scholarly journals Functionalization of polymers and nanomaterials for water treatment, food packaging, textile and biomedical applications: a review

Author(s):  
Pooyan Makvandi ◽  
Sidra Iftekhar ◽  
Fabio Pizzetti ◽  
Atefeh Zarepour ◽  
Ehsan Nazarzadeh Zare ◽  
...  

Abstract The inert nature of most commercial polymers and nanomaterials results in limitations of applications in various industrial fields. This can be solved by surface modifications to improve physicochemical and biological properties, such as adhesion, printability, wetting and biocompatibility. Polymer functionalization allows to graft specific moieties and conjugate molecules that improve material performances. In the last decades, several approaches have been designed in the industry and academia to graft functional groups on surfaces. Here, we review surface decoration of polymers and nanomaterials, with focus on major industrial applications in the medical field, textile industry, water treatment and food packaging. We discuss the advantages and challenges of polymer functionalization. More knowledge is needed on the biology behind cell–polymer interactions, nanosafety and manufacturing at the industrial scale.

2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tin Wai Cheung ◽  
Li Li

Hollow fibers are highly valued in the textile industry. Their physical properties and other superior characteristics make them a crucial material for innovations in textiles in the medical field, where they could provide solutions to therapeutic challenges. The inner lumen of hollow fibers has potential for use in medical and healthcare devices. For example, hollow fibers could be used to deliver drugs to a target site, enhance blood purification, promote cell cultures, and enable drug screening. The use of hollow fibers could have beneficial effects for medical and therapeutic performance; a market for hollow fiber-based medical clothing is anticipated for promotion of an efficient, long-term, and convenient commercial medical therapy. This review discusses the development of medical textiles and describes the use of hollow fibers in different medical contexts, as well as the benefits of their use and their potential industrial applications in medical textiles and clothing.


Prosthesis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Delfi ◽  
Matineh Ghomi ◽  
Ali Zarrabi ◽  
Reza Mohammadinejad ◽  
Zahra Baghban Taraghdari ◽  
...  

The use of polymers and nanomaterials has vastly grown for industrial and biomedical sectors during last years. Before any designation or selection of polymers and their nanocomposites, it is vital to recognize the targeted applications which require these platforms to be modified. Surface functionalization to introduce the desired type and quantity of reactive functional groups to target a cell or tissue in human body is a pivotal approach to improve the physicochemical and biological properties of these materials. Herein, advances in the functionalized polymer and nanomaterials surfaces are highlighted along with their applications in biomedical fields, e.g., antimicrobial therapy and drug delivery.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (17) ◽  
pp. 1392-1406
Author(s):  
Suvarna G. Kini ◽  
Ekta Rathi ◽  
Avinash Kumar ◽  
Varadaraj Bhat

Diphenyl ethers (DPE) and its analogs have exhibited excellent potential for therapeutic and industrial applications. Since the 19th century, intensive research is perpetuating on the synthetic routes and biological properties of DPEs. Few well-known DPEs are Nimesulide, Fenclofenac, Triclosan, Sorafenib, MK-4965, and MK-1439 which have shown the potential of this moiety as a lead scaffold for different pharmacological properties. In this review, we recapitulate the diverse synthetic route of DPE moiety inclusive of merits and demerits over the classical synthetic route and how this moiety sparked an interest in researchers to discern the SAR (Structure Activity Relationship) for the development of diversified biological properties of DPEs such as antimicrobial, antifungal, antiinflammatory & antiviral activities.


Gold Bulletin ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Paidari ◽  
Salam Adnan Ibrahim

AbstractIn the past few decades, there have been remarkable advances in our knowledge of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and synthesizing methods. AuNPs have become increasingly important in biomedical and industrial applications. As a newly implemented method, AuNPs are being used in nanopackaging industries for their therapeutic and antibacterial characteristics as well as their inert and nontoxic nature. As with other NPs, AuNPs have privileges and disadvantages when utilized in the food sector, yet a significant body of research has shown that, due to the specific nontoxic characteristics, AuNPs could be used to address other NP flaws. In this mini review, we present synthesizing methods, food industry applications, and mechanisms of action of gold nanoparticles. Regarding the investigations, gold nanoparticles can play a major role to reduce microbial load in foodstuff and therefore can be implemented in food packaging as an effective approach.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 3443-3454
Author(s):  
Biancamaria Senizza ◽  
Leilei Zhang ◽  
Gabriele Rocchetti ◽  
Gokhan Zengin ◽  
Gunes Ak ◽  
...  

The presented results regarding Limonium species could provide valuable information for a large field of industrial applications, including pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical formulations.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 767
Author(s):  
Elsa Díaz-Montes ◽  
Roberto Castro-Muñoz

Some of the current challenges faced by the food industry deal with the natural ripening process and the short shelf-life of fresh and minimally processed products. The loss of vitamins and minerals, lipid oxidation, enzymatic browning, and growth of microorganisms have been the main issues for many years within the innovation and improvement of food packaging, which seeks to preserve and protect the product until its consumption. Most of the conventional packaging are petroleum-derived plastics, which after product consumption becomes a major concern due to environmental damage provoked by their difficult degradation. In this sense, many researchers have shown interest in edible films and coatings, which represent an environmentally friendly alternative for food packaging. To date, chitosan (CS) is among the most common materials in the formulation of these biodegradable packaging together with polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids. The good film-forming and biological properties (i.e., antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral) of CS have fostered its usage in food packaging. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to collect and discuss the latest development works (over the last five years) aimed at using CS in the manufacture of edible films and coatings for food preservation. Particular attention has been devoted to relevant findings in the field, together with the novel preparation protocols of such biodegradable packaging. Finally, recent trends in new concepts of composite films and coatings are also addressed.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Ghita Amor ◽  
Mohammed Sabbah ◽  
Lucia Caputo ◽  
Mohamed Idbella ◽  
Vincenzo De Feo ◽  
...  

The essential oil (EO) from basil—Ocimum basilicum—was characterized, microencapsulated by vibration technology, and used to prepare a new type of packaging system designed to extend the food shelf life. The basil essential oil (BEO) chemical composition and antimicrobial activity were analyzed, as well as the morphological and biological properties of the derived BEO microcapsules (BEOMC). Analysis of BEO by gas chromatography demonstrated that the main component was linalool, whereas the study of its antimicrobial activity showed a significant inhibitory effect against all the microorganisms tested, mostly Gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, the prepared BEOMC showed a spheroidal shape and retained the EO antimicrobial activity. Finally, chitosan-based edible films were produced, grafted with BEOMC, and characterized for their physicochemical and biological properties. Since their effective antimicrobial activity was demonstrated, these films were tested as packaging system by wrapping cooked ham samples during 10 days of storage, with the aim of their possible use to extend the shelf life of the product. It was demonstrated that the obtained active film can both control the bacterial growth of the cooked ham and markedly inhibit the pH increase of the packaged food.


Nanoscale ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (48) ◽  
pp. 20460-20473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianshu Wu ◽  
Keyu He ◽  
Qinglin Zhan ◽  
Shengjun Ang ◽  
Jiali Ying ◽  
...  

As quantum dots (QDs) are widely used in biomedical applications, the number of studies focusing on their biological properties is increasing.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1375
Author(s):  
María J. Moreno-Vásquez ◽  
Maribel Plascencia-Jatomea ◽  
Saúl Sánchez-Valdes ◽  
Judith C. Tanori-Córdova ◽  
Francisco J. Castillo-Yañez ◽  
...  

Nanoparticles based on chitosan modified with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were synthetized by nanoprecipitation (EGCG-g-chitosan-P). Chitosan was modified by free-radical-induced grafting, which was verified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Furthermore, the morphology, particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the nanoparticles were investigated. The grafting degree of EGCG, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of EGCG-g-chitosan-P were evaluated and compared with those of pure EGCG and chitosan nanoparticles (Chitosan-P). FTIR results confirmed the modification of the chitosan with EGCG. The EGCG-g-chitosan-P showed spherical shapes and smoother surfaces than those of Chitosan-P. EGCG content of the grafted chitosan nanoparticles was 330 μg/g. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EGCG-g-chitosan-P (15.6 μg/mL) was lower than Chitosan-P (31.2 μg/mL) and EGCG (500 μg/mL) against Pseudomonas fluorescens (p < 0.05). Additionally, EGCG-g-chitosan-P and Chitosan-P presented higher Staphylococcus aureus growth inhibition (100%) than EGCG at the lowest concentration tested. The nanoparticles produced an increase of ROS (p < 0.05) in both bacterial species assayed. Furthermore, EGCG-g-chitosan-P exhibited higher antioxidant activity than that of Chitosan-P (p < 0.05) in 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays. Based on the above results, EGCG-g-chitosan-P shows the potential for food packaging and biomedical applications.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregor Serša

Electroporation has several biomedical and industrial applications. The biomedical applications are in the field of drug or gene delivery. Electrochemotherapy utilizes electroporation for the increased delivery of cytotoxic drugs like bleomycin or cisplatin into tumors. The use of electrochemotherapy has spread throughout Europe for the treatment of cutaneous tumors or metastases. It is in the NICE guidelines and is becoming standard ablative technique in treatment of cancer. The technological advancements have also enabled the use of electrochemotherapy for the treatment of deep seated tumors, such as soft tissue or liver tumors. Clinical studies demonstrate good effectiveness on fibrosarcomas, colorectal liver metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, electrochemotherapy is a local treatment that also induces moderate local immune response. This so called “in situ vaccination” induced by electrochemotherapy can be exploited in combined treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors or electrogene therapy with immunostimulating effect. Therefore, gene electrotransfer of plasmid coding for interleukin 12 (IL-12), in combination with electrochemotherapy could result in transformation of electrochemotherapy from local into systemic treatment. This is also of our current interest, and we are undertaking steps to bring this idea from preclinical into clinical testing.


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