Nanoparticles from Natural Polymers: Synthesis and Applications

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 39836

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Integrated Transformations of Renewable Matter Laboratory (EA TIMR 4297 UTC-ESCOM), Université de Technologie de Compiègne, rue du Dr Schweitzer, 60200 Compiègne, France
Interests: green chemistry; catalysis; alternative technologies (microwave, ultrasound, ball milling, continuous flow, reactive extrusion, 3D printing, etc.); preparation of biobased materials; composites; nanomaterials
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University of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, Cilegon, Banten, Indonesia
Interests: emulsion technology, synthesis of organic nanoparticles, edible film nanocomposites

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanoparticles are now being used in a great variety of technologies and consumer products, as they provide unprecedented properties. Synthetic inorganic and organic nanoparticles are prepared from a great variety of materials and have found applications ranging from catalysts to biomedical devices or cosmetics agents.

In the quest for sustainability and green processes the preparation of nanoparticles from naturally occurring polymer appears as an appealing way to propose new nanomaterials with biodegradability and biocompatibility. Natural polymers are the main forms of renewable biomass, which comes from the organic macromolecular matter of animals, plants, and microbes (mainly of proteins and polysaccharides) and they are readily available on large scale and at low cost. They consist in proteins that can be of various origin: collagen, albumin, casein, legumin, silk fibroin, … polysaccharides as for example: cellulose, alginate, dextran, chitosan, pullulan, … or other natural polymers such as lignin.

These polymeric nanoparticles can be prepared in different manner include emulsification with ionic and covalent cross-linking, emulsion solvent evaporation, emulsion-droplet coalescence, ionic gelation, polyelectrolyte complexes, precipitation, spray drying, electrospray ionization, and chemical modification. They have found application in lots off area such as food technology, drug delivery (for drugs or phytochemicals), preparation of bioplastics.

This Special Issue deals with all aspects of their preparation, characterization, and various applications of nanoparticles from natural polymers. Both original research and comprehensive review papers contributing to the field are welcome.

Dr. Erwann Guénin
Dr. Endarto Wardhono
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanoparticles
  • natural polymers
  • encapsulation
  • drug delivery
  • nanocellulose
  • nanolignin
  • nanochitosan

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3090 KiB  
Article
Chitosan Nanoparticles as a Promising Nanomaterial for Encapsulation of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Peel Extract as a Natural Source of Antioxidants
by Maral Soltanzadeh, Seyed Hadi Peighambardoust, Babak Ghanbarzadeh, Maryam Mohammadi and José M. Lorenzo
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(6), 1439; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11061439 - 29 May 2021
Cited by 67 | Viewed by 5078
Abstract
The encapsulation of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) in chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) is an advantageous strategy to protect sensitive constituents of the extract. This study was aimed to develop PPE-loaded CSNPs and characterize their physical, structural morphology, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Spherical NPs were [...] Read more.
The encapsulation of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) in chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) is an advantageous strategy to protect sensitive constituents of the extract. This study was aimed to develop PPE-loaded CSNPs and characterize their physical, structural morphology, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Spherical NPs were successfully synthesized with a mean diameter of 174–898 nm, a zeta potential (ZP) of +3 – +36 mV, an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 26–70%, and a loading capacity (LC) of 14–21% depending on their loaded extract concentrations. Based on these results, CSNPs with chitosan:PPE ratio of 1:0.50 (w/w) exhibited good physical stability (ZP = 27 mV), the highest loading (LC = 20%) and desirable encapsulation efficiency (EE = 51%), and thus, selected as optimally loaded NPs. The FTIR analysis of PPE-CSNPs demonstrated no spectral changes indicating no possible chemical interaction between the PPE and CSNPs, which confirms that the PPE was physically entrapped within NPs. Moreover, FTIR spectra of pure PPE showed specific absorption bands (at 3293–3450 cm−1) attributed to the incidence of phenolic compounds, such as tannic acid, ellagic acid and gallic acid. Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant analysis of selected CSNPs revealed that the encapsulated NPs had significantly lower TPC and antioxidant activity than those of pure PPE, indicating that CSNPs successfully preserved PPE from rapid release during the measurements. Antibacterial tests indicated that pure PPE and PPE-loaded CSNPs effectively retarded the growth of Gram-positive S. aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.27 and 1.1 mg/mL, respectively. Whereas Gram-negative E. coli, due to its protective cell membrane, was not retarded by pure PPE and PPE-CSNPs at the MIC values tested in this study. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis confirmed the incidence of various phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and furfurals, with possible antioxidant or antimicrobial properties. Overall, CSNPs can be regarded as suitable nanomaterials for the protection and controlled delivery of natural antioxidants/antimicrobials, such as PPE in food packaging applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles from Natural Polymers: Synthesis and Applications)
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24 pages, 4445 KiB  
Article
Hyaluronic Acid-Based Nanocapsules as Efficient Delivery Systems of Garlic Oil Active Components with Anticancer Activity
by Małgorzata Janik-Hazuka, Kamil Kamiński, Marta Kaczor-Kamińska, Joanna Szafraniec-Szczęsny, Aleksandra Kmak, Hassan Kassassir, Cezary Watała, Maria Wróbel and Szczepan Zapotoczny
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(5), 1354; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11051354 - 20 May 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3607
Abstract
Diallyl disulfide (DADS) and diallyl trisulfide (DATS) are garlic oil compounds exhibiting beneficial healthy properties including anticancer action. However, these compounds are sparingly water-soluble with a limited stability that may imply damage to blood vessels or cells after administration. Thus, their encapsulation in [...] Read more.
Diallyl disulfide (DADS) and diallyl trisulfide (DATS) are garlic oil compounds exhibiting beneficial healthy properties including anticancer action. However, these compounds are sparingly water-soluble with a limited stability that may imply damage to blood vessels or cells after administration. Thus, their encapsulation in the oil-core nanocapsules based on a derivative of hyaluronic acid was investigated here as a way of protecting against oxidation and undesired interactions with blood and digestive track components. The nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) technique was used to follow the oxidation processes. It was proved that the shell of the capsule acts as a barrier limiting the sulfur oxidation, enhancing the stability of C=C bonds in DADS and DATS. Moreover, it was shown that the encapsulation inhibited the lysis of the red blood cell membrane (mainly for DADS) and interactions with serum or digestive track components. Importantly, the biological functions and anticancer activity of DADS and DATS were preserved after encapsulation. Additionally, the nanocapsule formulations affected the migration of neoplastic cells—a desirable preliminary observation concerning the inhibition of migration. The proposed route of administration of these garlic extract components would enable reaching their higher concentrations in blood, longer circulation in a bloodstream, and thus, imply a better therapeutic effect. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles from Natural Polymers: Synthesis and Applications)
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26 pages, 4752 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan-Based Nanodelivery Systems to Enhance the Anticancer Effect of Sorafenib Drug in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells
by Umme Ruman, Kalaivani Buskaran, Giorgia Pastorin, Mas Jaffri Masarudin, Sharida Fakurazi and Mohd Zobir Hussein
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(2), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11020497 - 16 Feb 2021
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 3576
Abstract
The formation of two nanodelivery systems, Sorafenib (SF)-loaded chitosan (SF-CS) and their folate-coated (SF-CS-FA) nanoparticles (NPs), were developed to enhance SF drug delivery on human Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2) and Colorectal Adenocarcinoma (HT29) cell lines. The ionic gelation method was adopted to synthesize the [...] Read more.
The formation of two nanodelivery systems, Sorafenib (SF)-loaded chitosan (SF-CS) and their folate-coated (SF-CS-FA) nanoparticles (NPs), were developed to enhance SF drug delivery on human Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2) and Colorectal Adenocarcinoma (HT29) cell lines. The ionic gelation method was adopted to synthesize the NPs. The characterizations were performed by DLS, FESEM, TEM, XRD, TGA, FTIR, and UV-visible spectroscopy. It was found that 83.7 ± 2.4% and 87.9 ± 1.1% of encapsulation efficiency; 18.2 ± 1.3% and 19.9 ± 1.4% of loading content; 76.3 ± 13.7 nm and 81.6 ± 12.9 nm of hydrodynamic size; 60–80 nm and 70–100 nm of TEM; and FESEM sizes of near-spherical shape were observed, respectively, for SF-CS and SF-CS-FA nanoparticles. The SF showed excellent release from the nanoparticles under pH 4.8 PBS solution, indicating a good delivery system for tumor cells. The cytotoxicity study revealed their better anticancer action towards HepG2 and HT29 cell lines compared to the free sorafenib. Moreover, both NPs systems showed negligible toxicity to normal Human Dermal Fibroblast adult cells (HDFa). This is towards an enhanced anticancer drug delivery system with sustained-release properties for better cancer management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles from Natural Polymers: Synthesis and Applications)
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26 pages, 9868 KiB  
Article
Nanocellulose from Cotton Waste and Its Glycidyl Methacrylate Grafting and Allylation: Synthesis, Characterization and Adsorption Properties
by Elena Vismara, Giulia Bertolini, Chiara Bongio, Nicolò Massironi, Marco Zarattini, Daniele Nanni, Cesare Cosentino and Giangiacomo Torri
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(2), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11020476 - 13 Feb 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2516
Abstract
Nanocellulose (NC) is getting ahead as a renewable, biodegradable and biocompatible biomaterial. The NCs for this study were recovered from industrial cotton waste (CFT) by acid hydrolysis (HNC) and by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) mediated oxidation (ONC). They were functionalized by radical based glycidyl methacrylate [...] Read more.
Nanocellulose (NC) is getting ahead as a renewable, biodegradable and biocompatible biomaterial. The NCs for this study were recovered from industrial cotton waste (CFT) by acid hydrolysis (HNC) and by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) mediated oxidation (ONC). They were functionalized by radical based glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) grafting providing crystalline HNC-GMA and ONC-GMA, and by allylation (ALL) providing amorphous HNC-ALL and ONC-ALL. HNC, ONC and their derivatives were chemically and morphologically characterized. Crystalline NCs were found capable to adsorb, from diluted water solution (2 × 10−3 M), the antibiotics vancomycin (VC), ciprofloxacin (CP), amoxicillin (AM) and the disinfectant chlorhexidine (CHX), while amorphous NCs did not show any significant adsorption properties. Adsorption capability was quantified by measuring the concentration change in function of the contact time. The adsorption kinetics follow the pseudo-second order model and show complex adsorption mechanisms investigated by an intraparticle diffusion model and interpreted by structure-property relationships. ONC and ONC-GMA loaded with VC, and HNC and HNC-GMA loaded with CP were not colonized by Staphylococcus aureus and by Klebsiella pneumonia and suggested long lasting release capability. Our results can envisage developing CFT derived NCs for environmental applications (water remediation) and for biomedical applications (antibacterial NC). Among the future developments, it could also be of interest to take advantage of acidic, glycidyl and allyl groups’ reactivity to provide other NCs from the NC object of this study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles from Natural Polymers: Synthesis and Applications)
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Review

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23 pages, 3668 KiB  
Review
Applications of Chitosan-Alginate-Based Nanoparticles—An Up-to-Date Review
by Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu and Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(2), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12020186 - 06 Jan 2022
Cited by 67 | Viewed by 6085
Abstract
Chitosan and alginate are two of the most studied natural polymers that have attracted interest for multiple uses in their nano form. The biomedical field is one of the domains benefiting the most from the development of nanotechnology, as increasing research interest has [...] Read more.
Chitosan and alginate are two of the most studied natural polymers that have attracted interest for multiple uses in their nano form. The biomedical field is one of the domains benefiting the most from the development of nanotechnology, as increasing research interest has been oriented to developing chitosan-alginate biocompatible delivery vehicles, antimicrobial agents, and vaccine adjuvants. Moreover, these nanomaterials of natural origin have also become appealing for environmental protection (e.g., water treatment, environmental-friendly fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides) and the food industry. In this respect, the present paper aims to discuss some of the newest applications of chitosan-alginate-based nanomaterials and serve as an inception point for further research in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles from Natural Polymers: Synthesis and Applications)
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35 pages, 5713 KiB  
Review
Spherical Cellulose Micro and Nanoparticles: A Review of Recent Developments and Applications
by João P. F. Carvalho, Ana C. Q. Silva, Armando J. D. Silvestre, Carmen S. R. Freire and Carla Vilela
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(10), 2744; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11102744 - 17 Oct 2021
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 7023
Abstract
Cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer, is a versatile polysaccharide that is being exploited to manufacture innovative blends, composites, and hybrid materials in the form of membranes, films, coatings, hydrogels, and foams, as well as particles at the micro and nano scales. The [...] Read more.
Cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer, is a versatile polysaccharide that is being exploited to manufacture innovative blends, composites, and hybrid materials in the form of membranes, films, coatings, hydrogels, and foams, as well as particles at the micro and nano scales. The application fields of cellulose micro and nanoparticles run the gamut from medicine, biology, and environment to electronics and energy. In fact, the number of studies dealing with sphere-shaped micro and nanoparticles based exclusively on cellulose (or its derivatives) or cellulose in combination with other molecules and macromolecules has been steadily increasing in the last five years. Hence, there is a clear need for an up-to-date narrative that gathers the latest advances on this research topic. So, the aim of this review is to portray some of the most recent and relevant developments on the use of cellulose to produce spherical micro- and nano-sized particles. An attempt was made to illustrate the present state of affairs in terms of the go-to strategies (e.g., emulsification processes, nanoprecipitation, microfluidics, and other assembly approaches) for the generation of sphere-shaped particles of cellulose and derivatives thereof. A concise description of the application fields of these cellulose-based spherical micro and nanoparticles is also presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles from Natural Polymers: Synthesis and Applications)
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30 pages, 3468 KiB  
Review
Lignin Nanoparticles and Their Nanocomposites
by Zhao Zhang, Vincent Terrasson and Erwann Guénin
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(5), 1336; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11051336 - 19 May 2021
Cited by 77 | Viewed by 10158
Abstract
Lignin nanomaterials have emerged as a promising alternative to fossil-based chemicals and products for some potential added-value applications, which benefits from their structural diversity and biodegradability. This review elucidates a perspective in recent research on nanolignins and their nanocomposites. It summarizes the different [...] Read more.
Lignin nanomaterials have emerged as a promising alternative to fossil-based chemicals and products for some potential added-value applications, which benefits from their structural diversity and biodegradability. This review elucidates a perspective in recent research on nanolignins and their nanocomposites. It summarizes the different nanolignin preparation methods, emphasizing anti-solvent precipitation, self-assembly and interfacial crosslinking. Also described are the preparation of various nanocomposites by the chemical modification of nanolignin and compounds with inorganic materials or polymers. Additionally, advances in numerous potential high-value applications, such as use in food packaging, biomedical, chemical engineering and biorefineries, are described. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles from Natural Polymers: Synthesis and Applications)
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