Seed mucilage-based advanced carrier systems for food and nutraceuticals: fabrication, formulation efficiency, recent advancement, challenges, and perspectives.

Seed mucilages are potential sources of natural polysaccharides. They are biodegradable, biocompatible, sustainable, renewable, and safe for human consumption. Due to the desirable physicochemical and functional properties (e.g. gelling, thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying), seed mucilages have attracted extensive attention from researchers for utilization as a promising material for the development of advanced carrier systems. Seed mucilages have been utilized as natural polymers to improve the properties of various carrier systems (e.g. complex coacervates, beads, nanofibers, and gels) and for the delivery of diverse hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds (e.g. vitamins, essential oils, antioxidants, probiotics, and antimicrobial agents) to achieve enhanced stability, bioavailability, bioactivity of the encapsulated molecules, and improved quality attributes of food products. This review highlights the recent progress in seed mucilage-based carrier systems for food and nutraceutical applications. The main contents include (1) sources, extraction methods, and physicochemical and functional characteristics of seed mucilages, (2) application of seed mucilages for the development of advanced carrier systems, (3) major issues associated with carrier fabrication, and (4) mechanisms of carrier development, latest improvements in carrier formulation, carrier efficiency in the delivery of bioactive agents, and application in food and nutraceuticals. Furthermore, major challenges and future perspectives of seed mucilage-based carriers for a commercial application are discussed.

Tb3+-based multi-mode optical ratiometric thermometry.

Owing to some special superiority, luminescence ratiometric thermometry, mainly including dual excitations single emission and single excitation dual emissions, has gained popularity over the past few years. However, developing novel ratiometric thermometry that can work in multi-mode is still a challenge. Here we report a temperature measurement method based on the photoinduced luminescence of Tb3+ in the low-cost and easy to prepare calcium tungstate. Both the conventional luminescence intensity ratio (LIR) and recently developed single-band ratiometric (SBR) strategies have been achieved in our materials. On the one hand, upon excitation of the charge transfer state, the emissions from the excited 5D4 and 5D3 states present different responses to temperature. A thermometry depending on the LIR between these two emissions has thus been developed, with adjustable relative sensitivity that is sensitive to the excitation wavelength. On the other hand, both the emissions from the excited 5D4 and 5D3 states respond dissimilarly to the temperature variation. A SBR thermometer has thus been constructed with two excitation modes, reaching the maximum relative sensitivity of 1.83% K-1 at 573 K. The present work is expected to inspire other researchers to exploit more multi-mode optical ratiometric thermometries.

Eu3+-based dual-excitation single-emission luminescent ratiometric thermometry.

Recently, single-band ratiometric (SBR) thermometry becomes a hot-spot in the research field of optical thermometry. Here we propose a new SBR thermometry by combining the temperature-induced red shift of charge transfer state (CTS) of W-O and Eu-O with the ground state absorption (GSA) and excited state absorption (ESA) of Eu3+. The emitting intensity of the 5D0-7F2 transition of Eu3+ is monitored under CTS, GSA and ESA excitations at different temperatures. It is found that the SBR thermometry, depending on the combination of [GSA + CTS] of Eu3+ doped calcium tungstate, has the highest relative sensitivity of 1.25% K-1 at 573 K, higher than conventional luminescent ratiometric thermometry such as the 2H11/2 and 4S3/2 thermally coupled states of Er3+.

Efficient near-infrared broadband garnet phosphor for pc-LED and its application to vascular visualization and night vision.

Ultra-broadband near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has unparalleled application prospects in intelligent detection and phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (pc-LED), which are most likely to become the next generation of NIR light sources, has become a hot spot for research nowadays. To cope with the demand for more NIR spectroscopy applications, more efficient NIR phosphors need to be developed. Here, by screening the subject with a smaller band gap and by screening the suitable ion electronegativity of the lattice position where the Cr3+ is located, and then through the energy transfer, a series of Gd3Zn2GaGe2O12:xCr3+, yYb3+ (GZGG:Cr3+/Yb3+) NIR broadband garnet phosphors were found for the first time. By controlling the energy transfer process, the internal quantum yield (IQY) (54.9%), external quantum yield (EQY) (24.65%), bandwidth (260 nm), and thermal stability (60% at 150 °C) of NIR emission were substantially improved. The obtained phosphors are packaged with blue light chips into pc-LED, which can be applied in different fields such as vascular visualization and night vision.

Ultra-sensitive luminescence ratiometric thermometry from 2E→4A2 transitions of AlTaO4:Cr3.

In recent years, non-contact ratiometric luminescence thermometry has continued to gain popularity among researchers, owing to its compelling features, such as high accuracy, fast response, and convenience. The development of novel optical thermometry with ultrahigh relative sensitivity (Sr) and temperature resolution has become a frontier topic. In this work, we present a novel, to the best of our knowldege, luminescence intensity ratio (LIR) thermometry method that relies on AlTaO4:Cr3+ materials, based on the fact that they possess both anti-Stokes phonon sideband emission and R-line emission at the 2E→4A2 transitions and have been confirmed to follow the Boltzmann distribution. In the temperature range 40-250 K, the emission band of the anti-Stokes phonon sideband shows an upward trend, while the bands of the R-lines show the opposite downward trend. Relying on this fascinating feature, the newly proposed LIR thermometry achieves a maximum relative sensitivity of 8.45%K-1 and a temperature resolution of 0.038 K. Our work is expected to provide guiding insights for optimizing the sensitivity of Cr3+-based LIR thermometers and provide some novel entry points for designing excellent and reliable optical thermometers.

Chromium(III)-Doped Phosphors of High-Efficiency Two-Site Occupation Broadband Infrared Emission for Vessel Visualization Applications.

The exploration of efficient broadband near-infrared (NIR) emitting materials is essential to establishing new NIR applications. In this work, an excellent NIR phosphor Mg7Ga2GeO12:Cr3+, with an emission band of 650-1350 nm and a full width at half maximum of 266 nm, was successfully prepared. When Ga3+ ions were replaced by In3+ ions, its emission intensity increased 4 times, and the internal and external quantum efficiency reached 86 and 37%, respectively. A NIR phosphor-converted light-emitting diode (pc-LED) component was made by combining a synthetic Mg7Ga1.84In0.07GeO12:0.09Cr3+ phosphor with a 450 nm blue luminescent chip. The vascular and skeletal distribution on human fingers and the back of the hand can be seen under the display of a commercial NIR camera, indicating that Mg7Ga1.84In0.07GeO12:0.09Cr3+ phosphors have promising applications in the field of the blood vessel and bone visualization.

Advances in smart delivery of food bioactive compounds using stimuli-responsive carriers: Responsive mechanism, contemporary challenges, and prospects.

Many important food bioactive compounds are plant secondary metabolites that have traditional applications for health promotion and disease prevention. However, the chemical instability and poor bioavailability of these compounds represent major challenges to researchers. In the last decade, therefore, major impetus has been given for the research and development of advanced carrier systems for the delivery of natural bioactive molecules. Among them, stimuli-responsive carriers hold great promise for simultaneously improving stability, bioavailability, and more importantly delivery and on-demand release of intact bioactive phytochemicals to target sites in response to certain stimuli or combination of them (e.g., pH, temperature, oxidant, enzyme, and irradiation) that would eventually enhance therapeutic outcomes and reduce side effects. Hybrid formulations (e.g., inorganic-organic complexes) and multi-stimuli-responsive formulations have demonstrated great potential for future studies. Therefore, this review systematically compiles and assesses the recent advances on the smart delivery of food bioactive compounds, particularly quercetin, curcumin, and resveratrol through stimuli-responsive carriers, and critically reviews their functionality, underlying triggered-release mechanism, and therapeutic potential. Finally, major limitations, contemporary challenges, and possible solutions/future research directions are highlighted. Much more research is needed to optimize the processing parameters of existing formulations and to develop novel ones for lead food bioactive compounds to facilitate their food and nutraceutical applications.

Dendrobium nobile Alkaloids Protects against H2O2-Induced Neuronal Injury by Suppressing JAK-STATs Pathway Activation in N2A Cells.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive effect and mechanism of Dendrobium alkaloids (DNLA) on oxidative stress-related death in neuronal cells. Our results demonstrated that DNLA has a direct neuroprotective effect through oxidative stress in N2A cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). CCK8, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), intracellular Ca2+, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were used to evaluate the mechanism of DNLA neutralization by H2O2-induced injury. Results presented in the paper indicate that treatment with DNLA (35 ng/mL) significantly attenuated decreases in cell viability, release of LDH, and apoptosis after H2O2-induced neuronal injury. Furthermore, DNLA significantly reduced intracellular Ca2+ up-regulation, ROS production, and inhibited mitochondrial depolarization. Moreover, DNLA treatment significantly downregulated expressions of interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, nitric oxide synthase, janus kinase-signal transducer and activators of transcription (JAK-STATs) signaling in N2A cells, all of which were H2O2-induced. Taken together, our findings suggested that DNLA may inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic factors by blocking JAK-STATs signaling after oxidative stress injury. This research provides a potential experimental basis for further application of DNLA to prevent various human nervous system diseases caused by oxidative stress.

Thermometry and up-conversion luminescence of Yb(3+)-Er(3+) co-doped Na2Ln2Ti3O10 (Ln = Gd, La) phosphors.

Yb(3+)/Er(3+)-ion co-doped Na2Ln2Ti3O10 (Ln = Gd, La) up-conversion (UC) phosphors were successfully synthesized by a sol-gel method, and their crystal structures were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction. Dazzling yellow-greenish light was emitted under the excitation of 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) light, composing green and red emission bands from the (2)H11/2/(4)S3/2→(4)I15/2 and (4)F9/2→(4)I15/2 transitions of Er(3+), respectively. The optimal composition and synthesis parameters were determined according to their UC emission intensity. The photon absorption and emission processes were illustrated based on the UC mechanism, in which energy transfer (ET) from Yb(3+) to Er(3+) plays a pivotal role and has been proved by the variation of green emission lifetime in Er(3+) singly and Yb(3+)/Er(3+) co-doped Na2Ln2Ti3O10 samples. The temperature-dependent fluorescence intensity ratios (FIR) of the two thermal coupled energy level (TCL) emission from (2)H11/2→(4)I15/2 (526 nm) and (4)S3/2→(4)I15/2 (549 nm) were calculated in the range of 290-490 K, and their sensitivity values were approximately 0.0058 K(-1) for Na2Gd2Ti3O10 at 490 K and 0.0061 K(-1) for Na2La2Ti3O10 at 470 K, as potential optical temperature sensor.

Lactoferrin-chia seed mucilage complex coacervates for intestinal delivery of quercetin and fortification of set yogurt.

This study aimed to develop complex coacervates utilizing lactoferrin (LF) and chia seed mucilage (CSM) for promoting intestinal delivery of quercetin (Q) and fortification of set yogurt. Three cross-linkers, including calcium chloride (CC), transglutaminase (TG), and polyphenolic complex (HP), were used to further reinforce the coacervate network. Cross-linked coacervates had higher values of coacervate yield, encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity. They efficiently preserved Q under gastric condition (⁓87%-99%), with CSM-TG-Q-LF being most effective for intestinal delivery of Q. Moreover, digested pellets of the cross-linked coacervates displayed better antioxidant activity than the uncross-linked coacervates with CSM-TG-Q-LF pellets showing maximum bioactivity. The Q-loaded coacervates demonstrated superior assembly in the yogurt matrix compared to the unencapsulated Q. Moreover, the coacervate systems, especially CSM-TG-Q-LF significantly improved the textural properties of yogurt and the stability of Q in it. Therefore, CSM-TG-LF is a promising carrier to promote intestinal delivery and food application of hydrophobic molecules.

Waste to Wealth: Dynamics and metabolic profiles of the conversion of jackfruit flake into value-added products by different fermentation methods.

Thus far, little is known about whether jackfruit flake, a byproduct of jackfruit, can be used as a fermentation substrate to obtain value-added products through microbial fermentation. Here, jackfruit flake puree was fermented by three different ways: spontaneous fermentation (JF), inoculated with LAB (JFL), inoculated co-fermentation with LAB and yeast (JFC). In contrast to JF, the total polyphenol and flavonoid content and syndrome-associated enzyme inhibition are significantly increased in JFC at the end of fermentation. Electronic tongue analysis revealed that the JFC was significantly lower in astringency and higher in bitterness. 41 volatile compounds were identified during fermentation by HS-SPME-GC-MS, and JFC was richer in honey, rose, and fruity flavors. A total of 290 compounds were screened for discriminative pre- and post-fermentation differential metabolites by non-target metabolomics analysis. These results provide a potential reference for the conversion of jackfruit waste into functional products using fermentation.

Sensitive Luminescence Thermometry through Excitation Intensity Ratio in Eu-Doped BaTiO3.

Optical ratiometric thermometry techniques have gained much attention in recent years due to their reliable and noncontact temperature sensing capability for industrial and biorelated applications. Herein, we exploited the temperature dependence of the absorption band of BaTiO3 (BTO) for novel excitation intensity ratio (EIR) thermometry. Photoluminescence and excitation properties of Eu3+-doped BTO powders were studied as a function of Eu3+ doping concentration. The excitation peak intensities at 397 and 468 nm, corresponding to the 7F0 → 5L6 and 5D2 transitions of Eu3+, were used as EIR parameters. The temperature dependence of the EIR can be explained by the competitive absorption between Eu3+ and the BTO host. The EIR properties were studied in relation to the doping concentration, registering a maximum relative sensitivity (Sr) of 4.89% K-1 in BTO:Eu3+ (0.5%) at 303 K. An amphoteric Eu3+ occupation mode at both Ba2+ and Ti4+ sites was found to interpret the doping concentration dependence of the Sr. The reduced Ba2+ site occupation ratio proved to be responsible for the low Sr values at high Eu3+ doping concentrations. Accordingly, an Eu3+/Ti3+ codoping method was further proposed to improve the Sr by increasing the Ba2+ site occupation ratio. Our result showed that BTO:Eu3+ (0.5%) demonstrated an enhancement of Sr from 4.89 to 6.42% K-1 at 303 K after 2% Ti3+ codoping.

Dynamics of nutrients, sensory quality and microbial communities and their interactions during co-fermentation of pineapple by-products and whey protein.

In this study, a new fermented food was developed using pineapple by-products and whey protein (2.6%) as raw materials through the co-fermentation of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria and yeast. To better understand the fermentation mechanism and the impact of microorganisms on the entire fermentation system, we tracked the changes in carbohydrate and amino acid profiles, organoleptic quality and microbial community during the fermentation process. Compared with unfermented samples, dietary fiber and free amino acids increased significantly as fermentation proceeded. The fermented samples were significantly lower in astringency and bitterness and significantly higher in sourness, umami and richness. The fermented products were richer in volatile compounds with floral, cheesy, fruity and other flavors. Relevant analyses showed that the core microbial community was highly correlated with the quality attributes of the fermented products. Microorganisms such as Lactococcus, Weissella, Hanseniaspora, Saccharomyces and Lachancea contributed significantly to the fermented products.

Ultrasensitive Colorimetric Luminescence Thermometry by Progressive Phase Transition.

Luminescent materials that display quick spectral responses to thermal stimuli have attracted pervasive attention in sensing technologies. Herein, a programmable luminescence color switching in lanthanide-doped LiYO2 under thermal stimuli, based on deliberate control of the monoclinic (ß) to tetragonal (α) phase transition in the crystal lattice, is reported. Specifically, a lanthanide-doping (Ln3+ ) approach to fine-tune the phase-transition temperature in a wide range from 294 to 359 K is developed. Accordingly, an array of Ln3+ -doped LiYO2 crystals that exhibit progressive phase transition, and thus sequential color switching at gradually increasing temperatures, is constructed. The tunable optical response to thermal stimuli is harnessed for colorimetric temperature indication and quantitative detection, demonstrating superior sensitivity and temperature resolution (Sr = 26.1% K-1 , δT = 0.008 K). The advances in controlling the phase-transition behavior of luminescent materials also offer exciting opportunities for high-performance personalized health monitoring.

Unlocking Cr3+-Cr3+ Coupling in Spinel: Ultrabroadband Near-Infrared Emission beyond 900 nm with High Efficiency and Thermal Stability.

Broadband near-infrared (NIR) phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (pc-LEDs) hold promising potential as next-generation compact, portable, and intelligent NIR light sources. Nonetheless, the lack of high-performance broadband NIR phosphors with an emission peak beyond 900 nm has severely hindered the development and widespread application of NIR pc-LEDs. This study presents a strategy for precise control of energy-state coupling in spinel solid solutions composed of MgxZn1-xGa2O4 to tune the NIR emissions of Cr3+ activators. By combining crystal field engineering and heavy doping, the Cr3+-Cr3+ ion pair emission from the 4T2 state is unlocked, giving rise to unusual broadband NIR emission spanning 650 and 1400 nm with an emission maximum of 913 nm and a full width at half-maximum (fwhm) of 213 nm. Under an optimal Mg/Zn ratio of 4:1, the sample achieves record-breaking performance, including high internal and external quantum efficiency (IQE = 83.9% and EQE = 35.7%) and excellent thermal stability (I423 K/I298 K = 75.8%). Encapsulating the as-obtained phosphors into prototype pc-LEDs yields an overwhelming NIR output power of 124.2 mW at a driving current of 840 mA and a photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.5% at 30 mA, rendering high performance in NIR imaging applications.

The Butterfly Effect: Multifaceted Consequences of Sensitizer Concentration Change in Phase Transition-based Luminescent Thermometer of LiYO2:Er3+,Yb3.

In response to the ongoing quest for new, highly sensitive upconverting luminescent thermometers, this article introduces, for the first time, upconverting luminescent thermometers based on thermally induced structured phase transitions. As demonstrated, the transition from the low-temperature monoclinic to the high-temperature tetragonal structures of LiYO2:Yb3+,Er3+ induces multifaceted modification in the spectroscopic properties of the examined material, influencing the spectral positions of luminescence bands, energy gap values between thermally coupled energy levels, and the red-to-green emission intensities ratio. Moreover, as illustrated, both the color of the emitted light and the phase transition temperature (from 265 K, for LiYO2:Er3+, 1%Yb3+, to 180 K, for 10%Yb3+), and consequently, the thermometric parameters of the luminescent thermometer can be modulated by the concentration of Yb3+ sensitizer ions. Establishing a correlation between the phase transition temperature and the mismatch of ion radii between the host material and dopant ions allows for smooth adjustment of the thermometric performance of such a thermometer following specific application requirements. Three different thermometric approaches were investigated using thermally coupled levels (SR = 1.8%/K at 180 K for 1%Yb3+), green to red emission intensities ratio (SR = 1.5%/K at 305 K for 2%Yb3+), and single band ratiometric approach (SR = 2.5%/K at 240 K for 10%Yb3+). The thermally induced structural phase transition in LiYO2:Er3+,Yb3+ has enabled the development of multiple upconverting luminescent thermometers. This innovative approach opens avenues for advancing the field of luminescence thermometry, offering enhanced relative thermal sensitivity and adaptability for various applications.

A novel blue emitting phosphor Ca1-ySryScBO4:Bi3+ with zero-thermal quenching for multi-scenario application.

In recent years, Bi3+ activated phosphors have received a lot of attention from researchers; however, the performance and application areas of phosphors are yet to be developed. In this work, a series of CaScBO4(CSBO):xBi3+ phosphors were successfully prepared using a high-temperature solid-state method. Under UV excitation, blue light emission was achieved at 430 nm with a quantum yield of 91%, and at 423 K, the emission intensity retained 82.8% of the original intensity at 298 K. By crystal field engineering, the substitution of Sr2+ at the Ca2+ site enhances the temperature stability of the material, and at 423 K, 473 K and 573 K, the samples maintain 104%, 103% and 85% of the emission intensity at room temperature, respectively. It indicates that the cation substitution causes the increase in the oxygen vacancy concentration, and the oxygen vacancy defect compensates the energy lost in electrons at high temperature, producing resistance to anti-TQ performance. Finally, a blue-violet LED was fabricated by using the phosphor and an ultraviolet LED chip, and white LEDs (CCT = 4683 K, Ra = 89.7) were obtained by co-packaging this phosphor with commercial phosphors and a UV chip. Importantly, the great potential of this phosphor in the field of plant lighting and biocontrol can be demonstrated.

Simultaneous determination by LC-MS/MS of 25-methoxydammarane-3ß,12ß,20-triol epimers and active metabolites in rat plasma after intravenous administration.

1. The pharmacokinetics of the 25-OCH3-PPD epimers and active metabolites in rat plasma after a single intravenous (i.v.) administration were studied by a rapid, selective and sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method. 2. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Acquity UPLC with Agela C18 column, and the solvents of 5 mM ammonium acetate (pH 7.8) - acetonitrile (65: 35, v/v) were used as mobile phase for elution. The quantification was performed with the transitions of m/z 493.5 → 475.5 for 20(R,S)-25-OCH3-PPD, m/z 479.5 → 461.5 for 20(R,S)-25-OH-PPD. The Lower Limit Of Quantitation (LLOQ) was 20.0 ng mL(-1) for 20(R,S)-25-OCH3-PPD, 2.0 ng mL(-1) for 20(R,S)-25-OH-PPD in the plasma samples assay. 3. The pharmacokinetic parameters of AUC, t1/2 and MRT had no difference between 20(R)- and (S)-25-OCH3-PPD, but S-epimer has a lower plasma clearance compared to the R-isomer. The active metabolite 20(S)-25-OH-PPD showed significantly higher AUC, MRT and a longer half-life than that of 20(R)-25-OH-PPD. These assay results are necessary for the evaluation of the pharmacokinetic behavior of 25-methoxydammarane-3ß,12ß,20-triol in vivo.

Red Wine High-Molecular-Weight Polyphenolic Complex Ameliorates High-Fat Diet-Induced Metabolic Dysregulation and Perturbation in Gut Microbiota in Mice.

Red wine polyphenolic complexes have attracted increasing attention as potential modulators of human metabolic disease risk. Our previous study discovered that red wine high-molecular-weight polymeric polyphenolic complexes (HPPCs) could inhibit key metabolic syndrome-associated enzymes and favorably modulate human gut microbiota (GM) in simulated colonic fermentation assay in vitro. In this work, the efficacy of HPPC supplementation (150 and 300 mg/kg/day, respectively) against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic disturbance in mice was investigated. HPPCs effectively attenuated HFD-induced obesity, insulin resistance, and lipid and glucose metabolic dysregulation and ameliorated inflammatory response and hepatic and colonic damage. It also improved the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, consistent with an anti-obesity phenotype. The favorable modulation of GM was further supported by improvement in the profile of fecal short-chain fatty acids. The higher dosage generally had a better performance in these effects than the low dosage. Moreover, serum metabolite profiling and pathway enrichment analysis revealed that HPPCs significantly modulated vitamin B metabolism-associated pathways and identified N-acetylneuraminic acid and 2-methylbutyroylcarnitine as potential biomarkers of the favorable effect on HFD-induced metabolic dysregulation. These findings highlight that dietary supplementation with red wine HPPCs is a promising strategy for the management of weight gain and metabolic dysregulation associated with HFD.

Emerging Halide Perovskite Ferroelectrics.

Halide perovskites have gained tremendous attention in the past decade owing to their excellent properties in optoelectronics. Recently, a fascinating property, ferroelectricity, has been discovered in halide perovskites and quickly attracted widespread interest. Compared with traditional perovskite oxide ferroelectrics, halide perovskites display natural advantages such as structural softness, low weight, and easy processing, which are highly desirable in applications pursuing miniaturization and flexibility. This review focuses on the current research progress in halide perovskite ferroelectrics, encompassing the emerging materials systems and their potential applications in ferroelectric photovoltaics, self-powered photodetection, and X-ray detection. The main challenges and possible solutions in the future development of halide perovskite ferroelectric materials are also attempted to be pointed out.