Search Results (110)

Background/Objectives: Despite the presumption of bioequivalence for BCS Class I drugs due to their high solubility and permeability, recent evidence indicates that those with rapid systemic elimination exhibit heightened vulnerability to C_max non-equivalence, primarily attributable to intrasubject variability in gastrointestinal transit and absorption kinetics. It is well known that gastric emptying is a significant physiological-dependent factor. But, does the formulation affect gastric emptying? Methods: Using zidovudine as a model drug, formulations containing sodium carboxymethyl starch (CMS-Na), pregelatinized starch, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and lactose were investigated for their effects on gastric emptying kinetics, and the impact of excipient-mediated gastric emptying prolongation on pharmacokinetic parameters was also evaluated. Results: Relative to AZT alone (C_max = 13,350 ng/mL; gastric %ID = 11.3%), co-administration with CMS-Na, pregelatinized starch, or HPMC significantly prolonged gastric retention (%ID: 23.4%, 30.5%, and 40.8% at 22.5 min) and reduced C_max in rats by 47.8%, 34.4%, and 35.1%, respectively, with no effect on intestinal permeability. Viscosity positively correlated with gastric emptying delay. Conclusions: Our rat findings provide new possible mechanistic evidence that certain viscosity-modifying excipients can delay gastric emptying and reduce C_max of zidovudine, a rapidly eliminated BCS Class I drug, with potential implications for biowaiver risk assessment. Gastric emptying is not only a physiological-dependent variation but also, in cases where common excipients may significantly delay gastric emptying, a formulation-dependent rate-limiting step. For such drugs, excipient-induced gastric emptying delay poses an underappreciated risk to the biowaiver approach, necessitating more prudent regulatory assessment that encompasses the dynamic interplay among sequential rate processes governing drug disposition. Full article

Two hemostatic bionanocomposite dressings were developed using natural, semi-natural (or semi-synthetic) and synthetic polymers. The first system consisted of chitosan (CS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (CS/PVA/CMC), while the second was based on CS, PVA, and starch (SR) (CS/PVA/SR). Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and bicyclic monoterpene camphor (CP) ketone were incorporated as bioactive agents in order to enhance antimicrobial and hemostatic performance. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the successful solvent casting synthesis of the dressings and the interactions between the biopolymers and additives. XRD analysis indicated a predominantly amorphous structure, while SEM images and EDS analysis revealed uniform dispersion of ZnO particles within the polymer matrices without aggregation. Furthermore, the CS/PVA/CMC-1ZnO/CP sample exhibited a water sorption of 12,666 ± 126%, while CS/PVA/SR-1ZnO/CP reached 7013 ± 215%. ZnO incorporation also improved mechanical performance, with CS/PVA/SR-2ZnO/CP displaying the highest tensile strength (39.18 ± 0.2 MPa) and elongation at break (9.54 ± 1.04%). ZnO incorporation also led to a concentration-dependent increase in antibacterial activity, with SR-based dressings achieving near-complete bacterial reduction at higher ZnO loadings. All the dressings demonstrated good biocompatibility, while CS/PVA/SR-1ZnOCP showed the fastest clotting time (420 s ± 40), highlighting its potential for hemostatic applications. Full article

Citral exhibits favorable broad-spectrum antibacterial activity; however, it is prone to oxidative degradation or structural changes. To improve its stability and practical applicability, citral-loaded microcapsules were prepared using sodium carboxymethyl starch (CMS) and sodium caseinate (CS) via emulsification and freeze-drying. We then investigated the effects of the CMS-to-CS mass ratio on the physicochemical properties and microstructure of the microcapsules, and systematically evaluated the antibacterial activity and underlying mechanisms of the citral-loaded microcapsules against typical foodborne pathogenic bacteria and food-related bacteria. The results showed that when the CMS-to-CS mass ratio was 3:1, the microcapsules prepared exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (83.87%). The molecular interactions between citral and the wall materials were confirmed. The citral-loaded microcapsules demonstrated good thermal stability and a compact morphology with dense blocks. Furthermore, treatment with the citral-loaded microcapsules led to the leakage of intracellular contents and compromised the cell membrane integrity of Staphylococcus aureus, thereby inhibiting its normal physiological functions, as well as effectively disrupting bacterial aggregation at high concentrations. These findings offer a valuable reference for future studies aimed at improving the stability of citral when used as an antibacterial agent and at enhancing its practical application value. Full article

Sizing is a critical operation in woven fabric production, as it enhances weaving efficiency by improving warp yarn performance. Conventional sizing agents include maize starch, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and commercial carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). In this study, a low-cost and biodegradable carboxymethyl cellulose derived from wheat straw (CMC_ws) was investigated as an alternative sizing agent for cotton open-end yarns with a count of Nm 12.2. The high degree of substitution (DS = 1.23) of CMC_ws indicates extensive carboxymethylation, which enhances the polymer’s hydrophilicity and solubility in water. This, in turn, contributes to a higher apparent viscosity (η = 903.03 cP at 300 s⁻¹), reflecting stronger molecular chain interactions and better film-forming ability. CMC_ws was applied using a high-pressure squeezing technique, and its effect on yarn performance was evaluated in terms of tensile properties, film characteristics, and yarn surface morphology. The results showed that CMC_ws provided a tenacity gain of 28.57%, a hairiness reduction of 54.34%, and an abrasion resistance gain of 37.14%. These values fall within acceptable industrial ranges and are comparable to those obtained using conventional sizing agents. Furthermore, the optimized CMC_ws formulation, containing plasticizer and lubricant additives, exhibited good desizing efficiency, with effective removal achieved in hot water. The findings indicate that wheat-straw-derived CMC_ws is a viable, sustainable alternative to traditional sizing agents for woven fabric production. Full article

The advancement of smart packaging technology demands high-performance and sustainable sensing materials. While starch is a biodegradable natural polymer, its inherent high crystallinity restricts charge transport capability. This study developed a novel smart sensing film by incorporating ellagic acid-derived blue, fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) into phosphate starch (PS), which is rich in phosphorus. The effects of silver ions (Ag⁺), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and CDs on the film properties were systematically investigated. Results indicate that CDs act as flexible nano-crosslinkers, forming hydrogen bonds with PS molecular chains and effectively balancing strength and toughness—achieving a tensile strength of 5.1 MPa and an elongation at break of 24.1%. Phosphorus, in synergy with CDs, facilitates an efficient dual conduction pathway for ions and electrons: phosphate groups enable ion transport, while the conjugated carbon cores of the CDs provide electron transport channels. This synergistic effect significantly reduces the film’s electrical impedance from 6.93 × 10⁶ Ω to 1.12 × 10⁶ Ω (a reduction of 84%) and enhances thermal stability, increasing the char residue from 1.1% to 18.3%. The PS/CDs composite film exhibits a strong linear current response to pH in the range of 2–7 (R² = 0.9450), and shows enhanced discrimination between fresh orange juice (pH = 3.38) and spoiled orange juice (pH = 2.68), with a current change of 0.62 × 10⁻⁵ A. Moreover, the film exhibits strong blue fluorescence at 427 nm, with an intensity that shows a pronounced pH-dependent response. This study elucidates the mechanism by which phosphorus and CDs synergistically enhance the sensing performance of starch-based films, offering a new strategy for developing high-performance starch-based materials for smart packaging. Full article

Biopolymeric films based on chitosan and starch offer an ecological alternative for food protection. Nevertheless, their practical application is often limited by their low mechanical properties and high solubility in aqueous solutions, due to weak interactions between the chains of the biopolymers. One approach to resolve this problem is to obtain biopolymeric films based on (bio)polyelectrolyte complex ((bio)PEC). These films exhibit stronger electrostatic interactions and homogeneous biopolymeric structure. In this study, films based on (bio)PEC were obtained by the casting method, using chitosan and carboxymethyl cassava starch with different degrees of substitution with a biopolymer concentration of 2.5 wt.% at pH = 6. The obtained films were analyzed using the optical and scanning microscopy, color method, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, mechanical analysis under tension, solubility in water, simulated gastric fluid (SGF), and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solutions, and contact angle of water. The results demonstrated that the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of films based on (bio)PEC increased by 2–4 times, and the elongation at break by 20% compared to films based on a mixture chitosan and starch. This is due to the increase in the attraction between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes in (bio)PEC films. Additionally, the solubility of (bio)PEC films was reduced by ~40%, 35% and 70% in water, SGF and PBS solutions, respectively, when the carboxymethyl starch with highest degree of substitution was used, and z was near to 1. Full article

This study developed a sustainable super-disintegrant derived from Dioscorea hispida Dennst. var. hispida starch for use in immediate-release pharmaceutical tablets. Native starch (NS) was extracted and chemically modified via carboxymethylation to obtain carboxymethyl starch (CMS), followed by phosphate cross-linked to yield modified starch (MS). Physicochemical properties demonstrated that MS exhibited superior water uptake, swelling, and viscosity compared to NS and CMS. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed smaller and more uniform granules in MS, confirming enhanced structural modification. Preliminary tablet trials with dicalcium phosphate showed that 4% w/w MS achieved the fastest disintegration (16.5 s). In paracetamol tablets prepared by wet granulation, MS significantly improved hydration and disintegration performance relative to NS and CMS. Although commercial sodium starch glycolate (SSG) provided slightly faster disintegration, dissolution profiles of tablets containing MS and SSG were statistically equivalent (f₁ = 7, f₂ = 63), confirming comparable efficacy. Porosity analysis using synchrotron radiation X-ray tomography (SR-XTM) indicated that wet-granulated tablets possessed higher intra- and inter-granular porosity than direct compression tablets, facilitating rapid water penetration and disintegration. In contrast, denser direct compression tablets exhibited greater friability and lower mechanical integrity. Modified Dioscorea hispida starch demonstrated excellent disintegration efficiency, eco-friendliness, and local availability, presenting a promising natural alternative to synthetic super-disintegrants in immediate-release tablet formulations. Full article

Pineapple waste is an underexplored source for producing nanocomposites, from which nanocellulose, namely cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) or cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), can be produced. This review summarizes extraction methods from different pineapple residues (leaves, crown leaves, stem, peel, pulp, and pomace), covering top-down processes (hydrolysis, oxidation, carboxymethylation, and mechanical fibrillation) and bottom-up strategies (ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents). The review examines the influence of the morphology and crystallinity of nanocellulose on the functional performance of the nanocomposites. Strategies for processing pineapple-derived nanocellulose composites are analyzed by technique (solution casting, film stacking, and melt blending/extrusion) and polymer matrices (starch, PVA, chitosan, PLA, PHBV, PBAT, proteins, and polysaccharides), including typical loading levels for most polymer-reinforced systems (0.5–5 wt.%), while higher levels (15–50 wt.%) are used in particular cases such as PVA, CMC, and cellulosic matrices. The impact on mechanical strength, barrier behavior, UV shielding, and optical properties is summarized, along with reports of self-reinforced and hybrid cellulose-derived matrices. A benchmarking section was prepared to show nanocellulose loading ranges, trends in properties, and processing-relevant information categorized by type of matrix. Finally, the review describes the potential roles of pineapple waste within a bioeconomy context and identifies some extraction by-products that could be incorporated into diverse value chains. Full article

An eco-friendly flotation process is of great significance to the green and sustainable development of the mining industry. The purpose of this study is to improve the traditional flotation process. Novel reagents, alkyl ether amine (Alkyl carbon chains with a length of 12 are simply referred to as DOEA) as collector and carboxymethyl starch (CMS) as depressant, were used for flotation uAlkyl ether aminender lower temperature, which did not need to heat the tonnage of pulp and reduced the energy consumption. The micro-flotation tests were carried out with three main minerals (quartz, hematite and magnetite) contained in Qidashan (Anshan, China) iron ore at room temperature in winter (18 °C). The bench-scale tests were carried out with flotation feed (mixture of strong magnetic concentrate and weak magnetic concentrate) from the Qidashan flotation workshop at room temperature (18 °C). And the industrial tests were carried out in the flotation workshop of Qidashan Concentrator of Anshan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. The temperature of the pulp was 17.5~19.7 °C. The results of micro-flotation tests showed that the floatability of the three minerals under the DOEA system decreased in the following order: quartz > hematite > magnetite. The addition of CMS increased the floatability difference between quartz and ferric oxide minerals. DOEA and CMS could effectively separate quartz and ferric oxide minerals at room temperature in winter. The feasibility of the application of DOEA and CMS in Qidashan iron ore was verified by bench-scale tests, and the pulp circulation process was simulated by locked-cycle tests. The results of bench-scale tests showed that under the conditions of CMS dosage 200 g/t, DOEA dosage 150 g/t, and pulp temperature 18 °C, the iron grade of flotation concentrate was 66.54% and iron recovery was 78.37%. The industrial test results showed that the modified flotation process could continuously output qualified iron concentrate without heating the pulp. Compared with the on-site flotation process, it was found that the modified flotation process could save USD 6,460,100 per year. This technology could significantly reduce the energy consumption of iron ore reverse flotation, reduce the carbon emissions generated by heating tons of pulp, and achieve cleaner production. Full article

Wound healing is a complicated process that involves hemostasis, antibacterial defense, and tissue regeneration. Conventional treatment methods, such as surgical suturing, have inherent limitations, necessitating the exploration of new ones. Hydrogels can create a moist environment that facilitates wound healing, making them an ideal material for wound healing. In this study, a procoagulant polysaccharide mixture (carboxymethyl chitosan/sodium alginate/fucoidan; CAF) was designed. Hydrogels were prepared using CAF and an oxidized starch/tannic acid blend (OT) at different ratios. Through comprehensive evaluations, such as gelation time, swelling capacity, and antibacterial efficacy, an optimal hydrogel (COT) was identified. This COT hydrogel was formed by mixing 3% CAF and OT solutions at a ratio of 2:1 (v/v). The associated gelation process occurred rapidly within 13 s. COT hydrogel exhibited self-healing properties, and a high swelling rate (~3109 ± 74%). It also demonstrated high antibacterial activity, facilitating enhanced protection against infection. Additionally, COT hydrogel exhibited biocompatibility and biosafety. COT hydrogel demonstrated low cytotoxicity on mice fibroblast cells (L929) and good hemocompatibility in vitro. Moreover, in vivo evaluations revealed that it did not cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Importantly, COT hydrogel significantly outperformed the commercially available hydrogel with its hemostatic and wound healing performance (p < 0.001, p < 0.01). Full article

Niobium (Nb), a transition element, has been applied mainly as steel additive, among other cutting-edge applications. Nb is mainly produced from pyrochlore-containing ores, dominated by mines at Araxá, Catalão (both from Brazil), and Niobec (Saguenay Region, QC, Canada). At these plants, flotation is employed as the main beneficiation method that all plants apply direct pyrochlore flotation; Catalão and Niobec apply additional reverse flotation prior to pyrochlore flotation. During flotation, depressants are added to improve selectivity, which highlights their importance to Nb mineral flotation. However, most of the available studies related to Nb mineral flotation focus on collectors; the knowledge on depressants is limited. In the present work, various depressants, including sodium silicate, oxalic acid, F100, starch, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and chitosan, are compared for pyrochlore flotation at pH 7 in the presence of sodium oleate and dodecylamine (DDA) collectors. The results are compared with common gangue minerals, including dolomite, calcite, and hematite. It was observed that the performance of depressants is related to the collector applied, which was justified by the mineral surface charge after depressant adsorption and the charge of the collector. Among the tested combinations, 5 kg/t F100 + 2 kg/t DDA and 5 kg/t CMC + 2 kg/t DDA showed potential selectivity toward pyrochlore and hematite, whereas both carbonate minerals could be successfully depressed. Zeta potential measurement and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were applied to understand the interaction between depressants and the model minerals. Full article

Heavy metal ions in wastewater endanger ecology and human health, requiring cost-effective treatments. This study innovatively converts abandoned basalt fibers (BFs) into high-performance adsorbents (BFSN) via NaOH etching and chelation with nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)/carboxymethyl starch (CMS), introducing target functional groups. Characterizations (XPS, FTIR, zeta potential) reveal Cu²⁺/Pb²⁺ adsorption mechanisms: -COO⁻ chelation, N-containing group ion exchange, and electrostatic adsorption. Kinetics fit a pseudo-first-order model (R² > 0.98) and isotherms fit the Langmuir model, confirming monolayer chemisorption. BFSN has excellent thermal stability (≤2% mass loss at 800 °C) and post-adsorption integrity (≈0.11% mass loss post-loading). Waste-derived BFSN, cheaper than commercial adsorbents, has strong economic viability. This “waste-to-value” approach offers efficient, sustainable large-scale heavy metal wastewater remediation, advancing waste utilization and ecological restoration in water treatment. Full article

Background/Objectives: The prebiotic effect of resistant potato starch (RPS) has been demonstrated, but the antioxidant properties associated with this ingredient have not been explored. Methods: We performed post hoc analysis of serum metabolomic data from a clinical trial evaluating 3.5 g RPS per day consumption (n = 24) versus a placebo (n = 24) for 4 weeks in a randomized clinical trial (NCT05242913). Results: Levels of the exogenous antioxidants all-trans retinol and α-tocopherol increased in the RPS-consuming group. Among endogenous antioxidants, the concentration of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) increased in both treatment groups, while uric acid was unaffected. Hippuric acid, a marker of polyphenol metabolism, was unaffected by treatment, as was the abundance of the tryptophan metabolites kynurenine and 3-hydroxyanthranillic acid. However, levels of 3-hydroxykynurenine were decreased in both treatment groups. Levels of the advanced glycation end products NƐ-(1-carboxymethyl)-L-lysine and NƐ-(1-carboxyethyl)-L-lysine, markers of chronically elevated oxidative stress, were unaffected by treatment. Notably, increases in serum all-trans retinol were correlated with increases in Akkermansia. Conclusions: RPS enhances the absorption of antioxidants all-trans retinol and α-tocopherol from the diet and also influences CoQ10 levels and tryptophan metabolism. Future studies assessing the physiological consequences of enhanced antioxidant absorption in people consuming RPS over a longer duration are warranted. Full article

With the low-carbon transformation of the steel industry, using low-carbon raw materials is one of the important ways to achieve the “dual carbon” goals. Pellets have great physical and chemical properties as low-carbon furnace materials, which can significantly reduce blast furnace carbon emissions, exhibiting favorable overall environmental benefits. Increasing their proportion in the furnace is one of the important measures the steel industry can take to reduce carbon emissions. Binders play a critical role in the pelletizing process, and their properties directly influence pellet quality, thereby affecting the subsequent blast furnace smelting process. Compared with traditional bentonite, organic binders have become a potential alternative material due to their environmental friendliness, renewability, and ability to significantly reduce silica and alumina impurities in pellets while improving the iron grade. This work systematically elucidates the mechanism of organic binders, which primarily rely on the chemical adsorption of carboxyl groups and the hydrogen bonding of hydroxyl groups to enhance pellet strength, and then provides three typical examples of organic binders: lignosulfonate, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and carboxymethyl starch (CMS). The common characteristic of these organic binders is that they are derived from renewable biomass through chemical modification, which is a derivative of biomass with renewable and abundant resources. However, the main problem with organic binders is that they burn and decompose at high temperatures. Current research has achieved technological breakthroughs in pellet quality by combining LD sludge, low-iron oxides, and nano-CaCO₃, including improved iron grade, reduced reduction swelling index (RSI), and enhanced preheating/roasting strength. Future studies should focus on optimizing the molecular structure of organic binders by increasing the degree of substitution of functional groups and the overall degree of polymerization. This approach aims to replace traditional bentonite while exploring applications of composite industrial solid wastes, effectively addressing the high-temperature strength loss issues in organic binders and providing strong support for the steel industry to achieve the green and low-carbon goals. Full article

This study evaluates ground mandarin peel (MP) as a low-cost modifier for sodium-bentonite water-based drilling fluids. Formulations with 2% (w/w) MP and 1–4% bentonite were prepared to locate the composition break point using segmented regression with the Davies test; the threshold was 2.5% bentonite (B/MP ≈ 1.25). Below this level, yield stress drops sharply, and American Petroleum Institute (API) fluid loss increases nonlinearly. Two 3% bentonite muds were then compared: a polymer-stabilized reference (0.3% xanthan gum (XCD), 1% low-viscosity carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC LV), 1% modified starch) and the same package plus 2% MP. Twelve-speed rheometry and API tests showed that adding MP left plastic viscosity essentially unchanged, increased yield stress to ~3.4 Pa, reduced API fluid loss from 9 to 5.5 mL per 30 min, and thinned the filter cake from 0.30 to 0.10 mm. Because MP is a zero-price waste stream, material cost remained essentially unchanged while performance improved. These results support a practical dosing window for MP and a polymer adjustment pathway; high temperature and high-salinity stability require further verification. Full article