Search

Production and extraction systems of algal protein and handling process of functional food ingredients need to control several parameters such as temperature, pH, intensity, and turbidity. Many researchers have investigated the Internet of Things (IoT) approach for enhancing the yield of microalgae biomass and machine learning for identifying and classifying microalgae. However, there have been few specific studies on using IoT and artificial intelligence (AI) for production and extraction of algal protein as well as functional food ingredients processing. In order to improve the production of algal protein and functional food ingredients, the implementation of smart system is a must to have real-time monitoring, remote control system, quick response to sudden events, prediction and characterisation. Techniques of IoT and AI are expected to help functional food industries to have a big breakthrough in the future. Manufacturing and implementation of beneficial smart systems are important to provide convenience and to increase the efficiency of work by using the interconnectivity of IoT devices to have good capturing, processing, archiving, analyzing, and automation. This review investigates the possibilities of implementation of IoT and AI in production and extraction of algal protein and processing of functional food ingredients.

Propagation of high intensity ultrasonic waves and shearing effect in formulating nanoemulsion loaded fullerene for drug delivery was investigated. Artificial neural network (ANN) was applied to optimize the emulsification process by varying the ultrasonic and homogenization parameters. Control of operating conditions, such as sonication amplitude (30–70%) and duration (60–120 s), as well as homogenization rate (4000–5000 rpm), was tested to determine the physical attributes of nanoemulsion. Ultrasonic cavitation showed far greater effects as compared to high shear homogenization in controlling the droplet size (sonication time) and viscosity (sonication amplitude) of the nanoemulsion system. Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm produced the optimum topology with network architecture of three inputs, four hidden nodes, and two outputs. Validation further confirmed the aptness of the proposed model with low root mean square error. In this study, ANN has superior predictive ability by yielding low percentage of residual standard error. An ultrasonic approach in formulating fullerene nanoemulsion system is a powerful technique in minimization of droplet size and acquisition of desirable viscosity. This serves as a platform to advance fullerene in nanomedicine field despite its hydrophobicity. Keywords: Nanoemulsion, Fullerene, Artificial neural network, Ultrasonic cavitation, High shear homogenization

Inhalation therapy of lipid-based carriers has great potential in direct target towards the root of respiratory diseases, which make them superior over other drug deliveries. With the successful entry of lipid carriers into the target cells, drugs can be absorbed in a sustained release manner and yield extended medicinal effects. Nevertheless, translation of inhalation therapy from laboratory to clinic especially in drug delivery remains a key challenge to the formulators. An ideal drug vehicle should safeguard the drugs from any premature elimination, facilitate cellular uptake, and promote maximum drug absorption with negligible toxicity. Despite knowing that lung treatment can be done via systemic delivery, pulmonary administration is capable of enhancing drug retention within the lungs, while minimizing systemic toxicity with local targeting. Current inhalation therapy of lipid-based carriers can be administered either intratracheally or intranasally to reach deep lung. However, the complex dimensions of lung architectural and natural defense mechanism poise major barriers towards targeted pulmonary delivery. Delivery systems have to be engineered in a way to tackle various diseases according to their biological conditions. This review highlights on the developmental considerations of lipid-based delivery systems cater for the pulmonary intervention of different lung illnesses.

Docetaxel has demonstrated extraordinary anticancer effects on lung cancer. However, lack of optimal bioavailability due to poor solubility and high toxicity at its therapeutic dose has hampered the clinical use of this anticancer drug. Development of nanoemulsion formulation along with biocompatible excipients aimed for pulmonary delivery is a potential strategy to deliver this poorly aqueous soluble drug with improved bioavailability and biocompatibility. In this work, screening and selection of pharmaceutically acceptable excipients at their minimal optimal concentration have been conducted. The selected nanoemulsion formulations were prepared using high-energy emulsification technique and subjected to physicochemical and aerodynamic characterizations. The formulated nanoemulsion had mean particle size and ζ-potential in the range of 90 to 110 nm and − 30 to − 40 mV respectively, indicating high colloidal stability. The pH, osmolality, and viscosity of the systems met the ideal requirement for pulmonary application. The DNE4 formulation exhibited slow drug release and excellent stability even under the influence of extreme environmental conditions. This was further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy as uniform spherical droplets in nanometer range were observed after storage at 45 ± 1 °C for 3 months indicating high thermal stability. The nebulized DNE4 exhibited desirable aerosolization properties for pulmonary delivery application and found to be more selective on human lung carcinoma cell (A549) than normal cell (MRC-5). Hence, these characteristics make the formulation a great candidate for the potential use as a carrier system for docetaxel in targeting lung cancer via pulmonary delivery.

Despite the fact that intrinsic oxidative stress is inevitable, the extrinsic factor such as ultraviolet radiation enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation resulting in premature skin aging. Nanoemulsion was loaded with fullerene, a strong free radical scavenger, and its efficacy to provide protection and regenerative effect against ROS-induced collagen breakdown in human skin was studied. Stable fullerene nanoemulsions were formulated using high shear homogenization and ultrasonic dispersion technique. An open trial was conducted using fullerene nanoemulsion on skin twice a day for 28 days. The mean collagen score significantly increased (P

Box–Behnken (BBD) and central composite rotatable designs (CCRD) were used as statistical multivariate methods in the formulation optimization of fullerene loaded nano-emulsions. Effect of palm kernel oil ester (10–20%, w/w), emulsifier (5–10%, w/w) and xanthan gum (0.6–1.0%, w/w) as formulation variables on the particle size, ζ-potential and viscosity of the nano-emulsions were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, CCRD model predicted the response values for particle size, ζ-potential and viscosity were 153.6 nm, −53.4 mV and 42.1 Pa s, respectively. Nonetheless, BBD model suggested that the optimum conditions for a fullerene loaded nano-emulsion would gave particle size, ζ-potential and viscosity of 151.6 nm, −53.8 mV and 43.1 Pa s, respectively. The actual response according to suggested compositions for both models showed excellent agreement with the predicted value with residual standard error (RSE) of less than 4%. Optimum nano-emulsions were stable during storage at 25 and 45 °C for 90 days and freeze–thaw cycle.

Fullerene nanoemulsions were formulated in palm kernel oil esters stabilized by low amount of mixed nonionic surfactants. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were established in the colloidal system of PKOEs/Tween 80 : Span 80/water incorporated with fullerene as antioxidant. Preformulation was subjected to combination of high and low energy emulsification methods and the physicochemical characteristics of fullerene nanoemulsions were analyzed using electroacoustic spectrometer. Oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions with particle sizes in the range of 70–160 nm were formed. The rheological characteristics of colloidal systems exhibited shear thinning behavior which fitted well into the power law model. The effect of xanthan gum (0.2–1.0%, w/w) and beeswax (1–3%, w/w) in the estimation of thermodynamics was further studied. From the energetic parameters calculated for the viscous flow, a moderate energy barrier for transport process was observed. Thermodynamic study showed that the enthalpy was positive in all xanthan gum and beeswax concentrations indicating that the formation of nanoemulsions could be endothermic in nature. Fullerene nanoemulsions with 0.6% or higher xanthan gum content were found to be stable against creaming and flocculation when exposed to extreme environmental conditions.