Identifikasi Karakteristik Pengecilan Ukuran dengan Metode Sonikasi dari Formula Insektisida yang Ditambahkan Surfaktan Berbasis Sawit

Size reduction of pesticide formulation can improve its performance to pest and disease control in plant. Size reduction methods were high speed agitation, ultrasonic emulsification, high pressure homogenization, microfluidic and membrane emulsification. Homogenizer and sonication methods were most widely used because its high effectivity in size reduction. The purpose of this research was to identify the effect of size reduction on physico chemical properties of the insecticide formulation by adding palm oil surfactant. The method of this research was to make an emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulation using 15% active ingredient of emamectin benzoate, xylene, cationic surfactant of 1%, nonionic surfactants of 6% with DEA and APG surfactant ratio of 2:3. This formulation was mixed using Homogenizer at a speed of 4000 rpm and sonication with frequencies of 42 kHz at various times of 15, 30 and 45 minutes. The best result of this research was using sonication method for 45 minutes. The best physico-chemical properties were emulsion stability after 2 hours, cream formation after 24 hours emulsion, particle size of 0.70 μm with homogenous dispersion, surface tension of 25.54 dyne/cm, contact angle at 0 minutes of 25.05⁰ and contact angle after 15 minutes of 0⁰.

A Fluorescent Polyurethane with Covalently Cross-Linked Rhodamine Derivatives

Rhodamine derivatives (RDs) with three reactive hydrogens were synthesized and well characterized by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI mass). Then, the obtained RD was covalently cross-linked into polyurethane (PU) matrix through chemical linkages to fabricate a network structure, and the fluorescent properties, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and emulsion particle size were systematically investigated. Results demonstrate that PU-RD maintains initial fluorescent properties and emits desirable yellow fluorescence under ultraviolet irradiation. Moreover, compared with linear PU without fluorescers, PU-RD shows clearly improved mechanical properties and thermal stability, on account of the formed network structures.

Safe Practice of Y-Site Drug Administration: The Case of Colistin and Parenteral Nutrition

A serious problem in everyday clinical practice is the co-administration of drugs using the same infusion line. Potential complications of co-administration of incompatible drugs include precipitation in the infusion line or central venous catheter leading to its occlusion. Administration of precipitate and large lipid droplets into the venous system may lead to the embolization of capillaries and local or systemic inflammatory reactions, with the consequences of venous thrombosis, chronic venous insufficiency, and even pulmonary embolism. The co-administration of drugs must always be confirmed and clearly defined. The study aimed to determine the interaction between colistin (COL) in the dose used during intermittent hemodialysis and five different ready-to-use PN admixtures (PN) (Kabiven, Smofkabiven, Olimel N9E, Nutriflex Lipid Special, and Nutriflex Omega Special). COL-PN compatibilities were tested by comparing physicochemical properties (pH, zeta potential, lipid emulsion particle size) of COL and PN at three time points: immediately after sample preparation, after ten minutes, and after four hours. No changes in the visual inspection were observed. Both PN without COL and COL-PN samples remained white, homogeneous oil-in-water emulsions with no signs of phase separation, precipitation, or color change. There were no significant changes in pH, and the mean droplet diameter remained below the acceptance limit of 500 nm. The zeta potential and osmolality of COL-PN samples ranged from −21.4 to −7.22 mV and from 567 to 1304 mOsm/kg, respectively. The COL does not influence the physical stability of studied PN admixtures. The co-infusion of COL with Kabiven, Nutriflex Lipid Special, Olimel N9E, Nutriflex Omega Special, and Smofkabiven is possible in the dose used during intermittent hemodialysis.

Study on the Emulsifying Properties of Pomegranate Peel Pectin from Different Cultivation Areas

Pomegranate peel pectin is an important acidic anionic plant polysaccharide which can be used as a natural emulsifier. In order to study its emulsifying properties, this paper systematically analyses pomegranate peel pectin samples from Chinese Xinjiang, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, through rheometer, interfacial rheometer, Zetasizer Nano-ZS and mastersizer. It is shown that pomegranate peel pectin can effectively reduce the oil-water interfacial tension, reaching an emulsion droplet size of only 0.507 μm, 0.669 μm and 0.569 μm, respectively, while the pectin concentration is 1.5% and the oil phase (MCT) is 10%. It has also shown that the extreme conditions of pH and ion strength can not significantly change its emulsion stability. However, freeze-thaw cycles can cause the pomegranate peel pectin emulsion to become less stable. Furthermore, the effects of decolourization, protein removal and dialysis on the emulsifying properties of pomegranate peel pectin are investigated using mastersizer rheometer and interfacial rheometer. It is found that the protein and pigment in pomegranate peel pectin have little effect on its emulsifying properties, while the results from dialyzed pectin show that the small molecule substances can reduce the emulsion particle size and increase the emulsion stability. The research outcomes of this study provide technical support for the further application of pomegranate peel pectin in the food industry.

Stability and Bioaccessibility of Fucoxanthin in Nanoemulsions Prepared from Pinolenic Acid-contained Structured Lipid

Fucoxanthin intake has been correlated with the functions of anti-obesity and anti-oxidation, but applications of it in functional food or dietary supplements are still challenging due to its poor water-solubility, chemical instability, and low bioavailability. In this work, to study physicochemical and biological properties of fucoxanthin nanoemulsions, we investigated the influence of emulsion particle diameter on the stability of fucoxanthin during storage time and bioaccessibility in-vitro digestion. The structured lipid that enriched pinolenic acid at sn-2 position was chosen as the oil phase and the fucoxanthin oil-in-water nanoemulsions with droplet diameters of 344, 173, and 98 nm were prepared through a high-pressure microfluidizer. Then fucoxanthin emulsions were stored for 28 days at 4, 37, and 55 °C. Results showed that the physical stabilities of droplets were decreased with increases in the initial size and storage temperature, while the change of fucoxanthin retention indicated that fucoxanthin chemical stability was improved with increasing emulsion particle size. The augmentation of lipolysis and the value of free fatty acids (FFA) released in vitro digestion proved that digestion stability of fucoxanthin emulsion reduced with decreasing initial particle diameter, which was probably attributed to the increased surface area interacting with pancreatic lipase with decreasing droplet size. In addition, the concentrations of fucoxanthin in micelle phase were appreciable increased as droplet size decreased. Therefore, the bioaccessibility of fucoxanthin was improved. These results may benefit the optimization of an emulsion-based delivery system for fucoxanthin in food applications.