Carbohydrate Polymers[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Recent advances in polysaccharide extraction: Mechanisms, hybrid strategies, and emerging technologies.
Zhao Y, Wang F, Zhang Y … +3 more , Zhang L, Wang X, Li P
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42097780 · Publisher ↗
Polysaccharides are increasingly valued in the food and pharmaceutical sectors for their bioactivities and functional properties. Efficient extraction from complex biological matrices remains a major barrier to both rese...
Polysaccharides are increasingly valued in the food and pharmaceutical sectors for their bioactivities and functional properties. Efficient extraction from complex biological matrices remains a major barrier to both research and manufacturing. This review critically summarizes recent advances in green technologies for polysaccharide extraction and fractionation. The covered approaches include field assisted processes, enzyme based treatments, and physicochemical separation platforms. Mechanistic understanding is emphasized, with a focus on cavitation, electroporation, and mass transfer enhancement. The effects of operating conditions on yield, structural integrity, and bioactivity are examined. Challenges and knowledge gaps that hinder practical implementation are highlighted. Future work should prioritize standardized structure function evaluation, scalable process design, and solvent and energy efficient integration. This review consolidates mechanistic and practical evidence to support rational method selection and to improve the reproducibility of bioactive polysaccharide production.
Alginate-based composite hydrogel derived from Azotobacter vinelandii Av1: Preparation, properties, and wound-healing efficacy.
Yang P, Chen R, Peng S … +7 more , Zhu L, Chang Y, Bao Z, Fu X, Xiao M, Yang M, Mou H
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42097779 · Publisher ↗
Mannuronic acid-enriched alginate has demonstrated significant potential for wound healing. However, the M/G ratio of alginate derived from seaweed exhibits considerable variability, whereas alginate obtained from bacter...
Mannuronic acid-enriched alginate has demonstrated significant potential for wound healing. However, the M/G ratio of alginate derived from seaweed exhibits considerable variability, whereas alginate obtained from bacterial sources shows greater consistency in quality. In addition, conventional alginate dressings often fail to satisfy the stringent requirements of medical applications in terms of water absorption and stability. In this study, a high mannuronic acid-content alginate (Av) was extracted from Azotobacter vinelandii Av1 and characterized. Av possesses a molecular weight of 2100 kDa and consists of 10.6% guluronic acid (G) and 89.4% mannuronic acid (M). Composite hydrogels of gelatin‑sodium alginate (GE-SA) and gelatin-Av (GE-Av) were subsequently prepared to evaluate their wound healing properties. GE-Av exhibited enhanced water absorption and stability compared to GE-SA. Moreover, GE+3%Av significantly promoted human skin fibroblast migration by upregulating epidermal growth factor (EGF) expression, achieving a 75.3% wound closure rate at 24 h. In full-thickness mouse wound models, GE+3%Av accelerated wound healing relative to both the native control and GE-SA groups. Histological analysis further revealed that GE+3%Av facilitated skin epithelialization and collagen deposition. Collectively, these findings indicate that the GE+3%Av composite hydrogel represents a promising candidate for wound healing and skin regeneration.
A composite conductive hydrogel loaded with alginate/gelatin microspheres with micro-environmentally induced smart temporal regulation for acute myocardial infarction treatment.
Mu L, Li T, Qiao B … +6 more , Dong R, Zhang C, He X, Ling P, Wang Z, Guo B
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42097778 · Publisher ↗
Designing a temporal regulation system for responsive stem cell delivery that simultaneously addresses micro-environmental improvement in the infarcted area and electromechanical coupling compensation through synergistic...
Designing a temporal regulation system for responsive stem cell delivery that simultaneously addresses micro-environmental improvement in the infarcted area and electromechanical coupling compensation through synergistic stem cell therapy continues to pose substantial research challenges. We present a micro-environmentally induced smart temporal regulation composite conductive hydrogel for myocardial infarction therapy. Adipose derived stem cells (ADSC) were seeded on alginate (Alg)/gelatin (GT) composite microspheres (Alg/GT), which were encapsulated into reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive conductive hydrogels (HGB) based on hyaluronic acid functionalized with phenylboronic acid (HA-PBA), dopamine-modified GT (GT-DA), and borate-functionalized polyaniline (BPA). Alg/GT microspheres exhibit excellent carrying capacity for ADSC and promoting ADSC paracrine effects. Besides the smart controlled release properties, the optimised hydrogel (HGB3) possesses a variety of functional properties including injectability, appropriate mechanical strength and electrical conductivity, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Together, these properties contribute to micro-environmental enhancement and electromechanical coupling restoration in the infarcted myocardial region. When the composite system was injected into the infarcted myocardifm, it achieved benign remodeling of the infarcted myocardium through regulation of inflammation, inhibition of fibrosis and promotion of vascular regeneration. This micro-environmentally induced smart temporal regulation composite conductive hydrogel system offers a novel therapeutic strategy for the management of acute myocardial infarction.
Exosome-camouflaged chitosan/zinc oxide/carbon quantum dot nanocarriers for pH-responsive doxorubicin delivery in breast cancer treatment.
Pourmasoumi P, Pourmadadi M
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42097777 · Publisher ↗
Doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy for breast cancer is constrained by systemic toxicity and limited tumor selectivity, underscoring the need for polysaccharide-based carriers in which pH responsiveness arises from intrinsic...
Doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy for breast cancer is constrained by systemic toxicity and limited tumor selectivity, underscoring the need for polysaccharide-based carriers in which pH responsiveness arises from intrinsic polymer properties rather than chemical modification. In this study, a carbohydrate-centered biomimetic nanocarrier was developed using chitosan as the primary structural and pH-responsive matrix, integrating zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) through a W1/O/W2 double-emulsion process, followed by surface association with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) exosomal membranes. The resulting CS/ZnO/CQDs@DOX nanocarriers exhibited an average hydrodynamic diameter of ∼180 nm, which increased to ∼205 nm after exosome association, accompanied by partial surface charge shielding. Physicochemical analyses supported a predominantly non-covalent assembly without evidence of alteration of the chitosan backbone, yielding a high encapsulation efficiency (88.75 ± 2.1%) and a drug loading of 6.8 ± 0.5 wt%. In vitro studies revealed pronounced pH-dependent doxorubicin release and enhanced cytotoxicity toward MCF-7 cells (IC₅₀ = 0.8 ± 0.1 μM), while maintaining minimal toxicity toward normal cells. Overall, these findings demonstrate that chitosan-driven pH responsiveness, complemented by inorganic components and biomimetic surface camouflaging, provides an effective and chemically conservative strategy for carbohydrate-based drug delivery design.
Construction dual-temperature responsive hydrogel of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and κ-carrageenan via formation of dynamic semi-interpenetrating physical structure.
Sun M, Wang Q, An J … +6 more , Xu Q, Li H, Liu X, McClements DJ, Huang Y, Pang Z
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42097776 · Publisher ↗
Traditional thermally irreversible or unidirectionally reversible hydrogels often lack the adaptable thermal response required for processing, storage, and sensory performance in solid fat replacers. To address this issu...
Traditional thermally irreversible or unidirectionally reversible hydrogels often lack the adaptable thermal response required for processing, storage, and sensory performance in solid fat replacers. To address this issue, a reversible dual-temperature-responsive hydrogel was created based on a semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) formed by combining κ-carrageenan (κC, upper critical solution temperature) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC, lower critical solution temperature). Rheological analysis revealed reversible gel-sol-gel transitions, with the hydrogel exhibiting strong gel strength at 4 °C (G' > 500 Pa, tanδ≈0.1) and 80 °C (G' > 1000 Pa, tanδ≈0.1), while softening at a consumption temperature of 37 °C (G' < 1 Pa, tanδ>10). The onset melting temperature of the blends ranged between 29.1 °C and 45.5 °C, depending on κC content, covering the oral melting range of solid fats. Microstructural and spectroscopic analyses (SEM, XRD, FTIR, and H NMR) confirmed physical interactions and continuous networks at 4 and 80 °C, whereas more porous networks were observed at 37 °C during cooling. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that heating dissociates κC helices prior to HPMC hydrophobic association, whereas cooling proceeds via HPMC rehydration followed by κC helix re-formation. Our results provide valuable insights into the development of smart hydrogels for application in future foods, offering a fully physical strategy for designing temperature-adaptive solid fat replacers.
Gum arabic-coated urolithin A liposome nanoparticles: Fabrication, characterization, bioavailability and improved alleviation on NAFLD activity in vivo.
Zhang L, Li J, Hu Y … +5 more , Xiang H, Cheng X, Zou L, Zhou Y, Chen M
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42097775 · Publisher ↗
Urolithin A (UroA), a gut microbiota-derived metabolite of ellagitannins, has diverse biological activities but suffers from low water solubility and poor bioavailability. To address these challenges, this study develope...
Urolithin A (UroA), a gut microbiota-derived metabolite of ellagitannins, has diverse biological activities but suffers from low water solubility and poor bioavailability. To address these challenges, this study developed gum arabic (GA)-coated UroA liposomes (UA-LPs-GA). The GA coating significantly enhanced the encapsulation efficiency, stability, and bioaccessibility of UroA. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that UA-LPs-GA improved the relative oral bioavailability of UroA by 3.09-fold compared to free UroA. In a high-fat diet-induced mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), UA-LPs-GA administration effectively alleviated key pathological features, including hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress, with superior efficacy to free UroA. Mechanistic studies revealed that the hepatoprotective effects were mediated through activation of the AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway. Additionally, UA-LPs-GA positively modulated the intestinal flora, enriching beneficial bacteria and suppressing harmful taxa. This study establishes a practical approach to enhance UroA delivery and provides a new strategy for using functional polysaccharides in advanced delivery systems for NAFLD management.
Bioactive cellulose foams produced by mussel-inspired polydopamine coating as a matrix for phenolic acid functionalization.
Senthil A, Wallstén S, Christakopoulos P … +2 more , Rova U, Antonopoulou I
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42097774 · Publisher ↗
To shift from fossil-derived foams, cellulose-based foams are being increasingly explored, particularly when combined with value-added functionalities such as bioactivity to improve their applicability. In this work, cel...
To shift from fossil-derived foams, cellulose-based foams are being increasingly explored, particularly when combined with value-added functionalities such as bioactivity to improve their applicability. In this work, cellulose fibers were modified using a two-step strategy combining dopamine-based coating and laccase-catalyzed ferulic acid modification. The modified fibers were converted to low-density cellulose foams using a wet foam processing method, which is based on mechanical agitation to introduce air and surfactant stabilization mechanisms. The ferulic acid-functionalized fibers were fabricated into cellulose-based foams exhibiting enhanced antioxidant activity (IC = 0.5 g/L), measurable antibacterial performance (75%), and moderate changes in moisture uptake (0.00012 g/min). The resulting foams displayed ultra-low densities (11 kg m), high porosity (99%), and compressive moduli (10-180 kPa) and were comparable to values reported for cellulose foams produced via wet-foaming routes, although with lower energy absorption capacities (0.3-32 kJ/m). Phenolic functionalization was found to influence foam formation, stability, and mechanical behavior in both wet and dry states. Nonionic surfactants yielded foams with lower density, improved flexibility, and good resilience compared to ionic surfactants. Overall, this work demonstrates an integrated approach combining fiber functionalization and wet foam processing to produce multifunctional cellulose foams. Highlighting their potential for active packaging applications.
Dynamic injectable and multifunctional hydrogel incorporating dihydroquercetin (DHQ)-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for sustained DHQ release and accelerated burn wound healing.
Huo DY, Zheng K, Tian ZF … +3 more , Song LJ, Zhao LC, Li W
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42097773 · Publisher ↗
Burn wound healing is hindered by persistent inflammation, bacterial infection, and delayed tissue regeneration. Here, we developed DCNPs-Gel, an injectable, self-healing hydrogel incorporating dihydroquercetin (DHQ)-loa...
Burn wound healing is hindered by persistent inflammation, bacterial infection, and delayed tissue regeneration. Here, we developed DCNPs-Gel, an injectable, self-healing hydrogel incorporating dihydroquercetin (DHQ)-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (DCNPs; ~320 nm, PDI = 0.21, encapsulation efficiency 87.6%, drug loading 7.3%) into a dual-dynamic crosslinked oxidized sodium alginate (DO ~38%)/carboxymethyl chitosan network via Schiff-base and boronate ester bonds. DCNPs-Gel exhibited rapid self-healing (~96% modulus recovery within seconds), shear-thinning injectability (viscosity decreased ~3 orders of magnitude from 0.1 to 100 s), storage modulus ~830 Pa, high swelling ratio (1803%), and sustained DHQ release (~65% at 72 h). Bacteriostasis rates exceeded 90% against both E. coli (90.93%) and S. aureus (91.33%). Hemostatic evaluation demonstrated DCNPs-Gel reduced blood loss to ~200 mg versus ~580 mg (control) in the liver perforation model. In vitro, DCNPs-Gel maintained >90% HUVEC viability, reduced intracellular ROS by ~72%, and promoted scratch closure. In vivo, DCNPs-Gel accelerated deep second-degree scald wound closure to ~95.2% by day 18, enhanced collagen deposition and neovascularization. Mechanistically, DCNPs-Gel downregulated TLR4/NF-κB/IL-6/COX-2, upregulated VEGFA, rebalanced IL-6/IL-10 cytokine levels, and restored skin microbiota homeostasis. DCNPs-Gel uniquely integrates nanoparticle-mediated sustained release with dual-dynamic crosslinking, synergistically addressing oxidative stress, infection, hemostasis, and microbiota dysbiosis for comprehensive burn wound management.
Self-assembling gardenia pectin gel for cholestatic liver injury: Dual mechanisms of hepatoprotection via PPARα activation and gut microbial modulation.
Ao L, Li Y, Zheng L … +7 more , Chen X, Zeng H, Miao W, Yang S, Zhou T, Li N, Wu JL
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42097772 · Publisher ↗
Bioactive pectin is a considerable candidate for drug delivery to improve stability and bioavailability. Geniposide (GS) is a hepatoprotective compound with poor bioavailability, limiting its application. Herein, we firs...
Bioactive pectin is a considerable candidate for drug delivery to improve stability and bioavailability. Geniposide (GS) is a hepatoprotective compound with poor bioavailability, limiting its application. Herein, we first designed a self-assembled Gardenia Pectin Gel (GPG) from pectin-rich Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruit extracts (GE), spontaneously encapsulating co-extracted GS. Compared with non-gelling GE, pectin gel delivery achieved enhanced stability and delayed release in vitro and increased half-time (2.6-fold, p < 0.05) and bioavailability (2.35-fold, p < 0.05) of GS in vivo. Moreover, GPG provided superior hepatoprotective effects over GS and GE, including reducing hepatic injury indicators (e.g. ALP level, p < 0.01 vs GS; p < 0.05 vs GE), inflammation and necrosis in α-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced cholestatic liver disease (CLD) mice. Mechanistically, GPG restored hepatic glycolipid metabolic homeostasis via GS-mediated PPARα activation. Meanwhile, GPG promoted gut microbes remodeling and hepatoprotective acetate and butyrate production (p < 0.001), producing synergistic effects. Notably, after 7-day administration, GPG outperformed ursodeoxycholic acid, a first-line CLD medicine, in the CLD mice model, demonstrating its clinical potential. Collectively, this study developed a promising self-assembled pectin-assisted formulation that enhanced the bioavailability of GS and CLD intervention, more importantly, established a theoretical foundation for clinical application of pectin-based drug delivery systems.
High transparent, high strength and high energy storage capability of cellulose triacetate films via incorporating cellulose nanocrystal.
Xiao XR, Luo R, Yang JH … +2 more , Zhang N, Wang Y
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42097771 · Publisher ↗
Green, renewable, and high-performance dielectric materials is critical for sustainable electronics. Herein, cellulose-based composite dielectric films were synthesized using cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) as a nanofiller a...
Green, renewable, and high-performance dielectric materials is critical for sustainable electronics. Herein, cellulose-based composite dielectric films were synthesized using cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) as a nanofiller and cellulose triacetate (CTA) as the matrix. The results demonstrate that incorporating a small amount of high-modulus CNC (0.3 wt%) reduces structural defects through physical cross-linking and hydrogen bonding between CNC and CTA chains. This interaction acts as a deep charge trap, effectively suppressing carrier migration, while simultaneously increasing the matrix entanglement density and Young's modulus. Consequently, the composite films maintain a optical transmittance of 90%, enhanced thermal stability, and dramatically improved mechanical properties, with tensile strength (50.18 MPa) and tensile modulus (3.62 GPa) increasing by 67.9% and 38.2%, respectively. The breakdown strength is enhanced to 630.68 MV/m, approximately 34.1% higher than that of the pure CTA film (470.32 MV/m). Furthermore, the discharge energy density reaches 4.37 J/cm at 725 MV/m, representing a 1.74-fold increase over that of the pure CTA films, while maintaining an energy efficiency of 70.2% and demonstrating good charge-discharge cycling stability. This study proposes a practical approach toward the design of next-generation dielectric materials that are high-performing, and environmentally sustainable for energy storage.
Corrigendum to "Photodynamic therapy combined with quaternized chitosan antibacterial strategy for instant and prolonged bacterial infection treatment" [Carbohydrate Polymers, 352 (2025) 123147].
Luo H, Xu H, Zhang H … +3 more , Li X, Wu Q, Gao T
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42097770 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Chito-oligosaccharide-reinforced thermally cross-linked fish skin gelatin films with silver nanoparticles: Enhanced properties and accelerated wound healing.
Zhen Q, Ding Y, Guo X … +4 more , Lu Y, Shi D, Chen J, Chen X
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42097769 · Publisher ↗
Fish skin gelatin (FG) has been widely used in medical dressings owing to its excellent biocompatibility. Nevertheless, conventional gelatin-based dressings usually rely on chemical cross-linking agents to enhance stabil...
Fish skin gelatin (FG) has been widely used in medical dressings owing to its excellent biocompatibility. Nevertheless, conventional gelatin-based dressings usually rely on chemical cross-linking agents to enhance stability, which inevitably brings potential risks of toxic residues. To address this issue, a green thermal cross-linking strategy was employed to covalently stabilize FG films, providing a safer, more economical, and environmentally friendly route without chemical cross-linkers. Synergistic incorporation of chito-oligosaccharide (COS) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) significantly improved mechanical strength and antibacterial activity of the materials. Thermal cross-linking at 180 °C for 20 min endowed the FG film with optimal structural stability and mechanical properties. Notably, the thermally cross-linked FG/COS film with FG: COS mass ratio of 20:1 (FG/COS-5) achieved the best tensile performance. The final composite dressing (AgNPs@FG/COS-5) showed strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, while demonstrating low cytotoxicity and superior biocompatibility. In a rat wound healing model, AgNPs@FG/COS-5 significantly accelerated early-stage wound closure within 3 days, outperforming Tegaderm™ and FG dressings. These results demonstrate that the green thermal cross-linking strategy combined with rational component design endows composite dressing with enhanced stability, antibacterial activity, and rapid wound repair efficacy, suggesting its great promise for clinical tissue repair applications.
Performance optimization and application advances of cellulose-based triboelectric materials for high-humidity environments.
Mou Y, Qiu Y, Li M … +3 more , Zeng Y, Xu Y, Lu D
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42097768 · Publisher ↗
High-humidity environments pose significant challenges to the output performance and structural stability of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). Traditional polymer-based triboelectric materials tend to absorb moisture...
High-humidity environments pose significant challenges to the output performance and structural stability of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). Traditional polymer-based triboelectric materials tend to absorb moisture and soften under these conditions, resulting in reduced interfacial charge generation and increased charge dissipation. Cellulose, as a naturally renewable material, has good hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, and an engineerable nanofibrous network structure. In a moisture-absorbed state, cellulose can regulate interfacial polarity, buffer structural deformation, and maintain the continuity of charge transport pathways. It shows potential for constructing stable self-powered systems in high-humidity environments. This review systematically summarizes the fundamental characteristics of cellulose-based triboelectric materials and analyzes the effects of high humidity from multiple perspectives, including physical structure, chemical properties, triboelectric performance, and mechanical properties. It also integrates operating mechanisms and performance optimization strategies to establish a comprehensive research framework for humidity adaptability. Finally, the application progress of cellulose-based TENGs in energy harvesting, wearable sensing, and environmental monitoring is summarized. The future development potential and key challenges of cellulose triboelectric materials are also discussed.
Reactive sites and functionalization pathways in guar gum: A review on enzymatic, chemical and physical modification approaches.
Sawant VS, Ladole MR, Khanna RR … +4 more , Sinha K, Pokle PB, Gantayet LM, Pandit AB
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42067362 · Publisher ↗
Guar gum (GG), a galactomannan derived from Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, is a biopolymer of increasing industrial significance due to its biodegradability, non-toxicity and unique rheological properties. However, the industr...
Guar gum (GG), a galactomannan derived from Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, is a biopolymer of increasing industrial significance due to its biodegradability, non-toxicity and unique rheological properties. However, the industrial utility of the native form of GG is often limited by its poor solubility in non-polar media, inconsistent molecular weight and low mechanical strength. This review provides a detailed analysis of GG's molecular architecture, focusing on the reactive hydroxyl groups at C-2, C-3, and C-6 positions as primary targets for chemical derivatization, specifically through etherification, esterification, oxidation and graft copolymerization. Furthermore, it explores sustainable, site-specific enzymatic modifications using Endo-β-mannanase and α-galactosidase. The physical methods for guar gum hydrolysis using ultrasound, microwave irradiation, gamma irradiation, and hydrodynamic cavitation are also discussed in detail. This paper explains how customized GG derivatives satisfy the demanding requirements of the petroleum, food, and pharmaceutical industries by emphasizing the synergy between chemical and enzymatic techniques. In the end, it suggests hybrid functionalization pathways to increase its application in emerging technologies.
Chitosan-TiO-curcumin composite coatings: Toward nature-inspired, protective and sustainable silk materials.
Tomšič B, Bekjarova L, Petrović A … +11 more , Poženel N, Primožič I, Žagar Z, Kert M, Gorjanc M, Golja B, Zorc M, Jerman I, Pintar A, Žagar E, Simončič B
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42067361 · Publisher ↗
The rational use of carbohydrate polymers as functional matrices for integrating inorganic and organic components remains a key challenge in developing sustainable multifunctional materials. Here, a process-oriented, bio...
The rational use of carbohydrate polymers as functional matrices for integrating inorganic and organic components remains a key challenge in developing sustainable multifunctional materials. Here, a process-oriented, bio-inspired strategy for fabricating a chitosan-centred multifunctional composite coating is presented. This approach uniquely combines plasma-assisted activation of the silk surface, chitosan immobilisation, and subsequent controlled in situ generation of TiO nanoparticles in the presence of curcumin, a naturally derived polyphenolic compound. The resulting chitosan/TiO/curcumin composite system simultaneously imparts antibacterial, UV-shielding, and photocatalytic self-cleaning functions to the silk. Chitosan provides strong antimicrobial activity, maintaining robust bio-barrier antibacterial protection in the composite system and achieving over 99.5% inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli growth. Curcumin acts as a TiO photosensitiser and charge-transfer mediator, suppressing electron-hole recombination and enabling efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity, as confirmed by accelerated Rhodamine B dye degradation and effective coffee stain removal. Complementary UV absorption by TiO (UV-B) and curcumin (UV-A) delivers broad-spectrum UV protection with a UV protection factor of 32.1. Overall, this work demonstrates a distinct carbohydrate polymer-driven fabrication paradigm for engineering high-performance textiles with integrated multifunctional protective properties.
Encapsulation of gold nanoparticles in a chitosan nanoparticle framework via emulsion system: A key step for antigen strip tests.
Kertsomboon T, Pitakchatwong C, Kreangkaiwal C … +2 more , Patarakul K, Chirachanchai S
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42067360 · Publisher ↗
Accurate diagnosis requires high precision and operational efficiency for early disease detection. Membrane-based lateral flow immunodipstick assays are practical naked-eye systems widely used for preliminary antigen (Ag...
Accurate diagnosis requires high precision and operational efficiency for early disease detection. Membrane-based lateral flow immunodipstick assays are practical naked-eye systems widely used for preliminary antigen (Ag) screening and typically rely on antibody (Ab)-modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). However, limited signal intensity remains a key challenge. Polymer-based Ab-conjugated coatings on AuNP surfaces offer a practical strategy to enhance detection performance. Chitosan (CS) is a particularly suitable polymer due to its abundant reactive functional groups, which facilitate AuNP attachment and Ab conjugation. Water-based CS (WCS), prepared via complexation with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS), favors the conjugation of cysteine (Cys) to form WCS-Cys nanoparticles (NPs). A comparative study between direct conjugation of WCS-Cys onto AuNP surface and the use of WCS-Cys emulsion within a toluene-in-water for in-situ reduction of HAuCl demonstrates that the latter approach enables successful encapsulation of AuNPs within WCS-Cys framework, as evidenced by improved lateral flow on the immunodipstick membrane. Upon simply mixing WCS-Cys-AuNPs with Ab, efficient immobilization occurs, allowing effective lateral flow on immunodipstick without aggregation. A model assay employing Ag (rLipL32) and pathogenic leptospiral whole-cell lysates successfully validates the WCS-Cys-AuNP platform, demonstrating its potential application in Ag strip tests.
Advances in the application of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents in chitosan-based packaging systems: Trends and opportunities.
Guo Y, Wu T, Yang S … +7 more , Yu H, Chen Y, He T, Zhang Y, Zhao X, Zhang L, Xie H
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42067359 · Publisher ↗
With the environmental concerns over non-biodegradable plastics, chitosan has attracted substantial research focus in the field of sustainable and eco-friendly food packaging owing to its intriguing characteristics. In r...
With the environmental concerns over non-biodegradable plastics, chitosan has attracted substantial research focus in the field of sustainable and eco-friendly food packaging owing to its intriguing characteristics. In recent years, there has been a dramatic boom in publications focusing on the utilization of ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) in chitosan-based packaging systems, and these studies are systematically reviewed in this article. The employment of ILs as solvents or plasticizers for chitosan film fabrication are summarized. Compared to ILs, DESs offer advantages such as lower production costs, simpler synthesis with 100% atom economy, better biodegradability, and higher environmental benignity, thereby presenting a new choice for optimizing the functional performance of chitosan films. Thus, recent developments regarding the integration of DESs in chitosan-based films are comprehensively discussed, with special focus on the plasticization, barrier, antioxidant, antibacterial properties, and biosafety assessment. Furthermore, the application of DES natural extracts as ready-to-use products in the chitosan-based packaging systems are also outlined. The efficacy of DES-integrated chitosan films and coatings is further verified in the preservation of fruits and meat. Future directions are proposed toward scale-up production, cost reduction, environmental footprint minimization, and multifunctional integration to promote the development of sustainable chitosan-based packaging.
A bilayer carbohydrate hydrogel spatiotemporally modulates the leucine-mTORC1 axis in macrophages to orchestrate wound immunity and regeneration.
Niu Z, Gong J, Xia X … +3 more , Yang J, Yang L, Qi H
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42067358 · Publisher ↗
The healing of infected wounds remains a significant clinical challenge, primarily due to persistent bacterial infections and dysregulated inflammation. In this work, we engineered an injectable bilayer hydrogel system (...
The healing of infected wounds remains a significant clinical challenge, primarily due to persistent bacterial infections and dysregulated inflammation. In this work, we engineered an injectable bilayer hydrogel system (GHL//PCB) from carbohydrate polymers to spatiotemporally modulate macrophage metabolism and polarization via the leucine-mTORC1-HIF-1α axis. The lower layer, comprising methacrylated gelatin and dopamine-modified hyaluronic acid (GelMA/HA-DA), is loaded with leucine. This formulation activates mTORC1, stabilizes HIF-1α, and drives M1-like polarization, thereby conferring potent bactericidal efficacy against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The upper layer, composed of aldehyde-modified Pluronic® F127 and carboxymethyl chitosan (PF127-CHO/CMCS), delivers the leucyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitor BC-LI-0186 to suppress mTORC1-HIF-1α signaling. This suppression promotes a metabolic shift toward oxidative phosphorylation and facilitates M2-like repolarization. Using a rat model featuring complete-thickness contaminated injuries, the GHL//PCB hydrogel sequentially eliminated bacteria, attenuated inflammation, enhanced collagen deposition, and accelerated re-epithelialization within 14 days. The hydrogel also demonstrated excellent injectability, tissue adhesion, biocompatibility, and hemocompatibility. Collectively, this work presents a carbohydrate-based biomaterial strategy that actively orchestrates the wound immune microenvironment through metabolic reprogramming, offering a promising and clinically translatable platform for the management of infected and chronic wounds.
Unveiling mechanistic insights of inactivated Aspergillus niger spore by fishery-waste-derived chitosan via synchrotron radiation tomography.
Chen YC, Weng CH, Wang CC … +6 more , Lin ZJ, Huang SM, Wolde GS, Huang JW, Hua MD, Lin YT
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42067357 · Publisher ↗
Aspergillus niger (A. niger) is a pathogenic fungus responsible for severe and potentially fatal invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. For the first time, this study elucidates the antifungal mechanism of fishery-waste-deriv...
Aspergillus niger (A. niger) is a pathogenic fungus responsible for severe and potentially fatal invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. For the first time, this study elucidates the antifungal mechanism of fishery-waste-derived chitosan (CTS) against A. niger using synchrotron-based X-ray microscopy integrated with conventional assays, enabling 3D visualization of the inactivation process. CTS (2.0 g L) exhibited potent efficacy, achieving a 6.05-log reduction within 6 h. Crucially, transmission X-ray microscopy revealed a transition from spherical spores to centrally collapsed structures, while cryo-soft X-ray microscopy showed pronounced organelle shrinkage and plasma-membrane detachment within 2 h, followed by severe structural rupture at 6 h, with cell volume decreasing from 34.9 to 6.5 μm. Atomic force microscopy further demonstrated reduced cell height (4.55 to 1.90 nm) and increased surface adhesion (0.72 to 2.21 nN) and roughness (3.51 to 13.03 nm). Fluorescence imaging and potassium-leakage assays confirmed significant ion efflux that disrupted osmotic balance and cellular homeostasis. Collectively, the results indicate that CTS compromises cell integrity through electrostatic interactions between protonated amino groups and the fungal surface, leading to cytoplasmic leakage and irreversible intracellular collapse. This work identifies CTS as an effective carbohydrate-based antifungal agent and highlights the power of synchrotron imaging for resolving subcellular antimicrobial mechanisms under near-native conditions.
Pharmaceutical optimization of chitosan tablets is associated with reduced circulating bile acids and fibrosis-related molecular signatures in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis rats.
Adachi T, Khan NF, Michihara A … +7 more , Kaneko R, Mizukai Y, Maezaki Y, Kawano K, Kadowaki D, Otagiri M, Anraku M
Carbohydr Polym · 2026 Jul · PMID 42067356 · Publisher ↗
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular complications. Although chitosan is widely used as an oral lipid-regulating adsorbent, the infl...
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular complications. Although chitosan is widely used as an oral lipid-regulating adsorbent, the influence of tablet disintegration and dispersion properties on systemic biological responses remains unclear. In this study, rapidly dispersible granulated chitosan tablets (GCT) and poorly dispersible non-granulated chitosan tablets (NCT) were evaluated in a high-fat and high-cholesterol (HFC) diet-fed SHRSP5/Dmcr rat model of NASH, with metformin as a reference drug. A corn oil loading test identified 40 mg/day GCT as the effective dose, significantly suppressing postprandial triglyceride elevation. In NASH rats, both chitosan formulations and metformin reduced serum total cholesterol, whereas only chitosan decreased serum total bile acids. In hepatic tissue, chitosan and metformin selectively attenuated α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, while other fibrosis-related and inflammatory markers were unchanged. Notably, coordinated suppression of fibrosis-related genes in cardiac tissue occurred exclusively in the GCT-treated group. Tablet disintegration and dispersion were associated with reduced circulating bile acids and formulation-dependent lipid handling, along with selective extrahepatic molecular signatures in NASH. Cardiac changes were limited to transcript-level modulation, without evidence of structural remodeling or causality. Further studies are required to clarify the mechanisms.
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