Encapsulation and Characterization of Nanoemulsions Based on an Anti-Oxidative Polymeric Amphiphile for Topical Apigenin Delivery

Apigenin (Apig) is used as a model drug due to its many beneficial bio-activities and therapeutic potentials. Nevertheless, its poor water solubility and low storage stability have limited its application feasibility on the pharmaceutical field. To address this issue, this study developed nanoemulsions (NEs) using an anti-oxidative polymeric amphiphile, d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS), hydrogenated soy lecithin (HL), black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) oil, and avocado (AV) oil through pre-homogenization and ultrasonication method. Addition of TPGS (weight ratios 100 and 50% as compared to HL) into NEs effectively reduced particle size and phase transition region area of NEs with pure HL. Incorporation of Apig into NEs made particle size increase and provided a disorder effect on intraparticle molecular packing. Nevertheless, the encapsulation efficiency of NEs for Apig approached to about 99%. The chemical stability of Apig was significantly improved and its antioxidant ability was elevated by incorporation with BSFL oil and AV oil NEs, especially for NEs with single TPGS. NEs with single TPGS also exhibited the best Apig skin deposition. For future application of topical Apig delivery, NEs-gel was formed by the addition of hyaluronic acid (HA) into NEs. Their rheological characteristics were dominated by the surfactant ratios of HL to TPGS.

Micronization of Curcuma xanthorrhiza Extract with Addition of PVP Using Supercritical CO2 as Anti-solvent

Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb, known as Temulawak or Javanese ginger, is a plant species. Its rhizomes are used as a medicinal herb. It contains curcumin as an active compound and ethereal oils mainly consisted of sesquiterpenes. In this work, Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb ethanolic extract was micronized with an addition of PVP using supercritical antisolvent (SAS) method. The ethanolic extract was obtained from dried Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb using soxhletation. For the micronization, the extracted compound solvent was a mixture of acetone and ethanol (90:10 (v/v)), while the supercritical CO2 was used as an antisolvent. The effect of operating conditions on the particle size and morphology was evaluated. Through this method, spherical Curcuma xanthorrhiza/PVP particles with mean diameter ranging from 191 ± 70 nm to 178 ± 57 nm were successfully formed. The particle size not significantly decreased as the pressure increased from 8 12 MPa. The addition of PVP is very effective to reduce the particle size, increase the solubility, and enhance the bioavailability of Curcuma xanthorrhiza extract. This work has the potential to improve the use of Curcuma xanthorrhiza in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.

ATOMIZATION CHARACTERISTICS OF FLAT FAN NOZZLES FOR PRECISION PESTICIDE APPLICATION AT LOW PRESSURES

At present, the theory of precision pesticide application in agriculture and forestry has some shortcomings. Therefore, the Phase Doppler Interferometer (PDI) was used to establish the atomization model of three common brands (Lechler, Teejet and Feizhuo) flat fan nozzles in near fog field (0.3-0.5m) at low pressure (0.20-0.30mPa). The results show that the average absolute errors of droplet velocity of three brands of nozzles are 0.629, 0.521 and 0.684 m/s respectively, and the relative errors are 9.22, 9.60 and 11.89%, respectively. The average absolute errors of theoretical data of droplet size are 17.821, 13.801 and 22.140 μ m, and the relative errors are 8.40, 5.82 and 11.67%, respectively. The experimental theoretical model has high reliability. In addition, the results show that the droplet velocity and particle size increase with the increase of the equivalent diameter of the nozzle outlet. With the increase of spray angle, droplet velocity and particle size decrease gradually, and the rate of velocity decrease gradually. The research results are of great significance to further analyse the atomization characteristics of flat fan nozzle and guide the precise application of pesticide.

Fabrication of 3D-Printed Fish-Gelatin-Based Polymer Hydrogel Patches for Local Delivery of PEGylated Liposomal Doxorubicin

3D printing technology has been applied to various fields and its medical applications are expanding. Here, we fabricated implantable 3D bio-printed hydrogel patches containing a nanomedicine as a future tailored cancer treatment. The patches were prepared using a semi-solid extrusion-type 3D bioprinter, a hydrogel-based printer ink, and UV-LED exposure. We focused on the composition of the printer ink and semi-synthesized fish gelatin methacryloyl (F-GelMA), derived from cold fish gelatin, as the main component. The low viscosity of F-GelMA due to its low melting point was remarkably improved by the addition of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC), a pharmaceutical excipient. PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (DOX), as a model nanomedicine, was incorporated into the hydrogel and liposome stability after photo-polymerization was evaluated. The addition of CMC inhibited particle size increase. Three types of 3D-designed patches (cylinder, torus, gridlines) were produced using a 3D bioprinter. Drug release was dependent on the shape of the 3D-printed patches and UV-LED exposure time. The current study provides useful information for the preparation of 3D printed nanomedicine-based objects.

Plasma imaging for physical variations in laser-induced aerosol plasma with particle size increase

Increased analytical signal variation with particle size is a result of physical variations in laser-induced plasma of aerosols.

Hydrophobic Modification of Copper Nanospheres for Incorporation into Poloxamer Micelles, Aggregated Micellar Nanocages and Supramolecular Assemblies

Background: Polymer nanogels are increasingly used for the encapsulation of nano-solids and quantum dots such as in advanced forms of drug and therapeutic isotope delivery. Objective: Unlike ex vivo application of systems in vivo application and internalization are likely to suffer from aspects of failure to ensure safety and biocompatibility. Biocompatible hydrophilic poloxamer (Pluronic F108 and F68) micelles were studied by light scattering and tensiometry. Methods: The micelles of nano-gels are synthetic heteropolymer aggregates, which are used to encapsulate drugs but in this study chemically-modified (hydrophobized) copper nano-spheres, for the purposes of demonstration for further application and medical use. Copper benzoate nano-particles (CuBzNPs) were produced by maceration and subsequently stabilized in Pluronic F108 solution was added at different concentrations. Results: The resulting particle size increase was studied by dynamic light scattering. Moderate size increase was observed at low Pluronic F108 concentrations, which indicated successful coating, but at higher F108 concentrations large size agglomerates formed. Coated copper benzoate nano-particles (CuBzNPs) were fabricated as a proof-of-principle and as a substitute for bare metal nano-particles (MNs), which were not successfully entrained in the poloxamer nano-gel. As part of the synthesis copper benzoate (CuBz) beads and their characterization through contact angle measurements were performed. Conclusion: Micelles sizes of 4 nm for F68 Pluronic at equilibrium surface tensions of 36 mNm-1 were captured in weak, 1.25 to 2.0 Pas pseudoplastic gels fabricated from hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC).

Optimization and Kinetic Modeling of the Removal of Lead from Enugu Coal by Acid Leaching

Removal of lead from Enugu coal with different acids as the leachant under different conditions such as leaching time, particle size, acid concentration, and leachant volume was investigated in this studies. The filtrate from each treatment was analyzed with Atomic Absorption X-ray Spectrometer (AAS) to determine the amount of lead leached. Nitric acid was found to be the best acid for the leaching of lead from Enugu coal. Kinetic studies carried out showed that the dissolution rate increased with: decreasing particle size, increase in stirring speed, acid concentration and leaching temperature. The experimental results revealed that the dissolution rate is a chemical reaction controlled via hydrogen ion concentration [H+], with reaction order of 0.9 and the reaction kinetics can be expressed as 1-(1-X)1/3 =2.566x10-4(CHNO3)0.86 (dp).992 (L/S).44 (SS).049 exp(53.49/RT). A quadratic model was predicted and optimized using second order orthogonal design (Box-Benken) which resulted in Particle size of 40µm, reaction time of 8.5 hours, and HNO3 concentration of 2mol/dm3. The optimum conditions were validated at model desirability of 1. Experimental value of 96.39% with error of 0.530% was removed.

Direct Synthesis of Sodalite from Kaolin: The Influence of Alkalinity

Alkalinity is one of the most important factors that influence the crystallization process of zeolite and the product properties. The influence of alkalinity on the synthesis of sodalite from kaolin without calcinations was reported in this research. The synthesis of sodalite using molar ratio of Na2O/Al2O3 = x, H2O/Na2O = 128/x and SiO2/Al2O3 = 2/x, where x was the variation of molar ratio of alkalinity: 10, 20, 30, and 40. The synthesis has done by stirring for 6 h, without aging, and the crystallization time was 24 h under hydrothermal method (100 °C). The products were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). The X-ray diffraction pattern and infrared spectroscopy shown that pure sodalite was formed by using molar ratio of alkalinity 10, 20, and 30. The crystallinity and particle size increase along with increasing of alkalinity. Quartz was formed by using molar ratio of alkalinity 40.

Preparation and Characterization of Nimesulide Nanoparticles For Dissolution Improvement

Nimesulide is one of the types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, widely used as analgesic and antipyretic. It is classified as class II drugs according to BCS guidance because of low solubility in water that leads to decrease in dissolution rate. So, the objective of this study was to decrease particle size, increase solubility and dissolution rate of nimesulide by preparation of nimesulide nanoparticles using solvent/antisolvent precipitation method by addition of organic solution of drug onto the solution of stabilizer. The size of nimesulide nanoparticles were studied and considered by particle size analyzer, drug content and loading efficiency. The freeze-dried nanoparticles were characterized by field emission electron microscope, X-Ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and saturated solubility measurement. Tablet was manufactured by direct compression. The tablets were evaluated for drug release to measure the effect of nanoparticles on the dissolution improvement of drug.

Dynamic Aggregation of Poly-N-Isopropylacrylamide Characterized Using Second-Order Scattering

A second-order scattering (SOS) method is presented for the characterization of aqueous particle suspensions undergoing aggregation. Scattering intensities are measured at 90° by a standard fluorimeter and referenced against dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements to determine particle size increase in a metal-promoted aggregation process for 0.05 mg/mL aqueous poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAm), MW ∼10 k g/mol. Particle size increases monotonically from 30 nm to 210 nm at temperature 308 K. A further validation of the SOS method was performed using monodisperse polystyrene reference particles sized at 52 nm, 101 nm, 151 nm, and 206 nm, which demonstrated the technique’s accuracy to within 6% and its versatility with respect to sample composition. The technique is ideal for monitoring colloidal stability and macromolecular assembly and it can be performed at lower concentrations than are typically used in DLS.