OPTIMIZATION OF EPOXIDATION REACTION OF RICE BRAN OIL USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

The use of modified plant oils as a renewable feedstock in the chemical industry has become more desirable. In particular, epoxidized fatty acid derivatives derived from vegetable sources may be utilized as stabilizers and plasticisers in polymer, as lubricant additives and as constituents of urethane foam. Rice bran oil (RBO) is a by product of the rice milling process (conversion of brown to white rice) at its epoxidized oil is a potential raw material for such products. A response surface methodology was utilized for this duty. The effect of the key variables reaction time and temperature on conversion and product oxirane content is quantified and optimal conditions (high oxirane content) are determined. The epoxidation reaction was performed in a batch reactor using acetic acid as an oxygen carrier. A central composite design, with two variables and two response functions was applied to determine influence of the input variables. The conversion of reaction in the RBO increases linearly with increasing reaction time and temperature. Optimal condition (maximum oxirane oxygen content) was achieved with a reaction time of 4.3-h and at a temperature of 63.8oC

The interaction of unfolding α-lactalbumin and malate dehydrogenase with the molecular chaperone αB-crystallin: a light and X-ray scattering investigation

Purpose: The molecular chaperone αB-crystallin is found in high concentrations in the lens and is present in all major body tissues. Its structure and the mechanism by which it protects its target protein from aggregating and precipitating are not known. Methods: Dynamic light scattering and X-ray solution scattering techniques were used to investigate structural features of the αB-crystallin oligomer when complexed with target proteins under mild stress conditions, i.e., reduction of α- lactalbumin at 37 °C and malate dehydrogenase when heated at 42 °C. In this investigation, the size, shape and particle distribution of the complexes were determined in real-time following the induction of stress. Results: Overall, it is observed that the mass distribution, hydrodynamic radius, and spherical shape of the αB-crystallin oligomer do not alter significantly when it complexes with its target protein. Conclusions: The data are consistent with the target protein being located in the outer protein shell of the αB-crystallin oligomer where it is readily accessible for possible refolding via the action of other molecular chaperones. © 2010 Molecular Vision

A Liposome-Micelle-Hybrid (LMH) Oral Delivery System for Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs: Enhancing Solubilisation and Intestinal Transport

A novel liposome-micelle-hybrid (LMH) carrier system was developed as a superior oral drug delivery platform compared to conventional liposome or micelle formulations. The optimal LMH system was engineered by encapsulating TPGS micelles in the aqueous core of liposomes and its efficacy for oral delivery was demonstrated using lovastatin (LOV) as a model poorly soluble drug with P-gp (permeability glycoprotein) limited intestinal absorption. LOV-LMH was characterised as unilamellar, spherical vesicles encapsulating micellar structures within the interior aqueous core and showing an average diameter below 200 nm. LMH demonstrated enhanced drug loading, water apparent solubility and extended/controlled release of LOV compared to conventional liposomes and micelles. LMH exhibited enhanced LOV absorption and transportation in a Caco-2 cell monolayer model of the intestine by inhibiting the P-gp transporter system compared to free LOV. The LMH system is a promising novel oral delivery approach for enhancing bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs, especially those presenting P-gp effluxes limited absorption

Adhesive and conformational behaviour of mycolic acid monolayers

We have studied the pH-dependent interaction between mycolic acid (MA) monolayers and hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces using molecular (colloidal probe) force spectroscopy. In both cases, hydrophobic and hydrophilic monolayers (prepared by Langmuir-Blodgett and Langmuir-Schaefer deposition on silicon or hydrophobized silicon substrates, respectively) were studied. The force spectroscopy data, fitted with classical DLVO (Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey, and Overbeek) theory to examine the contribution of electrostatic and van der Waals forces, revealed that electrostatic forces are the dominant contribution to the repulsive force between the approaching colloidal probe and MA monolayers. The good agreement between data and the DLVO model suggest that beyond a few nm away from the surface, hydrophobic, hydration, and specific chemical bonding are unlikely to contribute to any significant extent to the interaction energy between the probe and the surface. The pH-dependent conformation of MA molecules in the monolayer at the solid-liquid interface was studied by ellipsometry, neutron reflectometry, and with a quartz crystal microbalance. Monolayers prepared by the Langmuir-Blodgett method demonstrated a distinct pH-responsive behaviour, while monolayers prepared by the Langmuir-Schaefer method were less sensitive to pH variation. It was found that the attachment of water molecules plays a vital role in determining the conformation of the MA monolayers. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Effect of extracellular polymeric substances on the mechanical properties of Rhodococcus

The mechanical properties of Rhodococcus RC291 were measured using force spectroscopy equipped with a bacterial cell probe. Rhodococcal cells in the late growth stage of development were found to have greater adhesion to a silicon oxide surface than those in the early growth stage. This is because there are more extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that contain nonspecific binding sites available on the cells of late growth stage. It is found that EPS in the late exponential phase are less densely bound but consist of chains able to extend further into their local environment, while the denser EPS at the late stationary phase act more to sheath the cell. Contraction and extension of the EPS could change the density of the binding sites, and therefore affect the magnitude of the adhesion force between the EPS and the silicon oxide surface. By treating rhodococcal EPS as a surface-grafted polyelectrolyte layer and using scaling theory, the interaction between EPS and a solid substrate was modelled for the cell approaching the surface which revealed that EPS possess a large capacity to store charge. Changing the pH of the surrounding medium acts to change the conformation of EPS chains

Interfacial-chemistry mediated behavior of colloidal talc dispersions

Interfacial chemistry and rheological behavior of talc suspensions as a function of pH, talc solid content, and type and concentration of ions have been investigated using electrokinetic measurements, rheology, settling behavior, and solution analysis. Zeta potential measurements show a strong dependence on the pH history of the talc suspension that only occurs when the surface area (solid content) of the talc is high. Particle interactions measured through dispersion yield stress measurements show a similar dependence. Talc is a magnesium silicate mineral and the dependence seen in the electrokinetic properties in this study has been attributed to Mg(II) dissolution at low pH, and has been confirmed by solution analysis. At high solid content (>20 wt%), pronounced Mg(II) ion dissolution occurs at low pH values. Formation and adsorption of electropositive Mg(II) hydrolysis products occurs at high pH (>9), and these lead to zeta potential reduction and, at high solid contents, charge reversal. Particle interactions reflect the surface chemistry behavior. Consequently, for a freshly prepared suspension at high pH, the yield stress is lower compared to after the pH has been taken to 5 and subsequently increased.Kristen E. Bremmell, and Jonas Addai-Mensahhttp://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/622861/description#descriptio