Design and Characterization of an Ethosomal Gel Encapsulating Rosehip Extract

: Rising environmental awareness drives green consumers to purchase sustainable cosmetics based on natural bioactive compounds. The aim of this study was to deliver Rosa canina L. extract as a botanical ingredient in an anti-aging gel using an eco-friendly approach. Rosehip extract was first characterized in terms of its antioxidant activity through a DPPH assay and ROS reduction test and then encapsulated in ethosomal vesicles with different percentages of ethanol. All formulations were characterized in terms of size, polydispersity, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. Release and skin penetration/permeation data were obtained through in vitro studies, and cell viability was assessed using an MTT assay on WS1 fibroblasts. Finally, ethosomes were incorporated in hyaluronic gels (1% or 2% w/v) to facilitate skin application, and rheological properties were studied. Rosehip extract (1 mg/mL) revealed a high antioxidant activity and was successfully encapsulated in ethosomes containing 30% ethanol, having small sizes (225.4 ± 7.0 nm), low polydispersity (0.26 ± 0.02), and good entrapment efficiency (93.41 ± 5.30%). This formulation incorporated in a hyaluronic gel 1% w/v showed an optimal pH for skin application (5.6 ± 0.2), good spreadability, and stability over 60 days at 4 °C. Considering sustainable ingredients and eco-friendly manufacturing technology, the ethosomal gel of rosehip extract could be an innovative and green anti-aging skincare product

Use of Spanish Broom (Spartium junceum L.) Fibers for Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions

In this work, potential use of Spanish broom fibers for removing from aqueous solutions heavy metal ions such as copper Cu(II) and lead Pb(II) was investigated. The fibers were extracted by DiCoDe (Digestion-Compression-Decompression) process changing experimental conditions. Morphology of fibers was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and chemical composition, as well as the carboxylic group content, was determined by conventional methods. Various initial concentrations of heavy metal ions were studied to explore potential sorption on cellulose fibers. The results suggest that cellulose fibers, extracted by different conditions of DiCoDe process, are capable of sorbing metal ions

Analisi morfologiche e molecolari per l'identificazione del biodeterioramento da funghi su un testo del 18° secolo.

Biodeterioramento da Aspergillus versicolo