A multifunctional biogenic films and coatings from synergistic aqueous dispersion of wood-derived suberin and cellulose nanofibers.

Here, biogenic and multifunctional active food coatings and packaging with UV shielding and antimicrobial properties were structured from the aqueous dispersion of an industrial byproduct, suberin, which was stabilized with amphiphilic cellulose nanofibers (CNF). The dual-functioning CNF, synthesized in a deep eutectic solvent, functioned as an efficient suberin dispersant and reinforcing agent in the packaging design. The nanofibrillar percolation network of CNF provided a steric hindrance against the coalescence of the suberin particles. The low CNF dosage of 0.5 wt% resulted in dispersion with optimal viscosity (208.70 Pa.s), enhanced stability (instability index of <0.001), and reduced particle size (9.37 ± 2.43 µm). The dispersion of suberin and CNF was further converted into self-standing films with superior UV-blocking capability, good thermal stability, improved hydrophobicity (increase in water contact angle from 61° ± 0.15 to 83° ± 5.11), and antimicrobial properties against gram-negative bacteria. Finally, the synergistic bicomponent dispersions were demonstrated as fruit coatings for bananas and packaging for strawberries to promote their self-life. The coatings and packaging considerably mitigated fruit deterioration and improved their freshness by preventing moisture loss and microbial attack. This sustainable approach is expected to pave the way toward advanced, biogenic, and active food packaging based on widely available bioresources.

Pickering Emulsions and Hydrophobized Films of Amphiphilic Cellulose Nanofibers Synthesized in Deep Eutectic Solvent.

Herein, a dual-functioning deep eutectic solvent system based on triethylmethylammonium chloride and imidazole was harnessed as a swelling agent and a reaction medium for the esterification of cellulose with n-octyl succinic anhydride (OSA). The modified or amphiphilic cellulose nanofibers (ACNFs), synthesized using three different OSA-to-anhydroglucose unit molar ratios (0.5:1, ACNF-1; 1:1, ACNF-2; and 1.5:1, ACNF-3), were further converted into nanofibers with degree of substitution (DS) values of 0.24-0.66. The ACNFs possessed a lateral dimension of 4.24-9.22 nm and displayed surface activity due to the balance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics. The ACNFs made stable aqueous dispersions; however, the instability index of ACNF-3 (0.51) was higher than those of ACNF-1 (0.29) and ACNF-2 (0.33), which was attributed to the high DS-induced hydrophobicity, causing the instability in water. The amphiphilic nature of ACNFs promoted their performance as stabilizers in oil-in-water Pickering emulsions with average droplet sizes of 4.85 µm (ACNF-1) and 5.48 µm (ACNF-2). Self-standing films of ACNFs showed high contact angles for all the tested DS variants (97.48-114.12°), while their tensile strength was inversely related to DS values (ACNF-1: 115 MPa and ACNF-3: 49.5 MPa). Aqueous dispersions of ACNFs were also tested for coating fruits to increase their shelf life. Coatings improved their shelf life by decreasing oxygen contact and moisture loss.

Genetic Characterization of Advance Bread Wheat Lines for Yield and Stripe Rust Resistance.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a prominent grain crop. The goal of the current experiment was to examine the genetic potential of advanced bread wheat genotypes for yield and stripe rust resistance. Ninety-three bread wheat genotypes including three varieties (Kohat-2017, Pakistan-2013, and Morocco) were field tested in augmented design as observational nurseries at three locations (i.e., Kohat, Nowshera, and Peshawar) during the 2018-19 crop season. Various parameters related to yield and stripe rust resistance showed significant differences among genotypes for most of the characters with few exceptions. The analysis of variance revealed significant variations for all the genotypes for all the traits at all three sites with few exceptions where nonsignificant differences were noticed among genotypes. Averaged over three locations, genotypes exhibiting maximum desirable values for yield and yield components were KT-86 (325 tillers) for tillers m-2, KT-50 (2.86 g) for grain weight spike-1, KT-49 (41.6 g) for 1000-grain weight, KT-50 (74 grains) for grains spikes-1, KT-55 (4.76 g) for spike weight, and KT-36 and KT-072 (4586 kg ha-1) for grain yield. Correlation analysis revealed that grain yield had a significant positive correlation with grain spike-1 and grain weight spike-1 at Kohat, with grains spike-1, tillers m-2, and grain weight spike-1 at Nowshera, and with plant height, spike weight, 1000-grain weight, and tillers m-2 at Peshawar. Molecular marker data and host response in the field at the adult stage revealed that Yr15 and Yr10 are both still effective in providing adequate resistance to wheat against prevalent races of stripe rust. Four lines showing desirable lower average coefficient of infection (ACI) values without carrying Yr15 and Yr10 genes show the presence of unique/new resistance gene(s) in the genetic composition of these four lines. Genotype KT-072 (4586 kg ha-1 and 1.3 ACI), KT-07 (4416 kg ha-1 and 4.3 ACI), KT-10 (4346 kg ha-1 and 1.0 ACI), and KT-62 (4338 kg ha-1 and 2.7 ACI) showed maximum values for grain yield and low desirable ACI values, and these lines could be recommended for general cultivation after procedural requirements of variety release.