GelsPub Date : 2024-12-31DOI: 10.3390/gels11010020
Yunian Shen, Yiming Zou
{"title":"Contact Dynamic Behaviors of Magnetic Hydrogel Soft Robots.","authors":"Yunian Shen, Yiming Zou","doi":"10.3390/gels11010020","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11010020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Magnetic hydrogel soft robots have shown great potential in various fields. However, their contact dynamic behaviors are complex, considering stick-slip motion at the contact interface, and lack accurate computational models to analyze them. This paper improves the numerical computational method for hydrogel materials with magneto-mechanical coupling effect, analyses the inchworm-like contact motion of the biomimetic bipedal magnetic hydrogel soft robot, and designs and optimizes the robot's structure. In the constitutive model, a correction factor representing the influence of the direction of magnetic flux density on the domain density has been introduced. The magnetic part of the Helmholtz free energy has been redefined as the magnetic potential energy, which can be used to explain the phenomenon that the material will still deform when the magnetic flux density is parallel to the external magnetic field. The accuracy of the simulation is verified by comparing numerical solutions with experimental results for a magnetic hydrogel cantilever beam. Furthermore, employing the present methods, the locomotion of a magnetic hydrogel soft robot modeled after the inchworm's gait is simulated, and the influence of the coefficient of friction on its movement is discussed. The numerical results clearly display the control effect of the external magnetic field on the robot's motion.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11764664/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143032234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GelsPub Date : 2024-12-31DOI: 10.3390/gels11010019
Mohamed M Badran, Areej Alsubaie, Mounir M Salem Bekhit, Abdullah H Alomrani, Aliyah Almomen
{"title":"Layer-by-Layer Biopolymer-Coated Deformable Liposomes-In Situ Gel: A Hybrid Strategy for Enhanced Ocular Delivery of Itraconazole: In Vitro and In Vivo Appraisal.","authors":"Mohamed M Badran, Areej Alsubaie, Mounir M Salem Bekhit, Abdullah H Alomrani, Aliyah Almomen","doi":"10.3390/gels11010019","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11010019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Itraconazole (ITZ) is a potent antifungal agent. Its oral administration is associated with systemic toxicity, and its efficacy in ocular formulations is limited. This study aims to enhance ITZ's ocular permeation and antifungal efficacy by loading it into deformable liposomes (DLs) based on Tween 80 (T) or Poloxamer 188 (P). Moreover, ITZ was loaded into biopolymer-coated DLs to augment its ocular availability. ITZ-loaded DLs were coated with hyaluronic acid (HA-DLs), chitosan (CS-DLs), or a layer-by-layer coating (CS/HA-DLs). These formulations were further laden into pH-sensitive in situ gels to provide a hybrid system to intensify their ocular adhesion properties. The prepared DLs were successfully prepared with vesicle sizes in nonorange (<200 nm). The zeta potential values of DLS were negative before coating and shifted to high negativity with HA coating and positivity with CS and CS/HA bilayer coating. These variations of zeta potential indicate successful CS and HA coatings. The optimized A high EE% was achieved with DLs-T: 89% (CS/HA-DLs-T), 86% (CS-DLs-T), 85% (HA-DLs-T), and 79% (HA-DLs-T). Therefore, DLs-T were incorporated into in situ gels, displaying optimal gelling capacity and viscosity. The release rate of ITZ from the coated DLs-laden in situ gels was slower than that observed with the uncoated DLs-gel. CS/HA-DLs-T laden-in situ gels showed the highest ex vivo transcorneal permeability and antifungal efficacy. These data suggest that the layer-by-layer-CS/HA-DLs-T presents a hopeful strategy for the ocular delivery of ITZ, offering a promising approach for managing ocular fungal infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11765087/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143032702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GelsPub Date : 2024-12-31DOI: 10.3390/gels11010018
Dan Zhang, Da Chen, Osvaldo H Campanella
{"title":"The Effect of CaCl<sub>2</sub> on the Gelling Properties of Pea Protein-Pectin Dispersions.","authors":"Dan Zhang, Da Chen, Osvaldo H Campanella","doi":"10.3390/gels11010018","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11010018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The effects of CaCl<sub>2</sub> addition before (PreCa) or after (PostCa) heating pea protein-pectin dispersions on the formed gel's rheological and microstructural properties were investigated. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) revealed that CaCl<sub>2</sub> bound both pea proteins and pectins through a spontaneous exothermic reaction and pectin exhibited a stronger binding affinity to CaCl<sub>2</sub>. In PreCa gels, low levels of CaCl<sub>2</sub> (5 and 10 mM) increased the gel elasticity (increase in the storage modulus, G') and their microstructural compactness. However, higher CaCl<sub>2</sub> levels (15 and 25 mM) decreased gels' elasticity, likely due to diminished hydrogen bonds formed in the cooling stage, resulting in gels with larger voids and fewer interconnections between the protein and pectin phases. In PostCa gels, their elasticity increased with the CaCl<sub>2</sub> content, a rheological change associated with the formation of denser microstructures. The addition of 25 mM CaCl<sub>2</sub> decreased <i>β</i>-sheet and increased <i>α</i>-helix and random coil structures. Hydrogen bonding and electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions contributed to gel formation and stability in both PreCa and PostCa gels, whereas disulfide bonds had negligible effects. This study highlights the role of CaCl<sub>2</sub> in modulating pea protein-pectin gels' properties and microstructures for the development of gel-like foods with diverse textures and mouthfeels.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11765083/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143032712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GelsPub Date : 2024-12-30DOI: 10.3390/gels11010017
Dana Stan, Andreea-Cristina Mirica, Sorin Mocanu, Diana Stan, Iunia Podolean, Natalia Candu, Magdi El Fergani, Laura Mihaela Stefan, Ana-Maria Seciu-Grama, Ludmila Aricov, Oana Brincoveanu, Carmen Moldovan, Lorena-Andreea Bocancia-Mateescu, Simona M Coman
{"title":"Hybrid Hydrogel Supplemented with Algal Polysaccharide for Potential Use in Biomedical Applications.","authors":"Dana Stan, Andreea-Cristina Mirica, Sorin Mocanu, Diana Stan, Iunia Podolean, Natalia Candu, Magdi El Fergani, Laura Mihaela Stefan, Ana-Maria Seciu-Grama, Ludmila Aricov, Oana Brincoveanu, Carmen Moldovan, Lorena-Andreea Bocancia-Mateescu, Simona M Coman","doi":"10.3390/gels11010017","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11010017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hydrogels are a viable option for biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to incorporate various healing agents while maintaining their biological efficacy. This study focused on the preparation and characterization of novel hybrid hydrogels enriched with the natural algae compound Ulvan for potential use in wound dressings. The characterization of the hydrogel membranes involved multiple methods to assess their structural, mechanical, and chemical properties, such as pH measurements, swelling, moisture content and uptake, gel fraction, hydrolytic degradation, protein adsorption and denaturation tests, rheological measurements, SEM, biocompatibility testing, and scratch wound assay. The hydrogel obtained with a higher concentration of Ulvan (1 mg/mL) exhibited superior mechanical properties, a swelling index of 264%, a water content of 55%, and a lower degradation percentage. In terms of rheological properties, the inclusion of ULV in the hydrogel composition enhanced gel strength, and the Alginate + PVA + 1.0ULV sample demonstrated the greatest resistance to deformation. All hydrogels exhibited good biocompatibility, with cell viability above 70% and no obvious morphological modifications. The addition of Ulvan potentiates the regenerative effect of hydrogel membranes. Subsequent studies will focus on encapsulating bioactive compounds, investigating their release behavior, and evaluating their active biological effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11764639/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143032664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Thermosensitive In Situ Ophthalmic Gel for Effective Local Delivery and Antifungal Activity of Ketoconazole Nanoparticles.","authors":"Chutima Chaiwut, Sarin Tadtong, Puriputt Akachaipaibul, Jutamas Jiaranaikulwanitch, Sudarshan Singh, Siriporn Okonogi, Dwi Marlina Syukri, Chuda Chittasupho","doi":"10.3390/gels11010013","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11010013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fungal keratitis is a severe ocular infection caused by pathogenic fungi, leading to potential vision loss if untreated. Current antifungal treatments face limitations such as low solubility, poor corneal penetration, and limited therapeutic options. This study aimed to develop a thermosensitive in situ gel incorporating ketoconazole nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance drug solubility, stability, and antifungal activity. Ketoconazole NPs were prepared using the solvent displacement method, achieving a particle size of 198.25 ± 27.51 nm, encapsulation efficiency of 94.08 ± 0.51%, polydispersity index of 0.42 ± 0.08, and a positive zeta potential value of +10.08 ± 0.19 mV. The NPs exhibited sustained zero-order release kinetics. The optimized NPs were incorporated into a poloxamer-based in situ gel, demonstrating a gelation temperature of 34.67 ± 0.58 °C and the shortest gelation time. The formulation provided a 5-fold increase in solubility and a 10-fold improvement in drug release compared to pure ketoconazole. Stability studies confirmed the gel retained its physicochemical and rheological properties for three months under various storage conditions. The in situ gel showed sustained release, effective antifungal activity against <i>Malassezia furfur</i>, and good tolerability, suggesting it as a promising alternative for treating fungal keratitis with improved bioavailability and patient compliance.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11765167/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143032715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GelsPub Date : 2024-12-27DOI: 10.3390/gels11010009
Nahir Vadra, Lisandro J Giovanetti, Pablo H Di Chenna, Fabio D Cukiernik
{"title":"Columnar Mesophases and Organogels Formed by H-Bound Dimers Based on 3,6-Terminally Difunctionalized Triphenylenes.","authors":"Nahir Vadra, Lisandro J Giovanetti, Pablo H Di Chenna, Fabio D Cukiernik","doi":"10.3390/gels11010009","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11010009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A series of triphenylene (TP) compounds-denoted 3,6-THTP-DiC<i>n</i>OH-bearing four hexyloxy ancillary chains and two variable-length alkoxy chains terminally functionalized with hydroxyl groups have been synthesized and characterized. The shorter homologs revealed mesogenic characteristics, giving rise to thermotropic mesophases in which π-stacked columns of H-bound dimers self-organize yielding superstructures. Molecular-scale models are proposed to account for their structural features. The three studied compounds yielded supramolecular gels in methanol; their ability to gelify higher alcohols was found to be enhanced by the presence of water. The intermediate homolog also gelled <i>n</i>-hexane. Compared to their isomeric 2,7-THTP-DiC<i>n</i>OH analogs, the 3,6-derivatives showed a higher tendency to give rise to LC phases (wider thermal ranges) and a lower organogelling ability (variety of gelled solvents, lower gels stabilities). The overall results are analyzed in terms of different kinds of competing H-bonds: intramolecular, face-to-face dimeric, lateral polymeric, and solvent-TP interactions.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11764606/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143032822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Natrium Alginate and Graphene Nanoplatelets-Based Efficient Material for Resveratrol Delivery.","authors":"Cristina Mormile, Ocsana Opriș, Stefano Bellucci, Ildiko Lung, Irina Kacso, Alexandru Turza, Adina Stegarescu, Septimiu Tripon, Maria-Loredana Soran, Ioana Bâldea","doi":"10.3390/gels11010015","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11010015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this study, alginate-based composite beads were developed for the delivery of resveratrol, a compound with therapeutic potential. Two formulations were prepared: one with sodium alginate and resveratrol (AR) and another incorporating graphene nanoplatelets (AGR) to improve drug release control. The beads were formed by exploiting alginate's ability to gel via ionic cross-linking. For the AGR formulation, sodium alginate was dissolved in water, and graphene was dispersed in isopropyl alcohol to achieve smaller flakes. Resveratrol was dissolved in an ethanol/water mixture and added to the graphene dispersion; the resulting solution was mixed with the alginate one. For the AR formulation, the resveratrol solution was mixed directly with the alginate solution. Both formulations were introduced into a calcium chloride solution to form the beads. The release of resveratrol was studied in phosphate-buffered saline at different pH values. Results showed that the presence of graphene in the AGR sample increased drug release, particularly at pH 6.8, indicating a pH-driven release mechanism. Kinetic analysis revealed that the Higuchi model best describes the release mechanism. Finally, cytotoxicity tests showed the biocompatibility of the system in normal human cells. These findings suggest that graphene-enhanced alginate matrices have significant potential for controlled drug delivery applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11765397/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143032705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GelsPub Date : 2024-12-27DOI: 10.3390/gels11010011
Codruta Sarosi, Alexandrina Muntean, Stanca Cuc, Ioan Petean, Sonia Balint, Marioara Moldovan, Aurel George Mohan
{"title":"In Vitro Investigation of Novel Peptide Hydrogels for Enamel Remineralization.","authors":"Codruta Sarosi, Alexandrina Muntean, Stanca Cuc, Ioan Petean, Sonia Balint, Marioara Moldovan, Aurel George Mohan","doi":"10.3390/gels11010011","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11010011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the microstructure of dental enamel following demineralization and re-mineralization processes, using DIAGNOdent scores and images obtained via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and microhardness (Vickers). The research evaluates the effects of two experimental hydrogels, Anti-Amelogenin isoform X (ABT260, S1) and Anti-Kallikrein L1 (K3014, S2), applied to demineralized enamel surfaces over periods of 14 and 21 days. The study involved 60 extracted teeth, free from cavities or other lesions, divided into four groups: a positive group (+), a negative group (-) and groups S1 and S2. The last three groups underwent demineralization with 37% phosphoric acid for 20 min. The negative group (-) was without remineralization treatment. The DIAGNOdent scores indicate that the S1 group treated with Anti-Amelogenin is more effective in remineralizing the enamel surface compared to the S2 group treated with Anti-Kallikrein. These findings were corroborated by SEM and AFM images, which revealed elongated hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticles integrated into the demineralized structures. Demineralization reduced enamel microhardness to about 1/3 of a healthy one. Both tested hydrogels restored enamel hardness, with S1 being more effective than S2. Both peptides facilitated the interaction between the newly added minerals and residual protein binders on the enamel surface, thereby contributing to effective enamel restoration.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11765471/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143032591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GelsPub Date : 2024-12-27DOI: 10.3390/gels11010014
Anna I Matskevich, Konstantin V Maslov, Veronika A Prokudina, Daria D Churakova, Vladimir V Korochencev, Oleg Yu Slabko, Evgenij A Eliseenko, Eduard A Tokar'
{"title":"Composite Sorbents Based on Polymeric Se-Derivative of Amidoximes and SiO<sub>2</sub> for the Uranium Removal from Liquid Mineralized Media.","authors":"Anna I Matskevich, Konstantin V Maslov, Veronika A Prokudina, Daria D Churakova, Vladimir V Korochencev, Oleg Yu Slabko, Evgenij A Eliseenko, Eduard A Tokar'","doi":"10.3390/gels11010014","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11010014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A new composite material with enhanced sorption-selective properties for uranium recovery from liquid media has been obtained. Sorbents were synthesized through a polycondensation reaction of a mixture of 4-amino-N'-hydroxy-1,2,5-oxadiazole-3-carboximidamide (hereinafter referred to as amidoxime) and SiO<sub>2</sub> in an environment of organic solvents (acetic acid, dioxane) and highly porous SiO<sub>2</sub>. To establish optimal conditions for forming the polymer sorption-active part and the synthesis as a whole, a series of composite adsorbents were synthesized with varying amidoxime/matrix ratios (35/65, 50/50, 65/35). The samples were characterized with FT-IR, XRD, SEM, EDX, XRFES spectroscopy and TGA. Under static conditions of uranium sorption, the dependence of the efficiency of radionuclide recovery from mineralized solutions of various acidities on the ratio of the initial components was established. In the pH range from 4 to 8 (inclusive), the uranium removal efficiency exceeds 95%, while the values of the distribution coefficients (Kd) exceed 10<sup>4</sup> cm<sup>3</sup>g<sup>-1</sup>. It was demonstrated that an increase in the surface development of the sorbents enhances such kinetic parameters of uranium sorption as diffusion rate by 10-20 times compared to non-porous materials. The values of the maximum static capacity exceed 700 mg g<sup>-1</sup>. The enhanced availability of adsorption centers, achieved through the use of a porous SiO<sub>2</sub> matrix, significantly improves the kinetic parameters of the adsorbents. A composite with optimal physicochemical and sorption properties (amidoxime/matrix ratio of 50/50) was examined under dynamic conditions of uranium sorption. It was found that the maximum dynamic sorption capacity of porous materials is four times greater compared to that of a non-porous adsorbent Se-init. The effective filter cycle exceeds 3200 column volumes-twice that of an adsorbent with a monolithic surface. These results indicate the promising potential of the developed materials for uranium sorption from liquid mineralized media under dynamic conditions across a wide pH range.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11764642/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143032156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GelsPub Date : 2024-12-27DOI: 10.3390/gels11010012
Sheng-Qi Rao, Xin-Ru Gao, Hui Liu, Zhi-Rong Wang, Zhen-Quan Yang
{"title":"Contribution of Phosphorylation Modification to Stability and Antibacterial Activity of Egg White Protein Nanogels Loaded with Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil.","authors":"Sheng-Qi Rao, Xin-Ru Gao, Hui Liu, Zhi-Rong Wang, Zhen-Quan Yang","doi":"10.3390/gels11010012","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels11010012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated the potential usage of phosphorylated egg white protein (P-EWP) nanogels fabricated via microwave-induced phosphorylation modification and gel process and further ultrasonic nanometrization as novel delivery systems for cinnamon bark essential oil (CBEO). Compared to EWP-CBEO nanogels without chemical phosphorylation, the obtained P-EWP-CBEO nanogels have shown smaller average hydrodynamic diameter (133.6 nm), relatively uniform size distribution (polydispersity index around 0.265), enhanced negative surface charge (-35.4 mV), and improved stability under the conditions of high temperature (up to 90 °C) and ionic strength (up to 200 mM NaCl). Moreover, P-EWP-CBEO nanogels, with hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bonds as the main intermolecular forces, exhibited a remarkable conformational change in microstructures. In addition, the results of the antibacterial experiments on <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, and <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> showed that the MIC values of P-EWP-CBEO nanogels were two times lower than those of EWP-CBEO nanogels and could completely inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria within 108 h. Hence, we have suggested that P-EWP-CBEO nanogels are successfully fabricated with improved physicochemical properties as novel potential natural preservatives in the food industry.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11765320/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143032347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}