Natural Polysaccharide Research Articles

Photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue dye-mediated nanocomposite-copper oxide/graphene oxide preparation from blood solution via hydrothermal method with laser irradiation

Blood solution contains an abundant supply of metals, natural polysaccharides, and protein. Copper oxide/graphene oxide nanocomposite (CuO/GO NCs) was created by the hydrothermal method of mixing a blood solution with copper nitrate (Cu2NO3) salt and graphene (G) material, followed by irradiation with a pulse laser ablation (PLA) (Nd-YAG) technique at 250 Mj, 532 nm, 5 cm, and 900 pulses. Paper filters were used to investigate the methylene blue (MB) dye degradation of CuO-GO NCs produced via the PLA process. The structure and optical properties of CuO-GO-NCs were studied and analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, and UV–visible spectra. CuO/GO NCs have a cubic shape with an average crystal size range of 11–52 nm, according to XRD research. An average particle size of 40 nm is created in the surface morphology investigated with FE-SEM, indicating the form of small grains in the nanoparticle. Inside cell morphology examined by TEM, a grain particle size of 40 nm is produced, suggesting that the nanoparticle has a tiny spherical form for CuO NPs, while the morphology of GO NPs has a nanosheet-like structure. CuO/GO NCs have an optical band edge value of 2.5 eV and a wavelength of 352 nm, according to the UV–visible spectrum. Using filter paper containing CuO/GO NCs, the degradation efficiency of MB dye after 50 min in the presence of ambient light in the environment was 99 %. This is a brand-new, rapid, and safe technique that has never been used before.

Highly effective removal of basic fuchsin dye using carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan grafted acrylic acid-acrylamide/montmorillonite composite hydrogel

This study developed a nanocomposite hydrogel, CAM4-MMT, for efficiently removing basic fuchsin dye from water. The hydrogel was prepared by grafting a copolymer of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) onto carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan (CMKGM), and doped with montmorillonite (MMT), exhibited excellent thermal stability, a porous inner structure, large specific surface area (1.407 m2/g), and high swelling capacity (107.3 g/g). The hydrogel achieved a maximum adsorption capacity of 694.1 mg/g and a removal rate of 99.5 %. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model best described the adsorption process. Regeneration and reuse tests confirmed that the hydrogel has excellent recyclability. In conclusion, the CAM4-MMT composite hydrogel efficiently removed basic fuchsin from water solutions, offering a new scheme for eliminating basic fuchsin using natural polysaccharides with promising applications.

Engineering Porosity-Tuned Chitosan Beads: Balancing Porosity, Kinetics, and Mechanical Integrity.

Chitosan, a cationic natural polysaccharide derived from the deacetylation of chitin, is known for its solubility in diluted acidic solutions, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and nontoxicity. This study introduces three innovative methods for preparing various types of porous chitosan beads: solvent extraction, surfactant extraction, and substance decomposition. These methods involve the integration and subsequent extraction or decomposition of materials during the synthesis process, eliminating the need for additional steps. We used state-of-the-art characterization techniques to analyze and evaluate the chemical and physical properties of the beads, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) scanning. The 3D CT scans visualized and measured the porosity of different bead types, ranging from 68.4% to 39.3%. This study also evaluated the mechanical properties of the particle beads under compressive forces in both wet and dry conditions, highlighting the influence of porosity on their mechanical integrity and compression pressure behavior. The adsorptive properties of these chitosan beads were studied using methylene blue as a model pollutant, emphasizing the importance of balancing porous structure, surface area, kinetics, and structural integrity. This study paves the way for the development of environmentally sustainable polymeric beads, highlighting the crucial need to balance porosity, surface area, and structural integrity to optimize their effectiveness in real-world applications.

A new strain of Rhodococcus indonesiensis T22.7.1T and its functional potential for deacetylation of chitin and chitooligsaccharides.

Chitin, abundant in marine environments, presents significant challenges in terms of transformation and utilization. A strain, T22.7.1T, with notable chitin deacetylation capabilities, was isolated from the rhizosphere of Acanthus ebracteatus in the North Sea of China. Comparative 16S rDNA sequence analysis showed that the new isolate had the highest sequence similarity (99.79%) with Rhodococcus indonesiensis CSLK01-03T, followed by R. ruber DSM 43338T, R. electrodiphilus JC435T, and R. aetherivorans 10bc312T (98.97%, 98.81%, and 98.83%, respectively). Subsequent genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that strain T22.7.1T belongs to the R. indonesiensis species. However, additional taxonomic characterization identified strain T22.7.1T as a novel type strain of R. indonesiensis distinct from CSLK01-03T. This study refines the taxonomic description of R. indonesiensis and investigates its application in converting chitin into chitosan. The chitin deacetylase (RiCDA) activity of strain T22.7.1T was optimized, and the enzyme was isolated and purified from the fermentation products. Through optimization, the RiCDA activity of strain T22.7.1T reached 287.02 U/mL, which is 34.88 times greater than the original enzyme's activity (8.0 U/mL). The natural CDA enzyme was purified with a purification factor of 31.83, and the specific activity of the enzyme solution reached 1200.33 U/mg. RiCDA exhibited good pH and temperature adaptability and stability, along with a wide range of substrate adaptabilities, effectively deacetylating chitin, chitooligosaccharides, N-acetylglucosamine, and other substrates. Product analysis revealed that RiCDA treatment increased the deacetylation degree (DD) of natural chitin to 83%, surpassing that of commercial chitosan. Therefore, RiCDA demonstrates significant potential as an efficient deacetylation tool for natural chitin and chitooligosaccharides, highlighting its applicability in the biorefining of natural polysaccharides.

Liquid-free, tough and transparent ionic conductive elastomers based on nanocellulose for multi-functional sensors and triboelectric nanogenerators

Stretchable and transparent ionic conductors have attracted great interest due to their promising applications in flexible wearable electronics. The obvious drawbacks of gel-based ionic conductors such as hydrogels (e.g., evaporation or freezing of water) have driven the demand for liquid-free ionic conductors. This paper reports a new strategy for fabricating transparent, liquid-free ionic conductive elastomers based on renewable nanocellulose. A three-dimensional cellulose skeleton was constructed through ionic cross-linking, and the physically and chemically cross-linked dual network structure was prepared by in situ polymerization of the polymerizable deep eutectic solvent (PDES) therein. The homogeneous three-dimensional cross-linked network provides a site for energy dissipation and ionic migration. Results show that the elastomers retain good transparency and achieve significantly improved mechanical strength, toughness and ionic conductivity. Therefore, they can be applied as multi-functional sensors and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG). For the optimized TENG, output voltage, current and charge reach 115 V, 6 μA, and 40 nC, respectively. A maximum output power density of 0.35 W/m2 is achieved, and the collected mechanical energy can light up LEDs and power an electronic clock. In addition, the elastomers maintain reliable performance even at low/high temperatures, enabling use in harsh environments. In conclusion, this study developed a promising strategy for the construction of sustainable liquid-free ionic conductors utilizing natural polysaccharides.

Magnetic Polysaccharide Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exosomes Delivery Microcarriers for Synergistic Therapy of Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative disease that afflicts more than 250 million people worldwide, impairing their mobility and quality of life. However, conventional drug therapy is palliative. Exosomes (Exo), although with the potential to fundamentally repair cartilage, face challenges in their efficient enrichment and delivery. In this study, we developed magnetic polysaccharide hydrogel particles as microcarriers for synergistic therapy of OA. The microcarriers were composed of modified natural polysaccharides, hyaluronic acid (HAMA), and chondroitin sulfate (CSMA), and were generated from microfluidic electrospray in combination with a cryogelation process. Magnetic nanoparticles with spiny structures capable of capturing stem cell Exo were encapsulated within the microcarriers together with an anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac sodium (DS). The released DS and Exo from the microcarriers had a synergistic effect in alleviating the OA symptoms and promoting cartilage repair. The in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated the excellent performance of the microcarrier for OA treatment. We believe this work has potential for Exo therapy of OA and other related diseases.

The Use of a Natural Polysaccharide Extracted from the Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) as an Additive for Textile Dyeing.

The art of dyeing fabrics is one of the oldest human activities. In order to improve the fastness properties of dyeing products, various additives are added to optimize the uniformity of fibers and surfaces and improve dye distribution. Unfortunately, these additives can be harmful and very often are not biodegradable. This article reports on the possibility of using a natural additive for dyeing textiles: a polysaccharide extracted from the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus indica). One type of fabric was tested, silk, with different colors. Several samples were prepared and dyed for each color, adding the same additives but also a commercial chemical aid for one of them and the mucilage of Opuntia for another. The fastness of the applied dyes was evaluated by washing at different temperatures with a common liquid detergent. All samples were analyzed before and after washing with a colorimeter to evaluate the color changes. The results of the analyses reported and compared indicate the potential of prickly pear mucilage as an additive for dyeing silk, which is easily accessible, safe, and sustainable compared to other commonly used additives.

Antibacterial and rapidly absorbable hemostatic sponge by aldehyde modification of natural polysaccharide

Massive hemorrhage following tissue trauma has high mortality owing to the lack of timely intervention. However, research on utilizing hemostats for humans is limited; therefore, developing an efficient emergency hemostatic agent is imperative. We developed a hemostatic sponge using natural polysaccharide riclin, theoretically modified with 50% aldehyde content (AR50). The AR50 sponge, with quasi-honeycomb channels and appropriate aldehyde content, exhibits ultra-high blood absorption (59.4 g·g−1) and rapidly targets erythrocytes and platelets to form a stable barrier. It surpasses most commercial hemostats in porcine artery scission (reducing hemostasis time and blood loss by 53 s and 4.2 g), hepatic bleeding laceration (68 s and 2.6 g), and perforation models (140 s and 4.9 g). The AR50 sponge is easily removed post hemostasis, exhibits antibacterial properties by destroying bacterial cell walls, and is safely absorbed by day 5, making it an ideal emergency hemostatic agent for massive hemorrhages in humans.

Applications of chitosan in the agri-food sector: A review

Chitosan is a natural and renewable polysaccharide that can form biopolymers. It is derived from the deacetylation of chitin mainly from crustaceans' shells, but also from fungi and insects. Thanks to unique characteristics such as antimicrobial effects, antioxidant properties or film forming capacities, it has triggered an important amount of research in the last decade about possible applications in industrial fields. The main application field of chitosan is the food industry where it can be used for preservation purposes and shelf-life improvement for fresh food products such as fruits or meat. For beverages, it is used for clarification and fining as well as elimination of spoilage flora in beverages like fruit juices or wine. And in agriculture, it can be used as a plant protection product through different mechanisms like the elicitation of plant defences. The mechanisms of action of chitosan on microorganisms are multiple and complex but revolve mostly around the disturbance of microorganisms’ membranes and cell walls resulting in the leakage of cell material. The use of chitosan is still minor but is promising in finding environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic chemicals and plastics. Therefore, its characterization is primordial for the future of sustainable production and preservation processes.

Exploring the Potential of Pectin for Gastro Retentive Drug Delivery Systems: From Orchard to Drug Delivery

Significant progress has been made in the field of gastroretentive drug delivery systems using natural polysaccharides. These improvements aim to improve the effectiveness and absorption of different medicinal agents. Pectin has received substantial attention in recent years due to its distinctive structural characteristics, abundant availability, biocompatibility, lack of toxicity, and wide range of applications. The global utilization of pectin in drug delivery systems has expanded significantly. Pectin is used to achieve flotation and mucoadhesive properties, which enhance gastric residence length and improve therapeutic effectiveness. The article aims to comprehensively examine the information on several pectin-based formulations for medication delivery that are designed to remain in the stomach for an extended period of time. Furthermore, this article emphasizes the diverse physicochemical and biological properties of pectin and modified pectin, as well as their prospective uses in numerous fields. This publication also presents the significant advantages, challenges, potential future developments, and patents on pectin-based gastroretentive drug delivery systems.

Study of the Incorporation of Gel and Aloe vera Peel Extract in a Polymer Matrix Based on Polyvinylpyrrolidone.

The development of dressings based on electrospun membranes with polymers and plant extracts is an interesting approach to skin regeneration, providing elements to prevent contamination and a matrix that accelerates the healing process. We developed a membrane composed of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), gel and Aloe vera peel extract via the electrospinning technique. Additionally, an optimal ratio of PVP/Av gel/Av skin extract was determined to facilitate membrane formation. Electrospun membranes were obtained with fiber diameters of 1403 ± 57.4 nm for the PVP and 189.2 ± 11.4 nm for PVP/Av gel/Av peel extract, confirming that the use of extracts generally reduced the fiber diameter. The incorporation of gel and peel extract of Aloe vera into the electrospun membrane was analyzed via FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopies. FTIR revealed the presence of functional groups associated with phenolic compounds such as aloin, aloe-emodin, emodin and aloesin, which was confirmed by UV-Vis, revealing absorption bands corresponding to aloin, phenols and carbonyl groups. This finding provides evidence of the effective integration and prevalence of bioactive compounds of a phenolic and polysaccharide nature from the gel and the Av skin extract in the electrospun fibers, resulting in an advanced membrane that could improve and accelerate the healing process and protect the wound from bacterial infections.

A Comprehensive Review on Starch-Based Hydrogels: From Tradition to Innovation, Opportunities, and Drawbacks.

Natural hydrogels based on renewable and inexpensive sources, such as starch, represent an interesting group of biopolymeric materials with a growing range of applications in the biomedical, cosmeceutical, and food sectors. Starch-based hydrogels have traditionally been produced using different processes based on chemical or physical methods. However, the long processing times, high energy consumption, and safety issues related to the synthesis of these materials, mostly causing severe environmental damage, have been identified as the main limitations for their further exploitation. Therefore, the main scientific challenge for research groups is the development of reliable and sustainable processing methods to reduce the environmental footprint, as well as investigating new low-cost sources of starches and individuating appropriate formulations to produce stable hydrogel-based products. In the last decade, the possibility of physically modifying natural polysaccharides, such as starches, using green or sustainable processing methods has mostly been based on nonthermal technologies including high-pressure processing (HPP). It has been demonstrated that the latter exerts an important role in improving the physicochemical and techno-functional properties of starches. However, as for surveys in the literature, research activities have been devoted to understanding the effects of physical pre-treatments via high-pressure processing (HPP) on starch structural modifications, more so than elucidating its role and capacity for the rapid formation of stable and highly structured starch-based hydrogels with promising functionality and stability, utilizing more sustainable and eco-friendly processing conditions. Therefore, the present review addresses the recent advancements in knowledge on the production of sustainable starch-based hydrogels utilizing HPP as an innovative and clean-label preparation method. Additionally, this manuscript has the ambition to give an updated overview of starch-based hydrogels considering the different types of structures available, and the recent applications are proposed as well to critically analyze the main perspectives and technological challenges for the future exploitation of these novel structures.

Synovial Lubrication Factors‐Recruiting Biomimetic Polyphenolized Hyaluronic Acid for Promoting Cartilage Repair

AbstractOsteoarthritis is a common degenerative disease characterized by continuous detachment of lubrication factors from damaged cartilage matrix. This study proposes a paradigm that combines natural polyanionic polysaccharides (hyaluronic acid, HA) with dopamine (DA) to design a synovial lubrication factors‐recruiting biomimetic polyphenolized lubrication system. The biomimetic lubricants can use DA's polarity and hydrophilic groups as specific binding sites of type II collagen's polarity and hydrophilic groups to stably bind cartilage surface, and further utilize molecular specific interaction to recruit detached, joint endogenous or chondrocytes expressed synovial lubrication factors, continuously forming supramolecular lubrication complex onto cartilage matrix to induce joint lubrication. Simultaneously, the biolubricants can also utilize catechol groups to eliminate anionic free radicals and resist reactive oxygen species invasion in the early stages of joint lubrication failure. The prepared biolubricants exhibit low coefficient of friction (µ < 0.08), which is attributed to fluid and hydration lubrication provided by HA and DA side chains through fluid dynamic effect and interfacial hydration adsorption. Cell and animal experiments also demonstrate polyphenolic biolubricants have good biocompatibility and promote cartilage regeneration. Therefore, the developed synovial lubricants‐recruiting biomimetic polyphenolized biolubricants have potential for treating osteoarthritis, and also provide a theoretical basis for other biological tissues with lubrication problems.

FABRICATION AND PHYSIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISATION OF MEDIUM MOLECULAR WEIGHT HYALURONIC ACID COPPER OXIDE BASED GBR MEMBRANE

Introduction: Hyaluronic acid, as a natural linear polysaccharide, has attracted researchers’ attention from its initial detection and isolation from tissues in 1934 until the present day. Hyaluronic acid has a wide range of uses in bioengineering and biomedicine because of its biocompatibility and high biodegradation rate, from polymeric scaffolds and wound dressings to endoprostheses for joint fluid and biorevitalizing skin cosmetics. The aim of the study was to find about fabrication and Physicochemical characterization of medium molecular weight hyaluronic acid /CuO GBR membrane.

Physicochemical and Spectroscopic Characterization of Glycogen and Glycogen Phosphorylase b Complexes

Glycogen is a natural polysaccharide used as an energy storage macromolecule. The role of glycogen metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus has been under investigation for several years, along with its implication in cancer and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies using pig liver glycogen with rabbit muscle glycogen phosphorylase (RMGPb), which catalyzes the first step of glycogen degradation to glucose-1-phosphate, showed that the surface of an average glycogen molecule is covered by a total of 20 RMGPb dimeric molecules. In this work, we selected oyster glycogen (Glyc) to investigate its interaction with RMGPb by employing biophysical techniques. Dynamic, static, and electrophoretic light scattering were used to investigate the solution behaviors and structures of both the Glyc molecule itself and the formed complexes between Glyc and GPb at different mixing ratios. It was established that the interaction between oyster Glyc and RMGPb is similar to that previously reported for pig liver glycogen. Moreover, the structure of the complexed GPb was monitored by fluorescence and FTIR spectroscopy.

How the Chemical Properties of Polysaccharides Make It Possible to Design Various Types of Organic-Inorganic Composites for Catalytic Applications.

Recently, the use of plant-origin materials has become especially important due to the aggravation of environmental problems and the shortage and high cost of synthetic materials. One of the potential candidates among natural organic compounds is polysaccharides, characterized by a number of advantages over synthetic polymers. In recent years, natural polysaccharides have been used to design composite catalysts for various organic syntheses. This review is devoted to the current state of application of polysaccharides (chitosan, starch, pectin, cellulose, and hydroxyethylcellulose) and composites based on their catalysis. The article is divided into four main sections based on the type of polysaccharide: (1) chitosan-based nanocomposites; (2) pectin-based nanocomposites; (3) cellulose (hydroxyethylcellulose)-based nanocomposites; and (4) starch-based nanocomposites. Each section describes and summarizes recent studies on the preparation and application of polysaccharide-containing composites in various chemical transformations. It is shown that by modifying polysaccharides, polymers with special properties can be obtained, thus expanding the range of biocomposites for catalytic applications.

Effective reduction of carbon-containing pollutants in coffee cherry pulping wastewater using natural polysaccharide from Tamarindus indica L. seeds

The wastewater produced during coffee cherry pulping is known for containing harmful pollutants, particularly organic compounds containing carbon, which pose significant risks to the environment and human health. This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Tamarindus indica L. seed polysaccharides in treating coffee effluent. Varying doses (ranging from 0.05 to 0.30 g) of the isolated polysaccharides were added to samples of the effluent to determine their ability to remove contaminants, especially those of organic carbon origin. Notably, a dosage of 0.10 g demonstrated optimal efficacy, resulting in a 55% decrease in total dissolved solids and an 80% decrease in chemical oxygen demand. Additionally, Fourier-transform infrared and zeta potential analysis of both the polysaccharides and the treated effluent samples revealed the presence of functional groups potentially pivotal for the pollutant removal activity of the isolated polysaccharides. This provides insights into the coagulation mechanism of Tamarindus indica L. seed polysaccharides in eliminating organic carbon-based pollutants. These findings highlight the potential of Tamarindus polysaccharides as a sustainable alternative to chemical agents for removing pollutants, thus promoting environmental sustainability and human well-being.

Anti-virus activity and mechanisms of natural polysaccharides from medicinal herbs

There has been a sudden increase in viral diseases, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), causing significant harm to human and animal well-being, as well as economic development. Medicinal herbs, with a history of thousands of years in clinical use, contain versatile polysaccharides as one of their primary compounds. This review offers an overview of the antiviral effects of polysaccharides from medicinal herbs on viruses in humans, poultry, swine and aquaculture in recent years. The mechanism of these antiviral polysaccharides, involved in hindering various stages of the viral life cycle thereby blocking virus infection, is summarized. The review also explores other underlying mechanisms of antiviral effects, such as enhancing the immune response, regulating inflammatory reactions, balancing gut flora, reducing oxidative stress, and suppressing apoptosis through various corresponding signaling pathways. The structure-function relationships discussed in this article also aid in understanding the antiviral mechanism of natural polysaccharides, indicating the need for more in-depth research and analysis. Natural polysaccharides from medicinal herbs have emerged as valuable resources in the fight against viral infections, exhibiting high effectiveness. This review emphasizes the promising role of polysaccharides from medicinal herbs as potential candidates for blocking viral infections in humans and animals.

Preparation of chitosan/Tenebrio molitor larvae protein/curcumin active packaging film and its application in blueberry preservation

With growing concerns about postharvest spoilage of fruits, higher requirements have been placed on high-performance and sustainable active packaging materials. In this study, we prepared curcumin-based functional composite films using chitosan (CS) and Tenebrio molitor larvae protein (TMP) as the substrates. The effects of curcumin concentration on the structural and physicochemical properties of the composite films were determined. Curcumin was equally distributed in the polymer film through physical interactions. Furthermore, the curcumin composite film with 0.3 % addition exhibited a 27.39 % increase in elongation at break (EBA), a 37.04 % increase in the water vapor barrier, and strong UV-blocking properties and antioxidant activity compared with the control film (CS/TMP). The degradation experiment of the composite film on natural soil revealed that the composite film exhibited good biodegradability and environmental protection. Furthermore, the applicability of functional composite films for preserving blueberries was investigated. Compared with the control film and polyethylene (PE) films, the prepared composite films packaging treatment reduced the decay rate and weight loss rate of blueberries during storage, delayed softening and aging, and maintained the quality of blueberries. Using sustainable protein resources (TMP) and natural polysaccharides as packaging materials provides an economically, feasible and sustainable way to achieve the functional preservation of biomass materials.

Polysaccharide Hydroxyapatite (Nano)composites and Their Biomedical Applications: An Overview of Recent Years.

Hydroxyapatite can combine with polysaccharide originating biomaterials with special applications in the biomedical field. In this review, the synthesis of (nano)composites is discussed, focusing on natural polysaccharides such as alginate, chitosan, and pectin. In this way, advances in recent years in the development of preparing materials are revised and discussed. Therefore, an overview of the recent synthesis and applications of polyssacharides@hydroxyapatites is presented. Several studies based on chitosan@hydroxyapatite combined with other inorganic matrices are highlighted, while pectin@hydroxyapatite is present in a smaller number of reports. Biomedical applications as drug carriers, adsorbents, and bone implants are discussed, combining their dependence with the nature of interactions on the molecular scale and the type of polysaccharides used, which is a relevant aspect to be explored.