Determination of adhesive acrylates in recycled polyethylene terephthalate by fabric phase sorptive extraction coupled to ultra performance liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry.

This article presents fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) as a simple and effective pre-concentration method for the enrichment of acrylate compounds in different food simulants and subsequent analysis of the extracts by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (UPLC-MS). Acrylate compounds come from acrylic adhesives used commonly for sticking the paper labels on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and therefore, they may exist in recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). Four acrylates were studied: ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDM), pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA). Five different types of FPSE media coated with different sol-gel sorbents were studied and finally sol-gel polyethylene glycol- polypropylene glycol-polyethylene glycol triblock copolymer (PEG-PPG-PEG) coated FPSE media was chosen for its satisfactory results. The optimal conditions affecting the extraction efficiency of compounds were determined in three different food simulants. Statistical evaluation of this method reveals good linearity and precision. Under the optimized conditions, the method provided limits of detection of the compounds in the range of (0.1-1.9 ng g-1, 0.1-1.2 ng g-1, 0.2-2.3 ng g-1) in EtOH 10%, HAc 3% and EtOH 20% and the enrichment factor values (EFs) after applying N2 were in the range of 11.1-25.0, 13.8-26.3, 8.3-21.9, in simulants A, B and C respectively. The optimized method was applied successfully to analyze thirteen types of recycled PET samples. Acrylates were found in some of the samples at ng g-1 levels.

Biocompatible alkyl cyanoacrylates and their derivatives as bio-adhesives.

Cyanoacrylate adhesives and their homologues have elicited interest over the past few decades owing to their applications in the biomedical sector, extending from tissue adhesives to scaffolds to implants to dental material and adhesives, because of their inherent biocompatibility and ability to polymerize solely with moisture, thanks to which they adhere to any substrate containing moisture such as the skin. The ability to tailor formulations of alkyl cyanoacrylate to form derivative compounds to meet application requirements along with their biodegradability in conjunction with their inherent biocompatibility make them highly sought after candidates in the biomedical sector. There has been extensive exploration of cyanoacrylate adhesives and their homologue systems in biomedical applications, but no consolidated literature of the vast data is available. The ability of cyanoacrylate adhesives to cure at low temperatures and without the need for any hardener, which is attributed to the high-strength bonding interaction between two non-amalgamating substrates, with their ease of dispersion and self-curing, avoids the curtailing of the effective utilization of such adhesives in biomedical engineering applications as bio glues for amalgamating tissues, implants, scaffolds etc. This article consolidates copious work on cyanoacrylate adhesives and their derived systems which are functional in versatile biomedical engineering applications such as bio glues, dental material and adhesives and other potential applications.

Designing and characterizing of tramadol hydrochloride transdermal patches prepared with Ficus carica fruit mucilage and povidone.

The purpose of this investigation was to prepare matrix type transdermal patches of Tramadol HCl using various ratios of Ficus carica fruit mucilage and Povidone. The matrix type transdermal patches were prepared using Tramadol HCl with Ficus carica fruit mucilage and Povidone. The interactions between Tramadol HCl with F. carica fruit mucilage and Povidone were performed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The prepared patches were examined for physicochemical characterization and in vitro drug permeation studies (using a Keshary-Chien diffusion cell across hairless Albino rat skin), skin irritation studies and accelerated stability studies. The drug was found to be free from negligible interactions with the polymers used. The formulated patches possessed satisfactory physicochemical properties, in vitro drug permeation and devoid of serious skin irritation. The selected formulation (F-5) was retains the characteristics even after the accelerated environmental conditions. The study concludes that F. carica fruit mucilage with Povidone is a good combination for preparing transdermal patches.

Slippery when sticky: Lubricating properties of thin films of Taxus baccata aril mucilage.

Mucilage is hydrogel produced from succulent plants and microorganisms displaying unique adhesiveness and slipperiness simultaneously. The objective of this study is to establish an understanding on the lubricating mechanisms of the mucilage from Taxus baccata aril as thin, viscous lubricant films. Oscillation and flow rheological studies revealed that T. baccata mucilage is shear-thinning, thixotropic, and weak hydrogel that is highly stretchable under shear stress due to its high density physical crosslinking characteristics. In addition, T. baccata mucilage showed a distinct Weissenberg effect, i.e., increasing normal force with increasing shear rate, and thus it contributes to deplete the lubricant from tribological interfaces. Lubrication studies with a number of tribopairs with varying mechanical properties and surface wettability have shown that the lubricity of T. baccata mucilage is most effectively manifested at soft, hydrophilic, and rolling tribological contacts. Based on tenacious spreading on highly wetting surfaces, slip plane can be formed within mucilage hydrogel network even when the lubricating films cannot completely separate the opposing surfaces. Moreover, highly stretchable characteristics of mucilage under high shear enhance smooth shearing of two opposing surfaces as lubricating film.

Isolation and biochemical characterization of underwater adhesives from diatoms.

Many aquatic organisms are able to colonize surfaces through the secretion of underwater adhesives. Diatoms are unicellular algae that have the capability to colonize any natural and man-made submerged surfaces. There is great technological interest in both mimicking and preventing diatom adhesion, yet the biomolecules responsible have so far remained unidentified. A new method for the isolation of diatom adhesive material is described and its amino acid and carbohydrate composition determined. The adhesive materials from two model diatoms show differences in their amino acid and carbohydrate compositions, but also share characteristic features including a high content of uronic acids, the predominance of hydrophilic amino acid residues, and the presence of 3,4-dihydroxyproline, an extremely rare amino acid. Proteins containing dihydroxyphenylalanine, which mediate underwater adhesion of mussels, are absent. The data on the composition of diatom adhesives are consistent with an adhesion mechanism based on complex coacervation of polyelectrolyte-like biomolecules.

Unusual adhesive production system in the barnacle Lepas anatifera: an ultrastructural and histochemical investigation.

Adhesives that are naturally produced by marine organisms are potential sources of inspiration in the search for medical adhesives. Investigations of barnacle adhesives are at an early stage but it is becoming obvious that barnacles utilize a unique adhesive system compared to other marine organisms. The current study examined the fine structure and chemistry of the glandular system that produces the adhesive of the barnacle Lepas anatifera. All components for the glue originated from large single-cell glands (70-180 µm). Staining (including immunostaining) showed that L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and phosphoserine were not present in the glue producing tissues, demonstrating that the molecular adhesion of barnacles differs from all other permanently gluing marine animals studied to date. The glandular tissue and adhesive secretion primarily consisted of slightly acidic proteins but also included some carbohydrate. Adhesive proteins were stored in cytoplasmic granules adjacent to an intracellular drainage canal (ICC); observations implicated both merocrine and apocrine mechanisms in the transport of the secretion from the cell cytoplasm to the ICC. Inside the ICC, the secretion was no longer contained within granules but was a flocculent material which became "clumped" as it traveled through the canal network. Hemocytes were not seen within the adhesive "apparatus" (comprising of the glue producing cells and drainage canals), nor was there any structural mechanism by which additions such as hemocytes could be made to the secretion. The unicellular adhesive gland in barnacles is distinct from multicellular adhesive systems observed in marine animals such as mussels and tubeworms. Because the various components are not physically separated in the apparatus, the barnacle adhesive system appears to utilize completely different and unknown mechanisms for maintaining the liquid state of the glue within the body, as well as unidentified mechanisms for the conversion of extruded glue into hard cement.

Carboxymethyl gum kondagogu: synthesis, characterization and evaluation as mucoadhesive polymer.

The objective of the study was to modify gum kondagogu by carboxymethylation and to evaluate it for potential pharmaceutical applications. Carboxymethylation of gum kondagogu was carried out by reacting gum kondagogu with monochloroacetic acid under alkaline conditions. The results of characterization studies revealed that carboxymethylation of gum kondagogu increases its degree of crystallinity and surface roughness, reduces its viscosity and improves its mucoadhesive properties. Further, carboxymethyl gum kondagogu was explored for pharmaceutical applications by formulating ionotropically gelled beads using metformin as the model drug and calcium chloride as cross-linking agent. Ex vivo bioadhesion study conducted using isolated chick-ileum by wash-off test revealed bioadhesion of >80% over a period of 24 h. It was observed that increasing the concentration of cross-linking agent increases the % drug entrapment and reduces the release rate. The beads were found to release the drug by Fickian-diffusion mechanism and following zero-order release kinetics.

In vivo, in vitro evaluation of linseed mucilage based buccal mucoadhesive microspheres of venlafaxine.

The purpose of the present research work was to extract linseed mucilage, use it as a mucoadhesive agent and to develop mucoadhesive microspheres for buccal delivery with an intention to avoid hepatic first-pass metabolism, by enhancing residence time in the buccal cavity. Linseed mucilage was extracted and used to prepare microspheres with varying concentrations of mucilage from formulation F1-F4 (1-2.5%) by spray-drying technique. The microspheres were evaluated for the yield, particle size, incorporation efficiency, swelling property, in vitro mucoadhesion, in vitro drug release, histological study, and stability. Microspheres were characterized by differential scanning colorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction study. Further, the bioavailability study using the New Zealand rabbits was carried out. Formulation F4 showed the maximum mucoadhesion 89.37 ± 1.35%, 92.10 ± 1.37% incorporation efficiency, highest swelling index 0.770 ± 1.23. F4 showed a marked increase in the bioavailability after buccal administration (51.86 ± 3.95) as compared to oral route (39.60 ± 6.16). Also it took less time to reach maximum plasma concentration of 21.38 ± 1.05 ng/ml as compared to oral solution where it required 180 min to reach maximum plasma concentration of 17.98 ± 1.14. It is concluded from the results that linseed mucilage can be used in the production of the mucoadhesive microspheres.

Triterpenoids as major components of the insect-trapping glue of Roridula species.

Roridula dentata and R. gorgonias, two South African plants that were formerly believed to be carnivorous, exhibit an extremely sticky exudate at the tips of secretory trichomes. Unlike the trapping mucilage of Droseraceae, it does not consist of acidic polysaccharides. The Roridula trapping glue was found to be a mutual solution of mainly dihydroxytriterpenoids, instead. All samples contain two isomers of ring A dihydroxyolean-12-enes and dihydroxyurs-12-enes. The difference between the two species is the additional presence of taraxeradiol in the glue of R. gorgonias. The absolute chemical structures of the reported triterpenoids still need confirmation.

Evaluation of mucilage of Hibiscus rosasinensis Linn as rate controlling matrix for sustained release of diclofenac.

This article reports the exploitation of novel hydrophilic excipient, that is, mucilage from Hibiscus rosasinensis Linn, for the development of sustained release tablet. Swelling ratio and flow properties analyses of dried mucilage powder were carried out. A 3(2) full factorial design was used. In factorial design, amounts of dried mucilage and dibasic calcium phosphate (DCP) were taken as independent factors and percentage drug release in 60 and 300 min and time for 80% drug release as dependent variables. Matrix tablet containing dried mucilage and diclofenac sodium (DS) was prepared through direct compression techniques. DS tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, weight variation, in vitro drug release and water uptake, and mass loss study. The dried mucilage powder shows superior swelling capacity and excellent flow properties. Prepared tablets have acceptable hardness, friability, and uniformity in weight. It was found that batch HD8 fulfills all selected criteria. Drug release kinetics from these formulations corresponded best to the zero-order kinetics. Water uptake was independent whereas mass loss was dependent on agitation speed. The concept of similarity factor (f(2)) was used to prove similarity of dissolution profile in distilled water and phosphate buffer and was found to be 90.68. It was concluded that mucilage can be used as release-retarding agent for 12 h when the drug-mucilage ratio was 1:1.5. So, matrix tablet containing dried mucilage is most suitable for sustained release of DS.

Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill. mucilages show cytoprotective effect on gastric mucosa in rat.

Opuntia ficus indica cladodes possess a protective action against ethanol-induced ulcer in the rat. The major components of cladodes are carbohydrate polymers, mainly mucilages and pectin. To clarify the cytoprotective effects of cladodes on experimental ethanol-induced ulcer in rat, mucilages and pectin were extracted and were administered instead of cladodes. The above mentioned effects induced by cladodes may be attributed to mucilages, and not significantly to pectin.

Studies on Ocimum gratissimum seed mucilage: evaluation of binding properties.

Mucilage extracted from Ocimum gratissimum seeds, inertness and safety parameters established by a previous study was subjected to preformulation trial to assess its suitability as a pharmaceutical binder. Properties of the granules prepared with calcium carbonate using different concentrations of ocimum and compared with acacia (5%, w/w), as standard. Ocimum at 2.3% (w/w) level was found to be comparable with 5% (w/w) of acacia. Effect on drug release studied with paracetamol indicated that ocimum mucilage could be an alternative to acacia.

Application of bubble separation for quantitative analysis of choline in Dioscorea (yam) tubers.

A modified assay based on the AACC official method 86-45 (AACC, 2000) for the determination of choline in three cereals and three varieties of Dioscorea (yam) tubers was developed. When tested in wheat, rice, and oat flour, choline estimated by the modified method was 34.0-45.3% higher than that of the original AACC method. In a system with higher contents of starch and mucilage, such as Dioscorea (yam) tubers, extra procedures in sample preparation needed to be carried out to separate starch and mucilage. The choline contents of the following Dioscorea (yam) tubers using the original AACC method and the present modified AACC method through coupling an additional bubble separation procedure, respectively, were (mean +/- SD, mg/g solid) Keelung yam (D. pseudojaponicaY.) 0.92 +/- 0.09 and 2.21 +/- 0.12, Yangmingshan yam (D. alata L.) 0.77 +/- 0.09 and 1.78 +/- 0.28, and Ming-Chien yam (D. purpurea) 0.44 +/- 0.09 and 1.35 +/- 0.19. Choline was 231-306% higher than when the original AACC method was used. Dioscorea (yam) tubers were much higher in choline content than they were in cereals. Bubble separation is an appropriate procedure in the practice for the maximum assay of choline in yams. It is accurate, rapid, easy to handle, and especially good for recovering choline from a starch and polysaccharide-protein-containing system.

In-vitro evaluation of khaya and albizia gums as compression coatings for drug targeting to the colon.

Khaya and albizia gums were evaluated as compression coatings for target drug delivery to the colon using indometacin (a water insoluble drug) and paracetamol (a water soluble drug) as model drugs. The core tablets were compression-coated with 300 and 400 mg of 100% khaya gum, 100% albizia gum and a mixture of khaya and albizia gum (1:1). Drug release studies were carried out in 0.1(M) HCl (pH 1.2) for 2 h, Sorensen's buffer (pH 7.4) for 3 h and then in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 6.8) or in simulated colonic fluid for the rest of the experiment to mimic the physiological conditions from the mouth to colon. The results indicated that khaya and albizia gums were capable of protecting the core tablet in the physiological environment of the stomach and small intestine, with albizia gum showing greater ability than khaya gum. The release from tablets coated with the mixture of khaya and albizia gums was midway between the two individual gums, indicating that there was no interaction between the gums. Studies carried out using rat caecal matter in phosphate-buffered saline at pH 6.8 (simulated colonic fluid) showed that the gums were susceptible to degradation by the colonic bacterial enzymes, leading to release of the drug. The results demonstrate that khaya gum and albizia gum have potential for drug targeting to the colon.

Characterization of the adhesive from cuvierian tubules of the sea cucumber Holothuria forskali (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea).

Sea cucumbers possess a peculiar specialized defense system: the so-called Cuvierian tubules. The system is mobilized when the animal is mechanically stimulated, resulting in the discharge of a few white filaments, the tubules. Their great adhesivity, combined with their high tensile strength, allows Cuvierian tubules to entangle and immobilize potential predators. The cellular origin and composition of the Cuvierian tubule adhesive were investigated in the species Holothuria forskali by studying prints left on the substratum after mechanical detachment of the tubule. Polyclonal antibodies raised against tubule print material were used to locate the origin of tubule print constituents in the tubules. Extensive immunoreactivity was detected in the secretory granules of mesothelial granular cells, suggesting that their secretions make up the bulk of the adhesive material. Tubule print material consists of 60% proteins and 40% carbohydrates, a composition that is unique among the adhesive secretions of marine invertebrates. Although it is highly insoluble, a small fraction of this material can be extracted using denaturing buffers. Electrophoretic analysis of the extracts revealed that it contains about 10 proteins with apparent molecular masses ranging from 17 to 220 kDa and with closely related amino acid compositions, rich in acidic and in small side-chain amino acids. The adhesive from the Cuvierian tubules of H. forskali shares these characteristics with many marine bioadhesives and structural biomaterials.

Specificity of metal ion cross-linking in marine mussel adhesives.

In an effort to understand the formation of marine bioadhesives, mussel protein extracts were cured with various reagents and the enhanced cross-linking ability of Fe3+ was found.

Yam (Dioscorea batatas) tuber mucilage exhibited antioxidant activities in vitro.

The yam (Dioscorea batatas Decne) tuber mucilage (YTM) was extracted and partially purified by SDS and heating treatments. This purified YTM exhibited antioxidant activities in a series of in vitro tests, including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical (half-inhibition concentration, IC 50, was 0.86 mg/mL) and hydroxyl radical (IC 50 was 22 microg/mL) scavenging activity assays, reducing power test, anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-human low density lipoprotein peroxidation tests (IC 50 was 145.46 microg/mL) using butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), reduced glutathione, or ascorbic acid for comparisons. With electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry for DPPH radical detection, the intensities of the EPR signals were decreased by the increased amounts of YTM added (IC 50 was 1.62 mg/mL). These results suggest that mucilage of yam tuber might play roles as antiradicals and antioxidants.

Environmental bioadhesion: themes and applications.

Many marine organisms attach to underwater surfaces using protein adhesives. These are basic proteins with high levels of the amino acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and an extended flexible conformation. The hydroxylation of tyrosine residues plays a key role in the chemisorption of these polymers to surfaces and in the setting of the adhesive. These unique proteins are attracting biotechnological attention for application in industry and medicine. Recent development on the immobilization of antigens and antibodies, enzymes, cells and tissues, illustrate the great potential use of these adhesives for diagnostics and medicine. The use of these adhesive proteins as anticorrosive coats for metal also suggests important applications for industry.

Biologic glue increases capillary ingrowth after cardiomyoplasty in an ischemic cardiomyopathy model.

The authors investigated the multi-step mechanism of healing after cardiomyoplasty, focusing on the process of angiogenesis. The authors contend that enhancement of angiogenesis and prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injuries immediately after muscle mobilization will be effective in improving cardiomyoplasty results. After cardiomyoplasty, autologous biologic glue (ABG) was administered between the latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) and myocardium. By 2 months, a new pseudo interlayer was present that bridged the gap between the LDM and myocardium. Neovascularization was visible in the form of numerous small capillaries. Marked degeneration of the LDM was noted, possibly caused by muscle ischemia-reperfusion damage after mobilization. Pockets were created of ischemic and nonischemic LDM to test for angiogenesis. One was left free of ABG (control); one received ABG only; one received ABG and pyrrolostatin. Some of the capillaries were large and had erythrocytes inside. biopsy samples showed 9.4 +/- 1.9% of the sample was occupied by blood vessels (compared with 3.6 +/- 0.7% in control muscle). These preliminary studies prove the feasibility of the authors' concept and provide evidence that angiogenesis can accelerate the healing process and provide an organic bridge between the LDM and myocardium after cardiomyoplasty.