Journal Description
Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on all aspects of the science of polysaccharides and their derivatives, published quarterly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within ESCI (Web of Science), Scopus, FSTA, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 19.7 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2024).
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q1 (Polymer Science) / CiteScore - Q1 (Engineering (miscellaneous))
- Recognition of Reviewers: APC discount vouchers, optional signed peer review, and reviewer names published annually in the journal.
Impact Factor:
4.7 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
4.6 (2023)
Latest Articles
Physicochemical and Spectroscopic Characterization of Glycogen and Glycogen Phosphorylase b Complexes
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(3), 225-240; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5030017 - 7 Jul 2024
Abstract
Glycogen is a natural polysaccharide used as an energy storage macromolecule. The role of glycogen metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus has been under investigation for several years, along with its implication in cancer and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies using pig
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Glycogen is a natural polysaccharide used as an energy storage macromolecule. The role of glycogen metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus has been under investigation for several years, along with its implication in cancer and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies using pig liver glycogen with rabbit muscle glycogen phosphorylase (RMGPb), which catalyzes the first step of glycogen degradation to glucose-1-phosphate, showed that the surface of an average glycogen molecule is covered by a total of 20 RMGPb dimeric molecules. In this work, we selected oyster glycogen (Glyc) to investigate its interaction with RMGPb by employing biophysical techniques. Dynamic, static, and electrophoretic light scattering were used to investigate the solution behaviors and structures of both the Glyc molecule itself and the formed complexes between Glyc and GPb at different mixing ratios. It was established that the interaction between oyster Glyc and RMGPb is similar to that previously reported for pig liver glycogen. Moreover, the structure of the complexed GPb was monitored by fluorescence and FTIR spectroscopy.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Research on Polysaccharides: Structure and Applications)
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The Glucans Mushrooms: Molecules of Significant Biological and Medicinal Value
by
Giancarlo Angeles Flores, Gaia Cusumano, Roberto Venanzoni and Paola Angelini
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(3), 212-224; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5030016 - 6 Jul 2024
Abstract
Mushroom polysaccharides, key components of fungal cell walls, exhibit various biological properties and hold significant medicinal and industrial value. These polysaccharides are known for their medicinal properties like antitumor, antioxidant, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and antiviral properties. Mushroom polysaccharides, particularly β-glucans, α-glucans, and chitin, have
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Mushroom polysaccharides, key components of fungal cell walls, exhibit various biological properties and hold significant medicinal and industrial value. These polysaccharides are known for their medicinal properties like antitumor, antioxidant, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and antiviral properties. Mushroom polysaccharides, particularly β-glucans, α-glucans, and chitin, have been associated with various health benefits. β-glucans are well studied for their bioactivities, while α-glucans and chitin have gained attention for their prebiotic, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. The therapeutic effects of these polysaccharides are closely linked to their chemical structures, including molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and glycosidic bond types. This work aims to review the studies on mushroom polysaccharides, with a particular focus on their structural composition to deepen medicinal properties of mushroom polysaccharides. Also, the extraction methods and the pharmaceutical application of polysaccharides will be revised in this work.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Bioactive Polysaccharides)
Open AccessArticle
Graft Copolymers of Carboxymethyl Cellulose and Poly(N-vinylimidazole) as Promising Carriers for Metronidazole
by
Maria S. Lavlinskaya, Anastasia A. Mikhaylova, Egor I. Kuznetsov, Ivan A. Zhuravlev, Nikita A. Balbekov, Igor A. Saranov and Andrey V. Sorokin
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(3), 198-211; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5030015 - 4 Jul 2024
Abstract
Carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt is a common water-soluble derivative of cellulose. It serves as a bioinert mucoadhesive material extensively used in biomedicine, particularly for crafting targeted drug delivery systems. In our study, we demonstrate that graft copolymers of sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose with poly(N
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Carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt is a common water-soluble derivative of cellulose. It serves as a bioinert mucoadhesive material extensively used in biomedicine, particularly for crafting targeted drug delivery systems. In our study, we demonstrate that graft copolymers of sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose with poly(N-vinylimidazole) can function as carriers for the antibacterial drug metronidazole. Non-covalent associations form between the components, excluding the involvement of the nitro groups of the drug in the interaction. These loaded copolymers exhibit the capability to release the drug under conditions mimicking the stomach environment for up to 48 h. This renders the obtained associations promising candidates for the development of a metronidazole-targeted delivery system.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Research on Polysaccharides: Structure and Applications)
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Functional Agarose Hydrogels Obtained by Employing Homogeneous Synthesis Strategies
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Martin Gericke, Markus Witzler, Astrid Enkelmann, Gerlind Schneider, Margit Schulze and Thomas Heinze
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(3), 184-197; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5030014 - 28 Jun 2024
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The goal of this study was to explore a route for introducing functionalities into agarose-based hydrogels to tune the physical, chemical, and biological properties. Several agarose derivatives were prepared by homogeneous synthesis, including anionic agarose sulfates (ASs), reactive azido agaroses (AZAs), and cationic
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The goal of this study was to explore a route for introducing functionalities into agarose-based hydrogels to tune the physical, chemical, and biological properties. Several agarose derivatives were prepared by homogeneous synthesis, including anionic agarose sulfates (ASs), reactive azido agaroses (AZAs), and cationic agarose carbamates (ACs), as well as agarose tosylates (ATOSs) and agarose phenyl carbonates (APhCs). The products were characterized in terms of their molecular structure and solubility behavior. The results suggest that the native gel-forming ability of agarose is retained if the introduced functionalities are hydrophilic, and the overall degree of substitution is low (DS < 0.5). Thus, functional hydrogels from several agarose derivatives could be obtained. The mechanical stability of the functional hydrogels was decreased compared to native agarose gels but was still in a range that enables safe handling. An increase in mechanical strength could be achieved by blending functional agarose derivatives and agarose into composite hydrogels. Finally, it was demonstrated that the novel functional agarose hydrogels are biocompatible and can potentially stimulate interactions with cells and tissue.
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Thermal Degradation Kinetics of Natural Fibers: Determination of the Kinetic Triplet and Lifetime Prediction
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Heitor Luiz Ornaghi, Jr., Maíra Faccio and Márcio Ronaldo Farias Soares
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(3), 169-183; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5030013 - 27 Jun 2024
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Natural fibers have been widely employed in different fields as composite materials. However, the thermal behavior of natural materials is not fully understood since the chemical components chemically interact with each other. Put simply, the thermal degradation kinetics of natural fibers are of
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Natural fibers have been widely employed in different fields as composite materials. However, the thermal behavior of natural materials is not fully understood since the chemical components chemically interact with each other. Put simply, the thermal degradation kinetics of natural fibers are of crucial importance in the academic and industrial fields. This study objectively fully investigated the thermal behavior of different natural fibers using the thermal kinetic method criteria, as described by the ICTAC (International Committee of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry). The kinetic triplet (activation energy, pre-exponential factor, and reaction mechanism) was determined as a function of the conversion degree. For all plant fibers, the results indicated an autocatalytic process with an average activation energy and pre-exponential factor of 200 kJ·mol−1 and 40 s−1, respectively. The activation energy can be mainly attributed to the cellulose component, while the pre-exponential factor is due to the possible compensation effect as a mathematical artifact of the Arrhenius-based equation. Finally, the lifetime prediction of the plant fibers was estimated using the pre-determined kinetic triplet parameters to estimate the plant fiber stability under isothermal conditions.
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Open AccessArticle
Biomining of ‘Heavy’ Metals and Lanthanides from Red Mud of a Former Lignite Mines by Sorption on Chitin
by
Felix Blind and Stefan Fränzle
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(2), 158-168; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5020012 - 14 Jun 2024
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In times of increasing demand for resources, processing various waste materials is becoming more economically and ecologically viable. Red mud is a waste material that originates from the bauxite process, also known as the Bayer process. Red mud, due to its high alkalinity
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In times of increasing demand for resources, processing various waste materials is becoming more economically and ecologically viable. Red mud is a waste material that originates from the bauxite process, also known as the Bayer process. Red mud, due to its high alkalinity and heavy metal content, is often stored in landfills, which can lead to accidents such as those in Brazil or Hungary, especially if the storage takes place above ground. Red mud contains not only iron and aluminum residues but also other economically valuable metals such as manganese, titanium, cadmium, or cobalt. Currently, only 4 million tons of the annual production of 150 million tons are utilized in various industries, which is a relatively small amount. Typically, only the iron content is further processed, leaving other potential resources untapped. Chitin has a high binding capacity for various trivalent and divalent metal ions, making it a suitable material for separating red mud into its components. It has been demonstrated that chitin can effectively remove aluminum, barium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, manganese, iron, nickel, lead, strontium, and various lanthanides from a red mud-like sludge. The elements bound to chitin can be easily removed using wet chemistry. Biologically compatible substances are predominantly used in this process, with few exceptions. The removal of elements from red sludge or other mining wastewater using chitin is a viable alternative to traditional mining methods.
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Open AccessArticle
Synthesis and Characterization of Self-Assembled Highly Stearate-Grafted Hydroxyethyl Starch Conjugates
by
Rana Hore, Haroon Rashid, Frank Syrowatka and Jörg Kressler
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(2), 142-157; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5020011 - 5 Jun 2024
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Polysaccharide-based nanoformulations with tailored hydrophobic properties have become a frontier in nanomedicine applications. Herein, highly hydrophobicized hydroxyethyl starch (HES) conjugates were synthesized by grafting stearic acid (SA) with HES via a carbodiimide-mediated reaction. A detailed NMR characterization of HES and the conjugates was
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Polysaccharide-based nanoformulations with tailored hydrophobic properties have become a frontier in nanomedicine applications. Herein, highly hydrophobicized hydroxyethyl starch (HES) conjugates were synthesized by grafting stearic acid (SA) with HES via a carbodiimide-mediated reaction. A detailed NMR characterization of HES and the conjugates was studied to obtain structural information. The grafting ratio of the stearate-HES (St-HES) conjugates was determined from 1H NMR spectra as 29.4% (St-HES29.4) and 60.3% (St-HES60.3). Thermal analyses and X-ray diffractograms suggested an entire transition from amorphous HES to a semicrystalline (St-HES60.3) character upon increasing the degree of grafting. Both conjugates, St-HES29.4 and St-HES60.3, were able to form self-assembled particles with a diameter of 130.7 nm and 152.5 nm, respectively. SEM images showed that the self-aggregates were mostly spherical in shape. These conjugates can be employed to entrap highly hydrophobic drugs with an increased encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity.
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Development of Bilayer Polysaccharide-Based Films Combining Extrusion and Electrospinning for Active Food Packaging
by
Rodrigo F. Gouvêa and Cristina T. Andrade
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(2), 129-141; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5020010 - 9 May 2024
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The development of active food packaging is desirable for food safety and to avoid food loss and waste. In this work, we developed antioxidant bilayer films combining extrusion and electrospinning techniques. These films consisted of a first layer of thermoplastic cornstarch (TPS), incorporated
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The development of active food packaging is desirable for food safety and to avoid food loss and waste. In this work, we developed antioxidant bilayer films combining extrusion and electrospinning techniques. These films consisted of a first layer of thermoplastic cornstarch (TPS), incorporated with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The second layer consisted of gallic acid (GA) encapsulated at different concentrations in 1:1 chitosan/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (CS/EVOH) nanofibers. This layer was directly electrospun onto the TPS/MCC film. The morphological, structural, wettability, permeability to oxygen, and antioxidant properties were investigated for the first layer and the bilayer films. Water contact angle measurements revealed the hydrophobic nature of the first layer (θ0 = 100.6°). The oxygen permeability (OP) was accessed through the peroxide value (PV) of canola oil, kept in containers covered by the films. PV varied from 66.6 meq/kg for the TPS/MCC layer to 60.5 meq/kg for a bilayer film. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds, mediated by GA, contributed slightly to improving the mechanical strength of the bilayer films. The bilayer film incorporated with GA at 15.0% reached a radical scavenging activity against the DPPH radical of (903.8 ± 62.2) μmol.L−1.Eq. Trolox.g−1. This result proved the effectiveness of the GA nanoencapsulation strategy.
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Bead-Free Electrospun Nanofibrous Scaffold Made of PVOH/Keratin/Chitosan Using a Box–Behnken Experimental Design and In Vitro Studies
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Mohammad Tajul Islam, Afsana Al Sharmin, Raechel Laing, Michelle McConnell and M. Azam Ali
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(2), 112-128; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5020009 - 1 May 2024
Abstract
Bead-free nanofibrous scaffolds composed of PVOH/keratin/chitosan were prepared using electrospinning after optimising the process parameters using a Box–Behnken experimental design. Two quadratic models were developed to optimise the fibre diameter and the diameter of fibre beads considering the voltage, flow rate, spinning distance,
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Bead-free nanofibrous scaffolds composed of PVOH/keratin/chitosan were prepared using electrospinning after optimising the process parameters using a Box–Behnken experimental design. Two quadratic models were developed to optimise the fibre diameter and the diameter of fibre beads considering the voltage, flow rate, spinning distance, and amount of biopolymer as independent variables. All independent variables were found to be significant in determining responses, although not all interactions among these were significant. The models were highly effective in describing responses, with an R2 of 98.58 and 99.67%. The optimum conditions were determined to be 15.82 kV voltage, 0.25 mL/h flow rate, 105 mm spinning distance, and 30% biopolymers. The accuracy of the models was verified and found to be within an acceptable range. The bead-free nanofibrous scaffold exhibited no cytotoxicity to Human Aneuploid Immortal Keratinocyte (HaCaT) and Normal Human Dermal Fibroblast (NHDF) cell lines, enabling cell adhesion and proliferation. Both cell lines remained attached with perfect cell morphology when co-cultured on the scaffold for 30 days, indicating the scaffold’s potential for biomedical applications.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Research on Polysaccharides: Structure and Applications)
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Utilization of Multi-Ionic Interaction of Yumoto Hot Springs for Enhancing the Moisturizing Properties of Hyaluronic Acid Sodium Salt
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Keita Nakajima, Tu Minh Tran Vo and Nur Adlin
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(2), 100-111; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5020008 - 1 May 2024
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Hot spring (HS) waters manifest diverse positive effects on the skin due to their unique chemical compositions. Sodium hyaluronate acid (HA) comprises N-acetylglucosamine and D-glucuronic acid, and distinguishes itself with superior qualities in skin regeneration, providing moisturizing and anti-aging benefits. The combination of
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Hot spring (HS) waters manifest diverse positive effects on the skin due to their unique chemical compositions. Sodium hyaluronate acid (HA) comprises N-acetylglucosamine and D-glucuronic acid, and distinguishes itself with superior qualities in skin regeneration, providing moisturizing and anti-aging benefits. The combination of HA with HS water is widely applied across ophthalmology, pneumology, nutrition, and cosmetics. This study delved into the application of HA in cosmetology, with a focus on its interaction with HS water and its effects on moisture retention and promoting wound healing. In particular, with the alkaline pH levels of the Yumoto HS, HA molecules may undergo dissociation to be ionized resulting in a negatively charged polymer and interacting with positively charged ions in the HS water through electrostatic interactions. The shifted peaks in the FTIR result and zeta potential shifts to a less negative region in the case of HA-HS compared to HA-DI indicate an ionic interaction between HS water and HA. Moisture tests confirmed the sustained hydration when HA is dissolved in HS water, underscoring its potential to improve skin hydration at certain concentrations, specifically at 0.5% and 1%. Additionally, MTT assay results demonstrated that HS water stimulates the growth of fibroblast cells compared to distilled water, implying its potential beneficial effect in wound healing. These findings suggested the multifaceted benefits of HAHS in skincare, highlighting its role in enhancing skin hydration and potentially accelerating wound healing processes, thus presenting avenues for the development of advanced cosmeceutical formulations.
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Open AccessEditorial
Two Important Biopolymers: The Transformative Power of Chitin and Collagen in Multidisciplinary Applications
by
Azizur Rahman
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(2), 96-99; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5020007 - 17 Apr 2024
Abstract
Biopolymers are natural polymers produced by living organisms’ cells, and have promising multidisciplinary applications [...]
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chitin and Collagen: Isolation, Purification, Characterization, and Applications)
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Surface Modification of Cellulose Nanocrystal Films via RAFT Polymerization for Adsorption of PFAS
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Chaimaa Gomri, Belkacem Tarek Benkhaled, Arnaud Chaix, Eddy Petit, Marc Cretin and Mona Semsarilar
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(2), 85-95; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5020006 - 13 Apr 2024
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Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are bio-based materials able to be functionalized following different approaches, which expands their range of applications. One such approach is surface-initiated polymerization, which involves the attachment of an initiator to the CNC’s surface to initiate the growth of the polymer.
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Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are bio-based materials able to be functionalized following different approaches, which expands their range of applications. One such approach is surface-initiated polymerization, which involves the attachment of an initiator to the CNC’s surface to initiate the growth of the polymer. This work reports the modification of CNCs using the described approach. First, a CNC-based film was prepared, on which an initiator (RAFT agent) was grafted, and then (trimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, a positively charged monomer, was polymerized using reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The CNC film was successfully modified and fully characterized. Different degrees of polymerization were targeted to emphasize the effect of the positively charged polymer and their chain length on the adsorption efficiency. The results showed that by increasing the chain length of the grafted polymer, up to 80% of both pollutants could be removed, with a faster adsorption of PFOS as compared to PFOA.
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Open AccessArticle
Concentrated O/W Emulsion Stability of Non-Ionic Chitosan Oligomer Surfactants Modified by Epoxidized Fatty Chains at pH7: Influence of Emulsification Conditions
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Steve Berthalon, Jérémy Frugier, Nathalie Azema, Claire Negrell and Ghislain David
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(2), 67-84; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5020005 - 11 Apr 2024
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In this study, chitosan-based surfactants were synthesized by epoxy–amine chemistry to stabilize concentrated O/W emulsions at pH7. Chitosan was first depolymerized by nitrous deamination to obtain chitooligosaccharides (COS) with degrees of polymerization of 10 (DP10) and 20 (DP20). Then, three different epoxidized fatty
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In this study, chitosan-based surfactants were synthesized by epoxy–amine chemistry to stabilize concentrated O/W emulsions at pH7. Chitosan was first depolymerized by nitrous deamination to obtain chitooligosaccharides (COS) with degrees of polymerization of 10 (DP10) and 20 (DP20). Then, three different epoxidized fatty chains, i.e., octyl/decyl glycidyl ether (C9), hexadecyl glycidyl ether (C16) and epoxidized cardanol (card), were grafted onto the amine groups of chitosan to form six amphiphilic structures. NMR measurements revealed grafting efficiencies ranging from 1 to 30% while HLB values ranged from 13 to 20. The relationships between these surfactant structures and their adsorption properties were investigated by tensiometric measurements, highlighting the need for a short hydrophilic moiety and high grafting efficiency to obtain the best adsorption. Subsequently, concentrated O/W emulsions (66% of oil) at pH7 were produced using COS-based surfactants and the impact of stirring time and speed during the emulsification process was described through rheological, droplet size and microscopy measurements. Finally, emulsions were stored over 2 months in order to study the destabilization phenomenon into the mixture, i.e., coalescence and creaming, by using laser granulometry and Turbiscan. Results demonstrated that stability could be enhanced by increasing emulsion viscosity, reducing droplet size or optimizing the adsorption layer at the O/W interfaces.
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Exploring the Potential of 3D-Printable Agar–Urea Hydrogels as an Efficient Method of Delivering Nitrogen in Agricultural Applications
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Wathsala Dissanayake, Hossein Najaf Zadeh, Ali Reza Nazmi, Campbell Stevens, Tim Huber and Pramuditha L. Abhayawardhana
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(1), 49-66; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5010004 - 7 Mar 2024
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Amidst population growth and challenges with existing fertilizers, the development of smart and environmentally friendly agrochemicals is imperative. While 3D printing is widespread, its potential in slow-release agrochemicals remains unexplored. This proof-of-concept study employed solvent casting and 3D printing to develop agar–urea structures.
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Amidst population growth and challenges with existing fertilizers, the development of smart and environmentally friendly agrochemicals is imperative. While 3D printing is widespread, its potential in slow-release agrochemicals remains unexplored. This proof-of-concept study employed solvent casting and 3D printing to develop agar–urea structures. These structures, comprising 2.5% (w/w) agar, incorporated either 7% (w/w) or 13% (w/w) urea as nitrogen nutrients. Rheological, mechanical, and morphological properties and sorption capabilities were explored. Rheological analysis revealed a substantial impact of urea, enhancing material resistance to deformation. In mechanical tests, inclusion of urea showed no significant impact on compressive strength. SEM analysis confirmed the successful entrapment of urea within the agar matrix. The inclusion of urea resulted in a diminished water sorption capacity, attributed to the urea–water interactions disrupting the hydrogen bonding ability of agar. Agar–urea inks were employed in 3D printing utilizing the direct-ink writing technique, and the nitrogen release behavior was investigated. Results revealed nearly complete urea release in the positive control within 48 h. In contrast, agar–urea formulations with 7% (w/w) and 13% (w/w) achieved nitrogen release rates of 88.8% and 94.4%, respectively, suggesting potential for 3D-printed agar formulations to modify the immediate release behavior seen in conventional urea fertilizers.
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A Polysaccharide-Based Integrated Nutrient Management System Enhances the Antioxidant Properties in Origanum dictamnus (Lamiaceae), a Valuable Local Endemic Plant of Crete
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Konstantinos Paschalidis, Dimitrios Fanourakis, Georgios Tsaniklidis, Vasileios A. Tzanakakis, Ioanna Kardamaki, Fotis Bilias, Eftihia Samara, Ioannis Ipsilantis, Katerina Grigoriadou, Theodora Matsi, Georgios Tsoktouridis and Nikos Krigas
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(1), 28-48; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5010003 - 26 Feb 2024
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Origanum dictamnus L. (Lamiaceae), a local endemic plant of Crete (Greece), creates polysaccharide-containing subcuticular compartments presenting biological activity against phytopathogenic fungi, and, among others, significantly affects the fungal cell wall polysaccharides. This field study introduces a fertilization scheme for O. dictamnus, which
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Origanum dictamnus L. (Lamiaceae), a local endemic plant of Crete (Greece), creates polysaccharide-containing subcuticular compartments presenting biological activity against phytopathogenic fungi, and, among others, significantly affects the fungal cell wall polysaccharides. This field study introduces a fertilization scheme for O. dictamnus, which was developed and refined to optimize the yield as well as critical herbal quality aspects. Five fertilization schemes were investigated, based on a polysaccharide-based Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), a mixture of conventional inorganic fertilizers (ChF) and two biostimulants (not algae) via foliar and soil application. Plant growth, together with leaf chlorophyll fluorescence and color (SPAD meter, DA meter, Chroma Meter) were determined. The leaf content of chlorophyll, three critical antioxidant compounds (carotenoids, flavonoids, phenols) and nutrients were also assessed. Considering all three antioxidants together, the enhanced efficiency, non-toxic, water-soluble, polysaccharide-based INM by foliar application was the most stimulatory scheme, playing an important role in plant growth and development. The present field study provides, for the first time, baseline fertilization data improving key herbal quality features in O. dictamnus and unravels the attainment of high antioxidant properties. The latter may be exploited in favor of its further utilization as a raw material for tea preparation, medicinal purposes, natural food flavoring and/or food preservative.
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Open AccessArticle
Characterization of Lignocellulose Nanofibril from Desilicated Rice Hull with Carboxymethylation Pretreatment
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Audrey Zahra, Seo-Kyoung Lim and Soo-Jeong Shin
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(1), 16-27; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5010002 - 22 Jan 2024
Abstract
Rice hulls have a high-value potential, and the lignocellulose components are underutilized compared to other biomass resources. Pretreatments such as carboxymethylation of the degree of substitutions (DS) are used to prepare lignocellulose nanofibril (LCNF) from desilicated rice hull (DSRH). High-pressure homogenization (HPH) and
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Rice hulls have a high-value potential, and the lignocellulose components are underutilized compared to other biomass resources. Pretreatments such as carboxymethylation of the degree of substitutions (DS) are used to prepare lignocellulose nanofibril (LCNF) from desilicated rice hull (DSRH). High-pressure homogenization (HPH) and grinding are used to process nano fibrillation. The composition of LCNF DS of desilicated rice hull was identified using 1H NMR for polysaccharide composition and DS determination, acetone and hot water extraction to evaluate extractives, and Klason lignin for lignin content. LCNF was prepared using various DS from 0.2 until DS 0.4. The results showed that LCNF DS has a more than −30 mV zeta potential, suitable for stable nanoemulsion formulations. The particle size of LCNF DS decreases with an increasing carboxyl content in the hydrogel and an increasing number of passes through grinding and high-pressure homogenization, of which LCNF DS 0.4 had the smallest width and length. Mechanical processes further reduced the size.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Polymers from Renewable Resources, 2nd Volume)
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Labeling of Polysaccharides with Biotin and Fluorescent Dyes
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Alexander Tuzikov, Nadezhda Shilova, Tatiana Ovchinnikova, Alexey Nokel, Olga Patova, Yuriy Knirel, Tatiana Chernova, Tatiana Gorshkova and Nicolai Bovin
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(1), 1-15; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5010001 - 27 Dec 2023
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Examples of labeling polysaccharides at hydroxyl groups are described in this paper, which are especially in demand for molecules with a blocked reducing end. The protocols presented are suitable for the microscale synthesis of labeled polysaccharides that do not require a chromatography step
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Examples of labeling polysaccharides at hydroxyl groups are described in this paper, which are especially in demand for molecules with a blocked reducing end. The protocols presented are suitable for the microscale synthesis of labeled polysaccharides that do not require a chromatography step for isolation. Examples of hydroxyl labeling include (1) direct modification with fluorescein isothiocyanate; (2) reaction with a fluorescein-dichlorotriazine derivative; (3) reaction with biotin-dichlorotriazine; (4) indirect two-step modification (given for glycosphingolipid) with glutaric anhydride followed by amidation with aminospacered BODIPY or SuCy5. The labeling of carboxyl groups of hyaluronic acid with BODIPY is also described. The staining of plant tissue sections with biotinylated polysaccharide versus being fluorescein labeled is compared.
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Efficient (Bio)emulsification/Degradation of Crude Oil Using Cellulose Nanocrystals
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Petr Sitnikov, Philipp Legki, Mikhail Torlopov, Yulia Druz, Vasily Mikhaylov, Dmitriy Tarabukin, Irina Vaseneva, Maria Markarova, Nikita Ushakov and Elena Udoratina
Polysaccharides 2023, 4(4), 402-420; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides4040024 - 10 Nov 2023
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This study has investigated the influence of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with partially acetylated surfaces on the formation, stability, rheology and biodegradability of the Pickering emulsion in a crude oil/water (co/w) system. In all investigated systems, it was observed that the CNC concentrations of
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This study has investigated the influence of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with partially acetylated surfaces on the formation, stability, rheology and biodegradability of the Pickering emulsion in a crude oil/water (co/w) system. In all investigated systems, it was observed that the CNC concentrations of 7 mg/mL led to the emulsions showing stability over time. It was also noticed that the increase in concentration of background electrolyte (NaCl) leds to the droplets of emulsions becoming smaller. It was demonstrated that the rheology of the o/w emulsions of the oil products and crude oil stabilized by CNCs depends, to a large extent, on the colloid chemical properties of nanocellulose particles. Calculations and experimental methods were used to study the changes in the acid–base properties of CNCs on the surface of emulsion droplets, depending on a type of hydrophobic components (crude oil and liquid paraffin). The formation of Pickering emulsions leads to the oxidation of oil by Rhodococcus egvi in aerobic conditions becoming more effective, provided that the environment includes mineral salts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. The results obtained present a scientific basis for the development of technologies for the disposal of oil spills on water surfaces.
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Open AccessArticle
Advancing Paper Industry Applications with Extruded Cationic Wheat Starch as an Environmentally Friendly Biopolymer
by
Ahmed Tara
Polysaccharides 2023, 4(4), 390-401; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides4040023 - 2 Nov 2023
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Within the domain of starch modification, the study delved into cationization of wheat starch through a laboratory-scale twin-screw extruder, exploring various processing conditions. Cationic starch, a crucial component for enhancing paper attributes like dry strength and printability, took center stage. The focus shifted
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Within the domain of starch modification, the study delved into cationization of wheat starch through a laboratory-scale twin-screw extruder, exploring various processing conditions. Cationic starch, a crucial component for enhancing paper attributes like dry strength and printability, took center stage. The focus shifted towards integration into papermaking, investigating the transformative potential of reactive extrusion. By contrasting it with conventional dry-process methodology, innovative strides were unveiled. The study extended to pilot-scale extrusion, bridging the gap between laboratory experimentation and potential industrial implementation. Infused with scientific rigor, the investigation navigated the benefits brought about by reactive extrusion. Empirical insights highlighted a significant reduction in the intrinsic viscosity of extruded starch, decreasing from 170 mL·g−1 (native starch) to 100 mL·g−1 at a specific mechanical energy (SME) input of 800 kWh·t−1, demonstrating remarkable stability despite increased mechanical treatment. Moreover, beyond the critical threshold of 220 kWh·t−1, retention efficiency reached a stable plateau at 78%. The study revealed that utilizing a larger extruder slightly improved the mechanical properties of the paper, emphasizing the advantage of scaling up the production process and the consistency of results across different extruder sizes.
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Open AccessReview
Algal Polysaccharides-Based Nanomaterials: General Aspects and Potential Applications in Food and Biomedical Fields
by
Juliana Botelho Moreira, Thaisa Duarte Santos, Camila Gonzales Cruz, Jéssica Teixeira da Silveira, Lisiane Fernandes de Carvalho, Michele Greque de Morais and Jorge Alberto Vieira Costa
Polysaccharides 2023, 4(4), 371-389; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides4040022 - 4 Oct 2023
Cited by 1
Abstract
The use of natural polymers has increased due to concern about environmental pollution caused by plastics and emerging pollutants from fossil fuels. In this context, polysaccharides from macroalgae and microalgae arise as natural and abundant resources for various biological, biomedical, and food applications.
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The use of natural polymers has increased due to concern about environmental pollution caused by plastics and emerging pollutants from fossil fuels. In this context, polysaccharides from macroalgae and microalgae arise as natural and abundant resources for various biological, biomedical, and food applications. Different nanomaterials are produced from these polysaccharides to act as effective carriers in the food and pharmaceutical industry: drug and nutrient carriers, active compound encapsulation, and delivery of therapeutic agents to tumor tissues. Polysaccharides-based nanomaterials applied as functional ingredients incorporated into foods can improve texture properties and decrease the caloric density of food products. These nanostructures also present the potential for developing food packaging with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In addition, polysaccharides-based nanomaterials are biocompatible, biodegradable, and safe for medical practices to prevent and manage various chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. In this sense, this review article addresses the use of algal polysaccharides for manufacturing nanomaterials and their potential applications in food and biomedical areas. In addition, the paper discusses the general aspects of algae as a source of polysaccharides, the nanomaterials produced from these polymers, as well as recent studies and the potential use of algal polysaccharides for industries.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Current Opinion in Polysaccharides)
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