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Obtaining and Studying Properties and Application of Nano/Micro Spherical Structures: Capsules, Micelles and Liposomes

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Nanoscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2024) | Viewed by 2810

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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Active substances are defined as those that can be used in the manufacture of a medicinal product and that are intended to produce a pharmacological, immunological or metabolic effect. These substances are used to restore, improve or modify physiological functions or to obtain a medical diagnosis. Biologically active substances may originate from a variety of sources. These include radiopharmaceutical products, which are intended for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, as well as products of plant, animal, viral, bacterial, fungal, synthetic (chemical), and mineral origins.

Despite the numerous advantages associated with bioactive compounds, they are chemically unstable and susceptible to oxidative degradation. The use of pure bioactive and active compounds is also very limited in food products, cosmetics and medicines due to their rapid release, poor solubility and low bioavailability. Encapsulation can protect bioactive compounds from environmental stress, improve their physicochemical properties and enhance their health-promoting and anti-disease effects.

This Special Issue will present original research and review papers on nano/microparticle spheres (nanocapsules, nanovesicles, micelles, liposomes) as carriers of active/bioactive substances. The focus will be on their applications in biomedicine, pharmacy, cosmetology and the food industry. The rapid advances in nanotechnology have led to a great deal of effort being invested in the synthesis of the aforementioned structures and the study of their physicochemical and application properties. The distinctive characteristics of spherical nanostructures and the necessity to study and analyse their potential applications in various sectors have created opportunities for researchers worldwide to develop innovative solutions in this direction.

Dr. Magdalena Krystyjan
Dr. Gohar Khachatryan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nano/microparticle spheres
  • nanocapsules
  • nanovesicles
  • micelles
  • liposomes

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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28 pages, 14858 KB  
Article
Synthesis and Investigation of Physicochemical and Microbial Properties of Composites Containing Encapsulated Propolis and Sea Buckthorn Oil in Pectin Matrix
by Liliana Woszczak, Gohar Khachatryan, Karen Khachatryan, Mariusz Witczak, Anna Lenart-Boroń, Klaudia Stankiewicz, Kinga Dworak, Greta Adamczyk, Agata Pawłowska, Ireneusz Kapusta, Marcel Krzan, Monika Godlewska and Magdalena Krystyjan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8664; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178664 - 5 Sep 2025
Abstract
This study explored the synthesis and characterization of pectin-based composites containing encapsulated propolis and sea buckthorn oil. Both propolis and sea buckthorn oil are well known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. To mitigate their sensitivity to environmental degradation, these compounds were encapsulated [...] Read more.
This study explored the synthesis and characterization of pectin-based composites containing encapsulated propolis and sea buckthorn oil. Both propolis and sea buckthorn oil are well known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. To mitigate their sensitivity to environmental degradation, these compounds were encapsulated within a pectin matrix. The composites were prepared using an emulsification technique and subsequently for their physicochemical properties via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), as well as color and mechanical testing. The results showed that freeze-dried samples exhibited heterogeneous, bubble-like structures containing nanocapsules (800–2000 nm), whereas for the film samples, the capsules were visibly embedded within the matrix. The study shows that this three-component system exhibits synergistic potential. Encapsulation significantly improved the UV barrier properties and the antioxidant activity of the nanocomposites, which demonstrated greater antioxidant capacity. Microbiological assays revealed that the pectin-based composites containing encapsulated propolis and sea buckthorn oil exhibited strong antibacterial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus spp. The composites also demonstrated hydrophobic surface characteristics and reduced crystallinity, which correlates with their potential for controlled release. These results underscore the applicability of pectin–propolis–sea buckthorn oil composites as effective natural preservatives or functional ingredients in food systems, due to their high antioxidant and antimicrobial efficacy. Full article
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Review

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43 pages, 63934 KB  
Review
Progress in the Preparation and Applications of Microcapsules for Protective Coatings Against Corrosion
by Shupei Liu, Jiajun Li, Yanchi Zhang, Xinfang Zhang, Yao Ding, Wenrui Zhang, Jinsong Rao and Yuxin Zhang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(4), 1473; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26041473 - 10 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2343
Abstract
The annual economic loss caused by corrosion accounts for about 2%~4% of GDP, which exceeds the sum of losses caused by fires, floods, droughts, typhoons, and other disasters. Coating is one of the most effective methods to delay metal corrosion. With the development [...] Read more.
The annual economic loss caused by corrosion accounts for about 2%~4% of GDP, which exceeds the sum of losses caused by fires, floods, droughts, typhoons, and other disasters. Coating is one of the most effective methods to delay metal corrosion. With the development of technology and the intersection of disciplines, functional microcapsules have been applied to anticorrosive coatings, but microcapsules are still being updated. To understand the application progress of microcapsules in anticorrosive coatings, the future development trend of microcapsules is analyzed. The preparation methods, physical and chemical properties, functional characteristics, and development trends of organic, inorganic, and organic–inorganic hybrid microcapsules are described, respectively, from the perspective of material and molecular characteristics. Simultaneously, the influence of microcapsules of different materials on the properties of organic coatings is proved by examples. In addition, the research status and future development trends of microcapsule composite coating are introduced in detail. Finally, the great advantages of organic–inorganic hybrid microcapsules modified by functional materials based on natural inorganic materials in improving the utilization efficiency of loaded active substances and prolonging the life of coatings are foreseen. Full article
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