The aim of the study was to characterize raw aqueous extracts from Plantago ovata husk in terms of molecular chain mass, osmotic, hydrodynamic, and rheological properties. The raw extracts used in this study have not been yet investigated in the indicated research area. Determination of the molecular weight of the chains present in the extract was performed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Osmotic properties were characterized using membrane osmometry. Rheological properties were investigated via classical rotational rheology with normal force measurements, as well as less common but equally important measurements of extensional viscosity. Two types of chains with an average molecular mass of 200 and 1780 kDa were found. The values of the first virial coefficient (B₂) indicate the predominance of biopolymer-biopolymer interactions. The hydrodynamic radius established at 25 and 30 °C was 74 and 67 nm, respectively, and lower than at 40 °C (>600 nm). The first critical concentration was determined: $c^{*}=0.11 \mathrm{g}·{\mathrm{dL}}^{-1}$. The dominance of negative normal force values resulting from the formation of a pseudo-gel structure of the heteroxylates was demonstrated. Extensional viscosity measurement results revealed that the studied extracts cannot be treated as simple shear-thinning fluids, as indicated by shear flow, but should be considered as viscoelastic fluids.

This work investigates the possibility of using thiolated silicone oils as new components in protective creams and their impact on the efficacy of these products. Thiolated silicone oils were synthesized by amide bond formation between primary amino groups of poly17dimethylsiloxane-co-(3-aminopropyl)-methylsiloxane] and carboxylic groups of thiol ligand (3-mercaptopropionic acid) with carbodiimide as a coupling agent. To evaluate and compare the properties of these kinds of thiomers, three different emulsion o/w types were obtained. Emulsion E1 contained methyl silicone oil, E2 poly[dimethylsiloxane-co-(3-aminopropyl)-methylsiloxane], and E3 thiolated silicone oil (silicone-MPA), respectively. Physicochemical properties, including pH, conductivity, droplet size distribution, viscosity, and stability, were assessed. The efficacy of barrier creams in the prevention of occupational skin diseases depends on their mechanical and rheological properties. Thus, the method which imitates the spreadability conditions on the skin and how structure reconstruction takes places was performed. We also investigated textural profile, bioadhesion, protection against water and detergents, and water vapor permeability. Emulsion E3 was characterized by beneficial occlusion, spreadability, and adhesion properties. These features with prolonged residence time on the skin can make designed barrier creams more preferable for consumers.

The aim of the study was to produce gel beads under continuous conditions. Pectins obtained from black and red currants and commercial apple pectin were used as the material. For the production of gel beads, a self-designed device was used. The designed device allows for the production of gel beads in a continuous process, the properties of which are similar to those obtained in the classic, batch process. Thanks to the device, it is possible to obtain a repeatable product while reducing the workload. The produced gel beads were tested for water absorption and textural properties. The water absorption of the obtained gel capsules is strongly influenced by the pectin chain structure. Pectin beads obtained from currant pectins have a less hard structure and are more sensitive to deformation than those from apple pectin. Shorter and more branched chains of currant pectin than apple pectin form gels with a delicate structure, which strongly absorbs water, and unlike apple pectin gel, it disintegrates. The results show that the use of raw material obtained from different sources allows for obtaining products with various properties, using the same method; moreover, the used device is fully scalable and can be used in large scale.

The aim of the research was to develop a pressure drop measuring method dedicated to fluids under real flow through a pipeline. The measurement system is a set of appropriately configured flow meter and pressure sensors installed on the pipeline. The pressure drop values detected on the measuring section are sufficient to clearly determine the rheological properties of the fluid. The measuring system used for the tests consisted of a screw pump, two pressure sensors and an electromagnetic flow meter. The length of the measuring section was 4.12 m, and the internal diameter of the pipeline was 0.026 m. To calibrate of the measuring system a glycerol was used. As a model fluid, a 1% water solution of xanthan gum was used and was subjected to the flow at following shear rate conditions: 5, 11, 17, 23, 29, 35, 41, 47, 53, 59, 65 s${}^{-1}$. The obtained raw experimental data included the pressure drop values and flow rate and they created full information about the fluid behavior during flow. According to the momentum balance equation, the rheological parameters of Ostwald de Waele model were estimated. The estimation procedure was carried out with the help of the Marquardt-Levenberg minimisation method. The same solutions simultaneously were tested with the help of a rotational rheometer. The data obtained from the pressure drop method were consistent with the results obtained from the rotational rheometer. The use of the pressure drop allows to determine the rheological properties of the non-newtonian fluids under the process conditions directly in the pipeline. In addition, it is possible to perform full rheological characteristics based on one flow rate under laminar conditions.