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Background: Tavaborole (TAV), a benzoxaborole derivative, is an FDA-approved antifungal agent for treating onychomycosis, a common and persistent fungal infection of the toenails. Objective: This study aimed to develop a robust stability-indicating HPTLC method to determine TAV in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) using a comprehensive approach that includes risk assessment, and Analytical Quality by Design. Methods: The critical method parameters influencing the HPTLC results were screened using a Plackett-Burman screening design followed by its optimization using a central composite optimization design. The developed method was validated as per ICH recommendation. Results: Optimized method utilized pre-coated aluminum-backed HPTLC plates using 10 µL/band injection volume, and the plate was developed using an isocratic mobile phase consisting of toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid (75:25:1%v/v/v) in twin trough chamber pre-saturated for 20 mins with vapors of 10 mL of mobile phase. The separated components were detected at a wavelength of 221 nm. The developed HPTLC method resulted in a retardation factor of 0.49 ± 0.04 for TAV. Validation results revealed the HPTLC method's specificity (peak purity ≥ 0.999), linearity over a concentration range of 2–10 μg/band, sensitivity (LOD 0.21 μg and LOQ 0.64 μg), accuracy (99.68 − 101.43%w/w), and precision (%RSD < 2.0). Conclusion: The developed robust stability-indicating HPTLC method was successfully implemented for the sustainable testing of the TAV in the NLC formulations and stability testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave-Assisted Alkali (MAA) pretreatment of corncob biomass was optimized for maximum fermentable sugar yield using dilute sulfuric acid hydrolysis. A Central Composite Design (CCD) investigated the effects of microwave power (450–9000 W), NaOH concentration (1.5 to 4.5% wt./v), and irradiation time (10–20 min) on lignin removal. The optimal MAA pretreatment conditions were found to be 691.73 W, 3.4% NaOH, and 15.5 min, resulting in the selective removal of 73.36% lignin with high retention of cellulose (71.69%) and hemicellulose (22.14%). Characterization techniques (FTIR, SEM, XRD, TGA) confirmed substantial changes in surface morphology, functional groups, crystallinity, and thermal stability of the pretreated corncobs. Dilute sulfuric acid hydrolysis (0.5–2.5%, 110130 °C, 3060 min) of the optimized sample yielded a maximum reducing sugar output of 537.42 mg/g, achieved at 0.534% H2SO4, 122.3 °C, for 58 min. Optimizing Microwave-Assisted Alkali pretreatment process for corncobs could boost biofuel production efficiency, sustainably utilize agricultural waste, and advance a more sustainable energy landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bacterium Streptomyces sp. KN37 was isolated from the soil of Kanas, Xinjiang. The broth dilution of strain KN37 has a strong inhibitory effect against a variety of crop pathogenic fungi. However, in practical applications, its effective biological activity is limited by medium formulations and fermentation conditions. In this study, we used the response surface method to optimize the fermentation medium and conditions of the strain KN37, for investigating the reasons for the enhanced biological activity at both the metabolic and transcriptomic levels. The results of the Plackett-Burman design showed that millet, yeast extract, and K2HPO4 were the key factors influencing its antifungal activity. Subsequently, optimization by the response surface methodology yielded the final fermentation conditions as: millet 20 g/L, yeast extract 1 g/L, K2HPO4 0.5 g/L, rotation speed 150 r/min, temperature 25 °C, initial pH 8, fermentation time 9 d, inoculation amount 4%, liquid volume 100 mL. The antifungal effect of the optimized strain fermentation dilution was significantly enhanced, and the antifungal rate of R. solani increased from 27.33 to 59.53%, closely aligning with the predicted value of 53.03%. The results of HPLC-MS/MS and transcriptomic analysis revealed that the content of some secondary metabolic active substances in the fermentation broth of KN37 was significantly different from that of the original fermentation broth. Notably, the content of 4- (diethylamino) salicylaldehyde (DSA) was significantly increased by 16.28-fold while the yield of N- (2,4-dimethylphenyl) formamide (NDMPF) was increased by 6.35 times. Transcriptomic analysis further elucidated molecular mechanisms behind these changes with the expression of salicylic acid dehydrogenase (SALD) was significantly down-regulated, which was only 0.48 times compared to that before optimization. This research successfully optimized the fermentation process of strain KN37 providing a strong foundation for the actual production and application of strain KN37 in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores how to maximise the yield of carbon black from waste tyre pyrolysis, paying particular attention to important process parameters including feedstock mass, residence time, and temperature. The study employed the use of the central composite design of the response surface methodology to investigate the relationship between the process parameters (feedstock mass, residence time, and temperature) and the carbon black yield. With an R2 and adjusted R2 of 0.99, and a highly significant F-value of 389.62, the model demonstrated excellent accuracy. Analysis of perturbation plots revealed that feedstock mass had the most significant influence on carbon black yield. The interplay of process parameters was illustrated by the 3D surface plots, which showed a positive correlation between the combined effects of feedstock mass and temperature and carbon black yield. The following parameters were found to be optimal for obtaining a maximum carbon black yield: 40 g of feedstock mass, 350 °C temperature, and 60 min of residence time. This produced a carbon black yield of 25.25 wt.%. This was remarkably comparable to the experimental yield of 25 wt.%, confirming the validity of the response surface methodology model. The characterisation of carbon black generated from waste tyre pyrolysis using FT-IR and SEM reveals a compact structure with little porosity and different functional groups. These characteristics increase the material's reliability, thermal stability, and resilience to environmental degradation, making it ideal for long-term applications like rubber reinforcement and composite manufacturing. The findings indicate the optimal production of carbon black at lower temperatures and shorter residence times. The present study establishes the foundation for further investigation into the optimisation of the pyrolysis process, suggesting that different process conditions be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aims: This study aimed to improve rivaroxaban delivery by optimising solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) for minimal mean diameter and maximal entrapment efficiency (EE), enhancing solubility, bioavailability, and the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Methods: A central composite design was employed to synthesise 32 SLN formulations. Response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN) models predicted mean diameter and EE based on five independent variables. Results: The optimised SLN formulation achieved a mean particle diameter of 159.8 ± 15.2 nm, with a Polydispersity index of 0.46, a zeta potential of −28.8 mV, and an EE of 74.3% ± 5.6%. The ANN model showed superior accuracy for both mean diameter and EE, outperforming the RSM model. Structural integrity and stability were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Conclusion: The high accuracy of the ANN model highlights its potential in optimising pharmaceutical formulations and improving SLN-based drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective: The tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) is a lipid-soluble vitamin that has good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The TRF is widely studied as a potential treatment for various diseases, including bone diseases. However, its application is limited due to its poor oral bioavailability profile, warranting an innovative approach to overcome its pharmacokinetic limitations. Recently, the nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) has been investigated as a drug delivery vehicle for various drugs and active compounds owing to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and osteogenic properties. The nHA is also a well-known biomaterial which has chemical and structural similarities to bone minerals. Hence, we aim to explore the use of the nHA as a potential nanocarrier for the TRF. Methods: In this study, we develop and optimize the formulation of an nHA-encapsulating TRF (nHA/TRF) by employing the response surface methodology (RSM). Results: RSM outcomes reveal that the mass of the nHA, the concentration of the TRF, and the incubation time have a significant effect on the particle size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency of the nHA/TRF. The outcomes for the optimized formulation are not significantly different from the predicted RSM outcomes. The optimized nHA/TRF formulation is freeze-dried and results in an average particle size of ~270 nm, a negative zeta potential value of ~−20 mV, a polydispersity index of <0.4, and an encapsulation efficiency of ~18.1%. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that the freeze-dried nHA/TRF has a spherical structure. Conclusions: Taken together, the above findings indicate that the nHA may be established as a nanocarrier for efficient delivery of the TRF, as demonstrated by the promising physical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excess sludge in the paper industry is a hazardous solid waste that requires urgent and proper disposal for environmental protection and resource utilization. In this study, a novel magnetic biochar (Fe-SDBC) synthesized from paper sludge through one-step pyrolysis was employed to activate persulfate (PDS) for the efficient removal of acid orange 7 (AO7). The results indicated that Fe-SDBC could effectively activate PDS to remove 97.8% of AO7 within 90 min, with 89.4% removed within 5 min. Fe-SDBC had unique properties with abundant adsorption and active sites, including iron-containing compounds and oxygen-containing functional groups. The addition concentrations of Fe-SDBC (0.5 g/L) and PDS (10 mM) were optimized based on response surface methodology. Furthermore, Fe-SDBC presented good stability over a wide range of pH (3 ~ 11) and reusability in cyclic experiments. Coexisting ions, such as CO32−, HCO3−, and PO43−, had an inhibitory effect on AO7 removal. Both radical and non-radical pathways were proved to be involved in the Fe-SDBC/PDS system for AO7 removal, with singlet oxygen (1O2) being the dominant species. Additionally, the degradation pathways were investigated and toxicity assessment was evaluated. This work will provide a potential approach for paper sludge recycling in the wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yield of solvent-tolerant cold-active lipase from halo-tolerant Pseudomonas sp. VITCLP4 was improved by applying statistical methods to precisely combine medium components and other conditions. A two-level Plackett–Burman (PB) design was utilized to screen the most significant variables from eleven variables that influence lipase production. Analysis of variance revealed that Tween-80, peptone, and KH2PO4 were statistically significant. Optimum levels of selected variables were ascertained by one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) analysis. The selected three components' optimum values and interactive effects were established by response surface methodology (RSM) using a five-level-three-factor approach based on the central composite design (CCD). The optimized medium containing Tween-80, 0.6% (v/v), peptone, 0.85% (w/v), KH2PO4, 0.1% (w/v), yeast extract, 0.1% (w/v), olive oil, 0.2% (v/v) and inoculum size, 0.2% (v/v) resulted in maximum lipase production of 1356 Units mL−1 min−1 with 7.9-fold increase in the yield. This study provides insights into enhancing lipase production statistically with optimized resources that can be utilized in bioprocess studies and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the effect of parameters in the solid oxide fuel cell cycle has investigated using the response surface method. The thermodynamic modeling of this cycle has been done by EES software, which by considering three variables (current density, molar flow rate and fuel cell temperature) as input parameters, to examine the mutual effects of parameters on the objective functions (net output power and exergy efficiency) using the experimental design method. According to the results of thermodynamic analysis, the net power output and exergy efficiency of solid oxide fuel cell are 2424 kW, 52.29% and 50.43%, respectively. By transferring the tests based on the central composite design for the parameters obtained by the Design Expert software, the extracted results show the interaction effect of the input parameters. According to the results of the regression analysis, the values ​​of R2 in the responses of net output power and exergy efficiency are 96% and 87.79%, respectively, which shows the accuracy of the model. The parameters have a good interaction effect with each other and the optimal points for the input parameters of current density (i), input methane molar flow rate (nCH4) and solid oxide fuel cell temperature (TSOFC) has been calculated at the points of 2311.53 A/m2, 0.0068 kmol/s and 1200 K, as well as the responses of net output power and exergy efficiency at points 3555.18 kW and 0.68345%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to extract silica from combination of rice husk (RH and Rice straw (RS) by optimizing the ash digesting process parameters with the aid of response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of three independent ash digestion process factors like sodium hydroxide concentration (1–3 M), temperature (60–120 °C) and time (1–3 h), for silica production from the mixture of rice husk (RH) and rice straw (RS) were studied. A quadratic model was used to correlate the interaction effects of the independent variables for maximum silica production at the optimum process parameters by employing central composite design (CCD) with RSM. The work indicates that the temperature is the most significant parameter among the model terms, followed by NaOH concentration, then time for digestion of ash for silica production. It may be because of the larger F-value for temperature, which influences to high extent of ash digestion for silica production. The proximate analysis discovered that RH/RS possessed compositions of high ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon content whereas low moisture content, i.e., 20.5 ± 0.46, 67.1 ± 0.78, 15.8 ± 0.35 and, 6.6 ± 0.37 wt.%, correspondingly. The characterization of RH/RS and silica were performed by employing thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal (DT), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and Brunner–Emmet–Teller (BET) for confirmation of the silica production. Hence, this current study concludes that silica materials obtained from RH/RS (with purity > 97.35 wt.%) may be new materials in the Si–C–O system that may be used in construction, ceramics and silica gel that helps to absorb moisture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intranasal topical administration offers a promising route for local and systemic drug delivery, with in vitro permeation and mucoadhesion studies often using porcine models. However, the impact of storage on mucosal integrity after the procedure remains unaddressed. This study aimed to standardize the preparation process and evaluated whether storage of porcine nasal mucosa impairs its integrity and permeability for experimental comparisons. Additionally, an optimized in vitro mucoadhesion experiment using texture analyzer equipment was investigated. Porcine nasal mucosa was subjected to different storage conditions ("fresh"; refrigerated at 4°C for 24 h and 48 h, and frozen at -20°C for two or three weeks) and assessed using optical and transmission electron microscopy. In vitro permeation assays were performed in a Franz-type vertical diffusion system with lidocaine hydrochloride (LDC). In vitro mucoadhesion assays were conducted using fresh nasal mucosa and a commercial nasal topical formulation using TA.XT. Plus texture analyzer. The variables involved (probe speed, contact time, and application force) in assessing mucoadhesive capacity (maximum mucoadhesive force Fmax and work of mucoadhesion Wmuc) were optimized using a Central Composite Design. Fresh tissues showed no alterations in histological arrangement or in the ultrastructure of adherence junctions. Stored tissues exhibited histological disorganization, reduced thickness, and loss of epithelial integrity. LDC permeability increased in storage tissues (p < 0.05). Contact force had a positive effect on Fmax and Wmuc (p < 0.0001), with a minimum required value of 0.48 N. Variations in contact time and probe speed did not affect the responses (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the preparation technique was adequate to maintain mucosa integrity for permeability studies. However, storing the mucosa at 4 or -20°C overestimated LDC permeation, which could mislead critical data for formulation development. Therefore, the use of fresh mucosa is recommended to ensure more reliable results. For in vitro mucoadhesion assays, a minimum contact force of 0.48N is required for optimal responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-chlorinated polychlorinated biphenyls (LC-PCBs) pose a significant environmental threat to river systems due to their higher volatility, mobility, and solubility compared to higher chlorinated PCBs (HC-PCBs). This study aimed to detect and quantify mono-, di-, and tri-chlorinated PCB congeners in the Ganga River, focusing on sections in Kanpur, an industrial hub, and Prayagraj, known for religious activities. We developed and optimized a liquid–liquid microextraction method using hexane as a solvent. The extraction parameters were optimized using Central Composite Design (CCD), confirming a significant quadratic model fit (p < 0.0001) with a R2 of 0.9262, achieving optimal extraction efficiency. The method demonstrated limits of detection (LOD) ranging from 0.04 to 2.1 µg L−1, limits of quantification (LOQ) from 0.1 to 6.5 µg L−1, and recovery rates between 73.3 and 106.7%. The expanded uncertainty (%) ranged between 2.4 to 4.0%. Analysis of water samples from Kanpur (K1–K11) and Prayagraj (P1–P11) revealed significantly higher LC-PCB contamination in Kanpur. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that industrial activities were the primary contributors to the observed pollution, with the first principal component explaining 49% of the variance. Partial least squares discriminant analysis identified PCB-2, PCB-4, PCB-5, and PCB-18 as significant contaminants. Spatial distribution mapping highlighted K10 (Kanpur) and P1 (Prayagraj) as critical hotspots, suggesting localized point-source contamination. This study provides a robust analytical framework for the detection and quantification of LC-PCBs in aquatic environments. The findings underscore the impact of industrialization on LC-PCB pollution in the Ganga River and highlight the need for targeted environmental interventions to mitigate contamination and protect ecosystem and public health. Article highlights: Optimization of a microextraction method using CCD to improve efficiency and measure LC-PCB concentration in Ganga River water samples. PCA was performed to understand the LC-PCB sources in Kanpur and Prayagraj, and the VIP plot identified key congeners as PCB no. 2, 4, 5, 18. Spatial mapping visualizes PCB pollution hotspots primarily associated with the industry and downstream accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phthalic acid esters are pivotal plasticizers in various applications, including cosmetics, packaging materials, and medical devices. They have garnered significant attention from the scientific community due to their persistence in ecosystems. The multifaceted aspects of PAEs, encompassing leaching, transformation, and toxicity, underscore their prominence as primary components of anthropogenic waste. In this study, we conducted an extensive investigation to isolate and evaluate bacterial strains with the potential to degrade plasticizers from soil samples collected at JUHU Beach, Mumbai. The degradation capabilities of the isolates were meticulously assessed, and their characterization was performed using established microbiological protocols followed by Sanger dideoxy 16S rRNA sequencing. Four isolates demonstrating notable plasticizer degradation proficiency were subjected to in-depth examinations of their growth dynamics and tolerance thresholds. The biodegradation capabilities of these isolates were evaluated under varying pH, temperature, and plasticizer concentrations. Optimization of degradation rates was achieved through a central composite design experiment. Phenotypic characterization of the isolates was conducted through phylogenetic analysis. The isolates were identified as novel strains belonging to Brevibacillus brevis, Acinetobacter baumannii, Moraxella sp., and Halomonas sp. respectively. The novel isolates were submitted to GenBank with accession numbers OP984197, OQ690115, PP174910, and PP177540 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations have shown the traces of antibiotics in surface water, groundwater, wastewater treatment plants, and drinking water. However, conventional wastewater treatment is not entirely effective for vancomycin degradation. Advanced oxidation is one of the most widespread methods of antibiotic degradation in aqueous media. Vancomycin was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to explore and optimise the effect of the independent variables on vancomycin degradation. Independent variables were as follows: pH (3–11), vancomycin concentration (15–75 mg/L), TiO2–clinoptilolite (25–125 mg in 250 mL reactor volume), the temperature (25–45°C), and the reaction time (15–75 min). The validity and adequacy of the model were confirmed by the corresponding statistics (F–value = 111.5, correlation coefficient R2 = 0.98, adjusted R2 = 0.97, and prediction R2 = 0.95). The vancomycin degradation efficiency was 97% under optimal conditions (pH = 5, vancomycin concentration = 30 mg/L, TiO2-clinoptilolite content = 50.2 mg in a 250 mL reactor volume, temperature = 32.24°C, and reaction time = 50.9 min). This process followed the zero-order reaction kinetics model (R2 = 0.98), and the removal rate of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) under optimal conditions was 56%. The results indicated that supporting TiO2 on clinoptilolite particles could increase the photocatalytic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An agro-waste corncob was used to prepare activated carbon and loaded with ZnO nanoparticles by using the impregnation method. The FTIR band at 492 cm−1 of zinc oxide nanoparticle-loaded corncob activated carbon (ZnO@CCAc-7) shows the spreading vibrational modes of ZnO. The crystallinity and crystal structure of different prepared materials were analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The specific surface area of ZnO@CCAc-7 was observed to be 148.3 m2/g, which was nearly two times larger than that of efficient corncob activated carbon. The fundamental peaks of carbon, oxygen and ZnO nanoparticle with their atomic percent of C 66.66, O 27.10 and ZnO 6.24 were observed in the SEM-EDX spectrum. The thermal stability of the prepared adsorbent was also analysed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The maximum COD reduction using ZnO@CCAc-7 adsorbent was obtained to be 76.4% at the peak values of pH 6, dose 1.50 g/50 mL, time 160 minutes and temperature 30 ͦC. The various adsorption models Hill, Khan, Redlich–Peterson, Toth, Koble–Corrigan and Freundlich were found close-fitted to the adsorption process. It was observed that the COD removal adsorption technique ensued to a pseudo-first-order rate of kinetics. The negative value of Gibb's free ΔG0 and positive values of the enthalpy change (∆H° = 25.64 kJmol-1) indicates that the process of COD removal using ZnO@CCAc-7 adsorbent was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Furthermore, response surface methodology with a subset of Central composite design was also studied in detail to optimise the COD removal efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing water demand, and the presence of bio-recalcitrant antibiotics contaminants have detrimental effects on health, water quality, and the environment. Novel nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide polyvinylidene difluoride photocatalytic membrane (NTiO2-PVDF) was applied in the photodegradation of sulphamethoxazole antibiotic. The combined effects of pH and NaCl concentration and were modelled and optimized by Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD). Sulphamethoxazole (SMX) degradation, flux and total organic carbon (TOC) removal were the responses. Flux was modelled with linear polynomial model and quadratic polynomial models modelled degradation and TOC removal. The Analysis of Variance had high predictability in all the models with differences in predicted R2 and adjusted R2 not exceeding 0.2, and the coefficient of variance (CV%) in all the models not exceeding 10% indicating adequate variation and reliability in responses. The optimum values were 76.5% degradation at pH 4.6 and 7.8 g/l sodium chloride concentration, flux of 9.8 ml/7cmD/min at pH 4 and 7.0 g/l sodium chloride concentration, and 58% TOC removal at pH 7.3 and 11.7 g/l sodium chloride concentration. Moreover, NTiO2-PVDF had an overall 32.9% drop in flux within 1 h of degrading 10 mg/l SMX solution. To our knowledge, this is the first study that investigated the combined effects of pH and NaCl concentration using CCD based on RSM with sulphamethoxazole and visible light active nitrogen doped-PVDF photocatalytic membrane to understand interactions of factors that exist in real wastewater matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to serve as a performance indicator for the workability and strength of concrete when coarse aggregate, sand, cement, and water are partially substituted with waste plastic bottle caps. The significance of these alternative plastic water bottle caps is to reduce plastic trash that is difficult to lapse and to prevent waste that can be transformed to something that may be employed in the advancement of technology in the future. The principle of "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" is used, which not only lowers environmental pollution but also reduces costs. In the building industry, concrete is the most often utilized material. In order to preserve natural resources and minimize the number of materials that end up in landfills, green construction is becoming a more significant worldwide issue. Empty cans and bottle tops from drinking water bottle produce a lot of garbage. The difficulty of biodegrading plastic trash and the need for techniques for recycling or reuse make this a problem for the environment. Such problems are being investigated in this study in order to determine whether it could be possible to partially replace coarse aggregate with 0, 6 and 12% in the manufacturing of concrete using discarded bottle caps. To evaluate the compressive strength, split tensile, and flexural strength test characteristics in a laboratory setting; waste bottle caps were used as replacements for coarse aggregate at different percentages. The highest compressive strength was determined to be 28.80 MPa with 12% replacement of used plastic bottle caps with a water cement ratio of 0.55. Advanced statistical methods, including RSM-CCD (Response Surface Method-Central Composite Design) and machine learning models ANN-LM (Artificial Neural Network- Levenberg Marquardt), were applied in this study to predict concrete performances based on mix design variations. It was found that ANN-LM model displayed more accurate prediction relative to RSM-CCD method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimizing biosurfactant (BS) production is key for sustainable industrial applications. This study investigated BS synthesis by Candida mogii using licuri oil, a renewable carbon source rich in medium-chain fatty acids. Process optimization was conducted via central composite design (CCD), adjusting concentrations of licuri oil, glucose, NH4NO3, and yeast extract. The predictive model achieved an R2 of 0.9451 and adjusted R2 of 0.8812. Under optimized conditions, C. mogii lowered water surface tension from 71.04 mN·m−1 to 28.66 mN·m−1, with a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 0.8 g·L−1. The biosurfactant displayed high emulsification indices, exceeding 70% for canola, licuri, and motor oils, suggesting strong potential as an industrial emulsifier. FTIR and NMR analyses confirmed its glycolipid structure. Bioassays showed no toxicity to Lactuca sativa seeds, ensuring environmental safety, while antimicrobial tests demonstrated efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, indicating its suitability as a biocidal agent. This work positions C. mogii BS from licuri oil as a promising alternative for bioremediation, biotechnology, and antimicrobial uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated carbon production via chemical activation followed by surface functionalization with metal groups aims to achieve surface functionalization for CO2, aromatic/metallic organic compounds, and dye adsorption. The prepared activated carbon possesses a porous structure containing metal functional groups with adsorptive properties. This work proposed integrating two synthesis steps to simplify the process and reduce resources and impact. The preparation of palm kernel shell (PKS) derived AC (PKSdAC) through a concurrent activation and surface modification (CAM) process combines sulphuric acid (H2SO4) activation (5–10% mass loading) with barium chloride (BaCl2) modification (10 wt.%) at an activation temperature of 400–700 °C. The barium (Ba) is produced through the reduction process. Incorporating Ba into PKSdAC is vital to initiate chemical CO2 and other related component adsorption. The optimization study identified that 7.5% H2SO4, 10 wt.% BaCl2, and 700 °C was optimal in obtaining a high 1.50 wt.% Ba impregnated in PKSdAC. CAM-PKSdAC synthesized at optimal conditions exhibited a sponge-like cubic meso-microporous carbon structure containing BaSO4 crystals with a surface area of 420 and 423 m2 g−1 for its micropore and mesopore structure. A total pore volume of 0.19 cm3 g−1 and an average pore diameter of 1.78 nm were achieved. Conventional surface modified-activated PKSdAC prepared at optimal conditions has a cubic porous structure and a crack surface containing little BaSO4 crystals with a higher surface area of 565 m2 g−1 and total pore volume of 0.18 cm3 g−1 and an average pore diameter of 1.27 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to formulate and evaluate Eudragit nanoparticles-laden hydrogel contact lenses for controlled delivery of acetazolamide (ACZ) using experimental design. Eudragit S-100 was selected for the preparation of nanoparticles. The optimization of Eudragit S100 concentration (X1), polyvinyl alcohol concentration (X2), and the sonication time (X3) was attempted by applying a central composite experimental design. Mean size of nanoparticles (nm), percent in vitro drug release and drug leaching from the ACZ-ENs laden contact lens were considered as dependent variables. Nanoparticles-laden contact lens was prepared through the direct loading method and characterized. Optimum check-point formulation was selected based on validated quadratic polynomial equations developed using response surface methodology. The optimized formulation of ACZ-ENs exhibited spherical shape with a size of 244.3 nm and a zeta potential of −13.2 mV. The entrapment efficiency of nanoparticles was found to be 82.7 ± 1.21%. Transparent contact lenses loaded ACZ-ENs were successfully prepared using the free radical polymerization technique. ACZ-ENs incorporated in contact lens exhibited a swelling of 83.4 ± 0.82% and transmittance of 80.1 ± 1.23%. ACZ-ENs showed a significantly lower burst release of the drug when incorporated in the contact lens and release was sustained over a period of 24 h. The sterilized formulation of ACZ-ENs laden contact lens did not show any sign of toxicity in rabbit eyes. ACZ-ENs incorporated in contact lens could be considered as a potential alternative in glaucoma patients due to their ability to provide sustained drug release and thus enhance patient compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, zirconia-modified alumina support (S) was used to investigate Ga-promoted Ni catalysts for dry reforming of methane (DRM). The catalysts (Ni + (0–3) wt% Ga/S) were prepared using the wet impregnation method and calcined at 700 °C for 3 h. The inclusion of Ga enhanced the surface area, basicity, and metal-support interaction of the Ni-Ga/S catalysts. Smaller Ni particles containing Ga were seen in the TEM. The most active and stable catalyst was Ni + 2.0 Ga/S, having a conversion of 35% CO2 and 28% CH4 at 600 °C and displaying less (17%) carbon deposition. Furthermore, the DRM process was optimized by a mathematical model. The model determined the optimal conditions as follows: temperature (800 °C), gas flow rate (GHSV—30,000 ml h−1gcat−1), and methane to carbon dioxide ratio (1:1). The model predicts CH4 and CO2 conversions of 76.76% and 82.0%, respectively, and an H2/CO ratio of 1.02, compared to experimental results showing CH4 conversion at 74.56%, CO2 conversion at 83.25%, and an H2/CO ratio of 1.01. The model demonstrates excellent agreement with the experimental observations, exhibiting less than 3% error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robust missing observations have emerged as a crucial study area in statistical research. Response Surface Methodology (RSM), a recognized and extensively utilized area in experimental design, has determined that the absence of observations in an experiment can introduce complexity and interfere with the estimation of parameters. Previous literature reviews reveal that most studies on missing Central Composite Design (CCD) data were conducted using optimality and minimax loss criteria. Our study explores the spherical region of interest in the missing observation of CCD, represented through Variance Dispersion Graph (VDG) and Fraction of Design Space (FDS) graphs. Practitioners primarily focus on the region of interest rather than employing various alpha values. We investigate the predictive capabilities of each factorial, axial, and center missing design point against different radii(r) and fractions of the design space region, and we also measure relative G- and D- efficiency. We scrutinize various factors (k) from two to seven, including five center runs. Our research explores the region of interest in operating the experiment under robust conditions through visual aids of VDG and FDS graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the treatability of olive mill wastewater by iron-activated persulphate (PS) oxidation was investigated. Central Composite Design (CCD) was applied to optimise the process parameters and establish a mathematical model for total phenol, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and colour removal from olive mill wastewater. The effect of process variables (PS dose, Fe2+ dose, initial pH, and reaction time) on pollutant removal efficiency was evaluated. The correlation coefficients of the quadratic polynomial equations were high for COD, total phenol, and colour removal by PS oxidation, and the model was found to be applicable. Optimum conditions determined by the developed model for maximum COD removal were pH 5, PS dose 206.7 mM, Fe2+ dose 70 mM, and reaction time 95 min. The COD, total phenol, and colour removal efficiencies estimated by the applied model were 46.74%, 94.62%, and 96.04%, respectively. The removal efficiencies obtained under optimum conditions as a result of the validation experiments were 45.5%, 93.8%, and 95.5% for COD, total phenol, and colour removal, respectively. The results of the study showed that PS oxidation in which Fe2+ is used as an activator is a suitable alternative for olive mill wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of the research effort is to establish efficient solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (S-SNEDDS) for benidipine (BD) through the systematic application of a quality-by-design (QbD)-based paradigm. Utilizing Labrafil M 2125 CS, Kolliphor EL, and Transcutol P, the BD-S-SNEDDS were created. The central composite design was adopted to optimize numerous components. Zeta potential, drug concentration, resistance to dilution, pH, refractive index, viscosity, thermodynamic stability, and cloud point were further investigated in the most efficient formulation, BD14, which had a globule size of 156.20 ± 2.40 nm, PDI of 0.25, zeta potential of −17.36 ± 0.18 mV, self-emulsification time of 65.21 ± 1.95 s, % transmittance of 99.80 ± 0.70%, and drug release of 92.65 ± 1.70% at 15 min. S-SNEDDS were formulated using the adsorption process and investigated via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimeter, Scanning electron microscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction. Optimized S-SNEDDS batch BD14 dramatically decreased blood pressure in rats in contrast to the pure drug and the commercial product, according to a pharmacodynamics investigation. Accelerated stability tests validated the product's stability. Therefore, the development of oral S-SNEDDS of BD may be advantageous for raising BD's water solubility and expanding their releasing capabilities, thereby boosting oral absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to develop an optimized and wide concentration range HPLC-UV method for fluconazole (FLU) determination and its adaptation for pharmacokinetics (PK) studies in the pediatric population. Methods: The following parameters of chromatographic separation were optimized: retention time, tailing factor, peak height, and the sample preconditioning parameter, such as recovery. The optimization process involved the use of a central composite design (CCD) and Box–Behnken design (BBD) in the design of experiments (DoE) approach and a multilayer perceptron (MLP) for artificial neural network (ANN) application. Statistical and PK analyses were performed using Statistica and PKanalix. Results: The acetonitrile (ACN) concentration revealed the most significant factor influencing the retention time, tailing factor, and peak height of FLU and the internal standard. For recovery, the extracting agent's volume was the most significant factor. In most cases, the analysis conducted with the DoE and ANN indicated the same factors in a similar order regarding their impact on the analyzed variables. The optimization process allowed for achieving a wide range of determined concentrations (0.5–100 mg/L) and ~100% recovery. The developed method enabled PK analysis of 12 samples from three pediatric patients, proving its clinical usability. The estimated median clearance (CL) and volume of distribution (Vd) were 1.01 L/h and 18.64 L, respectively. Conclusions: DoE and ANNs are promising and useful tools in the optimization of sample preconditioning as well as the HPLC separation procedure. The investigated fluconazole determination method meets the European Medicines Agency (EMA) validation objectives and might be used in pediatric and adult PK studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C-Phycocyanin (C-PC) is a photosynthetic pigment found in cyanobacteria, notably in Arthrospira species. The extraction of phycocyanobilin (PCB), the chromophore of C-PC, is a common approach to address the instability of C-PC under light, heat, and acidic conditions. Methanol is typically used for PCB extraction. However, its use poses challenges for industrial applications owing to the need for solvent removal, extensive purification, and safety validation. Therefore, this study proposes ethanol as an alternative to methanol, optimizing the ethanol extraction conditions through response surface methodology (RSM) using a central composite design (CCD) and techno-economic analysis. The parameters evaluated were the extraction temperature, time, and C-PC/solvent ratio. Optimal conditions—68.81 °C, 14.91 h, and a C-PC to solvent ratio of 1:95 (w/v)— yielded a predicted PCB yield of 29.18%, closely aligning with the actual value of 29.67 ± 1.33%. A techno-economic analysis for pilot-scale PCB production showed that optimized ethanol extraction could yield 147.13 kg/year with 506 batches, compared with 84.31 kg/year standard methanol extraction with 317 batches. Furthermore, it was evaluated to have a unit production cost of USD 1,413,588/kg, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 53.36%, and a payback time of 1.6 years with increased yields and reduced toxic solvent disposal costs. This study supports scalable PCB production with a natural blue pigment suitable for the food, beverage, and cosmetics industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals, a major source of pollution in the environment, pose a substantial threat due to their non‐biodegradability and ability to accumulate in living organisms, causing health problems. Recently, researchers have been searching for cost‐effective and safe ways to remove heavy metals from polluted waterways using agricultural waste substitutes. The present study focused on the low‐cost treatments for the reduction of chromium Cr+6 metal from the effluent, wherein it has been found that chemically and bacterially treated agro‐waste had increased heavy metal ion adsorption capabilities. A sequential optimization of the process parameters was attempted using Plackett–Burman design (PBD) and central composite design of response surface methodology (CCD‐RSM) for the maximum reduction of the chromium metal from the effluent. A total of eight parameters were screened out using a 12‐run PBD experiment. Out of the eight parameters, time, HCl, NaOH, and bacterial treatments were found to be significantly affecting the maximum reduction of Cr+6 from the effluent. To investigate the interactions' effects of the chosen parameters, they were evaluated using CCD‐RSM. Maximum 74% Cr+6 reduction was achieved under the optimum treatment to rice husk of HCl 4.52 N, NaOH 3.53 N, bacterial suspension 7.41%, and with an interaction time 14.32 min using 30 run CCD‐RSM experiment. A scanning electron microscope was used to confirm the effects of selected variables on the agro‐waste for the Cr+6 reductions, as well as a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to optimize the extraction conditions of Piper betle leaves using a circumscribed central composite design, comparing dynamic and static maceration. Extraction temperatures were varied from 40°C to 80°C, while extraction times were varied from 15 to 45 minutes. Extraction yield, eugenol content in the raw material, and inhibition zone against Candita albicans were monitored. This study is notable for its comprehensive analysis of two maceration techniques under carefully controlled conditions and provides a novel comparison between dynamic and static maceration for this plant. The optimized conditions that maximized the extraction yield and inhibition zone were a temperature of 72.9°C for 19.4 minutes for dynamic maceration and 74°C for 19.4 minutes for static maceration. Under the optimal extraction conditions, static maceration resulted in superior extraction yield and eugenol content and a comparable inhibition zone compared to dynamic maceration. Specifically, static maceration produced an extraction yield of 27.50%±1.15%, eugenol content of 1.12%±0.05%, and an inhibition zone against C. albicans of 29.88±1.11 mm. Importantly, static maceration not only achieved comparable antifungal activity but also preserved the integrity of thermolabile compounds such as eugenol, which could contribute to a higher-quality extract. These findings have broader implications, particularly for industries prioritizing cost-effective and scalable extraction techniques for plant-based bioactives. In conclusion, static maceration was more suitable than dynamic maceration for extracting P. betle leaves. Moreover, the optimal conditions identified could serve as a guide for maximizing the extraction yield and anti-C. albicans of P. betle leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation deals with the optimization of various parameters for extraction of oleoresins from Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. and L.M. Perry buds (clove) using microwave assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) by response surface methodology comparing the results with Soxhlet extraction (SE). The chemical composition of oleoresins was studied by GC-MS analysis. This was followed by testing their antibacterial potential against Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus sp. and antioxidant potential. The maximum yield of clove oleoresin (COR) was obtained by UAE (42.00%) at 1:35 (solid to liquid ratio), 70°C for 12.50 min followed by SE (41.38%) and MAE (41.07%, 1:31 (solid to liquid ratio), 625 W for 60 s). The COR extracted by MAE showed the maximum percentage of various oxygenated terpenes (76.96%), followed by UAE (74.98%) and SE (44.92%). The major compound found in CORs extracted by MAE and UAE was eugenol acetate and for SE was 4,8,13-duvatriene-1,3-diol. The CORs extracted by MAE exhibited maximum antibacterial potential with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) which is the lowest COR concentration that inhibited the detectable growth of the test microorganisms in the range of 2.80–4.20 mg/ml followed by UAE (3.20–4.45 mg/ml) and SE (3.75–4.56 mg/ml). The COR extracted by MAE also exhibited maximum antioxidant activity against mustard oil degradation having the least increase in peroxide value, anisidine value, thiobarbituric acid value and total oxidation value after 28 days of storage. Hence, the maximum yield of COR was obtained by UAE but the maximum antibacterial and antioxidant potential was shown by COR extracted by MAE. Hence, COR extracted by MAE can be used as a natural food preservative as an alternative to synthetic food preservatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Elevated concentrations of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) in extracts from wild Psidium guajava L. leaves are associated with their antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. This study aimed to determine the optimal ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions to maximize TPC, TFC yield, as well as antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential. Methods: The central composite design (CCD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed for empirical model development with three levels of factors, including ethanol concentration (33.18 to 66.82% in distilled water), extraction time (1.59 to 18.41 min) and solvent-to-solid ratio (5.79 to 14.20 mL/g). Results: The results indicated that under optimal conditions, the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) values were 152.954 mg GAE/g DW and 113.871 mg QE/g DW, respectively. These conditions included an ethanol concentration of 51.94%, an extraction time of 9.56 min, and a solvent-to-solid ratio (v/w) of 10.84 mL/g. Furthermore, the maximum values for DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were 124.990 mg TE/g DW and 194.730 mg TE/g DW, respectively and the lowest IC50 for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity recorded at 11.946 µg/mL. The validated models exhibited strong consistency between the predicted and experimental values, with variations of less than 5% under optimal conditions. Additionally, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) also confirmed the appropriate model to predict the extraction yield of total polyphenol and flavonoid content, as well as their biological activities, including DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Conclusions: The enhancement of antioxidant and antidiabetic extraction processes in both the pharmaceutical and food industries through the use of ultrasound-assisted extraction from Wild Guava leaves can increase production to meet high demand. This efficiency is particularly noteworthy, as it demonstrates the advantages of using ultrasound in the extraction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoemulsions are colloidal dispersion systems utilized to enhance the solubility of water-insoluble drugs. This study aimed to develop nystatin-loaded nanoemulsion through a high-pressure homogenization and subsequently analyze the effects of various process variables (oil concentration, Smix ratio surfactant and co-surfactant, and homogenization pressure) on particle size, zeta potential, PDI, FTIR, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug release. FTIR findings suggest that there is no incompatibility issue between formulation ingredients and nystatin. The optimized formulation (formulation NM-11) had highest entrapment efficiency (90.00 ± 2.62%) and smallest droplet size (19.00 ± 0.82 nm) and demonstrated highest in vitro drug release (90.64 ± 1.13% after 45 min) in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). Nanoemulsion was stable after 3 months of storage at 4 ± 1 °C and 25 ± 2 °C/60 ± 5%RH. The results suggest that a high-pressure homogenization method may improve therapeutic efficacy of nystatin. Formulated nanoemulsion has demonstrated favorable outcomes in laboratory evaluations. However, scaling up studies and evaluating biopharmaceutic properties need to be conducted to validate these formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the application of central composite design (CCD) was used to optimise the synthesis of volcanic ash/ rice husk ash-based phosphate geopolymers. The effects of three factors namely, volcanic ash fraction, rice husk ash fraction and phosphoric acid concentration on porosity structure were investigated based on methylene blue index and iodine index as response variables. At optimized conditions of 3.72 g volcanic ash, 1.97 g rice husk ash and 5 M phosphoric acid concentration, desirable porosity structure was attained. The optimized geopolymer and their precursors were characterized by XRF, FTIR and XRD and applied to sequester crystal violet dye (CV) from water. The equilibrium data were described by the Langmuir isotherm with a maximum adsorption density of 14.6 mg/g. Adsorption rate followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. Notably, maximized porosity structure was attained at low acid concentration (5 M), a significant outcome in terms of cost and safety for pilot scale application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To discover effective drugs for treating Influenza (a disease with high annual mortality), large amounts of recombinant neuraminidase (NA) with suitable catalytic activity are needed. However, the functional activity of the full-length form of this enzyme in the bacterial host (as producing cells with a low cost) in a soluble form is limited. Thus, in the present study, a truncated form of the neuraminidase (derived from California H1N1 influenza strain) was designed, then biosynthesized in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), Shuffle T7, and SILEX systems. E. coli BL21 (DE3) was selected as a best host for statistical optimization. Using central composite design methodology, neuraminidase expression level was measured at 20 different runs considering most effective factors including; concentration of isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG), temperature, and induction time. Result: The recombinant neuraminidase was purified using Ni-affinity chromatography in soluble form. The neuraminidase expression was confirmed by western blot technique with a molecular mass of 48 kDa. The optimum expression condition was at temperature (30°C), induction time (3 h), and concentration of IPTG (0.6 mM) resulting in maximum neuraminidase expression (7.6 µg/mL) with P < 0.05. The analysis of variance with the significant value of R2 (0.97) indicated that the quadratic model utilized for this prediction was highly significant (p < 0.0001). Applying the optimized condition led to a ~ 2.2-fold increase in NA expression level (from 3.4 to 7.6 µg/ml). The kinetic parameters were also confirmed by fluorescent signals (by 2'-(4-Methylumbelliferyl)-α-D-N acetyl neuraminic acid substrate) with specific activity; ~3.5 IU/mg and Km: 86.49 ± 0.1 µ, close to the Vibrio Cholera neuraminidase with specific activity; 4 IU/mg. The neuraminidase inhibition test confirmed the inhibition of the neuraminidase activity by the drug inhibitor (Oseltamivir) compared to the control sample. Conclusion: The high quality and proper functional activity of the truncated neuraminidase described in this research show that E. coli can be a suitable host for a wide range of applications with less cost and risk compared to eukaryotic expression systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's world, water is a highly valued resource, and enhancing the quality of this natural endowment is a significant concern and a worldwide endeavor. This study sought to purify real wastewater and water tainted with methylene blue (MB) by immobilizing ZnO nanoparticles onto an alginate matrix using a straightforward approach and a three-dimensional structure. After analyzing the impact of H 2 O 2 , it was determined that 93.84% of MB was successfully removed (time = 120 min, dye concentration = 15 mg/L, catalyst amount = 2.5 g). The effects of inorganic ions and water types were investigated to simulate real wastewater conditions, and the catalyst performed satisfactorily. Alginate played a significant role in selectively removing dye, and the catalyst effectively removed 80.36% of MB and, in contrast, 20% of methyl orange (MO). The practical application of the catalyst was evaluated in textile wastewater treatment, and the catalyst showed satisfactory performance. An average 2.49% reduction in dye removal was observed after five stages of using the catalyst, demonstrating the beads' excellent stability. The composites were subjected to free radical trapping experiments to ascertain the active species. According to the results, h + and · OH acted as the main reaction species in the degradation of MB. At the end, the synergistic mechanism of adsorption and degradation in MB removal was presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turmeric, specifically its curcuminoids such as curcumin (C21H20O6), possesses extensive therapeutic benefits including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-aging properties. However, curcumin's clinical effectiveness is significantly limited by its hydrophobic nature, leading to poor bioavailability. This study aims to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of curcumin through the development of liquisolid compact dispersion formulations. To address curcumin's limited water solubility (3.12 mg/l at 25 °C) and high oil–water partition coefficient ( log K o w = 3.29 ), we employed a central composite design (CCD) to optimize liquisolid compact dispersion formulations. The optimization focused on the tablet's physical properties, such as hardness, disintegration time, and dissolution rate at 30 min. Critical formulation components included Tween 80 as the liquid vehicle and Aerosil 200 as the coating material, serving as independent variables in the optimization process. The optimized formulation, containing 30 mg of Tween 80 and 75 mg of Aerosil 200, significantly improved curcumin's dissolution rate. Experimental results confirmed the formulation's effectiveness, with a marked reduction in the time to dissolve 63.2% of the drug to 165 min, compared to 300 min for conventional formulations. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier-transform infrared spectra indicated a transformation of curcumin into a non-crystalline state and the formation of hydrogen bonds with Tween 80, contributing to enhanced solubility. This study successfully demonstrates a viable strategy to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin through liquisolid compact dispersion formulations. By addressing the solubility challenges of curcumin, this technique presents a significant advancement in improving the clinical applicability of BCS class II and IV drugs, potentially benefiting a wide range of therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Conventional therapies in cancer treatment face challenges including drug resistance, lack of specificity, and severe adverse reactions. This study explores the potential of liposomal transdermal delivery systems as an alternative to current therapies with improved BA and PK. The objective of the study was to formulate gefitinib liposomes by thin film hydration technique (TFH) using lipoid S100. A central composite design (CCD) was used to develop and optimize GEF-LIP-TDDs and to analyze the optimum concentrations of the selected variables (phospholipid, cholesterol) in liposomal formation. The model fitting was performed using Design-Expert (Stat-Ease, Ver 13). The GEF liposomes were evaluated for %EE, mean particle size and PDI. The optimized liposomes were fabricated as a transdermal patch by mercury substrate method and evaluated for %drug content, in vitro diffusion, in vivo biodistribution (PK and BA), and skin irritation studies in female Albino Wistar rats. The stability of the optimized transdermal patch was also assessed for 3 months. Results: The CCD model was significant with F-value of 37.97, P-value of 0.0500 and R2 of 0.9644. The average vesicle size, PDI, and ZP of GEF-LIPs (F1–F13) were found to be between 112.8 to 373.7 nm, 0.186 to 0.510 and − 3.69 to − 82.2 mV, respectively. F3-GEF-LIP exhibited a mean vesicle size of 96.07 nm, ZP of − 46.06 mV, and a PDI of 0.423. F3-GEF-LIP demonstrated exceptional %EE (97.79) and sustained release effect (%CDR, 83.32) following a diffusion-controlled mechanism. TEM images confirmed liposomes of multivesicular type (MVV, < 100 nm). Importantly, optimized F3-GEF-LIP-TD showed no signs of edema in Wistar rats. The biodistribution of F3-GEF-LIP-TD was similar to pure GEF and was higher in the liver (p < 0.05). The BA of F3-GEF-LIP-TD was observed to be 74.05 ± 0.11% in comparison with oral GEF-LIP (65.25 ± 0.08%) and pure GEF (58.10 ± 0.17%). Conclusion: TFH technique offers stable liposomes with high reproducibility. Our findings imply that GEF-LIP-TD provides enhanced BA and tissue distribution and can be considered as a substitution for orals or in combination for treating breast cancer. Lipoid S100 is a potential lipid for developing stable multivesicular nanoliposomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing of thermoplastic elastomers is challenging using fused deposition modeling due to their high melt viscosity, low column strength, and poor fusion among layers. Solvent‐cast 3D printing (SC‐3DP) is an efficient alternative to successfully 3D print such materials. However, selection of suitable 3D printing parameters is crucial to realize parts with optimum physicomechanical properties. In this work, statistical modeling and SC‐3DP parameter optimization for styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS) block copolymer were performed. The effect of 3D printing process parameters on shrinkage, relative density, and tensile strength was analyzed using response surface methodology. Experiments were planned as per central composite design and analysis of variance was performed to evaluate the significant parameters. SEBS content in the polymer solution significantly affected the shrinkage of SC‐3DP samples. Moreover, relative density and tensile strength were significantly affected by print speed and layer height. A significant interaction between print speed and layer height was also noticed for tensile strength and relative density of printed samples. Multi‐objective optimization using genetic algorithm was also performed to minimize shrinkage and maximize relative density and tensile strength. Finally, a case study was conducted comparing the physicomechanical properties of SC‐3DP samples printed at optimized process parameters and compression molded samples. Highlights: Statistical models were developed using response surface methodology.Genetic algorithm based multi‐objective optimization was performed.Optimum solvent‐cast 3D printing (SC‐3DP) process parameters were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The response surface technique approach was used in this study to determine the best processing parameters for the three responses. For the friction stir welded dissimilar AA7075-T651 and AA1200- H19 aluminium alloys, the rotating and the welding speed, as well as the tool tilt angle, were used as input variables. Mechanical tests were performed on the weldment and the average hardness ranges from 64.26 to 99.72 HV, while the Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) ranges from 111.51 to 152.48 MPa. The impact energy was found to varry between 2.9 and 21.4 J. The results from the Signal to Noise (S/N) ratio revealed optimal welding parameters for hardness, UTS and impact energy as 1500 rpm speed of tool rotation, 30 mm/min transverse speed, and 2° tool tilt angle, while for UTS, it is a rotational speed of 1500 rpm, 90 mm/min transverse speed, tool tilt angle of 2° and finally for impact energy as 1500 rpm rotational speed, 30 mm/min transverse speed and 2° tool tilt angle. The results from the grey relational analysis gave optimal process parameters of 1500 rpm rotational speed, 60 mm/min transverse speed and 2° tool tilt angle. The results from the ANOVA revealed that tool rotational speed has the highest significant contribution of 41.79% to the hardness of the weldment followed by the rotational speed (34.46%) and then the transverse speed (19.44%). For UTS, tool rotational speed has the highest significant contribution (35.03%) followed by tool tilt angle (33.72%) and then transverse speed (30. 23%). Also, tool rotational speed has the highest significant effect on the impact energy of the weldment (37.45%) followed by transverse speed (32.00%) and then a tool tilt angle of (27.02%). Empirical models were developed using the Minitab 17 software with the central composite design (CCD) from which the UTS of 150.99 MPa, hardness of 99.102 HV and impact energy of 20.039 were obtained and were found to be close to the experimental values obtained. This study is significant as it gives insight into the optimum processing parameters of joining AA7075-T651 and AA1200- H19 aluminium alloys using the FSW and can be recommended for producing high quality welds with good joint integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current study is based on the synthesis and characterisation of MgSiO3 nanoparticles (MgSiO3 NPs) and its application for ultrasound-assisted solid-phase extraction (UASPE) of methylene blue (MB) dye from water samples using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The prepared MgSiO3 NPs were fully identified and characterised by different techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The prepared nano sorbent had spherical shape with size diameter of 20 nm. Central composite design (CCD) optimisation approach as versatile tool was used for investigation and optimisation of the effective parameters. Using CCD method, the optimised conditions were achieved to be pH of 7.0, sorbent dosage of 29.80 mg, ultrasonic time of 10.34 min, and temperature of 25°C at 500 µl of dimethylformamide eluent using Triton X-100 surfactant. Under the optimised conditions, the proposed method is applicable for wide linear range with detection limit of 0.084 mg L−1, limit of quantification of 0.28 mg L−1. The prepared MgSiO3 NPs have exceptional properties in terms of porous and sheets structure and also high adsorption capacity. In addition, the applied method showed satisfactory figure of merits in terms of pre-concentration factor of 10, which make candidate the applied method and nano sorbent as an operative and ideal candidate for pre-concentration and determination trace level of MB from water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed at complete elimination of lead with minimum energy consumption using electrocoagulation process employing concentric electrodes made of aluminium. The process was optimized using RSM for chosen variables: current intensity, initial pH, initial lead concentration and time. Quadratic models were generated and assessed using four factorial CCD. A significant quadratic regression model was obtained and validated using ANOVA. Complete removal was attained for optimised conditions having 6 pH, 0.3A current intensity, 41 mg/L initial Lead concentration,13 minutes of applied time duration using energy of 0.77 watt-hour per gram removal of lead. Adsorption followed pseudo Ist order kinetics with a good fitting of the Langmuir isotherm model. Overall process was well optimised with quite low operational cost of 0.00092 US $. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemp, also known as Cannabis sativa L., contains over 80 cannabinoids, with cannabidiol (CBD) being the primary neuroactive component. CBD possesses various pharmacological properties and is considered a non-psychoactive compound, making it a promising component for various applications, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals. The aim of this study was to identify the optimal conditions for extracting CBD from hemp using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the SFE conditions. The Box–Behnken design and the central composite design were utilized to refine the extraction parameters, including extraction time, temperature, and pressure. The statistical significance and reliability of the optimized conditions were confirmed by the significant influence of these independent variables on CBD yield. The extracted CBD was purified to a high level of purity and converted from cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) through heat treatment and then analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The following extraction conditions were considered optimal and led to a CBD yield of approximately 70.46 g/kg: pressure of 48.3 MPa, temperature of 60 °C, and extraction time of 109.2 min. Validation experiments confirmed the accuracy of the model, with experimental values closely matching the predicted values (69.93 ± 0.88 g/kg). This study demonstrates that SFE is an efficient method for obtaining high-purity CBD from hemp, highlighting its potential for industrial applications. The findings suggest that optimizing SFE conditions through RSM can significantly enhance the efficiency and yield of CBD extraction, providing a robust framework for industrial-scale production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two-phase fluid flow in the Heavy-duty diesel (HDD) engine water jacket coolant can greatly reduce the thermal load of the cylinder head. In this experimental work, the characteristic of two-phase fluid flow in a transparent Plexiglas channel using C2H6O2- H2O (50%–50%) is investigated. Gray cast iron surfaces were selected as the heated surfaces to simulate the material of the HDD-cylinder head. Operating conditions of the HDD- engine (i.e. Vinlet from 0.46 to 2.0 m/s, Psystem from 1 to 2 bar and Tinlet from 70 to 110°C) are optimized using Response Surface Method (RSM) within the framework of the Central Composite Design (CCD) model. The outputs indicate: the onset of nucleate boiling (ONB) temperature increases by about ≈ 11.92% when the pressure changes from 1 to 2bar. By reducing the inlet temperature (from 70 to 110℃), the effect of superheating disappears around the bubble, so to reach the non-linear (i.e. two-phase region) area, the heat flux must be increased between 10 to 15 kW/m² to observe the ONB point. The cooling system pressure at low velocities (i.e. < 1m/s) should be considered in such a way that the saturation temperature of the fluid is about 35 to 50℃ lower than the HDD-engine wall temperature. Instead, at high velocities (i.e > 1m/s) this temperature difference between the fluid saturation temperature and the wall temperature is about 55 to 85℃. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gluconic acid (GA) is widely used in the pharmaceutical, food, detergent, textile, leather, and concrete industries. However, cost-effective and high-yield production of GA remains a challenge. Due to currently high raw material inputs of GA, various alternative carbohydrate sources are being investigated. Sucrose is one of the cost-effective biomass sources that can be used as feedstock. The most common industrial production of GA is based on wild-type bacteria and fungi, but there are many problems with this production. This study aimed to optimize the production of GA from glucose produced by hydrolysis of sucrose using recombinant E. coli Waksman (W) pqq+ strain. After sucrose was enzymatically hydrolyzed, significant medium components for GA production were determined as glucose, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), peptone, and ammonium phosphate ((NH4)3PO4) using Placket-Burman Design (PBD). Detailed optimization of the medium components that are significant in GA production was carried out using central composite design (CCD), and optimum values of the independent variables examined in maximum GA production (93.5 ± 2.95 g/L) were determined as glucose 95, CaCO3 25, peptone 2, and (NH4)3PO4 1.13 (g/L). Using results obtained in the Erlenmeyer experiments, GA production in the bioreactor was investigated by CCD. The maximum GA efficiency (3.20 ± 0.15 g/L. h) was obtained under conditions where the air supply rate was 10.82 L/min, stirring speed was 656.87 rpm, and CaCO3 concentration was 16.90 g/L. In conclusion, it has been shown that GA can be produced with a high yield with this novel approach using a recombinant strain for GA production from sucrose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its spore-forming ability, Bacillus coagulans has advantages over the other non-spore-forming probiotics. Among them, survival and stability during food processing and storage, resistance to acid pH, and digestive enzymes are important. However, there are few studies on the quality and amount of sporulation in B. coagulans. This study investigated the spore densities and formation efficiency of B. coagulans. The optimal medium formulation consisted of yeast extract (1.00 g L−1), potassium acetate (20.00 g L−1), and MnSO4 (0.01 g L−1 and 0.03 g L−1). After reaching the optimal medium, a response surface regression equation was established based on the results of central composite design (CCD) experimental designs to optimize time, temperature, and pH parameters. The predicted results thus obtained were in good agreement (R2 = 95.19%) with the results obtained by performing experiments. Multiple regression analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that pH is negative, and temperature and time dose are positive factors. The maximum spore cell densities by optimization plots have obtained 9.80 log at temperature 83.77 °C, pH 3.05, and time 111.19 h, considering that B. coagulans needs special environmental and cellular conditions to enter the sporulation stage. In this study, the composition of the culture medium and factors such as temperature, time, and pH were considered influencing factors in B. coagulans sporulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify what are the dominant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) involved in the fermentation of salt-free sauerkraut, and optimize its industrial culture conditions, we isolated and identified a strain of LAB, which is referred to as Lactobacillus sp. DF_001, with the preservation number CCTCC NO: M20232593, from five different regions in Guizhou Province. Industrial culture conditions were optimized using Plackett-Burman and Central Composite design experiments, and the potential role of this LAB in salt-free sauerkraut fermentation was validated. Bioproduction was optimal with a culture time of 66 h, starch/water ratio of 1.7% and inoculum of 0.02%, which gave approximately three-fold higher yield than the basal culture medium DeMan-Rogosa-Sharpe medium (MRS). The LAB was used in small-scale industrial experiments. The Dafang LAB significantly enhanced the sensory score of the salt-free sauerkraut products by about 32% compared to the control group. The total acid content increased by about 32% and the sugar and nitrite contents were reduced by 67.27 and 69.58%, respectively. The total number of bacterial colonies decreased by 37.5%. All other indicators complied with the national standard, providing overall the basis to improve salt-free sauerkraut fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the development of eco-friendly cementitious materials for soil stabilization, based on alkaline multi-industrial waste (AMIW), using steel slag (SS), blast furnace slag (BFS), carbide slag (CS), fly ash (FA) and flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) as the raw materials. The optimal AMIW-based cementitious material composition determined through orthogonal experiments was SS:CS:FGDG:BFS:FA = 15:10:15:44:16. Central composite design (CCD) in response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the curing process parameters. The maximum 7-day unconfined compressive strength (7d UCS) was achieved under the optimal conditions of 18.51% moisture content, 11.46% curing agent content and 26.48 min of mix-grinding time. The 7d UCS of the AMIW-stabilized soil showed a 24% improvement over ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-stabilized soil. Rietveld refinement results demonstrated that the main hydration products of the stabilized soil were C-S-H and ettringite. After curing for 7 days to 28 days, the C-S-H content increased from 3.31% to 5.76%, while the ettringite content increased from 1.41% to 3.54%. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that with the extension of curing time, the pores of the stabilized soil become smaller and the structure becomes denser, resulting in an improvement in compressive strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robotic arms have received attention in manufacturing due to their high precision and productivity. As their demand rises, energy consumed by robotic arms in manufacturing applications has become a critical issue. Predicting energy usage of industrial robotic arms is therefore necessary to assess and reduce their energy consumption and costs. However, existing power estimation methods require too many mechanical inputs or focus on only one single robotic arm without considering operational perspectives such as interactions between robotic arms and machines. To tackle these issues, this study proposes a simplified power estimation model for robotic arms and provides energy simulation models in which machines and robotic arms work together. For more accurate results, power data are collected through experiments of central composite design (CCD) using a 7-axis robotic arm. Then, regression models are built to estimate power demand of the robotic arm as three simple inputs: starting point, ending point, and payload. The regression analyses of this study consistently show that the power demand estimation models are very accurate with high R2 values between 0.95 and 0.98. Then, a manufacturing system with milling machines supported by robotic arms is simulated. By applying the proposed method, the activities of robotic arms and machines are simulated with various operational factors, and the time series power is obtained. Further analyses suggest that energy performance of robotic arms can be improved at a maximum of 22% by optimizing two operational parameters: the base and idle positions of robotic arms. The proposed method facilitates energy modeling and simulation processes for robot-assisted manufacturing and enables practitioners and researchers to readily adjust operational parameters and evaluate energy performance for robot applications in manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to optimise ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of the herb Sanguisorba officinalis L. in terms of the antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP method) and total polyphenol content (TPC). Optimisation was performed using the response surface methodology (RSM) with a third-degree (33) Central Composite Design (CCD) approach. The RSM was applied to obtain the optimal combination of (1) raw material content (2.25–7.5 g raw material/100 mL of solvent), (2) ethanol concentration (20–60% v/v), and (3) extraction time (1–15 min). The optimal conditions for the extraction of polyphenols and antioxidant potential were a raw material content of 7.5 g/100 mL of solvent (solid/solvent ratio 13.3 mL/g), an ethanol concentration of 47% v/v, and an extraction time of 10 min. At these optimal extraction parameters, the maximum extraction of polyphenols and antioxidant activity obtained experimentally was found to be very close to its predicted value and was 12.9 mmol Trolox/L (DPPH method), 19.4 mmol FeSO4/L (FRAP method), and 2.1 g GA/L (TPC). The mathematical model developed was found to fit with the experimental data on the antioxidant potential and polyphenol extraction. The n-octanol/water partition coefficient of the optimised extract was used to determine their lipophilicity. Our studies have shown that the optimised extract is highly hydrophilic (log P < 0). Optimal parameters can be used for the industrial extraction of the S. officinalis herb for the needs of, among others, the pharmaceutical or cosmetic industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]