Communication
Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Novel Glutamic Acid Grafted Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle as an Efficient Drug Carrier for Curcumin
Reshmi Kalathoorparangodathu,
Aswathy Lalitha Balachandran,
Archana Somasekharan Nair,
Haripadmam Peethambaran Chandraprabha,
Shereena Jayapalan,
Sanal Kumar Sukumaran Nair,
Rajesh Ravindran Nair,
Jyothy Parvathy Valsalakumary,
Rajesh Ramachandran Savithri,
Anoop Somasekharan Nair*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
59-64
Received:
18 July 2026
Accepted:
27 July 2026
Published:
24 August 2026
Abstract: The emergence of nanotechnology has transformed drug delivery approaches, enabling the design of innovative nanocarriers that can precisely target diseased sites, enhance bioavailability, and minimize adverse effects. Herein, the green synthesized ZnO Nps were initially converted to -COOH functionalized nanoparticles which was then coupled with -NH2 group of glutamic acid (GLU). It was then encapsulated with CUR by making use of hydrogen bonds. The induced amide bonds in the drug carrier assured high drug loading capacity as the encapsulation and loading efficiencies were found to be 48.1% and 92.3% respectively. All the synthesis steps were carefully monitored using FTIR, XRD, SEM, DLS and Zeta potential measurements. All data suggested successful preparation of the drug delivery vehicle. The performance of the material was evaluated using in vitro release profiles and exhibited pH selective release of drug molecules with 59.0% CUR being delivered in a sustained manner at pH 7.4 within 3 days. However, at 1.2 pH, only 21% release was observed for the same time span. The absence of primary amine groups led to inertness in acidic pH whereas at basic conditions, the unreacted –COOH groups in GLU were deprotonated leading to swelling and thereby drug release. All these suggests the potential applicability of the prepared material in pH sensitive drug delivery of CUR.
Abstract: The emergence of nanotechnology has transformed drug delivery approaches, enabling the design of innovative nanocarriers that can precisely target diseased sites, enhance bioavailability, and minimize adverse effects. Herein, the green synthesized ZnO Nps were initially converted to -COOH functionalized nanoparticles which was then coupled with -NH...
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Research Article
Optimization, Chemical Profiling, and Bioactivity of Essential Oils from Citrus Peels Subjected to Different Drying Processes
Touil Amira*,
HajAmmar Ahlem,
Litaiem Jihene
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
65-85
Received:
2 July 2026
Accepted:
7 August 2026
Published:
11 September 2026
Abstract: Citrus processing generates large quantities of peel by-products that represent an abundant and renewable source of essential oils and other bioactive compounds. However, drying, a necessary pretreatment for storage and extraction, can significantly affect essential oil yield, chemical characteristics, and biological properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different drying methods and operating conditions on the extraction yield, physicochemical properties, and biological activities of essential oils obtained from peels of three Tunisian citrus species: Citrus sinensis (E1), Citrus limon (E2), and Citrus aurantium (E3). Physicochemical and thermophysical properties of the peels, including moisture content, porosity, and volumetric shrinkage, were first determined to evaluate their influence on drying behavior and oil extractability. Drying kinetics were then investigated using infrared, forced-convection, and open-air drying methods. A full factorial experimental design was applied to optimize the drying process by evaluating the effects of temperature, drying time, and air velocity on essential oil yield. The results showed that the three citrus species exhibited distinct physicochemical characteristics that influenced drying performance and extraction efficiency. Essential oil yield increased significantly with drying temperature, time, and air velocity, and the optimum conditions were identified as 70°C, 180 min, and 2 m s-1. Biological evaluation revealed that essential oils extracted from fresh Citrus limon peels exhibited the strongest and broadest antimicrobial activity, whereas all drying treatments caused a noticeable reduction in antimicrobial effectiveness. Similarly, antioxidant activity, expressed as IC₅₀ values, was highest in fresh samples and progressively decreased after open-air, convective, and infrared drying. Overall, the findings demonstrate that Tunisian citrus peels constitute a valuable source of bioactive essential oils and highlight the importance of selecting appropriate drying conditions to maximize extraction yield while minimizing losses in biological activity. These results provide useful guidance for the sustainable valorization of citrus processing by-products.
Abstract: Citrus processing generates large quantities of peel by-products that represent an abundant and renewable source of essential oils and other bioactive compounds. However, drying, a necessary pretreatment for storage and extraction, can significantly affect essential oil yield, chemical characteristics, and biological properties. This study aimed to...
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