Search Results (20)

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have attracted growing interest in several fields, including topical biomedical applications, due to their stability, biocompatibility and therapeutic potential. In this study, chitosan (Ch), gelatin (G) and arabic gum (AG) were combined to formulate hydrogels loaded with different ZnO NP concentrations. The main aim is to assess the synergy between the properties of biopolymers and ZnO moieties in terms of antiviral activity. ZnO NPs were synthesized via co-precipitation. Hydrogels were prepared using the freeze–thaw method, and the loading of 2.5, 5 and 7.5% w/w of ZnO NPs with respect to Ch was promoted by ultrasonication. The structural, morphological, surface and thermal properties of hydrogels loaded with ZnO NPs (HZ 2.5, HZ 5 and HZ 7.5) and the control matrix (H) were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, confirming the successful incorporation and interaction of ZnO NPs with the polymeric network. Low ZnO NP concentrations enhanced the swelling degree of the hydrogels (from 1044% to 1253%), improving their thermal stability and solubility (96 h vs. 48 h HZ 7.5 and 14 h in the case of H). This behavior could be ascribed to the aggregation of ZnO NPs with increasing amounts, which was verified through FESEM. Virucidal activity was tested against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and bovine coronavirus (BCoV), demonstrating a substantial enhancement when the ZnO NPs are added independently of the concentration. An almost 100% viral inhibition was recorded when the HZs were analyzed, whereas the H matrix showed an inhibition of about 40% against the same virus. Antioxidant activity was evaluated via the DPPH free radical inhibition method, revealing an improvement with the loading of NPs. Full article

In response to the growing demand for improving the nutritional profile of widely consumed products, such as cookies, there has been an increasing interest in fat replacers that preserve sensory attributes and have a more positive health effect. Among the novel fat replacement strategies, the incorporation of bigels into food formulations has been studied; however, the impact of Arabic gum hydrogel-based bigels on microstructural properties and their correlation with the texture and quality of bakery products remains underexplored. In this study, cookies were formulated using a plant-based bigel (canola oil-carnauba wax oleogel mixed with Arabic gum hydrogel) as a fat substitute, and their microstructural, textural, and quality parameters were compared with those of commercial butter-based cookies. Compared to butter (firmness of 29,102 g, spreadability of 59,624 g∙s, and adhesiveness of 2282 g), bigel exhibited a softer (firmness of 576 g), more spreadable (spreadability of 457 g∙s), and less adhesive texture (adhesiveness of 136 g), while its rheological properties showed similar behavior but at a lower magnitude. Bigel exhibited high thermal stability and good elastic and thixotropic behaviors, indicating reversible structural breakdown and recovery. Cookies prepared with bigels instead of butter exhibited a similar proximate composition, with a slight increase in lipid content (11.7%). The physical dimensions and density were similar across the formulations. However, the microstructural analysis revealed differences when bigels were incorporated into cookies, reducing porosity (55%) and increasing the mean pore size (1781 µm); in contrast, mean wall thickness remained unaffected. Despite these structural modifications, the potential of bigels as viable and nutritionally enhanced substitutes for conventional fats in bakery products was demonstrated. Full article

The aim of this study was to develop and characterize UV-crosslinked hydrogel matrices based on polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), gum arabic, betaine, and sodium alginate for potential bioanalytical applications. Various physicochemical analyses were performed, including pre-polymerization emulsion stability (Multiscan), FT-IR spectroscopy, swelling behavior in physiological buffers, pH monitoring, contact angle measurements, and morphological assessment via SEM and optical microscopy. The results demonstrated that both alginate content and UV exposure time significantly influence the structural and functional properties of the hydrogels. The highest swelling ratio (2.32 g/g) was observed for the formulation containing 5% sodium alginate polymerized for 5 min (5SA_5), though this sample showed mechanical fragmentation during incubation. In contrast, the most balanced performance was achieved for the 10SA_15 formulation, which maintained structural integrity and exhibited a swelling ratio of 1.92 g/g after 9 days. The contact angle analysis revealed a surface hydrophilicity range from 50° to 100°, with the lowest angle (50°) recorded for 10SA_5, indicating high surface wettability. These findings confirm the suitability of such hydrogels for biomedical applications, particularly as absorbent, stable platforms for drug delivery or wound healing. Full article

High and large-spectrum antibacterial features and ROS scavenging properties are the most important requirements for efficient wound-dressing materials. A composite hydrogel was synthesized herein by a one-pot procedure embedding silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) covered with oxidized gum arabic (OGA) within gelatin (Gel) hydrogel. Small (2–20 nm), round-shaped AgNPs (ζ = −22 mV) were first obtained by green synthesis using OGA as a reducing and capping agent. Composite hydrogels, containing 0.6 and 1.3 wt.% Ag, were obtained by the covalent cross-linking (Schiff base reaction) of amine groups in gelatin with the dialdehyde groups located on the shell of the AgNPs. Thus, the uniform distribution of the AgNPs in the network contributed to the increased physicochemical and hydrolytic stability of the hydrogels. Moreover, the high swelling degree together with the good mechanical properties make them appropriate candidates for wound-healing materials. The hydrogels exhibited 80% scavenging activity of ABTS^●+ free radicals after 6 h of incubation and were effective against E. coli and S. aureus, achieving a 4% survival of bacteria within 3 h (E. coli) and 24 h (S. aureus). These results clearly indicate that the proposed hydrogels have potential in wound-dressing applications. Full article

Gum Arabic (GA), or acacia gum, refers to the dried exudate produced by certain Acacia trees. GA is composed mainly of a mixture of polysaccharides and glycoproteins, with proportions that can slightly differ from one species to another. It is commonly utilized in the food and pharmaceutical industries as a stabilizer or an emulsifier owing to its biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and antibacterial properties. In addition, GA can be manipulated as it possesses many functional groups that can be used in grafting, cross-linking, or chemical modifications to add a new feature to the developed material. In this review, we highlight recent GA-based formulations, including nanoparticles, hydrogels, nanofibers, membranes, or scaffolds, and their possible applications in tissue regeneration, cancer therapy, wound healing, biosensing, bioimaging, food packaging, and antimicrobial and antifouling membranes. Full article

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that destroys the tooth-supporting structures due to the host’s immune response to microbial biofilms. Traditional periodontal treatments, such as scaling and root planing, pharmacological interventions, and surgical procedures, have significant limitations, including difficulty accessing deep periodontal pockets, biofilm recolonization, and the development of antibiotic resistance. In light of these challenges, natural bioactive compounds derived from plants, herbs, and other natural sources offer a promising alternative due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and tissue-regenerative properties. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms through which bioactive compounds, such as curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), baicalin, carvacrol, berberine, essential oils, and Gum Arabic, exert therapeutic effects in periodontal disease. Bioactive compounds inhibit critical inflammatory pathways like NF-κB, JAK/STAT, and MAPK while activating protective pathways such as Nrf2/ARE, reducing cytokine production and oxidative stress. They also inhibit the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), preventing tissue degradation and promoting healing. In addition, these compounds have demonstrated the potential to disrupt bacterial biofilms by interfering with quorum sensing, targeting bacterial cell membranes, and enhancing antibiotic efficacy.Bioactive compounds also modulate the immune system by shifting the balance from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory responses and promoting efferocytosis, which helps resolve inflammation and supports tissue regeneration. However, despite the promising potential of these compounds, challenges related to their poor bioavailability, stability in the oral cavity, and the absence of large-scale clinical trials need to be addressed. Future strategies should prioritize the development of advanced delivery systems like nanoparticles and hydrogels to enhance bioavailability and sustain release, alongside long-term studies to assess the effects of these compounds in human populations. Furthermore, combining bioactive compounds with traditional treatments could provide synergistic benefits in managing periodontal disease. This review aims to explore the therapeutic potential of natural bioactive compounds in managing periodontal disease, emphasizing their molecular mechanisms of action and offering insights into their integration with conventional therapies for a more comprehensive approach to periodontal health. Full article

Goldenberry and purple passion fruit contain bioactive compounds (BCs) that can prevent gastrointestinal cancers; hydrogel beads can protect and control their release in the gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to develop an encapsulating material for fruit hydrogel beads (FHBs) to increase their bioaccessibility and to assess antiproliferative effects. A blend of goldenberry–purple passion fruit was encapsulated using ionic gelation and electrospraying. Through a mixture experimental design with sodium alginate (SA), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and arabic gum (AG) as components, the following response variables were optimized: polyphenol bioaccessibility and encapsulation efficiency. Polyphenols and antioxidant activity were quantified before and after digestion. Antiproliferative effect was evaluated on Caco-2 colon cancer cells. Variations in formulation proportions had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on most responses. An SA-AG mixture in a 0.75:0.25 ratio maximized polyphenol bioaccessibility to 213.17 ± 19.57% and encapsulation efficiency to 89.46 ± 6.64%. Polyphenols and antioxidant activity were lower in FHBs than in the fruit blend (F). Both F and FHBs inhibited tumor cell proliferation by 17% and 25%, respectively. In conclusion, encapsulating BCs in hydrogel beads with SA-AG can enhance the effectiveness of polyphenols in food applications by improving their bioaccessibility and showing a more pronounced effect in inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. Full article

Understanding gel structures and behavior is a prerequisite for attaining the desired food application characteristics. The mixing temperature is crucial when incorporating thermolabile active compounds into gels. This study evaluated the effect of mixing temperature on the physical and chemical properties of a bigel system prepared using a carnauba wax/canola oil oleogel and Arabic gum hydrogels. The results showed that bigels prepared at lower temperatures (30 and 40 °C) resulted in a solid-like state under crystallization temperature, resulting in matrices with larger hydrogel droplets, softer texture, and lower adhesiveness, spreadability, and solvent binding capacity. In contrast, bigels prepared at higher temperatures (50 and 60 °C), around crystallization temperature but with no solid state, resulted in matrices with smaller hydrogel droplets and higher firmness, adhesiveness, and spreadability. These bigels had a higher apparent viscosity, especially at lower shear rates, and solid-like behavior in the linear viscosity range. During the bigel preparation process, adjusting the mixture temperature had no effect on the samples’ oxidative stability, FTIR spectra, or thermal properties. The results highlighted the importance of hydrogel droplet size on the microstructure of the formed bigels, and smaller droplets could act as effective fillers to reinforce the matrix without making chemical changes. Full article

This research work focuses on the development of an environmentally friendly wound dressing using natural polymers. The inclusion of cannabis in these hydrogels stems from its innovative potential in medicine, particularly for wound healing and pain relief. The hydrogels were prepared by a simple methodology using natural polysaccharides, and cannabis extract through electrostatic interactions and crosslinking with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). Several tests were carried out to analyze the morphological, physical, thermal, mechanical, barrier, and antimicrobial properties of these hydrogels. Different types of hydrogels were synthesized including chitosan- gum arabic hydrogel (ChiGA), hydrogel loaded with cannabis extract (ChiGACann), hydrogel crosslinked with TPP (ChiGATPP), and ChiGACann crosslinked with TPP (ChiGACannTPP). The impact of both cannabis extract and TPP crosslinking on the properties of chitosan hydrogels was investigated. The significant swelling capacity measured to the hydrogels, with ChiGACann exhibiting a 250–350% in physiological conditions, making them suitable for wound dressing applications due to their exudate absorption capacity. Antimicrobial activity evaluation demonstrated that the hydrogels acted as barriers against different microorganisms, with Gram-positive bacteria being more sensitive than Gram-negative bacteria. Mechanical testing showed improved mechanical properties in the presence of cannabis extract and TPP crosslinking (20–30 kPa of compression modulus). In conclusion, these results highlight the application of ChiGACann hydrogels as promising materials for manufacturing wound dressings. Full article

Grape pomace is a byproduct of wineries and a sustainable source of bioactive phenolic compounds. Encapsulation of phenolics with a well-chosen coating may be a promising means of delivering them to the intestine, where they can then be absorbed and exert their health-promoting properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective, and antimicrobial effects. Ionic gelation of grape pomace extract with natural coatings (sodium alginate and its combination with maltodextrins, gelatin, chitosan, gums Tragacanth and Arabic) was performed, and the resulting hydrogel microbeads were then air-, vacuum-, and freeze-dried to prevent spoilage. Freeze-drying showed advantages in preserving the geometrical parameters and morphology of the microbeads compared to other drying techniques. A good relationship was found between the physicochemical properties of the dried microbeads and the in vitro release of phenolics. Freeze-dried microbeads showed the highest cumulative release of phenols in the intestinal phase (23.65–43.27 mg_GAE/g_MB), while the most suitable release dynamics in vitro were observed for alginate-based microbeads in combination with gelatin, gum Arabic, and 1.5% (w/v) chitosan. The results highlight the importance of developing encapsulated formulations containing a natural source of bioactive compounds that can be used in various functional foods and pharmaceutical products. Full article

Skin wound healing is time-consuming and frequently accompanied by bacterial infections and the development of scars. The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains has sparked a growing interest in naturally occurring bioactive substances, like curcumin, that possess wound-healing capabilities. Silver is a natural antimicrobial agent, and finds extensive use in specialized wound dressings. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using an eco-friendly approach, employing curcumin. The prepared nanoparticles have been characterized using TEM, DLS, and zeta potential. The prepared AgNPs were loaded on sodium alginate-co-gum arabic hydrogel. Two hydrogel samples (with and without AgNPs) have been applied for wound healing. The developed silver nanoparticles that were created exhibited effective action against both types of bacteria, namely Gram-negative and Gram-positive. Alg-co-AG-AgNPs demonstrated faster wound healing rates compared to using the control hydrogel sample. The novel dressings of curcumin–silver nanoparticle-incorporated sodium alginate-co-gum arabic hydrogels (Alg-co-AG-AgNPs) exhibited exceptional biocompatibility and have the potential to serve as a wound dressing that possesses antibacterial properties and reduces scarring. Full article

Agricultural technical development relies exclusively on the effective delivery of agrochemicals and water to plants and on reducing the harmful effects of agrochemicals on useful organisms in the soil. In this study, super-absorbent hydrogels were prepared in the form of microspheres using gum Arabic (GA), which was copolymerized once with chitosan (CS) and once with poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA). To impart mechanical strength to the hydrogel microspheres, a covalent cross-linker (N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA)) was used for the PVA/GA hydrogel, and an ionic cross-linker (sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP)) was used for the CS/GA hydrogel. The prepared PVA/GA-CH and CS/GA-PH hydrogel microspheres showed different degrees of swelling (DSs) in the following solution media: deionized water (DW), river water (RW), and buffered solutions (pH 4; pH 9). The PVA/GA-CH hydrogel microspheres showed a maximum DS of 84 g/g in the RW, while the CS/GA-PH hydrogel microspheres showed a maximum DS of 63 g/g in the buffered solution at a pH 9. The water-retention capabilities of the hydrogels were studied using a mixture of 0.5% (w/w) hydrogel microspheres in agricultural soil; the composite showed an additional 20 days of water retention in comparison with a control sample consisting of soil alone. The hydrogels were loaded with urea, which is an important fertilizer in the field of agriculture. The PVA/GA-CH hydrogel microspheres showed a maximum loading percentage (L_max%) of 89% (w/w), while the CS/GA-PH hydrogel microspheres showed an L_max% = 79.75% (w/w) for urea. The urea-release behaviors of the hydrogel microspheres were studied under different release media and temperature conditions. In practice, the PVA/GA-CH hydrogel microspheres showed a better release profile in the RW at 10 °C, while the CS/GA-PH hydrogel microspheres showed a more controlled release in media at a pH 9 and at 30 °C. The urea-loaded microspheres, aside from those following the release, were characterized via FTIR and SEM. In contrast, virgin microspheres were characterized using XRD,¹H NMR, (TGA and DSC), and the maximum degree of swelling, in addition to being subjected to SEM and FTIR analyses. Full article

In this study, thyme essential oil (essential oil to total lipid: 14.23, 20, 25, and 33.33%)-burdened nanoliposomes with/without maltodextrin solution were infused with natural hydrogels fabricated using equal volumes (1:1, v/v) of pea protein (30%) and gum Arabic (1.5%) solutions. The production process of the solutions infused with gels was verified using FTIR spectroscopy. In comparison to the nanoliposome solution (NL₁) containing soybean lecithin and essential oil, the addition of maltodextrin (molar ratio of lecithin to maltodextrin: 0.80, 0.40, and 0.20 for NL₂, NL₃, and NL₄, respectively) to these solutions led to a remarkable shift in particle size (487.10–664.40 nm), negative zeta potential (23.50–38.30 mV), and encapsulation efficiency (56.25–67.62%) values. Distortions in the three-dimensional structure of the hydrogel (H2) constructed in the presence of free (uncoated) essential oil were obvious in the photographs when compared to the control (H1) consisting of a pea protein–gum Arabic matrix. Additionally, the incorporation of NL₁ caused visible deformations in the gel (HNL₁). Porous surfaces were dominant in H1 and the hydrogels (HNL₂, HNL₃, and HNL₄) containing NL₂, NL₃, and NL₄ in the SEM images. The most convenient values for functional behaviors were found in H1 and HNL₄, followed by HNL₃, HNL₂, HNL₁, and H2. This hierarchical order was also valid for mechanical properties. The prominent hydrogels in terms of essential oil delivery throughout the simulated gastrointestinal tract were HNL₂, HNL₃, and HNL₄. To sum up, findings showed the necessity of mediators such as maltodextrin in the establishment of such systems. Full article

Grape pomace is a byproduct of wineries and a rich source of phenolic compounds that can exert multiple pharmacological effects when consumed and enter the intestine where they can then be absorbed. Phenolic compounds are susceptible to degradation and interaction with other food constituents during digestion, and encapsulation may be a useful technique for protecting phenolic bioactivity and controlling its release. Therefore, the behavior of phenolic-rich grape pomace extracts encapsulated by the ionic gelation method, using a natural coating (sodium alginate, gum arabic, gelatin, and chitosan), was observed during simulated digestion in vitro. The best encapsulation efficiency (69.27%) was obtained with alginate hydrogels. The physicochemical properties of the microbeads were influenced by the coatings used. Scanning electron microscopy showed that drying had the least effect on the surface area of the chitosan-coated microbeads. A structural analysis showed that the structure of the extract changed from crystalline to amorphous after encapsulation. The phenolic compounds were released from the microbeads by Fickian diffusion, which is best described by the Korsmeyer–Peppas model among the four models tested. The obtained results can be used as a predictive tool for the preparation of microbeads containing natural bioactive compounds that could be useful for the development of food supplements. Full article