

The development of biomass-based eco-friendly aerogel with superior flame retardancy, thermal insulation, and mechanical properties at the same time has long been a tough challenge. In this study, the polysaccharide-based aerogels composed of konjac glucomannan, sodium alginate, and supramolecular assembled melamine phytate (MPA) nanosheets were successfully fabricated through the freeze-drying method. Owing to the excellent charcoal-forming and non-combustible gas-releasing effect of MPA nanosheets, the thermal stability and flame retardancy properties of the aerogels were both significantly enhanced, with the highest limiting oxygen index value reaching 42.

Enhancing thermal stability and mechanical resilience in gelatin/starch composites through polyvinyl alcohol integration.

In practical scenarios, destabilizing the physical attributes of natural polymers such as gelatin and starch occurs readily when exposed to specific moisture levels and heat. In this context, this work was carried out to assess the impact of PVA addition (up to 13 wt%) on the structure and physical properties of a 6:4 (w/w) gelatin/starch blend. The inclusion of PVA unfolded the molecular chains of gelatin and starch, thereby disrupting gelatin α-helices and impeding biopolymer crystallization.

Improvement of mechanical, barrier properties, and water resistance of konjac glucomannan/curdlan film by zein addition and the coating for cherry tomato preservation.

The mechanical, barrier properties, and water resistance of packaging materials are crucial for the preservation of fruits and vegetables. In this study, zein was incorporated as a hydrophobic substance into the konjac glucomannan (KGM)/curdlan (KC) system. The KC/zein (KCZ) showed good compatibility with the zein aggregates uniformly distributed in the network formed by an entanglement of KGM and curdlan micelles based on hydrogen bonds.

Konjac glucomannan films incorporated pectin-stabilized Mandarin oil emulsions: Structure, properties, and application in fruit preservation.

To enhance the water-resistance and antibacterial properties of KGM films, mandarin oil (MO), was directly emulsified by pectin and then dispersed to the KGM matrix. The effect of MO concentration (0, 0.5, 1.

Soft and flexible polyvinyl alcohol/pullulan aerogels with fast and high water absorption capacity for facial mask substrates.

Facial mask substrates commonly used in skincare are often considered unhealthy and environmentally unfriendly due to their composition of premoistened nonwovens containing various preservatives. This study aims to address this issue by developing a preservative-free degradable aerogel made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/pullulan (PUL) using a unidirectional freeze-drying method. The aerogels had ordered three-dimensional porous structures and exhibited desirable mechanical properties.

Moisture loss inhibition with biopolymer films for preservation of fruits and vegetables: A review.

In cold storage, fruits and vegetables still keep a low respiratory rate. Although cold storage is beneficial to maintain the quality of some fruits and vegetables, several factors (temperature and humidity fluctuations, heat inflow, air velocity, light, etc.) will accelerate moisture loss.

Properties of konjac glucomannan/curdlan-based emulsion films incorporating camellia oil and the preservation effect as coatings on 'Kyoho' grapes.

The strategy of emulsion coating was used for grape preservation. Camellia oil (CO) was incorporated with KGM/curdlan (KC) to fabricate KC-CO emulsion systems. KC-CO emulsions were analyzed by droplet size distribution and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and KC-CO films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), mechanical properties, dissolution, gas permeability, water contact angle (WCA).

Konjac glucomannan-based aerogels with excellent thermal stability and flame retardancy for thermal insulation application.

Biomass aerogels are a promising kind of environment-friendly thermal insulation material. However, the flammability, poor water resistance, and thermal instability of biomass aerogels limit their applications. Herein, freeze-drying and thermal imidization were used to create konjac glucomannan (KGM), boron nitride (BN), and polyimide (PI)-based aerogels with a semi-interpenetrating network structure.

Formation and characterization of konjac glucomannan/ethyl cellulose films by using ethanol and water as the solvents.

Hydrophilic konjac glucomannan (KGM)/hydrophobic ethyl cellulose (EC) film was prepared in the ethanol/water environment. The film-forming solution and film properties were both characterized to analyze the molecular interaction changes. Although higher ethanol usage enhanced the stability of the film-forming solution, it did not benefit the film property improvement.

Investigation and Characterization of Pickering Emulsion Stabilized by Alkali-Treated Zein (AZ)/Sodium Alginate (SA) Composite Particles.

Pickering emulsions stabilized by food-grade colloidal particles have attracted increasing attention in recent years due to their "surfactant-free" nature. In this study, the alkali-treated zein (AZ) was prepared via restricted alkali deamidation and then combined with sodium alginate (SA) in different ratios to obtain AZ/SA composite particles (ZS), which were used to stabilize Pickering emulsion. The degree of deamidation (DD) and degree of hydrolysis (DH) of AZ were 12.

Characterizations of konjac glucomannan/curdlan edible coatings and the preservation effect on cherry tomatoes.

In this study, konjac glucomannan (KGM) and curdlan were used to fabricate composite coating (KC). The coating solutions were investigated using a rheological method, and the coatings were characterized by water solubility tests, water vapor permeability (WVP), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The preservation effect of KC coating on cherry tomatoes stored at room temperature was determined.

Microstructure, Thermal Conductivity, and Flame Retardancy of Konjac Glucomannan Based Aerogels.

With abundant renewable resources and good biodegradability, bio-based aerogels are considered as promising insulating materials for replacing the conventional petroleum-based foam. In this study, konjac glucomannan (KGM)-based aerogels were prepared as thermal insulation materials via a convenient sol-gel and freeze-drying progress with different content of plant polysaccharides, proteins, and wheat straw. The morphology, thermal conductivity, and flame retardancy of KGM-based aerogels were determined.

Impact of heating and drying temperatures on the properties of konjac glucomannan/curdlan blend films.

The impact of preparation conditions including heating temperature (from 60 °C to 90 °C) and drying temperatures (from 25 °C to 90 °C) on the properties of pure curdlan film and konjac glucomannan (KGM) and curdlan blend films were analyzed. Microstructure analysis indicated the KGM addition could significantly improve the relatively poor film-forming property of curdlan. FTIR and X-ray analysis showed that at high heating temperature 90 °C, molecular interaction might be enhanced in the films due to the stretched structure of curdlan and dissociation of curdlan bundles or triple-helix structure.

Improving konjac glucomannan-based aerogels filtration properties by combining aerogel pieces in series with different pore size distributions.

The pore size distribution of konjac glucomannan (KGM)-based aerogels seriously impacted the air filtration efficiency and filtration resistance. This study aimed to investigate the pore size distribution control of KGM-based aerogels through total solid concentration of the sol and to improve the filtration performance by preparing aerogel stacks, which were made by combining KGM-based aerogels with different pore size distribution (range: 0-180 μm). Results indicated that with increased total solid concentration from 50% to 100% of the origin formulae, aerogel pore size became smaller and the porosity was decreased for all the three sample formulae.

Changes in microstructure and rheological properties of konjac glucomannan/zein blend film-forming solution during drying.

During film formation at 60 °C, the microstructure and rheological properties of konjac glucomannan (KGM) film-forming solution and KGM/zein blend film-forming solution were investigated. The drying process of film-forming solutions was divided into two stages according to the drying curves. Scanning electron microscopy showed that KGM chains in the blend solution aggregated into thicker chains and formed a molecular network with larger pores.

Diversity analysis of starch physicochemical properties in 95 proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) accessions.

In this study, 95 accessions of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) were characterized for starch physicochemical properties, including apparent amylose content (AAC), gel textural properties, Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) pasting viscosity properties, thermal and retrogradation properties. Based on genotypic data, the genetic diversity and inter-relationship of these starch traits were analyzed.

Iron encapsulated microstructured gel beads using an emulsification-gelation technique for an alginate-caseinate matrix.

Iron-deficiency anemia is an important health problem in global public issues, and development of iron fortifiers in diets is essential for the decrease of iron deficiency. However, there are problems for iron fortification in food because the common bioavailable iron compounds would contribute to iron-promoted lipid oxidation and unpleasant iron odor, presenting an adverse food quality. Ferrous fumarate loaded microstructured gel beads were prepared by an emulsification-gelation method using an alginate-caseinate matrix, and the gel network was formed by crosslinking of Ca or Fe.

Characterization of morphology and physicochemical properties of native starches isolated from 12 Lycoris species.

In this study, starch was isolated from 13 genotypes of 12 Lycoris species, and the morphology, granule size distribution and physicochemical properties, including apparent amylose content (AAC), Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) pasting properties, textural properties, thermal and retrogradation properties were characterized. The majority of starch granules of the 13 Lycoris genotypes were oval in shape, and granule size followed a normal distribution with a mean diameter of 20-30 μm. Contrary to previously published findings, the XRD results revealed that lycoris starches had either C-type or C-type crystallinity.

Trivalent iron induced gelation in Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch. polysaccharide.

Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch. polysaccharide (ASKP) has attracted growing attention in the field of food and medical engineering due to its biological activity and colloidal property. In this study, the binding between ASKP and ferric ions was found and the binding mechanism was explored.