Application of fractional factorial design for green synthesis of cyano-modified silica nanoparticles: Chemometrics and multifarious response optimization

Electrochemical Analysis of Sulfisoxazole Using Glassy Carbon Electrode (GCE) and MWCNTs/Rare Earth Oxide (CeO2 and Yb2O3) Modified-GCE Sensors

In this work, new electrochemical sensors based on the modification of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-rare metal oxides (REMO) nanocomposites were fabricated by drop-to-drop method of MWCNTs-REMO dispersion in ethanol. REMO nanoparticles were synthesized by precipitation followed by hydrothermal treatment at 180 °C in absence and presence of Triton^TM X-100 surfactant. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis using MWCNTs-CeO₂@GCE and MWCNTs-Yb₂O₃@GCE sensors were used for the analysis of sulfisoxazole (SFX) drug in water samples. The results of CV analysis showed that MWCNTs-REMO@GCE sensors have up to 40-fold higher sensitivity with CeO₂ compared to the bare GCE sensor. The estimated values of the limit of detection (LoD) of this electrochemical sensing using MWCNTs-CeO₂@GCE and MWCNTs-Yb₂O₃@GCE electrodes reached 0.4 and 0.7 μM SFX in phosphate buffer pH = 7, respectively. These findings indicate that MWCNTs-REMO@GCE electrodes are potential sensors for analysis of sulfonamide drugs in water and biological samples.

In Silico Factorial Screening and Optimization of Chitosan Based Gel for Urapidil Loaded Microparticle using Reduced Factorial Design

OBJECTIVE

Literature study revealed the poor mechanical strength of chitosan-based microparticles. Our research aimed at developing sufficient strength of microparticle with a suitable concentration of chitosan and non-ionic surfactants such as poloxamer-188 (pluronic). It also aimed to develop and study the effect of variables for prepared microparticles utilizing insilico screening methodology, such as reduced factorial design, followed by optimization.

METHODS

Preliminary trial batches were prepared with variable concentration of chitosan and poloxamer-188 utilizing cross-linked ion-gelation technique. A 20% w/v sodium citrate solution was used as a cross-linking solution. The resolution-IV of 24-1 reduced factorial design was selected to screen the possible and significant independent variables or factors in the dosage form design. A total number of eight runs were suggested by statistical software and responses were recorded. The responses such as spreadability, pH, viscosity and percentage of drug released at 12 h were considered in the screening study. Based on the result, selected factors were included in the optimization technique, including graphical and numerical methods.

RESULTS

The signified factors based on reduced two-level factorial screening design with randomized subtype, were identified by Half-normal and Pareto chart. Mathematical fitting and analysis were performed by the factorial equation during the optimization process. The validation and fitting of models were suggested and evaluated by p-value, adjusted R2, and predicted R2 values. The significant and non-significant terms were evaluated, followed by finding the optimal concentration and region with yellow color highlighted in an overlay plot. Based on the data obtained by the overlay study, the final formulation batch was prepared and the observed value was found to be pretty much nearer as compared to predicted values. Drug-polymer interaction study included attenuated total reflectance, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-Ray diffraction study.

CONCLUSION

The principal of the study design was based on finding the prefixed set parameter values utilizing the concept of in-silico screening technique and optimization with a minimal number of trials and study expenses. It concluded that Poloxamer-188 (0.94%), chitosan (2.38%), swelling time (1.81 h), and parts of chitosan (78.51%) in a formulation batch would fulfill the predetermined parameter with specific values.

Biochar of Spent Coffee Grounds as Per Se and Impregnated with TiO2: Promising Waste-Derived Adsorbents for Balofloxacin

Biochars (BC) of spent coffee grounds, both pristine (SCBC) and impregnated with titanium oxide (TiO₂@SCBC) were exploited as environmentally friendly and economical sorbents for the fluroquinolone antibiotic balofloxacin (BALX). Surface morphology, functional moieties, and thermal stabilities of both adsorbents were scrutinized using SEM, EDS, TEM, BET, FTIR, Raman, and TG/dT analyses. BET analysis indicated that the impregnation with TiO₂ has increased the surface area (50.54 m²/g) and decreased the pore size and volume. Batch adsorption experiments were completed in lights of the experimental set-up of Plackett-Burman design (PBD). Two responses were maximized; the % removal (%R) and the adsorption capacity (q_e, mg/g) as a function of four variables: pH, adsorbent dosage (AD), BALX concentration ([BALX]), and contact time (CT). %R of 68.34% and 91.78% were accomplished using the pristine and TiO₂@SCBC, respectively. Equilibrium isotherms indicated that Freundlich model was of a perfect fit for adsorption of BALX onto both adsorbents. Maximum adsorption capacity (q_max) of 142.55 mg/g for SCBC and 196.73 mg/g for the TiO₂@SCBC. Kinetics of the adsorption process were best demonstrated using the pseudo-second order (PSO) model. The adsorption-desorption studies showed that both adsorbents could be restored with the adsorption efficiency being conserved up to 66.32% after the fifth cycles.

Design of experiments a powerful tool to improve the selectivity of copper antimony sulfide nanoparticles synthesis

Design of experiments to find the main factors governing phase compositions and nanoparticle size.

Eco-structured Adsorptive Removal of Tigecycline from Wastewater: Date Pits' Biochar versus the Magnetic Biochar

Non-magnetic and magnetic low-cost biochar (BC) from date pits (DP) were applied to remove tigecycline (TIGC) from TIGC-artificially contaminated water samples. Pristine biochar from DP (BCDP) and magnetite-decorated biochar (MBC-DP) were therefore prepared. Morphologies and surface chemistries of BCDP and MBC-DP were explored using FT-IR, Raman, SEM, EDX, TEM, and BET analyses. The obtained IR and Raman spectra confirmed the presence of magnetite on the surface of the MBC-DP. SEM results showed mesoporous surface for both adsorbents. BET analysis indicated higher amount of mesopores in MBC-DP. Box-Behnken (BB) design was utilized to optimize the treatment variables (pH, dose of the adsorbent (AD), concentration of TIGC [TIGC], and the contact time (CT)) and maximize the adsorptive power of both adsorbents. Higher % removal (%R), hitting 99.91%, was observed using MBC-DP compared to BCDP (77.31%). Maximum removal of TIGC (99.91%) was obtained using 120 mg/15 mL of MBC-DP for 10 min at pH 10. Equilibrium studies showed that Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms could best describe the adsorption of TIGC onto BCDP and MBC-DP, respectively, with a maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of 57.14 mg/g using MBC-DP. Kinetics investigation showed that adsorption of TIGC onto both adsorbents could be best-fitted to a pseudo-second-order (PSO) model.

Smart Synthesis of Trimethyl Ethoxysilane (TMS) Functionalized Core-Shell Magnetic Nanosorbents Fe3O4@SiO2: Process Optimization and Application for Extraction of Pesticides

In the current study, a smart approach for synthesizing trimethyl ethoxysilane–decorated magnetic-core silica-nanoparticles (TMS-mcSNPs) and its effectiveness as nanosorbents have been exploited. While the magnetite core was synthesized using the modified Mössbauer method, Stöber method was employed to coat the magnetic particles. The objective of this work is to maximize the magnetic properties and to minimize both particle size (PS) and particle size distribution (PSD). Using a full factorial design (2^k-FFD), the influences of four factors on the coating process was assessed by optimizing the three responses (magnetic properties, PS, and PSD). These four factors were: (1) concentration of tetraethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS); (2) concentration of ammonia; (3) dose of magnetite (Fe₃O₄); and (4) addition mode. Magnetic properties were calculated as the attraction weight. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine PS, and standard deviation (±SD) was calculated to determine the PSD. Composite desirability function (D) was used to consolidate the multiple responses into a single performance characteristic. Pareto chart of standardized effects together with analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 95.0 confidence interval (CI) were used to determine statistically significant variable(s). Trimethyl ethoxysilane–functionalized mcSNPs were further applied as nanosorbents for magnetic solid phase extraction (TMS-MSPE) of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides.

Chemometrically Assisted Development of Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of Sofosbuvir, Daclatasvir and Ledipasvir in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

A new ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous quantification of sofosbuvir, daclatasvir and ledipasvir was developed. Two combinations of these direct-acting antivirals are used in hepatitis C virus infection therapy and show high efficacy and safety. Fractional factorial design was used for screening the most influential factors on separation and time analysis. These significant factors were optimized using a central composite design. The optimum resolution was carried out by using a Waters XBridge C18 column (150 mm, 4.6 mm ID, 5 μm) at a temperature of 35°C ± 2°C and acetonitrile/sodium perchlorate buffer (10 mM, pH = 3.2) (40: 60 v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.5 mL min-1. UV detection was set at λ = 210 nm. A short chromatographic separation time was achieved. The developed method was validated according to the accuracy profile approach and was found specific, precise, faithful and accurate. The detection limits were between 0.07 and 0.13 μg mL-1. Hence, this novel method can be employed for the routine quality control analysis and in dissolution profile studies of generics containing these products.