scholarly journals Nanoprecipitation of Biocompatible Poly(malic acid) Derivative, Its Ability to Encapsulate a Molecular Photothermal Agent and Photothermal Properties of the Resulting Nanoparticles

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (24) ◽  
pp. 7703
Author(s):  
Marian Gabriela Vargas Guerrero ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Pluta ◽  
Nathalie Bellec ◽  
Sandrine Cammas-Marion ◽  
Franck Camerel

Biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs) of hydrophobic poly(benzyl malate) (PMLABe) were prepared by nanoprecipitation. The influence of nanoprecipitation parameters (initial PMLABe, addition rate, organic solvent/water ratio and stirring speed) were studied to optimize the resulting formulations in terms of hydrodynamic diameter (Dh) and dispersity (PDI). PMLABe NPs with a Dh of 160 nm and a PDI of 0.11 were isolated using the optimized nanoprecipitation conditions. A hydrophobic near infra-red (NIR) photothermally active nickel-bis(dithiolene) complex (Ni8C12) was then encapsulated into PMLABe NPs using the optimized nanoprecipitation conditions. The size and encapsulation efficiency of the NPs were measured, revealing that up to 50 weight percent (wt%) of Ni8C12 complex can efficiently be encapsulated with a slight increase in Dh of the corresponding Ni8C12-loaded NPs. Moreover, we have shown that NP encapsulating Ni8C12 were stable under storage conditions (4 °C) for at least 10 days. Finally, the photothermal properties of Ni8C12-loaded NPs were evaluated and a high photothermal efficiency (62.7 ± 6.0%) waswas measured with NPs incorporating 10 wt% of the Ni8C12 complex.

Holzforschung ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingtian Chen ◽  
Miao Wang ◽  
Yong Qian ◽  
Shanyuan Tan ◽  
Huan Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Lignin is a natural macromolecular sun blocker and provides an ideal protection material for pesticides that have poor photostability. In this study, alkali lignin/prochloraz capsules (AL-P) were prepared via one-pot ultrasonic cavitation. The results demonstrated that the produced AL-P were uniform spheres with sizes of 170–375 nm. The prochloraz encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading capacity (LC) reached as high as 91.8 and 98.5%, respectively. Adding a small of surfactant reduced the size of the capsules, but both EE and LC were decreased. AL-P exhibited excellent extended release performance. The cumulative release of AL-P in the first 45 h was 76.1% and continuous release was maintained after 96 h. The resulting AL-P have improved photostability under UV irradiation radiation. Finally, AL-P capsules were sprayed on the mango leaves and bananas to act as preservatives, AL-P capsules had stronger rain wash resistance and were better preserved demonstrating their industrial applicability. Together, organic solvent free AL-P capsules demonstrate a method to improve the efficiency of photosensitive pesticides.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1029
Author(s):  
Francesca Selmin ◽  
Umberto M. Musazzi ◽  
Silvia Franzè ◽  
Edoardo Scarpa ◽  
Loris Rizzello ◽  
...  

Moving towards a real mass vaccination in the context of COVID-19, healthcare professionals are required to face some criticisms due to limited data on the stability of a mRNA-based vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in the US or Comirnaty in EU) as a dose in a 1 mL-syringe. The stability of the lipid nanoparticles and the encapsulated mRNA was evaluated in a “real-life” scenario. Specifically, we investigated the effects of different storing materials (e.g., syringes vs. glass vials), as well as of temperature and mechanical stress on nucleic acid integrity, number, and particle size distribution of lipid nanoparticles. After 5 h in the syringe, lipid nanoparticles maintained the regular round shape, and the hydrodynamic diameter ranged between 80 and 100 nm with a relatively narrow polydispersity (<0.2). Samples were stable independently of syringe materials and storage conditions. Only strong mechanical stress (e.g., shaking) caused massive aggregation of lipid nanoparticles and mRNA degradation. These proof-of-concept experiments support the hypothesis that vaccine doses can be safely prepared in a dedicated area using an aseptic technique and transferred without affecting their stability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanfan Du ◽  
Baofu Qiao ◽  
Trung Dac Nguyen ◽  
Michael P. Vincent ◽  
Sharan Bobbala ◽  
...  

Abstract Natural biomolecules such as peptides and DNA can dynamically self-organize into diverse hierarchical structures. Mimicry of this homopolymer self-assembly using synthetic systems has remained limited but would be advantageous for the design of adaptive bio/nanomaterials. Here, we report both experiments and simulations on the dynamic network self-assembly and subsequent collapse of the synthetic homopolymer poly(propylene sulfone). The assembly is directed by dynamic noncovalent sulfone–sulfone bonds that are susceptible to solvent polarity. The hydration history, specified by the stepwise increase in water ratio within lower polarity water-miscible solvents like dimethylsulfoxide, controls the homopolymer assembly into crystalline frameworks or uniform nanostructured hydrogels of spherical, vesicular, or cylindrical morphologies. These electrostatic hydrogels have a high affinity for a wide range of organic solutes, achieving >95% encapsulation efficiency for hydrophilic small molecules and biologics. This system validates sulfone–sulfone bonding for dynamic self-assembly, presenting a robust platform for controllable gelation, nanofabrication, and molecular encapsulation.


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