Development and Characterization of Electrospun Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Biopapers Containing Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles for Active Food Packaging Applications

An interdisciplinary approach to assessing the toxicity reduction of cerium oxide nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers: An in vitro study

OBJECTIVE

This study combines toxicology, analytical chemistry, and nanotechnology to develop cerium oxide nanoparticles, both uncoated and coated with Polyethylene Glycol and Polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers. The objective is to assess their toxicity reduction using cell-based assays.

METHODS

Nanoparticles were synthesized using the co-precipitation technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were employed to characterize their properties. The MTT assay evaluated cell viability, whereas reactive oxygen species and LPO assays were used to quantify oxidative stress.

FINDINGS

The chemical analysis of nanoparticles of the study revealed that cerium oxide nanoparticles exhibited better and more regular morphological characteristics compared to nanoparticles coated with PEG and PVP polymers in terms of size. In addition, cerium oxide nanoparticles combined with PVP polymer did not retain the morphology at the nano level. Toxicological studies demonstrated a reduction in the toxicity of cerium oxide nanoparticles when coated with PEG and PVP polymers.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The study found that PEG coating significantly reduces the cytotoxicity of cerium oxide nanoparticles more effectively than PVP coating by mitigating oxidative stress. This approach presents a promising strategy for developing safer cerium oxide-based products for pharmaceutical and medical applications.

Biogenesis of bacterial cellulose/xanthan/CeO2NPs composite films for active food packaging

The increasing significance of biopolymer-based food packaging can be attributed to its biodegradability and independence from petroleum-derived materials. Concurrently, metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have gained prominence as effective antimicrobial agents against both wild-type and antibiotic-resistant microbes. In this study, cerium oxide or ceria, CeO2, nanoparticles with an average diameter of 50 nm were synthesized via a green method utilizing Vibrio sp. VLC cell lysate supernatant. The synthesized CeO2 NPs displayed remarkable antimicrobial properties, inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by 93.7 % and 98 %, respectively. To enhance the potential of bacterial cellulose (BC) for advanced applications, we developed a BC/xanthan/CeO2 nanocomposite using both ex situ and in situ techniques. The integration of CeO2 NPs within the nanocomposite structure not only improved the inherent properties of BC, but also rendered it suitable for use in active food packaging systems. The nanocomposite exhibited no significant cytotoxicity on the human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells, confirming its safety. Nanocomposites containing biogenically synthesized CeO2 NPs demonstrated exceptional efficacy for reducing microbial contamination. Bread samples coated with nanocomposite films displayed no signs of microbial growth. These results support the application of BC/xanthan/CeO2 nanocomposites as suitable and effective coating materials for antimicrobial food packaging applications.

Nanoencapsulation and Nanocoating of Bioactives of Application Interest in Food, Nutraceuticals and Pharma

Bioactives are functional molecules that pose several challenges, including poor solubility, low permeability, and low chemical, biochemical, or process stability, resulting in reduced functionality and bioavailability [...].

Electrospun core-sheath PCL nanofibers loaded with nHA and simvastatin and their potential bone regeneration applications

Introduction: Drugs and biocompatible nanoparticles have raised significant potential in advancing the bone regeneration. Electrospinning technology enables the full realization of the value of drugs and nanoparticles. Methods: In this study, we have successfully fabricated core-sheath nanofibers solely composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer. Simvastatin (SIM) was confined to the core of the nanofibers while nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) was loaded on the nanofiber surface. Results: All the prepared nanofibers exhibited a cylindrical micromorphology, and the core-sheath structure was exploited using a Transmission Electron Microscope. X-ray pattern results indicated that SIM was in an amorphous state within nanofibers, while Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy showed excellent chemical compatibility among SIM, nHA, and PCL. The actual loading of nHA within the nanofiber was determined by a thermogravimetric test due to the high melting point of nHA. Core-sheath nanofibers could release SIM for 672 h, which was attributed to the core-sheath structure. Furthermore, nanofibers loaded with SIM or nHA had a positive impact on cell proliferation, with the core-sheath nanofibers displaying the most favorable cell proliferation behavior. Discussion: Such a synergistic facilitation strategy based on materials and nanostructure may encourage researchers to exploit new biomedical materials in future.