High internal phase pickering emulsions stabilized by zein/whey protein nanofibril complexes: Preparation and lycopene loading.

High internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPEs) prepared from natural polymers have attracted much attention in the food manufactures. However, single zein-stabilized HIPPEs are poorly stable and prone to flocculation near the isoelectric point. To address this issue, in this study, zein and whey protein nanofibrils (WPN) complex nanoparticles (ZWNPs) were successfully prepared using a pH-driven method, and ZWNPs were further used as HIPPEs stabilizers. The results showed that zein and WPN were combined together through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction to form ZWNPs, and the HIPPEs stabilized by ZWNPs had excellent stability, which could effectively protect the internally encapsulated lycopene and improve the bioaccessibility of lycopene. In conclusion, this study provides a new strategy for the preparation of stable hydrophobic protein-based HIPPEs, represented by zein.

Morusin-Cu(II)-indocyanine green nanoassembly ignites mitochondrial dysfunction for chemo-photothermal tumor therapy.

Nanoscale drug delivery systems derived from natural bioactive materials accelerate the innovation and evolution of cancer treatment modalities. Morusin (Mor) is a prenylated flavonoid compound with high cancer chemoprevention activity, however, the poor water solubility, low active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) loading content, and instability compromise its bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness. Herein, a full-API carrier-free nanoparticle is developed based on the self-assembly of indocyanine green (ICG), copper ions (Cu2+) and Mor, termed as IMCNs, via coordination-driven and π-π stacking for synergistic tumor therapy. The IMCNs exhibits a desirable loading content of Mor (58.7 %) and pH/glutathione (GSH)-responsive motif. Moreover, the photothermal stability and photo-heat conversion efficiency (42.8 %) of IMCNs are improved after coordination with Cu2+ and help to achieve photothermal therapy. Afterward, the released Cu2+ depletes intracellular overexpressed GSH and mediates Fenton-like reactions, and further synergizes with ICG at high temperatures to expand oxidative damage. Furthermore, the released Mor elicits cytoplasmic vacuolation, expedites mitochondrial dysfunction, and exerts chemo-photothermal therapy after being combined with ICG to suppress the migration of residual live tumor cells. In vivo experiments demonstrate that IMCNs under laser irradiation could excellently inhibit tumor growth (89.6 %) through the multi-modal therapeutic performance of self-enhanced chemotherapy/coordinated-drugs/ photothermal therapy (PTT), presenting a great potential for cancer therapy.

Effect of superfine grinding chestnut powder on the structural and physicochemical properties of wheat dough.

This study evaluated the influence of chestnut powder, produced using ball mill superfine grinding (BMSG), jet superfine grinding (JSG), and ordinary grinding (OG), on wheat flour properties. Blending wheat flour with chestnut powder resulted in a darker flour blend (3 % decline of L*), with decreased the tap density and increased water holding capacity. Adding appropriate proportion of superfine chestnut powder can bolster the mixed flour's thermal stability (15 % BMSG/JSG) and freeze-thaw stability (10 % BMSG/JSG), while significantly enhancing the anti-aging properties of flour products. The proposition of 5 % superfine BMSG/JSG did not significantly affect the tensile resistance of the dough, and even improve the dough's tensile strength. In addition, the hardness, adhesiveness, springiness and pH of fermentation increased due to the addition of chestnut powder, as supported by the dough texture analyses and fermentation characteristics findings. However, the excessive addition of chestnut powder affected the dough network's structural integrity to some extent. Further study can focus on the influencing mechanism of chestnut powder on gluten formation and related nutritional properties. Overall, this research underscores the potential of utilizing chestnut powder to enhance the nutritional and functional qualities of wheat-based products.

Development of antifogging double-layer film using cellulose nanofibers and carboxymethyl chitosan for white Hypsizygus marmoreus preservation.

Films with simultaneously excellent mechanical and anti-fog properties are of great importance for food packaging. A novel strategy is described here to prepare long-lasting anti-fog film with antibacterial and antioxidant capabilities via a simple, green approach. The CMC (carboxymethyl chitosan) gel was integrated with CNF/TA (cellulose nanofibers/tannic acid) composite solution based on layer-by-layer assembly to form a membrane with a bilayer structure. The anti-fog performance of the bilayer film could be adjusted by regulating the CNF/TA layer thickness. On the whole, the developed anti-fog film had high mechanical strength and excellent UV shielding properties, as well as good antibacterial and antioxidant properties, and could be non-fogging for a long time under water vapor (40 °C). The effect of double layer anti-fog film (3%CmFT-3) on the fresh-keeping effect of white Hypsizygus marmoreus was compared at room temperature (28 °C) with commercially available anti-fog PVC film. The results showed that the bilayer anti-fog film could effectively prevent the generation of fog, delay the Browning, inhibit mildew, improve the overall acceptability, and effectively extend the shelf life of white Hypsizygus marmoreus. This biomass-based anti-fog film offers great potential for the development of multifunctional green food packaging.

Facile fabrication of robust bilayer film loaded with chitosan active microspheres for potential multifunctional food packing.

The utilization of microcarriers is an effective technique to protect and slow down the release of active ingredients, while the combination of microcarriers and film materials is an important way to expand the application scenario of active ingredients. The aim of this study was to develop a simple and facile strategy for designing a multifunctional bilayer bioactive film that combines stable mechanical properties, sustained-release characteristics for active ingredients with good antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The EGCG-loaded chitosan active microspheres were prepared by sol-gel method, and then the carboxymethyl cellulose solution containing the active microspheres was assembled onto the carboxymethyl chitosan gel substrate based on intermolecular hydrogen bonding to construct a film with a stable bilayer structure. The results indicated that the bilayer film had dense microstructure and excellent mechanical strength (37.05 MPa), and exhibited UV-blocking properties and excellent gas barrier performance. Meanwhile, the loading of active ingredients (EGCG) in the microspheres enabled the bilayer film to exhibit excellent antioxidant and antibacterial properties, and the controlled release of EGCG by the film was sustainable and showed pH responsiveness. The results of this work provide a new perspective for the design and development of bio-based active packaging film with tunable functional characteristics.

Study on the stability and oral bioavailability of curcumin loaded (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate/poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) nanoparticles based on hydrogen bonding-driven self-assembly.

The biological activity and absorption of curcumin (Cur) is limited in application due to its low water solubility, poorstabilityand rapid metabolism. In this work, Cur loaded (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)/poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) nanoparticles (CEP-NPs) was successfully fabricated via self-assembly driven by hydrogen bonding, providing with desirable Cur-loading efficiency, high stability, strong antioxidant capacity, and pH-triggered intestinal targeted release properties. Molecular dynamics simulations further indicated the Cur was coated with EGCG and PVP in CEP-NPs and high acid prolonged release property was attribute to low ionization degree of EGCG. Besides, the enhanced intestinal absorption of Cur was related to inhibition of Cur metabolism by EGCG, enhancement of cellular uptake and higher Caco-2 monolayer permeation. Pharmacokinetic study showed that the oral bioavailability presented nearly 12-fold increment. Therefore, this study provides a new horizon for improving the Cur utilization in food and pharmaceutical fields.

Promotion of the anticancer activity of curcumin based on a metal-polyphenol networks delivery system.

Curcumin (Cur), a hydrophobic active pharmaceutical ingredient with high anticancer activity, has poor water solubility and low bioavailability. Although many delivery systems have been developed to improve their bioavailability, some limitation such as low drug loading efficiency and poor stability are still remained. The metal-polyphenol networks (MPNs) delivery system designed in this subject solved above problems and effectively improved the anticancer activity of Cur. The synthesized Cur@EGCG-Fe(III) is consisting of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), iron chloride (FeCl3) and Cur, and the well-designed structure endow Cur@EGCG-Fe(III) high loading efficiency, good water solubility and stability. After the Cur@EGCG-Fe(III) nanoparticles were internalized by MCF-7 cells, the Cur could be released in endo/lysosomal microenvironment (pH = 5.0), and the Cur delivery in the deep tumor could be realized. The distribution of Cur@EGCG-Fe(III) in MCF-7 cells was analyzed by laser confocal, and Cur@EGCG-Fe(III) could effectively deliver more Cur into MCF-7 cells in comparison with free Cur. In addition, the results of flow cytometry and western blot further indicated that Cur@EGCG-Fe(III) had a stronger ability to induce apoptosis than free Cur. Transwell cell migration and invasion experiments showed that Cur and EGCG-Fe(III) had a synergistic effect in inhibiting MCF-7 cell migration and invasion. In vitro hemolysis and in vivo experiments showed that the Cur@EGCG-Fe(III) had negligible effect on the blood environment and a great tumor-inhibition efficacy, indicating that the MPNs delivery system had a good blood compatibility and antitumor activity. Our results indicated that MPNs-coated Cur nanoparticle could be a new form of Cur delivery system for anticancer application.