This review article emphasizes the significance of keratinases and keratinase based-products via comprehensive insights into the keratin structure, diversity of keratinolytic microorganisms, and mechanisms of keratin hydrolysis. Furthermore, we discuss the biochemical properties of the produced keratinases and their feasible applications in diverse disciplines. In the present study, starch was modified by a) cross-linking through addition of 3% mixture of sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) based on starch weight b) acetylation through addition of 2%, 4% and 6% acetic anhydride based on starch weight c) dual modification i.e. cross-linking using 3% mixture of STMP and STPP followed by acetylation at 2%, 4% and 6% levels based on starch weight. These starches were then used to develop edible films followed by their characterization. Experimental results revealed that films with increased thickness were obtained from acetylated and cross linked starches whereas, dual modified starch films had reduced thickness compared to native starch film. Films from acetylated and dual modified starches retained more moisture compared to native and cross linked starch films while dual modified starches were more water soluble than acetylated and native starch films. All modified starch films were more clear and transparent compared to native starch films. Films from acetylated starches depicted lower tensile strength but they were more elastic and flexible than native and cross linked starch films. In contrast, dual modified starch films showed excellent mechanical properties and lower water permeability compared to native starch film. V.A new and effective method for evaluating the reassembly of starch molecules at large scale (>2 nm) during retrogradation has been developed based on the small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique. The SAXS curves fitted by the Cauchy plus Power-law functions are decomposed into peak- and non-peak-derived sub-patterns. The peak-derived patterns are used for calculating (i) the size of ordered aggregate structures (d) using Lorentz correction and (ii) the proportion of ordered structures within starch samples (Rpeak) by estimating the ratio of the area under the peak-derived sub-pattern (Speak) to the total area under SAXS curve. The Imax and fractal-like dimension (α) of the scattering aggregates (the fitted parameters of SAXS curve), d, Speak, Snon-peak (the area under the non-peak-derived sub-pattern) and Rpeak change as a function of retrogradation time. Importantly, the Snon-peak interrogates the continuous reduction of amorphous starch molecules during the aging, SAXS parameters including α and d describe starch ordered aggregate structures with larger scale than 2 nm are fitted well with pseudo Avrami equation. The SAXS in this study can be used to unravel the evolution of both amorphous starch structures and ordered aggregates with larger scale during retrogradation. The objective of this study was to generate and characterize physically cross-linked aerogels by using germinated and non-germinated wheat starch, with and without the addition of poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO). Aerogels were produced by gelatinization of starch (10% w/v, in distilled water) at 90 °C, followed by multiple freeze/thaw cycles. For the aerogel produced using starch and PEO, a solution of 6% PEO (0.6 g of PEO/10 mL of distilled water) was added to the dispersion. The thermal properties, infrared spectra, relative crystallinity, morphology, water absorption properties, and texture profile of the aerogels were evaluated. After immersion in water for 24 h, the aerogels exhibited high degradation temperature, water absorption capacity, and physical integrity. Aerogels produced using the germinated wheat starch were much more integrated structurally compared to the aerogels produced using the non-germinated wheat starch. Wheat germination did not have any impact on the textural parameters of the aerogels. However, addition of PEO increased the water absorption capacity and reduced the hardness and cohesion of the resulting aerogels. Due to the high water absorption potential, the aerogel produced in this study can serve as an absorbent matrix in food packaging. Mucosal administration of vaccine can produce a strong immune response. Antigens adhere to „M-cells”, present at the intestinal mucosa and the M-cells produce immunity after actively transporting luminal antigens to the underlying immune cells. The objective of the present study was to prepare and characterize alginate coated chitosan nanoparticles (ACNPs) loaded with HBsAg as an antigen to produce immunity; additionally anchored with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as an adjuvant. Ionic gelation method was used to prepare chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) which were loaded with HBsAg and stabilized by alginate coating to protect from gastric environment. Results showed that the prepared LPS-HB-ACNPs were small and spherical with mean particle size 605.23 nm, polydispersity index 0.234 and Zeta potential -26.2 mV and could effectively protect antigen at GIT in acidic medium. HB-ANCPs were stable during storage at 4 ± 1 and 27 ± 2 °C. Anchoring with LPS showed increased immunity as compared to other formulations. Additionally, NPs elicited significant sIgA at mucosal secretions and IgG antibodies in systemic circulation. Thus, the prepared LPS anchored alginate coated chitosan NPs may be a promising approach as a vaccine delivery system for oral mucosal immunization. V.To improve the yield and stability of VII-type cornstarch-lauric acid complexes and inhibit the digestibility of starch, debranched cornstarch was used to complex with lauric acid under a low complexation temperature and a high complexation temperature (DSL30 and DSL90). Debranching treatment raised the yield of the complexes and the melting enthalpy, which reached 51.4% and 14.26 J/g for the complex DSL90, respectively. Complexes formed at high complexation temperature showed high melting temperature ranged in 102.71 °C-120.30 °C, indicating high thermal stability. As the complexation temperature increased from 30 °C to 90 °C, the complexes transformed from VI-type to VII-type. The combination of debranching treatment and increasing complexation temperature decreased the in vitro digestibility of the complexes. The highest resistant starch content was found in the complex DSL90, which also exhibited a lamellar structure under the scanning electron microscopy. The root mean square deviation under the molecular dynamics simulations of the complexes was lower than that of single amylose, suggesting that the complexation with lauric acid could keep the conformation of the amylose chain stable. Debranching treatment combined with a high complexation temperature may be used as an applicable method to prepare VII-type starch-fatty acid complexes with high stability. In this work, we report the synthesis of graft copolymers based on casein and N-isopropylacrylamide, which can self-assemble into biodegradable micelles of approximately 80 nm at physiological conditions. The obtained copolymers were degraded by trypsin, an enzyme that is overexpressed in several malignant tumors. Moreover, graft copolymers were able to load doxorubicin (Dox) by ionic interaction with the casein component. In vitro release experiments showed that the in situ assembled micelles can maintain the cargo at plasma conditions but release Dox immediately after their exposition at pH 5.0 and trypsin. Cellular uptake and cytotoxicity assays revealed the efficient delivery to the nucleus and antiproliferative efficacy of Dox in the breast cancer cell line MDA231. Both delivery and therapeutic activity were enhanced in presence of trypsin. Overall, the prepared micelles hold a great potential for their utilization as dual responsive trypsin/pH drug delivery system. V.The oral drug administration was convenient and comfortable route for patients. Nevertheless, the oral uptake efficiency of many therapeutic agents was limited by physiological barriers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This review summarized the challenges toward the oral delivery systems including instability and poor permeability in gastrointestinal environment. The transcellular and paracellular transport were main pathways of nanocarriers across intestinal epithelium. Chitosan is a nature and safe polymer that possesses the capacity of opening intercellular tight junctions of epithelium and excellent mucoadhesive property. Chitosan-based nanocarriers have recently attracted considerable attentions, aiming to overcome GI limitations and enhance drug absorption. Recently developed chitosan-based nanocarriers administered via oral route were highlighted for protecting drugs against degradation, releasing drugs in small intestine, enhancing drug uptake, thus improving oral bioavailability. Finally, various biotherapeutics including hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs applied in chitosan-based nanovectors were also reviewed. V.Montmorillonite (MMT) presents nonocclusive lamellar structure which restricts the potential use for sustained drug release. To solve the limitation, the quaternized pectin (QP) was synthesized and firstly introduced to form QP-MMT hybrid film containing 5-FU. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to determine the variation of the functional group and crystallinity between pectin and QP. The resultant composite film was characterized by FT-IR, XRD and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope. The results of the characterization indicated that intercalation reaction happened in the blending process. The optimum film showed high value of drug encapsulation efficiency (36.50%) and loading efficiency (80.30%). The in vitro drug release studies revealed that the MMT significantly improved the sustained-release performance in all simulated mediums. The cumulative release rate of sample QP10-MMT0.1 was all around 20% in the first half-hour in all simulated mediums and sustained increased for more than 8 h. The cytotoxicity assay was performed to prove the great biocompatibility of QP-MMT hybrid film. The present study introduced a facile route to prepare the composite film which presented sustained drug release performance. V.Polysaccharides and fruit extracts are applied in dairy products to enhance their nutritional property, but the effects of such formulations on the functions and biological activities are yet to be explored. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the effect of interactions among milk protein (beta-lactoglobulin; BLG), polysaccharides (pectin, P; chitosan, CH), and anthocyanin (pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside; P3G) in improving the bioavailability and biological activity of P3G. After gastrointestinal digestion (GID), the content of free P3G in different model solutions were as follows P3G-alone (73.59 μg/mL), P3G-P (66.59 μg/mL), P3G-CH (36.72 μg/mL), P3G-BLG (64.92 μg/mL), P3G-P-BLG (64.92 μg/mL), and P3G-CH-BLG (39.61 μg/mL). Less amount of free P3G in model solutions indicated increased complex formation of P3G with protein and/or polysaccharides during GID. These complexes resulted in protection and progressive release of P3G in the gastrointestinal tract. Chitosan exhibited more protection to P3G compared with P and BLG.