Polímeros bioplásticos de fontes renováveis

Biopolymers are useful in the industry due to its elastic properties and sustainability as replacements of non-renewable polymers. In this article, bioplastics were produced and characterized using chitosan (CH), sodium alginate (SA), and galactomannan (GAL) from insects (Hermetia illucens), brown algae (Macrocystis pyrifera) and seeds (Leucaena leucocephala), respectively. The structure of biopolymers was observed by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and characterized by viscosity at different concentrations. The developed bioplastics were characterized by color and mechanical properties (texture). The results were compared to standard samples (commercial). The FTIR spectra confrmed the presence of the typical structure (footprint) for the obtained polymers. The SA showed signifcantly higher viscosity for all concentrations comparedto the standard and the other polymers. The bioplastics strength was similar among CH, SA and GAL for all concentrations; only SA (0,5%) demonstrated higher strength than the standard. For color measurements, hue value indicated a red-yellowish color and the chrome increased directly proportional with polymer concentration. The observed properties suggest that these sustainable sources might be an alternativeto bioplastic production, which can be extended to functionalization and molecular interactions for broad applications in different industries.Los biopolímeros son útiles en la industria por sus propiedades elásticas y su carácter sustentable en el reemplazo de polímeros no renovables. En este artículo se elaboraron y caracterizaron bioplásticos utilizando quitosano (CH), alginato de sodio (SA) y galactomanano (GAL) a partir de insectos (Hermetia illucens), algas pardas (Macrocystis pyrifera) y semillas (Leucaena leucocephala), respectivamente. La estructura de losbiopolímeros se observó por espectroscopía de infrarrojo (FTIR) y se caracterizó en viscosidad a diferentes concentraciones, y los bioplásticos desarrollados se caracterizaron en color y propiedades mecánicas (textura). Los resultados fueron comparados con muestras estándar (comerciales). Los espectros de FTIR confrmaron la presencia de la estructura típica (huella) de los polímeros obtenidos. El SA mostró una viscosidad signifcativamente mayor en todas las concentraciones comparado con el estándar y los otros polímeros. La fuerza de los bioplásticos fue similar entre CH, SA y GAL para todas las concentraciones; únicamente SA (0,5%) demostró una mayor fuerza que el estándar. Para las mediciones de color, los valores de matiz indicaron colores rojo-amarillento y el croma aumentó proporcionalmente a la concentración de polímero. Las propiedades observadas sugieren que estas fuentes sustentables son una alternativa para la producción de bioplásticos y podría mejorarse su funcionalización por interacciones moleculares para su aplicación en diferentes sectores industriales.Os biopolímeros são úteis na indústria por suas propriedades elásticas e sua natureza sustentável na substituição de polímeros não renováveis. Neste artigo, os bioplásticos foram preparados e caracterizados utilizando quitosana (CH), alginato de sódio (SA) e galactomanano (GAL) de insetos (Hermetia illucens), algas marrons (Macrocystis pyrifera) e sementes (Leucaena leucocephala), respectivamente. A estrutura dos biopolímeros foi observada por espectroscopia no infravermelho (FTIR) e caracterizada em viscosidade em diferentes concentrações, e os bioplásticos desenvolvidos foram caracterizados em propriedades mecânicas e de cor (textura). Os resultados foram comparados com amostras padrão (comerciais). Os espectros de FTIR confrmaram a presença da estrutura típica (pegada) dos polímeros obtidos. O SA mostrou uma viscosidade signifcativamente maior em todas as concentrações em comparação com o padrão e os outros polímeros. A força dos bioplásticos foi semelhante entre CH, SA e GAL para todas as concentrações; somente o SA (0,5%) demonstrou maior força que o padrão. Para medições de cores, os valores de matiz indicaram cores vermelho-amareladas e o croma aumentou proporcionalmente à concentração do polímero. As propriedades observadas sugerem que essas fontes sustentáveis são uma alternativa para a produção de bioplásticos, podendo ser melhoradas por interações moleculares para aplicação em diferentes setores industriais

Bio-plastic polymers from renewable sources = Bio-plásticos de polímeros a partir de fuentes renovables

Biopolymers are useful in the industry due to its elastic properties and sustainability as replacements of non-renewable polymers. In this article, bioplastics were produced and characterized using chitosan (CH), sodium alginate (SA), and galactomannan (GAL) from insects (Hermetia illucens), brown algae (Macrocystis pyrifera) and seeds (Leucaena leucocephala), respectively. The structure of biopolymers was observed by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and characterized by viscosity at different concentrations. The developed bioplastics were characterized by color and mechanical properties (texture). The results were compared to standard samples (commercial). The FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of the typical structure (footprint) for the obtained polymers. The SA showed significantly higher viscosity for all concentrations compared to the standard and the other polymers. The bioplastics strength was similar among CH, SA and GAL for all concentrations; only SA (0,5%) demonstrated higher strength than the standard. For color measurements, hue value indicated a red-yellowish color and the chrome increased directly proportional with polymer concentration. The observed properties suggest that these sustainable sources might be an alternative to bioplastic production, which can be extended to functionalization and molecular interactions for broad applications in different industries

The Relationship between Pathogenesis and Possible Treatments for the MASLD-Cirrhosis Spectrum

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a term that entails a broad spectrum of conditions that vary in severity. Its development is influenced by multiple factors such as environment, microbiome, comorbidities, and genetic factors. MASLD is closely related to metabolic syndrome as it is caused by an alteration in the metabolism of fatty acids due to the accumulation of lipids because of an imbalance between its absorption and elimination in the liver. Its progression to fibrosis is due to a constant flow of fatty acids through the mitochondria and the inability of the liver to slow down this metabolic load, which generates oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, triggering cell death. The development and progression of MASLD are closely related to unhealthy lifestyle habits, and nutritional epigenetic and genetic mechanisms have also been implicated. Currently, lifestyle modification is the first-line treatment for MASLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; weight loss of ≥10% produces resolution of steatohepatitis and fibrosis regression. In many patients, body weight reduction cannot be achieved; therefore, pharmacological treatment should be offered in particular populations