Factors affecting physicochemical properties of liposomes prepared with hydrogenated purified egg yolk lecithins by the microencapsulation vesicle method

We examined hydrogenated purified egg yolk lecithins, having practical advantages over non-hydrogenated ones, as liposomal membrane materials. Liposomes were prepared by the microencapsulation vesicle (MCV) method in which liposomes are formed through two-step emulsification and dispersion. Three types of purified egg yolk lecithins with different iodine values were examined after being dissolved in one of three lipid solvents. The liposome size increased as the temperature during the second emulsification increased, being closer to the boiling temperature of the solvent. The preparation temperature in relation to the transition temperature of each lecithin was also a factor affecting liposome sizes. As for the encapsulation efficiencies of the model compound calcein in liposomes, they differed mainly depending on the solubility of each lecithin in a lipid solvent and it was more obvious in hydrogenated lecithins. A high preparation temperature resulted in lower encapsulation efficiencies, suggesting that leakage of encapsulated calcein was facilitated at high temperature in the MCV methods. There was a significant correlation between liposome sizes and encapsulation efficiencies in non-hydrogenated purified egg yolk lecithin but not in hydrogenated ones. When using hydrogenated purified egg yolk lecithins as liposomal membrane materials, it was suggested that a lipid solvent should be chosen so that a lecithin completely dissolves under the preparation condition in order to achieve a higher encapsulation efficiency. Smaller liposome particles were obtained when the second emulsification was performed at a lower temperature compared with the boiling point of the lipid solvent. These findings can be applied to control encapsulation efficiencies and particle sizes in each particular liposome preparation enclosing therapeutic agents.     

Optimization of tetramethoxysilane-derived sol gel entrapment protocol stabilizes highly active chlorophyllase

Entrapment of membrane proteins is a challenging task compared to that involving soluble proteins. Chlorophyllase, a membrane protein, was successfully entrapped in tetramethoxysilane-derived sol-gel. Pre-gel sol typically consists of an aqueous suspension of chlorophyllase, precursors including tetramethoxysilane and/or methytrimethoxysilane, and sodium fluoride as catalyst. To obtain a highly active entrapped enzyme preparation, the effects of various immobilization parameters, including the chemical compositions of pre-gel sol (water/silane ratio, precursor type and proportions, enzyme loading, sodium fluoride concentration), and sol-gel process parameters (aging and drying time and approach) have been investigated. Chlorophyllase demonstrated the highest activity in gel derived from a pre-gel sol with water/silane ratio of 30 and enzyme loading of 0.257 mg_protein/g_gel, and showed moderately lower activity in organically modified sol-gel than that in hydrophilic sol-gel. The effects of water/silane ratio and precursor combinations on the activity of entrapped chlorophyllase were also studied by examining the pore morphology of gel via nitrogen adsorption-desorption. Longer aging time leads to an entrapped chlorophyllase preparation with higher activity. Chlorophyllase preparation demonstrated negligible activity after air-drying for 12 h while lyophilized chlorophyllase preparation demonstrated 8, 4 and 4 times higher activity than air-dried, vacuum-dried and solvent-dried preparations. Chlorophyllase demonstrated 30% higher activity in the improved sol-gel protocol than that from a non-optimized sol-gel protocol developed in a previous study.     

Low temperature hermetic laser-assisted glass frit encapsulation of soda-lime glass substrates

Room temperature and low temperature (120 °C) laser-assisted glass frit bonding of soda-lime glass substrates are accomplished in this work. The locally laser melted bonding showed hermeticity with helium leak rate of <5×10⁻⁸ atm cm³ s⁻¹, maintaining its leak rate even after standard climatic cycle tests. Small size devices were bonded at room temperature while larger areas were sealed at the process temperature of 120 °C. The sealing parameters were optimized through response surface methodology that makes the process capable for further development regardless of device size.     

SYNTHESIS OF A NOVEL POLYSACCHARIDE HYDROGEL

ABSTRACT

A modified hyaluronic acid (HA) biopolymer was synthesized that can be photocrosslinked to form a stable hydrogel. The chemical and physical properties including the amount of modification of the polymer with methacrylate anhydride, the viscosity of the modified biopolymer, and the solute diffusion characteristics of the polymer have been determined.     

Encagement of Gold Nanoclusters in Crosslinked Resorcinarene Shells

Monolayers of resorcinarene tetraene 1 on gold nanoclusters could be crosslinked by olefin metathesis into a nondesorptive shell. Crosslinking conditions were optimized by monitoring olefin metathesis of 1 by 1 H NMR spectroscopy and obtaining empirical rate constants. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was found to be a useful tool for evaluating the enhanced stability of the encaged nanoparticles; resorcinarene-encapsulated nanoparticles which were not subjected to olefin metathesis did not survive GPC analysis, whereas nanoparticles in crosslinked shells were found to be stable.     

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.     

Theoretical investigation of inclusion complex formation of Gold (III) – Dimethyldithiocarbamate anticancer agents with cucurbit[n = 5,6]urils

Gold (III)-N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamate [DMDT(Au)X₂] complexes have recently gained increasing attention as potential anticancer agents because of their strong tumor cell growth–inhibitory effects, generally achieved by exploiting non-cisplatin-like mechanisms of action. The goal of our research work is to encapsulate the gold(III) dimethyldithiocarbamate complexes as anticancer with cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n = 5, 6]) by accurate calculations, to predict the inclusion complex formation of gold(III) species with cucurbiturils (CB[n = 5, 6]). The calculations were carried out just for the 1:1 stoichiometric complexes. Upon encapsulation, binding energy, thermodynamic parameters, structural parameters and electronic structures of complexes are investigated. The results of the thermodynamic calculations and the binding energy show that the inclusion process is exothermic and the CB[6]/[DMDT(Au)Br₂] complex is more stable than other complexes. The final geometry of CB[n]/drugs indicates that the drugs were expelled from the cavity of CB[n]. NBO calculations reveal that the hydrogen bonding between CB[n] and drugs and electrostatic interactions are the major factors contributing to the overall stabilities of the complexes.     

Recent advances in biodegradable matrices for active ingredient release in crop protection: Towards attaining sustainability in agriculture

Climate changes, emerging species of plant pests, and deficits of clean water and arable land have made availability of food to the ever-increasing global population a challenge. Excessive use of synthetic pesticides to meet ever-increasing production needs has resulted in development of resistance in pest populations, as well as significant ecotoxicity, which has directly and indirectly impacted all life-forms on earth. To meet the goal of providing safe, sufficient, and high-quality food globally with minimal environmental impact, one strategy is to focus on targeted delivery of pesticides using eco-friendly and biodegradable carriers that are derived from naturally available materials. Herein, we discuss some of the recent approaches to use biodegradable matrices in crop protection, while exploring their design and efficiency. We summarize by discussing associated challenges with the existing approaches and future trends that can lead the world to more sustainable agricultural practices.     

Core‐Shell Structured Layered Lanthanide‐Organic Complexes with Stilbazolium‐type Dye Encapsulation for Multifunctional Performances

Host‐guest encapsulation of functional organic dye into a porous metal‐organic framework can give rise to the development of new functional materials. In this work, by intercalating the stilbazolium‐type dye (DEAST)I (4′‐diethylamino‐N‐methyl stilbazolium) into four lanthanide layered metal‐organic complexes (Ln‐LMOCs), i. e. {[Ln(BTB)(H₂O)₂]?3(DMF)?2(H₂O)}_n (Ln=La (1), Nd (2), Sm (3), Er (4)), four responsive (DEAST)I@Ln‐LMOC composites have been prepared, serving as multifunctional performance platform. The core–shell structures of (DEAST)I@Ln‐LMOC composites have been fully characterized by IR, UV/Vis, PXRD, SEM, TEM, TGA and ESR. Significantly, after intercalation of dyes, the (DEAST)I@Ln‐LMOC composites exhibit enhanced luminescent sensing properties in detecting Fe³⁺ with much higher water stabilities. The luminescent sensing behavior stems from the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the π‐electron‐rich BTB ligands to the Fe³⁺, and their higher water stabilities are induced by electrostatic interactions and lower porosity. Specially, the characteristic emissions of Sm³⁺ will not be affected after the encapsulation guest dyes, which provide a theoretical guide for the modulation of luminescence devices. Finally, better ion conductivities and diminished photocurrents can be achieved after the embedding of the functional organic dye. In all, the formation of (DEAST)I@Ln‐LMOC composites with core–shell structures can be utilized as a multifunctional platform with good stability.     

Correlation between chemical composition and radical scavenging activity of 10 commercial essential oils: Impact of microencapsulation on functional properties of essential oils

A comparative study was carried out on the essential oils of 10 aromatic plants that are extensively used in Egypt for their distinctive aroma and functional properties. Each essential oil (EO) was characterized by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis and evaluated for its radical scavenging activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis (2-ethyl-benzolhiaxoline-6-sulfonic acid)(ABTS) assays. The phenolic content of the 10 EOs was in the descending order: clove > thyme > majoram > basil > anise > chamomile > cinnamon > dill > ginger > rosemary. The radical scavenging activity of the EOs was correlated to the presence of phenolic compounds, such as eugenol, thymol, carvacrol and trans-anethol, or the synergism between the antioxidant activity of nonphenolic compounds such as terpinene-4-ol, α-terpinene, curcumene and chamazulene. Clove essential oil exhibited the highest oil content and radical scavenging activity so it was encapsulated, separately, in three coating materials. Sodium alginate showed the highest retention, encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of clove EO. Microencapsulation in sodium alginate and chitosan improved the antioxidant activity and phenolic content of the encapsulated clove EO compared with carboxymethyl cellulose. The results support the possibility of using the encapsulated EOs as natural and easy handle antioxidants.