Surface Activity and Critical Aggregation Concentration of Pure Sugar Esters with Different Sugar Headgroups

Effect of ultrasound assisted H2O2/Vc treatment on the hyperbranched Lignosus rhinocerotis polysaccharide: Structures, hydrophobic microdomains, and antitumor activity

The effect of ultrasonic intensity (28.14, 70.35, and 112.56 W/cm2) on Lignosus rhinocerotis polysaccharide (LRP) degraded by ultrasound assisted H2O2/Vc system (U-H/V) was investigated. U-H/V broke the molecular chain of LRP and improved the conformational flexibility, decreasing the molecular weight, intrinsic viscosity ([η]) and particle size. The functional groups and hyperbranched structure of LRP were almost stable after U-H/V treatment, however, the triple helix structure of LRP was partially disrupted. With increasing ultrasonic intensity, the critical aggregation concentration increased from 0.59 mg/mL to 1.57 mg/mL, and the hydrophobic microdomains reduced. Furthermore, the LRP treated with U-H/V significantly inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. The increase in antitumor activity of LRP was closely associated with the reduction of molecular weight, [η], particle size and hydrophobic microdomains. These results revealed that U-H/V treatment facilitates the degradation of LRP and provides a better insight into the structure-antitumor activity relationship of LRP.

Sugar-Based Surfactants: Effects of Structural Features on the Physicochemical Properties of Sugar Esters and Their Comparison to Commercial Octyl Glycosides

Two series of sugar esters with alkyl chain lengths varying from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, and with a head group consisting of glucose or galactose moieties, were synthesized. Equilibrium surface tension isotherms were measured, yielding critical micellar concentration (CMC) surface tensions at CMC (γcmc) and minimum areas at the air-water interface (Amin). In addition, Krafft temperatures (Tks) were measured to characterize the ability of molecules to dissolve in water, which is essential in numerous applications. As a comparison to widely used commercial sugar-based surfactants, those measurements were also carried out for four octyl d-glycosides. Impacts of the linkages between polar and lipophilic moieties, alkyl chain lengths, and the nature of the sugar head group on the measured properties were highlighted. Higher Tk and, thus, lower dissolution ability, were found for methyl 6-O-acyl-d-glucopyranosides. CMC and γcmc decreased with the alkyl chain lengths in both cases, but Amin did not appear to be influenced. Both γcmc and Amin appeared independent of the ester group orientation. Notably, alkyl (methyl α-d-glucopyranosid)uronates were found to result in noticeably lower CMC, possibly due to a closer distance between the carbonyl function and the head group.

Physicochemical studies of novel sugar fatty acid esters based on (R)-3-hydroxylated acids derived from bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates and their potential environmental impact

Sugar fatty acids esters are popular compounds widely used in both the nutritional, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries due to their amphiphilic structure and consequent ability to reduce the surface tension of solutions. Furthermore, an important aspect in the implementation of any additives and formulations is their environmental impact. The properties of the esters depend on the type of sugar used and the hydrophobic component. In this work, selected physicochemical properties of new sugar esters based on lactose, glucose and galactose and hydroxy acids derived from bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates are shown for the first time. Values for critical aggregation concentration, surface activity and pH make it possible that these esters could compete with other commercially used esters of similar chemical structure. The investigated compounds showed moderate emulsion stabilization abilities presented on the example of water-oil systems containing squalene and body oil. Their potential environmental impact appears to be low, as the esters are not toxic to Caenorhabditis elegans even at concentrations much higher than the critical aggregation concentration.

Alternative Excipients for Protein Stabilization in Protein Therapeutics: Overcoming the Limitations of Polysorbates

Given their safety and efficiency in protecting protein integrity, polysorbates (PSs) have been the most widely used excipients for the stabilization of protein therapeutics for years. In recent decades, however, there have been numerous reports about visible or sub-visible particles in PS-containing biotherapeutic products, which is a major quality concern for parenteral drugs. Alternative excipients that are safe for parenteral administration, efficient in protecting different protein drugs against various stress conditions, effective in protein stabilization in high-concentrated liquid formulations, stable under the storage conditions for the duration of the product's shelf-life, and compatible with other formulation components and the primary packaging are highly sought after. The aim of this paper is to review potential alternative excipients from different families, including surfactants, carbohydrate- and amino acid-based excipients, synthetic amphiphilic polymers, and ionic liquids that enable protein stabilization. For each category, important characteristics such as the ability to stabilize proteins against thermal and mechanical stresses, current knowledge related to the safety profile for parenteral administration, potential interactions with other formulation components, and primary packaging are debated. Based on the provided information and the detailed discussion thereof, this paper may pave the way for the identification or development of efficient excipients for biotherapeutic protein stabilization.

Synthesis and characterization of a lactose-based biosurfactant by a novel nanodendritic catalyst and evaluating its efficacy as an emulsifier in a food emulsion system

Nonionic lactose fatty acid esters are a class of synthetic biosurfactants with various uses in the food, pharmaceutical, personal care, and cosmetic industries. The objective of this research was the preparation and full characterization of a series of novel metallic encapsulated magnetic core/dendrimer shell composites as catalysts (CoII/MnII G2.0L1/2@SCMBNP) and their use in the chemo- and regioselective synthesis of a biosurfactant for the first time. Surface-active properties (such as contact angle (CA), surface tension (SFT), interfacial tension (IFT), critical micelle concentration (CMC), hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB), foamability (FA) & foam stability (FS), emulsion ability (EmA) & emulsion stability (EmS), surface excess (Γ) and free energy of adsorption (ΔG) were also determined for all synthesized biosurfactants. In comparison to other works, these results suggested that the synthesized lactose fatty acid esters have potential application as synthetic emulsifiers featuring surface properties and are comparable with Ryoto sugar ester L-1695 (sucrose laurate) & Tween-20 (polysorbate 20) as industrial emulsifiers. The optimized conditions for biosurfactant syntheses are 8 days at 2 : 1 molar ratio of lactose sugar to lauric acid at 50 °C. Lactose ester as a biosurfactant exhibited a decrease of SFT & IFT and was able to stabilize a 20% soybean O/W emulsion. Furthermore, high conversion & yield, excellent chemo- and regioselectivity, and high operational stability over 5 runs were achieved for CoII/MnII-G2.0L1/2@SCMBNP, indicating the suitable efficiency of the catalytic process.

Amphiphilic Ionic Liquids Capable to Formulate Organized Systems in an Aqueous Solution, Designed by a Combination of Traditional Surfactants and Commercial Drugs

The present review describes the state of the art in the conversion of pharmaceutically active ingredients (API) in amphiphilic Ionic Liquids (ILs) as alternative drug delivery systems. In particular, we focus our attention on the compounds generated by ionic exchange and without original counterions which generate different systems in comparison with the simple mixtures. In water, these new amphiphiles show similar or even better properties as surfactants in comparison with their precursors. Cations such as 1-alkyl-3-methyl-imidazolium and anions such as dioctyl sulfosuccinate or sodium dodecyl sulfate appear as the amphiphilic components most studied. In conclusion, this work shows interesting information on several promissory compounds and they appear as an interesting challenge to extend the application of ILs in the medical field.

Design and Self-Assembly of Sugar-Based Amphiphiles: Spherical to Cylindrical Micelles

Sugar-based amphiphiles are a relevant natural alternative to synthetic ones due to their biodegradable properties. An understanding of their structure-assembly relationship is needed to allow the concrete synthesis of suitable derivatives. Here, four different mannose-derivative surfactants are characterized by pendant drop, dynamic light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering, cryotransmission electron microscopy, and molecular dynamics techniques in aqueous media. Measurements denote how the polysaccharide average degree of polymerization (DP¯) and the addition of a hydroxyl group to the hydrophobic tail, and thus the presence of a second hydrophilic moiety, affect their self-assembly. A variation in the DP¯ of the amphiphile has no effect in the critical micelle concentration in contrast to a change in the hydrophobic molecular region. Moreover, high-DP¯ amphiphiles self-assemble into spherical micelles irrespective of the hydroxyl group presence. Low-DP¯ amphiphiles with only one hydrophilic moiety form cylindrical micelles, while the addition of a hydroxyl group to the tail leads to a spherical shape.

Microemulsion: a novel alternative technique for edible oil extraction_a mechanistic viewpoint

Microemulsions, as isotropic, transparent, nano size (<100 nm), and thermodynamically stable dispersions, are potentially capable of being used in food formulations, functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and in many other fields for various purposes, particularly for nano-encapsulation, extraction of bioactive compounds and oils, and as nano-reactors. However, their functionalities, and more importantly their oil extraction capability, strongly depend on, and are determined by, their formulation, molecular structures and the type, ratio and functionality of surfactants and co-surfactants. This review extensively describes microemulsions (definition, fabrication, thermodynamic aspects, and applications), and their various mechanisms of oil extraction (roll-up, snap-off, and solubilization including those by Winsor Types I, II, III, and IV systems). Applications of various food grade (natural or synthetic) and extended surfactants for edible oil extraction are then covered based on these concepts.

Continuous Flow Glycolipid Synthesis Using a Packed Bed Reactor

Glycolipids are a class of biodegradable biosurfactants that are non-toxic and based on renewables, making them a sustainable alternative to petrochemical surfactants. Enzymatic synthesis allows a tailor-made production of these versatile compounds using sugar and fatty acid building blocks with rationalized structures for targeted applications. Therefore, glycolipids can be comprehensively designed to outcompete conventional surfactants regarding their physicochemical properties. However, enzymatic glycolipid processes are struggling with both sugars and fatty acid solubilities in reaction media. Thus, continuous flow processes represent a powerful tool in designing efficient syntheses of sugar esters. In this study, a continuous enzymatic glycolipid production catalyzed by Novozyme 435® is presented as an unprecedented concept. A biphasic aqueous–organic system was investigated, allowing for the simultaneous solubilization of sugars and fatty acids. Owing to phase separation, the remaining non-acylated glucose was easily separated from the product stream and was refed to the reactor forming a closed-loop system. Productivity in the continuous process was higher compared to a batch one, with space–time yields of up to 1228 ± 65 µmol/L/h. A temperature of 70 °C resulted in the highest glucose-6-O-decanoate concentration in the Packed Bed Reactor (PBR). Consequently, the design of a continuous biocatalytic production is a step towards a more competitive glycolipid synthesis in the aim for industrialization.

Interplay between bulk aggregates, surface properties and foam stability of nonionic surfactants

In our previous study (Mustan et al. 2021) we showed that foams formed from two oil-soluble nonionic surfactants (Span 60 and Brij 72) can remain stable for more than 10 days at room temperature at high sugar concentration. The major aim of the current study is to reveal the interrelation between the surfactant structure and foam stability by investigating 6 polyoxyethelene alkyl ethers and 12 fatty acid esters with a wide variety of hydrophobic chain lengths (C12; C16; C18 and C18:1) and hydrophilic head-groups (sorbitol, glycerol, sucrose). Foams stable for more than 100 days at room temperature are obtained when sucrose palmitate or stearate (P1670 or S1670) are used as surfactants. This exceptional foam stability is related to the gelation of the aqueous phase and to the formation of solid adsorption layer with zero surface tension upon compression, thus preventing water drainage and decelerating the bubble Ostwald ripening. The foam stability decreases with (i) increasing the number of EO groups in polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers and in fatty acid sorbitan esters; (ii) decreasing the number of C-atoms in the surfactant tail for all studied surfactants; (iii) addition of double bond in the surfactant tail. The lower foam stability in all three cases is related to the worse packing of the surfactant molecules within the adsorption layer, leading to faster Ostwald ripening and subsequent bubble coalescence. The diesters present as admixture in the fatty acid esters play an important role in the foam stabilization by further compacting the adsorption layers and lowering the rate of Ostwald ripening. These conclusions can be used as a predictive tool for surfactant selection in the development of food or pharmaceutical foam concentrates that can be diluted before final use.

Rheological properties and critical concentrations of a hyperbranched polysaccharide from Lignosus rhinocerotis sclerotia

The application of polysaccharides in the food industry mainly depends on their rheological properties and the polysaccharides in different concentration regions exhibit different rheological properties due to the interactions between polymer chains. Hence, this work investigated the concentration-dependent rheological behavior of Lignosus rhinocerotis polysaccharide (LRP) in water and determined the critical concentrations. The intrinsic viscosity of LRP was 378 ± 32 mL/g and the LRP exhibited more apparent shear-thinning behavior with increasing concentration. The LRP critical overlap and aggregation concentration in water was ~2.5 mg/mL, implicating the formation of hydrophobic regions may result from the aggregation and overlap between hyperbranched LRP molecules. The LRP/water system showed higher storage modulus than loss modulus with slight frequency dependence at the concentration of 15 mg/mL, exhibiting the structured liquid behavior. When the concentration increased from 10 mg/mL to 30 mg/mL, the compliance recovery percentage value increased from 58.51% to 92.30%, indicating the formation of a strong gel network in the LRP/water system. Furthermore, the micro-rheological test revealed that the LRP/water system exhibited a concentration-dependent increase in elasticity and viscosity and deterioration in fluidity.

Cooperative Adsorption of Nonionic Triton X-100 and Dodecyldimethylamine Oxide Surfactant Mixtures at the Hydrophilic Silica-Water Interface Studied by Total Internal Reflection Raman Spectroscopy and Multivariate Curve Resolution

The adsorption of dimethyldodecylamine oxide (DDAO) and Triton X-100 (TX) as single components and mixed systems at the silica-water interface has been studied using total internal reflection (TIR) Raman spectroscopy combined with multivariate curve resolution (MCR). In this study, the mixtures of DDAO and TX indicate minimal synergism in the bulk solution; however, the cooperative adsorption behavior on the silica surface is shown with various mixtures of DDAO (up to 1.3 mM) and TX (up to 1.1 mM). Adding the DDAO (up to 0.3 mM) to TX solution, the surface excess of TX shows 30% enhancement, from 1.2 to 1.8 μmol m^-2. Adding the DDAO also shifts the TX adsorption isotherms, resulting in the Gibbs free energy change of -2.87 ± 0.73 kJ mol^-1. This free energy change is interpreted as the decrease in surface energy when the silica surface charged sites are screened by the DDAO adsorbed layer. Alternatively, when a DDAO solution contains a small amount of TX molecules, i.e., < 30 μM, its adsorption on the silica surface quickly equilibrates. In addition, the formation of a more ordered liquid-crystalline adsorbed layer, as in the case of single-component DDAO adsorption, is not observed.

Interactions between poloxamer, PEOx-PPOy-PEOx, and non-ionic surfactant, sucrose monolaurate: A study on potential allergenic effect using model phospholipid membrane

Sugar-based surfactants are involved in skin related allergy cases in the past decade. Skin irritation starts with the interaction of the surfactant with the skin lipids leading to lipid emulsification and eventual barrier damage. Polymers or co-surfactants can be used to mitigate the allergenic effect but the mechanism of formulation mildness on skin remains unclear. We have used the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) together with dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation, small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) as well as cell viability tests to decipher the interactions between poloxamers and sucrose monolaurate (SML), and how these interactions could prevent the disruption of a model supported phospholipid bilayer (SLB). Poloxamer addition to the SML solution can delay or totally prevent the disruption of the SLB depending on poloxamer type and concentration. Poloxamer P407 (Pluronic® F127) delays the onset of disruption while poloxamer P188 (Pluronic® F68) does not preserve the bilayer integrity even at high concentration of up to 15% w/w. Preservation of the SLB is likely due to the differences in the aggregates formation between SML-F127 and SML-F68 mixtures with corresponding retarded motion of SML micelles through the SML-F127 polymer matrix that improved cell viability.

In situ quantitative study of the phase transition in surfactant adsorption layers at the silica-water interface using total internal reflection Raman spectroscopy

Dimethyldodecylamine N-oxide (DDAO), a unique type of surfactant, shows high surface activity with two distinct energy states at the buried hydrophilic silica/aqueous solution interface studied by total internal reflection (TIR) Raman spectroscopy combined with ratiometric and kinetic analysis. Different from other types of surfactant, i.e., ionic and nonionic, the adsorption of DDAO demonstrates a specific critical surface aggregation concentration (csac) at 0.15 mM gives a complete surface coverage of 6.6 ± 0.3 μmol m^-2, much lower than the bulk critical micellization concentration (cmc) at the same conditions (csac ≈ 0.072 cmc). A phase transition of adsorbed layers from liquid crystalline as the intermediate state to the disordered liquid phase is spectroscopically and energetically analyzed. The adsorption of DDAO on silica surfaces is described quantitatively in a potential energy curve.

Compression-induced Phase Transition in Adsorbed Monolayers of Alkylgalactosides at the Air/Water Interface

Compression-induced formation of condensed-phase domains in adsorbed monolayers of alkylgalactosides (AGs) at the air/water interface was observed. When an aqueous solution of AGs was poured into a Langmuir trough, the AG molecules were spontaneously adsorbed from the solution at the air/water interface to form the adsorbed or Gibbs monolayer in an expanded, liquid-like phase at equilibrium. The monolayer was subsequently laterally compressed by the barriers of the trough, while simultaneously observing the system using a Brewster angle microscope (BAM). The surface pressure-film area isotherm upon compression showed a kink at a surface pressure (π_kink) comparable to or several mN・m^-1 higher than the surface pressure at the critical micelle concentration (π_CMC), followed by a plateau region. BAM observations revealed that condensed-phase domains were formed in the homogeneous expanded phase at the plateau. Hence, the plateau corresponds to a first-order phase transition from the expanded phase to the condensed phase. As expected, the compressed adsorbed monolayer was in a metastable state because the surface pressure decreased with time, and the condensed-phase domains disappeared when compression was discontinued. The transient formation of a quasi-stable condensed phase may originate from the combined effect of the lower solubility of AG molecules in water, moderately strong attractive intermolecular interactions between AG molecules at the air/water interface, and high-rate compression.

Permeability-enhancing effects of three laurate-disaccharide monoesters across isolated rat intestinal mucosae

Laurate (C₁₂)-sucrose esters are established intestinal epithelial permeation enhancers (PEs) with potential for use in oral delivery. Most studies have examined blends of ester rather than specific monoesters, with little variation on the sugar moiety. To investigate the influence of varying the sugar moiety on monoester performance, we compared three monoesters: C₁₂-sucrose, C₁₂-lactose, and C₁₂-trehalose. The assays were: critical micellar concentration (CMC) in Krebs-Henseleit buffer, MTS and lactate dehydrogenase assays in Caco-2 cells, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and apparent permeability coefficient (P_app) of [¹⁴C] mannitol across isolated rat intestinal mucosae, and tissue histology. For CMC, the rank order was C₁₂-trehalose (0.21 mM) < C₁₂-sucrose (0.34 mM) < C₁₂-lactose (0.43 mM). Exposure to Caco-2 cells for 120 min produced TC₅₀ values in the MTS assay from 0.1 to 0.4 mM. Each ester produced a concentration-dependent decrease in TEER across rat mucosae with 80% reduction seen with 8 mM in 5 min, but C₁₂-trehalose was less potent. C₁₂-sucrose and C₁₂-lactose increased the P_app of [¹⁴C] mannitol across mucosae with similar potency and efficacy, whereas C₁₂-trehalose was not as potent or efficacious, even though it still increased flux. In the presence of the three esters, gross intestinal histology was unaffected except at 8 mM for C₁₂-sucrose and C₁₂-lactose. In conclusion, the three esters enhanced permeability likely via tight junction modulation in rat intestinal tissue. C₁₂-trehalose was not quite as efficacious, but neither did it damage tissue to the same extent. All three can be considered as potential PEs to be included in oral formulations.

Interfacial and Foaming Properties of Tailor-Made Glycolipids-Influence of the Hydrophilic Head Group and Functional Groups in the Hydrophobic Tail

Glycolipids are a class of biodegradable surfactants less harmful to the environment than petrochemically derived surfactants. Here we discuss interfacial properties, foam stability, characterized in terms of transient foam height, gas volume fraction and bubble diameter as well as texture of seven enzymatically synthesized surfactants for the first time. Glycolipids consisting of different head groups, namely glucose, sorbitol, glucuronic acid and sorbose, combined with different C10 acyl chains, namely decanoate, dec-9-enoate and 4-methyl-nonanoate are compared. Equilibrium interfacial tension values vary between 24.3 and 29.6 mN/m, critical micelle concentration varies between 0.7 and 3.0 mM. In both cases highest values were found for the surfactants with unsaturated or branched tail groups. Interfacial elasticity and viscosity, however, were significantly reduced in these cases. Head and tail group both affect foam stability. Foams from glycolipids with sorbose and glucuronic acid derived head groups showed higher stability than those from surfactants with glucose head group, sorbitol provided lowest foam stability. We attribute this to different head group hydration also showing up in the time to reach equilibrium interfacial adsorption. Unsaturated tail groups reduced whereas branching enhanced foam stability compared to the systems with linear, saturated tail. Moreover, the tail group strongly influences foam texture. Glycolipids with unsaturated tail groups produced foams quickly collapsing even at smallest shear loads, whereas the branched tail group yielded a higher modulus than the linear tails. Normalized shear moduli for the systems with different head groups varied in a narrow range, with the highest value found for decylglucuronate.

Enzymatically-synthesized xylo-oligosaccharides laurate esters as surfactants of interest

Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of xylo-oligosaccharides esters from pure xylobiose, xylotriose and xylotetraose in the presence of vinyl laurate was investigated. The influence of different experimental parameters such as the loading of lipase, the reaction duration or the use of a co-solvent was studied and the reaction conditions were optimized with xylobiose. Under the best conditions, a regioselective esterification occurred to yield a monoester with the acyl chain at the OH-4 of the xylose unit at the non-reducing end. Surface-active properties of these pure xylo-oligosaccharides fatty esters have been evaluated. They display interesting surfactant activities that differ according to the degree of polymerization (DP) of the glycone moiety.

l-Ascorbic acid alkyl esters action on stratum corneum model membranes: An insight into the mechanism for enhanced skin permeation

L-ascorbic acid alkyl esters (ASCn) are lipophilic forms of vitamin C, which act as skin permeation enhancers. We investigated the physical changes induced by incorporating ASCn into stratum corneum (SC) lipid membranes and correlated this with the mechanism proposed in the literature for skin permeation enhancement phenomena. We used lipid monolayers to explore the 2D structure and elasticity of the lipid-enhancer systems. As a comparison, the classic permeation enhancer, oleic acid (OA) and the non-enhancer analogue stearic acid (SA) were analysed. The incorporation of ASCn or OA into SC membranes resulted in more liquid-like films, with a dose-dependent lowering of the compressibility modulus. Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) evidenced partial miscibility of the enhancer with SC lipid components, stabilising the liquid-expanded phase. At the nanoscale, AFM showed that SC lipids form heterogeneous membranes, which underwent structural alterations after incorporating ASCn and fatty acids, such as SA and OA. The lower, cholesterol-enriched phase appears to concentrate the enhancers, whilst the higher ceramide-enriched phase concentrated the non-enhancer SA. Our results and previously reported pieces of evidence indicate a strong pattern in which the rheological properties of SC lipid films are determinant for skin permeation phenomena.

Hexahydrofarnesyl as an original bio-sourced alkyl chain for the preparation of glycosides surfactants with enhanced physicochemical properties

Five new bio-based surfactants have been synthetized by coupling hexahydrofarnesol with mono and di-saccharides. Hexahydrofarnesol (3,7,11-trimethyl-dodecan-1-ol) is a by-product of the industrial production of farnesane, a sustainable aviation fuel obtained by a fermentation process from sugar feedstocks. Using hexahydrofarnesol as the lipophilic starting material allows obtaining 100% bio-based surfactants while valorizing an industrial by-product. Moreover, the C₁₅-branched alkyl chain brings unique properties to the surfactants. This paper presents a physicochemical characterization of these new surfactants including their behaviors in water (water solubility, critical micellar concentration and surface tension) and in oil/water systems (interfacial tension against model oil and ternary phase behavior). Their hydrophilicities have been determined thanks to the PIT-slope method and compared to the ones of standard surfactants with linear alkyl chains, in order to distinguish the contributions of the sugar polar heads and of the branched hexahydrofarnesyl lipophilic chain. This novel class of surfactants combines the properties of sugar-based surfactants (low sensitivity to temperature and salinity, ability to form Winsor III microemulsion systems over a wide range of salinity), along with specificities linked to the branched alkyl chain (lower Krafft temperature, low surface tension).

The novelty of this work lies in the valorization of an original by-product into new sugar-based surfactants presenting effective properties.

Biological impact of octyl d-glucopyranoside based surfactants

Development of many branches of industry has stimulated the search for new, effective surfactants with interesting properties. Potential use of alkyl glucose derivatives on a large scale, raises questions about the possible risks associated with their entry into the natural environment. To be able to evaluate this risk, the aim of the study was to determine the physicochemical properties of octyl d-glucopyranoside and its three derivatives: N-(octyl d-glucopyranosiduronyl)aspartic acid, N-(octyl d-glucopyranosiduronyl)glicyne and octyl d-glucopyranosiduronic acid. Moreover, their biodegradability by pure bacterial strains and biocenosis present in river water was examined. While descriptions of sugar-based surfactants on microbial cells are limited, the essential element of the study was to determine the effect of surfactants on cell surface properties of microorganisms isolated from activated sludge and compare it to the effects of the petroleum based surfactants and the surfactants produced from renewable materials. The results obtained indicate that physicochemical properties of surface active agents differ depending on the presence of functional groups in the surfactants molecules. What is more, the presence of amino acid substituent in the derivatives of octyl d-glucopyranoside resulted in a slight decrease in the surfactants biodegradation efficiency, in comparison to the compounds that did not contain such a substituent, prolonging this process from 5 to 10 days. Interestingly, even relatively slightly different derivatives modified the cell surface properties in a different way. Importantly, the surfactants based on octyl d-glucopyranoside have less negative impact on environmental microorganism and better biodegradability than the surfactant synthesized from petroleum products.

Formation of concentrated triglyceride nanoemulsions and nanogels: natural emulsifiers and high power ultrasound

The fabrication of concentrated nanoemulsions provides potential advantages such as loading capacity enhancement, storage and transportation costs reduction, and creation of novel textures. The current study investigated the capability of high power ultrasound on nanoemulsification of high concentration triglyceride using various natural emulsifiers (saponin, whey protein isolate, lecithin and sucrose monopalmitate). The impact of the emulsifier concentration (up to 6 wt%), oil content (up to 60 wt%) and exposure to sonication (up to 33 min) on the droplet size distribution, physical stability and rheological properties were evaluated. Regarding the dilute nanoemulsion (10 wt% oil), droplet size was inversely correlated with the concentration of emulsifiers, however only by using saponin (2 wt%) the droplet size was in nano range (d < 200 nm). The concentrated nanoemulsions (20–50 wt%) were also fabricated under sonication (15 min at saponin-to-oil ratio 2 : 10 w/w%). They also presented shear-thinning behavior with relatively low consistency coefficients. Surprisingly, the one with 60 wt% oil was easily converted to viscoelastic gel upon 3 min sonication. Owing to such characteristics, they could have potential applicability in formulation of soft foods, creams, sauces, salad dressings, pastes, lotions, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

The capability of ultrasonication and natural emulsifiers on nano-emulsification and nano-gelation of concentrated triglyceride oil was verified.

Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Fatty Acid Esters of Trisaccharides

Carbohydrate fatty acid esters have a broad spectrum of applications in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. The enzyme-catalyzed acylation is significantly more selective than the chemical process and is carried out at milder conditions. Compared with mono- and disaccharides, the acylation of trisaccharides has been less studied. However, trisaccharide esters display notable bioactive properties, probably due to the higher hydrophilicity of the sugar head group. In this chapter, we describe the acylation of two trisaccharides, maltotriose and 1-kestose, catalyzed by different immobilized lipases, using vinyl esters as acyl donors. To illustrate the potential of such compounds, the antitumor activity of 6″-O-palmitoyl-maltotriose is shown.

Synthesis, Structure⁻Activity Relationships and In Vitro Toxicity Profile of Lactose-Based Fatty Acid Monoesters as Possible Drug Permeability Enhancers

Permeability enhancers are receiving increased attention arising from their ability to increase transepithelial permeability and thus, bioavailability of orally or pulmonary administered biopharmaceutics. Here we present the synthesis and the in vitro assaying of a series of lactose-based non-ionic surfactants, highlighting the relationship between their structure and biological effect. Using tensiometric measurements the critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) of the surfactants were determined and demonstrate that increasing hydrophobic chain length reduces surfactant CMC. In vitro testing on Caco-2 intestinal and Calu-3 airway epithelia revealed that cytotoxicity, assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays, is presented for most of the surfactants at concentrations greater than their CMCs. Further biological study demonstrates that application of cytotoxic concentrations of the surfactants is associated with depolarizing mitochondrial membrane potential, increasing nuclear membrane permeability and activation of effector caspases. It is, therefore, proposed that when applied at cytotoxic levels, the surfactants are inducing apoptosis in both cell lines tested. Importantly, through the culture of epithelial monolayers on Transwell^® supports, the surfactants demonstrate the ability to reversibly modulate transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), and thus open tight junctions, at non-toxic concentrations, emphasizing their potential application as safe permeability enhancers in vivo.

Solid Wettability Modification via Adsorption of Antimicrobial Sucrose Fatty Acid Esters and Some Other Sugar-Based Surfactants

Solid–liquid interface properties play a crucial role in the adsorption and adhesion of different microorganisms to the solid. There are some methods to inhibit microorganisms’ adsorption at the solid–liquid interface and their adhesion to the solid. These methods can be divided into bulk phase and surface modification. They are often based on the surfactants’ effect on the wettability of the solid in a given system, due to the fact that adsorption and wetting properties of the food additive antimicrobial surfactants (sucrose monolaurate and sucrose monodecanoate as well as some other sugar-based ones (n-octyl-β-d-glucopyranoside, n-dodecyl-β-d-glucopyranoside, n-dodecyl-β-d-maltoside)) in the solid-aqueous solution of surfactant-air system were considered. Quantitative description of adsorption of the studied compounds at the solid–liquid interface was made based on the contact angle of the aqueous solutions of studied surfactants on polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, poly(methyl methacrylate), polyamide and quartz surface and their surface tension. From the above-mentioned considerations, it can be seen that during the wettability process of the studied solids, surfactants are oriented in a specific direction depending on the type of the solid and surfactant. This specific orientation and adsorption of surfactant molecules at the solid–water interface cause changes of the solid surface properties and its wettability, which was successfully predicted in the studied systems.

The interfacial, emulsification and encapsulation properties of hydrophobically modified inulin

Octenyl- and dodecenyl succinic anhydride derivatives (OSA- and DDSA-) of inulin have been synthesised and their solution and interfacial properties have been determined and compared to a commercially available alkylated inulin, Inutec SP1. All samples formed micellar aggregates in solution above a critical concentration (critical aggregation concentration) and were able to 'dissolve' a hydrophobic dye. They were also able to form stable oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions as assessed by measurements of their droplet size as a function of time. DDSA-inulin with a high degree of substitution was found to be effective at encapsulating beta carotene using the solvent evaporation method which yielded a solid which dissolved readily in simulated gastric fluid. The results confirm the potential application of these materials in a number of areas including, drug delivery, pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, cosmetics and personal care.

d-Xylose and l-arabinose laurate esters: Enzymatic synthesis, characterization and physico-chemical properties

Efficient enzymatic synthesis of d-xylose and l-arabinose lauryl mono- and diesters has been achieved by transesterification reactions catalysed by immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B as biocatalyst, in organic medium in the presence of d-xylose or l-arabinose and vinyllaurate at 50 °C. In case of l-arabinose, one monoester and one diester were obtained in a 57% overall yield. A more complex mixture was produced for d-xylose as two monoesters and two diesters were synthesized in a 74.9% global yield. The structures of all these pentose laurate esters was solved. Results demonstrated that the esterification first occurred regioselectively onto the primary hydroxyl groups. Pentose laurate esters exhibited interesting features such as low critical aggregation concentrations values all inferior to 25 μM. Our study demonstrates that the enzymatic production of l-arabinose and d-xylose-based esters represents an interesting approach for the production of green surfactants from lignocellulosic biomass-derived pentoses.

Synthesis, characterisation and physicochemical properties of hydrophobically modified inulin using long-chain fatty acyl chlorides

A series of inulin derivatives were synthesized in aqueous solution using acyl chlorides with varying alkyl chain length (C10-C16). They were characterised using a number of techniques including MALDI TOF-MS, ¹H NMR and FTIR and their degree of substitution determined. The solution properties of the hydrophobically modified inulins were investigated using dye solubilisation and surface tension and it was confirmed that the molecules aggregated in solution above a critical concentration (critical aggregation concentration, CAC). The value of the CAC was found to be reasonably consistent between the different techniques and was shown to decrease with increasing hydrophobe chain length. It was found that the C10, C12 and C14 derivatives formed stable oil-in-water emulsions and the emulsion droplet size decreased with increasing alkyl chain length. The C16 derivative was not able to produce stable oil-in-water emulsions; however, it was able to form stable water-in-oil emulsions. The fact that the derivatives are able to form micellar-like aggregates and stabilise emulsions makes them suitable candidates for the encapsulation and delivery of active compounds with potential application in food, cosmetic, personal care and pharmaceutical formulations.

Critical aggregates concentration of fatty esters present in biodiesel determined by turbidity and fluorescence

Biodiesel for combustible engine is available as mixture of fossil diesel and fatty esters obtained by transesterification of vegetable oils. The use of biodiesel reduces the amount of SO_x, mainly. However, it was already observed that biodiesel has a different behavior in environment in cases of accidental spill and groundwater contamination. It was noticed that the biodegradation of hydrocarbons (cyclic and aliphatic) in the presence of biodiesel are speeded, although the mechanism is still unclear. Considering the chemical structure of fatty esters, it was investigated the formation of aggregates in water solution by fatty esters present in commercial biodiesel. In Brazil, biodiesel is composed by 95% of fossil diesel and 5% of fatty esters mixture. In this work, fatty esters were treated as neutral surfactant, i.e., it was treated as a molecule with polar and non-polar part. Turbidity and fluorescence were used to determine the critical aggregates concentration (CAC). Water solutions containing fatty esters were examined exploiting changes in turbidity and fluorescence intensity of pyrene. Abrupt changes were attributed to aggregates formation, following the same behavior of traditional amphiphilic compounds. It was determined the CAC for ethyl palmitate, ethyl stearate, ethyl oleate, and ethyl linoleate. The values of CAC for fatty esters varied from 1.91 to 4.27 μmol/L, while CAC for the mixture of esters (biodiesel) was 2.01 for methyl esters and 1.19 for ethyl esters, both prepared using soybean oil. The aggregates formation was also determined by fluorescence measurements considering the changes in intensity of peaks I and III of pyrene. Pyrene senses the changes in environment polarity. The values found of CAC by fluorescence for individual ethyl esters varied from 1.85 to 3.21 μmol/L, while mixtures of ethyl esters was 2.23 and 2.07 μmol/L for mixture of methyl esters. The results clearly showed that fatty esters form aggregates and might be responsible for speed degradation of compounds by accommodation of them in inner part of aggregates.

Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of sucrose monoester: Increased productivity by combining enzyme pretreatment and non-aqueous biphasic medium

Sucrose monocaprate was synthesized by carrying out a lipase-catalyzed transesterification in a non-aqueous biphasic medium. Vinyl caprate was mechanically dispersed into a solution of sucrose in DMSO. The use of DMSO allowed increasing sucrose concentration up to 0.7M (in DMSO). The denaturing effect of DMSO on lipase was avoided by pretreatment of lipase by pH adjustment in the presence of crown ether. This pretreatment maintained a significant catalytic activity which led to 0.2M sucrose monoester within 1h at 50°C, which represented higher productivity than already reported. Detailed structural characterization revealed that only monoester was recovered and the 2-O-acylated sucrose monocaprate was the major isomer in the final product.

Enzymatic synthesis of isomaltotriose palmitate and evaluation of its emulsifying property

Enzymatic syntheses of oligosaccharide fatty acid esters are important owing to their wide range of industrial applications in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Transesterification of isomaltotriose and palmitic acid vinyl ester, catalyzed by the metalloprotease thermolysin, was performed in organic solvents. The process parameters (reaction time and temperature) were optimized to achieve the highest yield of isomaltotriose palmitate (IP). The water content of the reaction system played a key role in the acylation of isomaltotriose. Dimethyl sulfoxide was thought to be the most suitable reaction medium by taking the degree of substitution of the modified isomaltotriose into account. The optimum reaction time, temperature, water content, and enzyme concentration were 24h, 45°C, 40%, and 0.05%, respectively, under which the product yield was as high as 89.7%. The enzyme operational stability study showed that thermolysin retained 51.5% of its initial activity for the synthesis of IP (even after repeated use for 72h). Moreover, test results showed that the emulsifying capacity and emulsion stability of IP are 107.5mL oil/g ester and 16.3%, respectively.

Sucrose esters as biocompatible surfactants for penetration enhancement: An insight into the mechanism of penetration enhancement studied using stratumcorneum model lipids and Langmuir monolayers

Up to now, the molecular mechanism of the penetration enhancing effect of sucrose esters (SEs) on stratumcorneum (SC) has not been explained in details. In this study, variety of surface sensitive techniques, including surface pressure-area (π-A) isotherms, infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM), have been used to investigate interactions between SEs and SC intercellular lipids. A monolayer of the mixture of ceramide AS C18:18, stearic acid and cholesterol in the molar ratio of 1:1:0.7 on an aqueous subphase is a good model to mimic a single layer of intercellular SC lipids. The π-A isotherms of mixed monolayers and parameters derived from the curves demonstrated the interaction between nonionic surfactants such as SEs and SC lipids. With increasing SE concentration, the resultant monolayer films became more fluid and better compressible. IRRAS measurements showed that SEs disordered the acyl chains of SC lipids, and the BAM images demonstrated the modification of the domain structures in SC monolayers. Longer chain-SE has a stronger disordering effect and is better miscible with ceramides in comparison to SE with a shorter hydrophobic part. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the disordering effect of SEs on the biomimetic SC model, pointing out that small changes in the structure of surfactant may have a strong influence on a penetration enhancement of lipophilic drugs through intercellular lipids of skin.

Catalytic Synthesis of a New Series of Alkyl Uronates and Evaluation of Their Physicochemical Properties

Large quantities (>3 g) of a new series of alkyl uronates were synthesized in two steps from commercial methyl hexopyranosides. Firstly, several tens of grams of free methyl α-d-glucopyranoside were selectively and quantitatively oxidized into corresponding sodium uronate using 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy free radical (TEMPO)-catalyzed oxidation. Hydrophobic chains of different length were then introduced by acid-mediated esterification with fatty alcohols (ethyl to lauryl alcohol) leading to the desired alkyl glucuronates with moderate to good yields (49%–72%). The methodology was successfully applied to methyl α-d-mannopyranoside and methyl β-d-galactopyranoside. Physicochemical properties, such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), equilibrium surface tension at CMC (γ_cmc), solubility, and Krafft temperature were measured, and the effect of structural modifications on surface active properties and micelle formation was discussed.

An Overview of Novel Surfactants for Formulation of Cosmetics with Certain Emphasis on Acidic Active Substances

Novel surfactants which are nowadays available for incorporation into various formulations of personal care and cosmetic products are numerous, implying a permanent need for their classification. This overview provides essential information relating to synthesis, basic physicochemical characteristics, application and other relevant data on surfactants currently used in cosmetic products. In the second part of the paper an outline of acidic active substances with significant application in cosmetic products is given, as well as the problems that arise during preparation/manufacture of the containing formulations, accompanied with the review of scientific publications and other available reliable data dealing with the incorporation of these actives in the cosmetic formulations stabilized with novel (mainly natural) surfactants.