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Pesticide residues on fruits pose a global food safety concern, emphasizing the need for effective and practical removal strategies to ensure safe consumption. This study investigates the efficacy of household ingredients (corn starch, all-purpose flour, rice flour and baking soda) and four commercial fresh produce wash products in eliminating a model pesticide thiabendazole with and without a model non-ionic surfactant Alligare 90® from postharvest fruits. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was employed for the rapid, in situ quantification of residue removal on apple surfaces. Soaking in 2% corn starch followed by soaking in 5% baking was the most effective homemade strategy, removing 94.13% and 91.78% of thiabendazole with and without the surfactant. Among commercial washing agents, soaking in 2% Product 4 demonstrated the highest efficiency, removing 95.3% and 95.99% of thiabendazole with and without surfactant. These results suggested that the non-ionic surfactant did not affect removal efficiency. Both protocols were effective across various fruits (apples, grapes, lemons, strawberries), validated by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses. However, safety concerns regarding the composition of Product 4 highlighted the benefits of homemade strategies. Overall, this work offers practical guidelines for reducing pesticide residues on fruits and enhancing food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a global report on psoriasis, World Health Organization stated that, a significant portion of the global population suffers from psoriasis, a chronic, non‐contagious autoimmune, inflammatory skin disorder mediated by T cells with unpredictable relapse. Overall, there is ample evidence to suggest that the treatment of psoriasis with synthetic agents is associated with ample of systemic long term side effects. The present study aims at the use of novel nanosized carriers for plant bio‐actives to significantly enhance the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of plant actives and avoid side‐effects of synthetic agents. In present study, we have created Quercetin and Ferulic acid loaded micro‐emulsion formulations using, oleic acid, Polysorbate 80 and propylene glycol as the oil, surfactant, and co‐surfactant, respectively. To make topical psoriasis treatment easier, various batches of microemulsions with surfactant: cosurfactant compositions ranging from 31%w/w to 34%w/w were prepared and embedded in a hydrogel system containing gelling agents like sodium alginate and carbapol 940. Numerous parameters, including viscosity, spreadability, globule size, zeta potential, polydispersibility index, refractive index, percent transmittance, conductivity test, etc., were assessed for these developed microemulsions and micro‐emulgels (microemulsion loaded hydrogels). The created formulations were found pharmaceutically satisfactory and known to possess good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, the most commonly known pathogen which can be the possible agent to exaggerate the psoriatic symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] In order to understand the basic mechanisms affecting emulsion stability, the intrinsic dynamics of the drop population must be investigated. We hypothesize that transient ballistic motion can serve as a marker of interactions between drops. In 1G conditions, buoyancy-induced drop motion obscures these interactions. The microgravity condition onboard the International Space Station enable this investigation. We performed Diffusing Wave Spectroscopy (DWS) experiments in the ESA Soft Matter Dynamics (SMD) facility. We used Monte Carlo simulations of photon trajectory to support data analysis. The analysis framework was validated by ground-based characterizations of the initial drop size distribution (DSD) and the properties of the oil/water interface in the presence of surfactant. We characterized the drop size distribution and found to be bi-disperse. Drop dynamics shows transient ballistic features at early times, reaching a stationary regime of primarily diffusion-dominated motion. This suggests different ageing mechanisms: immediately after emulsification, the main mechanism is coalescence or aggregation between small drops. However at later times, ageing proceeds via coalescence or aggregation of small with large drops in some emulsions. Our results elucidate new processes relevant to emulsion stability with potential impact on industrial processes on Earth, as well as enabling technologies for space exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of inadequate disposal of industrial wastewater cause environmental, economic, social and human health damage. The search for innovative and viable methodologies from a technical and economic standpoint aims to promote suitable management of effluents produced by different industrial activities. The objective of this paper was to study phenol, aromatic alcohol and aromatic amine removal using cloud point extraction based on analysis of extraction capacity, miscibility curves, equilibrium lines, distribution coefficients and mass transfer solubilisation diffusion. The oxo-C10E3P4E2 surfactant produced the best results, exhibiting smaller coacervate volume fractions, low concentration in the diluted phase and efficient extraction (E%) of phenol (81.79%), 1-phenylethanol (67.88%), 2-phenylethanol (65.41%), benzyl alcohol (57.01%), aniline (56.91%), p-toluidine (73.96%) and 2,4-dimethylaniline (84.87%). The ternary phase diagrams revealed a large miscibility area favourable to extraction, with equilibrium lines showing a pronounced slope in favour of the coacervate, indicating high compound concentration factors. Equilibrium isotherms were used to obtain the distribution and solubilisation constants (Log KC/D KS), in the following order: aniline (1.05; 9.15) < p-toluidine (1.35; 20.40) < 2,4-dimethylaniline (1.76; 45.10) and benzyl alcohol (1.07; 8.19) < 2-phenylethanol (1.22; 14.04) < 1-phenylethanol (1.28; 15.23) < phenol (1.59; 36.72). These parameters show a linear correlation with Log KO/W, revealing that micellar solubilisation is governed by the hydrophobic nature of aromatic organic compounds. The evolution of pH demonstrated that the ionised forms of phenol and 2,4-dimethylaniline do not establish interactions (electrostatic, van der Waals, hydrogen bonds) with surfactants. Mass transfer diffusion is governed by hydrophobic compounds, slightly compromising phenol due to its high solubility in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current natural sources of mid‐cut alcohol (MCA), a key ingredient in cleaning formulations, present several challenges. One solution is to use insect oils instead of palm kernel oil (PKO) or coconut oil (CNO). In particular, black soldier fly (BSF) larvae oil is a promising raw material that provides a sustainable, natural feedstock for MCA. The estimation of its PCF leads to strongly negative values, driven by a very low land use change. The fact that low‐value by‐products are upgraded by BSF larvae is an additional advantage and avoids any competition with food crops. This study shows that BSF larvae oil can be a drop‐in replacement for PKO and CNO, leading to more sustainable ingredients for cleaning formulations. The technical proof of principle for the production of fatty alcohols has been demonstrated and up‐scaling to large commercial volumes should be straightforward. A potential barrier to consumer acceptance is expected to be lowered in the future. In certain regions or applications, successful market entry may already be possible today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many surfactants, such as higher mole alcohol ethoxylates like C12‐15–7EO and C9‐11–8EO, when diluted in water, will form a gel at specific concentrations and temperatures. Gels can be highly viscous and semi‐solid and should be avoided since they take time and energy to disperse once formed. Historically, the creation of gel diagrams or maps for our technical product brochures primarily has depended on visual observation, leading to variable interpretations and inconsistent results over time. Also, completing a gel map for one surfactant grade requires a minimum of one day, due to testing many samples across various concentrations and temperatures. To improve objectivity, consistency, and speed in gel mapping, oscillatory rheology was utilized to identify gels using viscoelastic properties by testing samples prepared at various concentrations. The digitization of the gel mapping technique provides two significant benefits. It offers a rheological‐based approach giving a non‐subjective, digital gel map and it is faster than our visual‐based method. Furthermore, this digital method is consistent with our visual‐based method giving good discrimination between surfactant grades and reproducibility within batches of the same grade. This work also demonstrates the promising potential of utilizing machine learning algorithms to model the rheological behavior of gel maps effectively. R and Python, programming languages widely used for data analysis, graphing, and machine learning, were employed. Overall, the new digital approach presented yields several benefits for surfactant gel behavior study, including a reduction in subjectivity, faster data generation, and increased efficiency in the gel map analysis process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased demand and sustainability concerns for palm derivatives, which include the major plant‐based feedstocks for surfactants in household, personal care, and industrial & institutional (I&I) applications, is anticipated to cause supply concerns over the next decade. This article reviews the impact of the fatty acid alkyl chain length and unsaturation and resulting physical properties from non‐palm feedstocks on formulation, processing, and functionality. Potential adjustments and their limitations are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deionized water is replacing fluorinated liquids as the preferred choice for two-phase immersion cooling in data centers. Yet, insufficient bubble removal capability at low saturated pressure is a key challenge hindering the widespread application. To solve this issue, this study employs non-ionic surfactant (Tween 20) and asymmetric structures (expanding microchannel) to enhance the boiling performances of deionized water under sub-atmospheric pressure. The research examines the effects of pressure (8.8~38.5 kPa), surfactant concentration (0.1~0.5 mL/L), and heat flux density (10~180 W/cm2) on the boiling heat transfer characteristics and analyzes the mechanism of unusual temperature oscillations induced by surfactants. It was found that the trade-off between the sub-atmospheric pressure, surface tension coefficient, and reduced static contact angle results in pronounced intermittent boiling on the heated surface. Even with the addition of surfactants, the improvement in heat transfer requires demanding conditions. Boiling enhancement throughout all heat flux conditions was achieved when the surfactant concentration was higher than 0.2 mL/L for the expanding microchanneled surface. The heat transfer coefficient reached 6.89 W·cm−2·K−1 under 8.8 kPa, which was 45% higher than without the surfactant. Under the same heat flux and sub-atmospheric pressure, as the concentration increased from 0.1 to 0.5 mL/L, the amplitudes of temperature fluctuation of the plane surface and expanding microchanneled surface decreased from 10 K to 2 K and 18 K to 1 K, respectively. The onset of nucleate boiling and wall superheat of the expanding microchanneled surface gradually decreased with the increase in surfactant concentration, where the onset of nucleate boiling decreased by 10.54 K. When the heat flux is 160 W/cm2, the wall superheat is reduced by 12.8 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonionic surfactants have proven useful in various applications such as wastewater treatment, enhanced oil recovery, dyeing, and cosmetics. Novel nonionic surfactants such as PEMP, BEMP, HEMP and BEEP were synthesized based on succinic acid derivatives and using L‐isoleucine as the linking group and four polyether alcohols as the hydrophilic group. First, the structures of the four nonionic surfactants were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. Then the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and surface tension at CMC (γCMC) of the four nonionic surfactants in aqueous solution were tested. γ‐lg c curves determined the relationships of their surface properties as BEEP > PEMP > BEMP > HEMP. In order to expand the range of applications for nonionic surfactants, we evaluated the salt‐resistant properties of four such surfactants. Our findings demonstrated that this class of surfactants indeed has superior salt‐resistant properties. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to study how surfactant molecules aggregate in the interfacial film. The study investigated the trend of solvent accessible surface area (SASA) over time. Results showed that the surfactant molecules interacted well with solvent molecules in the equilibrium state. This study investigates the performance differences among four types of surfactants using the electrostatic potential (ESP) distribution of their molecules. The study employed both experimental and computational simulations to provide a more comprehensive understanding of surfactant properties. The results offer insights into the theoretical research and application extension of this class of surfactants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticide residues on fruits pose a global food safety concern, emphasizing the need for effective and practical removal strategies to ensure safe consumption. This study investigates the efficacy of household ingredients (corn starch, all-purpose flour, rice flour and baking soda) and four commercial fresh produce wash products in eliminating a model pesticide thiabendazole with and without a model non-ionic surfactant Alligare 90® from postharvest fruits. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was employed for the rapid, in situ quantification of residue removal on apple surfaces. Soaking in 2% corn starch followed by soaking in 5% baking was the most effective homemade strategy, removing 94.13% and 91.78% of thiabendazole with and without the surfactant. Among commercial washing agents, soaking in 2% Product 4 demonstrated the highest efficiency, removing 95.3% and 95.99% of thiabendazole with and without surfactant. These results suggested that the non-ionic surfactant did not affect removal efficiency. Both protocols were effective across various fruits (apples, grapes, lemons, strawberries), validated by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses. However, safety concerns regarding the composition of Product 4 highlighted the benefits of homemade strategies. Overall, this work offers practical guidelines for reducing pesticide residues on fruits and enhancing food.

The aim of the work was to determine important parameters of the course of π-A isotherms, which can determine the HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) value of surfactant mixtures with selected structural features, such as a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain and a double bond, using RSM (response surface methodology) computational methods. Mixtures of surfactants derived from fatty acids and sorbitan with specific HLB values were evaluated by Langmuir trough. The resulting elasticity modules (ELM) and molecules surfaces (SAM) were evaluated via response surface methodology and respective equations were calculated. The π-A isotherm determined in a Langmuir trough and the ELM and SAM parameters determined on the basis of this isotherm may be useful for determining the HLB of a fixed surfactant mixture. The RSM method used, in which ELM and SAM were assumed as two independent variables, can be a useful technique for tracking the influence of individual molecular characteristics on the hydrophilic-lipophilic properties of mixtures of surfactant compounds. Changes in HLB as a dependent variable can be described as a function of ELM and SAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Niosomes, vesicles formed by non-ionic surfactants, offer advantages in drug delivery by enhancing solubilization and encapsulating both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs. This study focuses on ß-sitosterolloaded niosomes designed to protect its anti-diabetic properties. Formulated with Span™ 60, Span™ 80 and cholesterol, the niosomes showed high entrapment efficiency (90%) and favorable release kinetics. Stability studies confirmed their robustness in various conditions. In vivo experiments demonstrated significant improvements in body weight and blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. The optimized formulation (NF8) exhibited controlled release and substantial antidiabetic activity, suggesting its potential as an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presents research on the impact of lubricants on the quality of wastewater generated in a plant producing rubber hoses and the possibility of recovering and returning these agents to the production process. The research was carried out at the Hutchinson Zywiec 2 plant (Southern Poland). There were six different lubricants with different performance properties tested. The lubricants from the Rheolease series with the numbers 4834, 2544G, 3241 DV, and 487LG produced by performance fluid (Performance Fluids Ltd., Unit 1, Hodge Bank Business Park, Reedyford Road, Nelson BB9 8TF, United Kingdom) and the lubricants from the Struktol series with the numbers XP6253 and XP6245 produced by Schill+Seilacher (Schill+Seilacher GmbH, Schoenaicher Str. 205, 71032 Boeblingen, Germany) were tested when dissolved in deionized water. It was observed that the lowest concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and non-ionic surface-active agents (SAAs) were achieved in the aqueous solution containing Struktol XP6245. However, due to unfavorable process parameters (unpleasant odor), the Rheolease series lubricants were used in the technological process. Tests conducted on actual wastewater containing these lubricants showed that for Rheolease 487LG lubricant, the lowest COD and non-ionic SAAs concentrations were achieved, measuring 283 and 144 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, for the same recycled lubricant, lower COD concentrations were obtained compared to the new lubricant, measuring 28,600 and 46,530 mg/L, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surfactants present in natural surface waters negatively affect the self-purification processes of water due to foaming, oxygen deficiency and eutrophication of water reservoirs. Consumed with water, they adversely affect human health. The purpose of the research conducted in the period from 2019 to 2022 was to determine the effectiveness of removing anionic and non-ionic surfactants in the process of artificial infiltration carried out at surface water intakes. The research was carried out on an experimental field installation located at the surface water infiltration intake. The experimental installation consisted of three metering wells (piezometers) located on the way between the infiltration pond and the collecting well. Water samples collected from the pond, from piezometers and from the well allowed to assess the change in concentrations of selected surfactants during the flow of water through the ground from the pond to the well. The analysis of the content of non-ionic surfactants was carried out by the method of iodobismutane determination with the final measurement of bismuth-thiourea (BiAS-thio) absorbance. A simplified method for the determination of anionic surfactants using methylene blue (MBAS) was used to measure the concentration of anionic surfactants. The presented studies carried out during the pandemic in 2019–2022 show a significant increase in the concentration of non-ionic surfactants in water collected from the infiltration pond. The presented research results indicate that artificial infiltration can be treated as a robust and effective barrier eliminating surfactants from treated water before the treatment plant technology. The main effect of surfactant removal occurs in the first section of the ground flow. Interpretation of the results allowed to conclude that the sediment layer at the bottom of the infiltration pond plays a major role in the removal of surfactants. Biodegradation is the main process responsible for the removal of non-ionic and ionic surfactants in the infiltration process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clove essential oil is traditionally used as an anesthetic, analgesic, or insecticide, and recently, its applications as an antimicrobial, antioxidant, or anticancer agent have been explored. Nanoemulsions are thermodynamically unstable dispersions (d < 100 nm) produced by mixing two immiscible phases, which, in many cases, improve the stability and biological activities of functional ingredients for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or food applications. This research optimized the formation of clove essential oil nanoemulsions by employing response surface methodology. The surfactant concentration was minimized by modifying the percentage of clove oil (0–100%), surfactant content (1–4%), and oil phase content (0–20%). In the optimum conditions, a nanoemulsion (93.19 ± 3.92 nm) was produced using 1.0% surfactant and 2.5% oil phase of which 50.7% was clove essential oil. The optimized nanoemulsion was stable in rapid stability tests (centrifugation, freezing–thawing, and heating–cooling), but its average droplet size increased during storage at different temperatures. The nanoemulsion contains a phenolic content equivalent to 736 mg gallic acid/mL. However, the antioxidant capacity of the essential oil (IC50 = 0.78 µg/mL) was dismissed in the nanoemulsion (IC50 = 2.43 µg/mL). The antimicrobial activity of the nanoemulsion showed strain–dependent behavior with MIC ranging from 0.0468 to 0.75 mg/mL, where E. coli and S. typhimurium were the most susceptible pathogenic bacteria. Finally, nanoencapsulation of clove oil showed higher in vitro cytotoxic activity against Caco–2 cancer cells (227 μg/mL) than free clove essential oil (283 μg/mL), but nanoemulsion (306 μg/mL) was less effective than oil (231 μg/mL) in the HT–29 line. This research shows the potential of clove essential oil nanoemulsions for developing biological therapies to treat diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, special types of washing agents, intended for fruit washing were developed. Fruit washing agents with different contents of non-ionic surfactants have been prepared. The developed products were characterized in terms of performance with regard to their ability to remove pesticide residues from fruit surfaces. Special attention was paid to the safety of use in relation to the level of skin irritation during washing. The results provided important information on the effect of surfactant concentration on selected quality parameters of the developed fruit washing agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyglycerol esters (PEGs) which are non-ionic surfactants acting as emulsifiers, wetting agents and viscosity modifying agents are used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. They have been proposed as an alternative to ethoxylated glycol-based non-ionic surfactants due to safety issues. PGEs are composed of fatty acid, which is a lipophilic moiety, and polyglycerol, which is a hydrophilic moiety. They are synthesized by several methods, such as direct esterification of fatty acids and polyglycerols, chemical transesterification of fatty acid methyl esters and polyglycerol, enzymatic transesterification using Lipozyme 435, using glycerol carbonate as raw material, using microwave irradiation, etc. PGEs (Polyglycerol esters) are claimed to be green alternatives to the existing emulsifiers used in the chemical industry as the raw material used for synthesis is obtained from vegetable oils which are renewable, and therefore, eco-friendly surfactants for use in a broad number of applications including food, cosmetics, textiles and personal care. The major challenges in the synthesis of polyglycerol fatty acid esters are to increase yield and control the esterification level while minimising side reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is a committed step in the manufacturing of integrated circuits, especially in the fabrication process of shallow trench isolation (STI) structures. Ceria (CeO2) slurry is widely used in the STI CMP process, while it is vulnerable to causing surface defects owing to particle agglomeration, such as scratches and abrasive residues. Furthermore, CeO2 slurry faces the challenge of low polishing removal selectivity between silicon dioxide (SiO2) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) surfaces. In this study, we investigated the effects of various non-ionic surfactants and different pH levels in CeO2-based slurries on material removal rates, removal selectivity, and surface qualities of polished wafers. Two of the studied non-ionic surfactants that make CeO2 slurries disperse better were selected through sedimentation experiments, which were polyethylpyrrolidone (PVP-K30) and polyethylene glycol, respectively. Subsequently, polishing experiments and atomic force microscopy characterization tests were conducted to illustrate the effects of the selected surfactants at different pH conditions. To further explore the underlying mechanism, the reaction of surfactants on SiO2 and Si3N4 wafers was explained using surface adsorption tests, thermogravimetry experiments, zeta potential measurements, and chemical valence bond structure analysis. As a result, it can be concluded that the performance of ceria slurries used in STI CMP process can be improved by the addition of non-ionic surfactant PVP-K30. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reservoir heterogeneity is an important factor which should be considered for each operation in oilfields. Acidizing operation is performed to eliminate or reduce the damages of reservoirs. The dissolution of the minerals and rock texture in damaged areas is the main goal of acidizing. However, the existence of high permeable zones through flowing paths results in extra damages and fluid loss. Some additives could be added to the injected acid to avoid these undesirable phenomena. In this research, we added a Zwitterionic sulfonate surfactant to hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution and evaluated the rheological behavior of several compositions of acid‐based viscoelastic surfactant (VES) solutions under various temperature and shear rates. The capability of optimum solution to plug the high permeable zone and divert the acid flow to low permeable zone is examined. The optimum solution was injected into a parallel sandpacked system with different permeabilities at various flow rates (1, 3 and 5 cc/min). It was observed that the injection rate of 3 cc/min has the most efficiency to reduce the heterogeneity. Besides the tendency of VES based solutions for altering wettability of rock to more water‐wet condition is observed. The findings of this study can help the better understanding of practical application of VES in acidizing through heterogeneous reservoirs. Besides, effective parameters for such application are determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermal drug delivery has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional methods of drug administration due to its non-invasive nature and ease of use. However, the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, presents a significant barrier to drug penetration. Niosomes, self-assembled vesicular structures composed of nonionic surfactants and cholesterol, have been extensively investigated as a means of overcoming this barrier and improving the efficacy of dermal drug delivery. This review summarizes the current state of research on the use of niosomes in dermal drug delivery in cosmetics, with a particular focus on their formulation, characterization, and application in the delivery of various drug classes. The review highlights the advantages of niosomes over conventional drug delivery methods, including improved solubility and stability of drugs, controlled release, and enhanced skin permeation. The review also discusses the challenges associated with niosome-based drug delivery, such as their complex formulation and optimization, and the need for further studies on their long-term safety and toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bioresource utilization of herbal biomass residues (HBRs) has been receiving more attention. Herein, three different HBRs from Isatidis Radix (IR) and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (SFR) and Ginseng Radix (GR) were subjected to batch and fed-batch enzymatic hydrolysis to produce high-concentration glucose. Compositional analysis showed the three HBRs had substantial starch content (26.36–63.29%) and relatively low cellulose contents (7.85–21.02%). Due to their high starch content, the combined action of cellulolytic and amylolytic enzymes resulted in greater release of glucose from the raw HBRs compared to using the individual enzyme alone. Batch enzymatic hydrolysis of 10% (w/v) raw HBRs with low loadings of cellulase (≤ 10 FPU/g substrate) and amylolytic enzymes (≤ 5.0 mg/g substrate) led to a high glucan conversion of ≥ 70%. The addition of PEG 6000 and Tween 20 did not contribute to glucose production. Furthermore, to achieve higher glucose concentrations, fed-batch enzymatic hydrolysis was conducted using a total solid loading of 30% (w/v). After 48-h of hydrolysis, glucose concentrations of 125 g/L and 92 g/L were obtained for IR and SFR residues, respectively. GR residue yielded an 83 g/L glucose concentration after 96 h of digestion. The high glucose concentrations produced from these raw HBRs indicate their potential as ideal substrate for a profitable biorefinery. Notably, the obvious advantage of using these HBRs is the elimination of the pretreatment step, which is typically required for agricultural and woody biomass in similar studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments were performed to characterize the adsorption of the cationic surfactant benzalkonium chloride (BZK) on polyester as well as measure the effect of the cationic surfactant on polyester surface charge. Additional studies were performed to examine the effect of adding nonionic surfactants on surface charge. In studies of adsorption of BZK on polyester, different behaviors were observed at pH values 6 and 10, with adsorption reaching a maximum at pH 10 but not at pH 6. In probing the zeta potential and isoelectric point (IEP) of polyester exposed to solutions composed of BZK (cationic surfactant) and an ethoxylated alcohol (nonionic surfactant), it was seen that the IEP could be shifted to higher pH levels by increasing the mole fraction of nonionic surfactant in a cationic/nonionic surfactant solution. A maximum in the IEP was obtained at a certain mole fraction for most cases. The shift in the IEP was hypothesized to be driven by increased deposition of the cationic, since the nonionic itself did not significantly change the IEP. The cooperative interactions between cationic and nonionic species were theorized to be driven not so much by attractive interactions, but other interactions, such as minimization of cationic charge repulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic conductivity measurements proved to be an effective and rapid method to determine the optimal experimental conditions for a salinity‐induced phase‐inversion from surfactant/oil/water (SOW) systems consisting of nonionic surfactants, more specifically alcohol ethoxylates. This emerging methodology can be used as a rapid screening tool to determine the impact of alcohol ethoxylate surfactants in a SOW solution and was demonstrated to be not only repeatable, but highly comparable to the traditional static method, in which the solutions are added to flat bottom tubes and allowed to equilibrate at a given temperature for extended time periods. Given a set of experimental conditions (oil‐type, temperature, etc.), these dynamic salinity‐induced phase‐inversion (Dy‐SPI) conductivity measurements can be used to determine the optimal salinity (S*) for a given surfactant at a set concentration, as well as its characteristic curvature via a series of experiments with varying oil types. Additionally, Dy‐SPI was used to confirm the previously observed inverse relationship between the concentration of an alcohol ethoxylate and S* under a given set of conditions. What makes this method so unique is the amount of time (30 min to 1 h) and the simplicity of the equipment needed for these Dy‐SPI conductivity measurements, allowing for a rapid screening tool for these SOW parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on a study that examined the impact of agrochemicals on the levels of surfactants in soil. Specifically, the study found that the use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides led to an increase in the levels of anionic surfactants (ASA) in the soil. Furthermore, the simultaneous application of fertilizers and pesticides had a greater effect on ASA levels than either factor alone. The use of pesticides also led to an increase in non-ionic surfactants (NSA), while the use of fertilizers resulted in a decrease in NSA levels. The study also found that the increase in the levels of mobile forms of key nutrients in the soil was associated with the accumulation of ASA in lower layers of the soil profile. The amount of alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen under the low protection system increased by 3.0-23.2 mg kg-1 soil, mobile phosphorus by 14.0-144.0 mg P2O5, and exchangeable potassium by 9.0-222.0 mg K2O per kg soil, compared to the control. With the complex use of fertilizers and pesticides in one block, a trend of increasing mobile forms of nutrients in the soil was observed. The distribution of ASA amount in the soil profile is descending. The clear presence of ASA was established only in the soil layer of 0-40 cm. An increase of ASA content in the soil due to the use of agrochemicals and fertilizers is observed up to a depth of 60-80 cm. Using biological elements in agriculture significantly reduces the amount of these substances in the soil profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Comparative studies of planar and vesicular structures based on the same materials. • Characteristics of niosomes correlate with excess free energy of mixed monolayers. • Composition of shells determine morphology, polarity and microviscosity of niosomes. • Cholesterol increases the compatibility in monolayers and the stability of niosomes. In recent years, the study of niosomes as nanocarriers alternative to liposomes has received increasing attention. In contrast to well-studied liposome membranes, many aspects of the behavior of analogous niosome bilayers have not been studied. This paper considers one of these aspects related to the communication between the physicochemical properties of planar and vesicular objects. We present the first results of comparative studies of Langmuir monolayers of binary and ternary (with cholesterol) mixtures of non-ionic surfactants based on sorbitan esters and niosomal structures assembled from the same materials. The Thin-Film Hydration (TFH) method in the gentle shaking version was used to produce the particles of large sizes, while small unilamellar high quality vesicles with a unimodal distribution of particles were prepared by TFH using ultrasonic treatment and extrusion. An analysis of the structural organization and phase state of monolayers based on compression isotherms and supplemented by thermodynamic calculations, as well as the results of determining the particle morphology, polarity and microviscosity of niosome shells, made it possible to obtain fundamental data on the intermolecular interactions of the components and their packing in shells and to relate these data to the properties of niosomes. This relationship can be used to optimize the composition of niosome membranes and predict the behavior of these vesicular systems. It was shown that cholesterol excess creates regions of bilayers with increased rigidity (like "lipid rafts"), which hinders the process of folding film fragments into small niosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When designing surfactant formulations using ionic and nonionic surfactants, the hydrophile lipophile balance (HLB) is a generalized surfactant characterization parameter that has shown to be useful when designing surfactant formulations, in the case of both ionic and nonionic surfactants (Davies' and Griffin's methods). Microemulsion phase behavior studies have been extensively used to optimize surfactant formulations, but these studies can cover a very wide phase space and can often encounter troublesome non‐equilibrium issues such as coacervation. Detailed phase behavior studies can be time‐consuming and difficult to apply beyond the specific surfactant‐oil system studied. The hydrophilic–lipophilic deviation (HLD) provides a method to help expedite surfactant formulation research by reducing the number of phase behavior studies required to optimize a given formulation. Detergency experiments have indicated that there is an optimal range of HLD for a given fabric surface. This appears to apply to other applications, as well, for example, surfactant formulations used in enhanced oil recovery have been optimized using the HLD method. These studies found that the HLD can reflect total oil recovery, even if the surfactants were derived from different alcohol feedstocks (e.g., HLD of 0 would describe optimum conditions regardless the type of surfactant). Also with additional parameterization, the HLD method can also be applied to non‐ideal surfactant mixtures, specifically ionic/nonionic blends. Overall, the HLD framework has shown to be an effective screening tool for a wide range of surfactant‐related applications when appropriate experiments, assumptions, and understanding of surfactant and oil interactions are used to generate the HLD parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed surfactants are common in practical applications, and their behaviors are often observed to deviate from the behaviors of pure surfactants with similar average properties in striking, and sometimes unexpected ways. The focus of this work was on exploring the role of mixed micelle formation in a mixed ethoxylated nonionic surfactant on the dynamics of partitioning between immiscible phases. The work examined partitioning of an ethoxylated nonylphenol surfactant between water and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in a stagnant system at two different phase volume ratios. A model describing partitioning rate was developed and calibrated to experimental data, and then used to predict the long‐term dynamic approach to equilibrium in mixed and pure systems. The work suggests that micelle formation slows partitioning time by limiting the concentration of monomers in water; in pure systems, time to approach equilibrium increases with increasing concentration, but then reaches a maximum. However, in mixed systems, time to approach equilibrium continues to increase with increasing concentration over the physically‐possible concentration range. For the mixed system studied here, partitioning could be expected to take two orders of magnitude longer at very high concentrations than a similar pure system. Because of the similarity of the mathematics, this result might be expected for any monomer‐driven interaction, such as adsorption or interfacial tension reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Hydration forces between surfactant bilayers can be assessed using water sorption isotherms of surfactants. For a quantitative description, a water sorption model that relates water activity to water content in surfactant-based systems should be proposed. A water sorption model for nonionic surfactant systems based on the idea on partial solvent accessibility is proposed. The model contains only two parameters: one describes the strength of interactions, the other describes the fraction of surfactant available for water. For comparison, molecular dynamics simulations of bilayers of n -octyl β- d -glucoside with different water contents are presented. The model provides an excellent fit of experimental data on water sorption isotherms of two sugar surfactants. The results of the fitting are compared with molecular dynamics simulations and show a good correlation between simulations and the theory proposed. Analysis of interaction energies shows weakly endothermic hydration both in the simulations and in the sorption model, which agrees with calorimetric data on hydration. The model also shows a non-exponential decay of hydration forces with respect to the distance between bilayers; an expression for the decay length is derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the distribution of an antidiabetic drug metformin hydrochloride (MNH) between water and mixed micellar environments produced by nonionic surfactants Tween 80 (TW-80) and Triton X-100 (TX-100). In our research, we described the UV–visible absorption spectra of a drug at various surfactant concentrations above and below critical micelle concentration (CMC). When employing TX-100, the absorbance spectra appeared to shift towards shorter wavelengths (blue shift) and there was an increase in absorbance intensity (hyperchromic shift), while using Tween 80, absorbance intensity increased (hyperchromic shift). We estimated the partition coefficient (K x) from differential absorption data and utilized it to derive the free energy of partition (∆G p). The partition coefficient in a single micellar system was found to be 7.82×106 and 1.79×106 in the presence of TW-80 and TX-100, respectively. The partition coefficient for the MNH/TW-80 system in a mixed micellar system reaches its maximum value of 1.08×107 when TX-100 is present at 1.26×106 M, indicating a considerable increase in the solubilizing power of micelles. The results showed that mixed micelles of TX-100/TW-80 were more effective for the solubilization of MNH than their individual micelles. It was crystal clear from the negative values of ∆G b that binding is also spontaneous. [Display omitted] • An appropriate nonionic micellar system is used to encapsulate an antidiabetic drug metformin hydrochloride. • Nonionic surfactants (Tween 80 and Triton X–100) are used to improve the solubility and bioavailability of metformin hydrochloride at the targeted site. • As less hazardous than ionic surfactants in pharmaceutical formulations, they are thought to be the best option for drug encapsulating. • The encapsulation of drug in tween 80 micelles is more prominent and more spontaneous in comparison with Triton X – 100 micelles. • Mixed micellization is also favorable than single surfactant micellization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immobilization of microorganisms on high-quality and inexpensive carriers to remediate oil-contaminated soil is an effective strategy for contaminated soil remediation. Due to the abundance in nutrients, large specific surface area, and fewer pathogens, the composting sludge is considered a high-quality immobilized material. Herein, two non-ionic surfactants, TW-80 and sophorolipid, were used to modify composted sludge. High-efficiency petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria groups selected in the laboratory were fixed on the modified composting sludge under optimal conditions. The immobilized material was placed in the soil contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons at an additive amount of 2wt/%, and a simulated remediation experiment was performed for 90 days. Both soil properties and microbial structure were characterized. Surfactant-modified compost sludge enhances the adsorption capacity to petroleum hydrocarbon. The immobilized microorganisms in the modified compost sludge showed a good effect on the remediation of soil contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons. In addition, immobilized materials also increase the diversity of the microbial community structure in the soil. High-efficiency petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria immobilized on surfactant-modified compost can effectively promote the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil and increase the abundance of microorganisms in the soil. It shows the feasibility of eco-friendly remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surfactants are versatile compounds used in our everyday lives. These compounds are constituents of, for example, cleaning agents, fuel additives, cosmetic products, medicines, and construction materials. It is essential to comprehend the surface and bulk flow properties of surfactants. The physicochemical properties of surfactants can be utilized to make well-informed decisions and to synthesize surfactants purposefully for specific applications. Physicochemical properties, including surface saturation concentration, critical micelle concentration, Krafft point and cloud point, can influence the effectiveness and efficiency of a surfactant. These properties can also be manipulated by altering conditions such as temperature and surfactant concentration. Knowledge of the functioning of surfactants in aqueous solutions can lead to improvements in various consumer goods. Furthermore, there is limited Afrikaans literature available concerning surfactants. Therefore, this review article serves as an Afrikaans introduction to the operation of surfactants in aqueous solutions and at an air-water interface. Since non-ionic surfactants are commonly found in commerce, the operation of surfactants is primarily explained with reference to these compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Bi2212 films were prepared on LaAlO 3 (100) and SrTiO 3 (100) substrates by the sol-gel method using Bi(NO 3) 3 ·5H 2 O, Sr(NO 3) 2 , Ca(NO 3) 2 ·4H 2 O and Cu(NO 3) 2 ·3H 2 O as raw materials. TritonX-100 (TX-100), fatty alcohol poly oxyethylene ether (AEO-9), poly (vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were used as surfactants, respectively, to improve the wettability between the sol and the substrate. When glycine and glycolic acid were used as complexing agents, these surfactants were stably miscible with the sols. The effects of different surfactant sol-gel systems on the wettability of substrates as well as the crystallinity, morphology, surface roughness and electrical transport properties of Bi2212 superconducting films were investigated. The results showed that flat and continuous c -axis epitaxial Bi2212 films were obtained using all these sol-gel systems. In particular, TX-100 and AEO-9 as surfactants showed stronger wettability of the sol-gel for both substrates. In addition, the films prepared using polymer surfactants PVP and PVA sol-gel systems showed less surface roughness. The same patterns were found in all the film samples prepared using precursor sols of different complexing agents, and all the films exhibited good electrical transport properties. This work lays a certain research foundation for the preparation of thin films by aqueous solvent sol-gel method. The method also shows great potential in terms of the stability of different sol-gel systems and the improvement of the wettability of different substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method of cloud point preconcentration coupled with ultrasound-assisted back extraction of fludioxonil, fenarimol, metalaxyl for determination by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) in fruits was developed. Some parameters with an effect on the extraction, such as the concentration of Triton X-114, pH influence, incubation time, equilibration temperature and centrifuging parameters were studied and optimized. When using solutions of Triton X-114 for extraction of 0.5% (w/v), the complete extraction of fungicides is observed in the pH range 5.2–8.0 under the conditions of the existence of their neutral molecular forms at an equilibrium phase separation temperature of 45 °C. Surfactant-rich phases were formed by centrifuging solutions at 4000 rpm for 15 min. The method was validated and characterized by the following metrological parameters: the limit of detection (LOD, 3σ) of fludioxonil is 0.06 μg⋅mL−1, the limit of quantitation (LOQ, 10σ) – 0.21 μg⋅mL−1, working range 0.21–10.0 μg⋅mL−1; for fenarimol LOD – 0.10 μg⋅mL−1, LOQ – 0.33 μg⋅mL−1, working range – 0.33–10.0 μg⋅mL−1; for metalaxyl LOD – 0.15 μg⋅mL−1, LOQ – 0.50 μg⋅mL−1, working range – 0.50–10.0 μg⋅mL−1. The procedure was used for determination of fludioxonil, fenarimol, metalaxyl in grapes after their treatment with commercial preparations of fungicides. The results show that the sensitivity, metrological characteristics, ecological safety, simplicity and convenience of the suggested procedure exceed its analogs based on extraction using organic solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative colloidal preparations that can alter the pharmacological properties of drugs have been made possible by the advancement of nanotechnology. Recent advances in the sciences of the nanoscale have led to the creation of new methods for treating illnesses. Developments in nanotechnology may lessen the side effects of medicine by using effective and regulated drug delivery methods. A promising drug delivery vehicle is spanlastics, an elastic nanovesicle that can transport a variety of drug compounds. Spanlastics have expanded the growing interest in many types of administrative pathways. Using this special type of vesicular carriers, medications intended for topical, nasal, ocular, and trans-ungual treatments are delivered to specific areas. Their elastic and malleable structure allows them to fit into skin pores, making them ideal for transdermal distribution. Spanlastic is composed of non-ionic surfactants or combinations of surfactants. Numerous studies have demonstrated how spanlastics significantly improve, drug bioavailability, therapeutic effectiveness, and reduce medication toxicity. The several vesicular systems, composition and structure of spanlastics, benefits of spanlastics over alternative drug delivery methods, and the process of drug penetration via skin are all summarized in this paper. Additionally, it provides an overview of the many medications that may be treated using spanlastic vesicles. The primary benefits of these formulations were associated with their surface properties, as a variety of proteins might be linked to the look. For instance, procedure assessment and gold nanoparticles were employed as biomarkers for different biomolecules, which included tumor label detection. Anticipate further advancements in the customization and combining of spanlastic vesicles with appropriate zeta potential to transport therapeutic compounds to specific areas for enhanced disease treatment., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Non-ionic surfactant vesicles, commonly known as niosomes, have gained significant attention in the field of drug delivery because of their unique properties and advantages. Niosomes are self-assembled vesicles composed of non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol that can entrap both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs within their aqueous core or bilayer. This versatile drug delivery system offers improved stability, prolonged release profiles, reduced toxicity, and enhanced efficacy for a wide range of therapeutic agents. This comprehensive article delves into the structure, function, classification, and advances in niosomes for enhanced drug delivery. It explores various nonionic surfactants used for niosome formulation and discusses their impact on encapsulation efficiency and stability. Moreover, it highlights the application of niosomes in the delivery of small molecules, proteins, and plant-derived natural products. This article provides an overview of the different formulation methods employed for niosome preparation and discusses recent advancements that have expanded their potential applications in targeted drug delivery systems., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Clove essential oil is traditionally used as an anesthetic, analgesic, or insecticide, and recently, its applications as an antimicrobial, antioxidant, or anticancer agent have been explored. Nanoemulsions are thermodynamically unstable dispersions (d < 100 nm) produced by mixing two immiscible phases, which, in many cases, improve the stability and biological activities of functional ingredients for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or food applications. This research optimized the formation of clove essential oil nanoemulsions by employing response surface methodology. The surfactant concentration was minimized by modifying the percentage of clove oil (0–100%), surfactant content (1–4%), and oil phase content (0–20%). In the optimum conditions, a nanoemulsion (93.19 ± 3.92 nm) was produced using 1.0% surfactant and 2.5% oil phase of which 50.7% was clove essential oil. The optimized nanoemulsion was stable in rapid stability tests (centrifugation, freezing–thawing, and heating–cooling), but its average droplet size increased during storage at different temperatures. The nanoemulsion contains a phenolic content equivalent to 736 mg gallic acid/mL. However, the antioxidant capacity of the essential oil (IC50 = 0.78 µg/mL) was dismissed in the nanoemulsion (IC50 = 2.43 µg/mL). The antimicrobial activity of the nanoemulsion showed strain–dependent behavior with MIC ranging from 0.0468 to 0.75 mg/mL, where E. coli and S. typhimurium were the most susceptible pathogenic bacteria. Finally, nanoencapsulation of clove oil showed higher in vitro cytotoxic activity against Caco–2 cancer cells (227 μg/mL) than free clove essential oil (283 μg/mL), but nanoemulsion (306 μg/mL) was less effective than oil (231 μg/mL) in the HT–29 line. This research shows the potential of clove essential oil nanoemulsions for developing biological therapies to treat diseases.

The aim of this research was to prepare novel block copolymer-surfactant hybrid nanosystems using the triblock copolymer Pluronic 188, along with surfactants of different hydrophilic to lipophilic balance (HLB ratio—which indicates the degree to which a surfactant is hydrophilic or hydrophobic) and thermotropic behavior. The surfactants used were of non-ionic nature, of which Tween 80® and Brij 58® were more hydrophilic, while Span 40® and Span 60® were more hydrophobic. Each surfactant has unique innate thermal properties and an affinity towards Pluronic 188. The nanosystems were formulated through mixing the pluronic with the surfactants at three different ratios, namely 90:10, 80:20, and 50:50, using the thin-film hydration technique and keeping the pluronic concentration constant. The physicochemical characteristics of the prepared nanosystems were evaluated using various light scattering techniques, while their thermotropic behavior was characterized via microDSC and high-resolution ultrasound spectroscopy. Microenvironmental parameters were attained through the use of fluorescence spectroscopy, while the cytotoxicity of the nanocarriers was studied in vitro. The results indicate that the combination of Pluronic 188 with the above surfactants was able to produce hybrid homogeneous nanoparticle populations of adequately small diameters. The different surfactants had a clear effect on physicochemical parameters such as the size, hydrodynamic diameter, and polydispersity index of the final formulation. The mixing of surfactants with the pluronic clearly changed its thermotropic behavior and thermal transition temperature (Tm) and highlighted the specific interactions that occurred between the different materials, as well as the effect of increasing the surfactant concentration on inherent polymer characteristics and behavior. The formulated nanosystems were found to be mostly of minimal toxicity. The obtained results demonstrate that the thin-film hydration method can be used for the formulation of pluronic-surfactant hybrid nanoparticles, which in turn exhibit favorable characteristics in terms of their possible use in drug delivery applications. This investigation can be used as a road map for the selection of an appropriate nanosystem as a novel vehicle for drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The aim of this study was to develop thiolated self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) with improved mucoadhesive properties. Two non-ionic surfactants bearing a short and long PEG chain, namely polyoxyethylene (10) stearyl ether (PSE 10) and polyoxyethylene (100) stearyl ether (PSE 100), were thiolated for the first time by substituting the terminal hydroxyl group with a thiol group. The synthesis was confirmed by FT-IR, NMR and Ellman's test. SEDDS and NLCs containing these thiolated compounds were investigated for size, polydispersity index (PDI) and ζ potential. Subsequently, mucus diffusion studies, rheological evaluations after mixing the nanocarriers with mucus and mucoadhesion studies on porcine intestinal mucosa were performed. All nanocarriers had a size less than 250 nm, a maximum PDI of 0.3 and a ζ potential < −9.0 mV. Mucus diffusion studies resulted in the rank order of increasing diffusivity: PSE 10 -SH < PSE 100 -SH < PSE 10 -OH < PSE 100 -OH for NLCs and PSE 10 -OH < PSE 100 -OH < PSE 100 -SH < PSE 10 -SH for SEDDS. The mucoadhesive properties and increase in viscosity of SEDDS and NLCs ranked: PSE 100 -OH < PSE 10 -OH < PSE 100 -SH < PSE 10 -SH. In addition, the short chain PSE 10 -SH showed higher mucus interactions than the long chain PSE 100 -SH for both SEDDS and NLCs. The thiolated PSE surfactants appeared to be promising excipients for the design of highly mucoadhesive drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction: Etodolac is used in the treatment of acute pain and inflammation. It has low solubility because of high hydrophobicity and it is reported that upon oral administration shows gastric disturbances. This encourages the development of topical vesicular formulation. Method: In this work we used coacervation-phase separation method for the development of etodolac loaded vesicular system by using non-ionic surfactants, cholesterol and soya lecithin. Central composite design (rotatble) was used to optimize the concentrations of soy lecithin, surfactant and cholesterol. The prepared formulations were characterized by number of vesicles formed, vesicle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, in-vitro permeation, ex-vivo permeation and anti-inflammatory study. Results: Etodolac was successfully entrapped in all formulations having efficiency in the range of 74.36% to 90.85%, which was more at 4 °C than room temperature. When hydrated with water; niosome in the range of 54 to 141 (per cubic mm) were spontaneously produced. The results of in-vitro diffusion study revealed that etodolac was released in the range of 71.86 to 97.16% over a period of 24 hrs. The average vesicle size of optimized formulation was found 211.9 nm with PDI of 0.5. The observed responses i.e. % encapsulation efficiency and drug release were 74.12 and 95.08 respectively. The zeta potential was -19.4mV revealed the stability of formulation which was further confirmed by no changes in drug content and drug release after stability studies. The % inhibition in paw volume was 40.52% and 43.61% for test and marketed proniosomal gel. Conclusion: Proniosomal gel formulation was stable and could enhance skin delivery of etodolac because of excellent permeation capability of vesicular system.

The paper presents flotation of two phosphate ore samples of different origin. Statistical analysis was used to study the effect of operating parameters on flotation efficiency. The paper proposes to increase the efficiency of flotation processing of magmatic phosphate ore with a low grade of the valuable component (P2O5 = 10.88 %), containing nepheline and feldspars, by means of direct anionic flotation. Authors present an optimization of anionic flotation using tall oil fatty acids mixed with anionic phospholane as an anionic collector. The effect of adding soda ash to compensate for the influence of calcium cations on technological parameters of P2O5 flotation was examined. The results of studying the flotation of nepheline ore (flotation tailings of magmatic phosphate ore) showed that replacement of phospholane with oxyethylated isotridecanol allowed to obtain a high-quality concentrate. It was estimated that with the addition of Na2CO3 in the amount of 2,000 g/t, a concentrate was obtained with the grade and recovery of phosphorus pentoxide equal to 39.15 and 94.19 %, respectively. The paper proposes to increase the efficiency of flotation processing of sedimentary phosphate ore with a low grade of the valuable component (P2O5 = 22.5 %), containing gypsum and quartz, by means of desliming followed by anionic or cationic reverse flotation. Tall oil fatty acid with anionic phospholane was used as a collector in anionic reverse flotation, and amine was used in cationic reverse flotation. Sodium tripolyphosphate was used as a P2O5 depressant. It was found to be an effective depressant in both anionic and cationic flotation. When analyzing the statistical plan, it was estimated that the maximum grade of the valuable component in the concentrate (P2O5 = 31.23 %) and the recovery to concentrate of 95.22 % were obtained in the chamber product at amine consumption of 950.88 g/t and sodium tripolyphosphate consumption of 500 g/t.

• A biocompatible process using reline DES was developed for lipase extraction. • Phase separation with potassium organic salts and reline in Tergitol 15-S9 was done. • Superior biocompatibility of reline with three commercial lipases was demonstrated. • About 90% extraction efficiency was attained after reline-based ABS was performed. This study pioneers a novel green and cost-effective separation process using reline deep eutectic solvent (DES) for extracting Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (Tl L) from aqueous solutions. For the first time, it has been shown that various potassium organic salts combined with reline DES can induce phase separation in aqueous solutions of the biodegradable non-ionic surfactant Tergitol 15-S9, presenting a groundbreaking alternative to the banned surfactant Triton X-100. This work uniquely applies three different equations to describe the experimental solubility curves. The selection of reline DES is particularly innovative as it avoids significant deactivation effects with three commercial lipases: Candida antarctica lipases A and B, and Tl L, with the latter undergoing a detailed study. This includes an unprecedented analysis of its thermodeactivation kinetics in reline DES aqueous solutions. Additionally, a novel investigation of immiscibility regions at different temperatures, involving comprehensive Tie-Line characterizations (slope and length), preceded the evaluation of lipase extraction. Remarkably, the study demonstrates that optimizing the feed composition to contain higher water concentrations can achieve exceptionally high extraction efficiencies (approximately 90%), suggesting a transformative potential for future applications in real aqueous cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this study, the preparation of self-assembled polymer-free in situ forming nanovesicles (ISNs) based on non-ionic surfactants (NISs) is presented. Methods: A 22·41 full factorial experimental design was adopted for the development of novel polymer-free ISNs loaded with tenoxicam utilizing the emulsion method. The type of NIS (Brij® 52 or Span® 60), the cholesterol percentage (30, 50, or 60 w/w%), and the internal phase percentage (20 or 30 v/v%) were chosen as the independent variables. Percentage drug released after 1 h (Q1), vesicle particle size (PS), and mean dissolution time (MDT) were the dependent variables. Selected formulation was investigated morphologically using transmission electron microscopy. Results: Results revealed that the formation had spherical dense shape. All independent factors significantly affected the percentage drug release after the first hour (Q1), and the MDT, while only the type of NIS had a significant effect on PS. The highest control of drug release was observed in formulation containing Span® 60 with lower internal phase percentage (MDT = 20.06 ± 0.40 h) as well as the smallest PS (123.75 ± 16.68 nm). Conclusion: The obtained results indicated the potentiality of the invented ISNs in controlling the release of tenoxicam in a desirable economical biphasic pattern compared to other in situ formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MOFs selected in this work are NH 2 -MIL-53(Al), MIL-100(Fe) and UiO-66 type (Zr-BDC and NH 2 -Zr-BDC). We have tried to assist the sustainable synthesis of MOFs, at room temperature and in water as a solvent, with the presence of non-ionic surfactants: Pluronic F127 and P123. The parent MOFs prepared at room temperature with water solvent commonly grow in the form of agglomerates of small crystallites in all cases. The X ray diffraction patterns of surfactant templated NH 2 -MIL-53(Al) with F127 and MIL-100(Fe) with F127 and P123 show some differences in peak intensity indicating preferential crystal growth along one direction. This effect was confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, yielding long shaped crystals with more or less uniform morphology, notably larger than the parent MOFs. In the case of UiO-66 type (Zr-BDC and NH 2 -Zr-BDC) MOFs, the X ray diffraction profiles of the parent and the surfactant templated MOFs do not show noticeable difference, which might be due to the semi-amorphous nature of these MOFs. However, the scanning and transmission electron microscopy images show larger particles in surfactant templated UiO-66 type Zr-MOFs compared to their parent counterparts. [Display omitted] • Sustainable synthesized NH 2 -MIL-53(Al), MIL-100(Fe), Zr-BDC and NH 2 -Zr-BDC. • Agglomerated nano crystalline MOFs. • Pluronic F127 and P123 assisted sustainable synthesized MOFs. • Large crystal MOFs with anisotropic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Niosomes can encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic cargoes for various biomedical applications. • Different methods for preparation of niosomes are described, with a detailed description of thin-film hydration method. • Several parameters should be considered for consistent and reproducible construction of niosomes. Development of nanocarriers has opened new avenues for the delivery of therapeutics of various pharmacological activities with improved targeting properties and reduced side effects. Niosomes, non-ionic-based vesicles, have drawn much interest in various biomedical applications, owing to their unique characteristics and their ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic cargoes. Niosomes share structural similarity with liposomes while overcoming limitations associated with stability, sterilization, and large-scale production of liposomes. Different methods for preparation of niosomes have been described in the literature, each having its own merits and a great impact on the sizes and characteristics of the formed niosomes. In this article, procedures involved in the thin-film hydration method, a commonly used method for the preparation of niosomes, are described in detail, while highlighting precautions that should be considered for consistent and reproducible construction of niosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The aim of the present study was to obtain effective and economical chemical agents for treatment of oily water from N oilfield. Component characterization of crude oil from N oilfield was carried out with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Optimization of non-ionic surfactants combined with dissolved air flotation (DAF) for oil removal was investigated. The results show that the crude oil consisted of nine major components which counted for 96.4% of the total composition, and the first four compounds made up 50% of the total composition. For the first four compounds, the density difference between water and each individual compound is smaller than the difference between water and normal alkanes with the same number of carbon atoms, while the solubility of these four compounds in water is greater than that of normal alkanes with the same number of carbon atoms. The characteristic of both density and solubility of the crude oil increased the oil water separation difficulty in DAF progress. The oil content in oily water from N oilfield without any treatment was 5285.95 mg/L. The oil content after treatment of DAF without any chemicals was 895.53 mg/L. Non-ionic surfactants NIS 1, NIS 2 and NIS 3 all were effective for removing emulsified oil in oily water in DAF progress. 1200 mg/L NIS 1 combined with DAF was the optimized formulation by the view of efficiency and economy. The formulation could be successfully used as a commercial product in N oilfield.

Investigating bicelles as an oral drug delivery system and exploiting their structural benefits can pave the way to formulate hydrophobic drugs and potentiate their activity. Herein, the ability of non-ionic surfactants (labrasol®, tween 80, cremophore EL and pluronic F127) to form curcumin loaded bicelles with phosphatidylcholine, utilizing a simple method, was investigated. Molecular docking was used to understand the mechanism of bicelles formation. The % transmittance and TEM exhibited bicelles formation with labrasol® and tween 80, while cremophor EL and pluronic F127 tended to form mixed micelles. The surfactant-based nanostructures significantly improved curcumin dissolution (99.2 ± 2.6% within 10 min in case of tween 80-based bicelles) compared to liposomes and curcumin suspension in non-sink conditions. The prepared formulations improved curcumin ex vivo permeation over liposomes and drug suspension. Further, the therapeutic antiviral activity of the formulated curcumin against SARS-CoV-2 was potentiated over drug suspension. Although both Labrasol® and tween 80 bicelles could form bicelles and enhance the oral delivery of curcumin when compared to liposomes and drug suspension, the mixed micelles formulations depicted superiority than bicelles formulations. Our findings provide promising formulations that can be utilized for further preclinical and clinical studies of curcumin as an antiviral therapy for COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]