For this paper pectin aerogels were obtained by the sol-gel process and further supercritical drying with CO2.The materials were first characterised by nitrogen adsorption and scanning electron microscopy in order to investigate their structures. The highest yet reported surface area on pectin aerogels was achieved during this research (590m2/g). Then the drug loading was performed as the first step of the sol-gel process. Nicotinic acid was used as a model drug. Membranes were added to the pectin microsphere to control the release of nicotinic acid. The release of the model drug was investigated regarding triple and five membrane-aerogels. It was observed that the triple-membrane aerogel was unable to control the release. By adding the 5- membrane, the release decreased. 50% of the drug was released during the first hour followed by the slow first-order release up to 7h. The results clearly indicate that the addition of membranes on pectin aerogel has a significant impact on the drug release kinetics. The 5-membrane pectin aerogel showed potential to be a suitable carrier of the nicotinic acid after further research.
COBISS.SI-ID: 19245590
In this study, the isolation of curcuminoids from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) was performed using different solvent extraction methods and solvents. Obtained extracts were analyzed for the contents of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin by HPLC and the radical scavenging and antibacterial activities of extracts were determined. Extract with highest content of curcuminoids was mixed with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and formulated into powder using PGGStm method. Obtained powder was pressed into tablets and a release study of the curcuminoids from the product was observed in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. Results show that the highest yield of extract is obtained using conventional extraction with mixing in ethanol giving the highest concentration of curcuminoids as well. All extracts show strong antifungal properties but weak antibacterial activity. Curcuminoids extract was successfully encapsulated in PEG carrier and a fine powder was obtained, which increased the solubility in aqueous media.
COBISS.SI-ID: 18664470
In the present study, we evaluated the degradation behavior of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) before and after foaming with supercritical CO2. Initial polymer samples, shaped as tablets, and foamed samples were immersed in a Sörensen buffer solution and maintained for 10 weeks at a constant temperature of 37 °C under mild stirring (50 rpm). The pH of the degradation environment was monitored, and the mass and structure modifications suffered by the samples at various stages of the study were determined. A comparison was performed between the in vitro behaviors of the PLGA samples before and after supercritical fluid processing. It was observed that the PLGA foams degrade slower than the PLGA tablets. These data are essential for evaluating the suitability of various processing methods in the design of biodegradable medical devices or implants with well-defined requirements regarding their stability and mechanical properties during specific applications.
COBISS.SI-ID: 18461206