Straightforward Method for the Preparation of Lysine-Based Double-Chained Anionic Surfactants

Double-chained surfactants with potential biocompatibility have been prepared in high yields by lysine acylation with four natural saturated fatty acids (C₆ to C₁₂) and with cis-undec-5-enoic acid. The surfactants were found to assemble into nanotubules in aqueous medium and, when mixed with a commercial cationic surfactant, to spontaneously form liposomes.     

Preparation and characterization of microcapsules loaded with polyphenols-enriched Uncaria tomentosa extract using spray-dryer technique

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - This work prepared and characterized microcapsule of Uncaria tomentosa (UT) in order to standardize a spray-dryer Uncaria tomentosa extract. The UT...     

Antimicrobial Activity of Pyrazinamide Coordination Frameworks Synthesized by Mechanochemistry

The urge for the development of a more efficient antibiotic crystalline forms led us to the disclosure of new antibiotic coordination frameworks of pyrazinamide, a well-known drug used for the treatment of tuberculosis, with some of the novel compounds unravelling improved antimycobacterial activity. Mechanochemistry was the preferred synthetic technique to yield novel compounds, allowing the reproduction of a 1D zinc framework, the synthesis of a novel hydrogen bonding manganese framework, and three new compounds with silver. The structural characterization of the novel forms is presented along with stability studies. The increased antimicrobial activity of the new silver-based frameworks against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Mycobacterium smegmatis is particularly relevant.     

Thermal investigation on polymorphism in sodium saccharine

The thermal behavior of sodium saccharin polymorphic forms was investigated using thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, while structural changes during the dehydration processes were monitored by X-ray powder diffraction. In solid state, sodium saccharine may exhibit three forms: anhydrate, 2/3 hydrate (triclinic), and 15/8 hydrate (monoclinic) ones. In this investigation, it was established that monoclinic and triclinic forms compose an entantiotropically related polymorphs system. At 82 °C, the 15/8 hydrated monoclinic form is converted to 2/3 hydrated triclinic form, which showed to be the more thermodynamically stable form at room temperature. Spontaneous solidification leads to the formation of triclinic cell setting, and additionally, spontaneous hydration of the anhydrous form leads to formation of 2/3 hydrated triclinic form.     

Nano nickel [1,2,4]-triazole-3-thiones complex: Design,sonochemical synthesis,and antimicrobial evaluation

A series of new 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones were synthesized by calm, benign, no risk, eco-friendly, and energy efficient sequential reaction methodology like grinding and ultrasonic (US). In addition, 1,2,4-triazoles were prepared under conventional method and comparative study was done. The synthesized 1,2,4-triazoles were complexed with Ni(II) to produce nanoparticles complexes (NPC's) with average particle size vary from 55 to 100 nm (using scanning electron microscope technique) with good yields via both US and conventional techniques. X-ray diffraction technique and spectra analysis techniques were used to confirm the square planer geometry of the synthesized NPC's. Antimicrobial activity of the prepared 1,2,4-triazoles and their nickel complexes were studied which evaluated a high activity with complexes instead their triazoles.     

Pattern Recognition of Sweeteners in Biological Fluids,Beverages, and Ketchup using Stochastic Sensors

Three stochastic sensors based on nanodiamond (nDP) paste modified with α, β, and γ‐cyclodextrin were designed and characterized for pattern recognition of aspartame, acesulfame K and sodium cyclamate in beverages, ketchup, and biological fluids. The linear concentration ranges obtained for acesulfame K (between 1.00×10^?10 mol L^?1and 1.00×10^?3 mol L^?1), for aspartame (between 1.00×10^?12 mol L^?1 and 1.00×10^?3 mol L^?1) and for sodium cyclamate (between 4.97×10^?12 mol L^?1 and 4.97×10^?3 mol L^?1) allow their assay in biological fluids, beverages and ketchup. The lowest limits of quantification were obtained using the stochastic sensor based on γ‐CD/nDP: for acesulfame K 1.00×10^?10 mol L^?1, for aspartame 1.00×10^?12 mol L^?1 and for sodium cyclamate 4.97×10^?12 mol L^?1. All three stochastic sensors revealed very high values of sensitivities. The proposed method was reliable for qualitative and quantitative assay of aspartame, acesulfame K and sodium cyclamate in beverages, ketchup, and in biological fluids such as urine.     

Salicylic Acid as Ionic Liquid Formulation May Have Enhanced Potency to Treat Some Chronic Skin Diseases

In recent years, numerous studies have shown that conversion of conventional drugs in ionic liquid (IL) formulation could be a successful strategy to improve their physicochemical properties or suggest a new route of administration. We report the synthesis and detailed characterization of eight salicylic acid-based ILs (SA-ILs) containing cation non-polar or aromatic amino acid esters. Using in vitro assays, we preliminary evaluated the therapeutic potency of the novel SA-ILs. We observed that conversion of the SA into ionic liquids led to a decrease in its cytotoxicity toward NIH/3T3 murine embryo fibroblasts and human HaCaT keratinocytes. It should be mentioned is that all amino acid alkyl ester salicylates [AAOR][SA] inhibit the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 in LPS-stimulated keratinocytes. Moreover, keratinocytes, pretreated with [PheOMe][SA] and [PheOPr][SA] seem to be protected from LPS-induced inflammation. Finally, the novel compounds exhibit a similar binding affinity to bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the parent SA, suggesting a similar pharmacokinetic profile. These preliminary results indicate that SA-ILs, especially those with [PheOMe], [PheOPr], and [ValOiPr] cation, have the potential to be further investigated as novel topical agents for chronic skin diseases such as psoriasis and acne vulgaris.     

Chickpeas from a Chilean Region Affected by a Climate-Related Catastrophe: Effects of Water Stress on Grain Yield and Flavonoid Composition

The Valparaiso region in Chile was decreed a zone affected by catastrophe in 2019 as a consequence of one of the driest seasons of the last 50 years. In this study, three varieties (‘Alfa-INIA’, ‘California-INIA’, and one landrace, ‘Local Navidad’) of kabuli-type chickpea seeds produced in 2018 (control) and 2019 (climate-related catastrophe, hereafter named water stress) were evaluated for their grain yield. Furthermore, the flavonoid profile of both free and esterified phenolic extracts was determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the concentration of the main flavonoid, biochanin A, was determined using liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The grain yield was decreased by up to 25 times in 2019. The concentration of biochanin A was up to 3.2 times higher in samples from the second season (water stress). This study demonstrates that water stress induces biosynthesis of biochanin A. However, positive changes in the biochanin A concentration are overshadowed by negative changes in the grain yield. Therefore, water stress, which may be worsened by climate change in the upcoming years, may jeopardize both the production of chickpeas and the supply of biochanin A, a bioactive compound that can be used to produce dietary supplements and/or nutraceuticals.