Carbohydrate Polymers[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Double-Zigzag dislocation design of porous 3D-printed carbon nanotube/sodium alginate/strontium ferrite skeletons toward absorption-dominant electromagnetic interference shielding.
Liang L, Wu C, Zhang J … +4 more , Zhang J, Xie L, Xu J, Xue B
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002354 · Publisher ↗
Although biomass-based 3D printed skeletons with high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performances have garnered significant attention, it is still essential yet challenging to balance the lattic...
Although biomass-based 3D printed skeletons with high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performances have garnered significant attention, it is still essential yet challenging to balance the lattice structure and EMI shielding effectiveness (SE). Herein, direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing with assistance of Ca crosslinking was employed to fabricate double-Zigzag dislocation carbon nanotube (CNT)/sodium alginate (SA)/strontium ferrite (SrFeO) (CSSrx/y) skeletons. Benefited from the dislocation structures composited with conductive CNT networks and magnetic SrFeO units, the resultant CSSr18/12Ca0.2 skeleton with double-Zigzag dislocation exhibits the high average total EMI SE (SE) of 50.2 dB, which can prevent a Tesla coil from working properly. Moreover, an average absorption coefficient (A) of 0.59 is achieved for double-Zigzag dislocation CSSr18/12Ca0.2 skeleton, indicating the absolutely absorption-dominant shielding mechanism. Owing to the reduced edge defects and improved stress transfer, the tensile strength of double-Zigzag CSSr18/12Ca0.2 is enhanced to 6.8 MPa, which is 1.8 times that of the vertical skeleton. Double-Zigzag CSSr18/12Ca0.2 skeleton also holds superb bending resistance, anti-compressive capacity, and resultant resistance. This research provides a novel approach to design and prepare biomass-based EMI shielding materials with double-Zigzag dislocation structures, which has great application potential in the fields of electronics, aerospace, and wearable devices.
Polysaccharide-based microgels as carriers for functional food ingredients: Fabrication, functional properties, mechanisms, and applications.
Zhang T, Li Y, Zhang H … +9 more , Yu Y, Chen S, Li J, Wang R, Guo J, Fang W, Xia X, Li H, Du X
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002353 · Publisher ↗
Functional food ingredients are prone to poor stability and low bioavailability during processing, storage, and digestion, which limits their functional efficacy and thus drives the development of efficient delivery carr...
Functional food ingredients are prone to poor stability and low bioavailability during processing, storage, and digestion, which limits their functional efficacy and thus drives the development of efficient delivery carriers. By regulating the molecular structure of polysaccharides (including glycosidic bonds, degree of branching, molecular weight and its distribution, and chain conformation), polysaccharide-based microgel carriers with targeted properties can be constructed under different induction conditions. Furthermore, functional ingredients can be encapsulated via self-assembly, physical, or chemical embedding to form polysaccharide-based microgel delivery systems. This paper summarizes the core functional properties of these systems (e.g., digestive, rheological, and hydration properties). On this basis, it further explores the release behavior under different environments, mechanisms, and the regulatory effect of the gel network on release. Finally, it elaborates on their applications in emerging food fields, including improving the bioavailability of functional ingredients, developing dysphagia-friendly foods, and serving as immobilized enzyme carriers. This article aims to comprehensively sort out the full-chain research context of polysaccharide-based microgels from molecular structure regulation and gelation construction to food applications, and clarify their application potential in emerging food fields.
Epigallocatechin gallate-loaded alginate-peanut protein hydrogel beads: Influence of pectin-based crosslinking and chitosan-based coating strategies.
Wang Y, Wang X, Zhu Y … +5 more , Chen Q, Guo Z, Kong B, Liu H, Li W
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002352 · Publisher ↗
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) exhibits potent antioxidant capacity along with multiple health-promoting bioactivities; however, its low bioavailability has limited its practical application. In this study, composite hy...
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) exhibits potent antioxidant capacity along with multiple health-promoting bioactivities; however, its low bioavailability has limited its practical application. In this study, composite hydrogel beads were fabricated using sodium alginate (SA) and peanut protein isolate (PPI) as the primary matrix materials, and EGCG was encapsulated via two distinct strategies: blending low-methoxy pectin (LMP) with SA for calcium ion-induced multiple cross-linking, and combining quaternized chitosan (QC) with SA through interfacial layer-by-layer self-assembly to create an electrostatic coating. Both aimed to improve EGCG stability during digestion and enhance its functionality. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of LMP and QC both enhanced the mechanical properties of the hydrogel beads (P < 0.05), with hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions serving as the primary forces driving gel formation. LMP addition reduced encapsulation efficiency (EE), whereas QC enhanced it; the highest EE (74.23%) was achieved at 0.5% QC. Under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, the beads demonstrated pH-responsive behavior: EGCG release was slow in gastric fluid (25.1%-44.3%) but increased sharply in intestinal fluid. Overall, QC-modified SA-PPI composite hydrogel beads represent a promising carrier platform with significant potential for targeted intestinal delivery of hydrophilic bioactives such as EGCG.
Single-molecule insight into a classic phenomenon: Water is the hidden switch for the V-amylose formation and starch-iodine color response.
Qian L, Yao L, Bao Y … +1 more , Cui S
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002351 · Publisher ↗
The starch‑iodine test, in which starch shows a blue-black color upon exposure to iodine solution, is one of the most famous chemical tests worldwide. The color change is caused by amylose (the mostly linear constituent...
The starch‑iodine test, in which starch shows a blue-black color upon exposure to iodine solution, is one of the most famous chemical tests worldwide. The color change is caused by amylose (the mostly linear constituent of starch) forming a single left-handed helix (namely V-amylose) with polyiodine. Notably, the amylose-polyiodine complex undergoes a color change only upon interaction with water (sweat) in sudomotor testing, implying that water is essential to this process. Nevertheless, the molecular basis of how water triggers the color transition remains unclear. Herein, the role of water in the V-amylose formation has been elucidated through analysis of the amylose-polyiodine complex and structurally analogous amylose-alcohol complexes. Macroscopic observations and single-molecule force spectroscopy results indicate that V-amylose formation is highly dependent on water content. Sufficient water stabilizes the chair conformation of amylose, thereby enabling the formation of V-amylose with guest molecules, and triggering the characteristic color response in the presence of polyiodine. This work reveals, for the first time, how water acts as a hidden switch in the formation of V-amylose and the starch‑iodine color change.
Molecularly-thin cellulose nanoribbons (CR) as superior reinforcing agents for PVA composites: A comparative study with CNF and CNC.
Zhu J, Zhao Y, Zeng Y … +6 more , Shakeel U, Guo J, Zhu W, Makarov IS, Khan MR, Song J
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002350 · Publisher ↗
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films are promising for biodegradable packaging; however, their use is limited by low mechanical strength. This study introduces a novel cellulose nanoribbon (CR) with molecular-scale thickness as...
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films are promising for biodegradable packaging; however, their use is limited by low mechanical strength. This study introduces a novel cellulose nanoribbon (CR) with molecular-scale thickness as a high-performance filler to overcome the reinforcement-toughening trade-off in cellulose nanomaterials. CR was exfoliated from softwood pulp using hydrogen peroxide/acetic acid-assisted ultrasonication. The reinforcement mechanisms of CR, cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) in PVA matrices were examined and compared. Structural analysis showed CR's ultrathin, ribbon-like shape (∼0.8 nm thick). Mechanical tests showed CR enhances tensile strength and maintains ductility: at 10 wt%, the tensile strength and Young's modulus of PVA/CR reached 62.7 MPa and 2.92 GPa, which is 184% and 225% increases over pure PVA, while retaining an elongation at break of 121%, a value significantly higher than that of PVA/CNF (73%) and PVA/CNC (68%). This is due to the uniform dispersion of CR and their formation of dense hydrogen bonds with PVA, improving stress transfer and toughness. The composites also retain optical transparency and thermal stability. Results show molecular CR as an effective, sustainable reinforcement capable of overcoming the strength-toughness trade-off, offering a new design for high-performance, eco-friendly composites.
Structural characterization of a fructan from Kalimeris indica and its efficacy in accelerating wound healing.
Zhu L, Hou X, Lingling G … +3 more , Liu K, Sun Y, Wang G
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002349 · Publisher ↗
Polysaccharides have demonstrated potential as wound dressings. Kalimeris indica (KI) is a traditional Chinese medicinal known for its multiple pharmacological effects, with polysaccharide being one of its main bioactive...
Polysaccharides have demonstrated potential as wound dressings. Kalimeris indica (KI) is a traditional Chinese medicinal known for its multiple pharmacological effects, with polysaccharide being one of its main bioactive components. However, the wound-healing effects and mechanisms of KI-derived polysaccharides in wound healing remain unexplored. Here, we isolated and purified a homogeneous polysaccharide (KIP-W) from the plant, and hypothesized that KI-derived polysaccharides exert therapeutic effects on wound healing. Structural characterization indicated that KIP-W is a fructan with a main chain of →1)-β-D-Fruf-(2→. A composite hydrogel (KIP-W/CBM/CMC) was developed using KIP-W, carboxymethyl 940 (CBM), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The hydrogel exhibited favorable physicochemical properties, including optimal porosity, controlled degradability, and sustained release behavior. In vitro studies indicated that KIP-W promoted the proliferation and migration of HUVECs, and induced macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 phenotype. In vivo evaluation using a full-thickness skin wound model in mice demonstrated that the KIP-W/CBM/CMC hydrogels accelerated wound closure and enhanced re-epithelialization. Furthermore, the hydrogels promoted collagen deposition-stimulated angiogenesis, enabling complete regeneration of thick dermal and epidermal tissues, with partial restoration of hair follicles. Overall, these findings indicate that KIP-W/CBM/CMC hydrogels represent are promising, and cost-effective, wound dressings strategy, expand the potential applications of the fructan KIP-W.
A novel branched galactomannoglucan from Acorus tatarinowii alleviates liver fibrosis via dual suppression of the transport of collagen and TGF-β/Smad signaling.
Yuan H, Xu X, Gao J … +4 more , Cao Y, Jin C, Ding K, Liao W
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002348 · Publisher ↗
Macrophages can secrete various cytokines associated with liver fibrosis. Galactomannoglucan may activate macrophages. We further hypothesize that galactomanoglucan might impact liver fibrosis. Here we report a novel hom...
Macrophages can secrete various cytokines associated with liver fibrosis. Galactomannoglucan may activate macrophages. We further hypothesize that galactomanoglucan might impact liver fibrosis. Here we report a novel homogeneous branched galactomannoglucan, AW1, from Acorus tatarinowii, composed of Man, Rha, Glc, Gal, Xyl, and Ara with a molar ratio of 10.8: 0.9: 23.1: 9.2: 6.8: 7.3. AW1 has a backbone composed of alternating 1, 4-linked Glcp and 1, 4-linked Manp residues with branches at the C-6 position of 1,4, 6-linked Glcp, and terminal Xylp, and an arabinogalactan composed of Galp, Araf, and terminal T-Glcp. Interestingly, AW1 markedly inhibits transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced activation of human hepatic stellate cell (LX-2) in vitro and alleviates carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver fibrosis in mice upon oral administration. Mechanism studies reveal that AW1 suppresses the expression of the Trk-fused gene protein (TFG) and the secretion-defective gene (SEC), thereby attenuating the TFG/SEC trafficking pathway and ultimately blocking the transport of collagen from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) into the Golgi apparatus (Golgi). Simultaneously, AW1 may dramatically impede the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Accordingly, AW1 shows dual regulatory actions on mitigating hepatic fibrogenesis. The above evidence suggests that AW1 may be a promising lead compound for the development of new anti-liver fibrosis drugs.
Superior performance of chitosan microspheres loaded with hyperbranched polylysine for endotoxin adsorption: From molecular interactions to hemoperfusion applications.
Feng Y, Ling Z, Liu X … +4 more , Xiang H, Liu B, Zhao W, Zhao C
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002347 · Publisher ↗
Sepsis triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a life-threatening condition. Inspired by the specific capture mechanism of innate proteins like LBP and CD14, we develop oxidized chitosan microspheres functionalized with...
Sepsis triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a life-threatening condition. Inspired by the specific capture mechanism of innate proteins like LBP and CD14, we develop oxidized chitosan microspheres functionalized with hyperbranched polylysine (OCS-HBPL) as a sepsis detoxification agent. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) reveals that HBPL-LPS binding is an enthalpy-driven process, distinct from the entropy-driven interaction of linear polylysine (LPL)-LPS. Validated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR), HBPL demonstrates superior affinity with a dissociation constant (K) of 2.44 × 10 M, being 3.8-fold lower than that of LPL. Although both polymers show similar saturation adsorption capacities by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), HBPL exhibits significantly superior erythrocyte compatibility compared to LPL. The OCS-HBPL microspheres achieved a remarkable 73.6% LPS clearance ratio in simulated whole-blood hemoperfusion. Simultaneously, their bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption was restricted to 34 μg/g, only 10% of the OCS-LPL control. Crucially, the OCS-HBPL microspheres exhibit a negligible hemolysis ratio, standing in sharp contrast to the unsafe levels (>2%) observed in OCS-LPL. These results demonstrate that HBPL endows chitosan microspheres with both high LPS clearance capacity and excellent hemocompatibility. Thus, OCS-HBPL microspheres show great potential applications in sepsis treatment and open new routes in the development of biocompatible polysaccharide materials.
Distribution of acetyl groups alters the properties of acetylated starch.
Zhang X, Gu J, Ma M … +4 more , Li Z, Zhang C, Sui Z, Corke H
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002346 · Publisher ↗
To explain why the viscosity of starches acetylated with acetic anhydride (AA), despite its higher reactivity, was lower than that of starches acetylated with vinyl acetate (VA), waxy (WRS), normal-amylose (NRS), and hig...
To explain why the viscosity of starches acetylated with acetic anhydride (AA), despite its higher reactivity, was lower than that of starches acetylated with vinyl acetate (VA), waxy (WRS), normal-amylose (NRS), and high-amylose (HRS) rice starches were selected for acetylation, and their structures were investigated. FT-IR analysis confirmed that acetyl groups replaced the hydrogen atoms. The acetylation primarily targeted the C-6 and C-3 positions, with the C-6:C-3:C-2 substitution ratio being influenced by amylose content and the type of acyl donor. For both acetylation reagents, the substitution sites of amylopectin were mainly located at C-6. With acetic anhydride treatment, C-6 substitution decreased to 55.6% in WRS-AA and 20.5% in NRS-AA, and 12.7% in HRS-AA, indicating that acetyl groups were predominantly located at C-3 on amylose. In contrast, vinyl acetate resulted in acetyl groups on amylose primarily localized at both C-3 and C-2, and led to a more uniform distribution of acetyl groups. Peak, final, and setback viscosities increased after acetylation, with vinyl acetate exerting a more pronounced effect than acetic anhydride, which indicated that a more uniform distribution of acetyl groups facilitated enhanced starch swelling and retrogradation. This research provided a strong foundation for explaining the mechanism of starch acetylation.
Hybrid gels based on zein nanoparticles, pectin and hydroxypropyl guar gum co-stabilized MLCT-rich Pickering emulsion gels and beeswax oleogels for functional fat substitutes.
Sun Z, Zhang Y, Zhang Y … +5 more , Zheng H, Yu C, Shan K, Li Y, Zheng M
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002345 · Publisher ↗
This study aimed to develop a functional fat substitute by fabricating a novel hybrid gel system composed of a zein nanoparticles (ZNPs)/pectin/hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG) co-stabilized Pickering emulsion gel integrated...
This study aimed to develop a functional fat substitute by fabricating a novel hybrid gel system composed of a zein nanoparticles (ZNPs)/pectin/hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG) co-stabilized Pickering emulsion gel integrated with a beeswax oleogel. Medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols (MLCTs)-enriched emulsion gels were synthesized using Pickering interfacial catalysis in the emulsion gel, yielding 64.6% MLCTs. The effects of pectin and HPG concentrations on emulsion gel properties were evaluated. At concentrations of 2.5% and 1.0%, respectively, the emulsion gel exhibited smaller droplets (29.5 ± 0.3 μm) and excellent thermal stability. Beeswax content and the emulsion gel-to-oleogel ratio significantly influenced the rheological properties and hardness of the hybrid gel. Higher beeswax concentration and oleogel ratio led to a denser network structure, enhanced stability, and increased hardness. Optimal structural integrity and stability were achieved at 10% beeswax and a 10:5 emulsion gel-to-oleogel ratio. Overall, the bicontinuous network formed between the ZNPs/pectin/HPG-stabilized emulsion gel and the oleogel underpins the hybrid gel stability. Additionally, the hybrid gel was rich in ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and MLCTs, making it suitable as a functional fat substitute for ice cream. This work provides a promising strategy for designing structured fat substitutes with tailored nutritional and functional properties.
Structural characterization and antitumor activity via immune modulation of an α-glucan from Grifola frondosa.
Tian HX, Ruan QZ, Xie YZ … +9 more , Chen W, Xiao C, Zhong W, Liu YC, Chen SD, Yong TQ, Hu HP, Li XM, Wu QP
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002344 · Publisher ↗
Grifola frondosa is a valued edible and medicinal fungus whose polysaccharides are key bioactive components, yet the identification of specific homogeneous effectors and their detailed immunomodulatory mechanisms remains...
Grifola frondosa is a valued edible and medicinal fungus whose polysaccharides are key bioactive components, yet the identification of specific homogeneous effectors and their detailed immunomodulatory mechanisms remains a critical focus of research. In this study, polysaccharide fractions were isolated from G. frondosa fruiting bodies via systematic purification, and the principal bioactive polysaccharide responsible for breast cancer inhibition was identified. A novel homogeneous polysaccharide, GFI-21α, was determined as the primary effector. Structural characterization defined GFI-21α as a high-molecular-weight α-(1 → 4)-D-glucan backbone featuring →3,6)- and →4,6)-linked branch points substituted at the O-6 position with short →3)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → side chains. None of the isolated polysaccharide fractions exhibited direct cytotoxicity in vitro. However, in vivo experiments demonstrated that GFI-21α elicited substantial tumor growth suppression. This efficacy significantly exceeded that of the clinical β-glucan comparator, lentinan, without causing overt toxicity. Mechanistically, distinct from the innate immune modulation typically associated with β-glucans, GFI-21α was associated with enhanced intratumoral CD8 T cell responses and IFN-γ-associated cytotoxic effector activity. These findings establish GFI-21α as a structurally distinct α-glucan with potent antitumor efficacy, supporting its potential as a candidate for cancer immunotherapy.
Crafting cellulose hollow microspheres with cellulose nanosheets.
Lei W, Huang H, Liang R … +4 more , Li G, Chen P, Xiang J, Lu A
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002343 · Publisher ↗
Nano-/micro-cellulose has attracted significant attention in advanced materials due to its cellulosic properties as well as the important hallmarks of nano-/micro-materials. However, current approaches for the preparatio...
Nano-/micro-cellulose has attracted significant attention in advanced materials due to its cellulosic properties as well as the important hallmarks of nano-/micro-materials. However, current approaches for the preparation of them are predominantly limited to "top-down" strategies which yield mostly whisker-/fiber-like morphologies. Therefore, it is imperative to develop cellulose-based nano-/micro-materials with diversified architectures. Here, we report the preparation of cellulose nanosheets composed of cellulose nanofibrous network, using cellulose solution as the precursor, via a "bottom-up" strategy. Due to its excellent water dispersibility and stability, these cellulose nanosheets can be assembled to form cellulose hollow microspheres through an ice-melting-induced lyophilization technique. The property and application of the cellulose microspheres can be further expanded by preparing composite microspheres via co-assembling cellulose nanosheets with functional nanomaterials. This work not only provides a simple, mild, and green approach through a new type of "bottom-up" strategy which may shed light on the design and preparation of nano-/micro-materials, but also offers novel cellulose-based nano-/micro-materials which may find wide applications in various fields due to the distinct architectures.
A bio-based intelligent konjac glucomannan/carboxymethyl chitosan film with ZIF-67@carmine-enhanced freshness monitoring for seafood preservation.
Fan L, Wang J, Zhang L … +4 more , Li W, Wu D, Wu Y, Li G
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002342 · Publisher ↗
A multifunctional ZIF-67@Carmine (ZIF-67@Car) nanomaterial was synthesized and incorporated into a matrix of konjac glucomannan and carboxymethyl chitosan (KGM/CMCS, KC) to fabricate an intelligent active packaging film...
A multifunctional ZIF-67@Carmine (ZIF-67@Car) nanomaterial was synthesized and incorporated into a matrix of konjac glucomannan and carboxymethyl chitosan (KGM/CMCS, KC) to fabricate an intelligent active packaging film with dual functionality: active preservation and real-time freshness monitoring. Results indicated that KC remarkably enhanced the uniform distribution of ZIF-67@Car particle. Meanwhile, the addition of 20% ZIF-67@Car significantly improved the mechanical performance, hydrophobicity, and UV-blocking ability of the composite film. The optimized film demonstrated an ultimate tensile strength of 10.16 ± 1.05 Mpa and an elongation at break of 27.87 ± 3.53%. For active preservation, the film exhibited strong antioxidant activity (approximately 50% higher than pristine KC film) and potent antibacterial properties with over 99% inhibition rate. For intelligent monitoring, the film displayed a distinct colorimetric response to ammonia, transitioning from purple to brown during shrimp spoilage tests, enabling real-time visual freshness assessment. These findings confirm that the KC/ZIF-67@Car nanocomposite films, endowed with excellent antibacterial and ammonia-responsive functions, hold significant potential as intelligent active packaging materials for practical food preservation and quality assessment.
Repurposing tumor-derived extracellular vesicles with an adhesive carboxymethyl chitosan-based hydrogel for spinal cord injury repair.
Wang KL, Hsiao YC, Pan WY … +3 more , Lin CJ, Huang CC, Lin YJ
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002341 · Publisher ↗
Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers a cascade of pathological events, including persistent neuroinflammation and glial scar formation, which severely hinder axonal regeneration and motor functional recovery. Inspired by th...
Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers a cascade of pathological events, including persistent neuroinflammation and glial scar formation, which severely hinder axonal regeneration and motor functional recovery. Inspired by the immunosuppressive and regenerative features of the tumor microenvironment, this study introduces a high-reward strategy that repurposes tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TDEVs) for SCI repair. To ensure localized delivery and enhance safety, TDEVs are incorporated into an injectable adhesive hydrogel composed of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and polydopamine (PDA), crosslinked through Schiff-base chemistry. The resulting TDEVs@CMC-PDA hydrogel adheres firmly to the injured spinal cord and enables sustained release of TDEVs, allowing targeted modulation of the injury microenvironment. In a mouse SCI model, TDEVs@CMC-PDA effectively attenuates neuroinflammation, suppresses glial scar formation, and promotes axonal regrowth and remyelination, ultimately improving motor function. Importantly, biosafety assessments reveal no evidence of systemic toxicity or transcriptional activation of oncogenic pathways. These findings highlight the therapeutic promise and safety of repurposing TDEVs with the adhesive CMC-PDA hydrogel, positioning this strategy as a compelling platform for neural regeneration and beyond.
Artificial intelligence-enabled flexible surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate based on silver nanoparticles/polypyrrole/chitosan film for sensitive uric acid detection in saliva, serum and urine.
Barveen NR, Mariappan PR, Chinnapaiyan S … +3 more , Lin YY, Kuo CY, Cheng YW
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002340 · Publisher ↗
Selective detection of uric acid (UA), a key biomarker associated with cardiovascular diseases, gout and preeclampsia, is important for preventive healthcare and accurate diagnosis. Conventional analytical methods often...
Selective detection of uric acid (UA), a key biomarker associated with cardiovascular diseases, gout and preeclampsia, is important for preventive healthcare and accurate diagnosis. Conventional analytical methods often suffer from low sensitivity, rely on complex and expensive instrumentation. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a powerful tool for non-invasive and highly sensitive detection of a wide range of molecules with their unique fingerprint information. Its high sensitivity arises from two cooperative mechanisms: electromagnetic enhancement, in which localized surface plasmon resonances in metallic nanostructures create intense near field "hotspots" that greatly amplify Raman scattering, and chemical enhancement, in which charge transfer interactions between the substrate and adsorbed molecules modify molecular polarizability and increase Raman cross sections. In this work, a flexible chitosan (CHT) film integrated with polypyrrole (PPy) nanowires and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) was fabricated using a simple drop and peel-off method. By tuning the Ag precursor concentration, optimized hotspot formation was achieved. The synergistic effects of plasmonic Ag NPs, conductive PPy and biocompatible CHT generated strong Raman enhancement, enabling ultrasensitive UA detection. The flexible substrate exhibited an enhancement factor of ∼10, a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 10 M, uniformity and reproducibility with the relative standard deviation (RSD) values of <10%. Mechanical stability was verified after 100 cycles of bending and torsion. This platform enabled reliable UA detection in serum, saliva, and urine. Furthermore, coupling with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms achieved precise UA quantification with excellent accuracy. This study presents an innovative approach that integrates flexible SERS substrates with AI for next-generation and non-invasive diagnostics.
Exploring molecular-level rolling friction based on cyclodextrins for lubrication.
Wang J, Cao H, You W … +12 more , Xiao D, Sheng L, Wang Y, Mei H, Bi Q, Xiao X, Wang Y, Li G, Wang C, Yu W, Stoddart JF, Huang F
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002339 · Publisher ↗
The minimization of friction through the replacement of sliding with rolling friction is well-established in macroscopic applications, yet achieving this objective on the molecular scale has proven elusive. Herein, we re...
The minimization of friction through the replacement of sliding with rolling friction is well-established in macroscopic applications, yet achieving this objective on the molecular scale has proven elusive. Herein, we report a novel strategy for molecular-level rolling friction that utilizes the molecular rolling effect of cyclodextrins to supplant the traditional sliding mechanism. This approach aims to vastly improve the lubricity and wear resistance of synthetic biofriction materials. The use of biocompatible α-cyclodextrin molecules as "rings" within polyrotaxane networks yields significantly reduced friction coefficients and wear rates compared to commercial TiAlV alloys and control systems without such rings. This research introduces a novel approach to designing, constructing, and optimizing diverse friction materials and highlights the immense potential of molecular-scale engineering to revolutionize traditional materials and propel friction science and molecular technology to new frontiers.
Cellulose-based MXene composite foams with enhanced oxidation stability and Janus wettability for high-performance solar evaporation and electricity generation.
Yan X, Wang F, Deng H … +2 more , Zhao Q, Liu Y
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002338 · Publisher ↗
Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SIE) coupled with electricity generation offers a promising solution to the global challenges of water scarcity and energy demand. MXene, an excellent photothermal material for SIE,...
Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SIE) coupled with electricity generation offers a promising solution to the global challenges of water scarcity and energy demand. MXene, an excellent photothermal material for SIE, is limited by its susceptibility to oxidation under practical evaporation conditions, which compromises long-term stability and performance. This study presents a cellulose-derived MXene composite foam (MSTA) that integrates MXene with sodium lignosulfonate (SL) and tempo-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCNF) to enhance oxidation resistance and mechanical stability. The resulting foam features vertically aligned microchannels and Janus wettability, achieved through directional freezing and surface treatment. It exhibits rapid water transport, exceptional salt rejection, efficient thermal localization, mechanical durability, and strong broadband light absorption. Under one-sun irradiation, the MSTA foam achieves a high evaporation rate of 3.51 kg·m·h with an evaporation efficiency of 95.78%, maintaining stable performance over 30 days of continuous saline evaporation. Furthermore, evaporation-driven water flow through the foam's charged microchannels generates a streaming potential, with an open-circuit voltage of up to 170 mV. Twelve MSTA units connected in series power a 2 V electronic monitor. This work provides a sustainable strategy for developing durable, high-performance MXene-based foams for simultaneous freshwater production and electricity generation.
High-fly ash-loaded cellulose foam enabling stable lightweight porosity for efficient β-FeOOH photo-Fenton catalysis in water remediation.
Qian Y, Lu X, Tan X … +3 more , Li D, Wei Y, Guo S
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002337 · Publisher ↗
Addressing global freshwater scarcity, the treatment of refractory industrial organic pollutants, and environmental risks associated with fly ash (FA) accumulation and heavy metal leaching, this study develops a low-cost...
Addressing global freshwater scarcity, the treatment of refractory industrial organic pollutants, and environmental risks associated with fly ash (FA) accumulation and heavy metal leaching, this study develops a low-cost, high-FA-loading CEL/FA@β-FeOOH lightweight composite foam with enhanced catalytic performance. The composite foam is constructed using cellulose (CEL) as a sustainable matrix, FA as a rigid framework, H₂O₂ as a pore-forming agent, and β-FeOOH nanoparticles as catalytic active sites. The optimized CEL/FA-11 foam exhibits a high porosity of 78.1%, representing a 20.6% increase over the non-foamed counterpart, while the bulk density decreases to 0.391 g/cm (11.5% reduction), indicating effective microstructural optimization and improved structural efficiency. Benefiting from its hierarchical porous architecture and the intrinsic surface properties of FA, the composite demonstrates enhanced adsorption capacity and mass transfer efficiency, contributing to superior photo-Fenton catalytic activity. Under xenon lamp irradiation, 99.3% methylene blue degradation is achieved within 15 min, and over 80% degradation of other pollutants within 18 min, with more than 90% efficiency retained after five cycles. Moreover, heavy metals in FA are effectively immobilized, enabling treated water to meet Chinese drinking water standards (GB 5749-2022). This work provides a sustainable strategy for FA upcycling toward carbon-neutral environmental materials.
Immune responses to glycoconjugate vaccines rely on a balance between polysaccharide length and glycosylation density.
Carboni F, Bechi N, Proietti D … +11 more , Balocchi C, Casini D, Brogioni B, Luzzi E, Tontini M, Cartocci E, Brunelli B, Reyter S, Margarit I, Romano MR, Adamo R
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002336 · Publisher ↗
Glycoconjugate vaccines are effective against bacterial infections. Key characteristics for optimal immunogenicity are the carbohydrate-to-protein ratio and consequent glycosylation density. Directing the conjugation to...
Glycoconjugate vaccines are effective against bacterial infections. Key characteristics for optimal immunogenicity are the carbohydrate-to-protein ratio and consequent glycosylation density. Directing the conjugation to specific sites is beneficial when the protein acts as carrier and antigen, however a caveat of this approach is the limited number of conjugated glycans attached which might reduce the anti-glycan immune response. We investigated if polysaccharide length is crucial for optimizing immunogenicity in single-site selective conjugates. We tested conjugates from meningococcal serogroup A and C, and pneumococcal serotype 8 and 14 polysaccharides of varying lengths. Meningococcal protein fHbp was used as carrier. Site-selective conjugates were obtained by thiol-maleimide addition at a C-terminal cysteine, whereas random conjugates were prepared via classic lysine coupling. Results showed that for meningococcal type C and pneumococcal serotypes 8 and 14, oligosaccharides over 15-20 repeating units elicited robust anti-glycan responses, even when attached at a single site. Differently, the less immunogenic meningococcal type A required longer glycan chains for a strong response. Additionally, increasing glycosylation by random conjugation did not enhance polysaccharide immunogenicity but reduced the protein immunogenicity. These findings emphasize that an optimal balance between glycan length and density is essential for effective glycoconjugate vaccine design.
Recent advances in cyclodextrin-based applications.
Dégoutin S, Noël S, Fourmentin S
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jun · PMID 42002335 · Publisher ↗
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