Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Feier Chen, Ying Liu, Yujun Zou, Jueyi Zhu, Liang Liu, Yimin Fan
Summary: In this study, genipin crosslinked chitin nanofibril hydrogels/cryogels were successfully prepared. The efficient crosslinking between chitin nanofibrils and genipin was influenced by pH and crosslinking temperature. Ice templated crosslinking improved the mechanical properties of the materials. The deposition of hydroxyapatite on the surface of chitin nanofibril scaffolds enhanced chondrocyte attachments and growth. The cryogel showed potential for tissue engineering applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kaihua Yang, Youshuang Zhou, Zengbing Wang, Mingjie Li, Dean Shi, Xianbao Wang, Tao Jiang, Qunchao Zhang, Beibei Ding, Jun You
Summary: A new method for self-exfoliating ChNFs from various chitin sources has been proposed, allowing for nanofibrils with controllable thickness and customized surface chemistries. Thin ChNFs show greater potential for high-performance structural materials and can be used to create soft hydrogels.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
E. Soroush, Z. Mohammadpour, M. Kharaziha, H. R. Bakhsheshi-Rad, F. Berto
Summary: This article reviews the isolation methods and physical and chemical properties of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and chitin nanofibrils (ChNFs). The potential biomedical applications of CNFs and ChNFs, including tissue engineering, wound dressing, and drug delivery, are highlighted.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhuo Li, Dehai Yu
Summary: This study demonstrates the development of a highly stable, pH-responsive fish oil-in-water Pickering emulsion stabilized by ChNF/CNF complexes. The emulsion exhibits a remarkable release of approximately 95% of the embedded ibuprofen within the pH range of 5-9, and the drug loading and encapsulation efficiency reach their peak at a 1% ibuprofen dosage with values of 1% and 87%, respectively. This research highlights the potential of using ChNF/CNF complexes in designing versatile, stable, and entirely renewable Pickering systems for controlled drug delivery, with potential applications in food and eco-friendly products.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Qin Wang, Ning Wang, Ge Zhu, Ning Lin
Summary: This study proposes a strategy to regulate the surface properties, charges, and stiffness of CNC composite membranes by incorporating zwitterion and chitin nanofibrils components. The synthesized zwitterion gives the modified CNCs a pH-sensitive charged surface, displaying a cationic form in acidic conditions and converting to an anionic surface in alkaline states. The ionic bridge between the semi-flexible nanofibrils and rigid CNCs effectively reduces the nanohardness of the composite membranes, resulting in uniform surface and microstructural morphologies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Su Jin Lee, Ji Eun Kim, Yun Ju Choi, Jeong Eun Gong, So Hae Park, Bounleuane Douangdeuane, Onevilay Souliya, Ju Min Park, Hee Seob Lee, Bae-Hwan Kim, Dae Youn Hwang
Summary: The methanol extracts of Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. (MED) showed therapeutic effects against UV-induced photoaging by enhancing antioxidant activity, anti-apoptotic effects, ECM modulation, skin appearances, and anti-inflammatory response in both NHDF cells and nude mice. The identified active components in MED, along with the recovered levels of NO concentration, SOD activity, and Nrf2 expression, contributed to the observed anti-photoaging effects. Furthermore, MED treatment suppressed COX-2-induced iNOS mediated pathway, inflammatory cytokine expression, and inflammasome activation in UV-radiated NHDF cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thakur Sapkota, Bishnu Kumar Shrestha, Sita Shrestha, Narayan Bhattarai
Summary: An electrostatic encapsulation strategy was used to create and encapsulate cells into chitin nanofibrils integrated alginate hydrogel microcapsules. The physicochemical characterization of the core-shell microcapsules, including structure, size, and stability, was analyzed. The cellular responses of the core-shell microcapsules were evaluated through in vitro cell studies, and the results showed excellent cell viability for more than 2 weeks. The core-shell microcapsules have the potential for various biomedical applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xue Yang, Xueting Zhang, Dandan Li, Youshuang Zhou, Xiaoming Ren, Qunchao Zhang, Tao Jiang, Dean Shi, Jun You
Summary: In this study, a facile and effective method to construct chitin nanofibrils (ChNFs) aerogels from the DMSO/KOH pseudosolvent systems is demonstrated. The ChNFs aerogels possess unique nanofibrous networks with tortuous pore channels, excellent mechanical flexibility and shapeability, high specific surface area, and low densities. These aerogels show superior performance as biobased separators for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), outperforming commercial Celgard separator in terms of electrolyte absorption, ionic conductivity, rate performance, and cycle life. The study provides a sustainable approach for the high-value utilization of agricultural waste chitin.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
David Fonseca Hernandez, Eugenia Lugo Cervantes, Diego A. Luna-Vital, Luis Mojica
Summary: Food contains bioactive compounds with diverse biological activities, used in the cosmetic industry for nutricosmetic and cosmeceutical products aimed at reducing skin aging and inflammation. Phytochemicals from fruits, vegetables, herbs, and plants are being utilized for their anti-aging potential. These compounds have antioxidant and biological properties that modulate molecular markers involved in the aging process.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liang Liu, Huangjingyi Chen, Yujun Zou, Feier Chen, Yimin Fan, Qiang Yong
Summary: Composite hydrogels can be prepared by self-assembling zwitterionic dispersed chitin nanocrystals and TEMPO oxidized cellulose nanofibrils, with the storage modulus significantly increased through chemical crosslinking. Chitin nanocrystals contribute to enhancing the strain performance of composite membranes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Barbara Jacczak, Blazej Rubis, Ewa Toton
Summary: The stability of telomeres is crucial for cell function, and research on telomere biology and telomerase activity has been of great interest in various medical and scientific fields. Maintaining optimal telomere length and telomerase activity is an important step in anti-aging strategies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Visarut Buranasudja, Chawanphat Muangnoi, Kittipong Sanookpan, Hasseri Halim, Boonchoo Sritularak, Pornchai Rojsitthisak
Summary: The study found that eriodictyol can protect human dermal fibroblasts from the harmful effects of hydrogen peroxide by directly neutralizing reactive oxygen species, enhancing detoxifying enzyme activities, and regulating the expression of Nrf2 signaling system.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shiwei Wang, Wenchao Yu, Yu Chen, Jiacheng He, Zhenghui Zhao, Yao Lu, Quanling Yang, Chuanxi Xiong, Zhuqun Shi
Summary: Transition metal ions were introduced through the coordination of chitin nanofibril with copper ions, leading to the preparation of carbon nanofibril/cuprous oxide composites with sea urchin-like structures. These composites exhibited outstanding electrochemical performance, delivering a maximum specific capacitance of 972.4 F g(-1) at a current density of 1 A g(-1), offering a promising strategy for fabricating supercapacitor materials.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martyna Zagorska-Dziok, Aleksandra Ziemlewska, Agnieszka Mokrzynska, Zofia Niziol-Lukaszewska, Magdalena Wojciak, Ireneusz Sowa
Summary: This study assessed the biological activity of extracts and hydrogels containing Cornus mas L. extracts. The results showed that these extracts and hydrogels had strong antioxidant properties, positively affected the viability of skin cells, stimulated cell migration, inhibited collagenase and elastase activity, and increased skin hydration.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yujun Zou, Shuai Zhang, Ying Liu, Liang Liu, Juan Yu, Yimin Fan
Summary: An in vitro simulated digestion model was used to study the effect of chitin nanofibrils on lipase activity, bile acid diffusion, and the digestion of lipid emulsions in the gastrointestinal tract. Different types of chitin nanofibrils showed no significant inhibition of lipase activity and bile acid binding. However, they exhibited differences during different stages of digestion, due to variations in surface charge and size. Furthermore, all three nanofibrils were found to retard lipid digestion and reduce the bioavailability of fat-soluble vitamins to some extent. This study provides insights into the potential use of chitin nanofibrils as functional food additives, but their effects should be carefully considered from a nutrition perspective.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)