A Review of Biopolymers' Utility as Emulsion Stabilizers

Polysaccharides, polynucleotides, and polypeptides are basic natural polymers. They have various applications based on their properties. This review mostly discusses the application of natural polymers as emulsion stabilizers. Natural emulsion stabilizers are polymers of amino acid, nucleic acid, carbohydrate, etc., which are derived from microorganisms, bacteria, and other organic materials. Plant and animal proteins are basic sources of natural emulsion stabilizers. Pea protein-maltodextrin and lentil protein feature entrapment capacity up to 88%, (1-10% concentrated), zein proteins feature 74-89% entrapment efficiency, soy proteins in various concentrations increase dissolution, retention, and stability to the emulsion and whey proteins, egg proteins, and proteins from all other animals are applicable in membrane formation and encapsulation to stabilize emulsion/nanoemulsion. In pharmaceutical industries, phospholipids, phosphatidyl choline (PC), phosphatidyl ethanol-amine (PE), and phosphatidyl glycerol (PG)-based stabilizers are very effective as emulsion stabilizers. Lecithin (a combination of phospholipids) is used in the cosmetics and food industries. Various factors such as temperature, pH, droplets size, etc. destabilize the emulsion. Therefore, the emulsion stabilizers are used to stabilize, preserve and safely deliver the formulated drugs, also as a preservative in food and stabilizer in cosmetic products. Natural emulsion stabilizers offer great advantages because they are naturally degradable, ecologically effective, non-toxic, easily available in nature, non-carcinogenic, and not harmful to health.

Regulation of STAT3 signaling in IFNγ and IL10 pathways and in their cross-talk

The pro-inflammatory IFNγ-STAT1 pathway and anti-inflammatory IL10-STAT3 pathway elicit cellular responses primarily utilizing their canonical STATs. However IL10 mediated STAT1 and IFNγ mediated STAT3 activation is also observed, suggesting crosstalk of these functionally opposing signaling pathways can potentially reshape the canonical dynamics both STATs and alter the expression of their target genes. Herein, we measured the dynamics of STATs in response to different doses of IL10 or IFNγ and in their co-stimulation and employed quantitative modeling to understand the regulatory mechanisms controlling signal responses in individual and co-simulation scenarios. Our experiments show, STAT3 in particular, exhibits a bell-shaped dose-response while treated with IFNγ or IL10 and our model quantiatively captured the dose-dependent dynamics of both the STATs in both pathways. The model next predicted and subsequent experiments validated that STAT3 dynamics would robustly remain IL10 specific when subjected to a co-stimulation of both IFNγ and IL10. Genes common to both pathways also exhibited IL10 specific expression during the co-stimulation. The findings thus uncover anovel feature of the IL10-STAT3 signaling axis during pathway crosstalk. Finally, parameter sampling coupled to information theory based analysis showed that bell-shaped signal-response of STAT3 in both pathways is primarily dependent on receptor concentration whereas robustness of IL10-STAT3 signaling axis in co-stimulation results from the negative regulation of the IFNγ pathway.

Surfactant-based therapy against COVID-19: A review

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to serious health and economic damage to all over the world, and it still remains unstoppable. The SARS-CoV-2, by using its S-glycoprotein, binds with an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, mostly present in alveolar epithelial type II cells. Eventually pulmonary surfactant depletion occurs. The pulmonary surfactant is necessary for maintaining the natural immunity as well as the surface tension reduction within the lung alveoli during the expiration. Its insufficiency results in the reduction of blood oxygenation, poor pulmonary regeneration, lung fibrosis, and finally the respiratory system collapses. Exogenous surfactants have previously shown great promise in the treatment of infant respiratory distress syndrome, and they may also aid in the healing of damaged alveolar cells and the prevention of respiratory failure. Surfactant based therapy has been advised for the prevention of COVID-19, and the trials have begun around the world. Furthermore, greater research on the timing, dose, and the distribution of surfactant to the COVID-19 patients is required before this technique can be implemented in clinical practice.

Scientific information about sugar-based emulsifiers: a comprehensive review

The instantaneous demand for foods, detergents, cosmetics, and personal care products that can be commercialized with value-added benefits including natural origin, environmental friendliness, and sustainability is increasing day by day. Accordingly, the associated industries are trying to identify bioactive ingredients that may be natural alternatives to synthetic ones. This review article is mainly aimed at the classification of natural saccharide-based emulsifiers (which are mainly bio-surfactants), their methods of preparation and their various types of applications in daily life activities. Different routes of production of mono and polysaccharide-based emulsifiers and their industrial advantages are exclusively highlighted. The readers can get an approach on how sugar-based emulsifiers are synthesized and used in the pharmaceutical, food, and personal care industries to contribute excellent physicochemical properties and feature excellent functional characteristics. Many of the synthetic procedures are associated with the use of natural ingredients to prepare emulsions concerning “eco-friendly” selective materials. In this report, an endeavour has been made towards contextual examples for the production methods of some saccharide-based emulsifiers and their advantages in various fields.

Amphiphilic natural emulsifiers form tiny droplets of oil-in-water stable emulsions and are very much effective for industries.

Aggregation of Surfactants: Catalytic Reinforcement in Oxidation of Unsaturated E-Crotonaldehyde

In this work, the kinetics of the micellar catalyzed oxidation of the unsaturated aliphatic aldehyde, E-crotonaldehyde in aqueous medium under pseudo 1st-order reaction condition was spectrophotometrically investigated at 25 °C. In the spectrophotometric measurement, the rate of the reaction was recorded by the decreasing intensity of the metallic oxidant, hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], in acidic aliquots at 450 nm with varying concentration of surfactants and/or heteroaromatic promoters. Spectral evidences have been produced in favour of the mechanistic approach and the product formation.

Micellar and Transition Metal Ion Catalysed Oxidation of Pentanol in Aqueous Medium

Micelles and 4d- or 5d-transition metal ions have been proved to be effective catalysts for the oxidation of 1-pentanol by Ce(IV) in aqueous medium under pseudo 1st order reaction conditions at 258C. Although cationic micelles show a speed retarding effect, anionic SDS micelles accelerate the reaction rate. The Ir(III) and Ru(III) catalysed reactions show shorter half-lives at micromolar concentration. Active Ce(IV) species are also identified and an explanation of the different catalytic activities of metal ions and micelles is presented. The accumulation of the substrate in the Stern-layer of the SDS micelles is detected. The reaction product is confirmed by melting point analysis, a 2,4-DNP test, and by IR and NMR studies.

A Comparative Spectral Study on the Interaction of Organic Dye Congo-Red with Selective Aqueous Micellar Media of CPC, Rhamnolipids and Saponin

The present study is an investigation of the solubilising ability of natural and conventional surfactants saponin (sapindus saponin or reetha saponin), Rhamnolipids (RLs) and N-cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) respectively via dye-surfactant interaction. The ionic dye Congo Red was examined by absorption spectroscopy method for the study. The dye interacted strongly with oppositely charged surfactant N-cetylpyridinium chloride in the pre-micellar concentration range and formed a stable dye-surfactant complex. The thermodynamic parameter, free energy change for all the systems was calculated at a constant temperature of 25°C. The ΔG0 value for N-cetylpyridinium chloride is found to be −33.269 kJ/mol while for saponin and rhamnolipids the values were −16.084 kJ/mol and −26.006 kJ/mol respectively. The values clearly indicate the efficiency of N-cetylpyridinium chloride surfactant compared to the other two surfactants. The present study aims to understand the dye solubilization in surfactant media in order to develop environmentally friendly, green and cost effective techniques.

Enhanced exudation of malate in the rhizosphere due to AtALMT1 overexpression in blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) confers increased aluminium tolerance

Worldwide, 50% of soil is acidic, which induces aluminium (Al) toxicity in plants, as the phyto-availability of Al³⁺ increases in acidic soil. Plants responds to Al³⁺ toxicity by exuding organic acids into the rhizosphere. The organic acid responsible for Al³⁺ stress response varies from species to species, which in the case of blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) is citrate. In blackgram, an Arabidopsis malate transporter, AtALMT1, was overexpressed with the motive of inducing enhanced exudation of malate. Transgenics were generated using cotyledon node explants through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. The putative transgenics were initially screened by AtALMT1-specific genomic DNA PCR, followed by quantitative PCR. Two independent transgenic events were identified and functionally characterized in the T₃ generation. The transgenic lines, Line 1 and 2, showed better root growth, relative water content and chlorophyll content under Al³⁺ stress. Both lines also accounted for less oxidative damage, due to reduced accumulation of ROS molecules. Photosynthetic efficiency, as measured in terms of F_v /F_m , NPQ and Y(II), increased when compared to the wild type (WT). Relative expression of genes (VmSTOP1, VmALS3, VmMATE) responsible for Al³⁺ stress response in blackgram showed that overexpression of a malate transporter did not have any effect on their expression. Malate exudation increased whereas citrate exudation did not show any divergence from the WT. A pot stress assay found that the transgenics showed better adaptation to acidic soil. This report demonstrates that the overexpression of a malate transporter in a non-malate exuding species improves adaptation to Al³⁺ toxicity in acidic soil without effecting its stress response mechanism.

Peptidoglycan-treated tumor antigen-pulsed dendritic cells impart complete resistance against tumor rechallenge

Solid tumors elicit suppressive T cell responses which impair antigen-presenting cell (APC) functions. Such immune suppression results in uncontrolled tumor growth and mortality. Addressing APC dysfunction, dendritic cell (DC)-mediated anti-tumor vaccination was extensively investigated in both mice and humans. These studies never achieved full resistance to tumor relapse. Herein, we describe a repetitive RM-1 murine tumor rechallenge model for recurrence in humans. Using this newly developed model, we show that priming with tumor antigen-pulsed, Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 ligand-activated DCs elicits a host-protective anti-tumor immune response in C57BL/6 mice. Upon stimulation with the TLR2 ligand peptidoglycan (PGN), the tumor antigen-pulsed DCs induce complete resistance to repetitive tumor challenges. Intra-tumoral injection of PGN reduces tumor growth. The tumor resistance is accompanied by increased expression of interleukin (IL)-27, T-box transcription factor TBX21 (T-bet), IL-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ, along with heightened cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) functions. Mice primed four times with PGN-stimulated tumor antigen-pulsed DCs remain entirely resistant to repeat challenges with RM-1 tumor cells, suggesting complete prevention of relapse and recurrence of tumor. Adoptive transfer of T cells from these mice, which were fully protected from RM-1 rechallenge, confers anti-tumor immunity to syngeneic naive recipient mice upon RM-1 challenge. These observations indicate that PGN-activated DCs induce robust host-protective anti-tumor T cells that completely resist tumor growth and recurrence.

Green Methodology Development for the Surfactant Assisted Williamson Synthesis of 4-Benzyloxy Benzoic Acid (Ether) in Aqueous Media

Modern science and technology promote synthesis routes which are eco-friendly, chemicals which are promoted as “green” and solvents which are less toxic. A convenient method for the synthesis of ether by the reaction of 4-hydroxy benzoic acid and benzyl chloride using a surfactant as catalyst has been developed. The targeted ether is completely immiscible in water but in association with the interface active surfactants, the production of such a hydrophobic organic compound in water has been made possible. Micelles produce a pseudo-cellular organic environment to isolate species from the bulk solvent and favour the compartmentalization of reagents as well. Thus, the enhancement of the local concentration takes place and consequently the reactivity increases. The interaction of such unique chemo-, regio- and stereo-selectivity of surfactants made this reaction feasible. Organic species added to a micellar media are distributed between bulk water and micelles depending on their polarity, charge and dimension. This novel chemistry describes a set of green methods for carrying out this new generation Williamson reaction which can also be used for selective O-alkylation.

A Review on Micellar Catalyzed Oxidation Reactions of Organic Functional Groups in Aqueous Medium Using Various Transition Metals

The current requirement for science and research concerns the absolute sustainable development of a chemistry that is inherently safer, smarter and more environmentally friendly. The oxidation reaction is a very fundamental transformation reaction in organic synthesis and likely plays a significant role in the production of various value-added chemicals from biomass and others precursors. In the focus of making kinetic experiments greener several modified methodologies and safe chemicals have been employed. Surfactants are such suitable alternate that go with the requirments. Surfactant aggregates i. e. micelles are nano-sized supra molecules, able to act as catalysts. They can be used to catalyze the organic functional group transformation reactions mediated with transition metals and promoted with various aromatic bases. This allowed water to be used as a solvent, where the reactions became more sustainable. The recyclability of used surfactants, enhancement of reaction kinetics and speed of reaction with no consumption of energy has added more value to this type of catalytic oxidation. This article aims to contribute to the discussion of the mechanistic aspects of various types of surfactant-catalyzed oxidation of organic functional groups.

High titres of IgM-bound circulating immune complexes and erythrocytic oxidative damage are indicators of dengue severity

Global incidence of dengue has drastically increased in the last few years. Despite the global morbidity and mortality associated with dengue infection, mechanisms of immune control and viral pathogenesis are poorly explored. Pancytopenias, along with increased oxidative stress, are salient clinical findings in severe dengue patients. Previously, we demonstrated significant differences of circulating immune complexes (CICs) among severe and non-severe dengue patients. Accordingly, here we sought to determine the contributory role of affinity-purified antibody-bound CICs in dengue severity. To characterize intracellular oxidative stress induced by antibody-bound CICs, 5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2'-7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) was measured by flow cytometry. At the same time, CICs sensitized healthy red blood cells (RBC) and patients' RBC morphology was determined by scanning electron microscopy and flow cytometry analysis. Erythrophagocytosis and ferritin levels were further determined in severe and non-severe dengue patients. Our results showed that the severe patients had high titres of immunoglobulin (Ig)M-bound CICs (P < 0·0001) in their sera, increased intracellular oxidative stress (P < 0·0001), high ferritin levels (P < 0·0001), altered morphology of RBC and finally enhanced erythrophagocytosis. This study shows for the first time that RBC morphology is altered in severe dengue patients. Taken together, this study suggests that the enhanced IgM-bound CICs could contribute to the increased oxidative stress and act directly on RBC destruction of severe dengue patients, and is an important pathophysiological determinant. Hence, IgM-bound CICs can serve as an important laboratory parameter to monitor dengue infection progression.

Synthesis of 2-(Prop-2-ynyloxy) Benzaldehyde using Salicyl Aldehyde and Propargyl Bromide in Aqueous Micellar Media

Advances in science and technology are promoting eco-friendly synthesis routes, green chemicals, and non-hazardous solvents. A suitable method for the synthesis of 2-(prop-2-ynyloxy) benzaldehyde was developed using three different aqueous micellar media. The targeted product ether is completely immiscible in water, but in combination with interface active surfactants it has been possible to produce the hydrophobic organic compound in water. Micelles function as a pseudocellular organic environment to isolate species from the main solvent and favor compartmentalization of reagents. There is an increase in the local concentration and consequently the reactivity increases. The use of such unique chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity renders this reaction new. Organic species added to a micellar media are distributed between water and micelles depending on polarity, charge, and size. In the experiments it was observed that salicylaldehyde and propargyl bromide interacted best in CTAB media and the yield of the formed product was 96 %.

Kinetics and Mechanism of 1,10-Phenanthroline Catalysed Chromium(VI) Oxidation of D-Glucose in Aqueous Micellar Media

The kinetics and mechanism of CrVI oxidation of D-glucose in the presence and absence of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in aqueous acid media have been studied under the conditions, [sugar]T ≥ [CrVI]T at different temperatures. The monomeric species of CrVI has been found to be kinetically active in the absence of phen whereas in the phen-catalysed path, the CrVI - phen complexes have been found to be the active oxidants. Both the paths show a first order dependence on [sugar]T and [CrVI]T. The uncatalysed path shows a second order dependence on [H+], while the catalysed path shows a first order dependence on [H+]. The phen-catalysed path is first-order in [phen]T. These observations remain unaltered in the presence of externally added surfactants. CPC inhibits both pathways while SDS catalyses the reactions.

Kinetics and Mechanism of 2,2′-bipyridine Catalysed Chromium(VI) Oxidation of Dimethyl Sulfoxide in the Presence and Absence of Surfactants†

In the 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) catalysed CrVI oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to dimethyl sulfone, the CrVI–bipy complex formed at the pre - equilibrium step undergoes a nucleophilic attack by the S or O of DMSO to form a positively charged reactive intermediate. This intermediate experiences an oxygen transfer or a ligand coupling to give the products. The anionic surfactant (SDS) accelerates the process while the cationic surfactant (CPC) retards the reaction.

Micellar Effect: Evidence in Favour of different Mechanistic Paths of Chromium(VI) Oxidation of Formic Acid and Oxalic Acid in Aqueous Acid Media

The cationic surfactant, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) inhibits the CrVI oxidation of formic acid in a monotonic fashion in aqueous H2SO4 media. On the other hand, under comparable conditions, CPC catalyses the CrVI oxidation of oxalic acid and then it inhibits the reaction after attaining a maximum value in the rate vs [CPC]T profile. The observed micellar effect has been explained in the light of the proposed reaction mechanism and it provides an indirect evidence in favour of 3 e-transfer step for CrVI oxidation of oxalic acid.

Micellar Effect on the Catalytic Co-Oxidation of Dimethyl Sulfoxide and Oxalic Acid by Chromium(VI) in Aqueous Acid Media: A Kinetic Study

The CrVI oxidation of a mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and oxalic acid (OXH2) in aqueous acid media occurs much faster than that of either of the two substrates alone (DMSO reacts extremely slowly under the experimental conditions). In the mixture, both substrates undergo oxidation simultaneously in a ternary complex of CrVI through a three electron transfer step (i.e. CrVI → CrIII), two electrons from DMSO and one electron from oxalic acid. Hitherto there has been a debate regarding the existence of a 3e transfer in a single step. The micellar effect may be considered as a probe for 3e transfer in a single step.

Cooxidation of Formic Acid and Oxalic Acid by Chromium(VI) in Aqueous Acid Media: A Kinetic Study

The Cr(VI) oxidation of a mixture of formic acid and oxalic acid in aqueous acid media occurs much faster than that of either of the two substrates alone; in the mixture, both substrates undergo oxidation simultaneously in a ternary complex of Cr(VI) through a three-electron transfer step (i.e. Cr(VI) → Cr(III)).