Potential Antibacterial Activity of Carvacrol-Loaded Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) Nanoparticles against Microbial Biofilm

The ability to form biofilms contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of many microbial infections, including a variety of ocular diseases often associated with the biofilm formation on foreign materials. Carvacrol (Car.) is an important component of essential oils and recently has attracted much attention pursuant to its ability to promote microbial biofilm disruption. In the present study Car. has been encapsulated in poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) nanocapsules in order to obtain a suitable drug delivery system that could represent a starting point for developing new therapeutic strategies against biofilm-associated infections, such as improving the drug effect by associating an antimicrobial agent with a biofilm viscoelasticity modifier

Analysis of 2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography: application for ocular delivery using chitosan nanoparticles

Oxidative damage due to low levels of glutathione (GSH) is one of the main causes of cataract formation. It has been reported that 2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (OTZ), a cysteine prodrug, can increase the cellular level of GSH. Currently, there is no analytical method to separate and quantify OTZ from aqueous humour samples for cataract research. The present study aims to develop and validate a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) method for the quantification of OTZ in simulated aqueous humour (SAH). The developed method was validated according to FDA guidelines. Accuracy, precision, selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), lower limit of detection (LLOD) and stability were the parameters assessed in the method validation. The developed method was found to be accurate and precise with LLOQ and LLOD of 200 and 100 ng/mL, respectively; method selectivity was confirmed by the absence of any matrix interference with the analyte peak. The constructed calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.2-10 μg/mL, with a regression coefficient of 0.999. In addition, the OTZ was found to be stable in SAH after three freeze/thaw cycles. Chitosan nanoparticles loaded with OTZ were formulated by the ionic gelation method. The nanoparticles were found to be uniform in shape and well dispersed with average size of 153 nm. The in vitro release of OTZ from the nanoparticles was quantified using the developed analytical method over 96 h. Permeation of OTZ through excised bovine cornea was measured using HILIC. The lag time and the flux were 0.2 h and 3.05 μg/cm(2) h, respectively

A review on application of encapsulation in agricultural processes

The chapter gives insight into the significance of encapsulation in agriculture. The process of encapsulation is well established in food, pharma, and other industries but lacks implication in commercial agriculture products. The article discusses the potential material used as encapsulators and the process by which the encapsulation is carried out. It also gives an overview of conducted studies with biobased material, including starch, cellulose, chitosan, and lignin, and synthetic polymers and hydrogels used for controlled release of active molecules. Interesting studies on the encapsulation of herbicide, insecticide, and pesticide have been discussed. Encapsulation of microorganisms assisting the plant growth and related studies provide a healthy prospect for increasing crop yield and plantation in arid regions. Further, the chapter briefs the challenges faced and its impact on the surroundings. Thus the implication of encapsulation technology has been a boon to the agricultural processes. © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved