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Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a durable, flexible, and dynamic biomaterial capable of serving a wide variety of fields, sectors, and applications within biotechnology, healthcare, electronics, agriculture, fashion, and others. BNC is produced spontaneously in carbohydrate-rich bacterial culture media, forming a cellulosic pellicle via a nanonetwork of fibrils extruded from certain genera. Herein, we demonstrate engineering BNC-based scaffolds with tunable physical and mechanical properties through postprocessing. Human skeletal muscle myoblasts (HSMMs) were cultured on these scaffolds, and in vitro electrical stimulation was applied to promote cellular function for tissue engineering applications. We compared physiologic maturation markers of human skeletal muscle myoblast development using a 2.5-dimensional culture paradigm in fabricated BNC scaffolds, compared to two-dimensional (2D) controls. We demonstrate that the culture of human skeletal muscle myoblasts on BNC scaffolds developed under electrical stimulation produced highly aligned, physiologic morphology of human skeletal muscle myofibers compared to unstimulated BNC and standard 2D culture. Furthermore, we compared an array of metrics to assess the BNC scaffold in a rigorous head-to-head study with commercially available, clinically approved matrices, Kerecis Omega3 Wound Matrix (Marigen) and Phoenix as well as a gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel. The BNC scaffold outcompeted industry standard matrices as well as a 20% GelMA hydrogel in durability and sustained the support of human skeletal muscle myoblasts in vitro. This work offers a robust demonstration of BNC scaffold cytocompatibility with human skeletal muscle cells and sets the basis for future work in healthcare, bioengineering, and medical implant technological development.

There is a lack of evidence on the additional benefits of combining caffeine (CAF) and creatine (CRE) supplementation on anaerobic power and capacity. Thus, the aim of the present study was to test the effects of combined and isolated supplementation of CAF and CRE on anaerobic power and capacity. Twenty-four healthy men performed a baseline Wingate anaerobic test and were then allocated into a CRE (n = 12) or placebo (PLA; n = 12) group. The CRE group ingested 20 g/day of CRE for 8 days, while the PLA group ingested 20 g/day of maltodextrin for the same period. On the sixth and eighth days of the loading period, both groups performed a Wingate anaerobic test 1 hr after either CAF (5 mg/kg of body mass; CRE + CAF and PLA + CAF conditions) or PLA (5 mg/kg of body mass of cellulose; CRE + PLA and PLA + PLA conditions) ingestion. After the loading period, changes in body mass were greater (p <.05) in the CRE (+0.87 ± 0.23 kg) than in the PLA group (+0.13 ± 0.27 kg). In both groups, peak power was higher (p =.01) in the CAF (1,033.4 ± 209.3 W) than in the PLA trial (1,003.3 ± 204.4 W), but mean power was not different between PLA and CAF trials (p >.05). In conclusion, CAF, but not CRE ingestion, increases anaerobic power. Conversely, neither CRE nor CAF has an effect on anaerobic capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop special insulating paper is of great significance to promote the service life of transformers. Using molecular simulation to guide the development of special insulating paper can greatly reduce the trial-and-error rate and waste of resources in traditional experiments. The effect of different types of polysilsesquioxane (POSS) on cellulose insulating paper was investigated by using molecular simulation. This paper investigated the thermal stability and mechanical properties and electrical characteristics of caged POSS, semi-caged POSS, and ladder-like POSS doped cellulose insulating paper. The results show that POSS with all types can enhance the performance of cellulose insulating paper, and ladder-like POSS possess the best modification effect. The glass transition temperature was increased by 58 K, and the bulk modulus, shear modulus, and elastic modulus of cellulose insulating paper doped with ladder-like POSS can improve up to 27.07%, 45.67%, and 41.28%, respectively. Meanwhile, the dielectric properties of ladder-like POSS modified insulating paper are also significantly improved. The findings of this paper propose a method for the preparation of ladder-like POSS modified insulating paper, which provides theoretical guidance for the experimental preparation of special insulating paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, we reported the discovery of a novel endoglucanase of the glycoside hydrolase family 12 (GH12), designated IfCelS12A, from the haloalkaliphilic anaerobic bacterium Iocasia fonsfrigidae strain SP3-1, which was isolated from a hypersaline pond in the Samut Sakhon province of Thailand (ca. 2017). IfCelS12A exhibits high substrate specificity on carboxymethyl cellulose and amorphous cellulose but low substrate specificity on b-1,3;1,4-glucan. Unlike some endoglucanases of the GH12 family, IfCelS12A does not exhibit hydrolytic activity on crystalline cellulose (i.e., Avicel™). High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analyses of products resulting from IfCelS12-mediated hydrolysis indicate mode of action for this enzyme. Notably, IfCelS12A preferentially hydrolyzes cellotetraoses, cellopentaoses, and cellohexaoses with negligible activity on cellobiose or cellotriose. Kinetic analysis with cellopentaose and barely b-D-glucan as cellulosic substrates were conducted. On cellopentaose, IfCelS12A demonstrates a 16-fold increase in activity (KM = 0.27 mM; kcat = 0.36 s-1; kcat/KM = 1.34 mM-1 s-1) compared to the enzymatic hydrolysis of barley b-D-glucan (KM: 0.04 mM, kcat: 0.51 s-1, kcat/KM = 0.08 mM-1 s-1). Moreover, IfCelS12A enzymatic efficacy is stable in hypersaline sodium chlorids (NaCl) solutions (up to 10% NaCl). Specifically, IfCel12A retains notable activity after 24 h at 2M NaCl (10% saline solution). IfCelS12A used as a cocktail component with other cellulolytic enzymes and in conjunction with mobile sequestration platform technology offers additional options for deconstruction of ionic liquid-pretreated cellulosic feedstock. KEY POINTS: • IfCelS12A from an anaerobic alkaliphile Iocasia fronsfrigidae shows salt tolerance • IfCelS12A in cocktails with other enzymes efficiently degrades cellulosic biomass • IfCelS12A used with mobile enzyme sequestration platforms enhances hydrolysis.

The molecular foundations of epidermal cell wall mechanics are critical for understanding structure-function relationships of primary cell walls in plants and facilitating the design of bioinspired materials. To uncover the molecular mechanisms regulating the high extensibility and strength of the cell wall, the onion epidermal wall is stretched uniaxially to various strains and cell wall structures from mesoscale to atomic scale are characterized. Upon longitudinal stretching to high strain, epidermal walls contract in the transverse direction, resulting in a reduced area. Atomic force microscopy shows that cellulose microfibrils exhibit orientation-dependent rearrangements at high strains: longitudinal microfibrils are straightened out and become highly ordered, while transverse microfibrils curve and kink. Small-angle X-ray scattering detects a 7.4 nm spacing aligned along the stretch direction at high strain, which is attributed to distances between individual cellulose microfibrils. Furthermore, wide-angle X-ray scattering reveals a widening of (004) lattice spacing and contraction of (200) lattice spacing in longitudinally aligned cellulose microfibrils at high strain, which implies longitudinal stretching of the cellulose crystal. These findings provide molecular insights into the ability of the wall to bear additional load after yielding: the aggregation of longitudinal microfibrils impedes sliding and enables further stretching of the cellulose to bear increased loads.

Cellulose fibers were modified via aqueous silane-graphene oxide (GO) coordination by flash drying and extrusion dispersion process. The adsorption of GO reduced the polarity of the cellulose fiber surface and attenuated the agglomeration effect between the cellulose fibers, thus facilitating the dispersion of fibers in the rubber matrix. Adding aqueous 3-aminopropylsilane oligomer (8150) incorporated active sites on the surface of cellulose fibers, thereby improving the interfacial binding properties of cellulose nano fibers (CNFs) and natural rubber (NR). After blending the modified CNFs with NR latex, high-temperature flocculation was performed using an atomised flash device. Finally, CNF/NR was pre-dispersed through a twin-screw extruder, after which a CNF/NR masterbatch with excellent performance was prepared. Experimental results revealed that composites prepared using GO-8150 via the flash drying-twin-screw dispersion process exhibited excellent dispersion characteristics, processing properties, mechanical properties, rolling resistance, wear resistance, and heat generation properties. Compared with traditional dry mixing, the composites prepared by flash drying-twin-screw dispersion process showed a 16.95% increase in tensile strength, 16.07% increase in 300% constant elongation, 19.01% reduction in abrasion consumption, 42.26% reduction in rolling resistance, and a reduction in the Payne effect. This study offers an efficient and environmentally friendly method for the high-value utilization of natural fibers and the preparation of NR composites with excellent properties, while providing a green and nonpolluting modification process with no acidic liquid discharge. Highlights * GO-8150 reduces the polarity of the fibers and promotes dispersion. * The flash extrusion dispersion process achieves green flocculation. * 42% lower rolling resistance for rubber composites. KEYWORDS aqueous silane, cellulose fiber, graphene oxide, natural rubber, rolling resistance, 1 1 INTRODUCTION Carbon black, silica, wollastonite, and calcium carbonate are commonly used as fillers in the rubber industry. In recent years, efforts have been made to limit the use [...]

Cellulose acetate (CA) membranes used in reverse osmosis (RO) desalination techniques often face fouling challenges. In this experimental study, the phase inversion method was employed to investigate the incorporation of graphene oxide nanoparticles (GONP) metal-organic frameworks (MOF), into the casting solution for composite CA-RO membranes. The effects of varying GONP concentrations on fouling resistance and hydrophilicity were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurements, and water content analysis. The results demonstrated that the modified CA membrane with 0.05 wt% GONP exhibited improved water permeability (10.3 L/[m.sup.2] h) and salt rejection (95.8%) compared with the pristine CA membrane. These improvements stem from increased hydrophilicity and reduced fouling. This study's findings suggest that incorporating GONP into the polymeric doped solution can effectively mitigate fouling issues and enhance the performance of RO membranes in desalination applications. Highlights * GONP enhances hydrophilicity, reducing fouling in desalination. * Effects of varying GONP concentrations were studied. * GONP-CA membrane shows better permeability and salt rejection than pristine. * Nanocomposite membranes promise in overcoming fouling in RO membranes. KEYWORDS fouling resistance, graphene oxide nanoparticles, metal-organic frameworks, nanocomposite membranes, 1 | INTRODUCTION The physical properties of the membrane, such as its thickness and hydraulic permeability, as well as system factors such as transmembrane pressure, the length of the filtering [...]

We report on the studies of conduction mechanism, direct current conductance, and 1 f -noise of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites. The composites were characterized by x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The temperature- and voltage-dependence of the dc conductance Σ were, respectively, probed to investigate the charge transport mechanism and the electrical response of the composite. At room temperature, the increase in Σ with wt. % of MWCNT ϕ showed typical percolation behavior. The Σ − T behavior was fitted to the combination of one-dimensional variable range hopping and the fluctuation-induced tunneling, which were attributed to hopping of charge carriers through 1D MWCNTs and the tunneling of charge carriers between the bundles of MWCNTs, respectively. The non-Ohmic electrical conduction was characterized by the onset voltage V 0 (T) which scaled with Ohmic conductance Σ 0 as V 0 (T) ∼ Σ 0 (T) x T , with x T being the onset exponent increased with ϕ. A scaling description based on the data collapse method was adopted to find the parameters V 0 (T) and x T. The noise power spectrum S V (f) followed the relation S V (f) ∼ V β with two different power-laws: β 1 in the Ohmic and β 2 in the non-Ohmic region (β 1 > --> β 2). Interestingly, this change in power-laws occurs at the same V 0 (T) obtained from Σ − V curves. A simple model was proposed to explain the noise behavior after V 0 (T). It is expected that such electrical characterization of CNF-MWCNT nanopaper composite would open up their possibility of application in flexible electronic devices, intelligent networks, sensors, and actuators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Onsager–Straley's second-virial theory, we investigate the cholesteric pitch of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) suspensions. We model the CNCs as hard chiral bundles of microfibrils and examine the effect of the shape of these chiral bundles, characterized by aspect ratio and chirality, on the cholesteric pitch. Additionally, we explore the impact of length polydispersity and surface charge on the cholesteric phase of CNCs. Furthermore, we consider binary mixtures of twisted bundles and achiral primary crystallites to provide a more realistic representation of CNC suspensions. Our findings reveal that the degree of bundle twisting significantly affects the helical twisting of the cholesteric phase. We also observe that the average particle length and length polydispersity have substantial effects on strongly twisted bundles but minimal effects on weakly twisted ones. Finally, our study indicates that as the range of electrostatic interactions increases, the transfer of chirality from the microscopic to macroscopic length scales becomes masked, resulting in an increase in the cholesteric pitch. In the case of binary mixtures, the bundles act as chiral dopants, and an increasing fraction of bundles progressively enhances the helical twisting of the cholesteric phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pustular mats from Shark Bay, Western Australia, host complex microbial communities bound within an organic matrix. These mats harbour many poorly characterized organisms with low relative abundances (

BackgroundTrichoderma reesei is an organism extensively used in the bioethanol industry, owing to its capability to produce enzymes capable of breaking down holocellulose into simple sugars. The uptake of carbohydrates generated from cellulose breakdown is crucial to induce the signaling cascade that triggers cellulase production. However, the sugar transporters involved in this process in T. reesei remain poorly identified and characterized.ResultsTo address this gap, this study used temporal membrane proteomics analysis to identify five known and nine putative sugar transporters that may be involved in cellulose degradation by T. reesei. Docking analysis pointed out potential ligands for the putative sugar transporter Tr44175. Further functional validation of this transporter was carried out in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The results showed that Tr44175 transports a variety of sugar molecules, including cellobiose, cellotriose, cellotetraose, and sophorose.ConclusionThis study has unveiled a transporter Tr44175 capable of transporting cellobiose, cellotriose, cellotetraose, and sophorose. Our study represents the first inventory of T. reesei sugar transportome once exposed to cellulose, offering promising potential targets for strain engineering in the context of bioethanol production.

In this study, reactive molecular dynamics simulations were employed to investigate cellulose gasification using different gasifying agents (i.e., O 2 , steam, and CO 2). The simulation results were analyzed by various indicators, including product distribution, generation pathways of gaseous products, evolutions of bonds and pyran rings, carbon conversion efficiency, and kinetic parameters. Moreover, the differences among three gasifying agents were highlighted. Results show that O 2 gasification yields a higher CO yield while inhibiting H 2 production. The introduction of gasifying agents promotes cleavage of C–C bonds while facilitating the formation of C–O and H–O bonds, compared to cellulose pyrolysis. The addition of O 2 exhibits the most pronounced enhancement in carbon conversion efficiency, followed by H 2 O and CO 2. Additionally, the activation energies of gasification processes are lower than that of cellulose pyrolysis, and a general decreasing trend in activation energy is observed with increasing the amount of gasifying agent. All these observations, particularly regarding the effects of gasifying agents on cellulose gasification products and the formation pathways of major product species, provide valuable insights for predicting and optimizing the cellulose gasification process. • Cellulose gasification was studied by reactive molecular dynamics simulations. • Effects of three different gasifying agents (O 2 , steam, and CO 2) were explored. • Product distribution and generation pathways of gaseous products were presented. • Temporal evolutions of bonds and pyran rings were analyzed. • Carbon conversion efficiency and kinetic parameters were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for cotton and the low production rate required to meet global demands have encouraged viscose manufacturing from renewable sources. This work develops a sustainable method to extract viscose fibers (cellulosic‐based precursor) from jute, a renewable resource. Jute fiber is the second largest fiber crop in southern Asia, which contains 65%–70% cellulose and contributes to environmental benefits such as oxygen production, carbon dioxide emission, and heavy metal absorption during harvesting. The treated jute fiber was modified to regenerated cellulose (viscose), as confirmed by different characterizations. The Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) test 1423, 1365, 1033, and 1021 cm−1 represented that modified jute fiber resembled viscose fiber, and TGA attributed the thermal stability of glass transition below 100°C and thermal degradation to jute viscose fiber. XRD analysis provides a crystal index of 91.79% of viscose from jute fiber, which is higher than the 76.06% crystal index of raw jute. Here, SEM and physiomechanical properties were also characterized by raw jute and viscose from jute fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose‐based "biomass" adsorptive materials have gained significant attention because of their effectiveness in various applications. In this study, a cellulose composite aerogel with a rich three‐dimensional network structure, low density, and high porosity was successfully obtained by the in situ self‐polymerization of dopamine (DA) and acrylamide (AM) in an alkaline urine system. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and other analytical techniques were used to analyze the physical and chemical structures of the cellulose composite aerogels. The results revealed that the introduction of DA and AM into the aerogel enhanced the adsorption and mechanical properties of the active sites, thereby boosting adsorption capacity and recyclability. By optimizing the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye using a cellulose composite aerogel, a maximum adsorption capacity of 406.89 mg g was obtained. The MB dye adsorption curve of the cellulose composite aerogel conformed to the Langmuir model, which indicates high adsorption capacity and recyclability. This confirms the high application potential of the cellulose composite aerogel in wastewater treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a silane-treated sunn hemp fiber in a polyester resin and rubber seed husk cellulose toughened Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene honeycomb core were used to create a high-toughness, sudden energy-absorbing, environmentally sustainable composite. Materials include polyester resin, sunn hemp fiber, silane-treated cellulose derived from rubber seed husks, and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide as a catalyst. Using a fused deposition modeling printer, the honeycomb structure is manufactured. The composite materials were created by hand layup and post-cured for 48 h at 120 °C. The cured composites were then characterized in compliance with the American Society for Testing and Materials guidelines. The incorporation of 30% sunn hemp fiber and 10% ABS considerably improves the composites' fatigue behavior, impact resistance, and mechanical properties. According to the results, the composite containing 4.0 phr of silane-treated cellulose is noteworthy for achieving maximum values of 5.8 J for Izod impact, 209 MPa for flexural strength, 7.7 GPa for tensile strength, and 8.24 GPa for flexural modulus. In a comparable way, the composite RAC5 with a 4.0 phr cellulose content generated a maximum fatigue count of 27,841 for 25% of UTS throughout its fatigue cycles. Significant improvements were observed in the thermal stability, with the decomposition temperatures rising as high as 541 °C. The inclusion of reinforcements treated with silane resulted in improved bonding with polyester resin, as confirmed by the SEM study. According to the study's findings, these composites, which are distinguished by their excellent performance, low weight, and durability, have prospective uses in the automotive, sports, construction, and UAV industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn the current work, cellulase from Aspergillus niger was successfully immobilized on a novel epoxy-affixed chromium metal-organic framework/chitosan (Cr@-MIL-101/CS) support via covalent method using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinker. The bare and cellulase-bound support was characterized by using various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Immobilized cellulase exhibited a high immobilization yield of 0.7 ± 0.01 mg/cm2, retaining 87.5 ± 0.04% of its specific activity and displaying enhanced catalytic performance. The immobilized enzyme was maximally active at pH 5.0, temperature 65 °C and 0.9 × 10–2 mg/ml saturating substrate concentration and the half-lives of free and immobilized cellulases were approximately 9 and 19 days, respectively. The decrease in activation energy, enthalpy change, and Gibbs free energy change, coupled with an increase in entropy change upon immobilization, indicated that the enzyme’s efficiency, stability, and spontaneity in catalyzing the reaction were enhanced by immobilization. Additionally, the immobilized cellulase efficiently converted rice husk cellulose to glucose, with a quantification limit of 0.05%, linear measurement ranging from 0.1 to 0.9%, and 8.5% conversion efficiency. The present method exhibited a strong correlation (R2 = 0.998) with the DNS method, validating its reliability. Notably, the epoxy/Cr@-MIL-101/CS-bound cellulase demonstrated impressive thermal and pH stabilities, retaining 50% of its activity at 75 °C and over 96% at pH levels of 4.5 and 5.0 after 12 h. Furthermore, it showed excellent reusability, preserving 80% of its activity after 15 cycles and maintaining 50% of its activity even after 20 days of storage. These results suggest that epoxy/Cr@-MIL-101/CS/cellulase composites could be very effective for large-scale cellulose hydrolysis applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functionalization of cellulose with nanomaterials and functional groups is essential for enhancing its properties for specific applications, such as flexible sensors and printed electronics. This study employs Hartree Fock (HF) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to investigate the vibrational spectra of cellulose, identifying DFT: B3LYP/3–21 g** as the optimal model aligning with experimental spectra. Using this model, we examined the impact of functionalizing cellulose with various groups (OH, NH2, COOH, CH3, CHO, CN, SH) and graphene oxide (GO) on its electronic properties. The results indicate that cellulose functionalized with GO (Cellulose-GO) has the lowest bandgap energy (0.1687 eV), and improvements in reactivity, stability, and electronic properties were confirmed through Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MESP) and Total Dipole Moment (TDM) analyses. The spectrum of Density of States (DOS) for the cellulose functionalized with different groups shows several peaks, indicating various energy levels where electronic states are concentrated. The Projected Density of States (PDOS) analysis reveals how different functional groups affect the electronic structure of cellulose. Moreover, the (Cellulose-GO) composite was characterized using an Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectrometer, revealing interaction through the OH group of CH2OH, as indicated by a new band at 1710 cm−1, consistent with theoretical predictions. Overall, this study demonstrates that functionalization with GO enhances cellulose's responsiveness, degradation, and electrical properties, making it suitable for applications in flexible electronic devices and protective barriers against corrosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have received an abundance of attention because of their distinctive chiral nematic structure and exceptional optical characteristics. However, the use of free‐standing films is constrained by the inherent stiffness and brittleness. In this work, CNC films with robust mechanical properties are prepared by simply coating them with polymeric spherulites. Maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA) is used to coat CNC films. The optical properties of coated films were also analyzed using polarized optical microscope. It is observed that the circular extinction patterns for the coated CNC film were created by the radial symmetry of banded spherulites, which were responsible for the perception of the optical transmission bands of the CNC film. Interfacial anchoring plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall performance and properties of the composite system. The future development of numerous portable functional components needing improved optical, mechanical, and thermal qualities of CNC films is made possible by this protective coating approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignocellulosic biomass is one of the major sources of energy in the world without proper utilization. In this regard, the current study focuses on the use of an indigenous source of biomass for the extraction of lignin using alkali and acid pretreatment. Four different biomasses were used for lignin extraction such as walnut shell, almond shell, neem tree bark, and babul tree bark. After pretreatment, lignin characterization was done by using proximate and ultimate analysis, FTIR, and EDS. The maximum content of lignin was present in babul tree bark as compared to other biomasses, whereas sulfur content was maximum in a walnut shell and minimum in babul tree bark. Neem tree barks for 5 h achieve a 5% lignin yield and minimum yield of 2% at 3 h. Walnut shells for 5 h 6% lignin yield and minimum at 3 h 4%. Almond shell for 5 h time achieved maximum lignin yield of 7%, and minimum yield 4 wt % for 3 h. Finally, it is seen that lignin had the greatest yield from the walnut shell in comparison to other biomass alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel laccase-producing thermo-tolerant organisms were identified and its culture conditions optimized for effective delignification. Forty-three isolates were screened for ligninolytic activity, out of which six isolates with higher laccase specific activity (3.27, 5.49, 2.26, 4.54, 4.61, and 4.73 U mg−1 protein) were selected for further analysis. Maximum enzyme production of 450 U/μL was obtained after 120 hours of incubation, at 46°C and pH 6.0. Erianthus bagasse digested with crude enzymes was studied for their structural modifications. The SEM analysis showed cavities (1.28 to 2.56 μm) indicating the disintegration of lignin molecules while the FT-IR showed peaks at 1509 cm−1, 1725 cm−1, and 2894 cm−1 indicating the breakdown of lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose moieties, respectively. The GC-MS analysis generated derivatives of syringyl and hydroxyphenyl lignin. Sequence analysis of the isolate showed that the isolate S2 is affiliated to A. caespitosus and its purified laccase showed a specific enzyme activity of 7.9 to 19.2 U/mg of protein. Our results suggest that Aspergillus caespitosus S2 has the highest potential for Erianthus delignification. Aspergillus caespitosus and its system biology generated from this study might be beneficial for bio-refinery applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar palm starch waste (SPSW) was biomass that produce from processing of sugar palm starch. SPSW contain high cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Using lignocellulose from SPSW needs a pretreatment method to obtain highpurity cellulose and create an environmentally friendly method. The investigation focuses on determining the optimal NaOH concentration, temperature, and duration for hydrothermal-alkali treatment to remove hemicellulose and lignin, achieving high-purity cellulose. There is no further research regarding optimal conditions related to NaOH concentration, temperature, and duration for hydrothermal-alkali treatment to remove hemicellulose and lignin, achieving high-purity cellulose. This study aims to define optimal conditions for lignin and hemicellulose removal to obtain cellulose with high purity. The delignification process is carried out by hydrothermal and hydrothermal alkali activation. The hydrothermal activation removes hemicellulose, whereas the hydrothermal alkali activation removes lignin. In this study, Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine optimum conditions. The results were then structural and morphological identification using XRD, FTIR, and SEM. The optimization results obtained parameter values of 2% NaOH, temperature 120 °C for 120 minutes. The desirability value was 0.774, with a response value of 2.9 ± 1.7% for hemicellulose, 92.35 ± 1.06% for cellulose, and 2.45 ± 0.1% for lignin. FTIR results showed that lignin was absent during the delignification process. Meanwhile, in XRD, during the delignification process, the crystallization index (CI) decreases, and the crystallization size (CS) increases. SEM analysis results show that the morphology of the delignified SPSW becomes smoother after pretreatment, which indicates a decrease in hemicellulose and lignin content and a high level of cellulose purity. Further research is needed on other parameters, such as cellulose yield, energy consumption, and environmental impact. This research should also consider other potential pretreatment factors, such as pressure and catalysts in the hydrothermal process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose nitrate, commonly known as nitrocellulose (NC), is an energetic polymer with a broad function in industrial and military applications. The use of biomass waste for nitrocellulose production offers a promising solution to the growing demand for renewable and sustainable raw materials, addressing one of the most critical issues of recent decades. However, the product quality remains suboptimal, presenting one of the biggest challenges in developing NC production from biomass. Enhancing NC performance through the modification of cellulose crystal structures and allomorph is considered an excellent approach. Herein, the transformation of cellulose-I into cellulose-II was explored during the hydrolysis step to produce high-performance NC. The present study demonstrated that cellulose-II precursors effectively produced the highest-performance NC from the solid byproducts of avocado seed extraction (EAS), highlighting its promising potential for high-energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) have emerged as promising eco-friendly pre-treatment agents for lignocellulosic biomass, offering considerable advantages for the nanofibrillation process. This study investigates the impact of DESs on cellulose fibers morphology, focusing on solubilization phenomena in the amorphous regions that may facilitate cellulose nanofiber production. The pre-treatment process combining a DES (triethylmethylammonium chloride and imidazole, TEMA:IMD) with microwave (MW) energy was optimized to enhance the solubility of cellulosic fibers. A response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the DES-MW-assisted pre-treatment. Results show that the reaction time and the temperature significantly influence the solubility of cellulosic fibers. The optimized conditions resulted in cellulose fibers with low content of hemicellulose and lignin, high crystallinity index, and improved thermal stability. The effectiveness of DES-MW pre-treatment in producing cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) from native and pre-treated fibers was investigated. Cellulose fibers pre-treated with a DES yielded CNFs with a narrower diameter distribution. Overall, optimized DES-MW pre-treatment offers a promising strategy for the efficient and sustainable extraction of CNFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irreversible deformation of paper is a challenge for both printer operation and product quality, particularly in inkjet printing with water-based inks. Here we are investigating permanent paper curl, which is the residual curl of paper after drying of the ink (i.e., it is not the immediate paper curl due to wetting). The key aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that permanent paper curl is created by partial opening and rearrangement of the fibre–fibre bonds in the wetted paper layer. In order to test this hypothesis, we produced paper with crosslinked fibre–fibre bonds that do not open in the presence of water. Polyamideamine epichlorohydrin (PAE) and 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid were used as crosslinking agents and properties of the treated paper samples were analysed. Both agents led to significantly improved wet strength of the papers, furthermore we indeed found that the permanent curl of crosslinked papers was strongly reduced. Other curl related mechanisms like differences in fibre swelling, paper hydroexpansion and liquid penetration were not able to explain the reduction in curl. The finding that the creation of fibre–fibre bonds unaffected by water prevents permanent curl of paper after wetting and redrying leads to the conclusion that the mechanism for creating permanent paper curl after wetting is related to the partial opening and rearrangement of fibre–fibre bonds in the wetted paper. Possible pathways to apply these findings to paper production are discussed, for example switchable or temporary wet strength agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose-based hydrogels have attracted considerable attention in biomedical engineering. However, existing cellulose-based adhesive hydrogels have several limitations, including poor wet adhesion, average antimicrobial activity and a lack of benign on-demand detachment. Using a dual-crosslinked design strategy, we created a cellulose-based hydrogel (ACCPFM) by combining polymerisable allyl cellulose, carboxymethyl chitosan and the aldehyde-cation copolymer P(FPMA-co-META). Covalent (Schiff base) and non-covalent (electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding) crosslinking enhance the mechanical performance of the prepared hydrogel. The introduction of P(FPMA-co-META) into the cellulose network architecture endowed the ACCPFM hydrogel with an impressive antibacterial capacity (bacterial reduction: > 95%). The ACCPFM hydrogel used the hygroscopicity of the hydroxy, carboxyl and cationic moieties to remove interfacial water on the tissue surface and then formed physical and dynamic covalent cross-links with the tissue (shear strength: > 50 kPa, tensile strength: > 70 kPa and interfacial toughness: > 110 J m−2). Notably, due to the dominance of physical and dynamic covalent crosslinking, which transforms timescale-dependent, on-demand detachment was achieved by applying a tailored benign solution (sodium bicarbonate/glycine) at different stages, providing a wider time window and fault-tolerance for the adhesion process. Given the ACCPFM hydrogel's strong wet adhesion, excellent antimicrobial capability and cytocompatibility, and benign on-demand detachment from tissues, cellulose-based hydrogels are expected to have potential applications in the biomedical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass waste is an abundant resource. The current biomass valorisation is focused on purified or more homogeneous streams of waste, such as spent grains from breweries. Mixed plant biomass waste is usually not valorised due to the high cost of separation, collection and transportation. Moreover, the challenge extends to space exploration, where the management of mixed plant biomass waste through storage or incineration is not sustainable for long-duration missions. Additionally, Rockwool, widely used in hydroponics both terrestrially and in space, presents health hazards and environmental disposal issues. There's a critical need to valorise mixed plant biomass waste and to develop safer, more eco-friendly substrates for plant growth. This study presents a circular approach to convert mixed plant biomass waste into bioplastics for plant growth substrates, with the process completed by recycling plant residues back into bioplastics. Mixed garden waste was treated with alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) to enhance cellulose content by 75% while decreasing hemicellulose and lignin contents. The effectiveness of AHP in extracting cellulose was verified using FTIR and SEM analyses. Cellulose was transformed into cellulose acetate (CA) using a green acetylation process, achieving a degree of substitution of 2.5. Triethyl citrate (TEC) plasticized the CA, which was then 3D printed into porous structures for growing garden peas. Post-harvest, the plant debris was reconverted into CA, showcasing a sustainable cycle of plant biomass waste valorisation. This research has proved the concept of converting mixed plant biomass waste into growth substrates for hydroponic systems, offering advantages to the space, horticulture, waste management, and bioplastics sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights This study presents a novel equation that obtains the intrinsic flexural modulus of a natural fiber from its microfibril angle (MFA) and its crystalline cellulose content, once having estimated both parameters from X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The percentage of crystalline cellulose was estimated as the content of cellulose times the crystallinity index. Moreover, the MFA of abaca strands was obtained through an equation relating MFA with the strain at break of the strands and by XRD azimuthal integration, obtaining similar results. Fully bio‐based composites, consisting of biopolyethylene reinforced with of abaca strands at 20 to 50 wt% contents, were tested to assess the impact of the natural fibers on the flexural modulus of the composites. The intrinsic flexural modulus was also evaluated by using three micromechanics models (Hirsh equation, Halpin and Tsai equation, and its modification by Nielsen). The values obtained from the application of the new equation, the micromechanics methods, and the literature showed satisfactory agreement. Evaluation of the flexural modulus of abaca strand reinforced bio‐polyethylene composites. Use of micromechanics models to obtain the intrinsic modulus of abaca strands. Formula that correlates the intrinsic flexural modulus of abaca to its crystalline cellulose content and microfibril angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many dyes have been introduced into cellulose, whether bound to its backbone or within a cellulose matrix, few studies have determined whether the backbone statically or dynamically quenches the photoluminescence of the dye. To advance cellulosic fluorescent films, the influence of the cellulose backbone on photoluminescence must be understood. We determined the fluorescence properties of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and fluorescein-labeled cellulose (FLC) in water and alcohol, including their quantum yields , lifetimes , and rates of radiative and nonradiative decay. Dissolved FLC had a ~ 30× lower than FITC, suggesting that incorporating FITC into the cellulose backbone remarkably reduces the fluorescence efficiency. The FLC solutions had a six-fold lower than their FITC counterparts but a 10–20 times higher . Presumably, this was because the cellulose backbone interacted weakly with the fluorescein moieties, suggesting a quenching mechanism that can be termed quasi-static, corresponding to static quenching between the fluorescein moieties and cellulose backbone, in addition to the fluorescence quenching caused by the intramolecular nonradiative processes of fluorescein, as observed in conventional molecules. Using the Strickler‒Berg formula, we deduced the analytical radiative decay rate constants and eventually estimated the number of very short-lived fluorescein moieties per single fluorescent fluorescein moiety, corresponding well with static quenching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the substantial emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere, there is a critical need for effective CO2 adsorbents at scale, ideally derived from abundant and sustainable natural resources. In this work, microcrystalline cellulose derived from cotton is used to fabricate cellulose aerogel as porous support via a NaOH/urea‐based dissolution and regeneration process, followed by surface modification with a series of amino silane coupling agents to produce aminated cellulose aerogel as CO2 adsorbent. The as‐synthesized optimal adsorbent exhibits a high CO2 sorption capacity of up to 1.5 and 1.3 mmol g−1 at 0 °C and 25 °C at 1 bar, respectively. Notably, in‐depth analysis shows that the adsorbent achieves an impressive capacity of CO2 uptake of 0.29 mmol g−1 at 25 °C at an exceptionally low CO2 pressure of 0.4 mbar, i.e., under ambient CO2 pressure. It implies its potential use as adsorbent both for the traditional point‐source capture and the direct air capture as an emerging negative emission technology. This study underscores the environmentally friendly, cost‐effective, and biosourced attributes of aminated cellulose aerogel as a compelling alternative for carbon capture, contributing to global initiatives combating CO2 emissions and stressing the key role of sustainable materials in tackling this global environmental challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper-based microfluidic devices offer an ideal platform for biological and environmental detection because they are low-cost, small, disposable, and fill by natural capillary action. In this tutorial review, we discuss the surface modification of paper-based microfluidic devices with functional polymers using the initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) process. The iCVD process is solventless and therefore ideal for coating cellulose paper because there are no surface tension effects or solvent compatibility issues. The process can also be scaled up for roll-to-roll manufacturing. The chemical functionality of the iCVD coating can be tuned by varying the monomer and the structure of the coating can be tuned by varying the processing parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels are regarded as ideal tissue scaffold materials owing to their unique advantages, but problems such as low strength and easy cracking have become bottlenecks that limit their practical applicability. Constructing reinforced hydrogels is a widely studied approach for performance enhancement. Therefore, herein, cellulose nanocrystals were introduced as reinforcement into a thermally responsive hydrogel matrix through a Schiff base, achieving a cellulose nanocrystal-reinforced thermally responsive dynamic hydrogel. The CNC-reinforced hydrogel was characterized in detail, and the influence of CNCs on hydrogel properties was systematically investigated. Moreover, the thermally responsive and dynamic properties of the resulting hydrogels were tested to evaluate their mechanical performance. This work provides a feasible solution for the design of hydrogel-based tissue scaffold materials with long service life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites based on polylactic acid (PLA) were developed, using lignocellulosic nanofibers (LCNF) dispersed in polyethylene glycol (PEG). To evaluate the impact of LCNF sources, suspensions were prepared from different pulps, including only cellulose; other with cellulose and hemicellulose; and cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The PLA/PEG ratio was 80/20, with LCNF concentrations of 1.25%, 2.5%, and 3.75% (w/w) relative to the PLA/PEG weight. The best results were achieved with 2.5% (w/w) of LCNF containing a blend of cellulose and hemicellulose, showing a 26% increase in tensile strength and 102% in Young's modulus compared with the PLA/PEG matrix. The hemicellulose in LCNF acts as a physical barrier between cellulose chains, demonstrating a lower tendency for agglomeration and greater compatibility with PEG and PLA, as evidenced by decreased zeta potential due to the adsorption of PEG and shifts in the CO peak in the FTIR spectra. At 3.75 LCNF concentration, micrometer‐sized fibers were observed in SEM images, impacting the mechanical properties of the composites. Thermograms show no phase separation, and the change in crystallinity due to the addition of nanofibers has minimal influence on mechanical properties. These findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate lignocellulosic nanoparticles for improved material performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, nanostructured and transparent cellulose aerogels are synthesized via a purely salt induced approach from non‐modified microcrystalline cellulose type II. The production process requires in contrast to state of the art methods no pretreatment of cellulose or use of expensive cellulose‐solvents: it consists of hydrogel formation via cross‐linking of cellulose with calcium ions, a solvent exchange and a supercritical drying step. A systematic multiparameter study reveals that a high level of structural control is achievable: ratios of macro‐ to mesoporosity and the size of mesopores can be tailored by adjustment of the calcium ion content, while keeping a high overall porosity in the range of 92% – 96 %. The build‐up of homogeneous, fine pore structures results in a significant increase of the specific surface area as compared to conventional calcium‐free aerogels (684 vs. 300 m2 g−1). Remarkably, the Ca2+‐cross‐linking renders aerogels transparent, with Rayleigh scattering being the dominant scattering mechanism. Additional ion exchange to Ca2+ in the hydrogel‐state leads to further reduction of the pore size and to products with optimized optical properties, e.g., light transmission of 91% at an incidents light wavelength of 800 nm and a substrate thickness of 1.5 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microscopic defects in the amorphous regions of natural cellulose affect the mechanical properties of their materials. After dissolution and regeneration, cellulose's mechanical properties are still insufficient for application in advanced materials. Conventional compounding and crosslinking techniques with toxic crosslinking agents are not only cumbersome, but also have limited performance enhancement in cellulose materials Therefore, much attention has been paid to designing and developing more straightforward and efficient cellulose reinforcement technologies. Herein, an in situ multiscalarization strategy is used to form multiscale silk fiber‐cellulose composites (MS‐C) by the gradual nanosizing of silk fibers (SF) under heating in a 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride solution of cellulose (Cel‐BmimCl). MS‐C are constructed from micro and nano SF, fibroin chains, and cellulose molecules into a multidimensional network. Due to its advantage of multiscale structure, MS‐C has excellent mechanical properties, the tensile strength and Young's modulus, which are 123.06% and 91.68% higher than that of pure regenerated cellulose after 5h heating treatment. Besides, MS‐C has good biocompatibility and can be molded or 3D printed with direct ink writing, showing broad application prospects in medical, bioengineering, and other fields. This multiscale enhancement strategy can also be extended to the research and application of biopolymers such as natural polysaccharides or proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gelling-fibre dressings have been found to be a rapid and effective tool for exudate management. Suprasorb Liquacel Pro is a soft, conformable non-woven dressing made from sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and strengthening cellulose fibres. When it comes into contact with wound exudate or blood, the absorbent dressing forms a gel, creating a moist wound environment. Cell debris and bacteria in the exudate are retained inside the fibre dressing and removed during the dressing change. The high vertical absorption of exudate into the fibre dressing protects the wound environment and the wound edge, thus supporting the healing process. Suprasorb Liquacel Ag has additional antimicrobial abilities with the inclusion of nanosilver technology, shown to be effective in killing bacteria and managing bioburden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The heavy metal ions are the typical carcinogenic agents. Up to now, the interaction mechanism of toxic metal ions with the biomolecules such as carbohyrate have not been elucidated and reported in the detail. In this research work, the adjacent dissociation Gibbs energy (EAB) of M3+(H2O)5(R-OH) complexes depended significantly on the molecular volume of primary alcohols and the inductive effects of substituent R in primary alcohols (R = CH3, CH3CH2, CH3CH2CH2, CH3CH2CH2CH2, Cl-CH2, F-CH2) as well as the length of linear cellulose. The affinity of M3+(H2O)5 ions with the sixth water molecule in gas phase reduced in the order as follows: Fe3+ > Ru3+ > Os3+, which were determined by the EAB values and bond lengths of M–O. The water solvent made the EAB values of Fe3+(H2O)6 ions and Fe3+(H2O)5(CH3OH) ions changed completely in the case of the polarizable continuum model, while the Onsager model gave the good agreement with the gas phase model. Methods: The nature of interaction between hydrated Fe3+(H2O)5 ion and the hydroxy groups of primary alcohols were investigated using density functional theory method at the B3LYP/6–311 + G** level, the PBEPBE/6–311 + G** level. The influence of water solvent was evaluated using the Onsager model and the polarizable continuum model. The two-layer ONIOM approach and the local softness analysis were employed for the hydroxy groups of linear cellulose at the B3LYP/6–311 + G**:HF/6-31G* level. The affinity of M3+(H2O)5 ions (M = Fe, Ru, and Os) with the sixth water molecule were probed at the B3LYP/QZVPP/6–311 + G** level (QZVPP basis set for the metal atoms). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the structural changes in hemicellulose and cellulose from sunflower seeds before and after roasting at 160°C, 190°C, and 220°C. Sugar composition, molecular weight, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetric, and NMR analyses were utilized to determine the structural properties of these polysaccharides and detect the volatile compounds. The results showed that roasting destroyed the microstructure of these hemicelluloses and cellulose. Glucose and arabinose of hemicellulose were more easily degraded than other sugars during roasting. The galacturonic acid content increased from 7.8% to 46.66% after roasting. The hemicellulose obtained at 220°C had a backbone of D‐xylose residues with a β‐(1→4)‐linkage. The molecular weight of cellulosic polysaccharides decreased with the increase of roasting temperature. The crystallinity increased from 28.92% to 31.86% revealing that mainly the amorphous regions of cellulosic polysaccharides were destroyed by roasting. After roasting, the volatile compounds of these polysaccharides were rich in furfural, which was produced by caramelization and the Maillard reaction, contributing to the characteristic aroma of roasted sunflower seeds. This study provides some information on the relationship between structural changes of polysaccharides and the formation of flavor during roasting sunflower seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose produced by bacteria (BC) is considered a promising material for the textile industry, but the fragile and sensitive nature of BC membranes limits their broad applicability. Production of all-cellulose biocomposites, in which the BC is cultivated in situ on a cotton fabric, could solve this problem, but here a new issue arises, namely poor adhesion. To overcome this challenge, cotton fabric was modified with low-pressure oxygen plasma in either afterglow, E-mode, or H-mode. All-cellulose biocomposites were prepared in situ by placing the samples of cotton fabric in BC culture medium and incubating for 7 days to allow BC microfibril networks to form on the fabric. Modification of cotton fabric with oxygen plasma afterglow led to additional functionalization with polar groups, and modification with oxygen plasma in H-mode led also to etching and surface roughening of the cotton fibers, which improved the adhesion within the biocomposite. In addition, these biocomposites showed higher deformation capacities. Modification of the cotton fabric over a longer period in E-mode was found to be unsuitable, as this caused strong etching, which led to the defibrillation of cotton fibers and poor adhesion of BC. This study highlights the potential of low-pressure plasma treatment as an environmentally friendly method to improve the performance of cellulose-based biocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photochromic inks have shown disadvantages, such as poor durability and high cost. Self-healable hydrogels have shown photostability and durability. Herein, a viologen-based covalent polymer was printed onto a paper surface toward the development of a multi-stimuli responsive chromogenic sheet with thermochromic, photochromic, and vapochromic properties. Viologen polymer was created by polymerizing a dialdehyde-based viologen with a hydroxyl-bearing dihydrazide in an acidic aqueous medium. The viologen polymer was well immobilized as a colorimetric agent into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/tricarboxy cellulose (TCC)-based self-healable hydrogel. The viologen/hydrogel nanocomposite films were applied onto a paper surface. The coloration measurements showed that when exposed to ultraviolet light, the orange layer printed on the paper surface switched to green. The photochromic film was used to develop anti-counterfeiting prints using the organic hydrogel composed of a PVA/TCC composite and a viologen polymer. Reversible photochromism with strong photostability was observed when the printed papers were exposed to UV irradiation. A detection limit was monitored in the range of 0.5–300 ppm for NH3(aq). The exposure to heat (70 °C) was found to reversibly initiate a colorimetric change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinus taeda is a key timber species, and extensive research has been conducted on its wood formation. However, a comprehensive investigation into the biosynthetic pathways of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose in P. taeda is lacking, resulting in an incomplete understanding of secondary cell wall (SCW) formation in this species. In this study, we systematically analyzed transcriptomic data from previously published sources and constructed detailed pathways for lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose biosynthesis. We identified 188 lignin-related genes and 78 genes associated with cellulose and hemicellulose biosynthesis. An RT-qPCR highlighted 15 key lignin biosynthesis genes and 13 crucial genes for cellulose and hemicellulose biosynthesis. A STEM analysis showed that most essential enzyme-coding genes clustered into Profile 14, suggesting their significant role in SCW formation. Additionally, we identified seven NAC and six MYB transcription factors (TFs) from atypical evolutionary clades, with distinct expression patterns from those of the previously characterized NAC and MYB genes, indicating potentially unique functions in SCW formation. This research provides the first comprehensive overview of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose biosynthetic genes in P. taeda and underscores the importance of non-canonical NAC and MYB TFs, laying a genetic foundation for future studies on SCW regulatory mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart colorimetric packaging has been an important method to protect human health from external hazardous agents. However, the currently available colorimetric detectors use synthetic dye probes, which are costly, toxic, difficult to prepare, and non-biodegradable. Herein, an environmentally friendly cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-supported polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous membrane was developed for the colorimetric monitoring of food spoilage. Anthocyanidin (ACY) is a naturally occurring spectroscopic probe that was isolated from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). By encapsulating the anthocyanin probe in electrospun polyvinyl alcohol fibers in the presence of a mordant (M), M/ACY nanoparticles were generated. After exposure to rotten shrimp, an investigation on the colorimetric changes from purple to green for the smart nanofibrous fabric was conducted using the coloration parameters and absorbance spectra. In response to increasing the length of exposure to rotten shrimp, the absorption spectra of the anthocyanin-encapsulated nanofibrous membrane showed a wavelength blueshift from 580 nm to 412 nm. CNC displayed a diameter of 12–17 nm. The nanoparticle diameter of M/ACY was monitored in the range of 8–13 nm, and the nanofiber diameter was shown in the range of 70–135 nm. Slight changes in comfort properties were monitored after encapsulating M/ACY in the nanofibrous fabric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microparticles derived from biomaterials are becoming increasingly popular for application in drug delivery systems. In this study, the water-in-oil (W/O) emulsification–diffusion method was used to create cellulose (C), silk fibroin (SF), and C/SF composite microparticles. We then observed the morphology of all obtained microparticles using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), evaluated their functional groups using attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and conducted thermogravimetric analysis using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). SEM micrographs indicated that the native SF microparticles have the highest spherical shape with smooth surfaces. With blue dextran, the C microparticle was smaller than the native microparticle, while the drug-loaded SF microparticles were larger than the native microparticle. The morphological surfaces of the C/SF composite microparticles were varied in shape and surface depending on the C/SF ratio used. The spherical shape of the C/SF composite microparticle increased as the SF content increased. Furthermore, the size of the drug-loaded C/SF composite microparticles increased when the SF content gradually increased. The significant functional groups in the C and SF structures were identified based on the ATR-FTIR data, and a suggestion was made regarding the interaction between the functional groups of each polymer. When compared to both native polymers, the C/SF composite microparticles exhibit improved thermal stability. XRD patterns indicated that all prepared particles have crystalline structures and are directly affected by the released profile. The C/SF composite microparticle at a 1:3 ratio had the lowest drug release content, whereas the hydrophilicity of the C microparticle affected the highest drug release content. As a result, one crucial factor affecting the medication released from the microparticle is its structure stability. According to the obtained results, C, SF, and C/SF composite microparticles show promise as delivery systems for drugs with controlled release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the dissolution of two biopolymers, cellulose and silk fibroin, in a mixture of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EmimAc) and dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). EmimAc is a promising environmentally friendly solvent currently in wide use but can be limited by its high viscosity, which inhibits the speed of dissolution. To mediate this, DMSO has been used as a cosolvent and has been shown to significantly lower the solution viscosity and aid mass transport. Dissolution experiments are carried out separately for both cellulose and silk fibrion with a range of EmimAc:DMSO ratios from 100 wt% EmimAc to 100 wt% DMSO. Interestingly, the optimal EmimAc:DMSO ratio (in terms of dissolution speed) is found to be very different for the two biopolymers. For cellulose, a mixture of 20 wt% EmimAc with 80 wt% DMSO is found to have the fastest dissolution speed, while for silk fibroin, a ratio of 80 wt% EmimAc with 20 wt% DMSO proves the fastest. These dissolution trials are complemented by rheological and nuclear magnetic resonance experiments to provide further insight into the underlying mechanisms. Finally, we produce hybrid biopolymer films from a solution to show how this work provides a foundation for future effective dissolution and the preparation of hybrid biopolymer films and hybrid biocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the cellulose/zinc oxide hybrid aerogel (CA/ZnO) was successfully synthesized via different as-prepared methods. The obtained ZnO structure in CA/ZnO hybrid aerogel indicated porous hemispherical structures, cone-like, nanorod (rice grain-like shape), and flower-like morphologies. The different created structure for the as-prepared samples may be due to the different growth of zinc oxide under synthesis conditions.The as-synthesized samples were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), UV-Vis spectroscopy. Then, their effect on the removal efficiency of methyl orange (MO) solution was investigated under UV light irradiation. The BET analysis revealed that specific surface area of the as-prepared samples with using different methods was in the range of 43.70–352.82 m2/g. The obtained results indicated that the morphology of CA/ZnO hybrid aerogel plays a significant role in the photodegradation performance of MO. Among all as-prepared samples with different morphologies, the plate-like structure of ZnO demonstrated the maximum removal efficiency of MO (94.78%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), derived from abundant natural cellulose, possess exceptional properties including low weight, bioavailability, and high mechanical performance. During shear loading, CNCs exhibit unique stick–slip behavior, making them excellent toughening materials for CNC neat films and nanocomposite. However, the failure behavior at the interface under specific conditions, particularly moisture and temperature, remains unclear. The study utilized molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to quantitatively investigate the hydrothermal effect on the degradation of CNC interface. The degradation mechanism induced by moisture and temperature was indicated through the reduction of adhesive energy and peak force with the consideration of hydrogen bonds. The simulation results showed that the role of water molecules in the interfacial failure depends their content. Water acted as a binder at low moisture levels, while at high moisture levels, it acted as a lubricant. Besides, temperature had a more pronounced impact on the interfacial shear performance. Our simulation results can be used as input in micromechanical models to bridge the gap between the macroscopic and microscopic behavior of films and nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Isoxaben is a pre‐emergent herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds. While the phytotoxic mechanism is not completely understood, isoxaben interferes with cellulose synthesis. Certain mutations in cellulose synthase complex proteins can confer isoxaben tolerance; however, these mutations can cause compromised cellulose synthesis and perturbed plant growth, rendering them unsuitable as herbicide tolerance traits. We conducted a genetic screen to identify new genes associated with isoxaben tolerance by screening a selection of Arabidopsis thaliana T‐DNA mutants. We found that mutations in a FERREDOXIN‐NADP(+) OXIDOREDUCTASE‐LIKE (FNRL) gene enhanced tolerance to isoxaben, exhibited as a reduction in primary root stunting, reactive oxygen species accumulation and ectopic lignification. The fnrl mutant did not exhibit a reduction in cellulose levels following exposure to isoxaben, indicating that FNRL operates upstream of isoxaben‐induced cellulose inhibition. In line with these results, transcriptomic analysis revealed a highly reduced response to isoxaben treatment in fnrl mutant roots. The fnrl mutants displayed constitutively induced mitochondrial retrograde signalling, and the observed isoxaben tolerance is partially dependent on the transcription factor ANAC017, a key regulator of mitochondrial retrograde signalling. Moreover, FNRL is highly conserved across all plant lineages, implying conservation of its function. Notably, fnrl mutants did not show a growth penalty in shoots, making FNRL a promising target for biotechnological applications in breeding isoxaben tolerance in crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The formation of ice crystals will have adverse effects on aquatic products, and the key to ensure the long‐term preservation and better quality preservations of the product is to evaluate the intercellular ice crystal formation to find suitable refrigeration conditions and cryoprotectants. RESULTS: The ice crystal formation was successfully captured by using an inverted microscope cryomicroscopic system equipped with a low‐temperature stage, the ice crystals formed under different freezing methods between tuna muscle cells were observed directly, the deformation degree of muscle tissue pores during crystallization was evaluated, and the effect of freeze–thaw times on tuna samples was analyzed. The effects of the use of cryoprotectant such as cellobiose and carboxylated cellulose nanofibers on ice‐growth inhibition were investigated, and the reliability of the ice crystal observation results was further verified by the determination of physical properties. The results showed that carboxylated cellulose nanofibers had the best ice‐growth inhibition effect, they prevented about 50% cell deformation compared with the control group, and also reduced the minimum size of ice crystal formation. In addition, the addition of cellobiose and sodium tripolyphosphate gave the ice crystals a more uniform size and roundness. CONCLUSION: The experiment proposed a stable and clear observation method for the process of intercellular ice crystal formation, and the accuracy of the observation method was further verified by some physical indicators. This may help in the selection of suitable measurement methods to directly observe ice crystal formation behavior and screen cryoprotectants. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the properties of the bacterial cellulose of various origins obtained with the help of XRD, FTIR, and dielectric spectroscopy methods. The samples were produced by Gluconacetobacter bacteria (with Іα phase content of 36%) and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts present in Kombucha fermented drink (with Іα phase content of 62%). An increase in the Іα phase concentration results in a decrease in the intensity of the low-temperature dielectric relaxation and its shift toward higher temperatures. We demonstrate that this dielectric relaxation occurs primarily due to the reorientation of the methylol groups on the surfaces of the cellulose crystallites. We also report that the concentration of the activated relaxers in Іβ cellulose allomorph exceeds that of the Іα allomorph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim of fabricating and characterizing an optimized drug delivery system (DDS) for an effective administration of poorly water-soluble delafloxacin (DFX) via the oral route, several formulations of delafloxacin-laden solid dispersions (SD) were prepared employing the solvent-evaporation and electrospraying techniques concomitantly. Solubility and release rate of the drug in the SD were assessed. Solid-state characterization was performed via the X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analyses, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis. Amongst the prepared SD, an optimized formulation consisting of DFX, HPC, and SLS at the weight ratio of (1/8/0.2) showed about 9-fold higher solubility and 13-fold faster release rate of delafloxacin as compared to delafloxacin plain drug powder (DPDP). The drug existed in the amorphous form in the spherical particles and had no covalent interaction with any of the excipients. Thus, this optimized formulation might be a useful DDS for an effective administration of DFX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]