Development and Physicochemical Properties of Low Saturation Alternative Fat for Whipping Cream.

We developed an alternative whipping cream fat using shea butter but with low saturation. Enriched stearic-oleic-stearic (SOS) solid fat was obtained from shea butter via solvent fractionation. Acyl migration reactant, which mainly contains asymmetric SSO triacylglycerol (TAG), was prepared through enzymatic acyl migration to obtain the creaming quality derived from the ß'-crystal form. Through enzymatic acyl migration, we obtained a 3.4-fold higher content of saturated-saturated-unsaturated (SSU) TAG than saturated-unsaturated-saturated (SUS) TAG. The acyl migration reactant was refined to obtain refined acyl migration reactant (RAMR). An alternative fat product was prepared by blending RAMR and hydrogenated palm kernel oil (HPKO) at a ratio of 4:6 (w/w). The melting points, solid fat index (SFI), and melting curves of the alternative products were similar to those of commercial whipping cream fat. The alternative fat had a content of total unsaturated fatty acids 20% higher than that of HPKO. The atherogenic index (AI) of alternative fat was 3.61, much lower than those of whipping cream fat (14.59) and HPKO (1220.3), because of its low atherogenic fatty acid content and high total unsaturated fatty acids. The polymorphic crystal form determined by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy showed that the ß'-crystal form was predominant. Therefore, the alternative fat is comparable with whipping cream that requires creaming quality, and has a reduced saturated fat content.

Anti-trypanosomal and anthelminthic properties of ethanol and aqueous extracts of Tetrapleura tetraptera Taub.

Trypanosomosis and helminthosis, considered as part of neglected tropical diseases, are parasitic infections of public health importance, especially in Africa. Medicinal plants have been used in most parts of Africa, to treat these parasitic infections. The study aims to determine the anti-trypanosomal and anthelminthic properties of Tetrapleura tetraptera (fruit and stembark). The aqueous extracts of T. tetraptera fruit (TTFaq) and stembark (TTSaq), as well as ethanol extracts of T. tetraptera fruit (TTFe) and stembark (TTSe), were screened for their in vitro anti-trypanosomal and anthelminthic activities against T. b. brucei and Pheretima posthuma worms, respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening of all extracts and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of most active extracts were conducted. TTFaq exhibited anti-trypanosomal activity with IC50 of 18.18 µg/mL. TTSe and TTFe had moderate anti-trypanosomal activity with IC50 of 34.76 and 34.84 µg/mL, respectively. TTSaq had relatively low activity against the parasite with IC50 of 55.03 µg/mL. The SI of T. tetraptera extracts was between the range of 0.14-2.09. TTFaq showed dose-dependent activity causing paralysis and death of the adult worms at all concentrations. At the least concentration of 0.625 mg/mL, TTFaq induced paralysis and death after 101.88 ± 0.8 and 242.64 ± 0.38 min of exposure, respectively compared with the negative control (p < 0.0001). TTFe, TTSe and TTSaq caused paralysis of worms after 318.32 ± 0.74, 422.5 ± 0.72, 422.20 ± 0.55 min of exposure at minimum concentrations of 2.5, 10 and 5 mg/mL, respectively (p < 0.0001). However, no death was observed in worms treated with TTFe, TTSe and TTSaq at all test concentrations. In the presence of sub-minimal inhibitory concentration of the extracts, TTFaq potentiated the anthelminthic activity of albendazole whiles TTFe, TTSaq and TTSe inhibited the activity of albendazole. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, triterpenoids, reducing sugars, flavonoids (absent in TTFe), steroids (absent in TTFaq) and tannins (absent in TTSe and TTFe) in the extracts. GC-MS revealed the presence of 9-octadecenamide and betulic acid in TTFaq. Hence, there was evidence provided here that Tetrapleura tetraptera may be effective. This gives credence to their folkloric use. However, further study might be necessary to ascertain safety use in both humans and animals.

Macrocystis pyrifera Extract Residual as Nutrient Source for the Production of Sophorolipids Compounds by Marine Yeast Rhodotorula rubra.

Seaweed processing generates liquid fraction residual that could be used as a low-cost nutrient source for microbial production of metabolites. The Rhodotorula strain is able to produce antimicrobial compounds known as sophorolipids. Our aim was to evaluate sophorolipid production, with antibacterial activity, by marine Rhodotorula rubra using liquid fraction residual (LFR) from the brown seaweed Macrocystis pyrifera as the nutrient source. LFR having a composition of 32% w/w carbohydrate, 1% w/w lipids, 15% w/w protein and 52% w/w ash. The best culture condition for sophorolipid production was LFR 40% v/v, without yeast extract, artificial seawater 80% v/v at 15 °C by 3 growth days, with the antibacterial activity of 24.4 ± 3.1 % on Escherichia coli and 21.1 ± 3.8 % on Staphylococcus aureus. It was possible to identify mono-acetylated acidic and methyl ester acidic sophorolipid. These compounds possess potential as pathogen controllers for application in the food industry.

Enhancement of sophorolipids production in Candida batistae, an unexplored sophorolipids producer, by fed-batch fermentation.

Sophorolipids (SLs) from Candida batistae has a unique structure that contains ω-hydroxy fatty acids, which can be used as a building block in the polymer and fragrance industries. To improve the production of this industrially important SLs, we optimized the culture medium of C. batistae for the first time. Using an optimized culture medium composed of 50 g/L glucose, 50 g/L rapeseed oil, 5 g/L ammonium nitrate and 5 g/L yeast extract, SLs were produced at a concentration of 24.1 g/L in a flask culture. Sophorolipids production increased by about 19% (28.6 g/L) in a fed-batch fermentation using a 5 L fermentor. Sophorolipids production more increased by about 121% (53.2 g/L), compared with that in a flask culture, in a fed-batch fermentation using a 50 L fermentor, which was about 787% higher than that of the previously reported SLs production (6 g/L). These results indicate that a significant increase in C. batistae-derived SLs production can be achieved by optimization of the culture medium composition and fed-batch fermentation. Finally, we successfully separated and purified the SLs from the culture medium. The improved production of SLs from C. batistae in this study will help facilitate the successful development of applications for the SLs.

Sustainable and Green Synthesis of Stanol Esters from Oil Wastes.

The recombinant lipase ofOphiostoma piceae (OPEr) is characterized by its prominent sterol esterase activity. The protein was immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles, giving four enzyme variants that have been tested in solvent-free transesterification of methyl oleate and sitostanol. The yields of stanol esters reached 85%, and the catalysts can be reused. Stanol esters were also obtained in a two-step cascade reaction; a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters was enzymatically synthesized from cooking oil wastes and then used for stanol transesterification. An 85% conversion was achieved in 2 h from the second cycle onward, maintaining the activity over 5 cycles. The biocatalysts can be safely used since they don't release toxic compounds for HeLa and A549 cell lines. These procedures comply with the principles of green chemistry and contribute to the sustainable production of these nutraceuticals from secondary raw materials, like the lipid fraction from industrial or agricultural residues.

A novel sophorolipid-producing Candida keroseneae GBME-IAUF-2 as a potential agent in microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR).

The biosurfactants have extensive applications in food and petroleum microbiology. The aims of this research were isolation and characterization of thermo-tolerant biosurfactants from highly producing yeast strains. The Bushnell Hass medium was used for screening the biosurfactant-producing yeasts. Biosurfactant presence was evaluated using oil displacement assay and surface tension test. The best biosurfactant-producing strain was named Candida keroseneae GBME-IAUF-2 and its 5.8s-rDNA sequence was deposited in GenBank, NCBI, under the accession number MT012957.1. The thin layer chromatography and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed that the extracted biosurfactant was sophorolipid with a significant surface activity. The purified sophorolipid decreased the surface tension of water from 72 to 29.1 mN/m. Its maximum emulsification index, E24%, was recorded as 60% and preserved 92.06-97.25% of its original activity at 110-120°C. It also preserved 89.11% and 84.73% of its original activity in pH of 9.3 and 10.5, respectively. It preserved 96.66-100% of its original activity in saline extreme conditions. This is the first report of sophorolipid production by the yeast C. keroseneae. According to the high thermal, pH and saline stability, the sophorolipid produced by C. keroseneae GBME-IAUF-2 could be highly recommended for applications in microbial enhanced oil recovery as well as food industries as an excellent emulsifying agent.

Design of high-oleic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) seed oil by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout of NtFAD2-2.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco seed oil could be used as an appropriate feedstock for biodiesel production. However, the high linoleic acid content of tobacco seed oil makes it susceptible to oxidation. Altering the fatty acid profile by increasing the content of oleic acid could improve the properties of biodiesel produced from tobacco seed oil. RESULTS: Four FAD2 genes, NtFAD2-1a, NtFAD2-1b, NtFAD2-2a, and NtFAD2-2b, were identified in allotetraploid tobacco genome. Phylogenetic analysis of protein sequences showed that NtFAD2-1a and NtFAD2-2a originated from N. tomentosiformis, while NtFAD2-1b and NtFAD2-2b from N. sylvestris. Expression analysis revealed that NtFAD2-2a and NtFAD2-2b transcripts were more abundant in developing seeds than in other tissues, while NtFAD2-1a and NtFAD2-1b showed low transcript levels in developing seed. Phylogenic analysis showed that NtFAD2-2a and NtFAD2-2b were seed-type FAD2 genes. Heterologous expression in yeast cells demonstrated that both NtFAD2-2a and NtFAD2-2b protein could introduce a double bond at the Δ12 position of fatty acid chain. The fatty acid profile analysis of tobacco fad2-2 mutant seeds derived from CRISPR-Cas9 edited plants showed dramatic increase of oleic acid content from 11% to over 79%, whereas linoleic acid decreased from 72 to 7%. In addition, the fatty acid composition of leaf was not affected in fad2-2 mutant plants. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that knockout of seed-type FAD2 genes in tobacco could significantly increase the oleic acid content in seed oil. This research suggests that CRISPR-Cas9 system offers a rapid and highly efficient method in the tobacco seed lipid engineering programs.

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities, Cytotoxicity of Acacia seyal Del Bark Extracts and Isolated Compounds.

Water extract of Acacia seyal bark is used traditionally by the population in Djibouti for its anti-infectious activity. The evaluation of in vitro antibacterial, antioxidant activities and cytotoxicity as well as chemical characterization of Acacia seyal bark water and methanolic extracts were presented. The water extract has a toxicity against the MRC-5 cells at 256 µg/mL while the methanolic extract has a weak toxicity at the same concentration. The methanolic extract has a strong antioxidant activity with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 150 ± 2.2 µg/mL using 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and IC50 of 27 ± 1.3 µg/mL using 2,2'-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical methods. For ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, the result is 45.74 ± 5.96 µg Vitamin C Equivalent (VCE)/g of dry weight (DW). The precipitation of tannins from methanol crude extract decreases the MIC from 64 µg/mL to 32 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and Corynebacterium urealyticum. However, the antioxidant activity is higher before tannins precipitation than after (IC50 = 150 µg/mL for methanolic crude extract and 250 µg/mL after tannins precipitation determined by DPPH method). By matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis, the results showed that the condensed tannins consist of two types of catechin and gallocatechin-based oligomers. The fractionation led to the identification of three pure compounds: two flavanols catechin and epicatechin; one triterpene as lupeol; and a mixture of three steroids and one fatty acid: campesterol, stigmasterol, clionasterol, and oleamide.

Drinkable lecithin nanovesicles to study the biological effects of individual hydrophobic macronutrients and food preferences.

Fundamental nutritional studies on bioactive molecules require minimizing exposure to confounding foreign elements, like solvents. Herein, aqueous formulations of lecithin nanovesicles are proposed to study three individual trans fatty acids relevant to human nutrition: elaidic acid, trans-vaccenic acid and trans-palmitoleic acid. This proof-of-concept study describes the encapsulation of fatty acids, in vivo bioavailability, and the use of nanovesicles in behavioral experiments. The oral bioavailability of the encapsulated molecules and the selective exposure of animals to each trans-fatty acid of interest were confirmed in healthy rats. Behavioral studies also evidenced that nanovesicles can be used to evaluate the palatability of the lipids and investigate food preferences in mice. Altogether this study shows that lecithin nanovesicles offer an elegant tool to efficiently deliver hydrophobic molecules to animal models. This approach paves the way for future studies deconvoluting the nutritional effects of trans-fatty acids.

Effects of sophorolipids on fungal and oomycete pathogens in relation to pH solubility.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of sophorolipids on several fungal and oomycete plant pathogens and the relationship between sophorolipids at different pH and antimicrobial activities. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sophorolipids had different solubility at different pH with a dramatic increase in solubility when pH was 6 or higher. Inhibition of mycelial growth of Phytophthora infestans by sophorolipids was affected by pH values, showing that when the pH value was higher, the inhibition rate was lower. Sophorolipids inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of several fungal and oomycete pathogens in vitro including Fusarium sp., F. oxysporum, F. concentricum, Pythium ultimum, Pyricularia oryzae, Rhizoctorzia solani, Alternaria kikuchiana, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici and P. infestans and caused morphological changes in hyphae by microscope observation. Sophorolipids reduced ß-1,3-glucanase activity in mycelia of P. infestans. In greenhouse studies, foliar application of sophorolipids at 3 mg ml-1 reduced severity of late blight of potato caused by P. infestans significantly. CONCLUSION: Sophorolipids influenced spore germination and hyphal tip growth of several plant pathogens and pH solubility of sophorolipids had an effect on their efficacy. Application of sophorolipids reduced late blight disease on potato under greenhouse conditions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The findings indicated that sophorolipids have the potential to be developed as a convenient and easy-to-use formulation for managing plant diseases.

Genetic determinates for conjugated linolenic acid production in Lactobacillus plantarum ZS2058.

AIMS: To investigate the genetic determinates for conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA) production in Lactobacillus plantarum ZS2058, a high CLNA producer. METHODS AND RESULTS: After culturing with α-linolenic acid (ALA) in the medium, the fatty acid compositions of supernatant fluid and cell pellets were analysed via GC-MS. cis9,trans11,cis15-CLNA was identified to be the predominant isomer. And during CLNA production, 10-hydroxy-cis12-cis15-octadecenoic acid (10-HOEA) and 10-oxo-cis12-cis15-octadecenoic acid (10-OXOA) were accumulated. The E. coli recombinants harbouring genes encoding myosin-cross-reactive antigen (MCRA), short-chain dehydrogenase/oxidoreductase (DH) and acetoacetate decarboxylase (DC), respectively, were analysed for their roles in CLNA production. The results indicated that MCRA converted ALA to 10-HOEA, following converted to 10-OXOA by DH. While with the combination of three recombinants, ALA could be transformed into CLNA plus 10-HOEA and 10-OXOA. When the three genes were deleted, none of the L. plantarum ZS2058 knockout mutants could produce any CLNA, after complementation, and all the complementary mutants recovered the CLNA-production ability at similar levels as the wild strain. CONCLUSIONS: Lactobacillus plantarum ZS2058 produced CLNA from ALA with 10-HOEA and 10-OXOA as intermediates. The triple-component isomerase of MCRA, DH and DC was the unique genetic determinant for CLNA generation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The current results firstly provided conclusive evidence that the triple-component isomerase complex was shared by both CLA and CLNA production in lactobacilli.

New Insight on the Study of the Kinetic of Biobased Polyurethanes Synthesis Based on Oleo-Chemistry.

Nowadays, polyols are basic chemicals for the synthesis of a large range of polymers, such as polyurethane foams (PUF), which are produced with several other compounds, such as polyisocyanates. During the last decades, the oleo-chemistry has developed several routes from glycerides to polyols for the polyurethanes (PU) industry to replace mainly conventional fossil-based polyols. A large range of biobased polyols can be now obtained by epoxidation of the double bonds and ring-opening (RO) of the subsequent epoxides with different chemical moieties. In preliminary studies, the RO kinetics of an epoxidized model molecule (methyl oleate) with ethanol and acetic acid were investigated. Subsequently, polyols that were derived from unsaturated triglycerides were explored in the frame of e.g., PUF formulations. Different associations were studied with different mono-alcohols derived from epoxidized and ring-opened methyl oleate while using several ring-openers to model such systems and for comparison purposes. Kinetic studies were realized with the pseudo-first-order principle, meaning that hydroxyls are in large excess when compared to the isocyanate groups. The rate of isocyanate consumption was found to be dependent on the moiety located in ß-position of the reactive hydroxyl, following this specific order: tertiary amine >> ether > ester. The tertiary amine in ß-position of the hydroxyl tremendously increases the reactivity toward isocyanate. Consequently, a biobased reactive polyurethane catalyst was synthesized from unsaturated glycerides. These approaches offer new insights regarding the replacement of current catalysts often harmful, pungent, and volatile used in PU and PUF industry, in order to revisit this chemistry.

Curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers prepared using Peceol™ and olive oil in photodynamic therapy: development and application in breast cancer cell line.

PURPOSE: To potentiate the anticancer activity of curcumin (CUR) by improving its cell penetration potentials through formulating it into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and using the prepared NLCs in photodynamic therapy. METHODS: A 3×4 factorial design was used to obtain 12 CUR-NLCs using two factors on different levels: (1) the solid lipid type at four levels and (2) the solid to liquid lipid ratio at three levels. Olive oil, Tween 80 and lecithin were chosen as liquid lipid, surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively. CUR-NLCs prepared by high shear hot homogenization method were evaluated by determination of particle size (PS), polydispersity index, zeta potential (ZP), entrapment efficiency percent, drug loading percent and in vitro drug release. Optimization was based on the evaluation results using response surface modeling (RSM). Optimized formulae were tested for their in vitro release pattern and for dark and photo-cytotoxic anticancer activity on breast cancer cell line in comparison to free CUR. RESULTS: Evaluation tests showed the appropriateness of NLCs prepared from glyceryl monooleate and Geleol™ helped choosing two optimized formulae, PE3 and GE3. PE3 (prepared using glyceryl monooleate) showed enhanced release rates compared to GE3 (prepared from Geleol) and superior cytotoxic anticancer activity compared to both GE3 and free CUR under both light and dark conditions. The small mean PS, spherical shape as well as the negative ZP enhanced the internalization of the NLCs within cells. Modulation and inhibition of P-glycoprotein expression by glyceryl monooleate synergized the cytotoxic activity of CUR. CONCLUSION: CUR loading in NLCs enhanced its cell penetration and cytotoxic anticancer properties both in dark and in light conditions.

Self-assembled CeVO4/Ag nanohybrid as photoconversion agents with enhanced solar-driven photocatalysis and NIR-responsive photothermal/photodynamic synergistic therapy performance.

The plasmonic cerium vanadate (CeVO4) semiconductor and plasmonic silver (Ag) metal exhibit a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect in the visible (Vis)-light region; however, weak absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region restricts their environmental remediation and biomedical application. Herein, CeVO4/Ag nanohybrids with self-assembled heterostructure and improved Vis/NIR light absorption were synthesized from CeVO4 nanosheets and AgNO3 solution, which could serve as potential solar-driven catalytic agents and near-infrared (NIR) light responsive anticancer agents. Oleic acid-stabilized CeVO4 nanosheets were modified with the HS-PEG1000-OH by the thiol-ene click reaction and presented self-assembly morphology in aqueous solution due to hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions. Sulfhydryl (-SH) groups provided stable sites for Ag+ ions on the surface of CeVO4, and Ag+ ions could be directly reduced by Ce3+ ions to form CeVO4/Ag heterojunction nanocrystals (NCs). Due to the higher absorption in the Vis/NIR light region than CeVO4 nanosheets, CeVO4/Ag NCs led to the improved solar light responsive photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes. Upon the exposure of these NCs to an 808 nm laser, CeVO4/Ag NCs show high photothermal conversion efficiency, ROS generation ability and photoacoustic (PA) signal for implementing PA imaging-guided photothermal/photodynamic synergistic cancer therapy with better tumor inhibition effect.

A Comprehensive Preclinical Evaluation of Intravenous Etoposide Lipid Emulsion.

PURPOSE: Etoposide is one of the principal chemotherapeutic agents used for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). There are some disadvantages of currently available etoposide injections (EI) such as low LD50, necessary dilution before clinical application, thus, etoposide lipid emulsion (ELE) was developed and expected to have a comparable or better effect on SCLC. METHODS: ELE was prepared through high-pressure homogenization method, and a series of evaluations such as encapsulation efficiency (EE%), in vitro release, stability studies, pharmacokinetics study, safety assessment and pharmacodynamic study were systematically performed. RESULTS: ELE had high EE% and good stability. Pharmacokinetics study revealed ELE had a longer T1/2 F compared with EI, which is in agreement with in vitro release in which ELE released slower than EI (EI released over 80% within 12 h, while ELE released 50%). Safety tests showed there was no hematology or significant tendency of accumulated toxicity, and LD50 of ELE was higher than EI. Furthermore, percentage of tumor inhibition (TI%) of ELE was comparable with EI in the same dose. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike EI, ELE could further increase the dose, which endowed etoposide with a greater potential for cytotoxic agent. LE is a promising delivery system for etoposide.

Improving the resolution of overlapping peaks by heartcut two-dimensional countercurrent chromatography with the same solvent system in both dimensions.

The countercurrent chromatographic (CCC) isolation of structurally related compounds with high chemical purity can be challenging, especially in the field of lipids, were the range of biphasic solvent systems is limited. In the past, special elution modes like recycling CCC or re-injection of pooled fractions into a subsequent CCC (off-line re-injection CCC) were applied successfully to improve the separation of interfering compounds. However, isolation of minor compounds is often hampered by overlapping major compounds in natural samples. In this study we used heartcut two-dimensional CCC (2D CCC) to transfer the analyte completely to the next dimension while the interfering compound was partly removed. This procedure not only reduced the amount of the interfering major compound but also its peak width by up to 20% in the second dimension despite the longer elution time. Since the same solvent system and coil dimensions were used in the second dimension, this positive effect was attributed to the "transfer volume" which can be compared to an injection volume into the second dimension. As a consequence, improved peak resolution was generally observed for peaks which were partly transferred to the next dimension. This unexpected beneficial effect of 2D CCC on peak resolution was demonstrated by means of two examples in comparison with CCC in recycling and off-line re-injection mode. Applying the same CCC conditions, heartcut 2D CCC yielded >14 mg of the pentacyclic triterpenol lupeol, isolated from the unsaponifiable matter of shea butter, while recycling CCC and one-dimensional CCC only yielded ∼5 and ∼1 mg, respectively. Moreover, the resolution of three different ergosterol derivates (ergosta-5,7-dienol, ergosta-7,22-dienol and ergost-7-enol) which were separated from the very abundant ergosterol in the unsaponifiable matter of freeze-dried button mushrooms could be improved with heartcut 2D CCC compared with off-line re-injection CCC.

NIR-triggered release of DOX from sophorolipid-coated mesoporous carbon nanoparticles with the phase-change material 1-tetradecanol to treat MCF-7/ADR cells.

To prevent premature drug release from nanoparticles, it is vital to design and prepare controlled and site-specific drug release systems. We investigated a new controllable drug release mesoporous carbon nanoparticle (MCN)-based nano-system with the advantages of enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR) to target tumors followed by the NIR-induced heat-triggered release of a chemotherapeutic drug to show anti-tumor effects. The pores of MCN with photo-thermal effects were filled with the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) and the phase change material (PCM) 1-tetradecanol was used as a gatekeeper to trap DOX inside the pores of the mesoporous carbon nanoparticles and the release of DOX inside tumor cells was triggered using NIR irradiation. The surface of MCN was coated with natural sophorolipid (SLPD) to obtain nanoparticles (DOX-PCM@MCN-SLPD) with good biocompatibility, dispersibility and stability in aqueous solutions. The MCN-based nano-system had the ability to load 24% DOX trapped with the PCM before coating with SLPD. It was observed that the release of DOX was temperature-dependent above the melting point of PCM. Once DOXPCM@MCN-SLPD was delivered into MCF-7/ADR cells, the release of DOX was triggered by MCN-borne photo-thermal effects under NIR irradiation. The amount of DOX inside the tumor was visualized via confocal laser scanning microscopy, which showed a higher amount of DOX at a higher temperature compared to that at normal body temperature, further confirming the minimization of premature drug release at 37 °C.

Synthesis of rigid polyurethane foams from phosphorylated biopolyols.

Renewable resources are playing a key role on the synthesis of biodegradable polyols. Moreover, the incorporation of covalently linked additives is increasing in importance in the polyurethane (PU) market. In this work, previously epoxidized grape seed oil and methyl oleate were transformed into phosphorylated biopolyols through an acid-catalyzed ring-opening hydrolysis in the presence of H3PO4. The formation of phosphate polyesters was confirmed by FT-IR and 31P-NMR. However, the synthesis of a high-quality PU rigid foam was not possible using exclusively these polyols attending to their low hydroxyl value. In that way, different rigid PU foams were prepared from the phosphorylated biopolyols and the commercial polyol Alcupol R4520. It was observed that phosphorylated biopolyols can be incorporated up to a 57 wt.% in the PU synthesis without significant structural changes with respect to the commercial foam. Finally, thermogravimetric and EDAX analyses revealed an improvement of thermal stability by the formation of a protective phosphorocarbonaceous char layer.

Optimization of Alkyldiethanolamides Synthesis from Terminalia catappa L. Kernel Oil through Enzymatic Reaction.

Alkyldiethanolamides (fatty acid diethanolamides) synthesis from Terminalia catappa L. kernel oil was optimized using lypozyme as a catalyst. The result showed that the optimal reaction conditions were 2 hours reaction time, with a ratio of oil mass (g) to diethanolamine (mmol) of 1:5, a ratio of oil mass to enzyme (g) of 1: 0.075, and a temperature of 40°C. The percentage of alkyldiethanolamides at optimum condition was 56-60%. The synthesis results were also analyzed by FTIR. FTIR spectra revealed specific absorption at several wave numbers (3434 cm-1, 1655 cm-1, 1280 cm-1), indicating that amide and alcohol bonds (C=O, C-N, and O-H) were formed. GC-MS was employed to identify the types of fatty acid diethanolamides that were successfully synthesized. The fatty acid diethanolamides formed were palmitoyldiethanolamide (Rt = 32.96 min) and oleyldiethanolamide (Rt = 35.57 min). The total nitrogen content of alkyldietanolamides was 0.26%, or 0.19 mmol of the amide group in 1 g of sample.