Search Results (439)

Polysaccharide-based microparticles have emerged as suitable carriers and stabilizers of active substances, showing potential to stabilize bioactive compounds during storage and gastrointestinal digestion, thereby improving their bioaccessibility and bioavailability. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the main polysaccharides employed as wall materials, including starch, maltodextrin, alginate, pectin, inulin, chitosan, and gum Arabic, and discusses how structural interactions and physicochemical properties can positively influence the microencapsulation of polyphenols and pigments. The principles and main findings of the main microencapsulation techniques, including spray-drying, freeze-drying, extrusion, emulsification, and coacervation, are briefly described. Polysaccharides can entrap both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds through physical interactions, forming a barrier around the nucleus or binding to the bioactive compound. Intermolecular binding between polysaccharides in the wall matrix, polyphenols, and pigments in the nucleus can confer up to 90% encapsulation efficiency, primarily governed by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions. The mixture of wall polysaccharides in the microparticles synthesis favors the encapsulation solubility, storage stability, bioaccessibility, and bioactivity of the microencapsulate compounds. Clinical trials regarding the bioefficacy of polyphenols and pigments loaded in polysaccharide microparticles are scarce and require further evidence to reinforce the use of this technology. Full article

Mycotoxin contamination is an important threat to food and feed safety as well as human and animal health, with particular emphasis on oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, and dysbiosis. Mycotoxins represent major health threats because they disturb cellular homeostasis and induce oxidative damage. Nutritional factors, such as dietary antioxidants and bioactive chemicals, can influence the body’s reaction to mycotoxin exposure, either reducing or increasing its effects. This study discusses how mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, and ochratoxin A) induce oxidative stress by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated DNA damage, which induces cellular damage and activates apoptosis, an intended cell death process that is critical for tissue integrity. Furthermore, mycotoxins alter autophagy, a cellular degradation process that can be beneficial or destructive depending on the situation, affecting cell survival. The inflammatory response is particularly important because mycotoxin-induced oxidative stress and cell damage activate inflammatory pathways, which contribute to tissue injury and disease progression. Nutritional factors high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory substances (Lycopene, Curcumin, Thyme oil, Gum Arabic, and Ginger), probiotics, and prebiotics show potential in mitigating these negative consequences by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Advances in molecular biology and omics technologies (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and single-cell sequencing) can lead to better knowledge of the underlying pathways, allowing for more tailored nutritional recommendations and medicinal interventions. Finally, combining dietary modulation with mycotoxin risk management is a viable path for protecting health and increasing resilience to mycotoxin-related toxicities in animals. Full article

Gum arabic (GA)-based edible coatings enriched with natural bioactive compounds offer a promising strategy for reducing postharvest losses and maintaining fruit quality. This study evaluated the effectiveness of GA coatings supplemented with carvacrol or caffeine in preserving the physicochemical quality, antioxidant status, and marketability of ‘Murcott’ mandarins during cold storage (5 ± 1 °C, 90–95% RH) for 60 days followed by 4 days of shelf life. Fruits were treated with distilled water (control), GA (10%), GA + imazalil (2000 ppm), GA + carvacrol (200 ppm), and GA + caffeine (200 ppm). Key quality parameters, including weight loss, decay incidence, firmness, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA), total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant enzyme activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX), were evaluated. The results demonstrated that GA-based coatings, particularly GA + carvacrol, significantly reduced weight loss and decay while maintaining firmness and visual quality compared to the control. Coated fruits exhibited lower electrolyte leakage and MDA levels, indicating improved membrane integrity and reduced lipid peroxidation. In addition, the treatments enhanced antioxidant capacity, as reflected by increased phenolic and flavonoid contents and higher CAT and POX activities. Multivariate analysis further confirmed the strong association between coating treatments and improved quality attributes. In conclusion, GA coatings enriched with carvacrol or caffeine effectively improved postharvest quality and extended the shelf life of ‘Murcott’ mandarins, highlighting their potential as safe and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional postharvest treatments. Full article

Bamboo surfaces are susceptible to scratches and contamination during service, which limits their durability and aesthetic performance. To address this issue, this study aims to develop a natural self-healing coating based on tung oil microcapsules. Tung oil microcapsules encapsulated within chitosan and gum arabic (TO/CS–GA MCs) were prepared by spray drying at two feed rates (100 and 200 mL h⁻¹) and incorporated into tung oil coatings applied on bamboo substrates. The effects of microcapsule content (1.0–11.0 wt%) and feed rate on the optical performance, mechanical performance, and self-healing performance of the coatings were systematically investigated. The results showed that increasing the microcapsule content gradually increased the color difference (ΔE) and surface roughness of the coatings, while the gloss decreased. The hardness, impact resistance, adhesion grade, and self-healing efficiency of the coatings exhibited a similar trend, initially increasing and then decreasing with increasing microcapsule content. This behavior indicates that an appropriate amount of microcapsules can enhance the coating performance, whereas excessive addition leads to particle agglomeration and structural defects. Under the better condition of 5.0 wt% microcapsule content and a spray-drying feed rate of 100 mL h⁻¹, the coating exhibited the best overall performance, including higher gloss retention, a hardness of 2H, an impact resistance of 3 kg·cm, relatively low surface roughness, and a self-healing efficiency of 28.16 ± 0.63%. These results suggest that the spray-drying feed rate plays an important role in regulating the particle size distribution and encapsulation efficiency of the microcapsules, which in turn affects their dispersion and rupture–release behavior within the coating matrix. Therefore, controlling the spray-drying parameters is crucial for optimizing the performance of microcapsule-based self-healing coatings. Overall, this study provides a sustainable strategy for developing natural polymer-based self-healing coatings and offers useful insights into the design of functional microcapsules for bamboo surface protection. Full article

Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) plays an important role in skin regeneration and repair by promoting cell proliferation and collagen synthesis. However, its topical application is limited by low stability, susceptibility to degradation, and poor penetration through the stratum corneum due to its hydrophilic nature and relatively large molecular size. Microencapsulation offers a strategy to protect sensitive bioactives and improve their delivery in cosmetic formulations. In this study, EGF was encapsulated in Arabic gum/gelatine A (AG/GE) coacervate microcapsules and incorporated into a hydrating cream. The work extends previous studies using the same microcapsule composition for lipophilic compounds, demonstrating its applicability for a hydrophilic bioactive and highlighting the versatility of the encapsulation platform. The resulting microcapsules exhibited spherical, multinucleated morphology with an encapsulation efficiency of 78.8 + 1.0%. Although diffusion of microencapsulated EGF in the cream could not be directly determined, the formulation showed trends towards improvement in several skin parameters during the volunteer evaluation, including reduction in surface spots (31%), brown spots (21%) and pore visibility (10%), and improved texture (22%). A 25% decrease in transepidermal water loss and a 33% increase in elasticity suggested improved skin barrier function. Volunteers reported high acceptance regarding non-irritancy, texture, and sensory experience. Full article

Background/Objectives: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with gut dysbiosis linked to early-life antibiotic use and Staphylococcus aureus colonization. Gum Arabic (GA), a prebiotic, may modulate this dysbiosis and influence AD-related microbial balance. This study evaluated whether GA could support AD-associated probiotics-Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bifidobacterium infantis-under amoxicillin- or azithromycin-containing conditions, examined the response of S. aureus under the same screening conditions, and developed GA-phospholipid-based semisolid carriers for topical application. Methods: Probiotic strains were cultured with 1–5% GA in the presence and absence of antibiotics, and viable cell counts were assessed. Sixteen topical formulations containing propylene glycol or isopropyl myristate in a hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine base were prepared and screened for rheological properties and galactose release using in vitro release testing (IVRT) and HPLC-UV. Results: GA at 1–2% concentrations promoted probiotic growth in antibiotic-free conditions. GA preserved B. infantis viability under azithromycin exposure in this in vitro screening model. For S. aureus, numerical CFU differences were observed between antibiotic-only and GA-containing conditions; however, the present screening design was not intended to determine antibiotic interaction outcomes. Formulations F14 (2% GA + 7% IPM) and F15 (3% GA + 7% IPM) exhibited optimal spreadability. IVRT showed that 6 h cumulative galactose release varied by formulation (F6 > F10 > F14 > F15). Conclusions: GA demonstrated dose-dependent prebiotic activity and preserved B. infantis viability under azithromycin exposure in this in vitro screening model. For S. aureus, the observed CFU differences between antibiotic-only and GA-containing conditions should be considered exploratory only and do not allow for conclusions regarding interference with antibiotic efficacy. Optimized GA-HPC systems with suitable rheological and release characteristics represent promising candidates for further preclinical investigation. Full article

By examining historical recipes from the medieval treatise The Montpellier Liber Diversarum Arcium, the creation of bottle green and verdigris pigments involved various types of tempera, such as parchment glue and gum arabic. Malachite was also prepared. These references and paints were analysed using infrared spectroscopy and visible spectroscopy techniques, such as micro-Infrared Spectroscopy (microFTIR) and Fibre Optic Reflectance Spectroscopy, (FORS) over the 350–1000 nm range. This research provided new insights into the pigments used in monastic manuscripts and Books of Hours, supported by valuable data from the Soleil synchrotron. Producing historically accurate reproductions and applying spectroscopy to analyse them promotes sustainable cultural heritage preservation by maintaining ancient artefacts, detecting early signs of degradation, and enabling the development of compatible restoration materials. Full article

Background: Plant-derived essential oils possess valuable bioactivities, but their application is limited by volatility and irritation, which may be addressed through natural polymer encapsulation. This study aimed to investigate the bioactivity of Hedychium coronarium rhizome essential oil and evaluate the effect of microencapsulation on its physicochemical characteristics, biological stability, and irritation profile. Methods: Essential oil was extracted from H. coronarium rhizomes by hydrodistillation and chemically characterized. Enzyme inhibitory activities against elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase were assessed. Microencapsulation was performed using gum Arabic or maltodextrin at 1–5% w/w oil loadings. The resulting powders were evaluated for morphology, entrapment efficiency, hygroscopicity, water activity, biological stability, and irritation potential using the hen’s egg test on the chorioallantoic membrane. Results: The essential oil demonstrated strong enzyme inhibition, particularly against hyaluronidase (IC₅₀ = 0.1 ± 0.0 µg/mL), along with notable elastase and tyrosinase inhibition. Encapsulation significantly reduced irritation scores from 13.3 ± 1.4 for the free oil to 3.6–4.2 for encapsulated systems (p < 0.05). Gum Arabic produced rough, porous particles with lower hygroscopicity, while maltodextrin yielded smoother particles with lower water activity. Both encapsulated powders significantly enhanced biological stability compared with the ethanolic solution. Conclusions: Natural polymer-based microencapsulation effectively reduced the irritation potential and improved the handling properties of H. coronarium essential oil, supporting its potential application in topical bioactive delivery systems. Full article

Silver nanoparticles synthesized using natural polysaccharides have received attention for their biocompatibility and potential selective anticancer activity. In this study, the physicochemical properties and biological activity of silver nanoparticles prepared using gums from Acacia senegal (ASS) and Acacia seyal (ASY) were compared. The gums were analyzed to determine their physicochemical characteristics and used as natural reducing and stabilizing agents in nanoparticle synthesis. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy, FTIR, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential analysis. Their cytotoxicity was evaluated in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and HEK-293 normal cells using MTT assay, flow cytometry, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement. Both gums showed properties consistent with Gum Arabic, with a higher protein content in ASS. ASS-derived nanoparticles were smaller and had greater colloidal stability. Both formulations reduced MCF-7 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with lower IC₅₀ values observed for the ASS-based nanoparticles. Apoptosis induction was associated with increased ROS generation. Limited cytotoxicity toward HEK-293 cells resulted in favorable selectivity indices. Acacia gum–mediated silver nanoparticles demonstrate selective anticancer activity, and gum composition significantly influences nanoparticle stability and bioactivity, supporting their potential application in breast cancer nanotherapy. Full article

The formulation of rhizobial bioinoculants remains a critical bottleneck for the large-scale deployment of biological nitrogen fixation in sustainable agriculture, mainly due to limitations in the stability and viability of conventional liquid products. In this study, a spray-drying-based process was developed and optimized to produce a stable and functional bioinoculant using Ensifer meliloti Rm8530, an EPS II–producing strain with enhanced stress tolerance. Strain robustness was evaluated through thermal and osmotic stress assays, together with growth performance across relevant temperature and pH ranges. Six carrier-based formulations combining polysaccharides and proteins were then tested under controlled spray-drying conditions. Process performance was assessed in terms of powder recovery, residual moisture, bacterial survival, yield, and storage stability over 16 weeks. The morphological integrity of spray-dried particles and rehydrated cells was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The biological functionality of selected formulations was subsequently validated in planta using alfalfa as a host model. Among the formulations tested, a mixed alginate–gum Arabic matrix showed the best overall balance between process efficiency, post-drying viability, long-term stability, and symbiotic performance. Spray-dried cells retained the ability to induce nodulation and support early plant responses under the conditions evaluated. These results demonstrate that spray drying, combined with appropriate strain selection and formulation design, constitutes a viable and scalable platform for producing stable, functional rhizobial bioinoculants. Full article

The green synthesis of nanomaterials has emerged as a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach, gaining significant attention in recent years for its potential in a wide range of multifunctional applications. Among these materials, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) stand out due to their remarkable versatility and effectiveness in fields such as industry (food, chemistry, and cosmetics), nanomedicine, cancer therapy, drug delivery, optoelectronics, sensors, and environmental remediation. This study focuses on bioinspired strategies for the facile synthesis of ZnO NPs, employing natural polysaccharide gums as mediators. Acting as both reducing and stabilizing agents, natural gums not only facilitate the eco-friendly production of ZnO NPs but also enhance their stability and functionality. Natural gum-mediated green synthesis typically yields stable, spherical ZnO particles, often in the 10–100 nm range. Typical reaction conditions are the use of zinc acetate dihydrate or zinc nitrate (0.01–0.5 M) as precursors, with low gum concentrations of 0.1–1.0% (w/v) in distilled water, alkaline conditions (pH from 8 to 12), often achieved by adding NaOH, which aids in the reduction and capping by the gum, at reaction temperature between 60 °C and 80 °C, under continuous stirring. The dried precipitate is often calcined at 400 °C to 600 °C to remove organic residues and enhance crystallinity. This approach underscores the potential of biopolymer-assisted synthesis in advancing green nanotechnology for sustainable and practical applications. Utilizing environmentally benign materials such as natural gums for the synthesis of ZnO NPs offers significant advantages, including enhanced eco-friendliness and biocompatibility, making them suitable for a wide range of applications without the involvement of toxic reagents. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the synthesis and characterization techniques employed in the eco-friendly production of ZnO NPs using different natural gums from biological sources and its environmental applications (e.g., pollutant removal and increased agriculture sustainability). Full article

‘Barhi’ dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) are highly prized and widely consumed at the khalal stage, but they are only available for a short time, which highlights the importance of extending their storage life. This study examined the effectiveness of edible coatings in delaying ripening and maintaining fruit quality during cold storage (2 °C). The treatments tested were gelatin alone or gelatin combined with chitosan, Aloe vera gel (AVG), or gum arabic, and applied in a layer-by-layer (LbL) approach. A fifth treatment consisting of deionized water was used as a reference untreated control. The fruit parameters measured included weight loss, decay, moisture content, ripening (rutab transformation), firmness, color (lightness and hue angle), total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS/TA ratio, total sugars, total polyphenols, and enzymatic activity. Results indicated that the LbL edible coating was more effective in preserving postharvest quality. Regarding weight loss and decay rate, the results showed that the control treatment consistently had 1.5–5-fold higher deterioration indicators than the coated fruits. Among the tested treatments, the gum arabic and gelatin coating was the most effective compared to the untreated control, reducing weight loss by over 40%, lowering decay by approximately 80%, and maintaining significantly higher moisture content throughout storage. Concerning carotenoid levels, the untreated fruits exhibited approximately 1.2–1.4-fold higher carotenoid content than the coated fruits. Fruits treated with gum arabic and gelatin exhibited the best preservation effect Sby limiting TSS increase and maintaining higher TA compared with the control. This treatment best maintained antioxidant capacity and phenolic content while significantly suppressing the activities of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase. Overall, the LbL coating strategy successfully maintained the quality of ’Barhi’ dates by mitigating oxidative and enzymatic degradation throughout storage. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis demonstrated that treatments gum arabic and gelatin exhibited superior effectiveness in extending the date storage life in terms of physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity, followed by chitosan and gelatin, and Aloe vera and gelatin, compared to the control fruits over a 60-day storage period. Full article

Gum arabic (GA) is a promising polymer for oil microencapsulation due to its emulsifying and film-forming properties and regulatory acceptance. Here we introduce a fully natural, low-energy emulsion–freeze-drying route and a head-to-head screening framework that compares surfactant chemistry and oil identity under identical processing conditions. Rice oil was used as a model to evaluate two oil:GA ratios (1:3 and 1:0.3, solid basis) and three surfactants (Tween 80, sodium cocoyl glutamate (SCG), and lecithin) at 0.1–1%. Emulsions were characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) (z-average, PDI), emulsification index, and viscosity, then freeze-dried and evaluated for encapsulation efficiency (EE). High oil load (1:0.3) gave EE = 0% for all conditions, whereas GA-rich emulsions (1:3) enabled encapsulation, with 0.1% surfactant selected as optimal. Using this formulation window, six oils (rice, jojoba, aloe vera, sweet almond, safflower, sesame) were screened, yielding EE values from 0 to 95%. Safflower and sesame showed high EE without surfactant, while rice, sweet almond, aloe vera, and jojoba benefited mainly from SCG or lecithin. Despite producing smaller droplets, Tween 80 generated polydisperse, low-stability emulsions and did not improve EE. Overall, EE is governed by GA–surfactant interfacial cohesion and oil chemistry rather than droplet size alone. Full article

Background: Gum Arabic (GA) is a natural polysaccharide widely recognized for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its functional behavior as a biopolymeric gel and the mechanisms underlying its selective effects on cancer-related redox microenvironments remain insufficiently characterized. It is imperative to note that the interaction between its physicochemical properties and its biological activity in colorectal cancer remains to be fully clarified. Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the antineoplastic potential of GA in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines (HT-29 and HCT-116) compared to normal fibroblasts (MRC-5) using the MTS assay. Oxidative stress-related molecular responses were assessed by quantitative PCR analysis of GPX4, GSTA2, CAT, NFKB, and SOD1 expression. In parallel, extracellular concentrations of key metal ions (Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Al³⁺) were quantified following GA exposure. To establish its functional gel characteristics, rheological measurements were performed to assess viscosity and shear-dependent behavior, and USP-compliant in vitro kinetic studies were conducted to evaluate time-dependent release properties. Results: GA induced dose-dependent cytotoxicity in HT-29 and HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells, while MRC-5 fibroblasts exhibited comparatively higher viability across the tested concentration range, indicating reduced sensitivity in normal cells. Rheological analysis revealed concentration- and ion-dependent viscoelastic behavior, identifying a 10% (w/w) GA formulation as optimal due to its balanced low-shear viscosity and controlled shear-thinning properties. Kinetic studies demonstrated a defined, diffusion-governed release profile under physiologically relevant conditions. At the molecular level, significant upregulation of GPX4 and GSTA2 was observed in both cancer cell lines, whereas NFKB expression increased selectively in HT-29 cells, with no notable changes in CAT or SOD1 expression. Additionally, GA treatment resulted in marked increases in Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mn²⁺ levels, indicating modulation of the redox–ionic microenvironment. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that GA functions as a natural, ion-responsive biopolymeric system with defined rheological and kinetic properties, capable of selectively targeting colorectal cancer cells through coordinated genetic and ionic regulation of oxidative stress. Collectively, the results position GA as a promising functional gel-based platform for future redox-modulated therapeutic strategies in colorectal cancer. Full article