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Hybrid organic-inorganic materials are of interest for a wide range of applications in fields of biotechnology, medical science, and green chemistry. In this study, we illustrated the principles of synthesis, the structure, and the functions of a novel konjac glucomannan (KGM) based biopolymer-silica hybrid materials. Nano-silicon dioxide (SiO2) was applied as composites, combined with KGM, to form a highly porous structure by using a simple and versatile route – freeze drying. We systematically varied the Nano-SiO2 concentration and solution pH value, the as-prepared organic-inorganic porous materials are highly ordered and highly strengthened with an average porous diameter of 100 μm, with honeycomb structure, tailored mechanical properties, and excellent support capacity. Activated carbon (AC)-loaded porous materials (CKNSi) exhibited a high Cu(II) adsorption capacity.

In this study, a novel microcapsule was generated by the encapsulation of Lactobacillus acidophilus using konjac glucomannan (KGM) hydrogel. Micropowder of L. acidophilus was mixed with gel particles, which was encapsulated in a microcapsule wall material produced by the combination of konjac oligosaccharides (KO) and sodium alginate (SA). The encapsulation and stability (both storage and digested) along with the microstructure of the capsules were analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that the microencapsulation rate was 62.5%, Dialdehyde glucomannan (DAK)/gelatin crosslinked gel formed numerous interconnected pores, and the pore wall was thick and smooth, which could well protect the microorganisms inside. Study of the storage stability showed that microencapsulated L. acidophilus could be stored for longer at both 4 °C and 25 °C. Gastric fluid simulation results confirmed that microencapsulation improved the acid resistance of L. acidophilus . An enteric test revealed that the number of viable bacteria increased with an extension of the digestion time, and no solid particles were observed in the solution after 45 min. In addition, KO was applied as both prebiotic of L. acidophilus and anti-freeze agent. It is illustrated that the survival rates of L. acidophilus (with and without encapsulated) were significantly increased during freeze drying situation. This work contributes a pathway on the construction of advanced L. acidophilus microcapsules by using KGM as a main precursor.

The exploration of methods to produce a novel wound dressing with sustained drug release properties in ultrasmall scales is of great scientific and technological interest. Herein, we propose konjac glucomannan/polyvinylidene fluoride (KGM/PVDF) hybrid microfibers having hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments based on microfluidic-oriented core–sheath composite microfibers, where the KGM/PVDF hybrid microfibers are wrapped in situ in CH3OH. The morphology of KGM/PVDF microfibers is uniform, smooth, and crack-free. Enrofloxacin (Enro) is loaded onto the microfibers as a representative cargo to test their release performance. The KGM/PVDF/Enro microfibers show sustained drug release performance (13 days), excellent heat resistance, antibacterial activity and promotion of wound healing. This study is an avenue toward the microfluidic design of hydrophilic/hydrophobic hybrid microfibers as wound dressings, and it will guide the development of next-generation wound dressing.

In this study, we synthesized a konjac glucomannan (KGM)/poly dopamine (PDA)/Oxaliplatin nanofiber membrane with efficient and controlled drug release properties by using electrospinning technology. The structure of the polymer network nanofiber membrane was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). KGM/PDA nanofiber membrane showed uniform sizes with an average diameter of 100–120 nm. The results revealed that the association of KGM and PDA to synthesize nanofiber membrane could be attributed to hydrogen bonds. Compared with KGM, the KGM/PDA nanofiber membrane exhibited higher moisture adsorption and drug release ability. Based on superior drug release ability, the KGM/PDA nanofibers provided a potential oxaliplatin carriers in application of drug release. This work contributed to a facile pathway on the construction of biomaterial nanofiber membrane by using polysaccharides. Scheme 1. Schematic presentation of the preparation of KGM/PDA nanofiber membrane and the use for drug release.

Konjac glucomannan (KGM)/galactoglucomannan (GGM) nanofiber membranes were obtained through electrospinning technology. Rheological properties of KGM/GGM solutions were observed by using a rotary rheometer. The apparent morphological, characteristic group and thermal stability of nanofiber membranes were studied through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectoscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) respectively. The physical and mechanical properties were also evaluated. Results revealed that the addition of GGM did not significantly affect the rheological properties of electrospinning solution. Increase in the amount of GGM in the nanofiber membrane resulted in gradual smoothening, uniformity and decrease in the number of nodes. KGM interacts with GGM through hydrogen-bond. Addition of GGM markedly enhanced the thermal stability, physical and mechanical properties of the nanofiber membrane. The study showed that the KGM/GGM nanofiber membrane have good potential for use in developing membrane based materials.

The exploration of methods to produce biocompatible materials in ultrasmall scales is of great scientific and technological interest. We reported a microfluidic spinning technology (MST) for fabrication of microfibers with a novel biocompatible material, konjac glucomannan (KGM) as the main material combined with sodium polyacrylate (PAAS). These as-produced KGM/PAAS microfibers are consistent and uniform in size with an average width of 100 μm. Also, these microfibers can easily arrange to microarrays and microgrids, facilely forming a useful platform for molecules recognition of amines. Moreover, the nontoxicity of KGM developed an ofloxacin loaded KGM microfibers present potential application in wound dressing. This strategy contributes a facile pathway on the construction of biomaterial microfibers by using polysaccharides as the precursors.