Identification and Quantification of Monosaccharides from Fungal Cell Walls and Exopolysaccharides by Gas Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry.

The fungal cell wall and secreted exopolysaccharides play an important role in the interactions between fungi and their environment. Despite their central role in fungal biology, ecology, and host-pathogen interactions, the composition of these polymers and their synthetic pathways are not well understood. The protocols presented in this article describe an approach to isolate fungal cell wall polysaccharides and to identify and quantify the monosaccharide composition of these polymers by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: O-methyl trimethylsilyl monosaccharide derivatives composition analysis by GC-MS Support Protocol: Fungal cell wall extraction.

Enhancing the functional properties of rice starch through biopolymer blending for industrial applications: A review.

Rice starch has been used in various agri-food products due to its hypoallergenic properties. However, rice starch has poor solubility, lower resistant starch content with reduced retrogradation and poor functional properties. Hence, its industrial applications are rather limited. The lack of comprehensive information and a holistic understanding of the interaction between rice starch and endo/exogenous constituents to improve physico-chemical properties is a prerequisite in designing industrial products with enhanced functional attributes. In this comprehensive review, we highlight the potentials of physically mixing of biopolymers in upgrading the functional characteristics of rice starch as a raw material for industrial applications. Specifically, this review tackles rice starch modifications by adding natural/synthetic polymers and plasticizers, leading to functional blends or composites in developing sustainable packaging materials, pharma- and nutraceutical products. Moreover, a brief discussion on rice starch chemical and genetic modifications to alter starch quality for the deployment of rice starch industrial application is also highlighted.

Facile isolation and analysis of sporopollenin exine from bee pollen.

We present facile methods to obtain purified sporopollenin exine capsules, and provide mass balances for classical and novel purification procedures. An ionic liquid, tetrabutyl phosphonium hydroxide turned out to be the most effective in removing the intine wall. The sporopollenin capsules were investigated by fluorescent microscopy, AFM, solid-state NMR and infrared Raman spectroscopy. The latter two methods showed that sunflower and rape exines have different proportions of O-aliphatic and aromatic constituents. Purified exine capsules were coated with functionalized fluorophores. The procedures presented in this paper could contribute to further spread of the applications of this hollow, and chemically highly resistant material.

Biocompatibility of the Biopolymer Cyanoflan for Applications in Skin Wound Healing.

There is a great demand for the development of novel wound dressings to overcome the time and costs of wound care performed by a vast number of clinicians, especially in the current overburdened healthcare systems. In this study, Cyanoflan, a biopolymer secreted by a marine unicellular cyanobacterium, was evaluated as a potential biomaterial for wound healing. Cyanoflan effects on cell viability, apoptosis, and migration were assessed in vitro, while the effect on tissue regeneration and biosafety was evaluated in healthy Wistar rats. The cell viability and apoptosis of fibroblasts and endothelial cells was not influenced by the treatment with different concentrations of Cyanoflan, as observed by flow cytometry. Moreover, the presence of Cyanoflan did not affect cell motility and migratory capacity, nor did it induce reactive oxygen species production, even revealing an antioxidant behavior regarding the endothelial cells. Furthermore, the skin wound healing in vivo assay demonstrated that Cyanoflan perfectly adapted to the wound bed without inducing systemic or local oxidative or inflammatory reaction. Altogether, these results suggest that Cyanoflan is a promising biopolymer for the development of innovative applications to overcome the many challenges that still exist in skin wound healing.

Production of Biodegradable Polymer from Agro-Wastes in Alcaligenes sp. and Pseudomonas sp.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the suitability of agro-wastes and crude vegetable oils for the cost-effective production of poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), to evaluate growth kinetics and PHB production in Alcaligenes faecalis RZS4 and Pseudomonas sp. RZS1 with these carbon substrates and to study the biodegradation of PHB accumulated by these cultures. Alcaligenes faecalis RZS4 and Pseudomonas sp. RZS1 accumulates higher amounts of PHB corn (79.90% of dry cell mass) and rice straw (66.22% of dry cell mass) medium respectively. The kinetic model suggests that the Pseudomonas sp. RZS1 follows the Monod model more closely than A. faecalis RZS4. Both the cultures degrade their PHB extract under the influence of PHB depolymerase. Corn waste and rice straw appear as the best and cost-effective substrates for the sustainable production of PHB from Alcaligenes faecalis RZS4 and Pseudomonas sp. RZS1. The biopolymer accumulated by these organisms is biodegradable in nature. The agro-wastes and crude vegetable oils are good and low-cost sources of nutrients for the growth and production of PHB and other metabolites. Their use would lower the production cost of PHB and the low-cost production will reduce the sailing price of PHB-based products. This would promote the large-scale commercialization and popularization of PHB as an ecofriendly bioplastic/biopolymer.

Streptococcus species enriched in the oral cavity of patients with RA are a source of peptidoglycan-polysaccharide polymers that can induce arthritis in mice.

OBJECTIVES: Analysis of oral dysbiosis in individuals sharing genetic and environmental risk factors with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients may illuminate how microbiota contribute to disease susceptibility. We studied the oral microbiota in a prospective cohort of patients with RA, first-degree relatives (FDR) and healthy controls (HC), then genomically and functionally characterised streptococcal species from each group to understand their potential contribution to RA development. METHODS: After DNA extraction from tongue swabs, targeted 16S rRNA gene sequencing and statistical analysis, we defined a microbial dysbiosis score based on an operational taxonomic unit signature of disease. After selective culture from swabs, we identified streptococci by sequencing. We examined the ability of streptococcal cell walls (SCW) from isolates to induce cytokines from splenocytes and arthritis in ZAP-70-mutant SKG mice. RESULTS: RA and FDR were more likely to have periodontitis symptoms. An oral microbial dysbiosis score discriminated RA and HC subjects and predicted similarity of FDR to RA. Streptococcaceae were major contributors to the score. We identified 10 out of 15 streptococcal isolates as S. parasalivarius sp. nov., a distinct sister species to S. salivarius. Tumour necrosis factor and interleukin 6 production in vitro differed in response to individual S. parasalivarius isolates, suggesting strain specific effects on innate immunity. Cytokine secretion was associated with the presence of proteins potentially involved in S. parasalivarius SCW synthesis. Systemic administration of SCW from RA and HC-associated S. parasalivarius strains induced similar chronic arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Dysbiosis-associated periodontal inflammation and barrier dysfunction may permit arthritogenic insoluble pro-inflammatory pathogen-associated molecules, like SCW, to reach synovial tissue.

Polymer fraction including exosomes derived from Chinese hamster ovary cells promoted their growth during serum-free repeated batch culture.

While continuous (perfusion) culture of mammalian cells might reduce the reactor size owing to the high cell density, there is the problem of higher medium cost; however, this problem is expected to be solved by the reuse of growth-promoting components in the culture supernatant. The polymer fraction (PF, 10 kDa-220 nm) collected from the supernatant of serum-free repeated-batch culture of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in not only adhesion but also suspension promoted the cell growth in respective serum-free cultures. PF contained CD81-positive exosomes and proteins, both of which were necessary for its growth-promoting activity. Consequently, the medium cost for the continuous (perfusion) serum-free suspension culture of CHO cells may be decreased by the repeated collection and addition of PF that contains exosomes and growth factor proteins.

Production and characterization of a bioactive extracellular homopolysaccharide produced by Haloferax sp. BKW301.

The production of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) by haloarchaeal members, with novel and unusual physicochemical properties, is of special importance and has the potential for extensive biotechnological exploitation. An extremely halophilic archaeon, Haloferax sp. BKW301 (GenBank Accession No. KT240044) isolated from a solar saltern of Baksal, West Bengal, India has been optimized for the production of EPS under batch culture. It produced a considerable amount (5.95 g/L) of EPS in the medium for halophiles with 15% NaCl, 3% glucose, 0.5% yeast extract, and 6% inoculum under shake flask culture at 120 rpm. The purified EPS, a homopolymer of galactose as revealed by chromatographic methods and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, is noncrystalline (CIxrd , 0.82), amorphous, and could emulsify hydrocarbons like kerosene, petrol, xylene, and so forth. Moreover, the polymer is highly thermostable (up to 420°C) and displayed pseudoplastic rheology. Biologically, the EPS was able to scavenge DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical efficiently and inhibit the proliferation of the Huh-7 cell line at an IC50 value of 6.25 µg/ml with a Hill coefficient of 0.844. Large-scale production of this thermostable, pseudoplastic homopolysaccharide, therefore, could find suitable applications in industry and biotechnology.

Antitumor activity of vibrio sp. isolated biopolymers in induced breast cancer in rats. / Actividad antitumoral de biopolímeros aislados de Vibrio sp. en cáncer de mama inducido en ratas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antitumor activity of the raw extract from biopolymers isolated from the Vibrio sp. marine bacteria in breast cancer induced by N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Vibrio sp. marine bacteria was cultured for seven days, then the raw supernatant was filtered, precipitated and concentrated. MNU was administered in a single dose of 50 mg/kg to 39 Holtzman rats and were daily treated for 9 weeks orally: G1 (n = 13): 0.1 mL/100 g of saline solution; G2 (n = 13): 20 mg/kg of raw extract from Vibrio sp. biopolymers; G3 (n = 13): 100 mg/kg of tamoxifen; G4 (n = 11) received no MNU and only 0.1 mL/100 g of saline solution. Body weight and the appearance of breast tumors identified by palpation were assessed weekly, as well as histopathological examination at the end of treatment. RESULTS: Seventy-seven percent of the rats in the G1 group developed tumors from week 7 onwards in an average of 2.2 tumors per animal; in contrast to the group treated with the raw biopolymer extract and tamoxifen; where only one rat (8%) in each group developed tumors after week nine of induction (p = 0.001). The histopathological results support that all the removed tumors correspond to breast ductal adenocarcinoma with different patterns: solid, papillary and cystic. Likewise, necrotic foci were evidenced in 30% of the tumors of the G1 group. CONCLUSION: The raw extract of biopolymers isolated from Vibrio sp. present antitumor effect in breast cancer induced in rats.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la actividad antitumoral del extracto crudo de biopolímeros aislados de la bacteria marina Vibrio sp. en cáncer de mama inducido por N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) en ratas. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se cultivó la bacteria marina Vibrio sp. durante siete días, luego se filtró, precipitó y concentró el sobrenadante crudo. Se administró una dosis única de MNU 50 mg/kg a 39 ratas Holtzman y fueron tratadas diariamente durante nueve semanas por vía oral: G1 (n = 13): suero fisiológico 0,1 mL/100 g; G2 (n = 13): extracto crudo de biopolímeros de Vibrio sp. 20 mg/kg; G3 (n = 13): tamoxifeno 100 mg/kg. El G4 (n = 11) solo recibió suero fisiológico 0,1 mL/100 g. Se valoró semanalmente el peso corporal y la aparición de tumores mamarios identificados mediante palpación; así como el examen histopatológico al final del tratamiento. RESULTADOS: El 77% de las ratas del grupo G1 desarrollaron tumores a partir de la séptima semana en un promedio de 2,2 tumores por cada animal; en contraste al grupo tratado con el extracto crudo de biopolímeros y tamoxifeno; donde solo una rata (8%) en cada grupo desarrolló tumores y posterior a la semana nueve de la inducción (p = 0,001). Los resultados histopatológicos sostienen que todos los tumores extirpados corresponden a adenocarcinoma ductal de mama con distintos patrones: sólido, papilar y quístico. Asimismo, se evidenciaron focos necróticos en el 30% de los tumores del grupo G1. CONCLUSIÓN: El extracto crudo de biopolímeros aislados de Vibrio sp. presentan efecto antitumoral en cáncer de mama inducido en ratas.

Tailoring hybrid carrageenans from Mastocarpus stellatus red seaweed using microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity.

This work deals with the use of microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG) for the recovery of hybrid carrageenans with specific mechanical features together with bioactive compounds. For this purpose, Mastocarpus stellatus red seaweed was used as raw material and the most adequate MHG processing conditions were studied. The physicochemical properties of the algae and the corresponding biopolymers, the fundamental characterisation of the bioactive compounds from the extracts (antioxidant capacity, sulfate content, protein content, among others) and the rheological features of the formulated gels were analysed. Results indicated that MHG is an adequate technique for obtaining functional extracts with potential applications in the food and non-food fields. Hybrid carrageenans with a wide range of viscoelastic features were recovered by MHG, saving time compared to conventional methods. The yields obtained for the recovered hybrid carrageenans and bioactive fractions were comparable to those obtained in red algae with conventional techniques.

Biorefinery of Biomass of Agro-Industrial Banana Waste to Obtain High-Value Biopolymers.

On a worldwide scale, food demand is increasing as a consequence of global population growth. This makes companies push their food supply chains' limits with a consequent increase in generation of large amounts of untreated waste that are considered of no value to them. Biorefinery technologies offer a suitable alternative for obtaining high-value products by using unconventional raw materials, such as agro-industrial waste. Currently, most biorefineries aim to take advantage of specific residues (by either chemical, biotechnological, or physical treatments) provided by agro-industry in order to develop high-value products for either in-house use or for sale purposes. This article reviews the currently explored possibilities to apply biorefinery-known processes to banana agro-industrial waste in order to generate high-value products out of this residual biomass source. Firstly, the Central and Latin American context regarding biomass and banana residues is presented, followed by advantages of using banana residues as raw materials for the production of distinct biofuels, nanocellulose fibers, different bioplastics, and other high-value products Lastly, additional uses of banana biomass residues are presented, including energy generation and water treatment.

Interactions of insulin with tragacanthic acid biopolymer: Experimental and computational study.

Alternative methods for insulin delivery instead of subcutaneous injection in diabetic patients is of great essential, and biocompatible polymers are one of the most efficient vehicles for this purpose. This research aims to investigate the capability of tragacanthic acid (TA) to bind insulin and release it under physiological conditions without alteration in the structure and conformation of insulin. Interactions between TA and insulin were studied using spectroscopic techniques and computational modeling by docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Our results demonstrate an entropy-driven spontaneous interaction between insulin and TA, where hydrogen bonds act as the main enthalpic contribution. According to our findings, the weak interaction between insulin and TA provides the basis for efficient capture and appropriate release of insulin by TA as a potential part of the insulin delivery system. In conclusion, tragacanth acid can be a proper candidate for insulin delivery.

Actividad antitumoral de biopolímeros aislados de Vibrio sp. en cáncer de mama inducido en ratas / Antitumor activity of vibrio sp. isolated biopolymers in induced breast cancer in rats

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la actividad antitumoral del extracto crudo de biopolímeros aislados de la bacteria marina Vibrio sp. en cáncer de mama inducido por N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) en ratas. Materiales y métodos: Se cultivó la bacteria marina Vibrio sp. durante siete días, luego se filtró, precipitó y concentró el sobrenadante crudo. Se administró una dosis única de MNU 50 mg/kg a 39 ratas Holtzman y fueron tratadas diariamente durante nueve semanas por vía oral: G1 (n=13): suero fisiológico 0,1 mL/100g; G2 (n=13): extracto crudo de biopolímeros de Vibrio sp. 20 mg/kg; G3 (n=13): tamoxifeno 100 mg/kg. El G4 (n=11) solo recibió suero fisiológico 0,1 mL/100g. Se valoró semanalmente el peso corporal y la aparición de tumores mamarios identificados mediante palpación; así como el examen histopatológico al final del tratamiento. Resultados: El 77% de las ratas del grupo G1 desarrollaron tumores a partir de la séptima semana en un promedio de 2,2 tumores por cada animal; en contraste al grupo tratado con el extracto crudo de biopolímeros y tamoxifeno; donde solo una rata (8%) en cada grupo desarrolló tumores y posterior a la semana nueve de la inducción (p=0,001). Los resultados histopatológicos sostienen que todos los tumores extirpados corresponden a adenocarcinoma ductal de mama con distintos patrones: sólido, papilar y quístico. Asimismo, se evidenciaron focos necróticos en el 30% de los tumores del grupo G1. Conclusión: El extracto crudo de biopolímeros aislados de Vibrio sp. presentan efecto antitumoral en cáncer de mama inducido en ratas.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the antitumor activity of the raw extract from biopolymers isolated from the Vibrio sp. marine bacteria in breast cancer induced by N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) in rats. Materials and methods: The Vibrio sp. marine bacteria was cultured for seven days, then the raw supernatant was filtered, precipitated and concentrated. MNU was administered in a single dose of 50 mg/kg to 39 Holtzman rats and were daily treated for 9 weeks orally: G1 (n = 13): 0.1 mL/100 g of saline solution; G2 (n = 13): 20 mg/kg of raw extract from Vibrio sp. biopolymers; G3 (n = 13): 100 mg/kg of tamoxifen; G4 (n = 11) received no MNU and only 0.1 mL/100 g of saline solution. Body weight and the appearance of breast tumors identified by palpation were assessed weekly, as well as histopathological examination at the end of treatment. Results: Seventy-seven percent of the rats in the G1 group developed tumors from week 7 onwards in an average of 2.2 tumors per animal; in contrast to the group treated with the raw biopolymer extract and tamoxifen; where only one rat (8%) in each group developed tumors after week nine of induction (p = 0.001). The histopathological results support that all the removed tumors correspond to breast ductal adenocarcinoma with different patterns: solid, papillary and cystic. Likewise, necrotic foci were evidenced in 30% of the tumors of the G1 group. Conclusion: The raw extract of biopolymers isolated from Vibrio sp. present antitumor effect in breast cancer induced in rats.

Extraction, characterization and comparison of chitins from large bodied four Coleoptera and Orthoptera species.

Chitins were extracted from large insect species of order Coleoptera (Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lucanidae) and Polyphylla fullo (Linnaeus, 1758) (Scarabaeidae) and order Orthoptera (Bradyporus (Callimenus) sureyai Ünal, 2011) (Tettigonidae) and Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gryllotalpidae)) for the first time. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FT-IR) confirms that isolation of chitin is successful. Yields of chitins on dry basis from P. fullo, L. cervus, G. gryllotalpa and B. (C.) sureyai are 11.3%, 10.9%, 10.1% and 9.8% respectively. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) showed a variety of thermal stability of chitin samples from 614 °C to 748 °C with a small percent of ash. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data showed a crystallinity index percent from 80.6% to 85.2%. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was examined for surface characterization determining as fibrous and porous for all species and changes from nm scales to µm scales. Elemental analysis has been applied to determine the elemental composition of chitin and nitrogen percent was relatively low for all specimens than expected. It is detected that examined insects have α-chitin form from XRD and FT-IR data. If these species can be grown in the laboratory, adults of them could be accepted as promising alternative chitin sources without negative effects on biodiversity.

Strategies to Obtain Designer Polymers Based on Cyanobacterial Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS).

Biopolymers derived from polysaccharides are a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to the synthetic counterparts available in the market. Due to their distinctive properties, the cyanobacterial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), mainly composed of heteropolysaccharides, emerge as a valid alternative to address several biotechnological and biomedical challenges. Nevertheless, biotechnological/biomedical applications based on cyanobacterial EPS have only recently started to emerge. For the successful exploitation of cyanobacterial EPS, it is important to strategically design the polymers, either by genetic engineering of the producing strains or by chemical modification of the polymers. This requires a better understanding of the EPS biosynthetic pathways and their relationship with central metabolism, as well as to exploit the available polymer functionalization chemistries. Considering all this, we provide an overview of the characteristics and biological activities of cyanobacterial EPS, discuss the challenges and opportunities to improve the amount and/or characteristics of the polymers, and report the most relevant advances on the use of cyanobacterial EPS as scaffolds, coatings, and vehicles for drug delivery.

Two-dimensional decomposition of H-D exchange mass spectra of multicharged ions of biopolymers and their separation into components with independent H-D substitutions.

The work is aimed at developing a numerical method for analysing mass spectra of deutero-substituted multicharged ions of biopolymers to determine contributions of components presumably corresponding to different biomolecule conformations. The two-dimensional decomposition of the H-D exchange mass spectra of two, three and four charged apamin ions with their separation suggests that the reaction of apamin ions with ND3 molecules in the gas phase reveals hypothetically three different structural modifications of apamin ions. Usually for H-D exchange mass spectra, the presence of many resolvable protein structures was determined from measured distributions of peak intensities of ions with the same charge state. The method is new and has no published analogues. Graphical abstract.

Hierarchically structured phase separated biopolymer hydrogels create tailorable delayed burst release during gastrointestinal digestion.

The on demand delivery of novel peptide actives, traditional pharmaceuticals, nutrients and/or vitamins is a ever present challenge due to the digestive and metabolic degradation of the active and the delivery vehicle. Biodegradable biopolymer hydrogels have long held promise as candidates for creating tailored release profiles due to the ability to control gel porosity. The present study describes the creation of novel hierarchical biopolymer hydrogels for the controlled release of lipids/lipophilic actives pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and mathematically describes the mechanisms that affect the timing of release. The creation of phase separated protein/polysaccharide core (6.6 wt% gelatin, 40 wt% Oil in water emulsion) shell structures (7 g/L xanthan with 70-140 g/L ß-lactoglobulin) altered enzyme mass transport processes. This core shell structure enabled the creation of a tailorable burst release of API during gastrointestinal digestion where there is a delay in the onset of release, without affecting the kinetics of release. The timing of the delay could be readily programmed (with release of between 60 and 240 min) by controlling either the thickness or protein concentration (between 70 g/L and 140 g/L ß-lactoglobulin) of the outer mixed biopolymer hydrogel shell (7 g/L xanthan with 70-140 g/L ß-lactoglobulin). Enzyme diffusion measurements demonstrated that surface erosion was the main degradation mechanism. A kinetic model was created to describe the delayed burst release behaviour of APIs encapsulated within the core, and successfully predicted the influence of shell thickness and shell protein density on the timing of gastro-intestinal release (in vitro). Our work highlights the creation of a novel family of core-shell hydrogel oral dosage forms capable of programmable delivery of lipids/lipophilic APIs. These findings could have considerable implications for the delivery of peptides, poorly soluble drugs, or the programmed delivery of lipids within the gastrointestinal tract.

Xylan from Pineapple Stem Waste: a Potential Biopolymer for Colonic Targeting of Anti-inflammatory Agent Mesalamine.

We have successfully conjugated mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid, 5-ASA) with xylan, a biopolymer isolated from pineapple stem waste, to form xylan-5-ASA conjugate. The biopolymer was used to provide colon-targeting properties for 5-ASA, a golden standard anti-inflammatory agent commonly used for ulcerative colitis treatment. A series of data from FTIR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and HPLC confirmed the xylan-5-ASA conjugate formation. To ensure successful colon targeting properties, in vitro and in vivo drug release studies after oral administration of xylan-5-ASA conjugate to Wistar rats were performed. Xylan-5-ASA conjugate was able to retain 5-ASA release in the upper gastrointestinal tract fluid simulation but rapidly released 5-ASA in the rat colon fluid simulation. In vivo release profile shows a very low peak plasma concentration, reached at 6 h after xylan-5-ASA conjugate administration. The delayed release and the lower bioavailability of 5-ASA from xylan-5-ASA conjugate administration compared to free 5-ASA administration confirmed the successful local colon delivery of 5-ASA using xylan-5-ASA conjugate. The administration of xylan-5-ASA conjugate also exhibited greater efficacy in recovering 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colon ulcer compared to free 5-ASA administration. Taken together, xylan isolated from pineapple stem waste is promising to obtain colon targeting property for 5-ASA.

Chitosan nanopolymers: An overview of drug delivery against cancer.

Cancer is becoming a major reason for death troll worldwide due to the difficulty in finding an efficient, cost effective and target specific method of treatment or diagnosis. The variety of cancer therapy used in the present scenario have painful side effects, low effectiveness and high cost, which are some major drawbacks of the available therapies. Apart from the conventional cancer therapy, nanotechnology has grown extremely towards treating cancer. Nanotechnology is a promising area of science focusing on developing target specific drug delivery system for carrying small or large active molecules to diagnose and treat cancer cells. In the field of nanoscience, Chitosan nanopolymers (ChNPs) are been emerging as a potential carrier due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. The easy modification and versatility in administration route of ChNPs has attracted attention of researchers towards loading chemicals, proteins and gene drugs for target specific therapy of cancer cells. Therefore, the present review deals with the growing concern towards cancer therapy, introduction of ChNPs, mode of action and other strategies employed by researchers till date towards cancer treatment and diagnosis ChNPs.

Advances in Molecularly Imprinting Technology for Bioanalytical Applications.

In recent years, along with the rapid development of relevant biological fields, there has been a tremendous motivation to combine molecular imprinting technology (MIT) with biosensing. In this situation, bioprobes and biosensors based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have emerged as a reliable candidate for a comprehensive range of applications, from biomolecule detection to drug tracking. Unlike their precursors such as classic immunosensors based on antibody binding and natural receptor elements, MIPs create complementary cavities with stronger binding affinity, while their intrinsic artificial polymers facilitate their use in harsh environments. The major objective of this work is to review recent MIP bioprobes and biosensors, especially those used for biomolecules and drugs. In this review, MIP bioprobes and biosensors are categorized by sensing method, including optical sensing, electrochemical sensing, gravimetric sensing and magnetic sensing, respectively. The working mechanism(s) of each sensing method are thoroughly discussed. Moreover, this work aims to present the cutting-edge structures and modifiers offering higher properties and performances, and clearly point out recent efforts dedicated to introduce multi-sensing and multi-functional MIP bioprobes and biosensors applicable to interdisciplinary fields.