High-energy Method Research Articles

Innovations in Nanoemulsion Technology: Enhancing Drug Delivery for Oral, Parenteral, and Ophthalmic Applications.

Nanoemulsions (NEs) are submicron-sized heterogeneous biphasic liquid systems stabilized by surfactants. They are physically transparent or translucent, optically isotropic, and kinetically stable, with droplet sizes ranging from 20 to 500 nm. Their unique properties, such as high surface area, small droplet size, enhanced bioavailability, excellent physical stability, and rapid digestibility, make them ideal for encapsulating various active substances. This review focuses on recent advancements, future prospects, and challenges in the field of NEs, particularly in oral, parenteral, and ophthalmic delivery. It also discusses recent clinical trials and patents. Different types of in vitro and in vivo NE characterization techniques are summarized. High-energy and low-energy preparation methods are briefly described with diagrams. Formulation considerations and commonly used excipients for oral, ocular, and ophthalmic drug delivery are presented. The review emphasizes the need for new functional excipients to improve the permeation of large molecular weight unstable proteins, oligonucleotides, and hydrophilic drugs to advance drug delivery rapidly.

Integrating a high-energy activation method for the sustainable treatment of iron smelting slag, phosphogypsum, and arsenic-contaminated water

Metallurgy is one of the pillar industries in China, but metallurgy inevitably produces a large amount of industrial solid waste and heavy metal pollution. Phosphogypsum (PG) is a by-product of the production of wet-process phosphoric acid, and after the preliminary fieldwork, there is a very small amount of arsenic [As(V)] in some of the phosphorus ores, and there is a risk of heavy metal pollution. In the present study, the preparation of arsenic adsorbent (PG/IS) by doping iron smelting slag (IS) with PG as a base material was proposed and the preparation conditions were optimized by Response Surface Methodology. PG/IS was systematically characterized and its adsorption properties were investigated with respect to a variety of factors. PG/IS exhibits spontaneous endothermic chemical adsorption characteristics for As(V)，its adsorption process is more consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Coordination complexation and chemical precipitation are the primary mechanisms by which PG/IS removes As(V). This study provides a new approach for phosphorus chemical enterprises to achieve green development and reduce industrial solid waste and As(V) emissions.

Enhanced DC surface discharge characteristics of epoxy composites treated by dielectric barrier discharge plasma fluorination and its mechanisms

Surface flashover is a destructive high-voltage discharge phenomenon greatly limiting the update of modern power electronic and electrical equipment. Surface plasma treatment is a high-energy, eco-friendly, and convenience method, it changes the surface properties and owns potential to improve flashover voltage. In the present work, plasma fluorination (PF) technique are used to treat EP/Al2O3 composites, surface morphology, element and bonds content, surface trap, conductivity, charging, and DC flashover voltage are tested and simulated, the effects of plasma on surface discharge are explained through the investigation from microscopic molecular reactions to macroscopic flashover characteristics. It indicates the 20 min PF modified sample exhibits the superior DC flashover performance, increasing by 17 % compare to untreated sample. During PF modification, the epoxy chains are degraded and fluorinated, the degradation rather than fluorination of molecular chains introduce large amounts of shallow traps into the composites, accelerating carriers’ migration and improving surface conductivity, causing surface charges to dissipate through surface conductance. Consequently, the surface electric field distortion degree reduces, and the subsequent gas ionization and plasma formation in the gas phase is suppressed, leading to the improvement of DC flashover voltage after PF modifications.

Formulation and characterization of tea tree and jojoba oils nano-emulgel for in-vivo wound healing assessment

Cutaneous wounds are the most common surgical affections among living organisms worldwide, and their healing may be interrupted by several factors. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity of tea tree and jojoba oils nano-emulsions, additionally, investigating the cytotoxicity of the optimized formula was investigated on normal human lung fibroblast cells (WI-38) by MTT colorimetric assay, additionally its in-vivo wound healing. Nano-emulsions (NEs) were prepared using a high-energy method and characterized by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Zeta potential, droplet size, and poly dispersive index (PDI). Nano-emulgel (NEG) was formulated by mixing the standard NE with carbopol® 940. For in-vivo wound healing, thirty adult female albino rats were assigned into control, moist exposed burn ointment (Mebo), and NEG-treated groups. The healing was assessed by analysis of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and histopathology in healed wound tissues. All formulations demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity against Bacillus Subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans. The CC50 of the optimized formula was 453.82± 3.87 µg/mL, with a mean droplet size of 105.4 nm and a zeta potential of −39.2 ± 2.1 mV. NEG enhanced wound closure compared to Mebo-treated and control groups. Also, MDA significantly decreased and SOD significantly increased in NEG and Mebo-treated groups compared to the control (p ˂ 0.05). TNF-α, and IL-1β significantly decreased in NEG and Mebo-treated compared to the control (p < 0.05). Histopathology revealed reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, rapid epithelization, and increased collagen deposition in NEG-treated wound tissues compared to the control and Mebo-treated wounds. In conclusion, the NEG containing tea tree and jojoba oils demonstrated significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound healing activities.

Eugenol-loaded nanoemulsions: Antiproliferative activity against breast cancer cells and hemocompatibility

Breast cancer poses a substantial global health challenge, lacking specific and less toxic treatment options. Eugenol, a phenolic compound, has demonstrated potential in vitro, but its susceptibility to degradation, volatility, and limited water solubility hampers its practical application. This study aimed to enhance eugenol's efficacy and stability by formulating nanoemulsions, offering a novel therapeutic strategy for breast cancer. Eugenol-loaded nanoemulsions were developed using high-energy (NE-Et) and low-energy (NE-Er) methods. Eugenol-nanoemulsions exhibited favorable nanometric characteristics, with sizes ranging from 110 to 120 nm, polydispersity index below 0.3, negative zeta potential, and an acidic pH. The eugenol content approached theoretical values, reaching approximately 100 % for NE-Et and 50 % for NE-Er. Moreover, these nanoformulations exhibited excellent physicochemical stability throughout a 90-day period. With a high antioxidant potential (190 μMol TE/μL), concentrations of 50–150 μg/mL free and nanoemulsified eugenol were considered non-toxic to blood cells. Finally, demonstrated a significant antitumor effect of eugenol-loaded nanoemulsions (150, 300, and 600 μg/mL) against breast cancer cells (MCF-7), with a notable enhancement of this activity attributed to the process of nanoemulsification. This research underscores nanotechnology's promise in advancing bioactive compound formulations for cancer therapy and clinical translation.

The antioxidant and selective apoptotic activities of modified auraptene-loaded graphene quantum dot nanoparticles (M-AGQD-NP)

BackgroundPancreatic and Gastric cancers are very aggressive and deadly types of cancer that require effective treatment strategies to stop their progression. Nano-drug delivery systems, like those using Auraptene-loaded GQD nanoparticles, play a crucial role in addressing this need by delivering targeted and controlled treatments to cancer cells, making treatment more effective, and reducing side effects. The study focused on investigating the effects of Auraptene, an efficient anticancer compound when loaded into Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) on types of human cancer cells.MethodsTo create auraptene-loaded graphene quantum dot nanoparticles (AGQD-NP) (Unmodified and modified types) a combination of hydrothermal and high-energy homogenization methods was used. The nanoparticles were characterized by conducting DLS (Dynamic light scattering), FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron microscopy), and zeta potential analysis. bioactivity of AGQD-NP was assessed through tests, including antioxidant capacity measured by ABTS and DPPH scavenging abilities well as cytotoxicity tested using MTT assay on both human cancer cell lines and normal human vascular endothelial cells.ResultsThe modified AGQD-NP (M-AGQD-NP) demonstrated antioxidant properties by neutralizing free radicals. They also displayed selective toxicity, towards human gastric adenocarcinoma cell-line (AGS) and human pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PANC) cancer cells with IC50 values recorded at 78.8 µg/mL and 89.72 µg/mL respectively. The specific targeting of gastric cancer cells was evident from the differing IC50 values compared to the Human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7), Human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (Hella), and normal vascular endothelial cells (Huvec). Additionally, the induced apoptotic death, in the human pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PANC) cancer cells was confirmed through AO/PI staining and Annexin-based flow cytometry revealing increased expression levels of P53, Caspase3, BAX, and Caspase8.ConclusionIn summary, the M-AGQD-NP have shown encouraging effects displaying antioxidant capabilities and a specific focus, on pancreatic and gastric cancer cells. These findings indicate uses for AGQD-NP as an efficient apoptosis inducer in cancer treatment. Additional In-vivo researches are required to validate their effectiveness, in living organisms.

Preparations, Applications, Patents, and Marketed Formulations of Nanoemulsions - A Comprehensive Review.

Nanoemulsions have emerged as versatile colloidal dispersions with promising applications in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics. These nano-sized emulsions, stabilized by surfactants, offer unique advantages such as enhanced ingredient penetration efficacy and versatile dosage forms. This article provides an extensive overview of nanoemulsions, covering their composition, methods of preparation, and applications in drug delivery, the food industry, and cosmetics. Various high-energy and low-energy methods for nanoemulsion preparation are discussed, along with their advantages and limitations. Additionally, the article highlights the potential of nanoemulsions in improving drug bioavailability, stability, and therapeutic efficacy, especially in oral, topical, parenteral, intranasal, ocular, and pulmonary drug delivery. Furthermore, nanoemulsions are explored as carriers for encapsulating flavoring agents, nutraceuticals, and natural preservatives in the food industry, as well as their use in cosmetic formulations. Current clinical trials involving nanoemulsions and recent patents in the field are also summarized, providing insights into ongoing research and development efforts. Lastly, a selection of marketed nanoemulsion formulations is presented, showcasing their practical applications and commercial availability. Overall, nanoemulsions hold great promise as effective delivery systems with broad applications across various industries.

Physicochemical Stimuli-Mediated Precipitation Approach for the Modulation of Rifampicin's Dissolution and Oral Bioavailability.

The intricate process of protein binding orchestrates crucial drug interactions within the bloodstream, facilitating the formation of soluble complexes. This research endeavours to improve the dissolution and oral bioavailability of Rifampicin (RMP) by strategically manipulating drug-protein binding dynamics and the hydrophobic characteristics of human serum albumin (HSA). Various precipitation techniques leveraging methanol, ammonium sulfate, and heat treatment were meticulously employed to tailor the properties of colloidal albumin (HSA NPs). The resultant complexes underwent comprehensive characterization encompassing evaluations of hydrophobicity, size distribution, surface charge, and structural analyses through FTIR, TG-DSC, XRD, and morphological examinations. The findings revealed a significant binding affinity of 78.07 ± 6.6% with native albumin, aligning with prior research. Notably, the complex RMP-HSA NPs-M13, synthesized via the methanolic precipitation method, exhibited the most substantial complexation, achieving a remarkable 3.5-fold increase, followed by the ammonium sulfate (twofold) and heat treatment (1.07-fold) methods in comparison to native albumin binding. The gastric simulated media exhibited accelerated drug release kinetics, with maximal dissolution achieved within two hours, contrasting with the prolonged release observed under intestinal pH conditions. These findings translated into significant improvements in drug permeation, as evidenced by pharmacokinetic profiles demonstrating elevated Cmax, AUC, t1/2, and MRT values for RMP-HSA NPs-M13 compared to free RMP. In summary, this innovative approach underscores the potential of precipitation methods in engineering stable colloidal carrier systems tailored to enhance the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs, offering a pragmatic and scalable alternative to conventional surfactants, polymers, or high-energy methods for complex formation and production.

Controlled growth of MPA-capped ZnS quantum dots through concentration-modulated single injection hydrothermal method

This study presents the controlled growth of 3-Mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-capped ZnS quantum dots (QDs) using a concentration-modulated single injection hydrothermal method. Employing the Concentration optimization by optical spectra (COOS) method, we optimized the MPA:Zn:S ratios to investigate the influence of the capping agent, cation, and anion for exceptional properties suitable for optoelectronic and sensor applications. CMSIH operates as a single-step synthesis process, reducing processing time and complexity. This streamlined approach not only enhances efficiency but also minimizes the risk of contamination and ensures batch-to-batch consistency in QD production. Its moderate operating conditions, compared to other high-energy methods, also contribute to reduced energy consumption and environmental impact, aligning with sustainable manufacturing practices. Further, X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the Zinc blend (cubic) phase of ZnS, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) validated MPA capping. The QDs exhibited strong quantum confinement, causing a blue shift in absorption peaks compared to bulk ZnS. Higher MPA concentrations ranging from 0.02 M to 0.1 M induced a red shift in the absorption edge due to prolonged reaction times and strong cation binding by MPA. Variations in cation Zn and anion S ratios from 0.02 M to 0.1 M caused blue and red shifts in the absorption edge, respectively. For instance, Zn:S = 0.04:0.01 M increased cation concentrations, reducing QD size up to 0.67 nm, while enhanced anion concentrations Zn:S = 0.04:0.04 M enlarged the QDs size up to 2.35 nm. Remarkably, calculated QD sizes using Brus’ equation were smaller than the Bohr radius, even at an elevated temperature of 95 °C, indicating significant quantum confinement. Luminescence studies revealed reduced luminescence with higher MPA concentrations, increased luminescence intensity with higher cation Zn+ concentrations, and a red shift in the luminescence peak with higher anion S concentrations. As the temperature rises, there is an observable decrease in luminescence intensity. Furthermore, the investigation into the relationship between chemical composition and optical properties of MPA-capped ZnS QDs at elevated temperatures expands understanding of quantum confinement effects. The synthesised unique ultra small ZnS QDs can be used in advanced quantum sensors mainly as radiation detectors.

Rapid detection of rare events from in situX-ray diffraction data using machine learning.

High-energy X-ray diffraction methods can non-destructively map the 3D microstructure and associated attributes of metallic polycrystalline engineering materials in their bulk form. These methods are often combined with external stimuli such as thermo-mechanical loading to take snapshots of the evolving microstructure and attributes over time. However, the extreme data volumes and the high costs of traditional data acquisition and reduction approaches pose a barrier to quickly extracting actionable insights and improving the temporal resolution of these snapshots. This article presents a fully automated technique capable of rapidly detecting the onset of plasticity in high-energy X-ray microscopy data. The technique is computationally faster by at least 50 times than the traditional approaches and works for data sets that are up to nine times sparser than a full data set. This new technique leverages self-supervised image representation learning and clustering to transform massive data sets into compact, semantic-rich representations of visually salient characteristics (e.g. peak shapes). These characteristics can rapidly indicate anomalous events, such as changes in diffraction peak shapes. It is anticipated that this technique will provide just-in-time actionable information to drive smarter experiments that effectively deploy multi-modal X-ray diffraction methods spanning many decades of length scales.

Hazardous High-Energy Seismic Event Discrimination Method Based on Region Division and Identification of Main Impact Factors: A Case Study

An investigation of risk factors has been identified as a crucial aspect of the routine management of rockburst. However, the identification methods for principal impact factors and the examination of the relationship between seismic energy and other source parameters have not been extensively explored to conduct dynamic risk management. This study aims to quantify impact risk factors and discriminate hazardous high-energy seismic events. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy weight method (EWM) are utilized to ascertain the primary control factors based on geotechnical data and nearly two months of seismic data from a longwall panel. Furthermore, the distribution law and correlation relationship among seismic source parameters are systematically analyzed. Results show that the effect of coal depth, coal seam thickness, coal dip, and mining speed covers the entire mining process, while the fault is only prominent in localized areas. There are varying degrees of log-positive correlations between seismic energy and other source parameters, and this positive correlation is more pronounced for hazardous high-energy seismic events. Utilizing the linear logarithmic relationship between seismic energy and other source parameters, along with the impact weights of dynamic risks, the comprehensive energy index for evaluating high-energy seismic events is proposed. The comprehensive energy index identification method proves to be more accurate by comparing with the high-energy seismic events based on energy criteria. The limitations and improvements of this method are also synthesized to obtaining a wide range of applications.

Simple-by-design approach for production of stabilizer-free cubosomes from phosphatidylglycerol and docosahexaenoic acid monoacylglycerol

Docosahexaenoic acid monoacylglycerol represents a promising lipid constituent in the development of drug nanocarriers owing to its amphiphilicity and the beneficial health effects of this docosahexaenoic acid precursor in various disorders including cancer and inflammatory diseases. Here, we describe the formation and characterization of simple-by-design and stabilizer-free lamellar and non-lamellar crystalline nanoparticles (vesicles and cubosomes, respectively) from binary mixtures of docosahexaenoic acid monoacylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol, which is a ubiquitous amphiphilic component present in biological systems. At the physiological temperature of 37 °C, these single amphiphilic components tend to exhibit inverse hexagonal and lamellar liquid crystalline phases, respectively, on exposure to excess water. They can also be combined and dispersed in excess water by employing a high-energy emulsification method (by means of ultrasonication) to produce through an electrostatic stabilization mechanism colloidally stable nanodispersions. A colloidal transformation from vesicles to cubosomes was detected with increasing MAG-DHA content. Through use of synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering, cryo-transmission electron microscopy, and nanoparticle tracking analysis, we report on the structural and morphological features, and size characteristics of these nanodispersions. Depending on the lipid composition, their internal liquid crystalline architectures were spanning from a lamellar (Lα) phase to biphasic features of coexisting inverse bicontinuous (Q2) cubic Pn3m and Im3m phases. Thus, a direct colloidal vesicle-cubosome transformation was detected by augmenting the concentration of docosahexaenoic acid monoacylglycerol. The produced cubosomes were thermally stable within the investigated temperature range of 5–60 °C. Collectively, our findings contribute to understanding of the imperative steps for production of stabilizer-free cubosomes from biocompatible lipids through a simple-by-design approach. We also discuss the potential therapeutic use and future implications for development of next-generation of multifunctional vesicles and cubosomes for co-delivery of docosahexaenoic acid and drugs in treatment of diseases.

Effects of MARDI Nano-Fertilizer Application Frequency on the Growth of Rock Melon

For many years, fertilizers have been utilized in agriculture to increase the fruit yield and quality of various crops, which in turn will increase the nutritive content of products. Recently, MARDI has developed a nano-fertilizer based on nanoemulsions to increase the productivity of rock melon. The development of nanoemulsion-based fertilizer was carried out using the high-energy emulsification method which has significant advantages, such as enhancing the solubilization of active constituents while preserving biological activity. In this work, the effects of the vegetative growth of rock melon on different application frequencies (T1=0, T2=2, T3=4, T4=6, and T5=8 times) of MARDI nano-fertilizer through foliar treatment were studied. The results showed that the vegetative growth of the rock melon including plant height, stem diameter, relative chlorophyll content, and leaf area of rock melon were significantly (p≤0.05) increased by 15.07%, 7.8%, 41.5% and 41.5%, respectively at T3, photosynthetic pigments of Chlorophyll a by 21.1% at T5, Chlorophyll b and carotenoid by 24.99% at T4 treatment. The dry weight biomass did not vary significantly in all treatments but showed an increase in dry biomass over the nano-fertilizers treatment compared to the control. These findings indicate that adding the foliar application of MARDI nano-fertilizer produces optimal growth in rock melon plants.

Enhancing efficiency and sustainability: Utilizing high energy density paraffin-based various PCM emulsions for low-medium temperature applications

This research investigated the potential of high-energy-density Paraffin-based four different phase change materials (PCMs) (Paraffin 56/58, n-Eicosane, n-Octadecane, and n-Heptadecane) emulsions as a promising heat transfer fluid for low and medium-temperature applications at different concentrations. The primary focus is on elevating efficiency and sustainability within this domain. The investigation revolves around formulation and characterizations of these PCM emulsions, meticulously assessing their thermal attributes and stability. The results showed that producing these PCM emulsions using a high-energy manufacturing method with surfactant achieved superior dispersion stability and uniform size distribution throughout PCM emulsions. Among the pristine PCMs, n-Eicosane exhibited the highest latent heat of 252.7 kJ/kg during the melting process. In comparison, other PCMs, Paraffin 56/58, n-Octadecane, and n-Heptadecane demonstrated latent heat fusions of 197.7, 244.3, and 221.3 kJ/kg, respectively. Moreover, the energy storage density of PCM emulsions increased with increasing PCM concentration in basefluid. The highest energy storage density was observed in the case of 70 wt% n-Eicosane PCM emulsion, which is 401.1 kJ/kg. By examining the effectiveness of Paraffin-based PCM emulsions, this research aims to contribute to advancing eco-conscious and effective thermal management systems across diverse applications.

Electric discharge process modelling when piston pins recovery in internal combustion engines

Introduction. The relevance of the topic of the presented article is determined by the improvement of the technology for repairing and restoring machine parts. Currently, the technology of restoring piston pins of internal combustion engines (ICE) by a high-energy method of plastic deformation of metal using the energy of a high-voltage pulse discharge in a liquid is widely used – the electrohydraulic effect, and on its basis electrohydraulic processing. The purpose of the article is to increase the efficiency of the method of restoring piston pins of internal combustion engines due to the use of the electrohydraulic distribution method.Materials and methods. The research methods such as the analysis of the degree of influence of the electrical parameters of the electrohydraulic distribution process on the amount of deformation of the piston fingers depending on the relevant material were used. The article discusses a mathematical model of the electric discharge process when restoring piston pins. The calculation method determines the modes and parameters of the process of electrohydraulic distribution of piston pins while maintaining their fatigue life, static strength and wear resistance.Results. In this work, the degree of influence of the electrical parameters of the electrohydraulic distribution process on the amount of deformation of the piston pins, depending on the product material used, is established. A mathematical model of the electric discharge process during the restoration of piston pins has been developed, and based on them, the modes and parameters of the process of electrohydraulic distribution of piston pins have been determined while maintaining their fatigue life, static strength and wear resistance.Discussion and conclusions. The studies have shown that exploding wires made of iron, copper, and tungsten are not effective in restoring piston pins with an internal radius of up to 10 mm. The pressure in the case of their use does not exceed 100 MPa. Exploding Al wires with a diameter of less than one millimeter have the greatest effect. In this case, the inductance of the circuit should be minimal, because this provides the largest share of the energy released in the discharge channel from all stored in the capacitor. This ensures the highest pressure in the channel. Based on the same considerations, the capacity should be limited to a range of 3-12 UF. This method can be applied to the restoration of other car parts.

Unveiling the functional food properties of Pepromia pellucida: Phytochemical profiling, antioxidative potential, and their nanoemulsion fraction in wound healing efficacy

Peperomia pellucida, a tropical plant belonging to the Piperaceae family, has long been recognized for its potential medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial effects. This study investigates the efficacy of Peperomia pellucida nanoemulsion (PPNE) as a novel therapeutic approach for improving burn wound healing in Wistar rats. The nanoemulsion was formulated using the high-energy ultrasonication method, optimized for droplet size, polydispersity index, and stability. A 30 % burn wound was induced on the dorsum of 60 Wistar rats, which were then divided into three groups: control (untreated), silver sulfadiazine (SSD) treated, and PPNE treated. Inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results showed that PPNE treatment significantly accelerated wound closure rates compared to both control and SSD-treated groups, with complete wound closure achieved by day 10 in the PPNE-treated group. Histopathological examination revealed improved re-epithelialization, granulation tissue formation, and collagen deposition in the PPNE group compared to the control and SSD groups. Additionally, PPNE treatment significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine levels and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, suggesting a reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress in the treated wounds. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential of P. pellucida nanoemulsion as a promising and effective therapeutic approach for improving burn wound healing. The observed enhanced wound healing properties may be attributed to the combined anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects of the PPNE, warranting further investigation and potential clinical application.

Antibacterial Activity of Sustainable Thymol Nanoemulsion Formulations Against the Bacterial Blight Disease on Cluster Bean Caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis.

The aim of the present study was nanoencapsulation of thymol to improve its poor water solubility and preservation of encapsulated thymol against environmental conditions. Another goal of the current investigation was to assess the antibacterial activity of thymol nanoemulsion as a sustainable biopesticide to control the bacterial blight of cluster bean. An oil-in-water (o/w) nanoemulsion containing thymol was prepared by a high-energy emulsification method using gum acacia and soya lecithin as natural emulsifiers/surfactants. The characterization of thymol nanoemulsion was carried out using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A mean particle size of about 83.38nm was recorded within 10min of sonication. The stability analysis of optimized nanoemulsion showed kinetic stability up to two months of storage at room temperature. The thymol nanoemulsion was found to be spherical with a size ranging from 80-200nm in diameter using transmission electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to study the molecular interaction between emulsifier/surfactant and thymol. The antibacterial studies of thymol nanoemulsion (0.01-0.06%, v/v) by growth inhibition analysis showed a potential antibacterial effect against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. cyamopsidis (18-0.1 log CFU/ml). Further, in field experiments, foliar spray of the different concentration of thymol nanoemulsion (0.01-0.06%, v/v) significantly increased the percent efficiency of disease control (25.06-94.48%) and reduced the disease intensity (67.33-4.25%) of bacterial blight in cluster bean.

FORMULATING AND CHARACTERIZING AN OIL-IN-WATER PALM OIL FREE FATTY ACID-BASED NANOEMULSIONS FOR CRUDE OIL EXTRACTION PERFORMANCE

Nanoemulsion is a promising medium for chemically enhanced oil recovery (cEOR) due to its ability to reduce interfacial tension and modify the wettability of reservoir rocks. This work focuses on formulating stable oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions through high-energy ultrasonication method, with oleic acid as the primary component and is stabilized with a non-ionic Tween 40 surfactant in distilled water. Systematic experimental designs, employing response surface methodology (RSM), were implemented to develop polynomial models for various responses related to the dynamic and stability properties, and crude oil extraction performance. The p-value indicator (p-value &lt; 0.05) is utilized to assess the significance of the models and independent variables. Overall, the formulation for achieving the lowest surface tension involves 0.41 wt.% oleic acid mixed with 0.81 wt.% Tween 40 at 60 °C. Meanwhile, the highest viscosity attained with 1.0 wt.% oleic acid mixed with 1.0 wt.% Tween 40 at 30 °C. For stable nanoemulsion, the best conditions are 1.69 wt.% oleic acid, sonicated for 15 minutes at 25 °C. Additionally, an optimal condition for effective crude oil extraction is at nanoemulsion preparation with sonication time of 15 minutes and contact time of 12 hours in the immersion experiment. To this end, this work contributes valuable insights into the formulation and characterization of stable oleic acid O/W nanoemulsions for potential EOR applications. The findings enhance understanding of nanoemulsion properties and their potential as effective agents in crude oil recovery.

Evaluation of oral supplementation of free and nanoencapsulated Minthostachys verticillata essential oil on immunological, biochemical and antioxidants parameters and gut microbiota in weaned piglets.

Early weaning is an important stressor that impairs the piglet´s health, and essential oils appear as promising candidates to improve it instead of antibiotics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral supplementation of free and nanoencapsulated Minthostachys verticillata essential oil (EO and NEO, respectively) on immunological, biochemical and antioxidants parameters as well as on gut microbiota in weaned piglets. EO was extracted by hydrodistillation and nanoencapsulation was performed by high-energy method using Tween 80 and Span 60 as surfactants. EO and NEO were chemically analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The cytotoxic effects of both EO and NEO was evaluated on Caco-2 cell line. For in vivo assay, male weaned piglets (age: 28 days, mean initial body weight: 11.63 ± 0.37kg) were randomly distributed in six groups of six animals each (n = 6) and received orally EO (10.0mg/kg/day) or NEO (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0mg/kg/day), named hereinafter as EO-10, NEO-2.5, NEO-5 and NEO-10, for 30 consecutive days. Animals not treated or treated with surfactants mixture were evaluated as control and vehicle control. Subsequently, histological, hematological and biochemical parameters, cytokines production, oxidative markers, CD4+/CD8+ T cells and gut microbiota were evaluated. GC-MS analysis was similar in both EO and NEO. The NEO was more toxic on Caco-2 cells than EO. Oral supplementation of EO-10 or NEO-10 improved growth performance compared to control group NEO-2.5 or NEO-5 (p < 0.05) groups. NEO-2.5, NEO-5 and NEO-10 did not alter the morpho-physiology of digestive organs and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in liver compared to control (p < 0.05) or EO-10 groups (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). In addition, NEO-10 showed an increase in CD4+/CD8+ T cells ratio (p < 0.001), and induced the highest serum levels of IL-10 (p < 0.01). Serum triglycerides levels were significantly lower in animals treated with EO-10 or NEO-2.5, NEO-5 and NEO-10 compared to control group (p < 0.001). Gut microbiota analysis showed that NEO-10 favor the development of beneficial intestinal microorganisms to improve parameters related to early weaning of piglets. In conclusion, EO and NEO improved parameters altered by early weaning in piglets however, NEO was safer and powerful. Therefore, NEO should be further studied to be applied in swine health.

Tunable electromagnetic properties via dealloying in FeCoNiCuAl high-entropy alloys for efficient electromagnetic-wave absorption

High-entropy alloys (HEAs), especially the FeCoNi-based HEAs with magnetic loss and dielectric loss, have attracted considerable attention in the field of electromagnetic-wave absorption (EMA). However, improper electromagnetic parameters of HEAs led to impedance mismatching, which considerably reduced its electromagnetic-wave absorbing efficiency. Dealloying in HEAs is an available approach to optimizing electromagnetic properties owing to its function of component tailoring and surface modification. Herein, FeCoNiCuAl HEAs were prepared by the high-energy balling method, and then, the as-milled powders were dealloyed in KOH solution with different concentrations. Undergoing the dealloying process, Al contents in FeCoNiCuAl HEAs decreased, while the surface area increased, which efficiently optimized impedance matching and promoted surface polarization loss. Profiting from these merits, samples A02 and A06 exhibit excellent EMA performance, with strong absorptions of −56.04 dB at 13.01 GHz and −56.12 dB at 6.88 GHz, corresponding to bandwidths of 3.29 GHz (1.69 mm) and 2.88 GHz (1.69 mm), respectively.