Dictyophora species is an edible and medicinal fungus belonging to the Basidiomycotina, Gasteromycetes, Phallales, family Phallaceae, and genus Dictyophora, which is popular with consumers in China and across various Asian regions. Polysaccharides from Dictyophora species (DPs) are important bioactive macromolecules with multiple health benefits, according to published studies, including anti-tumor, antioxidative, anti-obesity, anti-hyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, regulation of gut microbiota, antibacterial, renoprotective, and other pharmacological effects. Based on their rich pharmacological activities, the preparation techniques, structural characteristics and pharmacological activities of DPs have been extensively studied. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no dedicated review to shed light on recent advances in DPs. Therefore, in order to fill this gap, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the research on DPs, including the latest advances in extraction, isolation and purification, structural characteristics, pharmacological properties, safety assessment and potential utilizations, which will provide a theoretical basis for the research and development of subsequent DPs-related products.

With the vigorous development and huge demand for portable wearable devices, wearable electronics based on functional fibers continue to emerge in a wide range of energy storage, motion monitoring, disease prevention, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, etc. MXene, as an emerging two-dimensional inorganic compound, has shown great potential in functional fiber manufacturing and has attracted much research attention due to its own good mechanical properties, high electrical conductivity, excellent electrochemical properties and favorable processability. Herein, this paper reviews recent advances of MXene-based fibers. Speaking to MXene dispersions, the properties of MXene dispersions including dispersion stability, rheological properties and liquid crystalline properties are highlighted. The preparation techniques used to produce MXene-based fibers and application progress regarding MXene-based fibers into supercapacitors, sensors, EMI shielding and Joule heaters are summarized. Challenges and prospects surrounding the development of MXene-based fibers are proposed in future. This review aims to provide processing guidelines for MXene-based fiber manufacturing, thereby achieving more possibilities of MXene-based fibers in advanced applications with a view to injecting more vitality into the field of smart wearables.

Cellulose hydrogels, formed either through physical or chemical cross-linking into a three-dimensional network from cellulose or its derivatives, are renowned for their exceptional water absorption capacities and biocompatibility. Rising demands for sustainable materials have spurred interest in cellulose hydrogels, attributed to their abundant supply, biodegradability, and non-toxic nature. These properties highlight their extensive potential across various sectors including biomedicine, the food industry, and environmental protection. Cellulose hydrogels are particularly advantageous in applications such as drug delivery, wound dressing, and water treatment. Recent large-scale studies have advanced our understanding of cellulose preparation and its applications. This review delves into the fundamental concepts, preparation techniques, and current applications of cellulose hydrogels in diverse fields. It also discusses the latest advances in nano-lignin-based hydrogels, providing a comprehensive overview of this promising material and offering insights and guidance for future research and development.

Yam is a significant staple food and starch source, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, holding the fourth position among the world\'s top ten tuber crops. Yam tubers are rich in essential nutrients and a diverse range of beneficial plant compounds, which contribute to their multifaceted beneficial functions. Furthermore, the abundant starch and resistant starch (RS) content in yam can fulfil the market demand for RS. The inherent and modified properties of yam starch and RS make them versatile ingredients for a wide range of food products, with the potential to become one of the most cost-effective raw materials in the food industry. In recent years, research on yam RS has experienced progressive expansion. This article provides a comprehensive summary of the latest research findings on yam starch and its RS, elucidating the feasibility of commercial RS production and the technology\'s impact on the physical and chemical properties of starch. Yam has emerged as a promising reservoir of tuber starch for sustainable RS production, with thermal, chemical, enzymatic and combination treatments proving to be effective manufacturing procedures for RS. The adaptability of yam RS allows for a wide range of food applications.

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are gaining significant attention in the pharmaceutical industry due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability, making them a popular functional nanocarrier. SLNs are a popular nanocarrier due to their ability to bypass the spleen and liver, offer high drug stability, and improve bioavailability, sterilization, immobilization, targeted drug release, and biocompatible ingredients. This article discusses various SLN preparation techniques, including high shear homogenization, hot homogenization, cold homogenization, microemulsion-based, solvent evaporation, solvent emulsification-evaporation, supercritical fluid-based, spray drying, double emulsion, and precipitation techniques, focusing on methodological aspects. This review discusses the physicochemical behavior of SLNs, including drug loading, release, particle size, stability, cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake, and their major biomedical applications.

Polysaccharides, due to their remarkable features, have gained significant prominence in the sustainable production of nanoparticles (NPs). High market demand and minimal production cost, compared to the chemically synthesised NPs, demonstrate a drive towards polysaccharide-based nanoparticles (PSNPs) benign to environment. Various approaches are used for the synthesis of PSNPs including cross-linking, polyelectrolyte complexation, and self-assembly. PSNPs have the potential to replace a wide diversity of chemical-based agents within the food, health, medical and pharmacy sectors. Nevertheless, the considerable challenges associated with optimising the characteristics of PSNPs to meet specific targeting applications are of utmost importance. This review provides a detailed compilation of recent accomplishments in the synthesis of PSNPs, the fundamental principles and critical factors that govern their rational fabrication, as well as various characterisation techniques. Noteworthy, the multiple use of PSNPs in different disciplines such as biomedical, cosmetics agrochemicals, energy storage, water detoxification, and food-related realms, is accounted in detail. Insights into the toxicological impacts of the PSNPs and their possible risks to human health are addressed, and efforts made in terms of PSNPs development and optimising strategies that allow for enhanced delivery are highlighted. Finally, limitations, potential drawbacks, market diffusion, economic viability and future possibilities for PSNPs to achieve widespread commercial use are also discussed.

Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are versatile and promising cell-sized bio-membrane mimetic platforms. Their applications range from understanding and quantifying membrane biophysical processes to acting as elementary blocks in the bottom-up assembly of synthetic cells. Definite properties and requisite goals in GUVs are dictated by the preparation techniques critical to the success of their applications. Here, we review key advances in giant unilamellar vesicle preparation techniques and discuss their formation mechanisms. Developments in lipid hydration and emulsion techniques for GUV preparation are described. Novel microfluidic-based techniques involving lipid or surfactant-stabilized emulsions are outlined. GUV immobilization strategies are summarized, including gravity-based settling, covalent linking, and immobilization by microfluidic, electric, and magnetic barriers. Moreover, some of the key applications of GUVs as biomimetic and synthetic cell platforms during the last decade have been identified. Membrane interface processes like phase separation, membrane protein reconstitution, and membrane bending have been deciphered using GUVs. In addition, vesicles are also employed as building blocks to construct synthetic cells with defined cell-like functions comprising compartments, metabolic reactors, and abilities to grow and divide. We critically discuss the pros and cons of preparation technologies and the properties they confer to the GUVs and identify potential techniques for dedicated applications.

In tropical and subtropical areas, tuber and root crops are staple foods and a key source of energy. Sweet potato (SP) is currently regarded as one of the world\'s top ten foods because of its diverse sizes, shapes, color, and health benefits. The resistant starch (RS) content of SP is substantial. It is predicted to become the cheapest item in the food industry due to its extensive variety, food stability, emulsifier and fat substitution capabilities, and as filler. As a result, interest in SP-sourced RS has recently increased. Due to their unique nutritional and functional qualities, novelty has become a popular research focus in recent years. This review will summarize the current understanding of SP starch components and their impact on the technological and physicochemical properties of produced starch for commercial viability. The importance of sweet potato RS in addressing future RS demand sustainability is emphasized. SPs are a viable alternative to tubers as a sustainable raw material for RS production. It has an advantage over tubers because of its intrinsic nutritional value and climatic endurance. Thermal, chemical, and enzymatic treatments are effective RS manufacturing procedures. The adaptability of sweet potato RS allows for a wide range of food applications.

The sustained release of pharmaceutical substances remains the most convenient way of drug delivery. Hence, a great variety of reports can be traced in the open literature associated with drug delivery systems (DDS). Specifically, the use of microparticle systems has received special attention during the past two decades. Polymeric microparticles (MPs) are acknowledged as very prevalent carriers toward an enhanced bio-distribution and bioavailability of both hydrophilic and lipophilic drug substances. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and their copolymers are among the most frequently used biodegradable polymers for encapsulated drugs. This review describes the current state-of-the-art research in the study of poly(lactic acid)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles and PLA-copolymers with other aliphatic acids as drug delivery devices for increasing the efficiency of drug delivery, enhancing the release profile, and drug targeting of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Potential advances in generics and the constant discovery of therapeutic peptides will hopefully promote the success of microsphere technology.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were developed as an alternative carrier system optimizing limitations found in topical treatments for superficial fungal infections, such as limited permeation through the skin. However, few published studies are focused on standardization and characterization of determinant variables of these lipid nanosystems\' quality. Thus, this systematic review aims to compile information regarding the selection of lipids, surfactants, and preparation method that intimately relates to the final quality of this nanotechnology. For this, the search was carried with the following descriptors: \'nanostructured lipid carriers\', \'topical\', \'antifungal\' separated by the Boolean operators \'and\', present in the titles of the databases: Science Direct, Scopus and Pubmed. The review included experimental articles focused on the development of nanostructured lipid carriers targeted for topical application with antifungal activity, published from 2015 to 2021. Review articles, clinical studies, and studies on the development of other nanocarriers intended for other routes of administration were excluded from the study. The research included 26 articles, of which 58% were developed in India and Brazil, 53% published in the years 2019 and 2020. As for the selection of antifungal drugs incorporated into NLCs, the azole class had a preference over other classes, voriconazole being incorporated into 5 of the 26 developed NLC studied. It was also observed a predominance of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) as a liquid lipid and polysorbate 80 as a surfactant. Among other results, this review compiles the influences of each of the variables discussed in the quality parameters of NLCs, in order to guide future research involving the development of this technology. Graphical Abstract.