INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
·
2025
·
IF 8.5
Bo Liu,Xia Liu,Xiaonan Huang,Shouwei Yin,Jianhua Zhu
Freshwater scarcity represents a critical global crisis, necessitating advanced sustainable water purification technologies. While solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) emerges as an energy-efficient solution, conventional photothermal conversion materials often rely on energy-intensive synthesis or non-renewable resources, compromising their environmental sustainability. Herein, we present a sustainable synthesis paradigm that harnesses zein, a plant-derived biological macromolecule, to develop the metal-phenolic networks (MPNs)-reinforced porous architecture for SDIE system. Zein nanoparticles were functionalized through coordination-driven self-assembly with Fe 3+ and proanthocyanidin, forming ZP-PA/Fe 3+ hybrid particles that serve dually as Pickering emulsion stabilizers and photothermal agents. These particles precisely integrated into a poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix via Pickering emulsion templating, yielding a hierarchical porous scaffold. The optimized P-ZF evaporator achieved an evaporation rate of 2.24 kg·m −2 ·h −1 under 1 sun—exceeding most reported MPN-coated systems (typically ~1.43–1.85 kg·m −2 ·h −1 )—while also demonstrating long-term operational stability, retaining ~90 % efficiency after two years of ambient storage. This study not only validates MPNs-functionalized porous platforms as high-efficiency solar water evaporators but also provides a green synthesis protocol, circumventing the sustainability limitations of conventional synthetic routes.
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FOOD CHEMISTRY
·
2025
·
IF 9.8
Zhouliang Sun,Yufei Zhang,Huanyu Zheng,Yi Zhang,Yang Li,Mingming Zheng
This study aims to construct a food-grade Pickering emulsion stabilized by zein-hydroxypropyl chitosan composite nanoparticles ( Z -HPCS NPs) adsorbed with lipase CRL (Z-HPCS NPs@CRL) to synthesize phytosterol esters. Uniform spherical Z-HPCS NPs with a strong positive charge (39.2 ± 0.4 mV) were fabricated and complexed with negatively charged lipase CRL to stabilize the emulsion interface. Comprehensive characterization revealed that lipase CRL bound to Z -HPCS NPs through synergistic electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding. Furthermore, the unique interfacial characteristics of the Pickering emulsion enable efficient migration of by-product (water) from the oil phase to the aqueous phase, driving the equilibrium towards product formation. The Pickering emulsion system stabilized by Z -HPCS NPs@CRL achieved exceptional phytosterol ester yield (90.9 % in 3 h), surpassing both traditional biphasic systems (15.8 %) and free lipase CRL (82.2 %). This work provides fundamental insights into food-grade Pickering emulsion interfacial biocatalysis for the efficient synthesis of phytosterol esters.
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INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
·
2024
·
IF 5.6
Jiayuan Tian,Jiyun Xie,Li Hao,Huayao Chen,Xinhua Zhou,Hongjun Zhou
Inefficient use of pesticides and the consequent environmental problems have led to the development of low-cost, environment-friendly and efficient pesticide delivery systems. Pickering emulsions (PK) stabilized by zein are considered to have many application prospects in the delivery of pesticides. Herein, the function of zein was improved by non-covalent binding with sodium abietate (RA-Na). Tea tree oil (TTO) was used as the solvent for hydrophobic photosensitive pesticide, avermectin (AVM), and also as a component of the oil phase of emulsion. The emulsion AVM@PK was oil in water (O/W) type that had certain foliar affinity. Under the same conditions of UV irradiation, the AVM residual rate of AVM@PK system was 2.4 times that of commercial emulsion (EC), showing superior UV resistance. AVM@PK released AVM at a faster rate under acidic/ basic conditions in vitro than under neutral conditions, with a certain pH response. In vitro bioactivity tests showed that AVM@PK had good antibacterial activity and insecticidal activity equivalent to EC. This system is expected to be used to prevent some plant pests while also preventing or treating some bacterial diseases. It is a simple, environment-friendly, low-cost, effective, and practical strategy for pesticide delivery.
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CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
·
2025
·
IF 13.2
Long Chen,Huahui Ren,Liang Li,Jihao Zuo,Jinting Cai,Ying Li,Huayao Chen,Li Hao,Hongjun Zhou,Zhanghua Zeng,Xinhua Zhou
The extensive use of conventional pesticide formulations poses potential environmental risks, highlighting an urgent need for eco-friendly alternatives. Pesticide microencapsulation has emerged as a promising approach to reduce application frequency and minimize environmental harm, owing to its high encapsulation efficiency and sustained-release capabilities. We developed an enzymatically degradable microcapsule using Pickering emulsion templates stabilized by sodium caseinate/zein composite protein nanoparticles (PNPs) with an average size of approximately 204 nm. Notably, the cross-linked PNP-based microcapsules exhibited a pesticide loading efficiency exceeding 74 %, high stability, and enabled accelerated release under enzyme-rich conditions. Field trials demonstrated that the degradable microcapsules provided time-dependent pest control, with efficacy improving from 67 % on day 2 to 83 % on day 15. In contrast, a commercial microemulsion showed rapidly declining effectiveness after the second day. These results underscore the ability of the microcapsules to extend the duration of pest management, despite slightly reduced initial activity. Furthermore, the encapsulation strategy markedly improved safety toward non-target organisms, exhibiting markedly lower adverse impacts on seed germination, zebrafish, and earthworms relative to commercial formulations. Importantly, the protein nanoparticle-based Pickering emulsion platform demonstrated broad applicability, enabling the successful encapsulation of various pesticide compounds.
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LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 6.6
Yihong Zhou,Yang Xu,Peng Wang,Jing Zhang,Shangxing Chen,Dayong Peng,Zongde Wang,Yuling Yang,Hai Luo,Ji Zhang
Citral is one of the main components of everyday chemical fragrances and Its fragrance cannot be retained for long due to its active chemical properties. Currently, potentially toxic or expensive industrial surfactants are commonly used to emulsify flavors or essential oils, and most of the dispersed systems formed are thermodynamically unstable. In this study, modified corn protein was used as a solid particles and xanthan gum as a co-emulsifier to form an O/W type Pickering emulsion. Corn protein was modified with natural plant polyphenol–tannin to obtain solid particles with optimal amphiphilicity and antioxidant properties, and the particle size was approximately 170 nm. The Pickering emulsion was dispersed using a high-speed homogenizer. The percentage of encapsulated citral in the system was 20%. The particle size, polydispersity index, and citral encapsulation rate were 32.48 μm, 0.323, and 91.26%, respectively. The Pickering emulsion significantly improved the stability of the encapsulated citral, and the retention of citral in harsh environments (both high temperature and aerobic) was significantly increased. After one month of storage, the citral retention in the Pickering emulsion was 86.95% under aerobic conditions.
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Food Packaging and Shelf Life
·
2025
·
IF 10.6
Hui Sun,Liming Zhang,Qinghe Yin,Tao Yang,Kai Wang,Haohao Shi,Jiamei Wang,Guanghua Xia,Yongqiang Zhao,Gang Yu
Despite numerous commercial and governmental initiatives, food spoilage and plastic packaging contamination persistently affect human health and the global economy significantly. In this study, a novel zein/polyethylene oxide/dihydroquercetin nanofiber film was developed using a green solution blow spinning (SBS) technique and applied to the preservation of yellowfin tuna. The resulting nanofibrous film demonstrated excellent antimicrobial activity, along with strong antioxidant and UV-blocking properties. Additionally, it exhibited biodegradability, aligning with the growing demand for environmentally sustainable packaging solutions. Moreover, zein and dihydroquercetin improved the thermal stability of the film, presumably via hydrogen bonds and various interactions. FTIR and XRD analyses validated the presence of hydrogen bonds and showed great compatibility among the components. TGA showed that the maximum thermal degradation temperature (T max , ranging from 333.2 to 342.6 ℃) was elevated for ZPD films in comparison to ZP film. Additionally, SEM and XRD assessments further illustrated the film's structural integrity and enhanced thermal stability. The effectiveness of the film in extending the shelf life of tuna was evaluated by monitoring key quality indicators, including total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and total viable count (TVC). The results showed that the nanofibrous film treatment decreased the levels of TVB-N, TBARS, and TVC, significantly slowing the deterioration of fish freshness and maintaining its quality for up to 8 days when stored at 4 ℃. The study offers a viable approach for improving food safety, prolonging shelf life, and reducing the environmental effects of traditional plastic packaging.
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
·
2025
·
IF 8.5
Weichen Wang,Yu Dai,Cuilin Cheng,Rongchun Wang,Jiapei Ma,Qiuju Jing
In this study, zein-gum Arabic (GA)-flaxseed gum (FG) nanoparticles (ZGF) were prepared using the anti-solvent and electrostatic deposition methods to overcome the hydrophobicity and instability of curcumin (CUR). Additionally, the optimal mass ratio of GA to FG (4:1) and CUR to zein (1:40) was determined. Additionally, the initial concentration of the polysaccharide (0.04 %) was determined and the ZGF nanoparticles encapsulated with CUR (CUR-ZGF) were optimized. The formed CUR-ZGF nanoparticles were spherical, with a particle size of 188 nm and an embedding rate of 96.8 %. Furthermore, the CUR-ZGF nanoparticles showed excellent pH, thermal, storage, and salt stability. The encapsulate CUR exhibited antioxidant capacity and controlled release rate in the gastrointestinal digestive system in vitro. Animal experiments showed CUR-ZGF nanoparticles significantly enhanced exercise capacity and anti-fatigue effects. High-dose CUR-ZGF nanoparticles doubled exhaustion running time versus the model group, improving exercise endurance. Fatigue-related biochemical parameters (serum urea nitrogen, serum lactate, and creatine kinase) were significantly reduced, indicating rapid fatigue elimination. Meanwhile, significantly increased lactate dehydrogenase and fasting glucose levels suggested efficient energy replenishment to mitigate fatigue damage. These results indicate CUR-ZGF nanoparticles may be a promising natural anti-fatigue healthcare product in the future.
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
·
2025
·
IF 8.5
Ying Liu,Min-hsiung Pan,Yi-shiou Chiou,Shudong Wei,Baomiao Ding
Zein, as an alcohol-soluble protein, in its native state is unsuitable for direct emulsion stabilization. In this study, zein was first subjected to alkali-heat treatment to enhance its hydrophilicity, obtaining alkali-heat-treated zein (AHZ). AHZ was then complexed with konjac glucomannan (KGM) to form AHZ-KGM complexes for stabilizing Pickering emulsions. Compared with AHZ alone, the AHZ-KGM complexes significantly improved emulsion stability, micromorphology, and microstructure. The emulsifying activity index (EAI) and emulsion stability index (ESI) of the emulsion increased to 50.251 m 2 /g and 48.893 min, respectively. Systematic analysis revealed that the complexes exhibited more fragmented and discrete micromorphologies, with KGM acting as a binder between AHZ particles. The surface and interfacial tensions of AHZ-KGM were significantly lower than those of AHZ. The complexes displayed smaller particle sizes (123.8 nm), more uniform distribution (0.239), and sufficient zeta potential (−25.3 mV). Moreover, the surface hydrophobicity and free sulfhydryl content of AHZ-KGM increased to 1473.1 (from 852.8) and 0.26 mmol/g (from 0.064 mmol/g), respectively, while the contact angle approached 90°, indicating enhanced amphiphilicity. Furthermore, spectral analysis revealed a decrease in α-helix content from 19.4 % (AHZ) to 17.3 % (AHZ-KGM), accompanied by an increase in β-sheet content from 18.6 % to 25.2 %. Hydrogen bonding played a key role in the interaction between the two monomers. These findings suggest that alkali-heat treatment combined with KGM complexation is a possible strategy for improving the emulsifying ability of zein, enabling its application in the stabilization of oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsions.
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CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
·
2025
·
IF 13.2
Jihao Zuo,Ruopeng Lan,Jinting Cai,Long Chen,Dongyan Yang,Huayao Chen,Li Hao,Ximing Zhong,Xinhua Zhou,Hongjun Zhou
Soil salinization poses a global agricultural challenge with significant economic implications for salt-sensitive cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L. ) cultivation. To address this issue, we developed a proline-functionalized zein nano delivery system (BR@AM-Zein-Pro) through amide coupling of proline to aminated zein (AM-Zein), followed by brassinolide (BR) encapsulation to form self-assembled architectures. BR@AM-Zein-Pro exhibits sustained release for BR, thereby extending the phytohormone's duration efficacy. Furthermore, proline functionalization enhances BR@AM-Zein-Pro penetration through cucumber seed coats, thereby improving osmotic regulation capacity. Crucially, cucumber seeds treated with BR@AM-Zein-Pro exhibited a 90–116.67 % higher germination potential than untreated salt-stressed seeds. Following seven days of growth, cucumber seedlings from seeds treated with BR@AM-Zein-Pro exhibited significant increases in root and stem length of 39.91 % and 43.81 %, respectively, compared to untreated salt-stressed seedlings. At the mature plant stage, foliar application of BR@AM-Zein-Pro to salt-stressed plants significantly enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities by 98.64 % and 56.42 %, respectively, relative to the untreated control group. Additionally, malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased by 53.14 %, proline content reduced by 72.95 %, electrolyte leakage rate dropped by 22.48 %, and chlorophyll content increased by 50.33 %. Mechanistically, BR@AM-Zein-Pro enhances cucumber salt tolerance through synergistic coordination of osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense activation, and photosynthetic efficiency maintenance. It is important that BR@AM-Zein-Pro significantly alleviated the phytotoxicity from high BR concentrations (>0.25 mg/mL) by maintaining optimal therapeutic levels, resolving the trade-off between efficacy and safety. This nano delivery system provides an innovative strategy for enhancing crop salt tolerance, offering transformative potential for agricultural sustainability and global food security.
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Sustainable Materials and Technologies
·
2025
·
IF 9.2
Zifeng Yang,Haonan Zhang,Donglai Zhang,Yun Fang,Qiuyu Xiong,Bin Yu,Jingli Cheng,Liqing Li,Qunzhen Guo,Jinhao Zhao
Soybean root rot, primarily caused by Fusarium and Phytophthora spp., severely damages root tissues, impairs nutrient uptake, and leads to plant death, particularly in saline-alkaline soils, where high pH, salt stress, and deteriorated soil conditions reduce the stress resistance of soybean plants. Conventional chemical treatments are less effective owing to the poor vertical mobility of fungicides in alkaline soils. Stimuli-responsive controlled-release formulations can improve the bioavailability of active ingredients, reduce application frequency, and minimize environmental impact. Here, we present a sustainable, biodegradable, and environmentally benign delivery system based on zein, a plant-derived protein. Zein was modified with non-toxic succinic anhydride to improve water dispersibility, resulting in a green carrier (SZ) with reduced ecological risk. The UV-sensitive fungicide difenoconazole (Di) was encapsulated into this carrier via nanoprecipitation to construct a stimuli-responsive nano-enabled delivery system (Di@SZ). Di@SZ exhibited alkaline-triggered release, with rapid release in alkaline conditions. Compared to the commercial emulsifiable concentrate (EW), Di@SZ nanoparticles showed a 3.03-fold improvement in UV resistance. They enhanced vertical mobility of Di in soil, enabling targeted root delivery during drip irrigation in saline-alkaline soils. Pot experiments demonstrated that Di@SZ provided stronger and longer-lasting protection against soybean root rot than EW. Moreover, the system exhibited superior biosafety, with 2.77-fold lower toxicity to soil earthworms relative to EW. These findings underscore Di@SZ as a sustainable, materials-based plant protection technology that integrates renewable resources, reduces environmental impact, and enhances efficacy, offering a promising approach for eco-friendly disease management in agriculture.
研究领域:
植物病理学
·
农业纳米技术
·
药物缓释
·
环境友好材料
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土壤修复
·
作物保护
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FOOD CHEMISTRY
·
2022
·
IF 9.231
Xiao-Long Li,Ran Meng,Bao-Cai Xu,Bao Zhang,Bo Cui,Zheng-Zong Wu
Emulsion gels prepared with carrageenan and emulsion stabilized by zein/carboxymethyl dextrin were served as fat substitute in sausages. Color, pH, texture, rheology, microstructure, cooking loss and antioxidant activity of sausages were assessed. The replacement of emulsion gels increased L* and decreased a* of sausages. The incorporation of curcumin increased b* of sausages. The pH of sausages had no obviously change when the emulsion gels and curcumin were used as fat substitute. The hardness and viscoelasticity of sausages improved with the addition of emulsion gels. The SEM suggested that network structure was enhanced with the increase of emulsion gels. After adding emulsion gels and curcumin, the cooking loss of sausages was significantly decreased and antioxidant activity was significantly increased. This study indicated that emulsion gels, which was fabricated by carrageenan and emulsion stabilized by zein/carboxymethyl dextrin, could be an excellent substitute to replace fat in sausages.
研究领域:
食品科学
·
食品技术
·
营养学
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高影响因子
Foods
·
2026
·Vol. 15
·期 7
·1164
·
IF 6
Tahirou Sogore,Meimei Guo,Jin Huang,Xinyu Liao,Tian Ding,Mofei Shen
Foodborne pathogens cause hundreds of millions of illnesses annually, underscoring the urgent need for advanced antimicrobial food packaging materials. The objective of this study was to develop a crosslinked cyclodextrin metal–organic framework, loaded with gold nanoparticles (CL-AuNPs@CD-MOF) and integrated into a PLA-Zein composite film with humidity-responsive antimicrobial release, as a sustainable and high-performance packaging solution to address the critical limitations of conventional materials in controlling microbial contamination during food storage. Therefore, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized via a green approach using CD-MOFs as stabilizers and p-coumaric acid as a natural reducing agent, then crosslinked with diphenyl carbonate (DPC) to produce CL-AuNPs@CD-MOF. Crosslinking conditions were optimized to a CD-MOF:DPC ratio of 1:1, 1080 min reaction time, and 80 °C, preserving the cubic morphology and crystalline structure while transforming burst release into sustained antimicrobial activity againstE. coliandS. aureusover 7 days. Then, the incorporation of CL-AuNPs@CD-MOF into PLA-Zein films yielded a composite packaging material with favorable mechanical and barrier properties, including a water vapor transmission rate of 539.44 g/m2·24 h and an oxygen permeability of 235.90 cm3/m2·24 h·0.1 MPa. Progressive elimination ofE. coli,S. aureus, andL. monocytogenesover 7 days was confirmed, with antimicrobial efficacy originating exclusively from the CL-AuNPs@CD-MOF component. Application onAgaricus bisporusover 12 days of refrigerated storage demonstrated superior preservation performance: mushrooms inoculated withL. monocytogenesand packaged with CL-AuNPs@CD-MOF/PLA-Zein exhibited a weight loss of only 6.20 ± 2.06%, compared to 17.74 ± 3.15% for PLA-Zein and 41.50 ± 3.01% for PE controls. Color stability was equally improved, with lightness values of 71.46 ± 1.47 retained under CL-AuNPs@CD-MOF/PLA-Zein packaging, versus 58.37 ± 0.86 for PLA-Zein and 23.34 ± 2.34 for PE. Mushrooms inoculated withE. coliandS. aureusfollowed consistent trends. These results establish CL-AuNPs@CD-MOF/PLA-Zein as a promising multifunctional antimicrobial packaging platform for sustainable food preservation.
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