Biodegradable foam tray from cassava starch blended with natural fiber and chitosan

This work developed biodegradable foam trays from cassava starch blended with the natural polymers of fiber and chitosan. The kraft fiber at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% (w/w of starch) was mixed with cassava starch solution. Chitosan solution at 0, 2, 4 and 6% (w/v) was added into starch/fiber batter with 1:1. Hot mold baking was used to develop the cassava starch-based foam by using an oven machine with controlled temperature at 250 °C for 5 min. Results showed that foam produced from cassava starch with 30% kraft fiber and 4% chitosan had properties similar to polystyrene foam. Color as L^*, a^* and b^* value of starch foam tray was slightly increased. Density, tensile strength and elongation of the starch-based foam were 0.14 g/cm³, 944.40 kPa and 2.43%, respectively, but water absorption index (WAI) and water solubility index (WSI) were greater than the polystyrene foam.     

Durable antibacterial cotton fabrics with chitosan based quaternary ammonium salt

A water soluble quaternary ammonium chitosan derivative, N-benzyl-N,N-diethyl chitosan quaternary ammonium salt (BDCQA), was prepared for antibacterial finish of cotton textiles. The effects of concentrations of finish agents and treatment time on the add-on ratio of cotton treated BDCQA (BDCQA-cotton) were studied in details. The morphology and thermal property of BDCQA-cotton were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermagravimetric (TG) analysis. Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) and drug-resistant bacterium Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), were used to evaluate the antibacterial activity and durability of BDCQA-cotton. The results showed that BDCQA-cotton possessed good antibacterial activity and high durability against broad spectrum bacterium. The preliminary investigation on the antibacterial mechanism was discussed in this work.     

Nylon textiles grafted with chitosan by open air plasma and their antimicrobial effect

Chitosan is a natural non-toxic biopolymer and is widely used in various fields because of the antimicrobial activities. In this study, the properties of nylon textiles grafted with chitosan oligomer or chitosan polymer after being activated by open air plasma were evaluated. Results showed that nylon textiles grafted with chitosan polymer had better antibacterial performances than those grafted with chitosan oligomer. Air plasma activation at a higher speed (26 m/min) for a few times facilitated the grafting of chitosan and critically determined the antibacterial activities. Further treatment with air plasma after grafting improved the antibacterial effect. Overall, chitosan-grafted nylon textiles showed good antibacterial potential as well as biocompatibility.     

Antimicrobial fibers based on chitosan and polyvinyl-alcohol

A series of antimicrobial fibers with different weight ratio of chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were fabricated via a primarily industrialized trail of wet-spinning method, and the morphology and structure of the resulting fibers were studied with the aid of scanning electron micrography (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The CP60 blend fiber (60 % chitosan content) was confirmed as the best optimal sample among the blend fibers owing to strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds between PVA and chitosan and showed the maximum mechanical, antistatic, moisture absorption/desorption properties. The CP60 also exhibited good antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as the chitosan fiber and could be recommended as the alternative material for the wound dressing and the food packing.     

Effect of softeners and crosslinking conditions on the performance of easy-care cotton fabrics with different weave constructions

This study reports an experimental investigation on the effect of softeners, crosslinking conditions, and laundering on the comfort related and low stress mechanical properties of cotton fabrics with different weave constructions. Softeners with different chemical natures, in conjunction with the crosslinking agent and catalyst, were padded onto the cotton fabrics of three types of weave constructions, viz. plain, twill, and a newly developed plant-structured weave design. Two crosslinking conditions, namely dry and moist curing conditions, were compared. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscope were used to visualize and quantify the morphological and chemical changes on fabrics. The experimental results showed that the dry-crosslinking condition is preferable to achieve better comfort and easy-care properties, while moist-crosslinking condition is a better choice when strength-related properties are the main requirement. The study further showed that silicone elastomer softener can be applied to improve fabric strength whereas micro-emulsion of functional amino-polysiloxane plus emulsion containing polyalkylene is beneficial for comfort characteristic. The plant-structured cotton fabric finished in the dry-crosslinking condition with softener in nano-emulsion form can result in superb water absorption, excellent air permeability, good handle, acceptable strength, and improved easycare property.     

Mechanism and Analysis of Laccase-mediated Coloration of Silk Fabrics

Laccase provides a mild and eco-friendly alternative for the dyeing of fabrics. In this study, laccase-mediated catalytic oxidation was employed in coloration of silk fabrics, and the color was then assessed. The surfaces of silk fabrics were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Their thermal and crystallization properties were also investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), and Xray diffraction (XRD). The textile softness was evaluated by the bending rigidity (B). In addition, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy were employed to analyze hydrolysate of silk fabrics obtained from hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid solution. The results demonstrated that a stable reddish-yellow layer was formed on the surface of silk fabrics by the laccase-mediated coupling of phenol hydroxyl side chains in the silk polypeptide. Moreover, the SEM and AFM observations showed that the surface of colored silk fiber was slick. ATR-FTIR and XPS results demonstrated differences in the C, N, O contents and the functional groups of the uncolored and colored silk fabrics. The DSC, TG, and XRD indicated that the thermal properties of silk fabrics were not affected by laccase and the coupling reaction mainly occurred in the amorphous region. The DMF extraction test further illustrated that covalent bonds were formed between tyrosine residues constituent of silk peptides. Finally, HPLC and UV-VIS results showed that new substances were formed as a result of conjugation between benzene rings.     

A two-bath method for digital ink-jet printing of cotton fabric with chitosan

In our previous research, the possibility of using chitosan in preparing the pretreatment print paste for digital ink-jet printing for cotton fabric was investigated but the final color was not good as expected. In this paper, we modified our previous work by applying the chitsoan separately on the cotton fabric for digital ink-jet printing. A two-bath method was thus proposed and it was confirmed that a better color yield was achieved with this method. However, the use of chitosan reduced the tensile strength of the digital ink-jet printed fabric slightly.     

Effect of ionizing and non-ionizing preirradiations on physico-mechanical properties of coir fiber grafting with methylacrylate

Coir fibers were modified with methyl acrylate (MA) mixed with methanol (MeOH) under thermal curing method at different temperatures (40?C80 °C) for different curing times (20?C60 min). A series of solutions of different concentrations of MA in methanol along with 2 % benzoyl peroxide, were prepared. Monomer concentration, curing temperature, and curing time were optimized with the extent of grafting of monomer and mechanical properties of cured fiber and found to be 30 % MA, 60 °C and 40 min curing time registered as better performance (Grafting (Gr) = 5.7 %, tensile strength (TS) = 72 %, elongation at break (Eb) = 88 %) than those of untreated fiber. For further improvement of the properties, untreated coir fibers were pretreated with gamma and UV radiations at different doses and then pretreated fibers were soaked in the optimized monomer and cured under optimum conditions. Coir fiber pretreated with UV radiation and grafted with optimized monomer showed the best properties such as Gr (7.12 %), TS (132 %), and Eb (153 %) over raw fiber. Water uptake and simulated weathering test of untreated and treated coir fibers were studied.     

Antibacterial properties of silk fibroin/chitosan blend films loaded with plant extract

The silk fibroin (SF)/chitosan (CHI) blend films were prepared by dissolving them in formic acid. The morphology of the films was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The roughness of the membranes was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). These films were treated with the extracts of Pistacia terebinthus, Pistacia lentiscus, and Hypericum empetrifolium. Folin-Ciocalteu assay was used to determine the amount of total phenols adsorbed on these blend films. The antibacterial properties of films were tested using disc diffusion and turbidity measurement methods against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The release of adsorbed phenolics from the film surface resulted in antibacterial properties.     

Antibacterial Bombyx Mori silk fabric modified with reactive chitosan quaternary ammonium salt and its laundering durability

A new fiber-reactive chitosan derivative was synthesized in two steps from a chitosan of low molecular weight. First, a water-soluble chitosan derivative, N-[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium)propyl] chitosan chloride (short for HTCC), was prepared by reacting chitosan with 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride. Second, HTCC was further modified by reacting with N-(hydroxymethyl)-acrylamide to prepare a fiber-reactive chitosan derivative, O-methyl acrylamide quaternary ammonium salt of chitosan (short for NMA-HTCC), which can form covalent bonds with silk fiber under alkaline conditions. The chemical structure of NMA-HTCC was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The substitution degree of HTCC and the double-bond content of NMA-HTCC were tested. Then NMA-HTCC was used for antibacterial finishing of Bombyx Mori silk fabric. The results showed that silk fabric treated with NMA-HTCC had a significantly improved antibacterial activity to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and the antibacterial activity of silk fabric finished by NMA-HTCC was much better than that finished by chitosan and HTCC. Bombyx Mori silk fabric modified with NMA-HTCC demonstrated excellent durable antibacterial activity, even after 50 repeated launderings, the bacterial reduction rate of silk fabric maintained over 95 %.     

Water-stability and biological behavior of electrospun collagen/PEO fibers by environmental friendly crosslinking

Electronspun collagen fibers have to be crosslinked to improve their mechanical properties and water stability. But, the toxicity of some crosslinkers like glutaraldehyde have been fiercely debated. Others like genipin have been proved to affect the morphology of electrospinning fibers. Citric acid (CA) as a crosslinking agent has the advantages of simple, cheap and nontoxicity. In this paper, the effects of CA crosslinking on the physical and biological properties of electrospun collagen/polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibrous membranes were investigated and compared with dehydrothermal (DHT) crosslinking. Collagen/PEO fibers crosslinked by 10 wt% CA had at least 80 % higher crosslinking degree (p<0.05) and better water stability compared with DHT crosslinking (p<0.05). The stress of fibers crosslinked by CA (7.11±0.05 MPa) has been improved compared with non-crosslinked fibers (5.86±0.02 MPa). At the same time, the strain of non-crosslinked fibers was highest (10.90 %). The results of enzymatic (ED) and hydrolytic degradation (HD) of fibers showed crosslinking could improve the resistance of collagen/PEO nanofibers against ED and HD. The hemolytic percentages of fibers after crosslinking was below 5 %, which proved that CA could protect red cells from destroying. The results of cytotoxicity test showed fibers before and after crosslinking both had no cytotoxicity and that of animal acute test indicated membranes treated with DHT and CA had no apparent toxicity.     

1-Aminoanthraquinone Diazonium Salt on the Coupling Modification Dyeing of Silk Fibroin with Enhanced Color Fastness

Chromophore incorporated into the protein chains through residue modification on silk fibroin will be an important way to get new dyeing technology with improved color fastness. Herein, 1-aminoanthraquinone diazonium salt was prepared and used for the modified dyeing on tyrosine of silk fibroin. The silk after modified dyeing was measured by UV-Vis, FTIR, MS, ¹H-NMR, Data color, and other testing techniques. Interestingly, the resulting silk showed excellent rub and wash fastness. The enhanced color fastness is contributed by an electrophilic substitution reaction between 1- aminoanthraquinone diazonium salt and the ortho position of phenolic hydroxyl in tyrosine molecular. Moreover, the mechanical property of silk was protected effectively by the mild coupling modified dyeing, better than the traditional acid dyeing under high temperature for a long time. This facile strategy provides an alternative approach to silk dyeing and benefits the silk applications.     

Graft copolymerization of granular allyl starch with carboxyl-containing vinyl monomers for enhancing grafting efficiency

Graft copolymerization of granular allyl starch with carboxyl-containing vinyl monomers using H₂O₂/Fe²⁺ initiator in aqueous dispersion was investigated for enhancing grafting efficiency of the copolymerization. The graft copolymerization was evaluated in terms of grafting efficiency, grafting ratio, and conversion of monomer to polymer. Influences of both allyl etherification of starch and structures of vinyl monomers used on the copolymerization were revealed. Variables such as molar ratio of Fe²⁺ to H₂O₂, initiator concentration, monomer concentration, polymerization temperature, and time of the graft copolymerization were also studied. It was found that allyl etherification of starch enhanced the grafting efficiency and grafting ratio evidently. Acrylic acid exhibited the greatest grafting efficiency and ratio for the copolymerization after starch was allyl-etherified. The copolymerization should be carried out under the protection of nitrogen gas at 30–35 °C for 3 h by using H₂O₂/Fe(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂ as initiator. Preferred molar ratio of H₂O₂/Fe(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂/anhydroglucose was in a range of 20/1/1000 to 60/3/2000.     

魔芋葡甘聚糖对丝素蛋白纺丝液及其膜稳定性的影响

以魔芋葡甘聚糖(KGM)和丝素蛋白(SF)为原料,以KGM/SF纺丝液凝胶强度为响应值,溶胀温度、底物配比和凝胶时间为影响因子,进行响应面优化设计。同时,调节底物配比,采用静电纺丝技术制备纳米纤维膜,通过力学测试、差式扫描量热分析分别对纳米纤维膜的拉伸强度和热特性进行研究。结果表明,KGM有效的提高SF纳米纤维膜的强度及热稳定性;溶胀温度、底物配比和凝胶时间为纺丝液凝胶强度的显著影响因子,两两交互作用对其纺丝液凝胶强度影响极显著,其数值分别为49.87℃、84.41%和58.80 min时,模型预测纺丝液凝胶强度达到最大值828.231 g·mm。     

Preparation and radiopaque properties of chitosan/BaSO4 composite fibers

Chitin and chitosan have been extensively investigated as a matrix of organic/inorganic composite. Barium, one of the radiopaque inorganic materials, can provide chitosan with radiopaque property by blending of chitosan and BaSO₄. The filtered and deaerated chitosan/BaCl₂ solutions were extruded into NaOH and Na₂SO₄ coagulation bath through a nozzle by gear pump. BaSO₄ was synthesized by the reaction between BaCl₂ and Na₂SO₄ in the coagulation bath, in which acidic chitosan solution was also solidified at the same time. In XRD, the introduction of BaSO₄ into chitosan fibers reduced the inherent peak of chitosan fibers. In angiographic observation, chitosan/BaSO₄ hybrid fibers exhibited the clear contrast images which become clear with an increase in BaSO₄ content.     

Durable antibacterial cotton modified by silver nanoparticles and chitosan derivative binder

This article focuses on the functional finishing of textiles using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and chitosan derivative binder, which was synthesized by a modification of chitosan using α-ketoglutaric acid. The binder covalently linked to cotton fabric via esterification of the hydroxyl groups on the cotton surface, and tightly adhered to surface of the AgNPs by coordination bonds. As a result, the coating of AgNPs on the cotton fabric showed excellent antibacterial property and laundering durability. After 30 consecutive laundering cycles, the Ag content on the fabrics decreased to 37.6 %, but the bacterial reduction rates against both S. aureus and E. coli were maintained over 95 %. It has potential applications in a wide variety of fields such as sportswear, socks, and medical textile.     

夏玉米花丝与穗轴伸长动态特征研究

利用中单909(ZD909)与安农591(AN591)两个夏玉米主栽品种,调查雌穗基、中、顶部花丝伸长动态与叶片和穗轴关系特征.结果 表明,雌穗基、中部花丝比顶部花丝先发育、先吐丝、先脱落.当有效积温达到900℃·d时,基、中部花丝开始发育,穗轴发育到最终长度的10％;当有效积温达到1000℃·d时,基、中部花丝发育到...     

正红505玉米花丝多糖结构及其降血糖活性分析

采用水提醇沉法提取正红505玉米花丝中的多糖成分,通过核磁共振波谱法(NMR)、高效液相色谱法(HPLC)、傅里叶变换红外吸收光谱法(FTIR)及气相色谱-质谱联用法(GC-MS)研究该多糖的单糖组成及结构,借助噻唑蓝比色(MTT)细胞试验,研究多糖CSP505对大鼠胰岛细胞RINm5F和人体肝脏细胞HepG2的降血糖活性。结果表明,多糖CSP505可能是一种由D-葡萄糖和D-半乳糖组成的β构型的多糖,其中葡萄糖和半乳糖的比约为3∶1。随着多糖浓度的增加,RINm5F细胞存活力随着增强,加药组中多糖以200、500、1000μg/mL浓度与四氧嘧啶共同作用时,细胞存活率分别提高了16.1%、16.1%、21.1%,达到极显著差异(P0.01);HepG2细胞存活能力也增强,加药组中多糖分别以200、500、1 000μg/mL浓度作用于细胞时,细胞存活力分别为100.4%、101.4%、103.3%。与阴性对照组相比较,加药组中在3个浓度的多糖作用下,腺苷酸环化酶(ADCY4)、糖原磷酸化酶(GPBB)和糖原合酶(GYS2)浓度表现出显著或极显著差异,而cAMP在浓度为1 000μg/mL时也表现出极显著差异。结果表明,该多糖可通过促进ADCY4与cAMP的合成来使胰岛素分泌增加,且可通过抑制糖原分解并促进糖原合成等过程起到降低血糖的作用。     

Thermal,swelling and stability kinetics of chitosan based semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels

The present study is focused on studying the swelling kinetics, thermal and aqueous stabilities, and determination of various forms of water in the chitosan (CS) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) blend and semi-interpenetrating polymer network (sIPN). CS/PAN blend hydrogel films were prepared by solution casting technique. The blend film with optimum swelling properties was selected for the synthesis of sIPN. CS in the blend was crosslinked with the vapors of Glutaraldehyde (GTA) to prepare sIPN. The fabricated CS/PAN blend and sIPN hydrogels films were characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The kinetics of swelling, bound and unbound waters and aqueous stability were determined experimentally. FESEM showed good miscibility between CS and PAN, FTIR showed no chemical interaction between CS and PAN; however, it did show a doublet for the sIPN, TGA showed improved thermal stability and swelling kinetic followed second order kinetics. The degree of swelling of the sIPN hydrogels samples at room temperature varied from ~2200 % (with a fair degree of stability (~30 %)) to ~1000 % (with high degree of aqueous stability (43 %)) with increase in the crosslinking time. The calculated unbound water (W_UB) max., for the blend was 52.3 % whereas for the bound (W_B) the max., was 41.9 %. However, for sIPN hydrogel films, the W_UB water decreased (max. 21.0 %) where as the W_B increased (max. 52.0 %). The decrease in W_UB and increase in the W_B is attributed to the formation of a compact structure and increase in the contact area between the water and polymers in sIPN hydrogels due to the induction of new water contacting point in these hydrogel films, respectively.     

Preparation and acid dye adsorption behavior of polyurethane/chitosan composite foams

We prepared a series of polyurethane(PU)/chitosan composite foams with different chitosan content of 5∼20 wt% and investigated their adsorption performance of acid dye (Acid Violet 48) in aqueous solutions with various dye concentrations and pH values. It was observed that PU/chitosan composite foams exhibited well-developed open cell structures. Dye adsorption capacities of the composite foams increased with the increment of chitosan content in composite foams, because amine groups of chitosan serve as the binding sites for sulfonic ions of acid dyes in aqueous solutions. In addition, dye adsorption capacities of composite foams were found to increase with decreasing the pH value, which stems from the fact that the enhanced chemisorption between protonated amine groups of chitosan and sulfonic ions of acid dye is available in acidic solutions. The dye adsoption kinetics and equilibrium isotherm of the composite foams were well described with the pseudo-second order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity (q _max) for the PU/chitosan composite foams with 20 wt% chitosan content is evaluated to be ca. 30 mg/g.