Chitosan and its composites-based delivery systems: advances and applications in food science and nutrition sector

Lightweight 3D-printed chitosan/MXene aerogels for advanced electromagnetic shielding, energy harvesting, and thermal management

This study focuses on the fabrication of 3D-printed chitosan/Ti3C2Tx-MXene aerogels with varying MXene concentrations (1, 2, 5, and 10 wt%) using the direct ink writing (DIW) method. The inks were freeze-dried to form aerogels, and FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed interactions between chitosan and MXene molecules, leading to increased spacing between MXene nanosheets. Rheological testing showed improved shear-thinning behavior, enhancing printability. A higher MXene content boosted the electrical conductivity, dielectric properties, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness, with the 10 wt% MXene aerogel achieving an EMI shielding effectiveness of 27 dB. The thermal conductivity initially decreased but later increased with higher MXene concentrations. Mechanical tests indicated enhanced Young's modulus and tensile strength with more MXene, but the elongation at break decreased. The printed aerogels were used in a Triboelectric Nanogenerator (TENG), showing an increase in output voltage from 22 V for pure chitosan aerogels to 110 V for 2 wt% MXene, with a slightly lower increase in current. However, exceeding 2 wt% MXene led to reduced performance. This study highlights the potential of printed aerogels for energy harvesting, EMI shielding, and thermal insulation applications.

Nanoscale Metal-Organic Frameworks for the Co-Delivery of Cycloxaprid and Pooled siRNAs to Enhance Control Efficacy in Diaphorina citri

RNA pesticides have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional chemical pesticides due to their high specificity and minimal environmental impact. However, the instability of RNA molecules in the environment and the challenges associated with their effective delivery to target pests limit their broader application. This study addresses these challenges by developing a dual delivery system using chitosan (CS) and Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) to enhance the delivery and efficacy of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and cycloxaprid against Diaphorina citri, a vector of citrus greening disease. The CS-MOF nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Insect bioassays demonstrated that the codelivery system significantly improved insecticidal activity, achieving over 80% mortality in D. citri within 2 days. The results indicate that the encapsulation of dsRNA within MOFs enhances its stability, while the controlled release properties of the nanoparticles improve the efficacy of cycloxaprid. This novel approach shows great potential in overcoming the limitations of RNA pesticides and offers a sustainable solution for pest management in agriculture. Future research should optimize the delivery system, conduct field trials, and explore its applicability to other agricultural pests.

Recent advances in nutraceutical delivery systems constructed by protein-polysaccharide complexes: A systematic review

Most nutraceuticals have low stability and solubility, making it difficult to achieve ideal bioavailability by directly incorporating into food. Therefore, constructing delivery systems to protect nutraceuticals is an essential strategy. Proteins and polysaccharides have become ideal materials for encapsulating nutraceuticals due to their superior nutritional value, edible safety, and physicochemical properties. This review first introduces the binding methods of protein-polysaccharide complexes and analyzes their respective merits, defects, and applications. Then, various protein-polysaccharide complex-based nutraceutical delivery systems are systematically summarized, including emulsions, gels, nanoparticles, microcapsules, complexes, and films, which can improve the stability, encapsulation efficiency, and bioaccessibility of nutraceuticals. In addition to traditional globular proteins mentioned in previous reviews, this review also introduces the advantages of another morphology of proteins (protein fibrils with linear structure) in the formation of protein-polysaccharide complexes and the construction of nutraceutical delivery systems. Next, the affecting factors are analyzed to achieve the precise control of protein-polysaccharide complex-based nutraceutical delivery systems. To improve public acceptability of protein-polysaccharide complex-based nutraceutical delivery systems, the safety and regulatory aspects are also discussed in detail. Moreover, the applications of such delivery systems are presented, including dietary supplements, food ingredients, food packaging, and food detection. Finally, several promising research directions that had not been provided before are innovatively proposed, including cell-cultured meat scaffolds, plant-based meat analogs, three-dimensional printing inks, and "three reductions" foods. Overall, this review provides guidance for designing protein-polysaccharide complex-based nutraceutical delivery systems with customized nutrition and superior bioavailability.

Effect of molecular weight of chitosan on quercetin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles

BACKGROUND

The widespread use of quercetin is limited by its instability, low solubility and poor oral bioavailability. Encapsulation of quercetin using a nanoparticle delivery system is an effective way to overcome these drawbacks.

RESULTS

The effect of the molecular weight (Mw) of chitosan (CS) (100, 200, 500 and 1000 kDa) on quercetin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (QCNPs) was investigated. The structure, stability, release properties and antioxidant activities of the nanoparticles (QCNP-10, QCNP-20, QCNP-50 and QCNP-100) were assessed. Particle size of QCNPs decreased and polydispersity index increased with the increasing Mw of CS. The main forces involved in the formation of QCNPs were hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction. X-ray diffraction verified that quercetin was loaded into CS nanoparticles. The photostability and thermal stability of QCNPs increased with increasing Mw of CS. QCNP-100 exhibited the lowest release rate in a mixture of water and anhydrous ethanol. The antioxidant activities of QCNPs were enhanced with increasing Mw of CS, and QCNP-100 possessed the highest antioxidant activities, which might be relevant to its smallest particle size.

CONCLUSION

Overall, these results revealed that the Mw of CS affected the properties of QCNPs, and QCNP-100 possessed the smallest particle, best stability, lowest release rate and highest antioxidant activities. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Microencapsulation Efficiency of Carboxymethylcellulose, Gelatin, Maltodextrin, and Acacia for Aroma Preservation in Jasmine Instant Tea

Enhancing the sensory appeal of jasmine instant tea, particularly its aroma, poses a significant challenge due to the loss of volatile organic compounds during conventional processing. This study introduces a novel approach to address this issue through the application of microencapsulation techniques, aimed at preserving these key aromatic elements. Our investigation focused on the encapsulating agents gelatin, acacia gum, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and maltodextrin, chosen for their compatibility with the volatile organic compounds of tea. A statistical analysis was conducted on the analytical results through comprehensive analytical techniques like Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA), and Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) analysis for microcapsule characterization. The statistical analysis revealed gelatin to be a particularly effective encapsulating medium, preserving an aroma profile more akin to fresh tea. The statistical analysis confirmed the reliability of these findings, highlighting the potential of microencapsulation in refining the quality of jasmine instant tea products. The results of this research suggest that microencapsulation could be instrumental in improving the sensory quality and shelf life of instant tea products, offering new opportunities for product enhancement in the beverage industry.

Critical Review of Food Colloidal Delivery System for Bioactive Compounds: Physical Characterization and Application

Bioactive compounds (BACs) have attracted much attention due to their potential health benefits. However, such substances have problems such as difficulty dissolving in water, poor stability, and low intestinal absorption, leading to serious limitations in practical applications. Nowadays, food colloidal delivery carriers have become a highly promising solution due to their safety, controllability, and efficiency. The use of natural macromolecules to construct delivery carriers can not only regulate the solubility, stability, and intestinal absorption of BACs but also effectively enhance the nutritional added value of functional foods, improve sensory properties, and extend shelf life. Moreover, smart-responsive colloidal delivery carriers can control the release characteristics of BACs, thus improving their absorption rate in the human body. This review describes the characteristics of several typical food colloid delivery carriers, focuses on their physical properties from static structure to dynamic release, summarizes their applications in delivery systems, and provides an outlook on the future development of food colloid delivery carriers. The different compositions and structures of food colloids tend to affect their stability and release behaviors, and the different surface properties and rheological characteristics of the carriers predestine their different application scenarios. The control of in vivo release properties and the effect on food media should be emphasized in the future exploration of safer and more controllable carrier systems.

Liposomes delivery systems of functional substances for precision nutrition

Natural bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and other biological activities are vital for maintaining the body's physiological functions and enhancing immunity. These compounds have great potential as nutritional therapeutic agents, but they can be limited due to their poor flavor, color, unstable nature, and poor water solubility, and degradation by gastrointestinal enzymes. Liposomes, as ideal carriers, can encapsulate both water-soluble and fat-soluble nutrients, enhance the bioavailability of functional substances, promote the biological activity of functional substances, and control the release of nutrients. Despite their potential, liposomes still face obstacles in nutrient delivery. Therefore, the design of liposomes for special needs, optimization of the liposome preparation process, enhancement of liposome encapsulation efficiency, and industrial production are key issues that must be addressed in order to develop food-grade liposomes. Moreover, the research on surface-targeted modification and surface functionalization of liposomes is valuable for expanding the scope of application of liposomes and achieving the release of functional substances from liposomes at the appropriate time and site. The establishment of in vivo and in vitro digestion models of nutrient-loaded liposomes, in-depth study of gastrointestinal digestive behavior after liposome ingestion, targeted nutrient release, and deciphering the nutritional intervention of human diseases and positive health promotion are promising fields with broad development prospects.

Biomacromolecular carriers based hydrophobic natural products for potential cancer therapy

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. It was estimated that 90 % of cancer-related deaths were attributable to the development of multi-drug resistance (MDR) during chemotherapy, which results in ineffective chemotherapy. Hydrophobic natural products plays a pivotal role in the field of cancer therapy, with the potential to reverse MDR in tumor cells, thereby enhancing the efficacy of tumor therapy. However, their targeted delivery is considered a major hurdle in their application. The advent of numerous approaches for encapsulating bioactive ingredients in the nanodelivery systems has improved the stability and targeted delivery of these biomolecules. The manuscript comprehensively analyses the nanodelivery systems of bioactive compounds with potential cancer therapy applications, including liposomes, emulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles (NPs), and polymeric NPs. Then, the advantages and disadvantages of various nanoagents in the treatment of various cancer types are critically discussed. Further, the application of multiple-compbine delivery methods to overcome the limitations of single-delivery have need critically analyzed, which thus could help in the designing nanodrug delivery systems for bioactive compounds in clinical settings. Therefore, the review is timely and important for development of efficient nanodelivery systems involving hydrophobic natural products to improve pharmacokinetic properties for effective cancer treatment.

Broad-spectrum pH functional chitosan-phosphatase beads for the generation of plant-available phosphorus: utilizing the insoluble P pool

Utilization of organic phosphates and insoluble phosphates for the gradual generation of plant-available phosphorus (P) is the only sustainable solution for P fertilization. Enzymatic conversions are one of the best sustainable routes for releasing P to soil. Phosphatase enzyme aids in solubilizing organic and insoluble phosphates to plant-available P. We herein report the preparation of highly functional chitosan beads co-immobilized with acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase enzymes via a glutaraldehyde linkage. The dual enzyme co-immobilized chitosan beads were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX) analyses to confirm the immobilization. The co-immobilized system was found to be active for a broader pH range of ∼4-10 than the individually bound enzymes and mixed soluble enzymes. The bound matrix exhibited pH optima at 6 and 9, respectively, for acid and alkaline phosphatase and a temperature optimum at 50°C. The phosphate-solubilizing abilities of the chitosan-enzyme derivatives were examined using insoluble tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) for wide pH conditions of 5.5, 7, and 8.5 up to 25 days. The liberation of phosphate was highest (27.20 mg/mL) at pH 5.5 after the defined period. The residual soil phosphatase activity was also monitored after 7 days of incubation with CBE for three different soils of pH ∼5.5, 7, and 8.5. The residual phosphatase activity increased for all the soils after applying the CBE. The germination index of the Oryza sativa (rice) plant was studied using different pH buffer media upon the application of the CBE in the presence of tri-calcium phosphate as a phosphate source. Overall, the dual-enzyme co-immobilized chitosan beads were highly effective over a wide pH range for generating plant-available phosphates from insoluble phosphates. The chitosan-enzyme derivative holds the potential to be used for sustainable phosphorus fertilization with different insoluble and organic phosphorus sources.

Advances in the Interaction between Food-Derived Nanoparticles and the Intestinal Barrier

The maintenance of the intestinal barrier is crucial for the overall balance of the gut and the organism. Dysfunction of the intestinal barrier is closely associated with intestinal diseases. In recent years, due to the increased presence of nanoparticles (NPs) in the human diet, there has been a growing concern regarding the safety and potential impact of these NPs on gastrointestinal health. The interactions between food-derived NPs and the intestinal barrier are numerous. This review provides an introduction to the structure and function of the intestinal barrier along with a comprehensive summary of the interactions between food NPs and the intestinal barrier. Additionally, we highlight the potential connection between the food NPs-induced dysfunction of the intestinal barrier and inflammatory bowel disease. Finally, we discuss the enhancement of food NPs on the repair of the intestinal barrier damage and the nutrients absorption. This review holds significant importance in furthering our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of food-derived NPs on the intestinal barrier.

Chitosan/aloe vera gel coatings infused with orange peel essential oils for fruits preservation

Continuous fruit waste poses significant environmental and economic challenges, necessitating innovative fruit coating technologies. This research focuses on harnessing discarded orange peels to extract essential oil (OPEO), which is then integrated into a chitosan/aloe vera (CTS/AVG) matrix. The study comprehensively characterised the coating in terms of its physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial efficacy. The investigation involved an analysis of particle size and distribution in the coating solutions, highlighting changes induced by the incorporation of orange peel essential oil (1 %, 2 % and 3 % v/w) into the chitosan/aloe vera (4:1 v/v) matrix, including particle size reduction and enhanced Brownian motion. The study quantifies a 33.21 % decrease in water vapour transmission rate and a reduction in diffusion coefficient from 9.26 × 10-11 m2/s to 6.20 × 10-11 m2/s following the addition of OPEO to CTS/AVG. Assessment of antioxidant potential employing DPPH radical scavenging assays, revealed that CTS/AVG/3 %OPEO exhibited notably superior radical scavenging activity compared to CTS/AVG, CTS/AVG/1 %OPEO, and CTS/AVG/2 %OPEO, demonstrated by its IC50 value of 17.01 ± 0.45 mg/mL. The study employs the well diffusion method, demonstrating a higher susceptibility of gram-negative bacteria to the coating solutions than gram-positive counterparts. Remarkably, CTS/AVG/3 %OPEO displayed the most pronounced inhibition against Escherichia coli, generating an inhibitory zone diameter of 14 ± 0.8 mm. The results collectively emphasised the potential of CTS/AVG/3 %OPEO as a viable natural alternative to synthetic preservatives within the fruit industry, attributed to its exceptional antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Flavonoid-Labeled Biopolymer in the Structure of Lipid Membranes to Improve the Applicability of Antioxidant Nanovesicles

Nanovesicles produced with lipids and polymers are promising devices for drug and bioactive delivery and are of great interest in pharmaceutical applications. These nanovesicles can be engineered for improvement in bioavailability, patient compliance or to provide modified release or enhanced delivery. However, their applicability strongly depends on the safety and low immunogenicity of the components. Despite this, the use of unsaturated lipids in nanovesicles, which degrade following oxidation processes during storage and especially during the proper routes of administration in the human body, may yield toxic degradation products. In this study, we used a biopolymer (chitosan) labeled with flavonoid (catechin) as a component over a lipid bilayer for micro- and nanovesicles and characterized the structure of these vesicles in oxidation media. The purpose of this was to evaluate the in situ effect of the antioxidant in three different vesicular systems of medium, low and high membrane curvature. Liposomes and giant vesicles were produced with the phospholipids DOPC and POPC, and crystalline cubic phase with monoolein/DOPC. Concentrations of chitosan-catechin (CHCa) were included in all the vesicles and they were challenged in oxidant media. The cytotoxicity analysis using the MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) revealed that concentrations of CHCa below 6.67 µM are non-toxic to HeLa cells. The size and zeta potential of the liposomes evidenced the degradation of their structures, which was minimized by CHCa. Similarly, the membrane of the giant vesicle, which rapidly deteriorated in oxidative solution, was protected in the presence of CHCa. The production of a lipid/CHCa composite cubic phase revealed a specific cubic topology in small-angle X-ray scattering, which was preserved in strong oxidative media. This study demonstrates the specific physicochemical characteristics introduced in the vesicular systems related to the antioxidant CHCa biopolymer, representing a platform for the improvement of composite nanovesicle applicability.

Inhibitory mechanism of carboxymethyl chitosan-lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidin nanoparticles on dietary advanced glycation end products released from glycated casein during digestion

Lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidins (LSOPC) are potent inhibitors of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), whose gastrointestinal susceptibility to degradation limits their use in vivo. In this study, carboxymethyl chitosan-lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidin nanoparticles (CMC-LSOPC NPs) were constructed with a binding ratio of 1:6.51. CMC-LSOPC NPs significantly inhibited the release of AGEs from glycated casein (G-CS) during digestion, increasing the inhibition rate by 25.76% in the gastric phase and by 14.33% in the intestinal phase compared with LSOPC alone. To further investigate the inhibition mechanism, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and FTIR were used to find that CMC-LSOPC NPs could form cohesions to encapsulate G-CS in the gastric phase and hinder G-CS hydrolysis. In the intestinal phase, LSOPC was targeted for release and bound to trypsin through hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding, resulting in protein peptide chain rearrangement, changes in secondary structure and significant reduction in trypsin activity. In addition, CMC-LSOPC NPs increased the antioxidant capacity of digestive fluid and could reduce the oxidative stress in the gastrointestinal tract caused by the release of AGEs. It's the first time that CMC-LSOPC NPs were constructed to enhance the stability of LSOPC during digestion and explain the mechanism by which CMC-LSOPC NPs inhibit the release of AGEs from G-CS in both stomach and intestine. This finding will present a novel approach for reducing AGEs during gastrointestinal digestion.

Dual nanocarrier of chlorhexidine and fluconazole: Physicochemical characterization and effects on microcosm biofilms and oral keratinocytes

OBJECTIVES

This study assembled and characterized a dual nanocarrier of chlorhexidine (CHX) and fluconazole (FLZ), and evaluated its antibiofilm and cytotoxic effects.

METHODS

CHX and FLZ were added to iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) previously coated by chitosan (CS) and characterized by physical-chemical analyses. Biofilms from human saliva supplemented with Candida species were grown (72 h) on glass discs and treated (24 h) with IONPs-CS carrying CHX (at 39, 78, or 156 µg/mL) and FLZ (at 156, 312, or 624 µg/mL) in three growing associations. IONPs and CS alone, and 156 µg/mL CHX + 624 µg/mL FLZ (CHX156-FLZ624) were tested as controls. Next, microbiological analyses were performed. The viability of human oral keratinocytes (NOKsi lineage) was also determined (MTT reduction assay). Data were submitted to ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis, followed by Fisher's LSD or Tukey's tests (α=0.05).

RESULTS

Nanocarriers with spherical-like shape and diameter around 6 nm were assembled, without compromising the crystalline property and stability of IONPs. Nanocarrier at the highest concentrations was the most effective in reducing colony-forming units of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus spp., Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata. The other carriers and CHX156-FLZ624 showed similar antibiofilm effects, and significantly reduced lactic acid production (p<0.001). Also, a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect against oral keratinocytes was observed for the dual nanocarrier. IONPs-CS-CHX-FLZ and CHX-FLZ significantly reduced keratinocyte viability at CHX and FLZ concentrations ≥7.8 and 31.25 µg/mL, respectively (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The nanotherapy developed outperformed the effect of the combination CHX-FLZ on microcosm biofilms, without increasing the cytotoxic effect of the antimicrobials administered.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The dual nanocarrier is a promising topically-applied therapy for the management of oral candidiasis considering that its higher antibiofilm effects allow the use of lower concentrations of antimicrobials than those found in commercial products.

Targeted delivery of food functional ingredients in precise nutrition: design strategy and application of nutritional intervention

With the high incidence of chronic diseases, precise nutrition is a safe and efficient nutritional intervention method to improve human health. Food functional ingredients are an important material base for precision nutrition, which have been researched for their application in preventing diseases and improving health. However, their poor solubility, stability, and bad absorption largely limit their effect on nutritional intervention. The establishment of a stable targeted delivery system is helpful to enhance their bioavailability, realize the controlled release of functional ingredients at the targeted action sites in vivo, and provide nutritional intervention approaches and methods for precise nutrition. In this review, we summarized recent studies about the types of targeted delivery systems for the delivery of functional ingredients and their digestion fate in the gastrointestinal tract, including emulsion-based delivery systems and polymer-based delivery systems. The building materials, structure, size and charge of the particles in these delivery systems were manipulated to fabricate targeted carriers. Finally, the targeted delivery systems for food functional ingredients have gained some achievements in nutritional intervention for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), liver disease, obesity, and cancer. These findings will help in designing fine targeted delivery systems, and achieving precise nutritional intervention for food functional ingredients on human health.

Recent advancements in encapsulation of chitosan-based enzymes and their applications in food industry

Enzymes are readily inactivated in harsh micro-environment due to changes in pH, temperature, and ionic strength. Developing suitable and feasible techniques for stabilizing enzymes in food sector is critical for preventing them from degradation. This review provides an overview on chitosan (CS)-based enzymes encapsulation techniques, enzyme release mechanisms, and their applications in food industry. The challenges and future prospects of CS-based enzymes encapsulation were also discussed. CS-based encapsulation techniques including ionotropic gelation, emulsification, spray drying, layer-by-layer self-assembly, hydrogels, and films have been studied to improve the encapsulation efficacy (EE), heat, acid and base stability of enzymes for their applications in food, agricultural, and medical industries. The smart delivery design, new delivery system development, and in vivo releasing mechanisms of enzymes using CS-based encapsulation techniques have also been evaluated in laboratory level studies. The CS-based encapsulation techniques in commercial products should be further improved for broadening their application fields. In conclusion, CS-based encapsulation techniques may provide a promising approach to improve EE and bioavailability of enzymes applied in food industry.HighlightsEnzymes play a critical role in food industries but susceptible to inactivation.Chitosan-based materials could be used to maintain the enzyme activity.Releasing mechanisms of enzymes from encapsulators were outlined.Applications of encapsulated enzymes in food fields was discussed.