Um problema importante na produção de filmes ativos utilizando agentes ativos lipofílicos é a dificuldade de dispersão desses agentes na solução formadora de filme (SFF). As nanoemulsões podem ser uma alternativa para dispersar esses compostos na matriz biopolimérica. Os objetivos gerais desta pesquisa foram: 1) Desenvolver nanoemulsões óleo-em-água (O/A), com três agentes ativos na fase óleo, sendo dois antimicrobianos - cinamaldeído e óleo essencial de alho - e um antioxidante - alfa-tocoferol, e caracterizar essas nanoemulsões, inclusive sua estabilidade; e 2) Desenvolver, caracterizar e aplicar filmes ativos à base de gelatina-quitosana (G-Q), ativados com nanoemulsões O/A preparadas nas condições ótimas de processo: N1: α-tocoferol/cinamaldeído; N2: α-tocoferol/óleo essencial de alho; N3: α-tocoferol/cinamaldeído e óleo essencial de alho; e N4: óleo de canola. As nanoemulsões O/A foram preparadas usando um microfluidizador e Tween 20 e Span 60 como emulsificantes, caracterizadas e incorporadas na SFF. Os filmes foram produzidos pela técnica de Casting incorporando 0 ou 5 g agente ativo nanoemulsificado/100 g biopolímero e usando glicerol como plastificante. Os filmes foram caracterizados em termos de propriedades físicas, mecânicas, de permeabilidade ao vapor de água e isotermas de sorção, ópticas, microestruturais, e atividades antimicrobiana e antioxidante. Além disso, um estudo de migração dos agentes ativos em simuladores de alimentos foi realizado. A mortadela fatiada foi embalada em bandejas de poliestireno usando filmes como separador de fatias. Posteriormente, foi avaliada a aceitação sensorial da mortadela e sua vida útil com base em análises físico-químicas e microbiológicas. Os resultados mostraram emulsões O/A com tamanho de gota nanométrico, distribuição monomodal, potencial ζ >-30 mV, alta estabilidade física e eficiência de encapsulação e propriedades ativas. Por outro lado, os filmes ativos não apresentaram diferenças significativas (p>0,05) quanto à espessura, umidade, permeabilidade ao vapor de água e propriedades térmicas. A solubilidade em água, ângulo de contato, transmissão de luz, rigidez e resistência à tração e o brilho dos filmes foram reduzidos (p<0,05), enquanto a deformação na ruptura, opacidade, grau de inchamento, cor e rugosidade da superfície aumentaram consideravelmente (p<0,05) em razão da incorporação das nanoemulsões. Os modelos matemáticos de BET, GAB, Peleg e Oswin descreveram o comportamento de absorção de vapor de água dos filmes. As análises de DSC, FTIR e de difração de raios-X sugeriram compatibilidade entre a gelatina e a quitosana. Uma boa distribuição das nanogotas de óleo que encapsulavam os agentes ativos na matriz biopolimérica foi confirmada pelas análises de MEV e MFA. As nanoemulsões e os filmes ativos foram efetivos contra a Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Listeria monocytogenes e apresentaram atividade antioxidante frente aos radicais DPPH•, ABTS•+ e o reagente FRAP. As cinéticas de migração dos agentes ativos apresentaram comportamento Fickiano, com valores de coeficientes de difusão efetiva (D) entre 10-14 e 10-15 m2/s. Por outro lado, as fatias de mortadela embaladas sem filme foram as mais aceitas sensorialmente. Porém, o filme ativo utilizado ofereceu a maior ação antimicrobiana contra a L. monocytogenes e P. aeruginosa, inicialmente inoculadas na mortadela, além do maior efeito protetor contra bactérias deteriorantes, assim como inibiu a oxidação lipídica por mais tempo (5 dias) durante o estudo de vida útil. Em geral, este estudo evidenciou que os filmes à base de G-Q carregados com agentes ativos nanoemulsificados pode ter potencial como material de embalagem para melhorar a vida útil de alimentos. / A major problem in the production of active films using lipophilic active agents is their poor dispersion in the film-forming solution (FFS). Nanoemulsions may be an alternative to disperse these compounds within the biopolymeric matrix. The main aims of this research were: 1) to develop oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions incorporated with three active agents in the oil phase, two antimicrobials - cinnamaldehyde and garlic essential oil - and one antioxidant - α-tocopherol and characterize those nanoemulsions, even their stability, and 2) Develop, characterize and applicate gelatin-chitosan (G-Ch) based films activated with O/W nanoemulsions prepared under optimal conditions: N1: α-tocopherol/cinnamaldehyde; N2: α-tocopherol/garlic essential oil; N3: α-tocopherol/cinnamaldehyde and garlic essential oil; and N4: canola oil. The O/W nanoemulsions were prepared using a microfluidizer and Tween 20 and Span 60 as emulsifiers, characterized, and then loaded into the FFS. The films were produced by the casting method incorporating 0 or 5 g of nanoemulsified active agent/100 g biopolymer, using glycerol as a plasticizer, and subsequently characterized in terms of their physical, mechanical, water vapor permeability, water sorption, optical, microstructural, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. In addition, a study of active agent migration into food simulants was performed. The sliced mortadella was packed in polystyrene trays using films as a slice separator. After, a sensorial acceptance evaluation and shelf life study, based on physicochemical and microbiological analyses, were performed for the mortadella sausage. The results showed O/A emulsions with nanometric droplet size, monomodal distribution, ζ potential greater than -30 mV, high physical stability, high encapsulation efficiency, and active properties. On the other hand, the active films presented no significant differences (p>0.05) in terms of thickness, moisture content, water vapor permeability, and thermal properties. The solubility in water, contact angle, light transmission, tensile strength, and brightness of films were reduced (p<0.05), whilst the deformation at break, opacity, degree of swelling, color, and surface roughness considerably increased (p<0.05), due to the incorporation of nanoemulsions. The mathematical models of BET, GAB, Peleg and Oswin described the water vapor absorption behavior of the films. The DSC, FTIR, and x-ray analyses suggested compatibility between the gelatin and chitosan. A good distribution of the oil nanodroplets encapsulating the active agents within the matrix was confirmed by AFM and SEM analyses. The active nanoemulsions and films were effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Listeria monocytogenes, and showed antioxidant activity against the DPPH• and ABTS•+ free radicals, as well as the FRAP reagent. The kinetic migration of the active agents presented a Fickian behavior with values of effective diffusion coefficients (D) between 10-14 and 10-15 m2/s. On the other hand, the mortadella slices packed without films were the most sensorially accepted. However, the active films used offered the greatest effectiveness against L. monocytogenes and P. aeruginosa initially inoculated in the mortadella sausage, and highest protective effect against spoilage bacteria, as well as inhibiting lipid oxidation for longer time (5 days) during the shelf life study. Overall, this study offered clear evidence that G-Ch based films, loaded with nanoemulsified active agents, can have potential as packaging material for enhancing the shelf life of food.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da sinvastatina, isolada e associada ao α-tocoferol e à L-arginina, sobre os inibidores endógenos da óxido nítrico sintase, os metabólitos do óxido nítrico e tióis, em pacientes hipercolesterolêmicos. Analisou-se um grupo de 16 pacientes hipercolesterolêmicos que seguiram o seguinte protocolo: período de washout (sem medicação), 1 mês; sinvastatina (20mg/dia), 2 meses; sinvastatina (20mg/dia) + α-tocoferol (400U/dia), 2 meses; sinvastatina (20mg/dia, washout), 1 mês; sinvastatina (20mg/dia) + L-arginina (7g/dia), 2 meses. A sinvastatina reduziu significativamente as concentrações do colesterol total e LDL-colesterol e a razão LDL-colesterol/HDL-colesterol. O tratamento com sinvastatina, isolada e associada ao α-tocoferol, promoveu diminuição nas concentrações de S-nitrosotióis. A L-arginina associada à sinvastatina, aumentou os níveis de colesterol total quando comparada com a sinvastatina isoladamente. As concentrações plasmáticas de α-tocoferol e L-arginina não aumentaram em decorrência da suplementação, devido à grande dispersão dos dados obtidos, embora as medianas das concentrações plasmáticas de Larginina e α-tocoferol tenham sido mais elevadas após as suplementações. O tratamento com sinvastatina, isolada ou associada à L-arginina e ao α-tocoferol, não alterou as concentrações dos inibidores endógenos da óxido nítrico sintase (ADMA e SDMA), dos metabólitos do óxido nítrico, da nitrotirosina total e dos tióis analisados. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sinvastatin, isolated and associated to α-tocopherol and to L-arginine, on the endogenous inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase, on nitric oxide metabolytes and thiols, in hypercholesterolemic patients. A group of 16 hypercholesterolemic patients were analysed, acconting to the protocol: a washout period (without medication) of 1 month, sinvastatin (20 mg/day) for 2 months; sinvastatin (20 mg/day) + α-tocopherol (400U/day) for 2 months; sinvastatin (20 mg/day) for 1 months (washout period), sinvastatin (20 mg/day) + L-arginine (7g/day) for 2 months. Sinvastatin significantly reduced the concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, as well as the LDL-cholesterol/HDLcholesterol ratio. The treatment with sinvastatina, alone and associate to α-tocoferol, resulted in a reduction of RSNO concentration. The L-arginine associated with sinvastatin, increase the level of total cholesterol as compared with simvastatin alone. The plasma concentrations of a-tocopherol and Larginine did not increase following supplementation due to the large dispersion of the data obtained, even though the median plasma concentrations of L-arginine and a-tocopherol were elevated after supplementation. Treatment with simvastatin, alone or associated to L-arginine and a-tocopherol did not alter the concentrations of the endogenous inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (ADMA and SDMA), or that of nitric oxide metabolytes, total nitrotyrosine or the thiols analysed.

La prééclampsie est responsable du quart des mortalités maternelles et est la deuxième cause de décès maternels associés à la grossesse au Canada et dans le monde. L’identification d’une stratégie efficace pour la prévention de la prééclampsie est une priorité et un défi primordial dans les milieux de recherche en obstétrique. Le rôle des éléments nutritifs dans le développement de la prééclampsie a récemment reçu davantage d’attention. Plusieurs études cliniques et épidémiologiques ont été menées pour déterminer les facteurs de risque alimentaires potentiels et examiner les effets d’une supplémentation nutritive dans le développement de troubles hypertensifs de la grossesse. Pour déterminer les effets de suppléments antioxydants pris pendant la grossesse sur le risque d’hypertension gestationnelle (HG) et de prééclampsie, un essai multicentrique contrôlé à double insu a été mené au Canada et au Mexique (An International Trial of Antioxidants in the Prevention of Preeclampsia – INTAPP). Les femmes, stratifiées par risque, étaient assignées au traitement expérimental quotidien (1 gramme de vitamine C et 400 UI de vitamine E) ou au placebo. En raison des effets secondaires potentiels, le recrutement pour l’essai a été arrêté avant que l’échantillon complet ait été constitué. Au total, 2640 femmes éligibles ont accepté d’être recrutées, dont 2363 (89.5%) furent incluses dans les analyses finales. Nous n’avons retrouvé aucune évidence qu’une supplémentation prénatale de vitamines C et E réduisait le risque d’HG et de ses effets secondaires (RR 0,99; IC 95% 0,78-1,26), HG (RR 1,04; IC 95% 0,89-1,22) et prééclampsie (RR 1,04; IC 95% 0,75-1,44). Toutefois, une analyse secondaire a révélé que les vitamines C et E augmentaient le risque de « perte fœtale ou de décès périnatal » (une mesure non spécifiée au préalable) ainsi qu’une rupture prématurée des membranes avant terme. Nous avons mené une étude de cohorte prospective chez les femmes enceintes recrutées dans l’INTAPP afin d’évaluer les relations entre le régime alimentaire maternel en début et fin de grossesse et le risque de prééclampsie et d’HG. Un questionnaire de fréquence alimentaire validé était administré deux fois pendant la grossesse (12-18 semaines, 32-34 semaines). Les analyses furent faites séparément pour les 1537 Canadiennes et les 799 Mexicaines en raison de l’hétérogénéité des régimes alimentaires des deux pays. Parmi les canadiennes, après ajustement pour l’indice de masse corporelle (IMC) précédant la grossesse, le groupe de traitement, le niveau de risque (élevé versus faible) et les autres facteurs de base, nous avons constaté une association significative entre un faible apport alimentaire (quartile inférieur) de potassium (OR 1,79; IC 95% 1,03-3,11) et de zinc (OR 1,90; IC 95% 1,07-3,39) et un risque augmenté de prééclampsie. Toujours chez les Canadiennes, le quartile inférieur de consommation d’acides gras polyinsaturés était associé à un risque augmenté d’HG (OR 1,49; IC 95% 1,09-2,02). Aucun des nutriments analysés n’affectait les risques d’HG ou de prééclampsie chez les Mexicaines. Nous avons entrepris une étude cas-témoins à l’intérieur de la cohorte de l’INTAPP pour établir le lien entre la concentration sérique de vitamines antioxydantes et le risque de prééclampsie. Un total de 115 cas de prééclampsie et 229 témoins ont été inclus. Les concentrations de vitamine E ont été mesurées de façon longitudinale à 12-18 semaines (avant la prise de suppléments), à 24-26 semaines et à 32-34 semaines de grossesse en utilisant la chromatographie liquide de haute performance. Lorsqu’examinée en tant que variable continue et après ajustement multivarié, une concentration de base élevée de gamma-tocophérol était associée à un risque augmenté de prééclampsie (quartile supérieur vs quartile inférieur à 24-26 semaines : OR 2,99, IC 95% 1,13-7,89; à 32-34 semaines : OR 4,37, IC 95% 1,35-14,15). Nous n’avons pas trouvé de lien entre les concentrations de alpha-tocophérol et le risque de prééclampsie. En résumé, nous n’avons pas trouvé d’effets de la supplémentation en vitamines C et E sur le risque de prééclampsie dans l’INTAPP. Nous avons toutefois trouvé, dans la cohorte canadienne, qu’une faible prise de potassium et de zinc, tel qu’estimée par les questionnaires de fréquence alimentaire, était associée à un risque augmenté de prééclampsie. Aussi, une plus grande concentration sérique de gamma-tocophérol pendant la grossesse était associée à un risque augmenté de prééclampsie. / Preeclampsia (PE) accounts for about one-quarter of cases of maternal mortality, and ranks second among the causes of pregnancy-associated maternal deaths in Canada and worldwide. The identification of an effective strategy to prevent PE is a priority and fundamental challenge in obstetrics research. The role of nutritional factors in the etiology of PE has recently received increased attention. Many clinical and epidemiological studies have been conducted to investigate potential dietary risk factors for PE and to examine the effects of nutritional supplementation on the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. To investigate the effects of prenatal antioxidant supplementation on the risk of gestational hypertension (GH) and PE, a double blind, multicenter trial (The International Trial of Antioxidants for the Prevention of Preeclampsia – the INTAPP trial) was conducted in Canada and in Mexico. Women were stratified by their risk status and assigned to daily experimental treatment (1 gram vitamin C and 400 IU vitamin E) or to placebo. Due to concerns about potential adverse effects, recruitment for the trial was stopped before the full sample had been achieved. A total of 2640 consenting eligible women had been recruited at that point with 2363 women (89.5%) included in the final analysis. We found no evidence that prenatal supplementation of vitamins C and E reduced the risk of GH and its adverse conditions (RR: 0.99, 95% CI 0.78-1.26), GH (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.89-1.22), and PE (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.75-1.44). However, in a secondary analysis, we found that vitamins C and E increased the risk of ‘fetal loss or perinatal death’ (a non-pre-specified outcome) as well as preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). We conducted a prospective cohort study on pregnant women enrolled in the INTAPP trial to investigate the associations between maternal diet in early and late pregnancy and the risk of PE and GH. A validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was administered twice during pregnancy (12-18 weeks, 32-34 weeks). Analyses were conducted separately for 1537 Canadian and 799 Mexican women as there were significant heterogeneities in various nutrient intakes between the two countries. Among Canadian women, after adjusting for pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), treatment group, risk stratum (high versus low) and other baseline risk factors, we found that the lowest quartiles of potassium (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.03-3.11) and zinc (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.07-3.39) intake were significantly associated with an increased risk of PE. Also in Canadian women, the lowest quartile of polyunsaturated fatty acids was associated with an increased risk of GH (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.09-2.02). None of the nutrients analyzed were found to be associated with PE and GH risk among Mexican women. We further conducted a case control study ancillary to the INTAPP trial to assess the relationship between plasma concentration of antioxidant vitamins and the risk of PE. A total of 115 PE cases and 229 matched controls were included. Vitamin E concentrations were measured longitudinally at 12-18 weeks (prior to supplementation), 24-26 weeks, and 32-34 weeks of gestation using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). When examined as a continuous variable, and after multivariate adjustment, elevated baseline gamma-tocopherol concentrations were associated with an increased risk of PE (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.02-1.78). Analyses of repeated measurements indicated that elevated gamma-tocopherol levels were associated with an increased risk of PE (highest vs. lowest quartile at 24-26 weeks: OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.13-7.89; at 32-34 weeks: OR 4.37, 95% CI 1.35-14.15). We found no associations between alpha-tocopherol concentrations and the risk of PE. In summary, we found no effects of vitamins C and E supplementation on the risk of PE in the INTAPP trial. However, in the Canadian cohort we found that lower intakes of potassium and zinc as estimated by the FFQ were associated with an increased risk of PE. Moreover, higher plasma concentration of gamma-tocopherol during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of PE.

The thesis entitled “The Role of Liposomal Hybrids and Gold Nanoparticles in the Efficacious Transport of Nucleic Acids and Small Molecular Drugs for Cancer Nanomedicine” elucidates the preparation of various liposomal formulations of cationic monomeric and gemini lipids where hydrophobic domains were consisted of tocopherol, cholesterol and pseudoglyceryl backbone for the cellular transport of nucleic acids. The thesis continues while elucidating the role of various pH sensitive molecules and gold nanoparticles in liposomes to improve the delivery efficacy levels. This thesis also elucidates the role of gold nanoparticles stabilized with natural pH sensitive molecules for efficacious drug delivery applications. Additionally, the role of such pH sensitive gold nanoparticles in association with liposomes for the co-delivery of drug and gene has been discussed. The work has been divided into six chapters. Chapter 1A: Dimeric Lipids Derived from α-Tocopherol as Efficient Gene Transfection Agents. Mechanistic Insights into Lipoplex Internalization and Therapeutic Induction of Apoptotic Activity In this chapter, we present cationic dimeric (gemini) lipids for significant plasmid DNA (pDNA) delivery to different cell lines without any marked toxicity in the presence of serum. The six gemini lipids possess α-tocopherol as their hydrophobic backbone and differ from each other in terms of their spacer chain lengths. Each of these gemini lipids mixed with a helper lipid 1, 2-dioleoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (DOPE), was capable of forming stable aqueous suspensions. These co-liposomal systems were examined for their potential to transfect pEGFP-C3 plasmid DNA in to nine cell lines of different origins. The transfection efficacies noticed in terms of EGFP expression levels using flow cytometry were well corroborated using independent fluorescence microscopy studies. Significant EGFP expression levels were reported using the gemini co-liposomes which counted significantly better than one well known commercial formulation lipofectamine 2000 (L2K). Transfection efficacies were also analyzed in terms of the degree of intracellular delivery of labeled plasmid DNA (pDNA) using confocal microscopy which revealed an efficient internalization in the presence of serum. The cell viability assays performed using optimized formulations demonstrated no significant toxicity towards any of the cell lines used in the study. We also had a look at the lipoplex internalization pathway to profile the uptake characteristics. A caveolae/lipid raft route was attributed to their excellent gene transfection capabilities. The study was further advanced by using a therapeutic p53-EGFP-C3 plasmid and the apoptotic activity was observed using FACS and growth inhibition assay. Figure 1. The co-liposomes of tocopheryl gemini lipids and DOPE for efficient delivery of p53-EGFP-C3 plasmid DNA that induces significant apoptotic response. Chapter 1B: Efficacious Gene Silencing in Serum and Significant Apoptotic Activity Induction by Survivin Downregulation Mediated by Cationic Gemini Tocopheryl Lipids Non-viral gene delivery offers cationic liposomes as promising instruments for the delivery of double-stranded RNA (ds RNA) molecules for successful sequence-specific gene silencing (RNA interference). The efficient delivery of siRNA (small interfering RNA) to cells while avoiding the unexpected side effects is an important prerequisite for the exploitation of the power of this excellent tool. We discuss in this chapter about six tocopherol based cationic gemini lipids, which induce substantial gene knockdown without any obvious cytotoxicity. All the efficient co-liposomal formulations derived from each of these geminis and a helper lipid, dioleoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (DOPE) were well characterized using physical methods such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Zeta potential measurements were conducted to estimate the surface charge of these formulations. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the optimized co-liposomal formulations could transfect anti-GFP siRNA efficiently in three different GFP expressing cell lines, viz. HEK 293T, HeLa and Caco-2 significantly better than a potent commercial standard Lipofectamine 2000 (L2K) both in the absence and presence of serum (FBS). Notably, the knockdown activity of co-liposomes of gemini lipids was not affected even in the presence of serum (10% and 50% FBS) while it dropped down for L2K significantly. Observations under a fluorescence microscope, RT-PCR and western blot analysis substantiated the flow cytometry results. The efficient cellular entry of labeled siRNA in GFP expressing cells as evidenced from confocal microscopy put forward these gemini lipids among the potent lipidic carriers for siRNA. The efficient transfection capabilities were also profiled in a more relevant fashion while performing siRNA transfections against survivin (an anti-apoptotic protein) which induced substantial apoptosis. Furthermore, the survivin downregulation improved the therapeutic efficacy levels of an anticancer drug, doxorubicin significantly. In short, the new tocopherol based gemini lipids appear to be highly promising for achieving siRNA mediated gene knockdown in various cell lines. Figure 2. The co-liposomes of tocopheryl gemini lipids and DOPE for efficient delivery of siRNA against survivin that induces significant apoptotic response. Chapter 2: Efficacious in Vitro EGFP Expression and Silencing in Serum by Cationic Pseudoglyceryl Gemini Lipids To elicit the desirable efficacy levels in cationic liposome mediated nucleic acid therapeutics has been part of extensive scientific efforts. This chapter describes three cationic gemini lipids and application of their co-liposomes with DOPE as potent pDNA (plasmid DNA) and siRNA (small interfering RNA) cytofectins for remarkably advanced efficacy levels in numerous cell lines in the presence of serum. The hydrophobic structural lineament of cationic gemini lipids is made up of pseudoglyceryl backbone linked to the hydrocarbon chains via oligo-oxyethylene units. The stable aqueous co-liposomal suspensions of gemini lipids showed an efficient binding to pDNA or siRNA and their significant intracellular delivery in various cell lines. The transfection capabilities of different co-liposomal formulations were profiled based on EGFP expression (pEGFP-C3 pDNA transfection) and EGFP knockdown (anti-GFP siRNA transfections) in EGFP expressing cell lines. The cellular EGFP expression levels and intracellular delivery of labeled nucleic acids were thoroughly studied using flow cytometry (FACS), fluorescence and confocal microscopy. The MTT based cell viability assay revealed no loss in cell viabilities for all of the transfection optimized lipoplexes of siRNA or pDNA. The transfection profile of gemini co-liposomes was noted to be significantly much better than a commercial lipofection reagent, Lipofectamine 2000 used for pDNA and siRNA applications in each of the cell lines studied. The co-liposomes and their transfection optimized lipoplexes were physiochemically characterized extensively by means of zeta potential, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In brief, these new gemini co-liposomal formulations seem to offer a great opportunity for successful nucleic acid (DNA and siRNA) delivery in a practical scenario. Figure 3. Efficacious EGFP expression (pDNA transfection) and EGFP silencing (anti GFP siRNA transfection) mediated by co-liposomes of pseudoglyceryl gemini lipids and DOPE. Chapter 3: Efficient Elicitation of Liposomal Nucleic acid delivery through the Eminence of Gold Nanoparticles Stabilized with pH Responsive Short Tripeptide Derived from Tyrosine Kinase NGF Receptors The prerequisite in the area of gene therapy today is to serve transfection efficient formulations nullifying the enduring key issues. To this end, we discuss in this chapter, the role of hybrid liposomal formulations derived from structurally distinct cationic lipids, a neutral lipid (DOPE) and pH responsive short tripeptide (KFG, Lys-Phe-Gly) capped gold nanoparticles (PAuNPs). The hybrid liposomes are presented to be efficient enough to transfect pDNA leading to remarkably high gene expression levels in various cell lines of different origins in the presence of serum (FBS). Hybrid liposomes could deliver pDNA more effectively than the native liposomes and commercial standard lipofectamine 2000 (L2K) across the entire range of N/P ratios studied under the influence of intracellular pH response and gold nanoparticles prominence. The gene transfection capabilities are profiled based on transfections performed using two different plasmids (pGL3, luciferase activity and p-EGFP-C3, green fluorescent protein expression). pDNA cellular internalization and subsequent gene expression levels are studied using flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy and confocal microscopic studies. The extensive physiochemical characterization of hybrid liposomal formulation and their complexes with pDNA in comparison with respective native liposomes was performed using AFM, TEM, Zeta, DLS, gel retardation assay, U.V. and fluorescence emission measurements. The hybrid liposomes are shown to possess significantly higher fusion activity at lowered pH of intracellular compartments. These hybrid liposomes are fairly biocompatible across the concentration range used in transfection experiments. Precisely, introduction of these pH responsive tripeptide capped gold nanoparticles in to liposomal formulations straightforwardly must be more advantageous for a practical application in biomedical scenario to achieve therapeutic levels. Figure 4. The hybrid of liposomes and tri-peptide capped gold nanoparticles for significantly improved gene expression levels. Chapter 4: RNA Aptamer Decorated pH Sensitive Liposomes for Active Transport of Nucleic Acids in Specific Cancer Cells This chapter describes the target specific transport of pH sensitive liposomes loaded with a RNA aptamer for promising nucleic acid therapeutics. The pH sensitive liposomes are constructed from a cationic cholesteryl gemini lipid (CGL), neutral helper lipid (DOPE) and gemini analog of a pH sensitive lipid, palmitoyl homocysteine (GPHC). The liposomes are shown to be significantly fusogenic that deliver the cargoes upon lowerin the pH (6.0). The fusogenic behaviour of the liposomes was thoroughly studied by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, lipid mixing, calcein dequenching and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The facile integration of cholesterol conjugated RNA aptamer in liposomes derived from cholesteryl gemini lipids was exploited for their delivery to specific cancer cells. The RNA aptamer specifically binds to epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) with high affinity which is a cell surface marker in various solid cancers such as colorectal and breast carcinoma. These aptamer decorated pH sensitive liposomes could efficiently enter the EpCAM expressing COLO-205, Caco-2, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines while no such noticeable liposome transport was observed in EpCAM negative HEK 293T cells as evidenced by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Additionally, the liposomes are shown to be actively transported inside the cells, i.e., receptor mediated endocytosis. These liposomes could complex the nucleic acids (pDNA) in an efficient manner. The MTT based cell viability assay accounted no noticeable loss in cell viabilities for liposome treatments. Concisely, we have formulated RNA aptamer loaded pH sensitive liposomes that would certainly be promising tool in target based cancer nanomedicine. Figure 5. (A) Cellular internalization of DY-647 labeled aptamer loaded pH sensitive liposomes. (B) The liposomes were actively internalized through receptor mediated endocytosis. Each panel (A and B) represents (from left to right) bright field image, aptamer fluorescence, DAPI stained nuclei and merge of previous three impressions. Chapter 5: Natural Tri-peptide Capped Gold Nanoparticles for Efficacious Doxorubicin Delivery in Vitro and in Vivo Nanotechnology has gained ever increasing interest for the successful implementation of chemotherapy based treatment of cancer. This chapter describes the role of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) capped with a natural pH responsive short tri-peptide (Lys-Phe–Gly or KFG) for significant intracellular delivery of an anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX). A significantly increased apoptotic response was noted for DOX treatments mediated by KFG-AuNPs in comparison with drug alone treatments in various cell lines (BT-474, HeLa, HEK 293T and U251) in vitro. Furthermore, KFG-AuNPs mediated DOX treatment significantly decreased cell proliferation and tumor growth in BT-474 cell xenograft model in nude mice. In addition, KFG-AuNPs showed efficacious drug delivery in DOX-resistant HeLa cells (HeLa-DOXR) in comparison with drug alone treatments. Figure 6. Representative images of excised tumors after doxorubicin treatment mediated by pH responsive tri-peptide capped gold nanoparticles (DOX-KFG-AuNPs) (C) in comparison with doxorubicin alone treatments (B) and untreated tumors (A). Extensive cell death as observed under Hematoxylin/eosin (H&E) (D) and TUNEL (E) staining of DOX-KFG-AuNPs treated tumor sections. Chapter 6: Significant Apoptotic Activity Induction by Efficacious Co-delivery of p53 Gene and Doxorubicin Mediated by the Combination of Co-liposomes of Cationic Gemini lipid and pH Responsive Tri-peptide Combining chemotherapy with gene therapy has appeared as an efficient tool to treat complex biological disorder like cancer. Herein, we show efficient co-delivery of DNA and an anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX) by means of gemini cationic liposome (GCL) based lipoplex nanoaggregates that are coated with DOX encapsulated pH responsive tripeptide nanovesicles. The lipoplex, tripeptide vesicles and their association was thoroughly studied using dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, atomic force microscopy (AFM). Flow cytometry, fluorescence and confocal microscopic analysis revealed that the GCL-tripeptide association could significantly co-deliver the p53 expression plasmid (p53-EGFP-C3) and DOX in HeLa and HEK 293T cells in the presence of serum. A synergistic increase in gene expression level and DOX internalization was observed in co-delivery which was even substantially higher than individual lipoplex transfection and DOX treatment. The apoptosis induced due to p53 expression and DOX was profiled with the help of annexin-V positivity analysis under flow cytometry and nuclear damage analysis by DAPI nuclei counterstaining under confocal microscopy which noted to be significantly higher in cells during co-delivery. The MTT based cell viability assay revealed a significantly increased loss in cell viability counts for co-delivery treatments. Such a system delivering synergistically increased significant efficacy levels in combinatorial drug and nucleic acid therapeutics would be certainly advantageous for practical biomedical applications. Figure 7. The co-delivery of pDNA and drug (doxorubicin) mediated by GCL-tripeptide association as observed under (A) confocal microscopy (pDNA; green and doxorubicin; red) and (B) flow cytometry.

Um problema importante na produção de filmes ativos utilizando agentes ativos lipofílicos é a dificuldade de dispersão desses agentes na solução formadora de filme (SFF). As nanoemulsões podem ser uma alternativa para dispersar esses compostos na matriz biopolimérica. Os objetivos gerais desta pesquisa foram: 1) Desenvolver nanoemulsões óleo-em-água (O/A), com três agentes ativos na fase óleo, sendo dois antimicrobianos - cinamaldeído e óleo essencial de alho - e um antioxidante - alfa-tocoferol, e caracterizar essas nanoemulsões, inclusive sua estabilidade; e 2) Desenvolver, caracterizar e aplicar filmes ativos à base de gelatina-quitosana (G-Q), ativados com nanoemulsões O/A preparadas nas condições ótimas de processo: N1: α-tocoferol/cinamaldeído; N2: α-tocoferol/óleo essencial de alho; N3: α-tocoferol/cinamaldeído e óleo essencial de alho; e N4: óleo de canola. As nanoemulsões O/A foram preparadas usando um microfluidizador e Tween 20 e Span 60 como emulsificantes, caracterizadas e incorporadas na SFF. Os filmes foram produzidos pela técnica de Casting incorporando 0 ou 5 g agente ativo nanoemulsificado/100 g biopolímero e usando glicerol como plastificante. Os filmes foram caracterizados em termos de propriedades físicas, mecânicas, de permeabilidade ao vapor de água e isotermas de sorção, ópticas, microestruturais, e atividades antimicrobiana e antioxidante. Além disso, um estudo de migração dos agentes ativos em simuladores de alimentos foi realizado. A mortadela fatiada foi embalada em bandejas de poliestireno usando filmes como separador de fatias. Posteriormente, foi avaliada a aceitação sensorial da mortadela e sua vida útil com base em análises físico-químicas e microbiológicas. Os resultados mostraram emulsões O/A com tamanho de gota nanométrico, distribuição monomodal, potencial ζ >-30 mV, alta estabilidade física e eficiência de encapsulação e propriedades ativas. Por outro lado, os filmes ativos não apresentaram diferenças significativas (p>0,05) quanto à espessura, umidade, permeabilidade ao vapor de água e propriedades térmicas. A solubilidade em água, ângulo de contato, transmissão de luz, rigidez e resistência à tração e o brilho dos filmes foram reduzidos (p<0,05), enquanto a deformação na ruptura, opacidade, grau de inchamento, cor e rugosidade da superfície aumentaram consideravelmente (p<0,05) em razão da incorporação das nanoemulsões. Os modelos matemáticos de BET, GAB, Peleg e Oswin descreveram o comportamento de absorção de vapor de água dos filmes. As análises de DSC, FTIR e de difração de raios-X sugeriram compatibilidade entre a gelatina e a quitosana. Uma boa distribuição das nanogotas de óleo que encapsulavam os agentes ativos na matriz biopolimérica foi confirmada pelas análises de MEV e MFA. As nanoemulsões e os filmes ativos foram efetivos contra a Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Listeria monocytogenes e apresentaram atividade antioxidante frente aos radicais DPPH•, ABTS•+ e o reagente FRAP. As cinéticas de migração dos agentes ativos apresentaram comportamento Fickiano, com valores de coeficientes de difusão efetiva (D) entre 10-14 e 10-15 m2/s. Por outro lado, as fatias de mortadela embaladas sem filme foram as mais aceitas sensorialmente. Porém, o filme ativo utilizado ofereceu a maior ação antimicrobiana contra a L. monocytogenes e P. aeruginosa, inicialmente inoculadas na mortadela, além do maior efeito protetor contra bactérias deteriorantes, assim como inibiu a oxidação lipídica por mais tempo (5 dias) durante o estudo de vida útil. Em geral, este estudo evidenciou que os filmes à base de G-Q carregados com agentes ativos nanoemulsificados pode ter potencial como material de embalagem para melhorar a vida útil de alimentos. / A major problem in the production of active films using lipophilic active agents is their poor dispersion in the film-forming solution (FFS). Nanoemulsions may be an alternative to disperse these compounds within the biopolymeric matrix. The main aims of this research were: 1) to develop oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions incorporated with three active agents in the oil phase, two antimicrobials - cinnamaldehyde and garlic essential oil - and one antioxidant - α-tocopherol and characterize those nanoemulsions, even their stability, and 2) Develop, characterize and applicate gelatin-chitosan (G-Ch) based films activated with O/W nanoemulsions prepared under optimal conditions: N1: α-tocopherol/cinnamaldehyde; N2: α-tocopherol/garlic essential oil; N3: α-tocopherol/cinnamaldehyde and garlic essential oil; and N4: canola oil. The O/W nanoemulsions were prepared using a microfluidizer and Tween 20 and Span 60 as emulsifiers, characterized, and then loaded into the FFS. The films were produced by the casting method incorporating 0 or 5 g of nanoemulsified active agent/100 g biopolymer, using glycerol as a plasticizer, and subsequently characterized in terms of their physical, mechanical, water vapor permeability, water sorption, optical, microstructural, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. In addition, a study of active agent migration into food simulants was performed. The sliced mortadella was packed in polystyrene trays using films as a slice separator. After, a sensorial acceptance evaluation and shelf life study, based on physicochemical and microbiological analyses, were performed for the mortadella sausage. The results showed O/A emulsions with nanometric droplet size, monomodal distribution, ζ potential greater than -30 mV, high physical stability, high encapsulation efficiency, and active properties. On the other hand, the active films presented no significant differences (p>0.05) in terms of thickness, moisture content, water vapor permeability, and thermal properties. The solubility in water, contact angle, light transmission, tensile strength, and brightness of films were reduced (p<0.05), whilst the deformation at break, opacity, degree of swelling, color, and surface roughness considerably increased (p<0.05), due to the incorporation of nanoemulsions. The mathematical models of BET, GAB, Peleg and Oswin described the water vapor absorption behavior of the films. The DSC, FTIR, and x-ray analyses suggested compatibility between the gelatin and chitosan. A good distribution of the oil nanodroplets encapsulating the active agents within the matrix was confirmed by AFM and SEM analyses. The active nanoemulsions and films were effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Listeria monocytogenes, and showed antioxidant activity against the DPPH• and ABTS•+ free radicals, as well as the FRAP reagent. The kinetic migration of the active agents presented a Fickian behavior with values of effective diffusion coefficients (D) between 10-14 and 10-15 m2/s. On the other hand, the mortadella slices packed without films were the most sensorially accepted. However, the active films used offered the greatest effectiveness against L. monocytogenes and P. aeruginosa initially inoculated in the mortadella sausage, and highest protective effect against spoilage bacteria, as well as inhibiting lipid oxidation for longer time (5 days) during the shelf life study. Overall, this study offered clear evidence that G-Ch based films, loaded with nanoemulsified active agents, can have potential as packaging material for enhancing the shelf life of food.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da sinvastatina, isolada e associada ao α-tocoferol e à L-arginina, sobre os inibidores endógenos da óxido nítrico sintase, os metabólitos do óxido nítrico e tióis, em pacientes hipercolesterolêmicos. Analisou-se um grupo de 16 pacientes hipercolesterolêmicos que seguiram o seguinte protocolo: período de washout (sem medicação), 1 mês; sinvastatina (20mg/dia), 2 meses; sinvastatina (20mg/dia) + α-tocoferol (400U/dia), 2 meses; sinvastatina (20mg/dia, washout), 1 mês; sinvastatina (20mg/dia) + L-arginina (7g/dia), 2 meses. A sinvastatina reduziu significativamente as concentrações do colesterol total e LDL-colesterol e a razão LDL-colesterol/HDL-colesterol. O tratamento com sinvastatina, isolada e associada ao α-tocoferol, promoveu diminuição nas concentrações de S-nitrosotióis. A L-arginina associada à sinvastatina, aumentou os níveis de colesterol total quando comparada com a sinvastatina isoladamente. As concentrações plasmáticas de α-tocoferol e L-arginina não aumentaram em decorrência da suplementação, devido à grande dispersão dos dados obtidos, embora as medianas das concentrações plasmáticas de Larginina e α-tocoferol tenham sido mais elevadas após as suplementações. O tratamento com sinvastatina, isolada ou associada à L-arginina e ao α-tocoferol, não alterou as concentrações dos inibidores endógenos da óxido nítrico sintase (ADMA e SDMA), dos metabólitos do óxido nítrico, da nitrotirosina total e dos tióis analisados. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sinvastatin, isolated and associated to α-tocopherol and to L-arginine, on the endogenous inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase, on nitric oxide metabolytes and thiols, in hypercholesterolemic patients. A group of 16 hypercholesterolemic patients were analysed, acconting to the protocol: a washout period (without medication) of 1 month, sinvastatin (20 mg/day) for 2 months; sinvastatin (20 mg/day) + α-tocopherol (400U/day) for 2 months; sinvastatin (20 mg/day) for 1 months (washout period), sinvastatin (20 mg/day) + L-arginine (7g/day) for 2 months. Sinvastatin significantly reduced the concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, as well as the LDL-cholesterol/HDLcholesterol ratio. The treatment with sinvastatina, alone and associate to α-tocoferol, resulted in a reduction of RSNO concentration. The L-arginine associated with sinvastatin, increase the level of total cholesterol as compared with simvastatin alone. The plasma concentrations of a-tocopherol and Larginine did not increase following supplementation due to the large dispersion of the data obtained, even though the median plasma concentrations of L-arginine and a-tocopherol were elevated after supplementation. Treatment with simvastatin, alone or associated to L-arginine and a-tocopherol did not alter the concentrations of the endogenous inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (ADMA and SDMA), or that of nitric oxide metabolytes, total nitrotyrosine or the thiols analysed.

This paper builds on previous research of aminoclay complexes in undergraduate studies. Theoretical part deals with study of current problems of aminoclay complexes with bioactive substances and the choice of substances for complexing with aminoclay. The experimental part consists of preparation of aminoclay complexes with selected bioactive agents at various concentrations. Verification of binding of bioactive agents to the aminoclay matrix was performed by Elemental Analysis (EA) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). For finding of the bound amount of bioactive substance were used the Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC®) and analysis of the cytotoxic properties of the formed complexes by used by the MTT assay. The main motivation of this study is to create new complexes with improved characteristics that would replace existing forms of substances used in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

The diploma thesis is based on the study of hydrophobic interactions of the native hyaluronan with selected solutes. On the basis of a literature search were chosen fluorescent probes and fluorescing biologically active substances, which are useful for investigation of colloids as 6-(p-toluidino)-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid (polarity probe), lipophilic vitamin (±)-alpha-tocopherol, pyrene (polarity probe) and finally hydrophilic vitamin riboflavin. In the experimental part of this thesis was studied the influence of solvents with different polarities, or more precisely dielectric constant, on the emission spectra, as well. There were investigated interactions of native hyaluronan with TNS and then interactions, which were influenced by the ionic strength. Such influenced interactions were not observed, that was probably due to the strong solvation´s wrapping of the hyaluronan. Interactions were observed after the process of lyophilisation followed-up by the rehydratation of the samples. For the next study of interactions the riboflavin was chosen and was investigated the REES effect in the native hyaluronan in different concentrations of its different molecular weights. In this case were not observed any shifts in the emission maximum with the excitation wavelenght shift and that is why the interactions of hyaluronan with riboflavin were not demonstrated in the field of chosen concentrations. By using another probe alpha-tocopherol was investigated the associative behaviour of hyaluronan and moreover was observed anisotropy of alpha-tocopherol in different concentrations of different molecular weights of native hyaluronan. The anisotropy reached high values in contrast to the reference solute that was the mixture of glycerol and ethanol. The anisotropy depended more on the molecular weight than on the concentration of hyaluronan. Interactions of hyaluronan were also studied by using the polarity probe pyrene in different concentrations of different molecular weights of the hyaluronan. The pyrene 1:3 ratio did not show the concentration dependence within the chosen concentrations except for the molecular weight 253.9 kg mol–1. Both probes alpha-tocopherol and pyrene were performed by the process of lyophilisation followed-up by the rehydratation, which improved interactions of these probes with hyaluronan.

<p>Cilj istraživanja u ovom radu bilo je ispitivanje uticaja<br />različitih vidova ekstrakcije (konvencionalna ekstrakcija<br />organskim rastvaračem i superkritična ekstrakcija ugljendioksidom)<br />na kvalitet oleorizina začinske paprike u pogledu<br />kvalitativnog i kvantitativnog sadržaja bojenih materija,<br />sastava masnih kiselina i antioksidativnih svojstava. Po&scaron;to u<br />Vojvodini postoje značajni kapaciteti za proizvodnju i preradu<br />začinske paprike, smatramo da će rezultati ovih ispitivanja<br />dati uvid u kinetiku različitih tipova ekstrakcije i pružiti<br />informacije o uslovima potrebnim za dobijanje proizvoda<br />vrhunskog kvaliteta.</p> / <p>The aim of the work was to investigate the influence of<br />different extraction methods (conventional extraction using<br />organic solvent and supercritical carbon-dioxide extraction)<br />to qualitative and quantitative pigment content, fatty acid<br />content and antioxidant properties of oleoresins. As there<br />have been significant production and processing capacities of<br />spice pepper in Vojvodina, the results of these investigations<br />will give a closer insight into the kinetics of different types of<br />extraction and conditions for obtaining the high quality<br />product.</p>

Abstract Biodegradable starch-glycerol based films were obtained. The influence of lipid compounds (palmitic, stearic and oleic acid), other polymers (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and sodium caseinate) and bioactive compounds (¿-tocoferol, D-limonene and orange essential oil) on film properties (oxygen and water vapour barrier, optical, mechanical, nano- and microstructural). Furthermore the effect of storage time on films¿ properties was also considered. Fatty acids addition did not improve the water vapour ability of films except for non-stored saturated fatty acids containing films. X-ray diffraction results showed that cristallinity of films increased with storage time, thus increasing the stiffness and decreasing the gloss of films. Furthermore, crystallinity affected the water sorption capacity of films as function of relative humidity and temperature. Glass transition temperature of starch films varied with saturated fatty acids addition. However, oleic acid did not affect this parameter. The presence of fatty acids promoted the formation of V-type structures, thus indicatin the formation of amylose-lipid complexes that inhibited the developmet of other crystalline structures. The effect of the incorporation of other biopolymers to improve the functionality of starch films was also studied. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) addition inhibited starch retrogradation. However, obtained films were more permeable, specially in case of oxygen. HPMC addition produced phase separation as it was observed by scanning electron microscopy. On the contrary, sodium caseinate incorporation (NaCas) allowed to obtain homogeneous films and less permeable to oxygen. Obtained films showed less mechanical resistance in comparison with pure starch films but a greater flexibility without increasing the water vapour permeability. Rearrangement of polymers chains during storage reduced the mechanical resistance, the extensibility and the gloss of composite films. Regarding the obtained results, the film including a starch:protein ratio of 50:50 was choosen as the film with the most adequate properties. Composite film (starch:Nacas ratio = 50:50) was studied as a matrix for the incorporation o active compounds (¿-tocopherol, D-limonene and orange essential oil). The effect of ¿-tocopherol addition was compared with the incorporation of oleic acid and their mixture. Lipids addition promoted phase separation between starch and NaCas due to the different interactions between each polymer and the lipids. Furthermore, oleic acid addition increased significantly the oxygen permeability whereas ¿-tocopherol greatly improved the antioxidant capacity of films without affecting the oxygen permeability. D-limonene and orange essential oil incorporation was carried out by forming rapeseed and soy nanoliposomes, which acted as carriers of bioactive components. Nanoliposomes incorporation was performed directly in starch-NaCas dispersions without any homogenization, to avoid nanoliposomes damages. Bioactive compounds addition did not confer antimicrobial capacity to the films (except for soy-orange oil nanoliposomes containing film) probably due to the high stability of nanoliposomes and the low antibacterial activity of D-limonene and orange essential oil. / Se han desarrollado y caracterizado films biodegradables a base de almidón de maíz y glicerol como plastificante, evaluando al mismo tiempo el efecto de la adición de componentes lipídicos (ácido palmítico, esteárico y oleico), otros polímeros (hidroxipropilmetilcelulosa y caseinato de sodio) y compuestos bioactivos (¿-tocoferol, aceite esencial de naranja y D-limoneno) sobre las propiedades de los films (propiedades barrera al vapor de agua y al oxígeno, ópticas, mecánicas, micro y nanoestructurales). Asimismo se evaluó la influencia del tiempo de almacenamiento en las propiedades de los films. La adición de ácidos grasos no mejoró notablemente la permeabilidad al vapor de agua excepto en el caso de los films con ácidos grasos saturados y solo en films no almacenados. Los resultados de difracción de rayos X mostraron que la cristalinidad aumentó con el tiempo de almacenamiento, incrementándose la rigidez, y disminuyendo el brillo de los films. Del mismo modo, la cristalinidad afectó a la capacidad de sorción de agua de los films en función de la humedad relativa y la temperatura. La temperatura de transición vítrea de los films de almidón se vio afectada por la adición de ácidos grasos saturados pero no por la adición de ácido oleico. La presencia de dichos componentes promovió la formación de estructuras cristalinas tipo V, indicando la formación de complejos entre los lípidos y las cadenas de amilosa e inhibiendo la formación de otros tipos de formas cristalinas. Se analizó también el efecto de la incorporación de otros biopolímeros en la posible mejora de la funcionalidad de los films de almidón. En las mezclas con hidroxipropilmetilcelulosa (HPMC), se inhibió la retrogradación del almidón en los films composite, pero se observó un efecto negativo en las propiedades barrera de los mismos, que fueron más permeables, principalmente al oxígeno. La adición de HPMC produjo separación de fases en los films (observada por microscopía electrónica de barrido). Por el contrario, la incorporación de caseinato de sodio (NaCas) permitió formar films homogéneos y menos permeables al oxígeno. Los films presentaron una resistencia mecánica algo menor que los films de almidón puro pero una mayor flexibilidad sin incrementar los valores de permeabilidad al vapor de agua. La reorganización de las cadenas de los polímeros con el tiempo de almacenamiento provocó la disminución de la resistencia mecánica, la deformabilidad y el brillo de los films composite. Atendiendo a los efectos observados, se eligió como formulación más adecuada el film composite formado por almidón y NaCas con un ratio de polímeros del 50:50. El film composite de almidón y NaCas (50:50) se estudió como matriz para la incorporación de compuestos bioactivos como son el ¿-tocoferol y el aceite esencial de naranja o su principal componente, el D-limoneno. El efecto de la adición de ¿-tocoferol se comparó con la influencia de la adición de ácido oleico y también con la adición de ambos compuestos. La adición de lípidos provocó una separación de fases entre el almidón y el NaCas debido a la diferente interacción entre cada polímero y los lípidos. Asimismo la adición de ácido oleico incrementó significativamente la permeabilidad al oxígeno, al contrario que el ¿-tocoferol, que además impartió a los films una elevada capacidad antioxidante. La incorporación de aceite esencial de naranja y D-limoneno se realizó utilizando nanoliposomas de lecitina de soja y lecitina de colza que encapsularon los compuestos activos. La incorporación de nanoliposomas en los films se realizó directamente en las dispersiones acuosas sin posterior homogeneización para evitar su ruptura. La adición de los compuestos bioactivos en forma de nanoliposomas no confirió capacidad antimicrobiana a los films, salvo en el caso de los nanoliposomas de lecitina de soja con aceite esencial, debido probablemente a la dificultad de los compuestos encapsulados para difundir en el film por la gran estabilidad de los liposomas y a la baja actividad antilisteria del D-limoneno y el aceite esencial de naranja. / Jiménez Marco, A. (2013). Propiedades de films de almidón de maíz. Influencia de la incorporación de lípidos, biopolímeros y compuestos bioactivos [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/28214 / TESIS / Premios Extraordinarios de tesis doctorales