Effect of Ionic and Non-Ionic Surfactant on Bovine Serum Albumin Encapsulation and Biological Properties of Emulsion-Electrospun Fibers

Ultrasensitive Nanofiber Biosensor: Rapid In Situ Chromatic Detection of Bacteria for Healthcare Innovation

Rapid detection of bacterial presence in skin wounds is crucial to prevent the transition from acute to chronic wounds and the onset of systemic infections. Current methods for detecting infections, particularly at low concentrations (<1.0 × 105 CFU/cm2), often require complex technologies and direct sampling, which can be invasive and time-consuming. Addressing this gap, we introduce a colorimetric nanofibrous biosensor enabling real-time in situ monitoring of bacterial concentrations in wounds. This biosensor employs a colorimetric hemicyanine dye (HCy) probe, which changes color in response to bacterial lipase, a common secretion in infected wounds. To enhance the biosensor's sensitivity, we incorporated two key materials science strategies: aligning the nanofibers to promote efficient bacterial attachment and localization and integrating Tween 80, a surfactant, within the nanofiber matrix. This combination of physical and chemical cues results in a notable increase in lipase activity. The cross-aligned core-shell nanofibers, embedded with Tween 80 and HCy, demonstrate an immediate and distinct color change when exposed to as low as 3.0 × 104 CFU/cm2 of common pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and MRSA. Significantly, the presence of Tween 80 amplifies the colorimetric response, making visual detection more straightforward and four times more pronounced. Our nanobiosensor design facilitates the detection of low-concentration bacterial infections in situ without the need to remove wound dressings. This advancement marks a significant step forward in real-time wound monitoring, offering a practical tool for the early detection of clinical bacterial infections.

Regulation of the colon-targeted release rate of lactoferrin by constructing hydrophobic ethyl cellulose/pectin composite nanofibrous carrier and its effect on anti-colon cancer activity

In order to modify colonic release behavior of lactoferrin (Lf), a hydrophobic composite nanofibrous carrier (CNC) was constructed by emulsion coaxial electrospinning. Ethylcellulose/pectin based water-in-oil emulsion and Lf-contained polyvinyl alcohol solution were used as shell and core fluids, respectively. An electrospinning diagram was first constructed to screen out suitable viscosity (51-82 cP) and conductivity (960-1300 μS/cm) of the dispersed phase of pectin solution for successful electrospinning of shell emulsion. Varying mass fraction of pectin solution (5 %-20 %) of shell emulsion during emulsion coaxial electrospinning obtained CNCs with different micro-structures, labeled as 5&95 CNC, 10&90 CNC, 15&85 CNC, 20&80 CNC. These CNCs all achieved colonic delivery of Lf (>95 %), and the time for complete release of Lf in simulated colon fermentation process were 10, 7, 5 and 3 h, respectively. That is, the greater the pectin content in CNC, the faster the release rate of stabilized Lf in colon. Lf release in simulated colon fermentation fluid involved complex mechanisms, in which diffusion release of Lf was dominant. Increasing colonic release rate of Lf enhanced its regulation effect on the expression levels of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis-related protein and promote its effective inhibition on the proliferation of HCT116 cell.

Electrospinning technologies for the delivery of Biopharmaceuticals: Current status and future trends

This review provides an in-depth exploration of electrospinning techniques employed to produce micro- or nanofibres of biopharmaceuticals using polymeric solutions or melts with high-voltage electricity. Distinct from prior reviews, the current work narrows its focus on the recent developments and advanced applications in biopharmaceutical formulations. It begins with an overview of electrospinning principles, covering both solution and melt modes. Various methods for incorporating biopharmaceuticals into electrospun fibres, such as surface adsorption, blending, emulsion, co-axial, and high-throughput electrospinning, are elaborated. The review also surveys a wide array of biopharmaceuticals formulated through electrospinning, thereby identifying both opportunities and challenges in this emerging field. Moreover, it outlines the analytical techniques for characterizing electrospun fibres and discusses the legal and regulatory requirements for their production. This work aims to offer valuable insights into the evolving realm of electrospun biopharmaceutical delivery systems.

Adsorption and volumetric properties of some nonionic surfactants and their mixtures with quercetin and rutin

The adsorption and volumetric properties of the Triton X-114 (TX114), Tween 80 (T80), quercetin (Q) and rutin (Ru) at the different temperatures in relation to above properties of the TX114 and T80 mixtures with quercetin and rutin in the absence and presence of alcohol were discussed based on the studies reported in the literature. The adsorption isotherms of the mixtures of the nonionic surfactants with flavonoids in the presence and absence of alcohol were analyzed based on the isotherms of the surface tension of the particular mixture components and thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption of these components at the water-air interface. The surface tension isotherms of the particular component of the mixtures were taken into account while considering the surface tension isotherms of the mixtures and the composition of the mixed surface layer at the water-air interface. Different ways of the mixed surface layer composition determination were shown. The values of the surface tension and composition of the mixed surface layers obtained using different methods were discussed in the light of the intermolecular interactions and their contribution to the surface tension of the surfactants mixture with flavonoids and alcohol. The composition of the mixed monolayer and the bulk phase were compared and the differences between them were explained. The behaviour of the nonionic surfactants and flavonoids in the presence and absence of alcohol was analyzed in relation to the micelle formations and molar volumes of the mixtures and their components. Moreover, the micelles composition and their size as well as the thermodynamic parameters of the micellization process were analyzed.