Lipid-based nanoparticles are lipidic nanocarriers that can encapsulate different antipsoriatic agents for topical uses, which enhance the alleviation process compared to conventional topical agents (without nanocarriers).

Feather keratin is a biomass generated in excess from various livestock industries. With appropriate processing, it holds potential as a green source for degradable biopolymer that could potentially replace current fossil fuel based materials. Several processing methods have been developed, but the use of ultrasonication has not been explored. In this study, we focus on (i) comparing and optimizing the dissolution process of turkey feather keratin through sonication and conventional processes, and (ii) generating a biodegradable polymer material, as a value added product, from the dissolved keratin that could be used in packaging and other applications. Sonication of feather keratin in pure ionic liquids (ILs) and a mixture containing ILs and different co-solvents was conducted under different applied acoustic power levels. It was found that ultrasonic irradiation significantly improved the rate of dissolution of feather keratin as compared to the conventional method, from about 2 h to less than 20 min. The amount of ILs needed was also reduced by introducing a suitable co-solvent. The keratin was then regenerated, analyzed and characterized using various methods. This material holds the potential to be reused in various appliances.

• Pandanus amaryllifolius extraction and encapsulation by simple ultrasonic procedure. • The sonoencapsulation using lysozyme and chitosan as shell materials. • Control on the size and size distribution of the pandan-encapsulated microspheres. • Stable Pandan encapsulated microspheres allow more pure Pandan extract in products.

• Isothermal crystallization of anhydrous milk fat by ultrasound. • The formation of β-crystals directly from the melt of sonicated samples. • The amount of monoacylglycerols is influenced by sonication.

In this study, the extraction efficiency of β-asarone from Malaysian Acorus calamus from Acoraceae family using conventional solvent extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction techniques was compared. The results showed that the ultrasound-assisted extraction technique significantly improves the extraction yields and process feasibility without changing the structure of the active compound, i.e., β-asarone. The extraction yield increment was found to be ~2.5-fold and ~1.6-fold at 1:100 and 1:50 solid-to-solvent ratio, at 30% applied sonication power. The positive impact of sonication can also be observed for both mechanistic stages of extraction, i.e., the washing and diffusion stages, due to the favorable physical effect of acoustic cavitations. The observation was supported by the SEM images of the plant residue. The characterization of the extract was carried out using HPLC, NMR, UV and IR techniques. In conclusion, ultrasound assistance increases the extraction efficiency by ~2.5-fold even at only 30% applied ultrasonic power at a 1:100 solid-to-solvent ratio. The present study also provides an efficient and simple method for accurate direct dosing of Acorus calamus extracts to an application.