DB is a whitish to yellowish resin, characterized initially in terms of solubility, acid value, molecular weight (Mw), polydispersity index (Mw/Mn) and glass transition temperature (Tg). Neat plasticized films of DB (Damar Batu) are investigated for mechanical, water vapor transmission and moisture absorption properties. To improve the mechanical properties of the free films dibutyl sebacate, a hydrophobic plasticizer was added to film composition. The biomaterial was further investigated for sustaining the drug release from spherical units (multiparticulates). The core of pellet was prepared using Diclofenac sodium (10% w/w) as a model drug by extrusion and speronization. The drug containing pellets were coated using DB plasticized film-coating solutions.With 2% coat build-up, sustained drug release up to 10 h was achieved with coating solution containing 20% and 30% w/w (based on DB weight) plasticizers. Less than 3% drug was released in the first 2 h which may be explained in terms of the insolubility of DB and the drug in acidic milieu. The release from pellets coated using DB film coating solution containing 20% and 30% plasticizers followed first order release pattern. DB seems to be a promising film former for pharmaceutical coating due to its reasonably good mechanical properties, low water vapor transmission and sustained release capability.

Background: The resistance of the bacteria and fungi to the innumerous antimicrobial agents is a major challenge in the treatment of the infections demands to the necessity for searching and fi nding new sources of substances with antimicrobial properties. The incorporation of the essential oils (EOs) in chitosan fi lm forming solution may enhance antimicrobial properties. However, its use as the feeding additive in the poultry nutrition needs to clarify the product’s activity against both pathogen and the useful microbes in the gastrointestinal tract.Objectives: In the present study, we carried out an in vitro investigation and evaluated the antimicrobial activity of chitosan fi lm forming solution incorporated with essential oils (CFs+EOs) against microbial strains includingStaphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus rahmnosus, Aspergillus niger and Alternaria alternate.Material and Methods: In three replicates, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of diff erent treatments including: 1- essential oils (EOs), 2- chitosan fi lm solution (CFs), and 3-chitosan fi lm solution enriched with EOs (CFs+EOs) were determined against above mentioned microbes.Results: The results indicated that the chitosan solution enriched with essential oils (CFs+EOs) is capable of inhibiting the bacterial and fungal growth even at the lowest concentrations. The MIC and MBC for all the antimicrobial agents against Escherichia coliand Staphylococcus aureus were very low compared to the concentrations needed to inhibit the growth of useful bacteria, Lactobacillus rahmnosus and Enterococcus faecium. The antifungal activity of chitosan was enhanced as the concentration of EOs increased in the fi lm solution.Conclusion: Chitosan-EOs complexes are the promising candidate for novel contact antimicrobial agents that can be used in animal feeds.

Processing of conjugate polymers has always been a challenge because of their poor solubility and infusibility in organic and inorganic solvents. The processibility and applications of intrinsically conductive polymers can be enhanced by producing their solutions or dispersions in different suitable solvents. It can also be achieved by preparing undoped or electrically neutral polymers, which can further be transformed in a semiconductor after an oxidation/reduction reaction. The present study focuses on the preparation of active dispersions of poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) conductive polymer in various organic solvents. For this purpose, the polymerization of 3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomer was carried out in three different organic solvents, ethanol, 1-butanol, and acetonitrile, with two commonly used oxidants, ferric (III) chloride and ferric (III) p-toluenesulfonate. In this regard, the oxidant and monomer solutions with variable molar concentrations (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 M) were prepared in particular solvents and then the solutions were mixed with different monomer/oxidant volume ratios. The obtained dispersions of PEDOT can readily be polymerized on the surface of different materials after solvent evaporation and a uniform film can be achieved. The effect of molar as well as volume concentrations of EDOT monomer and oxidant on insulating (undoped/neutral) and film-forming properties of PEDOT was investigated. These dispersions were applied on a transparent PET film and cellulosic fibers (viscose), dried at room temperature and analyzed using scanning electron microscope, optical microscope, and ATR-FTIR spectroscopic analysis. The electrical characterization of undoped PEDOT-coated fibers was performed on Keithley Picoammeter. This study contributes to obtaining a simpler and instantaneous polymerization method of PEDOT preparation and enhancing its application area.

Background and purpose: The study aimed to develop a localized topical anti-inflammatory treatment using a Thai medicinal herbal remedy called "Sahasthara, " known for its anti-inflammatory properties, to create a film-forming spray (FFS). Experimental approach: This research evaluated and developed an FFS formulated with Sahasthara ethanolic extract (SHTe). Subsequently, the optimized formulation was investigated for in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, cell culture toxicity assessment, pharmacological effects, and stability studies. Findings/Results: An optimized formulation (F12) was identified, consisting of 1% w/w SHTe and PVP K90, glycerol, PEG 400, sesame oil, a eutectic blend, and ethanol. This clear, smooth surface, yellowish film releases 42. 37%, 38. 67%, and 68. 93% at 8 h, corresponding to a flux of 20. 94, 1. 92, and 26. 32 µg/cm2 /h of piperine, plumbagin, and β-asarone, respectively. F12 was determined to have a viscosity, drying time, and spray angle of 20 cps, 4. 57 min, and 66. 0 degrees. In-vitro anti-inflammatory activity demonstrated nitric oxide (NO) inhibition with an IC50 of 9. 18 µg/mL. No apparent toxicity was observed in a skin cell line. This formulation was developed to be physically stable after undergoing freeze-thaw cycles. Although thermodynamic stability studies under accelerated conditions revealed a minor decrease in piperine and β-asarone within the film, the results indicate no statistically significant changes in its anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion and implications: SHTe FFS offers optimal spray ability, a high in-vitro drug release profile, potent inhibition of anti-inflammatory markers, and stability under accelerated conditions. These findings suggest that SHTe FFS can serve as an innovative topical anti-inflammatory treatment.

The current study explores the film forming ability of a new additive Methyl p-toluene sulfonate (MPTS) on the LiMn2O4 (LMO) electrode and its effect on the electrochemical characteristics of lithium-ion battery. Based on the density functional theory analysis of the ionization energy (AIE) of MPTS and carbonate solvents, it was found that MPTS possesses the lowest AIE at 693.2 kJ/mol, suggesting a higher susceptibility to oxidation compared to the electrolyte solvents. Electrochemical and physicochemical analyses including linear sweep voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, field-emission scanning microscopy, indicated that the electrolyte with MPTS is prone to create a protective film with low impedance on the cathode electrode, which enhances the stability of the electrolyte and electrode upon battery cycling. The LMO/Li half-cell with 1.5% MPTS exhibits outstanding cyclic performance, retaining 90.53% of its capacity after 100 cycles, in comparison to 81.84% for the pristine electrolyte at high voltage. This improvement is because of the creation of a protective sulfur-containing layer on the cathode surface, which effectively prevents electrolyte degradation, reduces interfacial impedance, and enhances overall battery performance.

The present paper studies the effect of chitosan, cationic starch and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as sizing agents to enhance surface properties of kenaf paper. The polymers were incorporated into the sheets by spray application. The results clearly showed that the addition of chitosan to a sheet formed from beaten fibres had excellent improvement in surface properties, compared to the effect of other additives. Sizing quality of cationic starch fairly matched with the sizing quality of chitosan, however, it was able to reduce the water absorption potential of paper more than chitosan at a same concentration. In most other properties, particularly the most important property for printing papers, surface smoothness, chitosan-sized papers are superior to the paper sized with cationic starch or PVA.