Agar-based composite emulsion gel as a pork fat substitute in sausages: Understanding meat batter stabilization mechanisms based on fat sources.

Background: Edible coatings have garnered considerable attention in recent years as sustainable alternatives to conventional food packaging, owing to their safety, biodegradability, and environmental compatibility. Natural polymers, such as proteins and polysaccharides, are widely used to develop edible films with favorable mechanical strength and gas barrier properties. Objective: This study investigates the incorporation of bioactive compounds from Meadow Sage (Salvia pratensis) and polyphenols from pomegranate peel (Punica granatum L.) into a biopolymer matrix composed of zein (Z) and glucomannan (GM). The mechanical, moisture barrier, and antimicrobial properties of the resulting composite films were evaluated to assess their potential in functional food applications. Methods: Essential oils from S. pratensis (SEO) and polyphenolic extracts from P. granatum (PPhC), sourced from plants grown in Tajikistan, were incorporated into Z/GM-based edible films. The structural properties, antioxidant activity, mechanical behavior, and antimicrobial effects of the films were systematically characterized. Results: The bioactive films demonstrated strong radical scavenging activity. The addition of SEO enhanced the hydrophobicity of the films, resulting in improved moisture barrier performance. While the films exhibited moderate tensile strength, they showed increased flexibility; notably, SEO significantly increased elongation at break to 184.2% (P < 0.05). Films containing BAC concentrations of 20–50 µg/mL displayed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as yeast strains. Novelty and Contribution: This study presents a novel approach to developing biodegradable edible films incorporating plant-derived bioactive compounds for active food packaging. The functional enhancement of the films, particularly in terms of mechanical resilience and antimicrobial efficacy, underscores their potential as carriers of bioactive ingredients in the context of functional foods. Conclusion: Z/GM edible films enriched with PPhC and SEO show promising properties for food coating applications. Their biodegradability, combined with enhanced antimicrobial and barrier functions, positions them as eco-friendly, functional alternatives for next-generation food packaging systems. Keywords: glucomannan, zein, edible films, polyphenols, essential oils, antibacterial activity.

Disordered coagulation is an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with sepsis and currently lacks effective therapeutic strategies. In this study, PIM1, a novel target predominantly expressed in macrophages during sepsis, is investigated by bioinformatics analysis and clinical evaluation in patients with sepsis compared with healthy individuals. The regulatory mechanism by which PIM1 promotes the release of tissue factors (TF) from macrophages by modulating the phosphorylation levels of mTOR through the AKT and MAPK signaling pathways is demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. Based on these findings, a multifunctional co-delivery system based on mesoporous polydopamine (MPDA) nanoparticles (NPs) coated with cationic polyethyleneimine (PEI) and macrophage-targeting glucomannan (GM) (MPDA@PEI@GM NPs) is proposed for the co-delivery of the PIM1 inhibitors SMI-4a and small interfering RNA (siPIM1) to downregulate PIM1 expression and improve sepsis-induced coagulopathy. MPDA@SMI-4a@PEI/siPIM1@GM demonstrates negligible cytotoxicity, excellent macrophage-targeting efficiency, prolonged blood circulation, and significantly downregulated PIM1 expression. Notably, treatment with MPDA@SMI-4a@PEI/siPIM1@GM improves the survival rates of septic mice by ameliorating disordered coagulation and alleviating lung injury. Bioinformatic analysis and clinical research-guided MPDA@SMI-4a@PEI/siPIM1@GM co-delivery systems improve TF-mediated coagulopathy in sepsis and alleviate sepsis-induced acute lung injury, marking a significant advancement in the development of clinical antisepsis therapies.

Glucomannan is a polysaccharide of the hemicellulose type, composed of glucose and mannose chains. It has the ability to form solutions that expand and thicken. The bioactivity of carbohydrates is influenced by the length of their saccharide chains. Hydrolysis can alter the structural dimensions of polysaccharides, including molecular weight, type, number, and position of substituent groups, which in turn impacts their biological activity. Various methods can modify carbohydrate structures to enhance their value, with degradation being one such method. Enzymatic degradation is particularly advantageous due to its high specificity, efficiency, and minimal side effects. Numerous studies have identified glucomannan as having immunomodulatory effects on macrophage cells. When stimulated with lipopolysaccharides, macrophages release various cytokines and inflammatory mediators, such as TNF-α, iNOS, and NO. This study explored the potential anti-inflammatory effects of glucomannan (GM) and its enzymatically hydrolyzed form (Enz-GM) on RAW 264.7 cells. The research involved degrading glucomannan using the β-mannanase enzyme, followed by in vitro testing of the degradation product (Enz-GM) for anti-inflammatory activity. This was achieved using an ELISA kit to measure the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS. The results showed that Enz-GM at pH 9 (Mw 1.24 kDa) significantly reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and iNOS (p ≤ 0.05) compared to GM, while TNF-α expression did not show a significant difference between Enz-GM and GM.

Glycerohydrogels based on silicon glycerolate, chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) are widely studied for use in biomedical applications. In line with the general trend of replacing synthetic polymers with natural ones in such compositions, it would be of interest to replace PVA with the polysaccharide glucomannan (GM), as well as to introduce functional additives to impart the desired properties, including gelation time, to the final hydrogel. In this work, a comprehensive study of the preparation conditions and properties of glycerohydrogels based on silicon tetraglycerolate, chitosan hydrochloride (CS·HCl) and GM was carried out. Viscometry was used to assess the conformational state of CS·HCl and GM macromolecules, and their associates in solution before gelation. Gelation was studied using the vessel inversion method. The mucoadhesive and the dermoadhesive properties of the glycerohydrogels obtained were assessed using the tearing off method from the model substrates simulating mucous and dermal tissues. The conformational state of the individual polymers and their mixed associates in solution before gelation was estimated; the intrinsic viscosity and the hydrodynamic radius of the macromolecular coils were calculated. The influence of various factors (addition of ε-aminocaproic and hydrochloric acids, sodium chloride, hydroxide and tetraborate to vary the acidity and ionic strength of the medium, as well as temperature) and the molecular weight of chitosan on the gelation time was studied. The gelation time achieved was less than 2 min, which is promising in practical terms, i.e., for creating liquid plasters. Our best samples are not inferior to the commercial preparation "Metrogyl Denta"® in terms of tearing force during mucoadhesion and dermoadhesion at short gelation times. Thus, the glycerohydrogels synthesized by us and based on silicon tetraglycerolate, CS·HCl and GM could find usage in new biopharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

Modified glucomannan (GM) demonstrates significant potential as a natural, bio-based surfactant, particularly for use as a foaming agent. Although GM is naturally viscous and gel-forming, its amphiphilic character can be enhanced through the introduction of hydrophobic groups via esterification with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA). This study investigated the effects of varying the GM-to-OSA ratios (1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 1:2, w/w), pH levels (3, 5, 7, and 9), and ultrasound-assisted esterification durations (30, 60, and 120 minutes) on the degree of substitution (DS), surface tension, and viscosity. The results indicated that these parameters significantly influenced the DS, interfacial tension, and viscosity of the amphiphilic GM. The optimal DS (0.041) occurred at a 1:2 GM:OSA ratio, pH 5, and 60 minutes of sonication. Surface tension dropped from 38 mN/m to 22.82 mN/m with longer sonication, and viscosity increased slightly at pH 7. Given that effective surfactants typically lowered the surface tension of water from 75 mN/m to 25–30 mN/m, the modified GM meets essential criteria for surfactant performance by significantly reducing surface tension, forming emulsions, and adsorbing at liquid, solid, or gas interfaces. These results highlight OSA-modified GM has promise for various industrial applications, particularly in foaming and emulsification systems.

Bioinspired zwitterionic lysine glycopolymers: Enhancing wound repair through microenvironment modulation for bacterial elimination and optimal immunoregulation

A thickener such as gelatin is essential in increasing viscosity and forming a gel system. Nowadays, gelatin is one of the most popular thickeners in food, pharmacy, and cosmetic products. Animal skins which lead to halal issues are still common sources of gelatin. Crude konjac flour (CKF) which is sourced from porang tubers and has a high degree of purity of glucomannan (GM) is a potential substitute for animal skins. Moreover, the use of KGM also supports national programs of processing agricultural products into finished products ready to export. This study applies five different CKF variants as panna cotta (PC) thickener: CKF from the fresh bulb of porang (Amorphophallus oncophyllus sp.) (CH-UP), CKF from chips of Porang (CH-CP), a native CKF, as well as laboratory-purified products of CKF (>90%-w of GM content) (DM-CKF-M3X-50, and DM-CKF-M3X-96), and commercially products of porang flour (K-TPO and K-TPM) were applied to make PC; substituting gelatin. Only CKF, DM-CKF-MX-50, and DM-CKF-M3X-96 successfully thickened PC in terms of appearances. Further, organoleptic analysis was applied to CKF, DM-CKF-MX-50, and DM-CKF-M3X-96. According to the organoleptic analysis, PC with CKF, DM-CKF-MX-50, and DM-CKF-M3X-96 was more preferred by the respondents than commercial PC. In overall, CKF application on PC exhibited improved sensory properties and tastes of PC.

Abstract Immunomodulatory biomaterials are increasingly used in regenerative medicine. Biomimetic glycopeptide hydrogel is found to accelerate cutaneous wound healing by inducing macrophage M2‐type polarization, however, it is unclear whether this will possibly orchestrate a pro‐regenerative T cell immunity. Here the aim of this study is to elucidate the reparative T‐cell immune response in tissue regeneration by augmenting macrophage‐T cell crosstalk with a novel immunomodulatory glycopeptide hydrogel (termed as GRKgel) self‐assembled by mannose receptor‐binding glucomannan (GM) chemically grafted with RADA16‐conjugated T‐cell epitope. The glycopeptide can be phagocytized and processed by macrophages, which then presents peptides to naïve T cells and polarizes them into T helper 2 (TH2) cells through IL‐4‐dependent STAT6/GATA3 or c‐Maf pathways. Strikingly, full‐thickness skin wound repair in mice indicates a superior efficacy of GRKgel on restoring the pathological structure and hair follicle by provoking TH2 immune response, increasing the residence of M2 macrophages, as well as promoting angiogenesis at the local tissue environment. Furthermore, genomics results illustrates the role of GRKgel serving as an immunomodulatory niche, orchestrating immune cell crosstalk and promoting extracellular matrix (ECM) reconstruction. Collectively, this study highlights the significance of crosstalk between immune cells in evoking pro‐healing T‐cell immunity, providing a promising drug‐/cytokine‐free strategy for endogenous tissue regeneration.

The aim of the present study was to isolate hemicelluloses by stepwise extraction with water and alkali from larch (Larix principis-rupprechtiiMayr) sapwood and heartwood. Onewater-soluble arabinogalactan (AG) and three alkali-soluble hemicelluloses-arabinoglucuronoxylan (AGX), galactoglucomannan (GGM) and glucomannan (GM) were obtained. The yield of AG extracted with hot-water from larch heartwood was 7.57%, it was 17.96% in total of three alkali-extracted hemicelluloses. There was no significant difference in the yield of hemicelluloses from sapwood and heartwood. Monosaccharide compositions of thehemicelluloses were determined by high performance liquid chromatography after acid hydrolysis. The results showed that galactose and mannose were the main glycosyl units of hemicellulose, followed by xylose. Galactose mainly derived from AG, whereas mannose and xylose originated from alkali-extracted hemicelluloses.

Fiber added to the diet can promote intestinal mucin secretion, relieve intestinal inflammation, and enhance the intestinal barrier function. Glycosylation is the key to mucin function. However, there are few studies on the correlation between dietary fiber and mucin glycosylation, especially two kinds of dietary fiber with different solubility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of soluble glucomannan (GM) and insoluble cellulose (CL) treatment on mucin secretion and mucin glycosylation-related gene expression in the colons of mice. The GM group significantly increased the goblet cell number, crypt depth, and the expression of mucin 2 (Muc2) and mucin 3a (Muc3a) genes in the colon. At the same time, the analysis of the colon transcriptome showed that the GM group changed the expression of genes related to the mucin glycosylation process, and the GM group up-regulated the expression of Gcnt3, Gcnt4, St3gal1, Galnt13, and B3gnt6 genes involved in the O-glycosylation process. Similarly, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that differentially glycosylated genes in the GM group were mainly related to the biosynthesis of mucin type O-glycans, while the genes in the CL group were related to the biosynthesis of various types of N-glycans. The correlation analysis between colonic microbes and differentially glycosylated genes also showed that the abundance of Alistipes in the GM group was significantly associated with the expression of Gcnt3, a key glycosylation gene. Glucomannan treatment was more favorable for colonic Muc2 and Muc3a secretion and mucin O-glycosylation gene expression. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of freeze–thawing treatment on mechanical and structural properties of konjac glucomannan gels containing additives

A comparative study between two carboxymethylated polysaccharides/protein electrostatic and cross-linked nanogels constructed for caffeic acid and eugenol delivery

Synthesis of natural glucomannan derivative as a highly-efficient green inhibitor for mild steel in the simulated seawater

The study of enzymatic hydrolysis of glucomannan (GM) was currently limited to obtain low molecular weight glucomannan, and was not specifically studied for spray drying feed applications. This research aimed to investigate the effect of enzyme concentration and duration of enzymatic hydrolysis of GM on the characteristics of hydrolyzed glucomannan (HGM). Moreover, the kinetic models of viscosity reduction in enzymatic hydrolysis of glucomannan were also studied. To achieve the goal, the GM was hydrolyzed using various enzyme concentrations (5 to 20 mg/l) for 300 min. Profiles of viscosity, average molecular weight (Mw), degree of polymerization, and antioxidant activity of HGM were observed. The kinetics of viscosity reduction was modeled with 1st-order kinetics, 2nd-order model, and Mahammad's order. An enzyme concentration of 20 mg/l (1% GM solution) was the fastest to reach the desired viscosity for spray drying feed purposes. The model of nth-order was the best fitted to the viscosity reduction with R2 equal to 0.9935, so the constants k = 1.1842 (Pa.s n-1.t)-1 and n = 0.6328 are obtained. The hydrolysis improved the antioxidant activity of HGM as the enzyme concentration increases. This antioxidant result highlighted the advantage of using HGM for coating and encapsulating the active compound which also offers oxidation protection.

We studied the effect of dietary fibers (DFs) on the levels of free hypoglycemic agents in vitro, i.e., glimepiride and the biguanides buformin and metformin. The levels of free buformin and free metformin were not affected by mixtures of DFs, i.e., cellulose, chitosan, pectin (PE), and glucomannan (GM), in fluids of pH 1.2 and 6.8 (similar to the pH of the stomach and intestines, respectively). However, the free biguanide level was significantly reduced by mixing with PE or sodium alginate (AL), in water. The free glimepiride level was reduced in the mixture of AL, PE, and GM (in a solution with a pH of 6.8). The changes in aqueous AL solution pH seemed to reflect the free metformin levels. Therefore, the effects of DFs on free drug levels were dependent on drug type, hypoglycemic agent, and mixing solution. In this study, the oral regimen concentrations of the drug and DFs were used. Based on these results, it is important to consider the interactions between hypoglycemic agents and DFs.

Reversible tissue sticker inspired by chemistry in plant-pathogen relationship

Freezing has been widely used for long-term food preservation. However, freezing-thawing (FT) treatment usually influences the texture and structure of food gels such as konjac. For their texture control after FT treatment, it is important to clarify the structural change of food gels during the FT process. In this study, we investigated the aggregated structures of konjac glucomannan (GM) gels during the FT process using simultaneous synchrotron small-angle X-ray/wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) techniques. The FT treatment resulted in more crystallization of GM, and consequently, a large increase in compressive stress. In-situ SAXS/WAXS measurements revealed the following findings: on freezing, water molecules came out of the aggregated phase of GM and after the thawing, they came back into the aggregated phase, but the aggregated structure did not return to the one before the freezing; the gel network enhanced the inhomogeneity due to the growth of ice crystals during freezing. Furthermore, we examined the influence of additives such as polyvinyl (alcohol) (PVA) and antifreeze glycoprotein (AFGP) on the mechanical and structural properties of freeze-thawed GM gels. Although the addition of PVA and AFGP suppressed the crystallization of GM, it could not prevent the growth of ice crystals and the increase in the inhomogeneity of the gel network. As a result, the compressive stresses for freeze-thawed GM gels containing PVA or AFGP were significantly higher compared with those of GM gels without FT treatments, although they were lower than those of freeze-thawed GM gels. The findings of this study may be useful for not only the texture control of freeze-thawed foods but also the improvement of the mechanical performance of the biomaterials.

<p>Currently, Indonesia is excessively dependent on imported raw materials, such as pharmaceutical excipients. In this regard, the current pandemic should remind the critical nature of independence in purchasing raw resources to cope with future dynamics. One of the causes of dependence is the lack of raw materials management, specifically from biological sources abundantly available. A significant advantage is directed towards natural excipients because large quantities of more affordable plants ensure sustained availability in nature. Therefore, this study highlighted the possibility of using excipients derived from natural resources that are commonly used yet underutilized in Indonesia, such as glucomannan (GM). Indonesia has the potential to produce GM, considering the high natural resources as its source. However, it has not been applied extensively in pharmaceutical preparations due to diverse uses in several countries' drug, food, and cosmetic industries. This study aimed to discuss the modifications of GM and their use as pharmaceutical excipients with better physical properties. Additionally, the potential of melinjo seeds that have not been widely used was also analyzed. Melinjo seeds can be used as a source of GM due to their fairly large polysaccharide of about 64.11%. This issue will promote national autonomy in developing novel pharmaceutical excipients derived from natural resources that are highly economical and innovative.</p>

Glucomannan (GM)—a polysaccharide generally extracted from the tuber of Amorphophallus konjac—has great potential as a filler–binder in direct compression, disintegrant in tablets, or gelling agent due to its strong hydrophilicity and extremely high viscosity. However, it has poor water resistance and low mechanical strength when used as an excipient in solid form. Several physical and chemical modifications have been carried out to improve these drawbacks. Chemical modification affects the characteristics of GM based on the DS. Carboxymethylation improves GM functionality by modifying its solubility and viscosity, which in turn allows it to bind water more efficiently and thus improve its elongation and gel homogeneity. Meanwhile, physical modification enhances functionality through combination with other excipients to improve mechanical properties and modify swelling ability and drug release from the matrix. This review discusses extraction of GM and its modification to enhance its applicability as an excipient in solid form. Modified GM is a novel excipient applicable in the pharmaceutical industry for direct compression, as a tablet disintegrant, a film-forming agent, and for encapsulation of macromolecular compounds or drug carriers for controlled release.