Textural, rheological, melting properties, particle size distribution, and NMR relaxometry of cocoa hazelnut spread with inulin-stevia addition as sugar replacer.

This study investigated the influence of substituting 60, 80, and 100% of the sugar in traditional cocoa hazelnut paste (control) formulation with inulin-stevia (90:10, w/w) mixture on textural and rheological characteristics, melting behavior, water activity (aw), particle size distribution (PSD), and color. Textural, rheological, melting properties, and color of samples were analyzed after 1, 2, and 3 months of storage at 11°C. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry experiments were also performed to understand the interaction of new ingredients with oil. Replacement of sugar with inulin-stevia gave darker color, reduced Casson yield stress, and changed the textural parameters and melting profile of the samples depending on the level but did not create a remarkable effect on PSD and Casson plastic viscosity. Increasing inulin-stevia content yielded lower aw and higher T2a values indicating decreased mobility of water. Complete removal of sugar caused low spreadability. The results showed that an 80% replacement level yielded a product with similar textural parameters and fat-melting mouth feeling compared to control sample. Cocoa hazelnut spreads prepared with inulin and stevia showed good textural stability during storage.

Particle separator with vortex claw: an efficient and new technology.

Despite facing many challenges, the exploration of using natural forces and mechanisms besides gravity to enhance particle settling has never ceased. A novel particle separator design, which utilizes multiple vortexes to enhance particle settling, was proposed in this study. The basic principle is using the fluid's energy to generate small swirling currents in a specially designed vortex claw generator. These currents bring suspended particles from the rapid and turbulent inflow to relatively quiet water regions, separating them from the main flows and reducing their travel distance to the wall. To verify the new separator design's performance, comparison studies were carried out in the laboratory using physical models. The results showed that the new design had much higher particle capture rates for the same inflow rates and tested particle sizes. Most importantly, it was able to effectively remove small particles, and particle capture rates were much less affected by fluctuations in inflow rates. Since most existing particle separators failed to perform well under large inflow rates, these characteristics make the new design stand out from other separators. Due to its special structure, its treatment capacity can also be easily increased without changing its horizontal separator size.

Development of chitosan lipid nanoparticles to alleviate the pharmacological activity of piperine in the management of cognitive deficit in diabetic rats.

The aim of the present study was to prepare and evaluate Piperine (PP) loaded chitosan lipid nanoparticles (PP-CLNPs) to evaluate its biological activity alone or in combination with the antidiabetic drug Metformin (MET) in the management of cognitive deficit in diabetic rats. Piperine was successfully loaded on CLNPs prepared using chitosan, stearic acid, Tween 80 and Tripolyphosphate (TPP) at different concentrations. The developed CLNPs exhibited high entrapment efficiency that ranged from 85.12 to 97.41%, a particle size in the range of 59.56-414 nm and a negatively charged zeta potential values (- 20.1 to - 43.9 mV). In vitro release study revealed enhanced PP release from CLNPs compared to that from free PP suspensions for up to 24 h. In vivo studies revealed that treatment with the optimized PP-CLNPs formulation (F2) exerted a cognitive enhancing effect and ameliorated the oxidative stress associated with diabetes. PP-CLNPs acted as an effective bio-enhancer which increased the potency of metformin in protecting brain tissue from diabetes-induced neuroinflammation and memory deterioration. These results suggested that CLNPs could be a promising drug delivery system for encapsulating PP and thus can be used as an adjuvant therapy in the management of high-risk diabetic cognitive impairment conditions.

The best structures of LC columns-A theoretical perspective.

The largest peak capacity (n) that LC analysis can generate in isocratic or gradient elution analysis of a given sample in a given time at a given pressure is proportional to the quality factor (qmax) of its column structure. In this study, the multi-channel structures with open pseudo-planar channels (OPPC) and open circular channels (OCC) where compared with PC2 - a typical core-shell column packed with 2 µm particles. These columns have qmax of 1.27, 1.17 and 0.41, respectively. The former two qmax are the highest among all known column structures - about 3 times higher than qmax of PC2. This means that the OPPC and OCC can generate about 3 times higher n compared to what a PC2 can in the same analysis time (tanal) at the same pressure, or they require about 81 times shorter tanal (81 is the 4th power of 3) to generate the same n as a PC2 can at the same pressure. However, while PC2 is a commercially available column, there are substantial challenges in manufacturing the OPPC and OCC that can compete with PC2 in practical applications. In order to be competitive with PC2, the OPPC and OCC should have sub-1µm characteristic dimensions (e.g., the inter-pillar distance, g, in OPPC-based pillar array columns, internal diameters of OCC). Thus, in order to compete with PC2 in one scenario, an OPPC requires g ≤ 0.14 µm. Additionally, to be competitive with PC2, OPPC and OCC should be able to sustain the same high pressure. Highlighting the challenges of their design and manufacturing might help to develop the manufacturable columns substantially superior to the packed ones.

Current situation and prospects for the clean utilization of gold tailings.

Gold tailings are characterized by low-grade, complex composition, fine embedded particle size, environmental pollution, and large land occupation. This paper describes the mineralogical properties of gold tailings, including chemical composition, phase composition, particle size distribution, and microstructure; summarizes the recycling and utilization of components such as mica, feldspar, and valuable metals in gold tailings; reviews harmless treatment measures for harmful elements in gold tailings; and adumbrated the research progress of gold tailings in the application fields of building materials, ceramics, and glass materials. Based on these discussions, a new technology roadmap that combines multistage magnetic separation and cemented filling is proposed for the clean utilization of all components of gold tailings.

Nutraceutically-enhanced oral delivery of vitamin D3 via Bio-SNEDDS: Demonstrating in vivo superiority over pediatric formulations.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D3 (VD3) deficiency among children in Saudi Arabia remains a pressing concern due to its poor bioavailability and the limitations of current pediatric formulations. To address this challenge, we developed a groundbreaking pediatric self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (Bio-SNEDDS) for VD3, fortified with black seed oil and moringa seed oil for dual therapeutic benefits. Through meticulous formulation optimization using ternary phase diagrams and comprehensive testing, our Bio-SNEDDS demonstrated exceptional performance. METHODS: Bio-SNEDDS were manufactured by incorporating Black seed oil and moringa seed oil as bioactive nutraceutical excipients along with various cosurfactant and surfactants. Bio-SNEDDS were systematically optimized through ternary phase diagrams, visual tests, droplet size analysis, drug solubilization studies, dispersion assessments, and pharmacokinetic testing in rats compared to Vi-De 3®. RESULTS: Pseudoternary phase diagrams identified oil blends producing large nanoemulsion regions optimal for SNEDDS formation. The optimized F1 Bio-SNEDDS showed a mean droplet diameter of 33.7 nm, solubilized 154.46 mg/g VD3 with no metabolite formation, and maintained >88% VD3 in solution during 24 h dispersion testing. Notably, in vivo pharmacokinetic evaluation at a high VD3 dose demonstrated an approximately two-fold greater relative bioavailability over Vi-De 3®, validating the superb oral delivery performance of Bio-SNEDDS even under challenging high-dose conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The Bio-SNEDDS provides an effective VD3 delivery strategy with established in vivo superiority over marketed products, along with offering additional health benefits from the natural oils.

Dissolution and antioxidant potential of apigenin self nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) for oral delivery.

Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) have been used to improve the oral bioavailability of various drugs. In the current study, apigenin was developed as SNEDDS to solve its dissolution problem and enhance oral bioavailability and antioxidant potential. SNEDDS were prepared by mixing Gelucire 44/14, Tween 80, and PEG 400 under controlled conditions. The droplet of diluted SNEDDS demonstrated a spherical shape with a size of less than 100 nm and a neutral charge. The very fast self-emulsification was obtained within 32 s, and the transmittance values exceeded 99%. The highest drug loading was 90.10 ± 0.24% of the initial load with the highest %encapsulation efficiency of 84.20 ± 0.03%. FT-IR and DSC spectra showed no interaction between components. The dissolution in buffer pH 1.2, 4.5, and 6.8 showed significantly higher dissolved apigenin than the apigenin coarse powder. The dissolution profiles were fitted to the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics. The cellular antioxidant activities in Caco-2 cells were approximately 52.25-54.64% compared to no treatment and were higher than the apigenin coarse powder (12.70%). Our work highlights the potential of SNEDDS to enhance the dissolution and permeability of apigenin and promote antioxidant efficacy, which has a strong chance of being developed as a bioactive compound for nutraceuticals.

Developing Dry Powder Inhaler Formulations.

This section aims to provide a concise and contemporary technical perspective and reference resource covering dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulations. While DPI products are currently the leading inhaled products in terms of sales value, a number of confounding perspectives are presented to illustrate why they are considered surprisingly, and often frustratingly, poorly understood on a fundamental scientific level, and most challenging to design from first principles. At the core of this issue is the immense complexity of fine cohesive powder systems. This review emphasizes that the difficulty of successful DPI product development should not be underestimated and is best achieved with a well-coordinated team who respect the challenges and who work in parallel on device and formulation and with an appreciation of the handling environment faced by the patient. The general different DPI formulation types, which have evolved to address the challenges of aerosolizing fine cohesive drug-containing particles to create consistent and effective DPI products, are described. This section reviews the range of particle engineering processes that may produce micron-sized drug-containing particles and their subsequent assembly as either carrier-based or carrier-free compositions. The creation of such formulations is then discussed in the context of the material, bulk, interfacial and ultimately drug-delivery properties that are considered to affect formulation performance. A brief conclusion then considers the future DPI product choices, notably the issue of technology versus affordability in the evolving inhaler market.

Cellular Distribution and Intracellular Localization of Different Sizes of Fluorescent Thiol-Organosilica Particles in Mouse Lungs.

We investigated the distribution of intratracheally administered thiol-organosilica (thiol-OS) particles in mouse lungs. Toward this end, single doses of thiol-OS particles containing fluorescein (140 nm in diameter) (F140) and rhodamine B (Rh) (Rh160, Rh280, Rh420, Rh640, and Rh1630 with diameters of 160, 280, 420, 640, and 1630 nm, respectively) were administered. After 24 h, fluorescence imaging revealed homogeneous fluorescence with a patchier pattern on the lung surface and no difference among the six particle sizes. Simultaneous dual administration of Rh and F140 particles did not reveal any size-dependent differences in the lung surface fluorescence. Fluorescence microscopy of the lung sections revealed a similar tissue distribution in the fluorescent areas of Rhs and F140. Some fluorescent areas showed one type of particle fluorescence or only one fluorescence. Cellular distribution of particles was observed in bronchoalveolar lavage cells and lung sections under a high magnification, and correlative light and electron microscopy revealed large cells with fluorescence corresponding to both particle types and small cells with fluorescence of individual particle types, indicating a cell-subset-dependent particle size effect. Rh280, Rh420, and Rh640 exhibited significant size effects and were taken up by alveolar macrophages. Extracellular particles were observed, indicating that saturation exceeded the particle dose threshold in the alveoli. F140 taken up by small and large macrophages colocalized with CD68, CD11c, and CD11b and correlated with CD11c. The size effect, intracellular localization, and extracellular distribution of particles provide insights into lung and systemic drug delivery.

Absolute protein quantification based on calibrated particle counting using electrospray-differential mobility analysis.

The traceability of in vitro diagnostics or drug products is based on the accurate quantification of proteins. In this study, we developed an absolute quantification approach for proteins. This method is based on calibrated particle counting using electrospray-differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA) coupled with a condensation particle counter (CPC). The absolute concentration of proteins was quantified with the observed protein particle number measured with ES-DMA-CPC, and the detection efficiency was determined by calibrators. The measurement performance and quantitative level were verified using two certificated reference materials, BSA and NIMCmAb. The linear regression fit for the detection efficiency values of three reference materials and one highly purified protein (myoglobin, BSA, NIMCmAb and fibrinogen) indicated that the detection efficiency and the particle size distribution of these proteins exhibited a linear relationship. Moreover, to explore the suitability of the detection efficiency-particle size curve for protein quantification, the concentrations of three typical proteinaceous particles, including two high molecular weight proteins (NIST reference material 8671 and D-dimer) and one protein complex (glutathione S-transferase dimer), were determined. This work suggests that this calibrated particle counting method is an efficient approach for nondestructive, rapid and accurate quantification of proteins, especially for measuring proteinaceous particles with tremendous size and without reference standards.

Size-resolved aerosol at a Coastal Great Lakes Site: Impacts of new particle formation and lake spray.

The quantification of aerosol size distributions is crucial for understanding the climate and health impacts of aerosols, validating models, and identifying aerosol sources. This work provides one of the first continuous measurements of aerosol size distribution from 1.02 to 8671 nm near the shore of Lake Michigan. The data were collected during the Lake Michigan Ozone Study (LMOS 2017), a comprehensive air quality measurement campaign in May and June 2017. The time-resolved (2-min) size distribution are reported herein alongside meteorology, remotely sensed data, gravimetric filters, and gas-phase variables. Mean concentrations of key aerosol parameters include PM2.5 (6.4 µg m-3), number from 1 to 3 nm (1.80x104 cm-3) and number greater than 3 nm (8x103 cm-3). During the field campaign, approximately half of days showed daytime ultrafine burst events, characterized by particle growth from sub 10 nm to 25-100 nm. A specific investigation of ultrafine lake spray aerosol was conducted due to enhanced ultrafine particles in onshore flows coupled with sustained wave breaking conditions during the campaign. Upon closer examination, the relationships between the size distribution, wind direction, wind speed, and wave height did not qualitatively support ultrafine particle production from lake spray aerosol; statistical analysis of particle number and wind speed also failed to show a relationship. The alternative hypothesis of enhanced ultrafine particles in onshore flow originating mainly from new particle formation activity is supported by multiple lines of evidence.

Formulation of Metoclopramide Hydrochloride-Loaded Lipid Carriers by QbD Approach for Combating Nausea: Safety and Bioavailability Evaluation in New Zealand Rabbit.

The focus of the research was to overcome the limitations of metoclopramide (MTC) when administered intranasally. The aim was to improve its bioavailability, increase patient compliance, and prolong its residence time in the nasal cavity. MTC-loaded liposomes were prepared by applying the film hydration method. A study was conducted to determine how formulation variables affected encapsulation efficiency (EE %), mean particle size (MPS), and zeta potential (ZP). The MTC-liposomes were further loaded into the in situ gel (gellan gum) for longer residence times following intranasal administration. pH, gelling time, and in vitro release tests were conducted on the formulations produced. In vivo performance of the MTC-loaded in situ gels was appraised based on disparate parameters such as plasma peak concentration, plasma peak time, and elimination coefficient compared to intravenous administration. When the optimal liposome formulation contained 1.98% of SPC, 0.081% of cholesterol, 97.84% of chloroform, and 0.1% of MTC, the EE of MTC was 83.21%, PS was 107.3 nm. After 5 h, more than 80% of the drug was released from MTC-loaded liposome incorporated into gellan gum in situ gel formulation (Lip-GG), which exhibited improved absorption and higher bioavailability compared to MTC loaded into gellan gum in situ gel (MTC-GG). Acceptable cell viability was also achieved. It was found out that MTC-loaded liposomal in situ gel formulations administered through the nasal route could be a better choice than other options due to its ease of administration, accurate dosing, and higher bioavailability in comparison with MTC-GG.

Laboratory and field evaluation of a low-cost optical particle sizer.

Low-cost sensors are widely used to collect high-spatial-resolution particulate matter data that traditional reference monitoring devices cannot. In addition to the mass concentration, the number concentration and size distribution are also fundamental in determining the origin and hazard level of particulate pollution. Therefore, low-cost optical sensors have been improved to establish optical particle sizers (OPSs). In this study, a low-cost OPS, the Nova SDS029, is introduced, and it is evaluated in comparison to two reference instruments-the GRIMM 11-D and the TSI 3330. We first tested the sizing accuracy using polystyrene latex spheres. Then, we assessed the mass and number size distribution accuracy in three application scenarios: indoor smoking, ambient air quality, and mobile monitoring. The evaluations suggest that the low-cost SDS029 rivals research-grade optical sizers in many aspects. For example, (1) the particle diameters obtained with the SDS029 are close to the reference instruments (usually < 10%) in the 0.3-5 µm range; (2) the number of particles and mass concentration are highly correlated (r ≥ 0.99) with the values obtained with the reference instruments; and (3) the SDS029 slightly underestimates the number concentration, but the derived PM2.5 values are closer to monitoring station than the reference instruments. The successful application of the SDS029 in multiple scenarios suggests that a plausible particle size distribution can be obtained in an easy and cost-efficient way. We believe that low-cost OPSs will increasingly be used to map the sources and risk levels of particles at the city scale.

Preparation and Evaluation of Folate Modified PEG-PLLA Nanoparticles Loaded with Lycorine for Glioma Treatment.

Lycorine is a kind of natural active ingredient with a strong antitumor effect. In this study, folate ligand-conjugated polyethylene glycol-block-poly(l-lactide) (PEG-PLLA) nanoparticles (FA-PEG-PLLA NPs) were designed to deliver lycorine to enhance its anti-glioma activity. The successful preparation of the FA-PEG-PLLA polymer was confirmed by 1H-NMR, FT-IR, XRD, TGA, and DSC. The optimal formulation for LYC@FA-PEG-PLLA NPs was determined by response surface analysis as follows: sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) of 1%, carrier material of 0.03 g, organic phase volume of 3 mL, and ultrasonic power of 20%. The LYC@FA-PEG-PLLA NPs exhibited an encapsulation efficiency of 83.58% and a particle size of 49.71 nm, demonstrating good stability. Hemolysis experiments, MTT assays, and cell scratch assays revealed excellent biocompatibility of FA-PEG-PLLA and superior anti-glioma activity of LYC@FA-PEG-PLLA NPs compared to the raw drug. Additionally, cell apoptosis assays, ROS experiments, and western blot analysis demonstrated that LYC@FA-PEG-PLLA NPs contributed to cell apoptosis by inducing ROS generation and increasing the expression of NF-κB inhibitory protein IκBα. These results suggested that LYC@FA-PEG-PLLA NPs hold promise for glioma treatment.

Particle Size Measurement and Detection of Bound Proteins of Non-Porous/Mesoporous Silica Microspheres by Single-Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.

Single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) has been used for particle size measurement of diverse types of individual nanoparticles and micrometer-sized carbon-based particles such as microplastics. However, its applicability to the measurement of micrometer-sized non-carbon-based particles such as silica (SiO2) particles is unclear. In this study, the applicability of spICP-MS to particle size measurement of non-porous/mesoporous SiO2 microspheres with a nominal diameter of 5.0 µm or smaller was investigated. Particle sizes of these microspheres were measured using both spICP-MS based on a conventional calibration approach using an ion standard solution and scanning electron microscopy as a reference technique, and the results were compared. The particle size distributions obtained using both techniques were in agreement within analytical uncertainty. The applicability of this technique to the detection of metal-containing protein-binding mesoporous SiO2 microspheres was also investigated. Bound iron (Fe)-containing proteins (i.e., lactoferrin and transferrin) of mesoporous SiO2 microspheres were detected using Fe as a presence marker for the proteins. Thus, spICP-MS is applicable to the particle size measurement of large-sized and non-porous/mesoporous SiO2 microspheres. It has considerable potential for element-based detection and qualification of bound proteins of mesoporous SiO2 microspheres in a variety of applications.

Sampling, composition, and biological effects of Mexico City airborne particulate matter from multiple periods.

Air pollution is a worldwide environmental problem with an impact on human health. Particulate matter of ten micrometers or less aerodynamic diameter (PM10) as well as its fine fraction (PM2.5) is related to multiple pulmonary diseases. The impact of air pollution in Mexico City, and importantly, particulate matter has been studied and considered as a risk factor for two decades ago. Previous studies have reported the composition of Mexico City particulate matter, as well as the biological effects induced by this material. However, material collected and used in previous studies is a limited resource, and sampling and particle recovery techniques have been improved. In this study, we describe the methods used in our laboratory for Mexico City airborne particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 sampling, considering the years 2017, 2018 and 2019. We also analyzed the PM10 and PM2.5 samples obtained to determine their composition. Finally, we exposed lung cell line cultures to PM10 and PM2.5 to evaluate the biological effect of the material in terms of cell viability, cell death, inflammatory response, and cytogenetic alterations. Our results showed that PM10 composition includes inorganic, organic and biological compounds, while PM2.5 is a mixture of more enriched organic compounds. PM10 and PM2.5 treatment in lung cells does not significantly impact cell viability/cell death. However, PM10 and PM2.5 increase the secretion levels of IL-6. Moreover, PM10 as well as PM2.5 induce cytogenetic alterations, such as micronuclei, anaphase bridges, trinucleated cells and apoptotic cells in lung cells. Our results update the evidence of the composition and biological effects of Mexico City particulate matter and provide us a reliable basis for future approaches.

Optimization of Ziziphora clinopodioides L. essential oil nanoencapsulation in chitosan nanocomplex by response surface methodology.

Nano-encapsulation of essential oils, a specific area of interest, can help overcome challenges associated with their commercial use. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of chitosan, Ziziphora clinopodioides L. essential oil (ZcEO), and Sodium-Tri Polyphosphate (TPP), both individually and in interaction, on several properties of EO-loaded chitosan nanoparticles. These properties include particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), and encapsulation efficiency (EE) using a two-stage emulsion-ionic gelation approach. The optimization of the parameters was done by response surface methodology using Box-Behnken design. The chemical composition of ZcEO was analyzed as well. The primary compounds in ZcEO were found to be pulegone (29.24 %), 1,3-dimethyl-2-(2-methylpropylidene) imidazolidine (9.05 %), piperitenone (6.65 %), thymol (5.38 %), and carvacrol (5.27 %). The PS ranged from 117.33 to 4934.1 nm, the ZP varied from -1.1 to -30.83 mV, and the EE spanned from 31.74 to 87.04 %. The results showed that an increase in the initial EO content led to a decrease in PS and ZP, but an increase in EE. Moreover, increasing the TPP concentration resulted in an enhancement in PS, ZP, and EE, whereas increasing the Chs concentration led to a slight increase in PS, ZP, and EE. Furthermore, the results of this study proved the interaction effect of different parameters on the responses investigated. Under optimized conditions, the optimal concentrations of chitosan, ZcEO and TPP were attained at 6.768, 6.078, and 7.595 mg/mL respectively. This resulted in a PS of 117.331 nm, a ZP of -20.949 mV, and an EE of 75.385 %. In conclusion, the results suggest that adjusting the concentrations of Chs, EO, and TPP is an effective approach to controlling the properties of NPs and optimizing their performance.

Storage stability of Asian seabass oil-in-water Pickering emulsion packed in pouches made from electrospun and solvent casted bilayer films from poly lactic acid/chitosan-gelatin blend containing epigallocatechin gallate.

Bilayer pouches were fabricated with chitosan (CS)-fish gelatin (FG) mixture containing epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) deposited over the poly lactic acid (PLA) film through solvent casting and electrospinning techniques. Pickering emulsions (PE) of Asian seabass depot fat oil stabilized by zein colloidal particles were packed in bilayer pouches and stored at 28 ± 2 °C. The PE packed in pouch containing EGCG had higher emulsion and oxidative stability after 30 days of storage as witnessed by the smaller droplet size and lower values of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, peroxide, conjugated diene and volatile compounds in comparison with control (PE packed in monolayer PLA pouch) (P < 0.05). EGCG incorporated pouch retained more linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) and linolenic acid (C18:3 n-9) in emulsion than PLA pouch. Therefore, pouch from bilayer PLA/CS-FG films comprising EGCG could serve as active packaging and extended the shelf life of Pickering emulsion.

Characterization of chitosan/Persian gum nanoparticles for encapsulation of Nigella sativa extract as an antiviral agent against avian coronavirus.

The aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles formed by the ionic gelation method between chitosan and water-soluble fraction of Persian gum (WPG) for encapsulation of Nigella sativa extract (NSE) as an antiviral agent. Our findings revealed that the particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential of the particles were in the range of 316.7-476.6 nm, 0.259-0.466, and 37.0-58.1 mV, respectively. The amounts of chitosan and WPG as the wall material and the NSE as the core had a considerable impact on the nanoparticle properties. The proper samples were detected at 1:1 chitosan:WPG mixing ratio (MR) and NSE concentration of 6.25 mg/mL. Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy proved the interactions between the two biopolymers. The effect of NSE on infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) known as avian coronavirus, was performed by the in-ovo method determining remarkable antiviral activity of NSE (25 mg/mL) and its enhancement through encapsulation in the nanoparticles. These nanoparticles containing NSE could have a promising capability for application in both poultry industry and human medicine as an antiviral product.

Effects of different oil fractions and tannic acid concentrations on konjac glucomannan-stabilized emulsions.

Polysaccharide-stabilized emulsions have received extensive attention, but emulsifying activity of polysaccharides is poor. In this study, konjac glucomannan (KGM) and tannic acid (TA) complex (KGM-TA) was prepared via non-covalent binding to increase the polysaccharide interfacial stability. The emulsifying stabilities of KGM-TA complex-stabilized emulsions were analyzed under different TA concentrations and oil fractions. The results indicated that hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic bonds were the main binding forces for KGM-TA complex, which were closely related to TA concentrations. The interfacial tension of KGM-TA complex decreased from 20.0 mN/m to 13.4 mN/m with TA concentration increasing from 0 % to 0.3 %, indicating that TA improved the interfacial activity of KGM. Meanwhile, the contact angle of KGM-TA complex was closer to 90° with the increasing TA concentrations. The emulsifying stability of KGM-TA complex-stabilized emulsions increased in an oil mass fraction-dependent manner, reaching the maximum at 75 % oil mass fraction. Moreover, the droplet sizes of KGM-TA complex-stabilized high-internal-phase emulsions (HIPEs) decreased from 82.7 µm to 44.7 µm with TA concentration increasing from 0 to 0.3 %. Therefore, high TA concentrations were conducive to the improvement of the emulsifying stability of KGM-TA complex-stabilized HIPEs. High oil mass fraction promoted the interfacial contact of adjacent droplets, thus enhancing the non-covalent binding of KGM molecules at the interfaces with TA as bridges. Additionally, the high TA concentrations increased the gel network density in the aqueous phase, thus enhancing the emulsifying stability of emulsions. Our findings reveal the mechanisms by which polysaccharide-polyphenol complex stabilized HIPEs. Therefore, this study provides theoretical basis and references for the developments of polysaccharide emulsifier with high emulsifying capability and high-stability emulsions.