Zeta Potential Values Research Articles

Characterization and antibacterial application of peppermint essential oil nanoemulsions in broiler

In order to mitigate the risk of antibiotic resistance in poultry, scientists nowadays consider plant secondary metabolites to be a major organic antibacterial substitute. This study aimed to characterize and investigate the in silico, in vitro, and in vivo antibacterial effects of peppermint essential oil (PEO) in the form of a nanoemulsion (NE), termed PEONE. Menthol as a major compound of PEO has been identified by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GCMS) analysis as 32.3 %, while lower droplet size, polydispersity Index (PDI), and optimum zeta potential values depicted the stability of PEONE have been observed and validated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrograph image. In silico antibacterial activity was studied by molecular docking of menthol and enrofloxacin with Topoisomerase IV protein (PDB: 1s16;) of Escherichia coli K12 MG1655 and this effect was validated by in vitro and in vivo analysis. In vitro analysis, sustained release of PEONE has been observed against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In this study for in vivo experiments (n = 90) day-old broiler chicks were distributed into 6 dietary treatments with 5 replicates of 3 birds per replication. Dietary treatments included 1) Negative control (basal diet), 2) Positive control (basal diet + 200 µl enrofloxacin), 3) 25 µl PEONE + basal diet, 4) 50 µl PEONE + basal diet, 5) 75 µl PEONE + basal diet, and 6) 100 µl PEONE + basal diet. Analyzed data by different statistical tools confirmed that PEONE significantly affected body weight gain (BWG) with an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group. A significant increase in cecal Lactobacillus count and a decrease in total coliform was observed. Positive effects on physiological parameters, visceral organs, and meat quality characteristics have been observed. In conclusion, our experiments suggest that PEONE can be used in the broiler industry as a substitute for antibiotics to minimize bacterial resistance.

A Comparative Study of Anionic and Cationic Collector in Microbubble-Assisted Flotation for Coarse Quartz Particle: Performance and Adsorption

Recent studies have suggested that using microbubbles to assist in coarse particle flotation has some advantages. However, how the type of collector affects the recovery of coarse particles under microbubbles still needs to be clarified. This study compared the performance and adsorption characteristics of anionic (sodium oleate - NaOL) and cationic (dodecylamine - DDA) collector environments for microbubble-assisted flotation of coarse quartz particles. A two-factorial level and Box-Behnken techniques were used for statistical design for screening and characterizing the performance. The flotation process utilizing NaOL and DDA was not significantly affected by froth depth. In the presence and absence of microbubbles, the performance of DDA surpassed that of NaOL; therefore, the average recovery of the cationic collector was more than 10% higher than that of the anionic collector. Contact angle analysis revealed that NaOL measured approximately 70° while DDA measured around 90°. DDA was adsorbed more significantly than NaOL at the same collector concentration. Zeta potential was more sensitive to DDA; increasing both collector concentrations also increased the value of zeta potential. FT-IR and EDX analyses showed that DDA and NaOL were chemically adsorbed onto quartz. Overall, this study demonstrates that DDA outperformed NaOL in the presence and absence of microbubbles during the flotation of coarse quartz particles.

In vitro Characterization and Drug Release Studies of Ethambutol-Loaded Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Delivery

Background: The development of more effective drug delivery techniques is necessary to increase treatment efficacy and patient compliance since tuberculosis (TB) is still a serious worldwide health concern. Ethambutol is a vital aspect of TB treatment, and using nanoparticles to carry it to the lungs may provide targeted delivery and prolonged release, which might enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. Objective: This work aimed to optimize the formulation for prolonged drug release by synthesizing and assessing ethambutol-loaded nanoparticles using the desolation technique with albumin as the polymer. Additionally, the effects of different drug-polymer ratios and stirring rates were investigated. Methods: Nine formulations of ethambutol-loaded nanoparticles were prepared by varying the drug-polymer ratios (1:1 to 1:2) and stirring speeds (500 to 1500 rpm). Key parameters, such as particle size, drug entrapment efficiency, and zeta potential, were measured. The optimized formulation was selected based on the smallest particle size and highest drug entrapment efficiency. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the surface morphology of the nanoparticles. The in vitro drug release profile of the optimized formulation was studied over 24 hours. Results: Increasing the drug-polymer ratio from 1:1 to 1:2 increased nanoparticle size from 192.1 nm to 605.06 nm and decreased drug entrapment efficiency from 75.7%±0.08 to 34%±0.06. Higher stirring speeds (500 to 1500 rpm) also led to larger particle sizes and reduced drug entrapment due to polymer self-aggregation. Zeta potential values ranged from -5.56 to -25.6 mV. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed smooth, spherical nanoparticles. The optimized formulation, EN-5, exhibited the smallest particle size and highest drug entrapment efficiency. In vitro drug release studies showed a sustained ethambutol release, with 42.66±1.53% released in 12 hours and 79.082±2.98% in 24 hours. Conclusion: Ethambutol-loaded nanoparticles having the ability to transport drugs to the lungs over an extended period of time were developed and optimized in the study. With improved drug delivery systems, the optimized formulation showed notable drug entrapment efficiency and controlled release, suggesting its potential to improve tuberculosis therapy.

Rutin loaded bilosomes for enhancing the oral activity and nephroprotective effects of rutin in potassium dichromate induced acute nephrotoxicity in rats

Rutin, a flavone glycoside, has shown to have a significant beneficial kidney protection effect in drug-induced nephropathy. However, its poor solubility and low oral bioavailability have limited its pharmacological applications. This study aimed at formulating rutin-loaded bilosomes to enhance the renal protective effect of rutin for oral application. Rutin-loaded bilosomes were developed using thin-film hydration technique. The prepared formulations were characterized by entrapment efficiency percentage (EE%), vesicular size (VS) and zeta potential (ZP) measurement. The developed formula exhibited moderate EE%, ranging from 20.02 ± 2.85 to 48.57 ± 3.57%, suitable VS results that ranged from 502.1 ± 36 to 665.1 ± 45 nm and high ZP values (≤ -41.4 ± 7.27 mV). Transmission electron microscopy revealed the spherical shape of the developed bilosomes. The in-vitro release study revealed prolonged release of rutin from bilosomes, relative to free drug. F2, prepared using the molar ratio span 60: cholesterol: sodium cholate 1:1:0.5, was selected for further investigations as it showed the highest EE%, smallest VS, optimum ZP, and persistent release profile. In-vivo studies were performed on drug-induced nephropathy in rats. Acute renal failure was induced using a single dose of potassium dichromate (PDC; 15 mg/kg; i.p). The selected formulation, F2, alleviated kidney dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation via decreasing MDA, TNF-α and TGF-β and increasing GSH. In addition, F2 promoted Akt/PI3K activation against PDC-induced acute renal failure. Histopathology results came in accordance with in-vivo results. Thus, bilosomes could be considered a potential delivery system for enhancing the oral delivery and kidney protection activity of rutin.

Green engineering of NiO nanoparticles decorated with Arachis hypogaea shell extract for biomedical applications

Abstract We attempted to synthesize nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs) utilizing waste Arachis hypogaea (peanut) shell extract and studied their structural, morphological, and biological performance for biomedical applications. The green engineered NiO-NPs possessed a face-centered cubic structure with an average particle size of 20 nm in highly crystalline form. NiO-NPs were shown to have an optical resonance peak at 327 nm with 3 eV as the optical band gap according to the UV–visible spectra, and the stretching band between Ni–O were evidenced from the FTIR and Raman spectrum. Utilizing green approach the stable nanoparticles were obtained with average particle size of 31 nm from SEM analysis; zeta potential value of −17.6 mV, and PDI as 0.68, revealed the formation of spherical nanoparticles with distinct morphologies without aggregation. XPS analysis confirmed the oxidation states of the elements Ni (2p) and O (1s). This approach may help to increase the surface area, increasing the possibility of nanoparticles interacting with bacterial cells. Furthermore, the presence of nickel and the oxygen oxidation state were confirmed by XPS. Proteus vulgaris, Streptococcus oralis, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli were found to be susceptible to the antibacterial action of the produced NiO-NPs, with a maximal zone of inhibition of 10.25 mm at 500 μg/ml for P. vulgaris. For P. vulgaris and E. coli, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of NiO were 5.36 and 12.55 %, respectively, at 31.25 μg mL−1. We hereby claim that green engineered NiO NPs decorated with A. hypogaea shell extract have great potential for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

Preparing a Phytosome for Promoting Delivery Efficiency and Biological Activities of Methyl Jasmonate-Treated Dendropanax morbifera Adventitious Root Extract (DMARE).

(1) Background: Methyl jasmonate-treated D. morbifera adventitious root extract (MeJA-DMARE), enriched with phenolics, has enhanced bioactivities. However, phenolics possess low stability and bioavailability. Substantial evidence indicates that plant extract-phospholipid complex assemblies, known as phytosomes, represent an innovative drug delivery system. (2) Methods: The phytosome complex was created by combining MeJA-DMARE with Soy-L-α-phosphatidylcholine (PC) using three different ratios through two distinct methods (co-solvency method: A1, A2, and A3; thin-layer film method: B1, B2, and B3). (3) Results: Initial evaluation based on UV-Vis, entrapment efficiency (EE%), and loading content (LC%) indicated that B2 exhibited the highest EE% (79.98 ± 1.45) and LC% (69.17 ± 0.14). The phytosome displayed a spherical morphology with a particle size of 210 nm, a notably low polydispersity index of 0.16, and a superior zeta potential value at -25.19 mV. The synthesized phytosome exhibited superior anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting NO and ROS production (reduced to 8.9% and 55.1% at 250 μg/mL) in RAW cells and adjusting the expression of related inflammatory cytokines; they also slowed lung tumor cell migration (only 2.3% of A549 cells migrated after treatment with phytosomes at 250 μg/mL), promoting ROS generation in A549 cell lines (123.7% compared to control) and stimulating apoptosis of lung cancer-related genes. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, the MeJA-DMARE phytosome offers stable, economically efficient, and environmentally friendly nanoparticles with superior inflammation and lung tumor inhibition properties. Thus, the MeJA-DMARE phytosome holds promise as an applicable and favorable creation for drug delivery and lung cancer treatment.

Ultrasonic-Assisted Marine Antifouling Strategy on Gel-like Epoxy Primer

Ultrasonic technology has drawn extensive interests for its great potential in marine antifouling applications. However, its effects on the adhesion behavior of marine fouling organisms on marine structures remain underexplored. This work investigated how ultrasonic treatment impacted the adhesion of Pseudoalteromonas on a gel-like marine epoxy primer. And the process parameters for ultrasonic treatment were optimized using response surface analysis with Design-Expert software 11. The results revealed that ultrasonic treatment disrupted the cellular structure of Pseudoalteromonas, causing the deformation and fragmentation of the cell membrane, leading to bacterial death. Additionally, ultrasonic treatment reduced the particle size and Zeta potential value of Pseudoalteromonas, which disrupted the stability of bacterial suspensions. It also increased the relative surface hydrophobicity of Pseudoalteromonas cells, resulting in a reduction in adhesion to the gel-like marine epoxy primer. This study demonstrated that ultrasonic treatment significantly disturbed the adhesion behavior of microorganisms like Pseudoalteromonas on the gel-like marine epoxy primer, which provided an effective approach for controlling marine biofouling.

The Effect of Sodium Hexametaphosphate on the Dispersion and Polishing Performance of Lanthanum-Cerium-Based Slurry.

A lanthanum-cerium-based abrasive composed of CeO2, LaOF, and LaF3 was commercially obtained. The effect of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) on powder dispersion behavior was systematically investigated using the combined techniques of liquid contact angle, turbidity, zeta potential (ZP), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) combined with Rietveld refinements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and polishing tests. The results indicated that the addition of 0.5 wt.% SHMP dispersant to the 5 wt.% lanthanum-cerium-based slurry produced the most stable suspension with a high turbidity of 2715 NTU and a low wetting angle of 45°. The as-obtained slurry displayed good surface polishing quality for K9 glass, with low surface roughness (Ra) of 0.642 and 0.515 nm (in the range of 979 × 979 μm2) at pH = 6 and 11, respectively, which corresponds to the fact that it has local maximum absolute values of ZP at these two pH values. SEM images demonstrated that after appropriate grafting of SHMP, the particle aggregation was reduced and the slurry's dispersion stability was improved. In addition, the dispersion mechanism was explained based on the principle of complexation reaction, which reveals that the dispersant SHMP can increase the interparticle steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsions. In an acidic environment, steric hindrance dominates, while electrostatic repulsion prevails under alkaline conditions. As expected, this polishing slurry may find potential applications in manufacturing optical devices and integrated circuits.

Study on Preparation and Properties of Pickering Emulsions Prepared by Carboxymethyl Starch‐Xanthan Gum Nanoparticles

AbstractIn this work, carboxymethyl starch‐xanthan gum nanoparticles (CXN) with different ratios are prepared by ethanol precipitation method. The effects of different ratios, NaCl content, and pH on the particle size and zeta potential of the nanoparticles are investigated, as well as the rheological properties and stability of the CXN emulsions. The results show that with the increase of xanthan gum (XG), the particle size, and zeta potential of the nanoparticles decrease and the prepared emulsions have higher shear stress and viscosity, as well as greater thermal and storage stability. Changes in pH and NaCl concentration significantly affect the particle size and zeta potential values of the nanoparticles. Excess acids or bases increase the viscosity of the emulsions. At low salt concentrations (0.05 M), the emulsion viscosity increases significantly, after which the emulsion viscosity decreases with increasing salt concentration. Neutral pH conditions at room temperature are not conducive to the stability of the emulsions. At high temperatures (100 °C), high salt concentrations, excessive acids or bases can destabilize emulsions. This study provides a new way to reduce the particle size of nanoparticles and a feasible strategy for developing long‐term stable Pickering emulsion.

Biosynthesis and Characterization of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Using Chenopodium quinoa Extract.

In this study, we achieved the biosynthesis of novel 7-8 nm iron-oxide nanoparticles in the presence of different concentrations (5 to 50% w/v) of commercial white quinoa extract. Initially, quinoa extract was prepared at various concentrations by a purification route. The biosynthesis optimization was systematically monitored by X-ray diffraction, and the Rietveld quantitative analysis showed the presence of goethite (5 to 10 wt.%) and maghemite phases. The first phase disappeared upon increasing the organic loading (40 and 50% w/v). The organic loading was corroborated by thermogravimetric measurements, and it increased with quinoa extract concentration. Its use reduces the amount of precipitation agent at high quinoa extract concentrations with the formation of magnetic nanoparticles with hard ferrimagnetic character (42 and 11 emu g-1). The enrichment of hydroxyl groups and the negative zeta potential above pH = 7 were corroborated by a reduction in the point of zero charge in all the samples. For alkaline values, the zeta potential values were above the stability range, indicating highly stable chemical species. The evidence of hydroxyl and amide functionalization was qualitatively observed using infrared analysis, which showed that the carboxyl (quercetin/kaempferol), amide I, and amide III chemical groups are retained after biosynthesis. The resultant biosynthesized samples can find applications in environmental remediation due to the affinity of the chemical agents present on the particle surfaces and easy-to-handle them magnetically.

Preparation and evaluation the effects of retinoic acid loaded proliposomal nanofibers on microbial biofilm inhibition

The electrospinning method involves the production of different drug delivery systems using various polymers. The production of proliposomes with electrospinning provides the hybridization of two novel drug delivery systems. Retinoic acid, also known as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), is a common and effective drug for acne therapy. This study aimed to prepare ATRA-loaded proliposomal nanofibers and evaluate their effectiveness on microbial biofilm inhibition. Blank and ATRA-loaded proliposomal nanofiber formulations were fabricated in various polyvinylpyrrolidone, phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol ratios. TEM images verified the rapid formation of the liposomes after the hydration of nanofibers. The vesicle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential values of self-assembled liposomes were measured. The vesicle size values were found to be 321.9–363.8 nm with PDI values varying between 0.332 and 0.511 and zeta potential values of (−16.8) to (−20.5)mV. ATRA-loaded proliposomal nanofibers provided higher bioadhesion (0.25 mJ/cm2) than the commercial cream (0.07 mJ/cm2). The short-term stability results showed that the initial characteristics remained for three months at 4 °C. The proposed ATRA-loaded self-assembled proliposomal system provided antibacterial, fungistatic or fungicidal effects superior to retinoic acid itself and inhibited biofilm formation in lower concentrations. This approach can combine the stability advantage of nanofibers in the dry state with the high effectiveness of liposomes in acne treatment presenting antibacterial and anti-biofilm-forming activity against Candida albicans and Cutibacterium acnes.

Effects of preheat treatment and syringic acid binding on the physicochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of black soybean protein isolate before and after in vitro digestion.

This study investigated the effects of preheat treatment (70-100 °C) and syringic acid (SA) grafting on the antioxidant, antibacterial, and physicochemical properties of black soybean protein isolate (BSPI) before and after in vitro digestion. The results revealed that both preheat treatment and SA grafting increased the digestibility and the absolute zeta potential value of BSPI. However, as the preheating temperature increased, the antioxidant ability of BSPI decreased, which was improved by SA grafting. During in vitro digestion, the absolute zeta potential and antioxidant activities of preheated BSPI and preheated BSPI-SA complex followed the order: intestine>gastric>before digestion. Compared with before digestion, preheated BSPI with its SA complex after in vitro digestion exhibited excellent antibacterial activities. Importantly, the preheated BSPI-SA complex enhanced the SA recovery rate during digestion and SA stability, with the highest recovery rate observed for the SA-grafted BSPI with preheat treatment at 100°C (BSPI100-SA). The principal component analysis sufficiently distinguished preheated BSPI and preheated BSPI-SA complexes. There were partitions between BSPI and BSPI-SA treated at different preheating temperatures. This study contributes to expanding the potential applications of BSPI with its SA complex in food products and offers guidance for designing SA delivery systems. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Preheated BSPI-SA complexes could serve as functional ingredients in food or health products. Besides, preheated BSPI has application potential as a carrier for SA delivery.

Extraction, Isolation, Characterization, and Development of Phospholipids Complex Nanocarrier for Improved Solubility, Antiasthmatic, and Pharmacokinetic Potential of Curcuminoids.

Curcuma longa Linn. (Zingiberaceae) is a medicinal plant with significant biological activities owing to curcuminoids (CURs). Nevertheless, its low oral bioavailability because of low water solubility, inadequate absorption, short half-life, and rapid clearance hampered its clinical applications. The study aimed to extract, isolate, characterize, and formulate the Phospholipon ®90H complex and evaluate for improved solubility, antiasthmatic and pharmacokinetic potential of CURs. Phospholipon®90H-based complex of curcuminoids (CPLC) was synthesized via solvent evaporation technique and reported an improvement of solubility, antiasthmatic, and pharmacokinetic potential of CURs. CPLC was physico-chemically and functionally evaluated by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, powder x-ray diffractometry, oral bioavailability, and antiasthmatic activity. Ethyl acetate rhizome extracts (EARE) displayed ~17.42 % w/w extraction yield of CURs. CPLC revealed high entrapment of CURs (~ 92.55 % w/w) within the polar head of phospholipids. Small particle size ~ 194 nm with zeta potential value ~ -20.4 mV suggests the physical stability of CPLC. Physical analysis evidenced the formation of stable and amorphous CPLC by establishing hydrophobic and weak intermolecular forces between CURs and Phospholipon ®90H. Undoubtedly, the amorphous CPLC raised the aqueous solubility of CURs (~2-fold) compared to pure CURs. CPLC formulations (~ 20 mg/kg of CURs, p.o.) significantly lowered the leucocyte and eosinophil count compared to pure CURs. CPLC improved the oral bioavailability of CURs compared to pure CURs. Results highlight that CPLC could be established as a breakthrough respiratory nanocarrier for CURs and other phytocompounds with respiratory potential.

Enhanced emulsification properties of microalgae protein through gellan gum conjugation: Mechanistic insights and applications in curcumin encapsulation and delivery

The emulsification properties of microalgae protein (MP) are poor, especially under acidic and neutral conditions, which may limit the broad applications of MP in food processing. This study aims to explore the effects of gellan gum (GG) on the emulsification properties of MP. Firstly, MP-GG complexes were prepared and their structures characterized. Subsequently, MP-GG complexes stabilized emulsions were prepared and their stability evaluated. Finally, these emulsions were employed for the encapsulation and delivery of curcumin to evaluate their potential as an efficient nutrient delivery medium. Results indicated that MP-GG complexes were formed under various pH conditions, with pH 6 identified as optimal for complexes stability (zeta-potential value was −31 mV). UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrated that GG did not significantly alter the MP's structure but induced slight conformational changes, leading to the burial of some amino acid residues. Zeta potential measurements confirmed that MP-GG complexes were stabilized by strong electrostatic repulsions. The increase of GG content was conducive to providing more negative charge and promoting the dissolution and dispersion of the MP-GG complexes (MP: GG = 1: 1). Emulsions stabilized by MP-GG complexes exhibited smaller droplet sizes and improved stability compared to those stabilized by MP alone, especially at oil phase volume fractions of 60 % and 70 %. Rheological analysis indicated that GG enhanced emulsion stability by increasing viscosity, and higher oil phase volume fractions facilitated better MP-GG complexes adsorption on oil droplets, strengthening network structures of emulsions. During in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion, emulsions with a 70 % oil phase exhibited higher curcumin retention rate (31.09 %) and lower curcumin bioaccessibility (13.23 %) compared to those with a 60 % oil phase. This suggests that emulsions with higher oil phase volume fractions may be more suitable for colon-targeted curcumin delivery, with potential applications in promoting colon health. These findings confirm that the complexation of MP and GG was an effective way to improve the emulsification properties of MP. Emulsions stabilized by MP-GG complexes can serve as stable nutritional delivery systems for fat-soluble bioactive compounds.

Simulation study on mitigating permeate flux decline with electroosmotic flux in dead-end ultrafiltration process

Piezoelectric membranes establish electrokinetic phenomena, including electroosmotic flow, to mitigate membrane fouling in the ultrafiltration process. This study employs numerical simulations to evaluate the role and impact of the electroosmotic flux effect on permeate flux decline and fouling mechanisms in the dead-end filtration process for silicon dioxide particles. This research demonstrates that electroosmotic flux significantly alleviates flux decline across varying values of surface zeta potential, membrane porosity, particle size and inlet concentration. Specifically, the electroosmotic flux effect is most pronounced in reducing flux decline when the surface zeta potential is higher and the membrane structure is more porous. This reduction in flux decline is attributed to the enhanced lift and drag forces generated by electroosmotic flux near the electrical double layer, which prevents rapid initial adhesion and subsequent fouling, such as internal blocking and cake layer formation. Additionally, the electroosmotic flux effect is most effective with smaller particle sizes and higher feed concentrations, helping to mitigate flux decline that would otherwise occur in the absence of electroosmotic flux. Compared to experimental and modelling investigations, the electroosmotic flux effect is shown to complement a reduction in permeate flux drop to facilitate the longevity of membranes in the ultrafiltration process.

A novel green nanocomposite for EOR: Experimental Investigation of IFT Reduction, wettability Shift, and nanofluid stability

A stable nanofluid (NF) is crucial for success of nano-enhanced oil recovery (nEOR) processes. However, this represents a significant challenge as nanoparticles (NPs) tend to agglomerate under high salinity and NP concentration adversely affecting the oil recovery. New nanomaterials including functionalized nanoparticles also known as nanocomposites (NC) can help to overcome these issues. In this paper, first, we reported synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of a novel hydrophobic CuO-SiO2-Montmorillonite-K+-Thiazine NC for the first time. The NC was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDAX), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). SEM analysis showed that the NC is composed of uniformly distributed NPs. EDAX results confirmed presence of Cu, SiO2, O2, and Cl in the NC. XRD analysis indicated that SiO2 is the dominant phase in the crystal lattice and responsible for adsorption capacity of the NC. TGA analysis showed that the NC will be thermally stable in typical reservoir temperatures (∼80°C). FTIR results confirmed presence of Si-O, Cu-O, Si-O-Si, Al-O-Si, Al-OH, and OH bonds in the NC. In the second phase of this research work, the novel NC was used to investigate recovery of a Kazakhstani paraffinic heavy crude oil from Berea sandstone with focus on IFT reduction, oil recovery, wettability alteration, and stability analysis of the NFs. NFs were prepared with NC concentrations of 250, 500, and 1,000 ppm using moderate salinity (MS), low salinity (LS), and distilled water (DW). The results showed that the optimal NF (250 ppm LS) exhibited a high zeta potential value (−65.5 mV) indicating a high stability which is superior to all of the previously reported NCs. This high stability is attributed to use of thaizine as a source of natural surfactant. The optimum NF also altered the wettability of the sandstone by 77.6% and the contact angle (CA) was reduced from 117.9° to 26.4° making the system strongly water wet. The nanoclay has significantly facilitated the wettability alteration. The optimum NF also reduced the IFT by 92.3% from 27.42 mN/m to 2.11 mN/m. An incremental oil recovery of 20% was also achieved in the tertiary or EOR stage of oil. A comparison with the NCs reported in the literature confirmed the excellent performance of this novel NC in terms of NF stability, IFT reduction, and wettability alteration. The novel NC has a great potential for nEOR and other oilfield and environmental applications.

A structural, magnetic and colloidal stability study of uncoated and silica coated iron oxide samples prepared in two different surfactants

The discovery of new magnetic materials of interest in the biomedicine field is a relevant topic in current research. For years, our research group has been investigating the obtaining and study of nanostructured magnetic samples that behave superparamagnetically to enable their transport in living organisms. We present here a study that summarizes the structural characteristics, magnetic behavior and stability of two Fe3O4 samples synthesized by coprecipitation that were dispersed using two different surfactants (oleylamine, OL, and oleic acid, OA), and two others prepared from the previous ones by reaction with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). The relationships between the surfactant used in the synthesis, the presence of a certain maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) content, the influence of silica shell thickness and magnetic behaviour of all samples were systematically studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Mössbauer spectroscopy and H vs. M loops. Rietveld refinements of the XRD profiles confirmed a partial oxidation of the non-silica-coated samples and FTIR spectra of the uncoated samples showed a very strong broad metal-oxygen band and additional sets of bands from the different organic chains of the two surfactants. Individual particles with a mean diameter of 7 and 9 nm were distinguished in TEM images of uncoated magnetic samples. Mössbauer data indicated the presence of non-stoichiometric magnetite in all samples, in agreement with XRD refinements. Magnetic measurements confirmed the superparamagnetic behavior of all the samples. Highest negative zeta potential values are found for the silica covered samples in both acidic and basic medium, being Fe3O4-AO@SiO2 the best suited for the purposes of its dispersibility in future applications. Low polydispersity index (PDI) values confirmed the best stability and dispersibility of all samples investigated in tetrahydrofuran (THF).

Mechanism of Toona sinensis seed polyphenols inhibiting oxidation and modifying physicochemical and gel properties of pork myofibrillar protein under oxidation system

This research aimed to elucidate how Toona sinensis seed polyphenols (TSSs) inhibited pork myofibrillar protein (MP) oxidation and modified physicochemical and gel properties in the Fenton oxidation system. Our result displayed that TSSs had a lower carbonyl (from 1.38 to 0.59 nmol/mg) and dityrosine contents (from 47.22 to 25.07), and higher free amino content (from 386.99 to 485.00 nmol/mg), followed by ellagic acid (EA) and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (QC). Meanwhile, the incorporation of phenolic compounds changed secondary and tertiary structure of proteins and then increased solubility and absolute value of zeta potential, as well as decreased turbidity and average particle size. Molecular docking indicated that MP interacted with EA primarily via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interaction, and with QC mostly through hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interaction. Otherwise, the incorporation of EA promoted MP gel to form a honeycomb-like microstructure after oxidation. Therefore, TSSs, EA, and QC could significantly inhibit MP oxidation as well as modify its physicochemical properties, but only EA enhanced its gel properties after oxidation. The results could be useful to improve the comprehensive utilization of plant by-products and provide theoretical references for the role of TSSs in the improvement of meat products.

A comparative study on stability and flavor of additive-free oat milk obtained by different heat pretreatments (blanching and microwave) of oat kernels

Heat pretreatment of oat kernels is necessary in flavor improvement, but its impact on the stability of so-called "clean label" oat milk has not yet been studied. Therefore, two heat pretreatments, including blanching (BC, 90 °C for 5 min) and microwave (MW, 400 W for 5 min), as well as their combination (BC+MW), were compared in this study. The results showed that after the three treatments, the lipase activity of oat kernels was reduced by 50% or more, and stability of oat milk was significantly improved compared to the control. Furthermore, oat milk with BC treatment exhibited the best stability, accompanied by smallest particle size, surface tension, and fluorescence intensity, as well as highest values of zeta potential, apparent viscosity, surface hydrophobicity, and the total content of α-helix and β-sheet, followed by MW and BC+MW. For the flavor compounds analysis results, BC treatment was sufficient to reduce off-flavor compounds (such as hexanal, nonanal, and 2-pentylfuran etc.) in oat milk, achieving the best sensory quality. This study first confirmed the positive effect of appropriate heat pretreatment (BC) of oat kernels on the stability and overall quality improvement of additive-free oat milk.

Efficient synthesis of highly hydrophobic lignin nanoparticles and their application as nano fillers for multifunctional composite membranes

Controlling the hydrophobic behaviors of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) is crucial and advantageous for their application as film Nano Fillers, yet it poses a significant challenge. Herein, we successfully developed a novel method for the preparation of LNPs with highly hydrophobic behaviors using ternary deep eutectic solution (DES)-H2O systems. The resulting LNPs exhibit a significantly reduced content of hydrophilic groups on their outer surface, leading to a zeta potential value of only −4.9 mV, and up to 140.0° of water contact angle (WCA). Afterwards, a “Dissolution-Restructuration” mechanism was proposed to explain the formation of the prepared LNPs. Firstly, DES demonstrates superior H-bonding capabilities, facilitating the complete disruption of inter- and intramolecular H-bonding in lignin, and resulting in the formation of a highly homogenized lignin network. Subsequently, the DES system undergoes compromise after adding water, triggering the reformation of both inter- and intramolecular H-bonding and π-π interactions. Consequently, lignin orderly self-assembles into LNPs with highly hydrophobic characteristics. Especially, using the as-prepared LNPs as Nano fillers, a series of LNPs-containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films were successfully fabricated, exhibiting exceptional hydrophobic behaviors (with contact angles reaching up to 124.0°). Furthermore, the mechanical strength, UV-shielding capabilities, and biodegradability of the PVA films are significantly enhanced. This study introduces a sustainable and efficient approach for the synthesis of hydrophobic LNPs, thereby facilitating the broadening of applications for lignin-based functional composite film materials.