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Stimuli-responsive polymers have gained significant research interest in recent years owing to their potential applications in diverse areas. Here, we present a study on the actuation characteristics of chitosan-based free-standing films that exhibit full reversibility and repeatability in response to water vapor exposure. The effect of pH of the water and the degree of cross-linking of the chitosan films on the actuation performance is studied. In the case of free-standing polymer film-based actuators, the primary driving force behind actuation is understood to be the differential strain induced by the gradient in volume changes across the thickness of the film. To understand it further, we conducted full atomistic molecular dynamics simulation studies to explore water absorption and adsorption into the chitosan matrix. Our simulations revealed an accumulation of water molecules in the surface layer that rapidly desorb when shielded from water vapor. Furthermore, estimates of the energy gain resulting from the adsorption of water on the surface suggest that it is adequate to drive the shape change of the actuator when subjected to asymmetric exposure to water vapor. This finding supports the fact that the adsorbed layer of water on the surface of the chitosan film plays a role in actuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pervasive presence of nanoplastics (NPs) in the environment has gained increasing attention due to their accumulation in living organisms. These emerging contaminants inevitably interact with extracellular polymeric substances along respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts, and diverse organic coating on the surface of NPs, known as bio- or eco-corona, is formed. Although its impact on altering the NP properties and potential cell internalization has been extensively examined, studies on its role in NP partitioning in the cell membrane are elusive yet. In this work, molecular dynamics is used to investigate the formation of chitosan (CT) corona centered on a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nanoparticle and the uptake of the resulting complex onto lipid membranes. Coarse-grained models compatible with the newly developed Martini 3.0 force field are implemented for the two polymers employing the atomistic properties as targets in the parameterization. The reliability of the coarse-grained polymer models is demonstrated by reproducing the structural properties of the PVC melt and of solvated CT strands, as well as by determining the conformation adopted by the latter at the NP surface. Results show that the spontaneous binding of CT chains of high and intermediate protonation degrees led to the formation of soft and hard corona that modulates the interaction of PVC core with model membranes. The structural changes of the corona adsorbed at the lipid–water interface enable a subsequent transfer of the NP to the center of the saturated lipid membranes and a complete or partial transition to a snorkel conformation depending on the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance in the CT–PVC complex. Overall, the computational investigation of the coarse-grained model system provides implications for understanding how the eco-corona development influences the uptake and implicit toxicology of NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neo-tissue formation and host tissue regeneration determine the success of cardiac tissue engineering where functional hydrogel scaffolds act as cardiac (extracellular matrix) ECM mimic. Translationally, the hydrogel templates promoting neo-cardiac tissue formation are currently limited; however, they are highly demanding in cardiac tissue engineering. The current study focused on the development of a panel of four chitosan-based polyelectrolyte hydrogels as cardiac scaffolds facilitating neo-cardiac tissue formation to promote cardiac regeneration. Chitosan-PEG (CP), gelatin-chitosan-PEG (GCP), hyaluronic acid-chitosan-PEG (HACP), and combined CP (CoCP) polyelectrolyte hydrogels were engineered by solvent casting and assessed for physiochemical, thermal, electrical, biodegradable, mechanical, and biological properties. The CP, GCP, HACP, and CoCP hydrogels exhibited excellent porosity (4.24 ± 0.18, 13.089 ± 1.13, 12.53 ± 1.30 and 15.88 ± 1.10 for CP, GCP, HACP and CoCP, respectively), water profile, mechanical strength, and amphiphilicity suitable for cardiac tissue engineering. The hydrogels were hemocompatible as evident from the negligible hemolysis and RBC aggregation and increased adsorption of plasma albumin. The hydrogels were cytocompatible as evident from the increased viability by MTT (>94% for all the four hydrogels) assay and direct contact assay. Also, the hydrogels supported the adhesion, growth, spreading, and proliferation of H9c2 cells as unveiled by rhodamine staining. The hydrogels promoted neo-tissue formation that was proven using rat and swine myocardial tissue explant culture. Compared to GCP and CoCP, CP and HACP were superior owing to the cell viability, hemocompatibility, and conductance, resulting in the highest degree of cytoskeletal organization and neo-tissue formation. The physiochemical and biological performance of these hydrogels supported neo-cardiac tissue formation. Overall, the CP, GCP, HACP, and CoCP hydrogel systems promise novel translational opportunities in regenerative cardiology.

Chitosan-magnetite nanocomposite (CM) was synthesised using the one-step procedure, reducing the synthesis time and the complexity of the process. The synthesized CM was characterised by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The nanocomposite was used to remove eriochrome black T (EBT) from the aqueous solution. The effects of pH, adsorption time, initial concentration of EBT, dose, and temperatures were studied. The experiment data were analysed by pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intra-particle-diffusion kinetic models. Among these models, the pseudo-second-order was the best fit model and the adsorption rate constant of EBT was 0.007 g/mg.min. The adsorption isotherms were studied by fitting the experimental data to the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin models. The results indicated that the Langmuir model was the fittest model for describing the isotherms of the EBT adsorption on CM. When the temperature increased from 293 to 313K, the maximum adsorption capacity of EBT decreased from 291.2 to 83.5 mg/g. The thermodynamic study showed that the ETB adsorption process onto CM was a spontaneous and exothermic process with ∆G0, ∆H0 negative. The EBT dye adsorption mechanism was discussed, involved interactions, such as electrostatic attraction and H-bonding. CM could be regenerated and reused to adsorb anionic dye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BaFe12O19 (BaM) hexaferrite was synthesised through the coprecipitation method. BaFe12O19-activated charcoal-chitosan (BaM-AC-CS) composite was synthesised through ultra-sonication assisted water in the oil microemulsion method. Morphology of BaM hexaferrite, activated charcoal, and BaM-AC-CS composite powder was evaluated using FESEM. The average particle size of the composite powder was 60 µm. BaM-AC-CS composite powder exhibited a surface area of 41.5 m2 g −1 and pore volume of 0.041 cm3 g−1. The magnetic behaviour of BaM and BaM-AC-CS composite was analysed using a vibrating sample magnetometer. Pure BaM ferrite showed saturation magnetisation (Ms) of 69.3 emu g −1 and coercivity of 2670 Oe. BaM-AC-CS composite powder showed a Ms value of 26.8 emu g −1 which was sufficient for efficient magnetic separation of it in water suspension. The point of zero charge (pHpzc) of composite powder was 6.7. The composite powder was used for the adsorption of methyl blue (MB) dye solution of pH of 6 at 303, 313 and 323 K respectively. The dye removal capacity increased with increase in temperature. The adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetic model and satisfied Redlich-Peterson as well as Sips adsorption isotherm. The composite powder showed a maximum Sips adsorption ability of 254.6 mg g −1 at 323 K temperature. The free energy and enthalpy changes confirmed the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the adsorption. The composite powder also showed good adsorption capacity in five consecutive regeneration cycles. All these results suggest that the BaM-AC-CS powder will be a viable material for MB dye adsorption in wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid industrialisation has led to severe environmental pollution, mainly due to the discharge of organic pollutants into the waterbodies. The removal of organic compounds such as dyes and phenolic pollutants from the industrial effluents before it is discharged should be the top priority. This article synthesised a novel chitosan cross-linked polyaniline grafted graphene oxide (CS-PANI@GO) composite with variable morphology, enhanced surface area, low cost, biocompatibility, and notable characteristics of high malachite green (MG) and phenol adsorption capacity. The physicochemical properties of CS-PANI@GO were studied by FESEM, FTIR, XRD, RAMAN, BET, and BJH pore size distribution. FESEM analysis demonstrated that the surface of CS-PANI@GO composite is porous in nature. The BET surface area of the composite is 88.91 m2/g. The effect of various parameters such as temperature, pH of the solution, initial concentration of MG and phenol, adsorption time, and dosage were investigated, and the optimal values were recorded. The adsorption performance of CS-PANI@GO composite for both MG and phenol follows the pseudo-second-order model suggests chemisorption occurs in the process. For MG dye, the adsorption equilibrium data follows the Freundlich model and for phenol, the data follows the Langmuir model. The maximum uptake for MG dye and phenol were 699.022 mg/g and 198.254 mg/g, respectively. Thermodynamic data demonstrated that the process of MG and phenol adsorption was spontaneous, endothermic, and feasible. The recyclability study shows that after five cycles of regeneration, the composite has excellent adsorption performance. The adsorption mechanism is also proposed to be hydrogen bond, π-π interaction, and electrostatic attraction. Based on the present adsorption results under various parameter conditions, the synthesised novel CS-PANI@GO composite could be applied as an efficient adsorbent for the treatment of dyes and phenolic pollutants from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Needless electrospinning (NES) is the most advanced and robust method to generate biopolymeric nanofibers. NES overcomes the needle clogging and low throughput issues of conventional needle based electrospinning (ES). However, the issue with all ES techniques is the absence of generalized methods in the literature, and most of the work is being done empirically. The solvent system dictates the feasibility of the ES process, and solvent system based studies can help create more generalized ES methods. The current work provides a systematic approach to fabricating tribiopolymeric nanofibers. NES was used to fabricate chitosan (CS)/polylactic acid (PLA)/nanocellulose (NCC) based nanofibers by optimizing the solvent system using dichloromethane (DCM) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). Biopolymeric blend PLA/CS/NCC (10:0.1:0.05 w/v %) in various formulated solvent systems were made and analyzed for their physical properties (sedimentation rate, particle size, viscosity, and surface tension) and subjected to NES. The binary solvent system SS91 (DCM (90):TFA (10) %) showed the lowest sedimentation rate and viscosity while the highest particle size and surface tension, resulting in the beads free nanofibers. The viscosity and surface tension comparison were used to determine a critical point for the feasibility of nanofiber fabrication. Overall, the study showed a systematic approach for fabricating complex tri‐biopolymeric nanofibers in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitin and chitosan nanofibers (ChNF and CtsNF) are promising biomaterials due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non‐toxicity. This study investigates the cell adhesion properties and inflammatory responses of CtsNF, ChNF, and their mixtures when patterned on cellophane films using inkjet printing technology, keeping in mind their potential applications as cell culture scaffolds. The viscosities of 0.1 wt% aqueous dispersions of CtsNF, ChNF, and their mixtures were confirmed to be suitable for inkjet printing. Microstructures with varying thicknesses were fabricated by adjusting the printing parameters. Mouse fibroblast cells (L929) and mouse macrophages (RAW264.7) were used to evaluate cell adhesion and inflammatory responses. The results demonstrated that CtsNF microstructures exhibited excellent cell adhesion even for those as thin as ~140 nm and low inflammatory potential. This finding provides valuable insights into the development of advanced biomaterials for medical applications and could be instrumental in optimizing dosage settings for wound healing treatments as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome the problem of poor biocompatibility of inorganic gel foam, a biomass gel foam was prepared using carboxymethyl chitosan, tannic acid, and ammonium ferric citrate as raw materials. The results indicated that the gel foam exhibited optimal comprehensive performance when the mass concentrations of foaming agent, stabilizer, gelling agent, and crosslinking agent were 0.8, 0.2, 0.9, and 0.6 wt%, respectively. At this point, the foaming multiple was up to 8 and the half-life was 7.79 days. Compared to pure foam, the gel foam demonstrated excellent water retention and film-forming properties. After continuous heating at 80°C for 10 hours, its water retention rate remained as high as 49.34%. The foam film formed after 120 hours of room temperature drying reached a thickness of 1 cm without any liquid separation phenomenon. The gel foam exhibited a good inhibition effect on the spontaneous combustion and oxidation process of coal. The CO inhibition rate reached 67.43% at 100°C, and the cross-point temperature was effectively delayed by 18.2°C. Moreover, the gel foam exhibited excellent burn resistance properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flame‐retardant silicone rubber foams (SRF) were prepared by dehydrogenation at room temperature with chitosan (CS) and cyclodextrin (CD) as flame retardants. The flame retardancy, smoke suppression, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of SRF with CS and CD were tested using the UL-94 test, limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimeter test (CCT), compression test, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The results indicated that the fire behavior was good when the content of CS and CD was 1 wt%, and the CD had a flame-retardant efficiency better than CS. The combination of 0.6 wt% CS and 0.4 wt% CD had the best synergistic flame-retardant efficiency, smoke suppression, and excellent thermal stability. The 0.6%CS/0.4%CD/SRF achieved an LOI value of 30% and a UL-94 V-0 rating and did not drip. Compared with pure SRF, the peak heat release rate (pHRR), the total heat release (THR), the peak smoke production rate (pSPR), and the total smoke production (TSP) decreased by 60.00%, 55.52%, 53.82%, and 55.00%, and the char residue increased by 17.40%. However, the addition of CS and CD slightly worsened the mechanical properties of SRF, and the compressive strength of 0.6%CS/0.4%CD/SRF was reduced by 3.62%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Berberine (BR), an alkaloid isolated from the Chinese traditional medicine Coptidis rhizoma, exhibits therapeutic effects on several diseases including bacterial infections, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, but the oral availability is poor. In this work, we prepared the chitosan microneedle array–loaded BR (BR-CS MNAs) to transdermally deliver BR, and the spatial distribution of BR in heterogeneous skin tissues was analyzed and imaged by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI). Some endogenous phospholipids with specific spatial distribution were used to differentiate the epidermis and dermis regions of the skin. The results showed that BR was effectively delivered and could permeate to both epidermis and dermis regions of the skin. This demonstrated the feasibility of MALDI-MSI to evaluate the transdermal delivery efficiency of microneedle arrays and suggested BR could be transdermally delivered by CS MNAs. The chitosan microneedle array–loaded BR (BR-CS MNAs) was prepared and used to transdermal deliver BR. The spatial distribution of BR during the transdermal deliver process was analyzed and imaged by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI). Some endogenous phospholipids with specific spatial distribution were used to help differentiate the epidermis and dermis regions of skin [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antifungal resistance is a major problem, commonly caused by drug-efflux pump overexpression. To evaluate if chitosan could be effective in drug-resistant Candida infections, we investigated the effects of efflux pumps on antifungal activity of chitosan. Materials and Methods: The minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) of oligomer (7–9 kD) and polymer (900–1,000 kD) chitosan against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans were evaluated by broth and agar dilution methods. The MFCs of S. cerevisiae with single deletion of efflux pump genes, with deletion of seven efflux pumps (AD∆), and AD∆ overexpressing C. albicans efflux pump genes (CDR1, CDR2 and MDR1) were determined. C. albicans with homozygous deletions of CDR1 and of CDR2 were generated using CRISPR-Cas9 system and tested for chitosan susceptibility. Results: While deleting any individual efflux pump genes had no effect on chitosan susceptibility, simultaneous deletion of multiple pumps (in AD∆) increased sensitivity to both types of chitosan. Interestingly, the overexpression of CDR1, CDR2 or MDR1 in AD∆ barely affected its sensitivity. Moreover, C. albicans with homozygous deletions of CDR1 and/or CDR2 showed similar sensitivity to wildtype. Conclusion: Thus, C. albicans susceptibility to chitosan was not affected by drug-efflux pumps. Chitosan may be a promising antifungal agent against pump-overexpressing azole-resistant C. albicans. KEY MESSAGES: 1. Neither deletion of efflux pump genes, nor overexpression of major C. albicans efflux pumps in pump-deficient S. cerevisiae, nor deletion of major efflux pumps in C. albicans affects yeast susceptibility to chitosan. 2. Chitosan may be an effective antifungal agent against drug-resistant C. albicans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of seed priming with chitosan on the improvement of physiological and biochemical traits of soybean under salinity stress, a factorial experiment in the form of a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted at Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Iran in 2023. Treatments included four salinity levels (sodium chloride) with the concentrations of 0, 50, 100, and 150 mM) and four chitosan levels (0, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75% by weight-volume, all of which were dissolved in 1% acetic acid). The results showed that salinity stress decreased the most indicators of germination and growth. However, priming with different levels of chitosan, especially 0.75%, improved these traits compared to the control. The highest lipase enzyme activity and protein content were observed in pretreatment with 0.75% chitosan and 0 mM salinity. Pretreatment with 0.75% chitosan increased catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities and proline (P) content by 20, 37, and 53%, respectively, compared to the control. The activity of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase enzymes increased by about 43 and 47%, respectively, in pretreatment with 0.75% chitosan and 150 mM salt compared to the control. The highest the amount of soluble sugars was obtained in the treatment with 0.75% of chitosan and 100 mM salinity. The results showed that seed pretreatment with 0.75% chitosan can be considered as an effective way to improve the physiological and biochemical traits of soybean seeds and can reduce the deleterious effects of salinity stress on some traits in soybean seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study aims to develop a novel active food packaging material from hybrid micro‐nanofibrous mats fabricated from gelatin (G)–chitosan (Ch)–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–Origanum elongatum essential oil (EO), (G‐Ch‐PVA‐EO) through electro‐blowing. The fibrous mats were characterised to assess their morphologies, shelf life efficiency, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, surface‐wetting, and thermal, chemical, and physical interactions, among other factors. Results showed that the antioxidant activity was improved with the addition of EO, this enhancement is potentially linked to its rich content of phenolic components; carvacrol and P‐cymene. In addition, G‐Ch‐PVA‐EO showed higher firmness measurements compared to the control samples. Herein, low microbial counts were noted for both mesophilic aerobic bacteria (3.76 log CFU g−1) and yeast/mould (3.91 log CFU g−1) even at day 20. To conclude, the G‐Ch‐PVA‐EO microfibrous mat exhibits great promise in preserving the freshness of tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan has so far been the only identified naturally occurring cationic polymer that is alkaline of alkaline origin; it is derived from chitin. Along with having excellent biological activities like hemostasis, antioxidant and antibacterial activity, it also has tremendous properties like cell affinity, good biodegradability and biocompatibility. Chitosan's limited water solubility limits its broad applicability. Nonetheless, its range of applications can be increased by enhancing its solubility and biological activity via chemical adjustments of the composition of its matrix. Different ways that chitosan can be chemically modified, as well as its primary functions and the advancement of application research, were examined. Electrospun chitosan nanofibers with random or aligned fiber structure can further be cross-linked by physical, chemical and ionic crosslinking methods. Chitosan-based materials are suitable inks for 3D/4D (bio)printing and their applicability in creating advanced drug delivery platforms and tissue-engineered constructs. Overall, there has been significant advancement in modifying chitosan as well as the use of its by-products, including the synthesis of numerous unique multifunctional chitosan derivatives, new synthetic pathways and optimization of conditions. Because modified chitosan typically has better chemical properties than unaltered compound, its by-products (modified) showing greater potential for biological properties are more widely utilized. In order to lay the groundwork for future chitosan development and application, this paper will examine the recent advancements in technologies that chemically modify chitosan as well as the applications of the compound and its by-products in a variety of industries, such as textiles and pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, a porous composite material, hydroxyapatite/chitosan/microcrystalline-cellulose (CaHAp–CS–MCC), was successfully prepared and used for the adsorption of Eriochrome Black T (EBT) from water. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), specific surface area (SSA), and atomic force microscope (AFM) were used to evaluate the physicochemical properties of the prepared adsorbents. CaHAp–CS–MCC exhibited a decrease in crystallinity and reduction in crystallite size. CaHAp–CS–MCC surface exhibited cracks and pores. AFM displayed changes in surface micro-texture of CaHAp, formation of new surface structures, and variations in particle size and distribution. Upon grafting CaHAp with CS and MCC, its specific surface area decreased from 139.224 to 11.775 m2/g. BET suggested that filling CaHAp pores by CS and MCC contributed to the reduction in surface area. The pore volume values decreased from 2.56 × 10–1 (CaHAp) to 3.91 × 10–2 cm3/g (CaHAp–CS–MCC). Adsorption equilibrium was reached at about 40 min. The adsorption capacities values of CaHAp–CS–MCC and CaHAp were equal to 248 mg/g and 92 mg/g, respectively. The pseudo-second order and the Langmuir equations fitted well the adsorption phenomenon. The calculated thermodynamic parameters showed an exothermic and non-spontaneous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlled drug delivery is the mechanism that determines the frequency of the drug as well as the side effect that can be occurred. Many approaches studied the encapsulation of the drug in a polymer matrix to achieve a controlled released drug by the effect crosslinking network. In this work, a loaded hydrogel with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride has been prepared as an incremental effect on the antibacterial properties. So, four formulations named, hydrogel 1, hydrogel 2, hydrogel 3, and hydrogel 4 were prepared using different polymers concentrations (chitosan, gelatin, iota carrageenan (IC), and glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agents) ciprofloxacin hydrochloride was used as a drug model. The obtained data revealed that the hydrogels prepared from chitosan/gelatin/IC hydrogels are porous and have interconnected microstructures. The hydrogels structure was evaluated by ATR-IR spectroscopy, EDX, Swelling rate, SEM, porosity, antibacterial properties as well as drug release and kinetics. The hydrogels fractured at stresses of 0.1665 to 0.0358 Kgf / mm2. The swelling rates (SR %) after 24 h. were 412%, 362%, 383%, 375% and 407% for of hydrogel 1, hydrogel 2, hydrogel 3, hydrogel 4 and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride loaded hydrogel 1, respectively. The porosity of the prepared hydrogels was increased as the concentration of IC increased from 72.4 to 78%. Loading of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride was confirmed by the presence of fluorine in the EDX measurement. The ciprofloxacin hydrochloride loaded hydrogel 1 has a sustained release of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride over a time of about 10 h. The first-order kinetic model is the best model for the release of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride from the prepared ciprofloxacin hydrochloride loaded hydrogel 1 with a regression coefficient (R2) of 0.9814. The unloaded samples of hydrogels had almost the same antibacterial properties regardless of the amount of IC. Loading the hydrogel with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride has an incremental effect on the antibacterial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to prepare a degradable bacteriostatic aerogel pad using nanocellulose (CNC) as a matrix material, chitosan (CTS) as cross-linking agent, and graphene oxide (GO) as a reinforcement phase using a freeze-drying technique to absorb pork exudate and extend pork's shelf life. With an increase in GO concentration, the network structure in CNC/CTS/GO aerogel was more uniform, and the mechanical properties, water adsorption capacity, and bacterial inhibition were gradually enhanced. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that adding of GO affected the chemical structure and thermal stability of the aerogels. Based upon effects of GO concentration on the structure and properties of the CNC/CTS/GO aerogel, 0.4 wt% of GO was selected to prepare aerogels for use as packaging pads for fresh pork. At 4 °C, the aerogel pads in of the GO-0.4 group could absorb the juices released throughout the pork storage process, delay pork color deterioration, and inhibit microorganism growth as well as decrease in pH and the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) content, thus prolonging the fresh pork's shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flourishing environmental concerns have grabbed the attention of researchers developing environmentally supportive materials in various fields. A green approach was used to create biopolymer blend composites based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CS) doped with various concentrations of grape seed (GS). Various analytical techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–visible (UV) spectra, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to evaluate the optical, structural and thermal properties of the prepared blend composites. The optical properties of blend composites were determined by UV spectroscopy and the findings revealed that absorption intensity increased with increasing GS, while bandgap energy decreased from 4.18 eV for pure blend to 2.91 eV for blend/15 wt% GS. The homogeneous distribution of GS particles in the biopolymer blend was identified with FE-SEM images. DSC results showed that increasing the GS content increased the glass transition temperature of the blend composites. The AC conductivity and dielectric constant were measured using the LCR meter. The conductivity rises with increasing frequency and dosage of GS, with the greatest conductivity obtained at 15 wt% loading. In comparison to a pure blend, it was discovered that the inclusion of 15 wt% GS enhanced the tensile strength by 50%, hardness by 17% and the reduction in elongation at break by 19 %. As a consequence, environmentally friendly PVA/CS/GS biopolymer blend composites with excellent mechanical, thermal, electrical, and dielectric parameters might be a viable green option for flexible electronic, electrochemical and energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The widespread use of quercetin is limited by its instability, low solubility and poor oral bioavailability. Encapsulation of quercetin using a nanoparticle delivery system is an effective way to overcome these drawbacks. RESULTS: The effect of the molecular weight (Mw) of chitosan (CS) (100, 200, 500 and 1000 kDa) on quercetin‐loaded chitosan nanoparticles (QCNPs) was investigated. The structure, stability, release properties and antioxidant activities of the nanoparticles (QCNP‐10, QCNP‐20, QCNP‐50 and QCNP‐100) were assessed. Particle size of QCNPs decreased and polydispersity index increased with the increasing Mw of CS. The main forces involved in the formation of QCNPs were hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction. X‐ray diffraction verified that quercetin was loaded into CS nanoparticles. The photostability and thermal stability of QCNPs increased with increasing Mw of CS. QCNP‐100 exhibited the lowest release rate in a mixture of water and anhydrous ethanol. The antioxidant activities of QCNPs were enhanced with increasing Mw of CS, and QCNP‐100 possessed the highest antioxidant activities, which might be relevant to its smallest particle size. CONCLUSION: Overall, these results revealed that the Mw of CS affected the properties of QCNPs, and QCNP‐100 possessed the smallest particle, best stability, lowest release rate and highest antioxidant activities. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'RD6' glutinous rice (Oryza sativa L.), developed from the popular aromatic rice 'KDML105' through gamma irradiation, is a key economic cultivar widely consumed in Thailand and exported throughout Asia. However, cultivation of the 'RD6' faces challenges due to its low grain yield and growth performance. The objective of this study was to use biostimulant chitosan and brassinosteroids to promote growth performance, nutrition, and yield of the 'RD6' rice. Chitosan (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 mg L-1) and brassinosteroids (0.00005, 0.0005, 0.001, and 0.002 mg L-1) were sprayed twice at 40- and 75-d-old rice plants in paddy fields. The results demonstrated that foliar spraying with 7.5 mg L-1 chitosan can promote leaf growth of 'RD6' and improve grain yield by 24% as compared with the control. More pronounced effects were observed with 0.002 mg L-1 brassinosteroid, improving not only growth but also 'RD6' yield by 41.8% compared to the control. Moreover, 0.002 mg L-1 brassinosteroids can enhance antioxidant capacities (total phenolic contents), elemental K and Ca contents, and the aroma compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) contents in the rice grains. Furthermore, the use of 0.002 mg L-1 brassinosteroids proved to be a financially sound investment, yielding superior net returns and an advantageous benefit-cost ratio compared with 7.5 mg L-1 chitosan. Therefore, the use of exogenous brassinosteroids on glutinous rice in this study offers promising advantages for promoting the growth and physiological performance of rice plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aims to prepare and compare three injectable hydrogels consisting of chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and hydroxyapatite in different combinations using two solvents and homoginizer that can be employed in bone tissue engineering (BTE) for remodelling and healing bones. The hydrogel structures were well characterized by FT-IR, XRD and SEM analyses. Surface study, porosity, percolation capacity, bone cell adhesion and proliferation, and swelling properties were tested and was found that these hydrogels are better candidates for BTE. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) analysis showed better compatibility with mononuclear cells derived from human peripherals. Our findings suggest that these hydrogels can be efficiently used as injectable hydrogels in BTE applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cassava starch-based edible food wraps were prepared by incorporating leaf powder from Indian curry leaf and Malabar bay leaf, reinforced with different (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) wt.% of chitosan. Eleven combinations of films were prepared and their sensory acceptability, physical properties, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) spectrum, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image, were evaluated. The thickness of the films ranged from 0.198 ± 0.12 to 0.372 ± 0.27 mm. Tensile strength was reported to be the highest (40.71 ± 1.21 MPa) in the curry leaf powder incorporated sample. Maximum elongation at break was reported by bay leaf powder incorporated (5.8 ± 1.59%) sample. The Young's modulus values were observed to be increasing along with the concentration of chitosan. Maximum seal strength values were reported by curry leaf powder incorporated film with 0.8% chitosan (2.93 ± 0.22 N/mm). The leaf powder incorporated samples reported a higher flavonoid content compared to the control. The color analysis (L*, a*, b*) of the films was identical to the natural leaf color. The SEM images indicated a rough texture for the leaf powder incorporated films. The FTIR evaluation confirmed the presence of the respective functional groups. The statistical evaluation done by statistical package for social sciences software showed that all the data were significantly different (P ≤ 0.05.). The study demonstrated the potential of incorporation of leaf powder and chitosan to enhance the properties of starch-based edible packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) applications and regenerative strategies have been used to improve the clinical practice of repairing large bone defects associated with surgical resections, congenital malformations, and trauma. The scaffolds are designed to stimulate a biological response, including cell interactions, and guide tissue regeneration by functioning as artificial biomimetic extracellular matrixes. Polymeric biomaterials are suitable for bone tissue engineering since they possess both chemical and physical properties, enabling the control of shape, morphology, and biodegradability, which makes them suitable for bone regeneration and tissue engineering applications. In vivo animal models were studied for collagen, chitosan, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and high density polyethylene (HDPE), the four most common polymers employed in bone tissue engineering. Through analysis of the results of this review, the in vivo studies can provide a large-scale evaluation of the possibility of achieving optimal bone-forming capabilities and regenerative capabilities. Furthermore, the review will serve as an essential reference for bone tissue engineering applications as well as contribute to the development of novel in vivo investigations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with chitosan, zinc oxide (ZnO), and chitosan–ZnO nanocomposite on the growth, survival, body composition, digestive enzyme activities, and hemato-immunity of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei), alongside its impact on diet economic efficiency. Shrimps with an initial weight of 3.27 ± 0.11 g were exposed to eight diets: a control basal diet without additives and experimental treatments containing 36 mg kg−1 chitosan; 10, 20, and 40 mg kg−1 ZnO; and 10, 20, and 40 mg kg−1 chitosan–ZnO nanocomposite over a 90-day period. Experimental diets led to significant improvements in growth indices; however, the effects of the highest dosages of ZnO and chitosan–ZnO were not significant on specific growth rate and survival rate. The most significant improvements in growth performance and survival rate were observed with chitosan–ZnO nanocomposite at the 10 mg kg−1 dosage. Furthermore, experimental treatments resulted in elevated whole-body lipid and protein contents, as well as heightened activities of protease, amylase, and lipase enzymes compared to the control group. Substantially increased digestive enzyme activities were noted in shrimps fed chitosan–ZnO nanocomposite at 10 mg kg−1 concentration (P < 0.05). In addition, shrimp fed with chitosan–ZnO nanocomposite at 10 mg kg−1 exhibited lower levels of serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase, along with higher levels of acid phosphatase compared with the other experimental treatments and control group (P < 0.05). Notably, total and differential hemocyte counts showed a gradual increase from the control group to experimental treatments, peaking with chitosan–ZnO nanocomposite at the 10 mg kg−1 concentration. The findings highlight the potential of bionanocomposites, specifically chitosan–ZnO nanocomposite, in improving shrimp nutrition and subsequently its diet economic conversion ratio as the lowest ECR of 1.3 ($/kg) was observed with chitosan–ZnO at 10 mg kg−1. This study provides valuable insights into sustainable approaches for optimizing the performance of Penaeus vannamei in aquaculture systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Open wounds are susceptible to bacterial infections, and antibiotics are commonly used to treat these infections. However, widespread use of antibiotics will easily induce bacterial resistance. Green antibacterial agents serve as excellent alternative for antibiotics in infection therapy. In this work, polydopamine (PDA) was used to modify the surface of ZIF-8, which not only enhances the water stability of Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8(ZIF-8) but also improves its photocatalytic and photothermal capabilities. ZIF-8@PDA was incorporated into carboxylated chitosan (CCS) films as an antibacterial agent, the resulting ZIF-8@PDA-CCS films exhibit excellent ionic/photocatalytic/photothermal antibacterial performance. The film exhibited an impressive 99% in vitro bacterial inhibition rate. After treatment with ZIF-8@PDA-CCS, the bacteria in infected wounds can be completely suppressed. These findings suggest that ZIF-8@PDA-CCS could serve as a potentional antibacterial dressing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statement of the Problem: Dentin bonding with etch-and-rinse adhesives involves demineralizing the 5-8µm of the surface dentin to create micro space for resin infiltration. The presence of continuous fluid movement in dentin tubules and positive pulpal pressure prevents complete water replacement by resin monomers. This results in areas of demineralized dentin, which contain collagen fibers without resin infiltration. The exposed collage fibers are subjected to enzymatic degradation leading to less durable hybrid layer. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the remineralizing effect of the nanoparticles on the resin dentin bonding interface. Materials and Method: The three experimental remineralizing nanoparticles were characterized for their morphology, size, and composition. A total of 48 extracted non-carious human third molar teeth were sectioned at 2 mm below the cemento enamel junction. Class I cavity was prepared and the tooth samples were placed in an intra pulpal pressure simulation device. After etching of the prepared cavity, the samples were randomly divided into four groups (n=10) as follows: (1) control group(c) (n=10) (2) Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP) (n=10) (3) Chitosan-nanohydroxyapatite (Chi-nHAP) (n=10) (4) Mesoporous silica-hydroxyapatite (MS-nHAP) (n=10). After 30 days remineralization period, the samples were evaluated for micro tensile bond strength, hybrid layer morphology, and mineral composition of the hybrid layer. The results were analyzed statistically by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple post hoc tests. Results: Scanning electron microscopic observation of nanoparticles revealed irregular particle shapes with calcium phosphate ratio of 1.60. The zeta analyzer showed a mean diameter of 161.0 nm, 323.0nm, 185.0nm for nHAP, Chi-nHAP, and MS-nHAP respectively. Post hoc Bonferroni test revealed significantly higher bond strength for nHAP, Chi-nHAP, and MS-nHAP when compared to control group. MS-nHAP resulted in the uniform deposition of apatite crystal on the surface without any evidence of dentinal tubules openings and had higher mineral to matrix ratio compared to other groups. Conclusion: MS-nHAP nanoparticles can be considered as a reliable source of calcium and phosphate for biomimetic remineralization of hybrid layer. Application of nanoparticle remineralization precursors before application of dentin bonding agents results in remeralization of exposed collagen fibers thereby improving the clinical longevity of hybrid layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statement of the Problem: Dentin adhesion is challenging and needs modifications. Newly introduced nature-derived materials may be a useful solution in improving dentin adhesion. The use of natural antimicrobial agents for pretreating prepared dentin surfaces before restoration has become of interest. Purpose: The present study investigated the effect of natural compounds on the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin composite adhesively bonded to dentin. Materials and Method: Sixty extracted human molar teeth were randomly divided into six groups (n= 10); Group I: two-step etch and rinse adhesive system, Adper Single Bond 2 (SB2) (experimental control), Group II: 2.5% Chitosan+etch+SB2, Group III: 15% Neem (Azadirachta indica)+etch+SB2, Group IV: 15% Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)+etch+SB2, Group V: 2% Aloe vera+etch+SB2, and group VI: 2% Chlorhexidine (CHX)+etch+SB2. Resin composite (Z350, 3M ESPE USA) was placed over the prepared dentin surfaces and was light cured. Data analysis was performed using One-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test (p< 0.05). Results: Neem specimens showed the highest mean SBS, statistically greater than the control (p= 0.042). Other experimental groups showed no significant differences in SBS comparison to the control. The mean SBS values of 2.5% Chitosan, 15% Neem, 15% Tulsi, and 2% Aloe vera were significantly higher than 2% CHX (p= 0.046, p= 0.001, p= 0.010 and p =0.002 respectively). Conclusion: Dentin pretreatment with Neem may improve the bond strength of a two-step etch and rinse adhesive system. The application of Chitosan, Tulsi, Aloe vera, and CHX did not demonstrate significantly different SBS values from that of the Control, although CHX was lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial wastewater containing heavy metals, toxic compounds, and dyes poses significant environmental concerns. These substances harm aquatic and terrestrial life, making their removal essential for safeguarding biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health. This study focused on synthesizing Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and their chitosan-coated composite (CS/Fe3O4 NC) for effective wastewater treatment. The NPs were synthesized using the aqueous leaf extract of Laurus nobilis and then coated with chitosan extracted from shrimp. Characterization analysis confirmed the spherical morphology of both Fe3O4 NPs and CS/Fe3O4 NC, with average sizes of 21.3 nm and 28 nm, respectively. The Fe3O4 NPs and CS/Fe3O4 NC exhibited optical bandgap energies of 2.62 eV and 1.81 eV, respectively, indicating their potential as efficient photocatalysts. Photocatalytic efficiency was evaluated using methylene blue (MB) and ortho-toluidine blue (O-TB) dyes. After 75 min, CS/Fe3O4 NC achieved degradation rates of 99% for MB and 98.4% for O-TB, surpassing the rates of 79% and 60.0% achieved by Fe3O4 NPs alone. This highlights the superior performance of CS/Fe3O4 NC in dye degradation. Moreover, Fe3O4 NPs and CS/Fe3O4 NC were effective in removing heavy metals from petroleum water, achieving a remarkable 100% removal efficiency within 30 min. The removal of oil in water was 86% for Fe3O4 NPs and 90% for CS/Fe3O4 NC, while the reduction in total suspended solids was 71% and 78%, respectively. Overall, the synthesized Fe3O4 NPs and CS/Fe3O4 NC demonstrate promising potential for wastewater treatment by efficiently degrading dyes and removing heavy metals, oil, and suspended solids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design and development of novel eco-friendly materials with outstanding antimicrobial properties have transpired to impede and regulate the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Bionanocomposites are the propitious aspirant to circumvent the global warming emanates and proliferation in pollution attributed to biocompatibility, degradability, and environmental benign primacy. Undoubtedly, silver nanoparticles are the magic bullet that has efficient antimicrobial properties against various bacterial strains. The synchronous existence of chitosan and Ag nanoparticles are the two crucial protruding antibacterial agents that divulged imperious antibacterial properties against gram-positive strains in comparison to gram-negative strains. This indagation will shed light on the experimentation and analysis of chitosan/PVA biohybrid grafted with graphene and silver nanoparticles for screening of antibacterial efficiency. The tensile strength of 15% GO/CS/Ag/PVA was found to be 81.99 MPa as compared to pristine chitosan which was 36 MPa. The active resultant bio-nano hybrid fabricated via a biomimetic approach evinced magnificently thermostable, mechanically robust, and antibacterial properties which make it a potential candidate for packaging applications. The results revealed that the inhibition is relatively dependent upon concentration. It has been noticed that a better antibacterial effect was shown by gram-positive bacteria contrary to gram-negative strains for GO-reinforced CS films owing to the presence of silver nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research project focuses on conducting an in vitro comparison between sodium alginate and chitosan electrospun nanofibers for moist wound management. These fabricated nanofibers were incorporated with levofloxacin (Lev) as a model drug to investigate their release behavior. The study included a comprehensive examination of the physicochemical, thermal, antibacterial, and cytocompatibility properties of these nanofibers. Both sodium alginate (SA-L) and chitosan (CS-L) nanofibers were successfully produced with a homogeneous and defect-free structure. XRD and FTIR analyses were conducted to validate the incorporation of Lev in the nanofibers. In terms of liquid absorption capacity, it was observed that sodium alginate nanofibers outperformed chitosan nanofibers, exhibiting absorption capacities of 5.9, 5.88, and 7.1 g/g for PBS, solution A, and DI, respectively, for SA-L, compared to 5.27, 4.42, and 5.3 g/g for CS-L nanofibers. This superior absorption ability in SA-L nanofibers may be attributed to the inherent gel-forming properties of alginate in aqueous environments. Furthermore, the release kinetics indicated that SA-L nanofibers exhibited faster drug release compared to CS-L nanofibers, which could be attributed to alginate's natural gel-forming tendency in aqueous mediums. Both SA-L and CS-L nanofibers demonstrated remarkable efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), with CS-L nanofibers displaying larger inhibition zones in agar diffusion tests due to chitosan's inherent antibacterial properties. Moreover, cytocompatibility assessments using the HaCat cell line revealed that the prepared nanofibers were biocompatible and non-toxic. Interestingly, CS-L nanofibers exhibited superior cell proliferation when compared to SA-L nanofibers, potentially attributed to the inherent positively charged amine groups which enhance proliferation and migration of negatively charged keratinocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, MnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using Citrus limetta peels extract and functionalized by chitosan polymer. Surface morphology analysis of chitosan functionalized MnO2 nanoparticles was carried out using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), which revealed that the synthesized nanoparticles were spherical, with a size range of 14–24 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis and elemental mapping were used to observe Mn, O, C, H, and N. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino groups on the surface of the nanoparticles. The kinetics and isotherms were compared and it was found that the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir isotherm were the best fit, with R2 values of 0.99. The thermodynamic study demonstrated that the adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous. These findings indicate that chitosan functionalized nanoparticles have a better Pb(II) removal efficiency (94.40%), making them an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative for wastewater treatment. Highlights: Chitosan functionalized nanoadsorbent was synthesized through green route. Sorption mechanism explored through isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic models. Synthesized adsorbent showed high Pb(II) removal capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of changes in blood coagulation indices in vitro at different times of incubation (5 and 30 min) of chitosan (CTS) with normal and with hypocoagulation plasma in rats was carried out. The addition of CTS to the plasma of normal animals led to an increase in its procoagulant activity regardless of the duration of the incubation. However, an increase in the time to 30 min contributed to a more significant decrease in the fibrin-depolymerization activity of the blood. The incubation of CTS with hypocoagulation plasma obtained after the administration of acetylsalicylic acid to animals (once, orally at a dose of 2 mg/kg) for both 5 and 30 min led to the activation of blood coagulation. Under these conditions, a prolongation of the incubation time caused more pronounced effects of this drug: a significant increase in the concentration of fibrinogen, ADP-dependent platelet aggregation, degree of fibrin polymerization, and a decrease in nonenzymatic fibrinolysis. At the same time, most of the studied hemostasis indices approach the values corresponding to a normal level. The results obtained in this work indicate the high efficiency of CTS as a treatment that restores normal blood coagulation and blocks the phenomena of bleeding in hypocoagulation states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discharge of industrial wastewater containing Cr(VI) can severely damage the surrounding environment and cause serious threats to human health. Exploring high-performance adsorbents to rapidly remove Cr(VI) could be a popular idea for solving this problem. Herein, a composite (Fe3O4@CS-APTMS) was fabricated by using Fe3O4 as the core coated with chitosan and then functionalized with APTMS for simultaneous Cr(VI) reduction and adsorption. Although the APTMS grafting and the cross-linking reaction covered the Fe3O4@CS-APTMS surface with more obvious folding and wrinkling and blocked the interior pores, the graft-rich amino functional groups could effectively enhance the acidic pH adaptability and the performance of Fe3O4@CS-APTMS to achieve an adsorption capacity of 269.54 mg g−1 at 298 K and pH 2.0. The primary reaction mechanism involving electrostatic attraction, reduction, and chelation of Cr(VI) has been thoroughly investigated through FTIR, XPS, and DFT analyses. Moreover, the concentration of Cr(VI) (32 mg L−1) in artificial electroplating wastewater substantially decreased to 0.09 mg L−1 post-treatment, significantly below China's discharge standard (0.2 mg L−1). Furthermore, the composite demonstrated excellent resistance to disturbances and recyclability. Thus, the synthesized composite emerges as a promising alternative material for efficiently treating chromium-containing electroplating wastewater, underscoring the importance of amino-modified materials in Cr(VI) reduction and detoxification in aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a zwitterion adsorbent which consists of crosslinked chitosan-benzil/algae/coal fly ash (CS-BZ/Alg/FA) was developed for the removal of two structurally different anionic dye (remazol brilliant blue R (RBBR)) and a cationic dye (thionine (THN)). The physicochemical characteristics of CS-BZ/Alg/FA were investigated by several analytical techniques including specific surface area, XRD, FTIR, FESEM and EDX analyses. Moreover, response surface methodology and Box–Behnken design (RSM–BBD) was adopted as a statistical tool to optimize the adsorption operational parameters for THN and RBBR dyes removal. Thus, the optimal adsorption conditions were determined as follows: CS-BZ/Alg/FA dose of 0.1 g/100 mL, solution pH 10 for THN, and solution pH 4 for RBBR. Adsorption equilibrium isotherm data for RBBR and THN dyes by CS-BZ/Alg/FA were well described by Freundlich (multilayer adsorption) and Langmuir (monolayer adsorption) isotherm models respectively. Thus, the maximum adsorption capacities of CS-BZ/Alg/FA towards THN and RBBR were found to be 69.0 mg/g and 259.9 mg/g, respectively at 25 °C. Moreover, the pseudo second order model accurately represents the kinetic data for the adsorption of both THN and RBBR dyes. The adsorption thermodynamic functions indicate the adsorption process of THN and RBBR was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Ultimately, this research presents the CS-BZ/Alg/FA as an eco-friendly amphoteric adsorbent with preferable capability for capturing anionic and cationic dyes from aqueous environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most vascularized and invasive solid tumors because it constantly needs to be vascularized due to the production of angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor and epidermal growth factor. As a result, scientists are searching for complementary, alternative, or even combination medicines with fewer adverse effects and high efficacy. One type of statin that is effective in treating some forms of cardiovascular disease is Atorvastatin, which is also recognized as a suitable therapeutic option for inhibiting the growth of angiogenesis and coronary vessel pathogenesis. In the current research, we synthesized and characterized magnetic Fe3O4–chitosan nanoparticles loaded with Atorvastatin (ch/Fe/ATV), and we evaluated their anti-tumor efficiency in-vivo as well as their anti-proliferative, apoptotic, and the cell cycle arrest effects on the C6 glioma cell line in-vitro. In C6 cells, it was discovered that ch/Fe/ATV was useful in inducing ROS, apoptosis-induced cell death, and suppression of proliferation. During the in-vivo stage of the study, it was shown that ch/Fe/ATV could effectively reduce tumor development and improve the survival rate of animal models of GBM. qRT-PCR findings in this study demonstrate that ch/Fe/ATV may down-regulate anti-apoptotic factors including Bcl-2, VEGF, and BDNF, which are critical factors in tumor growth, and up-regulate apoptotic factors such as BAX, Caspase 3, and p53. Additionally, we discovered that applying a magnet to the tumor site helped increase the amount of ATV doses delivered to the tumor using ch/Fe/ATV nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]