A new method to determine the partial solubility parameters of polymers from intrinsic viscosity

Rheological Properties of Corn Starch Gels With the Addition of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose of Different Viscosities

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of the addition of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (from 0.5 to 2.0% w/w, starch basis) with three different viscosities (40–60, 80–120, and 2,600–5,600 mPa⋅s) to corn starch (30% w/w, total basis) gels. Average viscosimetric molecular weights (M_v) of tested HPMC were determined (from 27.2 × 10³ to 82.7 × 10³ g/mol). Water retention capacity of HPMC varied linearly with M_v. The formation and curation of gels were monitored by rheology employing consecutive steps such as heating ramp (25–90°C), time sweep (90°C), cooling ramp (90–25°C), time sweep (25°C), and frequency sweep. Additionally, creep-recovery tests were performed. HPMC above 1.5% w/w delayed the range of gelatinization temperature of starch up to 2°C. Viscoelasticity and stiffness of corn starch gels with HPMC depend on both the amount of polymer added and M_v of the HPMC. Finally, to achieve corn gels with mimetic viscoelastic properties to wheat gel (with constant total solids), HPMC with relatively low viscosity (low M_v) is necessary to be added at certain content.

New Insights on Solvent Implications in the Design of Materials Based on Cellulose Derivatives Using Experimental and Theoretical Approaches

The current paper presents a strategic way to design and develop materials with properties adapted for various applications from biomedicine to environmental applications. In this context, blends of (hydroxypropyl)methyl cellulose (HPMC) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) were obtained to create new materials that can modulate the membrane properties in various fields. Thus, to explore the possibility of using the HPMC/PVP system in practical applications, the solubility parameters in various solvents were initially evaluated using experimental and theoretical approaches. In this frame, the study is aimed at presenting the background and steps of preliminary studies to validate the blends behavior for targeted application before being designed. Subsequently, the analysis of the behavior in aqueous dilute solution of HPMC/PVP blend offers information about the conformational modifications and interactions manifested in system depending on the structural characteristics of polymers (hydrophilicity, flexibility), polymer mixtures composition, and used solvent. Given this background, based on experimental and theoretical studies, knowledge of hydrodynamic parameters and analysis of the optimal compositions of polymer mixtures are essential for establishing the behavior of obtained materials and validation for most suitable applications. Additionally, to guarantee the quality and functionality of these composite materials in the targeted applications, e.g., biomedical or environmental, the choice of a suitable solvent played an important role.

Conformational Behavior, Topographical Features, and Antioxidant Activity of Partly De-Esterified Arabinoxylans

This study aimed to investigate the effect of arabinoxylans (AX) partial de-esterification with feruloyl esterase on the polysaccharide conformational behavior, topographical features, and antioxidant activity. After enzyme treatment, the ferulic acid (FA) content in AX was reduced from 7.30 to 5.48 µg FA/mg polysaccharide, and the molecule registered a small reduction in radius of gyration (RG), hydrodynamic radius (Rh), characteristic ratio (C∞), and persistence length (q). A slight decrease in α and a small increase in K constants in the Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation for partially de-esterified AX (FAX) suggested a reduction in molecule structural rigidity and a more expanded coil conformation, respectively, in relation to AX. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra of AX and FAX presented a pattern characteristic for this polysaccharide. Atomic force microscopy topographic analysis of FAX showed a more regular surface without larger hollows in relation to AX. The antioxidant activity of FAX, compared to AX, was reduced by 30 and 41% using both 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS+) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) methods, respectively. These results suggest that feruloyl esterase treatment of AX could offer a strategy to tailor AX chains conformation, morphological features, and antioxidant activity, impacting the development of advanced biomaterials for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

Systematic approach for wettability prediction using molecular dynamics simulations

We present a fast and efficient approach to predict the wettability and spreading of liquids on polymeric substrates. First, a molecular dynamics parameterization is proposed for the calculation of the solubility parameter for 74 compounds including surfactants typically used in inkjet printing. Then, we introduce a molecular geometrical factor to relate the solubility parameter to the surface tension, obtaining estimates in remarkable agreement with experiments. By using a modified Young-Fowkes equation, the contact angles of liquids on various polymeric substrates are determined and their dependence on the hydrogen bonding, dispersion and polar contribution of the solubility parameter are investigated. We find that wetting properties are obtained with a good accuracy when taking into account the hydrogen-bonding and polar interactions in the geometric sum of the solubility parameter. Based on these findings, a 3D wetting space is proposed to evaluate liquids wettability and judge their suitability for specific substrates. This will enable easy formulation of liquids with wettability tailored for a particular surface and application.

Application of the solubility parameter concept to assist with oral delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs – a PEARRL review

Objectives

Solubility parameters have been used for decades in various scientific fields including pharmaceutics. It is, however, still a field of active research both on a conceptual and experimental level. This work addresses the need to review solubility parameter applications in pharmaceutics of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Key findings

An overview of the different experimental and calculation methods to determine solubility parameters is provided, which covers from classical to modern approaches. In the pharmaceutical field, solubility parameters are primarily used to guide organic solvent selection, cocrystals and salt screening, lipid-based delivery, solid dispersions and nano- or microparticulate drug delivery systems. Solubility parameters have been applied for a quantitative assessment of mixtures, or they are simply used to rank excipients for a given drug.

Summary

In particular, partial solubility parameters hold great promise for aiding the development of poorly soluble drug delivery systems. This is particularly true in early-stage development, where compound availability and resources are limited. The experimental determination of solubility parameters has its merits despite being rather labour-intensive because further data can be used to continuously improve in silico predictions. Such improvements will ensure that solubility parameters will also in future guide scientists in finding suitable drug formulations.

Solvent optimization for bacterial extracellular matrices: a solution for the insoluble

Ionic liquids enable solvent optimization for different biofilms through solubility parameter concept.

Effects of solubility properties of solvents and biomass on biomass pretreatment

Hildebrand solubility parameters of biomasses and pretreatment solvents were examined by a method of intrinsic viscosity. This is to be used as basic information in selecting a suitable solvent for biomass pretreatment processes. The effects of mixing1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMIM-AC) and different solvents, lignin content in a pretreatment solvent, and biomass type on the Hildebrand solubility parameter and thermodynamic properties were carried out and calculated in this work. The Hildebrand solubility parameters of the mixtures are according to those of organic solvents: δH[EMIM-AC/DMA]=25.07<δH[EMIM-AC/DMF]=25.48<δH[EMIM-AC/DMSO]=26.10<δH[EMIM-AC/Ethanolamine]=26.95. The Hildebrand solubility parameters of biomass compositions (microcrystalline cellulose, xylan and alkali lignin) and biomasses (cassava pulp residue and rice straw) vary in the ranges of 25.14-26.13. The increases of lignin content in the pretreatment solvents lead to the Hildebrand solubility parameter becoming closer to that of lignin.

Study of Bovine Serum Albumin Solubility in Aqueous Solutions by Intrinsic Viscosity Measurements

The behavior of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in water is scarcely studied, and the thermodynamic properties arising from the experimental measurements have not been reported. Intrinsic viscosity measurements are very useful in assessing the interaction between the solute and solvent. This work discussed in a simple determination of the enthalpy of BSA in aqueous solution when the concentration ranges from 0.2 to 36.71% wt. and the temperature from 35 to 40°C. The relationship between the concentration and intrinsic viscosity is determined according to the method of Huggins. The temperature increase reduces the ratio between inherent viscosity and concentration (ηi/c). This is reflected in the Van't Hoff curve. Furthermore, this work proposes hydrodynamic cohesion value as an indicator of the degree of affinity of protein with water and thermodynamic implications in conformational changes.

Design, characterization, and evaluation of meloxicam gel prepared by suspension and solution polymerization using solubility parameter as the basis for development

Meloxicam gel was designed based on the matching of the solubility parameter (delta) of the drug with that of the polymer and subsequently with skin for improved dermal delivery of meloxicam. The delta of meloxicam (11.48 (cal/cm(3))(0.5)) determined by solubility measurement was matched statistically to the solubility parameter of monomers, n-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol methacrylate (EGMA) determined by intrinsic viscosity measurement. Consequently gels were formulated by polymerization in selected solvent blend of water/ethyl acetate (20:80) in which the drug showed maximum solubility. Thus, F1-F16 formulations designed were evaluated for physicochemical properties, textural analysis, and in vitro drug release. On the basis of optimum characteristics, F2 (PVA, delta = 16.96 (cal/cm(3))(0.5)) and F8 (EGMA, delta = 18.35 (cal/cm(3))(0.5)) formulated by suspension polymerization were selected and subjected to skin irritation and topical anti-inflammatory studies. The formulation F8 demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) of anti-inflammatory activity in comparison to marketed piroxicam gel and was free from irritation.

Intrinsic viscosity of polymers and biopolymers measured by microchip

Intrinsic viscosity provides insight to molecular structure and interactions in solution. A new microchip method is described for fast and accurate measurements of viscosity and intrinsic viscosity of polymer and biopolymer solutions. Polymer samples are diluted with solvent in the microfluidic chip by imposing pressure gradients across the channel network. The concentration and flow dilutions of the polymer sample are calculated from the fluorescent signals recorded over a range of dilutions. The viscosities at various polymer dilutions are evaluated using mass and momentum balances in the pressure-driven microchannel flow. The technique is particularly important to many chemical, biological, and medical applications where sample is available in very small quantities. The intrinsic viscosity experiments were performed for three classes of polymer solutions: (a) poly(ethylene glycol), polymers with linear hydrocarbon chains; (b) bovine serum albumin, biopolymer chains with hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids, and (c) DNA fragments, biological macromolecules with double-stranded polymeric chains. The measured values of intrinsic viscosity agree remarkably well with the available data obtained using different methods. The data exhibit power law behavior for molecular weight as described by the Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation. Experiments were performed to understand the effect of solvent quality and salt concentration on molecular conformations and the intrinsic viscosity of the polymers. This method offers a new way to study the conformational changes in proteins and DNA solutions in various buffer conditions such as pH, ionic strength, and surfactants. The effects of shear rate in the microchannel and mixing time on the accuracy and limitation of the measurement method are discussed.

Relationship between swelling of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and the Hansen and Karger partial solubility parameters

A model that relates the equilibrium swelling of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose to the partial solubility parameters of both the polymer and the solvents is proposed to interpret and correlate the experimental data. The non-specific interactions are expressed as the dispersion delta(d) and polar delta(p) solubility parameters of Hansen, or as a combination of both. Hydrogen bonding is represented by the acidic delta(a) and the basic delta(b) Karger solubility parameters. The results are compared with models including the same parameters for non-specific interactions (delta(d) and delta(p)) and the Hansen hydrogen bonding parameter delta(h). Equilibrium swelling of this hydrophilic polymer that is widely used in drug formulation is measured in pure solvents covering a wide polarity range. In a qualitative way, swelling increases in solvents with higher Hildebrand solubility parameters and stronger hydrogen bonding capability, and it decreases in non-polar solvents. Single polarity indexes, such as the Hildebrand solubility parameter or the partition coefficient (PC), do not fit well the overall experimental data. The best correlations were obtained with the proposed model, providing at the same time an interpretation consistent with the physical meaning of the terms included in the equation. Swelling increases as the non-specific interactions of the polymer and the solvents become alike, and as the Lewis acid-base interactions of the polymer (1) and the solvent (2) represented by the products delta(1a)delta(2b) and delta(1b)delta(2a) become greater. Conversely, hydrogen bonding self association of the solvents (the product delta(1a)delta(1b)) lowers swelling. The results show that the Karger hydrogen bonding parameters provide a better approach than the Hansen hydrogen bonding parameter to correlate the swelling behavior of a hydrophilic polymer.

The Hildebrand solubility parameters, cohesive energy densities and internal energies of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-based room temperature ionic liquids

The Hildebrand solubility parameters, cohesive energy densities and internal energies of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-based room temperature ionic liquids were determined by the intrinsic viscosity method and their dependencies on the length of the alkyl group analyzed.