Pharmaceutical Process Research Articles

Selection of Artificial Intelligence Technology For Digitalization of Order Fulfillment on Drug Factory Using Multi Criteria Decision Making

Objective: This paper aims to identify the most suitable Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology for the order fulfillment process in pharmaceutical factory, along with the key criteria and sub-criteria for successful AI implementation. Theoretical Framework: The study integrates theories of digital transformation, process optimization, and decision-making. Method: The research assesses digital readiness to evaluate a company's preparedness for digital transformation. The as-is process is mapped using BPMN to identify potential AI applications. AI technologies are then ranked using BWM and PROMETHEE methods, followed by scenario analysis to determine the optimal technology. Results and Discussion: Demand Forecasting is the top AI technology for adoption in the pharmaceutical factory's order fulfillment process, reducing cycle time by 29.50% to 21.80 hours. Research Implications: The research contributes to the understanding of selecting the most effective AI technology for optimizing the order fulfillment process in pharmaceutical companies, providing valuable insights for improving efficiency. Originality/Value: The study proposes a perspective on applying AI to optimize the order fulfillment process in pharmaceutical factory, offering valuable insights for improving operational efficiency through digital transformation.

Recent Updates in Nanocrystal Technology: A Reference to Oral Drug Delivery System

Increasing the oral bioavailability of drugs that dissolve slowly may be possible with the use of nanocrystal technology. It is being employed for drug engineering and research after making rapid advancements in recent years. The manufacturing process for pharmaceuticals is significantly hampered by the low solubility and quick rate of dissolution of poorly soluble medications. When taken orally, medications that are poorly soluble often have low and inconsistent bioavailability, which could lead to therapeutic failure. Pure drug nanocrystals prepared via "bottom-up" or "topdown" procedu are able to significantly improve the way poorly soluble medications dissolve thanks to their enormous surface area, which in turn enhances oral absorption. Nanocrystal medications allow for the creation of various dosage formulations. The use of nanocrystal technology in pharmaceutical research, particularly for oral drug delivery systems, is the main focus of this review. First, a quick discussion on the characteristics of pharmaceutical nanocrystals and several nanocrystal technology preparation techniques is provided. The application of nanocrystal technology in pharmaceutical science is covered after a discussion of the creation of prolonged-release formulations. Next follows a brief overview of the scaling-up procedure, commercial nanocrystal drug products, and regulatory aspects of nanodrugs. This paper offers a thorough explanation of preparation techniques, their characterisation, and how they are used in oral drug delivery systems.

Development of a Single Vial Mass Flow Rate Monitor to Assess Pharmaceutical Freeze Drying Heterogeneity.

During pharmaceutical lyophilization processes, inter-vial drying heterogeneity remains a significant obstacle. Due to differences in heat and mass transfer based on vial position within the freeze drier, edge vials freeze differently, are typically warmer and dry faster than center vials. This vial position-dependent heterogeneity within the freeze dryer leads to tradeoffs during process development. During primary drying, process developers must be careful to avoid shelf temperatures that would result in overheating of edge vials causing the product sublimation interface temperature to rise above the critical (collapse) temperature. However, at lower shelf temperatures, center vials require longer to complete primary drying, risking collapse or melt-back due to incomplete drying. Both situations may result in poor product quality affecting drug stability, activity, and reconstitution times. We present a new approach for monitoring vial location-specific water vapor mass flow based on Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS). The single vial monitor enables measurement of the gas flow velocity, water vapor temperature, and gas concentration from the sublimating ice, enabling the calculation of the mass flow rate which can be used in combination with a heat and mass transfer model to determine vial heat transfer coefficients and product resistance to drying. These parameters can in turn be used for robust and rapid process development and control.

Attentive graph neural network models for the prediction of blood brain barrier permeability.

The blood brain barrier's (BBB) unique endothelial cells and tight junctions selectively regulate passage of molecules to the central nervous system (CNS) to prevent pathogen entry and maintain neural homeostasis. Various neurological conditions and neurodegenerative diseases benefit from small molecules capable of BBB penetration (BBBP) to elicit a therapeutic effect. Predicting BBBP often involves in silico assessment of molecular properties such as lipophilicity (log P ) and polar surface area (PSA) using the CNS multiparameter optimization (MPO) method. This study curated an open-source dataset to benchmark rigorously machine learning (ML) and neural network (NN) models with each other and with MPO for predicting BBBP. Our analysis demonstrated that AI models, especially attentive NNs using stereochemical features, significantly outperform MPO in predicting BBBP. An attentive graph neural network (GNN), we refer to as CANDID-CNS™, achieved a 0.23-0.26 higher AUROC score than MPO on full test sets, and a 0.17-0.19 higher score on stereoisomers filtered subsets. Regarding stereoisomers that differ in BBBP, which MPO cannot distinguish, attentive GNNs correctly classify these with AUROC and MCC metrics comparable to or better than MPO's AUROC and MCC on less difficult test molecules. These findings suggest that integrating attentive GNN models into pharmaceutical drug discovery processes can substantially improve prediction rates, and thereby reduce the timeline, cost, and increase probability of success of designing brain penetrant therapeutics for the treatment of a wide variety of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.

Investigation of Rheological Properties of Molten Materials for Dripping Pills Based on Imaging Monitoring.

Rheological properties, as critical material attributes (CMAs) of solid dispersion drugs such as dripping pills, affect the melting, dispersion, and solidification. Therefore, characterization and assessments of rheological properties in the pharmaceutical process are important in enhancing drug stability and bioavailability. The study aimed to develop a method for analyzing the rheology of molten materials, assessing their consistency and how rheological properties affect the dripping process and pills quality. The rheological behavior of molten materials composed of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GBE) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 was characterized. Batch consistency of molten materials was evaluated. Image monitoring technology was utilized to capture and process images of the droplet formation process. We established the relationship between the rheological properties of molten materials and various attributes. The quality consistency of molten materials was evaluated, with 12 batches showing similarity above 0.8. The MLR models showed strong correlations (R2 > 0.80) between rheological properties and evaluation attributes. The rheological properties, including consistency coefficient, flow index, and viscosity at 80°C, were identified as critical rheological properties of the molten materials. Rheological property differences of molten materials have an impact on the morphology of droplet and quality performance. A rheological method was established, enabling quality consistency evaluation of molten materials in dripping pills. This study revealed the influence of rheological properties on droplet formation process and dripping pills quality, providing a reference for researches on material attributes control of other traditional Chinese medicine dripping pills.

3D printing novel enteric capsule shells for personalized drug delivery

Individualized drug delivery presents a viable strategy for enhancing medication efficacy and patient safety. It involves producing small batches of custom dosages tailored to each patient’s individual needs. However, current pharmaceutical manufacturing processes are not designed for personalized dosage forms. Additive manufacturing processes have great potential in the pharmaceutical industry due to the customizable nature of 3D printing technologies and the increasing demand for customized pharmaceutics and drug delivery systems. Conventional enteric capsules are prepared by dip coating to achieve gastro-resistant release, but the manufacturing process is erratic and unreliable. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of manufacturing enteric capsules from enteric polymers using the hot melt extrusion (HME) and fused filament fabrication (FFF) process. HME was utilized to prepare filaments using enteric polymers, Hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMC-AS), and Eudragit-L 100–55, with plasticizers, sorbitol, and polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG-4000), and a thermoplastic polymer, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). A computer-aided design program was utilized to design size 0 capsules. The prepared capsule design and filaments were used to fabricate capsules using the FFF process. Powdered red dye was used to simulate the drug and its release from FFF fabricated capsules was evaluated in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, pH 1.2 and 6.8, respectively. Various combinations of enteric polymer, plasticizer, and thermoplastic polymer were examined. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the temperatures used for processing polymer blends were well below their thermal degradation temperatures, and dye release profiles were generated using image analysis software. This study demonstrates that capsules made with HPMCAS, PEG-4000, and PVA via the FFF process are suitable for controlling drug release and that the release profile can be modified by making small changes to the formulation.

Implications of crystal disorder on the solid-state stability of Olanzapine

Mechanical perturbations of drug during solid pharmaceutical processing like milling can often generate crystal disorder posing serious implications to drug's stability. While physical changes like amorphization, recrystallization, polymorphism of the disordered drugs are extensively studied and reported in the literature, the propensities and inter-dependencies of recrystallization and degradation propensities of disordered drugs have seldom received deep attention. Previous investigations from our lab have explored some of these interplays, aiming to develop predictive stability models. As a follow-up, the implication of crystal disorder on the oxidative instability of Olanzapine (OLA) during accelerated storage is investigated in this work. Cryo-milling OLA at varied time intervals generated different extents of crystal disorder. The milled samples were characterized using calorimetry and infrared (IR) spectroscopy to examine the physical state, while their degradation was evaluated using ultra-performance liquid chromatographic methods. An X-ray amorphous OLA sample was generated by melt-cooling, and used as an amorphous reference. The crystallinity of the cryo-milled samples was quantified using a partial least square regression model based on ATR-FTIR spectroscopic data. The cryo-milled samples were exposed to different accelerated stability conditions along with crystalline (unmilled) and quench cooled (amorphous) samples, serving as controls. At periodic intervals, samples were removed from the stability storage, and analyzed using ATR-FTIR and UPLC methods to quantify the crystallinity- and degradation extents. A positive relation was witnessed between the initial degree of crystallinity and degradation kinetics of the disordered OLA samples during stability storage indicating a strong dependency of degradation on the disorder contents for such disordered solids. The results obtained in this study can potentially explain consequences of inter-batch variations of drugs during stability storage, in addition to enabling de-risking strategies towards eliminating solid drug instabilities in product development.

Dually Labeled Neurotensin NTS1R Ligands for Probing Radiochemical and Fluorescence-Based Binding Assays.

The determination of ligand-receptor binding affinities plays a key role in the development process of pharmaceuticals. While the classical radiochemical binding assay uses radioligands, fluorescence-based binding assays require fluorescent probes. Usually, radio- and fluorescence-labeled ligands are dissimilar in terms of structure and bioactivity, and can be used in either radiochemical or fluorescence-based assays. Aiming for a close comparison of both assay types, we synthesized tritiated fluorescent neurotensin receptor ligands ([3H]13, [3H]18) and their nontritiated analogues (13, 18). The labeled probes were studied in radiochemical and fluorescence-based (high-content imaging, flow cytometry, fluorescence anisotropy) binding assays. Equilibrium saturation binding yielded well-comparable ligand-receptor affinities, indicating that all these setups can be used for the screening of new drugs. In contrast, discrepancies were found in the kinetic behavior of the probes, which can be attributed to technical differences of the methods and require further studies with respect to the elucidation of the underlying mechanisms.

Autoencoder-based inverse design and surrogate-based optimization of an integrated wet granulation manufacturing process

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, integrating model-based design and optimization can be beneficial for accelerating process development. This study explores the utilization of Machine Learning (ML) techniques as a surrogate model for the optimization of a three-unit wet-granulation based flowsheet model for solid dosage form manufacturing. First, a reduced representation of a wet granulation flowsheet model is developed, incorporating a granulation and milling process, along with a novel dissolution model that accounts for the effect of particle size, porosity, and microstructure on dissolution rate. Two optimization approaches are compared, including an autoencoder-based inverse design and a surrogate-based forward optimization. Both methods address the bi-objective problem of maximizing dissolution time and product yield by identifying the optimal granulation and mill process parameters. For this case study, both approaches were effective and incurred a similar computational cost, averaging under 4 s. However, the autoencoder approach offers an advantage through dimensionality reduction, a feature not available in surrogate-based optimization. Dimensional reduction is particularly beneficial for complex process designs with numerous inputs and outputs. The lower dimensional representation helps improve process understanding through enhanced visualization of the process design space and facilitates feasibility studies involving multiple constraints. The autoencoder-based inverse design introduced in this work showcases an implementation of AI and ML in pharmaceutical process development, demonstrating the potential to enhance process efficiency and product quality in complex manufacturing scenarios.

Design and Optimization of Ibuprofen and Ranitidine Hydrochloride TriLayer Tablets in Immediate Release Formulation by Quality by Design.

The current trend in pharmaceutical process development and optimization is known as quality by design (QbD). This methodical approach is founded on the concept that quality should be integrated into the product from the start, rather than assessed after manufacture. In this study, we demonstrate methods to improve the process parameters for making tri-layer tablets by applying QbD principles in a methodical way. Dependent elements with high to medium impact on the process. According to the study’s results, all systems showed signs of instant release. It appears that the structure of each formulation and the properties of the polymer utilized have a significant impact on the rate and mechanism of drug release. Substantial medication release is observed in the three-layer formulations. Both the pace and mechanism of drug release are significantly affected by the tablet’s geometrical features and structure, as well as the weight and thickness of the barrier layers. While data suggested that Fickian diffusion was primarily responsible for drug release in two-layer tablets, three-layer tablets showed signs of either anomalous diffusion or erosion/relaxation. Therefore, the drug was stabilized as immediate-release directly compressible triple layered Average core weight of tri-layered tablets (mg) was 1000 for ibuprofen, 100 for placebo and 200 for ranitidine, thickness (mm) was 9.00 ± 0.3, hardness (N) was 110 ± 25, core tablet weight was 1300.000 ± 2% mg and coated tablet weight was 1325 mg. Using other moisture-sensitive medications. This study provides the foundation for future research into optimizing the properties of tablets made by direct compression.

Water interaction with MCC powder exposed to wetting–drying cycles: Comparison of capillary imbibition techniques

We investigate how wetting-and-drying (WD) cycles change the properties of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) powder (Avicel PH101), due to hornification, by performing the following experiments: (i) drop absorption in a slightly compressed powder bed, (ii) capillary imbibition in a packed powder column, and (iii) drop absorption into tablets obtained by direct compression. We use the MCC powder as received, as well as the powder obtained after one or more WD cycles. In each case, the powder is sieved and fractionated into two samples, with different particle size distribution. First, we perform drop absorption experiments using both water and silicone oil (Polydimethylsiloxane - PDMS) drops. We observe that WD cycles increase the absorption time for water, a particularly marked effect after the first cycle, for both particle size distributions. Comparing the absorption times of water and oil drops we obtain a parameter β that characterizes the water-MCC interaction in lieu of the contact angle, and accounts for both capillary and swelling phenomena. We observed that the main effect is produced after the first WD cycle exhibited by a large (more than 50%) reduction in the β value. Column imbibition experiments performed using water and PDMS show that, initially, water penetrates at a larger rate than PDMS. This initialing faster water uptake is more significant for larger particles and fewer WD cycles. A power law regime is obtained in each case with a ζ exponent. In particular, a Washburn-like imbibition regime with ζ=0.5 is recovered at long times for both liquids. In the last experimental technique, we study the absorption of water drops deposited on tablets obtained by direct compression of the full distribution of powder particle sizes. We observe that absorption time increases with increasing number of WD cycles of the MCC powder. This is quantified by the 30% reduction of the ζ exponent that models the penetration rate of the drop.In summary, we use three kinds of experiments that cover a wide range of characteristic time scales to quantify the effect of WD cycles on the interaction of water with a swelling powder like MCC. The importance of comparing responses under different timescales is that the swelling phenomenon modifies the properties of the material in time, while imbibition happens. It is shown by this study that in some cases, the phenomena can be decoupled (droplet absorption in porous media) while in other cases it cannot be (droplet on tablets and intermediate times in capillary rise). Finally, at long times in capillary rise, even when the swelling and imbibition effects are not decoupled, it is possible to estimate the permeability ratio, χ, and its dependence with the WD cycles when the results are used in combination with the ones from the droplet absorption on powder test. The permeability decreased about 8 times for no WD cycles, and it decreased much less (2 and 3 for small and large particles respectively) for one and two WD cycles. We were able to quantitative characterize the effects of water-MCC interaction and this is important in order to predict how some pharmaceutical processes, like wet granulation, will be affected.

A ratiometric fluorescent sensor based on dual-emitting carbon dots for the rapid detection of sulfite

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) derivatives are typically employed as antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical processing. However, excessive sulfite intake could trigger serious health problems. Hence, it is urgent to establish a rapid and effective system for monitoring SO2. This study adopted a one-step hydrothermal method to synthesize dual-emitting nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (CECDs) and developed a ratiometric sensor for sulfite using CECDs-Cr (VI) composites. The emission intensity ratio (I440/I500) of the CECDs-Cr (VI) composites increased considerably with the addition of HSO3−. A method based on the ratiometric sensor was established for SO2 derivatives with advanced efficiency and excellent linearity over a broad concentration range of 0–500 μM (R2 = 0.9946). Four medicine-food homology materials (MFHMs) fumigated with sulfur have been accurately detected using this approach. Furthermore, a portable test tube was prepared to achieve rapid and semi-quantitative detection of SO2 residues and applied to real samples. This work presents an effective approach to develop a rapid on-site detection platform for sulfite residues in food and pharmaceuticals.

Development and characterization of atmospheric pressure gliding Arc plasma jet

In this work, we present the development and comprehensive characterization of an atmospheric pressure gliding arc plasma jet (GAPJ) operating in ambient air to generate non-thermal plasma. Through systematic investigation, the relationship between jet length and airflow rate indicates a positive correlation. Electrical and optical techniques are utilized to characterize the discharge, revealing an impact of applied voltage and gas flow rate on discharge parameters. Calculations are made for parameters such as electron density ((0.62−3.44)×1019) m −3, average power dissipation (9.85−40.50) W, and root mean square values of current and voltage. The impacts of applied voltages and gas flow rate on these parameters are also examined. Electron excitation temperature is determined using the Boltzmann plot method, yielding values within the range of (1.36−1.44) eV. Rotational and vibrational temperatures of discharge are analyzed, revealing values of (1373−2065) K and (2700−2405) K, respectively, under different operational conditions. The generated non-thermal plasma is confined to form a plasma plume although it consists of two diverging electrodes and offers promising applications for specified areas of sterilization and decontamination in the medical, pharmaceutical, and food processing industries.

Production and characterization of bacteriocin from lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented food products

Bacteriocin is a natal antimicrobial which can be exploited to evade the inevitability of adding chemical preservatives to food products. This study is aimed at the production and characterization of bacteriocin from Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented food products. Sixteen (16) samples of various fermented food products (abacha, fufu, ogi and yoghurt) were screened for the presence of bacteriocin producing LAB using agar well diffusion method. The strain designated C6 was selected for further studies due to its broad inhibitory effect on the growth of all tested organisms (Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 33090, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MN 515053, Listeria innocua ATCC 2127, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida spp and Aspergillus terrus MN907795). Molecular characterization spotted C6 isolated from yoghurt as Lactobacillus fermentum (accession no. MN907811). Purification of the antimicrobial substance was achieved using High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with nisin as Standard which revealed it to be bacteriocin a proteinaceous antimicrobial that is stable to heat and organic solvents. Effect of substrate level on the growth of Lactobacillus fermentum and optimization of physicochemical parameters on bacteriocin production revealed optimum condition of 1.0 % glucose, 0.5 % sodium nitrate, pH of 6.0, incubation temperature of 35°C for 72h. This makes Lactobacillus fermentum and its bacteriocin a good antagonistic agent for exploitation in pharmaceutical and food processing industries as well as in the field of biotechnology.

Product development and characterization of a lipid-based Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation: Kalyanaka Ghrita

BackgroundKalyanaka Ghrita (KG) is polyherbal oleaginous medicament consisting of extracts from twenty-eight different plants, indicated for management of psychosomatic disorders like Unmada (Schizophrenia), Apasmara (Epilepsy) and numerous other ailments. ObjectiveTo develop and validate standard manufacturing procedure of KG by following Ayurvedic principles in three batches to ensure process uniformity and standards. Materials and methodsThree batches of KG were prepared by adopting principles of Ashtanga Hrudya and Ayurvedic Formulary of India to ensure consistency in manufacturing process. Observations during process such as temperature, duration were recorded. KG was subjected to chief desired characteristics, organoleptic (color, odour, taste, texture, touch), physicochemical (acid value, peroxide value, iodine value, saponification value, loss on drying, refractive index, specific gravity, mineral oil, rancidity test, viscosity) as per pharmacopeial standard. Chromatographic screening and fingerprinting of KG were conducted through GCMS whereas quantification of curcumin and chebulagic acid biomarkers were assessed through HPLC. ResultsAverage yield of KG was 83.41%, with average intermittent heating duration of 20.35 h subsequently divided into three days. Temperature throughout preparation ranged from 66 °C to 101 °C. KG was pale olive in colour, exhibiting pleasant taste, characteristic smell, and soft texture. Organoleptic and physicochemical characters were comparable for three batches of KG while safety parameters were found within permissible limits. ConclusionPharmaceutical standardization of Kalyanaka Ghrita is necessary for establishing biological and chemical profile of formulations. Present study recommends use of coarse powdered ingredients for optimal yield during pharmaceutical process, and heating up to Madhyama Paka stage calibrated over three days with average temperature of 85 °C. The data obtained from this study may contribute to future research and development activities, serving as a basis for manufacturing standards of KG.

P19-72 Comparative risk profile of Dichloromethane (DCM) and non-halogenated solvent alternatives in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes

P19-72 Comparative risk profile of Dichloromethane (DCM) and non-halogenated solvent alternatives in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes

Performance Evaluation of Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technologies in Herbal Processing and Extraction Industry

"Due to enormous quantities with hazards and complexity in nature is a big challenge for effective treatment of wastewater from pharmaceutical processes including herbal extraction through conventional methods of distillation. The situation is further aggravated in countries facing high rising population, urbanization, and industrialization resulting in the generation of industrial wastes. The study has been carried out in the herbal extraction industry by conducting stage-wise sampling of ETP based on the conventional method and further coupled with ozonation as an advanced treatment to comply with regulatory standards. Additionally, the same process was studied that implementing the best available technology (BAT) by providing ETP with advanced technology modules such as MBR (membrane bioreactor) + RO + O3 has not only resulted in compliance with standards but also reuse of treated wastewater into the process and utilities has been proved to be techno-economically a viable and sustainable option. Modifying existing aeration tanks and advanced oxidation through ozone injection post-biological treatment has resulted in COD and BOD reduction of 96.42% and 99.0% respectively. Whereas in the case of MBR + RO + O3, the values of pH, BOD, COD, TSS, and sulfide have been observed as 8.32, 2.0 mg.L-1, 14.0 mg.L-1, 1.0 mg.L-1 and 0.0 mg.L-1 respectively and 98% recovery of treated effluent, thus saving 44 KL.day-1 of freshwater resulting into significant financial benefits of Rupees 12.59 acs annually, which otherwise was outsourced through tankers."

Biogenic Nanoparticles at the Forefront: Transforming Industrial Wastewater Treatment with TiO2 and Graphene

This review article comprehensively examines the potential of biosynthesized TiO2 and graphene nanoparticles in industrial wastewater treatment, highlighting their effectiveness, environmental benefits, and challenges. The review focuses on green synthesis methods, which enhance sustainability and reduce the toxicity of these nanoparticles while maintaining their high efficiency in degrading organic pollutants and adsorbing heavy metals across various industrial applications, including textile, pharmaceutical, chemical, and metal processing. The discussion also covers environmental and safety considerations, such as the toxicity of nanoparticles and the importance of recycling and reuse strategies to minimise their ecological impact. Additionally, the article addresses regulatory and ethical issues, emphasizing the need for robust frameworks to ensure the responsible use of nanotechnology. Future research directions are suggested, including improving biosynthesis methods and scaling up applications for broader industrial use. This review underscores the significant potential of biosynthesised TiO2 and graphene nanoparticles as sustainable and powerful tools for global environmental remediation.

Application of antioxidants in cold plasma treatment of fish oil

As a mild non-thermal treatment technology, cold plasma can lead to lipid oxidation when applied to products with high lipid content. This study focuses on the physical and chemical properties of fish oil with cold plasma treatment and to explore the potential of Curcumin, Tea polyphenols, Vitamin E and β-Carotene in inhibit the oxidation process. Following treatment, the peroxide value and malondialdehyde value of the fish oil significantly increased, while the content of unsaturated fatty acids decreased and the singlet oxygen content rose (p < 0.0 5). However, the introduction of antioxidants during treatment yielded diminished peroxide and malondialdehyde values in the fish oil, thereby effectively curbing the presence of singlet oxygen. Notably, fish oil enriched with vitamin E exhibited the most robust antioxidant activity among the tested compounds. This study offers insights into strategies for enhancing the stability of high-fat foods subjected to cold plasma treatment. Industrial relevanceFish oil has long been essential in the processing of food, pharmaceuticals, and animal feed, making its quality crucial. This study revealed that cold plasma treatment accelerated the oxidation of fish oil; however, the addition of antioxidants effectively mitigated this effect. In industrial settings, cold plasma technology is favored in the food industry for its low-temperature operation and high efficiency in microbial inactivation. Despite these advantages, the reactive species produced during the process can cause lipid peroxidation and alter amino acids in proteins. This research offered critical insights into optimizing process parameters to minimize lipid oxidation. It also lays the groundwork for developing more efficient and safer food processing technologies and offers new approaches to extending the shelf life of fish oil and other lipid-rich foods during cold plasma treatment.

Power of photo-stress analysis in unravelling the mechanics of granular materials and its applications in interdisciplinary research

Granular materials, such as various grains and granulated powders, are essential in numerous industrial applications and natural processes, including the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and materials processing industries. They also play a significant role in geotechnical phenomena like the shear-driven collapses of embankments and landslides, which can lead to extensive damage and disruptions. Despite a significant surge in research activities and advancements in discrete element modelling (DEM) tools since the late 1970s, understanding the mechanical characteristics of granular materials remains complex. Experimental techniques such as photo stress analysis (PSA), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and X-ray tomography (XRT) offer valuable insights, yet there is still a lack of detailed information on how granular materials respond mechanically at the microscale under various loading conditions. This knowledge gap affects industrial product quality, equipment safety, production efficiency, operational costs, environmental compliance, and overall safety. In this paper, we initially focus on our scientific contributions to the development of photo stress analysis (PSA) in unravelling the load-transmission characteristics of granular materials of varying sizes and structures (two-dimensional and quasi-three-dimensional) under different mechanical loading environments and applications. Where relevant, discrete element modelling (DEM) complements PSA to enhance our understanding of granular mechanics. We then present the application of PSA to selected key interdisciplinary areas from our recent work, demonstrating the power of PSA. Despite current challenges in applying PSA to three-dimensional granular systems, the results reported here significantly advance our fundamental understanding of the particle-scale and micromechanical characteristics in granular mechanics and particulate engineering. This work highlights the potential of PSA in addressing various inter- and multidisciplinary research problems in the future.