The purpose of this study is to assess water–polymer interaction in synthesized starch-derived superabsorbent polymer (S-SAP) for the treatment of solid waste sludge. While S-SAP for solid waste sludge treatment is still rare, it offers a lower cost for the safe disposal of sludge into the environment and recycling of treated solid as crop fertilizer. For that to be possible, the water–polymer interaction on S-SAP must first be fully comprehended. In this study, the S-SAP was prepared through graft polymerization of poly (methacrylic acid-co-sodium methacrylate) on the starch backbone. By analyzing the amylose unit, it was possible to avoid the complexity of polymer networks when considering S-SAP using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and density functional theory (DFT). Through the simulations, formation of hydrogen bonding between starch and water on the H06 of amylose was assessed for its flexibility and less steric hindrance. Meanwhile, water penetration into S-SAP was recorded by the specific radial distribution function (RDF) of atom–molecule interaction in the amylose. The experimental evaluation of S-SAP correlated with high water capacity by measuring up to 500% of distilled water within 80 min and more than 195% of the water from solid waste sludge for 7 days. In addition, the S-SAP swelling showed a notable performance of a 77 g/g swelling ratio within 160 min, while a water retention test showed that S-SAP was capable of retaining more than 50% of the absorbed water within 5 h of heating at 60 °C. The water retention of S-SAP adheres to pseudo-second-order kinetics for chemisorption reactions. Therefore, the prepared S-SAP might have potential applications as a natural superabsorbent, especially for the development of sludge water removal technology.

This study aims to evaluate the emollient properties of natural-based oil creams on skin conditions. The focus is primarily on natural virgin coconut oil (VCO) and structured VCO (SVCO) which contain medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that have been reported to have a permeation enhancement effect on the lipophilic active ingredient. SVCO, which contains a higher amount of MCTs than VCO, was produced by lipase-catalyzed acidolysis of caprylic/octanoic acid (eight-carbon chain) and VCO. The emollient cream was prepared using the oil in water (o/w) formulation cream and it consisted of 30% (w/w) of oils, emulsifying wax, and deionized water. While in the oil phase, 5% (w/w) α-tocopherol, the model lipophilic active ingredient was added to the cream. Significant effects (p<0.05) were statistically produced in the skin moisture content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin elasticity values for all formulations as compared to the skin at T0 (before application) after the short- and long-term study periods. The skin smoothness (SEsm) and skin roughness (SEr) values, which are indicators of the skin condition, also showed significant improvement. The results indicated that VCO and SVCO creams exerted an emollient effect when applied topically and also acted as skin permeation enhancers in the formulation.

Structured lipids (SLs) containing medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs) were produced by lipase catalysed acidolysis of both octanoic acid and the virgin coconut oil (VCO). The production of SLs, namely structured virgin coconut oil (SVCO), was previously optimised using the central composite design (CCD) based on the percentage of octanoic acid incorporated in the reaction products. The fatty acids and triacylglycerols composition and their corresponding rheological properties of the formulated SVCO incorporated α-tocopherol cream were also determined. The parameters that were suggested for the highest incorporation of octanoic acid (68.07%) are octanoic acid to VCO ratio of 1.70 (w/w); an enzyme load of 22.60%; at 63.4°C; a water content of 3.53%; and at 96 h. The amount of octanoic acid (carbon-8), the medium-chain fatty acids present in the structured lipid after enzymatic esterification was increased to 60.1% as compared to the natural VCO with only contains 5.45%. Based on the calculated equivalent carbon number (ECN), the most probable MCTs found in the SVCO were CpCpCp, CpCCp, and CpLaCp. Based on the rheological analysis, the SVCO creams were less viscoelastic as compared to the VCO. It shows that the decrease of the saturated fatty acids composition (carbon-12, 14, and 16) in the SVCO creams had significantly decreased the elasticity of the cream.

HRMARS is well established journal publisher based in Pakistan. It is publishing prominent journals in social sciences since 2011.

HRMARS is well established journal publisher based in Pakistan. It is publishing prominent journals in social sciences since 2011.