Electrohydrodynamic atomization for biodegradable polymeric particle production

Electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) has many applications such as electrospray ionization in mass spectroscopy, electrospray deposition of thin films, pharmaceutical productions, and polymeric particle fabrications for drug encapsulation. In the present study, EHDA was employed to produce biodegradable polymeric micro- and nanoparticles. The effects of processing parameters such as polymer concentration, flow rate, surfactants, organic salt, and setup configurations on the size and morphology of polymeric particles were investigated systematically. By changing the various processing parameters, controllable particle shape and size can be achieved. PLGA nanoparticles with size of around 250 nm can be obtained by using organic salts to increase the conductivity of the spraying solution even at a relatively high flow rate. A higher flow rate has the advantage of producing a stable cone spray and can be easily reproduced. Solid and porous particles can be fabricated using different experimental setups to control the organic solvent evaporation rate. Also, paclitaxel, a model antineoplastic drug, was encapsulated in polymeric particles which can be employed for controlled release applications. In short, EHDA is a promising technique to fabricate polymeric micro- or nanoparticles which can be used in drug delivery systems.     

Controlled Formation of Polymer Nanocapsules with High Diffusion‐Barrier Properties and Prediction of Encapsulation Efficiency

Polymer nanocapsules with high diffusion‐barrier performance were designed following simple thermodynamic considerations. Hindered diffusion of the enclosed material leads to high encapsulation efficiencies (EEs), which was demonstrated based on the encapsulation of highly volatile compounds of different chemical natures. Low interactions between core and shell materials are key factors to achieve phase separation and a high diffusion barrier of the resulting polymeric shell. These interactions can be characterized and quantified using the Hansen solubility parameters. A systematic study of our copolymer system revealed a linear relationship between the Hansen parameter for hydrogen bonding (δ_h) and encapsulation efficiencies which enables the prediction of encapsulated amounts for any material. Furthermore EEs of poorly encapsulated materials can be increased by mixing them with a mediator compound to give lower overall δ_h values.     

Melt Extrusion Encapsulation of Flavors: A Review

Encapsulation of flavor and aroma compounds has been largely explored in order to meet appraisal demands from consumers by improving the impact of flavor during the consumption of food products. Even though several techniques have been used for encapsulating volatile compounds, i.e., spray drying, fluidized bed coating, coacervation, and melt extrusion, those most frequently used in the food industry are spray drying and melt extrusion. In this article, the different techniques of encapsulation of flavors and fragrances in polymer-based matrices by extrusion are reviewed and partly re-defined, emphasizing the differences between the various techniques reported so far and the role of matrix types, additives, and operative conditions. Also, the role of water as a key parameter for controlled release and shelf stability of the delivery system will be discussed.     

Pyrene-loaded polypyrrole microvessels

The encapsulation of guest molecules within polymeric hollow nano- or microscale structures is a rapidly developing field of interdisciplinary research due to a variety of applications ranging from drug delivery and sensor fabrication to nanoscale synthesis and bioinspired mineralization. We report on the encapsulation of pyrene within three-dimensional polypyrrole microvessels synthesized by precipitation polymerization of pyrrole onto toluene droplets that contain pyrene. Steady state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements show that the optical response and dynamics of encapsulated pyrene is significantly different from that in the free solution, likely due to interactions with oligomeric species generated during the polymerization process that partition into the organic core of the microvessel. Our results indicate that the encapsulation process can have a significant influence on the local environment of encapsulated species, an issue that is critical from the perspective of potential synthetic or medical applications.     

Photocontrolled Release of Chemicals from Nano‐ and Microparticle Containers

A benzoin‐derived diol linker was synthesized and used to generate biocompatible polyesters that can be fully decomposed on demand upon UV irradiation. Extensive structural optimization of the linker unit was performed to enable the defined encapsulation of diverse organic compounds in the polymeric structures and allow for a well‐controllable polymer cleavage process. Selective tracking of the release kinetics of encapsulated model compounds from the polymeric nano‐ and microparticle containers was performed by confocal laser scanning microscopy in a proof‐of‐principle study. The physicochemical properties of the incorporated and released model compounds ranged from fully hydrophilic to fully hydrophobic. The demonstrated biocompatibility of the utilized polyesters and degradation products enables their use in advanced applications, for example, for the smart packaging of UV‐sensitive pharmaceuticals, nutritional components, or even in the area of spatially selective self‐healing processes.     

Fragrance encapsulation in polymeric matrices by emulsion electrospinning

We present the successful application of emulsion electrospinning for the encapsulation of a model for highly volatile fragrances, namely (R)-(+)-limonene in a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fibrous matrix. The influence of the emulsion formulation and of its colloidal properties on the fiber morphology, as well as on the limonene encapsulation efficiency, is described. The release profile of the fragrance from the electrospun nanofibers over a fifteen days range shows that this type of nanofibrous matrices with a high fragrance loading capacity is of great potential for applications in various fields, such as cosmetics or food packaging.     

New Textile Applications of Cyclodextrins

New areas of applications of cyclodextrins with textiles are possible. The abilityof cyclodextrins to form inclusion complexes can be used, e.g., to remove malodorfrom textile materials. The permanent fixation of cyclodextrins offers new textileswith interesting properties. Thus the formation of body odor is reduced by thecomplexation of the organic compounds of sweat. The release of perfumes fromcyclodextrins is possible by the use of textiles with fixed cyclodextrins. Pharmaceutical compounds are also set free in contact with the skin. Last but not least the analysis of the different compounds of the human sweat complexed by the cyclodextrins offers new possibilities in medical diagnostics.     

基于环糊精包结络合作用的大分子自组装*

本文综述了基于环糊精包结络合作用的大分子自组装的研究进展,包括：（1) 线型、梳型、多臂星型或超支化聚合物与环糊精或其二聚体自组装形成多聚轮烷（分子项链）、多聚准轮烷、双多聚（准）轮烷、分子管、双分子管、超分子凝胶及其应用;（2）桥联环糊精与桥联客体分子自组装制备线型或超支化超分子聚合物;（3）温度、pH值、光及客体分子刺激响应智能体系; （4) 通过亲水性的环糊精线型均聚物与含金刚烷的疏水性聚合物之间的包结络合作用来制备高分子胶束及其空心球等。     

Cyclodextrin Inclusion Compounds in Research and Industry

α-, β-, and γ-Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides consisting of six, seven, or eight glucose units, which can be obtained on a large scale from starch. They form inclusion compounds with smaller molecules which fit into their 5—8 Å cavity. These (crystalline) complexes are of interest for scientific research as, contrary to the classical clathrates, they exist in aqueous solution and can be used to study the hydrophobic interactions which are so important in biological systems. Cyclodextrins also serve as models both for polymeric starch and, in the form of their polyiodide complexes, for “blue iodine-starch”. As cyclodextrins catalyze several chemical reactions they and their functionalized derivatives provide useful enzyme models. Cyclodextrins can be used to advantage in the production of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, foodstuffs, and toilet articles—the (micro-encapsulated) active and aromatic substances enclosed within them are protected from the effects of light and atmosphere and can be easily handled and stored in powder from. Substances which are not very soluble in water become more soluble in the presence of cyclodextrins—creams and emulsions can be stabilized, and the growth and yield of grain harvests can be increased. Cyclodextrins can be chemically modified for many different purposes; polymerized cyclodextrin or cyclodextrin bound to a polymer carrier have already been employed in gel inclusion and affinity chromatography.     

Polymer encapsulation of yttrium oxysulfide phosphorescent particles via miniemulsion polymerization

Yttrium oxysulfide upconverting phosphor particles can absorb infrared light and emit dopant‐dependent visible phosphorescence. This unique optical property has been used for particle‐based immunoassay applications. In this study, upconverting phosphor particles were encapsulated with a functionalized polymer (carboxylated polystyrene) shell layer via several approaches, which included the following: (1) the physical adsorption of the carboxylated polystyrene polymer onto the phosphor surfaces, (2) the miniemulsification of the preformed carboxylated polystyrene in a solvent in the presence of the phosphor particles and the subsequent stripping off of the solvent, and (3) the miniemulsification and miniemulsion copolymerization of styrene and methacrylic acid in the presence of the phosphor particles with hexadecane as a costabilizer in combination with a surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, or sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate). Miniemulsion technology proved to be the most effective method for forming a functionalized polymeric nanoshell surrounding the phosphor particles. The morphology of the encapsulated phosphor particles was found to vary from symmetric core–shell (i.e., a uniform nanoshell layer with varying shell thicknesses), asymmetric core–shell, dumbbell‐like, or raspberry‐like partial encapsulation to multiparticle encapsulation. The amount of multiparticle encapsulation could be reduced by the postaddition of a surfactant, but it could not be eliminated completely. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1038–1054, 2007     

Development of a Total Organic Carbon method for the quantitative determination of solubility enhancement by cyclodextrins: Application to essential oils

Formation of inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins (CDs) is known to enhance guest solubility in aqueous medium. Different techniques allow determining the evolution in solubility of individual guest compounds. However, examination of mixtures solubility encapsulated in CDs is still a challenge. This is mainly related to the difference in the response of mixture components to the applied technique or to the fact that most of the conventional methods examine the signal of an individual constituent of the mixture. Thus, applying current techniques may not reflect the behavior of the whole mixture. Here, we used for the first time Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis to explore and assess the efficiency of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) to enhance the solubility of natural complex mixtures such as essential oils (EOs). Phase solubility studies were performed for eleven EOs with HP-β-CD. The TOC method has provided good validation parameters for linearity, precision and accuracy. For further validation of the method, phase solubility studies were performed with HP-β-CD for eugenol, as a model EO component. The eugenol solubility was determined by UV–Visible and TOC analyses in order to compare the results. Data obtained from both methods were similar (p < 0.05), thereby proving the effectiveness of the developed TOC method. Finally, the phase solubility diagrams of EOs showed that the solubilizing potential of CD increased proportionally with the decrease in EO intrinsic solubility. Results proved that TOC could be successfully applied to investigate CD/guest inclusion complexes and is expected to have a broad range of applications in the field of mixtures encapsulation.     

Study of the retention of aroma components by cyclodextrins by static headspace gas chromatography

The process of encapsulation is widely employed in the flavour industry to protect volatile and/or labile flavouring materials during storage. A variety of commercial practices are currently followed, but those involving the formation of flavour/cyclodextrin (CD) molecular inclusion complexes afford some of the greatest potential for increased product shelf life. The determination of the stability of inclusion complexes is of critical importance to take advantage of the complexation potential of CDs. Hence, we investigated the interactions between five CDs and thirteen aroma components. Relevant for, the retention of these compounds in presence of different CDs has been determined. The stability constants of the inclusion compounds have been calculated by static headspace gas chromatography in aqueous solution at 30 °C. The results indicate the formation of 1:1 inclusion complex for all the studied compounds. The binding between CDs and the aroma compounds depends on both hydrophobicity of the guest molecule and their geometric accommodation into the CD cavity. The results show that β-CDs are the most versatile CDs for the inclusion of the studied molecules.     

Carrageenan for encapsulation and immobilization of flavor,fragrance, probiotics,and enzymes: A review

Carrageenans are sulfated polysaccharides obtained from sea weed. There are six types of carrageenans. They have been explored as gelling agents, control release vehicles, and encapsulating agents. It has been established that carrageenans, in the form of gels, beads and films, can efficiently encapsulate flavors, fragrances, probiotics, and enzymes. Flavors and fragrances are encapsulated to reduce their volatility. Probiotic encapsulation results in enhanced stability. Immobilization of enzymes in carrageenans improves their biocatalytic performance and stability. This review has summarized how carrageenans have been extensively investigated as potential encapsulating agents for the above-mentioned attributes.     

Determination of the Inclusion Constants for the Inclusion Complexes between meso-Tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) Porphyrin and Cyclodextrins by Three Methods

In this paper, the interactions of meso-Tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS 4 ) and six cyclodextrins have been studied, respectively, by fluorescence spectroscopy, polarography and thin-layer chromatography. The inclusion constants of different methods are determined and the comparison of inclusion capacity of various cyclodextrins indicates that for the ionic cyclodextrins the charge interaction plays an important role in the inclusion procedure. The thermodynamic parameters of interaction imply that the inclusion process shows the enthalpy-entropy compensation effect. Cyclodextrin, being regarded as an artificial analogue of proteinoid of heme, provides a protective sheath for porphyrin. However, the TPPS 4 , encapsulated within this saccharid-coated barrier, its solubility is enhanced prominently, which exhibits that this interaction may modify the biological properties of TPPS 4 that owned the similar properties as hematoporphyrin.     

环糊精及其衍生物的超分子晶体结构研究进展

本文对近年来有关环糊精、环糊精衍生物以及它们与各类客体组装成的超分子包合物的晶体结构研究进行的简要概述。     

Thermal analysis of cyclodextrins and their inclusion compounds

This review examines the literature concerning the thermal properties of natural and semisynthetic cyclodextrins and their inclusion compounds. Particular emphasis is given to recent results of investigations by thermal methods of the hydrated forms of cyclodextrins. The limitations and advantages of the applications of thermal analyses concerning water- and drug-cyclodextrin interactions are also discussed.     

Cyclophanes or Cyclodextrins: What is the Best Host for Aromatic Volatile Organic Compounds?

The first results of the complexing ability of cyclobis-(paraquat-p-phenylene) as supramolecular host with different aromatic volatile organic compounds are presented. The formation constants of cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) with toluene and halogenobenzenes were determined in aqueous solution by static headspace associated with gas chromatography and compared with the ones obtained by cyclodextrins. The data indicated the formation of 1:1 inclusion compounds in both cases. The results underlined a greater complexation ability for cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) which was confirmed by a theoretical study.