Food and Fermentation Industries >

2026 , Vol. 52 >Issue 2: 292 - 300

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13995/j.cnki.11-1802/ts.042926

Construction of cationic tannin-zein nanosystem and its application in antibiotic wastewater treatment

  • CHEN Yaqiong ,
  • JIN Shihang ,
  • ZHOU Yueming ,
  • LI Xingbin ,
  • WU Daimeng ,
  • MENG Jiayi ,
  • SUN Jiayi
Expand
  • 1(School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China)
    2(Solenis (Shanghai) Chemicals CO.Ltd., Shanghai 201108, China)

Received date: 2025-04-08

  Revised date: 2025-06-05

  Online published: 2026-03-18

Fold

Abstract

In response to the serious problem of antibiotic contamination in water bodies, efficient, readily available and environmentally friendly antibiotic removers need to be developed urgently.This study constructed a cationic tannin-zein (CAT-Zein) composite nanosystem by anti-solvent dispersion method.The physicochemical properties were characterized and the formation mechanism was explored, and the removal effect of nanoparticles on cephalosporin antibiotics in water samples and their influencing factors were investigated.The results showed that the CAT-Zein nanoparticle system had the best degree of dispersion and stability when the mass ratio of cationic tannin and zein was 1∶5, and the CAT-Zein nanoparticles showed a near-spherical morphology with an average particle size of 81.34 nm, an average PDI of 0.353, and an average zeta potential of 56.8 mV, which showed a significant increase in positive charge compared with the zeta potential of 31.5 mV for the control sample of Zein nanoparticles.Both two types of nanoparticles showed good storage stability over 28 days.In CAT-Zein nanoparticles, the incorporation of cationic tannin led to a change in the state of existence of zein as well as in the crystal structure of its molecule, and a new complex was formed by the presence of interaction forces between cationic tannin and zein such as hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions.In terms of antibiotic removal, the removal rate of sodium cefthiophene was significantly enhanced by CAT-Zein nanoparticles compared to Zein nanoparticles, and pH was found to be an important influencing factor on the antibiotic removal effect.The CAT-Zein nanoparticles showed the best removal of sodium cefthiophene with a removal rate of nearly 90% when pH=6.0.The development of CAT-Zein nanoparticles provides an effective solution for the removal of cephalosporin antibiotics from water bodies, and breaks through the limitation of tannin application in water treatment, which provides a new idea for the further development of efficient and green water treatment materials.

Key words： cationic tannins; zein; nanoparticles; antibiotic removal; water treatment

Cite this article

CHEN Yaqiong , JIN Shihang , ZHOU Yueming , LI Xingbin , WU Daimeng , MENG Jiayi , SUN Jiayi . Construction of cationic tannin-zein nanosystem and its application in antibiotic wastewater treatment[J]. Food and Fermentation Industries, 2026 , 52(2) : 292 -300 . DOI: 10.13995/j.cnki.11-1802/ts.042926

References

[1] GU D M, FENG Q Y, GUO C S, et al.Occurrence and risk assessment of antibiotics in manure, soil, wastewater, groundwater from livestock and poultry farms in Xuzhou, China[J].Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2019, 103(4):590-596.
[2] JOAKIM LARSSON D G, FLACH C F.Antibiotic resistance in the environment[J].Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2022, 20(5):257-269.
[3] MUHAMMAD S, ABDUL KHALIL H P S, ABD HAMID S, et al.Insights into agricultural-waste-based nano-activated carbon fabrication and modifications for wastewater treatment application[J].Agriculture, 2022, 12(10):1737.
[4] WANG J L, ZHUAN R.Degradation of antibiotics by advanced oxidation processes:An overview[J].Science of the Total Environment, 2020, 701:135023.
[5] KUMAR M, JAISWAL S, SODHI K K, et al.Antibiotics bioremediation:Perspectives on its ecotoxicity and resistance[J].Environment International, 2019, 124:448-461.
[6] SOON W L, PEYDAYESH M, MEZZENGA R, et al.Plant-based amyloids from food waste for removal of heavy metals from contaminated water[J].Chemical Engineering Journal, 2022, 445:136513.
[7] TADELE D T, ISLAM M S, MEKONNEN T H.Zein-based nanoparticles and nanofibers:Co-encapsulation, characterization, and application in food and biomedicine[J].Trends in Food Science & Technology, 2025, 155:104809.
[8] ESMALI F, ARANI M N, BETMOUSHOUL E, et al.Harnessing the power of hollow zein nanoparticles for enhanced antifouling and heavy metal removal of polyethersulfone membranes[J].Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2024, 12(5):113381.
[9] WEN H F, YANG C, YU D G, et al.Electrospun zein nanoribbons for treatment of lead-contained wastewater[J].Chemical Engineering Journal, 2016, 290:263-272.
[10] TENG D F, XU Y Q, ZHAO T N, et al.Zein adsorbents with micro/nanofibrous membrane structure for removal of oils, organic dyes, and heavy metal ions in aqueous solution[J].Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2022, 425:128004.
[11] WANG Y H, DU Y C, LIANG C, et al.One-step preparation of macroporous zein microspheres by solvent diffusion for dye adsorption[J].Separation and Purification Technology, 2022, 302:122112.
[12] ZHANG L L, GUAN Q H, JIANG J C, et al.Tannin complexation with metal ions and its implication on human health, environment and industry:An overview[J].International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023, 253:127485.
[13] 周鹏, 张建芳, 欧丽君, 等.单宁基阳离子型吸附树脂的制备及吸附性能研究[J].水处理技术, 2018, 44(8):53-56.
ZHOU P, ZHANG J F, OU L J, et al.Research on preparation and adsorption property of tannin based cationic adsorbent resin[J].Technology of Water Treatment, 2018, 44(8):53-56.
[14] 侯俊, 刘佳林, 潘正国, 等.改性植物单宁絮凝剂对污水中抗生素抗性基因的去除效果[J].水资源保护, 2023, 39(2):244-251;258.
HOU J, LIU J L, PAN Z G, et al.Removal effect of modified plant tannin flocculant on antibiotic resistance genes in sewage[J].Water Resources Protection, 2023, 39(2):244-251;258.
[15] GREHS B W N, LOPES A R, MOREIRA N F F, et al.Removal of microorganisms and antibiotic resistance genes from treated urban wastewater:A comparison between aluminium sulphate and tannin coagulants[J].Water Research, 2019, 166:115056.
[16] TOMASI I T, MACHADO C A, BOAVENTURA R A R, et al.Tannin-based coagulants:Current development and prospects on synthesis and uses[J].Science of the Total Environment, 2022, 822:153454.
[17] SÁNCHEZ-MARTÍN J, BELTRÁN-HEREDIA J, GIBELLO-PÉREZ P.Adsorbent biopolymers from tannin extracts for water treatment[J].Chemical Engineering Journal, 2011, 168(3):1241-1247.
[18] 王金霞, 王家薇, 王开俊, 等.玉米醇溶蛋白-槲皮素互作机制及其纳米颗粒的制备[J].中国粮油学报, 2024, 39(9):163-171.
WANG J X, WANG J W, WANG K J, et al.Zein-quercetin nanoparticles:Interaction mechanism and preparation[J].Journal of the Chinese Cereals and Oils Association, 2024, 39(9):163-171.
[19] 刘欢. γ-Al2O3负载铁氧化物对头孢曲松钠吸附性能的研究[D].南昌:南昌大学, 2022.
LIU H.Study on adsorption performance of γ-Al2O3 supported iron oxide for ceftriaxone sodium[D].Nanchang:Nanchang University, 2022.
[20] SUN C X, LIU F G, YANG J, et al.Physical, structural, thermal and morphological characteristics of zeinquercetagetin composite colloidal nanoparticles[J].Industrial Crops and Products, 2015, 77:476-483.
[21] 常大伟, 曹佳怡, 任娜, 等.负载二氢杨梅素的玉米醇溶蛋白-阿拉伯胶纳米粒子的制备及分析[J].食品工业科技, 2025,46(12):30-40.
CHANG D W, CAO J Y, REN N, et al.Zein-gum arabic loaded with dihydromyricetin:Preparation and analysis of nanoparticles[J].Science and Technology of Food Industry, 2025,46(12):30-40.
[22] SONG H D, HE A J, GUAN X, et al.Fabrication of chitosan-coated epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)-hordein nanoparticles and their transcellular permeability in Caco-2/HT29 cocultures[J].International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2022, 196:144-150.
[23] HE A J, GUAN X, SONG H D, et al.Encapsulation of (-)-epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) in hordein nanoparticles[J].Food Bioscience, 2020, 37:100727.
[24] TAO W, FERREIRA I M P L V O, HE J R, et al.Tailored zein-polysaccharide nanoparticles for anthocyanin encapsulation:Insights into preparation and characterization[J].Food Hydrocolloids, 2025, 166:111365.
[25] HE J B, TANG H, LIAO R F, et al.Gemini surfactant stabilized zein nanoparticles:Preparation, characterization, interaction mechanism, and antibacterial activity[J].International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025, 305:141264.
[26] 孙翠霞. 基于玉米醇溶蛋白的复合胶体颗粒制备、表征及其应用[D].北京:中国农业大学, 2018.
SUN C X.Fabrication, characterization and application of zein-based composite colloidal particles[D].Beijing:China Agricultural University, 2018.
[27] 李文洁, 赵渊, 付连霏, 等.负载柚皮素的表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯共价修饰的玉米醇溶蛋白-透明质酸复合纳米颗粒的构建与表征[J].食品与发酵工业, 2024, 50(17):139-147.
LI W J, ZHAO Y, FU L F, et al.Fabrication and characterization of naringenin-loaded gallocatechin-gallate covalently modified zein-hyaluronic acid composite nanoparticles[J].Food and Fermentation Industries, 2024, 50(17):139-147.
[28] SUN C X, DAI L, GAO Y X.Interaction and formation mechanism of binary complex between zein and propylene glycol alginate[J].Carbohydrate Polymers, 2017, 157:1638-1649.
[29] 任晓鸣. 玉米醇溶蛋白与玉米肽复合纳米颗粒制备及其输送、抗氧化性质研究[D].广东:华南理工大学, 2014.
REN X M.Preparation of zein or corn peptides composite nanoparticles and its delivery and antioxidant properties[D].Guangdong:South China University of Technology, 2014.
[30] PARVEEN S, MITRA M, KRISHNAKUMAR S, et al.Enhanced antiproliferative activity of carboplatin-loaded chitosan-alginate nanoparticles in a retinoblastoma cell line[J].Acta Biomaterialia, 2010, 6(8):3120-3131.
[31] LUO Y C, TENG Z, WANG Q.Development of zein nanoparticles coated with carboxymethyl chitosan for encapsulation and controlled release of vitamin D3[J].Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2012, 60(3):836-843.
[32] AHAMMED S, LIU F, KHIN M N, et al.Improvement of the water resistance and ductility of gelatin film by zein[J].Food Hydrocolloids, 2020, 105:105804.
[33] XIA Q L, LIANG Y, CAO A L, et al.Preparation and characterization of pH-responsive metal-polyphenol structure coated nanoparticles[J].Food Science and Human Wellness, 2024, 13(3):1303-1310.
[34] DE OLIVEIRA MORI C L S, ALMEIDA DOS PASSOS N, OLIVEIRA J E, et al.Electrospinning of zein/tannin bio-nanofibers[J].Industrial Crops and Products, 2014, 52:298-304.
[35] SUN C X, DAI L, GAO Y X.Binary complex based on zein and propylene glycol alginate for delivery of quercetagetin[J].Biomacromolecules, 2016, 17(12):3973-3985.
[36] 张祥海. 碳酸氢盐辅助CoxSy/γ-Al2O3催化过氧化氢降解头孢类抗生素的研究[D].北京:北京化工大学, 2023.
ZHANG X H.Bicarbonate-assisted CoxSy/γ-Al2O3 catalyzed hydrogen peroxide degradation of cephalosporin antibiotics[D].Beijing:Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 2023.
[37] RIBEIRO A R, SCHMIDT T C.Determination of acid dissociation constants (pKa) of cephalosporin antibiotics:Computational and experimental approaches[J].Chemosphere, 2017, 169:524-533.
Options
Outlines

/

〈 〉

Powered by Beijing Magtech Co. Ltd,.