Effects of preheat treatment and syringic acid binding on the physicochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of black soybean protein isolate before and after in vitro digestion.

This study investigated the effects of preheat treatment (70-100 °C) and syringic acid (SA) grafting on the antioxidant, antibacterial, and physicochemical properties of black soybean protein isolate (BSPI) before and after in vitro digestion. The results revealed that both preheat treatment and SA grafting increased the digestibility and the absolute zeta potential value of BSPI. However, as the preheating temperature increased, the antioxidant ability of BSPI decreased, which was improved by SA grafting. During in vitro digestion, the absolute zeta potential and antioxidant activities of preheated BSPI and preheated BSPI-SA complex followed the order: intestine > gastric > before digestion. Compared with before digestion, preheated BSPI with its SA complex after in vitro digestion exhibited excellent antibacterial activities. Importantly, the preheated BSPI-SA complex enhanced the SA recovery rate during digestion and SA stability, with the highest recovery rate observed for the SA-grafted BSPI with preheat treatment at 100°C (BSPI100-SA). The principal component analysis sufficiently distinguished preheated BSPI and preheated BSPI-SA complexes. There were partitions between BSPI and BSPI-SA treated at different preheating temperatures. This study contributes to expanding the potential applications of BSPI with its SA complex in food products and offers guidance for designing SA delivery systems. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Preheated BSPI-SA complexes could serve as functional ingredients in food or health products. Besides, preheated BSPI has application potential as a carrier for SA delivery.

Impact of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface properties on Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion in materials used in mineral water wells.

Microbiologically contaminated water is a significant source of infections in humans and animals, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PSA) being particularly concerning due to its ability to thrive in water environments and its resistance to many disinfectants. Therefore, this study investigates the adhesion potential of PSA strains on various materials used in mineral water extraction wells, focusing on hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties. Mineral water samples were collected from three wells (P-01, P-07, and P-08) within the Guarani Aquifer System and Fractured Aquifer System (SAF) in Brazil. The physicochemical properties of the water, including concentrations of Sr (strontium), Fe (iron), Si (silicon), SO42- (sulfate ions), Cl- (chloride ions), and ORP (oxidation-reduction potential), were analyzed. Results indicated higher PSA adhesion on hydrophobic materials, particularly high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and geomechanically plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Multiple correlation analyses revealed positive correlations between PSA adhesion on hydrophilic materials and Sr, Fe, Si, SO42-, and Cl- concentrations. Conversely, ORP negatively correlated with bacterial adhesion on PVC surfaces, suggesting higher ORP values reduced PSA attachment. These findings highlight the importance of water composition and material properties in influencing bacterial adhesion and potential biofilm formation in mineral water extraction systems.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of sumac fruit oil and analysis of its fatty acid composition.

The use of ultrasound for enhancing the extraction of sumac fruit oil was investigated to maximize the utilization of available sumac fruit resources. The optimal extraction parameters were determined using single-factor trials and Box-Behnken design optimization and were found to be a liquid-to-material ratio of 13:1 mL/g, an ultrasound temperature of 47°C, and an ultrasound duration of 32 min. These yielded a 20.59% extraction rate of the oil. The ultrasonic-assisted approach markedly increased the extraction rate and significantly reduced the extraction time when compared to classical Soxhlet extraction. The resulting sumac fruit oil had a brown-yellow color with peroxide, acid, and iodine concentrations of 2.43 mg/g, 0.44 g/100 g, and 135 g/100 g, respectively, and relative density (d20 20), and refractive index (20°C) values of 0.911, and 1.469, respectively. The primary fatty acids in the oil were stearic, linoleic, palmitic, linolenic, and oleic acids. With a 74.14% unsaturated fatty acid content, it has a high nutritional value as well as significant development and usage potential. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study demonstrates a highly efficient method for extracting vegetable oils and fats. It has the advantages of simple operation, low extraction temperature, short extraction time, high extraction rate, no damage to the material structure, excellent phusicai and chemical properties of the extracted vegetable oil, low cost, and the potential application in the food industry is crucial.

Fabrication and characterization of tea seed starch-tea polyphenol complexes.

This study investigates the complexation between tea seed starch (TSS) and tea polyphenols (TPs) at varying concentrations (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 %). The objectives can expand the knowledge of TSS, which is a novel starch, and to examine how TPs influence the structure and physicochemical properties of the complexes. Results indicate that TPs interact with TSS through hydrogen bonding, altering granule morphology and disrupting ordered structure of starch. Depending on the concentration, TPs induce either V-type or non-V-type crystal structures within TSS, which had bearing on iodine binding capacity, swelling, pasting, gelatinization, retrogradation, rheology, and gel structure. In vitro digestibility analysis reveals that TSS-TPs complexes tend to reduce readily digestible starch while increasing resistant starch fractions with higher TP concentrations. Thus, TSS-TPs complexes physicochemical and digestibility properties can be modulated, providing a wide range of potential applications in the food industry.

Functionality, physicochemical properties, and applications of chitosan/nano-hydroxyapatite-tea polyphenol films.

An active chitosan (CS) film containing a nano-hydroxyapatite-tea polyphenol (HAP-TP) complex was designed and prepared. The effects of HAP-TP loading on the structural and physicochemical properties of the CS-based film were evaluated. The mechanical and thermal properties of the film were significantly improved by the resulting intermolecular interactions and formation of hydrogen bonds between HAP-TP and CS, which reduced the water vapor and oxygen permeabilities of the film by 29.78 and 35.59 %, respectively. The CS-HAP-TP film exhibited excellent slow-release behavior and antioxidant activity, with a cumulative release rate at 700 h 6.79 % lower than that of CS-TP films. The CS-HAP-TP film significantly inhibited the deterioration of semi-dried golden pompano, and thus helped to retain the taste of umami and sweet amino acids in fish samples, while reducing off-flavor generation. The film therefore shows considerable potential as an active packaging material for the preservation of semi-dried fish products.

A low-cost, antimicrobial aloe-alginate hydrogel film containing Australian First Nations remedy 'lemon myrtle oil' (Backhousia citriodora) - Potential for incorporation into wound dressings.

Chronic wounds pose a global public health challenge, particularly in remote settings where access to specialised wound care and dressings can be limited and cost-prohibitive. First Nations communities in Australia are at a significantly higher risk for developing chronic wounds and this risk further increases for people living in remote regions. There is an urgent need to develop inexpensive but effective wound dressings to improve wound outcomes. Over the past decade, sodium alginate (SA)-based hydrogel polymers have emerged as a cost-effective and biocompatible component in wound dressings, and many have been successfully commercialised. In this study, we have developed and evaluated various prototypes of SA-based hydrogels with the addition of another low-cost component, aloe vera (AV) to further tailor the physicochemical properties of the hydrogel. Since the presence of microbes is a major contributor to the pathophysiology of chronic wounds, we also evaluated the antimicrobial activity of lemon myrtle oil (LMO) (Backhousia citriodora) incorporated into the hydrogel, a remedy used traditionally by First Nations Australians. Novel formulations of AV-SA-LMO hydrogel prototypes in the absence and presence of lemon myrtle oil (at a concentration of 5 µg/mL) were assessed for their physicochemical and antimicrobial properties and compared to a commercially available hydrogel-based dressing. The addition of lemon myrtle oil imparted viscoelastic behaviour for improved processability of AV-SA-LMO hydrogel prototypes, while increasing protein adhesion, enhancing physical properties, and demonstrating antimicrobial activity against the common wound-infecting microbes Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans. Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed the molecular structures of the hydrogel prototypes as predicted. The prototypes also demonstrated biocompatibility with the HaCaT human keratinocyte cell line. This study has provided preliminary evidence that a 25:75 aloe vera:sodium alginate hydrogel with 5 µg/mL lemon myrtle oil has comparable physicochemical characteristics to a commercial hydrogel-based wound dressing and antimicrobial properties against S. epidermidis and C. albicans.

Tropical peat soil changes across successive oil palm generations in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Oil palm is commonly replanted once reaching the end of its productive lifespan. This cyclical planting practice in oil palm plantations could have long-term implications for the humification and properties of tropical peat soil. This study aimed to investigate the changes observed across successive generations of oil palm plantations in Sarawak, Malaysia. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was applied to examine the quality of the Soil Organic Matter (SOM), specifically the functional groups, humification index, Hydrophobicity Index (HI), and Degree of Degradation (DDI). Overall, the peat humification trend was in the order of 2nd Gen > Forest >1st Gen. The higher presence of recalcitrant compounds of lignin in the soil was attributed to the higher HI and lower DDI in the 2nd Gen. The relationship between the Pyrophosphate Solubility Index (PSI) and the humification index further revealed a significant increase in the relative abundance of humic substances with the maturity of degraded organic matter. These findings suggest a notable transition, implicating a shift towards a more stable form of SOM over the long-term utilization of tropical peatland for oil palm plantations. This is characterised by a significant increase in the relative abundance of aromatic, phenolic, and carboxylic functional groups. The study also highlights the need for further research on the linkage between these changes and greenhouse gas emissions to enhance our understanding of the long-term biogeochemical cycle of oil palm on tropical peatlands.

In-silico comparison of fungal and bacterial asparaginase enzymes.

L-asparaginase is a commercial enzyme with a wide variety of applications. Asparaginase is known as an anti-cancer agent that is effective for the treatment of certain lymphomas and leukemias by growth inhibition of human cancer cells. Additionally, asparaginase is used in the food industry in a pretreatment process to decrease the accumulation of carcinogenic acrylamide. In this paper, different aspects of bacterial and fungal asparaginases such as mass, hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of pseudo amino acid composition (PseAAC), physicochem-ical properties, and structural motifs were studied, and ROC curve statistical analysis was used for the comparison. The results showed that none of the physicochemical properties of fungal and bacterial asparaginase could not be differed, except molecular weight and sequence length. MEME Suite analysis demonstrated that there was a motif that was specific for bacterial asparaginases. However, analysis based on the concept of PseACC indicated a differentiation line between fungal and bacterial asparaginases. In conclusion, although there was not any specific demonstration to separate the bacterial and fungal asparaginases in the case of physicochemical properties, PseAAC analysis can be an appropriate and usable method to differentiate between them.

Effects of Microwave Treatment on Physicochemical Attributes, Structural Analysis, and Digestive Characteristics of Pea Starch-Tea Polyphenol Complexes.

Addressing the challenge of blood glucose fluctuations triggered by the ingestion of pea starch, we have adopted an eco-friendly strategy utilizing microwave irradiation to synthesize the novel pea starch-tea polyphenol complexes. These complexes exhibit high swelling capacity and low solubility, and their thermal profile with low gelatinization temperature and enthalpy indicates adaptability to various processing conditions. In vitro digestion studies showed that these complexes have a small amount of rapidly digestible starch and a large amount of resistant starch, leading to a slower digestion rate. These features are particularly advantageous for diabetics, mitigating glycemic excursions. Structurally, the pea starch-tea polyphenol complexes exhibited a B + V-shaped dense network with low crystallinity, high orderliness, and a prominent double helix content, enhancing its stability and functionality in food applications. In summary, these innovative complexes served as a robust platform for developing low glycemic index foods, catering to the nutritional needs of diabetics. It offers an environmentally sustainable approach to food processing, fostering human well-being and propelling innovation in the food industry.

Physicochemical properties, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of different hydrolysates of goat milk protein.

There is growing interest in the origin, preparation, and application of bioactive peptides. This study investigated the impact of 6 enzymes on the structural, physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities, and antidiabetic potential of defatted fresh goat milk. Structural and functional changes resulting from enzymatic hydrolysis were assessed using gel electrophoresis, laser particle size analysis, multi-spectroscopy, and evaluations of foaming and emulsification properties. Antioxidant capacity was determined through free radical scavenging, Fe2+ chelation, and reducing ability experiments. Additionally, the inhibitory effects of the hydrolysates on α-glucosidase and α-amylase were measured to evaluate antidiabetic activity. Results showed that enzymatic hydrolysis disrupted the spatial structure of goat milk protein and reduced its molecular weight. Papain hydrolysate exhibited the highest degree of hydrolysis (32.87 ± 0.11%) and smallest particle size (294.75 ± 3.33 nm), followed by alcalase hydrolysate (29.12 ± 0.09%, 302.03 ± 7.28 nm). Alcalase hydrolysate showed the best foaming properties, while papain hydrolysate demonstrated the strongest DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, Fe2+ chelation, and antidiabetic potential. These findings provide solid theoretical basis for utilizing defatted goat milk as functional ingredients or excipients in the food, medical, and cosmetic industries.

Determining the impact of pre-pressing pretreatments applied to sugarcane on the aroma compounds and quality characteristics of sugarcane juice.

The study examined the effects of three pretreatments, blanching (5, 10, and 30 min), ultrasound (15, 20, and 30 min), and steam blanching (10, 20, and 30 min) on sugarcane, assessing their impact on sugarcane juice quality parameters and aroma compounds. The control had the highest soluble solid content, while the ultrasound-15 min (US-15 min)-treated sample had the lowest, affecting pH, total acidity, and color values significantly. Color analysis showed lower L* values and less greenish tones in treated samples. The implemented pretreatments effectively reduce the browning index, with the US-20 min treatment showing the most significant reduction compared to the control sample. All pretreatments deactivated polyphenol oxidase. Carbon isotope analysis yielded significant results. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering linked 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with 2,2'-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) with total phenolic content. The study also highlights significant variations in aroma compound profiles among pretreated sugarcane juice samples, with blanching for 10 min showing notable increases in specific compounds like 2-heptanone and nonanol. Hierarchical clustering showed similarities between blanching-30 min and US-30 min, contrasting with the control. Blanching-10 min had a positive impact on sugarcane juice quality. In conclusion, the study emphasized how pretreatments affect physicochemical properties and aroma compounds in sugarcane juice. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The research findings suggest that blanching and ultrasound pretreatments can be used by the food industry to improve sugarcane juice quality by reducing browning, enhancing color, and altering aroma profiles. These pretreatments could extend the shelf life and appeal of sugarcane juice, making it more attractive to consumers while maintaining its nutritional properties.

Chemical structures and immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides from Polygonatum kingianum.

The physicochemical properties of the polysaccharides in Polygonatum kingianum, a Chinese medicinal herb used for both medicine and food, have not been fully studied. This study isolated three polysaccharides (PKP-1, PKP-2, and PKP-3) from the dry rhizomes of P. kingianum, with an average molecular weight of approximately 3137 Da, 5341 Da and 3755 Da, respectively. Structural analysis showed that all the three polysaccharides are fructans with ß-D-Fruf-(2→, →6)-ß-D-Fruf-(2→, →1)-ß-D-Fruf-(2→, →1,6)-ß-D-Fruf-(2→ and →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ glycosidic bond type. Notably, PKP-2 contains both acetyl groups and trace amounts of mannose residues. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that each polysaccharide possesses unique surface morphology. Thermal analysis showed that the three polysaccharides have good thermal stability. Rheological studies further revealed that all the three polysaccharides are typical shear thinning fluids. In vitro experiments showed that PKP-1 and PKP-2 significantly promote the secretion of NO and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) in macrophages by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby demonstrating potential immunomodulatory activity. These findings lay a theoretical foundation for the potential application of Polygonatum polysaccharides in the food industry.

Explosion-puffing pretreatment effect on the microstructure of Camellia oleifera Abel. seed and the quality of its oil.

To improve the extraction process and quality of Camellia oleifera Abel. oil (COO). This study examined the influence of explosion-puffing (EP) pretreatment on the physicochemical properties, characteristic compounds and sensory quality of the COO. The results revealed that the seeds after EP pretreatment had cavities surface, which facilitated the extraction of the COO and the dissolution of bioactive compounds. Compared to the untreated group, the oil yield of the 6-7%/20 min was increased from 71.41 to 88.94%, as well as higher levels of squalene, phytosterol, α-tocopherol, and phenolic acids, leading to an increase in the antioxidant abilities. Moreover, the fatty acid composition in the COO was not significantly affected (P > 0.05). W1C, W5S, W3C, W5C, and W1W were the main sensors to distinguish the flavor profile of the COO. In summary, EP pretreatment may be a promising method for enhancing oil yield and quality of the COO.

Differential characteristics of chemical composition, fermentation metabolites and antioxidant effects of polysaccharides from Eurotium Cristatum and Fu-brick tea.

Fu-brick tea (FBT) is predominately fermented by Eurotium Cristatum, FBT polysaccharides (FTPs) and Eurotium Cristatum extracellular polysaccharides (ECPs) are the main active substances in FBT and Eurotium Cristatum, respectively. FTPs was shown to exhibit higher levels of uronic acids, proteins, and polyphenols as compared to ECPs (p < 0.05), contributing to the superior antioxidant activity observed in FTPs. Additionally, FTPs had better water solubility and thermal stability than ECPs. Interestingly, in vitro digestive simulation revealed that FTPs and ECPs resist digestion in the stomach and small intestine. Excitingly, utilizing in vitro fermentation with feces from healthy individuals and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients demonstrated that FTPs and ECPs promote the production of SCFAs. Still, FTPs resulted in greater SCFAs contents than ECPs (p < 0.05). Moreover, FTPs and ECPs fermentation by T2DM patients' fecal microbiota affected different metabolomic pathways. Our findings suggested that FTPs holds great promise for application in functional foods.

Adaptive immunity of materials: Implications for tissue healing and regeneration.

Recent cumulative findings signify the adaptive immunity of materials as a key agenda in tissue healing that can improve regenerative events and outcomes. Modulating immune responses, mainly the recruitment and functions of T and B cells and their further interplay with innate immune cells (e.g., dendritic cells, macrophages) can be orchestrated by materials. For instance, decellularized matrices have been shown to promote muscle healing by inducing T helper 2 (Th2) cell immunity, while synthetic biopolymers exhibit differential effects on B cell responses and fibrosis compared decellularized matrices. We discuss the recent findings on how implantable materials instruct the adaptive immune events and the subsequent tissue healing process. In particular, we dissect the materials' physicochemical properties (shape, size, topology, degradation, rigidity, and matrix dynamic mechanics) to demonstrate the relations of these parameters with the adaptive immune responses in vitro and the underlying biological mechanisms. Furthermore, we present evidence of recent in vivo phenomena, including tissue healing, cancer progression, and fibrosis, wherein biomaterials potentially shape adaptive immune cell functions and in vivo outcomes. Our discussion will help understand the materials-regulated immunology events more deeply, and offer the design rationale of materials with tunable matrix properties for accelerated tissue repair and regeneration.

Effect of Dry Processing of Coconut Oil on the Structure and Physicochemical Properties of Coconut Isolate Proteins.

The effects of the dry processing of coconut oil on the amino acid composition, molecular weight, secondary structure, solubility, surface hydrophobicity, microstructure, total sulfhydryl and free sulfhydryl content, free amino acid content, thermal properties, and water-holding, oil-holding, foaming, and emulsifying properties of coconut isolate protein were investigated. The results showed that the dry processing altered the amino acid composition of coconut isolate proteins as well as resulted in fewer irregular structural regions and more homogeneous particle sizes, leading to an improvement in the thermal stability of the proteins. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that globular proteins located at ~34 kDa in coconut isolate proteins underwent slight degradation during the dry processing of coconut oil. The dry processing reduced the surface hydrophobicity, total and free sulfhydryl groups, solubility, and free amino acid content of coconut isolate proteins. In addition, the water-holding capacity, oil-holding capacity, and foam stability of coconut isolate proteins were improved to different degrees after the dry processing. Therefore, the development and utilization of copra meal protein is of great significance to increase its added value.

Structural analysis, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity and immunoregulatory activity of two acidic polysaccharides from Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Gongju.

The structural characteristics, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, and immune effects of two purified acid polysaccharides from Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Gongju were investigated. GJP-1 and GJP-2 were isolated and purified using DEAE-sepharose and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. GJP-1 consisted of Man, Rha, Ara, Glc, Gal, and GalA, with a ratio of 1.99:3.98:81.2:2.65:7.03:3.15, while GJP-2 comprised of Man, Rha, Ara, Glc, Gal, and GalA in a ratio of 0.27:2.36:8.03:38.44:2.38:48.52. GJP-2 is a kind of pectin-type polysaccharide. GJP-1 and GJP-2 differed in average molecular weight of 5.86 kDa and 4.92 kDa. The results indicated that GJP-1 and GJP-2 significantly inhibited the activity of acetylcholinesterase and had good immunomodulatory activities. GJP-1 and GJP-2 are bioactive polysaccharides with the potential to improve cognitive function. GJP-2 promoted more proliferation, as well as the release of tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon γ. Clarifying the structures and bioactivities of polysaccharides could lay a foundation for the application of Gongju in functional foods and medicines production.

Discovery of potential antidiabetic peptides using deep learning.

Antidiabetic peptides (ADPs), peptides with potential antidiabetic activity, hold significant importance in the treatment and control of diabetes. Despite their therapeutic potential, the discovery and prediction of ADPs remain challenging due to limited data, the complex nature of peptide functions, and the expensive and time-consuming nature of traditional wet lab experiments. This study aims to address these challenges by exploring methods for the discovery and prediction of ADPs using advanced deep learning techniques. Specifically, we developed two models: a single-channel CNN and a three-channel neural network (CNN + RNN + Bi-LSTM). ADPs were primarily gathered from the BioDADPep database, alongside thousands of non-ADPs sourced from anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral peptide datasets. Subsequently, data preprocessing was performed with the evolutionary scale model (ESM-2), followed by model training and evaluation through 10-fold cross-validation. Furthermore, this work collected a series of newly published ADPs as an independent test set through literature review, and found that the CNN model achieved the highest accuracy (90.48 %) in predicting the independent test set, surpassing existing ADP prediction tools. Finally, the application of the model was considered. SeqGAN was used to generate new candidate ADPs, followed by screening with the constructed CNN model. Selected peptides were then evaluated using physicochemical property prediction and structural forecasts for pharmaceutical potential. In summary, this study not only established robust ADP prediction models but also employed these models to screen a batch of potential ADPs, addressing a critical need in the field of peptide-based antidiabetic research.

Extraction, Characterization, and Antioxidant Activity of Pectin from Lemon Peels.

Pectin is a natural polymer that is found in the cell walls of higher plants. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of pectin extracted from lemon in two different geographic regions (Peddie and Fort Beaufort) in two consecutive years (2023 and 2024) named PP 2023, PP 2024, FBP 2023, and FBP 2024. The dried lemon peels were ground into a powder, sifted to obtain particles of 500 µm, and then subjected to pectin extraction using a conventional method involving mixing lemon peel powder with distilled water, adjusting the pH level to 2.0 with HCl, heating the mixture at 70 °C for 45 min, filtering the acidic extract, and precipitating pectin with ethanol. The yield of these pectin samples was statistically significant, as FBP 2024 had a maximum yield of 12.2 ± 0.02%, PP 2024 had a maximum yield of 13.0 ± 0.02%, FBP 2023 had a maximum yield of 12.2 ± 0.03%, and PP 2023 had a maximum yield of 13.1 ± 0.03%, The variation in yield could be due to the differences in the growing conditions, such as the climate and soil, which could have affected the pectin content in the lemons. The physicochemical characterization of all samples proved that our pectin samples could be used in the pharmaceutical and food industries, with anhydrouronic acid content which was greater than 65%, as suggested by the FAO. The scanning electron microscope analysis of all extracted pectin was rough and jagged, while the commercial pectin displayed a smooth surface morphology with a consistent size. FTIR confirmed the functional groups which were present in our samples. Thermogravimetric analysis was employed to investigate the thermal behavior of the extracted pectin in comparison with commercial pectin. It was found that the extracted pectin had three-step degradation while the commercial pectin had four-step degradation. Additionally, pectin samples have been shown to have antioxidants, as the IC50 of PP 2024, PP 2023, FBP 2023, FBP 2024, and Commercial P was 1062.5 ± 20.0, 1201.3 ± 22.0, 1304.6 ± 19.0, 1382.6 ± 29.9, and 1019.4 ± 17.1 mg/L, respectively. These findings indicate that lemon pectin has promising characteristics as a biopolymer for use in biomedical applications.

The physico-chemical and antimicrobial properties of nano ZnO functionalised tannic acid.

Tannic acid (TA) has been reported as an efficient plant-based compound with inhibitory activity against viruses and bacteria. The combination of TA with Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanostructures with ZnO is one of the most widely used nanoparticles for antimicrobial properties, have not yet fully elucidate especially their mechanisms of overall physicochemical and antimicrobial actions. Hence, to observe the influence of TA adsorption on ZnO, the investigations on the TA concentration and the effect of pH towards the physicochemical, optical and antimicrobial properties are demonstrated. The pure ZnO are synthesised via the chemical reduction method and the ZnO-TA nanostructures are further prepared using the dropwise methods to form variations of pH samples, which causes the formation of different mean particle size distribution, d m . The findings reveal that the performance of physicochemical and optical properties of pure ZnO and ZnO-TA are different due to the wrapped layers of TA which change the charged surface of all the particles. The protonation reactions yield strong pH dependence (pH 3 and 5), with uptake performance becoming more dominant at higher TA concentration loading (pH 3). The detailed optical energy bandgap and Urbach energy that concluded the nanoparticle growth and disorder condition of produced particles are presented. For antimicrobial efficiency, ZnO-TA shows improved effectiveness in growth inhibitions of S. aureus 99.69% compared to pure ZnO nanostructure (99.39%). This work reveals that the TA concentration increases the overall performance, and the discussion gives added support to their potential performance related to the field of ZnO compound.