Nano vesicles derived from edible plants ∼A new player that contributes to the function of foods∼.

Nano-sized vesicles are ubiquitous in vegetables, fruits, and other edible plants. We have successfully prepared nanovesicles (NVs) from over 150 edible plants. These results suggest that the daily intake of NVs from various foods and their roles in food function are promising novel approaches for explaining the health-promoting properties of edible plants.

Comprehensive extraction study using N,N-dioctylthiodiglycolamic acid: effect of S donor on metal extraction.

Extraction ability of N,N-dioctylthiodiglycolamic acid (T-DODGAA), a soft-base sulfur donor ligand with an amide group and a carboxylic acid connected by a thioether chain, for 56 metal ions have been comprehensively investigated and compared with that of N,N-dioctyldiglycolamic acid (DODGAA) with an etheric oxygen atom, a hard-base donor. The acid dissociation constant (pK) of the thiodiglycolamic acid framework was determined to be 3.71 ± 0.

Water-Based Synthesis of β-Sheet-Like Supramolecular Metallohydrogel Organized by Using a Native Ultrashort Peptide Sequence.

Designing supramolecular hydrogels using short peptides is challenging. To control self-assembly, a certain amount of organic solvent is typically added to the system, or the short peptide is modified with a functional group that is hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or highly coordinative. We discovered that l-His-l-Ile-l-Thr (HIT), a very short unmodified "native" tripeptide, selectively responds to Cu ions in pure water to form a transparent supramolecular metallohydrogel.

Equilibrium space and a pseudo linearization of nonlinear systems.

This paper attempts to extend the concept of the equilibrium point to what is called equilibrium space, which can adapt to a system in which there exists an infinite number of equilibrium points. In the context of Lyapunov's linearization method extended for the equilibrium space, this paper proposes a pseudo linearization, from which we can derive a linear representation for a nonlinear system. The equilibrium state of this pseudo linearization and its stability are shown to be the same as that of the original nonlinear system.

Lanthanide extraction using a thiodiglycolamic acid extractant: effect of S-donor on lanthanide separation.

Liquid-liquid extraction of lanthanide (Ln) ions was investigated using N,N-dioctylthiodiglycolamic acid (DOTDGAA), which is a sulfur donor ligand with an amide group and a carboxyl group connected by a thioether chain. The extraction performance and selectivity of DOTDGAA for Ln ions were compared with those of N,N-dioctyldiglycolamic acid (DODGAA), which is also an oxygen donor ligand with a similar chemical structure, to assess the effect of the soft/hard donor atom on Ln separation. DOTDGAA quantitatively extracted all Ln ions while being selective toward the light and middle Ln ions, in contrast to the selectivity of DODGAA for heavier Ln ions.

Enhanced water dispersibility and Caco-2 cell monolayer permeability of quercetin by complexation with casein hydrolysate.

Although quercetin (Que) has many beneficial therapeutic effects on the human body, its oral bioavailability is poor because of its low water solubility. Herein, we describe the preparation of casein hydrolysate (Pep ) and its use as a dispersant to enhance the water dispersibility of Que resulting in an improvement of its bioavailability. By complexation with Pep , the apparent solubility of Que in the complex (Que@Pep ) was significantly increased under acidic and neutral conditions.

Dominant factors that determine the dissolution state of complexes between poorly water-soluble ingredients and casein hydrolysate.

Casein hydrolysate (Pep) is a dispersant for poorly water-soluble drugs and nutraceutical ingredients. However, two types of complexes may be between Pep and poorly water-soluble molecules: those that are (1) dispersed as hydrocolloids in aqueous media with a particle size of 100-500 nm; and (2) not hydrocolloids, as indicated by permeability of the complex through an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane and the fact that the particle size is ambiguous by dynamic light scattering. This study was conducted to clarify the factors that determine the dissolution state of the complexes between poorly water-soluble ingredients and casein hydrolysate.

Onion ( L.)-Derived Nanoparticles Inhibited LPS-Induced Nitrate Production, However, Their Intracellular Incorporation by Endocytosis Was Not Involved in This Effect on RAW264 Cells.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of nanoparticles prepared from L. as anti-inflammatory agents. In the present study, we identified nanoparticles from L.

Enhanced water dispersibility and permeability through a Caco-2 cell monolayer of β-cryptoxanthin extracted from kumquats by complexation with casein.

β-Cryptoxanthin (BCX) possesses potential therapeutic and health benefits. However, BCX absorption is low because of its poor aqueous solubility. In this study, a complex between BCX and casein (Cas) was prepared to improve the water dispersibility and bioavailability of BCX.

Development of highly water-dispersible complexes between coenzyme Q and protein hydrolysates.

The water-solubility of coenzyme Q (CoQ) is extremely low because of its hydrophobicity, which results in low bioavailability. In this study, peptide mixtures derived from different proteins (casein, albumin, gelatin, lysozyme, zein and hemoglobin) were prepared and used as dispersants ofCoQ. Most peptide mixtures, except for that derived from lysozyme, enhanced the water-dispersibility of CoQ by forming complexes with CoQ.

Improvements in the water dispersibility of paclitaxel by complexing with synthetic peptides derived from β-casein.

Recently, digestive peptides prepared as a casein hydrolysate have been found to be an effective dispersant for the poorly water-soluble drug paclitaxel (Ptx). A major hydrophobic peptide in the digested peptides was identified as YQEPVLGPVRGPFPIIV (PepY) by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectrometry with the "LIFT" technique. In the present study, three peptides PepY, VVVPPFLQPEVMGVSKV (PepV), and KFQSEEQQQTEDELQDK (PepK) were chemically synthesized by Fmoc solid-phase synthesis to compare their function as dispersants for Ptx.

Biosorbents for Removing Hazardous Metals and Metalloids.

Biosorbents for remediating aquatic environmental media polluted with hazardous heavy metals and metalloids such as Pb(II), Cr(VI), Sb(III and V), and As(III and V) were prepared from lignin waste, orange and apple juice residues, seaweed and persimmon and grape wastes using simple and cheap methods. A lignophenol gel such as lignocatechol gel was prepared by immobilizing the catechol functional groups onto lignin from sawdust, while lignosulfonate gel was prepared directly from waste liquor generated during pulp production. These gels effectively removed Pb(II).

Use of a High-Performance Poly(-phenylene)-Based Aromatic Hydrocarbon Ionomer with Superacid Groups in Fuel Cells under Low Humidity Conditions.

Aromatic ionomers with perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid groups for fuel cell applications have been prepared mostly by the post-functionalization method. Herein, we present a direct polymerization method using a novel monomer with a perfluorosulfonic acid group to control the amount and position of the sulfonic acid groups. A poly(-phenylene)-based aromatic hydrocarbon ionomer bearing a pendant perfluorosulfonic acid group in a substituent at the 2-position is synthesized by Ni(0)-catalyzed coupling polymerization.

Small angle neutron scattering data of polymer electrolyte membranes partially swollen in water.

In this article, we show the small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data obtained from the polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) equilibrated at a given relative humidity. We apply Hard-Sphere (HS) structure model with Percus-Yervick interference interactions to analyze the dataset. The molecular structure of these PEMs and the morphologies of the fully water-swollen membranes have been elucidated by Zhao et al.

Enhancing the water dispersibility of paclitaxel by complexation with hydrophobic peptides.

The complex between paclitaxel (Ptx) and a peptide mixture (Pep) was prepared to enhance of the water-dispersibility of Ptx. Pep was prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of casein, followed by fractionation using ammonium sulfate precipitation and ultrafiltration. The Ptx and Pep complex (Ptx-Pep) was prepared by mixing an ethanol solution of Ptx and an aqueous solution of Pep followed by lyophilization.

Selective extraction of histidine derivatives by metal affinity with a copper(II)-chelating ligand complex in an aqueous two-phase system.

Affinity extraction based on the interaction between a target molecule and a specific affinity ligand offers a novel separation system for biomolecules in an aqueous two-phase system, however, most of affinity ligands are expensive. In the present study, metal affinity extraction of histidine (His) derivatives using a complex between Cu(II) and a commercially available chelating ligand was studied in a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/Li2SO4 ATPS. Alizarin complexone (3-[N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)amino methyl]-1,2-dihydroxy anthraquinone, AC) was selected as the chelating ligand because of the good extractability of Cu(II) into the upper PEG-rich phase.

Cellulose aerogel regenerated from ionic liquid solution for immobilized metal affinity adsorption.

Surface morphology of cellulosic adsorbents is expected to influence the adsorption behavior of biomacromolecules. In the present study, cellulose aerogel regenerated from ionic liquid solution was prepared for use as a polymer support for protein adsorption. Iminodiacetic acid groups were introduced to the aerogel for immobilized metal affinity adsorption of proteins.

Enhancement of water solubility of indomethacin by complexation with protein hydrolysate.

Complex formation between indomethacin (Indo) and casein hydrolysate was developed as a novel technique for enhancing the water solubility of Indo. The complex (Indo-Pep) was prepared by mixing an ethanol solution of Indo and an aqueous solution of peptide mixture, followed by lyophilization. The water solubility of Indo-Pep under weakly acidic and neutral conditions is much higher than that of Indo alone.

Enhanced water dispersibility of coenzyme Q10 by complexation with albumin hydrolysate.

The biologically important coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is widely used as a drug for chronic heart failure, as a nutritional supplement, and in cosmetics. However, the oral bioavailability of CoQ10 is poor due to its extremely low solubility in aqueous media. In this study, complexation of CoQ10 with albumin hydrolysate as a peptide mixture (Pep) was shown to enhance the water dispersibility of CoQ10.

Synthesis of Hydrophilic-Hydrophobic Block Copolymer Ionomers Based on Polyphenylenes.

Hydrophilic-hydrophobic block copolymer ionomers based on polyphenylenes with controlled the block lengths were synthesized for the first time by a catalyst-transfer polycondensation of a dibromo phenylene derivative having a neopentyl ester protected sulfonic acid group, followed by the polycondensation of hydrophobic dibromo hexyloxybenzene. The diblock copolymer ionomers were obtained by the removal of neopentyl groups, resulting in clear phase separation dependent on the block lengths. The well-developed microphase separation provided controlled water uptake and sufficiently high proton conductivity, especially at low relative humidity conditions.

Dominant structural factors for complexation and denaturation of proteins using carboxylic acid receptors.

Complexation accompanied by denaturation of protein with synthetic carboxylic acid receptors was investigated, to evaluate the key factors for recognition of proteins. The synthetic receptors used were tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) derivatives and receptors bearing multiple (2-8) carboxylic acid groups. The complexation behavior was quantified from the absorption in the far UV CD spectrum attributed to the secondary structure of the protein.

Extraction and separation of a lysine-rich protein by formation of supramolecule between crown ether and protein in aqueous two-phase system.

The macrocyclic calixarenes and crown ethers have recently been found to form hydrophobic complexes with the cationic protein cytochrome c (Cyt-c), by recognizing lysine residues on the protein surface. In the present study, it was found that the distribution of cytochrome c in Li(2)SO(4)/PEG aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) can be controlled by complexation with the crown ether dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6). The protein was quantitatively extracted into the PEG-rich phase in the presence of DCH18C6 and perchlorate ion.

Adsorption of arsenic using high surface area magnetites.

Magnetites (MEBWx) were prepared by precipitation in 1-butanol/water mixtures of various mole ratios of 1-butanol to water. It was found that the magnetites prepared in the mixture with high mole ratio of 1-butanol to water have high specific surface area. The adsorption isotherms of As(III) and As(V) with the magnetites at 303 K fitted the Langmuir model well.

Adsorption of histidine-containing dipeptides on copper(II) immobilized chelating resin from saline solution.

Adsorption of histidine-containing dipeptides such as carnosine (Car) was investigated using copper(II) immobilized cation exchange resins. Adsorption of Car was enhanced using Cu(II) immobilized resins, on the basis of metal affinity interactions. In particular, iminodiacetic acid chelating resin with immobilized Cu(II) (Cu-IDA) can adsorb Car from saline water.

Degradation of methyl orange using short-wavelength UV irradiation with oxygen microbubbles.

A novel wastewater treatment technique using 8 W low-pressure mercury lamps in the presence of uniform-sized microbubbles (diameter = 5.79 microm) was investigated for the decomposition of methyl orange as a model compound in aqueous solution. Photodegradation experiments were conducted with a BLB black light blue lamp (365 nm), a UV-C germicidal lamp (254 nm) and an ozone lamp (185 nm+254 nm) both with and without oxygen microbubbles.