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In this study, the effects of emulsifiers such as lecithin, AMPs, Palsgaard® Oil‐Binder and GMS on cocoa hazelnut spread rheology were compared under the same process conditions and formulation. Emulsifiers were added to the formulation separately at rates of 0.3%–0.4%–0.5%. Hardness values in cocoa hazelnut spread were examined at 15‐day intervals until the 60th day. In addition, viscosity, rheological analyses, color, spreadability, stability tests, and sensory analyses were performed. In the production of cocoa hazelnut spread, lecithin and AMP have less hardness and lower viscosity, greater fluent consistency, better spreadability, and lower "work of shear" values compared with other emulsifiers. The emulsifier type/ratio difference did not affect the color value statistically. It was determined that the use of Oil‐Binder and GMS significantly protected the stability compared with other emulsifiers. During the 60‐day storage period, lecithin preserved its hardness properties better than other emulsifiers. When sensory properties were examined, the use of lecithin and AMP in cocoa hazelnut spread samples scored high in brightness, spreadability, mouthfeel, and taste parameters. As a result, lecithin comes to the fore in the use of different types and ratios of emulsifiers in cocoa hazelnut spread production technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of pharmaceuticals in water bodies has been reported to be mainly due to their incomplete removal by the conventional wastewater treatment processes, resulting to their release into the aquatic environment where they thratens to human health and aquatic life. Therefore, it is important to remove these pollutants from the aquatic environment using affordable highly efficient materials. The goal of this study was to incorporate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into MIPs for selective removal of sulfamethoxazole, nevirapine, and ibuprofen in wastewater. The AgNPs were synthesized using starch (St) and macadamia (MCD) as both reducing and stabilizing agents. Thermogravimetric analysis showed high stability for the St/MCD‐nanoMIPs. The ANOVA analysis revealed that the parameters affecting adsorption of St/MCD‐nanoMIPs have a significant difference (p<0.05). The St/MCD‐AgNPs experimental data fitted to both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms, however, the non‐linear Langmuir isotherm model yielded a better fit based on the higher R2 value (0.999). The non‐linear Freundlich model best fitted for the St/MCD‐nanoMIPs. The linear pseudo‐second order model shown best fit for St/MCD‐nanoMIPs, the thermodynamic results revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The St/MCD‐nanoMIPs showed improved qualities and were highly selective (>70 %) and effective in removing the selected pharmaceuticals from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions of Thesium chinense Turcz. crude polysaccharide (TTP) were optimized, and a TTP sample with a yield of 11.9% was obtained. TTP demonstrated the ability to stabilize high-internal-phase oil-in-water emulsions with an oil phase volume reaching up to 80%. Additionally, the emulsions stabilized by TTP were examined across different pH levels, ionic strengths, and temperatures. The results indicated that the emulsions stabilized by TTP exhibited stability over a wide pH range of 1–11. The emulsion remained stable under ionic strengths of 0–500 mM and temperatures of 4–55 °C. The microstructure of the emulsions was observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy, and the stabilization mechanism of the emulsion was hypothesized. Soluble polysaccharides formed a network structure in the continuous phase, and the insoluble polysaccharides dispersed in the continuous phase, acting as a bridge structure, which worked together to prevent oil droplet aggregation. This research was significant for developing a new food-grade emulsifier with a wide pH range of applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, pyroligneous acid, also known as wood vinegar, has been employed as reducing and stabilizing agent in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) anchored on nanocellulose (NC). The idea is to confer the latter bactericidal properties for its typical uses such as in cosmetics and food-packing. It has been demonstrated that AgNPs can be directly produced onto NC in one-pot fashion while dramatically enhancing the kinetics of AgNPs synthesis (2 h for reaction completion) in comparison to the NC-less counterpart (10 days for reaction completion). Furthermore, NC allowed for a narrower size distribution of AgNPs. NC-supported and non-supported AgNPs had sizes of 5.1 ± 1.6 nm and 16.7 ± 4.62 nm, respectively. Immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCat) cells were then employed as model to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the AgNPs-NC compound. The latter was found not to impact cell proliferation at any formulation, while decreasing the viability by only 6.8% after 72 h. This study contributes to the development of more environmentally benign routes to produce nanomaterials and to the understanding of their impact on cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the key component of various energy storage and conversion devices, proton exchange membranes (PEMs) have been attracting significant interest. However, their further development is limited by the high cost of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers and the poor stability of acid‐dopped non‐fluorinated polymers. Recently, a new group of PEMs has been developed by hybridizing polyoxometalates (POMs), a group of super acidic sub‐nanoscale metal oxide clusters, with polymers. POMs can serve simultaneously as both proton sponges and stabilizing agents, and their complexation with polymers can further improve polymers' mechanical performance and processability. Enormous efforts have been focused on studying supramolecular complexation or covalent grafting of POMs with various polymers to optimize PEMs in terms of cost, mechanical properties and stabilities. This concept summarizes recent advances in this emerging field and outlines the design strategies and application perspectives employed for using POM‐polymer hybrid materials as PEMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing levels of reactive oxygen species generate oxidative stress in the human body that can lead to various medical conditions. The use of nanomaterials exhibiting antioxidant properties may prevent these effects. The biological synthesis of metallic nanoparticles using plant extracts with antioxidant properties can offer benefits due to their active compounds. The used extracts contained reducing and stabilizing agents, which were shown to be transferred onto the gold nanoparticles, functionalizing them. Herin, we report a gold nanoparticle synthesis by eco-friendly biological methods (b-AuNPs) using extracts of sea buckthorn, lavender, walnuts, and grapes, obtained through ultrasound-assisted extraction and pressure-enhanced extraction. The obtained b-AuNPs were characterized by UV–Vis and FTIR spectroscopies and visualized using transmission electron microscopy. The catalytic and scavenging effect of the b-AuNPs towards H2O2 (as reactive oxygen species) was evaluated electrochemically, highlighting the protective behavior of b-AuNPs towards lipid peroxidation. All experiments demonstrated the stability and reproducibility of prepared b-AuNPs with enhanced antioxidant and catalytic properties, opening a new perspective for their use in biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology has gained popularity in recent years due to its wide-ranging applications within the scientific community. The three main methods for synthesizing nanoparticles are physical, chemical, and biological. However, the adverse effects associated with physical and chemical methods have led to a growing interest in biological methods. Interestingly, green synthesis using plants has gained prominence in developing new treatments for bacterial infections. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) produced using environmentally friendly methods are more biocompatible and have potential applications as antibacterial agents in the biomedical field. As a result, this review discusses the green synthesis of ZnO NPs, factors influencing optimal synthesis, characterization techniques, and the antibacterial activity of some plant-mediated ZnO NPs. It also provides a comprehensive and analytical exploration of ZnO NP biosynthesis, the role of phytochemical compounds as reducing and stabilizing agents, the mechanism of action of their antibacterial properties and further highlights the challenges and prospects in this innovative research area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By performing differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) measurements on RNase A, we studied the stabilization provided by the addition of potassium aspartate(KAsp) or potassium glutamate (KGlu) and found that it leads to a significant increase in the denaturation temperature of the protein. The stabilization proves to be mainly entropic in origin. A counteraction of the stabilization provided by KAsp or KGlu is obtained by adding common denaturants such as urea, guanidinium chloride, or guanidinium thiocyanate. A rationalization of the experimental data is devised on the basis of a theoretical approach developed by one of the authors. The main contribution to the conformational stability of globular proteins comes from the gain in translational entropy of water and co-solute ions and/or molecules for the decrease in solvent-excluded volume associated with polypeptide folding (i.e., there is a large decrease in solvent-accessible surface area). The magnitude of this entropic contribution increases with the number density and volume packing density of the solution. The two destabilizing contributions come from the conformational entropy of the chain, which should not depend significantly on the presence of co-solutes, and from the direct energetic interactions between co-solutes and the protein surface in both the native and denatured states. It is the magnitude of the latter that discriminates between stabilizing and destabilizing agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The report focuses on the preparation of chitosan mediated gold nanoparticles (Au@CS NPs) and theirapplication in radiotherapy. It highlights the use of gold nanoparticles as a way to enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy in cancer treatment. The process of fabrication of these gold nanoparticles using CS as both a stabilizing and reducing agent is detailed. CS, a biopolymer derived from chitin, is considered biocompatible and biodegradable and has been used largely in biomedicine. The properties of gold nanoparticles stabilized by CS were analyzed using various techniques such as FESEM, STEM, DLS, zeta potential, and UV–Vis. Finally, the in vitro assays were conducted to study the radioenhancement effect of Au@CS NPs on breast cancer cell line (4T1) as a radiosensitizer agent through the cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation assays. The results show that Au@CS NPs could produce ROS within cancer cells and enhance sensitization of cancer cells against X‐ray. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Berberis aristata, commonly known as Indian barberry, has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties. Despite its recognized pharmacological benefits, its potential application in the food industry remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the proximate analysis and techno-functional properties of Berberis aristata root powder to evaluate its feasibility as a functional food ingredient. The root powder of Berberis aristata was subjected to proximate analysis to determine its moisture, ash, protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrate content. Techno-functional properties, including water and oil absorption capacity, emulsifying and foaming properties, and bulk density, were evaluated using standardized analytical techniques. The proximate analysis revealed a high fiber content and a significant number of bioactive compounds. The root powder exhibited favorable water and oil absorption capacities, making it suitable for use as a thickening and stabilizing agent. Emulsifying and foaming properties were comparable to conventional food additives, indicating their potential in various food formulations. The findings suggest that Berberis aristata root powder possesses desirable techno-functional properties that could be leveraged in the food industry. Its high fiber content and bioactive compounds offer additional health benefits, making it a promising candidate for functional food applications. Further research on its incorporation into different food matrices and its sensory attributes is recommended to fully establish its utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological demands at a global level reinforce the need to use clean and renewable energy sources, such as hydrogen (H 2), which is a promising energy source obtained mainly through water electrolysis. Although this process is environmentally friendly, it requires high energy value and electrocatalysts are needed to become viable. Thus, efforts have been made to develop electrocatalysts based on Earth-abundant transition metals such as nickel, cobalt, and iron, with high performance. In this way, this work reports a green synthetic route using aqueous (H) and ethanolic (E) extract of the wild sage plant (Ipomoea asarifolia) as a stabilizing agent to obtain nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles at different calcination temperatures (300 °C, 500 °C and 700 °C). The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR and Raman), solid-state UV-VIS spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). The techniques confirmed the NiO cubic structure, with residual organic groups on the surface of the materials. Raman spectroscopy signals also confirmed the presence of roughness and structural defects, which contribute positively to the electrocatalytic process. Synthesis using aqueous extracts led to the formation of materials with sphere-like morphology and uniform size, while ethanolic extracts resulted in nonuniform polyhedral particles. The electrocatalytic performances in alkaline solution (KOH, 1.0 mol/L) were investigated. The experimental overpotentials at J = 10 mAcm−2 were 307 mV, 321 mV, and 312 mV and the Tafel slope was 60.35 mVdec−1, 50.29 mVdec−1 and 53.36 mVdec−1 for the NiO300H, NiO500H, and NiO700H samples, respectively; and 316 mV, 324 mV, and 318 mV and Tafel slope of 50.44 mVdec−1, 51.58 mVdec−1 and 45.65 mVdec−1 for the NiO300E, NiO500E and NiO700E samples, respectively. Experiments in acidic and neutral media showed moderate catalytic activities compared to the literature. Therefore, this green synthesis route proves to be economically viable, producing high-performance NiO electrocatalysts, compared to similar results in the literature. [Display omitted] • Six NiO nanoparticles were obtained from extracts of I. asarifolia, applied in the H2 production. • The influence of the solvent on the morphology and OER electrocatalytic activity was studied. • NiO obtained at low calcination temperature (300 °C) showed higher electrocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solvothermal method of producing spherically shaped and highly fluorescent tiny (∼3 nm) nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) with high quantum yield (43%) from Ixora coccinea flowers and o-phenylenediamine has been approached sustainably. Since these NCQDs exhibit excitation-dependent fluorescence activity, they were used to detect the Fe3+ ion selectively in real-time in human blood serum, because it is a component of human blood. The limit of detection (LOD) of the NCQDs was found to be 60 nM. We also synthesized palladium nanoparticles utilizing the NCQDs without additional reducing or stabilizing agents because these quantum dots serve as both. Numerous characterization techniques were used to characterize the nanoparticles, and all the characterizations showed the presence of NCQDs, which stabilize the nanoparticles. Palladium nanoparticles' small size (4 nm) and large surface area (35.77 m2 g−1) enable them to exhibit strong catalytic activity in Suzuki–Miyaura coupling and cyanation processes. It is obvious that synthetic palladium nanoparticles and NCQDs have a variety of uses in the fields of catalysis and sensing respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prolonged duration of phytoremediation poses a risk of heavy metal dispersal to the surrounding environment. This study investigated a combined remediation approach for cadmium (Cd)- and arsenic (As)-contaminated soil by integrating phytoremediation with stabilization techniques. Bidens pilosa was utilized as the phytoremediator, and steel slag, pyrolusite, and FeSO4 were employed as stabilizing agents in the pot experiments. Key metrics such as soil moisture content, root length, plant height, and heavy metal concentrations in Bidens pilosa were measured to evaluate the remediation efficacy. Additionally, the bioavailability, leaching toxicity, and chemical forms of Cd and As, along with other soil properties, were analyzed. The results indicated that the optimal restoration effect was achieved by combining steel slag, pyrolusite, and FeSO4 with stabilizers in a ratio of 2:1:10. Additionally, the optimal dosage of these materials was found to be 9% by weight. Mechanistic studies, including heavy metal speciation analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and microbial community diversity analysis, revealed that the stabilization effects were primarily due to the interactions of anionic and cationic ions, chelation by organic acids secreted by plant roots, and enhanced microbial activity. A cost–benefit analysis demonstrated the technical, economic, and commercial viability of the combined remediation approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isocyanate‐based monomers and polymers have found widespread industrial application; however, the realization of green water‐based products via the preparation of stable isocyanate aqueous emulsions remains challenging. Herein, a series of organosilicon and organofluorine synergistically modified amphiphilic branched polyurethanes (HBWPU), synthesized by grafting perfluorohexyl ethanol semi‐terminated isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) onto a hydrophilic polyurethane prepolymer, is presented. Subsequently, using a physical mixing method, stable diisocyanate emulsions are fabricated by preparing diisocyanate latex particles with IPDI as the core and hyperbranched water‐based polyurethanes (HBWPU) as the shell. Structural investigations showed that the branching degree and fluorine content of the HBWPU significantly affects the stability of the diisocyanate emulsions. Increasing the degree of branching from 0.34 to 0.86 causes the amount of residual isocyanate (NCO) groups to decrease from 20.1% to 16.7%. In contrast, an increase in the fluorine content from 0% to 17.8% increases the amount of residual NCO groups from 11.5% to 24.6%. Thus, HBWPU can be used as an emulsifier to prepare waterborne diisocyanate cross‐linking agents. Such polyurethane‐coated isocyanate aqueous emulsions can increase the hardness and significantly improve the acetone resistance of hydroxyl polyacrylate resins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the mechanism of alkali-free ternary oil-displacing agents in stabilizing the emulsification of produced fluids and to provide a basis for the treatment of these fluids, a study was conducted. This study focused on the oil content in free water, the dynamic interfacial tension between oil and water, the lifetime of droplet interfaces, and the distribution state and size variation of oil droplets as influenced by the concentration of the displacement agent. It was found that upon the addition of a low concentration of surfactant (100 mg/L), a significant reduction in dynamic interfacial tension, interface lifetime, and oil droplet size was observed, along with a significant increase in the oil content in water. As the concentration of the surfactant increased, changes in dynamic interfacial tension, interface lifetime, particle size, and oil content became less noticeable. With an increase in NaCl concentration, there were insignificant changes in dynamic interfacial tension and interface lifetime, but an increase in oil droplet size and the oil content in water was observed. Furthermore, an increase in polymer concentration led to insignificant changes in dynamic interfacial tension and interface lifetime, but exerted a dual effect on oil droplet size and oil content. These findings indicate that surfactants and NaCl contribute to the stabilization of emulsions, with the effect of surfactants being substantially greater than that of NaCl. Low polymer concentrations are not conducive to emulsion stability, but as their concentration increases, they become beneficial for emulsion stabilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of different annealing temperatures on the properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) films, particularly at lower temperatures (150-550°C). The films were synthesized using the sol-gel technique, with zinc acetate dihydrate (ZAD) as the precursor and ethanolamine (MEA) as the stabilizing agent. Surface morphology, structural, and optical properties of the films were examined using various techniques. X-ray diffraction confirmed the (002) wurtzite crystal structure, while crystallite size, strain, stress, energy density model, and dislocation density are estimated using three models of Williamson-Hall (W-H) approach.Raman data indicated the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the film. Optical analysis showed good transmittance, with a bandgap estimated between 3.32 and 3.56 eV for all samples. SEM image analysis revealed a nanowall structure in the ZnO thin film annealed at 150°C. However, increasing the annealing temperature led to a more pronounced wrinkled morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Polysaccharide‐based particles present a promising alternative emulsifier to egg yolk to stabilise mayonnaise. Starch granules, inherently hydrophilic, can be modified to enhance their wettability. This study aimed to characterise the rheological and stability of mayonnaise‐based Pickering emulsions stabilised by native and modified rice starch granules. The mayonnaise was formulated with 50% (w/w) olive oil and 50% (w/w) lemon juice, with varying starch concentrations (200 and 400 mg starch mL−1 of oil). The emulsifying capacity and stability of mayonnaise, such as droplet size, morphology, emulsion index, accelerated stability, rheological behaviour and long‐term storage stability of the mayonnaise were investigated at time intervals (1, 7 and 14 days). The result showed that mayonnaise stabilised by pre‐gelatinised rice starch at low‐starch concentrations (200 mg mL−1) exhibited a higher emulsion index of 100% and a smaller droplet size of 17.0 ± 10.55 μm compared to emulsions stabilised by native and OSA rice starch. All mayonnaise‐based Pickering emulsions exhibited shear‐thinning properties, with emulsions stabilised by pre‐gelatinised rice starch exhibited the highest viscosity and viscoelastic properties (G′ > G″). Thus, it contributed to greater stability in the Pickering emulsion system with longer storage stability. This study offers valuable insights into the potential of modified starch granules as an alternative plant‐based emulsifier in food applications. The use of plant‐based emulsifier (solid particles) instead of egg yolk as emulsifiers provide an insight for food industry in providing healthy plant‐based emulsion formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delayed wound healing increases the wound's vulnerability to possible infections, which may have lethal outcomes. The treatments available can be effective, but the urgency is not fully encompassed. The drug repositioning strategy proposes effective alternatives for enhancing medical therapies for chronic diseases. Likewise, applying wound dressings as biodegradable membranes is extremely attractive due to their ease of application, therapeutic effectiveness, and feasibility in industrial manufacturing. This article aims to demonstrate the pleiotropic effects during insulin repositioning in wound closure by employing a biopolymeric membrane-type formulation with insulin. We prepared biopolymeric membranes with sodium alginate cross-linked with calcium chloride, supported in a mixture of xanthan gum and guar gum, and plasticized with glycerol and sorbitol. Human insulin was combined with poloxamer 188 as a protein stabilizing agent. Our investigation encompassed physicochemical and mechanical characterization, antioxidant and biological activity through antibacterial tests, cell viability assessments, and scratch assays as an in vitro and in vivo wound model. We demonstrated that our biopolymeric insulin membranes exhibited adequate manipulation and suitable mechanical resistance, transparency, high swelling capability (1100%), and 30% antioxidant activity. Furthermore, they exhibited antibacterial activity (growth inhibition of S. aureus at 85% and P. aeruginosa at 75%, respectively), and insulin promoted wound closure in vitro with a 5.5-fold increase and 72% closure at 24 h. Also, insulin promoted in vivo wound closure with a 3.2-fold increase and 92% closure at 10 days compared with the groups without insulin, and this is the first report that demonstrates this therapeutic effect with two administrations of 0.7 IU. In conclusion, we developed a multifunctional insulin-loaded biopolymeric membrane in this study, with the main activity derived from insulin's role in wound closure and antioxidant activity, augmented by the antimicrobial effect attributed to the polymer poloxamer 188. The synergistic combination of excipients enhances its usefulness and highlights our innovation as a promising material in wound healing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi-mediated synthesis of Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has advantages in: high efficiency, low energy consumption, no need for extra capping and stabilizing agents, simple operation, and easy isolation and purification. Many fungi have been found to synthesize AuNPs inside cells or outside cells, providing different composition and properties of particles when different fungi species or reaction conditions are used. This is good to produce AuNPs with different properties, but may cause challenges to precisely control the particle shape, size, and activities. Besides, low concentrations of substrate and fungal biomass are needed to synthesize small-size particles, limiting the yield of AuNPs in a large scale. To find clues for the development methods to solve these challenges, the reported mechanisms of the fungi-mediated synthesis of AuNPs were summarized. The mechanisms of intracellular AuNPs synthesis are dependent on gold ions absorption by the fungal cell wall via proteins, polysaccharides, or electric absorption, and the reduction of gold ions via enzymes, proteins, and other cytoplasmic redox mediators in the cytoplasm or cell wall. The extracellular synthesis of AuNPs is mainly due to the metabolites outside fungal cells, including proteins, peptides, enzymes, and phenolic metabolites. These mechanisms cause the great diversity of the produced AuNPs in functional groups, element composition, shapes, sizes, and properties. Many methods have been developed to improve the synthesis efficiency by changing: chloroauric acid concentrations, reaction temperature, pH, fungal mass, and reaction time. However, future studies are still required to precisely control the: shape, size, composition, and properties of fungal AuNPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A green synthesis method for producing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was presented using natural Gum Arabic (GA) as a natural stabilizing agent. For the first time, the as-synthesized ZnO NPs were employed to photodegrade the toxic Congo Red (CR) dye in an aqueous solution. The structural and morphological characterizations confirmed the successful synthesis of ZnO NPs. The ZnO NPs possessed an average crystallite size of 42.7 nm. In addition, it was found that a concentration of 20 mg L−1 of CR dye yielded the most favorable photodegradation results, and 4 mg mL−1 of the photocatalyst was the optimal amount. The results showed a maximum degradation percentage of 99.5% at pH 8 after 30 min of irradiation. This indicates that the as-synthesized ZnO NPs have remarkable photocatalytic properties. Moreover, the study demonstrated the suitability of the pseudo-first-order kinetic model for representing the photodegradation process through kinetic studies of the photocatalyst process of CR dye by ZnO NPs using the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using dimethylsilylated silica as emulsifier, W/O Pickering emulsions were prepared by homogeneous emulsification. The kinds of oils, rheological modifiers and their effects on the stability and rheological properties of the W/O Pickering emulsions were studied. The results showed that, compared with the nonpolar oil, the W/O Pickering emulsion prepared with polar oil had smaller droplets and better stability, e.g., the emulsion prepared with jojoba oil had narrow particle size distribution, uniform shape and good stability. With the addition of rheological modifier, the particle size of the emulsion decreased to a certain extent, and the stability at room temperature and at low temperature was both slightly increased. For different oils, the rheological modifier which was similar to the oil in molecular structure had better effects in the reduction of particle size and the improvement of stability. All these W/O Pickering emulsions prepared with different oils were non-Newtonian fluids. With the increase of shear rate, the viscosity of the emulsions decreased, and the elastic modulus (G') of all emulsions was higher than viscous modulus (G"). All the emulsions were gel emulsions, and the linear viscoelastic region was 0.001%-0.100%. With the addition of rheological modifier, the viscosity of the emulsion increased and the shear thinning phenomenon was basically unchanged, but the linear viscoelastic region was enlarged, which might be related to the change of emulsion particle size and oil-water interfacial energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The green synthesis method is an economical and eco-friendly approach to synthesizing materials. This study effectively synthesized magnetic NiFe2O4 by Artocarpus altilis extract leave for the photocatalytic degradation of Methylene blue dye and exhibited antibacterial properties. The phytochemical compounds found in plants act as agents for reducing and stabilizing NiFe2O4. The synthesized NiFe2O4 was examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), ultravioletvisible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The variables in degradation include solution pH, dye concentration, catalyst dose, and irradiation time. The synthesized NiFe2O4 has a 12.4 nm crystallite size, a saturation magnetization (Ms) of 44.56 emu/g, and a band gap of 1.68 eV. The degradation efficiency of methylene blue dye was 98.2% under the following conditions: a solution pH of 10, a concentration of 10 mg/L, a dose of 0.1 g/L, and an irradiation time of 90 min. The degradation mechanism of Methylene blue dye may be accurately described by pseudo-first-order kinetics, with a kapp value of 0.0443 min-1. NiFe2O4 has high stability; after five degradation cycles, the degradation efficiency decreased by 4.45%. Additionally, NiFe2O4 demonstrates significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotreatment of wastewater has attracted considerable attention due to its low cost and eco-friendliness. This study developed a novel bionanocomposite comprised of Nanochitosan (NCS), Bentonite (Bt), and SnO2–ZnO nanocomposite prepared using Salvia officinalis extract as a reducing/stabilizing agent. The NCS/Bt/SnO2–ZnO bionanocomposite exhibited a rough surface with porous nature. EDX, XRD, and FTIR results confirmed the formation of the bionanocomposite. TGA indicated high thermal stability of the NCS/Bt/SnO2–ZnO. DRS results revealed that the bionanocomposite had a band gap of 2.60 eV. The surface area of NCS/Bt/SnO2–ZnO was found to be 32.54 m2 g−1 with a 17.98 nm pore size. Adsorption of Fe(III) and Pb(II) ions and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye using this bionanocomposite were studied. Under optimal conditions, the highest removal of Fe(III) (99.5%) and Pb(II) (91.5%) was achieved after 5 min and 40 min, respectively. The adsorption data fitted the Langmuir isotherm and indicated the removal capacity of 555.55 and 243.90 mgg−1 for Fe(III) and Pb(II), respectively. Also, the NCS/Bt/SnO2–ZnO showed the MB dye degradation efficiency of 99% within 30 min. Therefore, the NCS/Bt/SnO2–ZnO can be used as an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, thermally stable, and high-performance adsorbent/photocatalyst to remove heavy metal ions and dye molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of the "paper instead of plastic" trend, the investigation into high‐density, heavy‐weight paper has emerged as a point of interest in both academic and industrial realms. Regrettably, the paper‐strengthening agents that are commercially available fall short of meeting the strength specifications for such papers. To rectify this shortcoming, a water‐based acrylate paper‐strengthening agent (AA) was developed through radical emulsion polymerization. The most stable acrylate emulsion was obtained by amalgamating the anionic emulsifier allyloxyammonium oxymethyl sulfate nonylphenol ethoxy sulfate (DNS‐86) with the nonionic emulsifier nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (OP‐10) at a proportion of 1:0.6, with a dosage of 3%. Substituting the conventional strengthening agent (styrene‐butadiene latex) with the synthesized acrylate emulsion in wet‐end addition markedly improved the paper strength, registering a 54.8% increase to 29.4 MPa. The introduction of carboxylated cellulose nanofibers (C‐CNF) further bolstered the mechanical properties of the paper, achieving a tensile strength of 41.44 MPa and an elongation at a break of 3.55%. These results underscore the efficacy of acrylate as a paper‐strengthening agent and the crucial role of C‐CNF in enhancing the structural integrity of paper materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Aim Methods Results Conclusion Although dietary emulsifiers are implicated in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease, their effect has not been studied in humans.To determine the effects of high‐ and low‐emulsifier diets (HED, LED) on intestinal barrier function in healthy subjects in unstressed and acutely stressed states.We conducted a single‐blinded, cross‐over, controlled feeding trial in 22 healthy adults. After recording 7 days of their habitual diet, we randomised participants to HED or LED with ≥3‐week washout between diets. On dietary completion, acute stress was induced via intravenous corticotrophin‐releasing hormone. We assessed dietary adherence, effects on 2‐h urinary lactulose: rhamnose ratio (LRR), serum concentrations of lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein, soluble‐CD14 and markers of epithelial injury and inflammation.Dietary adherence was excellent. In an unstressed state, median (interquartile range) LRR during HED was 0.030 (0.018–0.042); on LED, this was 0.042 (0.029–0.078; p = 0.04). LPB concentrations were lower on HED than LED (p = 0.026), but no differences were observed for epithelial injury or inflammation. Under acute stress, LRR increased by 89% (−1% to 486%) on HED (p = 0.004), differing (p = 0.001) from 39% (1%–90%) decrease on LED (p = 0.009). Soluble‐CD14 also increased (p < 0.001). The LED had a prolonged carry‐over effect on suppressing HED‐induced changes during stress. Similar changes in LRR and soluble‐CD14 were observed when HED was used as the first diet (both p < 0.01).High intake of emulsifiers improved barrier function in the unstressed state, but increased intestinal permeability to stress, without evidence of inflammation. A LED was protective of the stress effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene, a remarkable material known for its exceptional properties, can be efficiently produced through environmentally friendly methods using renewable resources and eco‐friendly solvents. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of leaf extracts as effective reducing and stabilizing agents in converting graphene oxide (GO) to graphene. This paper presents a green and cost‐effective approach for the effective deposition of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) onto the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets. The process involves the co‐reduction of GO and AgNO3 in water using Moringa olifera leaf extract, resulting in the formation of a nanocomposite termed reduced graphene oxide‐silver (Ag‐RGO). The formation of RGO and Ag NP is confirmed through UV‐visible spectroscopy, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy techniques. TEM images revealed the morphology of the nanocomposite, depicting 2‐dimensional graphene sheets adorned with Ag NPs. FT‐IR analysis confirmed the removal of oxygenated functional groups from GO, indicating graphene formation. The synthesized Ag‐RGO nanocomposite exhibited significant catalytic, antioxidant, and electrochemical properties. This study underscores the utilization of natural ingredients as sustainable alternatives for producing multifunctional graphene‐silver nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously we showed hyperosmotic solution caused TRPV1‐dependent NKCC1 activation in the lens by a mechanism that involved ERK1/2 signaling. In various tissues, integrins and the cytoskeletal network play a role in responses to osmotic stress. Here, we examined the association between integrins and TRPV1‐dependent activation of NKCC1 in mouse lens epithelium. Wild‐type (WT) lenses exposed to the integrin agonist leukadherin‐1 (LA‐1) for 10 min displayed a ~33% increase in the bumetanide‐sensitive rate of Rb uptake indicating NKCC activation. Paclitaxel, a microtubule stabilizing agent, abolished the Rb uptake response. In primary cultured lens epithelium LA‐1 caused a robust ERK1/2 activation response that was almost fully suppressed by paclitaxel. The TRPV1 agonist capsaicin caused a similar ERK1/2 activation response. Consistent with an association between integrins and TRPV1, the TRPV1 antagonist A889425 prevented the Rb uptake response to LA‐1 as did the ERK inhibitor U0126. LA‐1 did not increase Rb uptake by lenses from TRPV1 knockout mice. In cells exposed to a hyperosmotic stimulus, both the ERK1/2 activation and Rb uptake responses were prevented by paclitaxel. Taken together, the findings suggest TRPV1 activation is associated with integrins and the tubulin cytoskeleton. This aligned with the observation that LA‐1 elicited a robust cytoplasmic calcium rise in cells from WT lenses but failed to increase calcium in cells from TRPV1 knockout lenses. The results are consistent with the notion that integrin activation by LA‐1, or a hyperosmotic stimulus, causes TRPV1 channel opening and the consequent downstream activation of the ERK1/2 and NKCC1 responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silica (SiO2) plays a major key ingredient in producing products such as toothpaste, ceramics, and paints, to name a few, as it acts as a stabilizing agent, filler and additive. Due to its excellent properties, the use of high-purity SiO2 in industrial applications is favourable. Unfortunately, high-purity SiO2 is expensive. Tetraethyl Orthosilicate (TEOS) is an example of a SiO2 precursor that is costly and harmful, yet frequently employed. This paper provides a short review of the advantages of biowaste materials as SiO2 precursors and their role as fillers in the fabrication of superhydrophobic coating. Researchers nowadays are attempting to lower the expense of employing high-purity SiO2 by extracting silica from biowaste using many methods such as acid leaching and alkali treatment as this option is highly sustainable. The growth of agricultural industries is exponential due to the increase in biowaste production. Therefore, this is one of the ways to utilize the use of biowaste in combatting the environmental issues regarding excess biowaste and receding pure resources. SiO2 from biowaste also can be utilized as filler and used to develop superhydrophobic coating, providing numerous potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Emulsifier Polysorbate 80 exposure significantly exacerbated age-related cognitive decline, along with increased brain pathological proteins deposition and neuroinflammation, as well as disruption of the blood–brain barrier. • Emulsifier Polysorbate 80 exposure contributed to gut microbiota dysbiosis and the increased of deoxycholic acid in plasma and brain. • Emulsifier Polysorbate 80 induced cognitive decline and neuroinflammation via gut microbiota. • Mechanically, deoxycholic acid activates microglial cells may involve the upregulation of ABCA1-mediated cholesterol transport on lysosomes, thereby promotes the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Gut microbial homeostasis is crucial for the health of cognition in elderly. Previous study revealed that polysorbate 80 (P80) as a widely used emulsifier in food industries and pharmaceutical formulations could directly alter the human gut microbiota compositions. However, whether long-term exposure to P80 could accelerate age-related cognitive decline via gut-brain axis is still unknown. Accordingly, in this study, we used the senescence accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mouse model to investigate the effects of the emulsifier P80 intake (1 % P80 in drinking water for 12 weeks) on gut microbiota and cognitive function. Our results indicated that P80 intake significantly exacerbated cognitive decline in SAMP8 mice, along with increased brain pathological proteins deposition, disruption of the blood–brain barrier and activation of microglia and neurotoxic astrocytes. Besides, P80 intake could also induce gut microbiota dysbiosis, especially the increased abundance of secondary bile acids producing bacteria, such as Ruminococcaceae , Lachnospiraceae , and Clostridium scindens. Moreover, fecal microbiota transplantation from P80 mice into 16-week-old SAMP8 mice could also exacerbated cognitive decline, microglia activation and intestinal barrier impairment. Intriguingly, the alterations of gut microbial composition significantly affected bile acid metabolism profiles after P80 exposure, with markedly elevated levels of deoxycholic acid (DCA) in serum and brain tissue. Mechanically, DCA could activate microglial and promote senescence-associated secretory phenotype production through adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) importing lysosomal cholesterol. Altogether, the emulsifier P80 accelerated cognitive decline of aging mice by inducing gut dysbiosis, bile acid metabolism alteration, intestinal barrier and blood brain barrier disruption as well as neuroinflammation. This study provides strong evidence that dietary-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis may be a risk factor for age-related cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generating active, pure, and monodisperse protein remains a major bottleneck for structural studies using X‐ray crystallography and cryo‐electron microscopy (cryo‐EM). The current methodology heavily relies on overexpressing the recombinant protein fused with a histidine tag in conventional expression systems and evaluating the quality and stability of purified protein using size exclusion chromatography (SEC). This requires a large amount of protein and can be highly laborious and time consuming. Therefore, this approach is not suitable for high‐throughput screening and low‐expressing macromolecules, particularly eukaryotic membrane proteins. Using fluorescent proteins fused to the target protein (applicable to both soluble and membrane proteins) enables rapid and efficient screening of expression level and monodispersity of tens of unpurified constructs using fluorescence‐based size exclusion chromatography (FSEC). Moreover, FSEC proves valuable for screening multiple detergents to identify the most stabilizing agent in the case of membrane proteins. Additionally, FSEC can facilitate nanodisc reconstitution by determining the optimal ratio of membrane scaffold protein (MSP), lipids, and target protein. The distinct advantages offered by FSEC indicate that fluorescent proteins can serve as a viable alternative to commonly used affinity tags for both characterization and purification purposes. In this review, I will summarize the advantages of this technique using examples from my own work. It should be noted that this article is not intended to provide an exhaustive review of all available literature, but rather to offer representative examples of FSEC applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): This study explores the biosynthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Equisetum ramosissimum Desf as both a reducing and stabilizing agent and evaluates its antibacterial activity against cariogenic streptococcus mutans. Materials and Methods: Cerium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using UV-VIS, FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX, DLS, and Zeta potential analyses. Antibacterial activity against S. mutans was evaluated via the agar well diffusion method. Results: Optical analysis revealed an absorption peak within the 307-314 nm range, suggesting a bandgap value of 3.04-3.37 eV. FTIR analysis confirmed Ce-O stretching vibrations and bonds with phytochemicals from the E.ramosissimum Desf extract on the nanoparticle surfaces. XRD showed a cubic fluorite structure with a crystalline size of 5.99-11.74 nm. FESEM imaging depicted uniform, nearly spherical nanoparticles with estimated sizes ranging from 22 to 31 nm. The EDX spectrum indicated the presence of cerium and oxygen signals, affirming the purity of the fabricated nanoparticles. DLS results corroborated the average nanoparticle size (28.11-54.61 nm), in agreement with FESEM findings and zeta potential values (-11.4 to 29.2 mV) indicating moderate stability of nanoparticles. Antibacterial assays showed significant inhibition zones (20-32 mm) against S. mutans. Conclusion: The green-synthesized CeO2-NPs exhibit promising antimicrobial efficacy against S. mutans, suggesting their potential for dental applications. Furthermore, employing plant extract for cerium salt reduction presents a promising avenue for reducing the environmental impact associated with chemical synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document discusses the use of nanocatalysts for the degradation of refractory pollutants in water and air. The document highlights recent advancements in nanocatalysts and their applications in water treatment and air purification. It includes 12 research articles that cover various topics related to the use of nanocatalysts in pollutant removal. The articles discuss the synthesis and performance of different nanocatalysts, such as fluorinated Fe3O4 microspheres, heterojunction nanocomposites, and metal-organic frameworks. The document aims to inspire researchers to develop more effective nanocatalysts for environmental remediation. [Extracted from the article]

The direct nanoimprinting of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) generated a plasmonic metallic nanostructure. The Ag NPs used in this study have been synthesized by a phase transfer method. The procedure comprised the utilisation of sodium borohydride to reduce silver nitrate in the presence of a stabilizing agent, which facilitated the transfer of the NPs from the aqueous phase to an organic phase, resulting in uniform and stable particles. The size and shape of the Ag NPs were characterized using electron microscopy, revealing spherical particles with an average diameter of 9 nm. The XRD examination revealed that the nanoparticles exhibit a high degree of crystallinity and possess a cubic geometric phase. The UV-visible absorption spectra demonstrate a significant level of homogeneity in the size. The silicon surface imprinted with Ag NPs exhibits hydrophobic behaviour towards water molecules. This approach allows for precise control of Ag NPs on the substrate, resulting in a robust and effective platform for future applications in sensor technology. Furthermore, the hydrophobic nature of the imprinted surface suggests potential applications in water-repellent coatings or self-cleaning materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tragacanth gum is considered one of the valuable export products of natural resources of Iran and Isfahan province. This product is used in the food and cosmetic industries as a stabilizing agent viscosity increaser in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic emulsions and formulas. In this research, the effect of the grinding method, the type of Tragacanth, and the final size of crushed particles on the quality indicators of Tragacanth were evaluated. For this purpose, using a factorial experiment in the form of a completely random design, the effect of the grinding method in two levels, one-stage and two-stage, the type of Tragacanth in two levels of Ribbon and Flake and the final size of the particles of Tragacanth milled in three levels, 2, o.5 and 0.25 mm in three repetitions on gel color and viscosity indices were investigated as two significant factors in determining the quality of Tragacanth gum. The results showed that the effect of all three factors (type of Tragacanth, grinding steps, and particle size) on viscosity values of Tragacanth gel and color parameters (R, G, and B) were significant at 1% probability level. The viscosity of Ribbon 2680 centipoise and Flake between 510 centipoise was obtained, which shows the higher quality and more economic value of Ribbon type. In both types of Tragacanth, with the reduction of particle size to less than 2 mm, a higher viscosity reduction was observed, especially in the one-stage grinding method; the examination of the color indices of Tragacanth showed that based on the Euclidean distance (AE) obtained, the color difference of Ribbon and Flake type Tragacanth in terms of brightness is 11.67 units. The color difference between one and two stages of grinding is 8.85 units. According to the general results, the most suitable method of processing Tragacanth includes using a Ribbon Tragacanth, grinding in two stages, and turning Tragacanth into particles with a size of 2 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb) is a well-recognized toxic trace element that is harmful for both plants and humans. In this study, the research work strived to fabricate nanoparticles (NPs) incorporating 'features' of Bacillus subtilis and manganese oxide (MnO). MnO-NPs were synthesized in the filtrate of B. subtilis and used for the seed priming of tomato, to mitigate lead (Pb) toxicity. Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR) described the presence of carboxylic acid, alkenes, and alkyl halides on the surface of MnO-NPs, that serve as stabilizing and reducing agents. X-ray diffraction revealed MnONPs as 22 nm crystalline structures while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) displayed nano-flower structure of MnO-NPs. The energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis determined the mass percentage of manganese (38.27%) and oxygen (36.91%). Before sowing under Pb stress conditions, tomato seeds were primed with three different concentrations (0.25 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL and 5.0 mg/mL) of MnO-NPs. In comparison to control, different concentrations of MnO-NPs displayed variable improvement in growth attributes of tomato seedlings including shoot and root lengths, plants fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, relative water content, and proline and sugar accumulation. Nano-priming also decreased relative electrolyte leakage and the production of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide. Seed priming positively influenced tomato seedling and enhanced the gene expression of chalcone synthase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzymes, while the expression of chlorophyllase was reduced. These findings suggested that MnO-NPs help tomato seedlings to resist the absorption and accumulation of Pb in the roots and leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to create a structured scale for assessing the visual quality of ice cream, develop a stabilizer-emulsifier mixture for industrial production, and evaluate the characteristics of the final product, including the visual (descriptive) index, physicochemical, rheological, sensory attributes, and associated production costs. The development of emulsifiers and stabilizers involved a fractional factorial design 26−2, with 0 to 0.66% of monoglycerides of fatty acids (X1); 0 to 0.33% guar gum (X2); 0 to 0.33% carrageenan gum (X3); 0 to 0.33% carboxymethyl cellulose-CMC (X4); 0 to 0.66% tapioca fiber (X5); and 0 to 0.66% corn starch (X6), totaling 19 formulations. Parameters assessed included visual quality index (1 – "Excellent" and 5 – "Poor"), apparent density, overrun, first drop time, melt rate, and water activity. The formulation composed of monoglycerides of fatty acids (0.33%), guar gum (0.16%), carrageenan (0.16%), carboxymethyl cellulose (0.16%), tapioca fiber (0.33%), and corn starch (0.33%) obtained an excellent visual quality index in all aspects, without significant sensory differences in relation to the control recipe. Furthermore, these formulations reduced industrial costs, allowing for the replacement of commercial stabilizers and emulsifiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of emulsifier and/or carbohydrase additives on the production performance of growing pigs offered a diet with a high proportion of white lupine seeds cv. Butan. The experiment involved 49 Naïma × P76 male piglets with an initial body weight of 10.5 kg divided into seven groups. The control group was fed a diet without any additives, whereas the remaining groups received diets with the addition of emulsifier, β glucanase, and β-xylanase separately or in combination. The apparent ileal digestibility coefficients of crude protein were significantly improved (P < 0.05) by all additives, although no significant differences were observed in dry matter and ether extract digestibility (P > 0.05). Both to the performance results and ammonia concentration, pH, and digesta viscosity (P > 0.05), were not different when these feed additives were used. The most promising effects on nutrients digestibility and performance were obtained were emulsifier, β-glucanase and their blend were added to the feed mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to improve the physicochemical properties of sea buckthorn juice and the bioavailability of carotenoids is a major challenge for the field. The effects of different natural emulsifiers, such as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), tea saponins (TSs) and rhamnolipids (Rha), on the physical and chemical indexes of sea buckthorn juice were studied. The particle size of sea buckthorn juice and the carotenoids content were used as indicators for evaluation. The effects of different addition levels of MCT, Rha and TS on the bioavailability of carotenoids in sea buckthorn juice were investigated by simulating human in vitro digestion tests. The results showed that those emulsifiers, MCT, Rha and TS, can significantly reduce the particle size and particle size distribution of sea buckthorn juice, improve the color, increase the soluble solids content, turbidity and physical stability and protect the carotenoids from degradation. When the addition amount of Rha was 1.5%, the total carotenoids content (TCC) of sea buckthorn juice increased by 45.20%; when the addition amount of TS was 1.5%, the total carotenoids content (TCC) of sea buckthorn juice increased by 37.95%. Furthermore, the bioaccessibility of carotenoids was increased from 36.90 ± 2.57% to 54.23 ± 4.17% and 61.51 ± 4.65% through in vitro digestion by Rha and TS addition, respectively. However, the total carotenoids content (TCC) of sea buckthorn juice and bioaccessibility were not significantly different with the addition of MCT. In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrate the potential of natural emulsifiers, such as MCT, Rha and TS, to significantly enhance the physicochemical properties and bioavailability of carotenoids in sea buckthorn juice, offering promising opportunities for the development of functional beverages with improved nutritional benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campylobacter jejuni is a major cause of global foodborne illnesses. To develop alternative antimicrobial strategies against C. jejuni, this study designed and optimized the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) with intracellular components of the medicinal fungus Ganoderma sessile to provide the needed reducing and stabilizing agents. NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, and the quasi-spherical NPs had sizes of 2.9 ± 0.9 nm for the copper oxide NPs and 14.7 ± 0.6 nm for the silver NPs. Surface charge assessment revealed zeta potentials of −21.0 ± 6.5 mV and −24.4 ± 7.9 mV for the copper oxide and silver NPs, respectively. The growth inhibition of C. jejuni by the NPs occurred through attachment to the outer cell membrane and subsequent intracellular internalization and resulted in minimum inhibitory concentrations of the silver NPs at 6 µg/mL and copper oxide NPs at 10 µg/mL. On the other hand, a differential ROS production caused by silver and copper NPs was observed. In summary, this research presents the first demonstration of using green synthesis with the medicinal fungus G. sessile to produce metallic NPs that effectively inhibit C. jejuni growth, providing a sustainable and effective approach to the traditional use of antimicrobials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quercus species are utilized for their durable wood, providing sustenance for wildlife, conserving biodiversity, and contributing ecological, medicinal, and esthetic benefits to ecosystems and landscapes. In this study, we aimed to use the bark of three Quercus species (Q. dalechampi, Q. fraineto, and Q. petraea) for the synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles (AgNPs and AuNPs). The aqueous extracts from the bark of Quercus sp. acted both as reducing and stabilizing agent, facilitating the rapid synthesis of AuNPs (AuQD, AuQF, and AuQP) and AgNPs (AgQD, AgQF, and AgQP). The obtained nanoparticles were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, TEM, DLS, and FTIR. Characterizations revealed that the nanoparticles exhibited a variety of shapes, such as polygonal, triangular, and spherical forms, with sizes ranging between 14 and 24 nm for AuNPs and 45–70 nm for AgNPs. The total phenolic content was assessed through spectroscopic methods, while several individual phenolic compounds were identified and quantified using UPLC-PDA. Furthermore, we assessed the antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal capacities of AuNPs, AgNPs, and raw extracts. The highest antioxidant activity was observed for raw extracts, followed by AgNPs and AuNPs, while the most potent antibacterial and antifungal activity was observed in AgQP. Moreover, cytotoxicity was examined in a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). The results indicated no cytotoxic effects for AuNPs, while AgNPs and the raw extracts exhibited cytotoxic effects after 48 h of incubation. This research underscores the multifaceted utility of Quercus bark extracts in the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles and their subsequent bioactivity assessment, suggesting promising perspectives for their application in various fields while urging cautious consideration of their cytotoxic implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) is known as a new generation of antibiotics with high bactericidal activity and resistance toward numerous bacteria strains. In the present study, AgNPs were synthesized using propolis extract and microwave heating technique. Results indicated that, the prepared hydroalcoholic propolis extract had brix, turbidity, total phenol content and antioxidant activity of 5.21° Bx, 1.75 % a.u., 82.52 mg/g (gallic acid) and 93.32 %, respectively. FTIR analysis also indicated that the prepared extract had several main functional groups such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, amide I, amin and esters, which those could act as reducing and stabilizing agents in fabrication of stable AgNPs. Furthermore, GC-MS analysis demonstrated that alpha-terpinene, coumaran, p-methoxycinnamic acid, dimethyl caffeic acid and pinostrobin chalcone were the main bioactive compounds of the prepared propolis extract. Results revealed that AgNPs with small particle size (86 nm) and polydespersity index (0.299), and high zeta potential (−23.34) values could be synthesized using 0.1 mL of the extract in combination to 9 mL silver nitrate (1 mM) under microwave heating for 30 s. TEM analysis demonstrated that spherical fabricated AgNPs had uniform particle size distribution with particle size of less than 100 nm. Finally, synthesized AgNps indicated higher bactericidal activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli, with obtained clear zone diameter of 22 and 19 mm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are gaining attention as they are considered green fabrics able to synthesize many bioactive metabolites, with unique biological activities. However, their use at an industrial scale is still a challenge because of the high costs related to upstream and downstream processes. Here, a biorefinery approach was proposed, starting from the biomass of the green microalga Pseudococcomyxa simplex for the extraction of two classes of molecules with a potential use in the cosmetic industry. Carotenoids were extracted first by an ultrasound-assisted extraction, and then, from the residual biomass, lipids were obtained by a conventional extraction. The chemical characterization of the ethanol extract indicated lutein, a biosynthetic derivative of α-carotene, as the most abundant carotenoid. The extract was found to be fully biocompatible on a cell-based model, active as antioxidant and with an in vitro anti-aging property. In particular, the lutein-enriched fraction was able to activate Nrf2 pathway, which plays a key role also in aging process. Finally, lipids were isolated from the residual biomass and the isolated fatty acids fraction was composed by palmitic and stearic acids. These molecules, fully biocompatible, can find application as emulsifiers and softener agents in cosmetic formulations. Thus, an untapped microalgal species can represent a sustainable source for cosmeceutical formulations. Key points: • Pseudococcomyxa simplex has been explored in a cascade approach. • Lutein is the main extracted carotenoid and has antioxidant and anti-aging activity. • Fatty acids are mainly composed of palmitic and stearic acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary emulsifiers are linked to various diseases. The recent discovery of the role of gut microbiota–host interactions on health and disease warrants the safety reassessment of dietary emulsifiers through the lens of gut microbiota. Lecithin, sucrose fatty acid esters, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and mono- and diglycerides (MDG) emulsifiers are common dietary emulsifiers with high exposure levels in the population. This study demonstrates that sucrose fatty acid esters and carboxymethylcellulose induce hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in a mouse model. Lecithin, sucrose fatty acid esters, and CMC disrupt glucose homeostasis in the in vitro insulin-resistance model. MDG impairs circulating lipid and glucose metabolism. All emulsifiers change the intestinal microbiota diversity and induce gut microbiota dysbiosis. Lecithin, sucrose fatty acid esters, and CMC do not impact mucus–bacterial interactions, whereas MDG tends to cause bacterial encroachment into the inner mucus layer and enhance inflammation potential by raising circulating lipopolysaccharide. Our findings demonstrate the safety concerns associated with using dietary emulsifiers, suggesting that they could lead to metabolic syndromes. Common dietary emulsifiers such as lecithin, sucrose fatty acid esters, carboxymethylcellulose, and mono- and diglycerides can promote metabolic disorders and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reducing production costs while producing high-quality livestock and poultry products is an ongoing concern in the livestock industry. The addition of oil to livestock and poultry diets can enhance feed palatability and improve growth performance. Emulsifiers can be used as potential feed supplements to improve dietary energy utilization and maintain the efficient productivity of broilers. Therefore, further investigation is warranted to evaluate whether dietary emulsifier supplementation can improve the efficiency of fat utilization in the diet of yellow-feathered broilers. In the present study, the effects of adding emulsifier to the diet on lipid metabolism and the performance of yellow-feathered broilers were tested. A total of 240 yellow-feasted broilers (21-day-old) were randomly divided into 4 groups (6 replicates per group, 10 broilers per replicate, half male and half female within each replicate). The groups were as follows: the control group (fed with basal diet), the group fed with basal diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg emulsifier, the group fed with a reduced oil diet (reduced by 1%) supplemented with 500 mg/kg emulsifier, and the group fed with a reduced oil diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg emulsifier. The trial lasted for 42 days, during which the average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed-to-gain ratio were measured. Additionally, the expression levels of lipid metabolism-related genes in the liver, abdominal fat and each intestinal segment were assessed. Results: The results showed that compared with the basal diet group, (1) The average daily gain of the basal diet + 500 mg/kg emulsifier group significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the half-even-chamber rate was significantly increased (P < 0.05); (2) The mRNA expression levels of Cd36, Dgat2, Apob, Fatp4, Fabp2, and Mttp in the small intestine were significantly increased (P < 0.05). (3) Furthermore, liver TG content significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the mRNA expression level of Fasn in liver was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while the expression of Apob, Lpl, Cpt-1, and Pparα significantly increased (P < 0.05). (4) The mRNA expression levels of Lpl and Fatp4 in adipose tissue were significantly increased (P < 0.05), while the expression of Atgl was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). (5) Compared with the reduced oil diet group, the half-evading rate and abdominal fat rate of broilers in the reduced oil diet + 500 mg/kg emulsifier group were significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the serum level of LDL-C increased significantly (P < 0.05)0.6) The mRNA expression levels of Cd36, Fatp4, Dgat2, Apob, and Mttp in the small intestine were significantly increased (P < 0.05). 7) The mRNA expression levels of Fasn and Acc were significantly decreased in the liver (P < 0.05), while the mRNA expression levels of Lpin1, Dgat2, Apob, Lpl, Cpt-1, and Pparα were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that dietary emulsifier can enhance the fat utilization efficiency of broilers by increasing the small intestinal fatty acid uptake capacity, inhibiting hepatic fatty acid synthesis and promoting hepatic TG synthesis and transport capacity. This study provides valuable insights for the potential use of emulsifier supplementation to improve the performance of broiler chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The short alkyl chain of N‐octylamine was demonstrated to be able to transfer silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from the aqueous to toluene phase with a narrow average size lower than 10 nm via ligand exchange between N‐octylamine and the sodium citrate used as a reducing and stabilizing agent during AgNPs synthesis. Surface plasmon analysis by UV‐visible spectroscopy showed that the N‐octylamine concentration significantly influences the concentration and stability of AgNPs transferred to the toluene phase and the time required for such transfer. Then, the transferred silver nanoparticles were deposited on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate by drop‐casting (PDMS‐T‐50‐D) or immersion (PDMS‐T‐50‐I). XPS analysis demonstrated that the AgNPs are deposited at lower than 0.02 % atomic percentages through both deposition methods. The Raman signal and the noise by fluorescence signal were shown to be significantly influenced by the AgNPs deposition method on PDMS film. The trace content of AgNPs on the flexible PDMS films on both PDMS‐T‐50‐D and PDMS‐T‐50‐I substrates can eliminate the fluorescence signal of the analyte; however, only the PDMS‐T‐50‐I substrate demonstrated a remarkable SERS‐enhanced signal. These results could significantly contribute to the design of new flexible and removable SERS substrates with ultra‐low contents of noble metal NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the multifunctional cosmetic product SOFTISAN ® MagicPOWDER S, which has been awarded for its versatility. The powder consists of the ingredients tricaprylin and Acacia Senegal Gum and can be used in various applications such as DIY emulsions, exfoliants, cleansing powders, and serums. It allows the formation of emulsions without emulsifiers and offers various functions depending on the concept. The powder has a gentle exfoliating effect and an immediate anti-wrinkle effect. It is a natural and vegan ingredient made from renewable sources and is safe and non-nano. [Extracted from the article]