Initial Dissolution Rate Research Articles

In situ nano-scale observation of C3A dissolution in water

Historically, sparingly soluble mineral dissolution in aqueous solutions is measured at macroscopic scales, mostly by indirect methods that track the solution composition over times ranging from minutes to years. Relatively fewer measurements have been made of dissolution rates of highly soluble minerals and their variability at microscopic length scales and shorter times prior to the products precipitation. Here, we report in-situ, real-time measurements of the initial absolute dissolution rate of an extremely reactive mineral, cubic tricalcium aluminate (C3A), in pure water, by monitoring its surface retreat with nanometer resolution. The data reveal that C3A has an extremely fast dissolution rate within the instantaneous contact with water, in the range of (0.5 to 2) mmol·m−2·s−1 and several orders of magnitude greater than that of gypsum or calcite. Soon after that initial dissolution, nucleation and rapid growth of calcium aluminate hydrate would occur, leading to a dramatic decrease of the C3A dissolution rate by blocking its access to the solution. To our knowledge, this is the first time the real dissolution rate of C3A is measured in water, which is urgently needed for the fundamental modelling of the reaction mechanisms, kinetics, and microstructure development during cement hydration.

Can a simple topological-constraints-based model predict the initial dissolution rate of borosilicate and aluminosilicate glasses?

Tuning glass composition to obtain targeted properties generally relies on empirical approaches. However, a deep understanding of the physical and chemical mechanisms linking glass composition to its structure and properties would enable developing reliable predictive models. Indeed, although empirical models are usually able to interpolate composition–property relationships within a given compositional envelope, they often fail at extrapolating predictions far from their training domain. Here, as an alternative route to empirical models, we show that a structural descriptor based on the number of topological constraints per atom can be used to predict the initial dissolution rate of aluminosilicate and borosilicate glasses after being parameterized on different families of glasses (specific series of borosilicate glasses). Sixteen glasses belonging to these families were studied and their initial dissolution rates were determined at 90 °C and pH90 °C = 9, covering rates spanning over 5 orders of magnitude. The model based on topological constraints was trained based on seven select borosilicate glasses (R2 = 0.997) and used to predict the dissolution rate of nine additional borosilicate and aluminosilicate glasses. We show that, provided that corrections are made for high alkali content glasses that dissolve incongruently (preferential release of Na), the model gives reasonable predictions, even far from its training domain.

Congruent Release of Drug and Polymer from Amorphous Solid Dispersions: Insights into the Role of Drug-Polymer Hydrogen Bonding, Surface Crystallization, and Glass Transition.

Drug loading is an important parameter known to impact the release rate of a poorly soluble drug from an amorphous solid dispersion (ASD). Recent studies have shown that small increases in drug loading can dramatically reduce the drug release rate from ASDs prepared with poly(vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) (PVPVA). However, the link between drug physicochemical properties and the drug loading where the release is abruptly compromised is not well understood. This study probes the role of different factors on the relative dissolution rates of drug and polymer from PVPVA-based ASDs as a function of drug loading: (1) the impact of drug-polymer hydrogen bonding interactions on the initial dissolution rate of ASDs, investigated using two structural analogues, indomethacin (IND) and indomethacin methyl ester (INDester), (2) the influence of surface drug crystallization, observed for INDester ASDs, and (3) by changing temperature, the impact of the "wet" glass transition temperature (Tg). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with or without energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) were utilized to study the solid-state phase behavior and/or drug enrichment on the partially dissolved ASD tablet surfaces. Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) was utilized to study the solution-state phase behavior. It was found that, contrary to expectations, ASDs with drug-polymer hydrogen bonding exhibited poorer initial release at moderate drug loadings (15-25%) as compared to the non-hydrogen bonding analogue ASDs. Surface crystallization led to the deterioration of dissolution performance. Lastly, Tg relative to experimental temperatures also appeared to play a role in the observed dissolution behavior as a function of drug loading. These findings shed light on potential mechanisms governing ASD dissolution performance and will aid in the development of optimized ASD formulations with enhanced dissolution performance.

Synthesis of feldspathoids and zeolite K–F from waste amber container glass

The hydrothermal formation of mineral products from a mixture of amber container glass and aluminium waste (Al:Si = 1) in 4 M NaOH(aq) or 4 M KOH(aq) at 100 °C was monitored at 1, 3 and 10 days by X-ray diffraction analysis with Rietveld refinement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. In NaOH(aq), at 1, 3 and 10 days, respectively, 48%, 55% and 63% of the glass crystallised to form hydroxysodalite (HS) and hydroxycancrinite (HC) with minor proportions of katoite and tobermorite. The partial successive transformation of HS to HC was also observed with time. The initial rates of dissolution of the glass and formation of the principal zeolite K–F and secondary katoite phases were considerably slower in KOH(aq); although, the subsequent development of the products was greater than that in NaOH(aq). The zeolite K–F product achieved only 5% crystallinity within the first day which then increased markedly to 60% and 78% at 3 and 10 days, respectively. Despite the incomplete conversion of amber glass into crystalline zeolitic phases, the uptake capacities of the 10-day feldspathoid and zeolite K–F products for Pb2+ (4.3 and 4.5 meq g−1, respectively) and Zn2+ (3.9 and 4.1 meq g−1, respectively) ions compared favourably with those of many other zeolites and waste-derived inorganic sorbents reported in the literature.

Formulation And Evaluation Of Buccoadhesive Films of Lidocaine Hydrochloride

Buccal delivery is considered the most suitable, easy, and safest route of administration. So it can be used as an alternative route to the peroral route for the systemic administration of drugs. Oral films (OFs) are used as a unique approach, because it dissolves quickly in the mouth and directly reaches to the systemic circulation. The aim of this study is to formulate and evaluate OF of an anaethetic drug lidocaine (LH) and improve its local effect. Oral films were prepared by using chitosan and polyvinylpyrolidone. OFs were assessed for compatibility studies, surface pH, swelling properties, In-Vitro bioadhesion, mechanical properties, disintegration time, dissolution time and in- vitro drug release. It was found that actual LH content in the prepared patch was in the range of 95-105% of the claimed content. The addition of propylene glycol as a plasticizer gave good mechanical properties in concentration of 40%. The prepared oral films swelled and reached an Equilibrium state of swelling. The prepared polymeric films showed good adhesion and acceptable pH. It could be concluded that the release of LH is higher from films contain 1% chitosan. Increasing chitosan concentration to 2% resulted in decreasing the initial dissolution rate. The combination of chitosan (2%) , PVP(10%) and PG at 40% w/w gave a reasonable LH release.

Epsilon metal: A waste form for noble metals from used nuclear fuel

Epsilon metal (ε-metal) is the metallic phase that forms as inclusions at the grain boundaries in the UO2 fuel during reactor operation. This metal is composed of Pd, Mo, Rh, Ru, and Tc. These metallic inclusions are insoluble in strong acid and remnants of these metallic inclusions have been found in the UO2 matrix that remains from the natural reactors in Gabon that were active 1.8 billion years ago, therefore ε-metal should be an excellent waste form for the immobilization of the long-lived isotopes 107Pd (6.5 × 106 a) and 99Tc (2.13 × 105 a), with 99Tc being the isotope of interest for repository performance. Therefore, the chemical durability of this potential waste form is assessed in this study. Typically, corrosion rates for metallic materials are measured electrochemically because they are quick, inexpensive, and can reveal the mechanism by which a metal corrodes, at least initially. However, in a repository the waste form would be subjected to slowly flowing water without an applied electrical potential over long time periods. Therefore, the corrosion rates of ε-metal specimens were measured with both electrochemical tests and the single-pass flow-through test (SPFT). Potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarization results suggest that a thin passive film exists on the alloy surface, which seems to be responsible for its high corrosion resistance. Additionally, X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopic results suggest that Pd oxides are significantly enriched in the passive film Results from the SPFT show that the dissolution rates were weakly dependent on pH. Only Mo and Re were found in solution and were used for the calculation of the dissolution rates. In general, the electrochemically determined corrosion rates agree reasonably well with the initial dissolution rate measured with the SPFT test, but they are about one or two orders of magnitude higher than the steady state rates. The causes for this discrepancy are discussed.

Formulation strategy of nitrofurantoin: co-crystal or solid dispersion?

Poor solubility and bioavailability of drugs are often affected by its microscopic structural properties. Nitrofurantoin (NF), a Biopharmaceutics Classification System class II item, has a low water solubility with low plasma concentrations. To improve its therapeutic efficacy, formulation strategy of solid dispersion (SD) and co-crystallization are compared herein. The co-crystal is prepared with citric acid in 1:1 stoichiometric ratio while SD consists of 30% w/w nitrofurantoin and 70% w/w hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as the carrier system. As a control, the physical mixture of NF and HPMC was prepared. All the preparations were characterized with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), microscopy analysis, solubility, and dissolution studies. The formation of co-crystal, solvent evaporated, and spray-dried SD are confirmed by the ATR-FTIR where peaks shifting of several functional groups indicate the formation of the hydrogen bond. Dissolution studies showed a greater initial dissolution rate in co-crystal than SD despite the possible presence of amorphous content in the SD system. Overall, co-crystal is concluded to be a better approach than SD for an effective dissolution.

Stable amorphous solid dispersions of fenofibrate using hot melt extrusion technology: Effect of formulation and process parameters for a low glass transition temperature drug

Development of stable amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) for a low glass transition temperature (Tg) drug is a challenging task. The physico-chemical properties of the drug and excipients play a critical role in developing stable ASDs. In this study, ASDs of poorly soluble fenofibrate, a drug with a low Tg, were formulated using hydroxy propyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) via hot melt extrusion (HME). The feasible processing conditions were established at varying drug loads and processing temperatures. The prepared ASDs were characterized for crystallinity using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy was performed to study the potential interactions. DSC and PXRD studies confirmed the amorphous state of fenofibrate in the prepared ASDs. A discriminative in vitro dissolution method was established to study the impact of HPMCAS grades on dissolution profile. The dissolution parameters such as dissolution efficiency, initial dissolution rate and mean dissolution rate, suggested improved dissolution characteristics compared to pure fenofibrate. Accelerated stability studies at 40 °C/75% RH showed preservation of the amorphous nature of fenofibrate in formulations with 15% drug load and in vitro drug release studies indicated similar release profiles (f2 >50). This study provides an insight into the formulation and processing of ASDs for poorly soluble drugs with low Tg.

Reactive iron isotope signatures of the East Asian dust particles: Implications for iron cycling in the deep North Pacific

Iron released from wind-blown dust has been widely suggested to be an important nutrient source for oceanic primary productivity. Once introduced into the seawater, the reactive Fe might get dissolved and impart its isotope signature into the water column. Characterization of the reactive iron isotope signatures of eolian dust will thus help to understand the budget of Fe in the global ocean. Yet, there are few systematic studies on the Fe isotope systematics of the dust sources across large spatial scale. Here, we report Fe isotope data from HCl leaching experiment on surficial samples from deserts and loess deposits of different locations spanning >3000 km spatially in east Asia, one of the most important dust source regions. Our data suggest most of the samples have relatively similar leaching signatures (δ56Fe = –0.09±0.07‰, n=9, 2 SD). To understand the kinetics of Fe release during proton promoted leaching of natural particles, a synthetic model taking into account of different dissolution dynamics of easily dissolvable Fe and silicate Fe was developed. The model was tested by continuous leaching of two representative pelagic sediment samples recovered from core LL44-GPC3 in the North Pacific. When introducing only one tunable parameter (i.e., the initial dissolution rate of Fe from hydro(oxides), with other parameters constrained by the dissolution kinetics), the model successfully reproduces leachate δ56Fe evolution and agrees reasonably well with Fe speciation in the studied marine sediment samples. We thus suggest that the leaching process can be well characterized by our kinetic model, while Fe isotopes in the initial leachates of the samples are dominated by endmember composition of the easily dissolvable Fe species. The small but distinct fractionation of Fe isotopes in the desert/loess samples from the parental upper continental silicate materials are suggested to record signatures of the secondary Fe species produced during weathering in the oxic environment. The significantly lighter Fe isotope compositions in the initial leachates of the North Pacific pelagic sediment samples compared to the east Asian desert/loess deposits indicate apparent isotope exchange of the dust reactive components with seawater dissolved species. The sedimentary light reactive Fe isotope signatures in turn point toward the contribution of sources characterized by low δ56Fe to the deep North Pacific and/or preferential uptake of 56Fe by seawater ligands from the dust reactive components particularly at the seawater-sediment interface.

Assessing wood pulp reactivity through its rheological behavior under dissolution

Recent years have witnessed an increasing interest in man-made cellulosic fibers, whose production generally requires cellulose dissolution and regeneration. Cellulosic fibers are difficult to dissolve. Thus, the recalcitrance of wood pulp can be an estimate of its reactivity. Pulp reactivity is usually assessed via complex and time-consuming laboratory simulations of the viscose process. This study proposes a faster and more convenient approach. The dissolution-based torque reactivity (DTR) test measures the evolution of the rheological properties of a pulp suspension under dissolution in cupriethylenediamine. Reactivity is quantified in terms of initial dissolution rates (IDR) and dissolution times (DT). This study describes the measurement protocol for the DTR test and its application to some commercial pulps and a series of pulps hornified to different extents. The IDR and DT values were compared with other pulp features, including degree of polymerization, molecular weight distribution, specific surface area and water retention value. The DTR test proved to be reasonably precise and fast to carry out.Graphic abstract

Quenching active swarms: effects of light exposure on collective motility in swarming Serratia marcescens.

Swarming colonies of the light-responsive bacteria Serratia marcescens grown on agar exhibit robust fluctuating large-scale flows that include arrayed vortices, jets and sinuous streamers. We study the immobilization and quenching of these collective flows when the moving swarm is exposed to intense wide-spectrum light with a substantial ultraviolet component. We map the emergent response of the swarm to light in terms of two parameters-light intensity and duration of exposure-and identify the conditions under which collective motility is impacted. For small exposure times and/or low intensities, we find collective motility to be negligibly affected. Increasing exposure times and/or intensity to higher values suppresses collective motility but only temporarily. Terminating exposure allows bacteria to recover and eventually reestablish collective flows similar to that seen in unexposed swarms. For long exposure times or at high intensities, exposed bacteria become paralysed and form aligned, jammed regions where macroscopic speeds reduce to zero. The effective size of the quenched region increases with time and saturates to approximately the extent of the illuminated region. Post-exposure, active bacteria dislodge immotile bacteria; initial dissolution rates are strongly dependent on duration of exposure. Based on our experimental observations, we propose a minimal Brownian dynamics model to examine the escape of exposed bacteria from the region of exposure. Our results complement studies on planktonic bacteria, inform models of patterning in gradated illumination and provide a starting point for the study of specific wavelengths on swarming bacteria.

Films based on the biopolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) as platforms for the controlled release of dexamethasone

Controlled drug delivery aims to achieve an effective drug concentration in the action site for a desired period of time, while minimizing side effects. In this contribution, biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) films were evaluated as a reservoir platform for dexamethasone controlled release. These systems were morphological and physicochemically characterized. In vitro release assays were performed for five different percentages of drug in the films and data were fitted by a mathematical model developed and validated by our research group. When the profiles were normalized, a single curve properly fitted all the experimental data. Using this unique curve, the dissolution efficiency (DE), the time to release a given amount of drug (tX%), and the mean dissolution time were calculated. Furthermore, the dissolution rate, the initial dissolution rate (a%) and the intrinsic dissolution rate were determined. The a% mean value was 1.968 × 10−2% released/min, t80% was about 14 days, and the DE was 59.6% at 14 days and 66.5% at 20 days. After 2 days, when approximately 40% of the drug was released, the dissolution rate decreased about 60% respect to the initial value. The poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) platforms behaved as an appropriate system to release and control the dexamethasone delivery, suggesting that they could be an alternative to improve drug therapy.

Comparing the reactivity of glasses with their crystalline equivalents: The case study of plagioclase feldspar

Abstract To evaluate the impact of atomic short- and long-range orders on silicate dissolution kinetics, the dissolution of amorphous and crystalline oligoclase was investigated at pH 1.5 and 10 at 90 °C. Experiments in solution saturated with respect to SiO2 am were additionally performed to constrain the effect of Si-rich surface layer formation on dissolution rates. The face-specific dissolution rates of the crystalline oligoclase and of the oligoclase glass were determined from element budget in solution and surface retreat measured by vertical scanning interferometry. The results show that atomic ordering primarily impacts solid reactivity, irrespective to the pH of the solution. A strong relation between the crystal surface orientation, the evolution of its topography and its dissolution rate was observed. The ( 0 0 1 ), ( 0 1 0 ) and ( 1 0 1 ¯ ) flat faces containing the strongest bonds dissolved the most slowly and their dissolution rates remained constant throughout the experiments. In contrast, the stepped ( 1 1 ¯ 1 ) face was characterized by the highest initial dissolution rate, but progressively decreased, suggesting that the preferential dissolution of stepped sites expose afterwards more stable planes. The differences in terms of etch pit density from one surface to another also explained the difference in dissolution rates for the ( 0 0 1 ) and ( 0 1 0 ) faces. The fluid chemistry suggested the formation of very thin (100–200 nm) Si-rich surface layers in acidic conditions, which weakly affected the dissolution rate of the pristine crystal. At pH 1.5, oligoclase glass dissolves at a rate similar to that of the fastest studied faces of the crystal, suggesting the absence of structural effect on oligoclase dissolution. Whereas Si-rich surface layers likely formed by interfacial dissolution-reprecipitation for oligoclase crystal, molecular dynamic calculations suggest that the slightly more open structure of the glass could also allow ion-exchange following water diffusion into the solid. This mechanism could explain why the surface layer of the glass is characterized by a different chemical composition. Results at pH 10 are strikingly different, as the oligoclase glass dissolves up to 20 times faster than its crystalline equivalent. This non-linear response of the material upon pH was linked to the density of critical bonds in oligoclase that is indeed pH-dependent. In acidic pH, the preferential dissolution of Al leaves a highly polymerized and relaxed Si-rich surface, whereas in basic pH the preferential dissolution of Si leads to a complete destructuration of the network because of the lack of Si O Al bonds.

Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship (QSPR) Analysis of ZrO2-Containing Soda-Lime Borosilicate Glasses.

Quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) analysis is a promising approach to correlate structural features with properties of glass materials that lack long-range order and usually have complex structures. By using carefully chosen descriptors based on structural models generated from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, correlations with properties and insights on glass behaviors can be obtained. Zirconia can significantly alter glass properties including chemical durability, even in a small amount, and hence plays an important role in vitrification of nuclear waste where long-term chemical durability is desired. In this study, borosilicate glasses with the composition of xZrO2-(61 - x)SiO2-17B2O3-18Na2O-4CaO with x = 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 were simulated using classical MD simulations with the recently developed composition-dependent potentials. Short-range (e.g., bond distance and coordination numbers) and medium-range (e.g., Qn distribution, network connectivity, and ring-size distribution) structural features altered by ZrO2 were obtained and analyzed. The use of a descriptor ( Fnet descriptor) that combines short-range structural characteristics, from MD simulations, and the cation-oxygen single bond strength was found to provide excellent linear correlations with the density and initial dissolution rate of these glasses. The results show that by combining MD simulations and QSPR analysis the composition and structural effect on the properties of complex multicomponent glasses can be elucidated, thus suggesting that this is a promising approach for future glass research and new composition design.

Dissolution Kinetics of Epitaxial Cadmium Carbonate Overgrowths on Dolomite

Thin films grown on mineral surfaces can immobilize toxic metals in natural systems, but the effects of epitaxy and film thickness on dissolution rates of the overgrowth are typically unknown. To explore these effects, otavite (CdCO3) films were grown on dolomite (104) surfaces from aqueous solutions containing [Cd] = [Ca] = [CO3] = 0.2 mM for 1–48 h and then dissolved in deionized water. Films of various thicknesses and strain states were obtained by varying the growth reaction time. Growth for up to 3 h produced strained thin films with Cd coverages of <4.3 ± 0.6 equivalent monolayers (ML) (corresponding to a thickness of up to 17 A), whereas reaction times of up to 48 h produced thicker films with as many as 114 ± 14 equivalent ML of Cd. Intrinsic dissolution rates were measured as a function of otavite film thickness by a combination of synchrotron X-ray fluorescence, specular X-ray reflectivity, and atomic force microscopy. The initial dissolution rates for unstrained films were comparable to those r...

Preliminary studies on the batch-dissolution kinetics of calcite with reactors open and closed to CO2

Environmental contextThe dissolution of minerals in fresh or sea-waters is a critical environmental process. The rate at which substances dissolve, from the dissolution of calcite crystals to the weathering of mountains, can influence major global issues such as climate change and sea-level rise. This paper explores a new solution-based rate equation for mineral dissolution that has profound environmental consequences. AbstractThis paper continues the search for a reliable, solution-based, rate equation for mineral dissolution, as the one dominant for over 40 years has recently been challenged by the Shrinking Object (SO) model. This study is needed to remedy several major environmental problems of immense social and economic importance including climate change, ocean acidification and industrial waste disposal. This paper describes the preliminary investigation of how reactors open and closed to CO2, which are used to study calcite dissolution, ought to be used with the SO model to gain maximum advantage. The open reactor is re-conceptualised as a constant head device for dissolved inorganic carbon, to give the kineticist a mechanistic description of it, to flesh out the thermodynamic categorisation. Application of this reveals that the recent experiments conducted in a reactor blown with CO2-free N2, which were central to the establishment of the concept of non-ideal dissolution of calcite, would have exaggerated the effect. Although this current study was still unable to determine conditions where the effect was absent, it does seem that it will be possible to skirt around this in the future, by approximating the classic works on the variation with pH of the initial rate of dissolution to full reaction curves from the SO model, which are exponential. To guide workers towards a further round of laboratory investigation on this, practical work on the dissolution of calcite crystallites in 0.311M Tris buffer at pH 8 or 9, under various partial pressures of CO2, in different reactors, and under various stirring and filtration strategies, is presented. Improved data runs, with unparalleled, strategically-spaced samplings, which show up the finer details of dissolution, can now be anticipated.

Development of porous spray-dried inhalable particles using an organic solvent-free technique

A simple technique to produce spray-dried porous particles for inhalatory administration was developed. The particles were produced using water as solvent, Sodium Cromoglycate as model drug and ammonium bicarbonate as pore forming agent. A central composite design was employed to study the influence of the: pore-forming agent concentration (in the drug aqueous solution fed to the spray dryer) and air inlet temperature on: process yield and powder properties. The powder particle size distribution, moisture content, densities and estimated aerodynamic diameters were studied. Also, particles morphology, hygroscopicity, surface area, in vitro aerosolization properties, dissolution rate and stability were evaluated for some selected samples. In addition, a novel friability test was proposed for mechanical resistance evaluation of the porous materials.A pore forming agent concentration of 1.25% (w/w) and an air inlet temperature of 170 °C were the optimal process parameters to produce porous particles suitable for inhalatory administration. The process yield was high and it was demonstrated that the particles were free of ammonium bicarbonate. The porous powder, obtained by a simple and scalable technique, exhibited low tap density, good stability even at long storage periods (12 months), appropriate mechanical resistance, high initial dissolution rate and excellent aerosolization performance.

Growth effects of the application of new controlled-release fertilizers on Phalaenopsis spp.

To develop a controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) suitable for nutrient absorption characteristics of Phalaenopsis, four kinds of new controlled-release fertilizer (NCRF 1–4) with different dissolution rates were developed and studied to determine the concentration and amount suitable for growth of Phalaenopsis. To make NCRF, new acryl-based polymers were developed and used as fertilizer coating solutions. In addition, a fluidized bed coater for coating fertilizer was developed and used in this study. To test the growth of Phalaenopsis, 10-month-old Phalaenopsis seedlings were planted in plastic pots (diameter 10 cm) filled with 100% Sphagnum moss and cultivated for approximately 100 days from May 29, 2015, to September 11, 2015. NCRF 1, NCRF 2, and Osmocote, an imported fertilizer, consistently exhibited release patterns of fertilizer nutrients in a directly proportional form; however, NCRF 3 and NCRF 4 displayed a sigmoid-like tendency of fertilizer nutrient release with a slower initial dissolution rate. Furthermore, leaf length, leaf width, fresh weigh, and root weight of Phalaenopsis were the highest when growing in 1.5 g/pot of NCRF 3 fertilizer, and the pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil were stable at this concentration of NCRF 3. Based on our results, we suggest that 1.5 g/pot of NCRF 3 fertilizer is the ideal concentration and fertilizer for growing Phalaenopsis.

Siderophore-promoted dissolution of ferrihydrite associated with adsorbed and coprecipitated natural organic matter

Acquisition of Fe(III) from hardly soluble Fe oxyhydroxides by bacteria, fungi and plants in soil is often facilitated by Fe(III)-chelating siderophores. While the siderophore-promoted dissolution of pure Fe oxyhydroxides and the influence of defined low molecular weight organic acids has been investigated meticulously, studies examining Fe oxyhydroxides coated with more complex adsorbed organic matter (OM) or Fe-OM coprecipitates have been sparse. This study therefore explored the impact of the composition of both adsorbed and coprecipitated OM on the siderophore-promoted dissolution of ferrihydrite (Fh) in relation to (i) surface site coverage and pore blockage, (ii)aggregation state, (iii) charge characteristics and (iv) crystallinity. In addition to pure Fh, Fh-OM adsorption complexes and Fe-OM coprecipitates were synthesized using OM of different origins (extracellular polymeric substances of Bacillus subtilis, natural OM (NOM) extracted from soil Oi and Oa horizons). The Fe-organic associations were characterized by N2 gas adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrophoretic mobility, particle size measurements and desorption experiments. Siderophore-mediated dissolution experiments with desferrioxamine-B (DFOB) were conducted at pH 4 and 7. At pH 4, adsorbed OM provided a more effective protection against DFOB due to its larger sorption affinity. At pH 7, the surface site blockage by adsorbed OM at comparable C loadings was less effective, while less aggregated particles were more prone to dissolution. For OM coprecipitated with Fe, there was no distinct accelerating or inhibiting effect on DFOB-promoted dissolution to be found. Initial Fe dissolution rates at given soil conditions were thus affected by both the type of OM and the sorption procedure. Our results therefore corroborate the importance of considering the heterogeneous composition of soil OM when investigating the mobilization of Fe-organic associations.

Development and in vitro evaluation of solid dispersions as strategy to improve albendazole biopharmaceutical behavior.

Solid dispersions using Poloxamer 407 as carrier were developed to improve albendazole (ABZ) solubility and dissolution profiles. ABZ/poloxamer solid dispersions were prepared, and dissolution profiles were mathematically modeled and compared with physical mixtures, pharmaceutical ABZ and a commercial formulation. Poloxamer 407 increased exponentially ABZ solubility, in about 400% when 95%w/w of polymer compared with its absence. Solid dispersions initial dissolution rate was three to 20-fold higher than physical mixtures, the drug and the commercial formulation. All the solid dispersions required less than 2.2min to reach an 80% of ABZ dissolution, while the commercial formulation needed around 40min. Solid dispersions improved ABZ solubility and dissolution rate, which could result in a faster absorption and an increased bioavailability.