Gelation Behavior and the Stability of Multicomponent Sterol-Based Oleogels

Novel fat mimetic materials, such as oleogels, are advancing the personalization of healthier food products and can be developed from low molecular weight compounds such as γ oryzanol and β-sitosterol. Following molecular assembly, the formation of a tubular system ensues, which seems to be influenced by elements such as the oleogelators’ concentration and ratio, cooling rates, and storage periods. Sterol-based oleogels were formulated under distinct environmental conditions, and a comprehensive study aimed to assess the effects of the mentioned factors on oleogel formation and stability, through visual observation and by using techniques such as small-angle X-ray scattering, X-ray diffraction, confocal Raman spectroscopy, rheology, and polarized microscopy. The long, rod-like conformations, identified by small-angle X-ray scattering, showed that different cooling rates influence oleogels’ texture. Raman spectra showed that the stabilization time is associated with the interfibrillar aggregation, which occurred differently for 8 and 10 wt%, with a proven relationship between ferulic acid and the tubular formation. This report gives fundamental insight into the critical point of gelation, referring to the time scale of the molecular stabilization. Our results verify that understanding the structuring mechanisms of oleogelation is decisive for the processing and manufacturing of novel foods which integrate oleogels in their structure.

Structure Features, Damage and Treatment of Two Pottery artifacts from Tel El-Shobak, Qalyubia, Egypt: Case Study

The research paper aims to identify structure features, damage and treatment of two pottery artifacts from Tell Al-Shobak in Qalyubia, "one of the archaeological sites dating back to new kingdom". Polarized Microscopy "PLM", Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy dispersive X-ray unit "SEM-EDX", X-Ray Diffraction analysis "XRD", and Differential thermal analysis "DTA" were adopted for investigating and analyzing pottery sherds. The research identified structure features proving that the used clay is Nile clay, the additives are sand, grog and calcite. The formation technique is potter wheel .The surface treatment is slip layer. The firing atmosphere is oxidizing. Firing temperature might be about 726.78°C The first pottery vessel and 737.80°C for the second pottery plate. Research also proved that pottery pieces suffer from various damage aspects such as soil deposits, stains, cracking, fracture, loss of some parts, lack of durability, weakness, and salt crystallization. The studied pottery pieces treated using mechanical cleaning method and chemical cleaning using a mixture of acetone and toluene at a ratio of 1:2 respectively to remove clay soil deposits. EDTA applied to remove lime deposits. Hydrogen peroxide20 % was used to remove soot. Nano Silica 1% was applied to strengthen archaeological pottery .Assembling the pottery sherds was done by Paralloid B72 50%. Replacement pottery sherds conducted by Microballoon and grog in a ratio of 2:1, respectively. After treatment, the pottery artifacts were ready for museum display.

Optical Microscopy Observations and Construction of Dupin Cyclides at the Isotropic/Smectic A Phase Transition

In this work, we are interested in the nucleation of bâtonnets at the Isotropic/Smectic A phase transition of 10CB liquid crystal. Very often, these bâtonnets are decorated with a large number of focal conics. We present here an example of a bâtonnet obtained by optical crossed polarized microscopy in a frequently observed particular area of the sample. This bâtonnet presents bulges and one of them consists of a tessellation of ellipses. These ellipses are two by two tangent, one to each other, and their confocal hyperbolas merge at the apex of the bâtonnet. We propose a numerical simulation with Python software to reproduce this tiling of ellipses as well as the shape of the smectic layers taking the well-known shape of Dupin cyclides within this particular bâtonnet area.

Label-Free, Color-Indicating, Polarizer-Free Dye-Doped Liquid Crystal Microfluidic Polydimethylsiloxane Biosensing Chips for Detecting Albumin

We reveal a novel design for dye-doped liquid crystal (DDLC) microfluidic biosensing chips in the polydimethylsiloxane material. With this design chip, the orientation of DDLCs was affected by the interface between the walls of the channels and DDLCs. When the inside of a channel was coated with an N,N-dimethyl-n-octadecyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilyl chloride (DMOAP) alignment layer, the DDLCs oriented homeotropically in a homeotropic (H) state under cross-polarized microscopy. After immobilization of antigens with antibodies on the alignment layer-coated microchannel walls, the optical intensity of the DDLC change from the dark H state to the bright planar (P) state. Using pressure-driven flow, the binding of antigens/antibodies to the DDLCs could be detected in an experimental sequential order. The microfluidic DDLCs were tested by detecting bovine serum albumin (BSA) and its immune-responses of antigens/antibodies. We proved that this immunoassay chip was able to detect BSA antigens/antibodies pairs with the detection limit about 0.5 µg/mL. The novel DDLC chip was shown to be a simple, multi-detection device, and label-free microfluidic chips are presented.

Microscopic, histochemical and preliminary phytochemical characterization of leaves of Trema micrantha (L.) Blume

Para enriquecer el enriquecer el conocimiento sobre Trema micrantha (L.) Blume, esta investigación tuvo como objetivo realizar la caracterización anatómica, histoquímica y fitoquímica de las hojas de la especie. Se realizaron cortes transversales del pecíolo y limbo, así como cortes paradérmicos del limbo, analizados en microscopía óptica y polarizada. Se utilizaron diferentes reactivos para el análisis histoquímico. Se han descrito estructuras anatómicas que proporcionan un diagnóstico detallado de las especies estudiadas. La histoquímica mostró la presencia de metabolitos esenciales (flavonoides, taninos, entre otros) para la especie y mediante análisis SEM-EDS se confirmó que los cristales están compuestos por oxalato de calcio. El análisis fitoquímico permitió la identificación de mono y sesquiterpenos, triterpenos y esteroides, entre otros. El estudio proporcionó datos sin precedentes sobre la especie, ampliando la información científica de T. micrantha. In order to enrich the knowledge about Trema micrantha (L.) Blume, this research aims to perform the anatomical, histochemical and phytochemical characterization of the leaves of this species. Cross sections of the petiole and limbus were made, as well as paradermic sections of the limbus, analyzed in optical and polarized microscopy. Different reagents were used for histochemical analysis. Anatomical structures have been described and provide a detailed diagnosis of the species studied. Histochemistry showed the presence of essential metabolites (flavonoids, tannins, among others) for the species and through SEM-EDS analysis it was confirmed that the crystals are composed of calcium oxalate. Phytochemical analysis allowed the identification of mono and sesquiterpenes, triterpenes and steroids, among others. The study provided unprecedented data on the species, expanding the scientific information of T. micrantha.

Novel Gel Microemulsion as Topical Drug Delivery System for Curcumin in Dermatocosmetics

Gel microemulsion combines the advantages of the microemulsion, which can encapsulate, protect and deliver large quantities of active ingredients, and the gel, which is so appreciated in the cosmetic industry. This study aimed to develop and characterize new gel microemulsions suitable for topical cosmetic applications, using grape seed oil as the oily phase, which is often employed in pharmaceuticals, especially in cosmetics. The optimized microemulsion was formulated using Tween 80 and Plurol® Diisostearique CG as a surfactant mix and ethanol as a co-solvent. Three different water-soluble polymers were selected in order to increase the viscosity of the microemulsion: Carbopol® 980 NF, chitosan, and sodium hyaluronate salt. All used ingredients are safe, biocompatible and biodegradable. Curcumin was chosen as a model drug. The obtained systems were physico-chemically characterized by means of electrical conductivity, dynamic light scattering, polarized microscopy and rheometric measurements. Evaluation of the cytotoxicity was accomplished by MTT assay. In the final phase of the study, the release behavior of Curcumin from the optimized microemulsion and two gel microemulsions was evaluated. Additionally, mathematical models were applied to establish the kinetic release mechanism. The obtained gel microemulsions could be effective systems for incorporation and controlled release of the hydrophobic active ingredients.