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Pancreatic cancer is the most aggressive malignant tumor with difficulty in early diagnosis, very short survival time in advanced stage, and lack of effective treatment options. In this work, a novel combination chemotherapy strategy based on bioactive black phosphorus (BP) and gemcitabine (GEM) is developed for efficient treatment of pancreatic cancer. The combined cell cycle blockage in G2/M phase induced by BP and G0/G1 phase by GEM results in synergistic killing of pancreatic cancer cells with the combination index (CI) < 1. The iRGD modified zein nanoparticles co-loaded with BP quantum dots (BPQDs) and GEM are designed and prepared as a targeted nanoplatform (BP-GEM@NPs). After intravenous injection, the in vivo distribution and pharmacokinetics results demonstrate that BP-GEM@NPs shows excellent tumor targeting capability and significantly prolonged blood circulation time. The targeted co-delivery of BPQDs and GEM induces much more pancreatic tumor cell apoptosis and synergistically inhibits tumor growth in both subcutaneous xenograft and orthotopic models. Meanwhile, BP-GEM@NPs exhibit good biocompatibility without bring adverse effects. This work indicates the great potential of BP-GEM@NPs as a combination chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer and provides insights into development of biomedicine by exploring the intrinsic bioactivities of nanomaterials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anthocyanin-rich litchi shell extract (LE) was mixed with the matrix to prepare active/intelligent food packaging composite films. The microstructure and properties of composite films were characterized. The results showed that the composite films incorporated with LE had texture-oriented layered, compact, uniform cross-sections. The composite films with LE showed different degrees of red. The composite films had similar water vapor transmission rates (1.62–1.65 × 10−12 g·cm/cm2·Pa·s). However, gelatin/chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol/litchi shell extract (Gel/Csa/PVA/LE) film had better UV blocking rates (0–20 %), the best tensile strength (18.6 MPa) and elongation at break (116%). When the composite films monitored for fish freshness at 4 °C (10 d) and 25 °C (3 d), the Gel/Csa/PVA/LE film had the pH sensitivity to show an obvious color change at 25 °C, 1th day. The results suggested that the Gel/Csa/PVA/LE film could be applied to intelligent food packaging film to indicate the freshness of fish. [Display omitted] • A novel active and intelligent food packaging composite film incorporated with litchi shell extract was prepared. • Litchi shell extract had excellent antibacterial properties. • Litchi shell extract had extremely high UV shielding properties. • The composite film with litchi shell extract had outstanding mechanical properties. • The intelligent packaging film with litchi shell extract could be used as pH indicator of fish freshness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second cancer worldwide representing a major global health challenge. Numerous effective anticancer drugs have been developed in the last decade, yet the problem remains due to their low therapeutic index and nonspecificity. A new anticancer therapeutic paradigm is based on repurposing and nanoformulating drugs. Albendazole (ALB), a popular anthelmintic agent, was recently repurposed against CRC cells. In this study zein, an amphiphilic protein, was used to formulate nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with ALB. Box-Behnken design was selected to optimize the loaded NPs, the concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol, acetic acid, and the weight of zein were the independent variables. The dependent variables were the particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential. The optimized formula displayed a size of 84.3 ± 0.41 nm, PDI 0.13 ± 0.012, and a zeta potential of 42.5 ± 2.35 mV. ALB was successfully encapsulated into zein NPs and the release study revealed a desirable pH-responsive drug release behavior, that was negligible release during the first 2 h at pH 1.2 and progressive in the simulated colon environment reaching 71.1 ± 0.34 % at 6 h and 92.4 ± 1.11 % at 24 h. The anticancer effect of the loaded NPs on the human HCT116 cells showed favorable effects at 1 μM concentration with a significant decrease in the IC50 at days 2 and 3 upon loading albendazole into zein NPs. Zein nanoparticles proved to be prospective nanocarriers that could be used for the delivery of repurposed drugs in CRC treatment. • Colorectal cancer is a chief global health concern. • Drug repurposing is used to overcome the constraints of conventional anticancers. • Nanocarriers are promising systems to deliver repurposed drugs. • Zein is a protein, used in nanoparticles to deliver biologically active compounds. • Albendazole has anticancer properties in several human cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scheme representation of preparation and behavior of Starch/Zein/MMT@QC nanocomposite. [Display omitted] • Focused on conveyance is attainable to tumor destinations with a lower pH than normal cells. • Biocompatible materials were used in the union of pH-responsive nanocarriers. • The amalgamation of nanoparticles was conducted utilizing the W/O/W twofold emulsion strategy. • Cytotoxicity and cellular apoptosis uncovered more prominent viability than the free drug. • This research with the conclusion of FTIR/XRD/DLS/Zeta Potential/MTT showed more fruitful results than the previous research. Today, cancer treatment is an important issue in the medical world due to the challenges and side effects of ongoing treatment procedures. Targeted nanodrug delivery systems can replace current methods to mitigate such side effects. In this study, a novel nanocomposite of starch, zein, and MMT with the drug quercetin (QC) was synthesised with the aim of effectively killing A549 cancer cells despite reducing any harmful effects on normal cells, and then the effect of the nanosystem to evaluate the damages on L929 cell lines (healthy) and A549 (cancerous) were investigated. For this purpose, the drug release test from the nanosystem was conducted at two pH levels of 5.4 and 7.4, and it was observed that the nanosystem successfully released 29 % of the QC drug in the first 12 h. The prepared nanocomposites were analysed by XRD, FT-IR, FESEM, DLS, Zeta potential, and MTT techniques. It was found that the nanoparticles exhibited a consistent and even morphology, with an average particle size ranging from 50 to 100 nm. The DLS study provided evidence of the precise range of size and outstanding durability of the nanoparticles. The nanosystem exhibited a notable enhancement in the rate of cell death in malignant tumours, as evidenced by the MTT tests. The synthesised nanosystem showed a precise and pH-dependent release of the drug, which indicates the biocompatibility of the nanocarrier for the QC drug. According to this, it has the capacity to function as an acceptable substitute for the therapeutic techniques that are now being used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work produced graphene oxide (GO)-reinforced curcumin (CUR)-loaded zein-based electrospun nanofibers. FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed the formation of interaction between zein, GO, and CUR. However, other than entanglement changes, as confirmed by DSC analysis, this composite formation had little effect on the thermal stability, surface polarity, and crystallinity of the fibers. Meanwhile, the addition of GO increased the tensile strength of the fibers from (0.83 ± 0.19) to (6.87 ± 2.47) MPa, but the incorporation of CUR decreased it to ≈ 2.71 MPa. Cytocompatibility tests confirmed the growth of cells throughout the fibers; release assays indicated a two-stage release. Combined with the low swelling capacity (< 1 g g−1), the fibers absorb exudates, release bioactive molecules into the wound, give the body time to metabolize the released drug, and allow cell proliferation, creating a suitable environment for healing. Despite these results, in vivo are still prospects of this work. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a natural biological macromolecule, zein has broad application prospects in drug delivery due to its unique self-assembly properties. In this work, zein/sodium alginate (Zein/SA) nanocomposites were prepared by a pH-cycle method, Then Zein/SA/PEI (ZSP) nanocomposites were prepared by efficient layer-by-layer assembly method, ZSP nanocomposite of higher transfection performance was further labeled by folic acid (FA). After characterizing the physicochemical properties of ZSP by various methods, the potential of ZSP as a gene delivery vehicle was explored in vitro. The results showed that ZSP had good dispersibility and stability, the diameter distribution was in the range of 124–203 nm, and it had a typical core-shell structure, which could effectively condensate DNA and protect it from nuclease hydrolysis. ZSP exhibited proton buffering capacity similar to PEI, lower cellular toxicity, lower protein adsorption and erythrocyte hemolysis effect than PEI. ZSP/pDNA complexes could be taken up by cells and exhibited higher transfection efficiency than PEI/DNA complexes at the same weight ratio. The transfection efficiency of the complex in HeLa and 293T cells can be improved by FA labeling, especially in HeLa cells. These results provide new perspective for the design and development of efficient zein-based gene delivery systems. • PEI functionalized hydrophilic nanocomposites (ZSP) were prepared based on sodium alginate doping. • ZSP nanocomposites showed good stability and specific safety. • ZSP nanocomposites exhibited higher gene delivery efficiency than polyethylenimine. • Tumor targeting of ZSPs can be conferred by folic acid modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the prevailing trend of transitioning from animal proteins to plant protein-based substitutes, the interaction between these two protein sources is of paramount importance. In this work, zein as a representative plant protein, the influence of animal protein ovalbumin on the conformation and physicochemical properties of zein was explored through experiments and theoretical calculations. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy showed that the formation of Zein-Ovalbumin complexes, and significant fluorescence quenching occurred between zein and ovalbumin. The results of UV indicated that the microenvironment surrounding the protein residues was influenced by the changes of protein conformation. The secondary structure of zein was regulated by ovalbumin according to the results of circular dichroism spectroscopy. The determination of surface hydrophobicity and zeta-potential indicated that protein-protein interactions affected the exposure of hydrophobic groups and the strength of surface charges. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and dissociation experiments identified that the main driving forces to yield Zein-Ovalbumin complexes were hydrophobic, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions. The results of molecular dynamics simulations suggested that the increased interaction strength between zein and ovalbumin led to a tighter complex structure with a binding free energy of −32.4 kcal/mol. This study proposed a method to regulate the structural and functional properties of plant proteins through protein-protein interactions. [Display omitted] • Ovalbumin regulated the conformation of zein mainly through hydrophobic interaction. • PPIs affected the strength of surface charges of Zein-Ovalbumin complexes. • PPIs affected the exposure of hydrophobic groups of Zein-Ovalbumin complexes. • The formation of complexes was a thermodynamically spontaneous process. • Loop and α-helix structures of zein altered markedly after binding with ovalbumin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to verify the feasibility of improving protein function by regulating its hydrophobicity and reveal the relationship between structure and function. Whey protein (WP) and zein were the source of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polypeptide chains to prepare complex proteins (CPs) with much different structure and function. The results showed that the water- and oil-holding capacities, emulsifying properties and gel properties of CPs can be significantly improved via changing WP-zein ratio. All these can be attributed to the changes in protein hydrophobicity, which not only regulated the binding strength of protein to water and oil, but also modified their molecular structure (surface characteristics, availability of free thiols, α-helix, β-sheet, random coil and the formation of disulfide bonds). Notably, optimal protein hydrophobicity varies greatly among different functional properties. Overall, the techno-functional properties of protein can be improved via tuning its hydrophobicity, which may provide novel sights in protein modification. [Display omitted] • Protein hydrophobicity can be regulated via changing whey protein (WP)-zein ratio. • Zein interacts with WP to form stable complex and changes protein conformation. • Increase in WP ratio transforms main force from non-covalent bonds to covalent bonds. • Techno-functional properties of protein can be improved via tuning its hydrophobicity. • Optimal protein hydrophobicity varies greatly among different functional properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zein, a maize protein, has been explored for constructing potential biomaterial due to its hydrophobic nature, self-assembly capability, and biocompatibility. In its nanoparticulate form, zein is a promising material for drug delivery applications, particularly in cancer treatment. Despite the importance of colloidal stability for effective drug delivery, systematic studies investigating the effect of various surface modifying agents (MAs) on the zein nanoparticles (ZNPs)-based formulations are limited. This study employs quality-by-design (QbD) approach to optimize curcumin-loaded ZNPs, enhancing colloidal stability, size, and drug-encapsulation efficiency using different MAs for potential cancer therapy. Gum arabic (GA) emerged as the optimal stabilizer, with GA-stabilized curcumin-loaded ZNPs (GA-Cur-ZNPs) achieving a particle size of 184.8 ± 2.85 nm, zeta potential of −23.4 ± 0.56 mV and 87.1 ±1.55 % drug encapsulation efficiency, along with excellent colloidal stability over two months. The optimal formulation also demonstrated sustained release of Cur over 72 h. GA-Cur-ZNPs demonstrated lower IC 50 values and higher anti-proliferative effects on three different cancer cell lines compared to the free drug, while also exhibiting superior intracellular uptake. With negligible toxicity to human dermal fibroblast cells, the optimized Cur-GA-ZNPs show promise for safe and effective killing of cancer cells. [Display omitted] • QbD approach to optimize curcumin-loaded zein nanoparticle formulation. • Gum arabic was found to be the most effective surface stabilizing agent. • Formulation showed better colloidal stability and efficient drug encapsulation. • Sustained drug release and efficient killing of cancer cells by optimized formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, the electrospun nanocomposite scaffolds were developed utilizing poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), zein, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at varying concentrations of MWCNTs including 0.5 and 1 wt%. Based on the SEM evaluations, the scaffold containing 1 wt% MWCNTs (PZ-1C) exhibited the lowest fiber diameter (384 ± 99 nm) alongside a suitable porosity percentage. The presence of zein and MWCNT in the chemical structure of the scaffold was evaluated by FTIR. Furthermore, TEM images revealed the alignment of MWCNTs with the fibers. Adding 1 % MWCNTs to the PHB-zein scaffold significantly enhanced tensile strength by about 69 % and reduced elongation by about 31 %. Hydrophilicity, surface roughness, crystallinity, and biomineralization were increased by incorporating 1 wt% MWCNTs, while weight loss after in vitro degradation was decreased. The MG-63 cells exhibited enhanced attachment, viability, ALP secretion, calcium deposition, and gene expression (COLI , RUNX2 , and OCN) when cultivated on the scaffold containing MWCNTs compared to the scaffolds lacking MWCNTs. Moreover, the study found that MWCNTs significantly reduced platelet adhesion and hemolysis rates below 4 %, indicating their favorable anti-hemolysis properties. Regarding the aforementioned results, the PZ-1C electrospun composite scaffold is a promising scaffold with osteogenic properties for bone tissue engineering applications. [Display omitted] • Nano composite electrospun scaffold composing of PHB-zein/MWCNTs was fabricated. • Utilizing 1 wt% MWCNTs revealed optimized features for bone tissue engineering. • MWCNTs incorporation improved hydrophilicity, biomineralization, mechanical and structural properties. • MG-63 cells showed enhanced viability, attachment, ALP secretion, calcium deposition, and gene expression on the fabricated scaffold. • The optimized scaffold exhibited excellent blood compatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese yam polysaccharides PLGA nanoparticles were applied as stabilizers in this study to prepare O/W Pickering emulsion. The optimized preparation conditions were PLGA concentration of 5 mg/mL, ultrasonic power of 50 %, and ultrasonic time of 2 min. The CYP-PPAS emulsion exhibits a raspberry-like morphology with a large number of nanoparticles surrounding the oil droplets. The CYP-PPAS emulsion exhibited outstanding stability at 4 °C and 37 °C for 28 days with high antigen loading efficiency and provided a controlled and sustained release of Chinese yam polysaccharides and OVA antigen in vitro. CYP-PPAS/OVA elicited robust antigen-specific immune response and induced a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response after immunization. Furthermore, CYP-PPAS/OVA caused a high CD4+/CD8+ ratio leading in increased activation of splenic T lymphocytes subpopulations. Moreover, CYP-PPAS is a safe vaccination adjuvant with high safety profile in vivo. Thus, the novel designed Pickering emulsion CYP-PPAS was a safe and effective adjuvant for inducing the strong and long-term immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an innovative approach for targeted drug delivery through the development of Glycyrrhizic acid-loaded zein nanoparticles (GA-LNPs) as a proficient carrier system. The juxtaposition of zein, a hydrophobic biological macromolecule as a protein carrier, and Glycyrrhizic acid (GA), a hydrophilic therapeutic compound, exemplifies the adaptability of hydrocolloids within cutting-edge drug delivery systems. The characterization and functional traits of research encompass multifaceted analyses of natural macromolecules, which elucidate the homogeneous and spherical morphology of GA-LNPs with an average size of 170.49 nm. The controlled drug release profile of GA, orchestrated under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, adheres to diffusion-based Higuchi kinetics, reflecting the controlled release of the natural macromolecules. The intermolecular interactions among Zein, GA, and cross-linker EDC, facilitated through molecular dynamics simulations, fortify the structural integrity of the encapsulation matrix. In Vitro studies revealed enhanced cellular uptake of GA-LNPs in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. This cellular internalization was further confirmed through cytotoxicity assessments using MTT and apoptosis assays (fluorescence microscopy), which demonstrated the prominent anticancer effects of GA-LNPs on MCF-7 in time/dose-dependent manner. The successful formulation of GA-LNPs, coupled with their sustained release and potent anticancer properties, makes them a potential platform for advanced targeted therapeutic strategies in biomedical applications. [Display omitted] • GA-LNPs exhibit superior cellular uptake and promising targeted drug delivery in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. • Exhibit controlled release of GA under gastrointestinal condition indicating its potential as promising drug delivery systems. • GA-LNPs induces cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells, promoting apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation. • The study exemplifies the application of natural macromolecules in potent anticancer effects for biomedical advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechniques show significant merits in terms of improving the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, the mechanisms behind are not clear yet. For instance, what is the contribution of free drug released during nanogranule transcytosis, as well as the impact of drug transporter and chylomicron? To address these issues, sorafenib nanogranules (SFN-NGs) were prepared as model by the high-gravity antisolvent precipitation method which approaches to practical mass production. Then, a multiaspect study on the transcytosis mechanism of SFN-NGs was conducted in Caco-2 cells and rats, including paracellular transport, endocytosis, intracellular trafficking, transmembrane pathway, as well as the involvement of transporter and chylomicron. Pharmacokinetics in rats demonstrated an obvious superiority of SFN-NGs in oral absorption and lymphatic transfer over SFN crude drugs. Different from free SFN, SFN-NGs could be internalized in cells in early stage by caveolin/lipid raft or clathrin induced endocytosis, and transported intactly through the polarized cell monolayers. While in late stage, transporter-mediated transport of free SFN began to play a vital role on the transmembrane of SFN-NGs. No paracellular transport of SFN-NGs was found, and the trafficking of SFN-NGs was affected by the pathway of ER-Golgi complexes. Surprisedly, the intracellular free SFN was the main source of transmembrane for SFN-NGs, which was entrapped into chylomicrons and then secreted into the extracellular space. Generally, the findings in current study may shed light on the absorption mechanism of oral nanoformulations. Unlabelled Image • Both vesicle transport and molecule transport contribute to the transcytosis enhancement of SFN-NGs. • OATP-C play an important role on the transcytosis of SFN-NGs in late stage. • Chylomicron pathway accounts for most of the transcytosis of SFN-NGs. • Drugs' intrinsic transport characteristics always influence the transcytosis of drug nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zein as a hydrophobic plant protein has high tendency to form nanofibers. In this research, needle-less electrospinning with rotating spiked-like spinneret was applied for pilot-scale production of zein nanofibers and then produced fibers were used for improvement of properties of gelatin edible films. The properties of zein solutions were analyzed to investigate their effects on features of nanofibers. With increasing of zein concentration and decreasing applied voltage, the diameters of the fibers raised. FTIR data revealed that the second structure of zein did not change during needle-less electrospinning. Thermal gravimetric analysis showed an important increase in thermal stability of zein nanofiber in comparison to the pure zein. The prepared nanofibers under optimum criteria (zein concentration of 13% (W/V) and voltage of 21 kV) had mean diameter of 334±139nm and were used as scaffolds for gelatin film. With applying zein nanofiber in gelatin films, moisture content, water solubility, swelling percentage, vapor permeability, elongation at breaking point and transparency decreased while thickness, tensile strength and elastic modulus increased. An enhancement in hydrophobicity of gelatin films were observed with increasing of zein concentration in nanofiber. The results indicated that this novel needle-less electrospinning can be applied for large-scale production of nanofibers and enhancement of properties of gelatin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ACP was introduced to improve the surface hydrophilic of zein films. • Surface roughness and O- and N- groups were responsible for modification. • ACP improved the cytocompatibility C2C12 cells on zein films. The cell adhesion and proliferation of zein-based biomaterials in cell culture application are limited by the strong hydrophobic surface with low surface energy. In this study, atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) was developed as a modification approach in enhancing the surface hydrophilic and cytocompatibility of zein films. The results indicated that water contact angles decreased from 72.85° (untreated) to 47.43° under the voltage of 100 V. The improvement of the surface free energy (SFE) was mainly attributed to the polar component rather than dispersive component. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicated the change of surface physicochemical properties was mainly due to the partially transformation of long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons (C H and/or C C) to oxygen- and nitrogen-containing bonds (C O, C O and C N). Furthermore, the content of secondary structure demonstrated β-turn and α-helix were transformed into β-sheet and random coil after ACP treatment. Combining with the cell experiment results, plasma treatment could significantly improve the adhesion rate and proliferation activity of C2C12 cells on zein films. With better cytocompatibility, the potentials of zein in tissue engineering scaffold could be readily exploited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface modification to obtain high dispersion stability and biocompatibility is a key factor for bio-application of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). A systematic study of UCNPs modified with four hydrophilic molecules separately, comparing their dispersion stability in biological buffers and cellular biocompatibility is reported here. The results show that carboxyl-functionalized UCNPs (modified by 3,4-dihydrocinnamic acid (DHCA) or poly(monoacryloxyethyl phosphate (MAEP)) with negative surface charge have superior even-distribution in biological buffers compared to amino-functionalized UCNPs (modified by (aminomethyl)phosphonic (AMPA) or (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES)) with positive surface charge. Subsequent investigation of cellular interactions revealed high levels of non-targeted cellular uptake of the particles modified with either of the three small molecules (AMPA, APTES, DHCA) and high levels of cytotoxicity when used at high concentrations. The particles were seen to be trapped as particle-aggregates within the cellular cytoplasm, leading to reduced cell viability and cell proliferation, along with dysregulation of the cell cycle as assessed by DNA content measurements. The dramatically reduced proportion of cells in G 1 phase and the slightly increased proportion in G 2 phase indicates inhibition of M phase, and the appearance of sub-G 1 phase reflects cell necrosis. In contrast, MAEP-modified UCNPs are bio-friendly with increased dispersion stability in biological buffers, are non-cytotoxic, with negligible levels of non-specific cellular uptake and no effect on the cell cycle at both low and high concentrations. MAEP-modified UCNPs were further functionalized with streptavidin for intracellular microtubule imaging, and showed clear cytoskeletal structures via their upconversion luminescence. Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) are an exciting potential nanomaterial for bio-applications. Their anti-Stokes luminescence makes them especially attractive to be used as imaging probes and thermal therapeutic reagents. Surface modification is the key to achieving stable and compatible hydrophilic-UCNPs. However, the lack of criteria to assess molecular ligands used for ligand exchange of nanoparticles has hampered the development of surface modification, and further limits UCNP's bio-application. Herein, we report a systematic comparative study of modified-UCNPs with four distinct hydrophilic molecules, assessing each particles' colloidal stability in biological buffers and their cellular biocompatibility. The protocol established here can serve as a potential guide for the surface modification of UCNPs in bio-applications. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The function of miRNAs in intestinal inflammatory injury regulation has been studied extensively. However, the targeted delivery of these functional nucleic acid molecules to specific organs through encapsulation carriers and exerting their functional effects remain critical challenges for further research. Here, we constructed miR-146a-5p overexpression plasmid and validated the anti-inflammatory properties in the cell model. Then, the plasmid was encapsulated by the Pickering double emulsion system to investigate the role of Pickering double emulsion system in LPS-induced acute intestinal inflammatory injury. The results showed that the Pickering double emulsion system could effectively protect the integrity of plasmids in the intestinal tract, alleviate intestinal inflammatory injury, and upregulate the relative abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri. Mechanically, in vivo and in vitro experiments have shown that miR-146a-5p inhibits TLR4/NF-κB pathway to alleviate intestinal inflammation. In addition, miR-146a-5p can also regulate intestinal homeostasis by targeting the RNA polymerase sigma factor RpoD and α-galactosidase A , thereby affecting the growth of Lactobacillus reuteri. Above all, this study reveals a potential mechanism for miR-146a-5p to treat intestinal inflammation and provides a new delivery strategy for miRNAs to regulate intestinal homeostasis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of viruses such as Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya affects human health worldwide, and insect repellents are recommended for individual protection. Formulations incorporating nanotechnology should be carefully assessed for toxicity, particularly regarding the security levels established for human health and the environment. This study evaluates the cytotoxicity of a repellent formulation containing zein nanoparticles (NP) loading geraniol (Ger) and icaridin (Ica) in three cell lines: NIH/3T3, HaCaT, and SIRC. To address formulation hazards, IC 50 values were determined by MTT and Calcein-AM assays. In both NIH/3T3 and HaCaT, the IC 50 values for NP + Ger + Ica formulation were around 0.2%. For risk assessment, cell viability was also determined after a single exposure and repeated exposure to the formulation. No evidence of cytotoxicity was observed for NP + Ger + Ica formulation-treated cells. The risk assessment for eye damage revealed cytotoxicity in SIRC cells when exposed to a 5% concentration, which may be attributed to ocular geraniol toxicity, because zein nanoparticles alone did not exhibit any signs of toxicity. Cell internalization indicated low uptake in NIH/3T3 and HaCaT cells. Phenotypic profiling resulted in similar phenotypes for untreated cells and cells exposed to NP + Ger + Ica formulation. The toxicological profile outlined by the multiparametric and orthogonal approach suggests that the NP + Ger + Ica formulation poses no significant risk to the topical application under the tested conditions. Adopting an orthogonal approach brings robustness to our findings. • Zein nanoparticles are safe for geraniol and icaridin repellent formulations. • Zein nanoparticles do not add any toxicity to the skin or eye cell model. • The cellular uptake of the zein nanoparticles in skin cells is low. • For nanotoxicity, the classical and the orthogonal approach are complementary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ureteral stents are among the most frequently used human implants, with urothelium trauma, blood clots, and bacterial colonization being their main reasons for failure. In this study, berberine-loaded zein (ZB) nanoparticles with high drug encapsulation efficiency (>90 %) were fabricated via electrospray on flat and 3D stainless steel structures. Physico-chemical characterization revealed that the ZB nanoparticles created a highly hydrophilic, antioxidant, and scratch-resistant continuous coating over the metal structure. Results showed that the drug release rate was faster at neutral pH (i.e., PBS pH 7.4) than in an artificial urine medium (pH 5.3) due to the different swelling behavior of the zein polymeric matrix. In vitro evaluation of ZB particles onto human dermal fibroblasts and blood cells demonstrated good cell proliferation and enhanced anti-thrombotic properties compared to bare stainless steel. The ability of the electrosprayed zein particles to resist bacterial adherence and proliferation was evaluated with Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, showing high inhibition rates (−29 % and −46 % for empty and berberine-loaded particles, respectively) compared to the medical-grade metal substrates. Overall, the proposed composite coating fulfilled the requirements for ureteral applications, and can advance the development of innovative biocompatible, biodegradable, and antibacterial coatings for drug-eluting stents. [Display omitted] • A nanoparticle-based coating for ureteral stents was developed with zein and berberine. • Desirable adhesion properties and wettability were achieved on coated SS substrates. • Zein nanoparticles exhibited sustained drug release in an artificial urine medium. • Excellent biocompatibility with HDFa was achieved while enhancing the anti-thrombotic activity of the device. • Loaded zein nanoparticles inhibited the adhesion and proliferation of E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Adjuvant chemotherapy is highly recommended for liver cancer to enhance survival rates due to its tendency to recur frequently. Localized drug-eluting implants have gained traction as an alternative to overcome the limitations of systemic chemotherapy. This work describes the development of biodegradable 3D printed (3DP) bilayer films loaded with 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and cisplatin (Cis) with different infill percentages where the 5FU layers were 40%, 30%, and 30% and Cis layers were 10%, 15%, and 10% for films A, B, and C, respectively. The relevant characterization tests were performed, and the drug content of films was 0.68, 0.50, and 0.50 mg of 5FU and 0.39, 0.80, and 0.34 mg of Cis for films A, B, and C, respectively. Cis release was affected by the alterations to the film design, where films A, B, and C showed complete release at 12, 14, and 23 days, respectively. However, 5FU was released over 24 h for all films. The films were stable for up to two weeks after storage at 25 °C/65% relative humidity and four weeks at 4 °C where drug content, tensile strength, FTIR, and thermal analysis results demonstrated negligible alterations. The cytotoxicity of the films was assessed by MTS assays using HepG2 cell lines demonstrating up to 81% reduction in cell viability compared to blank films. Moreover, apoptosis was confirmed by Western Blots and the determination of mitochondrial cell potential, highlighting the potential of these films as a promising approach in adjuvant chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D 3 stability has been a concern in the functional food industry. Protein conjugated with saccharides showed potential for an improvement in vitamin D 3 stability. Novel and sustainable proteins, such as cricket protein, are of interest worldwide. Therefore, this research examined the utilization of cricket protein-fructooligosaccharide (FOS) conjugates formed through the Maillard reaction as a delivery system for vitamin D 3 in an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. O/W emulsions with vitamin D 3 stabilized by cricket protein powder (CP), cricket protein-FOS mixture (CPM), and cricket protein-FOS conjugates (CPF) with varying concentrations (0.3%, 0.5%, and 1.0% w/v). All emulsions had di-modal distributions with mean particle size diameters (D [4,3]) between 4.17 and 12.62 μm. The CPF emulsion had larger particle size diameters (8.46–12.62 μm) but less span value (3.26–4.76) when compared with CP and CPM (4.17–5.88 μm, 4.87–6.38). The storage stability of emulsions and vitamin D 3 release (4 °C, 0–30 days) was improved by conjugated products. The CPF-stabilized vitamin D 3 emulsions exhibited enhanced vitamin D 3 bioaccessibility (37–54%), surpassing that of CP (27–34%) and CPM (32–37%). Furthermore, CPF showed superior vitamin D 3 stability during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The concentration required for 50% inhibition of cell viability of CP, CPM, CPF, and CPF-vitamin D 3 emulsion was 0.643, 0.552, 0.474, and 0.229 mg/mL, respectively, indicating low cytotoxic activity. These findings validate the effectiveness of cricket protein-FOS conjugates, particularly at a 1% (w/v) concentration, in improving the release of vitamin D 3 in emulsion-based delivery systems and their potential for fortifying functional food products. [Display omitted] • Conjugated cricket protein (CPF) improved vitamin D 3 stability in O/W emulsion. • Several types and concentrations of cricket protein were tested for vitamin D 3 stability. • CPF-stabilized vitamin D 3 emulsions enhanced vitamin D 3 bioaccessibility. • CPF showed superior vitamin D 3 stability during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. • Low cytotoxic activity of CPF-vitamin D 3 emulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study examined various zein film formulations to improve the properties for a Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) sensor application. Both oleic acid (OA) plasticizer and glutaraldehyde (GDA) crosslinker were simultaneously incorporated in the films to heighten particular mechanical and surface properties and enhance fidelity of transfer of micro/nano structures. It was found that both GDA and OA concentrations played a significant role in the overall properties of the film to make an effective SERS substrate. The formulation with the best fidelity of transfer during micro/nano lithography was found to be the one containing 0.8 OA with 4% GDA. SERS measurements proved that better nanostructure fidelity enhances the intensity of the Raman signal. Highlights • The effect of plasticization and crosslinking on zein was studied for optimal microstructure transfer. • Both oleic acid (OA) and glutaraldehyde (GDA) affected zein film properties. • A mechanism was proposed for the simultaneous aggregation and crosslinking reaction. • The best fidelity of microstructures was achieved with 0.8 OA and 4% GDA (w/w zein). • SERS experiments proved that nanostructure fidelity has a significant effect on Raman intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Methylcellulose (MC) composite films containing zein nanoparticles (ZNP) are weakened at higher ZNP concentrations and neutral pH conditions because of ZNP aggregation. Accordingly, this study determined the effect of stabilizing additives and drying temperature on the microstructure and physical properties of films at high particle concentrations (ZNP:MC = 1:6). Films prepared at pH 6.5 exhibited large ZNP aggregates, decreasing tensile strength and elongation at break by 30–50% while also increasing water vapor permeability. Addition of poly(ethylene glycol) or oleic acid greatly reduced film tensile strength, and only poly(ethylene glycol) improved extensibility. Tensile strength, elongation at break, and water vapor permeability were all improved by a combination of carrageenan and the surfactant Tween 20 among films prepared at low temperature. Microscopic observations also showed improved dispersion of ZNP in films after adding carrageenan and Tween 20. However, drying films at 321 K with these additives led to contraction and deformation. Combined Tween 20 and carrageenan were necessary for composite film improvements, restoring mechanical and vapor barrier properties to those of pristine MC films. Use of stabilizers would then expand the conditions for using ZNP within MC composites for active film applications without limiting mechanical or barrier properties. Highlights • • Conditions sought to improve zein particle contribution to Methylcellulose films. • • Particle aggregation in films greater with pH 6.5 and low temperature drying. • • Composite properties not improved with poly(ethylene glycol) and oleic acid. • • Combined anionic polysaccharide and surfactant minimized particle aggregation. • • Polysaccharide and surfactant restored tensile strength and vapor permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, zein colloidal particles were self-assembled in aqueous ethanol through thermal treatment at 70 °C. The effect of heating, ethanol ratio and initial protein content on the physiochemical characteristics of zein nanoparticles were investigated. Thermal treatment was a necessary step to prepare nanoparticles with finer size and more homogenous distribution. The particle size decreased from 443.3 to 185.5 nm with initially ethanol concentration from 55% to 90% (v/v), whereas was inversely proportional to increased zein concentration (ranging from 125.6 to 199.1 nm for 20–100 mg/mL zein). The thermal treatment along with ethanol removal during zein nanoparticle generation induced the re-distribution of amino acid residues on the particle surface as indicated by the Raman spectroscopy and internal sulfhydryl groups determination. To further improve the stability and functional properties of these nanoparticles, gum arabic and sodium alginate were deposited as a secondary layer on zein nanoparticles mainly driven by electrostatic attraction. Sodium alginate at a polysaccharide/protein weight ratio of 1:10 showed the best improvement on the pH and ionic stability. The findings of this research provide a promising strategy and basic knowledge on optimizing zein-based delivery systems for food and pharmaceutical applications. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Zein nanoparticles were self-assembled by a combination of antisolvent process and thermal treatment. • Thermal treatment was a necessary step to prepare nanoparticles with fine size and homogenous distribution. • Polysaccharide composite nanoparticles showed good re-dispersibility after freeze-drying. • Alginate/zein composite nanoparticles had better stability against pH change and ionic strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Electrospun zein nanofibers have attracted interest as drug delivery systems due to their propensity for controlled drug release, flexible structure and low toxicity. However, comparatively little is known regarding the relationship between production method and fiber characteristics, both in terms of fiber architecture and protein structure. Here we use a range of imaging and spectroscopic techniques to elucidate the effects of solvent composition on zein secondary structure, fiber diameter and fiber integrity, plus we utilize the new technique of transition temperature microscopy to examine the thermal properties of the fibers. Zein nanofibers were prepared using ethanol, acetic acid and water mixes as solvents, alone and with plasticizers (polyethylene glycol, glycerol) and casein. Electrospinning was performed under controlled conditions and the products characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflection Fourier Transform infrared spectrometry (ATR - FTIR) and transition temperature microscopy (TTM). The choice of solvent, concentration and voltage, alongside the presence of additives (plasticizers and casein) were noted to influence both the diameter of the fibers and the tendency for bead formation. A relationship was noted between protein secondary structure and fiber architecture, with an enhanced β-sheet content, enhanced by the inclusion of casein, being associated with higher beading. In addition, thermal imaging of electrospun zein fiber mats was successfully achieved using TTM via two dimensional mapping of the softening temperatures across the spun samples, in particular demonstrating the plasticizing effects of the polyethylene glycol and glycerol. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Highly dispersible TiO 2 was successfully applied to prepare zein/CS/TiO 2 films. • The films modified by nano-TiO 2 showed better mechanical properties than control. • The films modified by nano-TiO 2 showed better thermal stability than control. • Significant antibacterial activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Abstract Highly dispersible TiO 2 nanoparticles were prepared through the hydrolysis of titanium alcohol, and a series of TiO 2 -modified zein/chitosan (CS) films were prepared through a process involving blending, solution casting and evaporation. The mechanical properties and the antibacterial capacity of the zein/CS/TiO 2 films were characterized to explore the effects of different TiO 2 nanoparticle contents. Results showed that the addition of nanoscale TiO 2 remarkably improved the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the zein/CS/TiO 2 film. The tensile strength of the zein/CS/TiO 2 films significantly increased (p<0.05) with the increasing TiO 2 loadings in films, reaching a maximum of 28.33 ± 1.53 MPa at 0.15 wt % TiO 2 nanoparticles. The antibacterial effect of the composite films on Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus) was more significant than that of Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and S. enteritidis), and the antibacterial effect of UV light was better than that of dark conditions. In particular, the inhibition zones of zein/CS/TiO 2 (0.15%) film against E. coli , S. enteritidis and S. aureus under UV light condition increased by 21.78%, 21.45%, and 26.44%, respectively, compared with the control. This study suggested that adding highly dispersible TiO 2 nanoparticles is an effective method for improving the mechanical and antimicrobial properties of zein/CS films for various applications, such as medical and food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Biodegradable films were prepared using caseinate/zein nanoparticles by pH-driven process. • Curcumin was encapsulated into nanoparticles for preparing antioxidant film. • Microstructure of film with different caseinate/zein ratios was observed by SEM. • Addition of zein increased the water vapor barrier and tensile strength of film. • This novel preparation process is promising to develop biodegradable food packaging. Abstract Functional edible films manufactured from crop by-products is promising for food industry. In this study, antioxidant films prepared from self-assembled curcumin-loaded sodium caseinate (NaCas)-zein composite nanoparticles was investigated. Nanocomposite film-forming dispersions were obtained by dissolving curcumin into polymer mixtures with NaCas/zein ratios of 100:0, 75:25 and 50:50 at pH 12.0, and then neutralized back to pH 7.0. The colloidal particles showed an average particle size and ζ-potential around 131–184 nm and -40 mv, respectively. Regardless of the NaCas/zein ratio in film-forming dispersions, the curcumin presence enabled NaCas/zein film to exhibit red-yellow color and antioxidant properties as evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging activity. Surface properties of films were further characterized by contact-angle measurement and scanning electron microscopy. An increasing proportion of zein could significantly improve the tensile strength (from 3.12 to 7.85 MPa) and constrain moisture transfer as indicated by decreased water vapor permeability from 0.87 to 3.56 × 10−10 g·Pa·m-1·s-1. However, the elongation resistance of NaCas-based films was compromised from 50.5% to 30.8%. When the zein proportion in the formulation reached 50:50, curcumin showed the best stability under elevated temperatures and long-time storage. The underlying mechanism of this alcohol-free process to prepare zein-based nanocomposite film is also proposed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A zein prepared by the aqueous extraction technology (AET) is rich in α-zein. • Amino acid composition of AET zein is very close to that of the conventional zein. • AET zein has no exogenous alcohols that differs from the conventional product. • AET zein exhibited satisfying solubility at relatively high ethanol concentrations. • The film of AET zein shows good tensile properties. Abstract Recently, our research team developed a novel aqueous extraction technology (AET) for preparing an α- zein enriched product from corn gluten meal without any organic solvents. This technology is conspicuously different from the conventional organic solvent extraction technology (OSET). The present study aimed to investigate the physicochemical and film-forming properties of the AET zein in comparison with those of the commercial zein by alcohol extraction. The results revealed that similar to the OSET zein, the AET zein was rich in proteins, especially α -zein. Meanwhile, electrophoretic pattern and amino acid composition were almost the same for both zeins, except that AET zein had trace quantities of β -zein and protein hydrolysates, along with a higher proportion of Ile and lower proportion of His. The intrinsic differences probably contributed to a convergent pattern of the protein solubility in aqueous ethanol between AET zein and OSET zein, and a pronounced higher tensile strength/elongation of AET zein film. In addition, the removal effect of AET on some hazardous heavy metals brought in by raw materials, and no exogenous alcohols in the AET zein were confirmed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and gas chromatography, respectively. The present findings suggest that AET zein has essential characteristics for use as an potential food ingredient or a pharmaceutical excipient, and the aqueous extraction technology thereby could be considered as an alternative strategy for zein production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The interaction between flavonoids and zein was investigated by spectrofluorimetry. • The effect of flavonoid structure on the interaction was clarified by 3D-QSAR model. • The flavonoids with glucosyl groups at ring A have the excellent binding capacity. Abstract Zein has the potential application of establishing the delivery systems for flavonoids. But there are few reports about the effect of the molecular structures of flavonoids on their interaction with zein. In this study, the binding behaviour of 21 flavonoids and zein was investigated by spectrofluorimetry. The corresponding 3D-QSAR model was also established by Topomer CoMFA method, whose steric and electrostatic field analysis could explain the binding performance of the tested flavonoids with zein. The fluorescence analysis suggested that the flavonoids could interact with zein by forming the complex at the molar ratio of 1. The flavonoids with glucosyl groups at ring A exhibited the outstanding binding capacity with zein, and their binding process with zein was driven by hydrophobic force. The synchronous and 3D fluorescence spectra showed that there was no apparent change in the microenvironment surrounding the tyrosine residues of zein during the interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hemoglobin-containing electrochemical biosensors are useful for detecting hydrogen peroxide through oxidation of the iron ion, but high efficiency can only be reached with appropriate immobilization strategies for hemoglobin. In this work, we combined zein from corn seed with carbon black to immobilize hemoglobin, as proof of concept, and form an electroactive film that could determine hydrogen peroxide within the concentration range from 4.9 × 10−6 to 3.9 × 10−4 mo L−1, and limit of detection of 4.0 × 10−6 mol L−1, using differential pulse voltammetry. The biosensor could also detect hydrogen peroxide in commercial samples of oxygenated water, synthetic serum (physiological and glycoside) and milk. The high performance is ascribed to the large surface area and conductive nature of the porous film that had carbon black and hemoglobin anchored on zein microspheres, according to scanning and transmission electron microscopies. It is significant that a protein from renewable sources (zein) combined with a low-cost carbon material (carbon black) serves as matrix for immobilization of biomolecules. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • A new conductive film is proposed by using zein microspheres. • The new biosensor containing zein, carbon black and hemoglobin was applied for H2O2 determination. • The proposed biosensor is easy to prepare and presents low cost. • The new thin film could be extended for other electrochemical sensing and biosensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • A novel two-step modification was applied for enhancing functional properties of zein films. • Cold plasma gave zein-based films a rougher and more hydrophilic surface. • Flexibility and barrier properties were significantly increased after modification. • Cold plasma enhanced the compatibility between zein and chitosan molecules. Abstract In order to improve their functional properties, zein films were modified by a two-step method consisting of compositing with chitosan, followed by exposure to cold plasma. Various aspects were assessed to evaluate the influence of modification on the properties of the films. After the two-step modification, the water contact angle of the zein films significantly dropped from 75.18° to 29.19°. Moreover, the films showed a notable increase in their elongation at break, from 1.13% to 4.13%, mainly attributed to the presence of chitosan. Additionally, upon a 60 s plasma treatment, the composite film exhibited an optimum tensile strength, an enhanced water vapor barrier as well as improved thermal stability. Evaluation with ATR-FTIR revealed the secondary structure of zein molecules became ordered and found the more hydrogen bonds formed between zein and chitosan with plasma treatment. This study showed the benefits of our two-step modification to potentially improve zein-based film performance in packaging industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, the gelatin/zein nanofibers were electrospun and then cross-linked by glucose via Maillard reaction. The morphology observations showed that the average diameter of the cross-linked gelatin/zein nanofibers decreased with the increasing weight ratio of zein. FTIR results indicated that gelatin and zein molecules were homogenously dispersed within the fibers, and the Maillard reaction occurred between the proteins and glucose. The addition of zein affected the mobility of the gelatin chains, leading to the decreased denaturation temperature. The cross-linked fibers with a 1:1 gelatin/zein ratio showed the most hydrophobic surface (water contact angle of 134°), and comparable mechanical properties to the cross-linked gelatin nanofibers, while a higher ratio of zein (more than 50%) resulted in the decreased elastic modulus. The L929 cell cytotoxicity test suggested that the cross-linked gelatin/zein nanofibers exhibited good biocompatibility and non-cytotoxicity. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • The gelatin/zein nanofibers were cross-linked with glucose by Maillard reaction. • The nanofiber morphology was maintained after cross-linking. • The cross-linked nanofibers showed good water resistance, and tunable wettability and mechanical properties. • The cross-linked nanofibers are biocompatible and non-cytotoxic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The present work aims to prepare and stabilize zein colloidal nanoparticles using soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS) as a stabilizer. A simple antisolvent precipitation method was used to fabricate the zein/SSPS composite nanoparticles at pH 4.0. The results showed that the SSPS-stabilized zein nanoparticles (size around 200 nm, PDI below 0.2) did not aggregate or precipitate at pH 2.0–8.0. And they were also relatively stable for elevated ionic strength and high temperature. Affected by the SSPS coating, the surface hydrophobicity of the zein nanoparticles decreased over a wide pH range. Conditions of forming zein/SSPS nanoparticles were successfully used to encapsulate hydrophobic quercetin (Q). The encapsulation efficiency was greatly improved to 82.5% after SSPS coating, compared to 59.2% for the zein without coating. Besides, the photochemical stability and ABTS+ scavenging ability of Q in zein/SSPS composite nanoparticles were significantly enhanced. This study demonstrates that these composite nanoparticles can be used as all-natural delivery systems for bioactive molecules in food and pharmaceutical formulations. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Zein nanoparticles were prepared using SSPS as a stabilizer. • SSPS could stabilize zein nanoparticles in pH range 2.0–8.0. • The "core-shell" structure formed between zein and SSPS. • Surface hydrophobicity of zein nanoparticles decreased due to the coating of SSPS. • Quercetin was efficiently encapsulated and protected by composite nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The effect of tyrosinase-crosslinking of pea protein and pea-zein complexes on the properties of concentrated o/w emulsions was studied in the present work. Emulsions comprising 2% pea protein (w /w) solubilized in the aqueous phase (60% w/w) with or without zein solubilized in the oil phase (40% w / v), were fabricated by using high pressure homogenization. Tyrosinase treated emulsions (TyrBm-crosslinked) and non-crosslinked emulsions were evaluated after 2 h of incubation. Crosslinked pea protein stabilized emulsions led to better stability, larger particle size, increased viscosity and a paste-like structure, compared to non-crosslinked pea protein stabilized emulsions. Zein incorporation in the crosslinked pea-zein stabilized emulsions, contributed to significant improvement of stability and an increase in G' concurrently with a gel-like structure formation (G' > G ″) , compared to the non-crosslinked pea-zein and crosslinked pea protein stabilized emulsions. In general, crosslinked emulsions showed higher protein adsorption percentage compared to non-crosslinked emulsions, while the fraction adsorbed at the oil/water interface contained crosslinked convicilin/vicilin and zein fractions. Altogether, results demonstrate that enzymatic covalent bond formation in pea protein or zein-pea protein complexes is a useful approach to design and formulate sauces, cheese and meat replacements, and other vegetarian or vegan emulsion based foods. In addition, this work represents a step forward in application of functionalized zein in concentrated oil-in-water-emulsions. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Pea protein was found as a good substrate for TyrBm. • TyrBm crosslinked pea protein emulsion had a paste-like structure stable over 7 days. • Zein and pea protein crosslinked by TyrBm stabilized an o/w gel-like emulsion for over a month. • Crosslinked emulsions were characterized by G' > G ″. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Complex coacervation was noticed between in situ formed protein (a primarily hydrophobic Zein protein with pI = 6.2) nanoparticles (size 80–120 nm) and ds-DNA (a high charge density polyanion), in the ionic liquid (IL) solutions of 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride [C2mim][Cl], and 1-octyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride [C8mim][Cl], in the studied ionic strength range of I = 10−4 to 6 × 10−1 M, which was extended to strong monovalent 1:1 electrolyte (NaCl) to explore the commonality between the organic and inorganic salt (ionic) environment on coacervation. The salt dependent coacervation profile was monitored from the measured turbidity of the interacting solution, and zeta potential, (ζ) and apparent hydrodynamic radius (R h) of interpolymer complexes, which depicted the following three discernible interaction regimes common to all the salts: (i) Region-I: I = 0.0001–0.01 M, primary binding, (ii) Region-II, I = 0.01–0.1 M, secondary binding, and (iii) Region-III, I = 0.1–0.6 M, saturation binding. The free-energy and the network density calculations favored preferential coacervation in [C2mim][Cl] samples. Nonetheless, commonality in the overall ionic strength dependent coacervation profiles could still be observed. Highlights • Protein nanoparticle mediated complex formation of Zein and DNA is shown. • Coacervation leading to mesophase separation is established. • Effect of organic and inorganic salt on coacervation transition is studied. • Free-energy change involved in the coacervation transition is evaluated. • Complex coacervation is discussed in the light of secondary interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, encapsulation of aqueous saffron extract (ASE) was studied using a core-shell nanofiber structure (zein-tragacanth) via coaxial electrospinning technique. Morphological features of nanofibers were investigated under different processing conditions (polymer concentration and applied voltage). The nanofibers produced under optimum criteria had diameter in a range of 95 to 271 nm. Concentration of zein and percentage of ASE were found to be critical factors affecting loading capacity (LC) and encapsulation efficiency (EE). The range of LC and EE were 3.57–9.52% and 60.89–91.55%, respectively. FTIR and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) characterizations demonstrated that ASE was appropriately encapsulated in the nanofibers matrix with high thermal stability. TEM images showed a core-shell structure. Release values of 21.66, 27.75, 43.88 and 16.12% of saffron extract were observed in saliva, hot water, gastric and intestinal media, respectively. Mechanism of safranal release from fibers for saliva, water, gastric and intestinal were well demonstrated by Kopcha, Peppas-Sahlin, Peppas-Sahlin and Ritger-Peppas models, respectively. Finally, the results of this research indicated that produced thermostable core-shell nanofibers can be used in various food industries such as chewing gum and tea bag development. Highlights • Core-shell nanofibers were produced from tragacanth and zein using coaxial electrospinning. • Core-shell nanofiber can be used for encapsulation of saffron extract. • Nanofibers can protect and retard saffron release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Active component delivery system was fabricated by anti-solvent precipitation. • A stable interfacial film is formed in GA-zein-curcumin due to an electrostatic effect. • GA-zein-curcumin system showed good stability under certain environment conditions. Abstract To evaluate the performance of biopolymer fabricated nanoparticle under commercial processing conditions, the stability of gum Arabic (GA)-zein-cur (curcumin) colloidal system was recorded and analyzed. The results showed that GA-zein-cur system is colloidal stable in the pH range of 5–8, however, encapsulated curcumin degraded rapidly as long as the pH changes. As for processing temperature, more than 70 °C will affect the spatial structure of zein and leading to the leak or exposure of encapsulated curcumin which result in the degradation of curcumin. Na+ has no significant effect on colloidal and chemical performance of nanoparticles while Fe3+ could penetrate the zein nanosphere and compromise curcumin. Results of our work imply that the protein-based core-shell delivery system has advantages in solubilizing the hydrophobic compounds and has certain ability to protect the encapsulated material against the unfavorable environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Zein, a prolamine obtained from maize, was employed to encapsulate a fish oil highly enriched with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by an innovative process termed electrospraying assisted by pressurized gas (EAPG). This technology combines high electric voltage with pneumatic spray to yield a high-throughput encapsulation process. Semi-spherical zein flowable capsules with mean sizes of 1.4 μm containing the DHA-enriched fish oil were produced by EAPG from inert ethanol solutions at room conditions, presenting a high encapsulation efficiency. The oxidative stability tests carried out in the zein microcapsules obtained by EAPG showed that the DHA-enriched fish oil was efficiently protected over storage time. Sensory tests were also performed on fortified reconstituted milk with the freshly prepared zein/DHA-enriched fish oil microcapsules, suggesting negligible oxidation effects after 45 days. The results described herein indicate that EAPG is a promising innovative high-throughput electrospraying-based methodology for the encapsulation of bioactives and, therefore, the resultant DHA-enriched fish oil containing microcapsules can be industrially applied for the formulation of fortified foods. Industrial relevance An innovative process, termed electrospraying assisted by pressurized gas (EAPG), is herein originally presented as a novel encapsulation methodology. This technology is based on the combination of high voltage and pneumatic spray, allowing the formation of microcapsules at room temperature conditions. Thus, EAPG shows a great deal of potential to encapsulate nutraceuticals and other bioactives that are sensitive to thermal degradation and/or oxidation. The resultant bioactive-containing capsules can be, thereafter, applied to develop novel fortified food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following article provides an insight into the production of chitosan aerogels as potential materials for tissue engineering. Chitosan aerogels were prepared following two different protocols: formation in ethanol and formation in sodium hydroxide in an ethanol solution. The main objective was to apply a new route to obtain chitosan aerogels with no external cross-linkers and compare the mentioned preparation approaches. Forming chitosan aerogels in ethanol implies a simple, environmentally friendly, and efficient method. The prepared materials showed specific surface areas of up to 450 m2/g, highly porous networks and great mechanical properties. In vitro degradation studies revealed high stability for up to 10 weeks. The differences between the samples were significant. While the chitosan aerogels prepared in ethanol showed superior textural, morphological and mechanical properties, the chitosan aerogels prepared in the sodium hydroxide solution proved that a considerable influence on end properties could be made simply by adjusting the ageing medium. In vitro cell analysis with primary human osteoblasts showed good biocompatibility and pointed towards the potential use of these aerogels for orthopedic applications. This testing showed further that adjustments in structural properties by sodium hydroxide also come with a cost regarding their suitability to host bone cells. • Chitosan aerogels as potential materials for tisssue engineering. • Chitosan aerogels prepared in ethanol showed superior properties. • Considerable influence on the structure can be made by simply adjusting the formation medium. • Potential use of chitosan aerogels for orthopedic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alantolactone (ALT) is a sesquiterpene lactone compound extracted from Aucklandia and Aucklandia Enolide. The fast metabolism, short solubility range, and low bioavailability of ALT limit its prospects for further development in clinical applications. To enhance the delivery efficacy, stability, and regulated release of ALT in the gastrointestinal system, ALT-loaded zein-shellac composite nanoparticles (NPs) were created. The amount ratio of zein to shellac in the optimum formulation of the NP was 1:1. ALT-loaded NPs had an average size of 289.57 ± 2.08 nm and an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of up to 75.89 ± 0.25%. The controlled release of ALT in the gastrointestinal tract was made possible by ALT-loaded zein-shellac complex NPs. ALT-loaded NPs can scavenge DPPH and ABTS free radicals as high as 40.7% and 55.6%, respectively. In the in vitro antitumor studies, the ALT-loaded NPs showed cytotoxicity to U87-MG cells and reduced the viability of the cells to 16.0%. • Alantolactone-loaded zein-shellac composite particles performed excellent antioxidant and antitumor effects. • Zein-shellac composite nanoparticles exhibits great thermal stability. • The NPs are capable of controlled release in the simulated gastrointestinal solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A plasma method to produce zein-coated chitosan films as a promising delivery system. • The plasma treatment provided zein-coated films a more compact interface structure. • Chitosan/drug films coated with zein showed sustained release of water-soluble drug. • Zein-coated films with cold plasma treatment exhibited a slower release property. Abstract Chitosan-based films with zein coatings were prepared in order to modify the drug release properties. The adhesion of zein layers to the films was ensured via a cold plasma treatment. Using ciprofloxacin hydrochloride as model, the effect of cold plasma on the functional properties and structures was evaluated. The results suggest that the encapsulation efficiency, chemical composition and crystal type of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride in chitosan/drug films were not altered by cold plasma treatment, while the wettability and surface free energy displayed a notable increase. After being coated with zein, the chitosan interacted with the zein through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The burst release phenomenon of the chitosan/drug films was prevented by the zein coating. Furthermore, the plasma treatment provided the coated film with a slower release rate within 24 h, from 72.8% to 49.3%. The enhanced coating thickness and the more compact interface structure were responsible for this improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract The formation of zein/Tween-20 nanoparticles through the antisolvent precipitation method at various Tween-20 concentrations (C Tween-20) has been investigated using dynamic light scattering, surface tension, fluorescence, and circular dichroism. When C Tween-20 increases from 0 to 0.2 g/L, the particle sizes of zein/Tween-20 nanoparticles significantly decrease from 140 to 95 nm, followed by nearly constant values of 90–92 nm at C Tween-20 = 0.2–4 g/L. Compared to Tween-20, zein/Tween-20 nanoparticles give smaller values of surface tension at C Tween-20 = 0–2.8 g/L, and almost the same values at C Tween-20 higher than 2.8 g/L. The values of fluorescence maximum intensity and α-helix content of zein molecules in zein/Tween-20 nanoparticles show pronouncedly different changes at C Tween-20 = 0–0.2, 0.2–2.8, and 2.8–4 g/L. The formation of zein/Tween-20 nanoparticles is proposed to be induced by the aggregation of zein/Tween-20 complexes mainly driven by the hydrophobic force. Zein/Tween-20 complexes exhibit different structural properties at low, intermediate, and high Tween-20 concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Nanoparticles were fabricated by adsorbing gum arabic (GA) on zein nanoparticles by antisolvent precipitation. The most stable mass ratio of zein:GA was 1:1.5 with a stable zeta-potential (−32.8 mV) in a pH range of 3.0–9.0. The surface hydrophobicity of zein-GA nanoparticles indicated formation of a stable structure through electrostatic attraction at a pH range of 3.0–6.0 and hydrophobic interaction at pH 7.0–9.0. The FTIR spectrogram showed an additional role of hydrogen bonds to promote the adsorption of GA on zein nanoparticles. Tocopherol (TOC) was encapsulated within the prepared zein-GA nanoparticles with a high loading capacity. The presence of GA not only prevented the precipitation of zein nanoparticles but also controlled the release of TOC from zein-GA nanoparticles during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Zein-GA biopolymer nanoparticles can be stably fabricated in a wide pH range for applications in the food and pharmacy industries. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Biological macromolecule delivery system were fabricated by zein and GA. • Zein-AG nanoparticles have a good storage stability in a wide pH range from 3 to 9. • Electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic interaction existed in GA and zein. • GA controlled the release of TOC from zein-GA nanoparticles in simulate digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Composite films comprised of salmon (Salmo salar) skin gelatin and zein were prepared via crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize film composition to maximize tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EAB), and to minimize water solubility (WS) of the films. The significant (P < 0.05) variables affecting film properties were: glutaraldehyde for TS, and zein and glutaraldehyde for both EAB and WS. The optimum concentrations (g/mL) to maximize TS and EAB and to minimize WS were 3% zein and 0.02% glutaraldehyde, which yielded films having a TS of 3.11 ± 0.01 MPa, EAB of 22.43 ± 1.57%, and WS of 38.82 ± 1.71%. The infrared spectra and morphological analyses demonstrated that the gelatin-zein composite film was successfully crosslinked after the addition of glutaraldehyde, with the formation of crosslinked networks between proteins and a denser packed organization of proteins. Consequently, the resultant crosslinked composite film exhibited improvement on light transparency, water resistance and mechanical strength as a function of increasing humidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract The above graphic depicts the formulation methodology used to produce selenomethionine loaded chitosan nanoparticles, coated with zein, for in vitro assessment. Briefly, to produce the nanoparticles, chitosan was protonated by dissolving in acidic buffer (pH 3), then crosslinked with ionised tripolyphosphate and selenomethionine in NaOH (0.1 M). Zein coating was then employed to coat the nanoparticles and purification was achieved by removing unencapsulated formulation components through ultracentrifugation. Abstract Selenomethionine is an essential amino acid with a narrow therapeutic index and susceptibility to oxidation. Here it was encapsulated into a nanoparticle composed of chitosan cross-linked with tripolyphosphate for oral delivery. The formulation was optimised using a three-factor Box-Behnken experimental design. The chitosan:tripolyphosphate ratio, chitosan solvent pH, and drug load concentration were independently varied. The dependent variables studied were encapsulation efficiency, particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential. For optimisation, encapsulation efficiency and zeta potential were maximised, particle diameter was set to 300 nm and polydispersity index was minimised. A 0.15 mg/mL concentration of selenomethionine, chitosan solvent pH of 3, and chitosan:tripolyphosphate ratio of 6:1 yielded optimum nanoparticles of size 187 ± 58 nm, polydispersity index 0.24 ± 0.01, zeta potential 36 ± 6 mV, and encapsulation efficiency of 39 ± 3%. Encapsulation efficiency was doubled to 80 ± 1.5% by varying pH of the ionotropic solution components and by subsequent coating of the NPs with zein, increasing NP diameter to 377 ± 47 nm, whilst retaining polydispersity index and zeta potential values. Selenomethionine-entrapped nanoparticles were not cytotoxic to intestinal and liver cell lines. Accelerated thermal stability studies indicated good stability of the nanoparticles under normal storage conditions (23 °C). In simulated gastrointestinal and intestinal fluid conditions, 60% cumulative release was obtained over 6 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, caseinate-stabilized zein particles (zein-Cas) were developed at neutral pH to encapsulate fucoxanthin (FX) using a simple antisolvent precipitation method. Fluorescence results indicated that zein or Cas interact with fucoxanthin by hydrophobic contacts with a binding constant magnitude of 10 5  M −1 . The presence of proteins resulted in altering the FX precipitates from irregular shape to spherical shape at higher zein proportions, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The average particle size of FX-loaded zein-Cas particles was below 150 nm (100 to 130 nm) with negative surface charge (−30 to −35 mV). The encapsulated FX showed higher stability, antioxidant activity and antiproliferative activity than free FX. Besides, the bioaccessibility of encapsulated FX was appreciably higher than it was not encapsulated. These results demonstrated that FX-loaded zein-Cas nanoparticles could enable the application of FX in functional foods and beverages, as well as in pharmaceutical products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limonene is a kind of widely used flavor oil, susceptible to degradation with the loss of lemon-like odors and the formation of off-flavors. This study aimed to develop a novel structurally well defined zein-based core-shell microencapsules loaded with limonene for limonene protection and controllable release. The microencapsules were fabricated using a two-step heterogeneous precipitation process, with the shell being formed by direct zein precipitation on the oil-water interface and growing along with the water addition driven by hydrophobic interaction. The formation of core-shell microencapsules occurred at the limonene/zein ratio around 2.0 with D 4,3 close to 10 μm and shell thickness about 25 nm, while the smaller self-assembled zein particles could be formed at the ratio of 0.1 and 5.0, suggesting that the mass ratio of core to shell affected the formation of encapsulation and the shell thickness could be controlled. An interior rough and porous shell of the microencapsules was also observed. Sodium caseinate (SC) was adsorbed onto hydrophobic zein surface by electrostatic interaction, contributing to a hydrophilic interface and improving the re-dispersibility of the freeze-dried powder in water. The release rate of limonene in the burst release phase from zein-SC microencapsules was significantly lower than that of whey protein isolate (WPI)-stabilized emulsion, and tended to be gradual in the sustained phase, followed the zero order kinetics. The limonene retention rate of the microencapsules was higher than that of the WPI-stabilized emulsion during an acceleration storage condition, attributing to the solid barrier of the zein-SC shell of the microencapsules. High linear relationship (R 2  > 0.96) between limonene retention rate and storage time in both microencapsules and WPI-stabilized emulsion was observed, suggesting potential controllability of limonene degradation. The ability to design the natural biopolymer-based colloidal microcapsules with slow-release and oxidation prevention of the unstable flavor oils opens a new opportunity in a stable dispersions in aqueous foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corn distarch phosphate-zein bilayer films (C-Z) fabricated from corn distarch phosphate-based films (C) laminated on zein-based films (Z) by thermocompression. The strong interaction between starch and zein molecules was formed by hydrogen bonding, which resulted in good thermal stability of bilayer films. Moreover, bilayer films exhibited better mechanical properties and ductility than monolayer Z films, and concomitantly enhanced the moisture barrier and oxygen barrier for monolayer C films. The tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EAB) of the C-Z bilayer films (the ratio C:Z was 6:4) increased by 74.04% and 348.13% over the Z films, respectively. Compared with C films, the water vapor permeability (WVP) and oxygen permeability (OP) of the C-Z bilayer films (the ratio C:Z was 6: 4) decreased by 31.53 and 24.26%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research evaluated the potential of zein-caseinate composite nanoparticles (zein-CAS NPs) as a carrier for water-insoluble bioactive food factors using curcumin (CUR) as a probe compound, and assessed its in-vitro impact using the cultured Caco-2  cells. CUR-loaded zein-CAS NPs were synthesized using a low-energy liquid-liquid dispersion method, and the obtained nanoparticles had a spherical shape with an average diameter of 187.16 nm, a narrow size distribution (polydispersity index of 0.13) and a negative surface charge of −36.43 mV. High encapsulation efficiency of CUR at 95.55% and a desirable re-dispersibility in water were also achieved, and the encapsulated CUR was in an amorphous form, as examined by differential scanning calorimetry analysis. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed that hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic attraction were the major interactions between CUR and the zein-CAS NPs. The in-vitro release profile showed a sustained release of CUR in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids up to 72 h at 37 °C, without any burst effect. Furthermore, compared with free CUR, CUR-loaded zein-CAS NPs improved the stability of CUR against UV irradiation and thermal treatment. The cellular studies showed that, compared with free CUR, CUR-loaded zein-CAS NPs with the same CUR concentration exhibited greater bioavailability. These data suggested a possible utilization of zein-CAS NPs in improving water solubility, shelf stability, bioavailability and activity of lipophilic bioactive food factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrohydrodynamic method was used to produce both single-drug and dual-drug loaded nanocomposites. Zein was blended with ethyl cellulose, and the mixture was electrospun into nanofibers. Polyethylene oxide was electroprayed into nanoparticles and deposited on the nanofibrous matrix. Indomethacin and tetracycline hydrochloride were loaded in the nanocomposites as model drugs. The suitable electrospraying conditions were chosen based on the result of scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated that components were merely physically combined. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction confirmed amorphous states of the drugs in the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites displayed good wettability, water-stability and improved modulus. In vitro dissolution tests revealed a desirable drug release profile, which abided by Fickian diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]