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Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) represent promising nanostructures for drug delivery systems. This study successfully synthesized SLNs containing different proportions of babassu oil (BBS) and copaiba oleoresin (COPA) via the emulsification-ultrasonication method. Before SLN synthesis, the identification and quantification of methyl esters, such as lauric acid and ß-caryophyllene, were performed via GC-MS analysis. These methyl esters were used as chemical markers and assisted in encapsulation efficiency experiments. A 22 factorial design with a center point was employed to assess the impact of stearic acid and Tween 80 on particle hydrodynamic diameter (HD) and polydispersity index (PDI). Additionally, the effects of temperature (8 ± 0.5 °C and 25 ± 1.0 °C) and time (0, 7, 15, 30, 40, and 60 days) on HD and PDI values were investigated. Zeta potential (ZP) measurements were utilized to evaluate nanoparticle stability, while transmission electron microscopy provided insights into the morphology and nanometric dimensions of the SLNs. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the SLNs (10 µg/mL, 30 µg/mL, 40 µg/mL, and 80 µg/mL) was evaluated using the MTT assay with PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cancer cell lines. Results demonstrated that SLNs containing BBS and COPA in a 1:1 ratio exhibited a promising cytotoxic effect against prostate cancer cells, with a percentage of viable cells of 68.5% for PC-3 at a concentration of 30 µg/mL and 48% for DU-145 at a concentration of 80 µg/mL. These findings underscore the potential therapeutic applications of SLNs loaded with BBS and COPA for prostate cancer treatment.

RESUMEN

Different drug delivery systems are prepared on the nanoscale to improve performance in drug formulations, such as nanoparticles or nanoemulsions. Polymeric nanoparticles have been used to encapsulate drugs for several applications because of some characteristics of these carriers to control drug delivery, transport molecules to a specific tissue, protect the drugs, and increase drug bioavailability. When using nanocapsules, an essential parameter for encapsulating different hydrophilic or lipophilic molecules is the characteristics of the core. Babassu oil (BBS) is a natural product from Brazil, composed majoritary of short-chain saturated fatty acids. BBS has an elevated hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB), which may promote interaction of the oil with hydrophilic drugs. In this study, we developed and characterized particles containing babassu oil, solely or combined with sorbitan monostearate (Span® 60) or medium chain triglycerides (MCT) in the core to test different HLB and evaluated the encapsulation of a model hydrophilic molecule. Different techniques were used to characterize all formulations in terms of size and distribution, and in vitro drug release by dialysis technique was performed. The BBS was also characterized and presented 46,05 ± 1,11% and 15,38 ± 0,06% of lauric and myristic acid, respectively; saponification index of 248.87 ± 0.64 mg of KOH per gram of BBS, and no oxidation of the oil was indicated by means of peroxide index. Evaporation of solvent carried in the room or reduced pressure influenced the particles' size; nevertheless, all had a z-average smaller than 220 nm. Nanoparticles with a ratio among aqueous phase and organic phase of 2.8 were considered adequate to encapsulate diclofenac sodium. The particles size/zeta potential were 189.83 ± 7.86 nm / - 10.39 ± 2.52 mV, 156.80 ± 4.77 nm / - 9.27 ± 4.61 mV, and 168.87 ± 5.22 nm / - 12.98 ± 4.66 mV to nanoparticles prepared with BBS + MCT, BBS, and BBS + Span® 60, respectively. All formulations exhibited an amount of drug content close to the theoretical amount (1.0 mg mL-1), and no difference was observed in the release profile among the three nanoparticles. Formulation containing only babassu oil in the core displayed 66.78 ± 15.62% of encapsulation efficiency to diclofenac sodium, the highest value among all formulations tested. Results demonstrate that the innovative nanoparticles containing BBS promote the encapsulation of a model hydrophilic molecule, and other components can be evaluated to change the core's hydrophilicity and encapsulation of molecules.

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This study investigated the glycerolysis of babassu oil by Burkholderia cepacia lipase immobilized on SiO2-PVA particles in a continuous packed bed reactor. Experiments were conducted in a solvent-free system at 273.15 K either in an inert atmosphere or in the presence of cocoa butter to prevent lipid oxidation. The reactor (15 × 55 mm) was run at a fixed space time of 9.8 h using different molar ratios of babassu oil to glycerol (1:3, 1:6, 1:9, 1:12, and 1:15) to assess the effects of reactant molar ratio on monoacylglycerol productivity and selectivity. Nitrogen atmosphere and cocoa butter were equally effective in inhibiting lipid oxidation, indicating that addition of cocoa butter to glycerolysis reactions may be an interesting cost-reduction strategy. An oil/glycerol molar ratio of 1:9 resulted in the highest productivity (52.3 ± 2.9 mg g-1 h-1) and selectivity (31.5 ± 1.8%). Residence time distribution data were fitted to an axial dispersion model for closed-vessel boundary conditions, giving a mass transfer coefficient (kc) of 3.4229 × 10-6 m s-1. A kinetic model based on elementary steps of the studied reaction was written in Scilab and compared with experimental data, providing standard deviations in the range of 5.5-7.5%.

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The coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis (Acari: Eriophyidae), is a major tropical pest of coconut. Here, we assessed the chemical profiles and the potential use of babassu, degummed soybean, and coconut oils to control A. guerreronis as well as their side-effects on the predatory mite Neoseiulus baraki (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a key natural enemy of the coconut mite. Babassu and coconut oils had similar fatty acids chemical profiles. All vegetable oils showed toxicity to A. guerreronis; degummed soybean oil exhibited the highest toxicity (LC50 = 0.15 µL/cm2). Although all oils were less toxic to N. baraki, their potential to attract/repel this predatory mite differed. Whereas N. baraki females were unresponsive to coconut oil at both concentrations (i.e., LC50 and LC99 estimated for A. guerreronis), irrespective of exposure period (i.e., 1 or 24 h), the babassu oil repelled the predator, independent of exposure period, when applied at its LC99 (1.48 µL/cm2). Intriguingly, this oil also exhibited attractiveness to N. baraki 24 h after exposure when applied at its LC50 (0.26 µL/cm2). A similar attractiveness pattern was recorded 24 h after N. baraki was exposed to degummed soybean oil at both concentrations tested (LC50 = 0.15 µL/cm2; LC99 = 1.39 µL/cm2). However, N. baraki was repelled by degummed soybean oil at its LC50 after 1 h of exposure. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that all the vegetable oils used here had higher toxicity to the coconut mite and considerable selectivity to the predator N. baraki, indicating they are promising tools that can potentially be included in management programs to control A. guerreronis in commercial coconut plantations.

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The oil of babassu tree nuts (Orbignya speciosa) is a potential alternative for treatment and prophylaxis of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Improved results can be obtained by drug vectorization to the hyperplastic tissue. The main objective of this work was the preparation and characterization of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticle and clay nanosystems containing babassu oil (BBS). BBS was extracted from the kernels of babassu tree nuts and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as well as 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. BBS-clay nanosystems were obtained by adding polyvinylpyrrolidone, Viscogel B8®, and BBS at a 2:1:1 mass ratio and characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and laser diffraction. The PLGA-BBS nanoparticles were prepared by the precipitation-solvent evaporation method. Mean diameter, polydispersity, zeta potential, and scanning electron microscopic images of the nanosystems were analyzed. Thermogravimetric analysis showed successful formation of the nanocomposite. PLGA nanoparticles containing BBS were obtained, with a suitable size that was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Both nanostructured systems showed active incorporation yields exceeding 90%. The two systems obtained represent a new and potentially efficient therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

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Candida lipolytica IA 1055 produced extracellular biosurfactants with emulsification activity by fermentation using babassu oil and D-glucose as carbon sources. Natural seawater diluted at 50% supplemented with urea, ammonium sulfate, and phosphate was used as economic basal medium. The best results were achieved with the YSW-B2 medium, which contained urea, ammonium sulfate, and babassu oil and with YSW-B3 medium, which contained urea, ammonium sulfate, phosphate, and babassu oil, kept under fed batch fermentation for 60 hours with 5% of babassu oil. For the two media, the maximum specific growth rates were 0.02 h-1 and 0.04 h-1; the generation times were 34.6 h-1 and 17.3 h-1, and the emulsification activities were 0.666 and 0.158 units, respectively. The molecules of these new bioemulsifiers were contituted of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids.

Candida lipolytica IA 1055 produziu biosurfactantes extracelulares com atividade de emulsificação, através de fermentação utilizando óleo de babaçu e D-glicose como fontes de carbono. A água do mar diluída a 50% suplementada com uréia, sulfato de amônio e fosfato foi usada como meio basal. Os melhores resultados foram atingidos com os meios YSW-B2 (contendo uréia, sulfato de amônio e óleo de babaçu)e YSW-B3 (contendo uréia, sulfato de amônio, fosfato e óleo de babaçu), através de fermentação em batelada alimentada com 5% de óleo de babaçu. A velocidade específica de crescimento foi de 0,02 h-1 e 0,04 h-1; tempo de geração de 34,6 h-1 e 17,3 h-1 e atividade de emulsificação igual a 0,666 e 0,158 unidades, respectivamente. As moléculas dos novos bioemulsificantes demonstraram ser constituídas por carboidratos, proteínas e lipídeos.