Preparation and Drug-Loading Properties of Amphoteric Cassava Starch Nanoparticles

Optimization and Characterization of Acetic Acid-Hydrolyzed Cassava Starch Nanoparticles for Enhanced Oil Recovery Applications

This study presents an optimized and sustainable route for synthesizing cassava starch nanoparticles (CSNPs) tailored for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications. Conventional inorganic acid hydrolysis methods often produce low nanoparticle yields and large particle sizes due to extensive degradation of both amorphous and crystalline starch regions. To overcome these challenges, ultrasonic-assisted acetic acid hydrolysis coupled with response surface methodology (RSM) was applied. Under optimal conditions, two distinct CSNPs were produced: CSNP A (206.77 nm, 96.23% yield in 3 days) and CSNP B (99.4 nm, 96.07% yield in 7 days). Characterization via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed enhanced crystallinity, while rheological analyses revealed shear-thickening behavior and improved viscosity, key factors for effective polymer flooding in EOR. DSC and TGA measurements highlighted robust thermal stability, essential for high-temperature reservoir conditions. A preliminary assessment suggests CSNP B's small size (99.4 nm), high viscosity, and thermal stability make it particularly promising for EOR in low-permeability reservoirs, with future core flooding studies needed for validation. These attributes position CSNPs as sustainable alternatives for polymer flooding in challenging reservoir environments.

Starch-based bio-membrane for water purification, biomedical waste, and environmental remediation

This review article explores the utilization of starch-based materials as smart materials for the removal of dyes and heavy metals from wastewater, highlighting their cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. It addresses the critical need for clean water, emphasizing the contamination caused by industrial activities, such as printing, textile, cosmetic, and leather tanning industries. Starch and its derivatives demonstrate significant potential in water purification technology, effectively removing toxicants through hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and complexation. The review also discusses the application of starch-based materials in the biomedical field, particularly as drug carriers. Starch-based microspheres, hydrogels, nano-spheres, and nano-composites exhibit sustained drug-release properties and are effective in transporting various drugs, including DOX, quercetin, 5-Fluorouracil, glycyrrhizic acid, paclitaxel, tetracycline hydrochloride, amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, and moxifloxacin. These materials show good antimicrobial activity against a range of pathogens, including C. albicans, E. coli, S. aureus, C. neoformance, B. subtilis, A. niger, A. fumigatus, and A. terreus. While highlighting the significant achievements of starch-based materials, the review also discusses current limitations and areas for future development. Key weaknesses include the need for enhanced adsorption capacities and the challenge of scaling up production for industrial applications. The review concludes by identifying development directions, such as improving functionalization techniques and exploring new applications in water purification and drug delivery systems. This article aims to assist researchers in advancing the field of starch-based materials for environmental and biomedical applications.

Cross-linked modification of tapioca starch by sodium Trimetaphosphate: An influence on its structure

This study aimed to examine the changes in the structural characterization of cross-linked tapioca treated with sodium trimetaphosphate(STMP). The degree of substitution in the cross-linked starch was determined by the iodine absorption method. Scanning electron microscopy, particle size measurement, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the structure of modified tapioca starch at different substitution degrees. The results demonstrated that the degree of substitution of cross-linked starch increased with the increase in the amount of the cross-linking agent. The modified starch particles aggregated to form a mass structure, but the average particle size did not change with the cross-linker content and was about 17 μm. FT-IR and XRD experiments showed that the cross-linking esterification of starch with sodium trimetaphosphate generated new phosphate groups, increasing the content of phosphoric acid in starch, and the A-type crystalline structure of starch was not changed.

Encapsulation of HaCaT Secretome for Enhanced Wound Healing Capacity on Human Dermal Fibroblasts

In the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin, diverse cell types are reconstituted during the wound healing process. Delays or failures in wound healing are a major issue in skin therapy because they prevent the normal structure and function of wounded tissue from being restored, resulting in ulceration or other skin abnormalities. Human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCAT) cells are a spontaneously immortalized human keratinocyte cell line capable of secreting many bioactive chemicals (a secretome) that stimulate skin cell proliferation, rejuvenation, and regeneration. In this study, the HaCaT secretome was encapsulated with polyesters such as poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and cassava starch in an effort to maximize its potential. According to the estimated mechanism of the HaCaT secretome, all treatments were conducted on immortalized dermal fibroblast cell lines, a model of wound healing. Encapsulation of HaCaT secretome and cassava starch enhanced the effectiveness of cell proliferation, migration, and anti-aging. On the other hand, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were lowered, activating antioxidants in immortalized dermal fibroblast cells. The HaCaT secretome induced in a dose-dependent manner the expression of antioxidant-associated genes, including SOD, CAT, and GPX. Six cytokines, including CCL2 and MCP-1, influenced immunoregulatory and inflammatory processes in cultured HaCAT cells. HaCaT secretome encapsulated in cassava starch can reduce ROS buildup by boosting antioxidant to stimulate wound healing. Hence, the HaCaT secretome may have a new chance in the cosmetics business to develop components for wound prevention and healing.

Nanostructure Design of Catalysts: Latest Advances and Prospects

The recent development of nanotechnology has laid the foundation for the design and preparation of various nanostructured materials [...].

The novel chitosan-amphoteric starch dual flocculants for enhanced removal of Microcystis aeruginosa and algal organic matter

A novel flocculation strategy for simultaneously removing Microcystis aeruginosa and algal organic matter (AOM) was proposed using chitosan-amphoteric starch (C-A) dual flocculants in an efficient, cost-effective and ecologically friendly way, providing new insights for harmful algal blooms (HABs) control. A dual-functional starch-based flocculant, amphoteric starch (AS) with high anion degree of substitution (DS_A) and cation degree of substitution (DS_C), was prepared using a cationic moiety of 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTA) coupled with an anion moiety of chloroacetic acid onto the backbone of starch simultaneously. In combination of the results of FTIR, XPS, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, GPC, EA, TGA and SEM, it was evidenced that the successfully synthesized AS with excellent structural characteristics contributed to the enhanced flocculation of M. aeruginosa. Furthermore, the novel C-A dual flocculants could achieve not only the removal of >99.3 % of M. aeruginosa, but also the efficacious flocculation of algal organic matter (AOM) at optimal concentration of (0.8:24) mg/L, within a wide pH range of 3-11. The analysis of zeta potential and cellular morphology revealed that the dual effects of both enhanced charge neutralization and notable netting-bridging played a vital role in efficient M. aeruginosa removal.

Recent Trends in the Preparation of Nano-Starch Particles

Starch is affected by several limitations, e.g., retro-gradation, high viscosity even at low concentrations, handling issues, poor freeze-thaw stability, low process tolerance, and gel opacity. In this context, physical, chemical, and enzymatic methods have been investigated for addressing such limitations or adding new attributes. Thus, the creation of biomaterial-based nanoparticles has sparked curiosity. Because of that, single nucleotide polymorphisms are gaining a lot of interest in food packaging technology. This is due to their ability to increase the mechanical and water vapor resistance of the matrix, as well as hide its re-crystallization during storage in high-humidity atmospheres and enhance the mechanical properties of films when binding in paper machines and paper coating. In medicine, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are suitable as carriers in the field of drug delivery for immobilized bioactive or therapeutic agents, as well as wastewater treatments as an alternative to expensive activated carbons. Starch nanoparticle preparations can be performed by hydrolysis via acid hydrolysis of the amorphous part of a starch molecule, the use of enzymes such as pullulanase or isoamylase, or a combination of two regeneration and mechanical treatments with the employment of extrusion, irradiation, ultrasound, or precipitation. The possibility of obtaining cheap and easy-to-use methods for starch and starch derivative nanoparticles is of fundamental importance. Nano-precipitation and ultra-sonication are rather simple and reliable methods for nanoparticle production. The process involves the addition of a diluted starch solution into a non-solvent, and ultra-sonication aims to reduce the size by breaking the covalent bonds in polymeric material due to intense shear forces or mechanical effects associated with the collapsing of micro-bubbles by sound waves. The current study focuses on starch nanoparticle manufacturing, characterization, and emerging applications.

Biopolymeric Nanoparticles-Multifunctional Materials of the Future

Nanotechnology plays an important role in biological research, especially in the development of delivery systems with lower toxicity and greater efficiency. These include not only metallic nanoparticles, but also biopolymeric nanoparticles. Biopolymeric nanoparticles (BPNs) are mainly developed for their provision of several advantages, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and minimal toxicity, in addition to the general advantages of nanoparticles. Therefore, given that biopolymers are biodegradable, natural, and environmentally friendly, they have attracted great attention due to their multiple applications in biomedicine, such as drug delivery, antibacterial activity, etc. This review on biopolymeric nanoparticles highlights their various synthesis methods, such as the ionic gelation method, nanoprecipitation method, and microemulsion method. In addition, the review also covers the applications of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles in different areas-especially in the pharmaceutical, biomedical, and agricultural domains. In conclusion, the present review highlights recent advances in the synthesis and applications of biopolymeric nanoparticles and presents both fundamental and applied aspects that can be used for further development in the field of biopolymeric nanoparticles.