Sustained Release Agent Research Articles

A Low-Temperature Na-MoS2 Rechargeable Battery.

It is generally accepted that the low-temperature environment typically augments electrolyte viscosity and impedes electrochemical kinetics, thereby diminishing battery performance. However, this prevailing notion, while valid in certain contexts, lacks universality, particularly regarding cycling stability. In this context, the Na-MoS2 batteries serve as a model to elucidate the impacts of low temperatures. By significantly suppressing the pulverization and amorphization of MoS2, the low-temperature milieu effectively mitigates the risk of micro-short circuits induced by the mass shuttling to the Na metal anode, thereby averting performance degradation by self-discharge. Upon cycling, the generated NaxMo3S4 intermediates only at low temperatures benefit the structural and electrochemical stabilizations to counteract the intrinsic performance degradation. The attenuation of kinetics at low temperatures facilitates the accumulation of Na2S, akin to a sustained-release agent within the electrode, steadily furnishing the capacity in long cycling. Moreover, the suppression of polysulfide dissolution and shuttling emerges as a pivotal factor contributing to the cycling stability at low-temperature. These findings provide a rewarding avenue toward understanding of the influence of low temperature on battery performance, as well as the design of practical electrodes and batteries for low-temperature applications.

Development of a simple and rapid Formulation and evaluation of Metformin HCl extended-release tablets in comparison with Glucophage® XR

Metformin HCl is the first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes. It is available in both immediate-release and extended-release tablet forms, with the extended-release tablet being more beneficial. In this study, 34 formulations using five sustained-release agents, alone or in combination, were evaluated. The granular flowability, angle of repose, bulk Density, tapped Density, compressibility index, and Hausner ratio were assessed. Furthermore, the compressed tablets were tested for appearance, hardness, friability, and in-vitro drug release. Eleven formulations were evaluated for dissolution profiles according to the standards specified in the United States Pharmacopeia. After calculating the similarity factor (f1) and difference factor (f2), eight formulations were identified for further investigation. The combination of xanthan gum and hypromellose (HPMC K100) demonstrated superior results regarding the sustained-release agent amount and tablet appearance. This noteworthy finding led to continuing the study to explore further formulations with different amounts of xanthan gum and Hypromellose K100. As a result, formulation F34 was identified as the optimal choice because of its higher drug-to-polymer ratio. In conclusion, the final formulation is a rapid, cost-effective, and straightforward method due to the less time required for drying, the amount of sustained-release agents, and the number of components.

Functional Study of Anticoagulant Ice Asphalt Mixture with Slow-release Agent

Based on the difference in freezing points of various chlorides, a multi-component synthesis method is employed to produce mixed chlorides with desired freezing points. To address the issue of chloride dissolution time, a sustained-release agent is used to encapsulate the mixed chlorides, creating an anti-coagulant ice modifier that controls release time. Indoor testing is conducted to verify its functionality and durability.

Effect of Specific Surface Area and Hydrophobicity of Electrospun Nanofibers on the Sustained Release Performance of Diclofenac Sodium.

Nanofibers produced by electrospinning are suitable options for slow-release materials. Diclofenac sodium (DS) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication with a brief half-life that can serve as an effective sustained-release agent. This paper presents a novel method for producing DS-sustained release nanofibers by electrostatic spinning processes. During the preparation, the slow-release capabilities of biodegradable materials poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) are investigated. A composite drug-carrying scaffold is prepared to enhance the sustained-release performance. The sustained release ability is affected by the specific surface area of the nanofibers and the hydrophobicity of the polymer. The findings indicate that the composite nanofiber with a PLA/PCL ratio of 1:1 demonstrates the most effective sustained-release performance. The release rate is mostly influenced by the hydrophobicity of the polymer at this point. Sustained-release kinetic simulations were performed and revealed that the release of nanofibers follows a first-order release paradigm. This work presents a straightforward approach for creating a sustained-release formulation of DS.

Integrated Preparation of Hollow Lignin Nanoparticles as a Drug Carrier and Levulinic Acid from the Poplar Wood Prehydrolysis Liquor.

Prehydrolysis liquid (PHL) from dissolving pulp and biorefinery industries is rich in saccharides and lignin, being considered as a potential source of value-added materials and platform molecules. This study proposed an environmentally friendly and simple method to prepare morphologically controllable hollow lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) and levulinic acid (LA) from PHL. In the first step, after hydrothermal treatment of PHL with p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TsOH), lignin with a uniform molecular weight was obtained to prepare LNPs. The prepared LNPs have an obvious hollow structure, with an average size of 490-660 nm, and exhibit good stability during 30 days of storage. When the as-obtained LNPs were used as a sustained-release agent for amikacin sulfate, the encapsulation efficiency reached over 70% and the release efficiency within 40 h reached 69.2% in a pH 5.5 buffer. Subsequently, the remaining PHL that contains saccharides was directly used for LA production under the catalysis of p-TsOH. At 150 °C for 1.5 h, the LA yield reached 58.4% and remained at 56% after 5 cycles of p-TsOH. It is worth noting that only p-TsOH was used as a reactive reagent throughout the entire preparation process. Overall, this study provided a novel pathway for the integrated utilization of PHL and showed the immense potential of the preparation and application of LNPs.

In-situ removal of microcystin aeruginosa and microcystin-LR by biochar supported sulfide nZVI via persulfate activation: Performance, mechanism and degradation pathway

As a hepatotoxin generated by the excessive proliferation of Microcystis aeruginosa, Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) has posed serious threat to humans and wildlife. In this study, biochar supported sulfide nZVI and persulfate sustained-release agent (S-nZVI-BC/PSSA) were prepared to simultaneously remove MC-LR and Microcystis aeruginosa. Batch experiments showed that the removal efficiency of MC-LR (100 μg/L) by S-nZVI-BC/PSSA could reach 92.0 % when the BC pyrolysis temperature, the Fe/C mass ratio and the Fe/S molar ratio were 700 °C, 1:2 and 40:1, respectively. According to the results of EPR and density functional theory (DFT), the carbon–carbon conjugated diene bond (C = C-C = C) on Adda were most vulnerable to attack by the free radicals such as •OH and SO4-• generated by S-nZVI-BC/PSSA. The results of reactor experiments indicated that S-nZVI-BC/PSSA had good removal effect on MC-LR and Microcystis aeruginosa. According to the transcriptome analysis, S-nZVI-BC/PSSA led to the disorder of cell metabolic process by up-regulating ATP and pigment synthesis genes and down-regulating photosynthesis genes, eventually inhibiting the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa and even causing their death. In addition, the up-regulation of biological transport processes could enhance the release of MC-LR from Microcystis aeruginosa, which was completely removed by S-nZVI-BC/PSSA. Moreover, four degradation pathways of MC-LR were analyzed, and the final products were CO2 and H2O. Therefore, this S-nZVI-BC/PSSA system showed great promise for practical applications in the removal of Microcystis aeruginosa and MC-LR.

Deep purification of copper from zinc sulfate solution using controllable aging FeS nanoparticles through slow-release sulfide precipitation

The purification of impurity ions within zinc hydrometallurgical solutions significantly impacts the subsequent quality of zinc electrodeposition. Traditional methods for copper removal from zinc solutions suffer from issues like limited reactivity, high consumption, and elevated costs. To address these challenges, controllable aging of FeS nanoparticles was designed, employing temperature variations to facilitate comprehensive copper removal from neutral zinc leachates. The aging process imparts a crystalline structure to the FeS nanoparticles, enabling the slow release of sulfide ions. A temperature of 60°C is regarded as the optimal aging temperature, at which the resultant FeS nanoparticles exhibit an optimal sustained-release performance during the aging process. Temperature has been found to be a crucial factor influencing the sustained-release performance of FeS. Once the reaction temperature surpasses 60°C, the utilization efficiency of S ions in the sustained-release agent can reach over 95%, with a maximum of 98.5%. Under optimal conditions featuring a reaction temperature of 60°C, a reaction duration of 30 minutes, and a solution pH maintained at 1, the dosage aged FeS at the S/Cu (II) ratio of 1.2 times, nearly 100% copper removal rate can be achieved. The maximum removal rate for cadmium does not exceed 2.5%, and the residual copper concentration in the zinc leachate is below 0.2 mg/L. The precipitate obtained is high-purity copper sulfide residue, which contains virtually no zinc. Slow-release sulfidation can maximize the utilization efficiency of sulfide ions in the solution, reduce the occurrence of competing reactions, and minimize the intermixing of products. It offers advantages such as high selectivity and deep purification.

A novel Mutidrug and Toxic Compound Extrusion (MATE) gene SmMATE1 from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, is involved in tetracycline induced mitochondrial toxicity adaptation synergically with salvianolic acid B

As a tetracycline antibiotic, the enrichment of doxycycline in soil seriously endangers agricultural cultivation and food security. Salvianolic acid B (SAB), as a natural product, has high antioxidant activity. We applied SAB and doxycycline (DOX) externally to Salvia miltiorrhiza seedlings, and measured the activities of total superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase, as well as the accumulation of malondialdehyde, active oxygen and glutathione. It was found that SAB can participate in the DOX stress release of S. miltiorrhiza through the antioxidant system. We also analyzed the evolutionary relationship of multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) family proteins related to antibiotic transport in 50 representative evolutionary genomes, and revealed the potential binding ability of MATE and DOX through macromolecular docking. Finally, based on transcriptome and RT-qPCR analysis, we identified a novel gene SmMATE1, and found that it has a co-expression pattern with SmRAS and SmCYP98A14. Transgenic in tobacco, yeast and hairy root of S. miltiorrhiza revealed the important role of this new gene and SAB in synergistically releasing DOX stress damage, which provided a reference for natural product to alleviate the stress of antibiotics on plants, and also provided a theoretical basis for the development of new soil antibiotic sustained-release agents.

Enhancing the salt stress resistance of seeds and seedlings via a brassinolide sustained release agent system

BackgroundThe growing escalation of soil salinization is tremendously threatening the global food security and the development of sustainable agriculture. To address the worldwide predicament caused by salt stress toward crops, combining nanotechnology with the merits of plant hormone may become an efficient and effective approach.ResultsIn this work, a sustained release agent system (BR@MSN) was developed by loading brassinolide (BR) to mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) to enhance the salt stress resistance of cucumber seeds and seedlings. The obtained BR@MSN agent was about 120 nm. As an endogenous plant hormone, promotion in crop growth was found at low BR concentration. Due to the sustained release property, BR@MSN avoided excessive BR exposure to seeds and seedlings to cause inhibitory effects. After the soil application of BR@MSN, the promotion effect from BR combined with the regulation enhancement from MSN nanocarrier improved the seed germination rate by 11.76% under saline environment. Compared with the same BR concentration (2.0 mg/L), BR@MSN increased the seed germination rate even by 1324.29%. In addition, remarkable wettability on foliar surfaces was found, and the foliar application of BR@MSN significantly enhanced the salt stress resistance of cucumber seedlings by alleviating the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increasing the cell viability along with the improvement in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (234.11%), the decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) content (61.30%), and the increase in chlorophyll content (110.88%).ConclusionsThe newly developed BR@MSN agents could effectively enhance the salt stress resistance of crop seeds and seedlings, and their applications significantly improved the seed germination rate and seedling growth. The remarkable efficacy makes this BR@MSN agent system potential in agricultural field for enhancing the salt stress resistance of crops and facilitating the development of sustainable agriculture.Graphical

MXene-enhanced ePatch with antibacterial activity for wound healing.

Prudent wound-healing strategies hold great potential in expediting tissue renovation and regeneration. Despite the widespread adoption of hydrogels as preferred carriers for wound healing patches, achieving optimal mechanical compatibility and superior wound performance remains a formidable challenge. Consequently, meticulous attention must be given to the formulation of hydrogel structure and materials design to overcome these hurdles. In response, we have developed an ePatch composed of polyacrylamide (PAAM) as the primary hydrogel structure, augmented with MXene, silver nanowires (AgNWs), and resveratrol to act as sustained-release agents, structural enhancers, and antibacterial agents, respectively. Notably, the ePatch exhibited exceptional wound-fitting capabilities and impressive mechanical stretchability (with a relative standard deviation [RSD] of only 1.36% after 55 stretches) and Young's modulus. In contrast to the commercial 3M Tegaderm, the ePatch demonstrated superior wound healing properties, with the inclusion of MXene into PAAM/AgNWs playing a pivotal role in expanding the ePatch's potential use across various interconnected fields.

Hydrogen sulfide ameliorates senescence in vascular endothelial cells through ameliorating inflammation and activating PPARδ/SGLT2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Mounting evidence demonstrates that hydrogen sulfide (H 2S) promotes anti-inflammatory molecules and inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines in endothelial cells (ECs). This study aims to investigate the favorable action of H 2S on endothelial function in senescence by inhibiting the production of inflammatory molecules. Senescent ECs exhibit a reduction in H 2S, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ), coupled with increased inflammatory molecules, sodium glucose transporter type 2 (SGLT2) and phosphorylation of STAT3, which could be reversed by the administration of a slow but sustained release agent of H 2S, GYY4137. Decreased production of eNOS and upregulated p-STAT3 and SGLT2 levels in senescent ECs are reversed by replenishment of the SGLT2 inhibitor EMPA and the PPARδ agonist GW501516. The PPARδ antagonist GSK0660 attenuates eNOS expression and increases the production of p-STAT3 and SGLT2. However, supplementation with GYY4137 has no beneficial effect on GSK0660-treated ECs. GYY4137, GW501516 and EMPA preserve endothelial-dependent relaxation (EDR) in D-gal-treated aortae, while GSK0660 destroys aortic relaxation even with GYY4137 supplementation. In summary, senescent ECs manifest aggravated the expressions of the inflammatory molecules SGLT2 and p-STAT3 and decreased the productions of PPARδ, eNOS and CSE. H 2S ameliorates endothelial dysfunction through the anti-inflammatory effect of the PPARδ/SGLT2/p-STAT3 signaling pathway in senescent ECs and may be a potential therapeutic target for anti-ageing treatment.

Formulation development and evaluation of controlled release matrix tablets of glibenclamide

The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate the controlled-release matrix tablets of Glibenclamide which is an antidiabetic drug that belongs to the second-generation oral hypoglycemics. Matrix tablets were prepared by three different polymers as sustained-release agents, using Glibenclamide as a model drug. Three polymers were selected for this study- HPMC K 15, HPMC K 100, and EC in different drug: polymer ratios. The drug was identified by FTIR spectroscopic method. The pre-compression and post-compression parameters of all formulations were found to be within acceptable limits. The release rate of Glibenclamide from matrix tablets was studied using the USP Dissolution Testing Apparatus type-I (Basket method). The formulation F6 which contained EC 50mg showed a maximum release of 99.28% in 24 hrs and revealed that EC was more effective in sustaining the drug release therefore formulation F6 was selected as the optimized formulation. The in-vitro release data of optimized formulation was fit into various kinetic models, among the different model's data of in-vitro release of best fit into Zero order kinetic model. The formulation best fit the Higuchi model and showed that drug release from the prepared matrix tablets occurs via a diffusion process.

Properties of ACE inhibitory peptides isolated from Sipunculus nudus L and a DSPE-PEG modification for sustained release anti-hypertension agent

The organism Sipunculus nudus L is a good resource for marine peptides because of its rich protein. However, the disadvantage of biological peptides is their short metabolic half-life, therefore, structural modification of peptides is necessary. In this research, the enzymatic hydrolysis of Sipunculus nudus L was performed using trypsin and then peptides were isolated and purified from the hydrolysates, four novel tripeptides were identified by LC-MS-MS as Ser-Arg-Pro (SRP, m/z = 358.39), Pro-Arg-Pro (PRP, m/z = 368.43), Arg-Pro-Ala (RPA, m/z = 342.39), and Lue-Pro-Lys (LPK, m/z = 356.46), their ACE inhibitory activity was investigated with IC50 value as following 0.046, 0.42, 0.97, and 6.54 mM, respectively. Because of its highest ACE inhibitory activity, SRP was further selected to modify the chemical structure for a sustained release agent DSPE-PEG-SRP. Compared with 7 h of free SRP, the release of DSPE-PEG-SRP in vitro was approximately 120 h. The ACE inhibition rate of SRP released from the synthetic product and the raw material SRP was almost the same, molecular docking demonstrated that ACE inhibitory activity was attributed to the formation of hydrogen bonds between SRP and ACE active sites. In conclusion, DSPE-PEG-SRP, a novel sustained release agent, has great potential and is expected to be further applied to treat hypertension.

Mitomycin C-loaded PTMC15-F127-PTMC15 hydrogel maintained better bleb function after filtering glaucoma surgery in monkeys with intraocular hypertension.

There is an unmet need for a safer and more effective approach for antimetabolite application to prevent bleb fibrosis after glaucoma filtering surgery. Here, we utilized our previously developed thermosensitive sustained-release agent, mitomycin C-loaded poly(trimethylene carbonate)15-F127-poly(trimethylene carbonate)15 (MMC-hydrogel), aiming to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of MMC-hydrogel in high intraocular pressure (IOP) primate eyes. Twelve primate eyes after high IOP induction were randomly divided into three groups, which respectively received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-hydrogel, MMC-hydrogel, and MMC treatment during trabeculectomy. IOP and bleb volume were measured using a Tonopen and anterior segment optical coherence tomography over 28 days. At the end of the experiment, all experimental primate eyes were enucleated. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were performed to reveal myofibroblast cells and collagen deposition of filtering blebs. The MMC-hydrogel group had satisfactory IOP control (9.25 ± 4.80 mmHg) and maintained well-functioning blebs for a longer time. Fibrosis and scarring were significantly alleviated in this MMC-hydrogel group. There was no obvious toxicity to ocular surfaces or intraocular structures. Taken together, these data suggest that PTMC15-F127-PTMC15-loaded MMC-hydrogel plays a role in functional maintenance and scarring inhibition, showing high efficacy in reducing post-filtering surgery bleb fibrosis. This MMC-hydrogel may offer a new solution for filtering bleb management after glaucoma surgery.

The inhibitory effects of Ulva prolifera extracts on early growth of Spartina alterniflora and the underlying mechanisms

Spartina alterniflora, a highly invasive plant, has caused a serious threat to ecosystem biodiversity and economic development in coastal areas of many countries. In this study, the allelopathic effect of Ulva prolifera extracts on seed germination and seedling growth of S. alterniflora was studied. The results showed that three different treatments (water, methanol and ethyl acetate extract) could inhibit the seed germination and seedling growth of S. alterniflora by reducing the germination proportion and germination index of seeds, decreasing the seedling length and root length of seedlings, and affecting the lipid peroxidation and enzyme activity. The higher the concentration of the extracts, the higher the inhibition effect. When the aqueous extract concentration reached 0.20g/mL, the germination proportion of S. alterniflora decreased to 49.53% of the control. RNA-seq analysis showed that the expression of genes related to amino acid metabolism and photosynthesis were both upregulated, and genes related to energy generation and metabolism were both downregulated after adding the extracts. GC-MS analysis indicated that the U. prolifera extract was rich in organic acids, alcohols and esters, among which butanoic acid, butyl ester, Valine and Hexanedioic acid, bis (2-ethylhexyl) ester might be the dominant allelochemicals. In order to facilitate field dosing, prolong action time and control release effect, PVA/SA hydrogel embedded U. prolifera extract was used to obtain a sustained-release agent. In addition, the survival rate of S. alterniflora was significantly reduced, which was only 21.67% at the salinity of 30ppt. The results of this study provide a feasible method for controlling the invasion of S. alterniflora and achieving the waste utilization of U. prolifera.

Preparation of polyvinyl alcohol-calcium sustained-release agent employed to degrade long-chain fatty acids and improve the performance of anaerobic digestion of food waste

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a biodegradable material that can be degraded under natural conditions. In this study, a sustained-release agent (SRA) was prepared from calcium compounds and PVA (PVA-Ca) to effectively degrade long-chain fatty acids in food waste (FW) and improve the performance of anaerobic digestion (AD). The most appropriate materials and conditions for synthesizing Ca-SRA were chosen according to the characteristics of the sample and changes in the electrical conductivity of a solution of the SRA. The calcium release kinetics were analyzed by curve fitting. Moreover, analytical methods were used to analyze the formation mechanism of PVA-Ca. Finally, the effect of PVA-Ca on the performance of AD was investigated. The results showed that the most suitable materials for preparing the Ca-SRA were Ca(OH)2 powder and PVA1799. The most suitable synthesis conditions were freezing for 24 h at −20 °C and thawing for 24 h with one freeze–thaw cycle. PVA-Ca achieved rapid release during the first 48 h, which corresponded to first-order kinetics (k = 0.0354 h−1). The release of Ca2+ corresponded to changes in pH and the concentration of volatile fatty acids during hydrolysis and acidification of FW. After PVA-Ca was added, the duration of the system lag phase was significantly shortened to 10 days, the methane yield per unit load was increased from 238.2 to 489.3 mL g−1 volatile solids(VS), and the kinetic constant of AD of FW was 0.083 day−1. Adding PVA-Ca could increase the methane yield by 98.82%. Moreover, the value of T90 was reduced to a maximum of about 16 days. PVA-Ca was successfully employed in the AD of FW for the first time.

A Novel Gelatin-Based Sustained-Release Molluscicide for Control of the Invasive Agricultural Pest and Disease Vector Pomacea canaliculata

Pomacea canaliculata, one of the 100 most destructive invasive species in the world, and it is an important intermediate host of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The molluscicides in current use are an effective method for controlling snails. However, most molluscicides have no slow-release effect and are toxic to nontarget organisms. Thus, these molluscicides cannot be used on a large scale to effectively act on snails. In this study, gelatin, a safe and nontoxic substance, was combined with sustained-release molluscicide and was found to reduce the toxicity of niclosamide to nontarget organisms. We assessed the effects of gelatin and molluscicide in controlling P. canaliculata snails and eggs. The results demonstrated that the niclosamide retention time with 1.0% and 1.5% gelatin sustained-release agents reached 20 days. Additionally, the mortality rate of P. canaliculata and their eggs increased as the concentration of the niclosamide sustained-release agents increased. The adult mortality rate of P. canaliculata reached 50% after the snails were exposed to gelatin with 0.1 mg/L niclosamide for 48 h. The hatching rate of P. canaliculata was only 28.5% of the normal group after the treatment was applied. The sustained-release molluscicide at this concentration was less toxic to zebrafish, which means that this molluscicide can increase the safety of niclosamide to control P. canaliculata in aquatic environments. In this study, we explored the safety of using niclosamide sustained-release agents with gelatin against P. canaliculata. The results suggest that gelatin is an ideal sustained-release agent that can provide a foundation for subsequent improvements in control of P. canaliculata.

The Impact of Dexmedetomidine-loaded Nano-microsphere Combined with Percutaneous Acupoint Electrical Stimulation on the Postoperative Cognitive Function of Elderly Patients with Hip Fracture.

To explore the impact of nano-microsphere loaded with dexmedetomidine (DEX) combined with percutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation on the postoperative cognitive function of elderly patients with hip fracture. The free base was prepared by the alkali precipitation method in this research, and then the drug was loaded into PLGA microspheres to construct the drug sustained-release system. The PLAG microspheres loaded with DEX (MS/DEX) were prepared by the O/W emulsion volatilization method and then Gel-(DEX-MS/BUP) suspension was obtained. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to analyze the characterization of the prepared drug-loaded nano-microsphere, rheological analysis was performed on the copolymer solution, and in vivo release and degradation, experiments were carried out. Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=ten). After the sciatic nerve block model was established, the block time was observed after the injection of each sustained-release agent. The results showed that the gel-forming temperature of Gel and Gel-(DEX-MS/BUP) were 27.3°C and 26.3°C, respectively. Both MS/BUP and Gel-(DEX-MS/BUP) drugs could completely enter the blocking state. There was no loss of motor function in the rats after GEL-DEX. The clinical trials showed that Gel-(DEX-MS/BUP) system had good in situ and sustained release effects, and the analgesic effect of local anesthesia was significantly improved.

The p-Anisaldehyde/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes as a sustained release agent: Characterization, storage stability, antibacterial and antioxidant activity

In order to develop a biodegradable agent for food preservation, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) inclusion complexes containing p-Anisaldehyde (PAA) were prepared using co-precipitation method. Physical properties including moisture content, bulk density, hygroscopicity, entrapment efficiency and loading capacity of the inclusion complexes showed considerable results for food applications. SEM and particle size test showed notably difference between the prepared inclusion complexes and the other formulations including the raw β-CD, physical mixture, and the recrystallized β-CD in both shape and size distribution. FTIR, XRD, TGA and DTA were also carried out and confirmed the formation of inclusion complexes and inhibition of the volatility of encapsulated PAA. As a potential preservation agent, inclusion complexes demonstrated a sustained released behavior in phosphate buffer saline (PBS). Comparing with pure PAA, the inclusion complexes presented a better storage stability in low humidity environment, a higher antioxidant activity, and equal MICs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

An ultra-high aspect ratio BTO nanowires synthesized via slowing the release of barium ions

Normally, the synthesis of the BaTiO3 nanowires is via the ion exchange of K2Ti8O17 nanowires with Ba2+ under hydrothermal conditions. The concentration of the Ba2+ should be maintained at a low concentration to slow the ion exchange for preventing the crush of templates, thus reducing the quality and yield of the nanowires. In this paper, insoluble barium salt, that is, barium carbonate (BaCO3) powder was used as a Ba2+ sustained release agent, which can release a sufficient amount of Ba2+ and keep the low concentration of Ba2+ for ion exchange. The BaTiO3 nanowires with an ultra-high aspect ratio were prepared by this strategy. Thereafter, XRD, SEM, etc. Were used to characterize the as-obtained samples. Results showed that the obtained nanowires possess an average diameter of 11.6 nm and length up to several microns. Compared with other easily soluble barium salts, BaCO3 can reduce the cation exchange rate and increase the nucleation and growth of BaTiO3 nanowires. Additionally, reliable and reproducible experimental phenomenon showed that the above method has obvious advantages in large-scale production and high consistency, which provides an essential strategy for the application of BaTiO3 nanowires in flexible electronic devices, especially in capacitive sensors, film-type capacitors, and energy-storage devices.