Biofilms from poly-vinyl alcohol/palmyra root sprout with Boswellia serrata, carbon dots and anthocyanin for sensing the freshness of sardine fish.

One of the main issues that customers worldwide have is food adulteration. In commercial packages, freshness cannot always be determined visually. Here, we propose sensitive films for use in food packaging that could alter colour to indicate a change in freshness. Hybrid, multifunctional, and eco-friendly films were prepared from polyvinyl alcohol/palmyra root sprout (PVA/PRS), fused with soy protein isolate carbon dot (CD), Boswellia serrata (BS), and Clitoriaternatea anthocyanin (CTE). The films showed pH sensitivity, antioxidant, and UV barrier properties. By creating hydrogen bonds between PRS and the other fillers, adding these substances makes PVA less crystallized. These interactions were verified by infrared Fourier-transform analysis. When compared to PVA, PRS films had significantly lower moisture content and swelling ratios. The UV-blocking capabilities of the films were greatly improved by the addition of CD, BS, and CTE without compromising their mechanical, thermal, or water vapor barrier properties. The composite film PVA/PRS/CD/BS/CTE exhibited a maximum tensile strength value of 69.47 ± 1.49 MPa. The CT extract provides the film with superior antioxidant properties. The colorimetric films PVA/PRS/CTE and PVA/PRS/CD/BS/CTE showed distinct pH-responsive colour-change properties as well as good colour stability. The colorimetric films were used to test the freshness of sardine fish, and they revealed unique colour changes that indicated whether the fish sample was spoiled or not.

Fabrication, Characterization, and Biological Evaluation of T. terrestris Incorporated Titanium-Doped ZnO/Cellulose Nanocomposite Films as a Therapeutic Hemostatic Scaffolds for Diabetic Wound Healing.

The advent of biobased materials exhibiting remarkable effectiveness and performance has ushered in a paradigm shift in the field of biomedical science. Polymers are often used in the medical sector, particularly in the regeneration of bones, tissues, and wounds. Fast wound healing and self-healing polymers created from sustainable surroundings are attractive alternatives to create demand for new pathways in polymer research. This study investigates the efficacy of a biowaste-derived polymer, which was extracted and supplemented with titanium-doped ZnO nanoparticles along with medication in the form of an extract to evaluate its effectiveness in promoting wound healing. The prepared materials were further characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), tensile, and its color parameters. In vitro studies on wound healing were also conducted. The results clearly showed that the produced substance possesses properties that are noteworthy for wound healing.

Recent progress and treatment strategy of pectin polysaccharide based tissue engineering scaffolds in cancer therapy, wound healing and cartilage regeneration.

Natural polymers and its mixtures in the form of films, sponges and hydrogels are playing a major role in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Hydrogels have been extensively investigated as standalone materials for drug delivery purposes as they enable effective encapsulation and sustained release of drugs. Biopolymers are widely utilised in the fabrication of hydrogels due to their safety, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and regulated breakdown by human enzymes. Among all the biopolymers, polysaccharide-based polymer is well suited to overcome the limitations of traditional wound dressing materials. Pectin is a polysaccharide which can be extracted from different plant sources and is used in various pharmaceutical and biomedical applications including cartilage regeneration. Pectin itself cannot be employed as scaffolds for tissue engineering since it decomposes quickly. This article discusses recent research and developments on pectin polysaccharide, including its types, origins, applications, and potential demands for use in AI-mediated scaffolds. It also covers the materials-design process, strategy for implementation to material selection and fabrication methods for evaluation. Finally, we discuss unmet requirements and current obstacles in the development of optimal materials for wound healing and bone-tissue regeneration, as well as emerging strategies in the field.

Biopolymer Based Multifunctional Films Loaded with Anthocyanin Rich Floral Extract and ZnO Nano Particles for Smart Packaging and Wound Healing Applications.

There are significant societal repercussions from our excessive use of plastic products derived from petroleum. In response to the increasing environmental implications of plastic wastes, biodegradable materials have been proven to be an effective means of mitigating environmental issues. Therefore, protein- and polysaccharide-based polymers have gained widespread attention recently. In our study, for increasing the strength of a biopolymer (Starch), we used ZnO dispersed nanoparticles (NPs), which resulted in the enhancement of other functional properties of the polymer. The synthesized NPs were characterized using SEM, XRD, and Zeta potential values. The preparation techniques are completely green, with no hazardous chemicals employed. The floral extract employed in this study is Torenia fournieri (TFE), which is prepared using a mixture of ethanol and water and possesses diverse bioactive features and pH-sensitive characteristics. The prepared films were characterized using SEM, XRD, FTIR, contact angle and TGA. The incorporation of TFE and ZnO (SEZ) NPs was found to increase the overall nature of the control film. The results obtained from this study confirmed that the developed material is suitable for wound healing and can also be used as a smart packaging material.

Nipah Virus Outbreak in Kerala State, India Amidst of COVID-19 Pandemic.

We report here a Nipah virus (NiV) outbreak in Kozhikode district of Kerala state, India, which had caused fatal encephalitis in a 12-year-old boy and the outbreak response, which led to the successful containment of the disease and the related investigations. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, ELISA-based antibody detection, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) were performed to confirm the NiV infection. Contacts of the index case were traced and isolated based on risk categorization. Bats from the areas near the epicenter of the outbreak were sampled for throat swabs, rectal swabs, and blood samples for NiV screening by real-time RT-PCR and anti-NiV bat immunoglobulin G (IgG) ELISA. A plaque reduction neutralization test was performed for the detection of neutralizing antibodies. Nipah viral RNA could be detected from blood, bronchial wash, endotracheal (ET) secretion, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and anti-NiV immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies from the serum sample of the index case. Rapid establishment of an onsite NiV diagnostic facility and contact tracing helped in quick containment of the outbreak. NiV sequences retrieved from the clinical specimen of the index case formed a sub-cluster with the earlier reported Nipah I genotype sequences from India with more than 95% similarity. Anti-NiV IgG positivity could be detected in 21% of Pteropus medius (P. medius) and 37.73% of Rousettus leschenaultia (R. leschenaultia). Neutralizing antibodies against NiV could be detected in P. medius. Stringent surveillance and awareness campaigns need to be implemented in the area to reduce human-bat interactions and minimize spillover events, which can lead to sporadic outbreaks of NiV.

Hemigraphis alternata Leaf Extract Incorporated Agar/Pectin-Based Bio-Engineered Wound Dressing Materials for Effective Skin Cancer Wound Care Therapy.

The rapidly expanding area of regenerative medicine may soon enter a new phase owing to developments in biomaterials and their application in generating new tissues. Chemicals and synthetic drugs are currently the subject of heated debate due to their effects on human health and the environment. Therefore, scientists seek out new products and procedures that are harmless to both the environment and human health concerns. Bio-based materials provide excellent functional qualities with a variety of applications. This study resulted in the development of a film with antimicrobial, hydrophilic, and anti-cancer properties, which is most beneficial in the medical sectors. In this study, we developed a blended biodegradable film containing agar and pectin (AP), with excellent surface functional properties framed through a casting technique. Additionally, the property can be changed by the addition of extract of hemigraphis alternata (HA) extract. The incorporation of extract in AP (APH) can be used for anti-cancer wound care therapy. The fabricated film is biodegradable, biocompatible, and non-toxic. This material is entirely based on a green methodology, and it was prepared in a concise manner without the use of any hazardous solvents. Based on the overall nature of biopolymer, the prepared material is a promising alternative to our society.

Molecular characterization of chikungunya virus isolates from two localized outbreaks during 2014-2019 in Kerala, India.

After the 2005-2009 chikungunya epidemic, intermittent outbreaks were reported in many parts of India. The outbreaks were caused by either locally circulating strains or imported viruses. Virus transmission routes can be traced by complete genome sequencing studies. We investigated two outbreaks in 2014 and 2019 in Kerala, India. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was isolated from the samples, and whole genomes were sequenced for a 2014 isolate and a 2019 isolate. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates formed a separate group with a 2019 isolate from Pune, Maharashtra, and belonged to the East/Central/South African (ECSA) genotype, Indian subcontinent sublineage of the Indian Ocean Lineage (IOL). A novel mutation at amino acid position 76 of the E2 gene was observed in the group. The phylogenetic results suggest that the outbreaks might have been caused by a virus that had been circulating in India since 2014. A detailed study is needed to investigate the evolution of CHIKV in India.

Development of starch based intelligent films by incorporating anthocyanins of butterfly pea flower and TiO2 and their applicability as freshness sensors for prawns during storage.

Intelligent pH sensitive starch films were developed by incorporation of anthocyanin pigment extracted from butterfly pea flower (BPE) and nanosized TiO2 using the method of solution casting. This research work evaluated the influence of BPE and TiO2 on the physical and structural properties of starch films. The physical properties of the starch films could be significantly altered by the addition of BPE and or TiO2. The starch films S/BPE and S/BPE/TiO2 exhibited higher barrier properties against water vapour as compared to the control films. Incorporation of BPE and TiO2 could decrease the thickness and moisture content of films. S, S/BPE starch films were transparent and, S/TiO2 and S/BPE/TiO2 films were opaque. Control starch films were colourless, whereas S/BPE films have purple colour. Owing to the inclusion of BPE and TiO2 particles, structural characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) did not show any major changes in polymer structure. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the addition of TiO2 enhanced the thermal stability of starch films to a significant extent. The color of different starch-based films was determined using the CIE Lab scale under different pH conditions and compared with the control. The fabricated (S/BPE and S/BPE/TiO2) films exhibited visually perceptible colour changes in the pH range between 1 and 12. Consequently these films could be used as intelligent pH indicators for monitoring the freshness of prawn seafood samples. During the storage of prawn food samples for 6 days, the color of the film changed from light pink to green which is a clear indication of spoilage of food material.