Controlled Nutrient Delivery through a pH-Responsive Wood Vehicle

Abstract

To lower the risk of disease and improve health, many nutrients benefit from intestinal-targeted delivery. Here, we present a nutrient-delivery system based on a pH-responsive “wood scroll”, in which nutrients are stored, protected, and controllably released through the rolled structure and natural microchannels of a flexible wood substrate, thus ensuring higher bioactivity as well as prolonged steady release of the nutrient load to the intestine. We loaded the wood’s natural microchannels with probiotics as a proof-of-concept demonstration. The probiotic-loaded wood scrolls can survive the simulated conditions of the stomach with a high survival rate (95.40%) and exhibit prolonged release (8 h) of the probiotic load at a constant release rate (4.17 × 108 CFUs/h) in the simulated conditions of the intestine. Moreover, by modifying the macroscopic geometry and microstructures of the wood scrolls, both the nutrient loading and release behaviors can be tuned over a wide range for customized or personalized nutrient management. The wood scrolls can also deliver other types of nutrients, as we demonstrate for tea polyphenols and rapeseed oil. This wood scroll design illustrates a promising structurally controlled strategy for the delivery of enteric nutrients using readily available, low-cost, and biocompatible biomass materials that have a naturally porous structure for nutrient storage, protection, and controlled release.

Calcium Tungstate Microgel Enhances the Delivery and Colonization of Probiotics during Colitis via Intestinal Ecological Niche Occupancy

“…We developed a probiotic delivery system that enhances the delivery and colonization of probiotics in colitis by occupying ecological niches in the intestine (Scheme ). IBD is largely caused by an imbalance in the gut-associated microbial community, characterized by an increase in Enterobacteriaceae and a decrease in probiotics. ,, Increasing evidence suggests that probiotics delivery can restore gut microbiota homeostasis to treat IBD. − However, in colitis, parthenogenic anaerobic Enterobacteriaceae proliferate and occupy ecological niches, restricting the colonization of probiotics. − Previous studies have attempted to administer antibiotics first, followed by probiotics, to create ecological niches for probiotic colonization . However, the use of antibiotics in IBD treatment also removes the beneficial intestinal microbes; this nonspecific strategy thus increases the risk expansion of harmful bacteria and antibiotic resistance.…”

Wood Robot with Magnetic Anisotropy for Programmable Locomotion

“…[ 16 ] Inspired by these naturally intelligent responses, various physical, chemical modification, and their combinations have been developed for expanding the perceived stimulus responsiveness based on wood (e.g., pH, light, heat, electricity, and mechanical force). [ 17,18 ] Therefore, advanced functional wood materials such as healing wood, [ 19 ] wood sponge, [ 20 ] photochromic wood, [ 21 ] pH‐responsive wooden scroll, [ 22 ] and wood‐based nanogenerators [ 23 ] have been investigated and demonstrated great potential in flexible electronics, [ 24 ] construction, [ 25 ] biomedicine, [ 22 ] and energy storage devices. [ 26 ] Although excellent efforts have been made, these “smart” woods are passive responses, it is still a challenge to realize the precise operation by the application of external stimulus.…”

Strong Cellulose-Based Light-Management Film with Ultraviolet Blocking and Near-Infrared Shielding Performance

“…4−8 Cellulose is an almost inexhaustible biomass, in addition to being abundant, biocompatible, low-cost, renewable, biodegradable, and carbon neutral. 9,10 Based on these advantages, cellulose has attracted increasing attention in wastewater treatment, 11 flexible electronic devices, 12−14 medical materials, 15,16 industrial additives, 17 and light-management materials. 18−20 Cellulosebased light-management materials have been reported.…”

“…Petroleum-based plastics have been used worldwide for applications such as packing, electronics, architecture, automobiles, optical elements, and spaceflight , but face challenges including over-reliance on petroleum resources, marine debris pollution, and global warming . Therefore, a natural, biodegradable, sustainable, and ecofriendly replacement is critical and urgent. − Cellulose is an almost inexhaustible biomass, in addition to being abundant, biocompatible, low-cost, renewable, biodegradable, and carbon neutral. , Based on these advantages, cellulose has attracted increasing attention in wastewater treatment, flexible electronic devices, − medical materials, , industrial additives, and light-management materials. − Cellulose-based light-management materials have been reported. For example, Sun et al synthesized a cellulose composite film with high transparency and superior antiultraviolet filtration.…”