Studies on pectin coating of liposomes for drug delivery

The present study investigated the surface coating of charged liposomes by three different types of pectin (LM, HM and amidated pectin) by particle size determinations and zeta potential measurements. The pectins and the pectin coated liposomes were visualized by atomic force microscopy. The adsorption of pectin onto positive liposomes yielded a reproducible increase in particle size and a shift of the zeta potential from positive to negative side for all three pectin types, whereas the adsorption of pectin onto negative liposomes did not render any significant changes probably due to electrostatic repulsion. The positive liposomes coated with HM-pectin gave the largest pectin coated particles with the least negative zeta potential, while the opposite was observed for the LM-pectin coated positive liposomes. Furthermore, results from dynamic light scattering revealed narrow size distributions, indicating that the degree of aggregation was low for the pectin coated liposomes. As liposomes are able to encapsulate drugs and pectin has been found to be mucoadhesive, these pectin coated liposomes may be potential drug delivery systems.     

Improving the reproducibility of chemical reactions on the surface of cellulose nanocrystals: ROP of ε-caprolactone as a case study

In our group, we work on the surface modification of cellulose nanocrystals. During this work, we have encountered reproducibility issues when the same reactions were performed on nanocrystals from different hydrolysis batches, indicating a variable surface composition. Given the inherent purity of the nanoparticles themselves, this issue was believed to be due to the presence of adsorbed species at the surface of the nanocrystals blocking reactive sites. To investigate this in detail, nanocrystals from several batches were extracted with different solvents. The effect of these extractions on the surface composition of the nanowhiskers was investigated, followed by its effect on the Surface-Initiated Ring-Opening Polymerization (SI-ROP) of ε-caprolactone. The extracted impurities were analysed by NMR (¹H and ¹³C) and MS, showing a variety of adsorbed species which can be removed by solvent extraction. A Soxhlet extraction using ethanol before the reaction was shown to be the most effective in removing adsorbed low molecular weight organic compounds produced during the hydrolysis, resulting in improved reproducibility between reactions using nanocrystals from different batches, as confirmed by FTIR, elemental analysis and XPS. Extraction with ethanol should thus be performed before all reaction as these adsorbed species can be expected to interfere with all surface modification reactions.     

Validated spectrophotometric methods for the simultaneous determination of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and metronidazole in tablets

A binary mixture of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CIP) and metronidazole (MET) was determined by five simple and accurate methods, without prior separation. In the first method, CIP was determined by second derivative spectrophotometric method ((2)D) by measuring the amplitude at 282 nm (zero ordinate value of MET). On the other hand, the determination of MET was based on isosbestic point technique, where the total content of the mixture was determined at 294.5 nm (isosbestic point), then the content of MET could be calculated by subtraction. The second method was first derivative ratio spectrophotometric method ((1)DD) where the total amplitude at 261 and 285 nm and the amplitude at 295.5 nm were selected to simultaneously determine CIP and MET in binary mixture, respectively. The third method was based on dual wavelength analysis, in which two wavelengths were selected, at which the absorbances of the other component were the same. The fourth method depends on using Q-analysis method (absorbance ratio) which involves the formation of Q-absorbance equation using the respective absorptivity values at 294.5 nm (isosbestic point) and 281.5 nm (λ(max) of CIP). The fifth method is partial least-squares (PLS) chemometric technique for determination of CIP and MET. The developed methods were successfully applied to the analysis of CIP and MET in laboratory prepared mixtures and tablets with good recoveries and their validation was carried out following the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. The results obtained were statistically compared with each other showing no significant difference with respect to accuracy and precision.     

Rational redesign of Candida antarctica lipase B for the ring opening polymerization of D,D-lactide

Based on molecular modelling, the enzyme Candida antarctica lipase B was redesigned as a catalyst for the ring opening polymerization of D,D-lactide. Two mutants with 90-fold increased activity as compared to the wild-type enzyme were created. In a preparative synthesis of poly(D,D-lactide) the mutants greatly improved the rate and the degree of polymerization.     

Direct experimental evidence for an enamine radical cation in SOMO catalysis

SOMO catalysis has lately obtained large interest as a new and powerful version of enantioselective organocatalysis which includes radical steps initiated by a one-electron oxidation. The intermediate enamine radical cation has been postulated, but has not been observed directly so far. This communication now reports the direct detection of this key intermediate.