Spherical Granules Research Articles

Physical and histological comparison of three-dimensional interconnected porous carbonate apatite bone graft fabricated with cylindrical and spherical granules

Three-dimensional interconnected porous carbonate apatite (3D-CO3Ap) bone grafts facilitate rapid bone replacement because of their structure, which supports cellular infiltration. Existing 3D-CO3Ap grafts have demonstrated limited mechanical strength, with a maximum compressive strength of 3 MPa. By fusing polymer-bound CaCO3 granules, followed by the debinding and compositional transformation of the granules via a dissolution–precipitation reaction, we successfully fabricated 3D-CO3Ap grafts that exhibited remarkably enhanced compressive strengths, which were recorded at 14.9 ± 3.7 MPa. The use of spherical granules, which provide more uniform and effective intergranular contacts than cylindrical granules, was key to achieving higher mechanical strength and superior bone formation. 3D-CO3Ap developed with spherical granules not only exhibited higher compressive strength, but also enhanced new bone formation compared with those fabricated with cylindrical granules. This study underscores the significance of porous microstructure design in 3D-CO3Ap, highlighting its critical role in optimizing both mechanical properties and bone regeneration capabilities.

The maltose-related starch degradation pathway promotes the formation of large and spherical transitory starch granules.

Previously, in Arabidopsis thaliana, we found atypical spherical starch granules in dpe2ss4 and dpe2phs1ss4. However, the mechanism of such abnormal morphogenesis is still obscure. By tracking starch granule length and thickness with leaf ageing, we reported that the starch granules in dpe2phs1ss4 gradually change to a spherical shape over time. In comparison, Col-0 and the parental line ss4 did not exhibit macroscopic morphological alteration. In this study, firstly, we specify that the additional lack of DPE2 resulted in the gradual alteration of starch granule morphology over time. Similar gradual morphological alterations were also found in dpe2, mex1, and sex4 but not in the other starch degradation-related mutants, such as sex1-8, pwd, and bam3. The gradual alteration of starch morphology can be eliminated by omitting the dark phase, suggesting that the particular impaired starch degradation in dpe2- and mex1-related mutants influences starch morphology. Secondly, we observed that spherical starch morphology generation was accompanied by prominent elevated short glucan chains of amylopectin and an increased amylose proportion. Thirdly, the interplay between soluble starch synthase 2 and branching enzymes was affected and resulted in the formation of spherical starch granules. The resulting spherical starch granules allow for elevated starch synthesis efficiency. Fourthly, the starch phosphate content at the granule surface correlated with the morphology alteration of the starch granules. Herewith, we propose a model that spherical starch granules, accumulated in mutants with a misbalance of the starch degradation pathway, are result of elevated starch synthesis to cope with overloaded carbohydrates.

Design of porous calcium phosphate cement composed of spherical porous granules based on precipitation of octacalcium phosphate

Design of porous calcium phosphate cement composed of spherical porous granules based on precipitation of octacalcium phosphate

Nutrition Design Modeling Method Development for Adana Origin Maize Starch Granules by Structural and Elemental Analysis

The granules of Adana origin maize starch were treated with thermal, acidic and amylase enzyme degradation processes and examined using the Field Emission Gun – Scanning Electron Microscope (FEG-SEM) to determine the structure analysis and composition modeling. The morphology deformation of the starch granules in shape, surface and size, and elemental analysis peaks and data were determined upon degradation. The microstructure images resulted the occurrence of stretches and slit cracks on the nanoparticle surface and high carbohydrate carbon elemental compound. The degraded amylopectin layers upon the conversion stages were notably presented with high clarity ever published. Investigation of the treated starch granules presented that the granules presented an explicit swelled, splintered and spherical granules model, and a high carbon carbohydrate nutrition model. The swelling and gelling existence temperature of the starch samples were detected as 69 °C.

Effect of deposition cycle and annealing on the structural, optical, electrical, and photoluminescence properties of SnS films obtained from rapid S-SILAR technique

AbstractIn this paper, we present an optimized procedure for depositing SnS thin films using the rapid S-SILAR technique. We also analyze the effects of deposition cycles and post-deposition annealing on various film properties. XRD analysis indicates the presence of orthorhombic and cubic phases in the films. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis confirms near-optimal stoichiometry. SEM images depict the growth of closely spaced spherical granules. High optical absorption is observed in the mid-visible to NIR region, with the absorption edge shifting towards the NIR region after annealing. The bandgap values range from 1.6 eV to 1.9 eV, which is ideal for photovoltaic applications. PL spectra show three clusters of peaks corresponding to red and green emissions. Hall measurements confirm that both the as-deposited and annealed SnS films exhibit p-type conductivity, with a hole concentration on the order of 1015 cm−3.

NMR transverse relaxation times and phase equilibria of methane hydrate in mesoporous alumina

The processes of formation (and decomposition) of methane hydrate from water adsorbed in the pores of spherical granules of mesoporous alumina (Al2O3) have been investigated using the low-field NMR spin–spin relaxation time (T2) and DSC methods. Analysis of the obtained data showed that changes observed in the relaxation time spectra represent a strong case in favor of the model envisaging hydrate growth in pore spaces without conspicuous water transfer through the volume content of the sample with mesoporous structure. As the supercooling strength of the liquid phase enhances, the size of the pores in which hydrate formation takes place decreases. At this, the size of the hydrate particles previously formed in larger pores tends to increase. Hydrate nucleation was shown to be followed by intensive and rapid hydrate formation in some parts of the alumina granules in the sample. The “skipping” mechanism of hydrate formation between granules remains unclear.

Composite "Crosslinked Polyvinyl Alcohol-Magnetite" as a Stimuli-Responsive Matrix for Optical Methods.

The preparation and application of the composite material "crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol-magnetite" as a sensitive matrix for use in digital colorimetry and optical micrometry methods are discussed. The material was synthesized in the form of spherical granules (for micrometry) and thin films (for digital colorimetry). The obtained composites were characterized by the registration of magnetization curves. It was shown that the amount of grown Fe3O4 particles in the polymer gel is in linear dependence with the iron salt concentrations in the impregnating solutions. The composite granules were applied to determining monosaccharides using optical micrometry. The optimal pH value for the total amount of monosaccharides' determination was 8.6. The study of the analytical response of composite granules and films performed with a low limit of detection (7.9 mmol/dm3) of both glucose and fructose and a possibility of the control of high alcohol contention in water media. The granules were used to determine the total carbohydrate content in samples of natural honey and syrups with high fructose contents, while the films were used to control the alcohol content in hand antiseptics. The results obtained are in good agreement with the data provided by the manufacturers.

Drying effects on physicochemical and functional properties of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) ink powder

This study investigated the physicochemical, functional, and organoleptic properties of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) ink powder prepared by freeze drying and hot air tray drying. Key proximate and physicochemical properties were measured to assess differences due to drying method. In addition, organoleptic tests were conducted on cuttlefish ink powder incorporated into spaghetti sauce. Freeze-dried powders had slightly higher moisture (9.86 %) than tray-dried powders (7.65 %) and more ash (15.04 versus 13.19 %). Both samples had ∼43 % protein, a light-brown to black color and a pH of 5.5–5.6 when rehydrated. There were no differences in loose or tapped density and Hausner ratios of 1.30–1.35 suggest the powders had ‘passable’ flow. Overall protein solubility varied with pH and freeze-dried materials generally had greater solubility. FT-IR showed no differences in peaks derived from organic components. FE-SEM showed both samples had spherical granules that formed 100–200 nm clusters; however, the surface texture of tray-dried powders was rougher than the freeze-dried samples. Consumer tests showed higher overall likability for spaghetti sauce with fresh ink compared to dried ink powders. Differences were attributed more to texture than to flavor or appearance. Cuttlefish ink can be utilized in the food industry, particularly as a natural flavor, food coloring or additive.

Processing of millimeter-sized spherical ZrO2 granules through sodium alginate cross-linking and an assessment of their resultant properties

Processing of millimeter-sized spherical ZrO2 granules through sodium alginate cross-linking and an assessment of their resultant properties

Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Anchored Carbon as Hybrid Adsorbent Materials for Effective Heavy Metals Uptake from Wastewater

Hybrid material-derived adsorbents have shown a great applicable efficiency in various fields, including industrial uses and environmental remediation. Herein, zinc oxide nanoparticle modified with carbon (ZnO-C) was fabricated and utilized for wastewater treatment through the adsorption of Zn(II), Cd(II), Co(II), and Mn(II). The surface and structural characteristics were examined using TEM, SEM, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, EDS, and the BET surface area. Kinetics and equilibrium investigations were applied to optimize the adsorptive removal of Zn(II), Cd(II), Co(II), and Mn(II) onto ZnO-C. The results indicated that the formation of ZnO-C in crystalline sphere-like granules with a nano-size between 16 and 68 nm together with carbon matrix. In addition, the spherical granules of zinc oxide were gathered to form clusters. FTIR spectroscopy indicated that the ZnO-C surface was rich with OH groups and ZnO. The adsorption capacity 215, 213, 206, and 231 mg/g for Zn(II), Cd(II), Co(II), and Mn(II), respectively, at the optimal conditions pH between 5 and 6, a contact time of 180 min, and an adsorbent dose of 0.1 g/L. The adsorptive removal data modeling for the uptake of Zn(II), Cd(II), Co(II), and Mn(II) onto ZnO-C showed agreement with the assumption of the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich isotherm, suggesting a fast adsorption rate and a multilayered mechanism. The achieved adsorption capacity using the prepared ZnO-C was more effective compared to ZnO, carbon, Fe3O4, and Fe3O4-C. Real wastewater samples were applied, including valley water, industrial wastewater, and rain wastewater, and evaluated for the applicable uptake of Zn(II), Cd(II), Co(II), and Mn(II) using ZnO-C and Fe3O4-C with effective removal efficiency.

Characterization of starches isolated from Mexican pulse crops: Structural, physicochemical, and rheological properties

This work aimed to characterize and compare the physicochemical properties of four pulse starches: bean, chickpea, lentil, and pea. Chemical proximate analysis, elemental composition, morphological grain characterization, crystalline structure, thermal analysis, FTIR analysis, and pasting properties were conducted. The proximate analysis shows that these starches have low fat, mineral, and protein content but high amylose values ranging from 29 to 36 % determined by colorimetry. Despite the high amylose content, the starches did not exhibit the typical behavior of an amylose-rich starch, with high peak viscosity and low breakdown and setback. It was found that this behavior was likely due to the large granule size of the ellipsoidal, spherical, and kidney-shaped granules and the high content of some minerals such as Na, Mg, K, Fe, Mn, P, and Si. The study also found that all pulse starches simultaneously contain monoclinic and hexagonal crystals, making them C-type starches. The findings were verified through the Rietveld analyses of X-ray diffraction patterns and differential scanning calorimetry, in which bimodal endothermic peaks evidenced both types of crystals being gelatinized.

Effect of Red Palm Olein and Glutinous Rice Flour Mixture as Fat Replacers on the Physicochemical, Rheological, and Microstructural Properties of Buffalo Meat Emulsion

The present study evaluated the physicochemical, rheological, and microstructural properties of buffalo meat emulsion incorporated with red palm olein (RPO) and glutinous rice flour (GRF) as fat replacers. A total of six different samples were prepared by using combinations of RPO and GRF replacing animal fat viz., control (with animal fat), R1 (100% fat replaced by RPO), R2 (50% fat replaced by RPO), RG (50% fat replaced by 25% RPO and 25% GRF), G1 (100% fat replaced by GRF), and G2 (50% fat replaced by GRF). The samples were analysed for physicochemical parameters, gel strength, rheological and microstructural properties. G1 and G2 samples were recorded with improved emulsion stability, cooking loss, hardness, and chewiness while lowering the fat content. Micrographs of G1 and G2 samples demonstrated a spongy/honeycomb-like structure with roughly spherical crystalline granules. The rheological properties of G1 indicated a more stable emulsion with a higher storage modulus (G’). Using RPO as a fat replacer seemed to produce a lower-quality emulsion. Therefore, replacing the fat with GRF, especially at 100%, is proposed for buffalo meat emulsion.

Preparation and Evaluation of Cements Using Spherical Porous β-Tricalcium Phosphate Granules

Preparation and Evaluation of Cements Using Spherical Porous β-Tricalcium Phosphate Granules

Autotrophic biofilms sustained by deeply sourced groundwater host diverse bacteria implicated in sulfur and hydrogen metabolism

BackgroundBiofilms in sulfide-rich springs present intricate microbial communities that play pivotal roles in biogeochemical cycling. We studied chemoautotrophically based biofilms that host diverse CPR bacteria and grow in sulfide-rich springs to investigate microbial controls on biogeochemical cycling.ResultsSulfide springs biofilms were investigated using bulk geochemical analysis, genome-resolved metagenomics, and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) at room temperature and 87 K. Chemolithotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, including Thiothrix and Beggiatoa, dominate the biofilms, which also contain CPR Gracilibacteria, Absconditabacteria, Saccharibacteria, Peregrinibacteria, Berkelbacteria, Microgenomates, and Parcubacteria. STXM imaging revealed ultra-small cells near the surfaces of filamentous bacteria that may be CPR bacterial episymbionts. STXM and NEXAFS spectroscopy at carbon K and sulfur L2,3 edges show that filamentous bacteria contain protein-encapsulated spherical elemental sulfur granules, indicating that they are sulfur oxidizers, likely Thiothrix. Berkelbacteria and Moranbacteria in the same biofilm sample are predicted to have a novel electron bifurcating group 3b [NiFe]-hydrogenase, putatively a sulfhydrogenase, potentially linked to sulfur metabolism via redox cofactors. This complex could potentially contribute to symbioses, for example, with sulfur-oxidizing bacteria such as Thiothrix that is based on cryptic sulfur cycling. One Doudnabacteria genome encodes adjacent sulfur dioxygenase and rhodanese genes that may convert thiosulfate to sulfite. We find similar conserved genomic architecture associated with CPR bacteria from other sulfur-rich subsurface ecosystems.ConclusionsOur combined metagenomic, geochemical, spectromicroscopic, and structural bioinformatics analyses of biofilms growing in sulfide-rich springs revealed consortia that contain CPR bacteria and sulfur-oxidizing Proteobacteria, including Thiothrix, and bacteria from a new family within Beggiatoales. We infer roles for CPR bacteria in sulfur and hydrogen cycling.8FE2mu4H1cxgQVBqjGxsC2Video

SAGA1 and SAGA2 promote starch formation around proto-pyrenoids in Arabidopsis chloroplasts

The pyrenoid is a chloroplastic microcompartment in which most algae and some terrestrial plants condense the primary carboxylase, Rubisco (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) as part of a CO2-concentrating mechanism that improves the efficiency of CO2 capture. Engineering a pyrenoid-based CO2-concentrating mechanism (pCCM) into C3 crop plants is a promising strategy to enhance yield capacities and resilience to the changing climate. Many pyrenoids are characterized by a sheath of starch plates that is proposed to act as a barrier to limit CO2 diffusion. Recently, we have reconstituted a phase-separated "proto-pyrenoid" Rubisco matrix in the model C3 plant Arabidopsis thaliana using proteins from the alga with the most well-studied pyrenoid, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii [N. Atkinson, Y. Mao, K. X. Chan, A. J. McCormick, Nat. Commun. 11, 6303 (2020)]. Here, we describe the impact of introducing the Chlamydomonas proteins StArch Granules Abnormal 1 (SAGA1) and SAGA2, which are associated with the regulation of pyrenoid starch biogenesis and morphology. We show that SAGA1 localizes to the proto-pyrenoid in engineered Arabidopsis plants, which results in the formation of atypical spherical starch granules enclosed within the proto-pyrenoid condensate and adjacent plate-like granules that partially cover the condensate, but without modifying the total amount of chloroplastic starch accrued. Additional expression of SAGA2 further increases the proportion of starch synthesized as adjacent plate-like granules that fully encircle the proto-pyrenoid. Our findings pave the way to assembling a diffusion barrier as part of a functional pCCM in vascular plants, while also advancing our understanding of the roles of SAGA1 and SAGA2 in starch sheath formation and broadening the avenues for engineering starch morphology.

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION OF 2-[(Z)-{[6-AMINO-2-(4- CHLOROPHENYL) PYRIMIDIN-4-YL] IMINO} METHYL]-4- NITROPHENOL SCHIFF BASE WITH Mn (II), Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II), Zn (II), Pt (II) FOR THEIR NANOPARTICLE AND ANTIBACTERIAL STUDIES

The green synthesis of novel 2-[(Z)-{[6-amino-2-(4-chlorophenyl) pyrimidin-4-yl] imino} methyl]-4- nitrophenol Schiff base complexes with Mn 2+ , Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pt2+ was successfully synthesized. These synthesized materials underwent thorough characterization using various analytical and physicochemical techniques, including elemental analysis, molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Electron spin resonance (ESR), Electronic spectra, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Mass spectrometry, and X-ray powder diffraction. The results show that the Pt2+ and Ni2+ complexes exhibit octahedral geometry, while all other complexes adopt a square planar geometry. The ESR spectral data provided insights into their structures and the degree of covalency. Additionally, SEM and TEM studies showed that the synthesized nanoparticles have sizes ranging from 19-32 nm, with spherical granules. Furthermore, Schiff base and their metal ion complexes were tested for their anti-microbial activities.

Synthesis and characterization of andrographolide: Albumin nanoparticles and their anticancer activity in HeLa cancer cell line

Nanoparticles are frequently employed to control the delivery of drugs and various growth factors to tissues/cells. Nanocarriers, in diverse formulations, have the potential to transport both synthetic and natural anticancer therapeutic drugs. Andrographolide, a diterpenoid extracted from Andrographis paniculata, possesses robust antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral effects. The inhibition of cervical cancer can be achieved by supplementing with bioactive molecules that decrease the proliferation and differentiation of cervical cancer cells while promoting cell death. This study explores the in vitro antiproliferative efficacy of andrographolide on cervical cancer cells, assessed through a cytotoxicity assay in human cervical cancer cells. The results demonstrated increased activity of andrographolide in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The andrographolide-albumin nanoparticle (ANP) was synthesized using the coacervation process. X-ray diffraction and Raman analysis of ANP revealed the amorphization of andrographolide, a favorable characteristic for drug delivery applications. Additionally, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis illustrated the drug structure and the stretching of bands in the synthesized ANP. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy unveiled spherical granules with nanoparticle sizes ranging from 100 to 200 nm. Furthermore, the anticancer activity of andrographolide-ANPs was observed in the HeLa cancer cell line. The synthesis and characterization of andrographolide-ANPs were undertaken for potential therapeutic applications.

Development of plasma-arc technologies of spherical granules production for additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy

Development of plasma-arc technologies of spherical granules production for additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy

İZOSORBİD DİNİTRATIN MODİFİYE SALIM YAPAN ÇOK BİRİMLİ BİLEŞİMİNİN TABLET ŞEKLİNDE BASILMASI VE DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ

Objective: This study was aimed to create a multiple-unit dosage form of isosorbide dinitrate by pressing spherical matrix granules into tablets, selecting the optimal technology parameters and evaluating the obtained tablets. Material and Method: The tablet cores were prepared from mixtures of active matrix granules and shock-absorbing auxiliary granules in various ratios using diverse tabletting forces. The dissolution profiles of the obtained tablet compositions were evaluated in comparison with the reference preparation. Result and Discussion: An optimal ratio of spheroids with the active component with auxiliary granules along with optimal compression parameters were determined. The resulting as multiple-unit tablets exhibited a release profile similar to that of Cardicket Retard. Used technological approach makes it possible to regulate the dissolution profile of tablets by changing the ratio of active granules with different kinetics of the active substance release.

Production of Chitosan Nanoparticles using Mold Filtrate Aspergillus Nigar and Coupling it with Some Antioxidants

The current study was conducted with the aim of producing chitosan nanoparticles using Aspergillus nigar mold filtrate and then pairing it with antioxidants for vitamin C, glutathione, coenzyme Q-10, and zinc, The properties of the resulting chitosan nanoparticles were determined using Absorption UV-Visible Light Spectroscopy techniques, X-Ray diffraction and scanning electron Microscope [SEM] The results showed the possibility of formation of chitosan nanoparticles [CH-NPs] through the use of bioproduction of Aspergillus nigar Where the resulting chitosan atoms were spherical granules, the sizes ranged between 5-124 nm. When the chitosan nanoparticles were linked with antioxidants, a color change occurred that ranged from creamy, to brown and pink, which is a preliminary indication of the ability of the nanoparticles to be associated with antioxidants in the study.