Engineering Lipase Enzyme Nano-powder Using Nano Spray Dryer BÜCHI B-90: Experimental and Factorial Design Approach for a Stable Biocatalyst Production

Development of a proliposomal pretomanid dry powder inhaler as a novel alternative approach for combating pulmonary tuberculosis

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) continue as public health concerns. Inhaled drug therapy for TB has substantial benefits in combating the causal agent of TB (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Pretomanid is a promising candidate in an optional combined regimen for XDR-TB. Pretomanid has demonstrated high potency against M. tuberculosis in both the active and latent phases. Conventional spray drying was used to formulate pretomanid as dry powder inhalers (DPIs) for deep lung delivery using a proliposomal system with a trehalose coarse excipient to enhance the drug solubility. Co-spray drying with L-leucine protected hygroscopic trehalose in formulations and improved powder aerosolization. Higher amounts of L-leucine (40-50 % w/w) resulted in the formation of mesoporous particles with high percentages of drug content and entrapment efficiency. The aerosolized powders demonstrated both geometric and median aerodynamic diameters < 5 µm with > 90 % emitted dose and > 50 % fine particle fraction. Upon reconstitution in simulated physiological fluid, the proliposomes completely converted to liposomes, exhibiting suitable particle sizes (130-300 nm) with stable colloids and improving drug solubility, leading to higher drug dissolution compared to the drug alone. Inhalable pretomanid showed higher antimycobacterial activity than pretomanid alone. The formulations were safe for all broncho-epithelial cell lines and alveolar macrophages, thus indicating their potential suitability for DPIs targeting pulmonary TB.

Microencapsulation of roasted mate tea extractives with lasiodiplodan (a (1 → 6)-β-D-glucan) and maltodextrin as combined coating materials: A strategic tool to stabilize and protect the bioactive components

Microencapsulation has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the stability and protection of bioactive compounds. In this work, roasted mate tea was microencapsulated using 15 % maltodextrin and lasiodiplodan (0.5-1.25 %) as wall coating materials. The microcapsules were characterized for encapsulation efficiency, hygroscopicity, moisture, water activity, water solubility, dissolubility, scanning electron microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, colorimetry, antioxidant activity, as well as quantification of phenolic compounds and caffeine. Microencapsulation yields ranged from 44.92 to 56.39 %, and encapsulation efficiency varied from 66.54 to 70.16 by increasing the lasiodiplodan concentration. FT-IR revealed phenolic acids, flavonoids, and polyphenolics. Minor color variations were observed among the samples. Thermal analysis demonstrated the microencapsulates exhibited good thermal stability with no degradation below 250 °C. Encapsulated samples showed high levels of bioactive compounds, suggesting that microencapsulation by spray-drying was a favorable process, where maltodextrin, a low-cost protective agent, when combined with the properties of lasiodiplodan, can be a good option for stabilizing mate extracts.

Inhalable solid lipid nanoparticles of levofloxacin for potential tuberculosis treatment

Delivering novel antimycobacterial agents through the pulmonary route using nanoparticle-based systems shows promise for treating diseases like tuberculosis. However, creating dry powder inhaler (DPI) with suitable aerodynamic characteristics while preserving nanostructure integrity and maintaining bioactivity until the active ingredient travels deeply into the lungs is a difficult challenge. We developed DPI formulations containing levofloxacin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) via spray-drying technique with tailored aerosolization characteristics for effective inhalation therapy. A range of biophysical techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to measure the morphologies and sizes of the spray-dried microparticles that explored both the geometric and aerodynamic properties. Spray drying substantially reduced the particle sizes of the SLNs while preserving their nanostructural integrity and enhancing aerosol dispersion with efficient mucus penetration. Despite a slower uptake rate compared to plain SLNs, the polyethylene glycol modified formulations exhibited enhanced cellular uptake in both A549 and NR8383 cell lines. The percent viability of Mycobacterium bovis had dropped to nearly 0 % by day 5 for both types of SLNs. Interestingly, the levofloxacin-loaded SLNs demonstrated a lower minimum bactericidal concentration (0.25 µg/mL) compared with pure levofloxacin (1 µg/mL), which indicated the formulations have potential as effective treatments for tuberculosis.

Optimization of catalytic properties of Mucor racemosus lipase through immobilization in a biocompatible alginate gelatin hydrogel matrix for free fatty acid production: a sustainable robust biocatalyst for ultrasound-assisted olive oil hydrolysis

Immobilization is a key technology that improves the operational stability of enzymes. In this study, alginate-gelatin (Alg-Gel) hydrogel matrix was synthesized and used as immobilization support for Mucor racemosus lipase (Lip). Enzyme catalyzed ultrasound-assisted hydrolysis of olive oil was also investigated. Alg-Gel matrix exhibited high entrapment efficiency (94.5%) with a degradation rate of 42% after 30 days. The hydrolysis of olive oil using Alg-Gel-Lip increased significantly (P < 0.05) as compared to free Lip. Optimum pH and temperature were determined as pH 5.0 and 40 °C, respectively. The Vmax values for free and immobilized Lip were determined to be 5.5 mM and 5.8 mM oleic acid/min/ml, respectively, and the Km values were 2.2 and 2.58 mM/ml respectively. Thermal stability was highly improved for Alg-Gel-Lip (t1/2 650 min and Ed 87.96 kJ/mol) over free Lip (t1/2 150 min and Ed 23.36 kJ/mol). The enzymatic activity of Alg-Gel-Lip was preserved at 96% after four consecutive cycles and 90% of the initial activity after storage for 60 days at 4 °C. Alg-Gel-Lip catalyzed olive oil hydrolysis using ultrasound showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in hydrolysis rate compared to free Lip (from 0.0 to 58.2%, within the first 2 h). In contrast to traditional methodology, using ultrasonic improved temperature-dependent enzymatic catalyzed reactions and delivered greater reaction yields. Results suggest that Alg-Gel-Lip biocatalyst has great industrial application potential, particularly for free fatty acid production. In addition, the combined use of enzyme and ultrasound has the potential of eco-friendly technology.

Development of a Spray-Dried Formulation of Peptide-DNA Nanoparticles into a Dry Powder for Pulmonary Delivery Using Factorial Design

BACKGROUND

Gene therapy via pulmonary delivery holds the potential to treat various lung pathologies. To date, spray drying has been the most promising method to produce inhalable powders. The present study determined the parameters required to spray dry nanoparticles (NPs) that contain the delivery peptide, termed RALA (N-WEARLARALARALARHLARALARALRACEA-C), complexed with plasmid DNA into a dry powder form designed for inhalation.

METHODS

The spray drying process was optimised using full factorial design with 19 randomly ordered experiments based on the combination of four parameters and three centre points per block. Specifically, mannitol concentration, inlet temperature, spray rate, and spray frequency were varied to observe their effects on process yield, moisture content, a median of particle size distribution, Z-average, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency of DNA NPs, and DNA recovery. The impact of mannitol concentration was also examined on the spray-dried NPs and evaluated via biological functionality in vitro.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that mannitol concentration was the strongest variable impacting all responses apart from encapsulation efficiency. All measured responses demonstrated a strong dependency on the experimental variables. Furthermore, spray drying with the optimal variables in combination with a low mannitol concentration (1% and 3%, w/v) produced functional RALA/pDNA NPs.

CONCLUSION

The optimal parameters have been determined to spray dry RALA/pDNA NPs into an dry powder with excellent biological functionality, which have the potential to be used for gene therapy applications via pulmonary delivery.

Antioxidant-biocompatible and stable catalase-based gelatin-alginate hydrogel scaffold with thermal wound healing capability: immobilization and delivery approach

Hydrogel-based matrix prepared using biopolymers is a new frontier of emerging platforms for enzyme immobilization for biomedical applications. Catalase (CAT) delivery can be effective in inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated prolongation of the wound healing process. In this study, to improve CAT stability for effective application, gelatin(Gel)–alginate (Alg) biocompatible hydrogel (Gel–Alg), as immobilization support, was prepared using calcium chloride as an ionic cross-linker. High entrapment efficiency of 92% was obtained with 2% Gel and 1.5% Alg. Hydrogel immobilized CAT (CAT–Gel–Alg) showed a wide range of pH from 4 to 9 and temperature stability between 20 to 60 °C, compared to free CAT. CAT–Gel–Alg kinetic parameters revealed an increased K_m (24.15 mM) and a decreased V_max (1.39 µmol H₂O₂/mg protein min) × 10⁴. CAT–Gel–Alg retained 52% of its original activity after 20 consecutive catalytic runs and displayed improved thermal stability with a higher t_1/2 value (half-life of 100.43 vs. 46 min). In addition, 85% of the initial activity was maintained after 8 weeks’ storage at 4 °C. At 24 h after thermal injury, a statistically significant difference in lesion sizes between the treated group and the control group was reported. Finally, our findings suggest that the superior CAT–Gel–Alg stability and reusability are resonant features for efficient biomedical applications, and ROS scavenging by CAT in the post-burn phase offers protection for local treatment of burned tissues with encouraging wound healing kinetics.

The Tiny Big World of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: An Updated Review

Nanotechnology is currently a field of endeavor that has reached a maturation phase beyond the initial hypotheses with an undercurrent challenge to optimize the safety, and scalability for production and clinical trials. Lipid-based nanoparticles (LNP), namely solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid (NLC), carriers are presently among the most attractive and fast-growing areas of research. SLN and NLC are safe, biocompatible nanotechnology-enabled platforms with ubiquitous applications. This review presents a modern vision that starts with a brief description of characteristics, preparation strategies, and composition ingredients, benefits, and limitations. Next, a discussion of applications and functionalization approaches for the delivery of therapeutics via different routes of delivery. Additionally, the review presents a concise perspective into limitations and future advances. A brief recap on the prospects of molecular dynamics simulations in better understanding NP bio-interface interactions is provided. Finally, the alliance between 3D printing and nanomaterials is presented here as well.

Biotechnology approach using watermelon rind for optimization of α-amylase enzyme production from Trichoderma virens using response surface methodology under solid-state fermentation

Production of amylases by fungi under solid-state fermentation is considered the best methodology for commercial scaling that addresses the ever-escalating needs of the worldwide enzyme market. Here response surface methodology (RSM) was used for the optimization of process variables for α-amylase enzyme production from Trichoderma virens using watermelon rinds (WMR) under solid-state fermentation (SSF). The statistical model included four variables, each detected at two levels, followed by model development with partial purification and characterization of α-amylase. The partially purified α-amylase was characterized with regard to optimum pH, temperature, kinetic constant, and substrate specificity. The results indicated that both pH and moisture content had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on α-amylase production (880 U/g) under optimized process conditions at a 3-day incubation time, moisture content of 50%, 30 °C, and pH 6.98. Statistical optimization using RSM showed R² values of 0.9934, demonstrating the validity of the model. Five α-amylases were separated by using DEAE-Sepharose and characterized with a wide range of optimized pH values (pH 4.5-9.0), temperature optima (40-60 °C), low Km values (2.27-3.3 mg/mL), and high substrate specificity toward large substrates. In conclusion, this study presents an efficient and green approach for utilization of agro-waste for production of the valuable α-amylase enzyme using RSM under SSF. RSM was particularly beneficial for the optimization and analysis of the effective process parameters.

Nanoparticles in nanomedicine: a comprehensive updated review on current status, challenges and emerging opportunities

The fast progress in nanomedicine and nanoparticles (NP) materials presents unconventional solutions which are expected to revolutionise health care with great potentials including, enhanced efficacy, bioavailability, drug targeting, and safety. This review provides a comprehensive update on widely used organic and inorganic NP with emphasis on the recent development, challenges and future prospective for bio applications where, further investigations into innovative synthesis methodologies, properties and applications of NP would possibly reveal new improved biomedical relevance. NP exhibits exceptional physical and chemical properties due to their high surface area to volume ratio and nanoscale size, which led to breakthroughs in therapeutic, diagnostic and screening techniques repeated line. Finally, an update of FDA-approved NP is explored where innovative design engineering allowed a paradigmatic shift in their market share. This review would serve as a discerning comprehensive source of information for learners who are seeking a cutting-edge review but have been astounded by the size of publications.