Cationic Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Research Articles

Enhancement of weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores leaching process with the addition of PQ-10

To solve the problems of the long development period, low mass transfer efficiency and high impurity content in the in-situ leaching process of weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores (WCE-DREO), cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (PQ-10) was composited with conventional leaching agent ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) to form a novel composite leaching agent. The effects of PQ-10 concentration, leaching temperature and leaching flow rate of the composite leaching agent on the leaching kinetics and mass transfer processes of rare earth (RE) and aluminum (Al) were investigated. Compared to the single leaching agent (NH4)2SO4, the composite leaching agent (2 wt% (NH4)2SO4+0.02 wt% PQ-10) can reduce the RE leaching equilibrium time from 465 to 130 min and increase the RE leaching efficiency and decrease the Al leaching efficiency. It also facilitates the leaching process of WCE-DREO by increasing the peak concentrations of RE and Al, reducing the theoretical tower plate height (HETP) and improving the leaching mass transfer efficiency. It is indicated that PQ-10 can promote the leaching of WCE-DREO. The leaching process of the composite leaching system conforms to the diffusion kinetic control model. When the PQ-10 concentration is in the range of 0.005 wt%–0.020 wt%, the reaction orders of RE and Al are 0.73 and 0.54, respectively, which shows a positive effect on the leaching velocity; when the PQ-10 concentration is in the range of 0.030 wt%–0.060 wt%, the reaction orders of RE and Al are –1.16 and –0.75, respectively, which show a negative effect on the leaching velocity. In the range of 10–50 °C, the apparent activation energies of RE and Al are 15.02 and 17.31 kJ/mol, respectively, and the higher the leaching temperature, the smaller the HETP and the higher the leaching velocity and mass transfer efficiency. The increase in leaching flow rate contributes to the increase in the longitudinal diffusion velocity of the leaching agent within WCE-DREO, causing a shorter time for RE and Al to reach leaching equilibrium. In addition, the flow rate and HETP are consistent with the Van Deemter equation. At a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min, HETP was minimized and the optimal mass transfer efficiencies is achieved for RE and Al.

Interactions in Aqueous Mixtures of Cationic Hydroxyethyl Cellulose and Different Anionic Bile Salts.

It is known that the reduction of blood cholesterol can be accomplished through foods containing a large number of dietary fibers; this process is partially related to the binding of bile salt to fibers. To gain new insights into the interactions between dietary fibers and bile salts, this study investigates the interactions between cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (catHEC) and sodium deoxycholate (NaDC) or sodium cholate (NaC), which have a similar structure. Turbidity measurements reveal strong interactions between catHEC and NaDC, and under some conditions, macroscopic phase separation occurs. In contrast, the interactions with NaC are weak. At a catHEC concentration of 2 wt %, incipient phase separation is approached at concentrations of NaC and NaDC of 32.5 and 19.3 mM, respectively. The rheological results show strong interactions and a prominent viscosification effect for the catHEC/NaDC system but only moderate interactions for the catHEC/NaC system. Both cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering results display fundamental structural differences between the two systems, which may explain the stronger interactions in the presence of NaDC. The surmise is that the extended structures formed in the presence of NaDC can easily form connections and entanglements in the network.

Coagulation/flocculation-flotation harvest of Microcystis aeruginosa by cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose and Agrobacterium mucopolysaccharides

Efficient biocoagulants/bioflocculants are desired for removal of Microcystis aeruginosa, the dominant harmful bloom-forming cyanobacterium. Herein, we reported cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (CHEC) inactivated M. aeruginosa cells after forming coagulates and floating-flocculated them with aid of Agrobacterium mucopolysaccharides (AMP) and surfactant. CHEC exhibited cyanocidal activity at 20mg/L, coagulating 85% of M. aeruginosa biomass within 9h and decreasing 41% of chlorophyll a after 72h. AMP acted as an adhesive flocculation aid that accelerated and strengthened the formation of flocs, approaching a maximum in 10min. Flocs of M. aeruginosa were floated after foaming with cocoamidopropyl betaine (CAB), which facilitated the subsequent filter harvest. 82% of M. aeruginosa biomass was suspended on water surface after treated with the coagulation/flocculation-flotation (CFF) agents containing CHEC (25mg/L), AMP (177mg/L) and CAB (0.1mg/L). All components in CFF agents at the applied concentrations did not inhibit acetylcholinesterase or Vibrio fischeri. Our findings provide new insights in developing bio-based materials for sustainable control of cyanobacterial blooms.

Time-Resolved Kinetic Measurement of Microalgae Agglomeration for Screening of Polysaccharides-Based Coagulants/Flocculants.

Time-resolved monitoring of microalgae agglomeration facilitates screening of coagulants/flocculants (CFs) from numerous biopolymer candidates. Herein, a filtering-flowing analysis (FFA) apparatus was developed in which dispersed microalgal cells were separated from coagulates and flocs formed by CFs and pumped into spectrophotometer for real-time quantification. Polysaccharides-based CFs for Microcystis aeruginosa and several other microalgae were tested. Cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (CHEC), chitosan quaternary ammonium (CQA) and cationic guar gum (CGG) all triggered coagulation obeying a pseudo-second-order model. Maximal coagulation efficiencies were achieved at their respective critical dosages, i.e., 0.086 g/gM.a. CHEC, 0.022 g/gM.a. CQA, and 0.216 g/gM.a. CGG. Although not active independently, bacterial exopolysaccharides (BEPS) aided coagulation of M. aeruginosa and allowed near 100% flocculation efficiency when 0.115 g/gM.a. CQA and 1.44 g/gM.a. xanthan were applied simultaneously. The apparatus is applicable to other microalgae species including Spirulina platensis, S. maxima, Chlorella vulgaris and Isochrysis galbana. Bio-based CFs sorted out using this apparatus could help develop cleaner processes for both remediation of harmful cyanobacterial blooms and microalgae-based biorefineries.

Decontamination of water co-polluted by copper, toluene and tetrahydrofuran using lauric acid

Co-contamination by organic solvents (e.g., toluene and tetrahydrofuran) and metal ions (e.g., Cu2+) is common in industrial wastewater and in industrial sites. This manuscript describes the separation of THF from water in the absence of copper ions, as well as the treatment of water co-polluted with either THF and copper, or toluene and copper. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and water are freely miscible in the absence of lauric acid. Lauric acid separates the two solvents, as demonstrated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The purity of the water phase separated from 3:7 (v/v) THF:water mixtures using 1 M lauric acid is ≈87%v/v. Synchrotron small angle X-Ray scattering (SAXS) indicates that lauric acid forms reverse micelles in THF, which swell in the presence of water (to host water in their interior) and ultimately lead to two free phases: 1) THF-rich and 2) water-rich. Deprotonated lauric acid (laurate ions) also induces the migration of Cu2+ ions in either THF (following separation from water) or in toluene (immiscible in water), enabling their removal from water. Laurate ions and copper ions likely interact through physical interactions (e.g., electrostatic interactions) rather than chemical bonds, as shown by ATR-FTIR. Inductively coupled plasma—optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) demonstrates up to 60% removal of Cu2+ ions from water co-polluted by CuSO4 or CuCl2 and toluene. While lauric acid emulsifies water and toluene in the absence of copper ions, copper salts destabilize emulsions. This is beneficial, to avoid that copper ions are re-entrained in the water phase alongside with toluene, following their migration in the toluene phase. The effect of copper ions on emulsion stability is explained based on the decreased interfacial activity and compressional rigidity of interfacial films, probed using a Langmuir trough. In wastewater treatment, lauric acid (a powder) can be mixed directly in the polluted water. In the context of groundwater remediation, lauric acid can be solubilized in canola oil to enable its injection to treat aquifers co-polluted by organic solvents and Cu2+. In this application, injectable filters obtained by injecting cationic hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC +) would impede the flow of toluene and copper ions partitioned in it, protecting downstream receptors. Co-contaminants can be subsequently extracted upstream of the filters (using pumping wells), to enable their simultaneous removal from aquifers.

Using Polymer-Surfactant Charge Ratio to Control Synergistic Flocculation of Anionic Particulate Dispersions.

This study investigates the flocculation induced destabilization of particulate dispersions by oppositely charged polymer–surfactant complexes, with a particular focus on controlling interactions by modulating the charge ratio Z, (where Z = [+polymer]/[−surfactant]) via [−surfactant] at fixed Cpolymer. Cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (cat-HEC) polymer-sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) complexes were prepared with either excess polymer (Z > 1) or surfactant (Z < 1) charges. Anionic particulate dispersions (Ludox and polystyrene-butadiene Latex) were then exposed to the complexes, and solvent relaxation NMR was used to characterize the particle surfaces before and after exposure. In both particulate dispersions, flocculation induced destabilization was enhanced after exposure to cat-HEC-SDS complexes with Z > 1, leaving any excess particle surfaces uncoated after gentle centrifugation. However, complexes with Z < 1 showed no adsorption and destabilization in the Ludox dispersions and only slight destabilization in the Latex dispersions due to possible hydrophobic interactions. Substituting SDS for non-ionic surfactant (C12E6) showed no additional destabilization of the dispersions, but post-centrifugation relaxation rates indicated preferential adsorption of C12E6 onto the particle surfaces. Since the dominant forces are electrostatic, this study highlights the possibility of controlling the interactions between oppositely charged polymer–surfactant complexes and particle surfaces by modulating Z through [−surfactant].

Probing Selective Adsorption in Cationic-Polymer Induced Aggregation of Binary Anionic Particulate Dispersions Using Solvent Relaxation NMR.

NMR solvent relaxation has been used to characterize the surfaces present in binary anionic particle dispersions, before and after exposure to a cationic polymer. In the polymer-free case, it is shown that the measured specific relaxation rate of the solvent is a population-weighted average of all surfaces present, enabling preferential adsorption to be explored. The addition of the oppositely charged polymer led to phase separation, which was accelerated by gentle centrifugation. The measured relaxation rates and the equilibrium particle concentrations indicate that the cationic hydroxyethylcellulose polymer (HEC LR) exhibited no significant preference for either latex or laponite in binary blends with silica, but a strong preference for TiO2. This study illustrates the versatility of solvent relaxation to probe surface area, surface type and dispersion composition in complex formulations.

Coagulation/Flocculation-Flotation Harvest of Microcystis Aeruginosa by Cationic Hydroxyethyl Cellulose and Agrobacterium Mucopolysaccharides

Coagulation/Flocculation-Flotation Harvest of Microcystis Aeruginosa by Cationic Hydroxyethyl Cellulose and Agrobacterium Mucopolysaccharides

Detergents containing cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose: Benefits on dark garments leveraging a consumer relevant wash method

AbstractThe industrial standard methods to evaluate color care of detergents leverage technical fabrics and use known dye standards from A.I.S.E. (International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products). This has some limitations: (1) it is not always following the latest fashion trends; (2) overall color fading of a garment is due to both dye bleeding out of the fabric as well as friction during the wash leading to fabric texture changes. The latter depends on parameters such as fabric type and surface area that could be better assessed on real garments. To overcome the above limitations, we have designed a new protocol considering the incidence of garment types, fiber and dye chemistry. Leveraging this protocol, we assessed the effect of the presence of a cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose in a commercial detergent formulation on dark fabrics/garments. Our results indicate that the commercial detergent formulation with cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose delivers dark/black color benefit.

Charge Modification as a Mechanism for Tunable Properties in Polymer-Surfactant Complexes.

Oppositely charged polymer–surfactant complexes are frequently explored as a function of phase space defined by the charge ratio Z, (where Z = [), commonly accessed through the surfactant concentration. Tuning the phase behaviour and related properties of these complexes is an important tool for optimising commercial formulations; hence, understanding the relationship between Z and bulk properties is pertinent. Here, within a homologous series of cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (cat-HEC) polymers with minor perturbations in the degree of side chain charge modification, phase space is instead explored through at fixed C. The nanostructures were characterised by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) in DO solutions and in combination with the oppositely charged surfactant sodium dodecylsulfate (h- or d-SDS). Scattering consistent with thin rods with an average radius of ∼7.7 Å and length of ∼85 Å was observed for all cat-HEC polymers and no significant interactions were shown between the neutral HEC polymer and SDS (C < CMC). For the charge-modified polymers, interactions with SDS were evident and the radius of the formed complexes grew up to ∼15 Å with increasing Z. This study demonstrates a novel approach in which the Z phase space of oppositely charged polymer–surfactant complexes can be controlled at fixed concentrations.

Quaternary ammonium cellulose promoted synthesis of hollow nano-sized ZSM-5 zeolite as stable catalyst for benzene alkylation with ethanol

Catalytic alkylation of benzene with ethanol has been considered as a sustainable alternative for producing ethylbenzene/diethylbenzene. This paper reports the promoted synthesis of hollow nano-sized (20–80 nm) ZSM-5 zeolite as excellent yet durable catalyst of benzene alkylation, which is achieved by adding N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and quaternary ammonium cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (JR-400) in its synthesis gel during the synthesis. It is revealed by the ESI–MS and TEM characterization that the NMP promotes the dissolution–recrystallization of the ZSM-5 and a hollow structure is generated during the process. The JR-400 as special promoter further favors the formation of ordered nano-zeolite grain and suitable microstructure, confirmed by the molecular dynamic modeling and characterization. That action corporately contributed to the hollow nano-sized ZSM-5 zeolite that provided hierarchical porous structure and mild acid centers, as evidenced by the 129Xe and 1H NMR spectra. The obtained hollow zeolite ZSM-5 then exhibits enhanced catalytic activities and selectivity for benzene alkylation. Moreover, it also displays an extremely superior stability (deactivation rate constant, −0.06%/h) in the catalysis of benzene alkylation with ethanol. This behavior is attributed to its hierarchical porous structure (namely less diffusion resistance) and mild acid centers, which is beneficial to moderate the carbon deposition and then the catalyst deactivation. Those research results urge the JR-400-promoted synthesis as a facile strategy for the hollow nano-sized ZSM-5 with enhanced catalytic performance during the benzene alkylation with the ethanol.

Functionalized MoS2-nanoparticles for transdermal drug delivery of atenolol

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has excellent photothermal conversion abilities, an ultra-high specific surface area, and has been extensively explored for use in biomedicine. However, the high toxicity associated with MoS2 has limited its biological applications for in vivo photothermal therapy and drug delivery systems. Herein, we have developed cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (JR400) surface-modified MoS2 nanoparticles (NPs) that are responsive to near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation as a transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS). Herein, we confirmed the preparation of hexagonal phase MoS2 with robust surface modification with JR400. The flower-like morphology of the NPs had an average diameter of 355 ± 69.3 nm limiting the absorption of the NPs through the stratum corneum. With the ability to efficiently load 90.4 ± 0.3% of the model drug atenolol (ATE), where 1 g of JR400-MoS2 NPs was able to load 3.6 g ATE, we assayed the controlled release capacity in vitro skin penetration studies. These JR400-MoS2 NPs showed further enhancement under NIR stimulation, with a 2.3-fold increase in ATE skin penetration. Furthermore, we verified in vivo that these JR400-MoS2 NPs do not cause skin irritation suggesting that they are promising new TDDS candidates for small molecule drugs.

Preparation and characterization of hybrid cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose/sodium alginate polyelectrolyte antimicrobial films

This study aimed to develop polyelectrolyte‐structured antimicrobial food packaging materials that do not contain any antimicrobial agents. Cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose was synthesized and characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Its nitrogen content was determined by Kjeldahl method. Polyelectrolyte‐structured antimicrobial food packaging materials were prepared using hydroxyethyl cellulose, cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose, and sodium alginate. Antimicrobial activity of materials was defined by inhibition zone method (disc diffusion method). Thermal stability of samples was evaluated by thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Surface morphology of samples was investigated by SEM. The obtained results prove that produced food packaging materials have good thermal and antimicrobial properties, and they can be used as food packaging material in many industries.

A pseudo-quantitative ternary surfactant ion mixing plane phase diagram for a cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose with dodecyl sulfate counterion complex salt

The surfactant ion mixing plane phase diagram was constructed for cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose dodecyl sulfate (cat-HECDS), sodium dodecyl sulfate (NaDS) and water. The number of phases and structures present in the prepared ternary composition were assessed visually and guided the placement of phase boundaries. Two multi-phase regions surround a large, central one-phase isotropic region. In the dilute portion of the diagram, an isotropic-isotropic two-phase region exists along the water-complex salt axis. A concentrated multi-phase region adjacent to the water-NaDS axis includes a three-phase region defined as isotropic-hexagonal-monoclinic surrounded by three two-phase regions of isotropic-monoclinic, isotropic-hexagonal, and hexagonal-monoclinic.This phase diagram is similar to one previously published in this journal [Svensson et al., Colloids Surf. A, 228 (2003) 91–106]. Here the degree of cationic substitution on the polymer was reduced by half. This resulted in a shift in the locations of the phase boundaries, but not the phases and structures, present in this plane. Evaluating the phase boundaries as a function of anion:cation molar ratio highlighted the impact of the hydrophobic binding of excess surfactant monomers to the polycation-surfactant anion network on the phase transitions in the surfactant ion mixing plane phase diagrams for cat-HECDS.

Selective co-deposition of anionic silica particles at hydrophobic surfaces from formulations of oppositely charged polymers and surfactants

The surface-selective surface deposition of anionic hydrophilic silica particles from aqueous polymer–surfactant formulations was investigated by in-situ null-ellipsometry. The formulations, with or without silica particles, contained anionic sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and a cationic polymer, cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (cat-HEC) or a copolymer of acrylamide and methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride (AAm/MAPTAC). Surface deposition from the formulations onto model surfaces of either anionic hydrophilic, or hydrophobized, silica was induced by controlled dilution of the formulations into the coacervation region, and was monitored with time by ellipsometry. The dilution simulated a rinsing process in a typical application. In all cases a steady-state surface layer remained after extensive dilution. An enhanced deposition from the silica-containing formulations was found on the hydrophobized silica surface, indicating a substantial co-deposition of silica particles. Much less co-deposition, or none at all, was found on hydrophilic silica. The opposite trend, enhanced co-deposition on hydrophilic silica, was previously found in similar experiments with hydrophobic silicone oil droplets as co-deposants (Clauzel et al., 2011). The amphiphilic cationic polymers evidently favor a “mismatched” co-deposition of anionic particles to hydrophobic surfaces, or vice versa. The findings suggest a strategy for surface-specific delivery of particles to surfaces.

Ductile nanocellulose-based films with high stretchability and tear resistance

Hybrid composite films of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), cationic hydroxyethylcellulose (CHEC) and glycerol were prepared via solution blending. NFC adopted a fibrillar structure, being coated with the CHEC moieties. Ionic interactions between NFC and CHEC were present, as confirmed by FTIR, leading to enhanced strength, moduli and work-to-break values. Simultaneously, segments of non-cationic HEC worked in tandem with glycerol to lubricate the cellulose nanofibrils, yielding maximum strain-at-break values of 141%. The NFC–CHEC–glycerol films were subsequently coated with a 4.5–6μm layer of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC), microscopy confirming effective coating of NFC at the composite-coating layer boundary. The hydrophobic nature of PPC enhanced water stability for acute time periods and increased contact angle values. Film strength and toughness was also enhanced by PPC, indicative of its reinforcing ability. The hybrid composites highlight the ability to prepare extremely ductile cellulose-based films, with the aforementioned materials being amongst the most ductile cellulose-based and/or cellulose-majority films documented.

Ocular biocompatibility of polyquaternium 10 gel: functional and morphological results

This paper deals with the characterization study of topical and intraocular biocompatibility and toxicity of cationic hydroxyethylcellulose Polyquaternium 10 (PQ10). It also evaluates the rheological properties of gels. The cytotoxicity assays were done in two cell lines: HEp-2 and VERO (human larynx epidermoid carcinoma cell and African green monkey kidney cells respectively). For the in vivo study, New Zealand albino rabbits were used. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of PQ10 shows no statistically significant differences in relation to the control of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) in any of the cell lines used in this study. Similarly, the signs of inflammation observed after treatment showed no significant difference between the groups of animals treated with the polymer compared to the control group. Normal histological characteristics were seen in both groups with no histological inflammatory reaction. After 1 month of the intracameral application of 2% PQ10 (treatment group) or 0.3% HPMC (control group), electroretinograms showed similar levels of a- and b-waves latencies and amplitude. In summary, PQ10 gel was well tolerated in these experiments, with proper monitoring, it could stand as a new alternative in the development of ophthalmic viscosurgical devices.

WATER-SOLUBLE CATIONIC CELLULOSE COUPLED TO A ULTRAFILTRATION MEMBRANE FOR THE REMOVAL OF ARSENIC AND CHROMIUM

This article describes the retention properties of arsenic (V) and chromium (VI) using a water-soluble polymer based on cationic hydroxyethylcellulose and combined with an ultrafiltration membrane. The polymer was purchased commercially and was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The study of polymer removal capacity of As(V) and Cr(VI) were performed by liquid-phase polymer-based retention technique (LPR). By means of a washing method studied retention as a function of pH, the amount of polymer, and the concentration of As(V) and Cr(VI). The results showed that the retention capacity of both oxy-anions increases with the solution pH. Due to the presence of quaternary ammonium groups in the polymer structure, the retention of As(V) and Cr(VI) was higher at a pH of 9 than that at acidic pH levels, reaching values of 65% for Cr(VI) and 43% for As(V). The study in function of amount of polymer showed that using 75 mg the retention of As(V) was 65%. In the case of Cr(VI) using 50 mg of polymer, 67% retention was obtained. Using low concentrations for arsenic and chromium, maximum retention was found at 65% and 95%, respectively. The maximum retention capacity (MRC) of the polymer was determined by adding As(V) and Cr(VI) to the polymer solution and concentrating in successive steps. FTIR spectra before and after of retention showed differences by the interaction with oxy-anions.

Solution Behavior of Hydrophobic Cationic Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

The hydrophobic cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC-g-DA) was prepared by grafting HEC with various alkyl ammonium chlorides (DA) in order to improve the thickening properties of cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose. The solution behavior of HEC-g-DA was studied, and showed that the apparent viscosity of HEC-g-DA increased with polymer concentration, and there existed a critical association concentration (Cp*). The alkyl chain length of DA had a great influence on Cp*, which decreased with increasing alkyl chain length; however, too long an alkyl chain of DA reduced the water solubility of the polymer, resulting in a slight increase of Cp*. The effect of temperature and electrolyte concentration on the thickening properties of HEC-g-DA was investigated; the value of viscous flow activation energy (Ea) was minimum for the sample of HEC-g-DA16 (glycidyl-N-hexadecyl–N,N-dimethyl-ammonium chloride), indicating the weakest sensitivity of the viscosity to temperature. In the whole range of shear rate investigated, the solutions of HEC-g-DA displayed the shear thinning behavior of a pseudoplastic fluid. The values of viscous index (n) from the Ostwald model simulation decreased with polymer concentration, indicating an improvement of the shear thinning property of the solution, whereas the increase of the consistency coefficient (k) indicated the enhancement of the thickening behavior of the polymer. With increasing polymer concentration, the molecular association of HEC-g-DA16 became strong, and high-shear stress was required to remove the association, while the difference between G′ and G″ became small, indicating that the elasticity of the system was enhanced at high polymer concentration. The amphiphilic structure of the HEC-g-DA16 molecules contributed to the low surface tension of the polymer.

Effects of Cationic Hydroxyethyl Cellulose on Dyslipidemia in Hamsters

Cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (cHEC) was supplemented in a high-fat diet to determine if this new soluble fiber had an effect on hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia associated with cardiovascular disease using Golden Syrian hamster as an animal model. Supplementation of 3-5% cHEC in a high-fat diet for 4 weeks led to significant weight gain reduction in hamsters. In addition, significant decreases in adipose and liver weights, concentrations of plasma total, VLDL, and LDL cholesterol, and hepatic lipids were shown. No significant improvements in glucose and insulin levels were observed with cHEC; however, a significant increase in plasma adiponectin and a decrease in leptin were observed. As compared with controls, 8% cHEC-fed hamsters had greater levels of mRNA for CYP7A1 (cytochrome P450 7A1; 2-fold of control; P < 0.05), CYP51 (lanosterol 14α-demethylase; 6-fold of control; P < 0.05), and LDLR (LDL receptor; 1.5-fold of control) in the liver. These findings suggest the possibility of the use of cHEC for cholesterol reduction and beneficial effects on the cardiovascular risk factors.