Tackling the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of cellulose nanofibers from the banana rachis: A new food packaging alternative.

Cellulose nanofibrils from the banana rachis are a good alternative as packaging materials, food packaging, stabilizing agents, and functional food ingredients. To address the potential effects of ingested banana rachis cellulose nanofibrils (BR-CNFs), their toxicity in vitro and in vivo was evaluated using Caco-2 intestinal cells and mice, respectively. The results showed that BR-CNFs did not cause cytotoxic effects at the concentrations evaluated on Caco-2 cells. In addition to cytotoxicity tests, genotoxicity assays using comet assay indicated that Caco-2 cells showed no DNA damage at the concentrations of CNFs tested. Finally, acute in vivo cytotoxicity assays indicated that mice showed no sign of pathogenesis or lesions in the liver, kidney, or small intestine when treated with a single dose of BR-CNFs. Moreover, when the mice were treated daily for a month with BR-CNFs no hyperplasia or hypertrophy was observed in any of the organs evaluated. Additionally, biochemical parameters such as blood chemistry, creatinine, liver enzymes, and renal function showed that the BR-CNFs do not cause organ damage. Overall, this study shows that BR-CNFs are neither cytotoxic nor genotoxic. In conclusion, these studies are essential to guarantee the safety of this high value-added product in the food industry.

Nanocellulose from Cocoa Shell in Pickering Emulsions of Cocoa Butter in Water: Effect of Isolation and Concentration on Its Stability and Rheological Properties.

There is a growing interest in developing new strategies to completely or partially replace cocoa butter in food and cosmetic products due to its cost and health effects. One of these alternatives is to develop stable emulsions of cocoa butter in water. However, incorporating cocoa butter is challenging as it solidifies and forms crystals, destabilizing the emulsion through arrested coalescence. Prevention against this destabilization mechanism is significantly lower than against coalescence. In this research, the rheological properties of nanocellulose from cocoa shell, a by-product of the chocolate industry, were controlled through isolation treatments to produce nanocellulose with a higher degree of polymerization (DP) and a stronger three-dimensional network. This nanocellulose was used at concentrations of 0.7 and 1.0 wt %, to develop cocoa butter in-water Pickering emulsion using a high shear mixing technique. The emulsions remained stable for more than 15 days. Nanocellulose was characterized using attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), hot water and organic extractives, atomic force microscopy (AFM), degree of polymerization (DP), and rheological analysis. Subsequently, the emulsions were characterized on days 1 and 15 after their preparation through photographs to assess their physical stability. Fluorescent and electronic microscopy, as well as rheological analysis, were used to understand the physical properties of emulsions.

Characterization of a Novel Starch Isolated from the Rhizome of Colombian Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Cultivars.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) plants are native to Southeast Asia and are part of the Zingiberaceae family. Global consumption and production of this plant are expanding. In countries such as Colombia, turmeric is a promising cultivar. Curcuminoids derived from its rhizomes are used in food, pharmaceuticals, and natural cosmetics. Curcuminoids constitute approximately 3 wt% of the rhizome. Many residues rich in cellulose and starch can thus be recovered. This study characterizes a novel starch isolated from Colombian turmeric cultivars. The morphological parameters of the starch were determined using microscopic techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Proximate analysis and infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) were used to analyze the chemical composition, while physical analyses included thermal characterization, swelling power testing, solubility, water retention capacity, and colorimetry evaluation. The new starch granules were ellipsoidal in shape and ranged in diameter from 19.91 to 38.09. A trace amount of remaining curcumin was identified through chemical and physical characterization. The swelling power was 3.52 ± 0.30, and its water retention capacity was 3.44 ± 0.30. Based on these findings, turmeric can be useful in both food and non-food applications. Because starch was extracted from other Zingiberaceae plants, this study also includes a brief review of the related literature.

Use of Fourier Series in X-ray Diffraction (XRD) Analysis and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for Estimation of Crystallinity in Cellulose from Different Sources.

Cellulose crystallinity can be described according to the crystal size and the crystallinity index (CI). In this research, using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods, we studied the crystallinity of three different types of cellulose: banana rachis (BR), commercial cellulose (CS), and bacterial cellulose (BC). For each type of cellulose, we analyzed three different crystallization grades. These variations were obtained using three milling conditions: 6.5 h, 10 min, and unmilled (films). We developed a code in MATLAB software to perform deconvolution of the XRD data to estimate CI and full width at half-maximum (FWHM). For deconvolution, crystalline peaks were represented with Voigt functions, and a Fourier series fitted to the amorphous profile was used as the amorphous contribution, which allowed the contribution of the amorphous profile to be more effectively modeled. Comparisons based on the FTIR spectra and XRD results showed there were no compositional differences between the amorphous samples. However, changes associated with crystallinity were observed when the milling time was 10 min. The obtained CI (%) values show agreement with values reported in the literature and confirm the effectiveness of the method used in this work in predicting the crystallization aspects of cellulose samples.

The Effects of Adding a Gel-Alike Curcuma longa L. Suspension as Color Agent on Some Quality and Sensory Properties of Yogurt.

Color is an important characteristic of food products. This characteristic is related to consumer acceptability. To use the entire rhizome of Curcuma longa (CL) as a food colorant, a novel gel alike stable suspension (CLS) was previously developed using cellulose nanofibers (CNFs). Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the CLS as a color additive on a stirred yogurt. Three concentrations of CLS were studied (0.1, 0.125, and 0.15 wt. %) and compared to yogurt without CLS. The obtained yogurts were characterized through the determination of pH, titratable acidity, syneresis, color and curcumin content after 1, 7, 14, and 21 days of storage. Additionally, rheological and sensory measurements were performed on the samples after one day of storage. Results show that the addition of CLS does not affect the pH and titratable acidity of the samples, but all the yogurts showed an increase in their syneresis during the storage time, showing a breakdown of the gel structure. Furthermore, the CLS suspension has the ability to impart a yellow color to yogurts, a characteristic that was stable during storage. Finally, the addition of 1 wt. % or 1.25 wt. % of CLS allows the development of a yogurt with adequate sensory perception.

An Edible Oil Enriched with Lycopene from Pink Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Using Different Mechanical Treatments.

According to the regulations of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), organic solvents should be limited in pharmaceutical and food products due to their inherent toxicity. For this reason, this short paper proposes different mechanical treatments to extract lycopene without organic solvents to produce an edible sunflower oil (SFO) enriched with lycopene from fresh pink guavas (Psidium guajava L.) (FPGs). The methodology involves the use of SFO and a combination of mechanical treatments: a waring blender (WB), WB+ high-shear mixing (HSM) and WB+ ultrafine friction grinding (UFFG). The solid:solvent (FPG:SFO) ratios used in all the techniques were 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20. The results from optical microscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy showed a correlation between the concentration of lycopene in SFO, vegetable tissue diameters and FPG:SFO ratio. The highest lycopene concentration, 18.215 ± 1.834 mg/g FPG, was achieved in WB + UFFG with an FPG:SFO ratio of 1:20. The yield of this treatment was 66% in comparison to the conventional extraction method. The maximal lycopene concentration achieved in this work was significantly higher than the values reported by other authors, using high-pressure homogenization for tomato peel and several solvents such as water, SFO, ethyl lactate and acetone.

Influence of a Non-Ionic Surfactant in the Microstructure and Rheology of a Pickering Emulsion Stabilized by Cellulose Nanofibrils.

Emulsion stabilization is a broad and relevant field with applications in oil, polymer and food industries. In recent years, the use of solid particles to stabilize emulsions or Pickering emulsions have been studied for their kinetic and physical properties. Nanomaterials derived from natural sources are an interesting alternative for this application. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) have been widely explored as a Pickering emulsifier with potential food applications, however, in some cases the presence of surfactants is unavoidable, and the literature is devoid of an evaluation of the effect of a non-ionic food-grade surfactant, such as polysorbate 80, in the stabilization of a vegetable oil by CNFs. To better assess the possible interactions between CNFs and this surfactant emulsions containing coconut oil, an emerging and broadly used oil, were processed with and without polysorbate 80 and evaluated in their qualitative stability, morphological and physical properties. Fluorescence microscopy, dynamic light scattering and rheology were used for this assessment. Results indicate in absence of the surfactant, emulsion stability increased at higher CNFs content, creaming was observed at 0.15 and 0.3 wt.% of CNFs, while it was not evidenced when 0.7 wt.% was used. After the addition of surfactant, the droplets are covered by the surfactant, resulting in particles with a smaller diameter, entrapped in the cellulosic structure. Rheology indicates a lower network stiffness after adding polysorbate 80.

Alginate-Edible Coatings for Application on Wild Andean Blueberries (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz): Effect of the Addition of Nanofibrils Isolated from Cocoa By-Products.

Edible coatings and films are appealing strategies for the postharvest management of blueberries. In the current work, alginate and alginate/cellulose nanofibril (CNF) edible coatings crosslinked with calcium chloride were developed for application on Andean blueberry (a promissory wild blueberry). Cocoa by-products were valorized through the isolation of their CNFs, and these were incorporated in the edible coatings. Edible coating formulations were based on blends of alginate (2% w/v), CNFs (0%, 0.1%, or 0.3%), glycerol, and water. In addition, stand-alone films were prepared, and their light and water vapor barrier properties were studied before applying the coating on the fruit surface. The results show that the addition of CNFs caused a significant decrease in the transparency and the water vapor permeability of the alginate films. After applying on the Andean blueberry fruits, the alginate and alginate/CNF coatings enhanced the appearance and the firmness of the fruits. Moreover, they significantly reduced the respiration rate and the water loss of the Andean blueberries throughout the 21 days of refrigerated storage. Alginate and alginate/CNFs coatings may be considered a useful alternative for the delay of the postharvest deterioration of Andean blueberries.

The nanotech potential of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) in food technology: A review.

New trends in food are emerging in response to consumer awareness of the relationship between food and health, which has triggered the need to generate new alternatives that meet the expectations of the market. Revolutionary fields such as nanotechnology have been used for the encapsulation of nutritional ingredients and have great potential for the management of food additives derived from fruits and plant species. Turmeric, a spice that has been used as a dyeing agent, is recognized for its properties in Ayurveda medicine. This article aims to provide an overview of the characteristics of turmeric as an ingredient for the food industry, including its properties as a coloring agent, antioxidant, and functional ingredient. This article also highlights the potential of nanotechnology to enhance these properties of turmeric and increase the possibilities for the application of its components, such as cellulose and starch, in the development of nanostructures for food development.

Encapsulation of proteins from Leishmania panamensis into PLGA particles by a single emulsion-solvent evaporation method.

The current therapy for the treatment of leishmaniasis is unsatisfactory because it has multiple side effects, and resistance has been reported among the parasites that cause these diseases. Numerous efforts have been made to develop new candidates for vaccines. In recent years, particles of biodegradable polymers have been proposed as vehicles to transport and protect antigens, proteins, drugs and vaccines. In this work, the oil/water (o/w) single emulsion-solvent evaporation technique was used to prepare PLGA biodegradable particles. The encapsulation of two hypothetical proteins from Leishmania panamensis was performed to validate the proposed method. For this validation, different concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 500, and 750 µg/ml) of both proteins were encapsulated into PLGA particles, and the particle sizes and shapes were evaluated by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The release of proteins was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses. The integrity of both proteins was conserved, and they were released from day one until day 15, with a maximum amount of 46 ±â€¯4.25% for the LpanUA.27.1260 protein and 26.19 ±â€¯3.41% for LpanUA.22.1860. Additionally, the protective efficacy of one of these encapsulated proteins was evaluated in vivo using BALB/c mice infected with L. panamensis. Therefore, the encapsulation of proteins is presented here as an excellent alternative to evaluate the antigenicity of proteins from parasites of medical importance such as L. panamensis.

A 38-year-old woman with a legal and voluntary interruption of pregnancy due to mental health risk. An unexpected outcome / Mujer de 38 arios con interrupción legal y voluntaria del embarazo por riesgo para la salud mental. Un desenlace inesperado

Abstract Objective: To describe a case of legal and voluntary interruption of pregnancy due to a mental health risk in the mother. However, the foetus survived and the mother decided to care for the child. Methods: Description of the case and a non-systematic review of the relevant literature. Results: A multiparous woman of 38 years with unknown gestational age who requests legal and voluntary interruption of pregnancy. After abortion a male child born of 1050 g was born, intubated and admitted to intensive care. Subsequently, the mother, without the mental problems that led to abortion, gradually assumed the care of the child. Discussion: To address this complex case, several aspects are analysed: first, the change of mind of a woman in her desire to be a mother. Second, the disappearance of mental symptoms in the immediate postpartum. Third, the need to review the clinical, ethical and legal foundations of the legal ruling that allows therapeutic abortion in Colombia.

Resumen Objetivo: Describir un caso clínico de interrupción legal y voluntaria del embarazo por riesgo para la salud mental de la madre con sobrevida del feto y posterior deseo de la madre de cuidar del niño. Métodos: Descripción del caso clínico y revisión no sistemática de la literatura relevante. Resultados: Mujer de 38 arios multigestante, con edad gestacional desconocida, solicitó interrupción legal y voluntaria del embarazo por riesgo para la salud mental por embarazo no deseado. Luego de la interrupción del embarazo, nació un varón de 1.050g de peso, al que se intubó y trasladó a cuidados intensivos. Tras el parto, los síntomas mentales que llevaron a esta mujer al aborto terapéutico desaparecieron, y decidió asumir el cuidado del niño. Discusión: Frente a este complejo caso, se analizan varios aspectos: primero, el cambio de opinión de una mujer sobre su deseo de ser madre; segundo, la desaparición de los síntomas mentales en el posparto inmediato, y tercero, la necesidad de revisar los fundamentos clínicos, éticos y legales de la norma legal que permite el aborto terapéutico en Colombia.

[A 38-year-old Woman with a Legal and Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy due to Mental Health Risk. An Unexpected Outcome]. / Mujer de 38 años con interrupción legal y voluntaria del embarazo por riesgo para la salud mental. Un desenlace inesperado.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of legal and voluntary interruption of pregnancy due to a mental health risk in the mother. However, the foetus survived and the mother decided to care for the child. METHODS: Description of the case and a non-systematic review of the relevant literature. RESULTS: A multiparous woman of 38 years with unknown gestational age who requests legal and voluntary interruption of pregnancy. After abortion a male child born of 1050 grams was born, intubated and admitted to intensive care. Subsequently, the mother, without the mental problems that led to abortion, gradually assumed the care of the child. DISCUSSION: To address this complex case, several aspects are analysed: first, the change of mind of a woman in her desire to be a mother. Second, the disappearance of mental symptoms in the immediate postpartum. Third, the need to review the clinical, ethical and legal foundations of the legal ruling that allows therapeutic abortion in Colombia.

Acetylation of bacterial cellulose catalyzed by citric acid: Use of reaction conditions for tailoring the esterification extent.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) nanoribbons were partially acetylated by a simple direct solvent-free route catalyzed by citric acid. The assay of reaction conditions within chosen intervals (i.e. esterification time (0.5-7h), catalyst content (0.08-1.01mmol/mmol AGU), and temperature (90-140°C)), illustrated the flexibility of the methodology proposed, with reaction variables which can be conveniently manipulated to acetylate BC to the required degree of substitution (DS) within the 0.20-0.73 interval. Within this DS interval, characterization results indicated a surface-only process in which acetylated bacterial cellulose with tunable DS, preserved fibrous structure and increased hydrophobicity could be easily obtained. The feasibility of reusing the catalyst/excess acylant in view of potential scale-up was also illustrated.

Global Health Education in US Pediatric Residency Programs.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite the growing importance of global health (GH) training for pediatric residents, few mechanisms have cataloged GH educational opportunities offered by US pediatric residency programs. We sought to characterize GH education opportunities across pediatric residency programs and identify program characteristics associated with key GH education elements. METHODS: Data on program and GH training characteristics were sought from program directors or their delegates of all US pediatric residency programs during 2013 to 2014. These data were used to compare programs with and without a GH track as well as across small, medium, and large programs. Program characteristics associated with the presence of key educational elements were identified by using bivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Data were collected from 198 of 199 active US pediatric residency programs (99.5%). Seven percent of pediatric trainees went abroad during 2013 to 2014. Forty-nine programs (24.7%) reported having a GH track, 66.1% had a faculty lead, 58.1% offered international field experiences, and 48.5% offered domestic field experiences. Forty-two percent of programs reported international partnerships across 153 countries. Larger programs, those with lead faculty, GH tracks, or partnerships had significantly increased odds of having each GH educational element, including pretravel preparation. CONCLUSIONS: The number of pediatric residency programs offering GH training opportunities continues to rise. However, smaller programs and those without tracks, lead faculty, or formal partnerships lag behind with organized GH curricula. As GH becomes an integral component of pediatric training, a heightened commitment is needed to ensure consistency of training experiences that encompass best practices in all programs.