Chloroform-Injection (CI) and Spontaneous-Phase-Transition (SPT) Are Novel Methods, Simplifying the Fabrication of Liposomes with Versatile Solution to Cholesterol Content and Size Distribution.

Intricate formulation methods and/or the use of sophisticated equipment limit the prevalence of liposomal dosage-forms. Simple techniques are developed to assemble amphiphiles into globular lamellae while transiting from the immiscible organic to the aqueous phase. Various parameters are optimized by injecting chloroform solution of amphiphiles into the aqueous phase and subsequent removal of the organic phase. Further simplification is achieved by reorienting amphiphiles through a spontaneous phase transition in a swirling biphasic system during evaporation of the organic phase under vacuum. Although the chloroform injection yields smaller Z-average and poly-dispersity-index the spontaneous phase transition method overrides simplicity and productivity. The increasing solid/solvent ratios results in higher Z-average and broader poly-dispersity-index of liposomes under a given set of experimental conditions, and vice versa. Surface charge dependent large unilamellar vesicles with a narrow distribution have poly-dispersity-index < 0.4 in 10 µM saline. As small and monodisperse liposomes are prerequisites in targeted drug delivery strategies, hence the desired Z-average < 200 d.nm and poly-dispersity-index < 0.15 is obtained through the serial membrane-filtration method. Phosphatidylcholine/water 4 µmol/mL is achieved at a temperature of 10°C below the phase-transition temperature of phospholipids, ensuring suitability for thermolabile entities and high entrapment efficiency. Both methods furnish the de-novo rearrangement of amphiphiles into globular lamellae, aiding in the larger entrapped volume. The immiscible organic phase benefits from its faster and complete removal from the final product. High cholesterol content (55.6 mol%) imparts stability in primary hydration medium at 5 ± 3 °C for 6 months in light-protected type-1 glass vials. Collectively, the reported methods are novel, scalable and time-efficient, yielding high productivity in simple equipment.

Antibacterial behaviour of surface modified composite polyamide nanofiltration (NF) membrane by immobilizing Ag-doped TiO2 nanoparticles.

Modification of active membrane surface is an auspicious way to enhance the membrane performance. In our study, a commercially available composite polyamide Nanofiltration (NF) membrane was modified by immobilizing silver doped TiO2 (Ag-TiO2) nanoparticles. Ag-TiO2 with different nanoparticles concentration (0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 wt. %) were coated on the surface of the membrane by a dip coating method. The evidence of successful coating was evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy images. Moreover, the Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), contact angle measurement and permeation tests were carried out in order to evaluate the membrane performance after coating. The antifouling property of the modified membrane was evaluated for Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria by colony counting method. The results indicated that the modified membranes keep efficient antibacterial efficacy against both types of bacteria. The bacterial growth reduced approximately 93% and 91% on the modified membrane as compared to the unmodified membrane for E.coli and B.subtilis, respectively. Ag-TiO2 nanoparticles imbedded nanofiltration membranes inhibit the biofilm formation and facilitate in cleaning membrane surface without using excessive chemical agents.

Chemical sensing of Benzo[a]pyrene using Corchorus depressus fluorescent flavonoids.

Plant phytochemicals, such as flavonoids are in use for the development of optical biosensor. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), is a pervasive environmental and dietary carcinogen. A fluorescent assay is developed using plant isolated flavonoid for the detection of B[a]P. High content saponins are excluded from the flavonoid-containing methanolic extract of Corchorus depressus by implying reduction of silver ions by saponins resulting in formation of silver nanoparticles. Isolated plant flavonoids are used to develop a spectrofluorometric assay for the detection of B[a]P. Decrease in the flavonoid fluorescence intensity by B[a]P is found to be based on both static and dynamic quenching. Specificity of the assay for B[a]P was tested for other carcinogens belonging to different classes of compounds. Flavonoids-mediated sensing can be implied for the development of new generation of nanoparticle-based biosensors that can be more sensitive and less susceptible to external factors, such as temperature and humidity.

Management of citrus waste by switching in the production of nanocellulose.

Citrus fruit processing industries produce a vast quantity of waste materials as peel and pulp that are not handled properly. In present study, waste generated from citrus has been used for extraction of cellulose and nanocellulose. The aggregated cellulose, derived after alkaline treatment, was acid hydrolysed; resulted in reduction of the size of cellulose fibre. The cellulose showed amorphous structure revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Scanning electron microscopy analysis explained densely packed structure of nanocellulose. High magnification revealed break points in cellulose fibre due to acidic treatment; looked like carbon nanotubes. The simple solubility test demonstrated that different solvents had different effects on the dissolution of nanocellulose. The study reveals that citrus peel is also a good candidate of cellulose that can be utilised for different applications.