Release Of Bioactive Compounds Research Articles (Page 1)

Optimization of nanoparticle synthesis from wheat straw-derived arabinoxylan for transport and release of bioactive compounds

Biopolymers are naturally occurring macromolecules derived from renewable biological sources such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. Their intrinsic biodegradability, biocompatibility, and reduced reliance on fossil resources render them environmentally sustainable alternatives to conventional synthetic polymers. Owing to their diverse physicochemical properties, biopolymers have found extensive applications in sectors like pharmaceuticals, food packaging, and biomedicine. In recent years, their relevance in agriculture, particularly in seed science and technology, has gained momentum. Biopolymer-based interventions such as seed coatings, priming agents, and encapsulation systems are being increasingly employed to enhance seed germination, vigor, and resilience under a variety of abiotic and biotic stress conditions. These treatments offer multiple benefits, including protection from pathogens, moisture retention, and the controlled release of nutrients and bioactive compounds to optimize early seedling development. The emergence of novel techniques such as nano-priming and the valorization of agricultural waste for biopolymer extraction further reinforces their role in sustainable agriculture. Additionally, the integration of traceability tools such as molecular markers and embedded digital identifiers into biopolymer seed coatings supports robust quality assurance, supply chain transparency, and regulatory compliance. To advance these aims, future research should focus on seed-responsive, climate-resilient biopolymers with scalable, eco-friendly formulations, field validation, and built-in traceability. This review critically examines current advancements in biopolymer-assisted seed enhancement technologies, identifies prevailing challenges, and explores their expanding potential in promoting climate-resilient and sustainable crop production systems.

Pickering emulsion system of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs)-stabilized essential oils (EOs) and their effect on food packaging characteristics: A review.

Comparative study of dry-air and infrared pretreatment methods on perilla seeds for enhancing bioactive compounds, anti-oxidation properties, physicochemical attributes, and oxidative stability of oil.

Quantifying the impact of beer unit operations (mashing, fermentation, and maturation) on Bacillus thuringiensis behavior.

Pulsed electric field effects on textural properties, enzyme activity, bioactive compounds and freezing-thawing kinetics of jabuticaba (Myrciariajaboticaba) fruits.

ABSTRACTLime (Citrus aurantiifolia) is a nutrient‐rich citrus fruit with high antioxidant potential but a limited shelf life due to physiological and microbial deterioration. This study explores the efficacy of cold plasma (CP) pretreatment, including dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and gliding arc (GLIDE) plasma, in enhancing the antioxidant properties and storage stability of lime fruit. The results demonstrate that CP treatment significantly influences key bioactive compounds, including vitamin C, total phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins, particularly in the peel. DBD plasma at 10 min exhibited the most pronounced enhancement of antioxidant compounds. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses revealed surface chemical modifications and structural changes induced by CP, affecting enzymatic activity and bioactive compound release. Antioxidant activity exhibited a biphasic trend, with initial declines followed by a recovery phase, particularly in CP‐treated samples. These findings suggest that CP treatment, particularly DBD plasma, enhances the antioxidant profile of lime while extending its postharvest stability. The study highlights CP as a promising, nonchemical alternative for improving the nutritional properties of citrus fruits. Further optimization of plasma parameters could enhance commercial applications.

Structural and functional roles of lactic acid bacteria in food delivery systems: A dual perspective of passive encapsulation and active carriers.

Comparison of high-M and high-G alginate macro-carriers: Effects on bioavailability and growth dynamics in agricultural soil treatments.

The phytosome complexes demonstrated enhanced physicochemical properties, including a stable colloidal system with favorable particle size and zeta potential values. The FTIR analysis confirmed the successful interaction between the phospholipids and bioactive compounds, supporting the formation of phytosome complexes. With a high encapsulation efficiency of 85%, the phytosome formulation exhibited potential for sustained release of bioactive compounds, enhancing their bioavailability. The anti-inflammatory activity of the phytosome complexes was confirmed through significant inhibition of protein denaturation and hemolysis, with the complexes showing 75% and 80% inhibition, respectively, at a concentration of 50 μg/mL. These results highlight the promising therapeutic potential of phytosome complexes in the treatment of inflammation-related conditions.

Non-thermal technologies (NTTs) such as ultrasound (US), pulsed electric fields (PEF), high-pressure processing (HPP), cold plasma (CP), and pulsed light (PL) are emerging as versatile tools in food fermentation, offering microbial control and process enhancement without the detrimental heat effects of conventional methods. Operating at ambient low temperatures, these techniques preserve heat-sensitive compounds, modulate microbial activity, and improve mass transfer, enabling both quality retention and functional enrichment. Recent studies highlight their potential to stimulate metabolic pathways and enhance the release of bioactive compounds, opening new opportunities for fermented food production. The bibliometric analysis of the recent literature further reveals a growing interest in NTT applications in fermentation, with HPP and PEF showing the highest industrial maturity. Each technology exhibits distinct mechanisms and optimal niches across upstream, midstream, and downstream stages: HPP for uniform volumetric treatment, US for fermentation intensification, CP for surface-selective oxidative chemistry, PEF for membrane permeability control, and PL for rapid, residue-free decontamination. While the degree of industrial readiness varies, critical barriers such as scale-up limitations, high capital costs, energy distribution uniformity, process standardization, and techno-economic feasibility remain to be overcome. Beyond technical aspects, the successful commercialization of NTTs will also depend on addressing regulatory approval pathways, ensuring consumer trust and acceptance, and demonstrating their contribution to sustainability goals through lower energy use, reduced food waste, and environmentally responsible processing. Strategic, stand-alone, or hybrid applications of NTTs can therefore act not only as technological alternatives but also as enablers of a more sustainable, consumer-centered, and innovation-driven food system.

Recent advances in modification of plant-based proteins for improved encapsulation performance.

Effect of Hybrid Animal-Plant Milk Blends on Metabolomic Profiles, Antioxidant Capacities, and Protein Digestibility for Potential Infant Nutrition Applications.

This study aimed to develop and characterize polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes modified with Libidibia ferrea L. (Jucá) extract and cellulose acetate (CA) for potential dental applications. Four groups of membranes were fabricated using the electrospinning technique: PCL, PCL+CA, PCL+Jucá, and PCL+CA+Jucá. The surface morphology of the membranes was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the surface wettability was assessed to determine whether the membranes were hydrophobic or hydrophilic. The in vitro release of the Jucá extract from the membranes was quantified using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry. The release of bioactive compounds from the PCL+Jucá system was monitored in the 200–500 nm range, with absorbance at 211 nm. The data were fitted to classical release models when the Korsmeyer-Peppas model provided the best fit (R2 = 0.974), and the release exponent (n = 0.213) suggested a Fickian diffusion-controlled mechanism. Shapiro-Wilk tests confirmed normal data distribution for morphological analysis, which was further evaluated using ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test (significance 5%). The mean fiber diameter (MD) was found to be 1.40 ± 0.55 μm for PCL and 1.23 ± 0.59 μm for PCL+Jucá, showing no statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). In comparison, PCL+CA membranes had an MD of 0.94 ± 0.34 μm, while the PCL+CA+Jucá had an MD of 1.65 ± 1.05 μm, indicating significant differences compared to the PCL and PCL+Jucá groups (p < 0.001). The addition of Jucá and CA altered surface characteristics, notably reducing the contact angle and enhancing hydrophilicity. PCL+Jucá membrane was the only one that demonstrated a controlled release profile in the release study. Among all tested formulations, the PCL+Jucá membranes displayed the most promising results, suggesting strong potential for use as drug delivery systems in oral health applications.

Abstract Proteins have potential to form the next generation of delivery vehicles for functional food and nutraceutical applications. Improved water solubility, biocompatibility and non-toxicity make them an attractive prospect for a health-conscious society. Research unveils these biopolymers as efficient encapsulators of bioactive compounds for controlled release, however, much of the literature does not explore the microstructural properties and physical mechanisms governing release from such systems. Of particular interest is the role of the aqueous solvent in controlling small molecule diffusivity. At a low level of solids, the presence of solvent alters the physical landscape of the protein and defines critical parameters such as crosslink density, mesh size and intermolecular coupling constant as tuneable properties to control release. As the level of solids increases, the landscape again shifts. Here, protein molecules can be treated using the free volume theory to ascribe a link between the mechanical glass transition temperature and bioactive compound release. While the focus of this review is on proteins, the industrialist must also consider protein and polysaccharide mixtures, as they closely resemble industrial formulations. Here, we demonstrate how the use of fundamental rheology-based blending laws provides a mechanistic understanding of these composite gels in relation to bioactive compound diffusion.

The encapsulation and delivery of food functional factors represent a transformative and groundbreaking innovation in food science, enabling the protection, stabilization, and controlled release of sensitive bioactive compounds. This review comprehensively explores advanced micro- and nano-delivery carrier platforms, including Pickering emulsions, micro-emulsions, microcapsules, and nanoparticles, which offer enhanced stability, improve bioavailability, and highly targeted delivery of nutrients and other bioactive substances. By addressing significant challenges such as the instability, degradation and low bioavailability of bioactive compounds, as well as the need for efficient, scalable, and versatile carrier designs, these technologies integrate seamlessly with sustainable bio-manufacturing processes. Applications in functional foods dietary supplements and nutraceutical demonstrate their vast potential to enhance consumer health outcomes and streamline food production systems with greater efficiency. Future research efforts must prioritize scaling these innovative technologies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and developing highly adaptable, multifunctional delivery systems to meet the rapidly growing demand for functional food and wellness solutions.

Plasma-polymerized chitosan/agarose/chitosan-agarose composite coatings for antibacterial and antibiofilm wound dressings: A review.

New sustainable sponge-like cryogels based on barley starch and jambolan extract: Exudate-absorbing biomaterial for food product.

According to the World Health Organization, musculoskeletal injuries affect more than 1.71 billion people around the world. These injuries are a major public health issue and the leading cause of disability. There has been a recent interest in hydrogels as a potential biomaterial for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration. This is due to their high water content (70–99%), ECM-like structure, injectability, and controllable degradation rates. Recent preclinical studies indicate that they can enhance regeneration by modulating the release of bioactive compounds, growth factors, and stem cells. Composite hydrogels that combine natural and synthetic polymers, like chitosan and collagen, have compressive moduli that are advantageous for tendon–bone healing. Some of these hydrogels can even hold up to 0.8 MPa of tensile strength. In osteoarthritis models, functionalized systems such as microspheres responsive to matrix metalloproteinase-13 have demonstrated disease modulation and targeted drug delivery, while intelligent in situ hydrogels have exhibited a 43% increase in neovascularization and a 50% enhancement in myotube production. Hydrogel-based therapies have been shown to restore contractile force by as much as 80%, increase myofiber density by 65%, and boost ALP activity in bone defects by 2.1 times in volumetric muscle loss (VML) models. Adding TGF-β3 or MSCs to hydrogel systems improved GAG content by about 60%, collagen II expression by 35–50%, and O’Driscoll scores by 35–50% in cartilage regeneration.

ABSTRACTStructure properties of alginate and glycerol hydrogels (93:7 v/v) functionalized with gallic acid (0.1%, 0.5%, and 0.8%) (w/v) were evaluated as plastic alternatives for food packaging. A thorough characterization of these hydrogels was performed, evaluating their physico‐mechanical, optical, and functional properties, particularly for potential applications in food packaging. FTIR analysis confirmed interactions between the hydrogel matrix and gallic acid, highlighting the formation of hydrogen bonds. The BET method and high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) further verified the homogeneity of the hydrogel surfaces. The inclusion of gallic acid led to increased thickness, permeability, and swelling capacity. However, ultimate tensile strength and fracture toughness significantly decreased, especially in hydrogels containing the highest gallic acid concentration (0.8%). Functionalized hydrogels exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by DPPH and FRAP assays. Hydrogels with 0.5% gallic acid showed a 4.4–4.8‐fold increase in antioxidant activity, while those with 0.8% gallic acid achieved a 7.0–7.3‐fold enhancement. The release of gallic acid from the hydrogels followed a dose‐dependent pattern, with peak release occurring within 1–2 h. These findings suggest that alginate‐based hydrogels functionalized with gallic acid offer a promising approach for the controlled release of bioactive compounds, presenting potential applications in innovative packaging solutions.