Triacetin Research Articles

Cellulose acetate (CA), commercially produced from natural cellulose, is one of the promising candidates to solve the microplastic issue. In this study, attempts were made to prepare CA microparticles by means of melt extrusion of incompatible polymer blends comprising CA with plasticizer (triacetin (TA)) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) followed by selective removable of TA and PVA. As implied by semi-theoretical equation previously established by Wu (Wu’s equation), particle size decreased with increasing shear rate or decreasing viscosity ratio of polymers. CA microparticles with a controlled size of 2–8 μm, narrow particle size distribution, and smooth surface were successfully obtained. Efforts were made to determine the numerical solution of Wu’s equation to compare them with observed particle size. To this end, interfacial tension between dispersed and matrix phases to be incorporated in the equation was determined by group contribution methods. The root mean squared error (RMSE) between the observed and calculated particle size was unsatisfactorily large, 4.46 μm. It was found that one of the possible reasons for the limited prediction accuracy was migration of TA from the dispersed to matrix phase affecting the viscosity ratio. Further efforts will be required to achieve a better prediction.

Abstract As a biodegradable material, polylactic acid (PLA) is widely used in healthcare industries, however, its bacterial properties cannot meet the requirements. Chitin, a natural antibacterial agent, is difficult to directly melt blend with PLA due to agglomeration. In order to enhance the compatibility between chitin and PLA, in this study, firstly, chitin was decomposed by cellulase to prepare enzymolysis chitin (EC). The viscosity and particle size of EC were measured and the optimal enzymolysis conditions were chosen. Then, the modified chitin antibacterial agent (MCAA) was prepared by mixing EC with glyceryl triacetate (GTA) and polyethyleneglycol (PEG), and the biodegradable PLA/MCAA composite was prepared by melt blending. Finally, the tensile, thermal, antibacterial properties, and the micromorphology of the PLA/MCAA composite were investigated. The results show that at a pH of 6.4 and a temperature of 55 °C, EC exhibited low viscosity and particle size after an enzymatic hydrolysis time of 4.5 h. Compared with PLA, PLA/MCAA composite exhibited better antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, in comparison to the PLA/chitin composite, there was less agglomeration in the PLA/MCAA composite, and the particle distribution of MCAA was more uniform.

Innovative extraction methods for non-phthalate plastic additives determination in water using GC and LC coupled to Q-Orbitrap.

Hollow fiber membranes were fabricated using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) via the thermally induced phase separation method for oil-water separation. By introducing glycerol triacetate (GTA) or propylene carbonate as an extruded solvent, membrane porosity and pore size were controlled, significantly enhancing water permeance. The highest porosity and permeance were achieved with GTA as the co-extruded solvent. To further improve separation performance, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coating was applied, forming a superhydrophilic and superoleophobic membrane composite. The coated membranes exhibited complete water absorption (0° contact angle) while repelling oil, preventing droplet adhesion. Antifouling performance was significantly improved, with flux recovery ratios exceeding 90% compared to 2–26% for uncoated membranes. The best-performing membrane achieved a high oil-in-water emulsion permeance of 3551 LMH/bar and 99.2% soybean oil removal efficiency. These findings demonstrate the potential of superhydrophilic and superoleophobic membranes with controlled porosity for efficient oil-water separation.

Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is crucial for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-induced cognitive impairment. We aimed to investigate roles of acetate (ACE) and SET domain bifurcated histone lysine methyltransferase 1 (SETDB1) in neuroinflammation of OSA. After C57BL/6J mice were exposed to OSA-associated intermittent hypoxia (IH) or normoxia for four weeks, the composition of the gut microbiota (GM) and the levels of serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured by 16S rRNA and GC-MS methods, respectively. To assess the effect of ACE on IH mice, glyceryl triacetate (GTA) was gavaged in IH-exposed mice and the cognitive function, microglial activation, and hippocampal neuronal death were examined. Moreover, ACE-treated BV2 microglia cells were also utilized for further mechanistic studies. IH disrupts the gut microbiome, reduces microbiota-SCFAs, and impairs cognitive function. Gavage with GTA significantly mitigated these cognitive deficits. Following IH exposure, we observed substantial increases in SETDB1 both in vivo and in vitro, along with elevated levels of histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3). Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of SETDB1 in microglia led to decreased induction of proinflammatory factors, as well as reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Mechanistically, SETDB1 was found to upregulate the transcription factors p-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) and p-NF-κB. In vitro, ACE supplementation effectively repressed high SETDB1 and H3K9me3 levels, thereby inhibiting microglial pro-inflammatory responses induced by IH. In vivo, ACE supplementation significantly reduced hippocampal levels of p-STAT3, p-NF-κB, and pro-inflammatory cytokines while also protecting neuronal integrity. This study provides the first evidence that H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 promotes microglial pro-inflammatory response distinct from its previously shown role in macrophages. Our findings also identify ACE supplementation as a promising dietary intervention for OSA-related cognitive impairment with SETDB1 serving as both a mechanistic biomarker and potential therapeutic target.

This research utilized recycled acetate fibers from discarded cigarette butts (CBs) as reinforcing materials, reducing solid waste and enhancing the properties of bitumen. The surface properties of the fibers significantly impacted the binder characteristics. The treatment of CB fibers with anhydrous ethanol was employed to remove the plasticizer glycerol triacetate (GTA), enabling the better homogeneity of the fibers in the binder. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to assess the effectiveness of the fiber treatment. A dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) was used to explore the properties of bitumen with varying CB contents (0%, 0.25%, 0.75%, and 1.25% by weight). A whole life cycle analysis further confirmed the eco-efficiency of CB binders. The results show that the pretreatment effectively removed GTA, leading to a more homogeneous dispersion of fibers in the binder. Adding CBs can significantly improve bitumen properties, but this effect does not increase with higher dosages; when the CB content exceeded 1.25%, a reduction in fatigue resistance was observed. Among the tested dosages, the optimal amount was 0.75%, which improved the high-temperature performance of the binder by 2.7 times, the medium-temperature fatigue life by 1.78 times, and the low-temperature performance by 1.08 times. In terms of ecological benefits, the addition of CB fibers to bitumen pavement reduced carbon emissions by two-thirds compared to traditional bitumen pavement, resulting in a significant decrease in carbon emissions. This study provides valuable insights into the construction of sustainable transportation infrastructure.

Natural ester is an environmentally friendly insulating medium, which is regarded as a potential alternative to mineral oil. Improving the fluidity and oxidative stability of natural ester is essential for its application in power equipment. Mixed modification can ameliorate the performance shortcomings of natural esters and, in comparison to methods such as nanomodification or antioxidants, it does not suffer from issues like agglomeration or environmental contamination. Therefore, the best-modified short-chain saturated triglyceride is selected by molecular dynamics, and then the oxidative stability of the mixed-insulating oil is evaluated by quantum chemistry. Results exhibit that glyceryl triacetate has the best viscosity-reducing effect, which can improve the free volume and diffusion ability of the mixed-insulating oil and decrease the entanglement and friction between the carbon chains of the oil molecules. DFT calculations indicate that the oxidative stability of mixed insulating oil can be improved with glyceryl triacetate. This study can contribute to the development of high-performance insulating oil for power equipment by providing theoretical references and computational support.

Abstract Malaysia’s biodiesel production is rapidly increasing, resulting in an excess of crude glycerol that has limited usage in local industries. Based on the present circumstances, converting glycerol into higher-value products like acetin through acetylation is a beneficial alternative. In the presence of suitable catalysts, the acetylation of glycerol with acetic acid yields three distinct varieties of acetins which are monoacetin (MA), diacetin (DA), and triacetin (TA). Monometallic and bimetallic catalysts copper and nickel deposited on activated carbon were prepared via wet impregnation method. Catalyst properties were investigated by various techniques such as FT-IR, SEM-EDX, BET and NH3-TPD. The acetylation reaction was carried out in a 250 mL double neck round bottom flask at 90 °C for 60 minutes. Copper-Nickel incorporated activated carbon has shown higher activity for glycerol conversion (94.5%) and higher selectivity towards monoacetin and diacetin.

Epidermal electronics provide a promising solution to key challenges in wearable electronics, such as motion artifacts and low signal-to-noise ratios caused by an imperfect sensor-skin interface. To achieve the optimal performance, skin-worn electronics require high conductivity, flexibility, stability, and biocompatibility. Herein, we present a nontoxic, waterborne conductive ink made of silver and child-safe slime for the fabrication of skin-compatible electronics. The ink formulation includes polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), known as school glue, as a matrix, glyceryl triacetate (GTA) as a plasticizer, sodium tetraborate (Borax) as a crosslinker, and silver (Ag) flakes as the conducting material. Substituting citric acid (CA) for GTA enhances the deformability by more than 100%. With exceptional conductivity (up to 1.17 × 104 S/cm), we demonstrate the ink's potential in applications such as an epidermal near-field communication (NFC) antenna patch and a wireless ECG system for motion monitoring.

Rational design of PLA-based ASDs for pharmaceutical 3D printing: Insights from phase diagram modeling.

Optimizing stability and controlled release of co-encapsulated probiotics and vitamin B12 using fluidized bed coating: impact of plasticizers on tailored HPMCAS-coated granules

Background/Objectives: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), an inflammatory skin condition, is commonly treated with topical corticosteroids; however, long-term use of these drugs is associated with various risks, such as skin atrophy and steroid resistance. Triacetin (TA), a triglyceride metabolized to acetate, exerts anti-inflammatory affects by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and suppressing mast cell degranulation. Here, we aimed to assess the immediate and long-term effects of TA on ACD suppression, focusing on AMPK activation, using a 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced rodent model. Methods: Various concentrations of TA were topically applied to rats with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced dermatitis. Ear thickness was measured, and histological analysis was performed to assess the inflammation, mast cell infiltration, and degranulation in the established models. AMPK activation was analyzed via Western blotting, and TA degradation was assessed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Dorsomorphin (an AMPK inhibitor) was used to evaluate the effects of AMPK on ACD. Results: TA significantly inhibited inflammation and mast cell degranulation in a dose-dependent manner, with 0.25 mmol/L showing the most potent effects. It also activated AMPK activation. Notably, AMPK inhibition reversed the effects of TA. Conclusions: Overall, TA exerted immediate and long-term anti-inflammatory effects via AMPK activation and inhibition of mast cell degranulation, showing potential as a non-steroidal therapeutic for ACD.

Liquid-core nanocapsules (NCs) coated with amphiphilic hyaluronic acid (AmHA) have been proposed for the preparation of drug and food formulations. Herein, we focused on the use of ultrasound techniques to (i) optimize the polysaccharide chain length with respect to the properties of NCs stabilized with AmHAs and (ii) form oil-core nanocapsules with a coating composed of AmHAs. The results indicate that sonication is a convenient and effective method that allows for a controlled reduction in HA molecular weight. The initial (H-HA) and degraded (L-HA) polysaccharides were then reacted with dodecylamine to obtain hydrophobic HA derivatives (HA-C12s). Then, NCs were prepared based on HA-C12s using ultrasound-assisted emulsification of glyceryl triacetate oil. The nanocapsules coated with L-HA-C12 showed greater stability compared to the longer-chain polysaccharide. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed that HA-C12 readily adsorbs at the water-oil interphase, adopting a more compact conformation compared to that in the aqueous phase. The dodecyl groups are immersed in the oil droplet, while the main polysaccharide chain remaining in the aqueous phase forms hydrogen bonds or water bridges with the polar part of the triglycerides, thus increasing the stability of the NC. Our research underscores the usefulness of ultrasound technology in preparing suitable formulations of bioactive substances.

Thermoplastic elastomer styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) has excellent mechanical properties and aging resistance, so it has good application prospects in thermoplastic solid propellants. The selection of plasticizer is one of the keys to the formulation design of thermoplastic solid propellant. The compatibility of the plasticizer with the polymer determines the plasticizer's ability to plasticize the polymer's molecular chain segments. Herein, the compatibility of four plasticizers with SEBS was investigated, and the results declared that the order of compatibility between SEBS and the four plasticizers is SEBS/WO > SEBS/DOS > SEBS/DEP > SEBS/TA. Physical compatibility of SEBS binder with plasticizer triacetin (TA), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dioctyl sebacate (DOS), and 26# industrial white oil (WO) was simulated using molecular dynamics (MD) method via Materials Studio 8.0, and the simulation results were verified experimentally. The results showed that the compatibility of SEBS with these plasticizers can be comprehensively evaluated by analyzing solubility parameters, radial distribution functions, and blend miscibility simulations.

In this article, molecular dynamics simulations are performed to investigate the interaction between polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymorphs (β phase has more properties compared with α, such as polarity, higher mechanical strength, and piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and pyroelectric properties), and two solvents, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and glyceryl triacetate (GTA). Pure solvent boxes are built using two force fields (Compass and Dreiding) to study the stabilization of their density and solubility, which are used with the PVDF surfaces (for each solvent, computations are performed using two surfaces α and β). According to the radial distribution function results, DMSO shows a stronger interaction with two PVDF phases, allowing it to orient chains from the α phase to the β phase, while GTA exhibits a weaker interaction due to specific hydrogen bonds. These findings are confirmed by the experiment, where the fraction F(β) reaches 62% when using DMSO, while it is 36% when using GTA.

Sustainable upgrading of crude glycerol via ultrasound-reinforced bio-refinery process with oxygen–nitrogen subsistence: Co-application of reusable heterogeneous catalyst

A method of delaying the aging of natural ester oil-paper insulation systems by adding glyceryl triacetate is proposed in this work. A study was conducted on the thermal aging performance of soybean insulating oil mixed with glyceryl triacetate at a volume fraction of 7.5%. Through a 42-day accelerated thermal aging experiment, it was found that the addition of glyceryl triacetate effectively delayed the increase in kinematic viscosity of the insulating oil and reduced the generation of aging products such as moisture and acid. However, the polar compounds in glyceryl triacetate reduced the breakdown voltage of the mixed oil and made the dielectric loss factor higher than that of pure oil. In addition, tests were conducted on the insulating paper immersed in two types of oil, and it was found that the addition of glyceryl triacetate helps to distribute mixed oil molecules on the surface of insulating paper, which effectively helped absorb moisture from the paper, weakening the hydrolysis reaction of cellulose and delaying the aging of insulating paper. In addition, the insulating paper immersed in the mixed oil maintains good power frequency breakdown voltage and dielectric properties throughout the thermal aging experiment.

Glycerol diversification from biodiesel production can be improved by converting it into high-value acetin products, for example, glyceryl monoacetate (MAG), glyceryl diacetate (DAG) and glyceryl triacetate (TAG) via the glycerol acetylation process with graphene oxide as a catalyst synthesised from Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT). Hummer's method was used to prepare graphene oxide. The acidity of the catalyst was examined, as well as FTIR, BET, XRD and SEM-EDX. This research aims to improve the glycerol acetylation to produce high glycerol conversion and acetins selectivity depending on the reaction circumstances. Process optimisation employs Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in conjunction with the Box-Behnken Design (BBD) method with three repeats of the midpoint. Temperature, mole ratio and catalyst loading (%) were all evaluated factors. The RSM process was optimised using Design-Expert software version 13, which resulted in a glycerol conversion of 93.04%. Moreover, with the selectivity of MAG 47.65%, DAG 29.21%, and TAG 23.36% at a temperature of 110°C, the mole ratio of glycerol and acetic acid (1:9) and the catalyst loading are 5%.

As a highly heterogeneous tumor, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits non-uniform responses to therapies across subtypes. Overcoming therapeutic resistance stemming from this heterogeneity remains a significant challenge. Here, we report that Vitamin D-resistant PDAC cells hijacked Vitamin D signaling to promote tumor progression, whereas epigenetic priming with glyceryl triacetate (GTA) and 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza) overcame Vitamin D resistance and shifted the transcriptomic phenotype of PDAC toward a Vitamin D-susceptible state. Increasing overall H3K27 acetylation with GTA and reducing overall DNA methylation with 5-Aza not only elevated the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression but also reprogrammed the Vitamin D-responsive genes. Consequently, Vitamin D inhibited cell viability and migration in the epigenetically primed PDAC cells by activating genes involved in apoptosis as well as genes involved in negative regulation of cell proliferation and migration, while the opposite effect of Vitamin D was observed in unprimed cells. Studies in genetically engineered mouse PDAC cells further validated the effects of epigenetic priming for enhancing the anti-tumor activity of Vitamin D. Using gain- and loss-of-function experiments, we further demonstrated that VDR expression was necessary but not sufficient for activating the favorable transcriptomic phenotype in respond to Vitamin D treatment in PDAC, highlighting that both the VDR and Vitamin D-responsive genes were prerequisites for Vitamin D response. These data reveal a previously undefined mechanism in which epigenetic state orchestrates the expression of both VDR and Vitamin D-responsive genes and determines the therapeutic response to Vitamin D in PDAC.

BackgroundLipid metabolism has a crucial role in neural repair in neurodegenerative diseases. We recently revealed that lipogenesis-mediated interleukin-33 (IL-33) upregulation lead to blood–brain barrier (BBB) repair after ischemic stroke. However, manipulating the key enzyme fatty acid synthase (FASN) to enhance lipogenesis was very challenging. Glyceryl triacetate (GTA) was used as a donor of acetate and precursor of acetyl coenzyme A, the key substrate for de novo lipogenesis catalyzed by FASN. Therefore, we hypothesized that GTA would promote lipogenesis the peri-infarct after ischemic stroke and contribute to the BBB repair through IL-33.MethodsMiddle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed on C57BL mice and GTA was gavage administrated (4 g/kg) on day 2 and 4 after MCAO. Lipogenesis was evaluated by assessment of the protein level of FASN, lipid droplets, and fatty acid products through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in the peri-infarct area on day 3 after MCAO, respectively. BBB permeability was determined by extravasation of Evans blue, IgG and dextran, and levels of tight junction proteins in the peri-infarct area on day 7 after MCAO, respectively. Infarct size and neurological defects were assessed on day 7 after MCAO. Brain atrophy on day 30 and long-term sensorimotor abilities after MCAO were analyzed as well. The inhibitor of FASN, C75 and the virus-delivered FASN shRNA were used to evaluate the role of FASN-driven lipogenesis in GTA-improved BBB repair. Finally, the therapeutic potential of recombinant IL-33 on BBB repair and neurological recovery was evaluated.ResultsWe found that treatment with GTA increased the lipogenesis as evidenced by lipid droplets level and lauric acid content, but not the FASN protein level. Treatment with GTA increased the IL-33 level in the peri-infarct area and decreased the BBB permeability after MCAO. However, infarct size and neurological defect score were unchanged on day 7 after MCAO, while the long-term recovery of sensorimotor function and brain atrophy were improved by GTA. Inhibition of lipogenesis using C75 or FASN shRNA reversed the beneficial effect of GTA. Finally, exogenous IL-33 improved BBB repair and long-term functional recovery after stroke.ConclusionCollectively, we concluded that treatment with GTA improved the BBB repair and functional recovery after ischemic stroke, probably by the enhancement of lipogenesis and IL-33 expression.Graphical