Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yue Cheng, Wentao Wang, Rui Zhang, Xiaosong Zhai, Hanxue Hou
Summary: The study investigated the effects of different gelatin Bloom values on the properties of starch/gelatin-beeswax films fabricated by extrusion blowing, finding that higher Bloom values enhanced physicochemical properties and influenced water solubility and thermal stability. This indicated that gelatins with appropriate Bloom values could be utilized to produce films with desirable properties.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Flavia Rafaela Ludka, Ana Beatriz Klosowski, Giovani Almeida Camargo, Aline Silva Justo, Evelyn Assis Andrade, Flavio Luis Beltrame, Juliana Bonametti Olivato
Summary: This study investigates the influence of brewer's spent grain (BSG) on the mechanical, structural, and barrier properties of starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) films. The results demonstrate that the BSG extract and films have strong antioxidant potentials, and the addition of the extract does not significantly affect the material properties. Controlled release of phenolic compounds from the BSG extract is observed under specific conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ching-Cheng Tsai, Tai-Horng Young, Guang-Shih Chen, Nai-Chen Cheng
Summary: A chitosan/gelatin hydrogel crosslinked by glyoxal was fabricated for sustained release of HPL, showing significant promotion of cell proliferation and migration. The growth factors released from the hydrogel exhibited sustained release characteristics, and HPL encapsulation also stimulated angiogenesis in ovo.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Zhao Jin, Yang Lan, Jae-Bom Ohm, James Gillespie, Paul Schwarz, Bingcan Chen
Summary: This study investigated the nutritional composition of brewers' spent grain (BSG) samples obtained from craft breweries in North Dakota and Minnesota. The results showed that these samples still contained significant amounts of starch, fermentable sugars, and free amino acids, indicating their potential nutritional value.
JOURNAL OF CEREAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maryam Azizkhani, Sara Kavosi, Razieh Partovi
Summary: The study investigated the effect of natural coatings incorporated with bitter orange peel extract on the quality of chicken fillets during cold storage. The coatings containing the extract exhibited higher inhibitory effect against bacterial growth. Additionally, they effectively reduced microbial count, free fatty acid content, total volatile basic nitrogen content, and peroxide value. These coatings have the potential to maintain and improve the quality of raw chicken fillets during refrigerator storage.
FOOD SCIENCE & NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sijun Ma, Yuanrong Zheng, Ran Zhou, Ming Ma
Summary: The study introduced four kinds of edible composite films based on chitosan combined with additional substances, and evaluated their physicochemical properties. Among them, the konjac glucomannan-chitosan composite film exhibited the strongest mechanical property and highest transparency, while the cassava starch-chitosan composite film demonstrated the highest water barrier property. The research indicated that the cheese packaging with cassava starch-chitosan composite film performed better in maintaining quality, reducing weight loss, and delaying microbial growth.
Article
Polymer Science
Samira Karbasizadeh-Esfahani, Hossein Izadi-Vasafi
Summary: In this study, a polymeric film based on chitosan, gelatin, and potato starch was prepared, and the effects of sesame oil and Aloe-Vera extract on the film's physical and mechanical properties, as well as its antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity, were investigated. The results showed that these additives reduced swelling and water vapor transmission rate, had a plasticizing effect, and enhanced the antibacterial activity of the film.
JOURNAL OF MACROMOLECULAR SCIENCE PART B-PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
James H. Tidwell, Shawn D. Coyle, Waldemar Rossi, Kalvin Rucker
Summary: This study evaluated the use of Brewers Spent Grains and an enzyme additive in fish diets. The results showed that increasing levels of Brewers Spent Grains in the diets led to reduced growth in the fish, and the addition of enzymes did not improve feed utilization.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED AQUACULTURE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
J. Santos, J. Pereira, N. Paiva, J. Ferra, F. D. Magalhaes, J. M. Martins, L. H. de Carvalho
Summary: This study evaluated the influence of adding urea to MF resin on the water resistance of particleboards and found that the water resistance of the particleboards decreased linearly with increasing urea content.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADHESION AND ADHESIVES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Helena P. Ferreira, Duarte Moura, Andreia T. Pereira, Patricia C. Henriques, Cristina C. Barrias, Fernao D. Magalhaes, Ines C. Goncalves
Summary: Graphene and its derivatives are proposed as nanofillers to enhance the mechanical properties of PEG hydrogels. The resulting composites are stiffer, stronger, and remain anti-adhesive. These materials show cytocompatibility and have potential for load-bearing applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sandra Monteiro, Nuno Ferreira, Diana Paiva, Susana P. Silva, Jorge Martins, Luisa H. Carvalho, Fernao D. Magalhaes
Summary: A coating based on cork granules, using a foamed acrylic binder, was developed to create a smooth surface similar to natural cork. The coating showed excellent cohesion and adhesion, and was easily applicable.
Article
Polymer Science
Judith M. Pedroso, Marco Enger, Pedro Bandeira, Fernao D. Magalhaes
Summary: This study investigates the tribological performance of waterborne tribological coatings based on three binders from the PAEK family. The results suggest that PEK and PEKK could be interesting alternatives to PEEK, with lower coefficient of friction and impressive wear resistance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carla M. Ribeiro-Silva, Ana Faustino-Rocha, Rui M. Gil da Costa, Rui Medeiros, Maria J. Pires, Isabel Gaivao, Adelina Gama, Maria J. Neuparth, Joana Barbosa, Francisco Peixoto, Fernao D. Magalhaes, Margarida M. S. M. Bastos, Paula A. Oliveira
Summary: This study investigated the toxic effects of eugenol and pulegone on laboratory animals for the first time, showing that these compounds can induce behavioral changes, body weight loss, and even mortality in certain doses.
Article
Polymer Science
Sofia Goncalves, Jorge Martins, Nadia T. Paiva, Diana Paiva, Luisa H. Carvalho, Fernao D. Magalhaes
Summary: Out of the total annual production of 50 to 70 million tons of lignin, only 1 to 2% are utilized for value-added products. The majority of the market, 90%, is occupied by lignosulphonates (LS). Lignin is commonly used as a partial substitute in phenol-formaldehyde or urea-formaldehyde resins for wood adhesives, but its low reactivity due to a low number of reactive sites in the aromatic ring limits its applications. This study proposes the use of visible spectroscopy as a promising technique for monitoring the methylolation reaction of lignin in-line, providing a new method to study lignin methylolation.
Article
Forestry
Jorge Santos, Danilo Escobar-Avello, Cecilia Fuentealba, Gustavo Cabrera-Barjas, Julia Gonzalez-Alvarez, Jorge M. Martins, Luisa H. Carvalho
Summary: One of the most important by-products in the Chilean forestry industry is the bark obtained during the debarking process. The bark of Pinus radiata is a potential source of extracts rich in condensed tannins, while the bark of Eucalyptus globulus has extracts rich in hydrolyzable tannins. This study investigates the potential joint valorization of these by-products and demonstrates the potential application of the extracts in bioadhesive formulation.
Review
Polymer Science
Pedro D. Fernandes, Fernao D. Magalhaes, Ruben F. Pereira, Artur M. Pinto
Summary: Conventional cancer therapies have long-term side effects, while phototherapy and immunotherapy offer alternative treatments with different merits. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have shown significant potential in the fields of cancer phototherapy and immunotherapy due to their unique properties. By addressing the drawbacks of current therapies, MOF nanoplatforms enable effective and low-side-effect combinatorial synergistical treatment for cancer.
Article
Entomology
Pedro A. S. Sousa, Joana Neto, Joana V. Barbosa, Joana Peres, Ana Magro, Graca Barros, Jose M. Sousa, Fernao D. Magalhaes, Antonio Mexia, Ana A. R. M. Aguiar, Margarida M. S. M. Bastos
Summary: Maize grains are important for food safety globally, but the maize weevil is a destructive pest causing losses. Synthetic chemical insecticides are often used to control these pests, but they have drawbacks. This study tested an innovative macro-capsule delivery device loaded with essential oils and found that it significantly reduced losses and survivability of maize weevils.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carlota M. Relvas, Susana G. Santos, Maria J. Oliveira, Fernao D. Magalhaes, Artur M. Pinto
Summary: Skin cancer is a common and increasing type of cancer with two main categories: melanoma and non-melanoma. Current treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, have limitations in terms of mortality and recurrence rates. Recent studies have focused on new approaches, such as immunotherapy and various forms of phototherapy. Among these, photoimmunotherapy has gained attention for its potential outcomes in combining photodynamic and/or photothermal therapy with a systemic immune response. This review critically discusses the properties and mechanisms of action of different nanomaterials in skin cancer photoimmunotherapy and presents important results in the field.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana M. Ferreira, A. Vikulina, G. W. V. Cave, M. Loughlin, V. Puddu, D. Volodkin
Summary: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) loaded into vaterite CaCO3 crystals can be protected, stored, and controlled for release, resulting in CaCO3/AgNPs hybrids. The addition of poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) sodium salt (PSS) stabilizes and targets the release of AgNPs. This study sheds light on the release mechanisms of AgNPs from the inorganic hybrids and has implications for understanding the release profiles of other compounds from vaterite.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Joao M. P. Q. Delgado, Ricardo M. S. F. Almeida, Ana M. M. Matos, Eva Barreira, Luisa Carvalho, Jorge Martins, Nuno Ferreira, Ana S. S. Guimaraes
Summary: Modular construction, especially using wood, has gained increasing interest and investment. The BlueWoodenHouse Project in Portugal aims to improve knowledge of modular wood construction by characterizing solutions, systems, and materials and evaluating thermal comfort in a fully occupied modular wooden house. The results show adequate air renewal rates and a percentage of time in discomfort due to overcooling, but most of these periods coincide with unoccupied spaces.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Douglas Lamounier Faria, Mario Vanoli Scatolino, Juliano Elvis de Oliveira, Fabricio Gomes Goncalves, Julio Soriano, Thiago de Paula Protasio, Roberto Carlos Costa Lelis, Luisa Maria Hora de Carvalho, Lourival Marin Mendes, Jose Benedito Guimaraes Junior
Summary: Recently, the reduction of free formaldehyde emission in particleboard has been studied to address environmental and health concerns. One viable solution is to use adhesives made from natural sources, such as cardanol-formaldehyde, which is produced from cashew nut liquid. This study successfully produced particleboard using cardanol-formaldehyde as an alternative to urea formaldehyde, and showed a significant reduction in formaldehyde emission.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Teresa Margarida Mata, Clara Freitas, Gabriela Ventura Silva, Sandra Monteiro, Jorge Manuel Martins, Luisa Hora de Carvalho, Luis Manuel Silva, Antonio Areosa Martins
Summary: This study analyzes the life cycle environmental impacts of producing particleboard using cardoon fibers and a starch/chitosan adhesive. The results indicate that energy consumption is the dominant factor, and using renewable electricity can significantly reduce environmental impacts such as carbon footprint.