High Water Absorption Capacity Research Articles

Anti-seepage performance and underlying mechanism of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium-modified bentonite in hydraulic engineering applications

Bentonite is widely utilized in hydraulic engineering projects. However, its performance may deteriorate under extreme environmental conditions. Hence, we aim to develop a sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-modified bentonite and investigate its anti-seepage performance. The results showed that the 10% CMC-modified bentonite exhibited the best performance. Compared with unmodified bentonite, the expansion index of 10% CMC-modified bentonite significantly increased to 40 mL/2 g, indicating a high water absorption capacity and expansion property. Moreover, it showed a significant decrease in permeability coefficient (3.72×10−11 m/s) and an increase in porosity (1.90), indicating its excellent anti-seepage effect. Furthermore, under unconventional environmental conditions and long-term performance tests, the 10% CMC-modified bentonite shows improved stability compared to the unmodified bentonite. Therefore, it can be concluded that this study provides support for the utilization of CMC-modified bentonite in anti-seepage engineering and hydraulic engineering applications.

Effect of Nostoc commune cover on shallow soil moisture, runoff and erosion in the subtropics

Nostoc commune (Nostoc commune Vaucher ex Born & Flahault) is widely distributed in grasslands within the subtropical region. Because of its morphological changes are more sensitive to moisture, it may affect the soil’s response to infiltration-runoff processes, thus significantly influencing soil moisture dynamics, runoff, and soil loss. However, the exact effects of this phenomenon are not yet fully understood. This study established a one-year monitoring experiment of soil moisture, runoff and soil erosion in the karst area of Southwest China from September 2021 to November 2022. Using bare soil (CK) as the control, two treatments of Nostoc commune cover at 100 % coverage (C1) and 50 % coverage (C2) were set up in 3 repetitions to investigate the shallow soil’s response to Nostoc commune cover and rainfall and to quantify the effects of land cover and rainfall type on runoff and soil loss. The results showed that Nostoc commune cover significantly increased the shallow-soil water content, and the effect of increasing soil water content was more significant with increasing coverage. The cumulative soil water increment (CSWI) varied greatly under different types of rainfall due to the high water-absorbing capacity of Nostoc commune. The CSWI showed C1 < C2 < CK under light rain and moderate rain events, while the CSWI showed C1 > C2 > CK under heavy rain and rainstorm events. The temporal pattern of soil moisture changed greatly under different cover treatments and rainfall events. In particular, the response time under different rainfall types varied from 10 min to 250 min. The runoff depth and soil loss in CK were 1.19–2.15 times and 1.92–14.43 times that of C1 and C2, respectively. This indicates that Nostoc commune cover has a significant effect on controlling runoff and soil erosion. In addition, the sensitivity of runoff and soil loss to the maximum 10-min rainfall intensity was higher than that of the maximum 30-min rainfall intensity, which was attributed to the rapid swelling of Nostoc commune in the hydration process, which greatly reduced runoff and soil erosion. This study can contribute to further understanding the hydrological process and soil erosion characteristics under different surface covers in humid karst areas.

Effect of novel blanching methods on Infra-red drying characteristics and quality attributes of elephant foot yam

The present study evaluated the effect of various pre-treatments (Potassium metabisulphite (KMS), KMS+Ultrasonication (KMSUS), KMS+Microwave (KMSMW), KMS+Hot water (KMSHWB) followed by infrared drying on the quality of Elephant Foot Yam (EFY). KMSMW-treated samples showed the fastest drying rate and highest moisture diffusivity, whereas the KMS-treated sample had the highest weight gain (171.57 %) in rehydration (80 °C). KMSMW and KMSHWB-treated samples exhibited softer textures in rehydration compared to control. Pre-treated samples had higher water absorption capacity and lower oil absorption capacity compared to the control. Pre-treatments also influenced the amylose content and the highest amylose content was observed for KMSUS (21.25 %). Pre-treatments positively influenced the retention of bioactive compounds and reduced the calcium oxalate (117.37 mg/g to 64.09 mg/g). Among all the pre-treatments, KMSHWB showed higher retention of bioactive compounds viz., TPC (297.67 mg GAE/100 g), TFC (922.22 mg QE/100 g), DPPH scavenging activity (57.91 %), ABTS (1.42 mmol TE/100 g) and lowest calcium oxalate (64.09 mg/100 g).

A blue light 3D printable hydrogel with water absorption, antibacterial, and hemostatic properties for skin wound healing

3D printing hydrogels are widely used in biomedicine because of their unique flexibility, water richness, biocompatibility, and most importantly, the ability to manufacture customized complex structures. Among the various 3D printing technologies for hydrogels, Digital Light Processing (DLP) is advantageous due to its fast speed and high precision. However, the high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light used in most DLP can damage the bio-materials, which limits their application in biomedicine. Herein, by introduction of multiple strengthening mechanisms (nanofibers, hydrogen bonds and coordination bonds) and double photo-initiators, we designed a 2-acrylamide-2-methyl-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS)-based hydrogel, which can be manufactured into various high-precision structures through 3D printing with blue light (450 nm). The printed hydrogel has good mechanical properties, high water absorption capacity, and strong water retention property. Vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that the printed hydrogels show excellent biocompatibility, hemostasis effect and antibacterial properties. We further expand the application of 3D printing in the field of precision medicine. The use of 3D printed hydrogels can achieve accurate fitting and wound repair according to the structure of the patient’s wound, providing better curative effect to the patient.

Impact of basalt fiber reinforced concrete in protected buildings: a review

This study investigates on the impact of basalt fiber reinforcement concrete in protected building and structures. Basalt fibers, derived from the melting of basalt rock at temperatures ranging from 1,500 to 1700°C, are recognized as sustainable and environmentally friendly fiber materials. Various studies have revealed differing optimal percentages of basalt fibers for enhancing the mechanical and chemical properties of concrete. The objectives of this paper are to investigate the effects of basalt fibre reinforcement on mechanical properties like tensile, compressive, and bending strengths. Additionally, performance indicators like void content, water absorption, chloride ion permeability, alkali and slag resistance, temperature stability, shrinkage characteristics, and abrasion resistance will be evaluated. Basalt fibre is typically utilised to increase the mechanical properties and durability of concrete, which has an impact in the effect on protected buildings and structures. The findings indicate that the most effective percentage range for improving mechanical properties lies between 0.1% and 0.3% of basalt fibers. Notably, concrete reinforced with basalt fibers demonstrates superior mechanical and chemical performance in alkaline environments compared to other fiber types. Moreover, the addition of 0.5% basalt fibers to concrete has been shown to significantly reduce chloride ion penetration, as evidenced by a decrease in RCPT load from 2,500 (C) to 1900 (C), indicative of enhanced chloride resistance. Reinforced concrete containing basalt fibers exhibits remarkable temperature resistance, withstanding temperatures exceeding 800°C due to its high-water absorption capacity. Additionally, basalt fibers exhibit resilience at temperatures up to 200°C. However, it is noted that the introduction of 0.14% basalt fibers leads to a slight increase in water absorption from 4.08 to 4.28. In general, basalt fibres are beneficial to many aspects of concrete; they strengthen resistance to temperature, alkali, acid exposure, and chloride while also improving mechanical qualities such as bending and tensile strength. The development of basalt fibres that extend building lifespans and improve concrete quality for structural engineering applications is making encouraging strides, according to all the results.

Study of Structural Parameters of Weft Knitted Spacer Fabrics on Wound Dressing Performance

This research aimed to develop wound dressings from weft-knitted spacer fabrics as an alternative to existing dressing options. A Stoll Type CMS530 HP electronic flat knitting machine was used to develop spacer weft knitted fabrics, which were tested with various experimental configurations by adjusting the linking distances, spacer yarn ratios, and inlays for proper optimization. Fabric physical and performance properties were evaluated to determine the application of wound dressings and the influence of structural differences. The result showed that the fabric with nylon-to-cotton yarn containing a linking distance setting of 6 needles at a ratio of 1:3, had the highest total performance value, making it the most appropriate fabric for exudate dressing in humid environmental conditions. The fabric with the highest water absorption capacity, and moisture management fabric type was the most effective.

Comparative study on effect of pomegranate peel powder as natural preservative and chemical preservatives on quality and shelf life of muffins

This research aims to investigate the potential of utilizing pomegranate peel powder (PPP) as a natural preservative in muffin preparation. Pomegranate peel is a rich source of bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins, which possess high antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The In-Vitro antifungal activity of pomegranate peel powder (8% PPP), potassium sorbate (0.1% PS) and calcium propionate (0.5% CP) was assessed against Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. using poison food technique. The PPP showed the anti-fungal activity by delaying the growth of microorganism on media plate similar to the PS and CP. The effect of utilization of PPP on quality characteristics of muffins were compared with the muffins with chemical preservatives (0.1% PS and 0.5% CP). The viscosity and specific gravity of batter significantly increased from 7.98 to 11.87 Pa s and 1.089–1.398 respectively on addition of 8% PPP. The optical microscopic structure of PPP added batter revealed the decrease in the number of air cells from 24 to 12 with radius range of 6.42–72.72 μm and area range of 511.03–15,383.17 µm2. The functional properties of flour with PPP had higher water absorption capacity, foaming stability, emulsification activity and emulsion stability than others. The addition of PPP significantly increase the weight (32.83 g), and decrease the height (31.3 mm), volume (61.43 cm3), specific volume (1.67 cm3/g) and baking loss (10.19%). The 418.36% increase in fibre content, 14.46% and 18.46% decrease in carbohydrates and energy value was observed in muffin with 8% PPP as compared to control respectively. The total phenols was increased from 0.92 to 12.5 mg GAE/100 g, total tannin from 0.2 to 8.27 mg GAE/100 g, In-vitro antioxidant activity by DPPH from 6.97 to 29.34% and In-vitro antioxidant activity by FRAP from 0.497 to 2.934 mg AAE/100 g in muffins added with 8% PPP. The muffin with PPP was softer than control and muffin with 0.1% PS. The addition of PPP resulted to improve in muffin texture but taste slightly bitter. During the storage of muffins at room temperature (27–30 °C), the moisture content of muffin with PPP was reduced from 17.04 to 13.23% which was higher than the rest of the treatments. Similarly, the hardness of sample with PPP was higher than the sample with 0.5% CP, but lowers than control and sample with 0.1% PS throughout the storage period. The results suggest that pomegranate peel powder can be successfully used as a natural preservative in place of chemical preservatives in muffins, to extend the shelf life. This study provides the opportunity to use PPP as functional ingredient and natural preservative in different bakery products.

The combined effects of weather conditions and fertilization on wheat fiber to protein ratio and on dough quality

Owing to the increasing role of fiber-rich wholegrain products in food preparation, it is necessary to determine the optimal ratio of protein to fiber in wholewheat flour. The effects of organic and mineral N fertilizers on the protein content (PC) and total content of arabinoxylans and β-glucans (AX+BG) and their ratio (PC:AX+BG) were investigated here. The effect of this ratio on the dough quality of winter wheat ‘Fredis’ was evaluated. The field experiment was conducted at the Estonian University of Life Sciences in 2014‒2017. The results showed that the total amount of AX+BG was significantly affected only by weather conditions (air temperature and precipitation). Higher total AX+BG was associated with higher water absorption capacity, longer dough development time, and a higher quality number of the dough. Better dough quality indicators were obtained when the PC:AX+BG ratio was in the range of 2‒2.2:1. The value of the PC:AX+BG ratio depended more on fiber content than on PC, because the variation in fiber values between trial years was up to three times greater than that of PC. Better dough quality was obtained from N treatments with higher organic and mineral N amounts and in years with lower or average grain yield.

Preparation and Properties of Attapulgite/Brucite Fiber-Based Highly Absorbent Polymer Composite.

The ATP-BF-P(HEC-AA-AMPS) composite highly absorbent polymer was copolymerized with acrylic acid (AA) and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) using an aqueous solution method with attapulgite (ATP) and attapulgite (ATP) as a matrix. The prepared ATP-BF-P(HEC-AA-AMPS) was characterized in terms of microstructure and tested for its water absorption capacity, water retention properties, and pH dynamic sensing ability. The results showed that the synthesized ATP-BF-P(HEC-AA-AMPS) had a rough and porous surface and a high water absorption capacity and rate, almost reaching the maximum water absorption around 20 min, and demonstrated excellent water retention performance at low and medium temperatures. ATP-BF-P(HEC-AA-AMPS) has a sensitive dynamic sensing ability in different pH solutions, with a high swelling capacity between pH 6.0 and 10.0. When the pH value exceeded 10.0, the swelling rate decreased rapidly. Additionally, the thermal stability and mechanical strength of the highly absorbent polymers were significantly improved after blending with ATP and BF.

Quality Attributes of Wheat and Aerial Yam Composite Flours and Evaluation of Biscuits from the Flours

Wheat flour is the basic flour for flour confectionaries; however, its strict agronomic requirements limit its cultivation in many regions of the world. Hence, it has to be imported, raising the cost of production. Researchers are on the lookout for cheaper alternatives from locally available materials, and this has led to the use of composite flours. This study aimed to evaluate the quality attributes of wheat and aerial yam composite flours and the properties of biscuits produced from the composite flours. The composite flours were analyzed for their functional, proximate, mineral and phytochemical properties. While the biscuits were evaluated for their physical, microbial and sensory properties. Results showed a significant increase in the protein, fibre and fat contents of the composite flour in comparison to the control with values ranging from 5.77-7.18%, 0.4-0.62%, and 3.4-3.62%, respectively. Calcium (1.16-1.69 mg/100 g), iron (0.38-0.67 mg/100 g), magnesium (24.00-35.38 mg/100 g), potassium (2.87-5.06 mg/100 g), sodium (0.20-0.28 mg/100g) and phytochemicals were also observed to increase in the composite flours. The composite flours also had lesser bulk densities (0.70-0.75 g/ml) and higher water absorption capacities (113.50-134.00 g/ml) than 100% wheat flour (0.77 g/ml and 102.50 g/ml, respectively). The physical and sensory properties of the biscuits produced from the composite flours compared favourably with those produced from the control flour as there was no significant difference in the diameter, taste, crispness and overall acceptability of the biscuits. The findings showed the suitability of aerial yam flour as an alternative to wheat flour.

A super hydrophilic and high strength chitosan hemostatic sponge prepared by freeze-drying and alkali treatment for rapid hemostasis

Excessive blood loss caused by natural accidents or major surgical procedures can be life-threatening and requires rapid hemorrhage management. Developing hemostatic materials with high water absorption capacity and high strength properties is still challenging. Super hydrophilic/high-strength chitosan hemostatic sponges (SHHS-CHS) were prepared by freeze-drying and alkali treatment. The freeze-drying technology formed a porous three-dimensional structure of sponges, and alkali treatment increased the hydrophilicity of sponges and the rigidity of the chitosan molecular chain, improving the hydrophilicity and mechanical properties of chitosan sponges. Characterization experiments revealed that SHHS-CHS had high water absorption capacity, rich pore structure, and excellent mechanical properties. The cytotoxicity and hemolysis experiments showed that SHHS-CHS had good biocompatibility. Compared to the commercial hemostatic gelatin sponges and chitosan hemostatic material, SHHS-CHS had better blood coagulation and red blood cell and platelet adhesion ability. Moreover, SHHS-CHS showed better hemostatic ability than gelatin sponges in rat-liver injury and rat leg vein rupture models, significantly reducing the hemostasis time and bleeding volume. In conclusion, SHHS-CHS has broad prospects for clinical application as a hemostatic material.

Nutritional, physicochemical, and functional properties of Hawaiian taro (Colocasia esculenta) flours: A comparative study.

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour is a viable carbohydrate alternative and a functional additive for food formulation; however, different taro varieties may possess distinct characteristics that may influence their suitability for food production. This study evaluated the nutritional, physicochemical, and functional properties of flours from five Hawaiian taro varieties: Bun-Long, Mana Ulu, Moi, Kaua'i Lehua, and Tahitian. Tahitian, Bun-long, and Moi had high total starch contents of 40.8, 38.9, and 34.1g/100g, respectively. Additionally, Moi had the highest neutral detergent fiber (25.5g/100g), lignin (1.39g/100g), and cellulose (5.31g/100g). In terms of physicochemical properties, Tahitian showed the highest water solubility index (33.3g/100g), while Tahitian and Moi exhibited the two highest water absorption indices (5.81g/g and 5.68g/g, respectively). Regarding functional properties, Tahitian had the highest water absorption capacity (3.48g/g), and Tahitian and Moi had the two highest oil absorption capacities (3.15g/g and 2.68g/g, respectively). Therefore, the flours from these Hawaiian taro varieties possess promising characteristics that could enhance food quality when used as alternative additives in food processing.

Farklı Sodyum Bentonit Seviyelerinin Balkabağı Atığı Silajının Kimyasal Bileşimi, Mikrobiyolojik Kompozisyon ve Laktik Asit Seviyeleri Üzerine Etkisi

Pumpkin residue could be used as silage in animal nutrition, yet ensiling is challenging due to its high moisture content, which can negatively impact the process and produce mycotoxins. Sodium bentonite (SB) has high water-absorbing capacity and have been used in pellet feed manufacturing for ruminant and monogastric animals. This study aimed to investigate the effect of adding two different levels of SB to pumpkin residue silage on its chemical composition, silage quality, microbiota, and lactic acid levels. The pumpkin residues were ensiled with 0%, 1%, and 2% SB in four replicates for three months. The analysis showed that the addition of SB significantly reduced crude protein (CP), water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), Fleig point and lactic acid levels, yet increased crude ash (CA), dry matter content (DM) and pH values. Microbial counts for yeast-mould and lactic acid bacteria were highest in the control group. Conversely, the %1 SB supplemented silages exhibited the lowest levels of lactic acid bacteria and yeast. Thus, using SB as a silage additive reduce yeast and mold, however it also reduced nutritional value and lactic acid amount in the silage. Further research can investigate the optimal level of SB for different types of silage to improve their quality and shelf life.

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. They were soft and flexible in both dry and wet states, and their Young's moduli were comparable to that of human skin. The aerogels had high porosity, ranging from 93.0 % to 95.1 %, and exhibited a high water absorption rate and water absorption capacity (ranging from 7.5 g/g to 10.1 g/g). After 30 min of water evaporation, the aerogels showed excellent moisture retention, ranging from 88 % to 93 %. Additionally, the PVA/PUL aerogel efficiently loaded and released active ingredients, such as rapidly releasing ascorbic acid (> 90 % within 30 min). These findings suggest that the PVA/PUL aerogel has potential as a material for facial mask substrates.

Scalable phosphorylated cellulose production with improved environmental sustainability, crosslinkability and processability using 3D bioprinting for dye remediation

In the present work, phosphorylated cellulose (PC) gel has been produced following an environmentally benign approach using agro-based chemicals with improved yield. The PC gels produced were transparent, negatively charged with high consistency, charge content (1133.33 mmol/kg), degree of substitution (DS) of 0.183 and increased yield (>87 %). The XPS and EDS analysis confirms the covalently bonded phosphate groups at weight percent of 9.42 % and 11.01 %, respectively. The life cycle assessment (LCA) shows that PC gel production via the phosphorylation route is an ecologically favourable strategy compared with traditional TEMPO oxidation, resulting in 1.67 times lower CO2 emission. The rheological studies of PC gels show shear-thinning behaviour with improved 3D printability followed by heat-induced crosslinking of phosphate groups. The mechanistic insights for the condensation of phosphate to form a phosphoric ester group during cross-linking were evaluated through 31P solid-state NMR and XPS studies. Interestingly, the 3D-printed structures showed high structural stability under both compression and tensile load in both dry and wet conditions, with high water absorption (5408.33 %) and swelling capacity of 700 %. The structures show improved methylene blue (MB) remediation capabilities with a maximum removal efficiency of 99 % for 10–200 mg/L and more than seven times reusability. This work provides a green, facile and energy-efficient strategy for fabricating PCs with easy processability through additive manufacturing techniques for producing value-added products, opening up new avenues for high-performance applications.

Improved concrete ITZ and performance via pre-soaking of inert recycled red brick aggregates in carbonation solution

Compared to recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), the high-water absorption of recycled red brick aggregate (RBA) has limited its utilization in concrete production. However, this study takes the advantage of its high-water absorption capacity as a carrier for carbonation solutions, aiming to compensate the strength loss by enhancing the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) properties of incorporated concrete. The effects of carbonation solutions (e.g., CO2 and NaHCO3) by varying the CO2 injection times (10 s, 60 s and 600 s) and NaHCO3 dosages (1%, 3% and 5%) on the physical (i.e. density and water absorption) and mechanical (i.e. compressive and tensile bond strengths) properties of concrete, in particular focus on the ITZ changes, were systematically investigated. In addition, the microstructure changes of concrete ITZ were studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope-backscattered electron (SEM-BSE) image analysis and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The results indicated that it was feasible to enhance the ITZ properties by using CO2 solution as the pre-soaking agent of RBA. The adoption of CO2 solution could significantly improve the bond strength of ITZ by up to 22.5% and resulted 8.6% improvement in 28-day compressive strength. The CO2 solution contributed to the formation of CaCO3 can accelerate the cement hydration of surrounding matrix and hence densified the microstructure of ITZ. For the case of pre-soaking with NaHCO3, although the release of solution from RBA could improve the early strength of concrete, the later strength significantly reduced due to the effect of sodium ions in NaHCO3 on the growth of outer C–S–H gel.

Insights into water absorption characteristics of various waste-based inorganic additives and their application for soil stabilization

Cement is the most important binding agent used in soil stabilization and significantly improves the strength and compressibility of soils. However, owing to the significant environmental and socio-economic impact of cement production, alternative, low-carbon binders are increasingly being sought. Among them, waste-based inorganic additives used in construction provide sustainable soil treatment materials and reduce the need for landfills. Effective mud stabilization depends on the type of stabilizers and their mineralogical setup, as well as an understanding of their water absorption capacity. Therefore, this study investigated the factors influencing the water absorption characteristics of waste-based additives, including paper sludge ash (PSA), palm kernel shell ash (PKSA), rice husk ash (RHA), coal fly ash, hemihydrate gypsum, limestone powder, and basalt rock powder (BRP). The water absorption capacity (Wab) of each additive represents the amount of water absorbed per gram evaluated via the suction filtration method. The long-term water absorption capacities of the waste additives were compared with a conventional additive, blast furnace cement class B (BFCB). Although PSA, PKSA, and RHA absorbed more water than BFCB under short-term curing, BFCB exhibited the highest Wab under long-term curing. PSA, PKSA, and RHA had a water absorption capacity at 4 h (Wab)t = 4h of 74.5%, 107.3%, and 62.9%, respectively, whereas that of BFCB was 37.4%. In contrast, after 168 h, the water absorption capacity of BFCB increased to 126.1%. These evaluated water absorption capacities were categorized into immediate and time-dependent stages. Mercury intrusion porosimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy investigations were conducted to investigate the influence of factors such as porosity and hydration of the different additives on water absorption capacity. The results showed that porosity characteristics affect the immediate water absorption capacity, and hydrate formation contributes to increased water absorption during curing. The waste additives PSA, PKSA, and RHA with irregular surfaces and pores were highly porous and exhibited a high immediate water absorption capacity (Wab)t = 4h, unlike the additives with flat surfaces and less irregularities with lower (Wab)t = 4h. The XRD investigation revealed that the presence of ettringite and calcite contributed to increased water absorption during curing for PSA, PKSA, and BFCB. The generation of needle-like ettringite could promote a denser microstructure in PSA, PKSA, and BFCB, thus further improving Wab during curing. Finally, using cone index strength, we explored the effective application of waste-based additives as soil stabilizers, attempting to predict the effect of water absorption capacity on the properties of treated soil. The stabilizer addition ratio (A) and Wab of the waste additives were found to be essential indicators for predicting the strength development of treated clays. A clear correlation was observed between the cone index (qc) and parameter β(t), which is derived from Wab and A, of the treated clays.

Advanced Platelet Lysate Aerogels: Biomaterials for Regenerative Applications.

Human platelet lysate (HPL), rich in growth factors, is increasingly recognized for its potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, its use in liquid or gel form is constrained by limited stability and handling difficulties. This study aimed to develop dry and porous aerogels from HPL hydrogel using an environmentally friendly supercritical CO2-based shaping process, specifically tailored for tissue engineering applications. The aerogels produced retained their three-dimensional structure and demonstrated significant mechanical robustness and enhanced manageability. Impressively, they exhibited high water absorption capacity, absorbing 87% of their weight in water within 120 min. Furthermore, the growth factors released by these aerogels showed a sustained and favourable biological response in vitro. They maintained the cellular metabolic activity of fibroblasts (BALB-3T3) at levels akin to conventional culture conditions, even after prolonged storage, and facilitated the migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Additionally, the aerogels themselves supported the adhesion and proliferation of murine fibroblasts (BALB-3T3). Beyond serving as excellent matrices for cell culture, these aerogels function as efficient systems for the delivery of growth factors. Their multifunctional capabilities position them as promising candidates for various tissue regeneration strategies. Importantly, the developed aerogels can be stored conveniently and are considered ready to use, enhancing their practicality and applicability in regenerative medicine.

Tragacanth gum-based hydrogels for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications

Natural polymers have many uses, and Tragacanth gum is just one of them. Many people are interested in natural gums because of their many attractive characteristics, such as being ‘green’ bio-based renewable materials, being easily accessible, inexpensive, and structurally diverse. One class of naturally occurring polysaccharides is called gum because of its tendency to create a gel or a thick solution. Among the many plant-based raw materials, these polysaccharide gums are abundant. Hydrogels, which are three-dimensional polymeric webs that can imitate live tissues, have demonstrated remarkable potential as adjustable biomaterials in numerous regenerative techniques due to their high water or biological exudate absorption capacities. Natural polysaccharides, often known as gums, are present in many different types of trees and possess many desirable properties, such as being renewable, biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic, and amenable to chemical modification. Many people are curious about certain parts of the food, water, energy, biotech, environmental, and healthcare sectors as of now. Gum, a type of very important and unique food ingredient, has many vital uses in the food business. Cosmetics, coating, photosensitive resin, fertilizer, casting, pharmaceuticals, and tobacco are just a few of the non-food businesses that make use of their strong water-affinity and structural plasticity. There are a lot of benefits to hydrogels made from natural gums as opposed to those made from synthetic sources. Synthesis hydrogel polymers have been the center of interest among these non-food applications because of their extensive use in the pharmaceutical and medical fields. The Tragacanth gum hydrogels used for medication delivery and tissue engineering have been the focus of this study. We also paid close attention to drug delivery, physical-chemical properties, and the extraction of Tragacanth gum. Our research has a wide range of biomedical applications, including tissue engineering for bone, skin, fixation of bone, periodontal, and cartilage. Possible futures based on hydrogels made of Tragacanth gum were likewise our primary focus.

Effects of polyol and surfactant plasticisers on lyophilised rice starch wafers for buccal drug delivery

Rice starch is a promising biopolymer for buccal formulations but typical oven drying may promote starch retrogradation that affects mechanical properties. Hence, lyophilisation was proposed here to improve starch product's stability. This study aims to investigate the effects of plasticisers (sorbitol and Tween® 80, T80) on the characteristics and drug release profiles of lyophilised rice starch wafers incorporated with propranolol hydrochloride. The wafers were prepared by lyophilising starch mixture (5%w/v) with plasticiser (0.2 and 0.3 g/g) and drug (10, 20, 30%w/w). Control wafers exhibited loose layers with rough wrinkled surface. Sorbitol resulted in a dense structure with higher puncture strength (PS) but lower water absorption capacity (WAC) while T80 loosened the flakes that reduced PS and increased WAC. Drug inclusion decreased PS and increased WAC of unplasticised wafers. T80-plasticised wafers with drug had a lower PS and higher WAC than sorbitol-plasticised wafers. Particularly, T80-plasticised wafers achieved outstandingly high PS and the lowest WAC at 30%w/w drug. Drug dissolution of wafers relied mainly on the drug crystallinity and WAC at 10 and 30%w/w drug. Plasticisers reduced and increased drug dissolution at 10 and 20%w/w drug, respectively. This study highlights the potential of lyophilisation in preparing rice starch wafers for buccal delivery.