Abstract: In terms of resonant lengths, the behavior of chemisorbed soft materials on a MHz-oscillating solid-liquid interface was investigated using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). As chemisorbed materials, we used self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed from three types of mercapto oligo(ethylene oxide) methyl ethers, each with a single molecular weight: HS(CH₂CH₂O)₅CH₃, HS(CH₂CH₂O)₂₇CH₃, and HS(CH₂CH₂O)₄₃CH₃. Systematic variation in the concentrations of sucrose solutions resulted in corresponding changes in their viscosity and density. In addition, it is well known that the Kanazawa equation can qualitatively explain the relationship between the resonant frequency shift (ΔF) of the QCM and the solution’s viscosity and density. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between the ΔF of the QCM, both without and with a SAM, and the concentrations of sucrose solutions. The attempt showed that, for the ratios of SAM thicknesses to resonant lengths below 50 %, the experimental results of ΔF quantitatively corresponded to the Kanazawa equation. The experimental results suggest that the equation describing the resonant length could appropriately evaluate the experimental data. Based on those results, the applicability of the QCMs with the SAMs of HS(CH₂CH₂O)₅CH₃ and HS(CH₂CH₂O)₂₇CH₃ to a bubble-free nonlinear chemical oscillator led to quantitative analysis.

Abstract: In recent years, Japan has been moving away from powder detergents to liquid detergents, but only powder types have been set as standard indicator detergents for JIS detergency tests. Therefore, optimizing the liquid reference detergent composition, the standard model for commercial liquid detergents in the JIS K 3362 revision for household synthetic detergents, was studied based on the detergency and mechanism of commercial liquid and powder detergents. A JIS standard liquid composition was proposed based on the AATCC liquid detergent composition (the 2003 AATCC standard reference liquid laundry detergent), and detergency evaluations were conducted using a Terg-O-Tometer using natural collar dirt-soiled cloth and various commercially available soiled cloths. As a result, in the cleaning experiment using collar dirt-soiled cloth, the new JIS liquid reference detergent showed the same detergency as the conventional JIS powder detergent and commercial liquid detergents. It also showed the same detergency as commercial liquid detergents for artificial sebum stains, indicating that it is suitable as an indicator detergent for commercial liquid detergents. However, it was confirmed that there are some points to note, such as the fact that liquid detergents have a weaker alkaline component and, therefore, have a lower detergency for artificial sebum stains than powder detergents and that the new JIS reference liquid detergent has a higher cleaning power for triacylglycerol stains than commercially available liquid and powder detergents due to their high surfactant concentration.

Abstract: Aspergillus terreus is a pathogen as well as an industrial organism. Current study deals with in vitro evaluation of A. terreus as a potential candidate for starch-based industries and susceptibility of toxigenic isolates to plant essential oils. Conventionally identified A. terreus soil isolates (n=25) were screened for mycotoxin production by TLC. Non- toxigenic isolates were selected for starch hydrolysis using starch agar. Toxigenic A. terreus were selected for antifungal activity of plant-derived essential oils (Nigella sativa, Elettaria cardamomum, Eucalyptus globulus, Cinnamomum verum Cuminum cyminum, and Syzygium aromaticum) by agar well diffusion and micro-broth dilution method. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC ≥ 0.65±0.22µL/mL) was observed for Cuminum cyminum. So, it was used for inhibitory effect on growth and toxin production in broken grains. Cuminum cyminum EO inhibited the growth of A. terreus (0.00±0.00 cfu/g) in inoculated group and OTA production was also close to uninoculated group. Starch hydrolysis to colony diameter ratio helped for selection of isolates for further experiments. In starch hydrolysis, two isolates AST-01 and AST-02 produced highest ratios, which were 2.25±.08 and 1.76±.04 respectively. Influence of maize flour, wheat bran and rice husk with varying concentration, incubation temperature and pH were evaluated on starch hydrolysis potential. The hydrolytic potential quantified by dinitorosalisylic acid (DNS) method. A. terreus AST-02 had the highest hydrolytic potential (102.96±2.61IU) under incubation of 3% wheat bran at 37 °C and pH 6.0. It is concluded that A. terreus is a potential candidate for starch-based industries and further crop contamination by toxigenic species could be curtailed using essential oil as a feed preservative.

Abstract: Biodiesel feedstocks have evolved from the use of food-grade vegetable oils to lipids from microalgae and microorganisms. The challenges faced in the production of biodiesel from this third-generation lipids lie in the efficient extraction techniques and production costs. This study aimed to optimise extraction techniques to enhance lipid recovery from macroalgae. Six macroalgal species from the northwest coast of Aceh, Indonesia, were initially screened to evaluate their lipid yields using the Soxhlet extraction (S) method. Caulerpa taxifolia was selected for further optimisation based on its high lipid yield and favourable fatty acid profile, consisting of 85.8 % palmitic acid (C16:0) and 14.2 % myristic acid (C14:0). Various extraction methods were tested, including ultrasonication (S), enzymatic extraction (E), and combinations of ultrasonication-Soxhlet extraction (US), enzymatic-ultrasonication (EU), enzymatic-Soxhlet extraction (ES), and enzymatic-ultrasonication-Soxhlet extraction (EUS). The ES method produced the highest lipid yield of 21.5 %, a 15-fold increase compared to that of the S method alone. Physicochemical analysis of the extracted lipids showed properties suitable for biodiesel production, although further refinement is required to fully meet the quality standards. This study demonstrates the potential of optimised extraction techniques to significantly enhance lipid recovery from macroalgae, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable marine-biofuel resources. Further research is required to refine these methods and explore their large-scale applicability in the field.

Abstract: Phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) act as an "eat-me" signal for phagocytes to engulf apoptotic cells. The aim of our study was to investigate the biodistribution of PS- or PE-containing liposomes. Three phospholipid liposomes (DOPC/DOPS, DOPC/DOPE, and DOPC/soybean PS) were intravenously injected and analyzed. DOPC/DOPS showed higher average radiant efficiency (intensity/area) in the lung, liver, kidney, and heart than DOPC/DOPE. The total and average radiant efficiency of DOPC/DOPS was higher than that of DOPC/soybean PS in the lung, liver, and kidney. These results suggest that the biodistribution of anionic phospholipid liposomes depends on their phospholipid composition.

Abstract: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory colon disease that is a major public health problem. The long-term administration of traditional drugs is likely to trigger adverse reactions. The myrrh essential oil (MEO) exhibits promising therapeutic efficacy against ulcerative colitis. However, due to the inherent instability and volatility of MEO, it was formulated into myrrh essential oil microemulsion (MM) with the aim of enhancing its stability. This study explored the optimal formulation for synthesizing MM, and a series of relevant indices were employed to meticulously investigate its stability characteristics. In animal experiments, a UC mouse model was established with the assistance of Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS). The therapeutic efficacy was comprehensively evaluated by recording Disease Activity Index (DAI) scores, detecting the levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and observing the morphological features of mouse colonic tissues through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques. The results confirmed that both MEO and MM are effective in treating ulcerative colitis.

Abstract: Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) is an amphoteric surfactant that is commonly used in skin care materials. Although there are many reports about the safety of CAPB, there is limited data about its physical effects on the stratum corneum. Porcine stratum corneum sheets were soaked in 5% or 10% CAPB solution (pH 4.0, 7.0 or 9.0) for up to 60 min at room temperature. After rinsing with distilled water, the properties of the porcine stratum corneum sheets were analyzed using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Sixty min of treatment with 5% CAPB or 10 min of treatment with 10% CAPB did not induce any peak shift at any pH. However, 60 min of treatment with 10% CAPB induced peak shifts of CH2 asymmetric stretching vibration and NH stretching vibration to higher wavenumber values. Although all pH solutions induced those peak shifts, the higher pH solutions caused larger peak shifts. However, 24 hrs treatment with 10% CAPB did not cause swelling at any pH. These results indicate that a long time and/or higher dose of CAPB affects the surface of stratum corneum, but this effect may not be caused by the regular use of CAPB in skin care materials.

Abstract: This study evaluated liposomes prepared using three food-grade lecithins―SLP-WHITE and SLP-PC70 (soy-derived), and PL-30S (egg yolk-derived)―to enhance the food function and delivery of p-coumaric acid (CA), a phenolic antioxidant extracted from sugarcane bagasse. Among the tested formulations, liposomes composed of SLP-WHITE and PL-30S at a 90:10 (w/w) ratio exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (82%). Notably, dynamic light scattering and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed a strong negative zeta potential (-75.26 mV), small particle size (~100 nm), and a unilamellar structure, confirming this formulation as the optimum condition. Interestingly, encapsulated CA prepared with this optimum combination retained its antioxidant activity for 28 days. Furthermore, in a Caco-2 monolayer model, the liposomal CA showed significantly improved intestinal permeability compared to free CA, suggesting enhanced bioavailability via endocytic uptake. These results demonstrate that rational combinations of food-grade lecithins with complementary characteristics―such as the electrostatic stability of SLP-WHITE and membrane rigidity from PL-30S―can improve both physical stability and functionality of liposomes. This study provides a practical strategy for developing functional liposomal carriers suitable for food applications, particularly for delivering poorly bioavailable phenolic compounds like p-coumaric acid.