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Background: The stabilization of droplets in Pickering emulsions using solid particles has garnered significant attention through various methods. Cellulose and chitin derivatives in nature offer a sustainable source of Pickering emulsion stabilizers. Methods: In this study, medium-chain triglycerides were used as the oil phase for the preparation of emulsion. This study explores the potential of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and shell oligosaccharides (COS) as effective stabilizers for achieving stable Pickering emulsions. Optical microscopy, CLSM, and Cyro-SEM were employed to analyze CNC/COS–Cur, revealing the formation of bright and uniform yellow spherical emulsions. Results: CLSM and SEM results confirmed that CNC/COS formed a continuous and compact shell at the oil–water interface layer, enabling a stable 2~3 microns Pickering emulsion with CNS/COS–Cur as an oil-in-water emulsion stabilizer. Based on FTIR, XRD, and SEM analyses of CNC/COS, along with zeta potential measurements of the emulsion, we found that CNC and COS complexed via electrostatic adsorption, forming irregular rods measuring approximately 200–300 nm in length. An evaluation of the DPPH radical-scavenging ability demonstrated that the CNC/ COS–Cur Pickering emulsion performed well in vitro. In vivo experiments involving full-thickness skin excision surgery in rats revealed that CNC/COS–Cur facilitated wound repair processes. Measurements of the MDA and SOD content in healing tissues indicated that the CNC/COS–Cur Pickering emulsion increased SOD levels and reduced MDA content, effectively countering oxidative stress-induced damage. An assessment based on wound-healing rates and histopathological examination showed that CNC/COS-Cur promoted granulation tissue formation, fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis, and an accelerated re-epithelialization process within the wound tissue, leading to enhanced collagen deposition and facilitating rapid wound-healing capabilities. An antibacterial efficacy assessment conducted in vitro demonstrated antibacterial activity. Full article

Scallop-shell powder (SSP) heated at high temperature exhibits high pH and broad antimicrobial activity. Bioshell calcium oxide (BiSCaO) is an SSP composed mainly of calcium oxide. It is poorly water-soluble under alkaline conditions and the generated precipitate can plug spray nozzles. The aim of this study was to establish that BiSCaO dispersion caused no significant CaO loss and plugging of spray nozzles, and to evaluate its deodorization and microbicidal abilities and its ability to reduce the concentrations of NO₂⁻ and NO₃⁻. BiSCaO dispersions were prepared by mixing various concentrations of BiSCaO suspension, while phosphate compounds such as Na₃PO₄, Na₂HPO₄ or NaH₂PO₄ and the pH, average diameter, zeta potential, and form of the compounds with cryo-SEM were evaluated. We evaluated deodorization using tainted pork meat and microbicidal efficacy using contaminated suspension with normal bacterial flora. The concentration of NO₂⁻ and NO₃⁻ after mixing BiSCaO dispersion and pure water containing a high proportion of NO₂⁻ and NO₃⁻ were measured. BiSCaO dispersion formed with Na₂HPO₄, whose ratio to BiSCaO was 60%, showed a high pH (>12), a small particle diameter (>181 nm) and was stable for seven days. The BiSCaO dispersion showed higher deodorization and microbicidal activities than SSP-Ca(OH)₂, which was mainly composed of Ca(OH)₂. BiSCaO, but not SSP-Ca(OH)₂, could reduce the concentration of NO₂⁻ and NO₃⁻ by more than 90% within 15 min. We developed a stable BiSCaO dispersion, and it had high deodorization and microbicidal efficacy. These activities of BiSCaO might result from the high pH caused by CaO hydration and a reduction activity causing active radical species. Full article