Copper oxide(I) nanoparticle-modified cellulose acetate membranes with enhanced antibacterial and antifouling properties.

Cellulose acetate membranes exhibit a potential to be applied in hemodialysis. However, their performance is limited by membrane fouling and a lack of antibacterial properties. In this research, copper oxide (I) nanoparticles were fabricated in situ into a cellulose acetate matrix in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (pore-forming agent) and sulfobetaine (stabilising agent) to reduce the leakage of copper ions from nano-enhanced membranes.

Effect of New Surfactants on Biological Properties of Liquid Soaps.

Liquid soaps are the basic cosmetics used to clean the skin of the hands. Frequent hand washing prevents viral contamination but may damage the skin's hydro-lipid layer, leading to various types of irritation. Therefore, four liquid soap formulas were developed with three amphoteric surfactants: Cocamidopropyl Betaine (LS II), CocamidopropylHydroxysultaine (LS III), and newly synthesized Evening PrimroseaamidopropylSulfobetaine (LS IV).

Biological Activity of Quaternary Ammonium Salts and Their Derivatives.

Besides their positive role, microorganisms are related to a number of undesirable effects, including many diseases, biodeterioration and food spoilage, so when their presence is undesired, they must be controlled. Numerous biocides limiting the development of microorganisms have been proposed, however, in this paper the biocidal and inhibitory activity of quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) and their zwitterionic derivatives is addressed. This paper presents the current state of knowledge about the biocidal activity of QAS and their derivatives.

Gemini quaternary ammonium compound PMT12-BF4 inhibits Candida albicans via regulating iron homeostasis.

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are classified as cationic surfactants, and are known for their biocidal activity. However, their modes of action are thus far not completely understood. In this study, we synthesized a gemini QAC, PMT12-BF4 and found that it exerted unsurpassed broad-spectrum antifungal activity against drug susceptible and resistant Candida albicans, and other pathogenic fungi, with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) at 1 or 2 μg/mL.

Synthesis, Surface and Antimicrobial Activity of New Lactose-Based Surfactants.

This work presents a synthesis method for new surfactants based on lactose. The compounds obtained belong to the homologous series of O-β-D-Galactopyranosyl-(1→4)--alkyl-(3-sulfopropyl)-D-glucosamine hydrochloride, containing 12 and 14 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, and they may serve as an example of cationic surfactants. The newly synthesized compounds exhibit good surface properties, low value of CMC (Critical Micelle Concentration) and good wetting properties.

Facile Synthesis of Sulfobetaine-Stabilized CuO Nanoparticles and Their Biomedical Potential.

A novel approach using a zwitterionic sulfobetaine-based surfactant for the synthesis of spherical copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) has been applied. For the first time, N-hexadecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate has been used as stabilizer to control the size and morphology of CuO NPs. Several techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and fluorescence spectroscopy, are used to investigate the size, structure, and optical properties of synthesized CuO nanocrystals.

Synthesis, Surface and Antimicrobial Activity of Piperidine-Based Sulfobetaines.

A new method for the preparation of new heterocyclic amine surfactants based on sulfobetaines is proposed. Interfacial activities of the surfactants obtained in aqueous solution were studied by surface tension measurements. The critical micelle concentration, surface excess concentration, minimum area per surfactant molecule, and standard Gibbs energy of adsorption were determined.

The Effects of High Dietary Doses of Chromium(III) Complex with Propionic Acid on Nutritional and Selected Blood Indices in Healthy Female Rats.

People taking dietary supplements are usually determined to lose weight, supplement nutrition or reduce the risk of illness and negative effects of their state of health. Chromium(III) supplementation influence body composition and mass, glucose and lipid metabolism and it enhance insulin action. This fact could be of general interest because diabetes mellitus is an increasing health problem in many countries.

Synthesis and Interfacial Activity of Novel Heterogemini Sulfobetaines in Aqueous Solution.

Three new heterogemini sulfobetaines and their chloride salts were synthesised. The interfacial activities of the obtained chlorides in aqueous solution were studied by equilibrium and dynamic surface tension measurements. The critical micelle concentration, surface excess concentration, minimum area per surfactant molecule and standard Gibbs energy of adsorption as well as micelle lifetime and diffusion coefficient were determined.

Effect of Sodium Chloride on the Surface and Wetting Properties of Aqueous Solutions of Cocamidopropyl Betaine.

Surfactants are important ingredients of personal care products and household products. The main characteristic of these compounds is to decrease the surface tension of solvent and resulting many properties such as contact angle, foam properties etc. The coexistence of other ingredients in the product may affect the properties of surfactants.

Evaluation of insulin binding and signaling activity of newly synthesized chromium(III) complexes in vitro.

In the present study, the influence of chromium(III) complexes (acetate, chloride, glycinate, histidinate, lactate and propionate) on insulin binding and signal transduction [phosphorylation of tyrosine and serine in the insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1] was investigated in vitro using three experimental models: isolated rat liver membranes and cultured mouse C2C12 myoblasts or 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The examined complexes did not elevate the binding of insulin to the liver membranes. Moreover, chromium histidinate, lactate, acetate and propionate complexes diminished the specific binding of insulin.

Evaluation of the acute oral toxicity class of trinuclear chromium(III) glycinate complex in rat.

Chromium(III) is considered as an essential element playing a role in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and various chemical forms of this element are widely used in dietary supplements. A new trinuclear chromium(III) glycinate complex [Cr(3)O(NH(2)CH(2)CO(2))(6)(H(2)O)(3)](+)NO(3)(-) (CrGly), an analogue of Cr3 (trinuclear Cr(III) propionate complex) has been synthesized as a potential source of supplementary Cr. In this study, we evaluated the acute toxicity class of CrGly in Wistar rats applying the OECD 423 procedure.