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The extent and rate of release of active substances from topical products must be sufficient to ensure their effectiveness, which depends on selecting the most appropriate formulation. This study examined allantoin emulsions and gel formulations. In water-in-oil (W/O) and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, the main emulsifier was varied, while the same gelling agent was used in all formulations to test the effects of oil phase presence and emulsifier type on allantoin release, as well as the formulations' rheological and textural characteristics. O/W emulsions exhibited similar release rates and the overall amount released over six hours (11–14.8%), while the highest amount of allantoin (20.9%) was released from the gel formulation. Conversely, the amount of allantoin released from the W/O emulsion (0.77%) was insufficient. Experimental data generally fit best with the Higuchi model kinetics. The formulations demonstrated shear-thinning thixotropic behavior. The greatest deviation from the Newtonian type of flow, with the smallest value of constant n (0.106-0.13) and the largest thixotropic loop area (6602.67-8140 Pas-1) were shown by O/W emulsions. The W/O emulsion exhibited the highest constant n (0.70) and smaller hysteresis area (991.23 Pas-1). Firmness and consistency values increased in the order: gel < W/O emulsion < O/W emulsions. The O/W emulsions showed similarity in microstructure and textural characteristics, likely explaining their similar release behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production systems are often managed to maximise their production rate (). In some cases, this leads to excessive work-in-process and, as a result, long production lead time (). This issue is of particular importance in systems with ‘unlimited’ buffer space, wheremay also become unlimited. The question addressed in this paper is: What should be the release rate of raw materials so that the desiredis obtained, whileis maximised? We answer this question for serial lines with infinite buffers and machines obeying the Bernoulli reliability model. Specifically, given a serial line, we quantify the set of attainables (feasible set), and for each point in the feasible set provide the release rate (as a function of machine parameters) that guarantees the desired lead time, while maximising the production rate. In addition, we offer a feedback control law that enforces the desired system behaviour. The development is based on a recursive aggregation procedure that leads to analytical estimates of. The accuracy of these estimates is evaluated by simulations and is shown to be acceptable for practical applications (well within 5%). The results obtained offer small- and mid-size enterprises the possibility of managing their production lead time, when neither limited buffers nor kanban/CONWIP systems are available, by releasing raw materials on, say, an hourly basis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aims: To evaluate the influence of minor differences in molecular weights of commercially available low molecular weight PLGA grades on the kinetics of doxorubicin release from the nanoparticles. Methods: Three low-molecular weight 50/50 PLGA polymers were thoroughly characterised concerning intrinsic viscosity, molecular weight (Mw), acid value, and residual monomer content. The doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles prepared using these polymers were evaluated concerning the kinetics of drug release and hydrolytic degradation. Results: The Mw of the polymers were slightly different: 10.2, 10.3, and 4.7 kDa. The nanoparticles obtained from the polymer with Mw of 4.7 kDa exhibited considerably higher rates of drug release and polymer degradation. Conclusion: In the case of low molecular weight PLGA grades even a few kilodaltons could be important for the batch-to-batch reproducibility of the nanoformulation parameters. These results bring forward the importance of in-house characterisation of the polymers to be used for the nanoparticle preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable polymers are promising binders and carriers for natural antifoulants. In the present study, an antifouling (AF) coating was developed by adding a non-toxic AF compound (butenolide) to a bio-based and biodegradable poly(lactic acid)-based polyurethane. Mass loss measurement showed that the polymer degraded in seawater at a rate of 0.013 mg cm−2 day−1. Measurements showed that butenolide was released from the coatings into seawater over a period of at least three months. Both the concentration of butenolide in the coatings and the ambient temperature determined the release rate of butenolide. The results further demonstrate that incorporating rosin into the coatings increase the self-renewal rate of the polymer and facilitated the long-term release of butenolide from the coating. The results show that poly(lactic acid)-based polyurethane is a suitable polymer for butenolide-based AF coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our main goal was to evaluate release mechanism of microcapsules with different core status. First, flufiprole microcapsules were directly encapsulated with chitosan (CS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) through layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly. The changes of process parameters on the microcapsules characteristics (zeta potential, and morphology) were investigated. Also the release trends of flufiprole were determined and fitted with mathematical models. It was revealed that releases of three types of microcapsules were all very similar, but microcapsule with solid particles and oil suspending agent reached their peak values at 36–42, 42–48 h respectively, microcapsule with solution droplets cannot reach a maximum value. In the stage of initial burst release, Higuchi model performed better with oil suspending agent and solid particles, which was in agreement with the Fick's law. Core status being solution, release curves of the pesticide corresponded to zero-order which was in agreement with dissolution mechanism. In the stage of slow release, the values of R2 for solution and solid particles were all above 0.98, betokened the release phenomenon were in line with the first-order. On the other hand, release of oil suspending agent conformed to Higuchi model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is a key insect pest of tomato crop causing major economic losses worldwide. Biological control using Trichogramma parasitoids is considered a promising, eco-friendly management tactic of this pest. We performed inundative releases of Trichogramma cacoeciae (Marchal) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) against T. absoluta in Takelsa (northeastern Tunisia). Three weekly releases of either (i) 10, 20 or 30 Trichogramma per plant in protected (greenhouse) tomato crops or (ii) 20 or 40 Trichogramma per plant in open field tomatoes were evaluated for their effectiveness. Results indicated that 20 Trichogramma per plant was the most effective release rate in significantly decreasing the pest's life stage densities. Parasitism rates were significantly higher on apical tomato leaves (estimated at 58.6% for the rate 20 Trichogramma per plant in greenhouses and at about 56% for the rate 40 Trichogramma per plant in open field) compared to those observed on middle leaves (24.6% and 45.26% for rate 2 respectively under greenhouse and open field conditions). Furthermore, the overall number of T. absolua eggs and larvae was significantly reduced after releases of Trichogramma parasitoids. These results clearly indicate that T. cacoeciae could be a promising biocontrol agent of T. absoluta in the largest tomato-producing area in Tunisia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influences of drying methods on the risperidone (RIS) release profiles of RIS-loaded PLGA microspheres. These microspheres were fabricated with an O/W emulsion solvent evaporation method. The wet microspheres were dried with freeze drying and vacuum drying methods. The microspheres were mono-dispersed spheres with an average diameter of 100 μm. Studies found that drying methods had great influence on the porosity, morphology, and release profiles of RIS-loaded PLGA microspheres. Specifically, the freeze-dried microspheres had higher porosity (78.46 ± 1.64%) than those vacuum-dried ones (52.45 ± 2.68%), and they showed higher RIS release rates (p < 0.05). In the accelerated release tests (45 °C), these microspheres dried under the pressures of 700 mmHg and 200 mmHg gave faster release rates than those ones dried under the pressure of 450 mmHg. Importantly, the accelerated release test (45 °C) had a high correlation with the real-time test (37 °C) (R2 > 0.99). These studies exhibited a significance in the precise preparation of RIS-loaded PLGA microspheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How zinc oxide influences copper release has been tested and the lowest release rate of copper from various combinations of copper and zinc in a paint matrix evaluated, whilst still deterring macrofouling, including barnacles and bryozoans. Copper (I) oxide was added to a generic AF paint in 0, 8.5, 11.7 or 16.3 wt% copper oxide in combination with 0, 10 or 20 wt% zinc oxide and applied on PMMA panels. The results show that zinc influences the release rate of copper. When 10 and 20 wt% zinc was added, the total amount of copper released significantly increased by on average 32 and 47% respectively. All treatments that included copper were successful in deterring macrofouling, including the treatment with the lowest average Cu release rate, ie 4.68 μg cm−2 day−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attraction of California red scale males,Aonidiella aurantii(Maskell), to different release rates of the sex pheromone compound 3-methyl-6-isopropenyl-9-decen-1-yl acetate was evaluated in field trials. This study was aimed to study pheromone emission-response correlations and the existence of an optimum release rate that maximizes trapping efficacy. Release profiles of the pheromone dispensers deployed were determined by gas chromatography to estimate the various emission rates tested. The results reveal that the mean number ofA. aurantiimales caught correlates with the daily pheromone release rates by means of a quadratic model. The obtained model indicates the existence of a relative maximum of the captures corresponding to an optimum release rate of ca. 300 μg/day. Higher emission rates (up to 1 g/day) resulted in lower captures. Implications for the mating disruption technique are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based nanocomposite active packaging was developed for the controlled release oftert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) antioxidant. The PLA-based active films were loaded with only TBHQ (3% wt) or a mixture of modified cellulose nanofibre (MCNF) (8% wt) and TBHQ (3% wt) to obtain active and nanocomposite active films, respectively. Release studies indicated that the release rate of TBHQ in 95% ethanol simulant was significantly decreased by the addition of MCNF. Moreover, the presence of MCNF diminished the increasing effect of temperature on the release rate as when storage temperature increased from 4°C to 40°C. The diffusion coefficient (D) for PLA-TBHQ and PLA-MCNF-TBHQ films increased from 6.75 and 4.34 × 10−8cm2 s−1to 19.85 and 8.49 × 10−8cm2 s−1, respectively. Diffusion of TBHQ to soybean oil was enough to delay the induction of the oxidation of soybean oil stored for 6 months in contact with PLA-based films. Antioxidative activity of PLA-based active films considerably increased with increasing storage time as indicated by the increase in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and the oxidative stability index (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that effective controlled release antioxidant packaging could be obtained by using MCNF nanofiller, which leads to prolonged activity and an extended shelf-life in fatty foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A unique approach for the synthesis of an iron oxide-blended sodium zinc molybdate nanocontainer using an ultrasound-assisted method and its application for 2 K epoxy polyamide nanocomposite coatings has been presented. Sodium zinc molybdate blended with iron oxide was used as the core of the nanocontainer and layer-by-layer assembly of oppositely charged species of polyelectrolyte and inhibitor was made over this core of nanoparticles. The release of imidazole from iron oxide-blended sodium zinc molybdate nanocontainer has been quantitatively evaluated in water at different pH. It has been observed that imidazole plays a major role in the release profile of polyelectrolyte-modified nanocontainer and deciding the corrosion inhibition characteristics. Addition of 4 wt% nanocontainer in coatings results in shifting of corrosion potential (Ecorr) value towards positive direction. The maximum concentration of imidazole released at the end of 1 h was found to be 0.545 mg L−1/g of nanocontainer at pH of 10. The results of corrosion rate analysis, Tafel plots and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies of an iron oxide-blended sodium zinc molybdate nanocontainer-based coatings indicated better inhibition performance compared with neat coating. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Knowledge of the release of heavy metals (HM) and their chemical speciation is necessary for characterizing HM behavior in soils. The kinetics and characteristics of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) release were studied in 10 contaminated calcareous soils using 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl2), 0.01 M ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and 0.01 M malic acid (malic acid) extractions. Iron and Mn in soil samples were fractionated before and after 2084 h kinetic release using a sequential extraction procedure. The proportion of Fe and Mn released by EDTA was greater than that with CaCl2and malic acid. A power model satisfactorily described Fe and Mn release from soils. In general, the mean release rate of Fe was greater than that of Mn, indicating a greater rate of Fe release from contaminated soils. It was shown that Fe and Mn distributions were similar in native soils and they were mainly found in Fe-Mn oxides and organic-matter (OM) fractions. There were changes in the proportional distribution of Fe and Mn in all soils during the 2084 h kinetic study with different extraction solutions. In general, the proportions of Fe and Mn associated with carbonate (CARB) and OM fractions tended to decrease, with corresponding increases in the Fe-Mn oxides for Mn and residual (RES) fractions for Fe during the kinetic study with all extraction solutions. The Fe and Mn solubility at the initial and final stages of release was controlled by siderite (FeCO3), vivianite [(Fe)3(PO4)2·8H2O], MnCO3(am), MnHPO4, and rhodochrosite (MnCO3) minerals in all extraction solutions. Based on a risk assessment and percentage of release of metals, there is a high potential for Mn release into the food chain from contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of resorcinol-based novel phenol formaldehyde (PF) microcapsules containing pendimethalin core were produced byin situpolymerization. Novel PF microcapsules were characterized by FTIR, particle size analyzer and TGA. Surface morphology was studied by optical microscope and SEM confirmed spherical shape, smooth surface and rigid nature of the microcapsules. Release rate of pendimethalin from polymeric microcapsules was calculated by ultraviolet spectrophotometer and also by a simple gravimetric method, which is easier and does not need any special equipment. The beauty of our present research work represented resorcinol-based PF as a new shell material for the microencapsulation of pendimethalin. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The use of organic residues might be appropriate in maintaining long-term nutrient requirements of crops. We investigated under laboratory conditions the dynamics of calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+), and potassium (K+) release during decomposition of eight plant residues and two manures over 12 weeks of incubation at 25 ○C. During the processes of decomposition, these nutrients were extracted by 0.1 M sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The release rate of nutrients for residues was best estimated by the exponential model. There were differences in the rates at which release took place between residues and nutrients. In general, release patterns of nutrients with time for all residues were similar in shape, and two regions could be distinguished: a first one during the first 4 weeks of incubation, corresponding to faster release of nutrients, and a second for longer incubation times (weeks 5–12), when the release of nutrients was slower. A 71% loss of K+ was found after 1 week for vegetable waste and only 43% loss of Na+ for rape. Generally, based on release rate (% week–1), nutrient release from residues was in the order K+ (–0.363) > Na+ (–0.344) > Mg2+ (–0.327) > Ca2+ (–0.280). The release rate of nutrients was significantly correlated with their residue content. Our results suggest that the use of organic residues as a source for short- and long-term nutrients supply for crops should be encouraged. The quick release of K+ and Na+ may pose a high risk of K+ and Na+ losses in sandy soils with low cation exchange capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Rosin-based coatings loaded with 0.1% (w/v) ivermectin were found to be effective in preventing colonization by barnacles (Balanus improvisus) both on test panels as well as on yachts for at least two fouling seasons. The leaching rate of ivermectin was determined by mass-spectroscopy (LC/MS-MS) to be 0.7 ng cm−2 day−1. This low leaching rate, as deduced from the Higuchi model, is a result of the low loading, low water solubility, high affinity to the matrix and high molar volume of the model biocide. Comparison of ivermectin and control areas of panels immersed in the field showed undisturbed colonisation of barnacles after immersion for 35 days. After 73 days the mean barnacle base plate area on the controls was 13 mm2, while on the ivermectin coating it was 3 mm2. After 388 days, no barnacles were observed on the ivermectin coating while the barnacles on the control coating had reached a mean of 60 mm2. In another series of coated panels, ivermectin was dissolved in a cosolvent mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol formal prior to the addition to the paint base. This method further improved the anti-barnacle performance of the coatings. An increased release rate (3 ng cm−2 day−1) and dispersion of ivermectin, determined by fluorescence microscopy, and decreased hardness of the coatings were the consequences of the cosolvent mixture in the paint. The antifouling mechanism of macrocyclic lactones, such as avermectins, needs to be clarified in further studies. Beside chronic intoxication as ivermectin is slowly released from the paint film even contact intoxication occurring inside the coatings, triggered by penetration of the coating by barnacles, is a possible explanation for the mode of action and this is under investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinked gelatin (G) microcapsules containing tea tree oil (TTO) were prepared by the simple coacervation technique. The effects of variations in concentrations of the G, TTO and GA used during the microencapsulation process, on the oil load of the microcapsules, the oil content, the encapsulation efficiency and the release rate of oil were determined. The size distribution and the morphology of the microcapsules were characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy. It was determined by FTIR studies that there was no evidence for any significant interaction between G and TTO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various buccoadhesive nystatin tablets formulations containing xanthan, carbopols (934P, 971P, 974P), PVP K30 or PEG 6000 or their binary blends were prepared. The powders were compressed into tablets at a constant compression pressure. Drug release behaviour, swelling and erosion indices and strength of bioadhesion in vitro to a biological membrane were investigated. The interaction between nystatin and polymers was investigated by DSC and FT-IR. Tablets containing the different types of carbopol alone consistently showed an initial burst release of drug, whereas this was not observed for matrices containing xanthan or xanthan-carbopol. The presence of PEG in xanthan-containing formulations induced an increase in dissolution rate; however, in the absence of xanthan the amount of drug release from a PEG matrix was reduced to < 15% over 8 h dissolution. The presence of PVP increased the dissolution rate of nystatin due to the relative hydrophilicity of PVP. The presence of calcium ions induced a more rigid gel in the xanthan matrix as a result of interaction between the polymer and calcium ions. Xanthan can be used in potential mucoadhesive formulations containing nystatin to produce a controlled release of the drug and the outcomes of this work may provide a suitable strategy for matrix selection to provide more efficacious treatment alternatives for candidiasis and other disease processes for significant patient populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polysaccharide mucilage derived from the seeds of fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graceum L (family Fabaceae) was investigated for use in matrix formulations containing propranolol hydrochloride. Methocel® hypomellose K4M was used as a standard controlled release polymer for comparison purposes. In this study the effect of lactose on the release behaviour of propranolol hydrochloride from matrices formulated to contain the fenugreek mucilage also was investigated. An increase in concentration of the mucilage in matrices resulted in a reduction in the release rate of propranolol hydrochloride comparable to that observed with hypomellose matrices. The rate of release of propranolol hydrochloride from fenugreek mucilage matrices was mainly controlled by the drug:mucilage ratio. However, the mechanism of release from matrices containing drug:mucilage ratios of 1:1, 1:1.25, 1:1.5, and 1:2 remained the same. The kinetics of release, utilising the release exponent n, showed that the values of n were between 0.46-0.57 indicating that the release from fenugreek mucilage matrices was predominantly by diffusion. The presence of lactose in matrices containing mucilage increased the release rate of propranolol hydrochloride. This is due to a reduction in tortuoisity and increased pore size of channels caused by lactose through which propranolol diffuses and therefore diffusion of water into the tablet is facilitated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The US Navy Dome method for measuring copper release rates from antifouling paint in-service on ships' hulls can be considered to be the most reliable indicator of environmental release rates. In this paper, the relationship between the apparent copper release rate and the environmental release rate is established for a number of antifouling coating types using data from a variety of available laboratory, field and calculation methods. Apart from a modified Dome method using panels, all laboratory, field and calculation methods significantly overestimate the environmental release rate of copper from antifouling coatings. The difference is greatest for self-polishing copolymer antifoulings (SPCs) and smallest for certain erodible/ablative antifoulings, where the ASTM/ISO standard and the CEPE calculation method are seen to typically overestimate environmental release rates by factors of about 10 and 4, respectively. Where ASTM/ISO or CEPE copper release rate data are used for environmental risk assessment or regulatory purposes, it is proposed that the release rate values should be divided by a correction factor to enable more reliable generic environmental risk assessments to be made. Using a conservative approach based on a realistic worst case and accounting for experimental uncertainty in the data that are currently available, proposed default correction factors for use with all paint types are 5.4 for the ASTM/ISO method and 2.9 for the CEPE calculation method. Further work is required to expand this data-set and refine the correction factors through correlation of laboratory measured and calculated copper release rates with the direct in situ environmental release rate for different antifouling paints under a range of environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports on the preparation and evaluation of cyclophosphamide loaded-polyalkylcyanoacrylate nanospheres obtained by emulsion polymerization. Characterization by differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction can reveal state dispersion of the drug inside the nanospheres. Such information predicts the stability of the particles and the drug release behaviour. The study has indicated the prescence of a molecular dispersed system. The drug release behaviour was also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with a comparative investigation of the characteristics of ascorbic acid microcapsules prepared by different methods, such as thermal phase separation, melt dispersion, solvent evaporation and spray drying. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), release tests and size distribution were used for the evaluation of product characteristics. The results show that microencapsulated ascorbic acid could prevent the ascorbic acid colour change, retard its core release rate, and generally mask its acid taste. In the thermal phase separation, molecular weight (M[sub w]) of ethyl cellulose (EC) and the addition of polyisobutylene (PIB) significantly influenced the aggregation and release rate of microcapsules. In the melt dispersion method, spherical particles were prepared by using carnauba. The ascorbic acid release rate was found to be slower in the case of carnauba-encapsulated ascorbic acid than that made by EC using other methods. In the solvent evaporation method, a higher M[sub w] of EC and the addition of plastizer were also found to be important for good encapsulation. In the spray drying method, loss of ascorbic acid was found to be minimum during microencapsulation. Starch and beta-cyclodextrin encapsulated ascorbic acid delayed the degradation of ascorbic acid during storage at 38°C and relative humidity 84.0%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental investigation into the use of a hydrophobic matrix to control the release of a highly water soluble drug was undertaken. Matrices consisting of hydrogenated vegetable oil and calcium sulfate with a 4% drug loading showed a sustained-release profile of up to 24 hr. The release mechanism from such matrices seemed to obey both root time kinetics and first-order behavior. Investigations showed that the effect of geometry had a significant effect on the drug release rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]