Nanoparticulated WO3/NiWO4 Using Cellulose as a Template and Its Application as an Auxiliary Co-Catalyst to Pt for Ethanol and Glycerol Electro-Oxidation.

This work reports the use of cellulose as a template to prepare nanosized WO3 or NiWO4 and its application as a co-catalyst in the electro-oxidation of ethanol and glycerol. Microcrystalline cellulose was hydrolyzed with phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40) to prepare the nanocrystalline cellulose template. The latter was air-calcinated to remove the template and obtain nanometric WO3. Tungsten oxide was impregnated with Ni(NO3)2, which was subsequently air-calcinated to obtain the nanometric NiWO4. Elemental analysis confirmed the coexistence of nickel and tungsten, whereas thermal analysis evidenced a high thermal stability for these materials. The X-ray diffractograms displayed crystal facets of WO3 and, when Ni(II) was added, NiWO4. The transmission electron micrographs corroborated the formation of nanosized particles with average particle sizes in the range of 30 to 50 nm. Finally, to apply this material, Pt/WO3-C and Pt/WO3-NiWO4-C were prepared and used in ethanol and glycerol electro-oxidation in an alkaline medium, observing a promotional effect of the oxide and tungstate by reducing the onset potential and increasing the current density. These materials show great potential to produce clean electricity or green hydrogen, contributing to energetic transition.

Synthesis of cellulosic and nano-cellulosic aerogel from lignocellulosic materials for diverse sustainable applications: a review.

Cellulosic aerogels are sustainable, biodegradable, and ultra-light porous materials with three-dimensional networks having high specific surface area. Depending on the source of precursor materials, they are categorized into plant-based aerogel, bacterial cellulosic aerogel. Different types of aerogels are also produced from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), cellulose microfibril (CMF) and cellulose nanofibril (CNF). Furthermore, inorganic and organic substances are embedded to produce hybrid aerogel or composite aerogel for the enhancement of its performance in various fields. Mixing, gelation, solvent exchange, and drying (e.g., super critical carbon dioxide or freeze drying) are the basic steps involved in cellulosic aerogel synthesis. Based on the composition of precursors during aerogel synthesis, cellulosic aerogels have broad applications in various fields such as adsorbents, electrodes, sensors, captive deionization materials, catalysts, drug delivery, thermal and sound insulating materials. This review provided consolidated information on: (i) classification of cellulosic aerogels based on the sources of raw materials, (ii) processes involved to produce the cellulosic aerogel, (iii) cellulosic aerogel synthesized from MCC, NCC, CMF and CNF, (iv) nano particle doped cellulosic aerogel, and (v) its application in various field with future perspectives.

Preparation and Properties of Reversible Emulsion Drilling Fluid Stabilized by Modified Nanocrystalline Cellulose.

Reversible emulsion drilling fluids can concentrate the advantages of water-based drilling fluids and oil-based drilling fluids. Most of the existing reversible emulsion drilling fluid systems are surfactant-based emulsifier systems, which have the disadvantage of poor stability. However, the use of modified nanoparticles as emulsifiers can significantly enhance the stability of reversible emulsion drilling fluids, but ordinary nanoparticles have the disadvantages of high cost and easily causing environmental pollution. In order to solve the shortcomings of the existing reversible emulsion drilling fluid system, the modified nanocrystalline cellulose was considered to be used as an emulsifier to prepare reversible emulsion drilling fluid. After research, the modified nanocrystalline cellulose NWX-3 can be used to prepare reversible emulsions, and on this basis, reversible emulsion drilling fluids can be constructed. Compared with the reversible emulsion drilling fluid stabilized by HRW-DMOB (1.3 vol.% emulsifier), the reversible emulsion drilling fluid stabilized by the emulsifier NWX-3 maintained a good reversible phase performance, filter cake removal, and oily drill cuttings treatment performance with less reuse of emulsifier (0.8 vol.%). In terms of temperature resistance (150 °C) and stability (1000 V < W/O emulsion demulsification voltage), it is significantly better than that of the surfactant system (temperature resistance 120 °C, 600 V < W/O emulsion demulsification voltage < 650 V). The damage of reservoir permeability of different types of drilling fluids was compared by physical simulation, and the damage order of core gas permeability was clarified: water-based drilling fluid > reversible emulsion drilling fluid > oil-based drilling fluid. Furthermore, the NMR states of different types of drilling fluids were compared as working fluids, and the main cause of core permeability damage was the retention of intrusive fluids in the core.

Enhanced luminescence sensing performance and increased intrachain order in blended films of P3HT and cellulose nanocrystals.

Blended films comprising poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA)-grafted cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), exhibited more intense photoluminescence (PL) and longer PL emission lifetimes compared to pristine P3HT films. Optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra indicated reduced torsional disorder i.e. enhanced backbone planarity in the P3HT@CNC blended composites compared to the bare P3HT. Such molecule-level geometrical modification resulted in both smaller interchain and higher intrachain exciton bandwidth in the blended composites compared to the bare P3HT, because of reduced interchain interactions and enhanced intrachain order. These results indicate a potential switch of the aggregation behavior from dominant H-aggregates to J-aggregates, supported by Raman spectroscopy. The reorganization of micromolecular structure and concomitant macroscopic aggregation of the conjugated polymer chains resulted in a longer conjugation length for the P3HT@CNC blended composites compared to the bare P3HT. Additionally, this nanoscale morphological change produced a reduction in the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy gap of the blends, evidenced from optical absorption spectra. Classical molecular dynamics simulation studies predicted the probability of enhanced planarity in the polymer backbone following interactions with CNC surfaces. Theoretical results from density functional theory calculations corroborate the experimentally observed reduction of optical bandgap in the blends compared to bare P3HT. The blended composite outperformed the bare P3HT in nitro-group PL sensing tests with a pronounced difference in the reaction kinetics. While the PL quenching dynamics for bare P3HT followed Stern-Volmer kinetics, the P3HT@CNC blended composite exhibited a drastic deviation from the same. This work shows the potential of a functionalized rod-like biopolymer in tuning the optoelectronic properties of a technologically important polymeric organic semiconductor through control of the nanoscale morphology.

Symbiotic Antimicrobial Effects of Cellulose-Based Bio-Nanocomposite for Disease Management of Agricultural Crops.

In the present work, a bionanocomposite for plant crop protection was prepared by non-toxic biocompatible & biodegradable nanomaterials (Cellulose & TiO2 ) to utilize its synergistic effects against antimicrobial pathogens. The commercially available microcrystalline cellulose has been reduced to a nanometric scale regime using acid hydrolysis, while the standard TiO2 nano-powder of particle size ~20 nm has been used to prepare their nanocomposite (NC). The antibacterial studies via agar well diffusion method demonstrated that after 72 h of incubation, parent nanomaterials Ncell and TiO2 were not showing any activity against phytopathogens X. campestris pv. campestris, and Clavibacter while the nanocomposite's NC's were still effective depicting both bacteriostatic and bactericidal actions. However, the bacterial growth of biocontrol P. fluorescence was not affected by Ncell, TiO2 NPs and NC after 72 h of incubation. The antifungal testing results via poison food agar assay method suggest that the nanocomposite, along with Ncell and TiO2 NPs, exhibited strong inhibition of fungal growth of Phytophthora Spp at 0.125 mg/ml concentration while for F. graminearum, similar effect was observed at 0.25 mg/ml concentration. The nanocomposite has proved its potential by exhibiting longer & stronger synergistic effects against plant pathogens as a good antimicrobial agent for protection of agricultural crops.

[Nanocellulose in the food industry and medicine: structure, production and application].

Cellulose is the most abundant polymer in the biosphere and has many technical applications, including food production. The development of cellulose technology in the 21st century has led to the emergence of nanocellulose (NC), which has widely varying chemical and physical properties and, therefore, has fundamentally new areas of application in biomedicine and the food industry. The aim of this work is to review the literature on the structure, sources, methods for obtaining nanocelluloses, including methods for their chemical modification, current and prospective applications in the food industry, packaging materials, biomedicine, etc. Material and methods. For the analysis, sources were selected mainly for the period from 2014 to 2022, contained in the international databases PubMed, WoS and Scopus and meeting the requirements of scientific reliability and completeness. Results. Among the main types of NC there can be identified nanofibrous cellulose (NFC), consisting of fibers longer than 500 nm and about 10-20 nm thick, and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) with particles 100-500 nm long and less than 100 nm in diameter. A special group of materials includes bacterial NC (BNC) produced by microorganisms and representing entangled coils or layers of cellulose fibers with a thickness of less than 100 nm. Significant changes in the physical, chemical and functional properties of NC can be achieved by its physical and chemical modification, which leads to a change in swelling, an increase in the mechanical strength and stability of hydrogels, and compatibility with synthetic polymers. NFC, NCC and BNC are offered as food ingredients for inclusion both in mass consumption products and in specialized foods for dietary and therapeutic uses, as well as in the so-called «functional products¼, for which manufacturers declare the ability to influence actively on the state of intestinal microflora and digestive function. In biomedical applications, of great interest is the biocompatibility of BNC with various cell types in combination with biodegradability, which makes it possible to create new types of materials for reconstructive surgery, effective and safe dressings. When used as packaging materials, NC products successfully compete with synthetic polymers without causing long-term environmental pollution. Factors hindering the introduction of NC products into practice are the gaps of knowledge of NC biological action, combined with the risks caused by possible residual amounts of chemicals and biochemical reagents, bacterial toxins, enzyme preparations and microorganisms-producers in the composition of NC. Conclusion. There is an important task to develop a system for regulating NCs and products with its content, in accordance with the technical regulations of the Customs Union of the EAEU.

Multiscale Modulation of Nanocrystalline Cellulose Hydrogel via Nanocarbon Hybridization for 3D Neuronal Bilayer Formation.

Bacterial biopolymers have drawn much attention owing to their unconventional three-dimensional structures and interesting functions, which are closely integrated with bacterial physiology. The nongenetic modulation of bacterial (Acetobacter xylinum) cellulose synthesis via nanocarbon hybridization, and its application to the emulation of layered neuronal tissue, is reported. The controlled dispersion of graphene oxide (GO) nanoflakes into bacterial cellulose (BC) culture media not only induces structural changes within a crystalline cellulose nanofibril, but also modulates their 3D collective association, leading to substantial reduction in Young's modulus (≈50%) and clear definition of water-hydrogel interfaces. Furthermore, real-time investigation of 3D neuronal networks constructed in this GO-incorporated BC hydrogel with broken chiral nematic ordering revealed the vertical locomotion of growth cones, the accelerated neurite outgrowth (≈100 µm per day) with reduced backward travel length, and the efficient formation of synaptic connectivity with distinct axonal bifurcation abundancy at the ≈750 µm outgrowth from a cell body. In comparison with the pristine BC, GO-BC supports the formation of well-defined neuronal bilayer networks with flattened interfacial profiles and vertical axonal outgrowth, apparently emulating the neuronal development in vivo. We envisioned that our findings may contribute to various applications of engineered BC hydrogel to fundamental neurobiology studies and neural engineering.

Nanocellulose 3, 5-Dimethylphenylcarbamate Derivative Coated Chiral Stationary Phase: Preparation and Enantioseparation Performance.

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) with high surface area and high ordered crystalline structure was prepared from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) under the hydrolysis of sodium hypochlorite. NCC was further reacted with 3,5-dimethylphenyl isocyanate to obtain the nanocellulose derivative, and then coated successfully on the surface of silica gel to a prepared NCC-coated chiral stationary phase (CSP) as a new kind of chiral separation material. Similarly, MCC derivative-coated CSP was also prepared as contrast. The chiral separation performance of NCC-based CSP was evaluated and compared with MCC-based CSP by high-performance liquid chromatography. Moreover, the effects of the alcohol modifiers, mobile phase additives, and flow rates on chiral separations were investigated in detail. The results showed that 10 chiral compounds were separated on NCC-based CSP with better peak shape and higher column efficiency than MCC-based CSP, which confirmed that NCC-based CSP was a promising packing material for the resolution of chiral compounds.Chirality 28:376-381, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Nanocellulose Derivative/Silica Hybrid Core-Shell Chiral Stationary Phase: Preparation and Enantioseparation Performance.

Core-shell silica microspheres with a nanocellulose derivative in the hybrid shell were successfully prepared as a chiral stationary phase by a layer-by-layer self-assembly method. The hybrid shell assembled on the silica core was formed using a surfactant as template by the copolymerization reaction of tetraethyl orthosilicate and the nanocellulose derivative bearing triethoxysilyl and 3,5-dimethylphenyl groups. The resulting nanocellulose hybrid core-shell chiral packing materials (CPMs) were characterized and packed into columns, and their enantioseparation performance was evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that CPMs exhibited uniform surface morphology and core-shell structures. Various types of chiral compounds were efficiently separated under normal and reversed phase mode. Moreover, chloroform and tetrahydrofuran as mobile phase additives could obviously improve the resolution during the chiral separation processes. CPMs still have good chiral separation property when eluted with solvent systems with a high content of tetrahydrofuran and chloroform, which proved the high solvent resistance of this new material.

Macroscopic control of helix orientation in films dried from cholesteric liquid-crystalline cellulose nanocrystal suspensions.

The intrinsic ability of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to self-organize into films and bulk materials with helical order in a cholesteric liquid crystal is scientifically intriguing and potentially important for the production of renewable multifunctional materials with attractive optical properties. A major obstacle, however, has been the lack of control of helix direction, which results in a defect-rich, mosaic-like domain structure. Herein, a method for guiding the helix during film formation is introduced, which yields dramatically improved uniformity, as confirmed by using polarizing optical and scanning electron microscopy. By raising the CNC concentration in the initial suspension to the fully liquid crystalline range, a vertical helix orientation is promoted, as directed by the macroscopic phase boundaries. Further control of the helix orientation is achieved by subjecting the suspension to a circular shear flow during drying.

Nanocrystalline cellulose as a reinforcing agent for poly (vinyl alcohol)/ gellan-gum-based composite film for moxifloxacin ocular delivery.

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) is a star material in drug delivery applications due to its good biocompatibility, large specific surface area, high tensile strength (TS), and high hydrophilicity. Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Gellan-gum-based innovative composite film has been prepared using nanocrystalline cellulose (PVA/GG/NCC) as a strengthening agent for ocular delivery of moxifloxacin (MOX) via solvent casting method. Impedance analysis was studied using the capacitive sensing technique for examining new capacitance nature of the nanocomposite MOX film. Antimicrobial properties of films were evaluated using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus as gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria respectively by disc diffusion technique. XRD revealed the characteristic peak of NCC and the amorphous form of the drug. Sustained in vitro release and enhanced corneal permeation of drug were noticed in the presence of NCC. Polymer matrix enhanced the mechanical properties (tensile strength 22.05 to 28.41 MPa) and impedance behavior (resistance 59.23 to 213.23 Ω) in the film due to the presence of NCC rather than its absence (16.78 MPa and 39.03 Ω respectively). Occurrence of NCC brought about good antimicrobial behavior (both gram-positive and gram-negative) of the film. NCC incorporated poly(vinyl alcohol)/gellan-gum-based composite film exhibited increased mechanical properties and impedance behavior for improved ocular delivery of moxifloxacin.

Nanocrystalline Cellulose to Reduce Superplasticizer Demand in 3D Printing of Cementitious Materials.

One challenge for 3D printing is that the mortar must flow easily through the printer nozzle, and after printing, it must develop compressive strength fast and high enough to support the layers on it. This requires an exact and difficult control of the superplasticizer (SP) dosing. Nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) has gained significant interest as a rheological modifier of mortar by interacting with the various cement components. This research studied the potential of nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) as a mortar aid for 3D printing and its interactions with SPs. Interactions of a CNC and SP with cement suspensions were investigated by means of monitoring the effect on cement dispersion (by monitoring the particle chord length distributions in real time) and their impact on mortar mechanical properties. Although cement dispersion was increased by both CNC and SP, only CNC prevented cement agglomeration when shearing was reduced. Furthermore, combining SP and CNC led to faster development of compressive strength and increased compressive strength up to 30% compared to mortar that had undergone a one-day curing process.

Chemical Modification of Nanocrystalline Cellulose for Manufacturing of Osteoconductive Composite Materials.

Cellulose is one of the main renewable polymers whose properties are very attractive in many fields, including biomedical applications. The modification of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) opens up the possibility of creating nanomaterials with properties of interest as well as combining them with other biomedical polymers. In this work, we proposed the covalent modification of NCC with amphiphilic polyanions such as modified heparin (Hep) and poly(αL-glutamic acid) (PGlu). The modification of NCC should overcome two drawbacks in the production of composite materials based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), namely, (1) to improve the distribution of modified NCC in the PCL matrix, and (2) to provide the composite material with osteoconductive properties. The obtained specimens of modified NCC were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering, as well as thermogravimetric analysis. The morphology of PCL-based composites containing neat or modified NCC as filler was studied by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties of the obtained composites were examined in tensile tests. The homogeneity of filler distribution as well as the mechanical properties of the composites depended on the method of NCC modification and the amount of attached polyanion. In vitro biological evaluation showed improved adhesion of human fetal mesenchymal stem cells (FetMSCs) and human osteoblast-like cells (MG-63 osteosarcoma cell line) to PCL-based composites filled with NCC bearing Hep or PGlu derivatives compared to pure PCL. Furthermore, these composites demonstrated the osteoconductive properties in the experiment on the osteogenic differentiation of FetMSCs.

Improving the Mechanical Properties of Glass Ionomer Cement With Nanocrystalline Cellulose From Rice Husk.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) sourced from rice husk on the mechanical properties of a commercial glass ionomer cement (GIC). NCC was isolated through acid hydrolysis, and its crystallinity, chemical structure, and morphology were characterized through x-ray diffractometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Various concentrations of NCC (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%) were added to reinforce the GIC matrix. Mechanical tests including compressive strength, flexural strength, hardness, and shear bond strength were conducted on the modified GIC samples. The addition of NCC resulted in increased hardness and shear bond strength values, with 1% NCC showing the highest values compared to other concentrations. However, there was no significant improvement observed in the compressive and flexural strength of the modified GIC. Failure mode test revealed a reduction in adhesive failure with the addition of NCC. Incorporating small amounts of NCC (0.5%-1%) suggests a promising and affordable modification of GIC restorative material using biomass residue, resulting in improved mechanical properties.

Nanocrystalline Cellulose-Supported Iron Oxide Composite Materials for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) can be converted into carbon materials for the fabrication of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as well as serve as a substrate for the incorporation of transition metal oxides (TMOs) to restrain the volume expansion, one of the most significant challenges of TMO-based LIBs. To improve the electrochemical performance and enhance the longer cycling stability of LIBs, a nanocrystalline cellulose-supported iron oxide (Fe2O3) composite (denoted as NCC-Fe2O3) is synthesized and utilized as electrodes in LIBs. The obtained NCC-Fe2O3 electrode exhibited stable cycling performance, better capacity, and high-rate capacity, and delivered a specific discharge capacity of 576.70 mAh g-1 at 100 mA g-1 after 1000 cycles. Moreover, the NCC-Fe2O3 electrode was restored and showed an upward trend of capacity after working at high current densities, indicating the fabricated composite is a promising approach to designing next-generation high-energy density lithium-ion batteries.

Phase transition and gelation in cellulose nanocrystal-based aqueous suspensions studied by SANS.

HYPOTHESIS: Aqueous suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) form a re-entrant liquid crystal (LC) phase with increasing salinity. Phase separation occurs in this LC state leading to a biphasic gel with a flow programmable structure that can be used to form anisotropic soft materials. We term this state a Liquid Crystal Hydroglass (LCH). Defining the mechanisms by which the LCH forms requires detailed structural analysis at the mesoscopic length scale. EXPERIMENTS: By utilising Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS), we investigated the microstructure transitions in CNC suspensions, with a particular focus on the unique LC re-entrancy and gelation into the biphasic LCH. FINDINGS: Scattering from LCH gels comprises contributions from a dispersed liquid state and static heterogeneity, characterised using a Lorentzian-Gaussian model of inhomogeneity. This conceptually supports a gelation mechanism (spinodal decomposition) in CNC suspensions towards a biphasic structure of the LCH. It also demonstrates that, with increasing salinity, the non-monotonic variation in effective volume fraction of CNC rods fundamentally causes the LC re-entrancy. This work provides the first experimental characterisation of the LC-re-entrancy and formation of an anisotropic LCH gel. The proposed mechanism can be extended to understanding the general behaviour of anisotropic colloids.

Anthocyanin-Rich Butterfly Pea Petal Extract Loaded Double Pickering Emulsion Containing Nanocrystalline Cellulose: Physicochemical Properties, Stability, and Rheology.

Butterfly pea petal extract (BPE)-loaded water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions were fabricated using nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) as a hydrophilic stabilizer and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) as a hydrophobic emulsifier. The impact of different concentrations of NCC and PGPR in different phase proportions on the emulsion formation, rheology, and stability of an anthocyanin-loaded (pH ≈ 7.0) emulsion was investigated. The mean droplet size of the emulsions increased as the NCC concentration increased, while color intensity (greenness) decreased as the PGPR and NCC concentrations increased. A microscopic examination confirmed that the NCC nanoparticles stabilized the inner W1/O phase, whereas the excess concentration of non-adsorbing NCC nanoparticles was suspended in the continuous aqueous phase. The rheological results showed that robust emulsion networks were formed when the NCC concentration increased. A network structure between the droplets and the development of the NCC network during the continuous phase were attributed to a gel-like behavior. Over the course of seven days, the emulsions with a higher proportion of NCC remained stable, as in samples 3%P-%N, 5%P-2%N, and 5%P@1%N, the total anthocyanin content decreased from 89.83% to 76.49%, 89.40% to 79.65, and 86.63% to 71.40%, respectively. These findings have significant implications for the accurate formulation of particle-stabilized double emulsions for anthocyanin delivery with higher stability.

Assessing the Genotoxicity of Cellulose Nanomaterials in a Co-Culture of Human Lung Epithelial Cells and Monocyte-Derived Macrophages.

Cellulose micro/nanomaterials (CMNMs) are innovative materials with a wide spectrum of industrial and biomedical applications. Although cellulose has been recognized as a safe material, the unique properties of its nanosized forms have raised concerns about their safety for human health. Genotoxicity is an endpoint that must be assessed to ensure that no carcinogenic risks are associated with exposure to nanomaterials. In this study, we evaluated the genotoxicity of two types of cellulose micro/nanofibrils (CMF and CNF) and one sample of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), obtained from industrial bleached Eucalyptus globulus kraft pulp. For that, we exposed co-cultures of human alveolar epithelial A549 cells and THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages to a concentration range of each CMNM and used the micronucleus (MN) and comet assays. Our results showed that only the lowest concentrations of the CMF sample were able to induce DNA strand breaks (FPG-comet assay). However, none of the three CMNMs produced significant chromosomal alterations (MN assay). These findings, together with results from previous in vitro studies using monocultures of A549 cells, indicate that the tested CNF and CNC are not genotoxic under the conditions tested, while the CMF display a low genotoxic potential.

The Role of Virgin Coconut Oil in Corn Starch/NCC-Based Nanocomposite Film Matrix: Physical, Mechanical, and Water Vapor Transmission Characteristics.

Corn starch-based nanocomposite films usually have low moisture barrier properties. Adding virgin coconut oil (VCO) as a hydrophobic component can improve the nanocomposite film's characteristics, especially the film's permeability and elongation properties. This study aimed to determine the role of VCO with various concentrations (0, 3, 5 wt%) on the physical, mechanical, and water vapor transmission characteristics of corn starch/NCC-based nanocomposite films. Adding 3% VCO to the film showed the lowest WVTR value by 4.721 g/m2.h. At the same time, the value of tensile strength was 4.243 MPa, elongation 69.28%, modulus of elasticity 0.062 MPa, thickness 0.219 mm, lightness 98.77, and water solubility 40.51%. However, adding 5 wt% VCO to the film increased the film's elongation properties by 83.87%. The SEM test showed that adding VCO formed a finer structure with pores in several areas. The FTIR films showed that adding VCO caused a slightly higher absorption peak shift at the O-H groups and new absorption peaks at wave numbers 1741 cm-1 and 1742 cm-1. The results of this study may provide opportunities for the development of nanocomposite films as biodegradable packaging in the future.

Nanocrystalline Cellulose Modulates Dysregulated Intestinal Barriers in Ulcerative Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurrent chronic inflammation of the colon with increasing incidence and prevalence, which could increase the risk of colorectal cancer. It is urgent to find an effective method with few side effects. Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), which is from plant fibers, has a good biocompatibility and high biosafety. Herein, we used NCC to treat UC and evaluated its treatment effect by the disease activity index, intestinal pathology, inflammatory cytokines, tight junction proteins, and mucins. We studied the impact of NCC on mucin expression and gut microbiota to discuss the therapeutic mechanism. NCC can effectively treat UC by regulating the MAPK pathway of mucin 2 and the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Odoribacter, which could not cause the body damage. NCC could not cause body damage compared to the medications, while it had a better effect on the regulation of MUC2 compared to the present drug substitutes. NCC is a practical alternative for the treatment of UC.