Chemically Modified Zein- and Poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride)-Based Core-Shell Sub-Micro/Nanoparticles
Liudmyla Gryshchuk1,2, Kyriaki Marina Lyra3, Zili Sideratou3
1PS Resins GmbH, Lembergerstr. 94, 66955 Pirmasens, Germany.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 27, 2026
Summary
Developing novel bio-based nanocapsules (NCs) effectively encapsulates essential oils (EOs), enhancing antimicrobial (AM) performance and reducing cytotoxicity for safer applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitates sustainable disinfectant alternatives.
- Essential oils (EOs) show promise but face limitations like volatility and cytotoxicity.
- Encapsulation strategies are explored to improve EO delivery and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop bio-based core-shell nanocapsules (NCs) for encapsulating oregano, thyme, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils.
- To enhance the antimicrobial (AM) performance and reduce the cytotoxicity of EOs.
- To evaluate the sustainability and efficacy of the developed NC formulations.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized core-shell NCs using modified zein or poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) (GZA) as shell polymers.
- Chemically modified shell polymers (zein with vanillin, GZA with dodecyl amine or EPTMS) to improve NC properties.
- Evaluated encapsulation efficacy (>98%), particle size, PDI, dispersion stability, antibacterial activity against *Staphylococcus aureus*, and cytotoxicity.
Main Results:
- Encapsulation significantly reduced EO cytotoxicity while maintaining antimicrobial activity.
- GZA-based NCs modified with EPTMS offered the best safety-efficacy balance.
- Zein-based NCs demonstrated greater environmental sustainability based on life cycle assessment.
Conclusions:
- Bio-based core-shell NCs offer a viable strategy for developing safe and effective EO-based antimicrobial agents.
- Tailoring shell polymer modification allows optimization of NC performance and sustainability.
- This approach presents a promising avenue for sustainable solutions in antimicrobial applications.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:39The Angiosperm Life Cycle
72.3K
Plants have a life cycle split between two multicellular stages: a haploid stage—with cells containing one set of chromosomes—and a diploid stage—with cells containing two sets of chromosomes. The haploid stage is the gamete-producing gametophyte, and the diploid stage is the spore-producing sporophyte.
72.3K
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
49.5K
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
49.5K
![[3,3] Sigmatropic Rearrangement of Allyl Vinyl Ethers: Claisen Rearrangement](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2Ffiles%2Fmedia%2Fscience-education%2Fscience-education-thumbs%2F13097.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
01:24[3,3] Sigmatropic Rearrangement of Allyl Vinyl Ethers: Claisen Rearrangement
2.8K
The Claisen rearrangement is a [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of allyl vinyl ethers to unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The rearrangement is a concerted pericyclic reaction proceeding via a chair-like transition state.
2.8K
02:42Half-life of a Reaction
38.9K
The half-life of a reaction (t1/2) is the time required for one-half of a given amount of reactant to be consumed. In each succeeding half-life, half of the remaining concentration of the reactant is consumed. For example, during the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, during the first half-life (from 0.00 hours to 6.00 hours), the concentration of H2O2 decreases from 1.000 M to 0.500 M. During the second half-life (from 6.00 hours to 12.00 hours), the concentration decreases from 0.500 M to...
38.9K
02:10The Nucleosome Core Particle
14.4K
Nucleosomes are the DNA-histone complex, where the DNA strand is wound around the histone core. The histone core is an octamer containing two copies of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 histone proteins.
The paradox
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their main responsibility is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. While on the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access DNA...
The paradox
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their main responsibility is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. While on the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access DNA...
14.4K
01:19Reactions of Acid Anhydrides
5.2K
The reactions of acid anhydrides are analogous to the reactions of acid chlorides and proceed via a nucleophilic acyl substitution. They only differ in the identity of the leaving group. During an acid chloride reaction, the leaving group is a chloride ion, and the by-product is hydrochloric acid. However, in an acid anhydride reaction, the leaving group is a carboxylate ion, and the by-product is a carboxylic acid.
5.2K