More than 40 volatile compounds were detected in sea cucumber powder during the processing (through freeze-dried, desalination, supercritical fluid extraction and ultra-micro grinding) by multiple methods including e-nose, GC-IMS and GC-MS. It has been determined that aldehydes are the predominant volatile substances in the original freeze-dried sample, accounting for about 30 % of the total volatile substances. In addition, we established a supercritical fluid extraction strategy that could efficiently remove the aldehydes from the sea cucumber powder. GC-IMS and GC-MS showed that the relative content of aldehydes significantly decreased by 14 % and 28 %, respectively. Quantification of aldehydes using GC-MS showed a significant decrease in octanal from 927 µg/kg to 159 µg/kg. Further investigation combined with OAV analysis showed that 17 volatile substances in the freeze-dried sea cucumber powder were considered to be the predominant volatile compounds (OAV > 1).The primary fishy compounds found in sea cucumber powder were identified as hexanal, octanal, and an unidentified compound using GC-O, which can be effectively removed (OAV can\'t been estimated) by the supercritical fluid extraction strategy we established.

The thermostability of vaccines, particularly enveloped viral vectored vaccines, remains a challenge to their delivery wherever needed. The freeze-drying of viral vectored vaccines is a promising approach but remains challenging due to the water removal process from the outer and inner parts of the virus. In the case of enveloped viruses, freeze-drying induces increased stress on the envelope, which often leads to the inactivation of the virus. In this study, we designed a method to freeze-dry a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. Since the envelope of VSV is composed of 50% lipids and 50% protein, the formulation study focused on both the protein and lipid portions of the vector. Formulations were prepared primarily using sucrose, trehalose, and sorbitol as cryoprotectants; mannitol as a lyoprotectant; and histidine as a buffer. Initially, the infectivity of rVSV-SARS-CoV-2 and the cake stability were investigated at different final moisture content levels. High recovery of the infectious viral titer (~0.5 to 1 log loss) was found at 3-6% moisture content, with no deterioration in the freeze-dried cakes. To further minimize infectious viral titer loss, the composition and concentration of the excipients were studied. An increase from 5 to 10% in both the cryoprotectants and lyoprotectant, together with the addition of 0.5% gelatin, resulted in the improved recovery of the infectious virus titer and stable cake formation. Moreover, the secondary drying temperature of the freeze-drying process showed a significant impact on the infectivity of rVSV-SARS-CoV-2. The infectivity of the vector declined drastically when the temperature was raised above 20 °C. Throughout a long-term stability study, formulations containing 10% sugar (sucrose/trehalose), 10% mannitol, 0.5% gelatin, and 10 mM histidine showed satisfactory stability for six months at 2-8 °C. The development of this freeze-drying process and the optimized formulation minimize the need for a costly cold chain distribution system.

The growth of Lactobacillus plantarum, a member of the Lactobacillus genus, which plays a crucial role in the bacterial microbiome of the gut, is significantly influenced by manganese ions. They can be safely delivered to the intestines by exploiting the chelating abilities of lactoferrin. The aim of this work was to encapsulate lactoferrin saturated with manganese ions (MnLf) in a system based on the Eudragit® RS polymer to protect protein from degradation and manganese release in the gastric environment. The entrapment efficiency was satisfactory, reaching about 95%, and most importantly, manganese ions were not released during microparticles (MPs) formation. The release profile of the protein from the freshly prepared MPs was sustained, with less than 15% of the protein released within the first hour. To achieve similar protein release efficiency, freeze-drying was carried out in the presence of 10% (w/v) mannitol as a cryoprotectant for MPs frozen at -20 °C. MPs with encapsulated MnLf exhibited prebiotic activity towards Lactobacillus plantarum. More importantly, the presence of equivalent levels of manganese ions in free form in the medium, as well as chelating by lactoferrin encapsulated in MPs, had a similar impact on stimulating bacterial growth. This indicates that the bioavailability of manganese ions in our prepared system is very good.

The topology and surface characteristics of lyophilisates significantly impact the stability and reconstitutability of freeze-dried pharmaceuticals. Consequently, visual quality control of the product is imperative. However, this procedure is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also expensive and prone to errors. In this paper, we present an approach for fully automated, non-destructive inspection of freeze-dried pharmaceuticals, leveraging robotics, computed tomography, and machine learning.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of alveolar ridge preservation on bone regeneration and tissue healing has been thoroughly documented in the literature. This study aimed to evaluate the peri-implant soft and hard tissue changes after alveolar ridge preservation using either platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) or freeze-dried bone allograft (FDBA) over a 12-month period following the prosthetic loading of implants.
METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 40 individuals were recruited for alveolar ridge preservation using (1) FDBA or (2) PRF in incisal/premolar areas. At two follow-up sessions (six- and 12-months post-implant insertion), radiographic imaging and clinical examinations assessed marginal bone loss and soft tissue factors, including gingival recession and bleeding on probing. The differences between study groups were analyzed using Generalized estimating Equations, the Binary logistic regression model, and Cochran\'s Q test.
RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference regarding gingival recession at both follow-up evaluations; values in the PRF group were considerably lower compared to the FDBA group (p < 0.05). The mean values for vertical marginal bone loss and bleeding on probing showed no significant differences between the two study groups (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Except for gingival recession, applying PRF yielded comparable clinical results to FDBA after one year of implant loading and could be recommended as a potential biomaterial for alveolar ridge preservation following tooth extractions.
BACKGROUND: The research protocol was registered in the Protocol Registration and Results System on 13/08/2021, available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ (NCT05005377).

BACKGROUND: Goji berries, renowned for their nutritional benefits, are traditionally dried to extend shelf life and preserve quality. However, conventional drying methods often result in uneven drying, color loss and reduced rehydration capacity. This study investigates an innovative hybrid strategy combining ultrasonic-ethyl oleate (US+AEEO) pretreatment with heat pump drying (HPD) to enhance the drying process of Goji berries.
RESULTS: Fresh Goji berries underwent US+AEEO pretreatment, which significantly disrupted the waxy layer, enhancing drying efficiency and water infiltration during rehydration. Compared to freeze drying (FD), HPD combined with US+AEEO pretreatment resulted in higher retention of total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) in the Goji soaking soup. Specifically, the HPD-US+AEEO samples exhibited the highest TPC and TFC levels, significantly outperforming FD samples. Additionally, the DPPH and ABTS antioxidant assays demonstrated higher scavenging activities in HPD-US+AEEO samples. The rehydration kinetics revealed that HPD samples had a superior rehydration rate and final moisture content compared to FD samples. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance imaging analyses confirmed enhanced water distribution and higher mobility in HPD-US+AEEO samples. Scanning electron microscopy indicated a more porous structure in US+AEEO-treated samples, facilitating better water absorption and functional component retention.
CONCLUSIONS: The combination of US+AEEO pretreatment with HPD significantly improves the drying process of Goji berries, enhancing nutrient retention, color preservation and rehydration properties. This innovative drying method offers a promising solution for producing high-quality dried Goji berries, benefiting both the food industry and health-conscious consumers. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Helicobacter pylori is a prominent gastrointestinal pathogen associated with various gastrointestinal illnesses. It presents substantial health risks due to its antibiotic resistance. Therefore, it is crucial to identify alternative treatments for H. pylori infections. Limosilactobacillus spp exhibit probiotic properties with beneficial effects in humans; however, the mechanisms by which it counteracts H. pylori infection are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Limosilactobacillus fermentum T0701 lyophilized cell-free supernatants (LCFS) against H. pylori. The LCFS has varying antimicrobial activities, with inhibition zones of up to 10.67 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bacterial concentration of LCFS are 6.25-25.00 mg/mL and 6.25 mg/mL to > 50.00 mg/mL, respectively, indicating its capability to inhibit H. pylori. There is morphological damage observed in H. pylori treated with LCFS. Additionally, H. pylori adhesion to AGS cells (human gastric adenocarcinoma epithelial cells) reduces by 74.23%, highlighting the LCFS role in preventing bacterial colonization. Moreover, LCFS exhibits no cytotoxicity or morphological changes in AGS cells, and with no detected virulence or antimicrobial resistance genes, further supporting its safety profile. L. fermentum T0701 LCFS shows promise as a safe and effective non-toxic agent against H. pylori, with the potential to prevent gastric colonization.

Understanding the formation of ice crystals is essential for tailoring the microstructure and physical properties of cryogels. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of pectin molecular weight (Mw) on impacting ice crystal formation. Pectin fractions various Mw (10.13-212.20 kDa) were prepared by hydrothermal method. The solution of high Mw pectin fractions exhibited higher contact angle, lower water freedom, and stronger adsorption of water molecules. The splat experiment and molecular dynamic (MD) results confirmed that higher Mw pectin have stronger ice crystal growth inhibition activity than lower Mw pectin. Furthermore, the pore size distribution of the cryogel increased from 98-203 μm to 105-267 μm as the molecular weight decreased from 212.2 kDa to 121.0 kDa. Additionally, in the higher Mw pectin cryogel, stronger mechanical strength was observed. These findings suggested that changing the molecular weight of pectin has the potential to regulate the ice crystal growth, microstructure and physical properties of frozen products.

Conventional oil-water separation membranes are difficult to establish a trade-off between membrane flux and separation efficiency, and often result in serious secondary contamination due to their fouling issue and non-degradability. Herein, a double drying strategy was introduced through a combination of oven-drying and freeze-drying to create a super-wettable and eco-friendly oil-water separating aerogel membrane (TMAdf). Due to the regular nacre-like structures developed in the drying process and the pores formed by freeze-drying, TMAdf aerogel membrane finally develops regularly arranged porous structures. In addition, the aerogel membrane possesses excellent underwater superoleophobicity with a contact angle above 168° and antifouling properties. TMAdf aerogel membrane can effectively separate different kinds of oil-water mixtures and highly emulsified oil-water dispersions under gravity alone, achieving exceptionally high flux (3693 L·m-2·h-1) and efficiency (99 %), while being recyclable. The aerogel membrane also displays stability and universality, making it effective in removing oil droplets from water in corrosive environments such as acids, salts and alkalis. Furthermore, TMAdf aerogel membrane shows long-lasting antibacterial properties (photothermal sterilization up to 6 times) and biodegradability (completely degraded after 50 days in soil). This study presents new ideas and insights for the fabrication of multifunctional membranes for oil-water separation.

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum are two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) widely used in the food industry. The objective of this work was to assess the resistance of these bacteria to freeze- and spray-drying and study the mechanisms involved in their loss of activity. The culturability and acidifying activity were measured to determine the specific acidifying activity, while membrane integrity was studied by flow cytometry. The glass transitions temperature and the water activity of the dried bacterial suspensions were also determined. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) micro-spectroscopy was used to study the biochemical composition of cells in an aqueous environment. All experiments were performed after freezing, drying and storage at 4, 23 and 37 °C. The results showed that Lb. bulgaricus CFL1 was sensitive to osmotic, mechanical, and thermal stresses, while Lpb. plantarum WCFS1 tolerated better the first two types of stress but was more sensitive to thermal stress. Moreover, FTIR results suggested that the sensitivity of Lb. bulgaricus CFL1 to freeze-drying could be attributed to membrane and cell wall degradation, whereas changes in nucleic acids and proteins would be responsible of heat inactivation of both strains associated with spray-drying. According to the activation energy values (47-85 kJ/mol), the functionality loss during storage is a chemically limited reaction. Still, the physical properties of the glassy matrix played a fundamental role in the rates of loss of activity and showed that a glass transition temperature 40 °C above the storage temperature is needed to reach good preservation during storage. KEY POINTS: • Specific FTIR bands are proposed as markers of osmotic, mechanic and thermal stress • Lb. bulgaricus CFL1 was sensitive to all three stresses, Lpb. plantarum WCFS1 to thermal stress only • Activation energy revealed chemically limited reactions ruled the activity loss in storage.