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13 pages, 1533 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial Activity and Barrier Properties against UV Radiation of Alkaline and Enzymatically Treated Linen Woven Fabrics Coated with Inorganic Hybrid Material

by Joanna Olczyk, Jadwiga Sójka-Ledakowicz, Anetta Walawska, Anna Antecka, Katarzyna Siwińska-Ciesielczyk, Jakub Zdarta and Teofil Jesionowski

Molecules 2020, 25(23), 5701; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25235701 - 03 Dec 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2405

Abstract

One of the directions of development in the textiles industry is the search for new technologies for producing modern multifunctional products. New solutions are sought to obtain materials that will protect humans against the harmful effects of the environment, including such factors as [...] Read more.

One of the directions of development in the textiles industry is the search for new technologies for producing modern multifunctional products. New solutions are sought to obtain materials that will protect humans against the harmful effects of the environment, including such factors as the activity of microorganisms and UV radiation. Products made of natural cellulose fibers are often used. In the case of this type of material, it is very important to perform appropriate pretreatment before subsequent technological processes. This treatment has the aim of removing impurities from the surface of the fibers, which results in the improvement of sorption properties and adhesion, leading directly to the better penetration of dyes and chemical modifiers into the structure of the materials. In this work, linen fabrics were subjected to a new, innovative treatment being a combination of bio-pretreatment using laccase from Cerrena unicolor and modification with CuO-SiO₂ hybrid oxide microparticles by a dip-coating method. To compare the effect of alkaline or enzymatic pretreatment on the microstructure of the linen woven fabrics, SEM analysis was performed. The new textile products obtained after this combined process exhibit very good antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, significant antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative Escherichia coli and the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, as well as very good UV protection properties (ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) > 40). These innovative materials can be used especially for clothing or outdoor textiles for which resistance to microorganisms is required, as well as to protect people who are exposed to long-term, harmful effects of UV radiation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue BioOrg: From Biomolecules to Biomaterials)

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18 pages, 3407 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Effect of Azole Antifungal Agents on the Stress Response and Nanomechanical Surface Properties of Ochrobactrum anthropi Aspcl2.2

by Amanda Pacholak, Natalia Burlaga and Ewa Kaczorek

Molecules 2020, 25(15), 3348; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25153348 - 23 Jul 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2768

Abstract

Azole antifungal molecules are broadly used as active ingredients in various products, such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides. This promotes their release into the natural environment. The detailed mechanism of their influence on the biotic components of natural ecosystems remains unexplored. Our research aimed [...] Read more.

Azole antifungal molecules are broadly used as active ingredients in various products, such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides. This promotes their release into the natural environment. The detailed mechanism of their influence on the biotic components of natural ecosystems remains unexplored. Our research aimed to examine the response of Ochrobactrum anthropi AspCl2.2 to the presence of four azole antifungal agents (clotrimazole, fluconazole, climbazole, epoxiconazole). The experiments performed include analysis of the cell metabolic activity, cell membrane permeability, total glutathione level and activity of glutathione S-transferases. These studies allowed for the evaluation of the cells’ oxidative stress response to the presence of azole antifungals. Moreover, changes in the nanomechanical surface properties, including adhesive and elastic features of the cells, were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and spectrophotometric methods. The results indicate that the azoles promote bacterial oxidative stress. The strongest differences were noted for the cells cultivated with fluconazole. The least toxic effect has been attributed to climbazole. AFM observations unraveled molecular details of bacterial cell texture, structure and surface nanomechanical properties. Antifungals promote the nanoscale modification of the bacterial cell wall. The results presented provided a significant insight into the strategies used by environmental bacterial cells to survive exposures to toxic azole antifungal agents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue BioOrg: From Biomolecules to Biomaterials)

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13 pages, 4237 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Biocompatible Polysaccharide-Based Eutectogels with Tunable Rheological, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties: The Role of Water

by Huiping Xia, Meijie Ren, Yue Zou, Si Qin and Chaoxi Zeng

Molecules 2020, 25(15), 3314; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25153314 - 22 Jul 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3772

Abstract

The natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) is an excellent solvent for insoluble natural products and medicines. Eutectogels formed by gelation of NADESs are interesting materials that deserve attention. In this study, xanthan gum was used as a gelator to gel choline chloride-xylitol with [...] Read more.

The natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) is an excellent solvent for insoluble natural products and medicines. Eutectogels formed by gelation of NADESs are interesting materials that deserve attention. In this study, xanthan gum was used as a gelator to gel choline chloride-xylitol with different water contents in virtue of the excellent solubility of choline chloride-xylitol (1:1) to quercetin. We observed that water was critical to the formation of eutectogels. An MTT assay indicated that our eutectogel had excellent biocompatibility as its corresponding hydrogel. According to rheological tests, xanthan gum-based eutectogels had better viscoelastic properties, higher thermal stability, and more defined shear thinning behavior than its corresponding hydrogel. Texture profile analysis showed that eutectogels with less water content had higher hardness and adhesiveness. Meanwhile, Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) results suggested that the various rheological and texture properties of eutectogels could be attributed to changes in the water state, which was influenced by the hydrogen bonding network of NADES. This biocompatible eutectogel with tunable properties was expected to find applications in novel drug delivery vehicles, which are widely used in the fields of medicine and food. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue BioOrg: From Biomolecules to Biomaterials)

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21 pages, 7075 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Lignin-Based Spherical Structures and Their Use for Improvement of Cilazapril Stability in Solid State

by Małgorzata Stanisz, Łukasz Klapiszewski, Dariusz T. Mlynarczyk, Beata J. Stanisz and Teofil Jesionowski

Molecules 2020, 25(14), 3150; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25143150 - 09 Jul 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2504

Abstract

Biopolymer-based spherical particles exhibit unique properties including narrow sizes and many functional groups on their surfaces. Therefore, they show great potential for application in many scientific and industrial processes. The main aim of this study was to prepare lignin-based spherical particles with the [...] Read more.

Biopolymer-based spherical particles exhibit unique properties including narrow sizes and many functional groups on their surfaces. Therefore, they show great potential for application in many scientific and industrial processes. The main aim of this study was to prepare lignin-based spherical particles with the use of a cationic surfactant, hexadecyl(trimethyl)ammonium bromide (CTAB). In the first step, different preparation procedures were tested with varying parameters, including biopolymer and surfactant ratios, lignin filtration, and experimental time. The morphological and dispersion characteristics of the materials were determined to select the best samples with the most promising properties, which could then be tested for their acute toxicity. It was observed that almost all materials were characterized by spherical shapes in micro- and nanosizes. The sample with the best physicochemical properties was used for further analysis and then tested for medical applications: the improvement of the stability of a drug molecule, cilazapril (CIL). The formulated material (CIL@LC-2a 1:1 wt./wt.) exhibited outstanding properties and significantly improved the stability of cilazapril as tested in conditions of increased temperature and humidity. Lignin spherical particles may be employed as a promising material for shielding other active compounds from decomposition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue BioOrg: From Biomolecules to Biomaterials)

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14 pages, 2868 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Combined Effect of Nitrofurantoin and Plant Surfactant on Bacteria Phospholipid Membrane

by Monika Rojewska, Wojciech Smułek, Krystyna Prochaska and Ewa Kaczorek

Molecules 2020, 25(11), 2527; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25112527 - 28 May 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2854

Abstract

Due to the increasing use of antibiotics, measures are being taken to improve their removal from the natural environment. The support of biodegradation with natural surfactants that increase the bioavailability of impurities for microorganisms that degrade them, raises questions about their effect on [...] Read more.

Due to the increasing use of antibiotics, measures are being taken to improve their removal from the natural environment. The support of biodegradation with natural surfactants that increase the bioavailability of impurities for microorganisms that degrade them, raises questions about their effect on bacterial cells. In this paper we present analysis of the interaction of nitrofurantoin (NFT) and saponins from the Saponaria officinalis on the environmental bacteria membrane and the model phospholipid membrane mimicking it. A wide perspective of the process is provided with the Langmuir monolayer technique and membrane permeability test with bacteria. The obtained results showed that above critical micelle concentration (CMC), saponin molecules are incorporated into the POPE monolayer, but the NFT impact was ambiguous. What is more, differences in membrane permeability between the cells exposed to NFT in comparison to that of the non-exposed cells were observed above 1.0 CMC for Achromobacter sp. KW1 or above 0.5 CMC for Pseudomonas sp. MChB. In both cases, NFT presence lowered the membrane permeability. Moreover, the Congo red adhesion to the cell membrane also decreased in the presence of a high concentration of surfactants and NFT. The results suggest that saponins are incorporated into the bacteria membrane, but their sugar hydrophilic part remains outside, which modifies the adsorption properties of the cell surface as well as the membrane permeability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue BioOrg: From Biomolecules to Biomaterials)

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13 pages, 2133 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Nanocellulose Using Ionic Liquids: 1-Propyl-3-Methylimidazolium Chloride and 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Chloride

by Marta Babicka, Magdalena Woźniak, Krzysztof Dwiecki, Sławomir Borysiak and Izabela Ratajczak

Molecules 2020, 25(7), 1544; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25071544 - 28 Mar 2020

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 4863

Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals were prepared using ionic liquids (ILs), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [EMIM][Cl] and 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [PMIM][Cl], from microcrystalline cellulose. The resultant samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron [...] Read more.

Cellulose nanocrystals were prepared using ionic liquids (ILs), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [EMIM][Cl] and 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [PMIM][Cl], from microcrystalline cellulose. The resultant samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD results showed that nanocellulose obtained by treatment with both ILs preserved basic cellulose I structure, but crystallinity index of samples (except for Sigmacell treated with [EMIM][Cl]) was lower in comparison to the starting microcrystalline cellulose. The DLS results indicated noticeably smaller particle sizes of prepared cellulose for material treated with [PMIM][Cl] compared to cellulose samples hydrolyzed with [EMIM][Cl], which were prone to agglomeration. The obtained nanocellulose had a rod-like structure that was confirmed by electron microscopy analyses. Moreover, the results described in this paper indicate that cation type of ILs influences particle size and morphology of cellulose after treatment with ionic liquids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue BioOrg: From Biomolecules to Biomaterials)

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14 pages, 2382 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pea Protein for Hempseed Oil Nanoemulsion Stabilization

by Maciej Jarzębski, Farahnaz Fathordoobady, Yigong Guo, Minghuan Xu, Anika Singh, David D. Kitts, Przemysław Łukasz Kowalczewski, Paweł Jeżowski and Anubhav Pratap Singh

Molecules 2019, 24(23), 4288; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules24234288 - 25 Nov 2019

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 4869

Abstract

In this paper, we present the possibility of using pea protein isolates as a stabilizer for hempseed oil (HSO)-based water/oil emulsions in conjunction with lecithin as a co-surfactant. A Box-Behnken design was employed to build polynomial models for optimization of the ultrasonication process [...] Read more.

In this paper, we present the possibility of using pea protein isolates as a stabilizer for hempseed oil (HSO)-based water/oil emulsions in conjunction with lecithin as a co-surfactant. A Box-Behnken design was employed to build polynomial models for optimization of the ultrasonication process to prepare the emulsions. The stability of the system was verified by droplet size measurements using dynamic light scattering (DLS) as well as centrifugation and thermal challenge tests. The z-ave droplet diameters of optimized emulsion were 209 and 207 nm after preparation and 1 week storage, respectively. The concentration of free Linoleic acid (C18:2; n-6) was used for calculation of entrapment efficiency in prepared nanoemulsions. At optimum conditions of the process, up to 98.63% ± 1.95 of entrapment was achieved. FTIR analysis and rheological tests were also performed to evaluate the quality of oil and emulsion, and to verify the close-to-water like behavior of the prepared samples compared to the viscous nature of the original oil. Obtained results confirmed the high impact of lecithin and pea protein concentrations on the emulsion droplet size and homogeneity confirmed by microscopic imaging. The presented results are the first steps towards using hempseed oil-based emulsions as a potential food additive carrier, such as flavor. Furthermore, the good stability of the prepared nanoemulsion gives opportunities for potential use in biomedical and cosmetic applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue BioOrg: From Biomolecules to Biomaterials)

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25 pages, 952 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances in Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Natural Bioactive Compounds from Natural Plant Materials

by Pascaline Aimee Uwineza and Agnieszka Waśkiewicz

Molecules 2020, 25(17), 3847; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25173847 - 24 Aug 2020

Cited by 192 | Viewed by 13469

Abstract

In this review, recent advances in greener technology for extracting natural bioactive components from plant origin sources are discussed. Bioactive compounds of plant origin have been defined as natural chemical compounds present in small amounts in plants. Researchers have shown interest in extracting [...] Read more.

In this review, recent advances in greener technology for extracting natural bioactive components from plant origin sources are discussed. Bioactive compounds of plant origin have been defined as natural chemical compounds present in small amounts in plants. Researchers have shown interest in extracting bioactive compounds because of their human health benefits and characteristics of being eco-friendly and generally recognized as safe. Various new extraction methods and conventional extraction methods have been developed, however, until now, no unique approach has been presented as a benchmark for extracting natural bioactive compounds from plants. The selectivity and productivity of traditional and modern extraction techniques generally depend on selecting the critical input parameters, knowing the nature of plant-based samples, the structure of bioactive compounds, and good scientific skills. This work aims to discuss the recent advances in supercritical fluid extraction techniques, especially supercritical carbon dioxide, along with the fundamental principles for extracting bioactive compounds from natural plant materials such as herbs, spices, aromatic and medicinal plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue BioOrg: From Biomolecules to Biomaterials)

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