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A design of experiment (DoE) approach is presented for the optimization of Alendronate-hydroxyapatite nanoparticles� synthesis. The synthesis was performed using the chemical precipitation technique from calcium nitrate, diammonium hydrogen phosphate and alendronate. Synthesis temperature, reactant addition rate and ripening time were chosen as the most relevant experimental factors for our synthesis. Design of Experiments was used in order to measure these conclusive process parameters and their effect on controlling some final nanoparticles parameters, such us: alendronate incorporation efficiency (IncorporationEfficiency, %), hydroxyapatite crystallite size (Size_XRD, nm), hydroxyapatite particle size distribution (Size_DLS, �). Our study found that better HA-AL incorporation efficiency and small nonoparticles can be obtained using the following chemical process parameters: reaction temperature 30oC or smaller, ripening time 108h and addition rate 0.1mol/min. The analysis of more than one nanoparticles characteristics was possible using DoE software, MODDE 9.1. Thus, hydroxyapatite-alendronate incorporation efficiency should be expected to increase with decreasing temperature below 300C, increasing the maturate time at least 108h, at an addition rate of 0.1mol/min, in an N2 atmosphere. The same conditions will ensure nanoparticles small size that would be more desirable for the application of implants.

The food-colouring dye tartrazine is a significant additive and in the same time a biologically active material. Thermal behaviour of trisodium (4E)-5-oxo-1-(4-sulphonatophenyl)-4-[(4-sulphonatophenyl)hydrazono]-3-pyrazole carboxylate, tartrazine or E102 as it is also known, was studied in relation with the physical, chemical, thermal and biophysical (interaction with proteins, antioxidant and phytotoxicity) properties. Tartrazine structure and microstructure have been determined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy investigations. Tartrazine has a monoclinic crystalline structure (space group C2/c). Electronic transitions and atomic bonds behaviour in molecules and fluorescent excitation of the compound have been identified by spectroscopic methods: Fourier-transformed infrared, UV–Vis, atomic fluorescence and Raman spectroscopies. Tartrazine absorbs in the visible region at 436.36 nm and shows laser fluorescence of all its elements. Chemical (acidity) and optical properties (refractive index and electric susceptibility) were determined for different concentrations on a sensitive range of temperatures. Thermal analysis measurements of tartrazine revealed thermal stability until 200 °C in air, while in the inert environment (argon) the stability is increased to 300 °C. Biological and biophysical activities and properties of tartrazine have been evidenced through its interaction with animal proteins, comparison with the standard gallic acid and phytotoxicity towards wheat strains/roots, when several concentrations of tartrazine solutions were used. Tartrazine has moderate biological activity when interacting with proteins, obtained antioxidant activity above a threshold concentration of 0.25% and presents plant growth phytotoxicity.

In this study, hydroxyapatite–alendronate composites were synthesized from calcium nitrate, diammonium hydrogen phosphate and alendronate by chemical precipitation method. The obtained materials were analysed by physical–chemical methods, while the compositional and structural characteristics of hydroxyapatite–alendronate phases were determined by a combination of crystallographic, spectroscopic and thermal analysis investigations; moreover, the alendronate content, its maximal incorporation efficiency to hydroxyapatite and stability were determined. A two-level full factorial design was chosen to determine the optimum set of process parameters (synthesis temperature, reactant addition rate and ripening time) and their effects on various hydroxyapatite–alendronate characteristics: alendronate incorporation efficiency, hydroxyapatite crystallite size (XRD), hydroxyapatite particle size distribution (DLS). These effects were quantified using design of experiments. The in vitro release profile of alendronate from hydroxyapatite–alendronate tablets was assessed.

Seven new complexes of 2-pyridyl ketone Schiff bases N,N′-bis-(pyridin-2-yl-benziliden)-propan-1,3-diamine (bpbpd) and N,N′-bis-[1-(pyridin-2-yl)-etiliden]-propan-1,3-diamine (bpepd) with Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) nitrates and perchlorates were synthesized and investigated using elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques (IR and UV–Vis–NIR) as well as magnetic and conductometric measurements. The structure of a cadmium(II) complex was accomplished by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The Schiff base ligands act as NNNN tetradentate ligands coordinating through pyridine nitrogens and azomethine nitrogens to transition metal ions. The metal ions are six-coordinate for Co(II) and Ni(II), four-coordinate in the case of Zn(II) and eight-coordinate for Cd(II) ions. The coordination sphere of cobalt and nickel complexes is completed by two water molecules, resulting a distorted octahedron. In the case of zinc(II) complexes has been proposed a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The Cd(II) ions are surrounded by a tetradentate Schiff base ligand and two bidentate nitrate anions, leading to a dodecahedral coordination environment. Thermal decomposition of these compounds is a multistage process. Generally, water elimination occurs in the first step and the decomposition of nitrate groups and organic ligands in the next stages. The last step of decomposition for all complexes is strong exothermic and corresponds to oxidative combustion of the Schiff base ligand.

Gold nanoparticles are considered the newest drug carriers for different diseases. Therefore it is appropriate continuous optimization of their preparation. In this study, gold colloids with an average size of 1 - 26 nm were obtained by the reduction of tetrachloroauric acid with trisodium citrate. The nanomaterials were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering technique. In addition, zeta potential was measured for samples synthesized in order to determine the stability of the colloids. A Two-level Full Factorial design was chosen to determine the optimum set of process parameters (chloroauric acid concentration and sodium citrate concentration) and their effect on various gold nanoparticles characteristics (size and zeta potential). These effects were quantified using Design of Experiments (DoE) with 5 runs and 1 centerpoint. The selected objective and process model in this investigation are screening and interaction. Findings from this research show that to obtain particles larger than 35 nm, it is recommended to increase sodium citrate concentration, at low chloroauric acid values. These conditions will help to achieve smaller zeta potential, too.

In this study, three medicinal plants known as (Sambucus ebulus, Lonicera tatarica and Viburnum opulus) were investigated for their antioxidant properties. Total phenolic and total flavonoid content was also determined. All three phytopharmaceutical products have high amounts of phenols but the highest values were observed at V. opulus bark extract (42.380.12 gallic acid equivalents GAE/g). The 1,1 -diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test showed also high antioxidant potential of them in comparation with other medicinal plant species (IC50 was 1.089+1.09 mg/ml for V. opulus bark, 0.918+0.46 mg/ml for S. ebulus leaves, 1.947±0.98 mg/ml for L. tatarica flowers and 2.145±1.34 mg/ml for L. tatarica fruits). Therefore, the medicinal products studied have the potential to substitute artificial antioxidants in food and nutraceutical industry.