In vitro Characterization of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Intravenous Immunoglobulins (IVIg) Produced From Plasma of Donors Immunized With the BNT162b2 Vaccine and Its Comparison With a Similar Formulation Produced From Plasma of COVID-19 Convalescent Donors

Despite vaccines are the main strategy to control the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, their effectiveness could not be enough for individuals with immunosuppression. In these cases, as well as in patients with moderate/severe COVID-19, passive immunization with anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins could be a therapeutic alternative. We used caprylic acid precipitation to prepare a pilot-scale batch of anti-SARS-CoV-2 intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) from plasma of donors immunized with the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) anti-COVID-19 vaccine (VP-IVIg) and compared their in vitro efficacy and safety with those of a similar formulation produced from plasma of COVID-19 convalescent donors (CP-IVIg). Both formulations showed immunological, physicochemical, biochemical, and microbiological characteristics that meet the specifications of IVIg formulations. Moreover, the concentration of anti-RBD and ACE2-RBD neutralizing antibodies was higher in VP-IVIg than in CP-IVIg. In concordance, plaque reduction neutralization tests showed inhibitory concentrations of 0.03–0.09 g/L in VP-IVIg and of 0.06–0.13 in CP-IVIg. Thus, VP-IVIg has in vitro efficacy and safety profiles that justify their evaluation as therapeutic alternative for clinical cases of COVID-19. Precipitation with caprylic acid could be a simple, feasible, and affordable alternative to produce formulations of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IVIg to be used therapeutically or prophylactically to confront the COVID-19 pandemic in middle and low-income countries.

Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) detection to differentiate morning and afternoon milk based on nutrient contents and fatty acid profiles

Milking time is one of the factors that affect milk quality. The objective of this study was to differentiate morning milk from afternoon based on milk fatty acid profile and create a prediction model using Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS). This study used explorative research and post-observation analysis. Milk sampling was collected from three different dairy farm locations in West Java Provinces (Pangalengan district of Bandung Regency, Cibungbulang District of Bogor Regency, and Tanah Sareal District of Bogor Municipality). Milk quality observed in this study included milk fat, protein, lactose, solid non-fat (SNF), and fatty acid compositions. Milk fat, protein, lactose, and SNF were analyzed using Lactoscan. Fatty acid compositions were identified using gas chromatography (GC). Sample spectrums were collected using NIRSflex 500. The difference between morning and afternoon milking was tested using a t-test carried out by SPSS ver. 25. Qualitative calibration of milk quality was conducted using NIRSCal v5.6 by applying the cluster (CLU) method. The results from lactoscan and GC showed that milk fat, caprylic acid, and myristoleic acid, and total SFA were significantly different (Sig. (2-tailed) < 0.05) in morning and afternoon milk. However, NIRS failed to generate a sophisticated model for the milk quality differentiation, which shows a low Q-value (0.0011231). The quantitative analysis accurately produced milk fat and total SFA predictions but failed to accurately predict caprylic acid and myristoleic acid. This study concluded that morning milk could be differentiated from afternoon milk based on milk fat, caprylic acid, myristoleic acid, and total SFA content. The NIRS technology can differentiate between morning and afternoon milk based on quantitative calibration of total fat and SFA.

Solvent Extraction of Lanthanides(III) in the Presence of the Acetate Ion Acting as a Complexing Agent Using Mixtures of Cyanex 272 and Caprylic Acid in Hexane

A new extraction system containing a mixture of Cyanex 272 and caprylic acid is proposed for the extraction and separation of lanthanides(III). It was shown that this system possesses a high level of extraction ability and capacity. The extraction of lanthanides(III) from chloride-acetate and nitrate-acetate media was investigated on an example of La(III). The composition of the extracted species was confirmed, based on the analysis of lanthanum(III) extraction isotherms. In the case of acetic-acetate aqueous solutions, a decrease in lanthanum(III) extraction efficiency was observed, due to the decreasing equilibrium pH of the aqueous phase in accordance with the cation-exchange mechanism. The composition of the synergistic mixture of Cyanex 272-caprylic acid established demonstrates highly efficient separation of rare-earth metal ions.

Characterization and Reliability of Caprylic Acid-Stearyl Alcohol Binary Mixture as Phase Change Material for a Cold Energy Storage System

This study reports the in-depth investigation of the thermophysical properties and thermal reliability of caprylic acid-stearyl alcohol (CA-SA) eutectic phase change material (PCM) for cooling applications. The phase diagram of CA-SA showed a eutectic point at a 90:10 molar ratio. The onset melting/freezing temperature and latent heat of fusion of caprylic acid-stearyl alcohol from the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were 11.4 °C/11.8 °C and 154.4/150.5 J/g, respectively. The thermal conductivity for the prepared eutectic PCM in the solid phase was 0.267 W/m.K (0 °C), whereas, in the liquid phase, it was 0.165 W/m.K (20 °C). In addition, the maximum relative percentage difference (RPD) marked at the end of 200 thermal cycles was 5.2% for onset melting temperature and 18.9% for phase change enthalpy. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) result shows that the eutectic PCM holds good chemical stability. Corrosion tests showed that caprylic acid-stearyl alcohol could be a potential candidate for cold thermal energy storage applications.

Phase Behavior of Polyglycerol Ester-Based Nanoemulsions

Nanoemulsions were prepared using polyglycerol esters as emulsifiers. The effects of emulsifiers, oils, and polyols on the phase behavior of nanoemulsions were analyzed by phase diagram method using caprylic acid capric triglyceride (318), mineral oil, and squalane (Squ) as oils respectively. Various factors affecting the area of the oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsion were investigated. The results showed that hydrophilic polyglyceryl-4 laurate was beneficial to the formation of translucent nanoemulsions, while lipophilic polyglyceryl-4 oleate could synergize the emulsification performance and was more conducive to the formation of nanoemulsions; the type of oil could affect the emulsifying ability of the emulsifier. It was found that it was beneficial to form translucent nanoemulsion when caprylic acid capric triglyceride was adopted as oil. However, it was almost impossible to form translucent nanoemulsions when mineral oil and squalane were used as oils. The addition of water-soluble jojoba ester was beneficial to the formation of O/W emulsion. In addition, glycerin can improve the polarity of the aqueous medium, enhance the affinity between emulsifiers and aqueous medium, and help to form a translucent nanoemulsion.

Chitosan with Sulfonic Groups: A Catalyst for the Esterification of Caprylic Acid with Methanol

Esterification of caprylic acid with methanol was performed over chitosan with sulfonic acid groups, as a catalyst, at 60 °C. The sulfonic acid groups were introduced into chitosan (CH) by using chlorosulfonic acid. Catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and acid–base titration. Catalytic activity increased with the amount of sulfonic acid groups present on chitosan. The 4–CH–SO3H catalyst (chitosan with sulfonic acid groups—sample 4 prepared) showed the highest activity of all materials. The esterification of caprylic acid with methanol was optimized using a 4–CH–SO3H catalyst. Under optimized reaction conditions, it was found that, at 60 °C, with 0.2 g of catalyst loading and with a molar ratio methanol to caprylic acid equal 1:95, a caprylic acid conversion of about 83%, after 4 h could be obtained. Catalytic stability of the 4–CH–SO3H material was evaluated through consecutive batch runs. After the second batch, the catalytic activity stabilized.

Propanediol (and) Caprylic Acid (and) Xylitol as a New Single Topical Active Ingredient against Acne: In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacy Assays

In addition to dermatological complications, acne can affect the quality of life of individuals in numerous ways, such as employment, social habits and body dissatisfaction. According to our expertise, caprylic acid and propanediol would not have a direct action on Cutibacterium acnes. Despite this, we investigated the existence of a synergistic effect among xylitol, caprylic acid and propanediol as a mixture of compounds representing a single topical active ingredient that could benefit the treatment against acne. In vitro and in vivo assays were performed to challenge and to prove the efficacy of propanediol, xylitol and caprylic acid (PXCA) against acne. PXCA had its MIC challenged against C. acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) and Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in concentrations of 0.125% and 0.25%, respectively, and it also developed antimicrobial activity against C. acnes (time-kill test). PXCA was able to reduce the 5-alpha reductase expression in 24% (p < 0.01) in comparison with the testosterone group. By the end of 28 days of treatment, the compound reduced the skin oiliness, porphyrin amount and the quantity of inflammatory lesions in participants. According to the dermatologist evaluation, PXCA improved the skin’s general appearance, acne presence and size.