High Oil Concentrations Research Articles

Potential of Bursera graveolens essential oil for controlling bean weevil infestations: Toxicity, repellence, and action targets

Plant essential oils are promising tools for the management of insect infestations in stored beans. However, how these biorational products exert their insecticidal actions remains unknow. Here, we evaluated the insecticidal and repellent potential of Bursera graveolens essential oil against the bean weevil species Acanthoscelides obtectus and Zabrotes subfasciatus. By using chemical and in silico analyses, we evaluated the molecular interactions of the essential oil constituents with two potential physiological targets in stored beans: acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzymes and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Our results revealed limonene (44%), phellandrene (24%), cymene (13%), and menthofuran (11%) as the major constituents of the essential oil. Both bean weevil species were similarly killed by the fumigant essential oil. However, while Z. subfasciatus individuals were repelled only at high essential oil concentrations (LC95 = 156 μL/L), the essential oil LC15 (44 μL/L) was enough to repel A. obtectus individuals. Our computational predictions revealed that all essential oil constituents formed stable molecular interactions (binding affinity < −5.5 kcal/mol) with the binding sites of acetylcholinesterase and TRP channels, suggesting the involvement of these targets in the essential oil actions. Altogether, our findings show that B. graveolens essential oil may exert its insecticidal actions by disrupting the functions of AChE and TRP channels and that it may be used as an alternative tool for the control of bean weevils

Polydopamine-CaCO3 modified superhydrophilic nanocomposite membrane used for highly efficient separation of oil-in-water emulsions

A superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic CaCO3@PDA@nylon nanocomposite membrane was prepared by a simple dip-coating method using a nylon 66 membrane in dopamine and nano CaCO3 particle aqueous solutions. The prepared CaCO3@PDA@nylon membrane was characterized by SEM, EDS, FTIR, and XPS. The underwater oil contact angle reached 159.7°. The modified membrane showed highly efficient oil-in-water emulsion separation performance for various viscous oils or organic solvents over a wide range from 126.8 to 6029.6 nm. Furthermore, the CaCO3@PDA@nylon membrane also demonstrated high permeation flux and good regeneration ability. Even with continuous reuse of 15 cycles, the flux was still high, e.g., 517.3 L m−2 h−1 for chloroform-in-water emulsions with an average particle size of 126.8 nm. The modified membrane's possible oil-in-water emulsion separation mechanism was obtained by combining fluorescence-assisted dripping, continuous filtration, and emulsion contact angle experiments. This work might provide a simple and environmentally friendly membrane modification method for general separation studies of high oil concentration oil-in-water emulsions. The simple preparation process and efficient and fast separation ability highlight its great potential in large-scale production and oily wastewater treatment.

Filtration of Submicron Soot Particles, Oil Droplets, and their Mixtures on Single- and Multi-layer Fibrous Filters

The dynamics of filtration efficiency and pressure drop during the simultaneous filtration of soot and oil aerosols on single- and multi-layer filters were investigated, and the determined filtration efficiency was compared with the theoretical efficiency obtained via the classical filtration theory. Additionally, the influence of liquid-phase aerosols on the morphology of the formed deposits was investigated. It was concluded that the addition of oil aerosols decreased the filtration efficiency and lowered the pressure drop increase rate for multi-layer filters. Additionally, for the filtration of aerosols containing soot and high oil concentrations, once maximum filtration efficiency was reached, an efficiency decrease occurred. The system imperfection factor was proposed as a mean to predict the efficiency of multi-layer filters. The modified version of the single fibre efficiency method was used to calculate filter mass change with reasonable accuracy.

Cinnamon Essential Oil Microcapsules Made Using Various Methods: Physical Properties and Antimicrobial Ability

HighlightsCinnamon essential oil was microencapsulated using various methods.The most suitable method was determined by considering the powder recovery and product quality.The structure of freeze-dried microcapsules was examined using confocal laser scanning microscopy.The cinnamon essential oil microcapsules inhibited bacterial growth in minced chicken meat samples.Abstract. Cinnamon essential oil has enormous potential for use in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics; however, its applications are currently limited due to its volatility and rapid degradation. In this study, cinnamon essential oil was microencapsulated using four methods. The main aims were to determine a suitable method for producing cinnamon essential oil microcapsule powder and to examine the physical properties of the microcapsule powder. The results indicated that the powder recovery values for spray-drying were much lower than for the other methods. For the same encapsulation method, samples with higher oil concentration had lower powder recovery and were harder to dissolve. Freeze-drying provided the highest encapsulation efficiency (92.3% to 95.2%), followed by drum-drying, spray-drying, and a manual method. Freeze-drying with an oil concentration of 27% was the most suitable method for microencapsulation in this study due to its higher solubility and encapsulation efficiency and having the lowest surface oil content for the product. Confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated that the cinnamon essential oil was well encapsulated in the freeze-dried microcapsules. The cinnamon essential oil microcapsules significantly impeded bacterial growth in minced chicken meat samples during chilled storage for 12 days. Keywords: Cinnamon, Drum-drying, Encapsulation, Freeze-drying, Spray-drying.

Investigation of the effect of current density and PH on oil and grease removal from leather industry wastewaters by electrocoagulation method

In this study, the effects of pH and current density on the removal of high concentrations of oil and grease in leather industry wastewater by the electrocoagulation method were investigated. Two different types of electrodes were used in the study. Studies with aluminum electrodes have shown that these electrodes are more effective than iron electrodes in removing oil and grease. In addition, aluminum electrodes are affected more by the system pH than iron electrodes. Studies have shown that higher oil and grease removal efficiencies are obtained below pH 4 for both electrodes. While the oil and grease removal efficiency with Al electrodes is 95% at pH 2, this value decreases to 83% at pH 6. In Fe electrodes, while the removal efficiency is 87.83% at pH 2, it decreases to 83% at pH 6. The effect of current density on oil and grease removal was examined and it was observed that the removal efficiency remained constant above a certain current density in aluminum electrodes. While the efficiency of Al electrodes is 83.31% at 0.6 mA cm-2 current density, this value has increased to about 98% at 1.2, 1.8, and 2.4 mA cm-2 current densities. In Fe electrodes, the oil and grease removal efficiency is 82.66% at 0.6 mA cm-2 current density, while it is 90% at 1.2 and 1.8 mA cm-2 current densities and 98% at 2.4 mA cm-2. These results show that the electrocoagulation process removes the oil and grease in wastewater at a high rate. This shows that this process can also be used as pre-treatment before the biological treatment of industrial wastewater with high oil and grease content.

Utilizing high-pressure homogenization for the production of fermented plant-protein yogurt alternatives with low and high oil content using potato protein isolate as a model

The potential of high-pressure homogenization (HPH) to allow the production of a fermented potato protein isolate-based yogurt alternative with low and high oil concentration was investigated. The yogurt alternatives containing different oil concentrations (1.5%, 3%, and 10%) were obtained by inoculating the homogenized (0.1 MPa, 30 MPa, and 200 MPa) emulsions. HPH reduced emulsion particle size (all oil levels) compared to the non-homogenized samples (0.1 MPa). The overall emulsion whiteness index increased after HPH treatment while the highest value was obtained for 200 MPa 10% oil, 76.01 ± 0.50, compared to 65.33 ± 2.05 obtained for 0.1 MPa 10% oil. The creaming velocity was decreased by HPH, e.g., for 3% oil from 10.70 ± 0.11 (0.1 MPa) to 0.59 ± 0.04 after 200 MPa. Microscopic images of gels from HPH treated emulsions revealed smaller oil droplets and narrower component distribution. This study further highlights the possibility of HPH technology to produce plant-protein-based yogurt alternatives with different oil concentrations. Industrial relevanceIn recent years, the food industry has changed rapidly and has faced new consumer demands and global food trends. Consumers pay attention to food and its effect on their health, and the popularity of dairy alternatives with reduced-oil and, on the other hand, Greek-style yogurt analogs has grown. (Ultra) high-pressure homogenization ((U)HPH) is a continuously emerging technology that can potentially provide simultaneous homogenization and microbial inactivation and induce changes in solution physicochemical properties such as emulsion stabilization mainly by significantly reducing oil droplet size and improving interactions between emulsifiers and oil phase. By utilizing HPH, plant-based yogurt alternatives can be formed with a wide range of oil concentrations and similar texture profiles and water holding capacity, free of additional stabilizers and artificial emulsifiers. The results of this bottom-up approach study could be of great importance for considering the potential for scaling-up and future implementation of (U)HPH in the food industry to produce plant-based milk and yogurt alternatives with low and high oil content, having a clean label.

Impact of cutting fluid on hybrid manufacturing of AISI H13 tool steel

PurposeThis paper aims to analyse the effects derived from the presence of residual coolant from machining operations on the Directed Energy Deposition of AISI H13 tool steel and the quality of the resulting part.Design/methodology/approachIn the present paper, the effectiveness of various cleaning techniques, including laser vaporising and air blasting, applied to different water/oil concentrations are studied. For this purpose, single-layer and multi-layer depositions are performed. Besides, the influence of the powder adhered to the coolant residues remaining on the surface of the workpiece is analysed. In all cases, cross-sections are studied in-depth, including metallographic, microhardness, scanning electron microscopy and crack mechanism analyses.FindingsThe results show that, although no significant differences were found for low oil concentrations when remarkably high oil concentrations were used the deposited material cracked, regardless of the cleaning technique applied. The crack initiation and propagation mechanisms have been analysed, concluding that the presence of oil leads to hydrogen induced cracking.Originality/valueHigh oil concentration residues from previous machining operations in hybrid manufacturing led to hydrogen induced cracking when working with AISI H13 tool steel. The results obtained will help in defining future hybrid manufacturing processes that combine additive and subtractive operations.

Enhanced oil recovery from palm oil mill effluent using ultrasonication technique

Palm oil is the planet’s most exploited vegetable oil. However, its extensive commercialization has resulted in massive waste, particularly palm oil mill effluent (POME), contributing to severe environmental pollution. POME has a high concentration of oil and grease (O&G) with the mean value of 4,340 mg/L, exceeding the standard discharge limit of 50 mg/L. Hence, the recovery of oil content in POME is crucial as it could be a key material in biodiesel production. The oil droplets in POME exist in two phases: floating in the supernatant and suspended in the solids. During the solvent extraction process, the oil adsorbed by the solid particles is not entirely recovered. Thus, ultrasonication-based process intensification is introduced. Ultrasonication can break apart the solid particles and release the oil content using the principle of sound waves, thereby it will eventually increase the yield of oil recovery from POME. Although some studies were done on oil extraction from POME, the use of ultrasonication technique to enhance the extraction of oil from POME has never been done. The current research work is to investigate the feasibility of using ultrasonication technique to enhance the oil recovery from POME and compare it to a non-ultrasonicated POME. Overall, this research discovered that using ultrasonication as a pre-treatment would improve oil recovery yield from POME by 39.17% as compared to non-ultrasonicated sample under the optimum ultrasonication conditions of 30% amplitude and 30 seconds duration.

Effluent from local palm oil mill refinery in Nigeria is excessively oily and potentially genotoxic

In spite of the fact that the informal, local mills in countries like Nigeria constitute a major portion of the palm oil refinery, adequate attention has not been paid to the quality of the palm oil mill effluent (POME) they generate. In this study, therefore, the physicochemical properties and genotoxic potential of POME generated by a local mill in Nigeria were investigated using the methods prescribed by the American Public Health Association and Allium cepa chromosomal assay, respectively. In addition to the presence of trace/toxic metals (Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu) and high biochemical oxygen demand, POME contained a very high oil and grease concentration of 10,500 mg L-1 as against the maximum limit of 25 mg L-1 prescribed in the Environmental Management Guideline for the Palm Oil Industry. Mitotic activities in A. cepa roots exposed to POME showed that the number of dividing cells and percentage mitotic index generally decreased with increasing POME concentrations. The major chromosomal aberrations induced by POME were sticky, C-mitosis, bridged anaphase, vagrant, and attached chromosomes. However, no chromosomal aberrations were observed in onion roots exposed to water (control). These results indicate that the local refinery from where the POME was obtained is inefficient at recovering oil from palm fibre. The effluent generated by the mill is also a potential pollutant capable of inducing genotoxic and other adverse effects. These results may be typical of many more local palm oil refineries who use mainly manual methods to extract oil from oil palm fruits.

Eucalyptus bakeri: a potential source species for eucalyptus oil production in the subtropics

ABSTRACT There is a paucity of eucalypt species in tropical Australia that produce a foliar essential oil in high concentration and rich in 1,8-cineole, the sought-after component of medicinal eucalyptus oils. Eucalyptus bakeri, a mallee from the dry subtropical parts of northern New South Wales and Queensland, is an exception, with limited earlier studies reporting that this species produced foliar oil with commercial characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine the variation in foliar oil characteristics throughout the natural range of E. bakeri as a precursor to the more intensive field-testing of the species as a commercial source of eucalyptus oil. Mature leaves and, when available, coppice leaves for comparison were collected over three separate field trips in 2020 from individual trees representing each of 17 provenances throughout the natural range of E. bakeri in Queensland. Foliar oil concentrations on a fresh-weight basis throughout the provenances sampled were relatively high, averaging 2.3% for mature leaves and 2.8% for coppice leaves, with an individual tree high of 4.1% for both leaf categories. 1,8-Cineole was the dominant compound in all foliar oils sampled, averaging 89.3% (range 70.2–94.6%) in oils from mature leaves and 87.6% (range 79–92.5%) from coppice leaves. Sabinene levels, restricted to a maximum of 0.3% in some oil standards, averaged 0.3% (range trace – 1.5%) in oils from mature leaves and 0.4% (range trace – 0.7%) from coppice leaves. The high foliar oil concentrations and consistency in oil qualities mark this species as a potential candidate as a eucalyptus oil source species for the dry subtropics. Provenance/progeny trials are now needed to determine which provenances produce adequate growth rates and the silviculture required to manage the species as an oil-producing crop, as well as to investigate variations in oil characteristics, including sabinene levels, when all sources are grown at a common site.

Vertical Canopy Profile and the Impact of Branches on Soybean Seed Composition.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seeds are of global importance for human and animal nutrition due to their high protein and oil concentrations, and their complete amino acid (AA) and fatty acid (FA) profiles. However, a detailed description of seed composition at different canopy portions (i.e., main stem and branch nodes) is currently lacking in scientific literature. This study aims to (1) characterize seed yield and composition (protein, oil, AA, and FA) at the main stem (exploring a vertical canopy profile) and stem branches and (2) quantify the impact of canopy yield allocation on seed composition, focusing on branches as a potential contributor for higher yields. Four genotypes were field-grown during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, with seeds manually harvested from all the branches and three main stem segments (lower, middle, and upper). Seed samples were analyzed for seed yield (Mg/ha), seed size (mg/seed), protein and oil content (mg/seed) and their respective concentrations (g/kg), and AA and FA concentrations within protein and oil (g/100 g), herein called abundance. The upper main stem produced greater protein (25%) and oil (15%) content relative to the lower section; however, oil concentration increased from top to bottom while protein concentration followed opposite vertical gradient. Limiting AAs (lysine, cysteine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan) were more abundant in the lower main stem, while the oleic/(linoleic + linolenic) ratio was greater in the upper segment. Overall, branches produced seeds with inferior nutritional quality than the main stem. However, the contribution of branches to yield (%) was positively related to limiting AA abundance and oil concentration across soybean genotypes. Future research studies should consider the morphological process of stem branching as a critical factor intimately involved with soybean seed composition across environments, genotypes, and management practices.

Adsorption isotherms and thermodynamic properties of Carthamus tinctorius L. seeds

ABSTRACT Safflower is a crop of high economic value with high oil concentration in its seeds and great industrial versatility, besides various benefits to human health. As with other agricultural crops, it is common to store safflower to make it available in different periods of the year and, due to its hygroscopic characteristics, studies evaluating the effect of temperature and air relative humidity on its moisture content become relevant. Thus, the objective of the present study was to determine the water adsorption isotherms of safflower seeds and analyze their thermodynamic properties. Moisture contents of 6.5, 6.9, 7.3, 7.7, 8.3 and 9.1% (dry basis) were obtained by adsorption under controlled conditions of temperature (30 °C) and relative air humidity (90%). The adsorption isotherms were obtained by the indirect static method at different temperatures (10, 20, 30 and 40 °C). As temperature increased, for the same moisture content, there was an increase in water activity and, for constant water activity, the values of equilibrium moisture content decreased with increasing temperature. Chung-Pfost model showed the best fit to describe the phenomenon of hygroscopicity of safflower seeds. The thermodynamic properties were influenced by the moisture content of the seeds, reducing the energy necessary for water absorption in the product with the increase in adsorption, and the enthalpy-entropy theory was controlled by enthalpy.

Effect of rice starch film blended with sugar (trehalose/allose) and oil (canola oil/coconut oil) on the physical properties and their interaction (Part II)

The effects of blending sugars and oils on the physical properties and interaction characteristics of rice starch film were studied by 3% (w/w) rice starch blended with sugar (trehalose or allose) 10 or 30% (w/w of starch weight) and oil (canola or coconut) 10% or 30% (w/w of starch weight). The transparency, moisture content, and morphology of the films changed with sugar and oil blending. The intensity crystallization of the film increased at the V-type peak in the films blended with high oil concentration but the relative crystallinity might be inhibited by high sugar concentration. The relationship of the film blended with sugar and oil, and the type of oil correlated with the area under the peak of OH proton, or CH proton on the preparation day and after 28 days of storage. Moreover, the interaction characteristics could have relative to relative crystallinity and moisture content of the film. Practical applications Starch edible/biodegradable film properties improved with the blending of trehalose, allose, canola oil, and coconut oil as plasticizers. The interaction characteristics of the film depended on the combination of sugar and oil, which important additives to improving the characteristic of the casting film process and changed the properties after storage. The film of blending with trehalose, allose, canola oil, and coconut oil could be applied as edible/ biodegradable packaging for a food product.

How Fast do Microdroplets Generated During Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation Move in a Confined 2D Space?

How liquid transport occurs in confined spaces is relevant to many industrial and lab-scale processes, ranging from enhanced oil recovery to drug delivery systems. In this work, we investigate propelling microdroplets that form from liquid-liquid phase separation in a quasi-2D chamber, focusing on the direction and speed of microdroplets in response to local composition gradients. The confined ternary solution in our experiments comprises a model oil, a good solvent (ethanol) and a poor solvent (water). Depending on the initial solution composition, water-rich or oil-rich microdroplets, form and move spontaneously as the ternary solution mixes with and is displaced by water diffusing from a deep side channel. Microdroplet movement is followed in situ using high-speed bright-field imaging or fluorescence imaging when the solution is doped with a dye. Local ethanol composition gradients are estimated from the variation of fluorescence intensity in the local continuous liquid surrounding the mobile microdroplets. From phase separation of the ternary solution with high oil concentration, mobile oil-rich microdroplets form in a water-rich zone, accompanying the formation of water-rich microdroplets in an oil-rich zone. The fast movement of oil-rich microdroplets induces directional flow transport that mobilizes water-rich microdroplets close to the water-rich zone. The average microdroplet speed increases with the initial oil concentration in the ternary solution. The fastest speed of oil-rich microdroplets observed in our experiments is ~150 ${\mu}$m/s along the surface of a hydrophobic wall. The presence of a sharp ethanol composition gradient is the primary driving force for the fast movement of oil-rich microdroplets in confinement. Our results demonstrate the potential of enhancing liquid transport in confinement through composition gradients arising from phase separation.

Evening Primrose and Rapeseed Yield Components and Grain Oil Concentrations Were Differentially Modulated by the N, P, and K Supplies in a Mediterranean Area

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) is an industrial crop-producing seed with high oil concentration characterized by high gamma-linoleic acid. However, limited information is available on its response to the nutrient supply, especially P and K. The aim of this work was to compare the response of Evening Primrose to the application of N, P, and K alone or in combination in a P and K deficient soil in terms of grain yield, yield components, and oil composition in comparison to Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). Evening Primrose yielded 54.4% less seed and 67.3% less oil than Rapeseed. Such differences were reduced when nutrients, especially N or P, were applied. N stimulated Evening Primrose more than Rapeseed. Application of K favored Evening Primrose oil yield when no N or P were added, and this especially occurred by an enhancement of the pod number. P favored yield per pod and oil yield in the Evening Primrose more than Rapeseed in almost all conditions. Fertilization scarcely affected lipid composition. In particular, an increase in the oleic acid concentration was found only when N + K or N + P + K were applied compared to the sole N or sole K applications. These results suggest that P and K differentially influenced yield components of both species and that Evening Primrose was less adapted than Rapeseed to a scarce nutrient supply.

Физиологическая активность рекультивированных аллювиальных почв при разном остаточном содержании нефтепродуктов

The respiratory activity parameters of various types of alluvial soils with different residual content of oil products were studied. The inhibitory effect of oil products on basal respiration in re-cultivated soils was not found. The substrate-induced respiration of most soils remained at the control level or decreased slightly. Soils differed significantly in the degree of resistance of their microbial pool to oil products. The microflora of alluvial soils is able to overcome the negative effects of high oil concentrations. In remediated soils, a strong effect of oil on the community of soil microorganisms was not found, while medium or low impact prevailed. Microbial communities of light alluvial soils showed more resistance to oil products. Restoration measures on alluvial meadow soils require more attention than remediation of alluvial bog and meadow soils.

Antioxidant Activity of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Seed Oil in Drosophila melanogaster Larvae under Non-Stress and H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress Conditions.

The oil extracted from hemp seeds has significant nutritional and biological properties due to the unique composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids and various antioxidant compounds. The potential of this oil for the prevention of oxidative stress and for the treatment of oxidative-stress-induced ailments is of increasing interest. Most studies of hemp seed oil were conducted in-vitro, meaning we lack information about effects and activity in vivo. In the present study, we evaluated the hypothesis that hemp seed oil at different concentrations improves the oxidative state of D. melanogaster, under non-stress as well as hydrogen-peroxide-induced stress. We analyzed the effects of hemp seed oil on oxidative stress markers and on the life cycle of D. melanogaster under non-stress and hydrogen-peroxide-induced stress conditions. D. melanogaster larvae were exposed to hemp seed oil concentrations ranging from 12.5 to 125 μL/mL. The results revealed that under non-stress conditions, oil concentrations up to 62.5 µL/mL did not induce negative effects on the life cycle of D. melanogaster and maintained the redox status of the larval cells at similar levels to the control level. Under oxidative stress conditions, biochemical parameters were significantly affected and only two oil concentrations, 18.7 and 31.2 µL/mL, provided protection against hydrogen peroxide stress effects. A higher oil concentration (125 μL/mL) exerted negative effects on the oxidative status and increased larval mortality. The tested oil was characterized chemically by NMR, transesterification, and silylation, followed by GC-MS analyses, and was shown to contain polyunsaturated fatty acid triglycerides and low levels of tocopherols. The high levels of linoleic and linolenic acids in the oil are suggested to be responsible for the observed in vivo antioxidant effects. Taken together, the results show that hemp seed oil is effective for reducing oxidative stress at the cellular level, thus supporting the hypothesis. The obtained results point to the potential of hemp seed oil for the prevention and treatment of conditions caused by the action of reactive oxygen species.

In situ engineering of an ultrathin polyamphoteric layer on polyketone-based thin film composite forward osmosis membrane for comprehensive anti-fouling performance

Thin film composite (TFC) membranes easily suffer from fouling induced by oil and other pollutants during forward osmosis (FO) due to the relatively hydrophobic chemistry and rough structure of polyamide (PA). To achieve comprehensive anti-fouling properties, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride) (MPC-co-AEMA) was immobilized on top of a polyketone (PK)-based TFC membrane following a single-step simultaneous deposition with dopamine. The adhesive properties of polydopamine (PDA), as well as the covalent interactions between PDA and MPC-co-AEMA, ensured the firm immobilization of the MPC-co-AEMA on PA layer. As a result of the simultaneous deposition of PDA and MPC-co-AEMA, a high-performance and superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic TFC membrane was engineered. In addition, the outstanding water adsorption capacity of the polyamphoteric layer resulted in better protein adhesion mitigation. FO operation using various foulants also demonstrated a high fouling resistance of the PK-TFC-PDA/MPC membrane, especially during the treatment of wastewater emulsion containing high concentration of oil and bovine serum albumin (BSA). In summary, the findings in this study could provide insights into the preparation of anti-fouling membranes for wastewater purification using FO.

Phase Behavior of Non‐Ionic Surfactant‐Medium Chain Triglyceride‐Water Microemulsion Systems

AbstractMicroemulsion systems have garnered tremendous interest in the pharmaceutical sector for a variety of drug delivery applications. Non‐ionic surfactants are often the preferred surfactant class given their uncharged nature, enhanced oral safety profile, and generally regarded as safe status as compared to other surfactant classes (Myers, Surfactant science and technology, 2005, p. 29), (Malmsten, Handbook of microemulsion science and technology, 1999, p. 755), (Grove &amp; Mullertz, Chapter 5‐liquid self‐microemulsifying drug delivery systems, 2007), (Liu et al., Water‐insoluble drug formulation, 2008), (Hauss, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 2007, 59, pp. 667–676), (Balazs, Solubility, delivery and ADME problems of drugs and drug‐candidates, 2011, p. 68). In this work, the phase behavior and microemulsion formation potential of four commonly used non‐ionic surfactants, PEG‐40 hydrogenated castor oil, Poloxamer 188, Polysorbate 80, and d‐α‐tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate were studied via ternary phase diagram (TPD) mapping using a medium chain triglyceride, Miglyol 812. Results indicated notable differences in phase behavior despite similarities in hydrophilic–lipophilic balance value (13–15). All surfactants produced Winsor Type I, oil‐in‐water microemulsions at water concentrations above 40% wt/wt. Winsor Type II water‐in‐oil microemulsions were difficult to obtain even at high oil concentrations of ≥70% wt/wt. Winsor III microemulsions, though rare, were generally obtained in the middle regions of the TPD between 10% and 30% wt/wt water while Winsor IV microemulsions dominated at high surfactant concentrations of ≥45% wt/wt. Opaque emulsion areas were particularly notable in wax state surfactants. Polysorbate 80 and PEG‐40 hydrogenated castor oil demonstrated a high degree of synergism as well as the largest oil‐in‐water (o/w) and water‐in‐oil (w/o) microemulsion formation potential rendering them suitable for a number of enteral and parenteral applications.

Stable sunflower oil oleogel from oil/water pickering emulsion with regenerated chitin

Pickering emulsion templating is a versatile technique in formulating highly networked oil-in-water emulsions applicable in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals areas. In this work, oleogels was prepared by oil-in-water Pickering emulsions using regenerated chitin (RCh) as the stabilizing particles. The effects of RCh concentrations (0.4/100–1.4 g/100 g) on the formation, rheology, and log-term stability of the emulsions and oleogles were investigated. It was found that the solid-like oloegel with a high concentration of liquid oil (≥98 g/100 g) could be obtained after evaporating of water from the emulsions. Shear-thinning behavior was observed at lower concentrations of RCh (0.4–0.6 g/100 g) and higher frequencies in the emulsions. An increase in the viscoelastic property was achieved. Oleogels containing higher concentrations of RCh (0.8/100–1.4 g/100 g) showed excellent resistance against coalescence and Ostwald ripening during the storage time. These oleogels also showed good thermal stability (no sign of oil leakages) when heated to 80 °C for 2 days. This emulsion templating approach is a feasible oil structuring strategy promising to be used in various applications.