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This study explores the development and characterization of lyophilized chondroitin sulfate (CHON)-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as an innovative platform for advanced drug delivery. Background/Objectives: Solid lipid nanoparticles are increasingly recognized for their biocompatibility, their ability to encapsulate diverse compounds, their capacity to enhance drug stability, their bioavailability, and their therapeutic efficacy. Methods: CHON, a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan with anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, was integrated into SLN formulations using the hot microemulsion technique. Two formulations (SLN-1 and SLN-2) were produced and optimized by evaluating critical physicochemical properties such as particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE%), and stability. The lyophilization process, with the addition of various cryoprotectants, revealed trehalose to be the most effective agent in maintaining nanoparticle integrity and functional properties. Results: Morphological analyses using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed the dimensions of the nanoscales and their structural uniformity. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed minimal excipient interaction with CHON, ensuring formulation stability. Stability studies under different environmental conditions highlighted that SLN-2 is the most stable formulation, maintaining superior encapsulation efficiency (≥88%) and particle size consistency over time. Conclusions: These findings underscore the potential of CHON-loaded SLNs as promising candidates for targeted, sustained-release therapies in the treatment of inflammatory and degenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin is utilized extensively as Chinese medicine in Asia due to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and inflammatory activities. However, its use has the challenges of low oral bioavailability and high heat sensitivity. The aim of this research was to produce flexible nano-liposomes containing curcumin using an innovative approach of ethanol injection and Tween 80 to enhance the stability and preservation of curcumin. The mean particle size, encapsulation efficiency, thermal degradation, storage stability, and curcumin release in flexible nano-liposomes were also investigated. We found that the mean particle size of curcumin-loaded flexible nano-liposome decreased from 278 nm to 27.6 nm. At the same time, the Tween 80 concentration increased from 0 to 0.15 wt%, which corresponded with the results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) morphology analyses, and particle size decreased with an enhancement in Tween 80 concentration. Further, pure curcumin was quickly released within one hour at 37 °C, and first-order kinetics matched with its release curve. However, curcumin encapsulated in flexible nano-liposomes showed a slow release of 71.24% within 12 h, and a slower release pattern matched with the Higuchi model over 24 h, ultimately reaching 84.63% release. Hence, flexible nano-liposomes of curcumin made by a combination of ethanol injection and Tween 80 addition prevented the thermal degradation of curcumin, and enhanced its storage stability and preservation for future drug delivery applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study examined the rheological and textural properties of gels produced through emulsion gelation using pea protein isolate (PPI). Emulsions were prepared with varying PPI concentrations (2%–10%) and 0.25 oil fraction, followed by heat treatment. Higher PPI concentrations improved encapsulation efficiency (EE), but heat slightly reduced it, though EE remained above 90%. Droplet size decreased with higher PPI. The emulsion was then gelled with different kappa‐carrageenan (KC) concentrations (1%–2%) and pH levels (4–7). Gel hardness increased with KC content, while adhesiveness decreased. Springiness, cohesiveness and water‐holding capacity (WHC) rose with pH and KC, while meltability decreased. Rheological tests showed stronger gels with higher KC and lower pH. Storage time generally increased gel strength, except at pH 4. This work highlights the interplay between PPI, KC, pH and storage time in shaping the properties of pea protein‐based emulsions and gels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To improve the water solubility and stability of apigenin and promote its antioxidant biological activity, apigenin liposomes (AP-L) were developed and subsequently surface-modified with chitosan (CS). Methods: The appropriateness of two methods, low-speed centrifugation and membrane filtration, for measuring encapsulation efficiency was evaluated. Encapsulation efficiency served as the evaluation criterion to compare the AP-L preparation methods employing the film dispersion-ultrasound and ethanol injection-ultrasound techniques. Additionally, the preparation process underwent optimization via both single-factor experiments and response surface tests. Chitosan was adsorbed onto the surface of liposomes through electrostatic adsorption to produce chitosan apigenin liposomes (CS-AP-L). The appearance, microstructure, particle size and distribution, potential, encapsulation efficiency and stability of the liposomes were observed before and after chitosan modification. The antioxidant capacity of apigenin dispersion (AP-D), AP-L and CS-AP-L was investigated by DPPH and ABTS+ free radical scavenging assays. Results: The low-speed centrifugation method was found to be more precise in determining the entrapment efficiency of liposomes, while the membrane dispersion-ultrasonic method demonstrated higher encapsulation efficiency. The optimal preparation process for AP-L included 6 mg of apigenin, an apigenin to phospholipid ratio of 1:24, a phospholipid to cholesterol ratio of 6:1, 6.3 mL of ethanol, 20 mL of phosphate buffer solution (PBS), hydration temperature 50 ℃ and ultrasonic time 20 min. The particle size of AP-L was 157.34±1.87 nm, the polydispersity index (PDI) was 0.240±0.025, and the encapsulation efficiency was 66.50%±1.00%. The particle size of CS-AP-L increased to 564.22±39.7 nm, the PDI was 0.292±0.022, and the encapsulation efficiency decreased to 60.17%±1.97%. After being stored at room temperature for 30 days, the leakage rate of AP-L was 21.92%±4.84%, compared to 10.64%±0.28% for CS-AP-L. This indicated that CS-AP-L demonstrated superior stability. Furthermore, the DPPH and ABTS+ free radical scavenging experiment demonstrated that both AP-L and CS-AP-L could enhance the free radical scavenging capacity of apigenin, with CS-AP-L showing even greater scavenging capability. Conclusion: The CS-AP-L prepared in this study exhibits appropriate particle size, uniform distribution, high encapsulation efficiency, good stability, and the capability to enhance the antioxidant activities of apigenin, thereby offering valuable insights for the development of apigenin derivative products.

Vitamin E acetate (VEA) is commonly used in manufacturing pharmaceuticals, food additives, and animal feeds. However, VEA possesses disadvantages, including low water solubility, low bioavailability, and susceptibility to degradation and oxidation. This study investigated the use of cocoliposomes for encapsulating VEA (VEACL). The cocoliposomes consisted of coconut phospholipids (CocoPLs) and cholesterol (Chol). Several parameters, such as functional groups, transition temperature, encapsulation efficiency (EE), release profile, particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential, were analyzed to evaluate the impact of cholesterol inclusion on the cocoliposome membrane. The results show that the Fourier transform infrared spectra of VEACL do not exhibit any new, distinct peaks that differ from the peaks of its constituent composition. Therefore, it confirmed that no chemical reactions occurred during the manufacturing of VEACL. Cholesterol in the system raises the transition temperature of phospholipids and enhances the stability of VEACL. The EE remains above 80% despite a 20% increase in cholesterol levels. The release rate of VEA from cocoliposomes was slower with VEACL–20%Chol compared to VEACL–0%Chol. The cholesterol level leads to a decrease in particle size and an increase in the negative zeta potential of the cocoliposomes. Data show that cocoliposomes are effective carriers for VEA encapsulation.

In recent years, the use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for delivery of messenger RNA (mRNA)–based therapies has gained substantial attention in the field of drug development. In such an application, multiple LNP attributes have to be carefully characterized to ensure product safety and quality, whereas accurate and efficient characterization of these complex mRNA-LNP formulations remains a challenging endeavor. Here, we present the development and application of an online separation and characterization platform designed for the isolation and in-depth analysis of mRNAs and mRNA-loaded LNPs. Our asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation with a multi-detector (MD-AF4) method has demonstrated exceptional resolution between mRNA-LNPs and mRNAs, delivering excellent recoveries (over 70%) for both analytes and exceptional repeatability. Notably, this platform allows for comprehensive and multi-attribute LNP characterization, including online particle sizing, morphology characterization, and determination of encapsulation efficiency, all within a single injection. Furthermore, real-time online sizing by synchronizing multi-angle light scattering (MALS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) presented higher resolution over traditional batch-mode DLS, particularly in differentiating heterogeneous samples with a low abundance of large-sized particles. Additionally, our method proves to be a valuable tool for monitoring LNP stability under varying stress conditions. Our work introduces a robust and versatile analytical platform using MD-AF4 that not only efficiently provides multi-attribute characterizations of mRNA-LNPs but also holds promise in advancing studies related to formulation screening, quality control, and stability assessment in the evolving field of nanoparticle delivery systems for mRNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilizers that release nutrients slowly can provide crops with consistent nutrients, while soils with good water-holding capacity can alleviate the impact of droughts on crops. Sodium alginate/carboxymethyl starch sodium/polydopamine/urea (SCPU) is a new kind of slow-release fertilizer with water absorption property. In this study, the Box–Behnken response surface methodology (RSM) was used to reveal the effects of concentrations of sodium alginate, carboxymethyl starch sodium, urea, calcium chloride and dopamine on the encapsulation efficiency and water absorption of SCPU. The results show that the optimum preparation conditions to obtain the highest level of encapsulation efficiency (89.27%) and water absorption (167.05%) are 2.2% sodium alginate, 5% carboxymethyl starch sodium, 30% urea, 1.9% calcium chloride and 0.52% dopamine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current work is devoted to the development of probiotic microencapsulation systems with the co-encapsulation of a plant extract, which can increase the survival of beneficial bacteria and are suitable for potential applications in the enrichment of fermented beverages based on acid whey. The encapsulation process exhibited a high level of effectiveness, achieving 83.0% for Bifidobacterium (BB), 89.2% for Stevia leaf extract (SE), and 91.3% for their combination (BB + SE). The FTIR analysis verified substantial interactions between the encapsulated agents and the polymer matrix, which enhanced the stability of the microcapsules. The BB + SE microcapsules exhibited reduced swelling and moisture content, indicating a denser structure compared to separately encapsulated BB and SE. Comparison of release kinetics of BB, SE and BB + SE loaded microcapsules showed that the combination of active agents has a quicker initial release, reaching 60% release within the first 2 h, and this value increased to 70% after 4 h. The release kinetics studies demonstrated a controlled release of active substances over 24 h. A morphology analysis shows that the surfaces of the dry microcapsules containing BB, SE, and their combination BB + SE have a porous structure. For encapsulated agents, the size of the capsules produced with BB and SE are smaller than those produced with two components (BB + SE), the sizes of which are between 760 µm and 1.1 mm. Modeling of the behavior of microcapsules in a simulated gastrointestinal tract provides information on swelling and active agents release rates as a function of pH in real biological environments. Thus, the new formulations of microcapsules with microorganisms and plant extracts have great potential for the development of fermented whey-based beverages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excessive use of biocides has considerable environmental and economic impacts; this is why new technologies have been sought to decrease the concentration levels applied in an effort to reduce the use of these substances. Microencapsulation using cyclodextrins has been widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries as a way of reducing the concentrations of the active substance necessary to achieve a biological effect and/or eliminate its irritating or toxicological effects. In this study, the inclusion complexation behavior and binding ability of benzothiazolinone (BIT) with different β-cyclodextrins (β-CD, HP-β-CD, and Me-β-CD) was investigated. The intermolecular interactions were examined through UV and FTIR spectroscopy, DSC, 1D 1H NMR, and 2D ROESY. The highest stability constant was observed for the BIT/Me-β-CD inclusion complex (299.5 ± 2.9 M−1). Antibacterial activity was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and the results revealed that the BIT/Me-β-CD inclusion complex displays a higher antibacterial activity than BIT. The acute toxicity of the biocide and inclusion complex was also examined using the photobacterium Aliivibrio fischeri. Although BIT exhibited higher toxicity than the inclusion complex, further investigation is needed due to the quorum quenching effect of β-CDs. The data found suggest that BIT microencapsulation can increase its aqueous solubility and can be used as an effective tool to improve its chemical, biological, and ecotoxicological properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to compare two kinds of soluble dietary fibres in a mixture with OSA-starch as wall components of linseed oil capsules. Comparison was made based on emulsion (droplet size, polydispersity index, and viscosity) and powder properties (outer structure, colour, surface oil content, and encapsulation efficiency). Additionally, linseed oil powders were applied to the food model (apple juice) and the colour, physical stability, and volatile compound profile of fortified juice were determined. Although the obtained linseed oil emulsions with different compositions of polysaccharide components showed some variation in droplet size, polydisperse index and viscosity, their encapsulation efficiency by spray-drying was very high (>98%). The powders produced had a similar structure and low surface oil content, and their 2% addition to apple juice did not change its stability and only slightly decreased its colour lightness and yellowness. However, greater differences in the volatile compounds of obtained juices were observed. Overall, the added powders reduced the volatility of aroma compounds typical of apple juice but introduced propanal and hexanal, especially the powders with the highest OSA-starch share. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RNA-based therapeutics, including siRNA, have obtained recognition in recent years due to their potential to treat various chronic and rare diseases. However, there are still limitations to lipid-based drug delivery systems in the clinical use of RNA therapeutics due to the need for optimization in the design and the preparation process. In this study, we propose adaptive focused ultrasound (AFU) as a drug loading technique to protect RNA from degradation by encapsulating small RNA in nanoliposomes, which we term nanoplexes. The AFU method is non-invasive and isothermal, as nanoplexes are produced without direct contact with any external materials while maintaining precise temperature control according to the desired settings. The controllability of sample treatments can be effectively modulated, allowing for a wide range of ultrasound intensities to be applied. Importantly, the absence of co-solvents in the process eliminates the need for additional substances, thereby minimizing the potential for cross-contaminations. Since AFU is a non-invasive method, the entire process can be conducted under sterile conditions. A minimal volume (300 μL) is required for this process, and the treatment is speedy (10 min in this study). Our in vitro experiments with silencer CD44 siRNA, which performs as a model therapeutic drug in different mammalian cell lines, showed encouraging results (knockdown > 80%). To quantify gene silencing efficacy, we employed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Additionally, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques were employed to capture images of nanoplexes. These images revealed the presence of individual nanoparticles measuring approximately 100–200 nm in contrast with the random distribution of clustered complexes observed in ultrasound-untreated samples of liposome nanoparticles and siRNA. AFU holds great potential as a standardized liposome processing and loading method because its process is fast, sterile, and does not require additional solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This work established an oxidised porous starch carrier system for the administration of caffeine by selectively oxidising the main hydroxyl groups at the C6 positions of porous starch to carboxyl groups using 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidoxyl (TEMPO) oxidation. The loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency of oxidised porous starch on caffeine rose as the oxidation degree (0%–90%) increased, increasing by 4.66 and 4.95 times, respectively, at 90% oxidation. The crystallinity of porous starch diminished after TEMPO oxidation, while the crystalline caffeine transferred into an amorphous state when loaded onto oxidised porous starch. Following oxidation, the absolute value of porous starch surface potential rose, enabling the granules avoided aggregation. Caffeine formed tighter bonds with oxidised porous starch in acidic conditions due to the dissociation of carboxyl groups, which lead to a peak loading capacity (8.02%) of oxidised porous starch with 90% oxidation at pH 4. Electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds were the driving forces. Long‐term gastrointestinal release of caffeine was achieved utilising oxidised porous starch as carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple emulsions can dissolve some substances with different properties, such as hydrophilicity and lipophilicity, into different phases. They play an important role in protection, controlled release and targeted release of the encapsulated substances. However, it's poor stability has always been one of the main problems restricting its application in the food industry. For this reason, a heat-induced aggregate (HIA) of Maillard graft product of isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO), as well as egg white protein (EWP), was used as hydrophilic emulsifier to improve the stability of W1/O/W2 emulsions. Moreover, gelatin was added into the internal aqueous phase (W1) to construct W1/O/W2 emulsion-gels system. The encapsulation efficiency of HIA-stabilized W1/O/W2 emulsions remained nearly unaltered, dropping by only 0.86%, significantly outperforming the conjugates and physical mixture of IMO and EWP in terms of encapsulation stability. The emulsion-gels system was constructed by adding 5% gelatin in the W1, and had the highest EE% and good salt and heat stability after 30 days of storage. This experiment provides guidance for improving the stability of W1/O/W2 emulsions system and its application in the package delivery of functional substances in the food field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciencia y Tecnología Agropecuaria is the property of Agrosavia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Granaticins are natural pigments derived from microorganisms with promising bioactivity. However, their practical applications have been restricted due to inherent instability. To improve the stability of granaticins from the novel strain Streptomyces vilmorinianum YP1, microcapsules were prepared using gum Arabic (GA) by a freeze-drying method. The optimal parameters for microencapsulation were determined using response surface methodology. Under the optimal conditions (GA 9.2% (v/v), a wall/−core ratio 4.8 (w/w), encapsulating temperature 29 °C), the maximum encapsulation efficiency achieved was 93.64%. The microcapsules were irregular single crystals with an average particle size of 206.37 ± 2.51 nm. Stability testing indicated improved stability of the microencapsulated granaticins. Notably, granaticnic B retention increased by 17.0% and 6.6% after exposure to sunlight and storage at 4 °C, respectively. These finding suggest that GA as a well material significantly enhances the stability of granaticins from S. vilmorinianum YP1, facilitating their potential applications.

Mixtures of maltodextrin (MD), egg yolk protein (EYP), Manchurian walnut protein isolate (MWPI) and soybean protein isolate (SPI) in different proportions were used as wall materials to prepare Manchurian walnut oil microcapsules by spray drying. The micromorphology, thermal stability, storage stability and antioxidant stability of microcapsules were analyzed. The results showed that the encapsulation efficiency of microcapsules prepared with MWPI was 73.68%, with an intact and dense structure, indicating that Manchurian walnut oil was successfully encapsulated in and protected by the microcapsules. The microcapsule powder had good flowability and solubility. The MWPI microcapsules lost only 5.48% of its initial mass under programmed heating conditions (10 ℃/min, up to 150 ℃), which was much lower than that of SPI microcapsules (10.3%), thereby being more able to meet the requirements of most thermally processed products. Microencapsulation obviously slowed down the oxidation rate of Manchurian walnut oil and improved its storage stability. The antioxidant experiments demonstrated that microencapsulation could effectively improve the antioxidant stability of active ingredients in Manchurian walnut oil. Therefore, this study demonstrated MWPI to be an excellent microcapsule wall material by evaluating its performance, which will expand the range of selection of protein-based wall materials, and provide a new idea for the application of walnut protein isolate resources to improve the added value of Manchurian walnut.

Soymilk is a natural nanocarrier. However, the performance of flavonoid-soymilk nano-complex remains unclear. In this work, icariin-soymilk nano-complexes (ISNCs) were successfully fabricated and characterized. The effects of high-pressure homogenization (HPH) treatment on structure and physicochemical properties of soymilk and nano-complexes were investigated. HPH treatment could significantly improve the surface hydrophobicity and interfacial activity of soymilk. The soymilk with HPH treatment could significantly improve the water solubility (20 folds), thermal stability and bioavailability of icariin. The highest encapsulation efficiency (93.28%), loading capacity (39.09 μg/mg), ζ-potentia (absolute value, 31.20 mV) and bioavailability (72.14%) were observed in HSI-200 (200 bar of homogenization pressure). While HSI-500 (500 bar of homogenization pressure) showed the smallest particle size (183.73 nm). ISNCs showed a rougher surface and an irregular lamellar structure with large amount of fi ne particles by using Cryo-SEM, suggesting that icariin was encapsulated in soymilk. These data supplied a novel strategy to improve the performance of icariin in functional foods.

Nanoemulsions are gaining interest in a variety of products as a means of integrating easily degradable bioactive compounds, preserving them from oxidation, and increasing their bioavailability. However, preparing stable emulsion compositions with the desired characteristics is a difficult task. The aim of this study was to encapsulate the Tinospora cordifolia aqueous extract (TCAE) into a water in oil (W/O) nanoemulsion and identify its critical process and formulation variables, like oil (27–29.4 mL), the surfactant concentration (0.6–3 mL), and sonication amplitude (40% to 100%), using response surface methodology (RSM). The responses of this formulation were studied with an analysis of the particle size (PS), free fatty acids (FFAs), and encapsulation efficiency (EE). In between, we have studied a fishbone diagram that was used to measure risk and preliminary research. The optimized condition for the formation of a stable nanoemulsion using quality by design was surfactant (2.43 mL), oil concentration (27.61 mL), and sonication amplitude (88.6%), providing a PS of 171.62 nm, FFA content of 0.86 meq/kg oil and viscosity of 0.597 Pa.s for the blank sample compared to the enriched TCAE nanoemulsion with a PS of 243.60 nm, FFA content of 0.27 meq/kg oil and viscosity of 0.22 Pa.s. The EE increases with increasing concentrations of TCAE, from 56.88% to 85.45%. The RSM response demonstrated that both composition variables had a considerable impact on the properties of the W/O nanoemulsion. Furthermore, after the storage time, the enriched TCAE nanoemulsion showed better stability over the blank nanoemulsion, specially the FFAs, and the blank increased from 0.142 to 1.22 meq/kg oil, while TCAE showed 0.266 to 0.82 meq/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The food borne pathogen Enterobacter cloacae contribute to food borne illness in humans. Biofilm formation in Enterobacter cloacae makes them more resistant to antibiotics. The main goal of the research is to prevent biofilm-forming Enterobacter cloacae by encapsulating nisin in liposomes using nanotechnology. The isolate was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the biofilm-formed were characterized. Nisin was selected based on sensitivity testing. A microvesicle encapsulation method was used to encapsulate nisin in liposomes. Bacterial control was determined by colony forming units in an in vitro bioassay. Inhibition and eradication of Enterobacter cloacae was investigated using a microbial biofilm highthroughput antimicrobial susceptibility test using the Calgary biofilm apparatus. The food borne pathogen Enterobacter cloaca was isolated from the skin of grapes. After characterizing the biofilm formation on the isolate, the results showed that Enterobacter cloacae has the highest biofilm formation in tryptic broth (TSB) and brain heart infusion medium (BHI). In the antibiotic susceptibility test, the isolate is inhibited by antibiotics when presented in high concentrations. High-throughput analysis was performed using the Calgary biofilm apparatus, and the results showed that the nisinloaded liposome exhibited good inhibition compared to antibiotics. One mM concentration of nisin (3.3 mg/10 mL) was used to encapsulate them in liposomes using a microvesicle encapsulation method. The results showed a tremendous inhibition of the food borne pathogen Enterobacter cloacae by the colony-forming units. This liposomal encapsulation of nisin promises high inhibition and can also be used for food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin is an antioxidant that can effectively eliminate free radicals. However, as its oral bioavailability is low, an effective delivery method is required. Phospholipid-based liposomes can encapsulate lipophilic drugs, such as curcumin, while liposome, cholesterol, and gum Arabic (GA) can enhance the internal and external stability of drug membranes. This present study used concentrations of cholesterol (Cchol) and GA (CGA), ranging from 0 to 10, 20, 30, and 40% as well as 0 to 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40%, respectively, to encapsulate curcumin in a GA–cocoliposome (CCL/GA) matrix and test its efficacy in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) and simulated gastric fluid (SGF). The absence of new characteristic peaks in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra results indicate the presence of non-covalent interactions in the CCL/GA encapsulation. Furthermore, increasing the Cchol decreased the encapsulation efficiency (EE), loading capacity (LC), and antioxidant activity (IR) of the CCL/GA encapsulation but increased its release rate (RR). Conversely, increasing CGA increased its EE and IR but decreased its LC and RR. The two conditions applied confirmed this. Liposomal curcumin had the highest IR in SIF (84.081%) and the highest RR in SGF (0.657 ppm/day). Furthermore, liposomes loaded with 10% Cchol and 20% CGA performed best in SIF, while those loaded with 10% Cchol and 30% CGA performed best in SGF. Lastly, the CCL/GA performed better in SIF than SGF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan (CS) can be extracted from waste fish scales through a series of chemical processes, including demineralization, deproteinization, and deacetylation. The biomaterial poly (acrylamide [AM]‐co‐acrylic acid [AA])/CS is a unique superabsorbent material synthesized through the free radical graft copolymerization method by using AM, AA, and CS powder. During synthesis, ammonium persulfate is used as an initiator, and N, N′‐methylene bisacrylamide is used as a cross‐linker. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy have been studied to know about the morphology and structure of the synthesized superabsorbent materials. The water absorbency of the material continuously increases from day 1 to day 30. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) of the superabsorbent material show adequate thermal stability. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicates that the synthesized biomaterial is virtually amorphous in nature. The percentage of biodegradability increases with time. The encapsulation efficiency of amoxicillin drugs is around 70%, which indicates that the biomaterial is highly efficient for drug release applications. The synthesized novel biomaterial is a low‐cost, eco‐friendly, and thermally stable hydrogel that can be effectively used in drug release applications. Highlights: Chitosan (CS)‐based hydrogels are highly pH‐sensitive towards drug release.The biodegradability and swelling behavior of the synthesized biomaterial were studied by adopting a suitable methodology.The novel material formed was characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, TGA, and Scanning electron microscopy. The encapsulation efficiency, kinetic study, and controlled drug release behavior of the amoxicillin drug were studied in solutions of simulated gastric fluid and phosphate‐buffered saline.The material developed in this study shows good performance in controlled drug delivery, and is therefore suitable for manufacturing medical devices used in drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to environmental issues, upcycling has become a growing trend in the food industry. Aquasoya is a promising method to upcycle by-product from soybean processing due to its high protein contents and excellent emulsifying ability. In the present research, Aquasoya powder was used an emulsifier to incorporate the antioxidant compounds from perilla skin extract (PSE), namely rosmarinic acid, into oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion system and its physochemical stability was assessed. As a result, droplet size of the emulsion was smaller in PSE-incorporated emulsion (PO, 350.57 ± 9.60 b nm) than the emulsion without PSE (PX, 1045.37 ± 142.63 a nm). Centrifugal photosedimentometry analysis also revealed that the physical stability was significantly improved in PO, and the stability was maintained over 30 d of storage. Furthermore, as PO had a higher ABTS radical scavenging ability and showed slower initial lipid oxidation, it was concluded that PO has a higher antioxidant ability than PX. Conclusively, Aquasoya can be considered as an emulsifier in O/W emulsion with PSE because it can effectively integrate and stabilize the antioxidant substance derived from perilla skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, protein-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres were prepared via supercritical fluid extraction of emulsion (SFEE) technology. To understand the correlation between process parameters and the main quality characteristics of PLGA microspheres, a comprehensive prior study on the influence of process variables on encapsulation efficiency (EE), initial drug burst release (IBR), morphology, surface property, and particle size distribution (PSD) was conducted within a wide process condition range of each unit process step, from the double-emulsion preparation step to the extraction step. Bovine serum albumin (BSA), a high-molecular weight-protein that is difficult to control the IBR and EE of PLGA microspheres with, was used as a model material. As double-emulsion manufacturing process parameters, the primary (W/O) and secondary emulsion (W/O/W) homogenization speed and secondary emulsification time were evaluated. In addition, the effect of the SFEE process parameters, including the pressure (70–160 bar), temperature (35–65 °C), stirring rate (50–1000 rpm), and flow rate of supercritical carbon dioxide, SC-CO2 (1–40 mL/min), on PLGA microsphere quality properties were also evaluated. An increase in the homogenization speed of the primary emulsion resulted in an increase in EE and a decrease in IBR. In contrast, increasing the secondary emulsification speed resulted in a decrease in EE and an increase in IBR along with a decrease in microsphere size. The insufficient secondary emulsification time resulted in excessive increases in particle size, and excessive durations resulted in decreased EE and increased IBR. Increasing the temperature and pressure of SFEE resulted in an overall increase in particle size, a decrease in EE, and an increase in IBR. It was observed that, at low stirring rates or SC-CO2 flow rates, there was an increase in particle size and SPAN value, while the EE decreased. Overall, when the EE of the prepared microspheres is low, a higher proportion of drugs is distributed on the external surface of the microspheres, resulting in a larger IBR. In conclusion, this study contributes to the scientific understanding of the influence of SFEE process variables on PLGA microspheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex coacervation is an encapsulation technique used to preserve the bio functionality of essential oils as well as provide controlled release. In this present work, encapsulation of Citrus Hystrix essential oil (CHEO) was formed by a complex coacervation technique with Gelatin-B (Gel B) and Chitosan (Chi) as the capping materials. The suitable encapsulation formulation was investigated as a function of pH and wall ratio using Zeta Potential analysis. Turbidity measurement and coacervate yield were carried out to confirm the suitable condition. Total Phenolic Content (TPC) was used to obtain the encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of the process. Results show that the suitable condition for coacervate formation between Gel B and Chi ratio of 5:1 was at pH 5.8, which produced a high encapsulation efficiency of 94.81% ± 2.60. FTIR analysis validates the formation of coacervate as well as the encapsulated CHEO. The encapsulates obtained were spherical and dominated by 194.557 um particles. The CHEO was successfully encapsulated by a complex coacervation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, ω-3 medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols (MLCTs) microcapsules with excellent performance were obtained using soy protein as the wall component to address the oxidation-related problems of MLCTs. Additionally, the effect of soy, whey, or pea proteins on microcapsules in terms of the changes in their structure and physicochemical properties was investigated. The results showed that the small particle size, low PDI (polydispersity index) and zeta potential, fast adsorption rate, and low interfacial tension of these protein-based samples fabricated through the O/W template method were conducive to maintaining the integrity of microcapsules during spray-drying. The microcapsules, characterized by a spherical shape, exhibited superior encapsulation efficiency of 94.56%, surpassing the findings of previous investigations. Overall, these microcapsules exhibited long-term storage stability and low controllable release rates, which could be utilized as carriers for liposoluble actives.

Wood hemicelluloses have been used as a wall material for spray-dried microencapsulation of polyphenols. Nevertheless, their incomplete water solubility could negatively impact their encapsulation efficiency (EE) and the formation of a complete protective layer, which might be alleviated synergistically by combining them with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Here, we explored the effects of CMC addition (0.5–3.0 %, w/w of WM) on the capacity of galactoglucomannans (GGM) and glucuronoxylans (GX) to retain bioactive compounds of bilberry during spray drying; and its contribution to the formation of wall thickness. The results revealed that EE of GGM and GX increased by 4–8 % with the CMC addition at 0.5 %, but significantly declined at higher CMC concentrations. Adding CMC improved the microcapsules' antioxidant activities, surface smoothness, and solubility, but had no effect on their particle size, thermal properties, amorphous structure, or moisture content. The majority of the GGM and GX microcapsules had a hollow internal structure surrounded by continuous wall matrix with a thickness of about 2.3–2.6 μm, which increased to 3.1–3.5 μm with the addition of 0.5 % CMC. Therefore, using CMC at an optimized proportion as a co-encapsulant improved wood hemicelluloses' ability to protect bioactive compounds during spray drying and enhanced microcapsule wall formation.

Fertilizers that release nutrients slowly can provide crops with consistent nutrients, while soils with good water-holding capacity can alleviate the impact of droughts on crops. Sodium alginate/carboxymethyl starch sodium/polydopamine/urea (SCPU) is a new kind of slow-release fertilizer with water absorption property. In this study, the Box–Behnken response surface methodology (RSM) was used to reveal the effects of concentrations of sodium alginate, carboxymethyl starch sodium, urea, calcium chloride and dopamine on the encapsulation efficiency and water absorption of SCPU. The results show that the optimum preparation conditions to obtain the highest level of encapsulation efficiency (89.27%) and water absorption (167.05%) are 2.2% sodium alginate, 5% carboxymethyl starch sodium, 30% urea, 1.9% calcium chloride and 0.52% dopamine.

The excessive use of biocides has considerable environmental and economic impacts; this is why new technologies have been sought to decrease the concentration levels applied in an effort to reduce the use of these substances. Microencapsulation using cyclodextrins has been widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries as a way of reducing the concentrations of the active substance necessary to achieve a biological effect and/or eliminate its irritating or toxicological effects. In this study, the inclusion complexation behavior and binding ability of benzothiazolinone (BIT) with different β-cyclodextrins (β-CD, HP-β-CD, and Me-β-CD) was investigated. The intermolecular interactions were examined through UV and FTIR spectroscopy, DSC, 1D 1H NMR, and 2D ROESY. The highest stability constant was observed for the BIT/Me-β-CD inclusion complex (299.5 ± 2.9 M−1). Antibacterial activity was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and the results revealed that the BIT/Me-β-CD inclusion complex displays a higher antibacterial activity than BIT. The acute toxicity of the biocide and inclusion complex was also examined using the photobacterium Aliivibrio fischeri. Although BIT exhibited higher toxicity than the inclusion complex, further investigation is needed due to the quorum quenching effect of β-CDs. The data found suggest that BIT microencapsulation can increase its aqueous solubility and can be used as an effective tool to improve its chemical, biological, and ecotoxicological properties.

The aim of the study was to compare two kinds of soluble dietary fibres in a mixture with OSA-starch as wall components of linseed oil capsules. Comparison was made based on emulsion (droplet size, polydispersity index, and viscosity) and powder properties (outer structure, colour, surface oil content, and encapsulation efficiency). Additionally, linseed oil powders were applied to the food model (apple juice) and the colour, physical stability, and volatile compound profile of fortified juice were determined. Although the obtained linseed oil emulsions with different compositions of polysaccharide components showed some variation in droplet size, polydisperse index and viscosity, their encapsulation efficiency by spray-drying was very high (>98%). The powders produced had a similar structure and low surface oil content, and their 2% addition to apple juice did not change its stability and only slightly decreased its colour lightness and yellowness. However, greater differences in the volatile compounds of obtained juices were observed. Overall, the added powders reduced the volatility of aroma compounds typical of apple juice but introduced propanal and hexanal, especially the powders with the highest OSA-starch share.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is the template for protein biosynthesis and is emerging as an essential active molecule to combat various diseases, including viral infection and cancer. Especially, mRNA-based vaccines, as a new type of vaccine, have played a leading role in fighting against the current global pandemic of COVID-19. However, the inherent drawbacks, including large size, negative charge, and instability, hinder its use as a therapeutic agent. Lipid carriers are distinguishable and promising vehicles for mRNA delivery, owning the capacity to encapsulate and deliver negatively charged drugs to the targeted tissues and release cargoes at the desired time. Here, we first summarized the structure and properties of different lipid carriers, such as liposomes, liposome-like nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, exosomes and lipoprotein particles, and their applications in delivering mRNA. Then, the development of lipid-based formulations as vaccine delivery systems was discussed and highlighted. Recent advancements in the mRNA vaccine of COVID-19 were emphasized. Finally, we described our future vision and perspectives in this field.

This study aimed to prepare tea tree oil-β-cyclodextrin microcapsules using an optimized co-precipitated method. The impact of the volume fraction of ethanol in the solvent system for microencapsulation on encapsulation efficiency was investigated and analyzed sophisticatedly. Super-high encapsulation efficiency was achieved when a 40% volume fraction of ethanol was used for the microencapsulation procedure, where the recovery yield of microcapsules and the embedding fraction of tea tree oil in microcapsules were as high as 88.3% and 94.3%, respectively. Additionally, considering the operation cost, including time and energy consumption, an economical preparation was validated so that it would be viable for large-scale production. Based on the results of morphological and X-ray diffraction analysis, the crystal structure appeared to differ before and after microencapsulation. The results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the successful formation of microcapsules. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of the fabricated microcapsules was assessed by a simple growth inhibition test using Bacillus subtilis as the study object, and the hydrophilic property was proved by a water contact angle measurement.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) constitute the microbial group most used as probiotics; however, many strains reduce their viability during their transit through the body. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two microencapsulation techniques, as well as the incorporation of lactulose as a prebiotic and the use of chitosan coating on the microcapsules, on the viability of the Lactobacillus sp. strain FM4.C1.2. LAB were microencapsulated by extrusion or emulsion, using 2% sodium alginate as encapsulating matrix and lactulose (2 or 4%) as the prebiotic. The encapsulation efficiency was evaluated, and the capsules were measured for moisture and size. The encapsulation efficiency ranged between 80.64 and 99.32% for both techniques, with capsule sizes between 140.64 and 1465.65 µm and moisture contents from 88.23 to 98.04%. The microcapsules of some selected treatments (five) were later coated with chitosan and LAB survival was evaluated both in coated and uncoated microcapsules, through tolerance to pH 2.5, bile salts and storage for 15 days at 4 °C. The highest survival of the probiotic strain under the conditions of pH 2.5 (96.78–99.2%), bile salts (95.54%) and storage for 15 days (84.26%), was found in the microcapsules obtained by emulsion containing 4% lactulose and coated with chitosan. These results demonstrate the possible interaction of lactulose with alginate to form better encapsulating networks, beyond its sole probiotic effect. Additional research may shed more light on this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the interfacial phenomenon of cefotaxime in combination with nonionic surfactants, Triton X-100 (TX-100) and Tween-80 (TW-80), and their mixed micellar formulations. Cefotaxime was enclosed in a micellar system to improve its solubility and effectiveness. TX-100 and TW-80 were used in an amphiphilic self-assembly process to create the micellar formulation. The effect of the addition of TX-100, a nonionic surfactant, on the ability of TW-80 to solubilize the drug was examined. The values of the critical micelle concentration (CMC) were determined via UV-Visible spectroscopy. Gibbs free energies (ΔGp and ΔGb), the partition coefficient (Kx), and the binding constant (Kb) were also computed. In a single micellar system, the partition coefficient (Kx) was found to be 33.78 × 106 and 2.78 × 106 in the presence of TX-100 and TW-80, respectively. In a mixed micellar system, the value of the partition coefficient for the CEF/TW-80 system is maximum (5.48 × 106) in the presence of 0.0019 mM of TX-100, which shows that TX-100 significantly enhances the solubilizing power of micelles. It has been demonstrated that these surfactants are effective in enhancing the solubility and bioavailability of therapeutic compounds. This study elaborates on the physicochemical characteristics and solubilization of reactive drugs in single and mixed micellar media. This investigation, conducted in the presence of surfactants, shows a large contribution to the binding process via both hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel polysaccharide liposome was prepared using garlic polysaccharides, soybean lecithin and cholesterol and structurally characterized. The optimal preparation conditions of garlic polysaccharide liposomes were determined by single-factor and response surface tests using the film-material ratio, lipid-drug ratio and ultrasonic time as factors and the encapsulation efficiency as response values. The obtained liposomes were characterized in terms of micromorphology, particle size, UV spectrum, IR spectrum and stability. The results showed that the optimal preparation conditions of garlic polysaccharide liposomes were as follows: Film-material ratio of 4:1, lipid-drug ratio of 24:1, ultrasonic time of 14 min, with the maximum encapsulation efficiency of 61.00%±0.73%. The obtained liposomes appeared as spherical vesicles with uniform dispersion and good stability. Their particle size, polymer dispersity index and zeta potential were 213.50±1.85 nm, 0.187±0.005 and −21.07±1.27 mV, respectively. UV and IR spectra confirmed that garlic polysaccharides were successfully encapsulated into the lipid material through electrostatic interactions, without the formation of new chemical bonds. After 28 days of storage at 4 ℃, the particle size of garlic polysaccharide liposomes increased from 211.13±0.54 nm to 225.70±0.65 nm, the PDI increased from 0.187±0.003 to 0.236±0.001, and the encapsulation efficiency decreased from 60.96%±0.32% to 56.97%±0.74%, exhibiting a relative stability. Therefore, the garlic polysaccharide liposomes prepared in this study had high encapsulation efficiency, small particle size, good dispersion and high stability, which could provide a reference for the development of garlic polysaccharide derivatives.

Multiple emulsions can dissolve some substances with different properties, such as hydrophilicity and lipophilicity, into different phases. They play an important role in protection, controlled release and targeted release of the encapsulated substances. However, it’s poor stability has always been one of the main problems restricting its application in the food industry. For this reason, a heat-induced aggregate (HIA) of Maillard graft product of isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO), as well as egg white protein (EWP), was used as hydrophilic emulsifier to improve the stability of W1/O/W2 emulsions. Moreover, gelatin was added into the internal aqueous phase (W1) to construct W1/O/W2 emulsion-gels system. The encapsulation efficiency of HIA-stabilized W1/O/W2 emulsions remained nearly unaltered, dropping by only 0.86%, significantly outperforming the conjugates and physical mixture of IMO and EWP in terms of encapsulation stability. The emulsion-gels system was constructed by adding 5% gelatin in the W1, and had the highest EE% and good salt and heat stability after 30 days of storage. This experiment provides guidance for improving the stability of W1/O/W2 emulsions system and its application in the package delivery of functional substances in the food field.

Pumpkin seeds are rich in protein (24–36.5%). Some of them are consumed as nuts, while others are regarded as waste and used for feeding animals. Protein hydrolysates from pumpkin seeds possess some bioactive properties, such as anti-oxidant activity. In this work, various composite alginate hydrogels contain Aloe vera, CMC, and tragacanth have been employed to protect PSPH against degradation in simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGI) and regulate its release rate. The encapsulation efficiency of PSPH in plain alginate and beads with Aloe vera, CMC, and tragacanth combinations was 71.63, 75.63, 85.07, and 80.4%, respectively. The release rate of the plain alginate beads was %30.23 in the SGF and %52.26 in the SIF, and decreased in the composite-based beads. The highest decreasing rate in the antioxidant activity during SGI was observed in free PSPH, and the decreasing rate slowed down in the alginate-based composites. The swelling rate in plain alginate was %-23.43 and %25.43 in the SGF and SIF, respectively, and increased in the composite-based beads. The FTIR spectra of hydrogels before and after loading with PSPH showed identical absorption patterns and were similar to each other. Based on the data for SEM, it was revealed that substituting other polymers in polymer combinations with alginates resulted in a porosity reduction of the beads and smoother and more uniform surfaces. Based on the results, the combination of polysacchared with alginate could protect and increase the applicability of PSPH as a functional component in the food industry.

Pickering emulsions are suspensions of droplets of one liquid in another immiscible liquid which are stabilized by solid particles adsorbed at the droplet-liquid interface. The stabilization of emulsion is done by the solid particles that physically prevent droplets from coalescing. It is possible to alter the emulsifying capabilities of starch by expanding its surface area or changing its charge. Pickering emulsions are stabilized by components such as starch, cellulose, or chitosan. Starch based Pickering emulsions are highly biodegradable and have low toxicity. The inclusion of starch assists in the development of more stable and long-lasting emulsions, extending the shelf life of the developed products. Starch stabilized Pickering emulsions can be utilized to encapsulate pharmaceuticals or nutrients for systemic or targeted administration. The potential for controlled release of Pickering emulsions is highlighted in this review when behavior varies in response to environmental factors like temperature, pH, or light. The investigation emphasized Pickering emulsions with biocompatible and biodegradable particles and focused on numerous environmentally friendly and sustainable techniques for making Pickering emulsions, such as using waste or renewable resource-derived particles. The review focuses on the development, characterization, and applications of Pickering emulsions based on biological macromolecules of starch.

Five tons, per hectare, of thick stems of Ilex paraguariensis are generated each harvest the external part of these (IPC) has a high concentration of chlorogenic acids but is not yet commercially exploited. Thus, it is hypothesized that the coproduct of I. paraguariensis when submitted to optimized extraction conditions will result in extracts rich in chlorogenic acids. Furthermore, optimized encapsulation by anti-solvent precipitation with zein ensures improved thermal stability. Multivariate strategies were successfully employed to obtain extraction of 10.16 g chlorogenic acids per 100 g IPC in 75 % ethanol. The mixture of IPC extract (15 mL) and zein (1.36 g) dripped (18.14 mL h−1) on the water under stirring (4 rpm) results in encapsulated with 94 % efficiency and thermal stability of up to 357.5 C. We show that it is possible to optimize the extraction of chlorogenic acids and encapsulate them in a fast and efficient way for easy industrial expansion. The high amount of chlorogenic acids and the thermal resistance of the encapsulates indicate that applications in foods exposed to heat are highly promising for the valorization of this natural resource not commercially exploited, in line with the concepts of the circular economy.

Clobetasol propionate (CP) is a super potent corticosteroid widely used to treat various skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. However, its utility for topical application is hampered due to its common side effects, such as skin atrophy, steroidal acne, hypopigmentation, and allergic contact dermatitis. Microsponge is a unique three-dimensional microstructure particle with micro and nano-meters-wide cavities, which can encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs providing increased efficacy and safety. The aim of the current study is to prepare and optimize clobetasol-loaded microsponges. The emulsion solvent diffusion method is used for the preparation of ethylcellulose (EC)-based microsponges. The impact of various formulation variables on microsponge's properties includes; drug: polymer ratio, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) quantities, the volume of external phase, and stirring rates investigated. The microsponges were characterized in terms of particle size, product yield, CP entrapment %, and in-vitro drug release behavior. The results report that increasing EC concentration led to a significant increase in particle size, with a decrease in product yield and drug entrapment %. Increasing stirring speed or external aqueous volume or PVA w/v % caused a non-significant decrease in production yield and CP entrapment % but showed a significant decrease, and increase in particle size, respectively. Finally, it was concluded that the ability to use ethylcellous as a Msg polymer matrix to prepare uniform, highly porous particles was confirmed by microscope observation and compatibility with CP.

Abstract Polymersomes are nanometric vesicles that can encapsulate large and hydrophilic biomolecules, such as proteins, in the aqueous core. Data in literature show large variation in encapsulation efficiency (%EE) values depending on the method used for calculation. We investigated different approaches (direct and indirect) to quantify the %EE of different proteins (catalase, bovine serum albumin-BSA, L-asparaginase and lysozyme) in Pluronic L-121 polymersomes. Direct methods allow quantification of the actual payload of the polymersomes and indirect methods are based on the quantification of the remaining non-encapsulated protein. The protein-loaded polymersomes produced presented approximately 152 nm of diameter (PDI ~ 0.4). Higher %EE values were obtained with the indirect method (up to 25%), attributed to partial entanglement of free protein in the polymersomes poly(Ethylene Glycol) corona. For the direct methods, vesicles were disrupted with chloroform or proteins precipitated with solvents. Reasonable agreement was found between the two protocols, with values up to 8%, 6%, 17.6% and 0.9% for catalase, BSA, L-asparaginase and lysozyme, respectively. We believe direct determination is the best alternative to quantify the %EE and the combination of both protocols would make results more reliable. Finally, no clear correlation was observed between protein size and encapsulation efficiency.

Liposomes are self-assembled spherical systems composed of amphiphilic phospholipids. They can be used as carriers of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances, such as the anti-aging and wound-healing copper-binding peptide, GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine). Anionic (AL) and cationic (CL) hydrogenated lecithin-based liposomes were obtained as GHK-Cu skin delivery systems using the thin-film hydration method combined with freeze–thaw cycles and the extrusion process. The influence of total lipid content, lipid composition and GHK-Cu concentration on the physicochemical properties of liposomes was studied. The lipid bilayer fluidity and the peptide encapsulation efficiency (EE) were also determined. Moreover, in vitro assays of tyrosinase and elastase inhibition were performed. Stable GHK-Cu-loaded liposome systems of small sizes (approx. 100 nm) were obtained. The bilayer fluidity was higher in the case of cationic liposomes. As the best carriers, 25 mg/cm3 CL and AL hydrated with 0.5 mg/cm3 GHK-Cu were selected with EE of 31.7 ± 0.9% and 20.0 ± 2.8%, respectively. The obtained results confirmed that the liposomes can be used as carriers for biomimetic peptides such as copper-binding peptide and that the GHK-Cu did not significantly affect the tyrosinase activity but led to 48.90 ± 2.50% elastase inhibition, thus reducing the rate of elastin degeneration and supporting the structural integrity of the skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is the template for protein biosynthesis and is emerging as an essential active molecule to combat various diseases, including viral infection and cancer. Especially, mRNA-based vaccines, as a new type of vaccine, have played a leading role in fighting against the current global pandemic of COVID-19. However, the inherent drawbacks, including large size, negative charge, and instability, hinder its use as a therapeutic agent. Lipid carriers are distinguishable and promising vehicles for mRNA delivery, owning the capacity to encapsulate and deliver negatively charged drugs to the targeted tissues and release cargoes at the desired time. Here, we first summarized the structure and properties of different lipid carriers, such as liposomes, liposome-like nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, exosomes and lipoprotein particles, and their applications in delivering mRNA. Then, the development of lipid-based formulations as vaccine delivery systems was discussed and highlighted. Recent advancements in the mRNA vaccine of COVID-19 were emphasized. Finally, we described our future vision and perspectives in this field. Lipid carriers with high biocompatibility have excellent mRNA encapsulation and delivery efficacy. Meanwhile, the emergence of lipid carriers provides an effective solution for delivering mRNA vaccines. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of conventional astaxanthin extraction methods, typically involving organic solvents, leads to a heightened environmental impact. The aim of this study was to explore the potential use of environmentally friendly extraction solvents, such as vegetable oils, for recovering the shrimp by-product astaxanthin. Methods: Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) in vegetable oils, including olive oil (OO), sunflower oil (SO), and flaxseed oil (FO), was employed to extract astaxanthin. The astaxanthin antioxidant activity was evaluated using an ABTS assay, and a mixture of gum Arabic and soy lecithin was used to form coacervates to produce astaxanthin encapsulation. Results: A by-product–vegetable oil ratio of 1:60, extraction time of 210 min, 60% amplitude of the extraction process, and the use of OO as the extracting medium resulted in an astaxanthin yield of 235 ± 4.07 μg astaxanthin/g by-products. The astaxanthin encapsulation efficiency on day 0 and astaxanthin recovery on day 1 were recorded at 66.6 ± 2.7% and 94.4 ± 4.6%, respectively. Conclusions: The utilization of OO as an extraction solvent for astaxanthin from shrimp by-products in UAE represents a novel and promising approach to reducing the environmental impact of shrimp by-products. The effective astaxanthin encapsulation efficiency highlights its potential application in food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of the appropriate emulsifier is essential for forming a stable nanoemulsion delivery system that can maintain the sustained release of its contents. Health concerns have prompted the search for natural biopolymers to replace traditional synthetic substances as emulsifiers. In this study, an oregano essential oil (OEO) nanoemulsion-embedding system was created using soybean protein isolate (SPI), tea saponin (TS), and soy lecithin (SL) as natural emulsifiers and then compared to a system created using a synthetic emulsifier (Tween 80). The results showed that 4% Tween 80, 1% SPI, 2% TS, and 4% SL were the optimal conditions. Subsequently, the influence of emulsifier type on nanoemulsion stability was evaluated. The results revealed that among all the nanoemulsions, the TS nanoemulsion exhibited excellent centrifugal stability, storage stability, and oxidative stability and maintained high stability and encapsulation efficiency, even under relatively extreme environmental conditions. The good stability of the TS nanoemulsion may be due to the strong electrostatic repulsion generated by TS molecules, which contain hydroxyl groups, sapogenins, and saccharides in their structures. Overall, the natural emulsifiers used in our study can form homogeneous nanoemulsions, but their effectiveness and stability differ considerably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthocyanins are abundant phytochemicals in nature that draw the public interest not only in their health effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. It also showed their function in providing foodstuffs with appealing and distinctive color. In this study, anthocyanins from hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) calyces were microencapsulated by spray drying and freeze drying techniques using a wide variety of carriers including maltodextrin (MD), gum Arabic (GA) and their binary blends with inulin (INU) and konjac glucomannan (KON). The results showed that freeze-dried hibiscus powder using KON as carrier had the highest phenolic, anthocyanin and antioxidant activity, followed by spray-dried and freeze-dried MD/KON samples, which indicated the role of KON in the effective retention of antioxidants during the drying process. In addition, the ferric and cupric ion reduction activity (FRAP and CUPRAC) of the spray-dried samples was significantly higher than those of the freeze-dried powder. However, in terms of encapsulation efficiency (EE) of anthocyanins, KON was shown to be ineffective in entrapping these compounds in microcapsules with the lowest EE of freeze-dried KON and spray-dried MD/KON of 43.6% and 55.4%, respectively. By contrast, MD/GA was the most effective carrier, retaining anthocyanins inside the carrier matrix and limiting their loss to the surface of the microcapsules in both spray-drying and freeze-drying methods (EE of 91.8% and 95.7%, respectively). In addition, the moisture content of spray-dried powder samples was significantly higher than that of lyophilized powders, and the solubility of all samples was above 94.1%.