Search Results (732)

This study aimed to develop a functional powder using whey and milk matrices, leveraging the protective capacity of chia–alginate hydrogels and the advantages of electrohydrodynamic spraying (EHDA), a non-thermal technique suitable for encapsulating probiotic cells under stress conditions commonly encountered in food processing. A hydrogel matrix composed of chia seed mucilage and sodium alginate was used to form a biopolymeric network that protected probiotic cells during processing. The encapsulation efficiency reached 99.0 ± 0.01%, and bacterial viability remained above 9.9 log₁₀ CFU/mL after lyophilization, demonstrating the excellent protective capacity of the hydrogel matrix. Microstructural analysis using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) revealed well-retained cell morphology and homogeneous distribution within the hydrogel matrix while, in contrast, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed spherical, porous microcapsules with distinct surface characteristics influenced by the encapsulation method. Encapsulates were incorporated into beverages flavored with red fruits and pear and subsequently freeze-dried. The resulting powders were analyzed for moisture, protein, lipids, carbohydrates, fiber, and color determinations. The results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and response surface methodology, highlighting the impact of ingredient ratios on nutritional composition. Raman spectroscopy identified molecular features associated with casein, lactose, pectins, anthocyanins, and other functional compounds, confirming the contribution of both matrix and encapsulants maintaining the structural characteristics of the product. The presence of antioxidant bands supported the functional potential of the powder formulations. Chia–alginate hydrogels effectively encapsulated L. reuteri, maintaining cell viability and enabling their incorporation into freeze-dried beverage powders. This approach offers a promising strategy for the development of next-generation functional food gels with enhanced probiotic stability, nutritional properties, and potential application in health-promoting dairy systems. Full article

Infection control and bleeding management in deep wounds remain urgent and unmet clinical challenges that demand innovative, multifunctional, and sustainable solutions. Unlike previously reported sodium alginate and silk fibroin-based gel formulations, the present work introduces a dual-functional system combining antimicrobial and haemostatic activity in the form of conformable aerogel beads. This dual-functional formulation is designed to absorb exudate, promote clotting, and provide localized antimicrobial action, all essential for accelerating wound repair in high-risk scenarios within a single biocompatible system. Aerogel beads were obtained by supercritical drying of a silk fibroin–sodium alginate blend, resulting in highly porous, spherical structures measuring 3–4 mm in diameter. The formulations demonstrated efficient ciprofloxacin encapsulation (42.75–49.05%) and sustained drug release for up to 12 h. Fluid absorption reached up to four times their weight in simulated wound fluid and was accompanied by significantly enhanced blood clotting, outperforming a commercial haemostatic dressing. These findings highlight the potential of silk-based aerogel beads as a multifunctional wound healing platform that combines localized antimicrobial delivery, efficient fluid and exudate management, biodegradability, and superior haemostatic performance in a single formulation. This work also shows for the first time how the prilling encapsulation technique with supercritical drying is able to successfully produce silk fibroin and sodium alginate composite aerogel beads. Full article

Freshwater surimi typically exhibits poor gel-forming capability and is prone to gel deterioration, limiting its applications in food products. This study successfully prepared silver carp surimi gels with improved gel strength and water-holding capacity (WHC) using carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan (CKGM) as a functional modifier. Furthermore, the regulatory mechanism of CKGM with different degrees of substitution (DS) on the gel properties of silver carp surimi was systematically investigated. Results demonstrated that DS significantly influenced gel strength, WHC, and microstructure. CKGM (DS = 0.21%) substantially enhanced the gel strength and WHC through strengthened hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen-bond networks. However, CKGM with a higher DS (0.41%) induced a steric hindrance effect, decreasing elastic modulus and WHC and resulting in a more porous gel network. Raman spectroscopy analysis revealed that CKGM facilitated the conformational transition of myofibrillar proteins from α-helix to β-sheet, thereby improving the density of the gel network. The study provides theoretical foundations and technical guidance for the quality improvement of surimi products. Full article

Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease common in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. This study aimed to develop a topical meglumine antimoniate gel (MA-gel) for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The MA-gel was characterized in terms of morphology, pH, swelling, porosity, rheology, and thermal properties by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Biopharmaceutical evaluation included in vitro drug release and ex vivo skin permeation. Safety was evaluated through biomechanical skin property measurements and cytotoxicity in HaCaT and RAW 267 cells. Leishmanicidal activity was tested against promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania infantum, and in silico studies were conducted to explore possible mechanisms of action. The composition of the MA-gel included 30% MA, 20% Pluronic^® F127 (P407), and 50% water. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a sponge-like and porous internal structure of the MA-gel. This formula exhibited a pH of 5.45, swelling at approximately 12 min, and a porosity of 85.07%. The DSC showed that there was no incompatibility between MA and P407. Drug release followed a first-order kinetic profile, with 22.11 µg/g/cm² of the drug retained in the skin and no permeation into the receptor compartment. The MA-gel showed no microbial growth, no cytotoxicity in keratinocytes, and no skin damage. The IC₅₀ for promastigotes and amastigotes of L. infantum were 3.56 and 23.11 µg/mL, respectively. In silico studies suggested that MA could act on three potential therapeutic targets according to its binding mode. The MA-gel demonstrated promising physicochemical, safety, and antiparasitic properties, supporting its potential as a topical treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Full article

Porous ceramics have been widely used in various fields. In this paper, porous ceramics with through-hole structures were prepared using a novel and eco-friendly gel casting method with carrageenan as the gelling agent. Especially, the idea of large size particle stacking is introduced into the gel casting process. By introducing large size alumina aggregates as raw materials, and small size micropowders as filling materials, micropores were directly formed after the green body was sintered. To tune the pore size, pore structure, gas permeability, the strength of the final porous ceramics, the components of the raw materials including the alumina aggregates, the filling materials, and sintering additives in the slurry were precisely designed. Porous Al₂O₃-based ceramics with high gas permeability, high flexural strength, and moderate porosity were finally obtained. Full article

Moroccan oil shale ash (MOSA) represents an underutilized industrial by-product, particularly in the Rif region, where its high mineral content has often led to its neglect in value-added applications. This study highlights the successful conversion of MOSA into amorphous mesoporous silica (AS-Si) using a sol–gel process assisted by polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) as a soft template. The resulting AS-Si material was extensively characterized to confirm its potential for environmental remediation. FTIR analysis revealed characteristic vibrational bands corresponding to Si–OH and Si–O–Si bonds, while XRD confirmed its amorphous nature with a broad diffraction peak at 2θ ≈ 22.5°. SEM imaging revealed a highly porous, sponge-like morphology composed of aggregated nanoscale particles, consistent with the nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm. The material exhibited a specific surface area of 68 m²/g, a maximum in the pore size distribution at a pore diameter of 2.4 nm, and a cumulative pore volume of 0.11 cm³/g for pores up to 78 nm. DLS analysis indicated an average hydrodynamic diameter of 779 nm with moderate polydispersity (PDI = 0.48), while a zeta potential of –34.10 mV confirmed good colloidal stability. Furthermore, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and DSC suggested the thermal stability of our amorphous silica. The adsorption performance of AS-Si was evaluated using methylene blue (MB) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro) as model pollutants. Kinetic data were best fitted by the pseudo-second-order model, while isotherm studies favored the Langmuir model, suggesting monolayer adsorption. AS-Si could be used four times for the removal of MB and Cipro. These results collectively demonstrate that AS-Si is a promising, low-cost, and sustainable adsorbent derived from Moroccan oil shale ash for the effective removal of organic contaminants from aqueous media. Full article

We present a theoretical model for the electrophoresis of a weakly charged oil drop migrating through an uncharged polymer gel medium saturated with an aqueous electrolyte solution. The surface charge of the drop arises from the specific adsorption of ions onto its interface. Unlike solid particles, liquid drops exhibit internal fluidity and interfacial dynamics, leading to distinct electrokinetic behavior. In this study, the drop motion is driven by long-range hydrodynamic effects from the surrounding gel, which are treated using the Debye–Bueche–Brinkman continuum framework. A simplified version of the Baygents–Saville theory is adopted, assuming that no ions are present inside the drop and that the surface charge distribution results from linear ion adsorption. An approximate analytical expression is derived for the electrophoretic mobility of the drop under the condition of low zeta potential. Importantly, the derived expression explicitly includes the Marangoni effect, which arises from spatial variations in interfacial tension due to non-uniform ion adsorption. This model provides a physically consistent and mathematically tractable basis for understanding the electrophoretic transport of oil drops in soft porous media such as hydrogels, with potential applications in microfluidics, separation processes, and biomimetic systems. These results also show that the theory could be applied to more complicated or biologically important soft materials. Full article

The objective was to characterize physicochemical, nutritional, and structural properties of a novel meat-based hummus. This product was created by substituting 50% of chickpea paste with mutton. The meat-based hummus contained 0.4% sodium acid sulfate as an antimicrobial agent. The pH values of traditional hummus were greater than those of the meat-based hummus. There was no significant difference in day 0 total plate count between plant- and meat-based hummus; however, the total plate count on day 7 was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the meat-based hummus than plant-based hummus due to antimicrobial addition. Instrumental color analysis showed greater lightness (L* values) and yellowness values for traditional hummus compared to the meat-based hummus. The meat-based hummus had 66% greater protein than traditional hummus. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a porous, gel-like structure in plant-based hummus, while meat-based hummus showed a dense, fibrous network. The flavor, creaminess, grain properties, and mouth coating scores of meat-based hummus were greater than those of traditional chickpea hummus. The study indicated that meat-based hummus can be developed by incorporating 50% cooked minced mutton. Creating innovative meat-based products like meat hummus offers the benefits of both plant-based and animal-based diets, making it a good option for flexitarians. Full article

In the present research, metal–organic framework-5 (MOF-5) was synthesized and loaded with zerumbone (ZER@MOF-5), followed by the evaluation of its anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, DNA-binding, and free radical scavenging potentials. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The in vitro anticancer activity of ZER@MOF-5 was studied in a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) using the CCK-8 assay. The interaction of ZER@MOF-5 with pBR322 plasmid DNA was assessed by gel electrophoresis. The antimicrobial effect of ZER@MOF-5 was examined in gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains and yeast strains using the microdilution method. The free radical scavenging activity was assessed using the DPPH assay. Cytotoxicity assay revealed a notable enhancement in the anticancer activity of zerumbone upon its encapsulation into MOF-5. The IC₅₀ value for ZER@MOF-5 was found to be 57.33 µg/mL, which was lower than that of free zerumbone (IC₅₀: 89.58 µg/mL). The results of the DNA-binding experiment indicate that ZER@MOF-5 can bind to target DNA and cause a conformational change in DNA. The results of the antibacterial activity experiment showed that the antibacterial ability of ZER@MOF-5 was limited compared to free zerumbone. The results of the DPPH assay demonstrated that the antioxidant activity of free zerumbone was higher than that of ZER@MOF-5. MOFs encapsulate compounds within their porous crystalline structure, which leads to prolonged circulation time compared to single ligands. Although the unique structure of MOFs may limit their antibacterial and antioxidant activity in the short term, it may increase therapeutic efficacy in the long term. However, to fully understand the long-term antibacterial and antioxidant effects of the ZER@MOF-5, further comprehensive in vitro and in vivo experiments are necessary. This finding indicates that the MOF-5 could potentially be an impressive carrier for the oral administration of zerumbone. Full article

Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) have emerged as a promising solution for next-generation lithium-ion batteries due to their excellent safety and high energy density. However, their practical application is still hindered by critical challenges such as their low ionic conductivity and high interfacial resistance at room temperature. The innovative application of 3D printing in the field of electrochemistry, particularly in solid-state electrolytes, endows energy storage devices with attractive characteristics. In this study, ceramic-in-gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) based on PVDF-HFP/PAN@LLZTO were fabricated using a direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing technique. Under the optimal printing conditions (printing speed of 40 mm/s and fill density of 70%), the printed electrolyte exhibited a uniform and dense sponge-like porous structure, achieving a high ionic conductivity of 5.77 × 10⁻⁴ S·cm⁻¹, which effectively facilitated lithium-ion transport. A structural analysis indicated that the LLZTO fillers were uniformly dispersed within the polymer matrix, significantly enhancing the electrochemical stability of the electrolyte. When applied in a LiFePO₄|GPEs|Li cell configuration, the electrolyte delivered excellent electrochemical performance, with high initial discharge capacities of 168 mAh·g⁻¹ at 0.1 C and 166 mAh·g⁻¹ at 0.2 C, and retained 92.8% of its capacity after 100 cycles at 0.2 C. This work demonstrates the great potential of 3D printing technology in fabricating high-performance GPEs. It provides a novel strategy for the structural design and industrial scalability of lithium-ion batteries. Full article

Antioxidant gel foams are promising materials for coal mine fire prevention due to their unique physicochemical properties. To address the limitations of conventional suppression methods under high-temperature conditions, this study investigates a newly developed antioxidant gel foam and its mechanism in inhibiting coal spontaneous combustion. A novel antioxidant gel foam was formulated by incorporating TBHQ and modified montmorillonite into a sodium alginate-based gel system. This formulation enhances the thermal stability, water retention, and free radical scavenging capacity of the gel. This study uniquely combines multi-scale experimental methods to evaluate the performance of this material in coal fire suppression. Multi-scale experiments, including FTIR, leakage air testing, programmed temperature rise, and small-scale fire extinction, were conducted to evaluate its performance. Experimental results indicate that the antioxidant gel foam exhibits excellent thermal stability in the temperature range of 200–500 °C. Its relatively high decomposition temperature enables it to effectively resist structural damage in high-temperature environments. During thermal decomposition, the gel releases only a small amount of gas, while maintaining the integrity of its internal micro-porous structure. This characteristic significantly delays the kinetics of coal oxidation reactions. Further research revealed that the spontaneous combustion ignition temperature of coal samples treated with the gel was significantly higher, and the oxygen consumption rate during spontaneous combustion was significantly reduced, indicating that the gel not only effectively suppressed the acceleration of the combustion reaction but also significantly reduced the release of harmful gases such as HCl. Scanning electron microscope analysis confirmed that the gel maintained a good physical structure under high temperatures, forming an effective oxygen barrier, which further enhanced the suppression of coal spontaneous combustion. These findings provide important theoretical and practical guidance for the application of antioxidant gel foams in coal mine fire prevention and control, confirming that this material has great potential in coal mine fire safety, offering a new technological approach to improve coal mine safety. Full article

Recently, a new class of materials with very high porosity and ultra-lightweight, namely, semiconductor aero-materials, has attracted the attention of many researchers. Semiconductor aero-materials, due to their special properties, can be used in the development of devices applied in biomedical, electronics, optoelectronic, energy conversion and storage, sensors, biosensors, catalysis, automotive, and aeronautic industries. Although aero-materials and aerogels are similar, different methods of obtaining them are used. Aerogels are synthesized from organic, inorganic, or hybrid precursors, the main characteristic being that they are gel-like solids with a high air content (99.9%) in the structure. Thus, three-dimensional (3D) interconnected porous network chains are formed, resulting in light solid-state structures with very high porosity due to the large number of air pores in the network. On the other hand, to obtain aero-materials with controlled properties such as morphology, shape, or the formation of 3D hollow structures, sacrificial templates are used. Thus, sacrificial structures (which can be easily removed) can be obtained depending on the morphology of the 3D structure to be obtained. Therefore, this review paper offers a comprehensive coverage of the synthesis methods of different types of semiconductor aero-materials that use ZnO tetrapod, ZnO(T), as a sacrificial template, related to the present and future perspectives. These ZnO(T) sacrificial substrates offer several advantages, including diverse synthesis processes and easy removal methods that occur simultaneously with the growth of the desired aero-materials. Full article

Gelatin is a commonly used protein-based hydrogel. However, the thermo-reversible nature of gelatin makes it unstable at physiological and higher temperatures. Therefore, this study adopted phosphates and glutaminase transaminase (TG) to modify gelation and studied the effects of combining sodium hexametaphosphate (SHP) and TG on the structure and gel properties of TG-crosslinked gelatin. This study focused on the effects of different SHP concentrations (0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0, 2.4, 2.8 mmol/L) on the water distribution, textural properties, rheological properties, and microstructure of the TG-crosslinked gelatin gels. Results showed that the free water content in the TG-crosslinked gelatin gel declined with the increasing SHP addition when the concentration of SHP was kept below 2.0 mmol/L. The gel of TG-crosslinked gelatin at the SHP concentration of 1.6 mmol/L exhibited the highest hardness (304.258 g), chewiness (366.916 g) and η₅₀. All the TG-crosslinked gelatin gels with SHP modification were non-Newtonian pseudoplastic fluids. The G′ and G″ of TG-crosslinked gelatin increased before the SHP concentration reached 1.6 mmol/L, and the TG-crosslinked gelatin with 1.6 mmol/L SHP exhibited the largest G″ and G′. The fluorescence intensity of TG-crosslinked gelatin with SHP concentration above 1.6 mmol/L decreased with the increasing SHP concentration. SHP modified the secondary structure of TG-crosslinked gelatin gels. The gel of TG-crosslinked gelatin with the SHP concentration of 1.6 mmol/L exhibited a porous, smooth, and dense network structure. This research provides references for modifying gelatin and the application of gels in the encapsulation of bioactive ingredients and probiotics. Full article

This study presents a bioinspired phase-change transparent flexible heater (PTFH) for programmable droplet manipulation under ultralow voltage. By embedding a self-junctioned copper nanowire network into paraffin-infused, porous PVDF-HFP gel matrices, the PTFH achieves rapid, non-contact, and reversible control of microdroplet mobility. The PTFH can be bent or tailored into diverse shapes (e.g., V/X configurations), enabling multidirectional droplet transport. Under ultralow voltage actuation (<1 V), the surface of PTFH melts the phase-change lubricant within 2 s, switching surface wettability from high adhesion (Wenzel state) to low adhesion (SLIPS state). By combining Laplace pressure and temperature gradients (up to 22 °C/mm), drive droplets at ~2.0 mm/s over distances of ~13.9 mm. Programmable droplet coalescence, curved-surface transport, and a microreactor design for batch reactions were also demonstrated. The PTFH exhibits excellent transparency (89% when activated), mechanical flexibility, and cyclic stability, offering a versatile platform for microreactors, microengines, and smart windows. Full article

Porous silica gel powders, doped with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), were obtained by heating silica gels containing 1-dodecanethiol and tetrachloroauric acid at temperatures of 450 °C, 700 °C and 900 °C, and characterized using X-ray diffraction, TEM/EDS studies, UV/Vis reflectance spectroscopy and DTA/TG investigations. The color and microstructure of the obtained samples with a composition SiO₂:AuNPs (about 0.03% Au) depend on the heating temperature. The UV/Vis reflection spectra of the samples are explained using Mie’s theory. The thermal stability of the obtained samples, as well as the processes occurring in the sol–gel matrix upon heating, were monitored by DTA/TG. The textural properties of the obtained materials were described based on adsorption–desorption isotherms. The obtained nanocomposites are promising pigments for ceramic glazes, similar to the Purple of Cassius. The textural properties of certain samples, S_BET = 200–350 m²/g, a mean pore diameter (D_AV) of approximately 10 nm and a specific pore volume (V_t) between 0.5 and 0.8 cm³/g, make them promising candidates for catalytic applications, comparable to aerogel-like materials. Full article