Search Results (34)

Plant defense responses are mediated by hormones such as jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). JA and SA are known to trigger a range of different defense responses in model plants but little is described in crops like quinoa. Here, we present the first molecular description of JA and SA signaling at the transcriptomic level in quinoa. The transcriptomes of quinoa cv. Kurmi seedlings treated with 100 µM methyl JA or 1 mM SA for 4 h were analyzed, using on average 4.1 million paired-end reads per sample. Quinoa plants treated with JA showed 1246 differentially expressed (DE) genes and plants treated with SA showed 590 DE genes. The response to JA included the induction of genes for the biosynthesis of JA (8/8 genes) and lignin (10/11 genes), and displayed a strong association with treatments with Trichoderma biocontrol agents. The SA treatment triggered the upregulation of genes for the biosynthesis of monoterpenoids and glucosinolates, both having defense properties. Overall, this suggest that JA and SA promotes the biosynthesis of lignin polymers and chemical defense compounds, respectively. Overall, the DE genes identified can be used as molecular markers in quinoa for tracking plant-hormone pathway involvements in defense responses. Full article

The hydrolytic stability of thin poly(ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate), PECA, adhesive films on grit-blasted mild steel substrates was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Using this novel approach for such adhesive films, the effects of two additives, salicylic acid (SA) and phthalic anhydride (PA), were studied, specifically measuring their influence on polymer film/surface impedance and capacitance changes over a period of 14 days. Results indicate that SA decreased the polymer film hydrolytic stability rapidly, resulting in a substantial drop in impedance modulus from ~10 kΩcm² to ~10 Ωcm² at 100 Hz due to electrolyte ingress, whilst the PA-containing film modulus also diminished from ~4 MΩcm² to ~1 kΩcm² at 100 Hz. Furthermore, the capacitance values of the SA-containing films rose (up to ~100 µFcm⁻²), demonstrating the onset of a charge transfer (corrosion) process within the first 12 h exposure to a saline electrolyte. In contrast, the PA-containing film’s transition from a film-dominated capacitance (~0.01 µFcm⁻²) to a larger double-layer capacitance took (~1 µFcm⁻²) took several days and was accounted for by differences in the additive’s chemistry, demonstrating the ability of EIS to detect changes in both bulk film (e.g., moisture ingress and bond scission) and metal-film interfacial processes (e.g., onset of corrosion) in real time. Comparison was also made with a standard industry combined tensile test/hydrolytic accelerated ageing regime. Unlike, EIS this did not, however, give useful time-dependent information, although after 6 weeks a decrease in bond strength occurred in the order PA-containing film < PECA< SA-containing film in agreement with the EIS results, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of EIS for monitoring the degradation of such thin film adhesives. Full article

Jasmonic acid (JA) is a regulator of plant resistance to phytophagous insects, and exogenous JA treatment induces plant insect resistance. This study investigated the mechanism of exogenous JA-induced resistance of Hemerocallis citrina Baroni (daylily) to Thrips palmi at the biochemical and molecular levels. Daylily leaves sprayed with JA showed significantly higher levels of secondary metabolites—tannins, flavonoids, and total phenols, and activity of defense enzymes—peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, polyphenol oxidase, and protease inhibitor (PI) than control leaves; the most significant effects were observed with 1 mmol L⁻¹ JA. Owing to an improved defense system, significantly fewer T. palmi were present on the JA-treated plants than control plants. The JA-treated leaves had a smoother wax layer and fewer stomata, which was unfavorable for insect egg attachment. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in insect resistance pathways such as lignin and wax biosynthesis, cell wall thickening, antioxidant enzyme synthesis, PI synthesis, secondary metabolite synthesis, and defense hormone signaling. A total of 466 DEGs were predicted to be transcription factors, mainly bHLH and WRKY family members. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified 13 key genes; TRINITY_DN16412_c0_g1 and TRINITY_DN6953_c0_g1 are associated with stomatal regulation and lipid barrier polymer synthesis, TRINITY_DN7582_c0_g1 and TRINITY_DN11770_c0_g1 regulate alkaloid synthesis, and TRINITY_DN7597_c1_g3 and TRINITY_DN1899_c0_g1 regulate salicylic acid and ethylene biosynthesis. These results indicate that JA treatment of daylily improved its resistance to T. palmi. These findings provide a scientific basis for the utilization of JA as an antagonist to control T. palmi in daylily. Full article

The impact of methyl salicylate (MeSA) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in chitosan (CS)/Gum Arabic (GA) mixture on physio-chemical characteristics and antioxidant status during the postharvest ripening of green tomato fruits was studied. CS/GA-MeSA at a 1 mM formulation was the best treatment to retard firmness and titratable acidity (TA) losses. Moreover, this formulation retarded pigmentation progress where it had the lowest significant values of total carotenes (TCs) and lycopene (LYP) contents until the 15th day of the storage period, as well as efficiently faced the rise in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Moreover, peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), catalase (CAT), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activities of tomatoes treated with CS/GA-SNP at 2 mM were significantly better than that of control in the primary stages of storage. CS/GA-SNP at a 2 mM formulation showed an extremely high significant content of total polyphenol (TP) in the early stage of storage, while CS/GA and CS/GA-MeSA at 1 and 2 mM accumulated higher significant TP contents than uncoated fruits at the late stage of storage. All formulations were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the polymer formulations exhibited strong antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata and Botrytis cinerea as major pathogens of postharvest tomatoes. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations for the mycelia of both fungi treated by CS/GA-MeSA at 2 mM revealed serious ultrastructural damage, including distortion of the cell wall and cell membrane and degradation of cytoplasmic organelles. Full article

The encapsulation of molecules with different physicochemical properties (theophylline, blue dextran, salicylic acid and insulin) in whey protein (WP) and alginate (ALG) microparticles (MP) for oral administration was studied. MP based on WP/ALG were prepared by a cold gelation technique and coated with WP solution after reticulation. Molecules influenced polymer solution viscosity and elasticity, resulting in differences regarding encapsulation efficiency (from 23 to 100%), MP structure and swelling (>10%) and in terms of pH tested. Molecule release was due to diffusion and/or erosion of MP and was very dependent on the substance encapsulated. All the loaded MP were successfully coated, but variation in coating thickness (from 68 to 146 µm) and function of the molecules encapsulated resulted in differences in molecule release (5 to 80% in 1 h). Gel rheology modification, due to interactions between WP, ALG, calcium and other substances, was responsible for the highlighted differences. Measuring rheologic parameters before extrusion and reticulation appeared to be one of the most important aspects to study in order to successfully develop a vector with optimal biopharmaceutical properties. Our vector seems to be more appropriate for anionic high-molecular-weight substances, leading to high viscosity and elasticity and to MP enabling gastroresistance and controlled release of molecules at intestinal pH. Full article

Pharmaceuticals such as salicylic acid are commonly detected in wastewater and surface waters, increasing concern for possible harmful effects on humans and the environment. Their difficult removal via conventional treatments raised the need for improved strategies, among which the development of bioderived adsorbents gained interest because of their sustainability and circularity. In this work, biobased cross-linked adsorbents, synthesized via a sustainable approach from starch derivatives, namely beta-cyclodextrins and maltodextrins, were at first characterized via FTIR-ATR, TGA, SEM, and elemental analysis, showing hydrophilic granular morphologies endowed with specific interaction sites and thermal stabilities higher than 300 °C. Subsequently, adsorption tests were carried out, aiming to assess the capabilities of such polymers on the removal of salicylic acid, as a case study, from water. Batch tests showed rapid kinetics of adsorption with a removal of salicylic acid higher than 90% and a maximum adsorption capacity of 17 mg/g. Accordingly, continuous fixed bed adsorption tests confirmed the good interaction between the polymers and salicylic acid, while the recycling of the adsorbents was successfully performed up to four cycles of use. Full article

The emerging pharmaceutical contaminants diclofenac (DCF) and salicylic acid (SA) pose potential hazards to humans and living organisms due to their persistence in water environments. In this work, the conductive polymers polypyrrole (PPY) and polyaniline (PANI) were successfully coated on cotton fabrics, as confirmed by FTIR and SEM measurements. The coated fabrics efficiently removed DCF at pH 5.3 and SA at pH 4, with removal efficiencies that exceeded 90% and 70%, respectively. Adsorption was rapid for most of the tested contaminant–fabric systems and reached equilibrium within 20–30 min. The best adsorption performance for both contaminants was shown on the PPY-coated fabrics, which yielded adsorption capacities of about 65 and 21 mg/g for DCF and SA, respectively. This could be explained by molecular modeling simulations, which mostly estimated higher total cohesive energy densities for adsorption on the PPY-coated fabrics than on the PANI-coated ones. The adsorption mechanism involved both coulombic electrostatic attractions and non-coulombic van der Waals and π-π stacking. The fabrics could be reused for three adsorption–desorption cycles. Immobilization of the conductive polymers on cotton fabrics provides a facile method for their handling and collection during adsorption and regeneration cycles while maintaining their multi-functionality in adsorbing different contaminants. Full article

The anionic polymer sodium alginate, a linear copolymer of guluronic and mannuronic acids, is primarily present in brown algae. Copolymers are used in the sodium alginate preparation process to confer on the material strength and flexibility. Micelles and other polymeric nanoparticles are frequently made using the triblock copolymer Pluronic^® F-127. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of sodium alginate’s viscosity (low and medium) and the presence of Pluronic^® F-127 micelles on the swelling behavior of the prepared pure beads and those loaded with Pluronic^® F-127 micelles. The Pluronic^® F-127 nanomicelles have a size of 120 nm. The swelling studies were carried out at pH = 1.2 (simulated gastric fluid-SGF) for two hours and at pH = 6.8 (simulated intestinal fluid-SIF) for four more hours. The swelling of both low- and medium-viscosity alginate beads was minor at pH = 1.2, irrespective of the use of Pluronic^® F-127 nanomicelles. At pH = 6.8, without Pluronic^® F-127, the beads showed an enhanced swelling ratio for the first four hours, which was even higher in the medium-viscosity alginate beads. With the addition of Pluronic^® F-127, the beads were dissolved in the first and second hour, in the case of the low- and medium-alginate’s viscosity, respectively. In other words, the behavior of the mixed hydrogels was the same during the swelling experiments. Therefore, the presence of Pluronic^® F-127 nanomicelles and medium-viscosity sodium alginate leads to a higher swelling ratio. A model drug, acetyl salicylic acid (ASA), was also encapsulated in the mixed beads and ASA’s release studies were performed. In conclusion, the prepared systems, which are well characterized, show potential as delivery platforms for the oral delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients and biopharmaceuticals. Full article

Films and fibers of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS), being amorphous or exhibiting nanoporous crystalline (NC) or dense crystalline phases, were loaded with salicylic acid (SA), a relevant non-volatile antimicrobial molecule. In the first section of the paper, sPS/SA co-crystalline (CC) δ form is characterized, mainly by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns and polarized Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The formation of sPS/SA δ CC phases allows the preparation of sPS fibers even with a high content of the antibacterial guest, which is also retained after repeated washing procedures at 65 °C. A preparation procedure starting from amorphous fibers is particularly appropriate because involves a direct formation of the CC δ form and a simultaneous axial orientation. The possibility of tuning drug amount and release kinetics, by simply selecting suitable crystalline phases of a commercially available polymer, makes sPS fibers possibly useful for many applications. In particular, fibers with δ CC forms, which retain SA molecules in their crystalline phases, could be useful for antimicrobial textiles and fabrics. Fibers with the dense γ form which easily release SA molecules, because they are only included in their amorphous phases, could be used for promising SA-based preparations for antibacterial purposes in food processing and preservation and public health. Finally, using a cell-based assay system and antibacterial tests, we investigated the cellular activity, toxicity and antimicrobial properties of amorphous, δ CC forms and dense γ form of sPS fibers loaded with different contents of SA. Full article

This work offers an ecologically friendly and facile approach for the modification of high-tonnage commercial polymers, including polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and preparation of nanocomposite polymeric membranes via incorporation of modifying oligomer hydrophilic additives, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and salicylic acid (SA). Structural modification is accomplished via the deformation of polymers in PEG, PPG, and water-ethanol solutions of PVA and SA when mesoporous membranes are loaded with oligomers and target additives. The content of target additives in nanocomposite membranes is controlled by tensile strain, and the level of loading can achieve 35–62 wt.% for PEG and PPG; the content of PVA and SA is controlled by their concentration in the feed solution. This approach allows for the simultaneous incorporation of several additives which are shown to preserve their functional performance in the polymeric membranes and their functionalization. The porosity, morphology, and mechanical characteristics of the prepared membranes were studied. The proposed approach allows an efficient and facile strategy for the surface modification of hydrophobic mesoporous membranes: depending on the nature and content of target additives, their water contact angle can be reduced to 30–65°. Water vapor permeability, gas selectivity, antibacterial, and functional properties of the nanocomposite polymeric membranes were described. Full article

Chitin-glucan complex (CGC) hydrogels were fabricated by coagulation of the biopolymer from an aqueous alkaline solution, and their morphology, swelling behavior, mechanical, rheological, and biological properties were studied. In addition, their in vitro drug loading/release ability and permeation through mimic-skin artificial membranes (Strat-M) were assessed. The CGC hydrogels prepared from 4 and 6 wt% CGC suspensions (Na5₁*⁴ and Na5₁*⁶ hydrogels, respectively) had polymer contents of 2.40 ± 0.15 and 3.09 ± 0.22 wt%, respectively, and displayed a highly porous microstructure, characterized by compressive moduli of 39.36 and 47.30 kPa and storage moduli of 523.20 and 7012.25 Pa, respectively. Both hydrogels had a spontaneous and almost immediate swelling in aqueous media, and a high-water retention capacity (>80%), after 30 min incubation at 37 °C. Nevertheless, the Na5₁*⁴ hydrogels had higher fatigue resistance and slightly higher-water retention capacity. These hydrogels were loaded with caffeine, ibuprofen, diclofenac, or salicylic acid, reaching entrapment efficiency values ranging between 13.11 ± 0.49% for caffeine, and 15.15 ± 1.54% for salicylic acid. Similar release profiles in PBS were observed for all tested APIs, comprising an initial fast release followed by a steady slower release. In vitro permeation experiments through Strat-M membranes using Franz diffusion cells showed considerably higher permeation fluxes for caffeine (33.09 µg/cm²/h) and salicylic acid (19.53 µg/cm²/h), compared to ibuprofen sodium and diclofenac sodium (4.26 and 0.44 µg/cm²/h, respectively). Analysis in normal human dermal fibroblasts revealed that CGC hydrogels have no major effects on the viability, migration ability, and morphology of the cells. Given their demonstrated features, CGC hydrogels are very promising structures, displaying tunable physical properties, which support their future development into novel transdermal drug delivery platforms. Full article

This study explores the characteristics of electrodeposition of the three hydroxybenzaldehyde isomers and selected hydroxybenzoic acids (4-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicylic acid, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid) from mesityl oxide solvent. Similar to recent advances of this solvent, used by electrochemical studies, the carbon–carbon double bond had significant influence on the formation of polymers from the outlined molecules. In case of most substrates the peak currents increased to a steady-state but electropolymerization of some substrates caused significant deactivation. Scanning electron microscopic and complementary voltammetric studies facilitated that the electrochemically formed polymers are present on the electrode surface in stackings. In viewpoint of analysis of 2-phenylphenol, the modifying deposit formed from 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde was the best with 5 µM detection limit obtained with differential pulse voltammetry. Furthermore, a new procedure was chosen for the involvement of a cavitand derivative into the organic layers with the purpose to improve the layer selectivity (subsequent electrochemical polymerization in an other solution). Further studies showed that in this way the sensitivities of as-modified electrodes were a little worse than without this step, thus indicating that application of this step is disadvantageous. Recovery studies of 2-phenylphenol were carried out on lemon rind without any treatment, and it was compared with the case when the outer yellow layer was removed by rasping. The inner tissues showed very high adsorption affinity towards 2-phenylphenol. Full article

Novel crosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel films were previously invented by reacting the HA polymer with the PT (Pentaerythritol Tetra-acrylate) crosslinker over basic pH conditions in the oven. HA is considered a natural polymer present in cosmetic as well as pharmaceutical formulations. This current study aimed to highlight the effect of loading method (post-loading and in situ) of selected actives (salicylic acid and niacinamide B₃) in the hydrogel films and then study their release kinetics. Differential scanning colometry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis evidenced the loading of the actives and full release from the HA hydrogel films, while the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated the morphological changes to the films during the study by comparing the average molecular weight between crosslinks ($\overline{M}$c), gel fraction, crosslinking density (Ve) and mesh size (ξ) of the films. The loading percentage of the SA and B₃ showed high percentage loading of actives via both loading methods. In conclusion, the (95–100%) release of the actives achieved from the HA hydrogel films within 10 min revealed that the films are an efficient immediate release system of actives. Full article

This research presents a synthesis and characterization of new bio-based polymer sorbents. Natural origin substances such as terpenes (citral, limonene, and pinene) or vegetable oils (argan, linseed, and rapeseed oils) were used as monomers, and divinylbenzene was applied as the cross-linker. The newly prepared polymers were characterized by means of ATR-FTIR, TG/DTG and titration methods (acid and iodine values), and N₂ physisorption experiments. Tests of sorption ability were carried out by a dynamic solid phase extraction method using a mixture of four phenols or single-component pharmaceutical solutions (salicylic acid, aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, and ampicillin). The performed studies revealed that the terpene-based polymers possessed better-developed porous structures (420–500 m²/g) with more uniform pores than oil-based ones. However, the surface of the oil-based sorbents was more acidic in nature. The sorption tests showed that both the porosity and acidity of the surface significantly influenced the sorption. Recoveries of up to 90% were obtained for 2,4 dichlorophenol from C-DVB, L-DVB, and Ro-DVB. The lowest affinity to the polymers exhibited phenol (5–45%), aspirin (1–7%), and ampicillin (1–7%). A 70% recovery was achieved for ibuprofen from C-DVB. In-depth data analysis allowed the influence of various factors on the sorption process of test compounds of the studied polymers to be elucidated. Full article

Alginate-based microparticles were produced via supercritical assisted atomization (SAA) with the aim of obtaining a biocompatible and low-cost carrier for the delivery of active compounds in cosmetic applications. Salicylic acid was selected as an active model compound, and it was co-precipitated with alginate via SAA, operating at 82 bar and 80 °C. In particular, the drug-to-polymer weight ratio was fixed at 1/4, whereas polymer concentration was varied from 5 to 20 mg/mL in the starting aqueous solution. Operating in this way, alginate-salicylic acid microparticles were characterized by a mean diameter of 0.72 ± 0.25 µm, and the active compound became amorphous after processing. A salicylic acid encapsulation efficiency close to 100% was reached, and the drug release time from the biopolymeric microparticles was prolonged up to nine times with respect to untreated salicylic acid powder. Full article