A flavonoid metabolon: cytochrome b5 enhances B-ring trihydroxylated flavan-3-ols synthesis in tea plants.

Flavan-3-ols are prominent phenolic compounds found abundantly in the young leaves of tea plants. The enzymes involved in flavan-3-ol biosynthesis in tea plants have been extensively investigated. However, the localization and associations of these numerous functional enzymes within cells have been largely neglected. In this study, we aimed to investigate the synthesis of flavan-3-ols in tea plants, particularly focusing on epigallocatechin gallate. Our analysis involving the DESI-MSI method to reveal a distinct distribution pattern of B-ring trihydroxylated flavonoids, primarily concentrated in the outer layer of buds. Subcellular localization showed that CsC4H, CsF3'H, and CsF3'5'H localizes endoplasmic reticulum. Protein-protein interaction studies demonstrated direct associations between CsC4H, CsF3'H, and cytoplasmic enzymes (CHS, CHI, F3H, DFR, FLS, and ANR), highlighting their interactions within the biosynthetic pathway. Notably, CsF3'5'H, the enzyme for B-ring trihydroxylation, did not directly interact with other enzymes. We identified cytochrome b5 isoform C serving as an essential redox partner, ensuring the proper functioning of CsF3'5'H. Our findings suggest the existence of distinct modules governing the synthesis of different B-ring hydroxylation compounds. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying flavonoid diversity and efficient synthesis and enhances our understanding of the substantial accumulation of B-ring trihydroxylated flavan-3-ols in tea plants.

Ultrasonic and homogenization: An overview of the preparation of an edible protein-polysaccharide complex emulsion.

Emulsion systems are extensively utilized in the food industry, including dairy products, such as ice cream and salad dressing, as well as meat products, beverages, sauces, and mayonnaise. Meanwhile, diverse advanced technologies have been developed for emulsion preparation. Compared with other techniques, high-intensity ultrasound (HIUS) and high-pressure homogenization (HPH) are two emerging emulsification methods that are cost-effective, green, and environmentally friendly and have gained significant attention. HIUS-induced acoustic cavitation helps in efficiently disrupting the oil droplets, which effectively produces a stable emulsion. HPH-induced shear stress, turbulence, and cavitation lead to droplet disruption, altering protein structure and functional aspects of food. The key distinctions among emulsification devices are covered in this review, as are the mechanisms of the HIUS and HPH emulsification processes. Furthermore, the preparation of emulsions including natural polymers (e.g., proteins-polysaccharides, and their complexes), has also been discussed in this review. Moreover, the review put forward to the future HIUS and HPH emulsification trends and challenges. HIUS and HPH can prepare much emulsifier-stable food emulsions, (e.g., proteins, polysaccharides, and protein-polysaccharide complexes). Appropriate HIUS and HPH treatment can improve emulsions' rheological and emulsifying properties and reduce the emulsions droplets' size. HIUS and HPH are suitable methods for developing protein-polysaccharide forming stable emulsions. Despite the numerous studies conducted on ultrasonic and homogenization-induced emulsifying properties available in recent literature, this review specifically focuses on summarizing the significant progress made in utilizing biopolymer-based protein-polysaccharide complex particles, which can provide valuable insights for designing new, sustainable, clean-label, and improved eco-friendly colloidal systems for food emulsion. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Utilizing complex particle-stabilized emulsions is a promising approach towards developing safer, healthier, and more sustainable food products that meet legal requirements and industrial standards. Moreover, the is an increasing need of concentrated emulsions stabilized by biopolymer complex particles, which have been increasingly recognized for their potential health benefits in protecting against lifestyle-related diseases by the scientific community, industries, and consumers.

A prospective study of cerebral, frontal lobe, and temporal lobe volumes and neuropsychological performance in children with primary brain tumors treated with cranial radiation.

BACKGROUND: Cranial radiation therapy (RT) is an important component in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors. However, it can result in long-term effects on the developing brain. This prospective study assessed the effects of cranial RT on cerebral, frontal lobe, and temporal lobe volumes and their correlation with higher cognitive functioning. METHODS: Ten pediatric patients with primary brain tumors treated with cranial RT and 14 age- and sex-matched healthy children serving as controls were evaluated. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological assessments (language, memory, auditory and visual processing, and vocabulary) were performed at the baseline and 6, 15, and 27 months after RT. The effects of age, the time since RT, and the cerebral RT dose on brain volumes and neuropsychological performance were analyzed with linear mixed effects model analyses. RESULTS: Cerebral volume increased significantly with age in both groups (P = .01); this increase in volume was more pronounced in younger children. Vocabulary performance was found to be significantly associated with a greater cerebral volume (P = .05) and a lower RT dose (P = .003). No relation was observed between the RT dose and the cerebral volume. There was no difference in the corresponding neuropsychological tests between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study found significant relations among the RT dose, cerebral volumes, and rate of vocabulary development among children receiving RT. The results of this study provide further support for clinical trials aimed at reducing cranial RT doses in the pediatric population. Cancer 2017;161-168. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

A prospective study of corpus callosum regional volumes and neurocognitive outcomes following cranial radiation for pediatric brain tumors.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S): Cranial radiation therapy (CRT) may disrupt the corpus callosum (CC), which plays an important role in basic motor and cognitive functions. The aim of this prospective longitudinal study was to assess changes in CC mid-sagittal areas, CC volumes, and performance on neuropsychological (NP) tests related to the CC in children following CRT. MATERIALS/METHODS: Twelve pediatric patients were treated with CRT for primary brain malignancies. Thirteen age-matched healthy volunteers served as controls. Brain MRIs and NP assessment emphasizing motor dexterity, processing speed, visuomotor integration, and working memory (visual and verbal) were performed at baseline and at 6, 15, and 27 months following completion of CRT. Linear mixed effects (LME) analyses were used to evaluate patient NP performance and changes in regional CC volumes (genu, anterior body, mid-body, posterior body, and splenium) and mid-sagittal areas over time and with radiation doses, correcting for age at CRT start. RESULTS: The mean age at CRT was 9.41 (range 1.2-15.7) years. The median prescription dose was 54 (range 18-59.4) Gy. LME analysis revealed a significant decrease in overall CC volumes over time (p < 0.00001), with no overall effect of radiation dose. Analysis of individual CC regions demonstrated a significant decrease in all regional volumes over time (p < 0.00001) in patients, with no effect of radiation dose. Only in the splenium was there a trend toward a dose-dependent effect (p = 0.093). Patients had significantly reduced NP performance across visits-most notably in motor dexterity and visual working memory (both p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These prospective data demonstrate a significant decrease in CC regional volumes after CRT, with associated decline in neurocognitive function, most notably in manual dexterity, attention, and working memory. Further prospective study of larger cohorts of patients is needed to establish the relationship between CRT dose, neuroanatomical, and functional changes in the CC.

Correction to: A prospective study of corpus callosum regional volumes and neurocognitive outcomes following cranial radiation for pediatric brain tumors.

AbstractThe published version of this article unfortunately contained an error. Author "E. Mark Mahone" has been published incorrectly by capturing "Mark Mahone" as family name when it should only be "Mahone". Given in this article is the corrected name.

Dynamic Allostery Modulates Catalytic Activity by Modifying the Hydrogen Bonding Network in the Catalytic Site of Human Pin1.

Allosteric communication among domains in modular proteins consisting of flexibly linked domains with complimentary roles remains poorly understood. To understand how complementary domains communicate, we have studied human Pin1, a representative modular protein with two domains mutually tethered by a flexible linker: a WW domain for substrate recognition and a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) domain. Previous studies of Pin1 showed that physical contact between the domains causes dynamic allostery by reducing conformation dynamics in the catalytic domain, which compensates for the entropy costs of substrate binding to the catalytic site and thus increases catalytic activity. In this study, the S138A mutant PPIase domain, a mutation that mimics the structural impact of the interdomain contact, was demonstrated to display dynamic allostery by rigidification of the α2-α3 loop that harbors the key catalytic residue C113. The reduced dynamics of the α2-α3 loop stabilizes the C113-H59 hydrogen bond in the hydrogen-bonding network of the catalytic site. The stabilized hydrogen bond between C113 and H59 retards initiation of isomerization, which explains the reduced isomerization rate by ~20% caused by the S138A mutation. These results provide new insight into the interdomain allosteric communication of Pin1.

The Application of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) on the Diagnosis and Management of Maxillofacial Trauma.

The assessment and management of facial trauma in an acute setting is one of the core services provided by oral and maxillofacial units in the United Kingdom. Imaging is a pre-requisite for appropriate diagnosis and treatment planning, with a combination of plain radiographs and medical-grade CT being the mainstay. However, the emergence of cone beam CT in recent years has led to its wider applications, including facial trauma assessment. It can offer multi-planar reformats and three-dimensional reconstruction at a much lower radiation dose and financial cost than conventional CT. The purpose of this review is to appraise its potential indications in all anatomical areas of maxillofacial trauma and provide our experience at a level 1 trauma centre.

Exploring the potential of pullulan-based films and coatings for effective food preservation: A comprehensive analysis of properties, activation strategies and applications.

Pullulan is naturally occurring polysaccharide exhibited potential applications for food preservation has gained increasing attention over the last half-century. Recent studies focused on efficient preservation and targeted inhibition using active composite ingredients and advanced technologies. This has led to the emergence of pullulan-based biofilm preservation. This review extensively studied the characteristics of pullulan-based films and coatings, including their mechanical strength, water vapor permeability, thermal stability, and potential as a microbial agent. Furthermore, the distinct characteristics of pullulan, production methods, and activation strategies, such as pullulan derivatization, various compounded ingredients (plant extracts, microorganisms, and animal additives), and other technologies (e.g., ultrasound), are thoroughly studied for the functional property enhancement of pullulan-based films and coatings, ensuring optimal preservation conditions for diverse food products. Additionally, we explore hypotheses that further illuminate pullulan's potential as an eco-friendly bioactive material for food packaging applications. In addition, this review evaluates various methods to improve the efficiency of the film-forming mechanism, such as improving the direct coating process, bioactive packaging films, and implementing layer-by-layer coatings. Finally, current analyses put forward suggestions for future advancement in pullulan-based bioactive films, with the aim of expanding their range of potential applications.

The effects of different hydrocolloids on lotus root starch gelatinization and gels properties.

In this study, xanthan gum (XG), sodium alginate (SA), guar gum (GG), and gum Arabic (GA), were used to modify Lotus root starch (LRS). The incorporation XG, SA, and GG significantly (p < 0.05) influence the swelling power (SP) of LRS, among which the 1.5 % of XG exhibited the highest value of 25.84 g/g at 90 °C. Gelatinization analysis revealed that XG raised the final viscosity (FV) and lowered the breakdown (BD), while SA significantly increased peak viscosity (PV) and BD. Furthermore, GG and GA exhibited a substantial reduction in setback (SB). The incorporation of XG, SA, and GG enhanced the rheological and structural properties (e.g., gel strength and elasticity) of LRS. Particularly, XG demonstrated a more prominent effect, while GA exhibited an opposite trend. Moreover, the structural analyses revealed that hydrophilic colloids have no impact on the functional group and crystal structure of the LRS. However, complex system exhibited the more stable hydrogen bonding. The addition of 1.5 % XG exhibited the most stable hydrogen bonding and highest water binding affinity. Overall, the results demonstrated the effect of different hydrophilic colloids on LRS, offering a theoretical basis for LRS applications and novel insights for the use of starches and hydrocolloids.

Interfacial multilayer self-assembly of protein and polysaccharides: Ultrasonic regulation, stability and application in delivery lutein.

In this study, the layer-by-layer adsorption behavior of sodium caseinate, pectin, and chitosan on the oil-water interface was illustrated using multi-frequency ultrasound. We investigated the impact of ultrasound on various factors, such as particle size, zeta potential, and interfacial protein/polysaccharide concentration. It was observed that ultrasound has significantly decreased droplet size and increased the surface area at the interface, hence promoting the adsorption of protein/polysaccharide. In the sonicated multilayer emulsion, the concentrations of interface proteins, pectin, and chitosan increased to 84.82 %, 90.49 %, and 83.31 %, respectively. The findings of the study indicated that the application of ultrasonic treatment had a significant impact on the emulsion's surface charge and the prevention of droplet aggregation. As a result, the stability of the emulsion system, including its resistance to salt, temperature, and storage conditions, has been significantly improved. Moreover, the emulsion showed an increase in the retention rate of lutein by 21.88 % after a high-temperature water bath and by 19.35 % after UV irradiation. Certainly, the multilayer emulsion treated with ultrasound demonstrated a superior and prolonged releasing behavior. These findings demonstrated the suitability of the ultrasound treatment for the preparation of emulsions to deliver bioactive compounds.

Recent advancements in the utilization of ultrasonic technology for the curing of processed meat products: A comprehensive review.

Curation meat products involves multiple stages, including pre-curing processing (thawing, cleaning, and cutting), curing itself, and post-curing processing (freezing, and packaging). Ultrasound are nonthermal processing technology widely used in food industry. This technology is preferred because it reduces the damages caused by traditional processing techniques on food, while simultaneously improving the nutritional properties and processing characteristics of food. The utilization of ultrasonic-assisted curing technology has attracted significant attention within the realm of meat product curing, encouraging extensive research efforts. In terms of curing meat products, ultrasonic-assisted curing technology has been widely studied due to its advantages of accelerating the curing speed, reducing nutrient loss, and improving the tenderness of cured meats. Therefore, this article aims to comprehensively review the application and mechanism of ultrasound technology in various stages of meat product curing. Furthermore, it also elaborates the effects of ultrasonic-assisted curing on the tenderness, water retention, and flavor substances of the meat products during the curing process. Besides, the implication of the ultrasound in the processing of meat curation plays a potent role together with other technologies or methods. The use of ultrasound technology in the process of meat curation was analyzed, which might be a theoretical insight for the industrialization prospects of the meat product.

Multi-scale ultrasound induced composite coacervates of whey protein and pullulan polysaccharide on emulsion forming and stabilizing mechanisms.

A non-destructive technique known as multi-scale ultrasound (MSU) was employed to modify the emulsion consisting of glycosylated bovine whey protein (WP) and pullulan (Pu). To assess the effect on the structural and emulsifying properties of the WP-Pu, the formulated emulsion, was treated with divergent MSU at (single: 20 kHz, 40 kHz, and 60 kHz; dual: 20-40 kHz, 40-60 kHz, and 20-60 kHz; and tri: 20-40-60 kHz) frequency for a duration of 30 min. The tri-frequency, treated emulsion showed improved emulsifying stability compared to the control and MSU-treated single, and dual-frequency samples, as indicated by the particle size, structural morphology, and adsorbed protein. The molecular docking and numerous spectral analysis provided evidence that WP can undergo successful phenolation. This modified form of WP then interacts with Pu through various forces, including H-bonding and other mechanisms, resulting in the formation of a composite emulsion. The rheological properties revealed that both the control emulsion and the MSU-treated emulsion exhibited non-Newtonian pseudoplastic flow behavior. This behavior is characterized by shear thinning, where the viscosity decreases with increasing shear rate. The shear rates tested ranged from 1 to 300 1/s, additionally, the degree of crystallinity increased from 18.2° to 19.4°. Overall, the tri-frequency effect was most pronounced compared to single and dual-frequency. Ultrasonication, an emerging non-thermal technology, proves to be an efficient approach for the formulation of WP-Pu composites. These composites have significant potential for use in drug delivery systems and functional foods.

Enhancing storage and gastroprotective viability of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum encapsulated by sodium caseinate-inulin-soy protein isolates composites carried within carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel.

Probiotics are subjected to various edible coatings, especially proteins and polysaccharides, which serve as the predominant wall materials, with ultrasound, a sustainable green technology. Herein, sodium caseinate, inulin, and soy protein isolate composites were produced using multi-frequency ultrasound and utilized to encapsulateLactiplantibacillus plantarumto enhance its storage, thermal, and gastrointestinal viability. The physicochemical analyses revealed that the composites with 5 % soy protein isolate treated with ultrasound at 50 kHz exhibited enough repulsion forces to maintain stability, pH resistance, and the ability to encapsulate larger particles and possessed the highest encapsulation efficiency (95.95 %). The structural analyses showed changes in the composite structure at CC, CH, CO, and amino acid residual levels. Rheology, texture, and water-holding capacity demonstrated the production of soft hydrogels with mild chewing and gummy properties, carried the microcapsules without coagulation or sedimentation. Moreover, the viability attributes ofL. plantarumevinced superior encapsulation, protecting them for at least eight weeks and against heat (63 °C), reactive oxidative species (H2O2), and GI conditions.

The Anti-Inflammatory and Curative Exponent of Probiotics: A Comprehensive and Authentic Ingredient for the Sustained Functioning of Major Human Organs.

Several billion microorganisms reside in the gastrointestinal lumen, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Among them, probiotics were primarily used to cure digestive disorders such as intestinal infections and diarrhea; however, with a paradigm shift towards alleviating health through food, their importance is large. Moreover, recent studies have changed the perspective that probiotics prevent numerous ailments in the major organs. Probiotics primarily produce biologically active compounds targeting discommodious pathogens. This review demonstrates the implications of using probiotics from different genres to prevent and alleviate ailments in the primary human organs. The findings reveal that probiotics immediately activate anti-inflammatory mechanisms by producing anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-11, and IL-13, and hindering pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α by involving regulatory T cells (Tregs) and T helper cells (Th cells). Several strains of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium breve have been listed among the probiotics that are excellent in alleviating various simple to complex ailments. Therefore, the importance of probiotics necessitates robust research to unveil the implications of probiotics, including the potency of strains, the optimal dosages, the combination of probiotics, their habitat in the host, the host response, and other pertinent factors.

Preparation and functional characterization of pullulan-sodium alginate composite film enhanced with ultrasound-assisted clove essential oil Nanoemulsions for effective preservation of cherries and mushrooms.

Clove essential oil (CEO) exhibited potent antibacterial efficacy and are obtained from Eugenia caryophyllata tree flower buds. Herein, CEO nanoemulsions were prepared using various concentrations of casein protein treated with ultrasound for different time interval. The study demonstrated that CEO nanoemulsions with 5% casein protein subjected to ultrasound for 10 min displayed the most minimal particle size. The pullulan­sodium alginate film incorporated with nanoemulsions treated with ultrasound exhibited enhanced physico-mechanical characteristics. Based on the structural analysis, the application of ultrasonic treatment improved intermolecular compatibility and organized molecular structure by strengthening hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, the composite film displayed remarkable efficacy against E. coli and S. aureus as well as longer retention of essential oils. The use of the developed films to protect cherry fruits and mushrooms produced promising results, emphasizing their potential in food packaging applications.

A multi-institutional meningioma MRI dataset for automated multi-sequence image segmentation.

Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors and can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Radiologists, neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, and radiation oncologists rely on brain MRI for diagnosis, treatment planning, and longitudinal treatment monitoring. However, automated, objective, and quantitative tools for non-invasive assessment of meningiomas on multi-sequence MR images are not available. Here we present the BraTS Pre-operative Meningioma Dataset, as the largest multi-institutional expert annotated multilabel meningioma multi-sequence MR image dataset to date. This dataset includes 1,141 multi-sequence MR images from six sites, each with four structural MRI sequences (T2-, T2/FLAIR-, pre-contrast T1-, and post-contrast T1-weighted) accompanied by expert manually refined segmentations of three distinct meningioma sub-compartments: enhancing tumor, non-enhancing tumor, and surrounding non-enhancing T2/FLAIR hyperintensity. Basic demographic data are provided including age at time of initial imaging, sex, and CNS WHO grade. The goal of releasing this dataset is to facilitate the development of automated computational methods for meningioma segmentation and expedite their incorporation into clinical practice, ultimately targeting improvement in the care of meningioma patients.

Improving documentation of visual acuity in patients suffering facial fractures.

Failure to identify eye injuries associated with facial fractures can lead to life-altering morbidity. Oral and maxillofacial surgery teams receiving referrals of patients with these injuries have a vital role in ensuring that visual acuity (VA) is recorded at the time of presentation. We present a clinical audit of documentation of VA in 126 patients who sustained orbital floor and zygoma fractures. Our intervention involved a focussed teaching session for trainees responsible for taking such referrals. VA was appropriately documented in 16.5% before the session and 57.1% afterwards. This study shows that education of junior trainees gives rise to an increase in the proportion of patients where VA is properly documented. We suggest this teaching should occur routinely at junior doctor departmental inductions.

In vivo quantification of pulmonary inflammation in relation to emphysema severity via partial volume corrected (18)F-FDG-PET using computer-assisted analysis of diagnostic chest CT.

Our aim was to quantify the degree of pulmonary inflammation associated with centrilobular emphysema using fluoro-18-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET) and diagnostic unenhanced computed tomography (CT) based image segmentation and partial volume correction. Forty-nine subjects, with variable amounts of centrilobular emphysema, who had prior diagnostic unenhanced chest CT and either (18)F-FDG-PET or (18)F-FDG-PET/CT were selected. Lung parenchymal volume (L) (in cm³) excluding large and small pulmonary vessels, emphysema volume (E) (in cm³) based on a -910HU threshold, fraction of lung emphysema (F=E/L), and mean attenuation (HU) of non-emphysematous lung parenchyma (A) were calculated from CT images using the image analysis software 3DVIEWNIX. Lung uncorrected maximum SUV (USUVmax) was measured manually from PET images on a dedicated workstation. A first level of partial volume correction (PVC) of lung SUVmax to account for presence and degree of macroscopic emphysematous air space was calculated as CSUVmax=USUVmax/(1-F). A second level of PVC of non-emphysematous lung SUVmax to account for the mixture of air and lung parenchyma at the microscopic level was then estimated as CCSUVmax=CSUVmax/(A+1000/1040), assuming that air is -1000HU in attenuation and gasless lung parenchyma is 40HU in attenuation. The correlation of F with USUVmax, CSUVmax, CCSUVmax, % change between CSUVmax and USUVmax (%UC), and % change between CCSUVmax and USUVmax (%UCC) were then tested. The results showed that USUVmax was not significantly correlated with F (r=-.0973, P=0.34). CSUVmax (r=0.4660, P<0.0001) and CCSUVmax were significantly positively correlated with F (r=0.5479, P<0.0001), as were %UC (r=0.9383, P<0.0001) and %UCC (r=0.9369, P<0.0001). In conclusion, the degree of pulmonary inflammation increases with emphysema severity based on (18)F-FDG-PET or (18)F-FDG-PET/CT assessment, but is only detectable when (18)F-FDG uptake is corrected for the partial volume effect based on data provided from diagnostic chest CT images. These results support the notion that pulmonary inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of emphysema. This novel image analysis approach has great potential for practical, accurate, and precise combined structural-functional PET quantification of pulmonary inflammation in patients with emphysema or other pulmonary conditions, although further validation and refinement will be required.

Preparation technology and preservation mechanism of γ-CD-MOFs biaological packaging film loaded with curcumin.

To prevent food spoilage caused by microbial infection, the development of an environmentally friendly antimicrobial preservation material is crucial. Here, the microporous γ-CD-MOFs was utilized to encapsulate the hydrophobic active substance curcumin, resulting in the preparation of a non-toxic antimicrobial material (Cur-CD-MOFs). The results revealed that curcumin encapsulation in Cur-CD-MOFs occurred primarily in the carbonyl group, benzene ring, and enolic side ring of curcumin. The Cur-CD-MOFs had a 100% bactericidal effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at 4 h and 8 h, and a strong inhibitory effect on aerial mycelium of Penicillium expansum and Botrytis cinerea. Furthermore, the incorporation of Cur-CD-MOFs improved the Pul/Tre film barrier and mechanical properties. The effectiveness of Cur-CD-MOFs-Pul/Tre in retaining fruit freshness was validated using Centennial Seedless grapes. This study confirmed that Cur-CD-MOFs is a promising antibacterial material, and Cur-CD-MOFs-Pul/Tre will be a potent candidate for food preservation.

Characterization of Nano-SiO2/Zein Film Prepared Using Ultrasonic Treatment and the Ability of the Prepared Film to Resist Different Storage Environments.

This study has developed, ultrasound-assisted, a novel food packaging film (U-zein/SiO2) for food packaging applications. Incorporating an optimal concentration of 18 mg/mL of nano-SiO2 and subjecting the film to 10 min of ultrasonic treatment resulted in a remarkable increase of 32.89% in elongation at break and 55.86% in tensile strength. In addition, the incorporation of nano-SiO2 effectively reduces the water content and solubility of the composite film, resulting in improved water/oxygen barrier properties. These physiochemical properties were further improved with the application of ultrasound. The analysis of attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electronic microscope demonstrated that the ultrasound treatment improved the hydrogen bonds, improved thermal stability, molecular arrangement, structure stability, and intermolecular compatibility of the composite film, resulting in enhanced physio-mechanical properties of the film. In addition, the ultrasound treatment led to a smoother film surface and reduced the pores on the film's cross-section. Moreover, the U-zein/SiO2 film exhibited excellent mechanical and water/oxygen barrier properties in different storage environments over a period of 30 days. These results offer sound theoretical support for the practical application of the prepared preservative film.