Gum Arabic Research Articles

Nano-bio interactions of Gum Arabic-stabilized lanthanide-based upconverting nanoparticles: in vitro and in vivo study.

Lanthanide-based nanoparticles (Ln-NPs) are highly valued for their unique optical and magnetic properties, making them useful in various scientific fields, including materials science and biomedicine. This study investigated the use of Gum Arabic (GA), a natural, non-toxic biopolymer, as capping agent for Ln-NPs to enhance their biocompatibility and chemical and colloidal stability. Specifically, Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped NaGdF4 Ln-NPs were modified with GA, followed by their characterization with respect to upconversion properties and in vitro as well as in vivo toxicity. Herein, widely used ligand-free and polyacrylic acid (PAA)-capped Ln-NPs were used as reference materials. Importantly, the GA-modified Ln-NPs exhibited superior stability in aqueous and biologically relevant media, as well as relatively lower cytotoxicity across multiple cell lines, including U-87 MG, HEPG2, and J774A.1. In vivo studies using zebrafish embryos confirmed the minimal toxicity of GA-capped Ln-NPs. Despite overall low non-specific cellular uptake, hyperspectral imaging and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry confirmed the colocalization of the Ln-NPs as a function of their surface chemistry in both cell models and zebrafish. The results suggest GA as an effective surface-stabilizing agent for Ln-NPs, paving the way for future functionalization with targeting agents.

Phytochemical Compounds, and Antioxidant, Anti-Hyperglycemic, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Microencapsulated Garambullo (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) Extract During In Vitro Digestion and Storage

Garambullo fruit (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) is a rich source of phytochemical compounds that exhibit antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-inflammatory activities, helping to prevent diseases associated with oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate phenolic compound (PC), betalain (BL), betaxanthin (BX), and betacyanin (BC) contents, and in vitro biological activities (antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-inflammatory) in microencapsulated garambullo extract during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and storage. Microencapsulation was performed using spray drying. Arabic Gum (GA, 10% in feed solution) and soy protein isolate (SPI, 7% in feed solution) were used as wall materials. After in vitro digestion, the microcapsules (GA, SPI) exhibited higher bioaccessibility (p ≤ 0.05) of PC, BL, BX, and BC, and higher antioxidant activity (AA), compared to the non-encapsulated extract. Both microcapsules showed bioaccessibility in anti-hyperglycemic activity: α-amylase (GA: 90.58%, SPI: 84.73%), α-glucosidase (GA: 76.93%, SPI: 68.17%), and Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) (GA: 52.81%, SPI: 53.03%); and in anti-inflammatory activity: cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) (GA: 78.14%, SPI: 77.90%) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (GA: 82.77%, SPI: 84.99%). During storage, both microcapsules showed a similar trend with a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in PC (GA: 39.29%, SPI: 39.34%), BL (GA: 21.17%, SPI: 21.62%), BX (GA: 23.89%, SPI: 23.45%), BC (GA: 19.55%, SPI: 19.84%), and AA (GA: 41.59%, SPI: 42.51%) after 60 days at 30 °C. Both microcapsules retained anti-hyperglycemic activity evaluated by the inhibitory activity of α-amylase (GA: 68.84%, SPI: 70.18%), α-glucosidase (GA: 59.93%, SPI: 58.69%), and DPP-4 (GA: 52.81%, SPI: 53.01%), and anti-inflammatory activity evaluated by the inhibitory activity of COX-1 (GA: 82.18%, SPI: 82.81%) and COX-2 (GA: 81.11%, SPI: 81.08%). Microencapsulation protected the phytochemical compounds and in vitro biological activities by allowing controlled release during in vitro digestion compared to the non-encapsulated extract. However, after 60 days storage at 30 °C, 60% of PC and AA, 80% of BL, BX, and BC, and 20–45% of the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory activity were lost.

Microemulsion of Medicago marina Essential Oil: In Vitro Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm, Anticoagulant Effects, and In Silico Studies Involving Molecular Docking and ADME Prediction

This work characterizes microemulsions of Medicago marina essential oil and evaluates their antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and anticoagulant effects. Medicago marina L. aerial parts essential oil was hydro-distilled and analyzed by gas chromatography-FID and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for the first time from the Tunisian chemotype. The microemulsion was prepared using an oil/water formulation with a biopolymer (Arabic gum) and surfactant (Tween 20). Antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated using the microbroth dilution method, while anticoagulant activity was tested in vitro using prothrombin time (PT) and aPTT tests. Eventually, the binding affinities and molecule’s interactions of the main chemicals with the operational locations of C (30) carotenoid dehydrosqualene synthase and cytidine deaminase were explored. The essential oil contained 71 compounds of which 87.6% were identified. Major compounds were [Formula: see text]-ionone (17.67%), 1-methyleugenol (10.75%), eugenol (8.86%), [Formula: see text]-damascenone (4.33%), and [Formula: see text]-humulene (4.32%). A microemulsion with a diameter of 1.63 [Formula: see text] m, a polydispersity index of 0.17, a zeta potential of –40.8 mV and a pH of 6 was obtained and it showed the highest antibacterial potential against a multitude of microbes, with low MICs varying between 0.406 mg/mL and 3.25 mg/mL. Significant antibiofilm activity was observed with over 80% inhibition at 4 × MIC concentration. It showed better anticoagulant activity than heparin, with PT and aPTT values of 19.5 s and 57 s, respectively, at 10 mg/mL. Molecular docking showed that “([Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-ionone” had the highest binding scores. Notable pharmacokinetic and drug-like qualities were found in the obtained molecules after establishing ADME profiling. As a result, Medicago marina L. Essential oil microemulsion can be used in food processing as a preservative.

Strong and Environmental-Friendly Adhesive Glass Based on Chitin Nanoparticles

Chitin is a biopolymer that can be used as a candidate material for a strong and environmentally friendly glass adhesive. In the form of nanoparticles with needle-like morphology and attractive functional groups in the form of amide and hydroxyl, Chitin Nanoparticle (ChNP) shows a strong Van der Walls adhesive force against glass. In the study, ChNP was successfully isolated from crab shells from the sea of Lombok. The isolated ChNP has a characteristic size around 351 nm with -chitin conformation and needle-shaped morphology. Based on the results of shear strength testing, 0.42 mg of ChNP can withstand a load of 21 kg and the addition of Gum Arabic (GA) and Hen Egg White lysozyme (HEWL) in a ratio of 1: 1 to ChNP succeeded in increasing adhesion by 72%.

Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus reuteri by Emulsion Technique and Evaluation of Microparticle Properties and Bacterial Viability Under Storage, Processing, and Digestive System Conditions

ABSTRACTIn this research, the emulsification method was used to encapsulate Lactobacillus reuteri in microparticles of whey protein concentrate (WPC) at different levels (1%, 2%, and 4%) and gum Arabic (GA) at three levels (0/5%, 1%, and 1/5%) and a constant level of sunflower oil (5%). The results showed that emulsions with higher quantities of wall materials exhibited better encapsulation efficiency (67%/57%) and preservation ability at different temperatures, different pH, and presence of 1% bile salt. During the storage time, the droplet size of the emulsion increased more than two times (from 2.2 to 4.6 μm) and the absolute zeta potential of the optimal emulsion decreased (from −19/63 to −16/76 mV). Encapsulating Lactobacillus reuteri in the stabilized emulsion with the highest concentration of wall material improved the cells' protection during storage. The study also observed a decline in the number of primary encapsulated live cells in the gastrointestinal tract (from 4/32 to 3/58 Log CFU/mL) after 90 days of storage. In the case of the nonencapsulated sample, the initial live population decreased from 2.8 to 1 Log CFU/mL after 90 days of storage. The electron microscope images showed that the emulsions became unstable after 30, 60, and 90 days of storage, but the microbial cells were still visible in the continuous phase. Overall, encapsulating Lactobacillus reuteri using emulsification technique can preserve the probiotics during storage and “in vitro” gastrointestinal digestion.

Evaluation of Mixing Temperature in the Preparation of Plant-Based Bigels

Understanding gel structures and behavior is a prerequisite for attaining the desired food application characteristics. The mixing temperature is crucial when incorporating thermolabile active compounds into gels. This study evaluated the effect of mixing temperature on the physical and chemical properties of a bigel system prepared using a carnauba wax/canola oil oleogel and Arabic gum hydrogels. The results showed that bigels prepared at lower temperatures (30 and 40 °C) resulted in a solid-like state under crystallization temperature, resulting in matrices with larger hydrogel droplets, softer texture, and lower adhesiveness, spreadability, and solvent binding capacity. In contrast, bigels prepared at higher temperatures (50 and 60 °C), around crystallization temperature but with no solid state, resulted in matrices with smaller hydrogel droplets and higher firmness, adhesiveness, and spreadability. These bigels had a higher apparent viscosity, especially at lower shear rates, and solid-like behavior in the linear viscosity range. During the bigel preparation process, adjusting the mixture temperature had no effect on the samples’ oxidative stability, FTIR spectra, or thermal properties. The results highlighted the importance of hydrogel droplet size on the microstructure of the formed bigels, and smaller droplets could act as effective fillers to reinforce the matrix without making chemical changes.

Development of gel-like, high encapsulation efficiency and antibacterial cinnamaldehyde-loaded Pickering emulsion stabilized by EGCG enhanced whey protein isolate-gum arabic ternary nanocomplex

Pickering emulsions (PEs) loaded with essential oils have proven to be a promising delivery system in food preservation, thus attracting increasing research attention. In this study, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) enhanced whey protein isolate(WPI)-gum Arabic(GA) ternary spherical nanocomplex (WGE) was fabricated by thermal and pH double-induced method and used to stabilize antibacterial, antioxidant and sustained release Pickering emulsions loaded with cinnamaldehyde. The WGE nanocomplex exhibited biphasic surface wettability (78.2±2.8°), 1.73 times that of WPI, as well as outstanding interfacial tension (5.60 mN/m), 44.6 % lower than that of WPI-GA, mainly due to the electrostatic interactions between WPI and GA and enhanced surface hydrophobicity causing by EGCG, indicating its superb ability to stabilize Pickering emulsions. Using WGE nanocomplex as the Pickering emulsion stabilizer, PEs template was constructed. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) showed the formation of a dense oil-water interface layer and gel-like network structure, which demonstrated good storage stability against creaming and coalescence, benefiting to cinnamaldehyde encapsulation. Finally, cinnamaldehyde was encapsulated effectively using this PEs pattern with high encapsulation efficiency under different conditions. The cinnamaldehyde Pickering emulsions (CPEs) demonstrated superior antioxidant ability against DPPH (>85 %) and ABTS (>78 %), as well as effective antibacterial capability against E. coli (>99.9999 %) and S. aureus (>99.99 %) than pure cinnamaldehyde. Moreover, CPEs showed slow sustained-release ability, which could satisfyingly prolong the biological activity of cinnamaldehyde. Therefore, the WGE stabilized cinnamaldehyde Pickering emulsions fabricated in this work might provide a promising alternative for the delivery of antibacterial and controlled release essential oils in the food industry.

Development and stability evaluation of double emulsions enriched with Anthocyanins from Juçara

This study aimed to develop double emulsions enriched with anthocyanins extracted from juçara, a fruit rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. Anthocyanins are promising natural colorants but present instability to pH and temperature variations, limiting their application. Encapsulation in double emulsions (W/O/W) is an effective solution to increase the stability and retention of these compounds. The main objective was to develop and evaluate the stability of the double emulsions, aiming to protect the anthocyanins during processing. The methodology included the anthocyanins extraction from juçara and the formation of primary emulsions, followed by incorporation into external aqueous phases, testing different (W/O)/W proportions and concentrations of Arabic gum. The most stable double emulsion showed higher anthocyanin retention, with an encapsulation efficiency of 98.04%. The double emulsion system proved effective in protecting anthocyanins against different pHs, temperatures, and storage times, highlighting its potential for application as natural colorants in foods.

Chitosan nanoparticles and neem essential oil functionalized pullulan/gum arabic active edible biocomposites for fresh-cut guava preservation

The study demonstrates the preparation of active edible biocomposites using Pullulan (PUL) and Gum Arabic (GA), functionalized with Chitosan Nanoparticles (NCS) and Neem Essential Oil (NEO). These biocomposites addressed the issues of high hydrophilicity and poor barrier properties in packaging. The effects of varying NCS concentrations (1 %, 2 %, and 3 %) on various film properties were studied, while keeping PUL, GA, and NEO concentrations constant. The biocomposite containing NEO and 3 % NCS (PUL/GA/NCS3/NEO), significantly improved surface properties, transforming it from hydrophilic (water contact angle 55.49 ± 2.31°) to hydrophobic (115.01 ± 1.86°). Additionally, tensile strength increased by ∼12.77 MPa, elongation at break by ∼6.26 %, thermal stability (Toffset) by ∼22.49 °C, and water vapour barrier by ∼45.95 %, alongside enhanced UV-shielding, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The EDX analysis confirmed the biocomposite safety, with 55.7 % carbon (C), 3.6 % nitrogen (N), and 40.8 % oxygen (O). Moreover, in vitro biocompatibility tests on Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK-293) cells indicated non-cytotoxicity, with 86.82 ± 2.28 % viability after 72 h. Furthermore, the practical application of PUL/GA/NCS3/NEO solution was tested as an edible coating material for fresh-cut guava preservation. The coated guava better maintained storage quality parameters in terms of colour, weight loss, firmness, microbiological shelf-life and antioxidant activity, under both ambient and refrigerated conditions.

Novel waste wool fabric reinforced alginate-gum hydrogel composites for rapid and selective Pb (II) adsorption

Heavy metals employed in various industrial applications can negatively impact both the ecosystem and human beings. Common techniques for eliminating pollutants often rely on expensive materials. So, this study focuses on exploring economical alternatives obtained from nature and textile waste. In this study, a hydrogel composite was synthesized using wool nonwoven fabric mixed with alginate, gum Arabic (GA), and xanthan gum (XG) to evaluate its efficacy in adsorbing lead (Pb) from aqueous solutions. The composites were characterized using SEM, FTIR, and XPS to understand their structure and composition before and after Pb adsorption. The effects of time, pH, and initial metal ion concentration on Pb adsorption by the composite were also investigated. Maximum adsorption was observed at a basic pH, with the highest value recorded at 85.2 mg/g. Notably, 88.2 % of this maximum adsorption was achieved within 60 min, indicating a rapid adsorption process. Kinetic studies indicated that the adsorption process best fits pseudo-second-order kinetics, while the Freundlich model, with an R² value of 0.95, suggests a chemisorption mechanism. The developed wool-alginate-gum hydrogel composite has shown to be a promising candidate for the removal of Pb²⁺ ions from wastewater.

Effect of Arabic Gum on Gentamicin Nephrotoxicity in Mice: A Pathological Study

<p><strong>Aim</strong> To investigate the effect of Arabic gum on gentamycin nephrotoxicity in mice kidney.<br /><strong>Methods</strong> Forty (40) mice were divided into five groups, eight mice in each. Group one (G1) stands for the negative control group. The second one (G2) was injected with gentamycin only, while the third one (G3) was given an Arabic gum orally 10g/kg. The 4th group (G4) was injected with gentamycin for 8 days, and then followed by Arabic gum orally for 8 days. The fifth group (G5) was injected with gentamycin plus oral administration of Arabic gum at the same time. A scoring system (+1-+4) was used to grade the histological features in the kidneys.<br /><strong>Results</strong> The results revealed a significant increase in body weight in G3 group only; this group presented a significant decrease in the level of both urea and creatinine. Group G2 showed a marked elevation in both serum urea and creatinine. Acute tubular necrosis (+4), in both G2 and G5. In G3, kidney sections presented mild cell swelling of the tubular epithelium in addition to the normal architectures (score +1), while G4 sections revealed tubular hyalin cast, expansion of glomerular tufts.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong> The research indicates that gentamycin leads to kidney damage in mice. Arabic gum could be a treatment option although additional studies are required to determine the best dosing and timing, for optimal effectiveness.</p>

Interfacial structure modification and enhanced emulsification stability of microalgae protein through interaction with anionic polysaccharides

Microalgae protein (MP) have emerged as a focal point of research within food processing due to its nutritional value and foaming properties. However, its isoelectric point around pH 4 leads to it susceptible to collision, binding, and precipitation. Additionally, MP has poor emulsification properties and only shows stability under strongly alkaline conditions. This study investigated the effects of food-grade anionic polysaccharides (guar gum (GG), gum arabic (GA), low acyl gellan gum (LG), and pectin (PT)) on the molecular structure and emulsification properties of MP. Results indicated that these anionic polysaccharides enhanced the UV absorption of MP near 620 nm, especially at 14 % content, while fluorescence intensity decreased due to amino acid residues masking without structural changes. The addition of polysaccharides resulted in bimodal or multimodal particle size distributions, with LG and PT showing larger particle sizes. At pH 4, negatively charged polysaccharides formed stable complexes with near-neutral MP, improving solution stability via electrostatic repulsion and diminishing turbidity. The droplet distribution analysis indicated that higher anionic polysaccharide ratios (1:4, 1:2, and 1:1) correlated with smaller droplet sizes and increased emulsion stability. Zeta-potential measurements revealed negative charges for emulsions, with LG-MP and PT-MP complexes displaying higher absolute values (15.0 to 20.7 mV) compared to GG-MP and GA-MP complexes, indicating superior stability. Storage stability analysis showed that LG-MP and PT-MP complexes stabilized emulsions had minimal delamination over two weeks. Rheological assessments showed that increasing GG and GA contents from 14 % to 50 % had negligible effects on apparent viscosity, while LG-MP (1:1) complexes stabilized emulsion displayed higher viscosity compared to PT-MP emulsions. Frequency sweep results showed that GG-MP, GA-MP, and LG-MP emulsions had greater elastic moduli (G') than viscous moduli (G"), indicating elastic behavior, whereas PT-MP emulsions transitioned from liquid-like to solid-like behavior as frequency increased. This study illustrates the advantages of high LG and PT content in preventing particle aggregation and enhancing emulsion stability, providing a theoretical and practical foundation for MP applications in food processing.

Influence of surface oxidation rate on the flotation of sphalerite and galena inhibited by gum arabic

Differences in the flotation behavior of galena and sphalerite using potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and gum arabic (GA) alone and using a mixture of KMnO4 and GA were investigated. The single mineral flotation tests revealed that when KMnO4 and GA were used individually, galena and sphalerite flotation were inhibited, but the reagent dosages required were large. Sphalerite was strongly inhibited by the addition of a tiny amount of GA after oxidation with KMnO4 while galena was not inhibited under the same conditions. Following oxidation by KMnO4, galena and sphalerite exhibited a significant 83 % difference in flotation recovery when 10 mg/L GA was used, which clearly showed the potential for the combined use of KMnO4 and GA to achieve flotation separation of galena from mixed lead-zinc ores. The inhibitory effect of GA on sphalerite was investigated through a combination of analytical techniques, including Microcalorimetry, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis. The results displayed that sphalerite had a much higher oxidation rate than galena, resulting in more oxides and hydroxides. As a result, the sphalerite surface exhibits an increased availability of active sites favorable to GA adsorption, thereby impeding Butyl xanthate (PBX) adsorption. However, the galena surface was able to absorb PBX, resulting in mineral separation.

Encapsulation of ɣ-Aminobutyric Acid Compounds Extracted from Germinated Brown Rice by Freeze-Drying Technique.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from plants has several bioactivities, such as neurotransmission, anti-cancer cell proliferation, and blood pressure control. Its bioactivities vary when exposed to pH, heat, and ultraviolet. This study analyzed the protective effect of the GABA encapsulation technique using gum arabic (GA) and maltodextrin (MD) and the freeze-drying method. The impact of different ratios of the wall material GA and MD on morphology, GABA content, antioxidant activity, encapsulation efficiency, process yield, and physical properties were analyzed. Results showed that the structure of encapsulated GABA powder was similar to broken glass pieces of various sizes and irregular shapes. The highest GABA content and encapsulation efficiency were, respectively, 90.77 mg/g and 84.36% when using the wall material GA:MD ratio of 2:2. The encapsulated powder's antioxidant activity was 1.09-1.80 g of encapsulation powder for each formula, which showed no significant difference. GA and MD as the wall material in a 2:2 (w/w) ratio showed the lowest bulk density. The high amount of MD showed the highest Hausner ratio (HR), and Carr's index (CI) showed high encapsulation efficiency and process yield. The stability of encapsulated GABA powder can be kept in clear glass with a screw cap at 35 °C for 42 days compared to the non-encapsulated one, which can be preserved for only 18 days under the same condition. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the freeze-drying process for GABA encapsulation preserved GABA component extracts from brown rice while increasing its potential beneficial properties. Using a wall material GA:MD ratio of 2:2 resulted in the maximum GABA content, solubility, and encapsulation efficiency while having the lowest bulk density.

THE ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF GUM ARABIC-COATED Mn-DOPED CuS NANOPRISMS

Novel nanoprism-shaped manganese-doped copper sulfide (Mn–CuS) was fabricated by two-phase colloidal method (Mn percentages = 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%). The Mn–CuS was analyzed by XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis spectrometer, and TEM. The XRD shows that the hexagonal covellite copper sulfide peaks appeared at 2[Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] for 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% respectively, and orthorhombic chalcocite copper sulfide appeared at the peaks that are corresponding the planes (412), (275), (029) and (106). According to UV–Vis analysis, the optical absorption of manganese-doped copper sulfide 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% clearly appeared in the UV–Vis region at 518, 440, 478, and 477[Formula: see text]nm respectively, and there are broad peaks for localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) of CuS located at 970, 1061, 1002, and 1006[Formula: see text]nm for Mn–CuS 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%, respectively. The favored nanoprism-shaped sample (manganese-doped copper sulfide 1%) was coated with gum Arabic (GA) in order to decrease the cytotoxicity and enhance the biocompatibility. The antibacterial activity of manganese-doped copper sulfide and GA@Mn–CuS 1% nanostructure toward Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria was determined by inhibition zone. It was found that the fabrecated Mn–CuS 1% nanoprisms were more active toward both E. coli and S. aureus bacteria and the doping enhanced the antibacterial activity.

Black Jamun Fruit Peel Extract Modified Gum Acacia Biopolymer Suitable for Energy Device Applications via Charge Transfer Enhancement

The visible light absorption capabilities, along with its electrical characteristics, of a low-cost, plant-based, biopolymer, gum acacia, have been chemically modified by tailoring its defect concentrations via pH modification, where the acid solvent of fruit (peel) extracts of jamun was used to influence the chemical structure by reactive modification. Ultraviolet-visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy of the gum acacia biopolymer treated with the extracted anthocyanin from jamun peel showed a prominent, characteristic red shift in the visible spectrum range. Impedance spectroscopy analysis showed the occurrence of localized ionic conduction. The bulk conductivity of the modified specimens increased due to the profound release of conducting ions in the water-swollen network. The reactively modified biopolymer could be used in multiple fields of material science, specifically in energy device applications, viz., photovoltaics (PV), by utilizing its cost effectiveness and photolytic effectiveness. 2nd, as a polymer electrolyte and dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) material by utilizing its capacity of gel formation. In our research described in this article, the underlying charge transfer mechanism for such responses was examined after crosslinking in the organic dyes extracted from the peel of jamun fruit with gum acacia.

Exposure to food additive mixtures and type 2 diabetes risk in the NutriNet-Santé cohort

Abstract Background So far, the safety evaluation of food additives has been performed substance by substance, while in real life, millions of individuals are exposed to mixtures of food additives daily. According to preliminary experimental data, some of these chemicals, alone and/or in synergy are suspected to impact metabolic health. The objective of this study was to investigate for the first time the associations between exposure to mixtures of food additives and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk in a large prospective cohort of French adults. Methods Participants (n = 108,783, 79.2% women, mean age=42.4 years, SD = 14.6) from the NutriNet-Santé cohort (2009-2024) completed repeated 24h-dietary records, detailing industrial product brands. Additive exposure was assessed using composition databases and laboratory assays. Five mixtures of additives were identified through non-negative matrix factorisation (NMF). Associations between these mixtures and the risk of T2D were characterised using multivariable proportional hazards Cox models adjusted for known risk factors. Findings 1115 participants were identified with T2D during follow-up. Two additive mixtures were associated with increased T2D risk. The first mixture included higher exposure to modified starches E14xx, pectins E440, guar gum E412, carrageenan E407, and polyphosphates E452 (HRper 1SD increment=1.11 [1.05-1.18]), p < 0.0001). The second mixture comprised citric acid E330, sodium citrates E331, phosphoric acid E338, sulphite ammonia caramel E150d, acesulfame-K E950, aspartame E951, sucralose E955 and arabic gum E414 (HR1SD=1.13 [1.08-1.18]), p < 0.0001). Interpretation This large prospective cohort study revealed direct associations between T2D risk and exposure to two food additive mixtures. Molecular epidemiology and experimental studies will be necessary to depict underlying mechanisms and potential cocktail effects. Key messages • Consumed together, widely used food additives may contribute to T2D aetiology, shedding light on the detrimental impact of highly processed foods on metabolic health. • This study highlights positives associations between T2D risk and exposure to two food additive mixtures.

Evaluation of the Effect of Gum Arabic on the Histological and Physiological Changes in the Liver of Albino Rats Exposed to Bisphenol A

We designed this work in order to study the protective effect of aqueous extract of gum arabic (GA) from oxidative damage induced by bisphenol A(BPA). This study was conducted on 35 male laboratory Albino rats of Sprague Dawley strain (165-210 grams) and divided into five groups. Each group included 7 rats. The experiment was performed at the animal house of Biology (College of Education for Pure Sciences). The experiment continued for 90 days under conditions Standard laboratory, as follows: The first group was the control; the second group had GA taken orally; the third group had BPA taken orally; the fourth group had GA taken first, followed by BPS, and the fifth group had BPA taken first, followed by GA. According to the above results clearly, Serum levels of AST, ALT and Lipid profile (Cholesterol, Triglyceride) indicated a highly significant increase in these parameters at group 3, While the fourth and fifth groups show significant reductions in AST, ALT, cholesterol, triglycerides, and MDA, also significant increases in GSH levels, While the histological changes in the third group were represented by the presence of a state of blood congestion with depletion of glycoprotein and degeneration of some cells, in addition to the presence of a state of necrosis of liver cells, while it was not observed severe histological changes when compared to third group in both fourth and fifth groups. In Short, the above results indicated that GA treatment for BPA-induced liver injury had Therapeutic effect through anti-free radical formation and functional role as free scavenger.

Neuron-Inspired Flexible Phase Change Materials for Ambient Energy Harvesting and Respiration Monitoring.

The global energy crisis and climate change pose unprecedented challenges. Wearable devices with personal thermoregulation and energy harvesting hold great promise for achieving energy savings and human thermal comfort. Here, inspired by neurons, a novel phase change material (PCM) is reported for efficient energy harvesting and respiratory monitoring via a self-assembly strategy. The use of gum arabic (GA) enabled the encapsulation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the targeted distribution of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (cMWCNTs) simultaneously in poly (ethylene vinyl acetate) (EVA) matrix. The material exhibits an outstanding toughness value of 14.88MJ m-3 and high elongation at a break of 565.67%, exhibiting remarkable flexibility. The material with sufficient melting enthalpy (71.11 J g-1) demonstrates high photothermal conversion efficiency (95.27%) under 808nm laser irradiation (105mW cm-2). In addition, due to the synergistic effect of GA and PEG, especially the formation of microdome structures on the surface, the material demonstrates ultrasensitive humidity responsiveness for respiratory monitoring with high precision, excellent repeatability, and fast response/recovery time (50.4/50.5ms). Notably, it shows great potential for moisture-electric generators (MEGs) with the function of non-contact sensing. This material opens the path toward next-generation wearable devices in energy conversion and health monitoring.

An Experimental Investigation on Synthesis, Characterization, and Photothermal Conversion Efficiency of Stable Aqueous Nanofluids Containing Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Direct Absorption Solar Collectors

The nanofluids are the potential substitute in solar collectors as working fluids for better photothermal conversion efficiency. The present investigation focuses on the development of aqueous‐based nanofluids comprising multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with and without surfactants to enhance the capacity of photothermal conversion in direct absorption solar collectors. To improve the stability of the nanofluid, the gum Arabic (GA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) are used as the surfactants. The stable nanofluid was characterized using UV‐visible spectroscopy, zeta potential, fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The results indicated that the thermal conductivity was enhanced by 94.57% and 91.19% for the MWCNT/GA/deionized (DI) water and MWCNTs/PVA/DI water based nanofluids in presence of surfactants at 90 °C and 0.02 wt%. The presence of surfactant in MWCNTs/DI water nanofluids exhibit excellent stability and enhanced MWCNTs dispersion. In the photothermal response analysis, the highest temperature of 62.8 °C, which is 16 °C higher than the base fluid, is obtained from 0.02wt% MWCNT/GA nanofluid. The highest efficiency of 27.94% is recorded when 0.02wt% MWCNT/GA nanofluid is used, which shows 71.24% enhancement as compared to the DI water after exposure of 30 minutes under solar irradiation. The use of MWCNTs/GA nanofluid as light‐absorbing working fluids in solar collectors is encouraged in the present investigation.