Search Results (139)

Poultry meat, due to its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, is particularly susceptible to lipid oxidation, which affects its quality and shelf life. Optimizing meat composition, including fatty acid profile and antioxidant activity, is essential for consumer health. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementing hydrogel capsules containing immobilized lavender essential oil (HE group) and capsules without immobilized essential oil (H group) on the oxidative stability, fatty acid profile, and mineral composition of broiler chicken breast muscles. The study results showed that supplementation with the lavender oil hydrogel (HE) significantly reduced total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and CuZn-SOD activity in breast muscles. Although TBARS values did not show significant differences, the reduced SOD activity may indicate decreased free radical production or more effective action of other antioxidant mechanisms. The fatty acid profile was significantly altered, with a lower content of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) observed in the HE group. Significant changes were also observed in the mineral composition of the muscles. The HE group had a higher sodium content and lower copper and iron levels compared to the control group. These changes may indicate an effect of the hydrogel and essential oil on mineral metabolism and bioavailability. The study suggests that hydrogels with immobilized lavender essential oil (LEO) may positively affect poultry meat quality by improving its fatty acid profile and oxidative stability, although these mechanisms require further research and confirmation. Full article

The application of microsphere molecularly imprinted materials for the targeted extraction and purification of flavonoids derived from agricultural waste has emerged as a prominent area of investigation. An innovative boronate affinity imprinted microsphere (MC-CD@BA-MIP) was successfully synthesized using the Pickering emulsion interfacial assembly strategy for the selective separation of naringin (NRG). The double-bond functionalized covalent organic framework (COF)-based microspheres were synthesized through Schiff–base reaction and secondary interfacial emulsion polymerization. Then, the synthetic mono-(6-mercapto-6-deoxy)-β-cyclodextrin (SH-β-CD) was grafted onto the surface of the microspheres (MC) using click chemistry. The 1-allylpyridine-3-boronic acid (APBA) as a functional monomer was grafted onto the initiator (ABIB) through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Ultimately, the synthesized boronic acid-imprinted ABIB-BA-MIPs were immobilized onto the COFs microsphere surface through host–guest interactions. As expected, under neutral conditions, the MC-CD@BA-MIPs still exhibited a significant adsorption capacity (38.78 μmol g⁻¹ at 308 K) for NRG. The regenerated MC-CD@BA-MIPs maintained 92.56% of their initial adsorption capacity through six consecutive cycles. Full article

Eutectogels are advanced gel-based systems that integrate deep eutectic solvents (DES) into polymer networks. In this study, we report the first detailed characterization of an enzyme-containing eutectogel, representing a significant step toward advanced biosensing and biocatalytic applications. Specifically, we have incorporated pancreatic lipase, one of the main target enzymes in the treatment of obesity, in eutectogels via UV-induced radical polymerization of suitable precursors in appropriate DESs. Prior to immobilization, the enzyme was solubilized in selected DESs and its activity and conformational stability were evaluated using colorimetry and intrinsic fluorescence. Combinations of choline chloride/glycerol and tetramethylammonium chloride/glycerol were shown to be effective media for preserving and enhancing enzymatic function and conformational stability. The enzyme immersed in eutectogel exhibited high structural integrity and excellent thermal stability, maintaining its activity over several weeks. The ability of this new material to screen enzyme inhibitors was assessed using orlistat, a well-established anti-obesity agent. The results demonstrated clear detection of the drug’s inhibitory effect, even at nanomolar concentrations, highlighting the material’s potential as a screening platform for novel inhibitors with prospective anti-obesity activity. Furthermore, the device proved effective in quantifying drug presence, offering a promising and highly sensitive tool for pharmaceutical quality control applications. Full article

The practical application of powdered photocatalysts is significantly hindered by challenges in recyclability and structural instability. This work proposes a sustainable immobilization strategy by integrating BiVO₄ nanoparticles into a sodium alginate (SA) aerogel scaffold through a facile freeze-drying approach. The abundant hydroxyl/carboxyl groups of SA enable uniform dispersion of BiVO₄ within the porous network, while the aerogel architecture enhances light-harvesting efficiency and mass transfer kinetics. Innovatively, peroxymonosulfate (PMS) was introduced to synergistically couple photocatalysis with sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs), where the photogenerated electrons from BiVO₄ effectively activate PMS to yield high-activity ·SO₄⁻ radicals. The optimized BiVO₄/SA aerogel achieves nearly complete removal of Rhodamine B within 2 h under visible light, which is competitive to pure BiVO₄ powders. In addition, the mechanically robust aerogel exhibits exceptional reusability, retaining ~90% efficiency after five cycles without structural collapse. This work provides a paradigm for designing recyclable photocatalyst carriers with dual oxidation pathways, demonstrating significant potential for industrial wastewater treatment. Full article

Herein, we rationally designed a molecular catalytic filter for effective micropollutants decontamination via peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. Specifically, iron phthalocanine (FePc) molecules with defined Fe–N₄ coordination were immobilized onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs), forming a hybrid catalyst that integrated molecular precision with heterogeneous catalytic properties. The resulting CNT-FePc filter achieved a 98.4% removal efficiency for bisphenol A (10 ppm) in a single-pass operation system, significantly outperforming the CNT/PMS system without FePc (41.6%). Additionally, the CNT-FePc/PMS system demonstrated remarkable resistance to performance inhibition by common water matrix components. Unlike typical radical-dominated PMS activation processes, mechanistic investigations confirmed that the CNT-FePc/PMS system selectively promoted singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generation as the primary oxidative pathway. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that PMS exhibited stronger adsorption on FePc (−3.05 eV) compared to CNT (−2.86 eV), and that FePc effectively facilitated O–O bond elongation in PMS, thereby facilitating ¹O₂ generation. Additionally, seed germination assays indicated a significant reduction in the biotoxicity of the treated effluents. Overall, this work presents a catalyst design strategy that merges molecular-level coordination chemistry with practical flow-through configuration, enabling rapid, selective, and environmentally benign micropollutant removal. Full article

This study investigated quality changes in seaweed–yak patties before and after freeze–thaw by varying seaweed addition levels (10–70%). Macroscopically, the effects on water-holding capacity, textural properties, and oxidative indices of restructured yak patties were evaluated. Microscopically, the impact of seaweed-derived bioactive ingredients on patty microstructure and myofibrillar protein characteristics was examined. LF-NMR and MRI showed that 40% seaweed addition most effectively restricted water migration, reduced thawing loss, and preserved immobilized water content. Texture profile analysis (TPA) revealed that moderate seaweed levels (30–40%) enhanced springiness and minimized post-thaw hardness increases. SEM confirmed that algal polysaccharides formed a denser protective network around the muscle fibers. Lipid oxidation (MDA), free-radical measurements, and non-targeted metabolomics revealed a significant reduction in oxidative damage at 40% seaweed addition, correlating with increased total phenolic content. Protein analyses (particle size, zeta potential, hydrophobicity, and SDS-PAGE) demonstrated a cryoprotective effect of seaweed on myofibrillar proteins, reducing aggregation and denaturation. These findings suggest that approximately 40% seaweed addition can improve the physicochemical stability and antioxidant capacity of frozen seaweed–yak meat products. This work thus identifies the optimal seaweed addition level for enhancing freeze–thaw stability and functional quality, offering practical guidance for the development of healthier, high-value restructured meat products. Full article

Climate change poses significant risks to food security and contributes to widespread soil degradation. Effective strategies are urgently needed to mitigate its impacts and ensure stable crop production and food quality. Biochar has shown strong potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance carbon sequestration, and immobilize soil contaminants such as heavy metals and organic pollutants. These benefits can lead to increased crop yields, improved nutritional quality, and reduced uptake of harmful substances by plants. This review summarizes the possible mechanisms through which biochar influences the biochar–soil–plant interface, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of its multifaceted roles. Although positive effects of biochar on crop production are frequently reported, neutral or even negative outcomes have also been observed. Such adverse effects may be attributed to the presence of volatile organic compounds, free radicals, or heavy metals in certain biochars that inhibit plant growth. Additionally, biochar application has been found to reduce plant infections caused by pathogens, likely due to the presence of organic compounds that act as microbial inhibitors. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which biochar affects plant growth is essential for its effective use as a tool to combat climate change and enhance food security. Full article

Protein phosphorylation is one of the most common and important post-translational modifications (PTMs) and is highly involved in various biological processes. Ideal adsorbents with high sensitivity and specificity toward phosphopeptides with large coverage are therefore essential for enrichment and mass spectroscopy-based phosphoproteomics analysis. In this study, a newly designed IMAC adsorbent composite was constructed on the graphene matrix coated with mesoporous silica. The outer functional 3D-network layer was prepared by free radical polymerization of the phosphonate-functionalized vinyl imidazolium salt monomer and subsequent metal immobilization. Due to its unique structural feature and high content of Ti⁴⁺ ions, the resulting phosphonate-immobilized adsorbent composite G@mSiO₂@PPFIL-Ti⁴⁺ exhibits excellent performance in phosphopeptide enrichment with a low detection limit (0.1 fmol, tryptic β-casein digest) and superior selectivity (molar ratio of 1:15,000, digest mixture of β-casein and bovine serum albumin). G@mSiO₂@PPFIL-Ti⁴⁺ displays high tolerance to loading and elution conditions and thus can be reused without a marked decrease in enrichment efficacy. The captured phosphopeptides can be released globally, and mono-/multi-phosphopeptides can be isolated stepwise by gradient elution. When applying this material to enrich phosphopeptides from human lung cell lysates, a total of 3268 unique phosphopeptides were identified, corresponding to 1293 phosphoproteins. Furthermore, 2698 phosphorylated peptides were found to be differentially expressed (p < 0.05) between human lung adenocarcinoma cells (SPC-A1) and human normal epithelial cells (Beas-2B), of which 1592 were upregulated and 1106 were downregulated in the cancer group. These results demonstrate the material’s superior enrichment efficiency in complex biological samples. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Accurate radiotherapy (RT) planning alongside chemotherapy and immunotherapy is critical for improving treatment outcomes for inoperable non-metastatic cases. Conventional computed tomography (CT)-based planning may be inadequate for accurately identifying tumor margins and the location of nodal disease. We investigated whether ¹⁸F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT) imaging can assist in target volume delineation for primary, nodal, and metastatic disease in the RT planning and overall therapeutic planning of patients. Methods: In this single-center, prospective study, we recruited 34 patients with histologically confirmed locally advanced non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). All patients underwent ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT-based RT simulation. Two sequential RT plans were created by the same radiation oncologist: one based on CT alone and the other PET-CT. Planning target volumes (PTVs) and PET-CT-guided adjustments were analyzed to assess their impact. Standardized protocols for immobilization, imaging, target delineation, and dose prescription were applied. Results: A total of 34 patients (31 males and 3 females) were recruited in the study. ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT detected distant metastases in 7/34 (20.6%) patients, altering the overall therapeutic plan in 4/34 (11.8%) and allowing radical RT in 3 of them who had oligometastatic disease (8.8%). It modified RT planning in 26/34 (76.5%) patients and clarified malignancy in atelectatic areas. Nodal involvement was identified in 3/34 patients (8.8%) and excluded in 3/34 cases, avoiding unnecessary nodal irradiation. Additional involved nodes were revealed in 12/34 (35.3%) patients, requiring dose escalation. Overall, changes to the tumor PTV were made in 23/30 (76.6%) and to the nodal PTV in 19/30 (63.3%) cases (p < 0.0001). Primary tumor and nodal PTVs increased in 20/34 (66.7%) and 13/34 (43.3%), respectively. Conclusions: ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT significantly improves RT planning by more precisely defining tumor and nodal volumes, identifying undetected lesions, and guiding dose adaptation. Larger long-term studies are required to confirm potential locoregional control and survival improvements. Full article

We report two conjugates of gem-diethyl pyrroline nitroxide radicals with D-mannosamine as potential metabolic organic radical contrast agents, mORCAs, circumventing the need for biorthogonal reactions. In-cell EPR spectroscopy, using Jurkat cells and analogous conjugate, based on a pyrrolidine nitroxide radical, shows an efficient incorporation of highly immobilized nitroxides, with a correlation time of τ_cor = 20 ns. In vivo MRI experiments in mice show that the paramagnetic nitroxide radical shortens the T₁ and T₂ relaxation times of protons in water located in the kidney and brain by only up to ~10% after 3 d. Ex vivo EPR spectroscopic analyses indicate that the contrast agents in mouse tissues are primarily localized in the kidney, lung, liver, heart, and blood, which primarily contain immobilized nitroxide radicals with τ_cor = 4–9 ns. The spin concentrations in tissues remain low (1–3 nmol g⁻¹) at 24 h after the third mORCA injection, approximately one to two orders of magnitude lower than those of ORCAFluor and BASP-ORCA (measured at ~24 h post-injection). These low spin concentrations explain the small proton T₁ and T₂ relaxation changes observed in in vivo MRI. Full article

Background/Objectives: Glioblastoma is the most common and lethal primary brain tumor. Patients often suffer from tumor- and treatment induced vasogenic edema, with devastating neurological consequences. Intracranial edema is effectively treated with dexamethasone. However, systemic dexamethasone requires large doses to surpass the blood brain barrier in therapeutic quantities, which is associated with significant side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate a biodegradable, dextran-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (dex-HEMA) based hydrogel, containing polymeric micelles loaded with dexamethasone and liposomes encapsulating dexamethasone phosphate for localized and prolonged delivery. Methods: Poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(N-2-benzoyloxypropyl methacrylamide (mPEG-b-p(HPMA-Bz)) micelles were loaded with dexamethasone and characterized. The dexamethasone micelles, together with dexamethasone phosphate liposomes, were dispersed in an aqueous dex-HEMA solution followed by radical polymerization using a photoinitiator in combination with light. The kinetics and mechanisms of drug release from this hydrogel were determined. Results: The diameter of the nanoparticles was larger than the mesh size of the hydrogel, rendering them immobilized in the polymer network. The micelles immediately released free dexamethasone from the hydrogel for two weeks. The dexamethasone phosphate loaded in the liposomes was not released until the gel degraded and intact liposomes were released, starting after 15 days. The different modes of release result in a biphasic and sequential release profile of dexamethasone followed by dexamethasone phosphate liposomes. Conclusions: The results show that this hydrogel system loaded with both dexamethasone polymeric micelles and dexamethasone phosphate loaded liposomes has potential as a local delivery platform for the sequential release of dexamethasone and dexamethasone phosphate, for the intracranial treatment of glioblastoma associated edema. Full article

As a promising polymer for the production of biomaterials and drug delivery systems, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is characterized by its relative hydrophobicity, as well as its chemical and biological inertness. Here, we aimed to improve the biological properties of PLA-based materials via the covalent attachment of a hydrophilic biocompatible glycopolymer, namely poly(2-deoxy-N-methacrylamido-D-glucose) (PMAG) on their surface. PMAG is a water-soluble polymer that contains glucose units in its side chains, which are responsible for good biocompatibility and the ability to attach bioactive molecules. In the developed protocol, PMAG was synthesized by controlled radical polymerization in the presence of a reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent, followed by the conversion of glycopolymer terminal dithiobenzoate functionality into a primary amino group (PMAG-NH₂). PLA-based films served as model aliphatic polyester materials for developing the surface biofunctionalization protocol. According to that, PMAG-NH₂ covalent immobilization was carried out after alkali treatment, allowing the generation of the surface-located carboxyl groups and their activation. The developed modification method provided a one-point attachment of hydrophilic PMAG to the hydrophobic PLA surface. PMAG samples, which differed by the degree of polymerization, and the variation of polymer concentration in the reaction medium were applied to investigate the modification efficacy and grafting density. The developed single-point polymer grafting approach provided the efficient functionalization with a grafting density in the range of 5–23 nmol/cm². The neat and modified polymer films were characterized by a number of methods, namely atomic force microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, ellipsometry, and contact angle measurements. In addition, an ArgGlyAsp-containing peptide (RGD peptide) was conjugated to the PMAG macromolecules grafted on the surface of PLA films. It was shown that both surface modification with PMAG and with PMAG-RGD peptide enhanced the adhesion and growth of mesenchymal stem cells as compared to a neat PLA surface. Full article

Choline is an important molecule in monitoring food safety and infant nutrition. Here, we report Ce nanogels synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) employing Ce-coordinated acryloyl-lysine polymer brushes (Ce@SiO₂ NGs) as highly efficient cascade nanozymes for colorimetric detection of choline. The synthesized Ce@SiO₂ NGs demonstrated remarkable peroxidase-like activity with a porous exterior, which are essential to entrap choline oxidase (COx) to yield COx@Ce@SiO₂ NGs and construct a cascade reaction system to detect choline. Immobilized COx catalyzed the oxidation of choline in food samples to produce H₂O₂, which subsequently induced the oxidation of chromogenic substrate 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to produce blue color signals. This method enabled the selective and sensitive detection of target choline with a satisfactory linear range of 4–400 μM, which is sufficient to analyze foodborne choline. The practical utility of the COx@Ce@SiO₂ NG-based assay was successfully validated to determine choline spiked in commercially available milk and infant formula with high accuracy and precision values. This approach provides a simple and affordable method of choline detection and has the potential to lead to more developments in ATRP-based nanozymes for diverse biosensing applications. Full article

A series of commercial silica-supported polyoxometalate ionic liquids ([C_nmim]₃PMo₁₂O₄₀) with different substitutes in the imidazole ring were prepared via a facile ball milling method and employed as catalysts in the oxidative desulfurization of organosulfur compounds. The experimental results demonstrated that the active polyoxometalate center was successfully immobilized with a highly uniform dispersion on the silica. Without any organic solvent as the extractant, sulfur removal with the sample C₁₆PMo/SiO₂-BM reached 99.5% in 30 min under the optimal condition, which was ascribed to the high specific surface area and lipophilicity. In addition, the active site was verified by a free radical trapping experiment and an ESR spin capture experiment. In addition, the oxidative product was confirmed by GC-MS analysis. Full article

In this study, Cu-doped TiO₂ combined with natural zeolite (ZT) was synthesized and applied as a fixed powder layer on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) tablets. The material’s morphology, structural, and chemical properties were characterized using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by assessing the neutralization of hydroxyl radicals and iron (III) ions. For the first time, tablets with Cu-TiO₂ and ZT deposited on PMMA as the carrier were investigated for removing two dyes, methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB), from water under simulated solar (SS) and UVC irradiation. Under SS irradiation, the Cu-TiO₂/PMMA and Cu-TiO₂/ZT/PMMA tablets achieved about 21% degradation of MB after 240 min. This result is particularly noteworthy because SS radiation provides lower energy compared with UVC, making the process more economically efficient. Furthermore, the photocatalysts are immobilized on a stable carrier, which enhances the method’s cost-effectiveness by reducing material loss and simplifying recovery. In the presence of ZT/PMMA tablets, 69% of MB was removed by adsorption after 240 min. Additionally, we explored the mechanism of degradation, revealing that the enhanced generation of hydroxyl radicals plays a pivotal role in the effective degradation of MB. At the same time, photogenerated holes contribute to the removal of MO. The overall results suggest that the tablets obtained are a promising solution for water purification due to their effectiveness, simplicity, and low processing cost. Full article