Environment-friendly Approach Research Articles

Evaluating the potential capability of Selenium nanoparticles on degradation of hazardess textile dye using environmental friendly approach

<p>This study synthesizes selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) using a green approach, utilizing Tectona grandis leaf extract in a hydrothermal method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis provided highly crystalline particles with a trigonal crystal structure, indicative of the well-defined nature of the synthesized Se NPs. Particle size analysis (PSA) results demonstrated a average particle size of 45 nm, further supporting the nano-sized characteristics of the particles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) results exhibited a hexagonal close-packed structure, providing valuable insights into the morphology of the Se NPs. Optical band gap calculations using the Tauc plot method yielded a value of 1.85 eV, highlighting the semiconductor nature of the synthesized Se NPs. The photocatalytic application of these nanoparticles was investigated against various cationic and anionic dyes, including Alizarin Red, Crystal Violet, Reactive Black, and Rhodamine B, under sunlight irradiation. Notably, the Se NPs demonstrated enhanced degradation, particularly for cationic dyes, attributed to electrostatic surface charge interactions. Rhodamine B exhibited the highest degradation efficiency among the dyes, reaching 96%. Furthermore, the stability of the Se NPs was evaluated through five consecutive cycles of photocatalytic degradation. Remarkably, the nanoparticles maintained stability, with only a marginal loss in degradation efficiency (after 5 cycles), affirming their potential as a stable and efficient nano photocatalyst for environmental remediation applications. This comprehensive investigation underscores the significance of green-synthesized Se NPs in advancing sustainable and effective photocatalytic processes.</p>

Surface functionalization of synthesized sodium alginate from brown algae for maximizing the yield of re-refined used lubricating oil using extraction-flocculation–an environment-friendly approach

This study aims at efficient, economically feasible, and environmentally friendly regeneration of waste lubricant by surface-functionalized bio flocculant via extractive-flocculative technique for maximization of yield. Further, optimization has also been escalated for designing the optimal process parameters (such as reaction time, solvent to waste oil ratio, and bio-flocculant concentration) for enhancing the quality and cost effectiveness of the regenerated product. FTIR, SEM, and TGA analysis were used to characterize the synthesized bio-flocculant. GC-MS, FTIR, and NMR analysis were used to characterize the chemical composition, chemical nature, and functional group of virgin, used, and re-refined lubricant. Experimental findings showed that a grafting efficacy of 76% can be achieved with optimal conditions of reaction temperature of 70 °C, irradiation time of 6 min, 2.5 wt. % monomer concentration and 800 W microwave radiation. Maximum yield of 94% can be obtained with optimal process constraints such as reaction time of 60 min, refining temperature of 80 °C, the ratio of solvent and waste oil of 3:1 g/g and 1 g/kg of solvent flocculant dosage, grafting % of 76. Fuel characterization studies reveal that the fuel characteristics of re-refined lubricant are analogous to those of fresh oil.

Melatonin and fungal metabolites synergistically enhance tomato tolerance to Cd and disease resistance by regulating phytohormones

Mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses of plants through natural products is an environmental friendly and chemical free approach. In this study, the synergistic effect of exogenous application of melatonin (MT) and fungal metabolites (FM) were evaluated for their mitigation affects against bacterial wilt disease and cadmium toxicity in tomato plants. By using a multi-faceted approach including phytohormonal profiling, quantitative real-time PCR, biochemical assays, antibacterial test, and cadmium (Cd) content evaluation in plants, we presented evidence that MT and FM augmented disease resistance, tolerance to Cd toxicity and the combined treatment caused significantly increased effect by regulating phytohormone expression. Transcription of the genes related to the jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) were enhanced while genes related to ethylene (ET) were decreased, which caused an increased JA and SA content and decrease in ET level. The plants treated with MT and FM showed significant reduction in disease intensity and Cd content compared to the control. Moreover, analyses indicated that the application of MT and FM reduced oxidative damage and increased antioxidant enzymes activity. The increased synergistic impact of MT and FM is supposed to be due to blending action mechanisms like resistance induction and enhanced growth impact of MT and antibacterial action of FM against R. solanacearum. These research findings emphasize the efficacy of a sustainable and comprehensive strategy in controlling bacterial wilt and Cd toxicity in tomato plants.

Estimation of Cellulolytic Bacteria from Cowdung in Awka Central Abattoir, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Bacteria obtained from cow-dungs from selected slaughtering points in Awka central abattoir were assessed for cellulose degradation. The qualitative screening of the isolates was determined by culturing the isolates on a cellulose selective medium. The isolates were obtained and identified as Serratia marcescens, Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus spp. Three of the isolates with the highest cellulolytic activity are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus mutans. Pseudomonas aeruginosa gave the highest diameter clear zone value of 12mm+0.25mm Streptococcus spp. follows with clear zone of 11mm+1.02mm and Bacillus subtilis had the least diameter clear zone of 10mm+1.04mm. The three isolates were selected for optimization because they had a clear zone up to 10mm and above. These isolates were subjected to qualitative screening by culturing the isolates in a liquid medium with different incubation periods (12, 24, 48, 60, 72, 84 and 96hrs) at shack and static conditions. Potential activities of Fpase and CMC-ase were found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0.94u/m), Bacillus subtilis (0.88u/m) and Streptococcus mutans (0.6u/m) all at 48hrs incubation respectively. Microbes in cow dung have a potential to be Cellulolytic as the degradation of cellulose is an environmental friendly approach that can reduce the accumulation of agricultural wastes.

Deployment of low-cost green synthesized SnO2 and CuO nanoparticles bi-layer based transistor for H2S detection

The detection of Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas at room temperature measurement has gained interest owing to its low-power consumption, high stability and reducing the risk of explosion within the sight of flammable gases. In this study, we present a novel low-cost and environmental-friendly approach in developing SnO2 and CuO nanoparticles (green approach) and their deployment in transistor (bi-layer approach) for the detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) vapors. The crystallite size of as-synthesized SnO2 and CuO NPs were revealed with aid of diffraction peaks which were found to be 14 nm and 19 nm respectively and the elemental composition with structural morphology (spherical) were determined by EDAX and Fe-SEM analysis respectively. The CuO nanoparticles interaction with the surface of SnO2affirms a p-n junction formation with large electron-hole movements, while the interaction of H2S gas molecules on to the surface of CuO leads to the formation of CuS which awfully reduces electrical resistance enhancing the electrical conductivity and the sensor response. The high sensitivity of 1.86μA/ppm and selectivity response of 89.46 % was achieved for the exposure of H2S analyte among other analytes exposed such as NO2, CO, C2H5OH and C3H8. The results demonstrate that sensor designed is potent for the use in industrial, environmental, and safety applications, contributing to the mitigation of H2S-related risks.

Environment-friendly approach for synthesis of promising porous carbon: empowering supercapacitors for a sustainable future

This work reports, for the first time, the conversion of polyethylene oxide (PEO) into porous carbon (PC) and its application in supercapacitors (SC).

Fabrication of cationic microgels doped MnO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites, and study of their photocatalytic performance and reusability in organic transformations

AbstractThis article reports, the fabrication of cationic microgel doped MnO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites (CM@MnO2/Fe3O4) via free radical emulsion polymerization technique, and an economical and environmental friendly approach to some organic transformations, such as heterogeneous photocatalytic reduction of methylene blue (MB, toxic dye), para‐nitro phenol (PNP, harmful pollutant) and dimethyl amino benzaldehyde (DMAB, skin allergic reagent) in presence of UV light (38 W). First of all, three different crosslinked grades of cationic microgels (CMs) have been synthesized by using styrene, dimethyl acrylamide, cyclohexyl methacrylate, [2‐(acryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride and N‐hydroxymethyl acrylamide monomers by taking different amounts of N‐hydroxymethyl acrylamide, and keeping the other monomers in fixed quantities. Further, all the grades of CMs have been doped by bimetallic MnO2/Fe3O4 nanoparticles, through hydrothermal method. Fabrication of CMs and CM@MnO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites has been confirmed by the characteristic peaks observed in FT‐IR spectral analysis and their thermal stability has been evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis. TEM and DLS analyses have revealed their particular size. The surface morphology of CMs and CM@MnO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites has been visualized by scanning electrode microscope analysis. The nanocomposites have effectively and efficiently catalyzed the reduction reactions of MB, PNP, and DMAB, in presence of UV light, by 98%, 98%, and 86%, respectively. The photocatalysts have been reused up to eight cycles without any loss of their catalytic activity. The photocatalytic reductions have also been studied for their kinetics, and exhibited pseudo first order kinetics (kapp, 10−2 min−1).

Eco-friendly phosphorus-free flame-retardant coating for microfiber synthetic leather via alginate-based layer-by-layer technology

The excellent comprehensive properties of microfiber synthetic leathers have led to their wide application in various aspects of our lives. However, the issue of flammability remains a significant challenge that needs to be addressed. Nowadays, the bio-based chemicals used in the flame-retardant materials have extremely grabbed our eyes. Herein, we developed an ecologically friendly flame-retardant microfiber synthetic leather using phosphorus-free layer-by-layer assembly technology (LBL) based on natural polysaccharide alginate (SA) coupled with polyethyleneimine (PEI) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The effect of different LBL coating systems on the flame retardancy of microfiber synthetic leather was investigated. The results demonstrated that the introduction of APTES can completely inhibit the melt-dripping by enhancing char formation through silica elements. Furthermore, the trinary coating system consisting of SA/APTES/PEI exhibited excellent flame retardancy by combining gas-phase action from PEI and condensed-phase function from APTES. This modified microfiber synthetic leather showed a significantly higher limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 33.0 % with no molten droplet. Additionally, the SA-based coating slightly suppressed the heat release, resulting in a 20 % reduction in total heat release during the combustion test. Overall, this work presents a facile and environmentally-friendly approach for achieving flame-retardant and anti-dripping microfiber synthetic leather.

Specimen size effect on compressive and splitting tensile strengths of sustainable geopolymeric recycled aggregate concrete: Experimental and theoretical analysis

The use of industrial solid wastes (e.g., slag, fly ash) and recycled concrete aggregate (RA) to manufacture geopolymeric recycled aggregate concrete (GRAC) has been proved as a sustainable and environment-friendly approach for the concrete industry, and has received an extensive prospect. Understanding the specimen size effect of GRAC is fundamental and essential in the entire design and analysis of concrete components and structures. This paper presents an experimental study on the specimen size effect on compressive and splitting tensile strengths of GRAC, with the influence of RA replacement ratio and water-to-binder (w/b) ratio emphasized. A total of 168 GRAC cubes with four different specimen sizes (70.7, 100, 150 and 200 mm) are tested. The results show that the compressive and splitting tensile strengths of GRAC decrease with increasing RA contents due to the increased amount of defects, with the decreasing amplitudes of about 4%–30.4% for compressive strength and 2.96%–34.91% for splitting tensile strength, respectively, except that their size effect becomes more apparent. While the strengths and specimen size effect degrees of GRAC all decrease with the increase of w/b ratio. Based on Weibull's, Bazant's and Capinteri's size effect laws (SELs), analytical models for SELs of compressive and splitting tensile strengths of GRAC are respectively established. The comparison results indicate that the Bazant's SEL is more suitable for the cubic compressive strength of GRAC, while the splitting tensile strength using Weibull's statistical SEL achieves the most accurate prediction results. Moreover, conversion factors are suggested for the transformation of the compressive and splitting tensile strength measurements of GRAC. Finally, a life cycle assessment method is conducted to evaluate the carbon emission potential of GRAC, which is proven to be a green and low-carbon construction material with an over 60% carbon reduction compared to cement-based plain concrete.

Thermal economy simulation study for a carbon capture power plant with combined heat and power based on absorption heat pump technology

The Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system represents an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly approach to energy utilization. However, in the context of the “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” strategy, ensuring low-carbon operation of CHP systems becomes imperative. In this study, based on absorption heat pump (AHP), an extraction condensing carbon capture (EC&CC) CHP coupled system and a low-pressure cylinder zero-output carbon capture (LCZ&CC) CHP coupled system are proposed, respectively. Furthermore, under the 100 % turbine heat acceptance (THA) operating condition, a variable operating condition study of heating load and carbon capture capacity is conducted. The results demonstrate that under identical heating load, the EC&CC CHP coupled system has superior thermal economy, with an average reduction of 1011.03 kJ/kWh in heat consumption of power generation and 34.54 g/kWh in coal consumption of power generation compared with the LCZ&CC CHP coupled system; For equivalent carbon capture capacity, the LCZ&CC CHP coupled system has superior thermal economy, with an average reduction of 771.28 kJ/kWh in heat consumption and 26.35 g/kWh in coal consumption of power generation compared with the EC&CC CHP coupled system. The EC&CC CHP coupled system has lower CO2 capture heat consumption, resulting in an average reduction of 135.67 t/h in carbon capture extraction compared with the LCZ&CC CHP coupled system. This study can provide guidance for optimizing the design of carbon capture CHP coupled systems.

Reduced graphene oxide-supported palladium oxide-MOx for improving the performance of air-cathode microbial fuel cells: Influence of the Sn, Ce, Zn, and Fe precursors

Over the past few decades, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have attracted significant interest within the realm of renewable energy technologies owing to their capability to generate electricity from low-grade substrates. However, their commercialization and scaling-up are impeded by significant obstacles, including high capital costs, limited durability, and sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Here, we demonstrate an environmentally-friendly approach for developing highly efficient electrocatalysts consisting of palladium oxide (PdO) and different transition metal oxides (i.e., tin (IV) oxide (SnO2), ceric oxide (CeO2), iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3), and zinc oxide (ZnO)) embedded within reduced graphene oxide (rGO) framework for improving the efficiency of ORR in neutral medium and MFCs. Among the as-prepared electrocatalysts, the PdO–SnO2/rGO possesses the highest ORR electrochemical catalytic activity in a neutral medium (pH ∼ 7.2) following a four-electron ORR pathway, with a current density slightly lower than that of benchmark Pt/C electrocatalyst. The assessment of MFC performance is conducted by employing activated sludge as the inoculum and glucose as the sole electron donor in the anode chamber of single-chamber, air-cathode MFCs. Consistent with electrochemical performance, the maximum power output of an MFC equipped with PdO–SnO2/rGO as an air cathode is significantly higher than other tested MFCs, reaching 84.6 ± 2.8 mW m−2, which represents ∼ 91 % of the power output of an MFC with Pt/C air cathode. Our results reveal that the incorporation of PdO into transition metal reduced graphene oxide framework has the potential to facilitate their long-term application as air cathodes in MFCs that possess easy fabrication, relatively affordable cost, and outstanding electrochemical catalytic oxygen reduction capability, for enhancing electricity generation from wastewater.

Development of low-carbon recycled aggregate concrete using carbonation treatment and alccofine

Since the construction industry is one of the major sectors responsible for the overexploitation of natural resources and the production of greenhouse gases, there is an urgent need to adopt a sustainable and environmental friendly approach to mitigate climate degradation. Research has explored the potential of recycled aggregate (RA) as a viable alternative to natural aggregate in concrete production. Currently, several treatment methods are being employed to enhance the efficient incorporation of RA into concrete, aiming to address this issue. However, the effective utilization of RA in place of NA remains uncommon. In this study, an effort has been made to develop a low-carbon recycled aggregate concrete by utilizing 100% carbonation treated recycled coarse concrete aggregate (CRCCA) in place of natural coarse aggregate (NCA) and alccofine as mineral admixture. A comprehensive analysis was performed, comparing the properties of CRCCA to those of untreated recycled coarse concrete aggregate. This analysis covered changes in weight, bulk density, water absorption, crushing value, and microstructure. Furthermore, five different concrete mixes were prepared, each varying in the proportion of natural coarse aggregate (NCA), untreated RCCA, and CRCCA. These mixes also incorporated alccofine as a mineral admixture. The evaluation process involved assessing the effectiveness of carbonation treatment and alccofine addition through tests on the workability, water absorption, density, and compressive strength of the concrete mixes. The study demonstrated that carbonation treatment of RCCA resulted in substantial improvements in crushing value and water absorption of CRCCA, alongside enhanced workability, reduced water absorption, and increased density in CRCCA concrete. Moreover, CRCCA concrete exhibited notable compressive strength gains at both 28 and 90 days compared to untreated RCCA concrete. Furthermore, the use of CRCCA and alccofine contributed to reducing GHG emissions associated with cement production, emphasizing the environmentally friendly attributes of this low-carbon concrete formulation.

Light/air-induced direct oxyphosphinylation of terminal alkynes with diarylphosphine oxides toward β-ketophosphine oxides

A clean and direct aerobic oxyphosphorylation of terminal alkynes with dialkylphosphine oxides has been developed using only visible light and air at room temperature. The method provides a highly simple, efficient, economic and environmental-friendly approach to prepare valuable β‑ketophosphine oxides in satisfactory yields. Control experiments revealed that the O2 can initiate phosphinoyl radicals through single electron transfer (SET) oxidative activation with the synergistic role of light.

Newly fabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles loaded materials for therapeutic nano delivery in experimental cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis is a global health problem that threatens the lives of immunocompromised patients. This study targets to fabricate and investigate the efficiency of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), nitazoxanide (NTZ)-loaded ZnO-NPs, and Allium sativum (A. sativum)-loaded ZnO-NPs in treating cryptosporidiosis. Further FTIR, SEM, XRD, and zeta analysis were used for the characterization of ZnO-NPs and loaded materials. The morphology of loaded materials for ZnO-NPs changed into wrapped layers and well-distributed homogenous particles, which had a direct effect on the oocyst wall. The charge surface of all particles had a negative sign, which indicated well distribution into the parasite matrix. For anti-cryptosporidiosis efficiency, thirty immunosuppressed Cryptosporidium parvum-infected mice, classified into six groups, were sacrificed on the 21st day after infection with an evaluation of parasitological, histopathological, and oxidative markers. It was detected that the highest reduction percent of Cryptosporidium oocyst shedding was (81.5%) in NTZ, followed by (71.1%) in A. sativum-loaded ZnO-NPs-treated groups. Also, treatment with A. sativum and NTZ-loaded ZnO-NPs revealed remarkable amelioration of the intestinal, hepatic, and pulmonary histopathological lesions. Furthermore, they significantly produced an increase in GSH values and improved the changes in NO and MDA levels. In conclusion, this study is the first to report ZnO-NPs as an effective therapy for treating cryptosporidiosis, especially when combined with other treatments that enhance their antioxidant activity. It provides an economical and environment-friendly approach to novel delivery synthesis for antiparasitic applications.

Iterated-local-search-based chaotic differential evolution algorithm for hybrid-load part feeding scheduling optimization in mixed-model assembly lines

PurposeDriven by sustainable production, mobile robots are introduced as a new clean-energy material handling tool for mixed-model assembly lines (MMALs), which reduces energy consumption and lineside inventory of workstations (LSI). Nevertheless, the previous part feeding scheduling method was designed for conventional material handling tools without considering the flexible spatial layout of the robotic mobile fulfillment system (RMFS). To fill this gap, this paper focuses on a greening mobile robot part feeding scheduling problem with Just-In-Time (JIT) considerations, where the layout and number of pods can be adjusted.Design/methodology/approachA novel hybrid-load pod (HL-pod) and mobile robot are proposed to carry out part feeding tasks between material supermarkets and assembly lines. A bi-objective mixed-integer programming model is formulated to minimize both total energy consumption and LSI, aligning with environmental and sustainable JIT goals. Due to the NP-hard nature of the proposed problem, a chaotic differential evolution algorithm for multi-objective optimization based on iterated local search (CDEMIL) algorithm is presented. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified by dealing with the HL-pod-based greening part feeding scheduling problem in different problem scales and compared to two benchmark algorithms. Managerial insights analyses are conducted to implement the HL-pod strategy.FindingsThe CDEMIL algorithm's ability to produce Pareto fronts for different problem scales confirms its effectiveness and feasibility. Computational results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the other two compared algorithms regarding solution quality and convergence speed. Additionally, the results indicate that the HL-pod performs better than adopting a single type of pod.Originality/valueThis study proposes an innovative solution to the scheduling problem for efficient JIT part feeding using RMFS and HL-pods in automobile MMALs. It considers both the layout and number of pods, ensuring a sustainable and environmental-friendly approach to production.

Quantification of caffeine and catechins and evaluation of bitterness and astringency of Pu-erh ripen tea based on portable near-infrared spectroscopy

Rapid and accurate assaying catechins, caffeine, bitterness and astringency prediction are integral to quality assessment and control of Pu-erh ripen tea (PRT). The traditional experimental procedures for content quantification and sensory evaluation are time-consuming and lab-dependent, while near-infrared (NIR) technology has the potential to address this issue. In this work, an efficient and environment-friendly approach was established for caffeine and catechins prediction, and bitterness and astringency evaluation of PRT, using a portable NIR spectrometer coupled with chemometrics. A total of 100 PRT samples were collected for analysis and seven different spectral preprocessing methods and two variable selection algorithms were employed to improve the prediction performance of the partial least squares regression (PLSR) model. The optimized models achieved satisfactory results for the prediction of caffeine and catechins (catechin, catechin gallate, gallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, and epigallocatechin gallate), as well as bitterness and astringency, with the correlation coefficient of the prediction set (Rp) above 0.9, and residual prediction deviation (RPD) over 2.5. This research offers an alternative for portable and rapid quantification of caffeine and eight catechins and evaluation of bitterness and astringency of PRT.

A Highly Efficient, Catalyst-Free Synthesis of S-Alkyl/aryl Dithiocarbamate Derivatives under Green Conditions and Evaluation of their Biological Activity

An efficient, feasible, transition metal catalyst-free and environmental friendly approach for the synthesis of dithiocarbamate in an ethanol-water solvent combination at room temperature has been established. Alkyl/aryl halide, carbon disulfide and secondary amine were condensed in one pot to produce a range of dithiocarbamate derivatives. Based on the results, the yields were higher when aliphatic amine reacted with benzyl halides as compared to alkyl halides. This method has the advantage of using no hazardous solvents. Other benefits of this method include producing compounds with a good yield by a catalyst-free reaction employing a simple, affordable and useful method. When tested against specific pathogens, selected dithiocarbamate derivatives showed strong antibacterial activity but weak antifungal activity.

Dynamic surfaces of latex films and their antifouling applications

Latex polymer particles have been widely used in industry and everyday life. For decades the fabrication of “smart” latex film from latex particles has been a great challenge due to the difficulty in the synthesis of the functional latex particles by traditional emulsion polymerization using small molecular surfactants. In this manuscript, a simple and environmentally-friendly approach to the fabrication of “smart” latex films with dynamic surfaces is reported. Latex particles with poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PnBMA) in the cores and zwitterionic poly-3-[dimethyl-[2-(2-methylprop-2-enoyloxy) ethyl]azaniumyl]propane-1-sulfonate (PDMAPS) in the shells are synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) mediated surfactant-free emulsion polymerization. The kinetics for the emulsion polymerization is studied, and the latex particles are analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Latex films are prepared by casting aqueous solutions of the latex particles at temperatures above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PnBMA. On the dried latex film, the hydrophobic PnBMA blocks occupy the top surface; after water treatment, the hydrophilic PDMAPS blocks migrate to the surface. A change in the surface hydrophilicity results in a change in the water contact angle of the latex film. A mechanism for the formation of the dynamic surface structure is proposed in this research. Antifouling applications of the latex films are investigated. Experimental results indicate that the water-treated latex film is able to efficiently inhibit protein adsorption and resist bacterial adhesion.

Design, Development, and Evaluation of SA-F127:TPGS Polymeric Mixed Micelles for Improved Delivery of Glipizide Drug: In-vitro, Ex-vivo, and In-vivo Investigations.

The anti-diabetic glipizide (GLN) drug has notable pharmaceutical advantages, but poor aqueous solubility restricts its wide applications. The present work was to develop a mixed polymeric micelle system composed of SA-F127 and TPGS to improve the water solubility and effective delivery of the GLN. First, we synthesized SA-F127 and confirmed it through FTIR, NMR, and GPC techniques. The GLN-PMM were fabricated with the thin-film technique and optimized with CCD design. The developed GLN-PMM was characterized using DLS, Zeta, TEM, Rheology, FTIR, DSC, and XRD measurements. The GLN-PMM manifested a spherical morphology with 67.86 nm particle size, a -3.85 mV zeta potential, and a 0.582±0.06 PDI value. The polymeric mixed micelles showed excellent compatibility with GLN and were amorphous in nature. NMR studies confirmed the encapsulation of GLN in the core of the mixed micelle. In addition, the GLN-PMM micelles were tested in vitro for cumulative drug release, ex vivo for permeation, and in vivo for anti-diabetic investigations. The GLN-PMM release profile in the various pH environments showed over 90% after 24 h, clearly indicating sustained release. The GLN-PMM micelles gave higher 88.86±3.39% GLN permeation from the goat intestine compared with free GLN. In-vivo anti-diabetic investigation proves the powerful anti-diabetic properties of GLN-PMM in comparison to the marketed formulation. These findings demonstrated that the polymeric mixed micelles of SA-F127 and TPGS could be a promising, effective, and environment-friendly approach for oral delivery of the GLN.

Green synthesis of stretchable ethyl cellulose film plasticized with transesterified sunflower oil

Sustainability and environmental consciousness drive research toward biomaterials and green synthesis. Traditional plasticizers derived from non-renewable sources have raised concerns due to their adverse impact on the environment and human health. As a result, there is a growing interest in replacing these traditional plasticizers with inexpensive naturally derived alternatives. One such promising compound that has gained considerable attention is vegetable oil. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using transesterified sunflower oil as a plasticizer for ethyl cellulose (EC), a widely used hydrophobic biopolymer. The transesterification reaction, accelerated by the catalyst NaOH, resulted in the formation of short chemical compounds that improved the plasticity of EC films. The mechanical studies demonstrated a remarkable elongation break of approximately 94 %, setting a new record for this type of film. The plasticization process was confirmed through rheological and XRD studies, revealing a notable reduction in the elastic chain and crystallinity of the EC structure. The proposed process advances the state of the art in ethyl cellulose plasticization and stands out for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and environment-friendly approach. The synthesized films offer exciting possibilities for use in various applications including food packaging, transdermal drug delivery systems, and stretchable electronics.