Solid Carrier Research Articles

The role of lipid particle-laden interfaces in regulating the co-delivery of two hydrophobic actives from o/w emulsions

Co-delivery strategies have become an integral active delivery approach, although understanding of how the microstructural characteristics could be deployed to achieve independently regulated active co-delivery profiles, is still an area at its infancy. Herein, the capacity to provide such control was explored by utilizing Pickering emulsions stabilized by lipid particles, namely solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). These dual functional species, regarding their concurrent Pickering stabilization and active carrying/delivery capabilities, were formulated with different solid lipid and surfactant types, and the effect on the release and co-release modulation of two hydrophobic actives separately encapsulated within the lipid particles themselves and within the emulsion droplets was investigated. Disparities between the release profiles from the particles in aqueous dispersions or at an emulsion interface, were related to the specific lipid matrix composition. Particles composed of lipids with higher oil phase compatibility of the emulsion droplets were shown to exert less control over their release regulation ability, as were particles in the presence of surfactant micelles in the continuous phase. Irrespective of their formulation characteristics, all particles provided a level of active release control from within the emulsion droplets, which was dependant on the permeability of the formed interfacial layer. Specifically, use of a bulkier particle surfactant or particle sintering at the droplet interface resulted in more sustained droplet release rates. Compared to sole release, the co-release performance remained unaffected by the co-existence of the two hydrophobic actives with the co-release behavior persisting over a storage period of 1 month.

Evaluating Various Lactose Types as Solid Carriers for Improving Curcumin Solubility in Solid Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (S-SNEDDSs) for Oral Administration

Curcumin, a bioactive compound derived from turmeric, possesses numerous pharmaceutical properties; however, its poor aqueous solubility and permeability result in low bioavailability. This study aims to develop a solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SNEDDS) using different lactose types as solid carriers for the oral administration of curcumin to enhance its solubility. The system comprised curcumin, an oil phase, and a surfactant. Jasmine oil, as the oil phase, and Cremophor® RH40, as the surfactant, were selected due to their superior ability to solubilize curcumin. A microemulsion was then prepared using a ternary phase diagram. The liquid SNEDDSs were converted into S-SNEDDSs by employing three solid carriers: Tablettose® 80, FlowLac® 100, and GranuLac® 200. Dissolution studies conducted in simulated gastric fluid demonstrated a significant improvement in curcumin solubility in the S-SNEDDS formulations compared to curcumin powder. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed the appearance of curcumin in the S-SNEDDS, while Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated compatibility between the excipients and curcumin. Additionally, an accelerated stability study conducted over four weeks at 40 °C and 75% relative humidity showed no significant changes in the physical appearance of the S-SNEDDS formulations. These findings suggest that the S-SNEDDS formulation effectively enhances curcumin’s solubility, potentially improving its bioavailability for oral administration.

Numerical study of a chemical looping combustion system: Effects of fuel type and particle size distributions on the operating performance

Chemical looping combustion (CLC) using biomass offers a promising pathway for achieving negative carbon emissions. However, the different properties of coal and biomass affect reaction performance, which has not been fully explored in the CLC system. Additionally, the effects of particle size distributions (PSDs) of solid fuels and oxygen carriers (OCs) are inadequately addressed. In this study, a 3D reactive model using the computational particle fluid dynamics (CPFD) method is developed to investigate the effects of PSDs of both solid fuels and oxygen carriers on operating performance with coal and biomass as fuels. Results indicate that the average residence time in FR of coal and biomass particles is 0.86 s and 0.68 s, respectively, but biomass outperforms coal in reaction efficiency. For coal-fueled CLC, the average residence time is 0.46 s for coal particles with diameters of 100–200 μm, whereas it reaches 0.86 s for coal diameters of 300–700 μm. However, the reaction performance is better with smaller coal sizes due to char gasification being the rate-limiting step. In comparison, for biomass-fueled CLC, the reaction efficiency remains consistent across various particle sizes under the specified conditions due to the rapid release of volatile components and the low content of char. Additionally, it is found that the OC conversion ratio is mainly determined by their residence time in the zones with relatively higher concentrations of the combustible gas in FR. Employing OCs with overly wide PSDs such as 300–800 μm can compromise the material seal above the AR, increase the risk of gas leakage and decrease the separation efficiency of the inertial separator.

Utilizing Iron Oxidizing Bacteria (IOB) in the Bio-remediation of Subsurface Drinking Water from Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India

Background and Aim: Iron-oxidizing bacteria (IOB) are harmless, chemotrophic organisms that use oxygen to dissolve iron in wastewater contaminated with heavy metals. They thrive in water with iron concentrations as low as 0.1 mg/L, offering a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution for water treatment. In Uttarakhand, widespread iron contamination continues to limit access to safe drinking water despite efforts to address the issue. This study aimed to explore the use of bioremediation and microbial consortia to reduce and eliminate iron contamination in drinking water sources. Methods: The study employed a biosorption process, where the iron-oxidizing bacteria and microbial consortia were immobilized on a solid carrier (coarser sand) to facilitate contact with the contaminated water. The bacteria and consortia adsorbed iron ions from the water onto the surface of the carrier material through various mechanisms, including ion exchange, chelation, and surface complexation. The biosorption experiments were conducted in a batch mode, where the contaminated water was mixed with the carrier material containing the microbial consortium. The mixture was agitated under controlled conditions to promote iron removal. Results: The study assessed the iron removal efficiency of various carriers (gravel, sand, coarse sand, bentonite, and lignite) and iron-oxidizing bacteria (IOB-1 to IOB-6) from 100 water samples collected in Uttarakhand. The key findings are: Carrier Performance: Coarse sand consistently demonstrated the highest iron removal efficiency among all carriers, with an average removal rate of 84.67% ± 0.02%. Microbial Isolate Performance: Among the IOB strains, IOB-1 exhibited the best iron removal efficiency, achieving an average of 46.67% ± 0.08%. Microbial Consortium: The microbial consortium formed using IOB-1 in combination with coarse sand achieved the highest overall iron removal efficiency of 89.33% ± 0.05. These results underscore the effectiveness of bioremediation techniques, particularly using microbial consortia, for addressing iron contamination in water resources. Discussion: The present study demonstrates the efficacy of bioremediation techniques, specifically utilizing iron-oxidizing bacteria and microbial consortia, in addressing iron contamination in water resources. The results indicate that the selected carriers, particularly coarse sand, and the microbial isolate IOB-1 exhibited significant potential for iron removal. Conclusion: The combination of iron-oxidizing bacteria and suitable carriers offers a promising approach for water treatment in regions affected by iron pollution. The microbial consortia entrapped in coarse sand demonstrated superior performance compared to individual strains, suggesting the synergistic effects of microbial interactions.

Hierarchically fibrillated spunlaced nonwovens from waste wool supported ionic liquid as solid amine adsorbents for CO2 capture

The environmental crisis caused by excessive emissions of carbon dioxide-based greenhouse gases has garnered widespread public concern. Solid amine is considered to be one of the most effective carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorbents. However, traditional solid amine carriers have problems such as structural collapse, low efficiency and poor regeneration. In this study, waste wool having hierarchical fibrous structure was spunlaced, fibrillated and later compounded with amino acid ionic liquids (AAIL) leading to the formation of the AAIL@feather-like wool nonwoven absorbents. A synergistic co-amine effect was observed after primary and secondary fibrillation without any sacrifice in the mechanical property of wool nonwovens. Also, the fibrillated nonwovens had high specific area which provided high loading rate (13.53 %) on AAIL. Compared with untreated wool nonwovens, the CO2 adsorption capacity of feather-like wool nonwovens was higher by 65 % (11.75 mmol/g) after loading AAIL. Furthermore, the CO2 adsorption capacity was retained (95.2 %) even after 12 cycles at 80 ℃, indicating that the AAIL@ feather-like wool nonwovens possess good long-term stability. This work paves the way for large scale manufacturing of biobased solid adsorbents with a hierarchical nonwoven structure for efficient CO2 capture.

Impact of Lyophilized Milk Kefir-Based Self-Nanoemulsifying System on Cognitive Enhancement via the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis.

Chronic inflammatory bowel disorders (IBDs) are characterized by altered intestinal permeability, prompting inflammatory, oxidative stress, and immunological factors. Gut microbiota disorders impact brain function via the bidirectional gut-brain axis, influencing behavior through inflammatory cascades, oxidative stress, and neurotransmitter levels. This study highlights the potential effect of integrating lyophilized milk kefir alone and lyophilized milk kefir as solid carriers loaded with a self-nanoemulsifying self-nanosuspension (SNESNS) of licorice extract on an induced chronic IBD-like model in rats. Licorice-SNESNS was prepared by the homogenization of 30 mg of licorice extract in 1 g of the selected SNEDDS (30% Caraway oil, 60% Tween 20, and 10% propylene glycol (w/w)). Licorice-SNESNS was mixed with milk kefir and then freeze-dried. Dynamic TEM images and the bimodal particle size curve confirmed the formation of the biphasic nanosystems after dilution (nanoemulsion and nanosuspension). Daily oral administration of lyophilized milk kefir (100 mg/kg) loaded with SNESNS (10 mg/kg Caraway oil and 1 mg/kg licorice) restored normal body weight and intestinal mucosa while significantly reducing submucosal inflammatory cell infiltration in induced rats. Importantly, this treatment demonstrated superior efficacy compared to lyophilized milk kefir alone by leading to a more significant alleviation of neurotransmitter levels and improved memory functions, thereby addressing gut-brain axis disorders. Additionally, it normalized fecal microbiome constituents, inflammatory cytokine levels, and oxidative stress in examined tissues and serum. Moreover, daily administration of kefir-loaded SNESNS normalized the disease activity index, alleviated histopathological changes induced by IBD induction, and partially restored the normal gut microbiota. These alterations are associated with improved cognitive functions, attributed to the maintenance of normal neurotransmitter levels and the alleviation of triggered inflammatory factors and oxidative stress levels.

Establishment of a semi-continuous nano-production line using the Microfluidizer® technology for the fabrication of lipid-based nanoparticles part 1: Screening of critical parameters and design of experiment optimization studies

A variety of strategies for producing high-quality nanoparticles have been reported in recent years. Batch-based bottom-up and top-down technologies are generally the most efficient methods, but present a number of challenges, particularly in terms of variability, safety, sustainability and large-scale production. In this study, a scalable, semi-continuous production line was built by connecting individual processing units, including a high shear mixing device, the Microfluidizer® technology and a cooling system. Each unit was equipped with an adequate temperature control to allow solvent-free production of solid lipid nanoparticles (consisting of Precirol® ATO 5 or Gelucire® 43/01) and nanostructured lipid carriers (additionally comprising Labrafac™ lipophile WL 1349). Subsequently, critical formulation parameters and critical process parameters (CPPs) of the individual processing units and their effects on particle size (i.e., critical quality attribute (CQA)) were investigated to identify appropriate input parameters for the subsequent Design of Experiment (DoE) studies conducted after linking the process units to a semi-continuous production line. For particle size monitoring, spatially resolved dynamic light scattering (SR-DLS) measurements were conducted and compared to standard DLS measurements to evaluate the applicability of SR-DLS as an inline monitoring tool. It was found that matrix composition, emulsifier concentration, pressure and number of cycles when processing through Microfluidizer® processor were the most influencing parameters. By optimizing these parameters, five-times higher throughputs could be achieved by the semi-continuous manufacturing line. In addition, the particle size measurements with SR-DLS confirmed the feasibility of implementing this technology for real-time particle size monitoring as an important safety factor in quality control.

Enhancing Acute Migraine Treatment: Exploring Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for the Nose-to-Brain Route.

Migraine has a high prevalence worldwide and is one of the main disabling neurological diseases in individuals under the age of 50. In general, treatment includes the use of oral analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for mild attacks, and, for moderate or severe attacks, triptans or 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonists. However, the administration of antimigraine drugs in conventional oral pharmaceutical dosage forms is a challenge, since many molecules have difficulty crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to reach the brain, which leads to bioavailability problems. Efforts have been made to find alternative delivery systems and/or routes for antimigraine drugs. In vivo studies have shown that it is possible to administer drugs directly into the brain via the intranasal (IN) or the nose-to-brain route, thus avoiding the need for the molecules to cross the BBB. In this field, the use of lipid nanoparticles, in particular solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), has shown promising results, since they have several advantages for drugs administered via the IN route, including increased absorption and reduced enzymatic degradation, improving bioavailability. Furthermore, SLN and NLC are capable of co-encapsulating drugs, promoting their simultaneous delivery to the site of therapeutic action, which can be a promising approach for the acute migraine treatment. This review highlights the potential of using SLN and NLC to improve the treatment of acute migraine via the nose-to-brain route. First sections describe the pathophysiology and the currently available pharmacological treatment for acute migraine, followed by an outline of the mechanisms underlying the nose-to-brain route. Afterwards, the main features of SLN and NLC and the most recent in vivo studies investigating the use of these nanoparticles for the treatment of acute migraine are presented.

SLNs and NLCs for Skin Applications: Enhancing the Bioavailability of Natural Bioactives.

Natural bioactives are mixtures of compounds extracted from plants with physicochemical properties that are usually not favorable for penetrating the skin's complex barrier. Nanoparticles have important advantages both in dermatology and cosmetology: improved solubility and stability of encapsulated phytocompounds, controlled and sustained skin delivery, and enhanced skin permeation, leading to an improved bioavailability. This review focuses on two generations of lipid-based nanoparticles: solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). An extensive overview on the recent studies on SLNs and NLCs entrapping essential oils, oils, herbal extracts, and phytocompounds for topical applications is presented, emphasizing their composition, physicochemical characterization, efficacy, and methodologies used to evaluate them. This review also summarizes topical systems containing natural bioactives incorporated into SLNs and NLCs, commercially available products and registered patents in the field. SLNs and NLCs turn out to be effective nanocarriers for skin applications, offering significantly improved encapsulation efficiency, stability, and bioactives delivery. However, their full potential is underexplored. Future applications should study the encapsulation potential of new natural bioactives and show more specialized solutions that address specific requirements; an improved product performance and a pleasant sensory profile could lead to increased customer compliance with the product use.

Development and Characterization of Olaparib-Loaded Solid Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System (S-SNEDDS) for Pharmaceutical Applications.

This study aims to enhance the solubility of Olaparib, classified as biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class IV due to its low solubility and bioavailability using a solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SNEDDS). For this purpose, SNEDDS formulations were created using Capmul MCM as the oil, Tween 80 as the surfactant, and PEG 400 as the co-surfactant. The SNEDDS formulation containing olaparib (OLS-352), selected as the optimal formulation, showed a mean droplet size of 87.0 ± 0.4 nm and drug content of 5.53 ± 0.09%. OLS-352 also demonstrated anticancer activity against commonly studied ovarian (SK-OV-3) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines. Aerosil® 200 and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K30 were selected as solid carriers, and S-SNEDDS formulations were prepared using the spray drying method. The drug concentration in S-SNEDDS showed no significant changes (98.4 ± 0.30%, 25℃) with temperature fluctuations during the 4-week period, demonstrating improved storage stability compared to liquid SNEDDS (L-SNEDDS). Dissolution tests under simulated gastric and intestinal conditions revealed enhanced drug release profiles compared to those of the raw drug. Additionally, the S-SNEDDS formulation showed a fourfold greater absorption in the Caco-2 assay than the raw drug, suggesting that S-SNEDDS could improve the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs like olaparib, thus enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, this study holds significance in crafting a potent and cost-effective pharmaceutical formulation tailored for the oral delivery of poorly soluble drugs.

Composting and Liquid Formulations: Panacea to Better Yield in Agriculture: A Review

Liquid formulations, including aqueous, oil, and polymer-based products, often use polysaccharides to alter fluid properties. Liquid inoculants offer cost-effective alternatives to solid carriers, particularly benefiting small producers in India by overcoming transportation and processing challenges. Ideal liquid inoculants are non-toxic, low-cost, uniform, nutrient-supplemented, and support rapid microorganism release and growth. Effective formulations stabilize organisms, ensure easy field delivery, protect against environmental factors, and enhance microbial activity. Rich in nutrients and organic matter, compost enhances the texture, structure, and moisture retention of soil, improving soil qualities and crop productivity. It boosts soil enzyme activity and microbial populations, promoting nitrogen fixation and nutrient availability. Organic manure applications increase soil fertility, water retention, and reduce bulk density. Field and horticultural crops, such as potatoes, chillies, and tomatoes, show significant yield improvements with compost, which also suppresses plant diseases and weed populations. These findings underscore the importance of adopting liquid formulations and composting as sustainable agricultural practices.

Formulation and <i>in vitro</i> Evaluation of Liquisolid Compact of Celecoxib

<i>Introduction</i>: The liquisolid technique presents a promising avenue for enhancing the dissolution rate and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs like celecoxib. This study investigated the formulation and evaluation of celecoxib tablets using this technique. <i>Aim</i>: To formulate and evaluate celecoxib tablets using the liquisolid technique, with the objective of enhancing its dissolution rate and bioavailability. <i>Methods</i>: Celecoxib tablets were prepared using the liquid-solid technique by incorporating a non-volatile liquid medication carrier and a suitable solid carrier. Various formulations were developed by altering the ratios of drug, carrier, and coating materials. The prepared tablets were characterized for their physical properties, drug content uniformity, <i>in vitro</i> dissolution behavior, and compatibility using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. <i>Results</i>: The solubility profile showed that the maximum rate of solubility was recorded in PEG-400 (11.03 ± 0.01) when compared to other non-volatile solvents. The angle of slide, indicated that the excipients used were within the acceptable limit of 33°. The FTIR spectroscopy showed compatibility of the drug and excipients. The results of the SEM showed that spherically-shaped vesicles were formed. Evaluation of the pre-compression parameters indicated that the drug content was highest in batch F-11 hence its optimization (96.1 ± 0.90). The post compression evaluation indicated that the official tests were within the acceptable range for disintegration time (2.25 ± 0.35). The results of the <i>in vitro</i> release studies of the optimized formulation, conventional tablet and reference commercial tablet showed that the amount of drug released increased steadily with time over the 1-hour period. <i>Conclusion</i>: Our findings underscore its viability as a strategy to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of poorly water-soluble drugs, offering promising prospects for pharmaceutical formulation.

Lipid-based nanodelivery systems of curcumin: Recent advances, approaches, and applications

Despite its many beneficial effects, pharmaceutical applications of curcumin (CUR) are limited due to its chemical instability, low solubility/absorption and weak bioavailability. Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of CUR-loaded nanodelivery systems to tackle those issues. Within many different nanocarriers developed for CUR up to date, lipid-based nanocarriers (LBNs) are among the most extensively studied systems. LBNs such as nanoemulsions, solid lipid carriers, nanostructured phospholipid/surfactant carriers are shown to be potential delivery systems capable of improving the solubility, bioavailability, and chemical stability of CUR. The particle characteristics, stability, bioavailability, and release properties of CUR-loaded LBNs can be tailored via optimizing the formulation and processing parameters. This paper reviews the most recent studies on the development of various CUR-loaded LBNs. Approaches to the improvement of CUR bioavailability and release characteristics of LBNs are discussed. Furthermore, challenges in the development of CUR-loaded LBNs and their potential applications are presented.

Halogen and Chalcogen Activation by Nucleophilic Catalysis.

The high utility of halogenated organic compounds has prompted the development of numerous transformations that install the carbon-halogen motif. Halogen functionalities, deemed as "functional and functionalizable" molecules due to their capacity to modulate diverse internal properties, constitute a pivotal strategy in drug discovery and development. Traditional routes to these building blocks have commonly involved multiple steps, harsh reaction conditions, and the use of stoichiometric and/or toxic reagents. With the emergence of solid halogen carriers such as N-halosuccinimides, and halohydantoins as popular sources of halonium ions, the past decade has witnessed enormous growth in the development of new catalytic strategies for halofunctionalization. This review aims to provide a nuanced perspective on nucleophilic activators and their roles in halogen activation. It will highlight critical discoveries in effecting racemic and asymmetric variants of these reactions, driven by the development of new catalysts, activation modes, and improved understanding of chemical reactivity and reaction kinetics.

A comparative thermodynamic assessment of microwave-assisted and conventional pyrolysis of biomass in poly-generation systems using coupled numerical and process simulations

Biomass is a unique renewable carbon resource that can be flexibly converted into biofuels, chemicals, and biomaterials using pyrolysis technology. Microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) has gained increasing attention due to its faster and more uniform heating characteristics compared to conventional pyrolysis (CP). However, thermodynamic assessments of biomass MAP-based systems that consider detailed pyrolytic product information are lacking. This study simulated biomass-derived poly-generation systems employing MAP with microwave absorbers (MAP-S) and CP with solid heat carriers (CP-S). The proposed systems included pretreatment, pyrolysis, bio-oil rectification, hydrodeoxygenation, and combined cycle power units, producing biofuels, chemicals, and electricity. To obtain operating information that aligns more closely with engineering reality, pilot-scale numerical models integrating reaction kinetics and transport processes were established for the MAP and CP reactors. These models were validated against lab-scale experimental results after scaling down the models’ geometrical sizes. The results of product yields and energy consumption from numerical simulations were used to support the process simulation. Simulation results showed that the energy efficiency and net power generation efficiency of MAP-S were 59.37 % and 17.78 %, respectively, lower than the 67.19 % and 18.22 % of CP-S. In CP-S, the exergy of materials primarily moved towards the chemicals production units with an exergy efficiency (ηex) of 60.0 %, whereas in MAP-S, more exergy flowed towards the power generation units with a lower ηex of 58.46 %. Notably, the exergy destruction rate (Exd) for CP-S was 3.91 MW, higher than the 3.65 MW for MAP-S. Moreover, the CP-S achieves a higher carbon utilization efficiency at 42.32 %, compared to 35.03 % for the MAP-S. For the pyrolysis units, although the CP unit experienced higher heat losses (0.31 MW) compared to the MAP unit (0.1 MW), the ηex for the CP unit was higher due to a lower Exd. Additionally, CP-S consumed more hydrogen in the hydrodeoxygenation units, whereas MAP-S might achieve self-supply of hydrogen by adjusting operation conditions and technology processes.

Recent Update on Applications of Nanostructured Lipid and Solid Lipid Nanocarriers Carriers in Drug Delivery Systems: a Narrative Review

Objective: The review article highlights the development of nano-formulations like solid lipid nanocarriers and nanostructured lipid carriers and their applicability in different drug delivery systems. Significance: In order to get around some of the drawbacks of traditional formulations, lipid base delivery save received increased interest in recent years. These lipidic carriers are created to get around the drawbacks of other colloidal carriers, including polymeric nanoparticles, emulsions, and liposomes, which have the advantages of great physical stability, a favorable release profile, and tailored drug delivery. Conclusion: Nanostructured lipid carriers are an up-and-coming type of nano-carrier that can be used to develop highly effective and customized treatments for cancer chemotherapy. Changing their surface can help target specific areas and make them work better while lowering the side effects of high doses, which is essential for dealing with drug resistance in cancer chemotherapy.

Evaluation of the Mineral Manganese OXMN009 and OXMN009P in the Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC) Process Using Thermogravimetry

Indirect combustion with the chemical looping combustion (CLC) of solid oxygen carriers is one of the most promising technologies for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) in energy production from fossil fuels since the separation of the generated CO2 is inherent to the process itself. Therefore, the cost associated with capturing this gas will be significantly reduced. This technology transfers oxygen from air to fuel through a metal oxide that acts as an oxygen carrier, avoiding direct contact between air and fuel. This oxygen carrier circulates in a fluidized bed reactor called a reduction reactor and an oxidation reactor. (1) This research work has focused on evaluating the behavior of oxygen carriers based on the original and improved manganese mineral (copper-impregnated mineral) named for this study, OXMN009 and OXMN009P, respectively. (2) Equilibrium experiments were carried out on a thermogravimetric balance (TGA) to evaluate the kinetic behavior of these oxygen transporters OXMN009 and OXMN009P, using the gases methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen (H2). (3) The enhanced solid oxygen carrier OXMN009P exhibited good performance for the CLC process with gaseous fuels in terms of reactivity and combustion efficiency, having high reactivity and oxygen transfer properties due to copper impregnation. (4) The results show that OXMN009P has comparable reactivity to other manganese-based materials reported in the literature. It may be an effective option for carbon dioxide capture, as it uses metal oxides as the oxygen transporters (TO). (5) These oxygen transporters, OXMN009 and OXMN009P, are used in a cyclic process that prevents the formation of nitrogen oxides by keeping the air and fuel separate. (6) Thermogravimetric balance (TGA) experiments were conducted to evaluate the kinetic behavior of these copper-modified oxygen transporters. (7) It was found that OXMN009P improved the reactivity and oxygen transfer properties due to copper impregnation. The kinetic parameters obtained in the TGA indicate that the reaction is non-thermal and requires less energy to initiate. (8) The results show that OXMN009P has reactivity comparable to other manganese-based materials reported in the literature and can be an effective option for carbon dioxide capture.

Establishment of nanoparticle screening technique: A pivotal role of sodium carboxymethylcellulose in enhancing oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble aceclofenac

A novel nanoparticle screening technique was established to mostly enhance the aqueous solubility and oral bioavailability of aceclofenac using nanoparticle systems. Among the polymers investigated, sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC) showed the greatest increase in drug solubility. Utilizing spray-drying technique, the solvent-evaporated solid dispersion (SESD), surface-attached solid dispersion (SASD), and solvent-wetted solid dispersion (SWSD) were prepared using aceclofenac and Na-CMC at a weight ratio of 1:1 in 50 % ethanol, distilled water, and ethanol, respectively. Using Na-CMC as a solid carrier, an aceclofenac-loaded liquid self-emulsifying drug delivery system was spray-dried and fluid-bed granulated together with microcrystalline cellulose, producing a solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) and solid self-nanoemulsifying granule system (SNEGS), respectively. Their physicochemical properties and preclinical assessments in rats were performed. All nanoparticles exhibited very different properties, including morphology, crystallinity, and size. As a result, they significantly enhanced the solubility, dissolution, and oral bioavailability in the following order: SNEDDS ≥ SNEGS > SESD ≥ SASD ≥ SWSD. Based on our screening technique, the SNEDDS was selected as the optimal nanoparticle with the highest bioavailability of aceclofenac. Thus, our nanoparticle screening technique should be an excellent guideline for solubilization research to improve the solubility and bioavailability of many poorly water-soluble bioactive materials.

Biodegradability and formulation of triclosan-degrading and plant-growth-promoting Pseudomonas sp. MS45

Abstract. Sipahutar MK. 2024. Biodegradability and formulation of triclosan-degrading and plant-growth-promoting Pseudomonas sp. MS45. Biodiversitas 25: 2980-2992. This study presents the isolation of Pseudomonas sp. MS45, a microorganism that can consume triclosan (TCS) as its only carbon and energy source, leading to its detoxification. The rarity of a toxicity study of TCS before and after biodegradation treatment is addressed in this study. Allium cepa's genotoxicity exposed TCS's cytotoxicity, generating multiple damaged chromosomes, in contrast to the insignificant consequences of its broken-down metabolites. The study also optimized the different kinetic parameters for TCS-specific biodegradation and Pseudomonas sp. MS45-specific growth. The biodegradation pattern followed the Michaelis-Menten model with a maximum specific biodegradation rate (Vmax) of 0.01 µmole h-1 mg cell protein-1 and a half saturation constant (Ks) of 21.98 µM. The growth pattern followed the Haldane model with a maximum specific growth rate (µmax) of 0.03 h-1, half saturation constant (Ks) of 4.56 µM, and TCS inhibition constant (Ki) of 32.81 µM. In addition to its TCS-degrading ability, Pseudomonas sp. MS45 also possesses various plant growth promotion traits, and it was incorporated into two solid carrier formulations: vermiculite and rice bran. The study found that vermiculite, especially with PEG, was the most consistent formulation for Pseudomonas sp. MS45, in terms of maintaining bacterial survival and TCS-degrading ability. This study marks the initial report on the biodegradation and formulation of TCS-destroying and Plant-Growth-Promoting (PGP) Pseudomonas sp. MS45, offering promising implications for environmental and agricultural applications.

Enhanced Skin Penetration and Efficacy: First and Second Generation Lipoidal Nanocarriers in Skin Cancer Therapy.

Skin carcinoma remains one of the most widespread forms of cancer, and its global impact continues to increase. Basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma are three kinds of cutaneous carcinomas depending upon occurrence and severity. The invasive nature of skin cancer, the limited effectiveness of current therapy techniques, and constraints to efficient systems for drug delivery are difficulties linked with the treatment of skin carcinoma. In the present era, the delivery of drugs has found a new and exciting horizon in the realm of nanotechnology, which presents inventive solutions to the problems posed by traditional therapeutic procedures for skin cancer management. Lipid-based nanocarriers like solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers have attracted a substantial focusin recent years owing to their capability to improve the drug'ssite-specific delivery,enhancing systemic availability,and thus its effectiveness. Due to their distinct structural and functional characteristics, these nanocarriers can deliver a range of medications, such as peptides, nucleic acids, and chemotherapeutics, via different biological barriers, such as the skin. In this review, an effort was made to present the mechanism of lipid nanocarrier permeation via cancerous skin. In addition, recent research advances in lipid nanocarriers have also been discussed with the help of in vitro cell lines and preclinical studies. Being a nano size, their limitations and toxicity aspects in living systems have also been elaborated.