Fabrication of Air Freshening Spongy Three Dimensional Electrospun Membrane

In this work, air freshening spongey 3D nanofibrous membrane of nylon-6 (N6) is fabricated via electrospinning process. Viscous N6 solution dissolved in formic acid/acetic acid solvent system was allowed for electrospinning to obtain 2D membrane. As-fabricated 2D membrane is converted into 3D one by using gas foaming technique. Lemon grass essential oil as a fragrance was incorporated through 2D and 3D porous membrane by evaporating essential oil at 60°C for 5 hours. The morphology of different membranes was examined from FE-SEM images which showed that 3D membrane is far porous than 2D one. The control fragrance release from the 3D spongy membrane was evaluated from the weight loss of oil-loaded membrane for 60 days which showed that the 3D membrane had more oil uptake and the controlled release of oil over the studied time. FT-IR spectra of oil-incorporated 3D membrane at different interval of times indicated the presence of fragrance even after the 60 days. The result showed that as-fabricated sponge 3D membrane may be a potential candidate for the future air freshening materials.Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 2018, 14(1): 14-21

Download Full-text

A Study of Sericin-Thunbergia Laurifolia Electrospun Fibre for Wound Healing Applications

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.798.53 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 798 ◽

pp. 53-58

Author(s):

Pattarinee White ◽

Sirinat Chooprajong ◽

Piyapong Pankaew

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Bombyx Mori ◽

Applied Voltage ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Average Diameter ◽

Electrospinning Process ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Sem Images ◽

Electrospinning Technique ◽

Thunbergia Laurifolia

Thunbergia laurifolia is a Thai herb that possesses outstanding wound healing properties. In addition, Sericin, obtained from the Bombyx mori silkworm, is also a potential candidate for wound healing applications. This is due to its moisture content and hydrophilic and antimicrobial properties. In this research, an electrospinning technique using Sericin and Thunbergia laurifolia was studied for wound healing purposes. Sericin solution was prepared by boiling Bombyx mori silkworm at 80 °C and Thunbergia laurifolia solution was prepared by boiling Thunbergia laurifolia leaves in distilled water at 100°C. The Sericin-Thunbergia laurifolia (STL) solution was mixed at the ratios of 1:9, 2:8, 3:7, 4:6, 5:5, 6:4, 7:3, 8:2 and 9:1 respectively. After mixing the solution of STL at the various ratios, all STL solutions were blended with 9 wt% PVA for the electrospinning process. The ratios of Sericin and Thunbergia laurifolia, the applied voltage and the distance between the needle tip to the target and the size of the needle were all optimized in this study. The fibre morphology was examined through SEM images. The electrospun PVA–STL fibre was found to have an average diameter in the range of 100-530 nm. The result from the SEM images showed the optimum ratio of Sericin and Thunbergia laurifolia to be 5:5. A suitable applied voltage, the distance between the needle tip to target and the size of the needle were 15 kV, 10 cm and an 18 gauge needle, respectively.

Download Full-text

Electrospun Janus Beads-On-A-String Structures for Different Types of Controlled Release Profiles of Double Drugs

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom11050635 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 635

Author(s):

Ding Li ◽

Menglong Wang ◽

Wen-Liang Song ◽

Deng-Guang Yu ◽

Sim Wan Annie Bligh

Keyword(s):

Controlled Release ◽

Combined Therapy ◽

Diffusion Mechanism ◽

Amorphous State ◽

Electrospinning Process ◽

Fickian Diffusion ◽

In Vitro Dissolution ◽

Sem Images ◽

Release Profiles

A side-by-side electrospinning process characterized by a home-made eccentric spinneret was established to produce the Janus beads-on-a-string products. In this study, ketoprofen (KET) and methylene blue (MB) were used as model drugs, which loaded in Janus beads-on-a-string products, in which polyvinylpyrrolidone K90 (PVP K90) and ethyl cellulose (EC) were exploited as the polymer matrices. From SEM images, distinct nanofibers and microparticles in the Janus beads-on-a-string structures could be observed clearly. X-ray diffraction demonstrated that all crystalline drugs loaded in Janus beads-on-a-string products were transferred into the amorphous state. ATR-FTIR revealed that the components of prepared Janus nanostructures were compatibility. In vitro dissolution tests showed that Janus beads-on-a-string products could provide typical double drugs controlled-release profiles, which provided a faster immediate release of MB and a slower sustained release of KET than the electrospun Janus nanofibers. Drug releases from the Janus beads-on-a-string products were controlled through a combination of erosion mechanism (linear MB-PVP sides) and a typical Fickian diffusion mechanism (bead KET-EC sides). This work developed a brand-new approach for the preparation of the Janus beads-on-a-string nanostructures using side-by-side electrospinning, and also provided a fresh idea for double drugs controlled release and the potential combined therapy.

Download Full-text

Tubular Electrospun Vancomycin-Loaded Vascular Grafts: Formulation Study and Physicochemical Characterization

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13132073 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 2073

Author(s):

Rossella Dorati ◽

Enrica Chiesa ◽

Mariella Rosalia ◽

Silvia Pisani ◽

Ida Genta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Methylene Chloride ◽

Physicochemical Characterization ◽

Fiber Surface ◽

Solvent System ◽

Burst Release ◽

Sem Images ◽

Composition And Structure ◽

Medical Healthcare ◽

Local Release ◽

Preformulation Study

This work aimed at formulating tubular grafts electrospun with a size < 6 mm and incorporating vancomycin as an antimicrobial agent. Compared to other papers, the present study succeeded in using medical healthcare-grade polymers and solvents permitted by ICH Topic Q3C (R4). Vancomycin (VMC) was incorporated into polyester synthetic polymers (poly-L-lactide-co-poly-ε-caprolactone and poly lactide-co-glycolide) using permitted solvents; moreover, a surfactant was added to the formulation in order to avoid the precipitation of VMC on fiber surface. A preliminary preformulation study was carried out to evaluate solubility of VMC in different aqueous and organic solvents and its stability. To reduce size of fibers and their orientation, we studied a solvent system based on methylene chloride and acetone (DCM/acetone), at different ratios (80:20, 70:30, and 60:40). Considering conductivity of solutions and their spinnability, solvent system at a 80:20 ratio was selected for the study. SEM images demonstrated that size of fibers, their distribution, and their orientation were affected by the incorporation of VMC and surfactant into polymer solution. Surfactant allowed for the reduction of precipitates of VMC on fiber surface, which are responsible of the high burst release in the first six hours; the release was mainly dependent on graft structure porosity, number of pores, and graft absorbent capability. A controlled release of VMC was achieved, covering a period from 96 to 168 h as a function of composition and structure; the concentration of VMC was significantly beyond VMC minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC, 2 ug/mL). These results indicated that the VMC tubular electrospun grafts not only controlled the local release of VMC, but also avoided onset of antibiotic resistance.

Download Full-text

Enhanced Performance of Ultrafiltration Membrane with Powdered Zeolite Addition for Secondary Effluent Treatment

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.838-841.2712 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 838-841 ◽

pp. 2712-2716

Author(s):

Yong Tu ◽

Yong Gang Bai ◽

Yong Chen ◽

Wei Jing Liu ◽

Jun Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Membrane Fouling ◽

Fluorescence Spectra ◽

Municipal Wastewater ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Treatment Plant ◽

Ultrafiltration Membrane ◽

Effluent Treatment ◽

Secondary Effluent ◽

Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽

Sem Images

The research on ultrafiltration membrane assisted by powdered zeolite for the treatment of secondary effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant was studied. The results show that membrane fouling rate is reduced by pre-coating the ultrafiltration membrane with powdered zeolite, and the treatment performance of secondary effluent is enhanced. UV-vis, three-dimensional excitation emission matrix (3D-EEM) fluorescence spectra and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images for ultrafiltration were also discussed.

Download Full-text

A Biomedical Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrate: Functionalized Three-Dimensional Porous Membrane Decorated with Silver Nanoparticles

Journal of Spectroscopy ◽

10.1155/2015/561919 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Li Yuan ◽

Jinghuai Fang ◽

Yonglong Jin ◽

Chaonan Wang ◽

Tian Xu

Keyword(s):

Silver Nanoparticles ◽

Raman Scattering ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering ◽

Porous Membrane ◽

Raman Signal ◽

Functional Surface ◽

Surface Enhanced ◽

Surface Enhanced Raman ◽

Enhanced Raman Scattering

We fabricated a simple, cheap, and functional surface enhanced Raman scattering substrate for biomedical application. Hot spots between two close silver nanoparticles distributed in the skeleton of a three-dimensional porous membrane, especially in the pores, were formed. The dual poles of micropores in the membrane were discussed. The pores could protect the silver nanoparticles in the pores from being oxidized, which makes the membrane effective for a longer period of time. In addition,Staphylococcus aureuscells could be trapped by the micropores and then the Raman signal became stronger, indicating that the functional surface enhanced Raman scattering substrate is reliable.

Download Full-text

Preparation of three-dimensional cellulose objects previously swollen in a DMAc/LiCl solvent system

Cellulose ◽

10.1007/s10570-014-0403-3 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 4029-4038 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jasmina Obradovic ◽

Holger Wondraczek ◽

Pedro Fardim ◽

Lippo Lassila ◽

Patrick Navard

Keyword(s):

Three Dimensional ◽

Solvent System

Download Full-text

Assessing the performance of a Northeast Asia Japan-cantered 3-D ionosphere specification technique during the 2015 St. Patrick’s day solar storm

10.21203/rs.3.rs-287515/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nicholas Ssessanga ◽

Mamoru Yamamoto ◽

Susumu Saito

Keyword(s):

Northeast Asia ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Satellite System ◽

Electron Content ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Storm Events ◽

Total Electron ◽

Total Electron Content Data ◽

Swarm Satellites ◽

Solar Storm

Abstract This paper demonstrates and assesses the capability of the advanced three- dimensional (3-D) ionosphere tomography technique, during severe conditions. The study area is northeast Asia and quasi-Japan-centred. Reconstructions are based on Total electron content data from a dense ground-based global navigation satellite system receiver network and parameters from operational ionosondes. We used observations from ionosondes, Swarm satellites and radio occultation (RO) to assess the 3-D picture. Specifically, we focus on St. Patrick’s day solar storm (17–19 March 2015), the most intense in solar cycle 24. During this event, the energy ingested into the ionosphere resulted in Dst and Kp and reaching values ~-223 nT and 8, respectively, and the region of interest, the East Asian sector, was characterized by a ~ 60% reduction in electron densities. Results show that the reconstructed densities follow the physical dynamics previously discussed in earlier publications about storm events. Moreover, even when ionosonde data were not available, the technique could still provide a consistent picture of the ionosphere vertical structure. Furthermore, analyses show that there is a profound agreement between the RO profiles/in-situ densities and the reconstructions. Therefore, the technique is a potential candidate for applications that are sensitive to ionospheric corrections.

Download Full-text

Antimicrobial Activities of Coriander Seed Essential Oil and Silver Nanoparticles

10.21203/rs.3.rs-526332/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kadriye Ozlem saygi ◽

Birgul Kacmaz ◽

Serdar Gul

Keyword(s):

Silver Nanoparticles ◽

Essential Oil ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Materials Science ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Antimicrobial Activities ◽

Elemental Distribution ◽

Sem Images ◽

X Ray ◽

Coriander Seed

Abstract Bacterial infections are one of the most serious health problems all over the world, which cause need for the discovery of new drug. Since antibiotic resistance is a major threat to both humans and the environment, there is a need for studies on the antimicrobial properties of different forms of traditionally used plants. Herein, the seeds of coriander were used to isolate essential oil (EO) and to synthesise silver nanoparticles (C-AgNPs). The major oil constituents were characterized by GC-MS as Linalool (79.12%), Camphor (6.16%), γ-Terpinene (2.82%) and α-Pinene (2.67%). The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-Visible spectrophotometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray difraction (XRD) and Fourier Tranmission Infrared (FTIR). The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of C-AgNPs at 437 nm was recorded on the UV-Vis spectrometer. The spherical and homogenous of AgNPs was presented in SEM images. EDX showed elemental distribution and confirmed AgNPs. A characteristic intense peak was at 3.0 keV. The antibacterial activities of the essential oil and AgNPs form of coriander seed against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 bacteria were investigated by broth microdilution test. AgNPs and essential oil of coriander can be expected to provide future opportunities in nanomedicine and materials science. AgNPs can be displayed synergistic antimicrobial effect when used in combination with essential oil.

Download Full-text

Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of Echinops kebericho Mesfin: An In Vitro Study

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2020/3101324 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Tamirat Bekele Beressa ◽

Serawit Deyno ◽

Paul E. Alele

Keyword(s):

Candida Albicans ◽

Antifungal Activity ◽

Essential Oil ◽

Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Pathogenic Fungi ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Standard Drug

Background. Echinops kebericho is an endemic medicinal plant in Ethiopia widely used in the treatment of infectious and noninfectious diseases. Essential oils are known for their antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, and antioxidant properties. This study evaluated the antifungal activity of essential oil from E. kebericho against four common pathogenic fungi and two standard strains. Methods. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation. The antifungal screening was done by agar well diffusion method. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by broth microdilution. Minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) were determined by subculturing fungal strains with no visible growth onto a Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) plate. Results. Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans were highly sensitive while Aspergillus flavus did not show sensitivity up to 1 mg/ml of essential oil; MICs ranged from 0.083 mg/ml to 0.208 mg/ml. Concentration and fungal species showed significant dose-dependent associations ( p < 0.0001 ) with antifungal activity. The MICs of essential oil were comparable to those of the standard drug (fluconazole) against C. glabrata and C. krusei. The lowest MFC of the essential oil was observed against Candida parapsilosis (0.145 mg/ml) while the highest MFC was against Candida krusei (0.667 mg/ml). Conclusion. Echinops kebericho essential oil showed noteworthy antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata and could be a potential candidate for further antifungal drug development.

Download Full-text

Polymeric Nanoparticles of Pistacia lentiscus var. chia Essential Oil for Cutaneous Applications

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics12040353 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 353

Author(s):

Ilianna Vrouvaki ◽

Eleni Koutra ◽

Michael Kornaros ◽

Konstantinos Avgoustakis ◽

Fotini N. Lamari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Polymeric Nanoparticles ◽

In Vitro Release ◽

Physicochemical Characteristics ◽

Poly Lactic Acid ◽

Poly Vinyl Alcohol ◽

Pistacia Lentiscus ◽

Shell Material ◽

Sem Images

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulating Pistacia lentiscus L. var. chia essential oil (EO) were prepared by a solvent evaporation method, in order to obtain a novel carrier for administration on the skin. The specific EO exhibits antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties thus stimulating considerable interest as a novel agent for the treatment of minor skin inflammations. The incorporation into nanoparticles could overcome the administration limitations that inserts the nature of the EO. Nanoparticles were prepared, utilizing poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as shell material, due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability, while the influence of surfactant type on NPs properties was examined. Two surfactants were selected, namely poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and lecithin (LEC) and NPs’ physicochemical characteristics i.e. size, polydispersity index (PdI) and ζ-potential were determined, not indicating significant differences (p > 0.05) between PLA/PVA-NPs (239.9 nm, 0.081, -29.1 mV) and PLA/LEC-NPs (286.1 nm, 0.167, −34.5 mV). However, encapsulation efficiency (%EE) measured by GC-MS, was clearly higher for PLA/PVA-NPs than PLA/LEC-NPs (37.45% vs. 9.15%, respectively). Moreover PLA/PVA-NPs remained stable over a period of 60 days. The in vitro release study indicated gradual release of the EO from PLA/PVA-NPs and more immediate from PLA/LEC-NPs. The above findings, in addition to the SEM images of the particles propose a potential structure of nanocapsules for PLA/PVA-NPs, where shell material is mainly consisted of PLA, enclosing the EO in the core. However, this does not seem to be the case for PLA/LEC-NPs, as the results indicated low EO content, rapid release and a considerable percentage of humidity detected by SEM. Furthermore, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the EO was determined against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, while NPs, however did not exhibit considerable activity in the concentration range applied. In conclusion, the surfactant selection may modify the release of EO incorporated in NPs for topical application allowing its action without interfering to the physiological skin microbiota.

Download Full-text