Amphiphilic Properties Research Articles

Alkylated derivatives of chitosan for stabilization of polylactide microparticles used as building blocks for 3D structures

AbstractModification of the chitosan chemical structure by grafting hydrophobic fragments makes it possible to synthesize derivatives with amphiphilic properties. These derivatives were used as emulsifiers in the aqueous phase during the production of polylactide microparticles via the oil/water solvent evaporation technique. The application of the derivatives allows to achieve a high yield of the microparticles and to provide a hydrophilic coating on the surface of polylactide microparticle. The chitosan‐coated polylactide microparticles were analyzed in terms of mean size, size distribution, surface, and internal morphology. The ability of the obtained microparticles to be used as a starting component for the fabrication of 3D materials through the surface‐selective laser sintering was evaluated, and the optimal parameters for the process have been determined.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐coated silver nanoparticles accelerate antimicrobial potentials by targeting amphiphilic membranes

AbstractCompelling concerns about antimicrobial resistance and the emergence of multidrug‐resistant pathogens call for novel strategies to address these challenges. Nanoparticles show promising antimicrobial activities; however, their actions are hindered primarily by the bacterial hydrophilic–hydrophobic barrier. To overcome this, we developed a method of electrochemically anchoring sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) coatings onto silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), resulting in improved antimicrobial potency. We then investigated the antimicrobial mechanisms and developed therapeutic applications. We demonstrated SDS‐coated AgNPs with anomalous dispersive properties capable of dispersing in both polar and nonpolar solvents and, further, detected significantly higher bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects compared to silver ions (Ag+). Cellular assays suggested multipotent disruptions targeting the bacterial membrane, evidenced by increasing lactate dehydrogenase, protein and sugar leakage, and consistent with results from the transcriptomic analysis. Notably, the amphiphilic characteristics of the AgNPs maintained robust antibacterial activities for a year at various temperatures, indicating long‐term efficacy as a potential disinfectant. In a murine model, the AgNPs showed considerable biocompatibility and could alleviate fatal Salmonella infections. Collectively, by gaining amphiphilic properties from SDS, we offer novel AgNPs against bacterial infections combined with long‐term and cost‐effective strategies.

Biochemistry, Mechanistic Intricacies, and Therapeutic Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides: An Alternative to Traditional Antibiotics.

The emergence of drug-resistant strains of pathogens becomes a major obstacle to treating human diseases. Antibiotics and antivirals are in the application for a long time but now these drugs are not much effective anymore against disease-causing drugresistant microbes and gradually it is becoming a serious complication worldwide. The development of new antibiotics cannot be a stable solution to treat drug-resistant strains due to their evolving nature and escaping antibiotics. At this stage, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) may provide us with novel therapeutic leads against drug-resistant pathogens. Structurally, antimicrobial peptides are mostly α-helical peptide molecules with amphiphilic properties that carry the positive charge (cationic) and belong to host defense peptides. These positively charged AMPs can interact with negatively charged bacterial cell membranes and may cause the alteration in electrochemical potential on bacterial cell membranes and consequently lead to the death of microbial cells. In the present study, we will elaborate on the implication of AMPs in the treatment of various diseases along with their specific structural and functional properties. This review will provide information which assists in the development of new synthetic peptide analogues to natural AMPs. These analogues will eliminate the limitations of natural AMPs like toxicity and severe hemolytic activities.

Transport and competitive interfacial adsorption of PFOA and PFOS in unsaturated porous media: Experiments and modeling

Among emerging contaminants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have captured public attention based upon their environmental ubiquity and potential risks to human health. Due to their typical surface release conditions and amphiphilic properties, PFAS tend to sorb to soil and accumulate at the air-water interface within the vadose zone. These processes can result in substantial plume attenuation. Although there is a growing body of literature on vadose zone transport, few studies have explored PFAS mixture transport, particularly under conditions where nonlinear sorption processes are important. The present study aims to advance our understanding of PFAS transport in variably saturated porous media through integration of experiments and mathematical modeling. Experiments include batch studies to quantify sorption to the solid phase, interfacial tension (IFT) measurements to estimate adsorption at the air-water interface (AWI), and column studies with F-70 Ottawa sand at 100 % and ca. 50 % water saturation to explore transport mechanisms. Employed PFAS solutions encompass individual solutes and binary mixtures of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) at concentration levels spanning four orders of magnitude to assess competitive and nonlinear sorption at the AWI. Observations demonstrate that concentration levels and competitive effects substantially influence PFAS transport in unsaturated systems. In the presence of PFOS, PFOA experienced less retention than would be anticipated based on single-solute behavior, and effluent breakthrough curves exhibited chromatographic peaking. The presented mathematical model for simultaneous flow and transport of PFAS was able to capture experimental observations with a consistent set of parameters and minimal curve fitting. These results demonstrate the robustness of the model formulation that included rate-limited interfacial mass transfer, an extended Langmuir-Szyszkowski model for adsorption at the AWI, and a scaled Leverett thermodynamic model to predict the AWI specific area. Overall, the results of this work underscore the importance of the AWI in PFAS transport and highlight the relevance of competition effects in adsorption formulations.

Nanoparticles based Strategies for Treating and Managing Battle against Malaria: An Overview

: Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread via female Anopheles mosquitoes. Assortments of factors are causing the trouble i.e., (i) fierce opposition posed by the plasmodium life cycle and intracellular localization for pathogens in hepatocytes and erythrocytes; (ii) The decisive physical and chemical properties among most antimalarial drugs, that exhibit an amphiphilic property allowing them to be widely circulated in and out of body tissues since administration and quickly fully exploited in the liver; (iii) The unflattering fluidic circumstances confronted in blood flow that affect the relationship of ionic parts to target tissue. So rather than concentrating the entire energy on establishing novel medications, it is preferable to effort into refining operative medicine conveyance transporters to overcome these downsides. Anti-paludism medications have been effectively distributed via nanomaterials on adjacent concentrations high sufficient on the way to slay the pests and evade the growth of treatment obstruction, although upholding a small general amount to foil uncomplimentary poisonous sideways things. As of now, a few nanostructured frameworks like liposomes or dendrimers have been demonstrated to be fit for working on the viability of anti-malarial treatments. These nanoparticles are an auspicious medication conveyance automobile and could be utilized as remedial techniques intended for battling pests. This audit is expected to scrutinize the utilization of nanoparticles to further develop medicine effectiveness at various phases for both human and vampire congregations of miasm vermin.

Green synthesis of highly fluorescent carbon quantum dots from almond resin for advanced theranostics in biomedical applications

Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) are being used in medical applications, particularly in theranostics. These Carbon Quantum Dots have been gaining more attention lately due to their potential as an effective replacement for hazardous synthetic organic dyes in a variety of biomedical applications, including live cell imaging and diagnostics. In this study, highly fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots by one pot microwave based green route with a size of less than 10 nm, was prepared from commercially available almond resin, Prunus dulcis and conjugated with honey as additional reagent for surface functionalization. They exhibit a deep blue emission on excitation at 350 nm with an elevated quantum yield at 61%. They possess atomic nature and basic features such as high photo-stability, varying fluorescence, greater biocompatibility, and better water solubility. These fluorescent labels exhibit faster cellular invagination without disturbing the cell stability. The CQDs present cell imaging capacity with multi-coloration for visualizing the fine architecture of the nucleus naming, the nuclear membrane and nucleolus, which is linked with their varied, surface structures such as amphiphilic property and higher positive charges. These characteristics with minimal invasion have made carbon quantum dots to become the spotlight in theranostics. They can be used as alternatives to synthetic dyes for fluorescence- related cell-imaging. The intriguing fact about this approach is that it opens the possibility of combining therapy and diagnostics into one unit, which can alter how some diseases are handled and, in turn, transform the field of healthcare.

Micellar (Photo−)Catalysis Driven by IR‐Active Semiconductor Surfactants

AbstractIn micellar catalysis, one uses aggregates formed by surfactants as nanoreactors for performing chemical reactions. A special class of tailor‐made surfactants containing catalytically active sites opens new perspectives in micellar catalysis. Little is known about the combination of such surfactants with photocatalysis. Molecular semiconductors are presented, which simultaneously have amphiphilic properties and are made of a hydrophilic fullerenol head group attached to dye molecules as the hydrophobic entity. The first generation of those surfactants produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) when exposed to light in the UV/Vis range. The concept of the current paper is that one can drive the photocatalytic process also using low‐energy photons in the near‐infrared region. For this purpose, NIR‐active dye molecules were selected and attached to the fullerenol head. It is shown that a fullerenol ‐ aminostilbene compound representing the second generation of semiconductor surfactants fulfills all requirements. It forms aggregates in water that are catalytically active. Moreover, two‐photon experiments with λ=780 nm were performed, indicating successful ROS production and, thus, photocatalytic activity.

A mass spectrometry database for the identification of marine animal saponin-related metabolites

Saponins encompass a diverse group of naturally occurring glycoside molecules exhibiting amphiphilic properties and a broad range of biological activities. There is a resurgence of interest in those saponins produced by marine organisms based on their potential therapeutic benefits, application in food products and most recently their potential involvement in intra- and inter-species chemical communication. The continual advancements in liquid chromatography techniques and mass spectrometry technologies have allowed for greater detection rates, as well as improved isolation and elucidation of saponins. These factors have significantly contributed to the expansion in the catalogue of known saponin structures isolated from marine invertebrates; however, there currently exists no specific chemical library resource to accelerate the discovery process. In this study, a Marine Animal Saponin Database (MASD v1.0) has been developed to serve as a valuable chemical repository for known marine saponin-related data, including chemical formula, molecular mass and biological origin of nearly 1000 secondary metabolites associated with saponins produced by marine invertebrates. We demonstrate its application with an exemplar asteroid extract (Acanthaster cf. solaris, also known as crown-of-thorns starfish; COTS), identifying saponins from the MASD v1.0 that have been previously reported from COTS, as well as 21 saponins isolated from multiple other related asteroid species. This database will help facilitate future research endeavours, aiding researchers in exploring the vast chemical diversity of saponins produced by marine organisms and providing ecological insights, and the realisation of their potential for various applications, including as pharmaceuticals.Graphical

Recent Innovations in Biosurfactant Production: Exploring Biomedical and Environmental Applications: A Review

The unique characteristics and ecological friendly nature of biosurfactants, which are compounds with amphiphilic properties derived from biological sources, have garnered considerable interest. This review article explores into the fascinating characteristics of biosurfactants, with a particular emphasis on identifying and studying microorganisms that produce biosurfactants in unusual conditions, such as harsh ecosystems and agricultural wastes. Using innovative techniques, researchers investigated a wide variety of microbial strains for their ability to produce biosurfactants and evaluated the biosurfactants that were recovered. Furthermore, researchers also conducted assays on a laboratory scale to explore their possible uses in fields including bioremediation and increased oil recovery. The effectiveness of biosurfactants in combating environmental problems and fostering sustainability is emphasized in this investigation. Additionally, researchers considered cost-effective techniques while evaluating the economic viability of biosurfactant production. These findings provide insight into strategies to effectively incorporate biosurfactants into new technologies for a range of applications. This study highlights the potential of biosurfactants as eco-friendly alternatives in industrial processes and enhances the awareness of their sources of production. The purpose is to explore a more sustainable future by integrating biosurfactants into widespread biomedical devices while supporting further research and advancement in the pharmaceutical industry.

Green and energy-saving tread rubber by constructing chemical cross-linking interface between graphene oxide and natural rubber

The dispersibility of fillers and interfacial interaction are crucial for polymer nanocomposites. Developing a simple, efficient and green method to simultaneously reduce and functionalize graphene oxide (GO) for preparing graphene/rubber composites with excellent dispersibility and enhanced interfacial interactions remains one of the main trends in developing and expanding the application of graphene in the rubber industry. In this work, VOC (volatile organic compound) -free and environmentally friendly L-methionine (L-Met) was selected as the functional modifier of GO. Then, L-Met-modified GO (MGO) was blended with natural rubber (NR) in an aqueous phase to prepare MGO/NR composites. The amphiphilic property of L-Met not only reduced GO but also endowed it with less agglomeration and excellent water dispersibility, which was a prerequisite for achieving uniform dispersion of GO in the NR matrix. In addition, the amino acids on the surface of MGO enhanced the compatibility between GO and the protein-phospholipid layer on the outer layer of NR latex particles. Meanwhile, L-Met containing sulfur bonds promoted rubber vulcanization, resulting in the formation of a cross-linked network between the modified GO and NR molecular chains. Compared to unmodified GO/NR composites, MGO/NR composites exhibited excellent mechanical properties and low heat build-up. More importantly, the solid tire prepared by using L-Met as the interface modifier for GO filled rubber showed lower rolling resistance and temperature rise, and the energy saving efficiency was improved. This strategy is expected to provide a new insight into the green production of organically modified graphene and the preparation of low-energy-consumption green graphene tires.

Reconfigurable light-responsive liquid crystal elastomer /carbon nanotube nanocomposite actuators operated by photothermal effects and dynamic exchange reaction

Monodomain liquid crystal elastomers (MLCEs), exhibiting a light-induced dynamic exchange reaction (DER) and light-triggered actuation abilities, were prepared using dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and allyl sulfide linkages incorporated in the MLCE matrix. MWCNTs were dispersed in the MLCE matrix using a newly synthesized dispersant, poly(4-cyanobiphenyl-4′-oxyundecylacrylate-co-pyrene methyl acrylate); this dispersant exhibited amphiphilic properties of π–π interactions with the MWCNT fillers (attributed to the pyrene moieties) and miscibility with the MLCE matrix (attributed to the cyanobiphenyl mesogenic moieties). A low amount of well-dispersed MWCNTs (≤0.05 wt%) in the MLCE matrix induced excellent photothermal effects under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, leading to considerable reversible contraction/extension actuation (∼40 % change in length). The bilayer film comprising the MLCE and PLCE (PLCE: polydomain LCE) composite films bonded via DER without glue exhibited excellent bending actuation under NIR light irradiation and was configured into several actuators such as a flower-shaped actuator, a weightlifter, a circular rolling band, an oscillator mimicking a hummingbird, and a casting catapult. Therefore, this novel MLCE/CNT composite film enhances the design ability for the arbitrary shaping and functionalization of NIR light-triggerable LCE actuators, which can be applied to several interesting soft robots.

Methotrexate-Loaded Chitosan Oligosaccharide-ES2 for Targeted Cancer Therapy.

Cancer presents a significant health threat, necessitating the development of more precise, efficient, and less damaging treatment approaches. To address this challenge, we employed the 1-ethyl-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide/N-hydroxy succinimide (EDC/NHS) catalytic system and utilized quaternized chitosan oligosaccharide (HTCOSC) as a drug carrier to construct a nanoparticle delivery system termed HTCOSC-cRGD-ES2-MTX (CREM). This system specifically targets integrin αvβ3 on tumor cell surfaces and enables simultaneous loading of the antiangiogenic agent ES2 (IVRRADRAAVP) and the chemotherapy drug methotrexate (MTX). Due to its amphiphilic properties, CREM self-assembles into nanoparticles in aqueous solution, exhibiting an average diameter of 179.47 nm. Comparative studies demonstrated that CREM, in contrast to free ES2 and MTX-free nanoparticles (CRE), significantly suppressed the proliferation of EAhy926 endothelial cells and B16 melanoma cells in vitro, resulting in inhibition rates of 71.18 and 82.25%, respectively. Furthermore, CREM exhibited a hemolysis rate below 2%, indicating excellent in vitro antiangiogenic and antitumor activity as well as favorable blood compatibility. Additionally, both CRE and CREM demonstrated favorable tumor targeting capabilities through the specific binding action of cyclic RGD (cRGD) to integrin αvβ3. Further in vivo investigations revealed that CREM induced apoptosis in tumor cells via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and reduced the expression of angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thereby inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. This potent antitumor effect was evident through a tumor suppression rate of 80.19%. Importantly, histopathological staining (HE staining) demonstrated the absence of significant toxic side effects of CREM on various organs compared to MTX. In conclusion, the CREM nano drug delivery system synergistically enhances the therapeutic efficacy of antiangiogenic drugs and chemotherapeutic agents, thus offering a novel targeted approach for cancer treatment.

Revealing the intensification effect of circulating hydrothermal pretreatment: A sustainable route for biorefinery

Hydrothermal pretreatment (HTP) has received huge progress in converting biomass waste into available products at a large scale, but challenges in massive water input and wastewater output still block sustainable biorefinery future. Herein, a circulating hydrothermal technique was proposed by reusing the process wastewater into the next HTP process to enhance energy efficiency and suppress the environmental burdens. During hydrothermal liquid (HL) recycling, the variation of lignin chemical structure, cellulose accessibility, and soluble components were investigated for an in-depth understanding of what happened to lignocellulose. An enhanced hemicellulose dissolution (from 78.1 % to ∼ 85 %) was achieved by the aqueous phase recycling. The reactions of dehydration and polymerization occurred during the circulating HTP process, which contributed to the generation of pseudo-lignin on the cellulose surface, causing a slight weakening of cellulose accessibility. Meanwhile, the organic acid-catalyzed hydrothermal process can facilitate the cleavage of lignin β-O-4 ether linkage and condensation reaction, endowing its potential amphiphilic properties. An in-depth analysis of the evolution of HL components substantiated the potential intensification effect on biomass deconstruction by the generation of hemicellulose-derived organic acids. Life cycle assessment revealed that the circulating HTP technique resulted in about a 29 % reduction in primary energy depletion and an order of magnitude reduction in CO2 emissions as opposed to that of the conventional one. This work unveils the structure evolutions of lignocellulose clearly during the HL recycled process, and also highlights a feasible route for the sustainable biorefinery.

Synthesis, Optimization and Molecular Self-Assembly Behavior of Alginate-g-Oleylamine Derivatives Based on Ugi Reaction for Hydrophobic Drug Delivery.

To achieve the optimal alginate-based oral formulation for delivery of hydrophobic drugs, on the basis of previous research, we further optimized the synthesis process parameters of alginate-g-oleylamine derivatives (Ugi-FOlT) and explored the effects of different degrees of substitution (DSs) on the molecular self-assembly properties of Ugi-FOlT, as well as the in vitro cytotoxicity and drug release behavior of Ugi-FOlT. The resultant Ugi-FOlT exhibited good amphiphilic properties with the critical micelle concentration (CMC) ranging from 0.043 mg/mL to 0.091 mg/mL, which decreased with the increase in the DS of Ugi-FOlT. Furthermore, Ugi-FOlT was able to self-assemble into spherical micellar aggregates in aqueous solution, whose sizes and zeta potentials with various DSs measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) were in the range of 653 ± 25~710 ± 40 nm and -58.2 ± 1.92~-48.9 ± 2.86 mV, respectively. In addition, RAW 264.7 macrophages were used for MTT assay to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of Ugi-FOlT in the range of 100~500 μg/mL, and the results indicated good cytocompatibility for Ugi-FOlT. Ugi-FOlT micellar aggregates with favorable stability also showed a certain sustained and pH-responsive release behavior for the hydrophobic drug ibuprofen (IBU). Meanwhile, it is feasible to control the drug release rate by regulating the DS of Ugi-FOlT. The influence of different DSs on the properties of Ugi-FOlT is helpful to fully understand the relationship between the micromolecular structure of Ugi-FOlT and its macroscopic properties.

Solid-Phase Synthesis of Well-Defined Multiblock Copolymers by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization.

Solid-phase polymer synthesis, historically rooted in peptide synthesis, has evolved into a powerful method for achieving sequence-controlled macromolecules. This study explores solid-phase polymer synthesis by covalently immobilizing growing polymer chains onto a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based resin, known as ChemMatrix (CM) resin. In contrast to traditional hydrophobic supports, CM resin's amphiphilic properties enable swelling in both polar and nonpolar solvents, simplifying filtration, washing, and drying processes. Combining atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with solid-phase techniques allowed for the grafting of well-defined block copolymers in high yields. This approach is attractive for sequence-controlled polymer synthesis, successfully synthesizing di-, tri-, tetra-, and penta-block copolymers with excellent control over the molecular weight and dispersity. The study also delves into the limitations of achieving high molecular weights due to confinement within resin pores. Moreover, the versatility of the method is demonstrated through its applicability to various monomers in organic and aqueous media. This straightforward approach offers a rapid route to developing tailored block copolymers with unique structures and functionalities.

Ribosomal protein L17 functions as an antimicrobial protein in amphioxus

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), characterized by their cationic nature and amphiphilic properties, play a pivotal role in inhibiting the biological activity of microbes. Currently, only a fraction of the antimicrobial potential within the ribosomal protein family has been explored, despite its extensive membership and resemblance to AMPs. Herein we demonstrated that amphioxus RPL17 (BjRPL17) exhibited not only upregulated expression upon bacterial stimulation but also possessed bactericidal capabilities against both Gram-negative and -positive bacteria through combined action mechanisms including interaction with cell surface molecules LPS, LTA, and PGN, disruption of cell membrane integrity, promotion of membrane depolarization, and induction of intracellular ROS production. Furthermore, a peptide derived from residues 127–141 of BjRPL17 (termed BjRPL17-1) showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and its methicillin-resistant strain via the same mechanism observed for the full-length protein. Additionally, the rpl17 gene was highly conserved in Metazoa, hinting it may play a universal role in the antibacterial defense system in different animals. Importantly, neither BjRPL17 nor peptide BjRPL17-1 exhibited toxicity towards mammalian cells thereby offering prospects for designing novel AMP agents based on these findings. Collectively, our results establish RPL17 as a novel member of AMPs with remarkable evolutionary conservation.

Janus particles toward hierarchical functional coating and beyond

Janus particles (JPs) with two physically or chemically distinctive compartments can be employed as building blocks to achieve hierarchical functional coatings. For their amphiphilic property, JPs orientate at different interfaces of the as-formed coatings to enhance the interfaces and functionalize their surfaces. In this paper, we briefly review recent advances in JPs toward hierarchical functional coating and beyond. Since the requirements of economy and large-scale production, emulsion polymerization is an ideal method for the synthesis of JPs applied in coating industry. Ultrathin coating with single-layer particles can be directly fabricated with JPs self-orientating on the substrate. Furtherly, they are added into other latex coatings as an additive to adjust the microstructure, mechanical properties and functions of hierarchical coatings. In these methods, various functions are achieved such as superhydrophobicity, anti-corrosion, lubricity and so on.

Lignin-based emulsive liquid-liquid microextraction for detecting triazole fungicides in water, juice, vinegar, and alcoholic beverages via UHPLC-MS/MS

A universal, green, and rapid lignin-based emulsive liquid-liquid microextraction (ELLME) method was established to detect nine triazole fungicides in water, juice, vinegar, and alcoholic beverages via UHPLC-MS/MS. By employing an environmentally friendly emulsifier (lignin), the proposed ELLME was compatible with more extractants, and not restricted to fatty acids. Due to the high amphiphilic properties and three-dimensional structure of lignin, the emulsion was quickly formed through several aspirate-dispense cycles of the green extractant (guaiacol) and lignin solution. And a micropipette was used for rapid microextraction. The limit of detection was 0.0002–0.0057 μg L−1. The extraction recoveries and relative standard deviation were 81.7%–102.0% and 0.9%–7.1%, respectively. Finally, three green metric tools were used to verify the greenness of the whole procedure. The proposed lignin-based ELLME successfully emulsified green solvents, indicating that emerging solvents may be excellent alternatives as extractants in ELLME for pesticide residue analysis in food samples.

Developing animal fat substitute in low-fat meatballs: A strategy to use high internal phase emulsions stabilized by Prinsepia utilis Royle protein

In promoting healthy diet, developing animal fat substitutes for meat products has been a prominent trend in food science. In this study, Prinsepia utilis Royle protein (PuRP) with amphiphilic property was extracted from waste oil pomace. High internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) were prepared with a 75% oil phase and stabilized with 2% (w/v) PuRP due to their excellent elastic-gel property. Furthermore, the PuRP-HIPEs were used to substitute animal fat in low-fat meatballs. Below 100 mM ionic strength, the uniformly distributed PuRP-HIPEs exhibited an approximate Gaussian size distribution with an average particle size of about 100 μm. The PuRP-HIPEs exhibited good thermodynamic stability and improved the texture of meatballs. Additionally, the PuRP-HIPEs significantly increased the mobile water content in steamed meatballs, resulting in better water retention and distribution than the free-fat and lard-added meatballs. Overall, the PuRP-HIPEs could substitute 100% animal fat in meatballs and maintain their cooking characteristics.

Exploring the Properties of Unilamellar Vesicle Bilayers Formed by Ionic Liquid Surfactants for Future Applications in Nanomedicine.

Two ionic liquids (ILs) with amphiphilic properties composed of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dioctylsulfosuccinate (bmim-AOT) and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium dioctylsulfosuccinate (hmim-AOT) form unilamellar vesicles spontaneously simply by dissolving the IL-like surfactant in water. These novel vesicles were characterized using two different and highly sensitive fluorescent probes: 6-propionyl-2-(dimethylaminonaphthalene) (PRODAN) and trans-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-styryl]-1-methylpyridinium iodide (HC). These fluorescent probes provide information about the physicochemical properties of the bilayer, such as micropolarity, microviscosity, and electron-donor capacity. In addition, the biocompatibility of these vesicles with the blood medium was evaluated, and their toxicity was determined using Dictyostelium discoideum amoebas. First, using PRODAN and HC, it was found that the bilayer composition and the chemical structure of the ions at the interface produced differences between both amphiphiles, making the vesicles different. Thus, the bilayer of hmim-AOT vesicles is less polar, more rigid, and has a lower electron-donor capacity than those made by bmim-AOT. Finally, the results obtained from the hemolysis studies and the growth behavior of unicellular amoebas, particularly utilizing the D. discoideum assay, showed that both vesicular systems do not produce toxic effects up to a concentration of 0.02 mg/mL. This elegant assay, devoid of animal usage, highlights the potential of these newly organized systems for the delivery of drugs and bioactive molecules of different polarities.