Particle Formation by Emulsion Inversion Method: Effect of the Stirring Speed on Inversion and Formation of Spherical Particles

Texture of emulsion-filled pea protein-potato starch gels: Effect of processing conditions and composition

From a physicochemical perspective, foods like vegan cheese and meat analogues are complex multicomponent gels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of processing conditions and composition on the textural properties of multicomponent gels containing starch, pea protein isolate (PPI) and emulsion droplets. Mechanical properties were measured, and structural analysis was carried with CLSM and SEM. In the case of particle gels prepared with maize starch (MS), a higher shearing speed decreased Young's modulus, fracture stress and fracture strain due to break up of the starch granules. In polymer gels prepared with potato starch (PS), structure and mechanical properties were not much affected by processing conditions. The addition of emulsion droplets increased the Young's modulus of MS gels and decreased that of PS gels. In PS gels, the fracture stress decreased further for smaller oil droplets. The addition of emulsion droplets was also found to decrease adhesiveness, cohesiveness and chewiness, regardless of the matrix structure. With protein addition into PS gels, an increase in Young's modulus and a decrease in fracture strain were observed. These results show that processing conditions and composition can be used to modulate the physical properties of complex food systems.

Cell-Laden Gradient Microgel Suspensions for Spatial Control of Differentiation During Biofabrication

During tissue development, stem and progenitor cells form functional tissue with high cellular diversity and intricate micro- and macro-architecture. Current approaches have attempted to replicate this process with materials cues or through spontaneous cell self-organization. However, cell-directed and materials-directed organization are required simultaneously to achieve biomimetic structure and function. Here, it is shown how integrating live adipose derived stem cells with gradient microgel suspensions steers divergent differentiation outcomes. Microgel matrices composed of small particles are found to promote adipogenic differentiation, while larger particles fostered increased cell spreading and osteogenic differentiation. Tuning the matrix formulation demonstrates that early cell adhesion and spreading dictate differentiation outcome. Combining small and large microgels into gradients spatially directs proliferation and differentiation over time. After 21 days of culture, osteogenic conditions foster significant mineralization within the individual microgels, thereby providing cell-directed changes in composition and mechanics within the gradient porous scaffold. Freeform printing of high-density cell suspensions is performed across these gradients to demonstrate the potential for hierarchical tissue biofabrication. Interstitial porosity influences cell expansion from the print and microgel size guides spatial differentiation, thereby providing scope to fabricate tissue gradients at multiple scales through integrated and printed cell populations.

Evaluation of the Structural Deviation of Cu/Cu2O Nanocomposite Using the X-ray Diffraction Analysis Methods

We successfully synthesized Cu/Cu2O nanocomposites using the wet chemical synthesis method. All X-ray diffraction (XRD), Reference Intensity Ratio (RIR), and Rietveld refinement methods confirmed that the compounds Cu and Cu2O are free of impurities. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show the morphology and interactions of Cu and Cu2O in the structure. The formation mechanism is also explained by five stages: precursor, nucleation, growth, aging, and reduction. The changes in crystallization parameters under variations in reaction temperature (Tv) and stirring speed (Sv) were confirmed by agreement with the XRD database. The lattice constant in the crystal of nanocomposite increases with rising temperature in the reaction, leading to unit cell expansion, while increasing the stirring—rate leads to a random size distribution of the lattice parameter. Due to the imperfect growth of the crystal, the induced crystallite size was calculated using the Williamson-Hall model, and the precise lattice parameter values were calculated using the Nelson-Riley function.

Computer Optimization of Stealth Biodegradable Polymeric Dual-loaded Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy Using Central Composite Face-centered Design

BACKGROUND

Combination chemotherapy capable of overcoming cancer drug resistance can be facilitated by nanotechnology.

OBJECTIVE

Synthesis, characterization, statistical experimental design, analysis and optimization of stealth pH-sensitive polymeric nanoparticles suitable as a platform for simultaneous delivery of paclitaxel and 17-AAG in breast cancer therapy were investigated.

METHODS

An acetal crosslinker and a poly(ɛ)caprolactone macromonomer were synthesized and characterized. The statistical experimental design used was the response surface method (RSM). We used the central composite face-centered design (CCF) in three independent factors and seventeen runs. Nanoparticles were fabricated by dispersion polymerization techniques. Response variables evaluated were: particle size, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro availability.

RESULTS

Scanning electron micrographs showed the formation of spherical nanoparticles. Computer software was used for the analysis of variance with a 95% confidence level and Q2 (goodness of prediction) to select an appropriate model for each of the response variables. Each term in each of the models was tested for the significance of the regression coefficients. The computer software optimizer was used for optimization to select factor combination to minimize particle size, time (h) for maximum release of paclitaxel and 17-AAG, to maximize paclitaxel and 17-AAG loading efficiency and to maximize paclitaxel and 17-AAG encapsulation efficiency.

CONCLUSION

The optimization was successful, as shown by the validation data which lie within the confidence intervals of predicted values of the response variables. The selected factor combination is suitable for the in vivo evaluation of the nanoparticles loaded with paclitaxel and 17-AAG.

Synthesis and self-assembly of polyethersulfone-based amphiphilic block copolymers as microparticles for suspension immunosensors

Polyethersulfone (PES) based amphiphilic block copolymer has been synthesized and transformed into immunological microparticles via confined emulsion self-assembly and surface biomodification, opens the in-vitro diagnostic application of PES.

Coencapsulation of Polyphenols and Anthocyanins from Blueberry Pomace by Double Emulsion Stabilized by Whey Proteins: Effect of Homogenization Parameters

Blueberry pomace is a rich source of high-value bioactive polyphenols with presumed health benefits. Their incorporation into functional foods and health-related products benefits from coencapsulation and protection of polyphenol-rich extracts in suitable carriers. This study aimed to create a water-in-oil-in-water (W₁/O/W₂) double emulsion system suitable for the coencapsulation of total phenolics (TP) and anthocyanins (TA) from a polyphenol-rich extract of blueberry pomace (W₁). The effect of critical physical parameters for preparing stable double emulsions, namely homogenization pressure, stirring speed and time, was investigated by measuring the hydrodynamic diameter, size dispersity and zeta potential of the oil droplets, and the encapsulation efficiency of TP and TA. The oil droplets were negatively charged (negative zeta potential values), which was related to the pH and composition of W₂ (whey protein isolate solution) and suggests stabilization by the charged whey proteins. Increasing W₁/O/W₂ microfluidization pressure from 50 to 200 MPa or homogenization speed from 6000 to 12,000 rpm significantly increased droplet diameter and zeta potential and decreased TA and TP encapsulation efficiency. Increasing W₁/O/W₂ homogenization time from 15 to 20 min also increased droplet diameter and zeta potential and lowered TA encapsulation efficiency, while TP encapsulation did not vary significantly. In contrast, increasing W₁/O homogenization time from 5 to 10 min at 10,000 rpm markedly increased TA encapsulation efficiency and reduced droplet diameter and zeta potential. High coencapsulation rates of blueberry polyphenols and anthocyanins around 80% or greater were achieved when the oil droplets were relatively small (mean diameter < 400 nm), with low dispersity (<0.25) and a high negative surface charge (-40 mV or less). These characteristics were obtained by homogenizing for 10 min at 10,000 rpm (W₁/O), then 6000 rpm for 15 min, followed by microfluidization at 50 MPa.

Preparation and characterization of curcumin-piperine dual drug loaded nanoparticles

OBJECTIVE

To prepare curcumin-piperine (Cu-Pi) nanoparticles by various methods and to study the effect of various manufacturing parameters on Cu-Pi nanoparticles and to identify a suitable method for the preparation of Cu-Pi nanoparticles to overcome oral bioavailability and cancer cell targeting limitations in the treatment of cancer.

METHODS

Cu-Pi nanoparticles were prepared by thin film hydration method, solid dispersion method, emulsion polymerization method and Fessi method. Optimization was carried out to study the effect of various manufacturing parameter on the Cu-Pi nanoparticles.

RESULTS

Out of four methods, Fessi method produced a minimum average particle size of 85.43 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.183 and zeta potential of 29.7 mV. Change of organic solvent (acetone or ethanol) did not have any significant effect on Cu-Pi nanoparticles. However, increase in sonication time, stirring speed, viscosity, use of 1:10:10 ratio of drug/polymer/surfactant, and use of anionic surfactant or combination of anionic surfactant with cationic polymer or combination of non-ionic surfactant with cationic polymer had a significant effect on Cu-Pi nanoparticles.

CONCLUSIONS

Cu-Pi nanoparticles coated with PEG containing copolymer produced by Fessi method had a minimum average particle size, excellent polydispersity index and optimal zeta potential which fall within the acceptable limits of the study. This dual nanoparticulate drug delivery system appears to be promising to overcome oral bioavailability and cancer cell targeting limitations in the treatment of cancer.