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Recent advances in nanoemulsion for sustainable development of farm-to-fork systems
... Nanomaterials can be classified into naturally occurring, incidental, bioinspired, and engineered nanomaterials by function of their origin [33]. Indeed, their use has a promising impact on morphological, biochemical, and physiological crop traits [34], they allow a precise herbicide dose application [35], and they guarantee better food conservability [36]. ...
... Nanoparticles called nano-emulsions (NEs) can be used in the food industry to deal with food quality and packaging but also as carriers able to incorporate healthy compounds inside the finished product. Moreover, NEs improve texture, nutrient quality, taste, and resistance against unwanted microorganisms [36]. Nano-emulsions can be used in food packaging with coatings and films, extending the shelf-life of products. ...
Currently, one of the main challenges is the mitigation of the effects of climate change on the agricultural sector. Conventional agriculture, with the intensive use of herbicides and pesticides to control weeds and pests, and the improper use of mineral fertilizers, contributes to climate change by causing increased greenhouse gases and groundwater pollution. Therefore, more innovative technologies must be used to overcome these problems. One possible solution is nanotechnology, which has the potential to revolutionize the conventional agricultural system. Active nanoparticles can be used both as a direct source of micronutrients and as a delivery platform for bioactive agrochemicals to improve crop growth, yield, and quality. The use of nanoparticle formulations, including nano-pesticides, nano-herbicides, nano-fertilizers, and nano-emulsions, has been extensively studied to improve crop health and shelf-life of agricultural products. Comprehensive knowledge of the interactions between plants and nanoparticles opens up new opportunities to improve cropping practices through the enhancement of properties such as disease resistance, crop yield, and nutrient use. The main objective of this review is to analyze the main effects of climate change on conventional agricultural practices, such as the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. It also focuses on how the introduction of nanoparticles into conventional practices can improve the efficiency of chemical pest control and crop nutrition. Finally, this review examines in depth the last 10 years (2014–2024) of scientific literature regarding the use of nanoparticles in agriculture to mitigate the effects of climate change.
... Eventually, these systems will break down (Mushtag et al., 2023). Due to formulation conditions and interactions among the oil droplets or between the continuous and dispersed phases, de-mixing phenomena can take a long time to be observed (Bamisaye et al., 2023;Dragicevic et al., 2024). As a result; it can be time-consuming and challenging to monitor the physical stability of colloidal formulations, which may take several months (Table 1). ...
... Steric stabilization and Brownian motion are the two dynamic forces that work in tandem to prevent the destabilization of droplets (Rodrigues et al., 2018). By opposing the natural tendency for flocculation and creaming, these mechanisms effectively aid in the ability of colloidal systems to resist physical instability (Bamisaye et al., 2023;Niu et al., 2023). For oil-in-water NEs, the creaming phenomenon is usually noticed as oil droplets are pushed upwards on the top of test tubes due to a difference in density between the dispersed phase and the continuous phase, as the dispersed phase has a lower density than the continuous phase (Lerche & Sobisch, 2011). ...
... In fact, NPs are widely used in the agri-food chain, they can improve nutrients uptake in plant, they can enhance plant defense against biotic and abiotic stress and they can favor shelf-life products avoiding toxins presence (Mukarram et al., 2022). Indeed, its use has a promising impact on morphological, biochemical and physiological crop traits (Mahmoud et al., 2023), they allow an herbicide precise dose application (Amna et al., 2019) and they guarantee a better food coobservability (Bamisaye et al., 2023). This review aims to analyze the benefits and negative effects of the use of nanoparticles for reducing the influence of climate changes on agricultural chemical inputs, the control of crop pests and pathogens and food health and security. ...
... Nanoparticles called nano-emulsions (NEs) can be used in the food industry to deal with food quality and packaging, but also as carriers able to incorporate healthy compounds inside the finished product. Moreover, NEs improve texture, nutrient quality, taste and resistance against unwanted microorganisms (Bamisaye et al., 2023). Nano-emulsions can be used in food packaging with coatings and films extending shelf-life products, furthermore, they can be used singularly as edible envelopes capable of bringing flavorings, colorings, useful enzymes and antioxidants (Gupta et al., 2023). ...
Currently, one of the main challenges is the mitigation of the effects of climate change on the agricultural sector. Conventional agriculture, with the intensive use of herbicides and pesticides to control weeds and pests, and the improper use of mineral fertilizers, contributes to climate change by causing increased greenhouse gases and groundwater pollution. Therefore, more innovative technologies must be used to overcome these problems. One possible solution is nanotechnology, which has the potential to revolutionize the conventional agricultural system. Active nanoparticles can be used both as a direct source of micronutrients and as a delivery platform for bioactive agrochemicals to improve crop growth, yield and quality. The use of nanoparticle formulations, including nanopesticides, nanoherbicides, nano-fertilizers and nano-emulsions, has been extensively studied to improve crop health and shelf life of agricultural products. Comprehensive knowledge of the interactions between plants and nanoparticles opens up new opportunities to improve cropping practices through the enhancement of properties such as disease resistance, crop yield, and nutrient use. The main objective of this review is to analyze the main effects of climate change on conventional agricultural practices, such as the use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. It also focuses on how the introduction of nanoparticles into conventional practices can improve the efficiency of chemical pest control and crop nutrition. Finally, this review examines in depth the last 10 years (2014-2024) of scientific literature regarding the use of nanoparticles in agriculture to mitigate the effects of climate change.
... A nanoemulsions is a surfactant-stabilized oil-water two-phase dispersion that can increase the solubility and bioavailability of fertilizers, and the droplet size is very small; thus, the use of a nanoemulsions in plant and pest treatment can more easily penetrate the plant tissues and the cuticles of pests. 197 Owing to their relatively high specific surface area, encapsulating pesticides in nanoemulsions can better utilize the active ingredients and directly deliver them to the site of action, reducing the amount of pesticide used and minimizing their impact on the environment. 198 In addition, encapsulating nutrients such as various fertilizers, nutrients, and minerals in droplets is also more conducive to plant absorption and utilization, improving the health status and productivity of the plant and preventing fertilizer loss due to runoff or leaching. ...
Nanoemulsions, which are characterized by their nanometer-scale droplets, have gained significant attention in different fields, such as medicine, food, cosmetics, and agriculture, because of their unique properties. With an increasing number of countries engaging in research on nanoemulsions, interest in their properties, preparation methods, and applications has increased. Hence, tracing the relevant research on nanoemulsions published in the past ten years on a global scale, by conducting data mining and visualization analysis on a sufficiently large text dataset through bibliometrics, sorting out and summarizing certain indicators, the development history, research status and research hotspots in the field of nanoemulsions can be clearly revealed, providing reference value and significance for subsequent research. This bibliometric review examines the research landscape of nanoemulsions from 2013–2023 via the SCI-E and SSCI databases, providing insights into the current status, hotspots, and future trends of this field. To offer a comprehensive overview, this analysis includes publication counts, author keywords, institutional contributions, research areas, prolific authors, highly cited papers and hot research papers. The findings reveal that China led in nanoemulsions research, followed by USA, India, and Brazil, with the University of Massachusetts emerging as a key player with the highest average number of citations per article (ACPP) and h-index. Food Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, and the Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology are among the top journals publishing in this area. Chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacy emerged as the primary research domains, with McClements DJ as the most prolific and influential author. In keyword analysis, essential oil nanoemulsions are currently the main preparation direction, and various characteristics of nanoemulsions, such as their bioavailability, stability, biocompatibility, and antioxidant and antibacterial properties, have also been studied extensively. Research hotspots are focused mostly on the development of new applications and technologies for nanoemulsions.
... This interaction allows them to adhere closely to the biofilm and infiltrate its structure more effectively. The high surface area-to-volume ratio of nanoemulsions enhances the interaction between the drug and its target, improving the bioavailability of encapsulated agents [39]. These systems are highly relevant in drug delivery, including for targeting biofilms [40]. ...
The review article, "Nanoparticles in the Battle Against Candida auris Biofilms: Current Advances and Future Prospects," addresses the urgent challenge posed by Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen known for its ability to form resilient biofilms on medical devices and surfaces. These biofilms significantly complicate treatment due to their enhanced resistance to antifungal therapies and their capacity to evade host immune responses.
The article provides a comprehensive analysis of nanoparticles as a promising solution for overcoming the limitations of conventional antifungal treatments. It explores the unique properties of various nanoparticle types, including metallic, polymeric, lipid-based, and cyclodextrin-based nanoparticles, and how these can penetrate the dense biofilm matrix, disrupt biofilm structures, and deliver antifungal agents directly to embedded fungal cells. Additionally, the review discusses the mechanisms by which nanoparticles generate reactive oxygen species and interfere with biofilm formation processes, providing a multifaceted approach to combating C. auris.
While presenting recent advancements, the article also critically examines the challenges associated with scaling up nanoparticle production, ensuring safety and biocompatibility, and addressing the variability in C. auris biofilm behavior under different conditions. It highlights the need for standardized research methodologies and further exploration into combination therapies, hybrid nanoparticle systems, and smart delivery technologies that can enhance specificity and efficacy.
... Furthermore, nanotechnology, a rapidly growing science, is frequently acclaimed as an innovative approach to the design of the next generation of raw materials, resulting in exceptional properties beneficial in a variety of scientific and industrial applications (Mitchell et al., 2021;Pushparaj et al., 2022;Bamisaye et al., 2023a). In reality, it has significantly accelerated the global development of the manufacturing sector by opening up new possibilities for cleaner and more sustainable techniques in industrial chemical processes while remaining economically competitive. ...
The quest for a good life, urbanization, and industrialization have led to the widespread distribution of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water bodies through anthropogenic activities. This poses an imminent threat to both human and environmental health. In recent years, the utilization of advance materials for the removal of EDCs from wastewater has attracted a lot of attention. Metal-oxide nanocatalysts have emerged as promising candidates due to their high surface area, reactivity, and tunable properties, as well as enhanced surface properties such as mesoporous structures and hierarchical morphologies that allow for increased adsorption capacity, improved photocatalytic activity, and enhanced selectivity towards specific EDCs. As a result, they have shown extraordinary efficacy in removing a wide range of EDCs from aqueous solutions, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, personal care items, and industrial chemicals. This study give insight into the unique physicochemical characteristics of metal-oxide nanocatalysts to effectively and efficiently remove harmful endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from wastewater. Focusing on the advances in the synthesis, and properties of metal-oxide nanocatalysts, and insight into understanding the fundamental mechanisms underlying the adsorption and degradation of EDCs on metal-oxide nanocatalysts using advanced characterization techniques such as spectroscopic analysis and electron microscopy. The findings of the study present metal-oxide nanocatalysts as a good candidate for the spontaneous sequestration of EDCs from wastewater is an intriguing approach to mitigating water pollution and safeguarding public health and the environment.
... [20,21] Of all the currently reported formulations for pesticide delivery, oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsion has distinct advantages, such as remarkable pesticide encapsulation rate and dispersibility, high stability, low biohazard, and toxicity. [22] Compared with emulsifiable concentrate, water-based O/W nanoemulsion consumes much less organic solvent. [23] Furthermore, the nanoscale of the droplets surges their specific surface area, allowing the nanodroplets to be deposited more efficiently on leaf surfaces. ...
Conventional herbicide formulations suffer from serious problems such as easy drift, run‐off and scouring into the environment, which pose enormous threats to human health and environmental safety. Herein, an innovative strategy is proposed to prepare oil‐in‐water nanoemulsions with long‐term stability, enhanced droplet deposition, and improved nanoherbicide adhesion via steerable interfacial assembly of 1D amyloid‐like protein nanocomposites. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) undergoes rapid amyloid‐like aggregation upon reduction of its disulfide bond. The resulting phase‐transitioned BSA (PTB) oligomers instantly self‐assemble on the surface of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) to form the 1D PTB/CNF nanocomposites, which greatly expands the parameter space for interfacial assembly of amyloid‐like proteins. The PTB/CNF nanocomposites exhibit excellent interfacial activity, enabling spontaneous adsorption at the oil‐water interface to stabilize nanoemulsion. The excess PTB/CNF nanocomposites would also self‐assemble at the air‐aqueous interface upon spraying, resulting in efficient droplet deposition on (super)hydrophobic leaves. The deposited nanoherbicides show excellent resistance to wind/rain corrosion due to the robust amyloid‐mediated adhesion, with a retention rate of more than 80% after severe scouring. Consequently, herbicide applications can be reduced by at least 30% compared to commercial emulsifiable concentrates, showing greater herbicidal efficiency. This study provides novel insights and approaches to promote sustainable agricultural development.
In Chile and worldwide, walnut (Juglans regia L.) production faces significant losses due to crown and root rot caused by the phytopathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. Currently, control methods have proven insufficient or unfavorable for the environment, increasing the need for sustainable alternatives. This research evaluates nanoemulsions based on extracts of medicinal plants endemic to Chile to control P. cinnamomi in walnut crops. The methodology included an in vitro test to determine the effective inhibitory concentrations of three nanoemulsions (N80, N90, and N100) on the mycelial growth of the phytopathogen, a test on walnut plants under controlled conditions, and two field tests using concentrations between 300 and 500 ppm. The in vitro results showed that the nanoemulsions could inhibit 90% of mycelial growth at 80 to 100 ppm concentrations. In the field, the N90 nanoemulsion at 500 ppm significantly reduced disease symptoms preventively and post-inoculation, compared with the control. This research is the first to study the use of nanoemulsions from native Chilean plants to control P. cinnamomi, showing potential to reduce the use of synthetic fungicides, contributing to safer and more ecological phytosanitary management.
Plant essential oil (EO)-based insecticides represent a promising tool for Integrated Pest Management (IPM), though their formulation is limited by poor physicochemical properties. EO encapsulation into stable formulations, like nanoemulsions (NEs), could boost EO efficacy and stability. Carlina acaulis L. roots contain an EO recently studied for its excellent insecticidal activities, and chiefly composed of carlina oxide (> 97%). Herein, we developed two carlina oxide NEs (0.25% and 0.5% w/w) through ultrasounds exposure and characterized them by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The NE insecticidal and repellent activities were tested on Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) eggs, larvae, and adults. Nanoemulsions tested showed a monomodal size ditribution and the polydispersity index (PDI) indicaticating a low grade of polydispersity. The 0.25% (w/w) NE showed significant contact toxicity on T. absoluta eggs with high hatching inhibition. 11 days post-treatment. The highest larvicidal effect was observed in translaminar toxicity tests, with complete mortality after 24 h. The NE did not achieve significant oviposition deterrence. Overall, the tested green NE showed promising effectiveness as ovicide and larvicide on T. absoluta, highlighting the need of further research to shed light on its modes of action, as well as to evaluate lethal and sublethal effects on tomato biological control agents and pollinators.
Plant essential oil (EO)-based insecticides represent a promising tool for IPM, though their formulation is limited by poor physio-chemical properties. EO encapsulation into stable formulations, like nano emulsions (NEs), could boost EO efficacy and stability. Carlina acaulis roots contain an EO recently studied for its excellent insecticidal activities, and chiefly composed by carlina oxide (>97%). Herein, we developed two carlina oxide NEs (0.25% and 0.5% w/w) through ultrasounds exposure and characterized them by dynamic light scattering. The NE insecticidal and repellent activities were investigated against T. absoluta eggs and larvae, and adults, respectively. 0.25% and 0.5% NEs showed a monomodal size distribution with a Z-average size of 113.87±1.32 nm and 127.27±0.47 nm, respectively. The polydispersity indexes measured at 0.15±0.01 and 0.16±0.01 indicate a low grade of polydispersity. The 0.25% NE showed significant contact toxicity on T. absoluta eggs, with a maximum egg hatching inhibition of 85.7% 11 days post-treatment. The highest larvicidal effect was observed in translaminar toxicity tests, with complete mortality after 24 h. The NE did not achieve significant oviposition deterrence. Overall, the tested NE showed promising effectiveness as ovicide and larvicide on T. absoluta , highlighting the need of further research shedding light on its modes of action, as well as to evaluate lethal and sublethal effects on tomato biological control agents and pollinators.
Nanoemulsions are increasingly used in the food industry for the encapsulation of lipophilic compounds such as nutraceuticals, flavors, vitamins, antioxidants, and colors. The advantages of nanoemulsion-based encapsulation include increased bioavailability, higher solubility, control release, protection from chemical degradation, and incorporation of different ingredients into food products. Food industries are interested in the preparation of natural polymer-based nanoemulsions to prepare clean label products. A variety of polymers such as soya lecithin, WPI, GA, and modified starches have been used to fabricate nanoemulsion-based delivery systems for nutraceuticals and micronutrients. Hence, nanoemulsion-fortified food products have received great attention due to consumer demand for safer and healthier food products. Additionally, nanoemulsions can be used for the texture modification of food products and encapsulation as well as delivery of antimicrobial agents. The main challenge for the preparation of nanoemulsions is the selection of appropriate ingredients.
The ever-increasing demand for healthy diet by consumers has prompted the research adopting cutting-edgemethods that can maintain the quality of fruits and vegetables without the use of preservatives. Emulsionbased coating approach has been regarded as a viable way to extend the shelf life of fresh produce. New op-portunities are being created in a number of industries, (medicines, cosmetics and food) because of new ad-vancements in the developing field of nanoemulsions. Nanoemulsion based methods are efficient forencapsulating the active ingredients including antioxidants, lipids, vitamins and antimicrobial agents owing tothe small droplet size, stability and improved biological activity. This review provides an overview of recentdevelopments in preserving the quality and safety of fresh-cut fruits & vegetables with nanoemulsion as a carrierof functional compounds (antimicrobial agents, antibrowning/antioxidants and texture enhancers). In addition,material and methods used for fabrication of the nanoemulsion is also described in this review. In addition,material and methods used for fabrication, of the nanoemulsion is also present.
Background
The actively mutating properties of disease-causing pathogens and GI intolerance associated with certain antibiotics among other challenges necessitated the adoption of colloidal system for drug delivery. Nanoemulsions (Ciprofloxacin (Cp) -loaded and non-drug loaded) were prepared by spontaneous emulsification method, characterized using Cryo-TEM, FTIR and Zetasizer. Antimicrobial activities were carried out using agar well diffusion method on Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus subtilis . The in-vitro and dermal toxicological assessment were carried out using adult Wistar rats.
Results
The Cryo-TEM micrographs showed spherical morphology while zetasizer results showed polydispersity index (PDI), mean droplet size and zeta potential (ZP) of 0.553, 124.3 ± 0.29 nm and − 15.3 mV respectively for non-drug loaded sesame oil-based emulsion (SOAB). While 0.295, 244.8 ± 0.33 nm and − 5.54 mV were recorded for Cp-loaded sesame oil-based emulsion (SOAB + Cp). The effective voltage charge of the emulsions was 147.4 V. FTIR results of Cp recorded O–H adsorption value of 3429 cm ⁻¹ , while SOAB and SOAB + Cp showed superimposition at 3427.76 cm ⁻¹ showing no drug-excipient interactions. No skin irritation was observed after 14 days of skin corrosion assessment. No significant difference ( p > 0.05) in body weight gain of both test and control animals, the treatment did not cause any observable alterations in blood-chemistry parameters and hematological indices. Photomicrographs of liver and heart shows an uncompromised histological architecture.
Conclusion
The finding of the study shows a skin friendly, nanosized, spherical negatively charged emulsion with no cardiotoxic, hematotoxic and hepatotoxic effects on Wistar rats, and as such appears promising as a safe vehicle for drug delivery.
Graphical Abstract
The review concerns with the nonceramics and its consequences towards the environment. In modern era, the nanotechnology plays an important role in the society as nanomaterials have properties like low cost, improved mechanical properties and thermal stability, fire resistance, nano porous structure due to their exceptionally high surface area etc. The study has been organized defining nanoceramics briefly with synthesis methods, applications, and environmental implications. Nanoceramics have now a days become a perfect candidate for applications that require high temperature, high chemical resistivity, oxidation resistance, and high thermal conductivity; however, these applications are restricted by the characteristic breakable nature of ceramics. In this review, important classes of nanoceramics and how they can be obtained has been depicted. Several applications such as, industrial, biomedical and health care and environmental are considered in this review. Later, effects on water, emissions to air, and soil quality impacts through disposal of the wastes from the manufacturing process and after disposal to the environment are also discussed widely.
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the most commonly used nanomaterials in the world. Additive E171, which is used in the food industry, contains a nanometric particle fraction of TiO2. Oral exposure of humans to these nanoparticles (NPs) is intensive, leading to the question of their impact on health. Daily oral intake by rats of amounts of E171 that are relevant to human intake has been associated with an increased risk of chronic intestinal inflammation and carcinogenesis. Due to their food preferences, children are very exposed to this NP. Furthermore, maternal-foetal transfer of TiO2 NPs during pregnancy, as well as exposure of the offspring by breastfeeding, have been recently described. In France, the use of E171 in the production of foodstuffs was suspended in January 2020 as a precautionary measure. To provide some answers to this public health problem and help global regulatory agencies finalize their decisions, we reviewed in vitro and in vivo studies that address the effects of TiO2 NPs through oral exposure, especially their effects on the gastrointestinal tract, one of the most exposed tissues. Our review also highlights the effects of exposure on the offspring during pregnancy and by breastfeeding.
A poly(N,N'-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAC) precursor is chain-extended via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) aqueous dispersion polymerization of diacetone acrylamide (PDAAM) to produce PDMAC77-PDAAM40 spherical nanoparticles. Post-polymerization core-crosslinking of such nanoparticles was performed at 20 °C, and the resulting covalently stabilized nanoparticles survive exposure to methanol. The linear and core-crosslinked nanoparticles were subjected to high-shear homogenization in turn in the presence of n-dodecane to form macroemulsions. Subsequent processing of these macroemulsions via high-pressure microfluidization produced nanoemulsions. When using the core crosslinked nanoparticles, the droplet diameter was strongly dependent on the copolymer concentration. This indicates that such nanoparticles remain intact under the processing conditions, leading to formation of genuine Pickering nanoemulsions with a z-average diameter of 244 ± 60 nm. In contrast, the linear nanoparticles undergo disassembly to afford molecularly dissolved diblock copolymer chains, which stabilize oil droplets of 170 ± 59 nm diameter. The long-term stability of these two types of n-dodecane-in-water nanoemulsions with respect to Ostwald ripening was examined using analytical centrifugation. When prepared at the same copolymer concentration, Pickering nanoemulsions stabilized by core-crosslinked nanoparticles proved to be significantly more stable than the nanoemulsion stabilized by the amphiphilic PDMAC77-PDAAM40 chains. Moreover, higher copolymer concentrations led to a significantly faster rate of droplet growth. This is attributed to excess copolymer facilitating the diffusion of n-dodecane through the aqueous phase. Finally, analytical centrifugation is used to assess the long-term stability of the analogous squalane-in-water nanoemulsions. These systems are much more stable than the corresponding n-dodecane-in-water nanoemulsions, regardless of whether the copolymer is adsorbed as sterically stabilized nanoparticles or surface-active chains.
Intranasally administered non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) offer an innovative opportunity in the field of pain management. Combination of the nasal physiological advantages such as the rich vascularization and large absorption area along with novel nanomedical formulations can fulfil all the necessary criteria of an advanced drug delivery system. Nanoemulsions represent a versatile formulation approach suitable for nasal drug delivery by increasing the absorption and the bioavailability of many drugs for systemic and nose-to-brain delivery due to their stability, small droplet size and optimal solubilization properties. In this study we aimed to develop meloxicam (MX)-loaded mucoadhesive nanoemulsions and to investigate the nasal applicability of the optimized formulations. Our results indicated the optimized nanoemulsion formulation (MX-NE3) had a droplet size of 158.5 nm in monodisperse droplet size distribution (polydispersity index of 0.211). The surface charge was −11.2 mV, which helped with the colloidal stability upon dilution at simulated nasal conditions and storage. The high encapsulation efficiency (79.2%) mediated a 15-fold drug release and a 3-fold permeability increase at nasal conditions compared to the initial MX. Proper wetting properties associated with high mucoadhesion prosper the increased residence time on the surface of the nasal mucosa. No cytotoxic effect of the formulations was observed on NIH/3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast cell lines, which supports the safe nasal applicability.
Bio-based nanoemulsions are part of green pest management for sustainable agriculture. This study assessed the physicochemical properties and the herbicidal activities of the peppermint essential oil nanoemulsions (PNs) in concentrations 1.0–10% stabilized by Eco-Polysorbate 80 on germinating seeds and young plants of maize and barnyard grass. Based on the design of experiment (DOE) results, the final nanoemulsion formulations were obtained with 1, 1.5, 2, and 5% of essential oil concentration. Biological analyses were conducted to select the most promising sample for selective control of barnyard grass in maize. Seedlings growing in the presence of PNs displayed an overall inhibition of metabolism, as expressed by the calorimetric analyses, which could result from significant differences in both content and composition of carbohydrates. Concentration–response sub estimation showed that leaf-sprayed concentration of PN causing 10% of maize damage is equal to 2.2%, whereas doses causing 50% and 90% of barnyard grass damage are 1.1% and 1.7%, respectively. Plants sprayed with PN at 5% or 10% concentration caused significant drops in relative water content in leaves and Chlorophyll a fluorescence 72 h after spraying. In summary, peppermint nanoemulsion with Eco-Polysorbate 80 at 2% concentration is a perspective preparation for selective control of barnyard grass in maize. It should be analyzed further in controlled and field conditions.
Nanoemulsions have attracted attention in delivery of therapeutically active agents since most of the new chemical entities are hydrophobic in nature and the delivery of poor water soluble drugs is a challenge. This study was carried out to adopt nanoemulsion as a means of entrapping ciprofloxacin in the oil phase of the emulsion for transdermal drug delivery. Nanoemulsions were formulated as oil in water (O/W) type and prepared by self-mild mechanical nanoemulsification method. The formulation consisted of Sandbox (Huracrepitan) and Sesame seed (Sesamumindicum) as the organic phase of the emulsion, Polyethylene (20) sorbitanmonooleate (Tween 80) and Polyethylene (20) sorbitanmonolaurate (Tween 20) as the surfactants and Polyehtylene glycol (PEG 400) as co-surfactant. The formulations were tested and characterized. Ciprofloxacin (0.075 g) was incorporated into the oil phase of the most stable nanoemulsion formulation prior emulsification and tested on Escherichia coli. Transdermal application was done on male Wister rats (R) followed by biopsification. The result showed the zones of inhibition of HCa3+Ciprofloxacin (Ciprofloxacin-loaded, Huracrpitan oil based nanoemulsion) and SSA3+Ciprofloxacin (Ciprofloxacin-loaded, Sesame oil based nanoemulsion) to be 26.00 and 25.00 mm respectively. The HPLC results showed that, out of 75000 µg of ciprofloxacin loaded in the oil phases of HCa3 and SSA3 formulations, 6.0076 (R2), 0.4112 (R3) and 6.7241 µg (R6) were absorbed in HCa3 while 1.9519 (R1), 1.2631 (R4) and 2.1801 µg (R5) were absorbed in SSA3. The SEM images revealed an encapsulation with globule size diameter of 94 and 63 nm respectively. The findings of this work showed that sandbox and Sesame seedoil based nanoemulsions are effective for transdermal drug delivery. 8 Bamisaye O. A., et al. CJPL (2017) 5(2) 8-19
The search for the plant origin bioactive compounds is increasing over animal origin compounds. Echium oil (EO) contains high amounts of plant based omega-3 fatty acids. Moreover, curcumin addition may increase the release of these omega-3 fatty acids during digestion. The study's objective is to determine the bioaccessibility of curcumin in simulated intestinal digestion conditions and the release behavior of fatty acids of echium oil from nanoemulsions. We prepared curcumin and EO nanoemulsions with a microfluidizer using two different concentrations of surfactant, Tween 80 (5% and 10%). Emulsion stability tests, antioxidant analysis, in vitro oil release and fatty acid composition assays were conducted. Results showed that curcumin-containing nanoemulsions provide higher radical scavenging activity than the EO nanoemulsions. In addition, in vitro bioaccessibility of curcumin after in vitro simulated intestinal digestion was calculated as 35.5%. Gas chromatography results of the digested nanoemulsions revealed that curcumin addition decreases oleic acid release while increasing stearidonic acid (SDA) release.
The challenges associated with effective drug delivery necessitates the development and adoption of modern approach. This research aims to improve the bio-potency of ofloxacin (OF) against drug resistant strains of microorganism using nanoemulsion. The emulsification was achieved by mechano-chemical process. The morphological characterization of emulsion was carried out using Cryogenic-TEM (Cryo-TEM). The electro-kinetic properties and emulsion size was done using Zetasizer and Photon Correlation Photo-spectrometer (PCS). Drug-emulsion interaction study using FTIR. The antimicrobial studies of Ofloxacin (OF), non-drug loaded emulsion (COAB), drug-loaded emulsion (COAB+OF) was carried out on P. aeruginosa and pharmacokinetics were established using HPLC. Cryo-TEM micrograph showed spherical morphology with mean particle size of 166.8 and 177.5 nm for COAB and COAB+OF respectively. While PCS and Zetasizer recorded a mean value of 0.156 and-26.1 mV for COAB and 0.341, and-2.72 mV for COAB+OF respectively. This shows that the colloids are nano-sized, charged and metastable. FTIR results shows O-H absorption at 3570-3200 cm-1 , likewise CH3 and CH2 at 3050-2895 cm-1 for OF, COAB and COAB+OF respectively. This suggests encapsulation and wholeness with no drug-excipient interactions. The antimicrobial study shows COAB+OF to me more bio-potent that OF with zone of inhibition value of 12.8±0.3 mm compared to 8.0±0.2 mm in OF at 62.50 mg/ml. HPLC showed a maximum OF concentration (Cmax) of 2.27 µg/mL at 150 min which is the drug release maxima. This study showed that encapsulating ofloxacin in castor oil based nanoemulsion system improves its bio-potency.
Neem oil is a natural, bioactive plant extract obtained primarily from neem seeds. It has excellent antimicrobial, antioxidant, pesticidal and insecticidal properties rendering it an attractive alternative to synthetic chemicals in application of food preservation, packaging and storage. Neem oil and its components (e.g., azadirachtin) have been used in storage of food grains for many years. Photosensitivity, rapid degradation, and impact(s) on sensory qualities of food pose major challenges against applications in food preservation and packaging. Nanoemulsions of neem oil are gaining extensive research attention in various fields including food and agriculture sectors, as they are more stable, efficient, and possess improved functionalities. Neem oil or its nanoemulsion has also been used in chitosan, starch, or pectin based active packaging of foods including fruits and vegetables. Numerous studies have reported that careful use of neem oil and its components in food preservation, packaging, and coatings are for human health and also environment-friendly. The current review briefly insight the chemistry, functional properties of neem oil, advanced delivery system, nanoemulsion preparation techniques, various applications of neem oil and nanoemulsion for food preservation and packaging and also risk assessment on human health and environments along with current and future prospects.
Increasing market pressure to reduce the use of antibiotics and the Veterinary Feed Directive of 2019 have led to expanded research on alternate antibiotic solutions. This review aimed to assess the benefits of using essential oils (EOs) and their nanoemulsions (NEs) as feed supplements for poultry and their potential use as antibiotic alternatives in organic poultry production. Antibiotics are commonly used to enhance the growth and prevent diseases in poultry animals due to their antimicrobial activities. EOs are a complex mixture of volatile compounds derived from plants and manufactured via various fermentation, extraction, and steam distillation methods. EOs are categorized into two groups of compounds: terpenes and phenylpropenes. Differences among various EOs depend on the source plant type, physical and chemical soil conditions, harvest time, plant maturity, drying technology used, storage conditions, and extraction time. EOs can be used for therapeutic purposes in various situations in broiler production as they possess antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral activities. Several studies have been conducted using various combinations of EOs or crude extracts of their bioactive compounds to investigate their complexity and applications in organic poultry production. NEs are carrier systems that can be used to overcome the volatile nature of EOs, which is a major factor limiting their application. NEs are being progressively used to improve the bioavailability of the volatile lipophilic components of EOs. This review discusses the use of these non-antibiotic alternatives as antibiotics for poultry feed in organic poultry production.
The bacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is one of the most serious rice diseases, causing huge yield losses worldwide. Several technologies and approaches have been opted to reduce the damage; however, these have had limited success. Recently, scientists have been focusing their efforts on developing efficient and environmentally friendly nanobactericides for controlling bacterial diseases in rice fields. In the present study, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) were utilized to investigate the mode of actions of ginger EOs on the cell structure of Xoo. The ginger EOs caused the cells to grow abnormally, resulting in an irregular form with hollow layers, whereas the dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) treatment showed a typical rod shape for the Xoo cell. Ginger EOs restricted the growth and production of biofilms by reducing the number of biofilms generated as indicated by CLSM. Due to the instability, poor solubility, and durability of ginger EOs, a nanoemulsions approach was used, and a glasshouse trial was performed to assess their efficacy on BLB disease control. The in vitro antibacterial activity of the developed nanobactericides was promising at different concentration (50–125 µL/mL) tested. The efficacy was concentration-dependent. There was significant antibacterial activity recorded at higher concentrations. A glasshouse trial revealed that developed nanobactericides managed to suppress BLB disease severity effectively. Treatment at a concentration of 125 μL/mL was the best based on the suppression of disease severity index, AUDPC value, disease reduction (DR), and protection index (PI). Furthermore, findings on plant growth, physiological features, and yield parameters were significantly enhanced compared to the positive control treatment. In conclusion, the results indicated that ginger essential oils loaded-nanoemulsions are a promising alternative to synthetic antibiotics in suppressing Xoo growth, regulating the BLB disease, and enhancing rice yield under a glasshouse trial.
The present study involved in vivo evaluation of the growth promoting effects of thymol and thymol nanoemulsion and their protection against Salmonella Typhimurium infection in broilers. One-day old 2400 chicks were randomly divided into eight groups; negative and positive control groups fed basal diet without additives and thymol and thymol nanoemulsion groups (0.25, 0.5 and 1% each). At d 23, all chicks except negative control were challenged with S . Typhimurium. Over the total growing period, birds fed 1% thymol nanoemulsion showed better growth performance even after S . Typhimurium challenge, which came parallel with upregulation of digestive enzyme genes ( AMY2A , PNLIP and CCK ). Additionally, higher levels of thymol nanoemulsion upregulated the expression of MUC -2, FABP 2, IL-10 , IgA and tight junction proteins genes and downregulated IL-2 and IL-6 genes expression. Moreover, 1% thymol nanoemulsion, and to lesser extent 0.5% thymol nanoemulsion and 1% thymol, corrected the histological alterations of cecum and liver postinfection. Finally, supplementation of 1% thymol, 0.5 and 1% thymol nanoemulsion led to increased Lactobacilli counts and decreased S . Typhimurium populations and downregulated invA gene expression postinfection. This first report of supplying thymol nanoemulsion in broiler diets proved that 1% nano-thymol is a potential growth promoting and antibacterial agent.
Recently, plant secondary metabolites have been considered for developing new generation nematicides. Carlina acaulis L. (Asteraceae) contains an essential oil (EO) exhibiting significant insecticidal activity with limited impact on beneficial aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Herein, we report the development of a C. acaulis essential oil EO (CEO)-based nanoemulsion (CEONE) for managing the phytoparasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Initially, pure C. acaulis essential oil EO (CEO) was evaluated for its toxicity against second stage juveniles (J2) of M. incognita as well as for the interruption of the nematode biological cycle into the roots of artificially inoculated tomato plants. CEO was analysed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Therefore, CEONE was developed to ameliorate CEO efficacy, and physico-chemically characterized. GC-MS showed that the tested CEO was mainly composed by the polyacetylene carlina oxide (96%). CEO exhibited significant in vivo and in vitro activity against M. incognita. Of note, CEONE was more effective in controlling nematodes into tomato infested roots. Overall, the CEO could be practically exploited for a new class of nematicidal agents.
Hypothesis
Pickering emulsions (PEs) once formed are highly stable because of very high desorption energies (∼10⁷ kBT) associated with particles adsorbed to the interfaces. The destabilization of PEs is required in many instances for recovery of valuable chemicals, products and active compounds. We propose to exploit interfacial instabilities develop by the addition of different types of solutes to PEs as a route to engineer their destabilization.
Experiments
PEs stabilized by (i) spherical particles, (ii) non-spherical particles, (iii) oppositely charged particle-particle mixtures, and (iv) oppositely charged particle-polyelectrolyte mixtures are formulated. Different types of solutes are added to these highly stable PEs and the macroscopic as well as microscopic changes induced in the PEs is recorded by visual observation and bright field optical microscopy.
Findings
Our results point to a simple yet robust method to induce destabilization of PEs by transiently perturbing the oil-water interface by transport of a mutually soluble solute across the interface. The generality of the method is demonstrated for different kind of solutes and stabilizers including particles of different sizes (nm to µm), shapes (sphere, spheroids, spherocylinders) and types (polystyrene, metal oxides). The method works for both oil-in-water (o/w) and water-in-oil (w/o) PEs with different kinds of non-polar solvents as oil-phase. However, the method fails when the solute is insoluble in one of the phases of PEs. The study opens up a new approach to destabilization of particle stabilized emulsions.
In recent years, new concepts for food packaging based on composite materials have been developed to meet the demands of modern society, which involve the safety and quality of food products with a longer shelf life. Because of this, there is considerable interest in producing food-grade composite nanoemulsions. They are prepared by low- and high-energy methods and can be associated with encapsulation techniques. Also, they can be applied as films, coatings, beads, micro- and nanocapsules, multilayers, nanofibers, or a combination of these forms. Systemically stable nanoemulsions improve the dispersion and effect of active compounds in food and food-grade materials. This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive and concise analysis of the state of the art concerning the different designs of nanoemulsion-based systems applied to food packaging and their physicochemical interactions with food. Furthermore, this chapter includes information about the components and active properties of these materials.
In agriculture, crop losses have been regulated by using different conventional pesticides. But, the prolonged exposure of pesticides has raised various environmental and health hazards. Additionally, the low water solubility of these pesticides due to their strongly hydrophobic nature restricts their entry to target sites. Therefore, an ecofriendly substitute for these synthetic chemicals has to be derived that can overcome these shortcomings. There are a number of botanicals, including plant extracts and essential oils (EOs), that help in defend against various pests and diseases. Their raw form has been utilized to control crop losses caused by microbial infection. However, their efficiency has been mainly confined to the laboratory or greenhouse due to the degradation and volatilization of their active substances under field conditions. In light of this, developing nanoemulsions (NEs) of EOs or plant extracts can be a great way to increase their smart delivery. This will maintain their long-lasting availability to the plant, resulting in a reduced dosage with enhanced efficacy. In this chapter, we have focused on various available methods for the preparation of plant extract or EO nanoemulsions, their mechanisms of action, and their role in integrated pest management for sustainable agriculture.
Cymbopogon martinii is an aromatic crop cultivated for the production of its essential oil (EO) which has different applications. Bearing in mind that C. martinii EO (CMEO) has already been proved for high antibacterial potential the aim of this study was to formulate stable CMEO nanoemulsions, being capable to combat Enterococcus faecalis biofilm, especially within infected tooth’s root canal. Ten emulsions with variable CMEO content (2.5–10 % v/v) and Tween 80 (T80, 2.5–15 % v/v) were formulated (designated as ECMEO:T80) and screened for volume-weighted mean diameter (D4,3) and stability, using dynamic light scattering measurements. Chemical composition of stable nanoemulsions was monitored by UV–VIS and FTIR, while their antibacterial activity was estimated in microdilution assay. Antibiofilm properties of selected nanoemulsions were tested in vitro (cristal violet assay) and ex vivo (within root canals of the extracted teeth). Results showed that formulations containing 10 % of T80 and CMEO volume ≤ 6 %, as well as those having constant 2.5 % of CMEO and variable T80 volume (≤ 10%), namely E2.5:2.5, E2.5:5, E2.5:7.5, E2.5:10, E4:10, and E6:10, were stable and nanosized (D4,3 <100 nm). FTIR and UV–VIS analyses confirmed successful encapsulation of the CMEO by T80 and showed that nanoemulsification did not affect CMEO composition. Evaluation of antibacterial potential showed that the most efficient were E6:10, E2.5:2.5 and E4:10 (MIC values 0.37–1.97 mg mL⁻¹). Analysis of dependency of determined MICs on mean diameter and CMEO volume showed that antibacterial potential increased with both parameters. E6:10, E2.5:2.5 and E4:10 also reduced in vitro biofilm (inhibitory range 17.6–58.4 %), as well as intracanal biofilm (reduction ~2Log CFU). Presented results suggest E6:10, E4:10 and E2.5:2.5 as the good candidates for further research.
The aim of the present study was the selection of an appropriate system for the delivery of bioactive compounds from oregano essential oil and extracts and their incorporation in two whey cheeses. For this purpose, oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions were prepared by ultrasonication as delivery systems. The droplet size distribution and the microstructure of the nanoemulsions were analyzed using laser diffraction analysis and confocal laser scanning microscopy, respectively. In addition, the antifungal activity of nanoemulsions was assessed against Penicillium expansum both in vitro and in whey cheese. The results showed that the combination of oregano essential oil and extracts produced nanoemulsions with potent antioxidant and antifungal activity against P. expansum in vitro. In addition, the nanoemulsions presented antifungal activity against P. expansum after application in whey cheese and, in some cases, extension of whey cheese shelf life was reported. The sensory analysis showed that nanoemulsions of oregano affected the organoleptic profile of both types of whey cheese.
Nanoemulsions are a colloidal particulate system that offer unique potential for therapy and imaging of disease. Due to their physical and chemical properties, they have gained attention in the field of cancer therapy and imaging. A wide variety of hydrophilic and hydrophobic therapeutic agents can be loaded in the shell and core of particles, while at the same time being able to carry different site-specific antibodies/ligands/peptides for targeting specific types of cancer. Due to significant advancements in cancer theranostics provided by nanoemulsions, this review aims to highlight important types of nanoemulsions that have been developed for cancer therapy and imaging (i.e., theranostics). The different types of synthesis methods and techniques for controlling the size, shape, and structure of emulsions for cancer targeting (i.e., passive and active) will be discussed, with the bioimaging (e.g., through their optical/magnetic/radioactive properties) and therapeutic applications of nanoemulsions emphasized.
Oil-in-water emulsions containing curcumin with different droplet sizes were produced by premix membrane emulsification with different carrier oils: tributyrin (short chain triglycerides, SCT), medium chain triglycerides (MCT) and corn oil (long chain triglycerides, LCT). The influence of carrier oil type and droplet size on the physical stability, chemical stability of curcumin and lipid oxidation stability of emulsions were investigated. Turbiscan results indicated that the physical stability of emulsions was related to both carrier oils and emulsion droplet sizes. The oil type and droplet size of emulsions stored at 25 °C showed limited effect on the stability of curcumin, but significantly affected the stability of curcumin at 55 °C. Chemical stability of curcumin decreased with the decrease of emulsion droplet sizes. For each droplet size emulsions, the stability of curcumin decreased in the order SCT > MCT > LCT. Moreover, the lipid oxidation in LCT-based emulsions resulted in lower zeta potential of droplets, which was independent of emulsion droplet sizes. The presence of curcumin improved the oxidative stability of emulsions.
Multiple w/o/w emulsions (MEs) are promising systems for protecting fragile hydrophilic drugs and controlling their release. We explore the capacity of a single pH-sensitive copolymer, PDMS60-b-PDMAEMA50, and salts, to form and stabilize MEs loaded with sucrose or catechin by a one-step mechanical process or a microfluidic method. ME cytotoxicity was evaluated in various conditions of pH. Using the mechanical process, the most stable emulsions were obtained with Miglyol®812N and isopropyl myristate in a final pH range of 8-12 and [0.3 M-1 M] NaCl concentrations. Conversely, with the microfluidic method, isopropyl myristate at pH 3 without salt was more efficient. Catechin strongly affected the formation of droplets by the mechanical process but did not modify the conditions of stability of MEs obtained by the microfluidic method. The antioxidant power of catechin was preserved in the inner droplets, even in emulsions prepared by the mechanical method at pH 8. An incomplete release of sucrose and catechin from the emulsions was observed and attributed to the interaction of molecules with the copolymer through hydrogen bonding. This study highlights some of the barriers to break to formulate multiple emulsions stabilized by a PDMS-b-PDMAEMA copolymer or other polymers which can form hydrogen bonds interaction with encapsulated drugs.
Considering the possible unfavorable consequences generated from the use of synthetic compounds, the market demand for botanical and biobased materials is growing day by day. In the matter of eco-friendly plant protection, plant-derived substances (botanicals) undoubtedly play a vital role. Essential oil (EO) is one of them which is being well utilized nowadays in integrated pest management (IPM) approaches. EOs are plant-secreted aromatic volatile secondary metabolites having great potential in managing pests (insects, mites, nematodes, etc.) and pathogens (fungi, bacteria, viruses, etc.). Chemically, these are complex blends of low molecular weight ingredients, such as terpenoids, carbonyl compounds, alcohols and phenolics, and aliphatic compounds. The multiple modes of action of individual constituents and synergistic actions among them have built EO as an excellent weapon in the plant protection arsenal. These are biocompatible, fast penetrant, and known to leave low to almost nil toxic residues in treated products. However, their volatility, water insolubility, and chemical instability in the presence of varied environmental factors are the prime concerns regarding their effective utilization that ultimately leads to the generation of new formulation technologies. Emulsion-based formulations containing EOs tailored via nanotechnological interventions such as nanoemulsion (NE) can play a crucial role in minimizing these problems associated with their applications. These NEs are found to be more potent than their bulk counterparts (EOs and their simple emulsions) in terms of stability, volatility, and water miscibility. This chapter elucidates the multifarious aspects regarding the development of NE formulations and their evaluation as crop protection agents.
Nanocarriers have played a very vital role in all facets of life, such as in agriculture, health science, medicine, and food. Nanoemulsion is one of the most widely used nanocarriers, especially in the food industry. Nanoemulsion is a biphasic heterogeneous, thermodynamically unstable, kinetically stable, transparent, colloidal system with droplet size ranging from 20 to 200 nm. It consists of oil, aqueous, surfactant, and cosurfactant. Nanoemulsion is used in food science widely due to its compositional flexibility, and they also significantly contribute to the texture, rheology, organoleptic properties of food systems. Technological advancement and research in the field of food packaging and processing have prolonged its range from micronized to nanosized particles. Nowadays, food nanotechnology is materializing with various innovative techniques in food packaging and nutraceuticals. The large-scale application of nanoemulsions in food processing is also due to their very small size, thermodynamic Stability, transparency, continuous self-assembly with hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions, and weak light wave scattering capacity.
This study aimed to develop an anthelmintic that leaves no residues and is safe and efficient for use in cows. We constructed classical pseudoternary phase diagrams using experimental animal data to optimize and characterize the eprinomectin nanoemulsion formulas. The emulsion samples prepared with ethyl acetate, polysorbate 80, and 1-propanediol as the main components were transparent and uniform when observed under a Hitachi transmission electron microscope (TEM) system. A Mastersizer 3000 laser particle size analyzer was used to determine the particle sizes of the prepared nanoemulsions. The nanoemulsions were homogeneously dispersed, with an average particle size of 12.61 nm and a polydispersity index of (PDI) 0.297. High-performance liquid chromatography confirmed no statistically significant changes in the samples after 24 months at 4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C; the samples exhibited long-term stability. The PK/PD studies confirmed that the injection of eprinomectin nanoemulsions at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg body weight was effective, with a withdrawal period of 0 days for dairy cows. The total extermination rate of the nanoemulsions against adult nematodes was 98.40±1.52%. The AUC milk/plasma ratio was 0.67±0.03. The optimal dose was found to be 0.2 mg/kg body weight.
a r t i c l e i n f o Applications of nanotechnology in various spheres have increased manifold as it offers solutions to unsolved problems with higher effectiveness. Nanoemulsions are one such system that is widely studied and have a very promising potential in solving various issues such as those encountered in the delivery of drugs, pesticides, or any other biologically potent substance. Apart from this, nanoemulsions have wide applications in the field of food, cosmetics, skincare, and agriculture. In this review, we have discussed and compared the methods of nanoemulsion preparation and various methods of synthesis, along with a few major applications in various fields of science and technology. We sincerely hope that this review will help to understand the different aspects of nanoemulsions and help us to explore their potent applications in various fields.
Most developing nations' economies are built on agriculture and most of their citizens rely on it for survival. Global agricultural systems are experiencing tough and unprecedented challenges in the age of changing climate. Every year, the world's population grows, necessitating increased agrarian productivity. As a result, there has been a movement toward utilizing emerging technologies, such as nanotechnology. Nanotechnology with plant systems has inspired great interest in the current scenario in developing areas that come under the umbrella of agriculture and develop environmental remediation strategies. Plant-mediated synthesized nanoparticle (NPs) are eco-friendly, less time consuming, less expensive, and provide long-term product safety. Simultaneously, it provides tools that have the potentiality as "magic bullets" containing nutrients, fungicides, fertilizers, herbicides, or nucleic acids that target specific plant tissues and deliver their payload to the targeting location of the plant to achieve the intended results for environmental monitoring and pollution resistance. In this perspective, the classification and biological activities of different NPs on agroecosystem are focused. Furthermore, absorption, transport, and modification of NPs in plants were thoroughly examined. Some of the most promising new technologies e.g., nanotechnology to increase crop agricultural input efficiency and reduce biotic and abiotic stresses are also discussed. Potential development and implementation challenges were explored, highlighting the importance of using a systems approach when creating suggested nanotechnologies.
The angular leaf spot is the main bacteriosis in the strawberry crop and the genetic and chemical control measures do not have uniform responses for disease management. Aloe polysaccharides and essential oils nanoemulsions are potential inducers of resistance against Xanthomonas fragariae. In the current study, the effect of these products was evaluated on the disease severity, on the accumulation of phenolic by fluorescence microscopy, in the lignin formation by spectrophotometry, and in the leaf gas exchange by infrared gas analyzer in Albion and San Andreas cultivars. In both cultivars there was significant disease control promoted by the products, with reduction higher than 96% compared to control. In the moderately susceptible cultivar, San Andreas, the application of aloe polysaccharides or emulsions promoted the accumulation of phenolic compounds and lignin in the plants after their inoculation with X. fragariae. In the Albion cultivar, highly susceptible, bacterial inoculation caused stomata opening, inferred by increases in stomata conductance, and transpiration rate. These processes were reversed in plants previously treated with nanoemulsion containing palm oil. Our study suggests that the strawberries cultivars respond differently to the elicitors, where phenolic metabolism and stomata closure play an important role in defense responses of San Andreas and Albion against X. fragariae, respectively.
Considering the well-being cognizance of masses, the microgreens have emerged as the potential therapeutic functional foods for improving the overall health by dietary supplementation. Microgreens have delicate texture, distinctive flavors and exceptional volume of various nutrients accounting for higher neutraceutical benefits compared to their mature counterparts. Mounting interest in microgreens owes not only to their nutritional significance but also to their fascinating organoleptic traits. Many factors like rapid shrinkage of the land resources, lifestyle modification, healthy diet habits, the functional importance of food etc. cumulatively have resulted in increased interest in the microscale production of vegetables for the ready-to-eat market. Augmenting the production of secondary metabolites could provide more nutritional benefits, sensory attributes, and resistance to pests while, sharing many characteristics with sprouts, they are not associated with any foodborne illness. Their production by manipulation of agronomic practices like seeds, growing media, and light quality and biofortification with nutrients may result in nutrient-rich produce. These high-value crops typically characterized by short postharvest life and several pre a-harvest treatments can effectively maintain the shelf life of microgreens. Further, several genetic improvement tools can enhance the availability of bioactive compounds with minimum antinutritional factors. In this review, the comparative overview of the nutritional significance of microgreens with sprouts and their mature counterparts has been discussed. Further, the advances or manipulations in production technologies, the involvement of breeding programmes, and efficient post-harvest technologies to promote cost-effective production and future strategies for maintaining the shelf life and quality of microgreens have been argued.
Nanoemulsions are being increasingly utilized in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food industries. They have gained special attention in the cosmetic sector owing to their smaller size and higher kinetic stability and their ability to improve the cutaneous penetration of active ingredients. In addition, they reduce transepidermal water loss, which augments the skin’s barrier function. In recent years, the increased awareness among consumers about the health-linked benefits of natural ingredients in cosmetics has urged finding green cosmetic ingredients that are benign to the skin. One of the natural motivations for this quest is finding suitable emulsifier candidates with negligible side effects that are sourced from plants or microbes, which can serve as viable replacements to the erstwhile used synthetic surfactants. Formulating a stable nanoemulsion system for cosmetic application entails a systematic understanding of important attributes of the surfactant candidate such as critical micelle concentration, hydrophilic lipophilic balance, critical packing parameter, and Winsor ratio that are pivotal to the overall performance of the emulsion system. The current review attempts to portray the salient features of nanoemulsion systems in cosmetic formulations, by essentially capturing the important characteristics of the emulsifier that dictate the overall stability of a nanoemulsion system. The recent transition toward the use of green ingredients such as emulsifiers and oils that are dermatologically safe has been delineated, by highlighting
their important properties. Furthermore, the progress made so far in the application of microbial biosurfactants in nanoemulsion formulations is presented. Finally, the factors that dictate the overall stability of the nanoemulsion are briefly reviewed.
The escalating prevalence of cancer, a condition in which uncontrolled cell growth leads to complications and tissue failure, is one of the major concerns of healthcare professionals. The incompetence of the cytotoxic class of drugs to distinguish between the abnormally proliferating malignant cell mass and the quickly dividing healthy cells of the human body is one of their most catchy adverse effects. The increasing incidences of tumor cells resistant to conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy emphasize the critical need for anticancer drug delivery modalities. Among the devised nanocarriers, nanoemulsions are currently being envisaged as an effective drug delivery approach for an array of chemotherapeutics because of their unique attributes such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, nanometric size range with large surface area, optical clarity, non-immunogenicity, sustained-release behavior, ease of formulation and thermodynamic stability. As nanoemulsions are submicron emulsions with droplet sizes in the colloidal dispersion range, they have the added benefit of bypassing the anatomical and physiological constraints for drug delivery in the complex architecture of cancerous cells. Surface modification of nanoemulsions with targeting ligands, cell-penetrating components, stimuli-sensitive moieties, and fluorescent dye with a core capable of entrapping drugs, contrast agents, and imaging agents make it a smart nanocarrier and an apt choice among researchers from various domains to research upon. This review aims to furnish new insight on the application of nanoemulsions in cancer therapeutics. It also presents a list of challenges associated with the clinical translation of a nanoformulation.
Nanoemulsions are increasingly used in the food industry for the encapsulation of lipophilic compounds such as nutraceuticals, flavors, vitamins, antioxidants, and colors. The advantages of nanoemulsion-based encapsulation include increased bioavailability, higher solubility, control release, protection from chemical degradation, and incorporation of different ingredients into food products. Food industries are interested in the preparation of natural polymer-based nanoemulsions to prepare clean label products. A variety of polymers such as soya lecithin, WPI, GA, and modified starches have been used to fabricate nanoemulsion-based delivery systems for nutraceuticals and micronutrients. Hence, nanoemulsion-fortified food products have received great attention due to consumer demand for safer and healthier food products. Additionally, nanoemulsions can be used for the texture modification of food products and encapsulation as well as delivery of antimicrobial agents. The main challenge for the preparation of nanoemulsions is the selection of appropriate ingredients.
Nanoemulsions stabilized by surfactant have a high application potential in enhancing oil recovery in ultra-low permeability reservoirs. In this work, a new nanoemulsion flooding system were prepared by microemulsion dilution method using D-limonene, non-ionic surfactant fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AEO), anionic surfactant Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), n-amyl alcohol and NaCl solution. The displacement performances of nanoemulsions were evaluated by spontaneous imbibition and displacement experiments, and the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) mechanisms were studied by Zetasizer Nano Z instrument, interfacial tensiometer, and contact angle meter. The results showed that the nanoemulsion system with optimal mass fraction (0.30 wt%) could get an additional oil recovery of 20.32% and reduce the injection pressure by 10.62%. Besides, the spontaneous imbibition recovery could reach 51.39%, which was 10.04% higher than that of SDS+AEO. The greater EOR effects of the nanoemulsion system can attribute to three perspectives. Firstly, nanoemulsions with particle sizes ranging from 80 nm to 100 nm make it possible to enter small pore throats of ultra-low permeability reservoirs to start-up crude oil without increasing insert pressure. Secondly, the nanoemulsion system exhibits ultra-low IFT (less than 1×10⁻²mN/m) and can change the core surface from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, which could roll up the crude oil and separate them from the rock surface. Finally, the dissolving effect of the oil phase can disperse crude oil to enhance the solubilization effect of the micelles and extract more crude oil. The findings of this study can help for better understanding of the application of nanoemulsions to enhance oil recovery in ultra-low permeability reservoirs.
Nanoemulsions are the transparent or translucent type of emulsion having droplet sizes ranging from 20 to 500 nm. The stability and application of nanoemulsions depend on the droplet and physicochemical characteristics. The droplet characteristics are studied through the droplet size, droplet composition, droplet concentration, zeta potential, polydispersity, and interfacial tension. The physicochemical properties are studied by their optical property, rheological property, gravitational separation, droplet aggregation, Ostwald ripening, and chemical stability. The emulsifiers and surfactants aid in the emulsification process and are selected according to the requirements of emulsification methods and expected nanoemulsion quality. The methods used for nanoemulsion preparation can be broadly classified into high-energy and low-energy methods. The high-energy methods include high-pressure valve homogenization, high-pressure microfluidic homogenization, ultrasonic homogenization, and rotor-stator homogenization. Similarly, the low energy methods are phase inversion temperature, phase inversion composition, spontaneous emulsification, membrane emulsion, and solvent displacement/solvent evaporation method. The high-energy methods are rapid in comparison to low-energy methods and can handle a large volume of liquid. The low energy methods provide better control over droplet size. Nanoemulsions have broad applications in the food industry such as in the quality enhancement and shelf-life improvement of bakery products, dairy products, meat products, fruit and vegetable products, and also in probiotics and nutraceuticals.
Background
Nanoemulsions (NEs) have been explored as nanocarriers for the delivery of many drugs and cosmeceuticals. The extraordinary expansion of using NEs is due to their capability to conquer the main challenges of conventional delivery systems such as short residence time with low patient acceptance, poor stability, low aqueous solubility, permeability, and hence bioavailability.
Methods
This review recapitulated the most recent pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications of NEs as effective delivery nanocarriers. The outputs of our research studies and the literature review on the latest NEs applications were assessed to highlight the NEs components, preparations, applications, and the improved quality and elegance of the used product.
Results
NEs are stable submicronic translucent dispersions with narrow droplet size distribution. They exhibited excellent ability to efficiently encapsulate therapeutics of diverse nature of drugs and cosmeceuticals. NE formulations showed superiority over conventional delivery approaches with overabundances of advantages through different routes of administration. This novel technology exhibited better aesthetic appeal, higher bioavailability, and a longer duration compared to the conventional delivery systems.
Conclusion
This novel technology holds promise for different therapeutics fields. However, the success of NEs use advocated the development of robust formulations, proper choice of equipment, ample process characterization, and assurance of their efficacy, stability, safety and cosmetic appeal.
Oily wastewater not only causes major environmental issues, but also threatens human health. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are an attractively alternative commercial demulsifiers for their recyclability and high surface area. The wettability and surface charge of magnetic materials are significant factors in oily wastewater treatment. However, the specific influence of surface charge on the demulsification performance has not been rigorously investigated. Herein, a series of MNPs coated by dimethyl-diallyl-ammonium chloride (PDDA) and fulvic acid (FA) (Fe3O4/FA/PDDA) with different surface positive charges were synthesized by adjusting the PDDA concentrations and applied in demulsification of hexadecane-water micro-emulsion. The oil-water separation efficiency (Es) was enhanced gradually with increasing the surface positive charge of demulsifiers. Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory confirmed that with increasing surface positive potential, the electrostatic attraction between demulsifiers and oil droplets increased, and thus, Es increased. In addition, the superior Es of Fe3O4/FA MNPs for hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)-stabilized micro-emulsions and Fe3O4/FA/PDDA MNPs for sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-stabilized micro-emulsions further confirmed that electrostatic force was critical in demulsification. The high positively charged Fe3O4/FA/PDDA MNPs can be used as an efficient and recyclable demulsifier for hexadecane-water micro-emulsion. This study provides a theoretical basis for designing demulsifiers.
The interest in utilizing nanoemulsions in a number of industrial applications is growing rapidly because of their superiority over conventional emulsions. Therefore, we present in this study the formulation of highly stable crude oil-in-water nanoemulsions with different salinity (i.e., NaCl) levels. Despite the observed extreme emulsion stability, zeta potential of the nanoemulsions decreased with increasing the salt concentration as a result of the charge screening effect induced by NaCl addition. Charge screening effect and, accordingly, the weakening of the electrostatic repulsion range and strength resulted in an increase in the average droplet size and also in a wider size distribution as the salinity level in the nanoemulsions increased. Additionally, the nanoemulsion viscosity also increased with increasing salt concentration, however, the increase was marginal (except at 20 g/L NaCl). One interesting and unprecedented observation reported herein is the change in the nanoemulsion flow behavior from shear-thinning to Newtonian and then shear-thickening as the applied shear rate increased. Nonetheless, at a salt concentration of 20 g/L NaCl, the shear-thickening behavior disappeared. Another important finding is that the presence of NaCl made the on-purpose destabilization of these stable nanoemulsions through the addition of NaOH or HCl (i.e., pH-alteration induced demulsification) more effective.
The direct incorporation of essential oils (EOs) into real food system faces numerous challenges due to high volatility, intense aroma, and instability. This research aimed to enhance the stability and bio-efficacy of Pimenta dioica essential oil (PDEO) through encapsulation in chitosan (CN) nanoemulsion. The nanoemulsion (CN-PDEO) was fabricated through ionic-gelation technique. CN-PDEO exhibited high nanoencapsulation efficiency (85.84%) and loading capacity (8.26%) with the particle size ranging between 18.53–70.56 nm. Bio-efficacy assessment results showed that CN-PDEO presented more effective antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activity against Aspergillus flavus (AF-LHP-VS8) at lower doses (1.6 and 1.0 µL/mL) than the pure PDEO (2.5 and 1.5 µL/mL, respectively, p < 0.05). Additionally, CN-PDEO preserved model food (maize) from aflatoxin B1 and lipid peroxidation without altering their sensory properties during storage with high safety profile (p < 0.05). Overall results concluded that CN-PDEO can be recommended for shelf-life extension of stored maize and other food commodities.
Objective of study was to develop a solid self-nanoemulsifying rosuvastatin drug delivery system (S-SNEDDS) for enhancement of its oral bioavailability and to produce synergistic action with garlic oil for better management of hypertriglyceridemia. Results showed that mean globule size of all reconstituted self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) was found to be in nanometric range (48.32–73.64 nm) with optimum polydispersibility index (PDI) values (0.215–0.448). Rosuvastatin release from SNEDDS formulae in vitro showed that more than 75% of rosuvastatin released in about 30 min. Optimized SNEDDS formulae were selected for use with spray drying technique to develop into S-SNEDDS. Rosuvastatin plasma concentrations in rats treated with S-SNEDDS have been found at all times to be substantially high. When garlic oil-loaded rosuvastatin S-SNEDDS was administered orally to poloxamer-407 (P-407) induced hypertriglyceridemia rats there was significant (p ˂ 0.01) more increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (19.24 ± 0.40 mg/dl) in comparision to rosuvastatin commercial tablet treated group. Rosuvastatin commercial tablet treated group showed significantly (p ˂ 0.01) less PT and APTT as compared to garlic oil loaded rosuvastatin S-SNEDDS treated group. Findings showed that garlic oil loaded rosuvastatin S-SNEDDS might play important role in better management of hypertriglyceridemia.
This study evaluates the efficacy of palm oil-based nanoemulsion insecticides in thermal fogging applications against adult Ae. aegypti. The nanoemulsion formulations contained a palm oil methyl ester solvent, water, a non-ionic surfactant, and active ingredient deltamethrin, with nanoemulsion droplet diameters ranging from 362 to 382 nm. Knockdown and mortality rates of caged mosquitoes were measured at various distances up to 18 m from the spray nozzle. After 15 min of insecticide exposure, nanoemulsion insecticides achieved a knockdown rate of >97% at a spraying distance of 4 m, and the knockdown effect increased substantially with exposure time. At an 18 m spraying distance, the best nanoemulsion formulation, NanoEW8, achieved a high mosquito mortality rate of more than 80%, whereas the non-nanoemulsion and the commercial product reached only 14 and 8 m distances, respectively, for comparable mortality. The artificial neural network (ANN) was used to predict the mosquito knockdown distribution over the spraying distances and time intervals. The models predicted that NanoEW8 can still cause knockdown at a maximum distance of 61.5 m from the discharge point 60 min after spraying. The results established that Ae. aegypti was susceptible to the newly developed palm oil-based nanoemulsion insecticide, indicating a high potential for mosquito control.
This research aimed to apply nanotechnology for nanoformulation of Laurus nobilis essential oil (EO) by ultrasonic emulsification method and characterization of nano-form: particle size, viscosity, polydispersity index, thermodynamic stability, and surface tension. The antimicrobial activity of laurel EO nanoemulsion (LEON) and laurel EO was also investigated against a panel of ten food-borne pathogens and fish spoilage bacteria. The GC–MS analysis of EO revealed that 1,8-Cineole was the main volatile compound. According to disc-diffusion results, LEON was more effective against Gram-positive pathogen bacteria of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis than EO. Laurel oil demonstrated a higher inhibitory effect against fish spoilage bacteria (6.19 to 18.5 mm). The MICs values of LEON and laurel EO ranged from 6.25 to >25 mg/mL and from 1.56 to >25 mg/mL, respectively. Nanoemulsion and oil exhibited the best bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas luteola. Therefore, LEON can be developed as a natural antimicrobial agent in food industry.
The thermodynamic instability of food nanoemulsions may occur during production and storage due to environmental stress or reaction with other constituents, appearing in the forms of sedimentation, creaming or oil oxidation. Such instabilities reduce the tendency to consumption and threaten consumers' health. The present study aimed to review the effects of emulsifiers on the physicochemical stability of oil-in-water nanoemulsions. Emulsifiers were selected considering several factors, including the preparation and processing methods, nature, concentration, hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, molecular weight, particle surface charge, ambient temperature, pro-oxidants and antioxidants, and type of the food matrix. Emulsifiers often include proteins, esters of polyoxyethylene (e.g., Tween), fatty acids, polysaccharides, and phospholipids, which play a key role in the formation and stability of food emulsions through adsorption at the oil-water interface. Determining the impact of emulsifiers on the control of instability at the interface contributes to the production of the healthiest, safest, and most stable nanoemulsion-based structures. Since 2 emulsifiers have individual structures and different functional properties, they should be selected based on the desired product properties. Therefore further research is required to identify novel emulsifiers or a combination of emulsifiers with different properties for food applications.
With the widespread use of antibiotics, the bacteria have evolved to build up mechanisms to resist the activity of antibiotics. The antibiotics target cell wall, protein synthesis and DNA replication, whereas microbes resist it through genetic basis or mechanistic basis of environmental resistance. The nanoparticles have shown a great potential as an alternative to antibiotics for treatment of microbial infections. Nanoparticles cause microbial inactivation via oxidative stress, dissolved metal ions or non-oxidative mechanisms and target cell barrier, bacterial protein, enzymes and DNA synthesis and its metabolism. The multiple mechanisms which nanoparticle employ simultaneously against microbes can have the potential to overcome the microbial resistance by providing the bacteria insufficient time to mutate and develop resistance. This book chapter focuses on mechanisms of antibiotic action and resistance developed by bacteria. Various metal nanoparticles (silver, copper, gold, aluminium) and metal oxides nanoparticles (copper oxide, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, zinc oxide and magnesium oxide nanoparticles) that are used for antibacterial action and impact of physicochemical properties are discussed. The chapter also elucidates the potential mode of action by various nanoparticles and impact of various important factors such as size, composition, shape, morphology, zeta potential and environmental conditions on antibacterial effectiveness.
Agro-Wastes are identified as to manufacture potential valuable organic biochar fertilizer product economically while also managing the waste. Biochar (BC) produced from agriculture waste is helps to improve the soil because of its neutral pH, addition of organic carbon to the soil and lower salt index values. This study focused on the development of nano-biochar into a more enhanced biochar product where it was checked whether the biochar derived from wheat straw can absorb nutrients and then act as support matter for releasing micro-nutrients and macro-nutrients for the plants on slow liberation basis. Wheat biochar (WBC) and wheat nano-biochar (WBNC) were synthesized by pyrolysis at two different temperatures and nutrients were fused into the WBC via impregnation technique. Physical parameters such as Proximate, Ultimate analysis & other were also studied and inspected by standard control procedures. Studies were also carried out on water retention (WR), water absorbance (WA), swelling ratio (SR) and equilibrium water content (EWC) for all samples; data was collected and compared for the better sample. Slow-release studies performed portrayed the release pattern of nutrients for prolonged periods, which are very important for the plant growth, yield and productivity. Overall, the experimental results displayed that BNC produced at 350 °C showed promising features of (SI:0.05, SR: 3.67, WA:64%, EWC:78.6%, FC:53.05% and pH:7.22), is a good substance however the nano-biochar has improved results; environmental friendly & could be utilized as a potential fertilizer on slow release for sustainable and green agriculture application.
Nanoemulsions are kinetically stable homogeneous dispersions of immiscible liquids with droplet sizes in the order of 500 nm. The nano-size droplets are advantageous in enhancing nanoemulsion properties such as sturdy stability, large surface area per unit volume, improved interfacial and wetting behavior and configurable rheology. Nanoemulsions are widely prepared by high energy or Brute Force comprising ultrasonication and high pressure homogenization (HPH) and by low energy or Persuasion methods comprising phase inversion temperature (PIT) and phase inversion composition (PIC). Bubble bursting, microfluidization and evaporative ripening are the newly developed nanoemulsions preparation techniques. From pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, cosmetics, material synthesis to food, agriculture and nanoscale colloidal dispersions understanding nanoemulsions have found a diverse industrial applications. Recent investigations discovered nanoemulsions to be beneficial in oil and gas industry operations for instance in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications. This review article summarizes methods of nanoemulsions formation, its properties and significant research on nanoemulsions in oil and gas industry.
Precise nutrient management of crops and soil fertility will be a major challenge worldwide in the coming decades because current agricultural practices rely predominantly on chemical fertilizers. The use of conventional fertilizers suffers from low crop nutrient efficiency, negative impacts on the environment, and high loss of water bodies. Nano-biotechnology is emerging as a promising alternative technique and has the potential to revolutionize agricultural systems by delivering nutrients to crops in a controlled release manner. Engineering nanoparticles-based nanofertilizers offer benefits in crop nutrition management by enhancing abiotic stress tolerance and improving agricultural productivity. This review focuses on the design, contribution, and interaction of nano-enabled fertilizers with edible plants based on very recent studies. Also, the review conveys the role of macronutrient, micronutrient-based nanofertilizer as well as nano-biofertilizer towards the development of smart and sustainable future agriculture.