| 1. |
- Agustin, Melissa B., et al.
(författare)
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Enzymatic crosslinking of lignin nanoparticles and nanocellulose in cryogels improves adsorption of pharmaceutical pollutants
- 2024
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Ingår i: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier BV. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 266
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pharmaceuticals, designed for treating diseases, ironically endanger humans and aquatic ecosystems as pollutants. Adsorption-based wastewater treatment could address this problem, however, creating efficient adsorbents remains a challenge. Recent efforts have shifted towards sustainable bio-based adsorbents. Here, cryogels from lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNF) and lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) were explored as pharmaceuticals adsorbents. An enzyme-based approach using laccase was used for crosslinking instead of fossil-based chemical modification. The impact of laccase treatment on LNPs alone produced surface-crosslinked water-insoluble LNPs with preserved morphology and a hemicellulose-rich, water-soluble LNP fraction. The water-insoluble LNPs displayed a significant increase in adsorption capacity, up to 140 % and 400 % for neutral and cationic drugs, respectively. The crosslinked cryogel prepared by one-pot incubation of LNPs, LCNF and laccase showed significantly higher adsorption capacities for various pharmaceuticals in a multi-component system than pure LCNF or unmodified cryogels. The crosslinking minimized the leaching of LNPs in water, signifying enhanced binding between LNPs and LCNF. In real wastewater, the laccase-modified cryogel displayed 8–44 % removal for cationic pharmaceuticals. Overall, laccase treatment facilitated the production of bio-based adsorbents by improving the deposition of LNPs to LCNF. Finally, this work introduces a sustainable approach for engineering adsorbents, while aligning with global sustainability goals.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Bahari, Helma Sadat, et al.
(författare)
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Chitosan nanocomposite coatings with enhanced corrosion inhibition effects for copper
- 2020
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Ingår i: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier BV. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 162, s. 1566-1577
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A biopolymer coating on copper was prepared based on chitosan nanocomposite and its corrosion inhibition efficiency was investigated. Inclusion of silica nanoparticles substantially reduces swelling ratio of chitosan coating while enhancing its thermal stability. The corrosion resistance of chitosan-based coatings is improved by introducing 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and silica in the matrix. It is found that upon crosslinking the chitosan coatings, a higher corrosion resistance could be achieved and the highest inhibition efficiency for chitosan nanocomposite coatings is calculated as 85%. The corrosion mechanism is found closely related to mass transition and diffusion process, and also the polarization resistance contributes to the impedance. Calculated impedance using Kramers-Kronig transformation shows good agreement with experimental values, thus validating the impedance measurements. This study exhibits the enhanced efficiency of nanocomposite and potential of chitosan coatings in corrosion prevention for copper.
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| 4. |
- Barbera, Stefano, et al.
(författare)
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Dimerization of the C-type lectin-like receptor CD93 promotes its binding to Multimerin-2 in endothelial cells
- 2023
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Ingår i: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 224, s. 453-464
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Blocking the signaling activated by the plasma membrane receptor CD93 has recently been demonstrated a useful tool in antiangiogenic treatment and oncotherapy. In the proliferating endothelium, CD93 regulates cell adhesion, migration, and vascular maturation, yet it is unclear how CD93 interacts with the extracellular matrix activating signaling pathways involved in the vascular remodeling. Here for the first time we show that in endothelial cells CD93 is structured as a dimer and that this oligomeric form is physiologically instrumental for the binding of CD93 to its ligand Multimerin-2. Crystallographic X-ray analysis of recombinant CD93 reveals the crucial role played by the C-type lectin-like and sushi-like domains in arranging as an antiparallel dimer to achieve a functional binding state, providing key information for the future design of new drugs able to hamper CD93 function in neovascular pathologies.
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| 5. |
- Basu, Santanu
(författare)
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Improved postharvest quality of apple (Rich Red) by composite coating based on arabinoxylan and beta-glucan stearic acid ester
- 2020
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Ingår i: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier BV. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 151, s. 618-627
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Apples (Rich Red) were coated with wheat straw arabinoxylan (AX) and beta-glucan stearic acid ester (SABG) composite coating material in the concentration range of 1-2%. The postharvest storage life of coated apples was studied at 22 degrees C (+/- 2) with 65% and 85% relative humidity for 45 days. Application of both AX-SABG (1-2%) and shellac (1-2%) coatings material significantly reduced the weight loss, respiration process, color degradation, process of fruit softening and ripening index as compared to the uncoated apples up to 30 days storage. However, the AX-SABG coatings were found more effective in preventing the aroma loss, reducing microbial spoilage and maintaining sensorial attributes as compared to shellac and uncoated apples during storage. (C)2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 6. |
- Biscari, Giuseppina, et al.
(författare)
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Gellan gum-dopamine mediated in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles and development of nano/micro-composite injectable hydrogel with antimicrobial activity
- 2024
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Ingår i: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier BV. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 258
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Infected skin wounds represent a serious health threat due to the long healing process and the risk of colonization by multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have shown broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. This study introduces a novel approach to address the challenge of infected skin wounds by employing gellan gum-dopamine (GG-DA) as a dual-functional agent, serving both as a reducing and capping agent, for the in situ green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Unlike previous methods, this work utilizes a spray-drying technique to convert the dispersion of GG-DA and AgNPs into microparticles, resulting in nano-into-micro systems (AgNPs@MPs). The microparticles, with an average size of approximately 3 μm, embed AgNPs with a 13 nm average diameter. Furthermore, the study explores the antibacterial efficacy of these AgNPs@MPs directly and in combination with other materials against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The versatility of the antimicrobial material is showcased by incorporating the microparticles into injectable hydrogels. These hydrogels, based on oxidized Xanthan Gum (XGox) and a hyperbranched synthetic polymer (HB10K-G5-alanine), are designed with injectability and self-healing properties through Shiff base formation. The resulting nano-into-micro-into-macro hybrid hydrogel emerges as a promising biomedical solution, highlighting the multifaceted potential of this innovative approach in wound care and infection management.
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| 7. |
- Botta, Luigi, et al.
(författare)
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Biocomposite PBAT/lignin blown films with enhanced photo-stability
- 2022
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Ingår i: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier BV. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 217, s. 161-170
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lignin can be obtained as a byproduct during cellulose-rich pulp fibers production and it is habitually treated as waste or intended for low-value destinations. However, due to UV absorption and mechanical properties, lignin can contribute to the fabrication of biodegradable blown films with superior performances. In this study, it was established the suitability of lignin for manufacturing biocomposite PBAT blown films with higher stiffness and photo-oxidation resistance. The effect of the filler concentration on the melt rheological behavior in non-isothermal elongational flow was investigated. The results allowed us to choose the correct filler concentration for producing films through a film blowing operation. The PBAT/lignin blown film composites displayed an increase of the elastic modulus if compared to neat PBAT films without affecting their elongation at break. Furthermore, the filler delayed the photo-oxidative degradation of PBAT hence potentially allowing open-air applications.
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| 8. |
- Cano, María Emilia, et al.
(författare)
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Characterization of carboxylated cellulose nanofibrils and oligosaccharides from Kraft pulp fibers and their potential elicitor effect on the gene expression of Capsicum annuum
- 2024
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Ingår i: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 267
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biomass-derived oligo- and polysaccharides may act as elicitors, i.e., bioactive molecules that trigger plant immune responses. This is particularly important to increase the resistance of plants to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this study, cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) gels were obtained by TEMPO-mediated oxidation of unbleached and bleached kraft pulps. The molecular structures were characterized with ESI and MALDI MS. Analysis of the fine sequences was achieved by MS and MS/MS of the water-soluble oligosaccharides obtained by acid hydrolysis of the CNF gels. The analysis revealed the presence of two families: one corresponding to homoglucuronic acid sequences and the other composed by alternating glucose and glucuronic acid units. The CNF gels, alone or with the addition of the water-soluble oligosaccharides, were tested on Chili pepper (Capsicum annuum). Based on the characterization of the gene expression with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of the C. annuum’s total messenger RNA, the differences in growth of the C. annuum seeds correlated well with the downregulation of the pathways regulating photosynthesis. A downregulation of the response to abiotic factors was detected, suggesting that these gels would improve the resistance of the C. annuum plants to abiotic stress due to, e.g., water deprivation and cold temperatures.
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| 9. |
- Chaudhary, Amit, et al.
(författare)
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Correlating multi-functional role of cold shock domain proteins with intrinsically disordered regions
- 2022
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Ingår i: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier BV. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 220, s. 743-753
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cold shock proteins (CSPs) are an ancient and conserved family of proteins. They are renowned for their role in response to low-temperature stress in bacteria and nucleic acid binding activities. In prokaryotes, cold and non-cold inducible CSPs are involved in various cellular and metabolic processes such as growth and development, osmotic oxidation, starvation, stress tolerance, and host cell invasion. In prokaryotes, cold shock condition reduces cell transcription and translation efficiency. Eukaryotic cold shock domain (CSD) proteins are evolved form of prokaryotic CSPs where CSD is flanked by N- and C-terminal domains. Eukaryotic CSPs are multi-functional proteins. CSPs also act as nucleic acid chaperons by preventing the formation of secondary structures in mRNA at low temperatures. In human, CSD proteins play a crucial role in the progression of breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. A well-defined three-dimensional structure of intrinsically disordered regions of CSPs family members is still undetermined. In this article, intrinsic disorder regions of CSPs have been explored systematically to understand the pleiotropic role of the cold shock family of proteins.
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| 10. |
- Chen, Lan, et al.
(författare)
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A modified ionization difference UV-vis method for fast quantitation of guaiacyl-type phenolic hydroxyl groups in lignin
- 2022
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Ingår i: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier BV. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 201, s. 330-337
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An ionization difference UV-Vis method (Delta epsilon-spectrum method) is the most potentially simple method for fast quantitation of phenolic hydroxyl groups (ph-OH) in lignin. However, the underestimated results were calculated from the conventional Delta epsilon-spectrum method using one- or two-point wavelengths measurement. In this study, a modified Delta epsilon-spectrum method using multi-point wavelengths measurement was developed and the negative absorbance was also considered. Four main typical lignin models, e.g. vanilla alcohol, 5-5 biphenyl, stilbenoid and vanillin, were applied as the guaiacyl-type (G-type) phenolic models for the determination of ph-OH by the modified Delta epsilon-spectrum method. The 2-methoxyethanol/water/acetic acid = 8/2/0.2 (V/V/V) was used as the acidic solvent system and the 2-methoxyethanol/0.2 M NaOH solution = 1/9 (V/V) was used as the alkaline solvent system. The ph-OH contents in the spruce milled wood lignin (SMWL) and the spruce Kraft lignin (SKL) were respectively quantified by the modified Delta epsilon-spectrum method as 1.078 and 4.348 mmol/g, which were comparable to the counterparts determined by P-31 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (P-31 NMR). The results revealed that the modified Delta epsilon-spectrum method can provide more accurate and reliable results compared to the conventional method.
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