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Hydrogels are materials made of crosslinked 3D networks of hydrophilic polymer chains that can absorb and retain significant amounts of water due to their hydrophilic structure without being dissolved. In relation to alternative biomaterials, hydrogels offer increased biocompatibility and biodegradability, giving them distinct advantages. Thus, hydrogel platforms are considered to have the potential for the development of biomedical applications. In this study, the main objective was the development of hybrid hydrogels to act as a drug delivery platform. These hydrogels were made from chitosan (CH) and type A gelatin (G), two natural polymers that provide a supportive environment for cellular attachment, viability, and growth, thanks to their unique properties. Particularly, the use of gelatins for drug delivery systems provides biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, which are excellent properties to be used in the human body. However, gelatins have some limitations, such as thermal instability and poor mechanical properties. In order to improve those properties, the aim of this work was the development and characterization of hybrid hydrogels with different ratios of CH–G (100–0, 75–25, 50–50, 25–75, 0–100). Hydrogels were characterized through multiple techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, rheological and microstructural studies, among others. Moreover, a model hydrophilic drug molecule (tetracycline) was incorporated to evaluate the feasibility of this platform to sustain the release of hydrophilic drugs, by being tested in a solution of Phosphate Buffer Solution at a pH of 7.2 and at 37 °C. The results revealed that the synergy between chitosan and type A gelatin improved the mechanical properties as well as the thermal stability of it, revealing that the best ratios of the biopolymers are 50–50 CH–G and 75–25 CH–G. Thereby, these systems were evaluated in a controlled release of tetracycline, showing a controlled drug delivery of 6 h and highlighting their promising application as a platform for controlled drug release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial from the journal Foods, discussing the Special Issue "Novel Food and Beverages: Production and Characterization." The Special Issue focuses on the evaluation of novel food from a rheological perspective, covering topics such as food safety, sustainability, process engineering, and sensory issues. The editorial provides an overview of the published articles in the Special Issue, summarizing the key findings of each study. The document concludes by highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and the need for alternative food sources to meet the growing global population's demand for nutritious and safe food. [Extracted from the article]

This study investigates the effects of incorporating green and chemical magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (GMIONPs and CMIONPs, respectively) into poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibrous membranes on their physicochemical, mechanical, morphological, and functional properties. The study evaluates the physicochemical and optical properties of the nanofibrous membranes using water contact angle (WCA), water vapor permeability (WVP), brightness, color determination, UV–visible and gap energy, and light transmission. The mechanical properties were evaluated using Young's modulus, maximum stress (Ϭmax, MPa), and the strain at break (εmax), while the morphological properties were evaluated using confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Functional properties were assessed in terms of antioxidant activity. The results show that incorporating MIONPs significantly affects the properties of the nanofibrous membranes. PCL/GMIONPs membranes exhibit better performance in terms of physicochemical, morphological, and functional properties than PCL/CMIONPs membranes. These findings suggest that PCL/MIONPs nanofibrous membranes could be a promising material for various biomedical applications. The incorporation of different types of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles into PCL electrospun membranes is an innovative approach that opens up a wide range of potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of biodegradable plastics and eco-friendly biomaterials derived from renewable resources is crucial for reducing environmental damage. Agro-industrial waste and rejected food can be polymerized into bioplastics, offering a sustainable solution. Bioplastics find use in various industries, including for food, cosmetics, and the biomedical sector. This research investigated the fabrication and characterization of bioplastics using three types of Honduran agro-wastes: taro, yucca, and banana. The agro-wastes were stabilized and characterized (physicochemically and thermically). Taro flour presented the highest protein content (around 4.7%) and banana flour showed the highest moisture content (around 2%). Furthermore, bioplastics were produced and characterized (mechanically and functionally). Banana bioplastics had the best mechanical properties, with a Young's modulus around 300 MPa, while taro bioplastics had the highest water-uptake capacity (200%). In general, the results showed the potential of these Honduran agro-wastes for producing bioplastics with different characteristics that could add value to these wastes, promoting the circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron oxide nanoparticles (FexOy-NPs) are currently being applied in numerous high-tech sectors, such as in chemical sectors for catalysis and in the medical sector for drug delivery systems and antimicrobial purposes, due to their specific, unique and magnetic properties. Nevertheless, their synthesis is under continuous investigation, as physicochemical methods are considered expensive and require toxic solvents. Thus, green nanotechnology has shown considerable promise in the eco-biogenesis of nanoparticles. In the current study, FexOy-NPs were synthesized by two different methods: via green synthesis through the use of polyphenols, which were extracted from Phoenix dactylifera L.; and via chemical synthesis, in which the reducing agent was a chemical (NaOH), and iron chloride was used as a precursor. Thus, polyphenol extraction and its ability to produce nanoparticles were evaluated based on the drying temperature used during the Phoenix dactylifera L. recollection, as well as the extraction solvent used. The results highlight the potential of polyphenols present in Phoenix dactylifera L. for the sustainable manufacture of FexOy-NPs. Finally, green and chemical syntheses were compared on the basis of physicochemical characteristics and functional properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elaboration of bioplastics from renewable polymers (e.g., proteins) is a field with great potential for industrial applications such as food packaging and agriculture. This study evaluates the development of bioplastic systems by injection molding using two different raw materials: soy protein isolate (SPI) and pea protein isolate (PPI). Both proteins are by‐products, which lowers the price of processed bioplastics. However, it is necessary to control their properties during the manufacture processing, in order to ensure that they can replace conventional plastics. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to compare the properties of SPI and PPI bioplastics processed at different injection times (150, 300, and 450 s) and different mold temperatures (70 and 130°C). Thus, mechanical properties, water uptake capacity, and transparency were evaluated. The results show the potential of these raw materials to produce bioplastics that can replace conventional plastics, and that the processing conditions can be modified to obtain the desired final properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cover image by Johar Amin Ahmed Abdullah visually showcases the nanofiber morphologies of PCL with GMIONPs (5% w/w), highlighting their distributions. PCL/GMIONPs nanofibrous membranes are well-suited for pharmaceutical biomaterials, biomedical applications, battery fabrication, and functional packaging due to these attributes. It demonstrates a uniform distribution of nanoparticles with some agglomeration, influenced by interactions between phenolic compound charges on GMIONPs surfaces and polymer chains within the fibers. [Extracted from the article]

BACKGROUND In the present work, bioplastics from renewable polymers were studied in order to reduce the huge generation of plastic wastes, causing an environmental problem that continues owing to the increasing demand for plastic products. RESULTS Bioplastics with much better antimicrobial properties, in particular against Gram-positive bacteria, were obtained with the addition of nisin to the initial protein/plasticizer mixture. However, the addition of nisin produces more rigid but less deformable bioplastics (higher Young's modulus but lower strain at break). CONCLUSION The results obtained are useful to demonstrate the antimicrobial properties of pea protein-based bioplastics by adding nisin and make them suitable as potential candidates to replace conventional plastics in food packaging. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]