Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Evaluation of Chitosan Nanoparticles Cross-Linked with Phytic Acid and Loaded with Colistin against Extensively Drug-Resistant Bacteria.

The natural evolution of microorganisms, as well as the inappropriate use of medicines, have accelerated the problem of drug resistance to many of the antibiotics employed today. Colistin, a lipopeptide antibiotic used as a last resort against multi-resistant strains, has also begun to present these challenges. Therefore, this study was focused on establishing whether colistin associated with chitosan nanoparticles could improve its antibiotic activity on an extremely resistant clinical isolate of , which is a clinically relevant Gram-negative bacterium.

Biopolymers as a Potential Alternative for the Retention of Pollutants from Vinasse: An In Silico Approach.

Vinasse, a waste from the bioethanol industry, presents a crucial environmental challenge due to its high organic matter content, which is difficult to biodegrade. Currently, no sustainable alternatives are available for treating the amount of vinasse generated. Conversely, biopolymers such as cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, and chitosan are emerging as an interesting alternative for vinasse control due to their flocculating capacity against several organic compounds.

Production and Characterization of Chitosan-Polyanion Nanoparticles by Polyelectrolyte Complexation Assisted by High-Intensity Sonication for the Modified Release of Methotrexate.

A promising strategy to improve the effectivity of anticancer treatment and decrease its side effects is to modulate drug release by using nanoparticulates (NPs) as carriers. In this study, methotrexate-loaded chitosan-polyanion nanoparticles were produced by polyelectrolyte complexation assisted by high-intensity sonication, using several anionic polymers, such as the sodium and potassium salts of poly(maleic acid--ethylene) and poly(maleic acid--octadecene), here named PAM-2 and PAM-18, respectively. Such NPs were analyzed and characterized according to particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency.

Production and Characterization of Glutathione-Chitosan Conjugate Films as Systems for Localized Release of Methotrexate.

Cancer is one of the most serious public health problems that affect humanity. Diverse delivery systems of anticancer drugs have been developed to enhance the treatment effectiveness and patient compliance. Thus, drug delivery systems from polymeric films could be an interesting and promising alternative, especially for skin chemotherapeutics.

Synthesis, Characterisation and Biological Evaluation of Ampicillin-Chitosan-Polyanion Nanoparticles Produced by Ionic Gelation and Polyelectrolyte Complexation Assisted by High-Intensity Sonication.

Recently, one of the promising strategies to fight sensitive and resistant bacteria, and decrease the morbidity and mortality rates due to non-nosocomial infections, is to use antibiotic-loaded nanoparticles. In this study, ampicillin-loaded chitosan-polyanion nanoparticles were produced through the techniques of ionic gelation and polyelectrolyte complexation assisted by high-intensity sonication, using several crosslinking agents, including phytic acid (non-polymeric polyanion), sodium and potassium salts of poly(maleic acid--ethylene) and poly(maleic acid--octadecene) (polymeric polyanions). These nanoparticles were analysed and characterised in terms of particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency.

Functionality of chitin as a direct compression excipient: an acetaminophen comparative study.

The particle and tableting properties of chitin extracted from shrimp exoskeletons were evaluated and compared with common excipients used for the preparation of tablets. Chitin offered more benefits in terms of functionality than calcium diphosphate, lactose monohydrate and pregelatinized starch. Further, highly plastic deforming materials such as sorbitol and PVP K30 and microcrystalline cellulose showed the best compactibility and dilution potential, whereas brittle deforming materials such as lactose monohydrate and calcium diphosphate were poorly compactable.