Starch nanoparticles as a bio-nanocatalyst in synthesis of diheteroaryl thioethers

Nanostarch is shown to be a highly efficient, eco-friendly and heterogenous organocatalyst for the synthesis of the diheteroaryl thioethers via one-pot reaction of methylcarbonyls, thiourea and iodine in DMSO. This method offers significant advantages such as available starting materials, higher purity and excellent yield of products, very easy reaction conditions and absence of any tedious purification. Furthermore, because of employing eco-friendly catalyst without using transition metal catalysts, this novel method emerges as a green-approach leading to less harmful residues. Moreover, a mechanism was proposed to rationalize the reaction and the role of starch nanoparticles was also investigated in these transformations.     

Preparation and properties of luffa fiber- and kenaf fiber-filled poly(butylene succinate-co-lactate)/starch blend-based biocomposites

Biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-co-lactate) (PBSL)/starch blends that contain various amounts of starch were prepared. In addition, luffa fiber (LF) and kenaf fiber (KF) were incorporated, individually, into PBSL/starch (70/30) blend to achieve biocomposites. The LF and KF were treated with NaOH_(aq) prior to their addition to the blend. The Young's modulus and flexural modulus of PBSL increased with the addition of starch and increased further after the formation of the biocomposites. The highest Young's modulus increment, which was found in the KF-added system, was up to a 2.2-fold increase compared with neat PBSL. The tensile/flexural/impact strength of PBSL declined after the formation of the blends. With the further addition of LF/KF, the said properties leveled off. The blends exhibited higher complex viscosity and dynamic storage modulus in the melt state than the neat PBSL, and the values further increased in the biocomposites. The crystallization temperature of PBSL slightly decreased in the blends. By contrast, the biocomposites showed an increment in PBSL crystallization temperature, from 73.0 °C (PBSL) to 75.3 °C (KF-added composite), thereby confirming the surface nucleation effect of LF/KF. The blends showed a higher degree of water absorption than PBSL. The formation of biocomposites led to an even higher degree of water absorption. The current approach of including LF/KF in the PBSL/starch blend to enhance the rigidity and biodegradability was advantageous in expanding the applications of PBSL.     

Combined ultrasound and germination treatment on the fine structure of highland barley starch

Highland barley is a grain crop grown in Tibet, China. This study investigated the structure of highland barley starch using ultrasound (40 kHz, 40 min, 165.5 W) and germination treatments (30℃ with 80% relative humidity). The macroscopic morphology and the barley's fine and molecular structure were evaluated. After sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination, a significant difference in moisture content and surface roughness was noted between highland barley and the other groups. All test groups showed an increased particle size distribution range with increasing germination time. FTIR results also indicated that after sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination, the absorption intensity of the intramolecular hydroxyl (–OH) group of starch increased, and hydrogen bonding was stronger compared to the untreated germinated sample. In addition, XRD analysis revealed that starch crystallinity increased following sequential ultrasound treatment and germination, but a-type of crystallinity remained after sonication. Further, the Mw of sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination at any time is higher than that of sequential germination and ultrasound. As a result of sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination, changes in the content of chain length of barley starch were consistent with germination alone. At the same time, the average degree of polymerisation (DP) fluctuated slightly. Lastly, the starch was modified during the sonication process, either prior to or following sonication. Pretreatment with ultrasound illustrated a more profound effect on barley starch than sequential germination and ultrasound treatment. In conclusion, these results indicate that sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination improve the fine structure of highland barley starch.     

Characterization and cytotoxicity and antihuman renal cell carcinoma potentials of starch capped-copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized by ultrasonic irradiation: Introducing a novel chemotherapeutic drug

In this research article we have demonstrated the sustainable green synthesis of a novel starch templated CuO NP following a clean and non-hazardous pathway. Ultrasonic irradiation was used to promote the reaction in alkaline medium. The numerous hydroxyl groups present in starch was exploited in the green reduction of immobilized copper ions in situ. They also helped to stabilize the as synthesized Cu NPs by encapsulation or capping. The morphology and physicochemical characteristics were ascertained over an array of analytical techniques like Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Elemental Mapping, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). Biologically, the nanocomposite exhibited excellent cytotoxicity against human renal cell carcinoma (RCC-GH, CaKi-2 and HEK293) cell lines without affecting the normal (HUVEC) cell line. IC₅₀ values of the nanocomposite were found at 139, 208and 125 against RCC-GH, CaKi-2 and HEK293 cell lines respectively and accordingly, HEK293 afforded the best adenocarcinoma activity.     

A facile and green synthetic approach toward fabrication of starch-stabilized magnetite nanoparticles

A facile and green synthetic approach for fabrication of starch-stabilized magnetite nanoparticles was implemented at moderate temperature. This synthesis involved the use of iron salts, potato starch,sodium hydroxide and deionized water as iron precursors, stabilizer, reducing agent and solvent respectively. The nanoparticles(NPs) were characterized by UV-vis, PXRD, HR-TEM, FESEM, EDX, VSM and FT-IR spectroscopy. The ultrasonic assisted co-precipitation technique provides well formation of highly distributed starch/Fe_3O_4-NPs. Based on UV–vis analysis, the sample showed the characteristic of surface plasmon resonance in the presence of Fe_3O_4-NPs. The PXRD pattern depicted the characteristic of the cubic lattice structure of Fe_3O_4-NPs. HR-TEM analysis showed the good dispersion of NPs with a mean diameter and standard deviation of 10.68 4.207 nm. The d spacing measured from the lattice images were found to be around 0.30 nm and 0.52 nm attributed to the Fe3O4 and starch, respectively. FESEM analysis confirmed the formation of spherical starch/Fe_3O_4-NPs with the emission of elements of C, O and Fe by EDX analysis. The magnetic properties illustrated by VSM analysis indicated that the as synthesized sample has a saturation magnetization and coercivity of 5.30 emu/g and 22.898 G respectively.Additionally, the FTIR analysis confirmed the binding of starch with Fe_3O_4-NPs. This method was cost effective, facile and eco-friendly alternative for preparation of NPs.     

结合2D-COS和光谱融合技术的小麦淀粉回生特性定量表征

回生是淀粉加工、运输和储藏过程中的重要理化性质,快速检测淀粉回生程度对淀粉制品的品质和保质期有重要意义。为了探究二维相关光谱法(2D-COS)优选回生淀粉特征变量的可行性,研究结合2D-COS和光谱融合技术对小麦淀粉的回生特性进行定量表征。首先,将不同回生时间的小麦淀粉测定结晶度和回生度,从淀粉体系中晶体含量和对淀粉酶水解抗性的角度表征淀粉回生特性。然后,分别采集样品的近红外和中红外光谱数据,对采集的原始光谱进行Savitzky-Golay平滑和标准正态变量变换预处理后,结合偏最小二乘法分别基于近红外光谱、中红外光谱和融合光谱构建全光谱的预测模型。在此基础上,以回生天数为外部扰动,分别选取回生0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21和35 d的10条淀粉光谱进行2D-COS分析。通过分析同步谱和自相关谱,辨识了近红外13个和中红外11个与回生特性有关的特征波长。最后,基于这些特征波长进一步建立回生度和结晶度的预测模型。结果表明,全光谱模型结果中,光谱融合后的模型预测效果较好,结晶度模型的相对分析误差(RPD)值由1.203 4和2.069 0提高至3.980 9,回生度...     

淀粉接枝聚丙烯酰胺阳离子絮凝剂的合成及应用——推荐一个高分子化学综合实验

介绍一个综合化学实验。实验通过淀粉与丙烯酰胺的接枝聚合反应和阳离子化改性,合成了一种新型淀粉接枝聚丙烯酰胺阳离子高分子絮凝剂,进行了结构表征,以人工模拟染料废水和重金属离子废水为实验对象,探究了合成的聚丙烯酰胺、淀粉接枝聚丙烯酰胺和淀粉接枝聚丙烯酰胺阳离子絮凝剂在废水净化中的应用。本实验理论与实践相结合,有助于激发学生的学习兴趣,培养学生的学科交叉融合思维和分析解决问题的能力。     

Preliminary Study of Cationic Copolymerization of α-Methylstyrene and Isobutyl Vinyl Ether. II

α-Methylstyrene (α-MS) and isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) were copolymerized by using the H₂O/EtAlCl₂ initiator system and CH₂Cl₂ and CH₃Cl solvent in the temperature range from -30 to -90°C. As compared to homopolymerization of α-MS, both yields and molecular weights are reduced upon addition of small amounts of IBVE to the feed. The reactivity ratios were calculated by the method of Kelen and Tödös as well as the Fineman and Ross method, and the combined effect of change of solvent and temperature on reactivity ratios was determined. Effects of feed composition and temperature on the copolymer yield, composition, and number-average molecular weight M _n were studied in detail. M _n showed a novel exponential dependence on the IBVE concentration in the feed. The overall activation energies of molecular weight were determined from the Arrhenius plots for both homo-and copolymerization systems. Based on these and the yield data, a speculation is made regarding reaction mechanism for molecular weight control. NMR and DTA data are reported, which establish the random nature of the copolymers.     

Influence of processing methods on starch properties

Native potato starch was prepared using different processing methods. The samples were characterized by wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and microhardness. Compression molding of the starch granules led to sintered relatively brittle materials. Here, the amylopectin crystals of the native powder remained grossly preserved. Preparation of dry films from aqueous gels resulted in disintegration of the structure of the native starch granules and in the formation of a new semicrystalline structure comprised of crystallized amylose molecules. Injection molding of native starch was found to be a processing method that gives rise to amorphous materials with superior mechanical properties.     

天然植物高分子药用胶囊的研究与发展

讨论了天然植物高分子药用胶囊的最新研究与发展,介绍了目前的主要研究成果并提出展望.不仅从化学结构、流变和相变等基础理论方面探讨了各类植物药用胶囊的特性和研制中所遇到的问题,同时对各种胶囊制备设备与工艺的发展及应用中的技术改进进行了综述分析.传统明胶胶囊生产工艺的应用已有160多年的历史,目前植物胶囊生产设备和工艺多是建立在传统明胶胶囊生产的基础上.研究植物胶囊材料的流变和凝胶性能以尽量满足传统明胶的设备与工艺是当今急需解决的难题之一.近年来,随着人们对淀粉结构和改性方法的深入研究(尤其是将淀粉基可生物降解材料的制备技术与传统食品科学的研究成果有效结合),应用高分子科学理论和方法提高淀粉基材料的加工性能,力学性能与稳定性的研究有了突破性进展,为淀粉胶囊的研制提供了理论和技术上的有力支持.使用传统塑料加工的挤出加工法制备植物胶囊,是植物胶囊研究中的重大突破和创新.从原材料来源的充足性和价格上考虑,淀粉是最有潜力替代传统胶囊的原料之一.