scholarly journals Production and Characterization of Keratin/Tragacanth Gum Nanohydrogels for Drug Delivery in Medical Textiles

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazanin Mansouri Shirazi ◽  
Niloofar Eslahi ◽  
Adeleh Gholipour-Kanani

Keratin protein has been applied for biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical resistance, and bioavailability. Tragacanth gum (TG) as a polysaccharide-based biopolymer has wound healing and antimicrobial properties. In this study, keratin was extracted from protein-based chicken feather by using reduction hydrolysis (sodium sulfide), and nanogels of keratin and TG composites at different ratios were produced by using the chemical cross-linking method. Then, cinnamon (5 and 10%) as an antibacterial herbal extract was added to the nanogels and coated on cotton fabric. The morphology and size of the composite nanogels, chemical structure, biological, and antibacterial properties were evaluated. According to DLS results, TGK2:1 (ratio of TG to keratin = 2:1) had the minimum size (80 nm) and PDI (0.1), and therefore, this sample was chosen as the optimum one. FESEM and TEM images showed the semi-spherical shape of the produced nanogels. FTIR spectra revealed the possible hydrogen bonding between the components, and the formation of disulfide bonds after the addition of hydrogen peroxide was confirmed by XPS. After loading cinnamon into the nanogels, an increase in size was observed from 80 nm for free-nanogel to 85 and 105 nm for 5 and 10% extract-loaded nanogels, respectively. Besides, more cinnamon was released from the treated fabrics by increasing time and cinnamon concentration. The antibacterial test exhibited good antibacterial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Finally, MTT assay approved the biocompatibility of the produced nanogels for potential use in medical textiles.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Vijayanand ◽  
V. Jyothi ◽  
N. Aditya ◽  
A. Mounika

In alternate systems of medicine like Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, Hibiscus rosa sinensis and its extracts have been traditionally prescribed for their antidepressant activity. Crude extracts and rudimentary formulations approaches are good for proof-of-concept studies; however, these formulations are fraught with problems like poor oral bioavailability and high variability between subjects. Systematic drug delivery approaches could prove effective in addressing some of these problems. In this study, we report the development of Hibiscus rosa sinensis extract loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (HSLNs) using glycerol monostearate or beeswax as lipids. The HSLNs were evaluated for their size, surface charge, and morphology. The optimized HSLNs were tested for antidepressant activity in male Swiss albino mice. It was found that, with the optimized procedure, HSLNs of ~175 nm, carrying negative charge and nearly spherical shape, could be obtained. The in vivo test results suggested that there were marked differences in the immobility times of the test animals. Moreover, with HSLNs, it was found that at doses several times lower than the native crude extract dose, similar pharmacological effect could be obtained. These initial findings suggest that encapsulating phytopharmaceuticals into advanced delivery systems like solid lipid nanoparticles can be an effective strategy in improving their in vivo performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 864-869
Author(s):  
Juliana Reghine Souza ◽  
Kely Silveira Bonfim ◽  
Marcos Vinicius Lorevice ◽  
Daniel Souza Correa ◽  
Luiz Henrique Capparelli Mattoso ◽  
...  

This work describes an outstanding synthesis of poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles of distinct sizes loaded (PCLNP/OEO) or not (PCLNP) with oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil (OEO) by the nanoprecipitation method in order investigate the antimicrobial properties against bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. OEO antimicrobial activity was achieved by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). FTIR spectra indicated that encapsulation of OEO by PCLNPs was successful. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that PCLNP and PCLNP/OEO presented spherical shape with diameters around 150 nm, while PCLNP exhibited size distribution raging 158 to 300 nm and zeta potential ranging from -13.8 to -28.5 mV. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated an increase in initial temperature of weight loss for PCLNP/OEO. PCLNP with 80% wt. of OEO has exhibited the highest decrease of growth of bacteria, and MIC against S. aureus and E. coli and MBC only for E. coli, which indicate a promising alternative for designing stable antimicrobial nanoparticles for application in novel food active packaging.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 88-95
Author(s):  
Eduard-Marius Lungulescu ◽  
Radu Setnescu ◽  
Nicoleta-Oana Nicula ◽  
Ioana Ion ◽  
Virgil Marinescu

Composites of Silver nanoparticles/chitosan were obtained in aqueous solution, in-one step and eco-friendly synthesis, under ambiental conditions, using gamma irradiation. The radiochemical synthesis enabled obtaining of controlled size, monodisperse and high stability Silver nanoparticles. The obtained composites presented UV-Vis surface plasmon resonance comprised between 406-414 nm, depending on composition of the reactant system, spherical shape and narrow particle size distributions, with mean dimensions between 3-55 nm, and good antibacterial properties proven against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The influence of the Silver ions/chitosan ratio and of the pH of the initial solution on the final Ag Np properties is also discussed.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2124
Author(s):  
Giulia Vanti ◽  
Ekaterina-Michaela Tomou ◽  
Dejan Stojković ◽  
Ana Ćirić ◽  
Anna Rita Bilia ◽  
...  

Food poisoning is a common cause of illness and death in developing countries. Essential oils (EOs) could be effective and safe natural preservatives to prevent and control bacterial contamination of foods. However, their high sensitivity and strong flavor limit their application and biological effectiveness. The aim of this study was firstly the chemical analysis and the antimicrobial evaluation of the EOs of Origanum onites L. and Satureja thymbra L. obtained from Symi island (Greece), and, secondly, the formulation of propylene glycol-nanovesicles loaded with these EOs to improve their antimicrobial properties. The EOs were analyzed by GC-MS and their chemical contents are presented herein. Different nanovesicles were formulated with small average sizes, high homogeneity, and optimal ζ-potential. Microscopic observation confirmed their small and spherical shape. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of the formulated EOs were evaluated against food-borne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms compared to pure EOs. Propylene glycol-nanovesicles loaded with O. onites EO were found to be the most active formulation against all tested strains. Additionally, in vitro studies on the HaCaT cell line showed that nanovesicles encapsulated with EOs had no toxic effect. The present study revealed that both EOs can be used as alternative sanitizers and preservatives in the food industry, and that their formulation in nanovesicles can provide a suitable approach as food-grade delivery system.


Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Gaetano Festa ◽  
Guido Maria Adinolfi ◽  
Alessandro Caruso ◽  
Simona Colombelli ◽  
Grazia De Landro ◽  
...  

Seismic sequences are a powerful tool to locally infer geometrical and mechanical properties of faults and fault systems. In this study, we provided detailed location and characterization of events of the 3–7 July 2020 Irpinia sequence (southern Italy) that occurred at the northern tip of the main segment that ruptured during the 1980 Irpinia earthquake. Using an autocorrelation technique, we detected more than 340 events within the sequence, with local magnitude ranging between −0.5 and 3.0. We thus provided double difference locations, source parameter estimation, and focal mechanisms determination for the largest quality events. We found that the sequence ruptured an asperity with a size of about 800 m, along a fault structure having a strike compatible with the one of the main segments of the 1980 Irpinia earthquake, and a dip of 50–55° at depth of 10.5–12 km and 60–65° at shallower depths (7.5–9 km). Low stress drop release (average of 0.64 MPa) indicates a fluid-driven initiation mechanism of the sequence. We also evaluated the performance of the earthquake early warning systems running in real-time during the sequence, retrieving a minimum size for the blind zone in the area of about 15 km.


Holzforschung ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uasmim Lira Zidanes ◽  
Matheus Cordazzo Dias ◽  
Mário Sérgio Lorenço ◽  
Elesandra da Silva Araujo ◽  
Maryella Júnnia Ferreira e Silva ◽  
...  

AbstractAdhesives based on vegetable tannins are already a reality in the market. However, their use is still limited due to their low mechanical resistance and weak humidity resistance. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) are being used as reinforcing materials in various composites, resulting in an improvement of mechanical proprieties in general. The objective of this work was to evaluate the incorporation of CNFs in adhesives made of tannins obtained from the Angico tree (Anadenanthera peregrine). Concentrations of nanofibrils at 1, 5, and 10% were added to the adhesives on a dry basis. Tests of viscosity, pH, solids content, and gel time were performed to determine the physical proprieties of the adhesives. The Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and Raman spectra measurements were also determined to understand the interaction between tannins and CNFs. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) were carried out to determine the thermal resistance of the composite. The FTIR and Raman characterization identified some differences in the peaks in the chemical composition of the adhesives with different percentages of CNFs. The adhesives showed no different decomposition in the thermogravimetric analyses. The shear strength in the glue line of the adhesive with 5% of CNFs in Toona ciliata woods was determined. Among all the adhesives analyzed, the one with 5% of CNFs produced an improvement in the mechanical resistance and humidity resistance on the glue line.


Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 584
Author(s):  
Shalendra Kumar ◽  
Faheem Ahmed ◽  
Nagih M. Shaalan ◽  
Osama Saber

Bio-inspired synthesis is a novel and attractive environmentally friendly route to generating inorganic materials. In this work, the preparation of CeO2 NPs using egg white and investigation of their antibacterial properties both in liquid and solid growth medium against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were reported. The CeO2 nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission transmission electron microscope (FETEM), UV-Vis, Raman, and antibacterial measurements. The results from XRD and TEM analysis showed that the prepared nanoparticles were a single phase in the nano regime (5–7 nm) with spherical shape and uniform size distribution. Optical properties reflected the characteristics peaks of CeO2 in the UV-Vis range with a bandgap ~2.80 eV. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized NPs was achieved under ambient conditions with different bacteria and the results showed that the properties were different for both the bacteria. The highest activity with an inhibition zone of about 22 mm against S. aureus was obtained as compared with the 19 mm zone of inhibition obtained with E.coli. This finding will be of major significance that indicates a possibility to develop CeO2 NPs as antibacterial agents against extensive microorganisms to control and prevent the spread and persistence of bacterial infections.


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