•Phase behavior studies provided macroscopically different formulations.•Nanoemulsions were prepared by a high-energy method in a high pressure homogenizer.•Effect of surfactant/oil ratio on mean ...droplet size and distribution was studied.•Nanoemulsions droplet size increased over time due to Ostwald ripening and coalescence.•Formulations 4.6 and 5.5, 2.8* and 3.7* showed constant droplet size during at least 3 months.
Nanoemulsions have attracted much attention due to their application in material science, food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical field as delivery systems for lipophilic bioactive ingredients, such as essentials oils. The aim of this study is to develop and characterize oil-in-water (o/w) nanoemulsion-based delivery systems for vehiculation of sweet fennel oil. To this purpose, a pseudo-ternary phase diagram (PTD) was constructed based on sweet fennel as oily phase, surfactant mixture and water through the water titration method. The influence of surfactant concentration was investigated by varying the oil/surfactant ratio (OSR). After constructing PTD, nine selected formulations were processed in a high-pressure homogenizer (HPH). Results suggested nanoemulsions presented mean droplet sizes values smaller than 100nm, and size distributions and polydispersity index (PdI) maximum of 0.3 when prepared under the conditions employed in this work. Given the non-ionic feature of the surfactants employed here, the formulations tested presented low negative charges (around −3mV). Shear viscosity measurements were performed and a newtonian rheological behavior was observed for all formulations. Sweet fennel oil showed an antioxidant potential, with an EC50 value 111μg/mL. The results obtained might corroborate to the application of sweet fennel oil nanoemulsions as potential candidate for antioxidant topical formulations.
Abstract
In the winter of 2021-2022, researchers on the hamlet of Banat Al-Hassan, southeast of Samarra (Iraq), conducted a field experiment in gypsum soil on one of the private farms there. Both ...zero and eight tons of organic fertilizer were used in the experiment. 0 and 160 kg of phosphate fertilizer D
−1
and D
−2
. D
−1
without competition from the other five sweet fennel genotypes and two fertilizer types (Local, Amigo, Dollap, Azuricum, Hannan). According to the findings, the SIPR1 gene in the 8-ton had the highest level of expression. The highest dose of D-1 for organic fertilizer treatment for the Azuricum genotype was 9.986644 mg, followed by 160 kg of the SIActin gene. Dollap genotype required 9.849155 g of D
−1
phosphate fertilizer.
The economic burden of chronic wounds, the complexity of the process of tissue repair and the possibility of resistant bacterial infections, have triggered a significant research interest in the ...application of natural alternative therapies for wound healing. Biomolecules are intrinsically multi-active, as they affect multiple mechanisms involved in tissue repair phenomenon, including immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, cell proliferation, extra cellular matrix remodeling and angiogenesis. Chitosan features a unique combination of attributes, including intrinsic hemostatic, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties, that make it an exceptional candidate for wound management, in the development of wound dressings and scaffolds. In this study, we produced nanoemulsions (NE) loaded with SFO, characterized them, and evaluated their tissue repairing properties. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis confirmed the formation of a nanoemulsion with a droplet size of 21.12 ± 2.31 nm and a polydispersity index (PdI) of 0.159, indicating good stability for up to 90 days. To investigate the potential wound healing effects, SFO-loaded NE were applied on male C57BL/6 mice for seven consecutive days, producing a significantly higher wound closure efficiency (p < 0.05) for the group treated with SFO-loaded NE compared to the control group treated with the saline solution. This finding indicates that the SFO-loaded NE exhibits therapeutic properties that effectively promote wound healing in this experimental model. Then, SFO-loaded NE were incorporated into chitosan:polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based films. The inclusion of NE into the polymer matrix resulted in increased lipophilicity reflected by the contact angle results, while decreasing moisture absorption, water solubility, and crystallinity. Moreover, FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of new bonds between SFO-NE and the film matrix, which also impacted on porosity properties. Thermal analysis indicated a decrease in the glass transition temperature of the films due to the presence of SFO-NE, suggesting a plasticizing role of NE, confirmed by XRD results, that showed a decrease in the crystallinity of the blend films upon the addition of SFO-NE. AFM images showed no evidence of NE droplet aggregation in the Chitosan:PVA film matrix. Moisture absorption and water content decreased upon incorporation of SFO-loaded NE. Although the inclusion of NE increased hydrophobicity and water contact angle, the values remained within an acceptable range for wound healing applications. Overall, our results emphasize the significant tissue repairing properties of SFO-loaded NE and the potential of Chitosan:PVA films containing nanoencapsulated SFO as effective formulations for wound healing with notable tissue repairing properties.
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Nanoemulsions (NE) have attracted much attention due to their as dermal delivery systems for lipophilic drugs such as psoralens. However, NE feature low viscosity which might be ...unsuitable for topical application. In this work, we produced hydrogel-thickened nanoemulsions (HTN) using chitosan as thickening polymer to overcome the low viscosity attributed to NE. The aim of this study is to develop and characterize oil-in-water (o/w) HTN based on sweet fennel and clove essential oil to transdermal delivery of 8-methoxsalen (8-MOP). NE components (oil, surfactant) were selected on the basis of solubility and droplet size and processed in a high-pressure homogenizer (HPH). Drug loaded NE and HTN were characterized for particle size, stability under storage and centrifugation, rheological behavior, transdermal permeation and skin accumulation. Transdermal permeation of 8-MOP from HTN was determined by using Franz diffusion cell. Transdermal permeation from HTN using clove essential oil showed strong dependency chitosan molecular weight. On the other hand, HTN using sweet fennel oil showed an unexpected pH-dependent behavior not fully understood at the moment. These results need further investigation, nevertheless HTN revealed to be interesting and complex dermal delivery systems for poorly soluble drugs.
In this study, the effect of different levels of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilizers on vegetative fresh bulb yield, quality and biochemical attributes of sweet fennel were investigated in ...spring 2017 and 2018. Treatments consisted of 0, 50, 100, or 150 kg ha
−1
of N and K in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that, the bulb fresh yield increased with application of N and K in both years, while the higher level of K had significant adverse effect in first year. Results also showed that sweet fennel bulb treated by N and K exhibited higher vitamin C, total phenols and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant capacity, especially in first year. In both years, alone or combined application of N and K increased total soluble solids (TSS) content as compared to control, and this effect was more pronounced in 2017 season. Macronutrient contents of bulb including magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), K, N, and calcium (Ca) were significantly enhanced by NK fertilizer, however an alone application of K decreased Ca and Mg nutrient contents. Therefore, to improve fresh bulb yield, quality and antioxidant capacity in sweet fennel, 150 kg ha
−1
K and 100 kg ha
−1
N is recommended.
Field experiment was conducted to study the effect of organic and bio-organic fertilizers on dry weight; yield, total phenolics (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC), vitamin C and on their antioxidant ...activities of two sweet fennel cultivars Dolce and Zefa fino. Results strongly showed that there were significant differences between sweet fennel cultivars. Generally the highest values of all parameters were obtained when fennel plants were supplemented with 50% NPK+50% organic fertilizer and bio fertilizer when compared with control treatment. The highest values of TPC, TFC and Vit. C were recorded by Zefa fino cultivar when received 50% NPK+50% organic treatment. The antioxidant activities of both cultivars were evaluated and Dolce cultivar showed the highest DPPH scavenging activity expressed as IC50 compared with Zefa fino cultivar. In addition, Dolce cultivars exhibited the highest value for Fe2+-chelating activities for organic and bio-organic fertilizers followed by Zefa fino when compared to control treatment. Dolce cultivar generally showed superiority than Zefa fino in all measured parameters.
Stable emulgels formulated with sweet fennel oil, an essential oil with antioxidant and antibacterial activity, and a fumed silica (Aerosil 200) were prepared. A nylon membrane was the emulsification ...system chosen, which lead to high droplet sizes and poor stability. However, the addition of Aerosil 200 provoked the formation of stable emulgels. Rheology, Multiple Light Scattering technique and Scanning Electron Microscopy provided relevant information about the occurrence of a 3D network. Also, these techniques revealed the function of this fumed silica to increase the viscoelastic functions and to improve the physical stability of the emulgels developed. However, the results obtained indicated that the excess of Aerosil 200 is counterproductive for the physical stability inducing flocculation/coalescence.
Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of essential oils from fruit and stems of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (bitter ...fennel oil and sweet fennel oil), when used as sensory additives (flavourings). For long‐living and reproductive animals, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) considered of low concern the use of bitter fennel oil (with a content of estragole up to 6.1%) at the proposed use level in complete feed: 0.6 mg/kg for laying hens and rabbits, 1.0 mg/kg for sows and dairy cows, 1.5 mg/kg for sheep/goats, horses and cats, 1.9 mg/kg for dogs and 7.1 mg/kg for ornamental fish. For short‐living animals (animals for fattening), the Panel had no safety concern when bitter fennel oil is used at the proposed use level in complete feed of 18.2 mg/kg for chickens for fattening, 24.3 mg/kg for turkeys for fattening and 25 mg/kg for piglets, pigs for fattening, veal calves, cattle for fattening, sheep/goats, horses, rabbits and salmon. These conclusions were extrapolated to other physiologically related species. The use of sweet fennel oil (with a content of estragole up to 5.0%) was considered of low concern at the proposed use level in complete feed of 2.3 mg/kg for dogs and 1.9 mg/kg cats. The use of bitter fennel oil in animal feed is expected to be of no concern for consumers and the environment. The additives under assessment should be considered as irritants to skin and eyes, and as dermal and respiratory sensitisers. Due to the high concentration of estragole (> 1%), fennel oils are classified as suspected of causing genetic defects and of causing cancer and should be handled accordingly. Since the fruit of F. vulgare Mill. ssp. vulgare and its preparations are recognised to flavour food, no further demonstration of efficacy was necessary.
Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a tincture from the fruit of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. ssp. vulgare var. ...dulce (sweet fennel tincture) when used as a sensory additive in feed and water for drinking for all animal species. The product is a ■■■■■ solution, with a dry matter content of approximately 2.16%. The product contained 0.0586% polyphenols (of which 0.0052% were flavonoids), anethole (0.0006%), anisaldehyde (0.0035%) and estragole (0.0006%). The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that sweet fennel tincture is safe at the maximum proposed use levels of 200 mg/kg complete feed for horses and 50 mg/kg complete feed for all other animal species. The FEEDAP Panel considered that the use in water for drinking is safe provided that the total daily intake of the additive does not exceed the daily amount which is considered safe when consumed via feed. No safety concern would arise for the consumer from the use of sweet fennel tincture up to the maximum proposed use levels in feed. Sweet fennel tincture should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. When handling the additive, exposure of unprotected users to estragole cannot be excluded. Therefore, to reduce the risk, the exposure of the users should be minimised. F. vulgare is native to Europe. The use of sweet fennel tincture as a flavour in animal feed was not expected to pose a risk for the environment. Since the fruit of F. vulgare and its preparations were recognised to flavour food and their function in feed would be essentially the same, no demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.
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