Search Results (1,275)

Current resource and processing constraints on conventional chitin production call for novel sources and more sustainable methods for its production. Herein, domestic cricket (Acheta domesticus L.) meal obtained from supercritical CO₂ oil extraction was investigated as a viable source of chitin via a one-pot approach using acidic (choline chloride: glycerol, CCG) and alkaline (potassium carbonate: glycerol, KG) deep eutectic solvents (DESs). The chitin samples obtained were compared with those obtained using conventional acid-alkaline extraction (CE) and commercial crab shell chitin (CS chitin) by robust characterization of their composition and physicochemical properties employing color, FTIR, XRD, XPS, and SEM analysis. The results showed that KG DES and recovered KG DES exhibited high demineralization and deproteinization capacity, producing chitin with high purity, α-chitin form, high acetylation degree (>77%), crystallinity (crystallinity index > 81%), and micro-fibrous morphology closely similar to those of CE chitin and CS chitin. Whereas CCG DES demonstrated excellent demineralization, it was less effective at deproteinization, leading to chitin with lower purity and crystalline properties. Together, the results demonstrated that cricket meal could be an alternative source of chitin, while KG DES one-pot extraction holds strong potential as a sustainable and eco-friendly approach for obtaining commercial-grade chitin. Full article

This study explores the production of composites based on polylactic acid (PLA) reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), using Additive Manufacturing technology via LCD. Polylactic acid, being biodegradable and possessing good mechanical properties, was combined with microcrystalline cellulose, which has a high modulus of elasticity, aiming to further improve its performance. Composites with different microcrystalline cellulose contents (1, 3, 5, and 10%) were obtained and compared to pure PLA. Characterization involved thermal, mechanical, morphological, and structural tests. The results showed that the addition of microcrystalline cellulose increases hardness, tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity. Scanning electron microscopy revealed more heterogeneous fracture surfaces in the composites compared to pure polylactic acid. Thermal stability varies according to the microcrystalline cellulose content, with increased degradation observed in some samples, reaching 1%. Increased water absorption was also detected with increasing microcrystalline cellulose concentration, indicating potential limitations in humid environments. The incorporation of microcrystalline cellulose, especially at moderate concentrations such as 3%, proved to be an effective strategy for improving the mechanical properties of polylactic acid. Full article

Background: The compaction of formulation blends is a critical stage in pharmaceutical tablet manufacturing, particularly when drug substances or functional excipients exhibit limited flowability and tabletability. Objectives: This study systematically examined the mechanical behaviour of viscoelastic microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and brittle anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate (DCPA), as well as their mixtures, to check how deformation mechanisms influence powder handling and tablet performance. Methods: A compaction simulator, mimicking a small rotary tablet press, was used to evaluate tablet weight variability, densification profiles, die-filling height, force–displacement behaviour, and in-die Heckel analysis. Additional assessments included compression times, breaking force, tensile strength, elastic recovery, as well as in-die and out-of-die tablet thickness across various compositions and compaction pressures. Results/Conclusions: Bulk density values from the simulator showed strong correlation with pharmacopeial measurements (R² ≥ 0.997). Measurable differences in true density and cohesiveness led to poor flowability for MCC and good flow for DCPA, with mixtures containing higher DCPA concentration displaying markedly improved flow characteristic. Compaction analyses confirmed extensive plastic deformation for MCC and fragmentation for DCPA. Increasing MCC content elevated die-fill height, compaction energy, and tablet weight variability, whereas higher DCPA fractions decreased apparent density of tablets and reduced energy demand. Tabletability and compressibility profiles reflected that MCC generated hard tablets but exhibited higher elastic recovery, while DCPA formed softer tablets with closer to linear strength–pressure relationships. Energy profiling demonstrated that MCC stored more elastic energy and required higher overall compression work, whereas DCPA reduced elastic accumulation. Overall, blending viscoelastic and brittle excipients offers a robust strategy for optimizing manufacturability, mechanical strength, and energy efficiency in tablet production. Full article

The growing regulatory scrutiny and the emerging trends towards natural products and clean labels have led to a particular focus on food supplements' composition, including excipients. The objective of this study is to establish a methodological approach combining conventional techniques, i.e., tapped density and flowability testers, with more objective and quantitative ones to identify alternative powder excipients that can replace conventional ones in the development of solid-dose formulations without affecting their processing, workability, and mechanical properties. In the first phase, the alternative powder excipients were characterized in terms of cohesiveness, compressibility, and flow function coefficient. We then evaluated the possibility of using selected excipient combinations to totally and/or partially replace the conventional excipients within three nutraceutical formulations. Glyceryl behenate at 1–3% w/w could be considered as a viable alternative lubricant to magnesium stearate without compromising the rheological properties of the mixtures. Fructo-oligosaccharides showed a free-flowing behavior comparable to calcium phosphate and microcrystalline cellulose, improving the flowability and compressibility of the formulations. The study of powder rheology could be advantageous to formulate new products or reformulate existing ones in a time- and money-saving way, leading to high-quality products that can appeal to consumers in terms of health-functional effectiveness. Full article

The repair of large segmental bone defects remains a major clinical challenge. Traditional bone repair materials often suffer from mismatched degradation rates, insufficient mechanical strength, or limited bioactivity. Biodegradable zinc alloys have emerged as potential alternatives due to their suitable degradation rate and good biocompatibility, though their bioactivity requires further enhancement. In this study, a zinc phosphate (ZnP) coating was applied on the surface of zinc–copper (Zn–Cu) alloy via a phosphate chemical conversion method, and the corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and osteogenic properties of the coating were systematically evaluated. Results showed that the ZnP coating prepared at pH = 2.5 exhibited a dense structure and high crystallinity, reducing the corrosion rate to 0.010 μm/year and increasing the ultimate tensile strength to 117.03 ± 0.78 MPa, significantly improving the wear and corrosion resistance of the alloy. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the material markedly promoted new bone formation and osseointegration. Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) revealed that key indicators such as bone volume fraction (approximately 50.26%) and trabecular number (approximately 161.31/mm³) were superior to those of the β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) group and the control group. Histological analysis confirmed its excellent osteogenic activity and mineralization capacity. Biosafety assessments indicated no systemic toxic reactions. The ZnP-coated Zn-1Cu alloy showed promising application in treatment of bone defect. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rutin, a bioactive flavonol glycoside known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, faces limited clinical application due to its poor aqueous solubility and low oral bioavailability. This study aimed to enhance the dissolution of rutin by preparing solid dispersions (SDs) using a fluid-bed coating system and formulating the resulting SDs into tablet dosage forms. Methods: Rutin was dissolved in methanol and sprayed onto various carriers, including lactose monohydrate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, and calcium carbonate. Results: Among the carriers tested, lactose monohydrate produced the highest dissolution enhancement, achieving complete drug release within 15 min versus approximately 60% for free rutin. Further investigation into the effect of the rutin-to-lactose ratio on dissolution enhancement identified 1:10 as the most effective. Characterization by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed a marked reduction in rutin crystallinity, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed reduced particle size and successful adsorption onto the carrier. Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) analysis suggested hydrogen bonding interactions between rutin and lactose monohydrate, which contributed to improved dissolution. The optimal SD was incorporated into tablets containing 50 mg of rutin via wet granulation, and the inclusion of sodium lauryl sulfate further enhanced dissolution. Stability testing demonstrated that the optimized tablets maintained their dissolution profile after 6 months under accelerated conditions (40 °C and 75% RH). Conclusions: These findings indicate that fluid-bed coating is an effective approach for preparing SDs to improve the dissolution of rutin and may be extended to other natural polyphenolic compounds. Full article

Background: This study evaluated the influence of various decontamination protocols after salivary contamination on the micro-shear bond strength (µSBS) between monolithic high-translucency zirconia and resin cement. Methods: A total of 81 multilayer (ML) monolithic–translucent zirconia discs of 10 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness (DD cubeX2 ML, Dental Direkt) were fabricated, sintered, and polished using silicon–carbide papers. The bonding surfaces were treated with 50-μm Al₂O₃ using a Renfert sandblaster at 0.3 MPa for 20 s. Fifty samples were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 10). A control group consisted of clean, uncontaminated samples, while the other four groups were contaminated and cleaned using water, sodium hypochlorite, phosphoric acid + ethanol, or Ivoclean, respectively. Resin cement cylinders (Panavia V5, Kuraray Noritake) were bonded onto the zirconia surfaces. The µSBS was evaluated after simulated ageing using a universal testing machine. Failure modes were analysed by light microscopy. Surface morphology was evaluated using a field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the chemical surface was assessed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Surface wettability was assessed through contact angle measurements. One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD was used to compare µSBS between groups. Results: Among the tested groups, the control group exhibited the highest µSBS value (59.5 ± 4.2 MPa), followed by Ivoclean (56.7 ± 4.8 MPa), phosphoric acid + ethanol (46.8 ± 4.7 MPa), and sodium hypochlorite (41.1 ± 5.7 MPa), with the lowest value observed with water (33.5 ± 6.3 MPa). All groups exhibited adhesive failure, with no sign of cohesive or mixed failures. SEM analysis showed no effect on zirconia crystallinity or sandblasting, while Ivoclean left residual zirconium oxide particles. Furthermore, XPS and FTIR analysis revealed favourable chemical changes after Ivoclean treatment, correlating with improved bonding performance. Contact angle measurements confirmed greater surface wettability in the Ivoclean group, resulting in strong bond strength. Conclusions: Ivoclean significantly increased the resin–zirconia bond strength after saliva contamination, showing more reliable results compared to others. Phosphoric acid + ethanol showed the second-highest mean strength, while water showed the least effectiveness. Full article

Background: Amelanchier alnifolia (Juneberry) is a phenolic-rich species with potential for pharmaceutical applications. This study aimed to optimize ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions for producing ethanolic extracts from differently processed Juneberry berries collected in Lithuania and to develop solid oral dosage forms based on the obtained extracts. Methods: Extracts were prepared using varying ethanol concentrations, temperatures, and extraction times from dried, frozen, and freeze-dried berries. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined spectrophotometrically. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS assays. Phenolic profiles were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), identifying five major compounds. Extracts were converted into powders using lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, or magnesium aluminum metasilicate as carriers. Hard capsules were manufactured and evaluated according to European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) requirements, including mass uniformity, moisture content, and disintegration time. Results: Freeze-dried berries yielded the highest TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activity across all extraction conditions. The most efficient extraction parameters for freeze-dried berries were identified as 50% ethanol, 50–55 °C, and 30 min. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids, rutin, hyperoside, and isoquercitrin. Among the powdered systems, lactose monohydrate demonstrated favorable flowability and moisture characteristics. Conclusions: Freeze-dried Juneberry berries are a suitable raw material for producing phenolic-rich extracts with strong antioxidant activity. Lactose-based powder blends showed the best technological performance and were successfully formulated into hard capsules. These findings support the potential of Juneberry extracts for incorporation into standardized pharmaceutical dosage forms and provide a basis for future formulation and bioavailability studies. Full article

Granite wet edge finishing is widely adopted to improve surface durability and aesthetics while reducing dust dispersion compared to dry processes. However, even under flooded lubrication, fine particles (FP, 0.5–20 µm) and ultrafine particles (UFP, <100 nm) containing crystalline silica are emitted, posing health risks such as silicosis and pulmonary or cardiovascular diseases. This study investigates particle emissions during CNC edge finishing of black (containing 0% quartz) and white granites (containing 41% quartz) using two industrially relevant profile tools: Half-Beveled (HB) and Ogee (OG). A full factorial design evaluated the effects of granite type, tool geometry, abrasive grit size, spindle speed, and feed rate. Particle concentrations were measured with Aerodynamic and Scanning Mobility Particle Sizers. Results show that spindle speed (N) is the dominant factor, explaining up to 92% of variance in emissions, whereas feed rate (V_f) played a minor role. Tool geometry had a pronounced effect on UFP release: sharp-edged geometries (HB) promoted localized micro-fracturing and higher emissions, while curved geometries (OG) distributed stresses and reduced particle detachment. White granite generated higher mass emissions due to its high quartz content, while black granite exhibited more stable emission behavior. These findings highlight the dual necessity of optimizing cutting kinematics and selecting appropriate tool profiles to balance surface quality and occupational health in granite processing. Full article

Cassava fiber (CF) is a novel dietary fiber extracted from cassava by-products. To investigate its anti-obesity mechanism, obesity was induced in mice through a high-fat diet (HFD). Dietary supplementation with 10% CF significantly reduced body weight, body fat, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose in mice. CF effectively ameliorated hepatic steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy, increased the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, enhanced mucus secretion by intestinal goblet cells, down-regulated the expression of ileal lipid absorption-related genes (NPC1L1, CD36, and FABP2), and up-regulated the short-chain fatty acid receptor GPR43, collectively improving intestinal health. Compared to HFD mice, CF altered the gut microbiota: it increased beneficial Actinobacteria (including Bifidobacterium and Blautia) and decreased Proteobacteria (including Desulfovibrio) (p < 0.05). Functional analysis showed that the HFD mice microbiota was enriched in genes linked to disease (e.g., lipid metabolism disorders, cancer, antibiotic resistance), whereas CF-enriched microbiota had genes for energy, carbohydrate, and pyruvate metabolism. Compared to microcrystalline cellulose, CF and MCC both alleviated HFD-induced obesity. In summary, cassava fiber helped prevent obesity in mice by modulating gut microbes, strengthening the gut barrier, and improving host metabolic balance. Full article

The Shawan Sag and its adjacent areas are rich in hydrocarbon resources. Moreover, the genesis and evolution patterns of zeolite cements in the sandy conglomerate reservoirs have resulted in diverse types of reservoir spaces, a complex composition, and significant heterogeneity. To investigate their impact on reservoir quality, this study integrates core observations, thin-section petrography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), whole-rock X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) for macro–micro comparative analysis of zeolite cement types, formation mechanisms, and pore systems in the Lower Permian strata of the Shawan Sag and adjacent areas. Research demonstrates that provenance exerts a control on type and origin of the diagenetic zeolites: In the Shawan Sag, zeolites form through hydration of volcanic glass in tuff, while adjacent areas develop zeolites via albitization of plagioclase derived from andesite. This genetic divergence drives pore differentiation: Zeolite (heulandite and laumontite) evolution in the Sag generates grain-edge fractures through cement volume shrinkage and crystalline water release. In contrast, the adjacent areas exhibit reservoir spaces dominated by dissolution pores, resulting from the dissolution of laumontite and calcite, along with a relatively higher overall rock porosity. Full article

In this study, we prepared guar gum (GG) films using a compression molding technique for the first time, incorporating glycerol as a plasticizer and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as a reinforcing filler. The chemical structures, thermal properties, crystalline structures, phase morphology, mechanical properties, moisture content, and film opacity of thermo-compressed GG films were investigated. The results show that using glycerol as a plasticizer enhanced the flexibility of the thermo-compressed GG film and promoted its crystallization. The incorporation of glycerol enhanced the thermal stability of the GG film matrix. The addition of MCC enhanced the tensile strength of the plasticized GG film; however, it resulted in a decrease in elongation at break. The incorporation of MCC in plasticized GG films resulted in enhanced opacity and a decrease in moisture content. Thermo-compressed GG films can be customized to exhibit various properties by adjusting the glycerol and MCC contents, making them suitable for a range of eco-friendly and sustainable packaging applications. Full article

Biotextronics is a new field of knowledge that may help in treatment of lower urinary tract inflammations. These systems have many advantages; e.g., they allow mobility while using, are easy to use, and contain natural materials. While designed and created to be controlled via an app by the user, a doctor could have access to monitor the therapy and its frequency. It is possible to use individual functions in the application tabs: calendar, history, and an online preview. One such solution, a mobile form of a steam bath, is called BioTexPants (version 1.0). It is underwear with a biotextronics four-layer insert containing applied thyme essential oil with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. Six variants of the inserts were investigated with various ratios (1:1; 1:2, and 1:3) of EO to cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose. After heating the inserts to 40 °C, the presence of essential oil volatile compounds released from the inserts was investigated with the use of SPME and CG-MS on the day of their preparation and while in storage (after 7, 14, 28, and 56 days). It is known that thymol, as a main component of the essential oil (42.29%), has very strong antibacterial activity. Its presence was detected for 56 days during storage of all the insert variants. Other compounds of the EO known for their anti-inflammatory effects are carvacrol and α-pinene, which were also detected while storage for various variants of the inserts. Full article

Protein droplets exhibit complex self-assembly and deposition behaviors driven by evaporation, which has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Under evaporation, limited volume and locally concentrated protein solutions can undergo liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) and liquid–liquid crystalline phase separation (LLCPS), inducing the formation of concentrated droplets and anisotropic structures. The combined effects of interfacial tension and internal flow field induce a variety of deposition patterns on the substrate, providing great significance for the development of functional biomaterials. This paper reviews the physical processes experienced by protein/fibril droplets during evaporation, focusing on the formation mechanism of evaporation and their phase separation behaviors. At the same time, the review systematically summarized the key factors affecting the deposition patterns, and a variety of methods were introduced to pattern deposition, such as external electric field and micro-structured substrates. Furthermore, the potential applications of proteins/fibrils droplet deposition were discussed in multiple fields. This review aims to provide systematic theoretical support and experimental reference for understanding and controlling the deposition behavior of proteins/fibrils droplets, and to promote their further application in functional materials and biomedical engineering. Full article

Next-generation photonic memory, leveraging broad spectral operability and electromagnetic immunity, enables ultrafast data storage with high density, overcoming the physical limitations of silicon-based electronic memory in the post-Moore era. Phase-change materials (PCMs) are particularly promising for photonic memory due to their exceptional optical contrast between amorphous and crystalline states. Furthermore, photonic phase-change memory can be deployed as tunable components (such as optical attenuators and delay lines) within reconfigurable integrated photonic systems for telecommunications and computing. Here, we optimize the thickness of PCM cells to maximize crystalline-state light absorption and enhance transmission contrast. The resulting photonic memory achieves outstanding performance: ultralow-energy programming (0.96 pJ/operation), 9 fJ detection sensitivity, >10⁵ s retention, 6000-cycle endurance, and multi-level storage capacity (209 distinct states). Furthermore, by structuring the PCM into a micro-cylinder array atop a PCM film, we achieve stable transmission contrast through 2 × 10⁶ cycles—far exceeding the durability of single-cell structures—and an 8.69 dB improvement in contrast over film-free micro-cylinder arrays. These advances highlight the critical role of microstructural optimization in enabling high-performance, on-chip photonic memory for future integrated photonic telecommunication and computing systems. Full article