Enhancing Rheological and Textural Properties of Gelatin-Based Composite Gels through Incorporation of Sesame Seed Oleosome-Protein Fillers.

In this study, the protein and oleosomes of sesame seeds were extracted individually and used to prepare a gel composed of gelatin, protein, and oleosomes. Mixtures of gelatin and sesame seeds protein were prepared, and oleosomes with different percentages (0, 10, 20 and 30% of their weight) were used. Different amounts of oleosomes in the composite gel samples were examined for their morphological, rheological, and textural properties. The results of the viscoelastic properties of different composite gel samples indicated that a higher percentage of oleosomes would increase the storage modulus (G'), loss modulus (G″), and complex viscosity (η*). The storage modulus of all gel samples was greater than the loss modulus, suggesting a solid behavior. So, in the sample with 30% oleosome, the storage modulus and the loss modulus reached 143,440 Pascals and 44,530 Pascals. The hardness and breaking force in samples containing 30% oleosome reached 1.29 ± 0.02 and 0.17 ± 0.02, respectively. In general, it can be said that composite gels based on gelatin-sesame seed protein modified with oleosome can be used as a part of food components in various dairy products, gelatin desserts, lean meat products and the production of useful products.

Effect of carboxymethylcellulose and locust bean gums on some of physicochemical, mechanical, and textural properties of extruded rice.

Extrusion is a composite process consisting of many different unit operations such as mixing, cooking, pasting, and molding. In this process, the raw material is forced through a tiny opening to be transformed into a product with a desired and unique shape, texture, color, and taste. In combination with different amounts and types of additives, this technique can result in functional food products for a broad range of people suffering from micronutrient deficiency. The hydrocolloid compounds are now employed to improve the texture and performance properties of many food products. Therefore, this study scrutinized the effects of carboxymethylcellulose and locust bean gums at different levels (0.5, 0.75, and 1%) alone or in combination with each other on chemical, physical, mechanical, and textural properties of extruded rice in comparison with the qualitative properties of the control rice. A completely random design was used along with three replications to analyze the test results. Then the means were compared through Duncan's multiple range test at (α = 5%). According to the results, addition of gums increased moisture, ash, total color difference, water absorption capacity, solubility, failure force, rupture energy, elasticity module, and toughness when reduced lateral expansion was compared to the control. Moreover, the addition of gums after the cooking process increased cooking loss, texture hardness, chewability, and elasticity of the specimens in comparison with the control. According to the results of pre- and post-cooking tests, the specimens containing locust (0.75%) and carboxymethylcellulose (0.75%) gums were the best treatments.

Developing multicomponent edible films based on chitosan, hybrid of essential oils, and nanofibers: Study on physicochemical and antibacterial properties.

Plastic waste is one of the major threats to the environment, and an urgent need to replace synthetic plastics with sustainable materials is progressively growing. Herein, sustainable films based on chitosan, Satureja, and Thyme essential oils (EOs), and chitosan nanofibers (NF) were developed for the first time. To this end, 1% (w/w) of EOs and 2 wt% of NF were incorporated into the chitosan solution. Despite the very similar chemical structure of carvacrol and thymol, which are the major constituents of Satureja and Thyme EOs, respectively, they imposed notably different effects on the physicochemical properties of chitosan films. Thyme EO was more efficient at establishing hydrogen bonds with chitosan. The disruptive effect of EOs on the crystalline network of chitosan was demonstrated through X-ray diffraction analysis. Satureja and Thyme EOs decreased and increased the barrier property of the chitosan films against water vapor, respectively. However, the barrier property was greatly improved in the presence of chitosan nanofibers. Satureja EO exhibited a more efficient antibacterial property against E. coli rather than Thyme EO. The fruits and vegetables, coated by the chitosan/EO/NF system, were less perished as compared with the control and chitosan-coated samples indicating the promising potential of the developed system to be used as edible and sustainable films and coatings due to their enhanced antibacterial and barrier properties.

Enhanced Efficacy of PEGylated Liposomal Cisplatin: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation.

This study aims to evaluate the potency of cisplatin (Cispt)-loaded liposome (LCispt) and PEGylated liposome (PLCispt) as therapeutic nanoformulations in the treatment of bladder cancer (BC). Cispt was loaded into liposomes using reverse-phase evaporation method, and the formulations were characterized using dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, dialysis membrane, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) methods. The results showed that the particles were formed in spherical monodispersed shapes with a nanoscale size (221-274 nm) and controlled drug release profile. The cytotoxicity effects of LCispt and PLCispt were assessed in an in vitro environment, and the results demonstrated that PLCispt caused a 2.4- and 1.9-fold increase in the cytotoxicity effects of Cispt after 24 and 48 h, respectively. The therapeutic and toxicity effects of the formulations were also assessed on BC-bearing rats. The results showed that PLCispt caused a 4.8-fold increase in the drug efficacy (tumor volume of 11 ± 0.5 and 2.3 ± 0.1 mm3 in Cispt and PLCispt receiver rats, respectively) and a 3.3-fold decrease in the toxicity effects of the drug (bodyweight gains of 3% and 10% in Cispt and PLCispt receiver rats, respectively). The results of toxicity were also confirmed by histopathological studies. Overall, this study suggests that the PEGylation of LCispt is a promising approach to achieve a nanoformulation with enhanced anticancer effects and reduced toxicity compared to Cispt for the treatment of BC.