Chitosan/Copaiba oleoresin films for would dressing application

Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2018.11.054.Biopolymeric films can be used as dressings for the treatment of skin burns and other chronic wounds. The healing properties of these films may be enhanced by the addition of Copaiba oil (Copaifera L.) which properties have already been well-described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of Copaiba oil in chitosan films prepared by casting solvent evaporation technique using chitosan solution (2% or 1% wt/wt) and Copaiba oil (0.1 or 1.0% wt/wt) at different concentrations. Films were characterized by color analysis, scanning electron microscopy, mechanical properties, thermal analysis, and fluid handling capacity. The developed films demonstrated potential for wound dressing, translated by the fluid handling capacity similar to that of commercial dressings. While no surfactant was present in the formulation, the droplets of Copaiba oil were well-dispersed and homogeneously distributed in the chitosan matrix even after drying. The thermal analysis translated the occurrence of interactions between the oil and chitosan.The authors wish to thank São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for the financial support (2010/17.721-4) and CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, #443238/2014-6, #470388/2014-5). This work was also financed through the project M H ERA-NET/0004/2015 from the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation, Ministry of Science and Education (FCT/MEC) from national funds, and co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Clarification of Aqueous Stevia Extract Using Alginate Beads - Evaluation by Factorial Design Methodology

Stevia is used as a sweetener due to its low calorific value and its taste, which is very similar to that of sucrose. Stevia extract is dark in colour and needs to be clarified for better acceptance by consumers. The adsorption processes widely used in clarification do not use organic solvents. Alginate beads have been used as the adsorbent material in the present work. Experiments were carried out in batch mode in which the aqueous stevia extract was mixed with the alginate beads prepared previously by ionotropic gelation. A factorial design was used to study the process of clarification, in which colour removal and the percentage of stevioside adsorbed were evaluated. The studied factors were temperature, pH of the aqueous stevia extract and adsorption time. The results showed that alginate beads are capable of adsorbing both the steviosides and the pigments that give colour to the extract. The experimental design showed that only the pH and contact time were important variables in determining the percentage clarification, in contrast to the other responses which were not affected by the various factors studied. An equation describing the percentage clarification as a function of pH and time is proposed.Univ Fed Sao Paulo, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Oeste Parana, BR-85903000 Toledo, PR, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Linseed essential oil - source of lipids as active ingredients for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals

Linseed - also known as flaxseed - is known for its beneficial effects on animal health attributed to its composition. Linseed comprises linoleic and ?-linolenic fatty acids, various dietary fibers and lignans, which are beneficial to health because they reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, as well as cancer, decreasing the levels of cholesterol and relaxing the smooth muscle cells in arteries increasing the blood flow. Essential fatty acids from flax participate in several metabolic processes of the cell, not only as structuring components of the cell membrane but also as storage lipids. Flax, being considered a functional food, can be consumed in a variety of ways, including seeds, oil or flour, contributing to basic nutrition. Several formulations containing flax are available on the market in the form of e.g. capsules and microencapsulated powders having potential as nutraceuticals. This paper revises the different lipid classes found in flaxseeds and their genomics. It also discusses the beneficial effects of flax and flaxseed oil and their biological advantages as ingredients in pharmaceuticals and in nutraceuticals products.The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support from the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation, Ministry of Science and Education (FCT/MEC) through national funds, and co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020 for the project M-ERA-NET/0004/2015-PAIRED.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio