Three-month Storage Research Articles

Chitosan Alginate Nanoparticles of Protein Hydrolysate from Acheta domesticus with Enhanced Stability for Skin Delivery.

This study aimed to develop chitosan alginate nanoparticles (CANPs) for enhanced stability for dermal delivery of protein hydrolysate from Acheta domesticus (PH). CANPs, developed using ionotropic pre-gelation followed by the polyelectrolyte complex technique, were characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential. After the incorporation of PH into CANPs, a comprehensive assessment included encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, morphology, chemical analyses, physical and chemical stability, irritation potential, release profile, skin permeation, and skin retention. The most optimal CANPs, comprising 0.6 mg/mL sodium alginate, 1.8 mg/mL calcium chloride, and 0.1 mg/mL chitosan, exhibited the smallest particle size (309 ± 0 nm), the narrowest PDI (0.39 ± 0.01), and pronounced negative zeta potential (-26.0 ± 0.9 mV), along with an encapsulation efficiency of 56 ± 2%, loading capacity of 2.4 ± 0.1%, release of 40 ± 2% after 48 h, and the highest skin retention of 12 ± 1%. The CANPs induced no irritation and effectively enhanced the stability of PH from 44 ± 5% of PH remaining in a solution to 74 ± 4% after three-month storage. Therefore, the findings revealed the considerable potential of CANPs in improving PH stability and skin delivery, with promising applications in cosmetics and related fields.

Water-soluble microencapsulation using gum Arabic and skim milk enhances viability and efficacy of Pediococcus acidilactici probiotic strains for application in broiler chickens.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a water-soluble microencapsulation method for probiotic strains using gum Arabic (GA) and skim milk (SKM) over a three-month storage period following processing. Four strains of Pediococcus acidilactici (BYF26, BYF20, BF9, and BF14) that were typical lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from the chicken gut were mixed with different ratios of GA and SKM as coating agents before spray drying at an inlet temperature 140°C. After processing, the survivability and probiotic qualities of the strains were assessed from two weeks to three months of storage at varied temperatures, and de-encapsulation was performed to confirm the soluble properties. Finally, the antibacterial activity of the probiotics was assessed under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. As shown by scanning electron microscopy, spray-drying produced a spherical, white-yellow powder. The encapsulation efficacy (percent) was greatest for a coating containing a combination of 30% gum Arabic: 30% skim milk (w/v) (GA:SKM30) compared to lower concentrations of the two ingredients (p<0.05). Coating with GA:SKM30 (w/v) significantly enhanced (p<0.05) BYF26 survival under simulated gastrointestinal conditions (pH 2.5 to 3) and maintained higher survival rates compared to non-encapsulated cells under an artificial intestinal juices condition of pH 6. De-encapsulation tests indicated that the encapsulated powder dissolved in water while keeping viable cell counts within the effective range of 106 for 6 hours. In addition, following three months storage at 4°C, microencapsulation of BYF26 in GA:SKM30 maintained both the number of viable cells (p<0.05) and the preparation's antibacterial efficacy against pathogenic bacteria, specifically strains of Salmonella. Our prototype water-soluble probiotic microencapsulation GA:SKM30 effectively maintains LAB characteristics and survival rates, demonstrating its potential for use in preserving probiotic strains that can be used in chickens and potentially in other livestock.

Designing of texture modified fruit juices using food hydrocolloids: Storage influence on viscosity

Elderly individuals require special dietary considerations due to various physiological dysfunctions (such as dysphagia, constipation, etc.) and specific nutritional needs. Dysphagia, the difficulty associated with swallowing can lead to some challenges in containing and transitioning of food or liquids within the mouth, increasing the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Thickening fluid is an effective method for alleviating swallowing difficulties. It works by slowing down the flow of liquids during swallowing, thus reducing the risk of aspiration into the airway. The purpose of this research is to develop texture-modified (TM) fruit juices to cater to the needs of elderly individuals with impaired swallowing abilities. To achieve this goal, we created TM fruit juices thickened with hydrocolloids, specifically guar gum (GG), xanthan gum (XG), and starch (S), at different concentrations. The thickened liquids, classified at three National Dysphagia Diet levels, were stored at 4 °C for three months. Physicochemical analyzes of the fruit juices were performed before and after storage. The sensory differences and flow behaviors of orange juice samples containing ascending concentrations of all studied thickeners were investigated at the end of the three-month storage. The results indicated significant changes in the physicochemical properties of the samples, depending in the type of fruit, the hydrocolloid used, and the storage period. Sensory evaluation revealed that orange juices containing starch were more preferred compared to other samples. Therefore, using orange juice thickened with easily swallowed, and less viscous starch will be a safer option for the elderly and individuals with swallowing difficulties.

Omega-3 fatty acid-based self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of pioglitazone: Optimization, in vitro and in vivo studies

Pioglitazone (PGL) is an effective insulin sensitizer, however, side effects such as accumulation of subcutaneous fat, edema, and weight gain as well as poor oral bioavailability limit its therapeutic potential for oral delivery. Recent studies have shown that combination of both, PGL and fish oil significantly reduce fasting plasma glucose,improve insulin resistance, and mitigate pioglitazone-induced subcutaneous fat accumulation and weight gain. Nevertheless, developing an effective oral drug delivery system for administration of both medications have not been explored yet. Thus, this study aimed to develop a self-micro emulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) for the simultaneous oral administration of PGL and fish oil. SMEDDS was developed using concentrated fish oil,Tween® 80, and Transcutol HP and optimized by central composite design (CCD). The reconstituted, optimized PGL-SMEDDS exhibited a globule size of 142 nm, a PDI of 0.232, and a zeta potential of −20.9 mV. The in-vitro drug release study of the PGL-SMEDDS showed a first-order model kinetic release and demonstrated remarkable 15-fold enhancement compared to PGL suspension. Additionally, following oral administration in fasting albino Wistar rats, PGL-SMEDDS exhibited 3.4-fold and 1.4-fold enhancements in the AUC0–24h compared to PGL suspension and PGL marketed product. The accelerated stability testing showed that the optimized SMEDDS formulation was stable over a three-month storage period. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the developed fish oil-based SMEDDS for PGL could serve as effective nanoplatforms for the oral delivery of PGL, warranting future studies to explore its synergistic therapeutic potential in rats.

The Effect of Lyophilized and Frozen Natural Lactic Acid Bacteria on Alfalfa Silage Quality Prepared in Different Ways and Stored for Different Periods of Time

Within the scope of this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of the groups with the highest LAB numbers determined as a result of storage for one and three months on alfalfa silage quality by freezing fermented lactic acid bacteria (LAB) liquids prepared with different levels of sucrose addition (5-10%) and incubation (2 and 5 days) for different periods of time in deep freezer and by drying via lyophilization process according to the results obtained from the previous study.In the study, groups consisted of control, 2D5%STsL (lyophilized with TRIS (Ts) after 2 days incubation with 5% sucrose addition), 2D10%SDsL (lyophilized with DMSO (Ds) after 2 days incubation with 10% sucrose addition), 5D10%SDsL (DMSO (Ds) additive lyophilized after 5 days of incubation with 10% sucrose addition), and 5D5%STsD (TRIS (Ts) additive deep freezer after 5 days of incubation with 5% sucrose addition).In the study, LAB count, CO2, lactic acid (LA) content, acetic acid (AA) content, pH, NH3-N/TN, and butyric acid (BA) values were statistically significant between the groups at the end of the one-month storage period. Crude protein (CP), pH, LA, and BA values were found to be statistically significant between the groups at the end of the three-month storage period in the study.

Optimizing mycobacteria molecular diagnostics: No decontamination! Human DNA depletion? Greener storage at 4 °C!

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the group of bacterial pathogens Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Timely diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant TB is a key pillar of WHO's strategy to combat global TB. The time required to carry out drug susceptibility testing (DST) for MTBC via the classic culture method is in the range of weeks and such delays have a detrimental effect on treatment outcomes. Given that molecular testing is in the range of hours to 1 or 2 days its value in treating drug resistant TB cannot be overstated. When developing such tests, one wants to optimize each step so that tests are successful even when confronted with samples that have a low MTBC load or contain large amounts of host DNA. This could improve the performance of the popular rapid molecular tests, especially for samples with mycobacterial loads close to the limits of detection. Where optimizations could have a more significant impact is for tests based on targeted next generation sequencing (tNGS) which typically require higher quantities of DNA. This would be significant as tNGS can provide more comprehensive drug resistance profiles than the relatively limited resistance information provided by rapid tests. In this work we endeavor to optimize pre-treatment and extraction steps for molecular testing. We begin by choosing the best DNA extraction device by comparing the amount of DNA extracted by five commonly used devices from identical samples. Following this, the effect that decontamination and human DNA depletion have on extraction efficiency is explored. The best results were achieved (i.e., the lowest Ct values) when neither decontamination nor human DNA depletion were used. As expected, in all tested scenarios the addition of decontamination to our workflow substantially reduced the yield of DNA extracted. This illustrates that the standard TB laboratory practice of applying decontamination, although being vital for culture-based testing, can negatively impact the performance of molecular testing. As a complement to the above experiments, we also considered the best Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA storage method to optimize molecular testing carried out in the near- to medium-term. Comparing Ct values following three-month storage at 4 °C and at -20 °C and showed little difference between the two. In summary, for molecular diagnostics aimed at mycobacteria this work highlights the importance of choosing the right DNA extraction device, indicates that decontamination causes significant loss of mycobacterial DNA, and shows that samples preserved for further molecular testing can be stored at 4 °C, just as well at -20 °C. Under our experimental settings, human DNA depletion gave no significant improvement in Ct values for the detection of MTBC.

Supplementation of beer with Pinus sylvestris L. shoots extracts and its effect on fermentation, phenolic content, antioxidant activity and sensory profiles

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the role of Pinus sylvestris L. shoots in the development of antioxidant and sensory features of wheat beer. ResultsAfter storage, the alcohol content of the experimental beer was 4.04%v/v, and its bitterness was 15.83 IBU (bitterness units). Higher levels of bitterness were found compared to the control beer. Other analyzed fermentation parameters (extract, degree of fermentation) and physicochemical parameters (pH, titratable acidity, color) were similar for both types of beer. The addition of pine shoots at the brewing stage affected the profile of biologically active compounds - both polyphenolic acids and flavonols. The content of both groups of those compounds was almost 30% higher in the sample with pine shoots compared to the control sample. The sensory evaluation confirmed the high attractiveness of the beer with pine shoots. During the three-month storage period, the tested samples were microbiologically stable. ConclusionsIt was concluded that pine shoots may be an attractive functional addition to flavored craft beer. It can increase both sensory attractiveness and quantity of bioactive compounds, which results in functional properties such as antioxidant potential.How to cite: Dziedziński M, Stachowiak B, Kobus-Cisowska J, et al. Supplementation of beer with Pinus sylvestris L. shoots extracts and its effect on fermentation, phenolic content, antioxidant activity and sensory profiles. Electron J Biotechnol 2023;63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2023.01.001.

Factors affecting the accuracy of anti-BRAF V600E immunohistochemistry results in ameloblastomas.

There are still some controversies about the results of anti-BRAF V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry in ameloblastomas. This study aimed to examine the accuracy of V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry in detection of BRAF V600E mutation in ameloblastoma tissue sections of different ages. The BRAF V600E status of 64 ameloblastoma specimens was assessed using both Sanger sequencing and V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated. The difference in V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry staining intensity among the three groups of ameloblastoma tissue blocks of different ages was evaluated by chi-square test. The consistency between V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry and DNA sequencing results and the V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry staining intensity of 15 paired newly-cut and 3-month storage sections of the same 15 ameloblastomas were also compared. For detection of BRAF V600E mutation, the V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry had high sensitivity (98.21% 55/56), specificity (87.5% 7/8), positive predictive value (98.21% 55/56), and negative predictive value (87.5% 7/8). Heterogeneity of the staining intensity was observed in the same tissue section, but all or none expression pattern was noticed in the solid tumor nests. The storage time of paraffin tissue blocks ranging from 2 to 14 years did not affect the V600E-specific antibody-positive staining intensity. However, the three-month storage sections showed a significant diminishment of V600E-specific antibody-positive staining signals. The BRAF V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry is suitable for routine detection of BRAF V600E mutation in ameloblastomas. The all or none expression pattern suggests the BRAF V600E mutation may be an early event in the pathogenesis of ameloblastoma.

Monthly Agricultural Reservoir Storage Forecasting Using Machine Learning

Storage rate forecasting for the agricultural reservoir is helpful for preemptive responses to disasters such as agricultural drought and planning so as to maintain a stable agricultural water supply. In this study, SVM, RF, and ANN machine learning algorithms were tested to forecast the monthly storage rate of agricultural reservoirs. The storage rate observed over 30 years (1991–2022) was set as a label, and nine datasets for a one- to three-month storage rate forecast were constructed using precipitation and evapotranspiration as features. In all, 70% of the total data was used for training and validation, and the remaining 30% was used as a test. The one-month storage rate forecasting showed that all SVM, RF, and ANN algorithms were highly reliable, with R2 values ≥ 0.8. As a result of the storage rate forecast for two and three months, the ANN and SVM algorithms showed relatively reasonable explanatory power with an average R2 of 0.64 to 0.69, but the RF algorithm showed a large generalization error. The results of comparing the learning time showed that the learning speed was the fastest in the order of SVM, RF, and ANN algorithms in all of the one to three months. Overall, the learning performance of SVM and ANN algorithms was better than RF. The SVM algorithm is the most credible, with the lowest error rates and the shortest training time. The results of this study are expected to provide the scientific information necessary for the decision-making regarding on-site water managers, which is expected to be possible through the connection with weather forecast data.

Effect of processing on the phytochemicals and quality attributes of vermicelli developed from colored wheat

Biofortified colored wheat is rich in anthocyanin and phenolic acid compounds that have demonstrated positive physiological effects in humans and animals. This study aimed to develop vermicelli from black and purple colored wheat and compared it with non-colored white wheat. Vermicelli (roasted and unroasted) was developed from various colored wheat. Both roasted and unroasted versions were examined for the effect of processing on the quality characteristics such as cooking quality, shelf life, sensory parameters, macronutrients, anthocyanins, phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. The order of relative content of protein, anthocyanins, phenolics and flavonoids in both the forms was black > purple > white. Higher flour solubility and higher cooking losses in the soup gave black wheat a better texture and taste. Extrusion and roasting reduced anthocyanins, flavonoids, and soluble phenolics but enhanced insoluble phenolics and antioxidant activity. Three-month storage did not affect its quality attributes. Major anthocyanin in black wheat flour and its products was delphinidin-3-o-rutinoside. Several new anthocyanins, including coumaric acid derivatives were identified through MS/MS analysis. Anthocyanin stability followed the trend of peonidin-3-o-glucoside > cyanidin-3-o-glucoside > malvidin-3-o-glucoside > peonidin-3-rutinoside > delphinidin-3-o-galactoside > cyanidin-3-o-rutinoside. Thus, black wheat vermicelli with good shelf life was found to be best in terms of antioxidant activity, protein content, taste, and sensory attributes.

Porous boron nitride intercalated zero-valent iron particles for highly efficient elimination of organic contaminants and Cr (VI)

Developing novel bifunctional materials to high efficiently degrade organic pollutants and eliminate hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) is significantly desired in the wastewater treatment field. The porous boron nitride (p-BN) was fabricated by a two-stage calcination strategy and was innovatively employed to support zero-valent iron (ZVI), achieving the bifunctional material (p-BN@ZVI) to degrade carbamazepine (CBZ) and eliminate Cr (VI). p-BN@ZVI could degrade more than 98% CBZ in 6 min with the high apparent first-order constant (kobs) of 0.536 min−1, almost 5 times higher than that of the ZVI/PMS system and outperformed most previous reported ZVI supported catalysts, which was mainly ascribed to the fact that the introduction of p-BN with high surface area (793.97 m2/g) improved the dispersion of ZVI and exposed more active sites. Quenching tests coupled with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) suggested that •OH was the major reactive oxygen species with a contribution of 71.6%. Notably, the p-BN@ZVI/PMS system expressed low activation energy of 8.23 kJ/mol and reached a 65.69% TOC degradation in 20 min even at 0 °C. p-BN@ZVI possessed remarkable storage stability and could still degrade 92.3% CBZ despite three-month storage. More interestingly, p-BN@ZVI was capable to eliminate 98.1% of 50 mg/L Cr (VI) within 5 min through adsorption and reduction, where nearly 80% Cr (VI) was transformed to Cr (III), and exhibited the maximum Cr (VI) elimination capacity of 349 mg/g. This study provides new insights into the efficient organic contaminants degradation and Cr (VI) elimination in the treatment of wastewater.

Formulation of virgin coconut oil microemulsion with natural excipients

Introduction: Virgin coconut (Cocos nucifera (L.)) oil (VCO) is taking attention from re-searchers because of its biological activities. However, applying VCO directly on the skin often leaves an uncomfortable feeling of greasy, clogged pores and difficult to wash. Coco-nut oil in microemulsion is a better option since it can increase bioavailability as well as convenience for users. Furthermore, this study aims to use natural ingredients, safe for the skin and environmentally friendly. Methods: The research started from extracting saponins from Gleditsia australis by using ethanol and water as extraction solvents. The extracted saponins were characterized by chemical reactions. Then we combined saponins and some other surfactants to investigate the possibility of microemulsion formation. Results: We extracted saponins with efficiency of 7.2%. The results showed that microemul-sions were formed using a mixture of surfactants including saponins and lecithin (ratio of 0.05:100 w:w) in the formula with a ratio of water phase, oil phase, surfactants respectively 3%, 48.5%, 48.5%. Microemulsion met the requirements of quality control and the product is microbiologically stable after 3 months of storage without using preservatives. Conclusion: In this study, we have successfully prepared Virgin coconut oil microemulsion using natural excipients including Virgin coconut oil, water and a mixture of surfactants used as saponins and lecithin. The system showed stability at 30 and 40 °C upon three-month storage and the product is microbiologically stable after 3 months of storage without using preservatives.

Seed propagation, adaptation to cultivation conditions, determination of ornamental plant properties, and ex situ conservation of the endemic species Centaurea hermannii F. Hermann

This study focused on seed propagation and ex situ conservation of the endemic species Centaurea hermannii F. Hermann. Plant properties such as vegetation cycle, adaptation to the cultivation environment, morphological characteristics of the plants and seeds, and esthetic properties as an ornamental variety were investigated. The percentage of viability of the seeds, as well as the effects of different seed germination methods when applied to the germination speed, were also explored. C. hermannii specimens planted in soil adapted quickly under field conditions and flowered over a period of two months, with a bright-orange color and glossy blossoms. In addition, the plants displayed all the type-specific botanical and esthetic properties, as well as provided value as an ornamental plant. An ex situ conservation area was created with the plants collected. To determine the best germination conditions for C. hermannii seeds, various methods were explored. Among these, a combination of 200 ppm of GA3 treatment during a three-month storage period at 4 °C, followed by cold-wet stratification at 4 °C for three months, produced the best results in terms of mean percentage germination (70.5 %) and mean germination speed (3 days).

Minimal Media Strength for In vitro Conservation of Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) Cultures

An experiment for strawberry Fragaria ananassa cv. Festival in vitro conservation of cultures for nine months was studied. Three MS medium strength (full strength MS, ¾ MS, ½ MS, and ¼ MS) and the storage period (3, 6, and 9 months) in slowing down or reducing growth. Results showed a significant effect of the medium salt strength, as the full strength treatment was higher by achieved the highest percentage of viability (survival %) and storage characteristics of cultures (N%, P%, carbohydrates%, protein %) and regeneration ability characteristics (shoots and roots number and length). Three-month storage period achieved the highest rate compared to the nine-month storage period, which recorded the lowest average for the studied characteristics. The full strength treatment for three months storage period realized the highest rate compared to treatment ¼ strength for the storage period of nine months, which recorded the lowest rate of the studied traits. The application of minimal strength for in vitro conservation allows strawberry cultures to remain viable with a slow growth rate and a significant increase in the storage life of the tissues to nine months.

Preservation of Biologically Active Compounds and Nutritional Potential of Quick-Frozen Berry Fruits of the Genus Rubus

Cryoprotective freezing methods are increasingly being developed and used as an effective means of protecting valuable bioactive compounds in processed berry fruits. The quick-freezing method allows the bioactive compounds in the plant material to be preserved over a longer period of time, thus providing a high-quality product with significant antioxidant capacity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the quick-freezing method on physico-chemical properties and bioactive compounds content of fruits in three soft fruit species: tayberry, raspberry, and blackberry, and to evaluate the stability of specific phytochemicals during the three-month storage period. The freezing method had a significant effect on the physicochemical properties with a significantly less drip loss observed after thawing in fruit frozen by quick-freezing (at −34 °C for 25 min) compared to fruit frozen classically (−18 °C to 24 h). The color of quick-frozen fruits also changed significantly less compared to fresh fruits. Of the bioactive compounds analyzed, it should be noted that there was a significantly lower loss of ascorbic acid recorded during quick-freezing. On average, the quick-frozen fruits contained 28% more ascorbic acid than the classical frozen fruits. In general, the quick-freezing procedure contributed to a better preservation of total polyphenolic compounds and anthocyanins, and thus berry fruits also showed higher values of antioxidant capacity during quick freezing than during the classical procedure. During the storage period of three months, a decrease in the content of all the bioactive compounds studied was observed, although it should be emphasized that this loss during storage was not as pronounced in fruits frozen by the quick-freezing method as in classically frozen fruits. It can be concluded that the quick-freezing contributes significantly to the preservation of valuable bioactive compounds of berries and that this processing method can be considered important for maintaining the nutritional properties of berry fruits.

Proximate and Nutritional Composition of Stored Bulb Onions as Affected by Harvest and Postharvest Treatments

Productivity of bulb onions (Allium cepa L.) is largely constrained by postharvest losses. There are several postharvest strategies applicable to onions, but they are mostly applied singularly and therefore their combined effects have not been well studied. This study was set out to evaluate the effects of harvesting stage, curing period, and time of topping on postharvest quality of stored red bulb onions. The study was carried out in Yatta Subcounty, Machakos County, Kenya. The experimental design was split-split plot laid out in a 3 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. The treatments consisted of harvesting stage (25%, 50%, and 75% top fall), curing period (none, 1 week, and 2 weeks after harvesting), and time of topping (before and after curing). All the treatments were replicated three times. After 3 months of storage, the bulbs were analyzed for proximate and nutritional composition. Bulbs that were harvested at 75% top fall and cured for one or two weeks before topping retained higher moisture content, bulb weight, crude protein, vitamin C, zinc, potassium, calcium, and iron but lower sodium content after three-month storage. These practices are therefore recommended for maintaining the nutritional quality of bulb onions after harvesting.

Predictive Model for the Surface Tension Changes of Chemical Solutions Used in a Clean-in-Place System.

The paper presents the results concerning the influence of concentration and storage time on the equilibrium surface tension of chemical solutions used in a clean-in place (CIP) system. Standard cleaning solutions (prepared under laboratory conditions) and industrial solutions (used in a CIP system in a brewery) were subjected to tests. Solutions from the brewery were collected after being regenerated and changes in equilibrium surface tension were studied during a three-month storage. In the statistical analysis of the solutions, standard deviations were determined in relation to the averages, and a Tukey’s multiple comparison test was performed to determine the effect of dependent variables on the surface tension of solutions. From the results, a nonlinear regression model was developed that provided a mathematical description of the kinetics of changes in the wetting properties of the solutions during their storage. A linear–logarithmic function was adopted to describe the regeneration. Numerical calculations were performed based on the nonlinear least squares method using the Gauss–Newton algorithm. The adequacy of the regression models with respect to the empirical data was verified by the coefficient of determination R and the standard error of estimation Se. The results showed that as the concentration of the substance in the cleaning solution increased, its wetting properties decreased. The same effect was observed with increased storage time as the greatest changes occurred during the first eight weeks. The study also showed that the use of substances to stabilize the cleaning solutions prevented deterioration of their wetting properties, regardless of the concentration of the active substance or storage time.

Enabling Indium Channels for Mass Cytometry by Using Reinforced Cyclam-Based Chelating Polylysine.

The synthesis of a polylysine polymer functionalized with the previously reported astonishingly inert [In(cb-te2pa)]+ chelate was performed. A biotin end group allowed the conjugation to biotinylated beads by the intermediary of a fluorescein isothiocyanate/neutravidin receptor. High quality imaging mass cytometry trials, based on 115In detection were performed to highlight the behavior of the material. Anti-CD20 antibody was labeled by the so-obtained In(III)-modified polylysine using the biotin/neutravidin interaction. Ramos (CD20[+]) and HL-60 (CD20[-]) cell lines were costained with the In(III)-modified bioconjugate by finding the best staining conditions. Both immunofluorescence microscopy (IF-M) and mass cytometry analyses confirmed the specific binding of anti-CD20 onto Ramos cells. CyTOF histograms constructed on the 115In detection allowed us to define and to separate, with a good signal-to-noise ratio, two populations (Ramos and HL-60). The inertness of In(III)-MCP-NAv over a three-month storage period was proved by performing new functionality tests involving Jurkat cells (CD20[-]) and multiparametric trials involving the 115In channel. The results ensure a promising future use of the previously announced [In(cb-te2pa)]+ complex-based polymers for mass cytometry.

Improving the handling properties and long-term stability of polyelectrolyte complex by freeze-drying technique for low-dose bone morphogenetic protein 2 delivery.

A variety of controlled release carriers for bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) delivery have been developed and tested in animal models. An alginate-based polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) for controlled release of low-dose BMP-2 has shown promising results in preclinical research. However, the poor handling properties and long-term stability of PEC need to be improved for translational applications. This study aimed to address these limitations of alginate-based PEC by employing a freeze-drying technique. The size and structure of freeze-dried PEC (FD-PEC) were maintained with the addition of a cryoprotectant, trehalose. The release profile of BMP-2 from FD-PEC was similar to that of freshly prepared PEC. In vitro bioactivity analysis of the released BMP-2 showed that the carrier performance of PEC was not compromised by freeze-drying up to three-month storage at room temperature. BMP-2-bound FD-PEC induced comparable bone formation to that using freshly prepared regular PEC in a rat posterolateral spinal fusion model. These results suggest that FD-PEC is capable of delivering low-dose BMP-2 and could be developed as an off-the-shelf product for translational applications. The simplicity of this preservation method provides promise for the translational application of PEC.

Rheological behavior of concentrated emulsions containing carotenoids with different polarity

The rheological behavior of concentrated oil-in-water emulsions containing carotenoids (2% (w/w) with different polarity (polarity order: lycopene LY < beta-carotene BC < apocarotenal AC ≪ lutein LU) and its relationship with the microstructural changes caused by three-month storage at 4 °C and 30 °C was studied. The smallest particle size and the highest span were obtained for LY emulsions, followed by BC and AC and then by LU. The most emulsions presented a shear-thinning behavior. The freshly prepared emulsions showed a similar viscoelastic behavior with a weak gel-like structure. Storage of emulsions containing apolar carotenes LY, BC and AC caused the formation of less viscous systems, but still with the shear-thinning character. Storage of emulsion containing polar LU induced its flocculation, especially at 30 °C, which resulted in its increased viscosity and a higher degree of thixotropy. In the case of AC, BC, and LU emulsions, the viscous properties prevailed in these emulsions after their storage at both temperatures. Emulsion system with apolar LY presented a more structured system resistant to changes in the viscoelastic properties induced by storage.