Biobased films of nanocellulose and mango leaf extract for active food packaging: supercritical impregnation versus solvent casting

Antioxidant and antimicrobial free-standing films composed of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and a polyphenolic-rich extract, viz. mango leaf extract (MLE), were produced via supercritical solvent impregnation (SSI) and conventional solvent casting film-processing methodologies. The CO2-assisted impregnation of NFC with MLE created robust films with thermal stability up to 250 °C, good mechanical performance (Young's modulus > 4.7 GPa), UV-light barrier properties, antioxidant capacity with maximum inhibition percentage of ca. 84%, and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (growth inhibition ≈ 37%) and Escherichia coli (growth inhibition ≈ 91%). The comparison of the NFC/MLE films prepared by SSI with those fabricated via solvent casting shows a clear advantage of the SSI methodology. Particularly, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities are visibly higher in the films fabricated by the CO2-assisted impregnation of MLE into NFC. In fact, for the SSI films, the MLE components are mostly adsorbed at the surface and not in the bulk of the biopolymeric matrix, which translates into faster migrations and, hence, higher active properties. All these findings evinced the potential performance of the NFC/MLE films prepared by the eco-friendly SSI as UV-blocking, antioxidant, and antimicrobial bio-based materials for application as sustainable active food packaging.publishe

Antioxidant and antimicrobial films based on brewers spent grain arabinoxylans, nanocellulose and feruloylated compounds for active packaging

In this study, brewers spent grain (BSG) arabinoxylans-based nanocomposite films were prepared by solvent casting of arabinoxylans (AX) suspensions containing different amounts of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 75% mass fraction). The obtained nanocomposite films were homogeneous and presented thermal stability up to 230 °C and good mechanical properties (Young's modulus up to 7.5 GPa). Additionally, the films with 50% NFC were loaded with ferulic acid or feruloylated arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides enriched fraction from BSG (75 mg per g of film). This combination enhanced the UV–Vis barrier properties and imparted additional functionalities to the films, namely (i) antioxidant activity up to 90% (DPPH scavenging activity), (ii) antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, and (iii) antifungal activity towards the polymorphic fungus Candida albicans. Therefore, these fully biobased nanocomposite films show potential for application as active food packaging systems.publishe

Bacterial cellulose membranes as transdermal delivery systems for diclofenac: In vitro dissolution and permeation studies

Bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes were explored as novel nanostructured transdermal delivery systems for diclofenac sodium salt (a typical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Diclofenac sodium salt loaded BC membranes were prepared through a simple methodology, using glycerol as plasticizer, and characterized in terms of structure, morphology and swelling behavior. The membranes were very homogeneous, quite flexible and presented a considerably higher swelling behavior when compared with pure BC. In vitro diffusion studies with Franz cells, were conducted using human epidermal membranes, and showed that the incorporation of diclofenac in BC membranes provided similar permeation rates to those obtained with commercial patches and substantially lower than those observed with a commercial gel. This release profile together with the ease of application and the simple preparation and assembly of the drug-loaded membranes clearly indicates the enormous potentialities of using BC membranes for transdermal administration of diclofenac. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Antimicrobial bacterial cellulose nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization of 2-aminoethyl methacrylate

Antimicrobial bacterial cellulose/poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate) (BC/PAEM) nanocomposites were prepared by in situ radical polymerization of 2-aminoethyl methacrylate, using variable amounts of N,N-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBA) as cross-linker. The obtained nanocomposites were characterized in terms of their structure, morphology, thermal stability, mechanical properties and antibacterial activity. The ensuing composite membranes were significantly more transparent than those of pure BC and showed improved thermal and mechanical properties. The antibacterial activity of the obtained nanocomposites was assessed towards a recombinant bioluminescent Escherichia coli and only the non-crosslinked nanocomposite (BC/PAEM) proved to have antibacterial activity. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved