Physical Chemical Stability Research Articles

Investigating antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of liquid smoke and physical-chemical stability of bacon subjected to liquid smoke and conventional smoking.

Liquid smoke, an alternative to traditional wood burning smoking, enhances product value by imparting desirable characteristics such as aroma, flavor, and color. Furthermore, it contains components with inherent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This study compares the effects of liquid smoke and conventional smoking methods in bacon processing. Over a 90-day storage period at 22°C, physical-chemical stability, sensory attributes, and microbiological characteristics of the bacon were evaluated. The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of liquid smoke were assessed. Liquid smoke exhibited antioxidant activity, with an inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 0.19mg/mL, indicating the concentration of the extract needed to inhibit 50% of DPPH (2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals. Moreover, it demonstrated antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli, Salmonella choleraesius, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes, with a minimum bactericidal concentration ranging from 7.5% to 10%. Throughout the storage, bacon treated with liquid smoke showed no signs of rancid odor, supported by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values below 0.85mgMDA/kg (where MDA is malondialdehyde). The utilization of liquid smoke yielded visually attractive bacon with enhanced color attributes, including a distinct yellow and red hue, as well as increased luminosity and brightness, surpassing the effects of traditional smoke. Remarkably, liquid smoke application significantly reduced processing time from 30h to approximately 5h, leading to substantial cost savings in the processing phase.

A Review on Solid Lipid Nanoparticles as Nano Drug Delivery Transporters

Abstract: Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) have several potential uses in research for medicine such as drug discovery and drug delivery, an area at the forefront of evolving area of nanobiotechnology. In general, SLNs were created to address the drawbacks of conventional colloidal carriers, including emulsions, liposomes, and polymeric nanoparticles since they provide various advantages such as favourable release profiles and tailored drug delivery with outstanding physical-chemical stability. Solid lipid nanoparticles are spherical solid lipid particles that are distributed in water or an aqueous surfactant solution and are in the nanometer size range. Therefore, SLN is used to deliver hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. The review article focuses on various aspects of SLN including the structure, the influence of excipients, the drug incorporation model, the principle of release, the method of preparation, characterization, the route of administration and biodistribution, and the application of SLN.

Hierarchical porous carbon nanofibrous membranes with elaborated chemical surfaces for efficient adsorptive removal of volatile organic compounds from air

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air pose great health risks to humans and the environment. Adsorptive separation technology has proven effective in mitigating VOC pollution, with the adsorbent being the critical component. Therefore, the development of highly efficient adsorbent materials is crucial. Carbon nanofibers, known for their physical–chemical stability and rapid adsorption kinetics, are promising candidates for removing VOCs from the air. However, the relatively simple porous structures and inert surface chemical properties of traditional carbon nanofibers present challenges in further enhancing their application performance further. Herein, a hierarchical porous carbon nanofibrous membrane was prepared using electrospinning technology and a one-step carbonization & activation method. Phenolic resin and polyacrylonitrile were used as co-precursors, with silica nanoparticles serving as the dopant. The resulting membrane exhibited a specific surface area of up to 1560.83 m2/g and surfaces rich in functional O-/N- groups. With a synergistic effect of developed micro- and meso-pores and active chemical surfaces, the carbon nanofibrous membrane demonstrated excellent adsorption separation performance for various VOCs, with comparable adsorption capacities and fast kinetics. Moreover, the membrane displayed remarkable reusability and dynamic adsorption performance for different VOCs, indicating its potential for practical applications.

The Application of Supervised Learning Algorithms in Predicting the Formation Energy of NLO Crystals

AbstractNonlinear optical crystals (NLO) are a key class of functional materials in the field of laser technology due to their excellent frequency conversion effects and physical–chemical stability. The research aims to find NLO crystals with superior stability by predicting their formation energy. In this study, only compositional information is utilized as input features and models are constructed using regression algorithms such as Random Forest Regression (RFR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Gradient Boosting Regression (GBR). Notably, the GBR model exhibited outstanding predictive performance, with an R2 value of 0.935 and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.248 eV per atom. Additionally, SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis is employed to elucidate the fundamental principles behind the predictions by assessing the contribution of each feature to the formation energy. To validate the reliability of the models, first‐principles calculations are conducted to predict the formation energy of materials of GaP, ZnGeP2, and CdSiP2. The error range between the model predictions and the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) calculated values is ≈0.1 eV per atom, confirming the accuracy of the models.

Antibacterial Activity of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) Loaded Lipid-chitosan Hybrid Nanoparticle against Planktonic Microorganisms.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol derived from Green Tea, is one of the sources of natural bioactive compounds which are currently being developed as medicinal ingredients. Besides other biological activities, this natural compound exhibits anti-cariogenic effects. However, EGCG has low physical-chemical stability and poor bioavailability. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop and characterize lipid-chitosan hybrid nanoparticle with EGCG and to evaluate its in vitro activity against cariogenic planktonic microorganisms. Lipid-chitosan hybrid nanoparticle (LCHNP-EGCG) were prepared by emulsion and sonication method in one step and characterized according to diameter, polydispersity index (PdI), zeta potential (ZP), encapsulation efficiency (EE), mucoadhesion capacity and morphology. Strains of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus casei were treated with LCHNP- EGCG, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were evaluated. LCHNP-EGCG exhibited a size of 217.3 ± 5.1 nm with a low polydispersity index (0.17) and positive zeta potential indicating the presence of chitosan on the lipid nanoparticle surface (+33.7 mV). The LCHNP-EGCG showed a spherical morphology, high stability and a mucoadhesive property due to the presence of chitosan coating. In addition, the EGCG encapsulation efficiency was 96%. A reduction of almost 15-fold in the MIC and MBC against the strains was observed when EGCG was encapsulated in LCHNP, indicating the potential of EGCG encapsulation in lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles. Taking the results together, the LCHNP-EGCG could be an interesting system to use in dental care due to their nanometric size, mucoadhesive properties high antibacterial activity against relevant planktonic microorganisms.

New Biocide Based on Tributyltin(IV) Ferulate-Loaded Halloysite Nanotubes for Preserving Historical Paper Artworks.

Combining biologically active compounds with nanocarriers is an emerging and promising strategy for enhancing the activities of molecules while reducing their levels of toxicity. Green nanomaterials have recently gained momentum in developing protocols for treating and preserving artifacts. In this study, we designed a functional biohybrid material by incorporating tributyltin(IV) ferulate (TBT-F) into halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), generating a new formulation called HNT/TBT-F. The primary objective was to develop a formulation with robust antimicrobial properties and reinforcing features for treating paper with artistic and historical value. To characterize HNT/TBT-F, assess the HNT's loading capacity, and investigate the TBT-F release kinetics from the nanotubes, various analytical techniques, including UV-Vis and infrared spectroscopies, thermogravimetry, and microscopy analysis, were employed. Furthermore, we evaluated the antimicrobial potential of TBT-F and HNT/TBT-F against Kocuria rhizophila, a bacterial strain known for its opportunistic behavior and a cause of artifact biodeterioration. HNT/TBT-F exhibited a significantly stronger bactericidal effect than TBT-F alone against K. rhizophila cells growing planktonically or those forming a biofilm. This enhanced performance could relate to the confinement of TBT-F within the nanotubes, which likely improved its physical-chemical stability and increased the local concentration of TBT-F upon contact with the bacterial cells. Additionally, we evaluated the mechanical properties of a paper treated with HNT/TBT-F, assessing any potential alterations in its color. The findings of this study highlight the favorable attributes of the HNT/TBT-F formulation and its potential for developing protocols aimed at consolidating and preserving culturally significant paper objects.

Cellulose Nanocrystal-Based Emulsion of Thyme Essential Oil: Preparation and Characterisation as Sustainable Crop Protection Tool

Essential oil-based pesticides, which contain antimicrobial and antioxidant molecules, have potential for use in sustainable agriculture. However, these compounds have limitations such as volatility, poor water solubility, and phytotoxicity. Nanoencapsulation, through processes like micro- and nanoemulsions, can enhance the stability and bioactivity of essential oils. In this study, thyme essential oil from supercritical carbon dioxide extraction was selected as a sustainable antimicrobial tool and nanoencapsulated in an oil-in-water emulsion system. The investigated protocol provided high-speed homogenisation in the presence of cellulose nanocrystals as stabilisers and calcium chloride as an ionic crosslinking agent. Thyme essential oil was characterised via GC-MS and UV-vis analysis, indicating rich content in phenols. The cellulose nanocrystal/essential oil ratio and calcium chloride concentration were varied to tune the nanoemulsions’ physical–chemical stability, which was investigated via UV-vis, direct observation, dynamic light scattering, and Turbiscan analysis. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the nanosized droplet formation. The nanoemulsion resulting from the addition of crosslinked nanocrystals was very stable over time at room temperature. It was evaluated for the first time on Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi, the causal agent of olive knot disease. In vitro tests showed a synergistic effect of the formulation components, and in vivo tests on olive seedlings demonstrated reduced bacterial colonies without any phytotoxic effect. These findings suggest that crosslinked cellulose nanocrystal emulsions can enhance the stability and bioactivity of thyme essential oil, providing a new tool for crop protection.

Application of Zeolites and Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks in Dentistry-A Narrative Review.

Zeolites and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are crystalline aluminosilicates with porous structure, which are closely linked with nanomaterials. They are characterized by enhanced ion exchange capacity, physical-chemical stability, thermal stability and biocompatibility, making them a promising material for dental applications. This review aimed to provide an overview of the application of zeolites and ZIFs in dentistry. The common zeolite compounds for dental application include silver zeolite, zinc zeolite, calcium zeolite and strontium zeolite. The common ZIFs for dental application include ZIF-8 and ZIF-67. Zeolites and ZIFs have been employed in various areas of dentistry, such as restorative dentistry, endodontics, prosthodontics, implantology, periodontics, orthodontics and oral surgery. In restorative dentistry, zeolites and ZIFs are used as antimicrobial additives in dental adhesives and restorative materials. In endodontics, zeolites are used in root-end fillings, root canal irritants, root canal sealers and bone matrix scaffolds for peri-apical diseases. In prosthodontics, zeolites can be incorporated into denture bases, tissue conditioners, soft denture liners and dental prostheses. In implantology, zeolites and ZIFs are applied in dental implants, bone graft materials, bone adhesive hydrogels, drug delivery systems and electrospinning. In periodontics, zeolites can be applied as antibacterial agents for deep periodontal pockets, while ZIFs can be embedded in guided tissue regeneration membranes and guided bone regeneration membranes. In orthodontics, zeolites can be applied in orthodontic appliances. Additionally, for oral surgery, zeolites can be used in oral cancer diagnostic marker membranes, maxillofacial prosthesis silicone elastomer and tooth extraction medicines, while ZIFs can be incorporated to osteogenic glue or used as a carrier for antitumour drugs. In summary, zeolites have a broad application in dentistry and are receiving more attention from clinicians and researchers.

Boroaluminosilicate glass-ceramics containing mullite-type Cr3+:Al4B2O9 nanocrystals with broadband near-infrared luminescence

Multi-component silicate glass is an ideal matrix for fabricating glass-ceramics because of its excellent physical-chemical stability and high optical transmittance. In this paper, a series of Cr3+ doped multi-component silicate glasses were designed for the preparation of glass-ceramics that crystalizes mullite-type Cr3+:Al4B2O9 nanocrystals. When excited at 450 nm, the obtained GCs exhibit a broadband NIR luminescence band covering a spectral region from 650 to 1200 nm. Two different crystallographic sites of Cr3+ in Al4B2O9 nanocrystal are considered to account for the observed broadband luminescence. Due to the controllable size and uniformly dispersion of precipitated nanoparticles, this boroaluminosilicate glass-ceramic could find potential applications as monolithic near-infrared light sources in solid-state light emitting devices.

Deriving the Shannon Index from the soil molecular Humeome serves as a descriptor of soil organic matter stability under different cropping systems

Soil organic matter (SOM) is essential in maintaining soil structure, nutrient content, water retention, and biodiversity. It also represents an important C pool that, if efficiently stabilized, may play a role in the mitigation of global climate changes. However, knowledge is still limited on the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) molecular composition occurring with changes in land use and management practices. We calculated the Shannon diversity index (SH) for the soil molecular characteristics as obtained by the humeomic sequential fractionation applied on two different soil systems including uncultivated control: (1) Soils under a short-term cultivation of maize for 1 and 3 years; (2) Soils under a 20-year long-term cultivation of either continuous maize (MAIZE) or maize-bean rotation (MIX). The SH values were derived for each of the nine molecular classes in which the soil humeomic results were grouped. When single class SH were summed, we found that the resulting total Shannon heterogeneity (SHtot) and its value weighted for the relative OC percent, were inversely proportional to a Stability Soil Organic Matter Ratio (SOMR) equation, that, in turn, was directly proportional to the normalized Chemical Protection Ratio (nCPR) equation, based on the quantity of highly hydrophobic (organosoluble) compounds present in soils. The physical–chemical stability of SOM, expressed as SOMR and nCPR, increased with the decrease of the heterogeneity of the total molecular system (SHtot) for both short- and long-term soil systems. In fact, in the short-term soil system the molecular humeome was least heterogeneous under uncropped conditions, while SH showed increased heterogeneity with Maize cultivation for 1 and 3 years, in the order. The greatest SH homogeneity was again shown by the uncultivated control soil for the 20-year long-term system, and SH heterogeneity increased passing from the soil under Maize-Broad bean rotation, to that under Maize monocultivation. The SH values of single molecular classes revealed that nitrogenated or oxygenated aromatic compounds determined the stability of soil humus, being the nitrogenated heterocyclic compounds responsible for the residual molecular stability of SOM in both soil systems. This work indicated that the molecular complexity of a soil humeome can be represented by a Shannon descriptor that provides a handy and direct information on the dynamics of humus in soils.Graphical

FUS and surfactant-based nanocarriers: A combined strategy for nose to brain drug delivery

Brain drug delivery is hampered by the presence of the blood brain barrier and nanocarriers, administered by intranasal route, could represent an alternative and efficient strategy to improve drug localization in the Central Nervous System (CNS). The aim of this work is to design and characterize non-ionic surfactant vesicles (NSVs) and perfluorocarbon gas non-ionic surfactant based nanobubbles (VNBs) suitable for Nose to Brain Delivery (N2B). In particular, Pluronic F127, Span 85 and cholesterol have been employed to prepare NSVs and VNBs. Both systems have been characterized in terms of (a) hydrodynamic diameter, ζ-potential and morphology (b) vesicle bilayer feature (anisotropy), (c) physical-chemical stability and (d) fluorescent model probe release capability. VNBs have been also studied in terms of gas entrapment and acoustic efficiency. In addition, in order to understand optimal ultrasound (US) parameters to obtain in vitro stable cavitation, the acoustic pressure effect on VNBs fluorescent probes release kinetics was evaluated. The obtained results suggest that NSVs and VNBs show a hydrodynamic diameter suitable for N2B delivery. Moreover, in this study, we develop a new kind of protocol to evaluate an in vitro US characterization of VNBs and our data suggest a stable and controlled probe release, encouraging the possibility to deliver VNBs in mixture with NSVs loaded neuroprotective drugs for brain delivery coupled to US obtaining stable cavitation. In this context, extracellular field recordings in specific area of hippocampus (CA1-CA3) have been carried out in order to assure that empty NSVs do not affect synaptic plasticity in the form of long-term potentiation, a molecular mechanism which underlies learning and memory.

Pharmaceutical Development Challenges in a Beyond Rule of Five Prodrug: Case Study of ABBV-167, Phosphate Prodrug of Venetoclax.

ABBV-167, a phosphate prodrug of BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax, was recently progressed into the clinic as an alternative means of reducing pill burden for patients in high-dose indications. The dramatically enhanced aqueous solubility of ABBV-167 allowed for high drug loading within a crystalline tablet and, when administered in phase I clinical study, conferred venetoclax exposure commensurate with the equivalent dose administered as an amorphous solid dispersion. In enabling the progression into the clinic, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of the CMC development aspects of this beyond the rule of five (bRo5) prodrug. Adding a phosphate moiety resulted in excessively complex chemical speciation and solid form landscapes with significant physical-chemical stability liabilities. A combination of experimental and computational methods including microelectron diffraction (MicroED), total scattering, tablet colorimetry, finite element, and molecular dynamics modeling were used to understand CMC developability across drug substance and product manufacture and storage. The prodrug's chemical structural characteristics and loose crystal packing were found to be responsible for the loss of crystallinity during its manufacturing, which in turn led to high solid-state chemical reactivity and poor shelf life stability. The ABBV-167 case exemplifies key CMC development challenges for complex chemical matter such as bRo5 phosphate prodrugs with significant ramifications during drug substance and drug product manufacturing and storage.

Exploring microencapsulation potential: Multicomponent spray dried delivery systems for improvement of Chlorella vulgaris extract preservation and solubility

The potential of Lutein-rich extract from Chlorella vulgaris (CHL) as a health product ingredient is hindered by stability and solubility issues. We propose a method to produce a stable microparticulate powder using spray-drying and a multicomponent carrier consisting of modified starch (OSA-MS), low molecular weight Inulin, and Lecithin. The influence of matrix selection, spray drying, and storage conditions on powder properties and chemical-physical stability was investigated. The resulting powder exhibited improved flow characteristics, wettability, and enhanced water dissolution rate of CHL. After 12 months of storage, the powder (PURIL-CHL) retained approximately 65 % of Lutein, twice the retention of the raw extract. The properties of the spray-dried powder were well-preserved, and bioactive dissolution remained above 80%. This study provides an approach to upgrade Lutein-rich CHL extract in powder form, suitable for various applications in the health products industry.

Evolution of fungal and non-fungal eukaryotic communities in response to thermophilic co-composting of various nitrogen-rich green feedstocks.

Thermophilic composting is a promising soil and waste management approach involving diverse micro and macro-organisms, including eukaryotes. Due to sub-optimal amounts of nutrients in manure, supplemental feedstock materials such as Lantana camara, and Tithonia diversifolia twigs are used in composting. These materials have, however, been reported to have antimicrobial activity in in-vitro experiments. Furthermore, the phytochemical analysis has shown differences in their complexities, thus possibly requiring various periods to break down. Therefore, it is necessary to understand these materials' influence on the biological and physical-chemical stability of compost. Most compost microbiome studies have been bacterial-centric, leaving out eukaryotes despite their critical role in the environment. Here, the influence of different green feedstock on the fungal and non-fungal eukaryotic community structure in a thermophilic compost environment was examined. Total community fungal and non-fungal eukaryotic DNA was recovered from triplicate compost samples of four experimental regimes. Sequencing for fungal ITS and non-fungal eukaryotes; 18S rDNA was done under the Illumina Miseq platform, and bioinformatics analysis was done using Divisive Amplicon Denoising Algorithm version 2 workflow in R version 4.1. Samples of mixed compost and composting day 84 recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher overall fungal populations, while Lantana-based compost and composting day 84 revealed the highest fungal community diversity. Non-fungal eukaryotic richness was significantly (P< 0.05) more abundant in Tithonia-based compost and composting day 21. The most diverse non-fungal eukaryotic biome was in the Tithonia-based compost and composting day 84. Sordariomycetes and Holozoa were the most contributors to the fungal and non-fungal community interactions in the compost environment, respectively. The findings of this study unravel the inherent influence of diverse composting materials and days on the eukaryotic community structure and compost's biological and chemical stability.

Valorization of polyphenolic compounds from food industry by-products for application in polysaccharide-based nanoparticles.

In the last decades, evidence has indicated the beneficial properties of dietary polyphenols. In vitro and in vivo studies support that the regular intake of these compounds may be a strategy to reduce the risks of some chronic non-communicable diseases. Despite their beneficial properties, they are poorly bioavailable compounds. Thus, the main objective of this review is to explore how nanotechnology improves human health while reducing environmental impacts with the sustainable use of vegetable residues, from extraction to the development of functional foods and supplements. This extensive literature review discusses different studies based on the application of nanotechnology to stabilize polyphenolic compounds and maintain their physical-chemical stability. Food industries commonly generate a significant amount of solid waste. Exploring the bioactive compounds of solid waste has been considered a sustainable strategy in line with emerging global sustainability needs. Nanotechnology can be an efficient tool to overcome the challenge of molecular instability, especially using polysaccharides such as pectin as assembling material. Complex polysaccharides are biomaterials that can be extracted from citrus and apple peels (from the juice industries) and constitute promising wall material stabilizing chemically sensitive compounds. Pectin is an excellent biomaterial to form nanostructures, as it has low toxicity, is biocompatible, and is resistant to human enzymes. The potential extraction of polyphenols and polysaccharides from residues and their inclusion in food supplements may be a possible application to reduce environmental impacts and constitutes an approach for effectively including bioactive compounds in the human diet. Extracting polyphenolics from industrial waste and using nanotechnology may be feasible to add value to food by-products, reduce impacts on nature and preserve the properties of these compounds.

Profiling and Evaluation of the Effect of Guarana-Loaded Liposomes on Different Skin Cell Lines: An In Vitro Study

The objective of this study was to analyze the in vitro stability and toxicity of liposomes containing guarana in skin cell lines. The liposomes were produced by the reverse phase evaporation method containing 1 mg/mL guarana. The stability of the liposomes was evaluated by physical-chemical parameters for up to 90 days using three different storage conditions. The cytotoxicity of guarana (GL), liposomes (B-Lip), and guarana-loaded liposomes (G-Lip) was evaluated on spontaneously immortalized human keratinocyte cell lines (HaCaT), murine Swiss albino fibroblasts (3T3), and human fibroblasts (1BR.3.G). The evaluation was performed using cellular viability analysis. The techniques used were 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and neutral red capturing (NRU), and the analyses were conducted after 24, 48, and 72 h of exposure of these cells to the different treatments. The G-Lip exhibited physical-chemical stability for 60 days when the samples were stored in a refrigerator. The GL, B-Lip, and G-Lip demonstrated low cytotoxicity in the three different cell cultures tested since a small reduction in cell viability was only observed at the highest concentrations. In addition, greater cell damage was observed for B-Lip; however, guarana protected the cells from this damage. Thus, G-Lip structures can be considered promising systems for topical applications.

Synthesis and Characterization of Gold Chiral Nanoparticles Functionalized by a Chiral Drug.

Inorganic chiral nanoparticles are attracting more and more attention due to their peculiar optical properties and potential biological applications, such as bioimaging, therapeutics, and diagnostics. Among inorganic chiral nanoparticles, gold chiral nanostructures were demonstrated to be very interesting in this context, with good physical chemical stability and also the possibility to decorate the surface, improving biomedical application as the interaction with the bio-systems. Gold (Au) nanostructures were synthesized according to a seed-mediated procedure which envisages the use of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as the capping agent and L- and D-cysteine to promote chirality. Au nanostructures have been demonstrated to have opposite circular dichroism signals depending on the amino acid enantiomer used during the synthesis. Then, a procedure to decorate the Au surface with penicillamine, a drug used for the treatment of Wilson's disease, was developed. The composite material of gold nanoparticles/penicillamine was characterized using electron microscopy, and the penicillamine functionalization was monitored by means of UV-Visible, Raman, and infrared spectroscopy, highlighting the formation of the Au-S bond. Furthermore, electron circular dichroism was used to monitor the chirality of the synthesized nanostructures and it was demonstrated that both penicillamine enantiomers can be successfully bonded with both the enantiomers of the gold nanostructures without affecting gold nanoparticles' chirality. The effective modification of nanostructures' surfaces via penicillamine introduction allowed us to address the important issue of controlling chirality and surface properties in the chiral nano-system.

Double-Shelled Porous g-C3 N4 Nanotubes Modified with Amorphous Cu-Doped FeOOH Nanoclusters as 0D/3D Non-Homogeneous Photo-Fenton Catalysts for Effective Removal of Organic Dyes.

Graphite phased carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ) has attracted extensive attention attributed to its non-toxic nature, remarkable physical-chemical stability, and visible light response properties. Nevertheless, the pristine g-C3 N4 suffers from the rapid photogenerated carrier recombination and unfavorable specific surface area, which greatly limit its catalytic performance. Herein, 0D/3D Cu-FeOOH/TCN composites are constructed as photo-Fenton catalysts by assembling amorphous Cu-FeOOH clusters on 3D double-shelled porous tubular g-C3 N4 (TCN) fabricated through one-step calcination. Combined density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the synergistic effect between Cu and Fe species could facilitate the adsorption and activation of H2 O2 , and the separation and transfer of photogenerated charges effectively. Thus, Cu-FeOOH/TCN composites acquire a high removal efficiency of 97.8%, the mineralization rate of 85.5% and a first-order rate constant k= 0.0507 min-1 for methyl orange (MO) (40mg L-1 ) in photo-Fenton reaction system, which is nearly 10 times and 21 times higher than those of FeOOH/TCN (k= 0.0047 min-1 ) and TCN (k= 0.0024 min-1 ), respectively, indicating its universal applicability and desirable cyclic stability. Overall, this work furnishes a novel strategy for developing heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalysts based on g-C3 N4 nanotubes for practical wastewater treatment.

An Overview of Recent Patents and Future Perspective Based on Cyclodextrin Complexation.

The majority of drugs taken orally have limited aqueous solubility and dissolution rate. Cyclodextrin (CD) and its derivatives are used as pharmaceutical adjuvants, contributing to the development of safe and high bioavailability formulations. CDs have a unique structure with a variety of physicochemical features that aid pharmaceutical scientists in solving drug delivery issues for poorly water-soluble drugs (PWS). This article covers information about cyclodextrin and its various derivatives, its different manufacturing process, physicochemical properties, advantages, and recent advancements. There are various advantages of CD-based inclusion complexes, such as enhancement of solubility, bioavailability, and stability and reduction of irritation caused by the drug. Moreover, they are used as odor and taste enhancers and also prevent incompatibility by physically isolating the incompatible drug components in drug formulation. CD and its derivatives are extensively employed as solubilizers in the manufacturing of parenteral and oral dosage forms. Inclusion complexes formed by CDs with appropriately sized guest molecules improve drug water solubility, physical-chemical stability, and bioavailability. Simultaneously CDs prevent the drugs from degradation like oxidation, hydrolysis, and photodegradation and extend the shelf life of the drug. The manuscript also highlights patents and exclusive branded formulations of modified CDs. It also discusses the different examples of chemically modified CDs, i.e., captisol, sulfobutyl ether-β-CD, hydroxy propyl betadex, randomly methylated β-CD, methyl β-CD, and hydoxy propyl γ-CD, all are used in the various dosage forms.

Nanoencapsulated anthocyanins: A new technological approach to increase physical-chemical stability and bioaccessibility

This study aimed to evaluate the thermal stability of anthocyanins extracted from blackberry (Rubus spp.) and nanoencapsulated in a pectin-based structure associated with lysozyme by molecular self-assembly and observe the effects on cell viability, cytotoxicity, and in vitro absorption in fibroblasts. Anthocyanin bioaccessibility was evaluated using the INFOGEST static in vitro simulation of gastrointestinal digestion, and the colloidal stability, morphology, and protection of the nanoencapsulated anthocyanins were observed. The effects on fibroblast cells prepared in two and three-dimensional structures were observed. The major anthocyanin identified was cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. The nanoparticles showed homogeneity and spherical morphology with a particle mean diameter of 192.1 nm, PDI 0.10, Zeta Potential of −25.8 mV, and encapsulation efficiency of 79% with homogeneous and spherical morphology. The physical-chemical characteristics of the nanoparticles were maintained throughout different temperatures, and the anthocyanin degradation was statistically lower than that of isolated anthocyanin. In simulated gastrointestinal digestion, the size and stability of nanoparticles were maintained while protecting anthocyanins from digestion factors. No effects on fibroblast viability and cytotoxic effects were observed. It observed absorption of nanoparticles in the two cell models (2D and 3D). The nanoparticles were stable at different temperatures and in the simulated digestion. They were effectively absorbed in vitro, and there is no evidence of deleterious cell effects at a 5% concentration. The nanoencapsulated anthocyanin is indicated as a new potential technology for application in foods and supplements.