Storage Stability Research Articles

Preparation and characterization of polyphenol-loaded microcapsules based on zeaxylated protein

Pomegranate seeds are rich in polyphenols, known for their significant health benefits. In this study, we developed microcapsules to encapsulate pomegranate seed polyphenols (PSP) using a combination of zeaxylated protein (Zein) and chitosan (Cs). The optimization process involved a Zein to Cs volume ratio of 1:1, a chitosan concentration of 1.0 mg·mL−1, and a polyphenol concentration of 2.0 mg·mL−1. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the formation of Zein/Cs/PSP complex coacervates, indicating the successful encapsulation. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy provided further evidence of electrostatic attraction between PSP and the Zein/Cs matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis demonstrated the successful incorporation of PSP into the Zein/Cs wall material. Moreover, the encapsulated core material exhibited exceptional storage stability and retained its antioxidant activity. Notably, more than 85% of the encapsulated PSP remained intact after 5 hours of simulated intestinal fluid digestion. This study underscores the potential of pomegranate seeds for comprehensive utilization in food engineering.

Immobilization of Xylanase on ZnO nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis from Eupatorium cannabinum L. and its application in enrichment of fruit juices

Juice production is one of the main components of the nutritional food industry. Therefore, improving fruit juice quality and preventing the formation of negative by-products is important for human health. The role of environmentally friendly, safe and economically more affordable green nanocarriers in improving the quality of fruit juice is increasing day by day. For this purpose, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were prepared from the aqueous extract of the Eupatorium cannabinum L. using the green synthesis method. After immobilization, structural and morphological characterizations of the prepared ZnONPs and xylanase (Xyl)@ZnONPs were carried out, which confirmed that both the synthesis of ZnONPs and the immobilization of Xyl enzyme on ZnONPs were successfully carried out. The biochemical parameters of Xyl@ZnONPs such as optimum pH and temperature, kinetic parameters, thermal stability, reusability, and storage stability were investigated and compared with free Xyl. After immobilization, the optimum pH of free Xyl shifted from 5.0 to an alkaline pH of 8.0, while no change in the optimum temperature (70 °C) was observed for both enzymes. While the activation energy of free Xyl was 5.56 kJ/mol, it was found to be 7.27 kJ/mol for Xyl@ZnONPs. Xyl@ZnONPs outperformed free Xyl due to its long-term storage stability and reusability. Moreover, Xyl@ZnONPs retained 50 % of its activity after 5 reuses and 87 % of its activity after 4 weeks of storage at room temperature. In addition, a decrease in Km value and an increase in Vmax value were observed after immobilization, which means the increased catalytic activity of the Xyl@ZnONPs. As a result of re-using Xyl@ZnONPs in orange juice for 6 cycles, clarification yield of 66.43 % was obtained under optimized conditions. Overall, this study prepared a suitable, environmentally friendly, and robust carrier support for Xyl immobilization and developed a biocatalyst that will provide high performance in the industrial field.

Influence of compatibilization methods on the compatibility between asphalt and DCLR components with molecular dynamics (MD) method

This study aims to investigate the effect of compatibilization methods on the compatibility between asphalt and direct coal liquefaction residue (DCLR) components to identify the key components in DCLR and asphalt that affect their compatibility. In this article, three types of compatibilizers, including benzyl alcohol (BA), dioctyl phthalate (DOP), and BA/DOP, were selected and acted on asphalt's components and DCLR's components, respectively. The molecular models of asphalt components, asphalt components with compatibilizers, DCLR components, and DCLR components with compatibilizers were established. The compatibility between DCLR and asphalt's four components, as well as between asphalt and DCLR's three components, were evaluated by solubility parameter difference (SPD) and interaction energy (IE). The compatibility between DCLR and asphalt was analyzed by Segregation test and Scanning Electron Microscope. Results indicate that the SPD and IE values between DCLR and asphalt components declined after adding compatibilizers, which implies that the repulsion decreased and the attraction increased between asphalt components and DCLR and the compatibility between asphalt components and DCLR improved. The IE values between DCLR components and asphalt increased after adding compatibilizers, which indicates that the compatibility was reduced between DCLR components and asphalt. The SPD values between DCLR components and asphalt increased after adding the BA/DOP. The SPD values between pre-asphaltene and asphalt decreased after adding the BA and DOP. The SPD value between asphaltene in DCLR and asphalt increased after adding the BA and decreased after adding the DOP. Moreover, the storage stability and homogeneity of DCLR-modified asphalt improved after adding compatibilizers, indicating that the compatibilizers enhanced compatibility between DCLR and asphalt. Finally, comparing the results of the tests, it could be found that compatibilizers preferentially acted on the asphalt components and mainly affected the aromatics in asphalt, thereby improving the compatibility between asphalt and DCLR. The effect of BA/DOP on improving the compatibility between asphalt and DCLR was better than that of BA and DOP.

Storage Stability of jaggery based sesame spread: A comprehensive study

The shelf life of a spread product is a critical factor in its formulation, production, and marketing. Consumers expect sesame spread products retain a fresh appearance, odor, and flavor for an extended period, as a longer shelf life decreases costs for both producers and consumers. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to evaluate the storability of jiggery based sesame spread (JSS). The storability of developed JSS were of analyzed for physicochemical characteristics (Moisture, Protein, Carbohydrate, Fat, Crude fibre, Ash, Calorific value, Oil separations, Oxalic acid, Peroxide value and Acid value), Rheological parameters (Adhesiveness, Cohesiveness, Hardness and Viscosity), sensory attributes (Taste, Colour, Appearance, Spreadability, Flavour and Overall Acceptability) and microbiological quality (Standard plate count, Yeast and Mould count and Escherichia coli.) of JSS. The investigational storages were carried out for 90 days at room temperature storage (24 ± 4°C, 40-50% RH) and refrigerated (8°C, 17-20% RH) storage. The results indicated significant increase in oil separations, peroxide value, acid value, microbial counts, and sensory parameters of the spread. However, the remaining analyzed quality attributes of the spread demonstrated stability. The oil separations in spread sample were found to be highest during room temperature storage, which could be attributed to the temperature fluctuations experienced during storage. In conclusion, it is highly recommended to carefully manage the storage temperature of sesame spread to ensure its stability.

Encapsulation and characterization of ω-3 medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols microencapsulated with different proteins as wall materials

In this study, ω-3 medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols (MLCTs) microcapsules with excellent performance were obtained using soy protein as the wall component to address the oxidation-related problems of MLCTs. Additionally, the effect of soy, whey, or pea proteins on microcapsules in terms of the changes in their structure and physicochemical properties was investigated. The results showed that the small particle size, low PDI (polydispersity index) and zeta potential, fast adsorption rate, and low interfacial tension of these protein-based samples fabricated through the O/W template method were conducive to maintaining the integrity of microcapsules during spray-drying. The microcapsules, characterized by a spherical shape, exhibited superior encapsulation efficiency of 94.56%, surpassing the findings of previous investigations. Overall, these microcapsules exhibited long-term storage stability and low controllable release rates, which could be utilized as carriers for liposoluble actives.

Flexible silver nanoparticle@aramid nanofiber SERS substrates fabricated by radio frequency magnetron sputtering for rapid detection of toxic substances

Aramid nanofibers (ANFs) have gained great interest as promising polymer substrates for various applications because of their exceptional mechanical properties, high aspect ratio, large specific surface area and excellent chemical and thermal stability. However, the use of ANFs as nano-sized functional substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing applications has been scarcely reported. In this research, ANF membranes fabricated by vacuum-filtration are served as SERS matrix materials. The silver nanoparticle-coated ANF (AgNP@ANF) membranes are fabricated by a facile, cost-effective, environmental-friendly, and scalable magnetron sputtering technique. Different sputtering times from 15 to 120s have been studied for AgNP@ANF substrates in terms of their SERS performance. The optimal AgNP-90@ANF SERS substrate exhibits good detection sensitivity of 10-10M for malachite green (MG), high enhancement factor of 7.7×108 and prominent signal reproducibility (RSD=5.87%), as well as impressive storage stability. Furthermore, the AgNP@ANF SERS substrates also demonstrated excellent detection capability for methylene blue and crystal violet, with sensitivities of 10-10 and 10-9M, respectively. Besides, the flexible AgNP@ANF SERS substrate can also be used to rapidly detect pesticide residues on uneven surfaces through a facile paste-and-read treatment. The simple-to-manufacture, inexpensive, scalable, and sensitive AgNPs@ANF sensors are very promising for commercial SERS applications in the future.

In situ generation of azo dyes on silk fibroin through three-step chemical modification

To enhance the efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint of silk dyeing, this study introduces a novel method that synthesizes azo dyes directly on silk fibroin (SF) using a three-step chemical modification at room temperature. Initially, SF undergoes modification with isatoic anhydride to yield aromatic primary amino-modified silk fibroin (SF–NH2). Subsequently, SF-NH2 is treated with nitrous acid to produce diazotized silk fibroin (SF–N2+). In the final step, SF-N2+ is combined with coupling components to directly form azo chromophores on the SF, culminating in the creation of coloured silk fibroin (SF–NN-CC). The efficacy of the three-step dyeing method was validated using infrared spectroscopy and colour development analysis. The modification sites on SF-NH2 were identified as the hydroxyl and amino groups of amino acid residues, confirmed through simulated reactions. SF-N2+ demonstrated excellent storage and thermal stability under dry conditions; however, its stability decreased in wet environments. Various coupling components were then reacted with SF-N2+ to synthesize in situ yellow, red, crimson, and green azo dyes on SF. The formation of covalent bonds between the dyes and SF was verified using DMF stripping methods. The dyed SF-NN-CC fabrics underwent testing for fastness, revealing wet fastness rating above grade 4. These findings demonstrate that the three-step modification process represents an innovative, energy-efficient, and fast-reacting dyeing method for SF.

Impact of Prebiotic on Viability of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum D-2 by Encapsulation through Spray Drying and Its Commercialization Potential.

This study investigated the impact of inulin (INL) on viability of L. plantarum D-2 (LPD2) by encapsulation through spray drying (SD) and its commercialization potential to alternative of conventional wall material maltodextrin (MD). LPD2, derived from sea tangle (Saccharina japonica) kimchi, is probiotics exhibiting significant attributes like cholesterol reduction, antioxidant properties, and resilience to acidic and bile environments. To enhance storage viability and stability of LPD2, encapsulation was applied by SD technology. The optimum encapsulation condition with MD was 10% MD concentration (MD10) and inlet temperature (96°C). The optimum concentration ratio of MD and INL was 7:3 (INL3) for alternative of MD with similar encapsulation yield and viability of LPD2. Viability of LPD2 with INL3 exhibited almost 8% higher than that with MD10 after 50 days storage at 25°C. Physicochemical characteristics of the encapsulated LPD2 (ELPD2) with MD10 and INL3 had no significant different between flowability and morphology. But, ELPD2 with INL3 had lower water solubility and higher water absorption resulting in extension of viability of LPD2 compared to that with MD10. The comprehensive study results showed that there was no significant difference in the encapsulation yield and physicochemical properties between ELPD2 with MD10 and INL3, except of water solubility index (WSI) and water absorption index (WAI). INL have the potential to substitute of MD as a commercial wall material with prebiotic functionality to enhance the viability of LPD2 by encapsulation.

Storage of pitaya (dragon fruit) powder produced by lyophilization

This study evaluated the stability of integral pitaya pulp powder produced by lyophilization and packed in flexible, heat-sealed, aluminum-laminated packages. The pitaya pulp samples were formulated with 35% maltodextrin (DE = 10) and dehydrated using a lyophilizer. The resulting powders were stored in laminated packages for 60 days under controlled conditions of temperature (30 and 40 °C) and relative humidity (83%). Throughout the storage period, several parameters were assessed at 10-day intervals, including water content, water activity, titratable total acidity, ascorbic acid content, solubility, and color. The laminated packages proved inefficient in preventing water absorption and darkening reactions. Significant changes were observed during the storage tests, including decreases in titratable total acidity, luminosity (L*), red intensity (+a*), ascorbic acid, and solubility. Conversely, there were increases in water content, water activity, yellow intensity (b*), hue angle (h*), and chroma (C*). These findings suggest that the laminated packages were not adequate for maintaining the stability of lyophilized pitaya pulp powder under the tested conditions. The observed changes indicate a decline in the quality of the powder, likely due to moisture absorption and subsequent chemical reactions affecting the color and nutritional content. Further research is needed to identify more effective packaging solutions to enhance the storage stability of lyophilized fruit powders.

Thermodynamic performance of SiC-enhanced MicroPCM backfill based on response surface methodology

The functional backfilling in mining achieves synergistic co-mining of deep-earth deposits-geothermal, and the development of functional filling materials with suitable phase change parameters and excellent physicochemical properties is imminent. This study aims to investigate the optimal composition of phase change energy storage backfill material based on MicroPCM. To address the issues of reduced compressive strength and specific heat capacity of MicroPCM-backfill, silicon carbide (SiC) is introduced to prepare MPSC-backfill. Box-Behnken Design (BBD) is proposed to design and analyze according to four factors (ash-sand ratio, slurry concentration, MicroPCM, SiC), three levels (compressive strength, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity) and three center points. Based on the Response Surface Methodology, the multivariate quadratic polynomial model was used to perform multiple linear regression and binomial fitting analysis to explore the optimal ratio. Combined with SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) analysis, the following conclusions were drawn. SiC exhibits an overall enhancement of the compressive strength of the backfill, and the thermal conductivity tends to increase almost linearly. The specific heat capacity grows in a small amount of silicon carbide doping, but excessive amounts lead to a decrease, with an overall limited impact. The addition of SiC does not affect the phase change ability of MicroPCM. And within a certain range of added quantities, it optimizes specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and compressive strength. Experimental validation based on the obtained optimal composition shows errors within a 5% margin, indicating the response model's good accuracy and predictability. High and low-temperature cyclic tests confirm the long-term thermal energy storage stability of MPSC-backfill during phase change cycles.

Enhancing Corneal Drug Penetration Using Penetratin for Ophthalmic Suspensions.

Eye drops, including solutions and suspensions, are essential dosage forms to treat ophthalmic diseases, with poorly water-soluble drugs typically formulated as ophthalmic suspensions. In addition to low bioavailability, suspensions exhibit limited efficacy, safety, and usability due to the presence of drug particles. Improving bioavailability can reduce the drug concentrations and the risk of problems associated with suspended drug particles. However, practical penetration enhancers capable of improving bioavailability remain elusive. Herein, we focused on penetratin (PNT), a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) that promotes active cellular transport related to macromolecule uptake, such as micropinocytosis. According to the in vitro corneal uptake study using a reconstructed human corneal epithelial tissue model, LabCyte CORNEA-MODEL24, PNT enhanced the uptake of Fluoresbrite® YG carboxylate polystyrene microspheres without covalent binding. In an ex vivo porcine eye model, the addition of 10 µM PNT to rebamipide ophthalmic suspension markedly improved the corneal uptake of rebamipide; however, the addition of 100 µM PNT was ineffective due to potentially increased particle size by aggregation. This article provides basic information on the application of PNT as a penetration enhancer in ophthalmic suspensions, including the in vitro and ex vivo studies mentioned above, as well as the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assay and storage stability at different pH values.

Optimization of Matrix Components for Improved Catalytic Activities of Cellulase Immobilized on Biochar-Chitosan Beads

Bioethanol is a renewable energy that is gaining popularity globally. It’s biochemical production requires the use of enzyme, especially cellulase. Cellulase is an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of cellulose and related polysaccharides which finds applications in food, textiles, detergents, biofuels etc. However, the worldwide use of cellulase is limited by its relatively high production costs and low biological activity. This study was design to locally produce biochar-chitosan beads at optimized conditions to immobilize cellulase for improved thermal and storage stability as well as ensure reusability of the enzyme so as to improve biological activity and avoid the continuous production of free cellulase thereby reducing the production cost. Biochar was produced by pyrolyzing sugarcane bagasse in a local airtight chamber for 1 hour. Beads were formed from different ratios of biochar and chitosan in varying concentrations of calcium chloride solution as generated by design expert software version 13. The beads were dried in an oven at 50 0C for 24 hours and functionalized in 25% glutaraldehyde (GDA). The beads were loaded with enzyme (10.06 µmole/min/mL) at room temperature (27 ± 3 oC). Enzyme activity, thermal stability, storage stability and reusability tests were carried out according to standard procedures. The half-life and activation energy were also evaluated. The result showed that the optimum activity of the loaded enzyme (2.63 µmole/min/mL) was obtained when 2.46 g of porous biochar was mixed with 2.48 g chitosan in 5 % Calcium chloride aqueous solution. The immobilized enzyme was able to maintain thermal stability between 30 oC and 70 oC while the activity for free enzyme started declining after 50 oC. Also, the activation energy for immobilized cellulase enzyme (23.17 KJ/mol) was lower than the activation energy (55.146 KJ/mol) for free cellulase. The half-life, when stored at ambient Temperature (27 ± 3 oC), for free enzyme was 0.4 days while the half-life for immobilized enzyme was 3.59 days. Therefore, cellulase immobilized on support locally produced at optimal conditions had improved catalytic properties when compared to the free enzyme. Hence, more indigenous materials and practices may be employed for a cost effective and cheaper industrial processes.

Investigation for the hydrogen storage properties of XCrH3 (X=Na, K) and KYH3(Y[dbnd]Mo, W) perovskite type hydrides based on first-principles

Perovskite type hydrides have emerged as a focal point in hydrogen storage applications as potential candidates in recent years. However, the currently synthesized perovskite hydrogen storage materials suffer from high hydrogen desorption temperatures and unstable reactions. To identify promising perovskite hydrogen storage materials, this study explores the hydrogen storage properties of XCrH3 (X = Na, K) and KYH3 (YMo, W) based on first-principles (FPs) calculations. The results indicate that NaCrH3 and KCrH3 exhibit half-metallic properties, while KMoH3 and KWH3 are metallic materials with high hydrogen storage safety. Mechanical property analysis reveals that NaCrH3 exhibits the highest hardness, indicating better stability for hydrogen storage. Thermodynamic analysis shows that KCrH3 has a lower hydrogen desorption temperature than the other three compounds, with NaCrH3 having the second-lowest. The gravimetric hydrogen storage capacities of NaCrH3, KCrH3, KMoH3, and KWH3 are 3.85 wt%, 3.21 wt%, 2.19 wt%, and 1.34 wt%, respectively. Overall, NaCrH3 demonstrates superior gravimetric hydrogen storage capacity, stability, and safety, making it a promising candidate for new perovskite type hydrogen storage materials.

Ultrasonically Assembled 0-D Zirconium Oxide on TiO2 Nanorod for a Sensitive Determination of Antibiotic Drug in Biological Samples

Abstract Biological, food, and water samples were used to determine the amount of Furazolidone (FUZ) in a variety of applications, including health and nutrition, diagnosis/treatment, pharmacological research, and food/drug quality monitoring. Using hydrothermal and ultrasonication strategies, new type of TiO2 (1D) and ZrO2 (0D) (TiO2/ZrO2) nanocomposites were prepared for FUZ determination. Then the prepared nanocomposite was characterization under X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultra violet visible spectroscopy, and the electrochemical property of the material was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV). In addition, detection of FUZ was analyzed by electroanalytical studies such as CV and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). This proposed TiO2/ZrO2/GCE sensor exhibits excellent electrochemical characteristics, including excellent linearity (0.01 – 537.22 µM), nanomolar detection limit (19 nM), and encouraging sensitivity (0.35 µA µM-1cm-2) and it shows greater selectivity, repeatability, and longer storage stability. Along with concerned realizability, the primed sensor was analyzed over biological samples that reveal good recovery in real samples.

Achieving temperature stability for storage of biological samples in an autodefrost freezer.

To assess the temperature stability of an autodefrost freezer commonly used in veterinary practices, whether the use of a Styrofoam cooler within the freezer provides temperature stability, and the ease of use of a remote monitoring system for the notification of temperature elevations. None. Temperature in the freezer and 2 Styrofoam coolers were assessed with remote monitoring thermometers every 15 minutes. Temperature values were monitored from October 11 to December 18, 2023 (for a 68-day period). Data analysis focused on temperatures for the freezer exceeding 0 °C and the elevations in temperatures within the coolers relative to the freezer. The freezer had an increase in temperature approximately every 16 hours. Over 68 days, the freezer had a temperature greater than 0 °C 27 times, representing 26 separate elevations. The Styrofoam coolers within the freezer never registered a temperature higher than -5 °C. Elevations in temperature within the freezer were larger in magnitude than temperature elevations within the coolers, which showed smaller-magnitude changes in temperature. The temperature stability provided by the Styrofoam cooler would avoid potential freeze-thaw cycles of any stored biological samples. Additionally, the remote temperature monitoring system is easy to install and monitor, providing peace of mind to practice management.

Preparation and characterization of hydrophobic waterborne polyurethane self‐matting coating

AbstractA green method to synthesize self‐matting waterborne polyurethane acrylic hybrid emulsion with hydrophobic function is introduced in this study. A reactive waterborne polyurethane (RWPU) dispersion containing unsaturated CC double bonds was prepared from epoxidized soybean oil. Subsequently, the RWPU dispersion was copolymerized with fluorinated monomers of different carbon chain lengths to prepare polyurethane acrylic hybrid emulsion (PUF). The results revealed the gloss levels of PUF films to be as low as 12.4 gloss units at 60°. The morphology of PUF films was observed by scanning electron microscope and three‐dimensional surface profilometer, and the relationship between surface roughness and gloss was discussed in detail. In addition, thermal gravimetric analysis was conducted to determine the thermal stability of the PUF films, and the results denoted that these PUF films exhibited excellent thermal stability. Comprehensive performance tests indicated that the RWPU dispersion, which was copolymerized with hexafluorobutyl methacrylate at a weight of 10%, exhibited a low gloss, a high contact angle of 120°, and a high elongation percentage of 423%. Furthermore, the dynamic light scattering results showed small average particle size, revealing the excellent storage stabilities.

Functional Characteristics of Antioxidant Long-Life Ultra-Fine Bubble Hydrogen Water

Free radicals, including reactive oxygen species resulting from oxidative stress, are one of the major causes of biological disorders and are known to be closely related to the onset of lifestyle-related diseases such as aging, atherosclerosis, and diabetes, and their complications. Hydroxyl radicals, the most reactive and cytotoxic of reactive oxygen species, are selectively reduced by hydrogen. We have developed a method to produce more stable hydrogen water by dispersing hydrogen in water using ultra-fine bubbles (UFBs) with a bubble diameter of less than 1 μm. The present study reported on the functional characteristics of antioxidant long-life UFB hydrogen water. UFB hydrogen water with excellent storage stability is expected to have a variety of potential medical applications, including radiation damage reduction.

The Application of Protein Concentrate Obtained from Green Leaf Biomass in Structuring Nanofibers for Delivery of Vitamin B12.

Nanofibers made of natural proteins have caught the increasing attention of food scientists because of their edibility, renewability, and possibility for various applications. The objective of this study was to prepare nanofibers based on pumpkin leaf protein concentrate (LPC) as a by-product from some crops and gelatin as carriers for vitamin B12 using the electrospinning technique. The starting mixtures were analyzed in terms of viscosity, density, surface tension, and electrical conductivity. Scanning electron micrographs of the obtained nanofibers showed a slight increase in fiber average diameter with the addition of LPC and vitamin B12 (~81 nm to 109 nm). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy verified the physical blending of gelatin and LPC without phase separation. Thermal analysis showed the fibers had good thermal stability up to 220 °C, highlighting their potential for food applications, regardless of the thermal processing. Additionally, the newly developed fibers have good storage stability, as detected by low water activity values ranging from 0.336 to 0.376. Finally, the release study illustrates the promising sustained release of vitamin B12 from gelatin-LPC nanofibers, mainly governed by the Fickian diffusion mechanism. The obtained results implied the potential of these nanofibers in the development of functional food products with improved nutritional profiles.

Colyophilized Sugar-Polymer Dispersions for Enhanced Processing and Storage Stability.

Sucrose and trehalose pharmaceutical excipients are employed to stabilize protein therapeutics in a dried state. The mechanism of therapeutic protein stabilization is dependent on the sugars being present in an amorphous solid-state. Colyophilization of sugars with high glass transition polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and poly(vinylpyrrolidone vinyl acetate) (PVPVA), enhances amorphous sugar stability. This study investigates the stability of colyophilized sugar-polymer systems in the frozen solution state, dried state postlyophilization, and upon exposure to elevated humidity. Binary systems of sucrose or trehalose with PVP or PVPVA were lyophilized with sugar/polymer ratios ranging from 2:8 to 8:2. Frozen sugar-PVPVA solutions exhibited a higher glass transition temperature of the maximally freeze-concentrated amorphous phase (Tg') compared to sugar-PVP solutions, despite the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PVPVA being lower than PVP. Tg values of all colyophilized systems were in a similar temperature range irrespective of polymer type. Greater hydrogen bonding between sugars and PVP and the lower hygroscopicity of PVPVA influenced polymer antiplasticization effects and the plasticization effects of residual water. Plasticization due to water sorption was investigated in a dynamic vapor sorption humidity ramping experiment. Lyophilized sucrose systems exhibited increased amorphous stability compared to trehalose upon exposure to the humidity. Recrystallization of trehalose was observed and stabilized by polymer addition. Lower concentrations of PVP inhibited trehalose recrystallization compared to PVPVA. These stabilizing effects were attributed to the increased hydrogen bonding between trehalose and PVP compared to trehalose and PVPVA. Overall, the study demonstrated how differences in polymer hygroscopicity and hydrogen bonding with sugars influence the stability of colyophilized amorphous dispersions. These insights into excipient solid-state stability are relevant to the development of stabilized biopharmaceutical solid-state formulations.

Assessing nutritional probing and storage stability of functional Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) based guava jam: a machine learning approach for predictive modelling

SummaryThis research aimed to explore the influence of nutritional adjustments and storage stability on a functional, reduced‐calorie guava jam incorporating Aloe vera. Over two months, comprehensive analysis assessed physicochemical properties, sensory traits, microbial stability, and shelf‐life. The addition of Aloe vera gel resulted in significant improvements in pH (3.00 to 3.65), total soluble solids (40.10 to 42.20°Brix), antioxidant activity (36.85% to 81.09%), moisture content (29.48% to 38.82%), water activity (0.78 to 0.84), ash content (0.29% to 0.45%), fat content (0.14% to 0.19%), fibre content (1.05% to 1.86%), and the colour values. Moreover, b* scores for colour indication improved from 15.09 to 18.86. Texture attributes of cohesiveness and firmness improved significantly. Sensory evaluation favoured the T2 variant (20% Aloe vera gel), suggesting it as the optimal formulation. Furthermore, artificial neural networks (ANNs), a technique of machine learning, were utilised to predict guava jam behaviour, with 99% accuracy. The study discovered substantial changes in pH, total soluble solids, antioxidant activity, moisture content, and textural qualities, indicating that Aloe vera supplementation could improve guava jam quality and shelf‐life. The results of ANN predictions about antioxidants and cohesiveness provide information about the product's performance during storage.