Mechanical Barrier Research Articles

Gut microbiota dysbiosis and intestinal barrier impairment in diarrhea caused by cold drink and high-fat diet

Cold drink and high-fat diet (CDHFD) are common diet patterns. However, the potential risks remain unclear. We investigated the effects of CDHFD in adult mice and explored the mechanisms of action. Twenty adult male mice were randomly divided into control and model groups, and the control group was fed a normal diet, whereas the model group was fed CDHFD for 28 days. We found that mice in the model group developed diarrhea symptoms accompanied by fatigue and weakness. Analysis of the intestinal flora revealed that the model group had a lower diversity and richness of microorganism species in the gut than the control group. Furthermore, the characteristic analysis indicated that CDHFD downregulated specific bacteria, such as norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Muribaculum, and Odoribacter, which are known to be associated with the systemic inflammatory response and mucosal barrier function. Blood tests showed that immune cells and inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in the model group, along with increased LPS induced by CDHFD. Pathological investigations demonstrated that CDHFD damages the intestinal mucosa while affecting the expression of tight junction proteins, including ZO-1, Claudin-1, Claudin-2, and Occludin, which may be attributed to the activation of the TRAF6/IκB/p65 signaling pathway. In conclusion, impaired gut microbial and mechanical barrier function is responsible for CDHFD-induced diarrhea. In this study, we constructed a model of diet-induced diarrhea by simulating human dietary patterns, evaluated the long-term effects of CDHFD on human intestinal barriers and immune systems, and revealed its mechanism of action based on chronic inflammation. This study validated the model's fit to provide an effective screening model for drug or functional food development.

Modified Biomass-Reinforced Polylactic Acid Composites.

Polylactic acid (PLA), as a renewable and biodegradable green polymer material, is hailed as one of the most promising biopolymers capable of replacing petroleum-derived polymers for industrial applications. Nevertheless, its limited toughness, thermal stability, and barrier properties have restricted its extensive application. To address these drawbacks in PLA, research efforts have primarily focused on enhancing its properties through copolymerization, blending, and plasticization. Notably, the blending of modified biomass with PLA is expected not only to effectively improve its deficiencies but also to maintain its biodegradability, creating a fully green composite with substantial developmental prospects. This review provides a comprehensive overview of modified biomass-reinforced PLA, with an emphasis on the improvements in PLA's mechanical properties, thermal stability, and barrier properties achieved through modified cellulose, lignin, and starch. At the end of the article, a brief exploration of plasma modification of biomass is presented and provides a promising outlook for the application of reinforced PLA composite materials in the future. This review provides valuable insights regarding the path towards enhancing PLA.

Characterization of active films based on chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol integrated with ginger essential oil-loaded bacterial cellulose and application in sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicas) packaging

The poor mechanical properties, low water-resistance, and limited antimicrobial activity of chitosan (CS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based film limited its application in aquatic product preservation. Herein, bacterial cellulose (BC) was used to load ginger essential oil (GEO). The effects of the addition of BC and different concentrations of GEO on the physicochemical and antimicrobial activities of films were systematically evaluated. Finally, the application of sea bass fillets was investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) analysis indicated dense networks were formed, which was verified by enhanced physical properties. The mechanical properties, barrier properties, and antimicrobial activities enhanced as GEO concentration increased. CPB0.8 (0.8 % GEO) film had better tensile strength (TS) and barrier performance, improved the quality, and extended the shelf-life of sea bass for another 6 days at least. Overall, active films are potential packaging materials for aquatic products.

Homogeneous PVA/sodium lignosulfonate mulch films with improved mechanical and UV/water vapor barrier properties

Homogeneous poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/sodium lignosulfonate (SL) mulch films with good water vapor barrier property, excellent mechanical properties and UV barrier properties were prepared. Effects of SL content on PVA/SL films were investigated by SEM, FTIR, XRD and physical properties, including thickness, density, swelling, water hydrolysis UV/water barrier and mechanical properties. The results illustrated that the films were homogenous and compact, avoiding the aggregation of SL. The integration of SL into PVA matrix dramatically enhanced the properties of mechanical property and UV barrier and water barrier property. The PVA/SL films showed lower swelling ratio in various pH media, lower light transmittance and better biodegradability compared with PVA film. The higher SL content was, the lower swelling ratio and light transmittance, and the stronger UV barrier property of PVA/SL films were. The PVA/SL film with 30 wt% SL addition on PVA basis exhibited the best mechanical properties, including tensile strength of 45 MPa, elongation at break of 307.2% and variable Young's modulus. This work showed a meaningful and simple method to prepare biodegradable functional homogenous films for potential applications of agricultural mulch films.

Lemon peel-based fluorescent carbon quantum dots as a functional filler in polyvinyl alcohol-based films for active packaging applications

Carbonation of agro-waste into high-value-added products is becoming a promising strategy for producing functional active materials and for reducing landfills. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are of great attention due to their non-toxic, antibacterial, antioxidant, fluorescent, and other functional properties. The current study demonstrated the hydrothermal synthesis of dried lemon peel-based carbon quantum dots (LCQDs) and their incorporation in polyvinyl alcohol for developing active films. The developed LCQDs exhibit excellent fluorescence, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities against S. aureus, B. cereus, S. enterica, L. monocytogenes, and E. coli. Interestingly, as confirmed by FE-SEM and FTIR, LCQDs showed excellent compatibility with PVA-based films. The mechanical and water vapor barrier properties were improved by adding 3% LCQDs to the PVA film, which also resulted in improved UVC (99.9%), UVB (99.9%) and UVA (99.1%) blocking effects. Additionally, PVA film containing 3% LCQDs showed 98.9% radical scavenging activity by ABTS method and was 100% effective against S. aureus and S. enterica. Therefore, 3% LCQDs-incorporated PVA films could have excellent potential as active food packaging materials.

A starry sky image result in a patient with active bleeding due to malignancy cause.

Hemostatic powders (HP) are increasingly used to address limitations in conventional endoscopic techniques for gastrointestinal bleeding. HP is a relatively recent addition to the arsenal of hemostatic endoscopic procedures (HEPs) for gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) due to benign and malignant lesions, which all life-threatening conditions. HP acts as a mechanical barrier and/or promotes platelet activation and coagulation cascade. Malignancy causes comprise 1-5% of all non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB). UI-EWD (NexPowder) is composed of oxidized dextran and succinic anhydride, which is converted to an adhesive hydrogel upon contact with moisture. The resulting hydrogel cross-links within itself and with adjacent tissue to create a mechanical barrier to promote hemostasis. As it does not require clot formation to achieve hemostasis, UI-EWD does not require active bleeding. This provides it a potential role in prophylaxis, such as post-procedure or following primary hemostasis achieved with conventional endoscopic techniques. While UI-EWD is the newest development in hemostatic powders for clinical use, initial results are promising. We report the case of a 51-year-old male with epidermoid esophageal stenosing carcinoma recently diagnosed and locally advanced. Started treatment concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, being necessary a nasogastric tube for parenteral nutrition. Our patient came to the emergency unit due to hematemesis which came from a pressure ulcer with active bleeding shown in gastroscopy exploration, withdrawing the tube and spraying onto the surface of the bleeding site UI-EWD until the bleeding lesion was completely covered with the powder, doing successful hemostasis confirmed by hemostasis until 5 minutes after the endoscopic treatment. HP is highly effective in patients with NVUGIB when used either in combination with or as rescue therapy. Rapid development of hemostatic powders and growing clinical expertise has established these agents as a valuable strategy in gastrointestinal bleeding.

Nanocellulose-short peptide self-assembly for improved mechanical strength and barrier performance.

Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) are the most abundant renewable nanoscale fibers on Earth, and their use in the design of hybrid materials is ever more acclaimed, although it has been mostly limited, to date, to CNF derivatives obtained via covalent functionalization. Herein, we propose a noncovalent approach employing a set of short peptides - DFNKF, DF(I)NKF, and DF(F5)NKF - as supramolecular additives to engineer hybrid hydrogels and films based on unfunctionalized CNF. Even at minimal concentrations (from 0.1% to 0.01% w/w), these peptides demonstrate a remarkable ability to enhance CNF rheological properties, increasing both dynamic moduli by more than an order of magnitude. Upon vacuum filtration of the hydrogels, we obtained CNF-peptide films with tailored hydrophobicity and surface wettability, modulated according to the peptide content and halogen type. Notably, the presence of fluorine in the CNF-DF(F5)NKF film, despite being minimal, strongly enhances CNF water vapor barrier properties and reduces the film water uptake. Overall, this approach offers a modular, straightforward method to create fully bio-based CNF-peptide materials, where the inclusion of DFNKF derivatives allows for facile functionalization and material property modulation, opening their potential use in the design of packaging solutions and biomedical devices.

High-performance chemically recyclable multifunctional polyolefin-like biomass-derived polyester materials.

Polyolefins are the most widely used and produced petroleum-based plastics. Unfortunately, the enormous production and usage of traditional polyolefins, coupled with the lack of effective disposal or recycling options, have led to significant fossil fuel depletion and severe environmental pollution. To foster sustainable societal development, there is an urgent need to design high-performance and inherently recyclable polyolefin-like bio-derived materials by innovative structural and molecular designs. Here, inspired by a copolymerization molecular design approach that simultaneously confers recyclability and superior properties to materials, high-performance recyclable polyolefin-like bio-derived polyesters (PBCxS) enabled by a novel judicious combination of building blocks are reported. PBCxS display excellent mechanical (40.6 MPa, 498.4%) and gas barrier properties (O2 0.09 barrer, H2O 1.70 × 10-13 g cm cm-2 s-1 Pa-1), even greater than those of bio-based materials and most aliphatic polyester. Meanwhile, PBCxS also exhibit multifunctionality with excellent biocompatibility properties and ultra-high processability (thermoforming, extrusion spinning, and 3D printing processing). Notably, PBCxS undergo depolymerization in the absence of any additional organic solvents, regenerating 92.0% of the high-purity (98.3%) original monomers, even with polyolefin blend plastics. Repolymerized polyesters still maintain their exceptional mechanical and thermal qualities. The successful application of this approach in polyesters opens up exciting possibilities for designing high-performance and recyclable bio-derived polyolefin-like materials.

A critical review on intestinal mucosal barrier protection effects of dietary polysaccharides.

Studies have shown that dietary polysaccharides, which are widely present in natural foods, have an important impact on the intestinal mucosal barrier. Dietary polysaccharides can maintain the intestinal barrier function through multiple mechanisms. The intestinal barrier is composed of mechanical, chemical, immune, and biological barriers, and dietary polysaccharides, as a bioactive component, can promote and regulate these four barriers. Dietary polysaccharides can enhance the expression of tight junction proteins and mucins such as occludin-1 and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) between intestinal epithelial cells, inhibit inflammatory response and oxidative stress, increase the growth of beneficial bacteria, produce beneficial metabolites such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and promote the proliferation and metabolism of immune cells. Given the critical role of the intestinal mucosal system in health and disease, the protective effects of dietary polysaccharides may be potentially valuable for the prevention and treatment of gut-related diseases. Therefore, it is of great significance to further study the mechanism and application prospects of the intestinal mucosal barrier derived from plant, animal, fungal and bacterial sources.

Study on morphological, mechanical, thermal, barrier, rheological, and biodegradation properties of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/thermoplastic starch/poly(propylene carbonate)‐g‐polyurethane biodegradable films

AbstractBioplastic films with excellent physical properties and barrier properties were successfully prepared from poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT), thermoplastic starch (TPS), and poly(propylene carbonate)‐g‐polyurethane (PPCU). The rheological, mechanical, barrier, dynamic mechanical properties, and microstructure of the PBAT/TPS/PPCU blend films were studied. The proportion of PPCU controlled the morphology and continuous development of PBAT/TPS/PPCU blends. The increase of PPCU led to the formation of different phase morphologies of the PBAT/TPS/PPCU blends, including “island‐sea,” “quasi‐co‐continuous,” and “co‐continuous” structures. This phase transformation of PPCU emerges as a pivotal driver in the improvement of mechanical properties, resulting in a substantial enhancement from 23.4/24.7 MPa to 37.7/35.6 MPa. Furthermore, the addition of 40%PPCU led to a remarkable 29.6% reduction in the water vapor permeability of the PBAT/TPS/PPCU film. Finally, the increase of PPCU can improve the aging resistance of PBAT/TPS/PPCU films. The films exhibit good mechanical properties and barrier performance, indicating PBAT/TPS/PPCU film potential as environmentally viable substitutes for conventional plastics in the packaging domain.

Polymer Matrix Nanocomposites for Sustainable Packaging: A Green Approach

This research examines the characteristics and ecological viability of polymer matrix nanocomposites used in sustainable packaging. Nanocomposites were produced by combining varied proportions of polymer and nanofiller material. Through mechanical testing, it was determined that nanocomposite formulation 3 had the maximum tensile strength of 55 MPa, as well as a Young’s modulus of 3.5 GPa, showing greater stiffness in comparison to the other formulations. The evaluation of barrier qualities revealed that nanocomposite formulation 2 exhibited the most minimal oxygen permeability at a rate of 8 cc/m²/day and the lowest water vapor transmission rate at 4.5 g/m²/day, showing very efficient performance in preventing the passage of gases and moisture. The environmental impact study showed that nanocomposite formulation 3 had the most efficient energy consumption during manufacture, with a rate of 1.8 kWh/kg. It also had the lowest waste creation, with just 0.08 kg/kg, and the lowest CO2 emissions, with only 0.4 kg/kg. Nanocomposite formulation 3 demonstrated substantial improvements in mechanical characteristics, barrier properties, and environmental impact indicators when compared to the reference formulations, as shown by the percentage change analysis. In summary, this study showcases the capabilities of polymer matrix nanocomposites, specifically formulation 3, as environmentally friendly packaging materials that offer improved mechanical properties, effective barrier performance, and reduced ecological footprint. These findings contribute to the development of sustainable packaging solutions across different industries.

Scalable fabrication of porous membrane incorporating human extracellular matrix-like collagen for guided bone regeneration.

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is an extensively used technique for the treatment of maxillofacial bone defects and bone mass deficiency in clinical practice. However, to date, studies on membranes for GBR have not achieved the combination of suitable properties and cost-effective membrane production. Herein, we developed a polycaprolactone/human extracellular matrix-like collagen (PCL/hCol) membrane with an asymmetric porous structure via the nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) method, which is a highly efficient procedure with simple operation, scalable fabrication and low cost. This membrane possessed a porous rough surface, which is conducive to cell attachment and proliferation for guiding osteogenesis, together with a relatively smooth surface with micropores, which allows the passage of nutrients and is unfavorable for the adhesion of cells, thus preventing fibroblast invasion and overall meeting the demands for GBR. Besides, we evaluated the characteristics and biological properties of the membrane and compared them with those of commercially available membranes. Results showed that the PCL/hCol membrane exhibited excellent mechanical properties, degradation characteristics, barrier function, biocompatibility and osteoinductive potential. Furthermore, our in vivo study demonstrated the promotive effect of the PCL/hCol membrane on bone formation in rat calvarial defects. Taken together, our NIPS-prepared PCL/hCol membrane with promising properties and production advantages offers a new perspective for its development and potential use in GBR application.

Ellulose Nanomaterials and its Applications: Mini Review

Cellulose nanomaterials have emerged as a groundbreaking and versatile class of materials with profound applications in both the biomedical and packaging sectors. This mini-review concentrates on the specific applications of cellulose nanomaterials in the biomedical and packaging fields. Cellulose nanomaterials, established for their innovative and multifunctional characteristics, are particularly emphasized for their applications in the biomedical sector, where they are utilized for their exceptional biocompatibility and low toxicity. These applications span from advanced drug delivery systems, enhancing therapeutic efficacy through controlled release, to scaffolds in tissue engineering that promote cell proliferation and differentiation. In the context of sustainable packaging, these nanomaterials contribute significantly to improving mechanical strength and barrier functionality, aligning with the growing demand for environmentally friendly packaging solutions. This review focuses on the latest research and development advancements in the utilization of cellulose nanomaterials, highlighting their bespoke applications that address the unique needs of these sectors. By focusing on these specific areas, the review underlines the tailored impact and prospective advancements of cellulose nanomaterials, reinforcing their vital role in advancing biomedical innovations and sustainable packaging technologies.

Fabrication of a ternary biocomposite film based on polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose nanocrystals, and silver nanoparticles for food packaging.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were loaded on deprotonated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCd) and incorporated into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to develop novel active food packaging films. The AgNPs were fabricated using the liquid phase chemical reduction method using the sodium borohydride reductant of AgNO3. The analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) showed that the CNCd surface had a homogeneous distribution of AgNPs with a diameter of about 100 nm. Additionally, CNCd/Ag was successfully incorporated into the PVA film. The developed PVA/CNCd/Ag film showed significantly improved mechanical properties, thermal stability, and UV barrier properties compared to a neat PVA film. The PVA/CNCd/Ag composite film could significantly preserve bananas for 14 days, preventing deterioration and allowing extended storage periods. This composite film generally shows promise in food packaging and prolongs food's shelf life.

Gelatine-collagen photo-crosslinkable 3D matrixes for skin regeneration.

Immediate care of skin wounds and burns is essential to repair this mechanical and chemical barrier to infections. Hydrogels have become one of the standard methods for wound care. Here, gelatine-collagen photo-crosslinkable matrixes or hydrogels were manufactured by two-photon polymerization (TPP) or one-photon UV exposure using a Digital Light Processing (DLP) setup. Both techniques are able to construct matrixes from computer-aided design models, which is important for future clinical applications in which wound dressings should be customized. Although TPP can mimic the 3D dermo-epidermal junction with a high spatial resolution (i.e., ∼6 μm3), the manufacturing time was too slow to produce large wound dressings. Therefore, a DLP setup was explored in this study to fabricate large 2D matrixes of several cm2 using the same photo-resist as for TPP, except for the photoinitiator. The fibroblast viability, adherence, and proliferation were analysed in time on both 3D and 2D matrixes in vitro using two-photon microscopy. For both types of matrixes, the adherence and proliferation of fibroblasts (3T3-NIH) were optimal for stiff structures with a Young's modulus of 191 ± 35 kPa compared to softer matrixes of 37 ± 12 kPa. Fibroblast showed complete confluence on Day 14 after seeding on these matrixes, which may create the granulation tissue composed of fibronectin, collagen, and various proteoglycans in the future dermis before repair of the epidermis and disintegrating of their host matrix. For the monitoring of this repair, gelatine-collagen matrixes can easily incorporate bio-optical sensors for the simultaneous monitoring of inflammation processes and wound healing in time.

An Interdisciplinary Intervention to Reduce Gastrostomy-tube-related Pediatric Emergency Department Visits

Introduction: Gastrostomy tube (G-tube)-related problems, including dislodgements, are a frequent cause for emergency department (ED) visits in pediatric patients. We aimed to reduce G-tube-related ED visits at our children's hospital. Methods: An interprofessional team was formed including a family advisor, nurse practitioners, discharge coordinators, a pediatric surgeon, surgical residents, nurses, and quality improvement coaches. A number of interventions were put into place intended to improve caregiver preparation for G-tube placement, improved communication during the hospitalization, and postoperative interventions, including a new family education pathway and mechanical barriers to prevent tube dislodgment. Results: Overall, tube dislodgment accounted for 64% of G-tube-related ED visits: 14% in tubes less than 3 months from insertion and 86% in tubes older than 3 months. Our rate of ED visits for G-tube dislodgement had an initial baseline of nine visits per month. In the 3 years after the intervention, ED visits decreased from a median of 9.5 per month to 8 per month. Discussion: An interprofessional team implemented a quality improvement project that reduced G-tube-related ED visits in pediatric patients. Further efforts are needed to better understand the contributing drivers of G-tube-related ED visits and ways to minimize these events. Grant monies have been obtained from URMC Quality Institute and Vermont Oxford Network NICU Follow Thru Health Equity to continue our family-led quality improvement efforts.

Luminol-conjugated cyclodextrin biological nanoparticles for the treatment of severe burn-induced intestinal barrier disruption.

The breakdown of intestinal barrier integrity occurs after severe burn injury and is responsible for the subsequent reactions of inflammation and oxidative stress. A new protective strategy for the intestinal barrier is urgently needed due to the limitations of the traditional methods. Recently, the application of nanoparticles has become one of the promising therapies for many inflammation-related diseases or oxidative damage. Herein, we developed a new anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nanoparticle named luminol-conjugated cyclodextrin (LCD) and aimed to evaluate its protective effects in severe burn-induced intestinal injury. First, LCD nanoparticles, engineered with covalent conjugation between luminol and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), were synthesized and examined. Then a mouse burn model was successfully established before the mouse body weight, intestinal histopathological manifestation, permeability, tight junction (TJ) expression and pro-inflammatory cytokines were determined in different groups. The proliferation, apoptosis, migration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) were assessed. Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) were isolated and cultured for analysis by flow cytometry. LCD nanoparticle treatment significantly relieved the symptoms of burn-induced intestinal injury in the mouse model, including body weight loss and intestinal permeability abnormalities. Moreover, LCD nanoparticles remarkably recovered the mechanical barrier of the intestine after severe burn, renewed TJ structures, promoted IEC proliferation and migration, and inhibited IEC apoptosis. Mechanistically, LCD nanoparticles dramatically alleviated pro-inflammation factors (tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-17A) and ROS accumulation, which could be highly involved in intestinal barrier disruption. Furthermore, an increase in IL-17A and the proportion of IL-17A+Vγ4+ γδ T subtype cells was also observed in vitro in LPS-treated Vγ4+ γδ T cells, but the use of LCD nanoparticles suppressed this increase. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that LCD nanoparticles have the protective ability to ameliorate intestinal barrier disruption and provide a therapeutic intervention for burn-induced intestinal injury.

Allosteric release of cucurbit[6]uril from a rotaxane using a molecular signal.

Rotaxanes can be regarded as storage systems for their wheel components, which broadens their application potential as a complement to the supramolecular systems that retain a mechanically interlocked structure. However, utilising rotaxanes in this way requires a method to release the wheel while preserving the integrity of all molecular constituents. Herein, we present simple rotaxanes based on cucurbit[6]uril (CB6), with an axis equipped with an additional binding motif that enables the binding of another macrocycle, cucurbit[7]uril (CB7). We demonstrate that the driving force behind the wheel dethreading originates from the binding of the signalling macrocycle to the allosteric site, leading to an increase in the system's strain. Consequently, the CB6 wheel leaves the rotaxane station overcoming the mechanical barrier. Portal-portal repulsive interactions between the two cucurbituril units play a crucial role in this process. Thus, the repulsive strength and the related rate of slipping off can be finely tuned by the length of the allosteric binding motif. Finally, we show that the CB6 wheel can be utilised within complexes with other guests in the mixture once released from the rotaxane.

Physical, Mechanical Barrier, Antibacterial Properties, and Functional Group of Carrageenan-Based Edible Film as Influenced by Pectin from Dillenia Serrata Fruit Peel and Curcumin

The use of carrageenan-based edible film has increased since it can be functionalized with other biopolymers and active ingredients. Dillenia serrata peel pectin and curcumin were mixed at various proportions to form a carrageenan-based edible film by casting method. In this work, the main objectives are to utilize the peel of Dillenia serrata fruit as a source of pectin combined with curcumin for carrageenan-based edible film production and to assess the effect of various concentrations of pectin and curcumin on the physical, mechanical, barrier, antibacterial properties, and functional group of films. Nine carrageenan-based edible films produced by the casting method were designed on the basis of a complete factorial design with three concentrations of pectin and curcumin. Tensile strength, thickness, WVTR, swelling, colour, antibacterial activity, and FTIR analysis were measured. The results revealed that the concentration of pectin significantly influenced the thickness, WVTR, and swelling, while the addition of curcumin presents significantly influenced the WVTR and colour of films. The edible film containing high pectin and curcumin gave the lowest thickness and WVTR. All films showed a lower inhibitory zone for Escherichia coli than Staphylococcus aureus when higher curcumin was incorporated into the biopolymer matrix. FTIR analysis revealed that curcumin can be used along with Dillenia serrata pectin to form a good-quality carrageenan-based edible film. These findings suggested that carrageenan-based edible film with addition of pectin and curcumin improved overall performance. This approach can be a good strategy to encourage sustainable utilization of endemic fruit wastes (Dillenia serrata fruit peel) for development of edible packaging film.

Preparation and characterization of chitosan-citric acid edible films loaded with Cornelian cherry pomace extract as active packaging materials

The development of environmentally-friendly, intelligent and active packaging materials is crucial for the protection of food products and the prevention of environmental pollution. This work aimed to study the development of chitosan films containing an extract form Cornelian cherry pomace extract, a by-product of juice production. Citirc acid was utilized as an alternative acidifier and the effect of β-cyclodextrin incorporation on film properties was evaluated. Compared to chitosan-acetic acid films, the films produced in the present study were found to be more elastic, with a lower moisture content and higher water solubility as well as water vapor permeability. Moreover, the obtained results showed that the increase of β-cyclodextrin concentration from 0.45 to 1.85 % w/v improved the mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of the film. Addition of the Cornelian cherry pomace extracts resulted in alteration of the color of the prepared films as well as improvement of the light barrier properties. Also, the presence of the phenolic compounds in the film matrix enhanced the antioxidant activity of the prepared films.