Highly Stable and Fine-Textured Hybrid Microspheres for Entrapment of Cosmetic Active Ingredients

Hybrid protein microspheres and their responsive release behaviors and inhibitory effects on melanin synthesis

In this study, the formation of protein microspheres through lysosomal enzyme-assisted biomineralized crystallization was demonstrated. Spherical micro-sized hybrid CaCO3 constructs were synthesized and characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and particle size analysis. Additionally, parameters such as the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area and single-point total pore volume, and adsorption/desorption analysis were used to investigate the mesoporous properties, which are advantageous for lysosomal enzyme (LE) loading. A LE can be used as an organic template, not only as a morphological controller but also for entrapping LE during the crystallization pathway. The hybrid protein microspheres accommodated 2.3 mg of LE with a 57% encapsulation efficiency and 5.1 wt% loading. The peroxidase activity of the microspheres was calculated and found to be approximately 0.0238 mM-1 min-1. pH-responsive release of the LE from CaCO3 was observed, suggesting potential biomedical and cosmetic applications in acidic environments. The hybrid LE microsphere treatment significantly alleviated melanin production in a dose-dependent manner and further downregulated the mRNA expression of MITF, tyrosinase, TYRP-1, and TYRP-2. These results indicate skin-whitening effects by inhibiting melanin without inducing cytotoxicity. The data provide the first evidence of the potential use of a LE for obtaining hybrid minerals and the effectiveness of biomineralization-based sustainable delivery of enzyme-based vehicles based on organelle-extract-assisted biomineralization.

Single Infrared Spectrum Enables Simultaneous Identification of (Bio)Chemical Nature and Particle Size of Microorganisms and Synthetic Microplastic Beads

Populations of nearly identical chemical and biological microparticles include the synthetic microbeads used in cosmetic, biomedical, agri-food, and pharmaceutical industries as well as the class of living microorganisms such as yeast, pollen, and biological cells. Herein, we identify simultaneously the size and chemical nature of spherical microparticle populations with diameters larger than 1 μm. Our analysis relies on the extraction of both physical and chemical signatures from the same optical spectrum recorded using attenuated total reflection (ATR)-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. These signatures are the spectral resonances caused by the microparticles, which depend on their size and the absorption peaks revealing their chemical nature. We validate the method first on separated and mixed groups of spherical microplastic particles of two different diameters, where the method is used to calculate the diameter of the microspherical particles. Then, we apply the method to correctly identify and measure the diameter of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells. Theoretical simulations to help in understanding the effect of size distribution and dispersion support our results.

Curcumin: Modern Applications for a Versatile Additive

The recent development of several methods for extracting curcumin from the root of the plant Curcuma longa has led to intensified research on the properties of curcumin and its fields of application. Following the studies and the accreditation of curcumin as a natural compound with antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, new fields of application have been developed in two main directions—food and medical, respectively. This review paper aims to synthesize the fields of application of curcumin as an additive for the prevention of spoilage, safety, and quality of food. Simultaneously, it aims to present curcumin as an additive in products for the prevention of bacterial infections and health care. In both cases, the types of curcumin formulations in the form of (nano)emulsions, (nano)particles, or (nano)composites are presented, depending on the field and conditions of exploitation or their properties to be used. The diversity of composite materials that can be designed, depending on the purpose of use, leaves open the field of research on the conditioning of curcumin. Various biomaterials active from the antibacterial and antibiofilm point of view can be intuited in which curcumin acts as an additive that potentiates the activities of other compounds or has a synergistic activity with them.