Assessing the effect of Maillard reaction products on the functionality and antioxidant properties of Amaranth-red seaweed blends.

Plant-based proteins, represented by amaranth in our study, embrace a potential as an ingredient for the functional-food formulation. However, their efficacy is hindered by inherent limitations in solubility, emulsification, and antioxidant traits. The Maillard reaction, a complex chemical-process resulting in a diverse array of products, including Maillard conjugates and Maillard reaction products (MRPs), can employ variable effects on these specific attributes. To elucidate the influence of this reaction and the MRPs on the aforementioned properties, we used a complex blend of dehydrated seaweed Gracilaria and amaranth protein to create a conjugate-MRP blend. Our investigations revealed that the resultant incorporation enhanced solubility, emulsification, and antioxidant properties, while the intermediates formed did not progress to advanced glycation stages. This change is likely attributed to the dual effect of conjugates that altered the secondary protein structure, while the generation and/or preservation of MRPs post ultrasonication and spray drying enhanced its antioxidant potential.

Quantifying the effects of pre-roasting on structural and functional properties of yellow pea proteins.

Roasting could modify the protein structure/conformation, contributing to changes in functional properties. Here we investigated the effects of pre-roasting on the extraction efficiency, structural and functional properties of pea protein concentrates and isolates (PPC and PPI) produced from yellow split peas. The shorter roasting times (150 °C, 10 and 20 min) had little effect on protein yields and could increase the solubility of PPC or PPI by âˆ¼ 12% at pH 7 and enhance the solubility of PPI by âˆ¼ 12% (10-min roasting) and âˆ¼ 24% (20-min roasting) at pH 3. However, a longer duration of pre-roasting (150 °C, 30 min) significantly reduced the extraction efficiency of PPC and PPI by âˆ¼ 30% and âˆ¼ 61%, respectively. Meanwhile, pre-roasting had minor effects on SDS-PAGE profiles and the secondary structures of pea proteins but significantly altered tertiary structures by reducing free sulfhydryl groups, increasing disulfide bonds and surface hydrophobicity. As for the emulsifying properties, pre-roasting improved the emulsion ability index (EAI) of PPC and PPI but decreased the emulsion stability index (ESI) of PPC and had no significant effect on PPI. Moreover, PPC and PPI with shorter pre-roasting duration (10 and 20 min) had endothermic peaks and showed a slight decrease in the denaturation temperature (Td) and the onset temperature (To), respectively. Overall, the study demonstrated that controlled pre-roasting at 150 °C for 10 min and 20 min altered protein structures (mainly tertiary structures), improving the solubility and EAI of pea proteins at pH 7, while retaining their thermal properties in comparison to unroasted samples.

On surface composition and stability of ß-carotene microcapsules comprising pea/whey protein complexes by synchrotron-FTIR microspectroscopy.

This study aims to elucidate the stability of spray dried ß-carotene microcapsules by identifying their surface composition using synchrotron-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy. To investigate the impact of enzymatic cross-linking and polysaccharide addition on heteroprotein, three wall materials were prepared: pea/whey protein blends (Con), cross-linked pea/whey protein blends (TG), and cross-linked pea/whey protein blends-maltodextrin complex (TG-MD). The TG-MD exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (>90 %) after 8 weeks of storage followed by TG and Con. Chemical images obtained using synchrotron-FTIR microspectroscopy confirmed that the TG-MD displayed the least amount of surface oil, followed by TG and Con, due to increasing amphiphilic ß-sheet structure of the proteins led by cross-linking and maltodextrin addition. Both enzymatic cross-linking and polysaccharide addition improved the stability of ß-carotene microcapsules, demonstrating that pea/whey protein blends with maltodextrin can be utilised as a hybrid wall material for enhancing the encapsulation efficiency of lipophilic bioactive compounds in foods.

Food Emulsion Gels from Plant-Based Ingredients: Formulation, Processing, and Potential Applications.

Recent advances in the understanding of formulations and processing techniques have allowed for greater freedom in plant-based emulsion gel design to better recreate conventional animal-based foods. The roles of plant-based proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids in the formulation of emulsion gels and relevant processing techniques such as high-pressure homogenization (HPH), ultrasound (UH), and microfluidization (MF), were discussed in correlation with the effects of varying HPH, UH, and MF processing parameters on emulsion gel properties. The characterization methods for plant-based emulsion gels to quantify their rheological, thermal, and textural properties, as well as gel microstructure, were presented with a focus on how they can be applied for food purposes. Finally, the potential applications of plant-based emulsion gels, such as dairy and meat alternatives, condiments, baked goods, and functional foods, were discussed with a focus on sensory properties and consumer acceptance. This study found that the implementation of plant-based emulsion gel in food is promising to date despite persisting challenges. This review will provide valuable insights for researchers and industry professionals looking to understand and utilize plant-based food emulsion gels.

Visual Monitoring of Disintegration of Solid Oral Dosage Forms in Simulated Gastric Fluids Using Low-Field NMR Imaging.

Compared to traditional drug release monitoring with manual sampling and testing procedures, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) imaging is a one-step, visual, non-destructive, and non-invasive measurement method. Here, we reported the application of LF-NMR to image the morphology, component, sub-diffusion, and spatial distribution of a solid oral formulation, Biyankang tablets, during dissolution in vitro. The drug ingredients with characteristic relaxation times were distinguished and localized based on the signal of standards, such as patchouli oil, Xanthium strumarium extract, and starch. The hydration, swelling, disintegration, and sub-diffusion of tablets in simulated gastric fluids (SGF) were visualized statically. All tablets showed similar expansion (37.4-42.0%) along the direction of thickness at 25 min and reached a full disintegration at 145 min, at pH 1.80-6.15, indicating pH-independent swelling and disintegration. Compared to that static immersion within 20 mL SGF, the tablet disintegration time was shortened by ~ 11% in 30 mL SGF. The application of shear reduced the time by ~ 28%, suggesting a major role of hydrodynamic condition in tablet dissolution. The ability to simultaneously visualize, distinguish, and localize drug ingredients using LF-NMR is expected to provide valuable information to develop drug release monitoring systems in vitro and potentially in vivo using small animal studies.

Fatty acid distribution and polymorphism in solid lipid particles of milkfat and long chain omega-3 fatty acids.

Saturated fatty acid-containing lipids, such as milkfat, may protect long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish oil when blended together into solid lipid particles (SLPs). One of the main challenges of SLPs is structural polymorphism, which can lead to expulsion of the protected component during prolonged storage. To investigate this phenomenon, the change in thermal and crystalline behaviours, and fatty acid distribution, were analysed in SLPs of fish oil and milkfat during storage at different temperatures for up to 28 days. X-ray diffraction analysis showed changes in molten and crystalline states occurred even at -22 °C. Room temperature (21 °C) storage led to more than 45% molten state but SLPs retained their initial shape. Confocal Raman Spectroscopy of the SLPs showed the distribution of fatty acids was not uniform, with 10 µm outermost layer of predominantly saturated fatty acids likely responsible for the intact SLP shape and stability of the core.

Improvements of plant protein functionalities by Maillard conjugation and Maillard reaction products.

Plant-derived protein research has gained attention in recent years due to the rise of health concerns, allergenicity, trends toward vegan diet, food safety, and sustainability; but the lower techno-functional attributes of plant proteins compared to those of animals still remain a challenge for their utilization. Maillard conjugation is a protein side-chain modification reaction which is spontaneous, and do not require additional chemical additive to initiate the reaction. The glycoconjugates formed during the reaction significantly improves the thermal stability and pH sensitivity of proteins. The modification of plant-derived protein using Maillard conjugation requires a comprehensive understanding of the influence of process conditions on the conjugation process. These factors can be used to establish a correlation with different functional and bioactive characteristics, to potentially adapt this approach for selective functionality enhancement and nutraceutical development. This review covers recent advances in plant-derived protein modification using Maillard conjugation, including different pretreatments to modify the functionality and bioactivity of plant proteins and their potential uses in practice. An overview of different properties of conjugates and MRPs, including food safety aspects, is given.

Digestion of curcumin-fortified yogurt in short/long gastric residence times using a near-real dynamic in vitro human stomach.

A dynamic in vitro human stomach (DIVHS), simulating the anatomical structures, peristalsis, and biochemical environments of a real stomach as practically as possible, was applied to mimic the gastric pH and emptying during yogurt digestion in short/long gastric residence times. The influences of peristalsis, dilution, and proteolysis on digesta viscosity were quantified respectively, indicating the dominant role of proteolysis and dilution. After incorporating curcumin-whey protein microparticles with targeted-release formula in yogurt, the peak curcumin release during intestinal digestion reached 43% at 120 min in the short gastric residence time and 16% at 180 min in the long gastric residence time. The change in the maximum curcumin release depended on the gastric emptying kinetics in each residence time. This emptying-kinetics dependence was reflected by the slower microparticle disintegration and proteolysis in the long gastric residence time. The dynamic reproduction of realistic gastric conditions using DIVHS helps revealing controlled release from foods.

Pulmonary myeloid cell uptake of biodegradable nanoparticles conjugated with an anti-fibrotic agent provides a novel strategy for treating chronic allergic airways disease.

Asthma (chronic allergic airways disease, AAD) is characterized by airway inflammation (AI), airway remodeling (AWR) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Current treatments for AAD mainly focus on targeting AI and its contribution AHR, with the use of corticosteroids. However, there are no therapies for the direct treatment of AWR, which can contribute to airway obstruction, AHR and corticosteroid resistance independently of AI. The acute heart failure drug, serelaxin (recombinant human gene-2 relaxin, RLX), has potential anti-remodeling and anti-fibrotic effects but only when continuously infused or injected to overcome its short half-life. To alleviate this limitation, we conjugated serelaxin to biodegradable and noninflammatory nanoparticles (NP-RLX) and evaluated their therapeutic potential on measures of AI, AWR and AHR, when intranasally delivered to a preclinical rodent model of chronic AAD and TGF-ß1-stimulated collagen gel contraction from asthma patient-derived myofibroblasts. NP-RLX was preferentially taken-up by CD206+-infiltrating and CD68+-tissue resident alveolar macrophages. Furthermore, NP-RLX ameliorated the chronic AAD-induced AI, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α), chemokines (CCL2, CCL11) and the pro-fibrotic TGF-ß1/IL-1ß axis on AWR and resulting AHR, as well as human myofibroblast-induced collagen gel contraction, to a similar extent as unconjugated RLX. Hence, NP-RLX represents a novel strategy for treating the central features of asthma.

On improving bioaccessibility and targeted release of curcumin-whey protein complex microparticles in food.

Curcumin is a bioactive food component, with poor bioaccessibility due to low water solubility and stability. Spray drying retained and in fact enhanced curcumin-whey protein isolate (WPI) complexation via desolvation, lowering the amount of unbound curcumin to <5% wt after drying, forming microparticles with better water solubility, stability, and bioaccessibility than raw curcumin. The desolvated microparticles encapsulated 3.47 ± 0.05 mg/g curcumin, almost one order of magnitude higher than the un-desolvated sample 0.37 ± 0.03 mg/g. After incorporation into yogurt, the rapid-release formula liberated 87% curcumin, whereas the targeted-release one discharged 44% before entering the simulated intestinal condition. Most of the yogurt sensory properties were not adversely affected, except for colour and curcumin flavour. This study proposed a strategy in which food ingredients containing hydrophobic bioactive small molecules can be incorporated into a food matrix to improve bioaccessibility and targeted release, without affecting their sensory properties.

Pullulan-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Blood-Stage Malaria Vaccine Delivery.

Vaccines against blood-stage malaria often aim to induce antibodies to neutralize parasite entry into red blood cells, interferon gamma (IFNγ) produced by T helper 1 (Th1) CD4+ T cells or interleukin 4 (IL-4) produced by T helper 2 (Th2) cells to provide B cell help. One vaccine delivery method for suitable putative malaria protein antigens is the use of nanoparticles as vaccine carriers. It has been previously shown that antigen conjugated to inorganic nanoparticles in the viral-particle size range (~40-60 nm) can induce protective antibodies and T cells against malaria antigens in a rodent malaria challenge model. Herein, it is shown that biodegradable pullulan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (pIONPs) can be synthesized in this same size range. The pIONPs are non-toxic and do not induce conventional pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo. We show that murine blood-stage antigen MSP4/5 from Plasmodium yoelii could be chemically conjugated to pIONPs and the use of these conjugates as immunogens led to the induction of both specific antibodies and IFNγ CD4+ T cells reactive to MSP4/5 in mice, comparable to responses to MSP4/5 mixed with classical adjuvants (e.g., CpG or Alum) that preferentially induce Th1 or Th2 cells individually. These results suggest that biodegradable pIONPs warrant further exploration as carriers for developing blood-stage malaria vaccines.

Characterisation of thermal and structural behaviour of lipid blends composed of fish oil and milkfat.

The blend of fish oil with a high percentage of long chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids, and milkfat with a high percentage of saturated fatty acids, could potentially demonstrate desirable characteristics from both components, such as increased omega-3 fatty acids and melting point, as well as improved crystallization and oxidative stability. In this study, the effect of various milkfat concentrations on thermal properties and crystalline structure of these blends were analysed to understand parameters determining the overall characteristics of the blend. Blends with different ratios of fish oil: milkfat (9:1, 7:3, 5:5, 3:7, 1:9), as well as pure fish oil and pure milkfat, were investigated at different cooling conditions. The crystallization behaviour in all samples shifted to lower temperature ranges, by increasing the cooling rate from 1 to 32 °C/min. However, the changes in cooling rate did not have significant effect on the melting profile of the samples. Whereas changes in milkfat ratio affect both the crystallization and melting behaviour. New crystallization peaks were observed on DSC spectra between the range of -4 to -13 °C in the blends. Moreover, new melting peaks appeared in two ranges of -1 to -8 °C and 8-9 °C, in the blends. The crystallization and melting behaviour of the blends were similar to those of milkfat when >30% milkfat was used. This was further confirmed via XRD where milkfat demonstrated the dominant polymorphic behaviour. Regarding shape of the crystals, fractal dimension analysis showed a similarity between clusters in blends containing 50% milkfat or higher. Increasing the ratio of milkfat led to an increase in fractal dimension which indicates higher mass-spatial distribution of the crystal networks in the blends. The data showed that adding 30% or more milkfat to pure fish oil resulted in blends demonstrating similar characteristics to milkfat, including thermal, structural, and oxidative stability. This shows the potential of blending a high percentage of docosahexaenoic acid in milk fat to improve their overall stability.

Sulfonated Sub-1-nm Metal-Organic Framework Channels with Ultrahigh Proton Selectivity.

Biological proton channels are sub-1-nm protein pores with ultrahigh proton (H+) selectivity over other ions. Inspired by biological proton channels, developing artificial proton channels with biological-level selectivity is of fundamental significance for separation science. Herein we report synthetic proton channels fabrication based on sulfonated metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), UiO-66-X, X = SAG, NH-SAG, (NH-SAG)2 (SAG: sulfonic acid groups), which have sub-1-nm windows and a high density of sulfonic acid groups mimicking natural proton channels. The ion conductance of UiO-66-X channels follows the sequence: H+ ≫ K+ > Na+> Li+, and the sulfonated UiO-66 derivative channels show proton selectivity much higher than that of the pristine UiO-66 channels. Particularly, the UiO-66-(NH-SAG)2 channels exhibit ultrahigh proton selectivities, H+/Li+ up to ∼100, H+/Na+ of ∼80, and H+/K+ of ∼70, which are ∼3 times of that of UiO-66-NH-SAG channels, and ∼15 times of that of UiO-66@SAG channels. The ultrahigh proton selectivity in the sulfonated sub-1-nm MOF channels is mainly attributed to the narrow window-cavity pore structure functionalized with nanoconfined high-density sulfonic acid groups that facilitate fast proton transport and simultaneously exclude other cations. Our work opens an avenue to develop functional MOF channels for selective ion conduction and efficient ion separation.

Unidirectional and Selective Proton Transport in Artificial Heterostructured Nanochannels with Nano-to-Subnano Confined Water Clusters.

The construction of biological proton channel analogues has attracted substantial interest owing to their wide potential in separation of ions, sensing, and energy conversion. Here, metal-organic framework (MOF)/polymer heterogeneous nanochannels are presented, in which water molecules are confined to disordered clusters in the nanometer-sized polymer regions and to ordered chains with unique molecular configurations in the 1D sub-1-nm porous MOF regions, to realize unidirectional, fast, and selective proton transport properties, analogous to natural proton channels. Given the nano-to-subnano confined water junctions, experimental proton conductivities in the polymer-to-MOF direction of the channels are much higher than those in the opposite direction, showing a high rectification up to 500 and one to two orders of magnitude enhancement compared to the conductivity of proton transport in bulk water. The channels also show a good proton selectivity over other cations. Theoretical simulations further reveal that the preferential and fast proton conduction in the nano-to-subnano channel direction is attributed to extremely low energy barriers for proton transport from disordered to ordered water clusters. This study opens a novel approach to regulate ion permeability and selectivity of artificial ion channels.

Scalable Synthesis of Uniform Mesoporous Aluminosilicate Microspheres with Controllable Size and Morphology and High Hydrothermal Stability for Efficient Acid Catalysis.

Mesoporous aluminosilicates are promising solid acid catalysts. They are also excellent supports for transition metal catalysts for various catalytic applications. Synthesis of mesoporous aluminosilicates with controllable particle size, morphology, and structure, as well as adjustable acidity and high hydrothermal stability, is very desirable. In this work, we demonstrate the scalable synthesis of Al-SBA-15 microspheres with controllable physicochemical properties by using the microfluidic jet-spray-drying technology. The productivity is up to ∼30 g of dried particles per nozzle per hour. The Al-SBA-15 microspheres possess uniform controllable micron sizes (27.5-70.2 µm), variable surface morphologies, excellent hydrothermal stability (in pure steam at 800 °C), high surface areas (385-464 m2/g), ordered mesopore sizes (5.4-5.8 nm), and desirable acid properties. The dependence of various properties, including particle size, morphology, porosity, pore size, acidity, and hydrothermal stability, of the obtained Al-SBA-15 microspheres on experimental parameters including precursor composition (Si/Al ratio and solid content) and processing conditions (drying and calcination temperatures) is established. A unique morphology transition from smooth to wrinkled microsphere triggered by control of the Si/Al ratio and solid content is observed. The particle formation and morphology-evolution mechanism are discussed. The Al-SBA-15 microspheres exhibit high acid catalytic performance for aldol-condensation reaction between benzaldehyde and ethyl alcohol with a high benzaldehyde conversion (∼56.3%), a fast pseudo-first-order reaction rate (∼0.1344 h-1), and a high cyclic stability, superior to the commercial zeolite acid (H-ZSM-5). Several influencing factors on the catalytic performance of the obtained Al-SBA-15 microspheres are also studied.

A novel Approach for Non-Invasive Lung Imaging and Targeting Lung Immune Cells.

Despite developments in pulmonary radiotherapy, radiation-induced lung toxicity remains a problem. More sensitive lung imaging able to increase the accuracy of diagnosis and radiotherapy may help reduce this problem. Super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are used in imaging, but without further modification can cause unwanted toxicity and inflammation. Complex carbohydrate and polymer-based coatings have been used, but simpler compounds may provide additional benefits. Herein, we designed and generated super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with the neutral natural dietary amino acid glycine (GSPIONs), to support non-invasive lung imaging and determined particle biodistribution, as well as understanding the impact of the interaction of these nanoparticles with lung immune cells. These GSPIONs were characterized to be crystalline, colloidally stable, with a size of 12 ± 5 nm and a hydrodynamic diameter of 84.19 ± 18 nm. Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen (CHN) elemental analysis estimated approximately 20.2 × 103 glycine molecules present per nanoparticle. We demonstrated that it is possible to determine the biodistribution of the GSPIONs in the lung using three-dimensional (3D) ultra-short echo time magnetic resonance imaging. The GSPIONs were found to be taken up selectively by alveolar macrophages and neutrophils in the lung. In addition, the GSPIONs did not cause changes to airway resistance or induce inflammatory cytokines. Alveolar macrophages and neutrophils are critical regulators of pulmonary inflammatory diseases, including allergies, infections, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, pulmonary Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging and preferential targeting of these lung resident cells by our nanoparticles offer precise imaging tools, which can be utilized to develop precision targeted radiotherapy as well as diagnostic tools for lung cancer, thereby having the potential to reduce the pulmonary complications of radiation.

Relationship between Desalination Performance of Graphene Oxide Membranes and Edge Functional Groups.

High desalination efficiency in principle could be achieved by layer-by-layer graphene oxide (GO) membranes, which benefits from their entrance-functionalized channels assembled by edge-functionalized GO nanosheets. The effects of these edge functional groups on desalination, however, are not fully understood yet. To study the isolated influence of three typical edge functional groups, namely, carboxyl (-COOH), hydroxyl (-OH), and hydrogen (-H), molecular dynamics simulation was used in this work. The results revealed that the edge volumetric blockage effect, resulting in ion permeability at G-H > G-OH > G-COOH membranes, was the dominant mechanistic effect inside the GO membranes with 7 Å interlayer channels. The OH edge has the same effect as the H edge in NaCl/water selectivity because of a unique "ion pulling" effect. Moreover, the OH and H edge-functionalized membranes with 7 Å interlayer channels showed preferential Na+ and Cl- rejections, respectively. This kind of preference leads to a cycle of charging and neutralization in the penetrant reservoir throughout the filtration process. The results from this work suggested that it would be strategic to keep the COOH and H edge functional groups, to maintain the size of interlayer channels in order to stimulate the effects of edge functional groups, and to increase the membrane porosity for designing higher desalination efficiency GO membranes.

Three-Dimensional Hierarchical Porous Nanotubes Derived from Metal-Organic Frameworks for Highly Efficient Overall Water Splitting.

Effective design of bifunctional catalysts for both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is important but remains challenging. Herein, we report a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical structure composed of homogeneously distributed Ni-Fe-P nanoparticles embedded in N-doped carbons on nickel foams (denoted as Ni-Fe-P@NC/NF) as an excellent bifunctional catalyst. This catalyst was fabricated by an anion exchange method and a low-temperature phosphidation of nanotubular Prussian blue analogue (PBA). The Ni-Fe-P@NC/NF displayed exceptional catalytic activity toward both HER and OER and delivered an ultralow cell voltage of 1.47 V to obtain 10 mA cm-2 with extremely excellent durability for 100 h when assembled as a practical electrolyser. The extraordinary performance of Ni-Fe-P@NC/NF is attributed to the abundance of unsaturated active sites, the well-defined hierarchical porous structure, and the synergistic effect between multiple components. Our work will inspire more rational designs of highly active non-noble electrocatalysts for industrial energy applications.

Glycine microparticles loaded with functionalized nanoparticles for pulmonary delivery.

The use of nanoparticles for pulmonary delivery poses challenges such as the presence of anatomical barriers and the loss of bioactive components. Excipients are often used to facilitate delivery. Excipients suitable for nanoparticle delivery are still being explored. Herein we introduce for the first time, spray-dried glycine microparticle-based excipients loaded with nanoparticles of the size range known to be taken up by alveolar macrophages. Using a microfluidic jet spray dryer, we produced glycine microparticles-based excipients which are spherical, uniform, cenospheric (hollow at core), and "coral-like" with average diameter of 60 ±â€¯10 µm, 29 ±â€¯0.8% porosity, and showed their effective loading with glycine coated iron oxide superparamagnetic nanoparticles (GSPIONs). Our loading protocol with nanoparticles further increased microsphere porosity and improved aerodynamic performance unlike the dense, solid commercial excipient, Lactohale200™. This demonstrates a feasible approach for delivery of such nanoparticles in the lung.

Spray-drying water-based assembly of hierarchical and ordered mesoporous silica microparticles with enhanced pore accessibility for efficient bio-adsorption.

The fast and scalable spray-drying-assisted evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) synthesis of hierarchically porous SBA-15-type silica microparticles from a water-based system is demonstrated. The SBA-15-type silica microparticles has bowl-like shapes, uniform micro-sizes (∼90 µm), large ordered mesopores (∼9.5 nm), hierarchical meso-/macropores (20-100 nm) and open surfaces. In the synthesis, soft- and hard-templating approaches are combined in a single rapid drying process with a non-ionic tri-block copolymer (F127) and a water-insoluble polymer colloid (Eudragit RS, 120 nm) as the co-templates. The RS polymer colloid plays three important roles. First, the RS nanoparticles can be partially dissolved by in-situ generated ethanol to form RS polymer chains. The RS chains swell and modulate the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance of F127 micelles to allow the formation of an ordered mesostructure with large mesopore sizes. Without RS, only worm-like mesostructure with much smaller mesopore sizes can be formed. Second, part of the RS nanoparticles plays a role in templating the hierarchical pores distributed throughout the microparticles. Third, part of the RS polymer forms surface "skins" and "bumps", which can be removed by calcination to enable a more open surface structure to overcome the low pore accessibility issue of spray-dried porous microparticles. The obtained materials have high surface areas (315-510 m2 g-1) and large pore volumes (0.64-1.0 cm3 g-1), which are dependent on RS concentration, HCl concentration, silica precursor hydrolysis time and drying temperature. The representative materials are promising for the adsorption of lysozyme. The adsorption occurs at a >three-fold faster rate, in a five-fold larger capacity (an increase from 20 to 100 mg g-1) and without pore blockage compared with the adsorption of lysozyme onto spray-dried microparticles of similar physicochemical properties obtained without the use of RS.