Low Molecular Weight Organogelators Research Articles

Spatiotemporal Release of Singlet Oxygen in Low Molecular Weight Organo-Gels Upon Thermal or Photochemical External Stimuli.

The first example of a material capable of spatiotemporal catch and release of singlet oxygen (1O2) in gel phase is presented. Several low molecular weight organogelators based around an oxotriphenylhexanoate (OTHO) core are developed and optimized with regard to; their gelation properties, and ability of releasing 1O2 upon thermal and/or photochemical external stimuli, in both gel phase and solution. Remarkably, reversible phase transitioning between the gel and solution phase are also demonstrated. Taken together two complementary modes of releasing 1O2, one thermally controlled over time, and one rapid release by means of photochemical stimuli is disclosed. These findings represent the first phase reversible system where function and aggregation properties can be controlled independently, and thus pave the way for novel applications in material sciences as well as in life sciences.

Formulation and Characterization of Curcumin 12-Hydroxystearic Acid in Triacetin Organogel for Topical Administration

Background: Curcumin (CUR) and its derivatives have shown a wide variety of biological activities, such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antimicrobial and antiparasitic effects as well as for the treatment of skin diseases. Due to its physico-chemical limitations such as low aqueous solubility and low bioavailability, we developed curcumin organogel as a topical delivery system to overcome those limitations. The12-hydroxystearic acid (12-HSA) is well known as a low-molecular-weight organogelators (LMOGs) capable of gelling an organic liquid phase. Different concentrations of (12-HSA) in triacetin with 50 mg CUR were gelled and applied for various examinations: tabletop rheology, oil binding capacity, pH measurement, spreadability, in vitro drug release, antibacterial activity and oscillatory rheology studies. The results revealed that the organogels transition temperatures from solid to liquid were greater than the normal body temperature, this helped the organogels keep their shape; they had good spreadability,and the organogels pH levels were within the safe range for the skin . In vitro release data showed that 4% 12HSA+5%CUR +TA (4TA) gave us 100% release after 6 hours. The selected 4TA illustrated good viscoelastic properties in the amplitude sweep test and a frequency-independent as seen in the frequency sweep test. CUR has good antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus pyrogen, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli, which prevail at the site of wound injury as this pointed out that 4TA organogel can be used for topical wound healing.

Aggregation induced emission and volatile acid vapour sensing in acridine appended poly (aryl ether) based low molecular weight organogelator.

Considerable research attention has been devoted to the development of portable and rapid fluorescence sensors that can selectively detect volatile acids, due to the harmful effects of acid vapour on the environment and human health. Although various types of fluorophores have been reported for sensing volatile acid vapours, regulation of the sensory response using aggregation induced emissive (AIE) based gelators has rarely been reported. In this study, we present the design and synthesis of a novel organogelator that is capable of sensing volatile acids through AIE. An acridine-attached poly(aryl ether) dendron molecular system is synthesized through an aldimine coupling reaction, which self-assembles and forms a gel, exhibiting AIE behavior. The synthesized molecule and prepared gel were characterized using NMR, MASS, XRD, HRSEM and rheology techniques. The AIE property of APD was investigated using steady-state absorption and emission spectroscopic techniques. The sensory response of the APD gelator was tested with various analytes, and the results indicated that APD shows rapid response, particularly to acid vapours, where the detection limits (DL) of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and nitric acid (HNO3) vapor were as low as 0.22, 0.9 and 0.30 ppm, respectively. An APD solid film in filter paper shows a visual color change from yellow to red in an aqueous acidic medium, and the effect is reversed in an alkaline medium. These findings suggest that an APD gelator could potentially be utilized to generate a portable acid vapor sensor kit due to its low detection limit and rapid response time, and it could be also be used as a substitute for existing acid indicators.

Facile ultrasound assisted assembly of urea linked organogelator for phase selective recovery of chlorinated solvents

Due to rapid industrialization, there is an increased consumption of organic solvents especially chlorinated solvents and their accidental leakage is difficult to circumvent. Although several amide and imine linked organogelators have been developed, very few are suitable for efficient gelation of harmful chlorinated solvents. Herein, for the first time, we propose the synthesis of urea linked supramolecular Low Molecular Weight Organogelators (OG) for efficient phase selective recovery of aromatic chlorinated solvents. The gelation was induced rapidly by sonication, unlike the prolonged conventional heating cooling cycle. Gelator was characterised using CP-MAS, FTIR, TGA, FESEM and DSC. Under optimal conditions an effective self-assembling was observed in the presence of a variety of chlorinated solvents. CHCl3, CCl4, aromatic chlorinated solvents like chlorobenzene, 2-chlorotoluene, 3-chlorotoluene and chlorotoluene in preference to other organic solvents. The role of chlorinated solvent in self-assembling was proposed. Further, practical application for the recovery of the solvents is demonstrated by phase selective gelation studies. With high solvent recovery and retention rate of > 95 %. This work signifies the role of urea based supramolecular gelators in the potential recovery of leaked chlorinated solvents from water.

Click synthesis and self-assembly of novel dendritic ethylene glycol/alkyl-substituted diarylated triazoles into supramolecular nanofibers

Copper-catalyzed 1, 3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between azides and alkynes under mild conditions has been known to exhibit high selectivity and good yields of 1, 2, 3-triazole. Additionally, 1, 2, 3-triazoles are used in various medical and pharmaceutical applications. Herein, we present novel low molecular weight organogelators from fluorescent ethylene glycol/alkyl-substituted 2, 6-diarylated pyridine 1, 2, 3-triazoles. Compact supramolecular architectures were created by the self-assembly of the synthesized gelators. The gel formation activity of the prepared ethylene glycol/alkyl-substituted 2, 6-diarylated pyridine triazoles were presented. The synthesis process was achieved by copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) of ethylene glycol/alkyl-functionalized aromatic azide with aromatic alkyne bearing alkyl ester tails of various lengths. The ethylene glycol/alkyl-functionalized diaryl triazoles were investigated by 1H/13C NMR and FTIR spectroscopic methods. Triazoles with long ethylene glycol and/or alkyl ester tails showed an enhanced gelation activity as compared to those with shorter ethylene glycol and/or alkyl ester tails. The morphological features of the self-assembled ethylene glycol/alkyl-substituted arylated triazoles were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), demonstrating supramolecular nanofibrous assemblies. Those supramolecular assemblies were forced by van der Waals and π-stacks interactions. Both antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of the synthesized arylated triazole gelators were studied.

Development of Thixotropic Molecular Oleogels Comprising Alkylanilide Gelators by Using a Mixing Strategy.

Molecular oleogels have the potential to be used as materials in healthcare applications. However, their design and synthesis are complex, thus requiring simple and effective methods for their preparation. This paper reports on alkylanilides that are low molecular-weight organogelators, which when appropriately mixed with different alkyl chain lengths could result in the formation of mixed molecular gels that exhibit excellent gel-forming ability and mechanical properties. In addition, the single and mixed molecular organogel systems were found to be applicable as single and mixed molecular oleogel systems capable of gelling oils such as olive oil and squalane. This has been found to be true, especially in molecular oleogel systems consisting of squalane, which is used as solvents in healthcare. The mixed squalene-molecular oleogel systems showed an increase in the critical (minimum) gelation concentration from 1.0 to 0.1 wt.% in the single system and an improvement in the thixotropic behavior recovery time. The thixotropic behavior of the molecular oleogels in the mixed system was quantitatively evaluated through dynamic viscoelasticity measurements; however, it was not observed for the single-system molecular oleogels. Scanning electron microscopy of the xerogels suggested that this behavior is related to the qualitative improvement of the network owing to the refinement of the mesh structure. These mixed molecular oleogels, composed of alkylanilides displaying such thixotropic behavior, could be used as candidates for ointment-base materials in the healthcare field.

Thiourea-based low molecular-mass organogelators from (+)-dehydroabietylamine

Three new thiourea-based thermo-reversible, low molecular weight organogelators (LMOGs) 3-5 have been synthesized using (+)-Dehydroabietylamine (DAA, a tricyclic diterpene) employing DLS (Diterpene-Linker-spacer) strategy. (+) DAA was converted into isothiocynates through a cascade of reactions and cross-coupled with primary amines to furnish thiourea 3-5 with respective spacers. The structures of gelators 3-5 were confirmed through 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, high-resolution electron spray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESI–MS, positive mode) and FTIR spectroscopy. Gelation potential of gelators 3-5 was investigated through inverted test tube method and sol–gel transition measured by ball-dropping method. The results revealed that unbranched alkyl groups furnish gelation and their gelation ability increases with increasing spacer length. Gelator 5 with dodecyl chain found to be excellent gelator that can gelate hexane (spontaneously), toluene, methanol, ethanol, petrol, and diesel. Morphology of gels was studied though scanning electron microscopy exhibiting fibrillar to lamellar structure with a thickness in the range of 9.5 nm to 5.0 μm with increasing length of spacer.

Formulation and Assessment of Delayed/Slow-Release Diclofenac Sodium Edible Organogel Utilizing Low Molecular Weight Organogelators

Organogel as a system was to estimate its capacity to delay and slow the drug release in the duodenum. The gelators, 12HSA (12-hydroxystearic acid), span 60. span 40 were used; the castor oil (CO) and anise oil (AO) also represented the liquid phase. To achieve the goal of this work was by using diclofenac sodium (DS). Organogels specifications were by estimating thermal attitude using tabletop rheology and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The organogel strength study was by applying oscillatory rheology tests the amplitude sweep and the frequency sweep. Realizing the morphology of the organogel was done utilizing an optical microscope. CO and AO binding capacity was also manifested. The transition temperatures for all organogels were reversible. Imaging demonstrated spherulites aggregates for organogels of 12HSA and span 40 in CO and AO while span 60 organogels in both oils existed as fibers aggregates. Furthermore, organogels exhibited viscoelastic characteristics as 20 wt% 12HSA in both oils were frequency-independent. The results revealed that the HPMC capsule containing the organogel resisted the dissolution in the acidic media for two hours. Moreover, organogels slowed the release of DS for 24 hours in an alkaline medium. Finally, all the selected organogel in CO exhibited a high oil binding capacity.

Alanine‐Induced Alteration of Organogelation Properties of Phenylalanine‐Based Shortest Peptide Sequence

AbstractShort peptide based Low‐molecular‐weight‐organogelators (LMWGs), or supramolecular gels have recently gained large attention due to their enormous application in several biophysical and biochemical contexts. Out of the 20 naturally occurring amino acids Phenylalanine (Phe) acts as a good organogelators. Biophysical parameters like heat, pH, and solvent polarity, along with light, ultrasound, ions, can affect in alteration of supramolecular self‐aggregation at the molecular level in moderate length of peptide sequences; however, we focused here on how the conformational characteristics and supramolecular assemblages of the excellent LMWG Phe would be influenced by its substitution with similar hydrophobic amino acids (e.g Ala) in the same organic solvent even in the shortest two residue sequence. Using different microscopic and biophysical techniques, it is observed that the supreme capability of Phe residue as LMWG in the formation of supramolecular self‐aggregation in Hex‐Phe(1)‐Phe(2)‐OMe (FF) in organic solvents has been completely altered from fibrillary dendrimeric network to the crystalline phase by substitution with Ala at the C‐terminal [Hex‐Phe(1)‐Ala(2)‐OMe](FA) in a simple two residue sequence. This demonstrates unequivocally how a little change in the peptide side chain has the unique ability to form a distinct 3D supramolecular assembly and establishes the context‐dependent supramolecular morphology of the peptide‐based LMWG.

Functionality of Puff Pastry Olive Pomace Oil-Based Margarines and Their Baking Performance.

Designing healthier lipids is a current approach to developing potential functional foods. Olive pomace oil (OPO) has beneficial effects on human health, attributed to its high oleic acid content and unique bioactive compounds. Four puff pastry margarines (PP-M), based on OPO (M1, M2 at 40.8%, and M3, M4 at 30.8%, and cocoa butter at 10%) combined with low molecular weight organogelators, were prepared using two initial cooling rates (M1, M3 at 0.144 °C/min and M2, M4 at 0.380 °C/min) and compared to both commercial puff pastry (PP) butter (CB) and fatty preparation (CFP). Subsequently, six baked PP counterparts were elaborated. Physical-chemical, mechanical properties, and lipid profiles were analyzed in M1-M4 and PP, while thermal properties were determined in M1-M4. Sensory analysis was carried out in PP-M1 and PP-M3 counterparts. Elasticity (G') of M1-M4 samples was between that of controls CB and CFP, although a higher OPO content reduced viscous modulus (G″). The initial cooling rate did not affect the melting behavior of M1-M4. The firmness of PP-M1 was similar to that of PP-CB and PP-CFP, and the better spreadability and plasticity of M1 positively favored PP puffing. In addition, PP-M1 had 36.8% less SFA content than baked PP-CB, and its overall acceptability was similar. For the first time, a new margarine with high OPO content, showing adequate firmness, spreadability, and plasticity, was formulated, which gave rise to PP with appropriate performance and sensory quality and a healthy lipid profile.

Low-Molecular-Weight Organogelators Based on N-dodecanoyl-L-amino Acids-Energy Frameworks and Supramolecular Synthons.

Lauric acid was used to synthesize the low-molecular-weight organogelators (LMOGs), derivatives of two endogenous (L)-alanine, (L)-leucine, and three exogenous (L)-valine, (L)-phenylalanine, and (L)-proline amino acids. The nature of processes responsible for the gel formation both in polar and in apolar solvents of such compounds is still under investigation. Knowing that the organization of surfactant molecules affects the properties of nano scale materials and gels, we decided to elucidate this problem using crystallographic diffraction and energy frameworks analysis. The single crystals of the mentioned compounds were produced successfully from heptane/tBuOMe mixture. The compounds form lamellar self-assemblies in crystals. The energetic landscapes of single crystals of a series of studied amphiphilic gelators have been analyzed to explore the gelling properties. The presented results may be used as model systems to understand which supramolecular interactions observed in the solid state and what energy contributions are desired in the designing of new low-molecular-weight organic gelators.

Impact of polymorphism in oleogels of N-palmitoyl-L-phenylalanine.

Gels of edible oils, also called oleogels, are developed as alternative products of solid fats to limit the uptake of saturated and trans-unsaturated fats and lower the associated risk of coronary disease. The gelation of oils can be achieved with a low molecular weight organogelator (LMWO), a compound that self-assembles at low concentrations in a solid 3D network and provides the mixture its solid-like behavior. We have studied N-palmitoyl-L-phenylalanine (Palm-Phe), an endogenous compound (i.e. naturally present in the human body) as a model LMWO of rapeseed oil. Palm-Phe forms gels at a concentration of 1 wt% in rapeseed oil. We have studied the thermodynamic and mechanical behavior of the corresponding gels. As evidenced by DSC and rheology, this system exhibits two transitions upon heating, in addition to the sol-gel transition, a gel-gel transition between two polymorphic gels. The structural differences between both polymorphs were revealed using cryo-SEM, X-rays scattering, and FTIR experiments. The metastability of one of the polymorphs was proven by ageing and annealing experiments.

Thermodynamics, morphology and molecular structure of molecular compounds in trisamide triarylamine organogels and pseudo-organogels.

In this paper, potentially-gelling binary systems are investigated by DSC, X-ray and Electron microscopy in order to assess their gel status and the role of the Hansen solubility parameter. The low molecular weight organogelator is a Triarylamine Trisamide (TATA) while the solvents consist of a series of halogeno-ethanes and of toluene. Temperature-concentration phase diagrams are mapped out from DSC traces. They reveal the existence of one or more TATA/solvent molecular compounds. The X-ray data, that display different diffraction patterns depending on the solvent and the temperature, show the existence of different molecular structures, and thus confirm the outcome of the T-C phase diagram. Tentative molecular organizations are also discussed in light of previous results obtained in the solid state. The morphology by TEM on dilute systems, and TEM on more concentrated systems highlight the degree of physical cross-links, which leads one to regard some systems as pseudo-gels.

Halogen- and hydrogen-bonded self-assembled fibrillar networks of substituted 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidene-D-sorbitols (DBS).

Substituting the sole primary hydroxyl group of the low molecular weight organogelator (LMOG), 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidene-D-sorbitol (DBS), with a halogen atom (Cl, Br, or I; i.e., 6-Cl-DBS, 6-Br-DBS, or 6-I-DBS) drastically alters the supramolecular self-assembled fibrillar network (SAFiN) that forms when the molecules aggregate. The SAFiN varies depending on the solvent properties, impacting the role of non-covalent hydrogen- and halogen-bonding interactions along and between fibers. The halogenated DBS derivatives have more coherent crystalline fibers than DBS, with larger length-to-width aspect ratios. High-resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction of each wet-state gel in toluene and DFT optimization obtained complete structures for the three halogenated DBS derivatives in their SAFiNs. The presence of a halogen atom reduces the reliance on hydrogen bonding by enabling new halogen bonding interactions that impact the self-assembly behavior, especially in solvents of higher polarity. For 6-I-DBS and 6-Br-DBS, the primary forces driving molecular self-assembly are C-H⋯π and intermolecular halogen-to-halogen interactions, and there is one unique molecule in each unit cell. However, the Cl atoms of 6-Cl-DBS are not close, and its SAFiN structures rely more on hydrogen bonding. As a result, the enhanced hydrogen bonding, electronic differences among the halogens, and spatial factors allow its unit cell to include two independent molecules of 6-Cl-DBS.

Sugar-Based Phase-Selective Supramolecular Self-Assembly System for Dye Removal and Selective Detection of Cu2+ Ions.

Simple, effective, and eco-friendly sugar-based phase-selective gelators were synthesized at a low cost. They showed high gelling ability toward a wide range of solvents at lower concentrations (minimum gelation concentration ∼0.3%). Preliminary tests reveal that these low molecular weight organogelators can immediately and phase-selectively gel benzene, toluene, petrol, and kerosene in water at room temperature. We also identified G13 in toluene as the good gelator, and the corresponding organogel proficiently removes water-soluble dyes from their concentrated aqueous solutions. This efficient removal of toxic organic solvents and dyes from water suggests promising applications in removing organic substances from contaminated water resources. The thermoreversible gel exhibits effective rechargeability up to five cycles of burning and gelation, which imply the flame stability of the gel. Interestingly, these compounds had a high detection ability toward Cu2+ ions with a state change from gel to the solution. The physical justification for gelation mechanisms and the molecular interaction with metal ions were further confirmed by computational studies.

Synthesis and Self-assembly of Novel Nanofeather-like Fluorescent Alkyloxy-Containing Diphenyl Ether Organogelators.

In this study, novel fluorescent low molecular-weight organogelators are derived from diphenyl ethers and substituted with para-alkoxy groups of different aliphatic chain lengths. The present research promotes the preparation of innovative nanofeather-like assemblies from the synthesized diphenyl ether-derived organogelators. The gelation performance of the prepared alkoxy-substituted diphenyl ethers was reported. The synthesis procedure was achieved by using a base-catalyzed reaction of hydroxyl-substituted diphenyl with various alcohols of different aliphatic chain lengths. The chemical structures of the synthesized diphenyl ether derivatives were studied by 1H/13C NMR and infrared spectroscopy. Fluorescence and UV–vis absorption spectral analyses showed solvatochromism. The diphenyl ether derivatives with longer alkoxy terminal substituents showed enhanced thermoreversible gelation activity as compared to the diphenyl ether derivatives with shorter alkoxy terminal substituents. The morphological properties of the self-assembled diphenyl ethers were studied by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, which showed supramolecular architectures of highly ordered nanofeathers, enforced by van der Waals interactions and π-stacks. Depending on the length of the aliphatic tail, different morphologies were detected, including nanofeathers, nanofibers, and nanosheets. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of the prepared diphenyl ether-derived organogelators were examined to confirm their possible use in various fields like drug delivery systems.

Design and evaluation of molecular organogel based on folic acid as a potential green drug carrier for oral route

Objective The low molecular weight organogels are interesting carriers for pharmaceutical compounds. However, their uses are limited due to the toxicity burden of the organic solvent used. Hence, this study aimed to prepare organogel using folic acid (FA) in different concentrations as a gelator for propylene glycol (PG) biocompatible solvent. Methods The simple mixing method followed by incubation in a water bath at 90 °C was used to prepare organogels. Then, formulations were assessed using different methods including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dropping method, attenuated total reflectance – Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), oscillatory rheology studies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and in vitro dissolution study. Results Gel formation and its consistency were highly depending on FA concentration. The results showed that increasing the concentration of FA in the organogel led to accelerating the gelation process, and the least amount of FA that could gel the PG was 0.25% w/w. However, higher concentrations were needed to create an organogel with excellent properties. The DSC and dropping studies revealed stable organogels formulations at body temperature. The ATR-FTIR showed interactions between the pteridine ring of FA and PG. The strain amplitude and frequency sweep tests demonstrated an increase in storage modulus values as the concentration of FA increased at 37 °C, which were frequency independent at high frequencies. In addition, the SEM exposed the fabrics like the structure of these organogels. Furthermore, the in vitro dissolution of organogel was pH-dependent, with a high possibility of taking place in the large intestine. Conclusion FA/PG organogel formulation is a promising carrier for drug and nutraceuticals compound for the oral delivery system.

Investigation of the Gelation Potential of Low Molecular Weight Organogelator

In this study, low molecular weight amide compound was employed as the organogelator and its gelation potential was investigated with various solvents. The morphological properties of the obtained gels were investigated. The network structure of the obtained gel was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fatty acid esters used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries and also solvents commonly used in the laboratory were employed for gelation. According to this process, the organogelator formed a gel with all the fatty acid esters at very low concentrations and with only anisole, xylene, liquid paraffin and n-dodecane of common organic solvents. Among the gels obtained, those with the lowest concentration were made with isopropyl laurate and isopropyl myristate. It was determined that the melting temperature of the gels prepared with fatty acid esters was higher than those prepared in common solvents. The organogel with the highest melting temperature is the gels made with isopropyl myristate and isopropyl palmitate. In addition, gelation enthalpy values ΔHg were found. According to the results obtained, it was determined that the highest ΔHg value belonged to the gel prepared with isopropyl laurate.

Phase-selective low molecular weight organogelators derived from allylated d-mannose

In the last decades, synthesis and design of low molecular weight organogelators has gained increasing attention due to their versatile use in, for example, cosmetics, biomedicine and oil spill remediation. In this work, three potential gelators have been prepared from allylated d-mannose. Both the gelators and the corresponding gels formed were thoroughly characterized by crystallography, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, rheometry and NMR spectroscopy, in solution and in solid state. The results showed that two of the compounds phase-selectively form gels with hydrocarbon solvents. The most promising gelator compound is alkene terminated, with the unsaturated end functionality not critical for gel formation, tentatively providing the possibility for customizing the gelation properties by further chemical modification. Alternatively, the alkene group could possibly be utilized as a linker for future coupling to carrier materials or surfaces to further increase the mechanical strength of the gel.

Water-in-Oil Emulsion Gels Stabilized by a Low-Molecular Weight Organogelator Derived from Dehydroabietic Acid.

High concentrations of surfactants or gelators are usually necessary to prepare emulsions gels with unusual physicochemical properties. This situation may be improved by innovating the aggregate morphology in systems. Herein, a rosin-based molecule is designed and synthesized using dehydroabietic acid as the starting material (denoted as R-Lys-R). The molecule acts as an effective organogelator and can gelate several hydrocarbon compounds with a minimum gelation concentration of 0.2% (w/v). Analysis using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and circular dichroism (CD) reveals that in n-decane, R-Lys-R forms left-handed helical fibers with a cross-sectional diameter of approximately 15 nm. The directional hydrogen bonding of the amide group is helpful to the formation of aggregates. At concentrations of R-Lys-R above 2%, water-in-oil emulsions are transformed into emulsion gels owing to the aptitude of R-Lys-R in gelating the oil phase. The concentrations of the emulsifier can be adjusted to obtain emulsion gels with different formulations. This work reveals the potential of rosin derivatives for the formation of small molecular weight organogels and provides a novel method for the utilization of natural resources in soft materials and home care products.