Recent Innovations in Chemical Engineering (Formerly Recent Patents on Chemical Engineering) - Volume 14, Issue 4, 2021

Metabolic diseases are the consequences of abnormal chemical reactions in the body leading to variation in the normal metabolic processes. These diseases have actually reached an epidemic stage around the globe. Among the several types of metabolic disorders, type II diabetes is quite serious and dependent on glucose levels in the blood. The major challenge is the continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels. Among the different blood sugar level diagnostic strategies, nanotechnology may offer several advantages over traditional systems owing to the better surface area of sensors, the improved catalytic property of electrodes, plus better handling. For this reason, different types of nanosensors (to measure blood glucose level) and nanomaterials (to improve glucose sensor function) have been investigated by various researchers. This work is an effort to discuss the role of nanosensors and the major advancements that have been utilized so far for the effective and reproducible diagnosis of blood glucose level, which may provide a better and effective diagnosis for type 2 diabetes.

Metabolism is a cellular process for energy formation from food sources by using a multitude of interdependent pathways with the help of thousands of enzymatic machinery. Encyclopedia of genetics defines metabolic diseases as the inability of metabolism, including improper functioning of enzymes for metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids derived from proteins, and fatty acids liberated from lipids, respectively. Most of these are typically inherited, but a person may remain asymptomatic for years before the disease could get triggered. An interesting characteristic of these diseases is that their occurrence would be considered rare when individual statistics are studied but the same diseases could be considered common when studied in a group of people with unifying genetic features. A few metabolic diseases could be acquired and have their origin in malnutrition, such as Kwashiorkor and Marasmus, or diseases that could be attributed to endocrinal malfunction of which diabetes mellitus and obesity are classic examples. Treatments for these diseases are as varied as the causes and can range from simple dietary changes to organ transplants. Biopharmaceuticals such as proteins, peptides, as well as antisense oligonucleotides, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) preparations for gene therapy could provide a viable, non-invasive mode to treat most of these inherited diseases, whereas nutritional supplements along with herbal and synthetic drugs would be the way to treat the acquired ones. Nevertheless, formulating biopharmaceuticals with excellent efficacy, optimal shelf life and the ability for large scale manufacturing have still eluded the pharmaceutical industry. Nanotechnology can maneuver the structure of original therapeutic materials into a new nano range materials, which demonstrate incredible property differences compared to those of original materials. Hence, nanomedicine could be the way forward to deliver a plethora of drugs ranging from biological, herbal, and synthetic nature as compared to traditional methods. A wide spectrum of nanoparticulate based systems such as inorganic particles like quantum dots, dendrimers; polymeric systems utilizing biodegradable polymers of natural or synthetic origin, lipid-based systems like liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, etc., has been employed successfully in the delivery of the aforementioned classes of drugs. This review will encompass a brief introduction to various metabolic disorders and would focus on the available and possible nano-based treatment options for each of them.

Background: Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are used in a latent heat storage system for storing thermal energy. The thermal conductivity of PCMs is enhanced by macro encapsulation for large-scale use. Objective: This technique not only provides a self-supporting structure of PCM but also separates the PCM from thermal fluids and enhances the heat transfer rate. Methods: The current work involves the study of encapsulation of low-cost inorganic PCMs, such as sodium nitrate (NaNO3), in a temperature range of 300 - 500°C. Silicate coating is also applied to PCM capsules. A solar water heater is then designed using the macro encapsulated PCM. Results and conclusion: The water heater consists of cylindrical copper pipes filled with phase change material. The efficiency of the solar water heater is found to be 22.5%.

Background: In order to know the effect of acid concentration, comparative electrical properties of PANI salt samples prepared in two different media like water, 1M HCl and 2M HCl, have been studied. Methods: To know the effect of acetone washing on the electrical behavior of the polymer, the polymer samples were washed with acetone. The X-ray diffraction pattern shows a crystalline nature of all the prepared PANI salt samples except non-acetone washed PANI salt prepared in 2M HCl. The SEM micrograph suggests a uniform and continuous morphology for PANI salts prepared in 1M HCl, agglomerated granulated structure for PANI salts prepared in 1M HCL, and fiber type structure for PANI salts prepared in 2M HCl. Results: The study showed that the dielectric constant decreases with frequency in the case of all the synthesized polymer samples. The variation of AC conductivity of the synthesized polymer samples with respect to the frequency at room temperature follows the power law. Through the fitting parameters, the DC conductivity was found. Conclusion: The results showed that the polymer sample, which was prepared in water medium and not washed with acetone, had the highest dielectric and conductivity values, whereas for acetone washed samples highest dielectric and electrical conductivity was observed for the sample prepared in 2M HCl.

Background: Magnetic nanofluid is a special class of nanofluid that exhibits both magnetic and fluid properties. The main purpose of using magnetic nanofluid as a heat transfer medium is the possibility of controlling the flow and the heat transfer process through an external magnetic field. This research aims at identifying the effect of adding polyethylene glycol (PEG) to magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles for magnetic nanofluid applications. Methods: The nanofluid was prepared by synthesizing Fe3O4 nanoparticles using the chemical precipitation method and then dispersing them in distilled water using a sonicator. Results: The result of XRD is that nanoparticles had inverse spinel structures, and the smallest crystallite size is found in the Fe3O4@PEG-6000 samples. FE-SEM and TEM show that the addition of PEG can reduce the Fe3O4 agglomeration, and the smallest particle size is found in the Fe3O4@PEG-6000 samples. The result of FT-IR shows that there is a surface modification of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and PEG polymer. The result of VSM shows the coercivity value is small; hence, the sample is a superparamagnetic material. The addition of PEG increases the thermal conductivity of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Conclusion: The addition of PEG makes particle size smaller, reduces the agglomeration, and increases the thermal conductivity, making it useful for magnetic nanofluid applications.

Background: Cassia tora has been classified as an antifungal agent, but no optimized formulation for improved drug penetration has been developed. Objective: The present work aimed to formulate Cassia Tora Extract (CTE) phytosomal gel that could be used for its antifungal effects and improved therapeutic activity. Materials and Methods: The CTE phytosomes were formulated by varying the concentration of lecithin (0.15-0.25% w/v) and speed of rotation (100-160 rpm). A 22 factorial design was applied by taking the above two parameters as independent variables and vesicular size and entrapment efficiency as dependent variables. The phytosomes were also evaluated for polydispersity index, zeta potential and in vitro drug release. The optimized phytosomes of CTE were further developed into a gel, the optimized gel was also evaluated, and the stability studies were conducted. Results and Discussion: The optimized CTE phytosome showed a vesicular size of ~ 124 nm and entrapment efficiency of 95%. The CTE phytosomes showed a drug release of 58.79% in 24 hours following the Higuchi order of release. The CTE phytosomes were formulated into a gel by using 1% Carbopol 934 and were evaluated for pH, viscosity and homogeneity. The formulated gel showed better penetration than conventional gel, and stability changes indicated no major changes to the CTE phytosomal gel. Conclusion: The optimized gel had better penetration and drug release than the conventional gel. Its therapeutic activity, therefore, can be enhanced.