The first half of 2025 has been an inspiring chapter for the ITU Chemistry Department, marked by exceptional achievements and collaborative endeavors. From publishing impactful research in top-tier journals to spearheading innovative projects, our faculty and students have continued to elevate the department’s reputation for excellence. These milestones reflect our unwavering commitment to advancing chemical science and nurturing a dynamic academic community, paving the way for even greater accomplishments in the months ahead.
Elucidating the leaching effect of micro-/nano-plastics on the binding, structural, and oxidative characteristics of bovine serum albumin and its impact on cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in the human lung cancer cell line A549
Prof. Dr. Asli BAYSAL and her colleagues published their research which is a insight for the effect of plastic pollution on living systems by the leaching and protein binding of plastics and presented their study in a prestigious journal in the field of toxicology of environmental pollutants.
It is known that micro-/nano-plastics are found everywhere, and they directly influence the ecosystem and humans. The invisible risk of plastics is the leaching of chemicals and the impact of these chemicals on the surrounding media/environment. Specifically, the impact of leaching is insufficiently understood for certain biomolecules. Moreover, the sorption of molecules onto micro-/nano-plastics is widely studied for various organic pollutants. However, studies on the binding mechanism of biomolecules like proteins with micro-/nano-plastics are limited, and changes occurring in proteins owing to the binding and/or leaching of micro-/nano-plastics are understudied with respect to the biophysical/chemical indicators of proteins, although proteins play critical roles in every part of the ecosystem, including humans. Therefore, this study aims to examine the biophysical/chemical indicators and toxicity characteristics of proteins after their interactions with micro-/nano-plastics.
In this study binding characteristics of different molar ratios of BSA with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MNPs under various treatment stages (2–48 h) and the effect of PET MNPs on the biophysical and chemical characteristics of BSA has been examined. The study did not examine PET MNPs, and it focused on the changes in BSA solutions. The chemical characteristics, including zeta potentials, binding, structural, and oxidative potentials of BSA solutions, were examined using multiple spectroscopic techniques, such as UV-VIS, fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The leaching of PET MNPs was also characterized by aromaticity in the BSA. Furthermore, before and after PET MNP treatment with BSA, the viability and oxidative responses of human lung cells (A549) exposed to BSA were examined through mitochondrial activity, membrane integrity, antioxidant activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GR) activities.
10.1039/D5EN00071H
Sulfobetaine/Alginate/Chitosan supported hybrid N-isopropylacrylamide hydrogels: composition-dependent diffusion/compression properties and theophylline/diclofenac sodium /ciprofloxacin release kinetics
New Publication on Smart Hydrogel-Based Drug Delivery Systems by Prof. Dr. Candan Erbil and her team has been published in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science in 2025. ‘Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (N), poly([3-(methacryloylamino)propyl] dimethyl(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide (SB) and SB/N hydrogels were prepared using N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinker, while their hybrid semi-/full-IPNs N1A, N1C, N1CA, SB/N1A, SB/N1C and SB/N1CA were synthesized in the presence of Alginate (A)/Chitosan (C).. All the hydrogels were evaluated by taking into account their appearances, compression strengths and swelling behaviours in the ranges of pH 1.2-9.0 and temperature 4o- 40oC. The compressive moduli of N and SB/N hydrogels increased from ~10 to 80 kPa by changing composition (from N, SB/N to N1CA, SB/N1CA), swelling solution (from DDW to PBS) and temperature (from 25o to 37oC). The release profiles of diclofenac sodium (DFNa), theophylline (Thp) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) from N, SB/N and their semi-/full-IPNs were investigated at pH = 1.2 and pH = 7.4, mimicking gastric and intestinal fluids. Higuchi, Peppas and Weibull models were used, to describe the mechanisms of DFNa, Thp and CIP releases from the hybrid IPNs of N and SB/N. The values of n (> 0.45) and β (> 0.75) at 37oC for Peppas and Weibull equations showed that DFNa and CIP releases from SB/N hybrids, which are more hydrophilic than IPNs of N, are mainly controlled by swelling/relaxation process.
10.1002/app.56507
Enhanced Solar CO2 Photoreduction to Formic Acid by Platinum Immobilization on Bipyridine Covalent Triazine Framework with Defects
The immobilization and structural analysis of platinum nanoparticles on a nitrogen-rich, bipyridine-containing covalent triazine framework (bpyCTF) having structural defects are disclosed by taking advantage of 15N solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance measurements at natural 15N isotope abundance and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analyses. The photocatalyst (Pt@bpyCTF) with structural defects reduces CO2 to formic acid (FA) at a rate of 152 µmol h−1g−1 and a selectivity higher than 95% over CO and H2 in water under simulated solar light.
Dr. Kerem Kaya has designed and characterized, via a variety of spectroscopic, microscopic, and computational techniques, a Pt@bpyCTF photocatalyst containing structural defects for the selective conversion of CO2 to FA under ambient conditions, suggesting possible strategies to enhance the efficiency of this class of heterogeneous catalysts. The investigated system exhibited, in fact, excellent photocatalytic activity due to its highly unsaturated nitrogen environment and the presence of structural defects and Pt species, which increased both the photocurrent response and the CO2 capture capacity (≈8% by weight). Multi-scale modelling based on RMD/QM simulations was used to shed light on the main steps characterizing photoreduction mechanisms, indicating the fundamental role synergically played by the organic matrix in contact with Pt atoms in both metallic and oxidized states. On a technical level, the presented results have demonstrated the potential of ssNMR spectroscopy to investigate a complex structure like bpyCTF using a straightforward and affordable technique, such as CPMAS, without any isotope labelling. In particular, this breakthrough enabled the determination of the covalent triazine network structure at the atomic level. Therefore, the researchers believe this advancement offers a unique opportunity to explore the interfacial interactions between covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and metal nanoparticles.
10.1002/adsu.202300071
Impact of Fluoroalkoxysilane Incorporation on the Mechanical Properties of Sol-Gel Coatings on Stainless Steel and Glass Surfaces
Prof. Dr. Nilgün Kızılcan and Assoc. Prof. Nesrin Köken has investigated the effect of fluoroalkoxysilane incorporation on the mechanical and surface properties of sol-gel coatings applied to stainless steel and glass substrates. By introducing 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (PFOTES) into the hybrid sol-gel matrix, significant improvements were achieved in hydrophobicity, scratch resistance, and adhesion durability under humid and corrosive environments. The results demonstrate that fluoroalkyl-modified coatings not only enhance surface repellence but also maintain structural integrity over prolonged environmental exposure. These findings highlight the potential of such coatings for high-performance, long-lasting surface protection, particularly in household appliance applications.
10.1007/s10971-025-06766-w
Electrochemical quantification based on the interactions of nucleoside analog cladribine with dsDNA via experimental and in-silico studies
Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Gölcü and Prof. Dr. Mine Yurtsever and their group studied to explain the development of a quick, straightforward, inexpensive, extremely sensitive technique for the determination of cladribine by an electrochemical method. For the first time, cladribine is determined by a differential pulse voltammetry technique based on its interaction with DNA. After that, the developed analytical technique was used to determine the amount of cladribine in pharmaceutical dosage form.
Cladribine is a deoxyadenosine analog prodrug originally developed to treat hairy-cell leukemia and other lymphoproliferative diseases. However, it is now primarily used in the treatment of relapsing types of multiple sclerosis (MS). Understanding how medications interact with dsDNA is crucial for developing more effective and efficient medications. This study aims to examine the binding behaviour of cladribine with dsDNA via various analytical methods, such as heat denaturation, UV spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and viscosity tests. The binding constant (Kb) of cladribine with dsDNA has been estimated to be 2.41×104 ± 0.20 at 298 K using the Benesi-Hildebrand plot. Molecular docking simulations were employed to explore the dsDNA-cladribine interactions quantitatively at the molecular level. Molecular Dynamic simulations were performed to follow the stability of drug-bound DNA for 50 ns. The simulations revealed that cladribine binds to dsDNA via the minor groove region of DNA by forming hydrogen bonds mainly with Guanine's DNA bases. The post-MD analyses enabled us to follow the stability of DNA and cladribine complex. Additionally, two methods based on the electrochemical approach were developed in this study for low-level cladribine assessment using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The first method relies on cladribine oxidation in pH 2 phosphate buffer, while the second method uses deoxyguanosine oxidation signals resulting from cladribine and dsDNA binding in pH 4.80 acetate buffer. The analytical efficacy of the two methods was verified using cladribine concentrations ranging from 2 to 25 µM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.30 and 0.92 µM, respectively. Furthermore, the study conducted percent recovery tests by employing pharmaceutical injection using both established methodologies.
10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138083
An In-Depth Study of Clofarabine's Binding Mechanism to DNA: A Thorough Experimental and Theoretical Investigation
Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Gölcü and Prof. Dr. Mine Yurtsever and their group explained the binding mode and affinity of clofarabine with DNA which revealed through a series of analytical techniques and molecular docking studies. The calculated binding constant value of clofarabine is less than that of commonly employed intercalators, but it is comparable to the DNA groove binders. Molecular docking results showed that clofarabine binds to the minor groove of DNA.
The interaction of medicinal compounds with nucleic acids is a critical challenge in drug development. This research focused on the binding dynamics of clofarabine (CLO), an antineoplastic agent, with fish sperm DNA (dsDNA) under conditions that simulate the physiological environment at a pH of 7.4. The investigations employed multiple techniques, including fluorescence and UV spectroscopy, thermal denaturation analysis, viscosity measurements, electrochemical assessments, and molecular docking studies to elucidate these binding interactions. The binding constant (Kb) for the interaction between CLO and dsDNA, as determined from the Benesi-Hildebrand plot, was found to be 2.74×104 at a temperature of 298 K. The entropy (∆S) and enthalpy (∆H) changes associated with this binding interaction were measured as +43.08 J mol−1 K−1 and –12.44 kJ mol−1, respectively. These values indicate that the predominant forces driving the binding interaction are primarily due to hydrogen bonding. Studies using the ethidium bromide and the Hoechst probe showed that CLO does not bind to dsDNA intercalatively. Findings obtained through UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, competitive binding assays, and viscosity assessments indicated that CLO associates with dsDNA by binding within the minor groove. Molecular docking analyses demonstrated that CLO is accommodated within the AT-rich segment of the minor groove, with significant hydrogen bonding interactions occurring between CLO and dsDNA. These findings may offer valuable perspectives for elucidating the mechanisms underlying the toxicity, resistance, and adverse effects associated with CLO.
10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2025.108418Get rights and content
Comparative study of two MIP-based electrochemical sensors for selective detection and quantification of the antiretroviral drug lopinavir in human serum
Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Gölcü and her group studied the design of effective and specific molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based electrochemical sensors to determine lopinavir (LPV), an inhibitor of HIV protease. LPV along with a low dose of ritonavir is used for the treatment of HIV infection. We have built two MIP electrochemical sensors for LPV detection, inspired by the MIP's superior selectivity and sensitivity.
Thermal polymerization (TP) and electropolymerization (EP) are the two methods used in this study to explore the molecular imprinting process. To detect the antiviral medication lopinavir (LPV), an inhibitor of enzyme HIV-1 protease that is co-formulated with ritonavir (RTV) to extend its half-life in the body, with greater precision, these methods were merged with an electrochemical sensor. The sensors were created on glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) using TP with methacrylic acid (MAA) functional monomer and EP with p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) functional monomer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical methods were utilized to examine the technical features of the suggested sensors. For both approaches, the necessary optimization investigations were carried out. Different LPV concentrations, ranging from 1.0 pM to 17.5 pM in drug solution and commercial human serum samples, were used to validate the analytical efficiency of the two sensors and compare their electroanalytical behaviour. For TP-LPV@MIP/GCE and EP-LPV@MIP/GCE, the corresponding limit of detection (LOD) was 2.68×10–13 M (0.169 pg.mL-1) and 1.79×10–13 M (0.113 pg.mL-1) in standard solutions, and 2.87×10–13 M (0.180 pg.mL-1) and 2.91×10–13 M (0.183 pg.mL-1) in serum samples. For the measurement of LPV in tablet form and serum samples, the proposed TP-LPV@MIP/GCE and EP-LPV@MIP/GCE sensors provide good recovery, demonstrating 99.85–101.16% and 100.36–100.97% recovery, respectively. The imprinting factor was utilized to demonstrate the selectivity of the suggested sensors by utilizing several anti-viral drugs that are structurally comparable to LPV. Additionally, the constructed sensors were examined for the potential impacts of interferences and the stability during the storage.
10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126791
Construction of selective and susceptible MIP-based electrochemical sensors for the determination of fosamprenavir: A comparative study between photopolymerization and electropolymerization technique
Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Gölcü and her group studied the design of effective and specific molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)--based electrochemical sensors to determine fosamprenavir (FPV). FPV is an antiretroviral medication employed in management and post-exposure prophylaxis of infections caused by HIV. While the photopolymerization method was used to build the first sensor, electropolymerization was used to develop the second one.
Fosamprenavir (FPV) is combined with other drugs to manage human immunodeficiency virus infection patients. This prodrug was created to address the solubility issue of the parent protease inhibitor medication, amprenavir. Based on photopolymerization (PP) with p-aminophenol (PAP) functional monomer and electropolymerization (EP) with p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) functional monomer, this work reported the effective invention of two distinct imprinting techniques for the specific and precise detection of FPV. The proposed sensors were characterized through the application of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and various electrochemical techniques. For both approaches, the necessary optimization research was carried out. The analytical characteristics of PP-FPV@MIP/GCE and EP-FPV@MIP/GCE sensors were assessed. The sensors' performance parameters were validated and compared, after constructing the most optimal MIP-integrated electrochemical sensors. In both standard preparations and commercial human serum preparations, for PP-FPV@MIP/GCE and EP-FPV@MIP/GCE, the linear ranges are 1.0-17.5 pM and 1.0-10.0 pM, respectively. In standard preparations, the limits of detection (LOD) for PP-FPV@MIP/GCE and EP-FPV@MIP/GCE were 2.84 × 10−13 M and 2.27 × 10−13 M, respectively, whereas in serum preparations, they were 2.48 × 10−13 M and 2.38 × 10−13 M. The developed electrochemical sensors show excellent recovery values when used to evaluate FPV in tablet preparations and commercial blood samples. The selective capability of the sensors towards FPV was investigated in the presence of comparable antiviral drugs. The impacts of ions, possible biological substances, and storage stability were investigated for the developed sensors. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to analyze the interaction energies between the template and functional monomers, providing insights into the interactions. These calculations complemented the experimental optimization of the template:monomer ratio by helping to understand the overall trends in molecular interactions.
10.1016/j.electacta.2024.145516
Synthesis and characterization of bio-based polybenzoxazine hybrids from vanillin, thymol, and carvacrol
Recently, the fast advancement of bio-based polymers has boosted the interest in green and sustainable materials. In this context, this study focused on synthesizing hybrid benzoxazines from bio-phenolic compounds- vanillin, thymol, and carvacrol- combined with Jeffamine D-230 and paraformaldehyde. The chemical structures of hybrid benzoxazines were characterized by spectroscopic technics and the curing behavior and thermal stability of hybrid benzoxazines were studied.
Assoc. Prof. Füsun Şeyma Kışkan has investigated the synthesis of hybrid benzoxazines derived from vanillin, thymol, and carvacrol in conjunction with Jeffamine D-230 via a Mannich reaction. The thermal polymerization characteristics of the synthesized benzoxazine monomers were systematically analyzed through Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Notably, the Van-JD monomer exhibited the lowest onset curing temperature at 207.1°C, whereas Thy-JD and Car-JD required elevated curing temperatures of 262.5°C and 256.1°C, respectively. The strategic integration of bio-based phenolic derivatives with Jeffamine D-230 presents a sustainable route for the development of biohybrid benzoxazine resins, in accordance with the principles of Green Chemistry. Furthermore, the widespread commercial availability of Jeffamines enhances the feasibility of large-scale production, emphasizing the practicality of this synthetic pathway. The biohybrid nature of the resultant resins underscores their potential for environmentally sustainable applications in adhesive and coating technologies, thereby contributing to reduced ecological impact.
doi.org/10.1002/asia.202401777
Recovery of volatile fatty acids from anaerobic fermentation broth of baker’s yeast industry effluent by liquid-liquid extraction
Volatile fatty acids (VFAs), as key metabolic intermediates, hold substantial economic value when efficiently recovered through separation and purification processes. However, the technical challenges associated with VFA recovery necessitate the optimization of liquid–liquid extraction (LLE). In this study, diethyl ether, trioctylamine, and toluene were evaluated as potential LLE solvents for the extraction of VFAs from Baker's yeast industry effluent, characterized by its high organic load. A pH optimization study was conducted over a range of pH 2.5 to 7.5, identifying pH 3 as the optimal condition for maximum extraction efficiency.
Assoc. Prof. Füsun Şeyma Kışkan, in her research group studied the effective recovery of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from the anaerobic membrane permeate of Baker's yeast industry effluent via a liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) process. The extraction protocol consisted of a three-stage procedure utilizing diethyl ether as the solvent, achieving an optimal extraction yield of 82%. The choice of diethyl ether was strategically informed by its low boiling point, which facilitates efficient solvent recovery and enhances its applicability in downstream purification processes. This characteristic underscores its suitability as an extractant for VFA recovery from complex permeate matrices. The experimental findings substantiate the feasibility of integrating LLE into the treatment framework of yeast process effluents, positioning it as a viable alternative for valorizing VFAs—bio-derived compounds with significant industrial relevance yet posing environmental hazards if inadequately managed. Furthermore, the proposed LLE-based recovery method aligns with the principles of sustainable waste valorization, contributing to circular economy initiatives within the bioprocessing sector. Future research aimed at optimizing the purification and scalability of the LLE system is anticipated to expand its applicability, reinforcing its potential as an efficient strategy for resource recovery from industrial effluents.
10.1016/j.jiec.2024.07.005
Fabrication of Fluorine and Nitrogen-Based Flame Retardants Containing Rigid Polyurethane Foam with Improved Hydrophobicity and Flame Retardancy
Researchers from POLMAG (Polimerik Malzemeler Araştırma Grubu), Assoc. Prof. Tuba Çakır Çanak, Merve Nizam and Prof. Dr. Ersin Serhatlı have developed a novel flame retardant that, when added to rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF), significantly enhances its fire resistance and water repellence.
A novel fluorine- and nitrogen-containing flame retardant was synthesized and incorporated into rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF). The flame retardant chemically bonded to the foam, enhancing its fire retardancy and water repellency. Modified RPUF samples showed improved Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) values and reduced peak heat release rates. This approach maintains foam integrity while boosting both flame resistance and hydrophobicity.
Rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) are widely utilized for thermal insulation; however, their inherent flammability presents a significant fire risk. To address this, a novel flame retardant incorporating both fluorine and nitrogen was synthesized via a copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction, resulting in a hydroxyl-terminated triazole compound. This flame retardant was introduced into RPUF formulations at varying concentrations (5, 10, and 15%) to achieve chemical bonding with isocyanates within the foam matrix. Studies on rigid polyurethane foam samples modified with the flame retardant showed improvements in flame retardancy, as indicated by higher Limiting Oxygen Index values and lower peak heat release rates. The chemical bonding of the flame retardant to the foam also helped maintain the foam's mechanical integrity and thermal insulation, while the fluorine content increased its water resistance. The research highlights the potential of this fluorine- and nitrogen-containing flame retardant for use in future fire-resistant materials. Polyurethane foams are widely used for thermal insulation in various applications, including freezers, construction, and storage tanks. However, they are highly flammable, posing significant fire hazards.
The findings of this study demonstrate the efficacy of this novel fluorine- and nitrogen-based flame retardant in simultaneously improving the flame retardancy and water repellence of rigid polyurethane foam, suggesting its potential for advanced fire-safe insulation materials. Conventional flame retardants are often used to mitigate this flammability, but this new compound offers enhanced fire resistance and water repellence.
10.1021/acsomega.5c00603
Synthesis and characterization of acrylic hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets for thermally stable polymethylmethacrylate composites
Researchers from POLMAG (Polimerik Malzemeler Araştırma Grubu), Assoc. Prof. Tuba Çakır Çanak, Res. Assist. Büşra Akın and Prof. Dr. Ersin Serhatlı have developed a new method to modify hexagonal boron nitride and enhance the thermal stability of polymethylmethacrylate.
Hexagonal boron nitride was modified by covalently attaching polymer chains via the "grafting to" strategy to incorporate PMMA and enhance its thermal stability. Amino silane was grafted to h-BN, followed by the introduction of methacrylic functionality. The resulting monomer was polymerized with methyl methacrylate using ATRP. This modification aims to improve the thermal stability of PMMA.
This work focuses on modifying hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) with the covalent attachment of polymer chains using the "grafting to" strategy. The primary objective is to incorporate PMMA to enhance the thermal stability of PMMA. The process involved initially grafting amino silane to h-BN, followed by introducing methacrylic functionality via a Michael Addition reaction. The synthesized monomer was then polymerized with methyl methacrylate using atom transfer radical polymerization. The successful modification of h-BN is confirmed through characterization techniques such as FT-IR spectroscopy. Further analysis, including thermal gravimetric analysis, demonstrates that incorporating BNACOM enhances the thermal stability of the resulting copolymers. This research provides a method for improving the thermal properties of polymer composites by modifying h-BN and presents a promising approach for creating polymer composites with enhanced thermal properties, which could be beneficial for various applications.
10.1016/j.diamond.2025.112323
Foam-based antibacterial hydrogel composed of carboxymethyl cellulose/ polyvinyl alcohol/cerium oxide nanoparticles for potential wound dressing
A novel antibacterial foam-based dressing composed of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2) with drug-delivery properties has been reported. This novel formulation can be utilized for different purposes, such as direct drug delivery to the wound, as an alternative to the contemporary use of polyurethane-based foam dressings.
This study was published by Prof. Dr. F. Bedia Erim and her group in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (Q1). Foam-based wound dressing materials produced by dispersing gas phases in a polymeric material are soft, adapt to the body shape, and allow the absorption of wound exudate due to their porous structure. Most of these formulations are based on synthetic substances such as polyurethane. However, biopolymers have entered the field as a new player thanks to their biocompatible and sustainable nature. Incorporating biopolymers in formulations is gaining interest in scientific literature, and we extend this approach by adding antibacterial cerium oxide nanoparticles to biopolymer formulations. We introduce a novel biopolymer composite of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs), namely PVA CMC@CeO2. This mixture was first foamed and then cross-linked with sodium tetraborate solution, followed by a freeze-thaw process. After the novel material's spectroscopic, structural, and morphological characterization, we investigated its swelling, drug-delivery, antibacterial, and biodegradability properties. PVA-CMC@CeO2 dressing effectively inhibits Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) growth and delivers the antibiotic drug silver sulfadiazine for up to 6 h. The antibacterial properties, good swelling, and drug release profile of the blend material show promising potential in wound care applications.
10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138924
Binding interaction between sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and serum albumin: Insights from multi-spectroscopy methods, rheological characterization and molecular docking analysis
Protein-polysaccharide interactions have attracted increasing interest due to their wide range of applications in food engineering and novel food formulations. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the binding interaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), combining spectroscopic, rheological, and molecular docking approaches for the first time.
This study was published by Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Kalaycıoğlu in the Journal of Molecular Liquids. The combination of proteins and polysaccharides typically forms small emulsion droplets with enhanced physical stability, which presents opportunities for developing innovative ingredients in the food industry. This study provides a detailed investigation of the interaction between BSA and CMC. The CD results indicated an increase in the α-helix content within the secondary structure of BSA following its interaction with CMC. The ability of CMC to interact with BSA and stabilize its structure, as demonstrated by the increase in α-helix content, suggests potential applications in food systems where protein stability is critical. CMC-BSA complexes could enhance the texture and stability of protein-based food formulations under various processing conditions. The findings also highlight the potential of CMC as a biocompatible stabilizer for protein-based therapeutics. The observed interactions could be leveraged to design protein delivery systems where CMC stabilizes the protein. The UV spectroscopy results suggested a slight shift in the microenvironment of BSA towards a more polar nature upon the addition of CMC. The fluorescence spectrum also indicates alterations in the secondary structure and the tryptophan residue of BSA due to its interaction with CMC. The binding interactions between BSA and CMC played a significant role in influencing the rheological properties of the BSA-CMC mixture. The molecular docking method revealed the binding affinity and binding sites of the CMC-BSA complex. Two hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions were shown between CMC and BSA.
10.1016/j.molliq.2025.127130
Chitosan/zinc-iron oxide nanocomposite for controlled release of anticancer drug imatinib
Cancer drug carriers at the nanoparticle level have gained significant importance in recent years due to their ability to enhance the delivery of active substances to cancer tissues, thereby improving efficacy and reducing negative side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy. In this study, chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized and coated with zinc-iron oxide nanoparticles.
This study was published by Merve Ece Temelkuran, Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Kalaycıoğlu and Prof. Dr. F. Bedia Erim in the Cellulose Chemistry and Technology. Cancer is a significant global public health issue, and its treatment has always been challenging. The increasing rate of patients with different types of cancer has raised the alarm about a potential health concern. An estimated 28 million new cancer cases will be recorded annually by 2040, if incidence remains unchanged and population growth and aging follow current trends. Various cancer treatment strategies, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, have been used to reduce the increasing cancer rate. However, these conventional methods often lack site-specificity and may require long-term drug use, leading to adverse side effects. Therefore, there is a pressing need for more effective techniques in cancer treatment. Nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems and nanoparticles are one of the promising approaches in cancer therapy. These systems offer the potential for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to cancerous tissues. In this study, chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized and coated with zinc-iron oxide nanoparticles. This approach offers the advantage of targeted drug delivery to tumors. Imatinib, an anticancer drug, was loaded into both chitosan nanoparticles and chitosan/zinc iron oxide nanoparticles. The addition of zinc-iron oxide nanoparticles significantly increased the encapsulation efficiency of the chitosan-based nanoparticles from 36% to 77.8%. The chitosan/zinc-iron oxide nanoparticle system was selected as the drug delivery system and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. In-vitro release studies demonstrated sustained release of imatinib. These findings suggest that the chitosan/zinc-iron oxide nanoparticles hold promise as an effective drug delivery system for cancer therapy.
10.35812/CelluloseChemTechnol.2025.59.08
A novel study focused on the development of a smart biopolymer film using biopolymers, enriched with anthocyanins for detection of food spoilage
A study from Chemistry Department at Istanbul Technical University, represents the fourth article derived from the PhD thesis of Research Assistant Dr. Veselina Adımcılar, and conducted under the supervision of Prof. Dr. F. Bedia Berker was published in ACS Omega. The work was also selected by the journal editors, based on its scientific content and visual presentation, to be featured on the cover of Volume 10, Issue 23.
In this study, a smart biopolymer film was developed using pectin and alginate, enriched with anthocyanins extracted from purple basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). The film exhibits pH-sensitive color changes and was successfully applied as a freshness indicator for chicken meat, demonstrating significant potential for intelligent food packaging applications. The physical properties of the film were also evaluated. The results revealed significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities, effectively inhibiting both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species, while maintaining high tensile strength and flexibility. This antimicrobial effect suggests the potential of the film to extend the shelf life of food products by controlling the bacterial growth. Furthermore, the film exhibited thermal stability and strong UV-light-blocking ability of the film which is essential for protecting sensitive food products from oxidative degradation. Given the increasing demand for eco-friendly alternatives to plastic packaging, this biodegradable film presents a sustainable solution with minimal environmental footprint. The simple, and cost-effective preparation of the material, combined with its environmental benefits, shows a promising, active, and intelligent biopolymer-based packaging system. The study highlights the material’s potential as a multifunctional active food packaging material and an effective indicator for monitoring food freshness through a comprehensive evaluation of the film’s physical, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.
10.1021/acsomega.5c01438