The susceptibility of probiotics to low pH and high temperature has limited their use as nutraceuticals. In this study, enhanced protection of probiotics via microencapsulation was achieved. Lactobacillus plantarum LAB12 were immobilised within polymeric matrix comprised of alginate (Alg) with supplementation of cellulose derivatives (methylcellulose (MC), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)). L. plantarum LAB12 encapsulated in Alg-HPMC(1.0) and Alg-MC(1.0) elicited improved survivability (91%) in simulated gastric conditions and facilitated maximal release (∼100%) in simulated intestinal condition. Alg-HPMC(1.0) and Alg-MC(1.0) significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the viability loss of LAB12 (viability loss <7%) when compared to Alg alone (viability loss <13%) under extreme temperatures (75 and 90 °C). Four-week storage of encapsulated LAB12 at 4 °C yielded viable counts >7 log CFU g. Alg-MC and Alg-HPMC improved the survival of LAB12 against simulated gastric condition (9.24 and 9.55 log CFU g, respectively), temperature up to 90 °C (9.54 and 9.86 log CFU g, respectively) and 4-week of storage at 4 °C (8.61 and 9.23 log CFU g, respectively) with sustained release of probiotic in intestinal condition (>9 log CFU g). These findings strongly suggest the potential of cellulose derivatives supplemented Alg bead as protective micro-transport for probiotic strains. They can be safely incorporated into new functional food or nutraceutical products.
The present study investigates the development of methyl cellulose (MC)-sodium alginate (SA)-montmorillonite (MMT) clay based bionanocomposite films with interesting wound healing properties. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis of the composite films revealed presence of single glass transition temperature (Tg) confirming the miscible nature of the ternary blended films. The increase in MMT ratio in the composite films reduced the mobility of biopolymer chains (MC/SA) which increased the Tg of the film. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that dispersion of clay (MMT) at nano level significantly delayed the weight loss that correlated with higher thermal stability of the composite films. It was observed that the developed films were able to exhibit antimicrobial activity against four typical pathogenic bacteria found in the presence of wound. The developed films were able to significantly inhibit (10 mg/ml) the growth of Enterococcus faecium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro scratch assay indicated potential wound closure activities of MC-2-4 bionanocomposite films at their respective highest subtoxic doses. In conclusion, these ternary bionanocomposite films were found to be promising systems for wound healing applications.
Phenolic composites are well known for their excellent resistance to corrosion, heat and combustion. Bio-based phenols or plant-derived phenol, on the other hand, has been promising renewable and environmentally friendly substitute to petroleum derived phenols. Due to some notable disadvantages of biophenol (i.e. poor design flexibility and brittleness of the materials among others), several effective attempts have made to overcome the problem by incorporating nano-sized cellulose fibre as reinforcement materials in bio-phenolic composites. The modified phenolic resins have been fabricated with nano-fibrillated cellulose (NFC) to produce biocomposites that possess superior mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. The combination of NFC from kenaf, jute, sisal, pineapple leaf fibre (PALF), flax, and hemp with phenolic matrices will produce composite materials that can compete and invade markets currently dominated by carbon and glass fibre reinforced composites especially in construction and automotive applications. Due to its abundancy and renewability, embedding NFC with phenolic polymer will solve numerous environmental problems. In fact, wide varieties of NFC based bio-phenolic composites have been innovated using various advance synthesis processes. This chapter is intended to present an overview on the attributes of NFC from various sources and its effects on the properties of bio-phenolic composites. The bio-based phenolic matrix synthesis and composite processing technique are also discussed herein.
In recent years, several studies have reported positive outcomes of cell-based therapies despite insufficient engraftment of transplanted cells. These findings have created a huge interest in the regenerative potential of paracrine factors released from transplanted stem or progenitor cells. Interestingly, this notion has also led scientists to question the role of proteins in the secretome produced by cells, tissues or organisms under certain conditions or at a particular time of regenerative therapy. Further studies have revealed that the secretomes derived from different cell types contain paracrine factors that could help to prevent apoptosis and induce proliferation of cells residing within the tissues of affected organs. This could also facilitate the migration of immune, progenitor and stem cells within the body to the site of inflammation. Of these different paracrine factors present within the secretome, researchers have given proper consideration to stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1) that plays a vital role in tissue-specific migration of the cells needed for regeneration. Recently researchers recognized that SDF1 could facilitate site-specific migration of cells by regulating SDF1-CXCR4 and/or HMGB1-SDF1-CXCR4 pathways which is vital for tissue regeneration. Hence in this study, we have attempted to describe the role of different types of cells within the body in facilitating regeneration while emphasizing the HMGB1-SDF1-CXCR4 pathway that orchestrates the migration of cells to the site where regeneration is needed.
Objective. To evaluate the color stability of a new organic rice husk nanocomposite as compared to four conventional composites after exposure to commonly consumed beverages in Malaysia. Methods. One hundred and twenty-five disk samples were prepared from a new rice husk-based composite and four other conventional methacrylate-based light-cured composites of shade A2. The samples were immersed in four commonly consumed beverages: coco-based drink, kopi, Chinese tea, and teh tarik for four weeks. The color measurements were carried out every week using the reflectance spectrophotometer according to the CIE L∗a∗b∗ color system. Color changes of samples (ΔE) in each week were calculated. Statistical analysis was carried out by performing a mixed ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test in order to analyse the differences in ΔE. Results. The findings revealed a statistically significant difference of ΔE reading (p<0.05) among all composites immersed in all four beverages after four weeks. Rice husk composites exhibited lesser color stability as compared to Ceram.X One Universal (p<0.001) and G-aenial Universal Flo (p<0.001) but showed higher color stability compared to Solare-X (p<0.001) and Neofil (p<0.001). Coffee and Chinese tea had the most significant impact on color changes (p<0.05) observed in all composites over four weeks of study. Conclusion. Rice husk composite showed acceptable color stability. It can be considered as an alternative to conventional composites due to its eco-friendly properties.
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