Search Results (13)

β-carotene, a high-value carotenoid widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries, is naturally synthesized by the microalga Dunaliella sp. However, the efficient extraction and purification of β-carotene from microalgae biomass remain a technical challenge. This study presents the development of a scalable and efficient isolation method employing high-performance countercurrent chromatography (HPCCC) to recover β-carotene from Dunaliella sp. The separation process was optimized by integrating two elution strategies (reverse phase and extrusion) using a biphasic solvent system of n-heptane and methanol (1:1, v/v). The upper phase served as the stationary phase, while the lower phase was used as the mobile phase. Two consecutive injections of 800 mg of microalgal extract each resulted in the isolation of 225.4 mg of β-carotene with a purity of 97% and a recovery of 98%. The developed HPCCC approach represents an efficient method for β-carotene purification and serves as a promising model for future scale-up in microalgae-based production platforms. Full article

In this study, an efficient and eco-friendly method was developed for continuous liquid–liquid extraction of lutein from microalgae Chlorella vulgaris. By employing a limonene-based biphasic liquid system, high-purity lutein was successfully obtained from the crude extract in a single run via centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC). Evaluation and optimization results demonstrated that limonene could effectively serve as a replacement for n-hexane as the solvent system for lutein extraction, exhibiting natural renewability and minimal environmental impact. Furthermore, the elution–extrusion operation mode was employed to fully exploit the liquid nature of the stationary phase in the extraction process, allowing for continuous sampling and separation without interruption. This proposed protocol offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative for extracting valuable ingredients from microalgae biomass, demonstrating its potential as a scalable solution for producing lutein-enriched ingredients applicable to functional foods and nutraceuticals. Full article

Carbon quantum dots (CQD) are an emergent nanomaterial with unique optical and biological properties. However, the purification of CQD is one of the bottlenecks that makes it difficult to scale for application in different areas. In this work, we explore for the first time the potential of centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) as an alternative preparative technology to achieve the purification of CQD at the gram scale. The hydrothermal method was used to synthesize CQD from avocado peels. After 6 h at 250 °C, a complex mix of strong blue-fluorescent CQDs were obtained and submitted to CPC fractionation without pretreatment. The best results were obtained with the solvent system n-hexane–ethyl acetate–methanol–water (1:2:1:2, v/v/v/v), in an elution-extrusion protocol. Nine fractions were obtained and were characterized by UV-VIS spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared (F-TIR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), confirming the presence of CQD of different sizes. CPC fractionations indicate that a polarity-based separation mechanism can be used to purify CQD. Interestingly, four fractions showed antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects on Pseudomonas putida and Listeria monocytogenes. Therefore, CPC allows for better refining of this type of nanomaterial, and in combination with other techniques, it would serve to obtain CQD of higher purity, facilitating the physicochemical and bioactivity characterization of these particles. CPC would also allow the use of waste, such as avocado peels, to obtain new materials. Full article

Pelvic prolapse stands as a substantial medical concern, notably impacting a significant segment of the population, predominantly women. This condition, characterized by the descent of pelvic organs, such as the uterus, bladder, or rectum, from their normal positions, can lead to a range of distressing symptoms, including pelvic pressure, urinary incontinence, and discomfort during intercourse. Clinical challenges abound in the treatment landscape of pelvic prolapse, stemming from its multifactorial etiology and the diverse array of symptoms experienced by affected individuals. Current treatment options, while offering relief to some extent, often fall short in addressing the full spectrum of symptoms and may pose risks of complications or recurrence. Consequently, there exists a palpable need for innovative solutions that can provide more effective, durable, and patient-tailored interventions for pelvic prolapse. We manufactured an integrated polycaprolactone (PCL) mesh, reinforced with nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA), along with drug-eluting poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofibers for a prolapse scaffold. This aims to offer a promising avenue for enhanced treatment outcomes and improved quality of life for individuals grappling with pelvic prolapse. Solution extrusion additive manufacturing and electrospinning methods were utilized to prepare the nHA filled PCL mesh and drug-incorporated PLGA nanofibers, respectively. The pharmaceuticals employed included metronidazole, ketorolac, bleomycin, and estrone. Properties of fabricated resorbable scaffolds were assessed. The in vitro release characteristics of various pharmaceuticals from the meshes/nanofibers were evaluated. Furthermore, the in vivo drug elution pattern was also estimated on a rat model. The empirical data show that nHA reinforced PCL mesh exhibited superior mechanical strength to virgin PCL mesh. Electrospun resorbable nanofibers possessed diameters ranging from 85 to 540 nm, and released effective metronidazole, ketorolac, bleomycin, and estradiol, respectively, for 9, 30, 3, and over 30 days in vitro. Further, the mesh/nanofiber scaffolds also liberated high drug levels at the target site for more than 28 days in vivo, while the drug concentrations in blood remained low. This discovery suggests that resorbable scaffold can serve as a viable option for treating female pelvic organ prolapse. Full article

Despite rapid progress in tissue engineering, the repair and regeneration of bone defects remains challenging, especially for non-homogenous and complicated defects. We have developed and characterized biodegradable drug-eluting scaffolds for bone regeneration utilizing direct powder extrusion-based three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques. The PLGA scaffolds were fabricated using poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) with inherent viscosities of 0.2 dl/g and 0.4 dl/g and ketoprofen. The effect of parameters such as the infill, geometry, and wall thickness of the drug carrier on the release kinetics of ketoprofen was studied. The release studies revealed that infill density significantly impacts the release performance, where 10% infill showed faster and almost complete release of the drug, whereas 50% infill demonstrated a sustained release. The Korsmeyer–Peppas model showed the best fit for release data irrespective of the PLGA molecular weight and infill density. It was demonstrated that printing parameters such as infill density, scaffold wall thickness, and geometry played an important role in controlling the release and, therefore, in designing customized drug-eluting scaffolds for bone regeneration. Full article

Surgical site infections (SSIs) may result from surgical procedures requiring a secondary administration of drugs at site or systemically in treating the infection. Drug-eluting sutures containing antimicrobial agents symbolise a latent strategy that precludes a secondary drug administration. It also offers the possibility of delivering a myriad of therapeutic agents to a localised wound site to effect analgesia, anti-inflammation, or the deployment of proteins useful for wound healing. Further, the use of biodegradable drug-eluting sutures eliminates the need for implanting foreign material into the wound, which needs to be removed after healing. In this review, we expound on recent trends in the manufacture of drug-eluting sutures with a focus on the hot-melt extrusion (HME) technique. HME provides a solvent-free, continuous one-step manufacturing conduit for drug-eluting sutures, hence, there is no drying step, which can be detrimental to the drug or suture threads and, thus, environmentally friendly. There is the possibility of combining the technology with additive manufacturing platforms to generate personalised drug-loaded implantable devices through prototyping and scalability. The review also highlights key material requirements for fabricating drug-eluting sutures by HME, as well as quality attributes. Finally, a preview of emerging drug-eluting sutures and advocacy for harmonisation of quality assurance by regulatory authorities that permits quality evaluation of novelty sutures is presented. Full article

In this research study, we developed hybrid resorbable three-dimensional (3D)-printed mesh/electrospun nanofibrous biomolecule-eluting mats for alveolar ridge preservation. The fabrication process involved the use of 3D printing and coaxial electrospinning technologies. Specifically, we utilized a lab-developed solution-extrusion 3D printer to fabricate polycaprolactone (PCL) meshes. Then, bi-layered poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofibrous membranes, which embedded ibuprofen and epidermal growth factor (EGF), were prepared utilizing electrospinning and coaxial electrospinning techniques, respectively. To ensure the quality of the produced mesh and spun nanofibers, we carried out a characterization process. Furthermore, we estimated the in vitro and in vivo release characteristics of ibuprofen and EGF, respectively, using high-performance liquid chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In addition, we assessed the effectiveness of hybrid nanofibrous mats for preserving the alveolar ridge by adopting an animal model and conducting a histology examination. The study findings demonstrate that the nanofibrous mats provided a continuous discharge of ibuprofen and EGF for more than four weeks. Moreover, the animal test carried out in vivo showed that animals implanted with this combination of mesh and drug-eluting mats displayed considerably greater mobility than those without mats. The histological analysis revealed no unfavorable impacts from the drug-eluting mats. Our study demonstrated the successful fabrication of resorbable drug-eluting nanofibrous mats for alveolar ridge preservation by utilizing both 3D printing and coaxial electrospinning technologies. Full article

Background: There is tendency for unavoidable sealer extrusion in some clinical cases. This might adversely affect host stem cells and affect healing. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different sealers on the cytocompatibility and osteogenic potential of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). Methods: The cytotoxic effect of the extracted elutes of VDW.1Seal (VDW.1), Endosequence BC Sealer HiFlow (ES), GuttaFlow-2 (GF), and ADSeal (AD-S) on the hPDLSCs was determined using the MTT assay. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed by the scratch wound healing assay. Osteogenic differentiation potential was assessed. Measurement of pH values and calcium ions release was performed. Results: GF had a significantly higher percentage of viable cells. The cell migration assay showed that GF demonstrated the lowest open wound area percentage. GF and AD-S showed the highest calcium nodule deposition. GF demonstrated higher ALP activity than ES. Expression of RUNX2 and OC genes was similar for all sealers, while OPG gene expression was significantly higher for VDW.1 and GF. ES and AD-S displayed the highest pH values on day 1. Calcium ion release of ES and VDW.1 was significantly the highest. Conclusions: GuttaFlow-2 and VDW.1Seal sealers have favorable behavior toward host stem cells. Full article

A method for batch preparation of fucoxanthin from brown algae was established, which possessed the advantages of high yield and high purity. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction method was used to obtain a crude extract from Sargassum fusiforme as the separation sample. Then the crude extract was separated by elution-extrusion countercurrent chromatography. The optimum preparation conditions of fucoxanthin were determined as follows: n-hexane-ethanol-water (20:9:11, v:v:v) as a two-phase solvent system, the mobile phase flow rate was 5 mL min⁻¹, the revolution speed was 800 r min⁻¹, the loading capacity was 60 mg 10 mL⁻¹ and the temperature was 25 °C. By this method, 12.8 mg fucoxanthin with a purity of 94.72% was obtained from the crude extract of Sargassum fusiforme. In addition, when the loading capacity was 50 mg 10 mL⁻¹, the purity of fucoxanthin reached 96.01%. Two types of by-products, chlorophyll and pheophytin, could also be obtained during the process of separation. This optimal method was further applied to separate fucoxanthin from Laminaria japonica and Undaria pinnatifida, and 6.0 mg and 9.7 mg fucoxanthin with a purity of 96.24% and 92.62% were acquired, respectively. Therefore, it was demonstrated that the preparation method of fucoxanthin established in this study had an applicability to brown algae, which improved the utilization value of raw materials. Full article

Drug-eluting stents (DES) are a main interventional therapeutic instrument to treat coronary diseases. Degradable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) for coatings that only degrade into small molecules in human bodies have been developed for coating polymers, but most coatings often lack ductility and can be easily peeled off from the stents after balloon expansion. In this study, biodegradable poly 3-hydroxybutyrate 4-hydroxybutyrate (P34HB) with good ductility was proposed to be a latent polymer for drug-eluting coatings on the stents. Using P34HB-1 (4HB% = 1%wt, Mw: 225,000) and P34HB-10 (4HB% = 10%wt, Mw: 182,000) as two candidates, both P34HB-1 and P34HB-10 exhibited excellent solubility in CHCl₃. Their drug solutions remained highly stable and did not become turbid over a period of 48 h, and were conducive to batch preparation of uniform drug coatings. Drug coatings made by both P34HB-1 and P34HB-10 on the stents were almost complete before and after dilation by balloon owing to their excellent adhesion and extrusion resistance properties. Furthermore, both P34HB-1 and P34HB-10 had excellent biocompatibility in cytotoxicity and hemolysis tests. However, P34HB-1 drug coatings showed better drug release control than P34HB-10 drug coatings and Firebird2^®, indicating that P34HB-1 is more suitable for a latent coating polymer of coronary stents. Full article

Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a rich source of fucoxanthin, a carotenoid with several health benefits. In the present study, high performance countercurrent chromatography (HPCCC) was used to isolate fucoxanthin from an extract of P. tricornutum. A multiple sequential injection HPCCC method was developed combining two elution modes (reverse phase and extrusion). The lower phase of a biphasic solvent system (n-heptane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and water, ratio 5/5/6/3, v/v/v/v) was used as the mobile phase, while the upper phase was the stationary phase. Ten consecutive sample injections (240 mg of extract each) were performed leading to the separation of 38 mg fucoxanthin with purity of 97% and a recovery of 98%. The process throughput was 0.189 g/h, while the efficiency per gram of fucoxanthin was 0.003 g/h. Environmental risk and general process evaluation factors were used for assessment of the developed separation method and compared with existing fucoxanthin liquid-liquid isolation methods. The isolated fucoxanthin retained its well-described ability to induce nuclear translocation of transcription factor FOXO3. Overall, the developed isolation method may represent a useful model to produce biologically active fucoxanthin from diatom biomass. Full article

We developed biodegradable drug-eluting prolapse mats using solution-extrusion 3D printing and coaxial electrospinning techniques. The mats were composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) mesh and lidocaine-, estradiol-, metronidazole-, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)-incorporated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofibers that mimic the structure of the natural extracellular matrix of most connective tissues. The mechanical properties of degradable prolapse membrane were assessed and compared to commercial non-degradable polypropylene knitted meshes clinically used for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair. The release behaviors of the drug-loaded hybrid degradable membranes were also characterized. The experimental results suggest that 3D-printed PCL meshes exhibited comparable strengths to commercial POP meshes and survived through 10,000 cycles of fatigue test without breakage. Hybrid PCL meshes/PLGA nanofibrous membranes provided a sustainable release of metronidazole, lidocaine, and estradiol for 4, 25, and 30 days, respectively, in vitro. The membranes further liberated high levels of CTGF for more than 30 days. The animal tests show that the mechanical property of PCL mesh decreased with time, mainly due to degradation of the polymers post-implantation. No adverse effect of the mesh/nanofibers was noted in the histological images. By adopting solution-extrusion 3D printing and coaxial electrospinning, degradable drug-eluting membranes can be fabricated for POP applications. Full article

Polycaprolactone/nano-hydroxylapatite (PCL/nHA) nanocomposites have found use in tissue engineering and drug delivery owing to their good biocompatibility with these types of applications in addition to their mechanical characteristics. Three-dimensional (3D) printing of PCL/nHA nanocomposites persists as a defiance mostly because of the lack of commercial filaments for the conventional fused deposition modeling (FDM) method. In addition, as the composites are prepared using FDM for the purpose of delivering pharmaceuticals, thermal energy can destroy the embedded drugs and biomolecules. In this report, we investigated 3D printing of PCL/nHA using a lab-developed solution-extrusion printer, which consists of an extrusion feeder, a syringe with a dispensing nozzle, a collection table, and a command port. The effects of distinct printing variables on the mechanical properties of nanocomposites were investigated. Drug-eluting nanocomposite screws were also prepared using solution-extrusion 3D printing. The empirical outcomes suggest that the tensile properties of the 3D-printed PCL/nHA nanocomposites increased with the PCL/nHA-to-dichloromethane (DCM) ratio, fill density, and print orientation but decreased with an increase in the moving speed of the dispensing tip. Furthermore, printed drug-eluting PCL/nHA screws eluted high levels of antimicrobial vancomycin and ceftazidime over a 14-day period. Solution-extrusion 3D printing demonstrated excellent capabilities for fabricating drug-loaded implants for various medical applications. Full article