Cellulose is the most abundant and a low‐cost biodegradable by‐product in the food and agricultural industries. Electrospun cellulosic nanofibers have remarkable physicochemical properties that make ...them attractive for many applications in the food sector. In this review, electrospinning is investigated as an easy method for producing nanofibers from polymers. Moreover, the most important applications of cellulosic nanofibers in food science are presented. These applications are (a) immobilization of bioactive substances such as enzymes, vitamins, and antimicrobials; (b) nutraceutical delivery systems and controlled release of materials; (c) as biosensors; (d) filtration; and (e) for reinforcing composites and in films. Finally, some potential risks of using electrospinning in food science are reviewed.
In this study, the fabrication of almond gum/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite nanofibers loaded with curcumin or its β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex (βCDIC) using electrospinning process was ...studied. The preparation of inclusion complex was done using freeze drying method. The characterization of electrospun nanofibers was studied by FESEM, XRD, TGA and FTIR analysis. FESEM results showed that the fiber diameters were in the range of 98-169 nm. XRD analysis indicated the crystalline aggregates of curcumin in the fiber matrix, whereas curcumin-βCDIC did not show crystalline aggregates. Thermal stability of nanofibers increased after incorporation of curcumin and curcumin-βCDIC into them. FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of the complex between curcumin and βCD. The solubility of curcumin and curcumin-βCDIC incorporated into nanofibers were increased up to 70 and 160 times compared with pure curcumin, respectively. The results showed that almond gum nanofibers can be used as a suitable carrier for hydrophobic compounds to enhance their solubility for application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
There are many hydrophobic or poorly soluble nutrients and bioactive compounds which are essential for human health, such as phenolic compounds, carotenoids, essential oils, essential fatty acids, ...and insoluble vitamins. The low bioavailability and sustainability of these compounds are the main challenges for their use in the pharmaceuticae and food industries. Nanoencapsulation can be a favourable approach for protecting hydrophobic food bioactive compounds against unsuitable circumstances and enhance their bioavailability. In this review, several nanoencapsulation delivery systems for hydrophobic compounds, such as inclusion complexes through cyclodextrins, amylose, and yeast cells, nanogels, nanoemulsions, nanofibers, nanosponges, nanoliposomes, and nanoparticles made with lipids and biopolymers are discussed. Also, the toxicity and safety aspects of the nanocarriers loaded with hydrophobic food bioactive compounds has been covered. Different studies on encapsulation of hydrophobic food bioactives have shown that by incorporating them into sophisticated nanocarriers, promising and favourable results can be achieved such improvement in water solubility, antioxidant and other health-promoting properties, in vitro gastrointestinal release profile, and better protection against process and environment harsh conditions such as light, oxygen, high temperatures, humidity, etc.
Display omitted
•There are many hydrophobic nutrients which are essential for human health.•Hydrophilic nanocarriers can increase solubility and bioavailability of bioactives.•Different nanocarriers for hydrophobic bioactive compounds can be applied.•Toxicity and risks of nanocarriers loaded with bioactives should be considered.
Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the most promising constituents isolated from
, exhibits diverse pharmacological actions. However, the applications of CBD are restricted mainly due to its poor oral ...bioavailability. Therefore, researchers are focusing on the development of novel strategies for the effective delivery of CBD with improved oral bioavailability. In this context, researchers have designed nanocarriers to overcome limitations associated with CBD. The CBD-loaded nanocarriers assist in improving the therapeutic efficacy, targetability, and controlled biodistribution of CBD with negligible toxicity for treating various disease conditions. In this review, we have summarized and discussed various molecular targets, targeting mechanisms and types of nanocarrier-based delivery systems associated with CBD for the effective management of various disease conditions. This strategic information will help researchers in the establishment of novel nanotechnology interventions for targeting CBD.
The development of biopolymer-based green packaging films has gained remarkable attention in recent years. In this study, curcumin active films were prepared using different proportions of gelatin ...(GE) and a soluble fraction of tragacanth gum (SFTG) (1GE:1SFTG and 2GE:1SFTG) by complex coacervation. The various ratios of used biopolymers did not significantly impact the mechanical properties, thickness, and WVP of final films. However, biopolymers' ratio impacted the moisture content, water solubility, swelling ratio, and release rate. Blending curcumin with biopolymers caused a reduction in tensile strength (from 1.74 MPa to 0.62 MPa for film containing 1GE:1SFTG and from 1.77 MPa to 0.17 MPa for film containing 2GE:1SFTG) and proliferation in elongation at break (from 81.48% to 122.00% for film containing 1GE:1SFTG and from 98.87% to 109.58% MPa for film containing 2GE:1SFTG). Moisture content and water solubility of films experienced a decrease after the addition of curcumin. Antioxidant activity of curcumin-loaded films was almost five times higher than neat film samples. Furthermore, the interreaction between the carboxylic group of SFTG and amide I of GE formed an amide linkage and was proven by FTIR analysis. TGA showed a drop in the thermal stability of film samples compared to the main ingredients. In general, the complex coacervate of SFTG and GE has the advantage of developing eco-friendly and low-cost packaging film in the food industry, especially for the protection of fatty foods.
Emerging viruses are known to pose a threat to humans in the world. COVID‐19, a newly emerging viral respiratory disease, can spread quickly from people to people via respiratory droplets, cough, ...sneeze, or exhale. Up to now, there are no specific therapies found for the treatment of COVID‐19. In this sense, the rising demand for effective antiviral drugs is stressed. The main goal of the present study is to cover the current literature about bioactive compounds (e.g., polyphenols, glucosinolates, carotenoids, minerals, vitamins, oligosaccharides, bioactive peptides, essential oils, and probiotics) with potential efficiency against COVID‐19, showing antiviral activities via the inhibition of coronavirus entry into the host cell, coronavirus enzymes, as well as the virus replication in human cells. In turn, these compounds can boost the immune system, helping fight against COVID‐19. Overall, it can be concluded that bioactives and the functional foods containing these compounds can be natural alternatives for boosting the immune system and defeating coronavirus.
•Aqueous solutions of almond gum/PVA in different proportions were electrospun.•Vanillin was incorporated in almond gum/PVA uniform nanofibers.•Thermal stability of incorporated vanillin was higher ...than free vanillin.•Almond gum/PVA/vanillin nanofibers were characterized using FESEM, FTIR, TGA and XRD.
In this study, the fabrication of vanillin incorporated almond gum/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers through electrospinning has been investigated. Electrospinning of only almond gum was proved impossible. It was found that the aqueous solution of almond gum/PVA (80:20, concentration=7% (w/w)) containing 3% (w/w) vanillin could have successfully electrospun to uniform nanofibers with diameters as low as 77nm. According to the thermal analysis, incorporated vanillin in almond gum/PVA nanofibers showed higher thermal stability than free vanillin, making this composite especially suitable for high temperature applications. XRD and FTIR analyses proved the presence of vanillin in the almond gum/PVA nanofibers. It was also found that vanillin was dispersed as big crystallites in the matrix of almond gum/PVA nanofibers. FTIR analysis showed almond gum and PVA had chemical cross-linking by etheric bonds between COH groups of almond gum and OH groups of PVA. Also, in the nanofibers, there were no major interaction between vanillin and either almond gum or PVA.
•CD-NS in different proportions of CD:DPC and TEO:NS was used for encapsulation of TEO.•TEONSs were characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, and TGA.•The aqueous solubility of TEO was enhanced by 15-folds ...after encapsulation within CD-NS.•Incorporation of TEO into the NS enhanced the thermal stability and antibacterial activity of TEO significantly.
Thyme essential oil (TEO) is a natural phenolic compound and has high antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. However, essential oils are very sensitive to environmental conditions and have high volatility and poor solubility that limit their applications. In this study, the incorporation of TEO into the β-cyclodextrin nanosponges was investigated. Diphenyl carbonate was used as cross-linker. The characterization of the obtained nanosponges was done by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), andthermogravimetric analyzer(TGA). Encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, solubility, and antibacterial properties of the TEO-nanosponges were analyzed. The TEO-nanosponges showed porous structures with an average size lower than 326 nm. The results of FTIR and XRD confirmed the incorporation of TEO into the nanosponges. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the inclusion complex of TEO and nanosponges enhanced the thermal stability of TEO significantly. The inclusion complex of TEO into the nanospongesincreased its antibacterial activity. The aqueous solubility of TEO was enhanced by 15-folds after encapsulation within nanosponges. Minimum inhibitory concentration of TEO was decreased up to 29.4 folds after encapsulation into the nanosponges. The results suggest that β-cyclodextrin nanosponges can potentially be used as a delivery system for hydrophobic and sensitive compounds to increase their usage in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Display omitted
In this study, thyme essential oil (TEO) nanoemulsion was immobilized within composite films based on almond gum (AG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and chitosan (CS). The physical, mechanical, water ...barrier, microstructural and antimicrobial properties of composite films were assessed. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the intermolecular interactions in the composite film matrix. The results indicated that the incorporation of TEO into the composite films increased thickness, moisture content, and water vapor permeability, while it reduced light transmittance and transparency value. The antimicrobial activity of films against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria was tested using a disc diffusion method. The effect of composite on the microbiological properties of chicken breast fillets was investigated during refrigerated storage for 21 days. The microbial populations of total mesophilic, psychrotrophic, and lactic acid bacteria of the samples that were coated with the composite containing TEO were lower than the permitted limit after 21 days while for blank samples they were higher than 7 log CFU/g after 7 days which is considered as the maximum acceptable total count limit. Results disclosed that AG/PVA/CS composite films containing TEO nanoemulsion can be applied as eco-friendly active food packaging to enhance the shelf-life of food products.
Display omitted
•Almond gum/chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol composite films containing thyme essential oil (TEO) nanoemulsion were prepared•The composite containing TEO nanoemulsion enhanced the shelf-life of chicken breast fillets•The addition of TEO decreased the tensile strength and elongation at break of the composite films•The composite films showed effective barriers against both UV and visible light.
Compositions of both soluble and insoluble fractions of gum exudates from the trunk and branches of sweet almond tree (Amygdalus communis L.) were investigated. Monosaccharide analysis by HPLC ...indicated the presence of galactose and arabinose as the main sugars. FTIR spectra showed no significant differences between the functional groups of the whole gum and those of its fractions. Furthermore, only the intensity of OH and amide bond in the insoluble fraction was found to be higher than those of the soluble fraction and whole gum. XRD analysis revealed the amorphous structures of the whole gum and its fractions. Higher crystallinity index and crystalline size were observed in the insoluble fraction than in either the whole gum or the soluble fraction. TGA analysis revealed that the thermal decomposition of almond gum and its fractions occurred at around 250–260 °C. Finally, GPC analysis showed that the insoluble fraction had a higher molecular weight than did the whole gum or its soluble fraction.
Display omitted
•Almond gum exudates were fractionated in two parts: water soluble and water insoluble.•Whole gum and its fractions were characterized and compared.•Almond gum and its fractions indicated high thermal stability.•Molecular weight of the insoluble fraction was higher than those of the other two.
PDF
