The use of biotransformation has become a popular trend in the food and cosmetic industry. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widely used due to their safety and beneficial effects on human health. Coffee pulp, a by-product obtained from coffee production, has antioxidant activity because it contains different classes of phenolic compounds. To investigate the factors affecting the biotransformation process of coffee pulp using L. plantarum TISTR 543, a systematic study using 2³ factorial designs in a completely randomized design (CRD) was done. After the coffee pulp was bio-transformed, its bacterial count, pH, phenol contents, flavonoid contents, tannin contents, changes in bioactive compounds by LC-QQQ, and antioxidant properties were studied. The highest phenolic content was obtained in the sample containing the substrate, water, and sugar in the ratio of 3:10:3 with a 5% starter. After the fermentation was done, for 24–72 h, total bacteria count, total phenol contents, and antioxidant activities significantly increased compared to their initial values. Protocatechuic acid also markedly increased after 24 h of the biotransformation process. Hence, the fermentation of coffee pulp with L. plantarum TISTR 543 can produce substances with a higher biological activity which can be further studied and used as functional foods or active ingredients in cosmetic application.

This study aimed to obtain tea flower extract (TFE) usingsupercriticalfluid extraction, to determine the compounds present in the TFE andto establish its antioxidant activity. The fabrication of TFE nanoemulsionswas also investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MSand UHPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS analysis showed that the TFE was composedof catechin and its derivatives, flavonols and anthocyanins, suggestingits potential as a free radical scavenger with strong reducing powers.A central composite design was applied to optimize the independentfactors of the nanoemulsions. The factors had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on all response variables. The optimumlevel of factors for the fabrication was a surfactant-to-oil ratioof 2:1, a high hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) surfactantto low HLB surfactant ratio (HLR) of 1.6:1, and a PEG-40/PEG-60 hydrogenatedcastor oil ratio of 2:1. The responses obtained from the optimum levelswere a 34.01 nm droplet size, a polydispersity index of 0.15, and75.85% entrapment efficiency. In conclusion, TFE could be an antioxidantactive ingredient and has been successfully loaded into nanoemulsionsusing RSM.

Background: Large porous particles (LPPs) offer significant potential in drug delivery due to their porous structure and suitable particle size and shape, which can improve powder dispersibility and control drug release. Methods: In this study, sustained-release large porous microparticles of mannitol, PVA, and diclofenac sodium (MPDs) were developed using a spray drying technique. The influence of PVA co-spray drying and its concentration (0–40%) on the characteristics of the spray-dried particles was investigated. Results: Co-spray drying with PVA enhanced particle morphology, producing MPDs with a spherical shape and smooth surface, which minimized particle adhesion. This improvement correlated with a low Carr’s Index value (17.56%), indicating favorable particle dispersibility and aerosol performance. The large geometric diameter (>5 μm) of the MPDs, coupled with their low bulk density (<0.1 g/cm³), suggested potential for inhalation use. FTIR, XRD, and DSC analyses revealed that PVA altered the polymorphic form of mannitol, with the MPDs exhibiting a mixture of the α and δ forms. In vitro dissolution tests demonstrated that PVA co-spray drying effectively prolonged drug release, with the formulation containing 40% PVA (MPD-4) showing an optimal release profile. The release kinetics followed first-order Higuchi models, suggesting drug release occurred through a matrix diffusion mechanism facilitated by the porous structure. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the feasibility of engineering large porous microparticles with tailored release characteristics and physicochemical properties suitable for further development in inhalable or other controlled-release dosage forms.

This study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the bioactive compounds present in honeysuckle flower (Lonicera japonica Thunb.) extract (HSF) and their remarkable antioxidant activity. A docking simulation was performed to clarify the binding affinities of the identified phytochemicals to enzymes associated with anti-aging and anti-inflammatory activities. In addition, the low-energy nanoemulsions based on optimally formulated polyglycerol fatty acid esters (PGFEs), developed through D-optimality, were designed for the incorporation of HSF extract. The result revealed that HSF is a rich source of diverse phenolic and flavonoid compounds that contribute to its remarkable antioxidant capacity. Molecular docking analysis indicates that its compounds exhibit anti-aging and anti-inflammatory activities, particularly through collagenase, hyaluronidase, and TNF-α inhibition. Furthermore, D-optimality revealed that HSF-loaded nanoemulsions can be fabricated by a surfactant to oil ratio (SOR) of 2:1 with a ratio of low hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) surfactant to high HLB surfactant (LHR) of 1:2. Polyglyceryl-6 laurate as a high HLB surfactant produced the optimal nanoemulsion with small particle size and possessed an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 74.32 ± 0.19%. This is the first report to combine D-optimal design-based nanoemulsion development with a multi-level analysis of HSF, including phytochemical profiling, antioxidant evaluation, and in silico molecular docking. These findings highlight that HSF-loaded polyglycerol fatty acid ester-based nanoemulsions could be a skin health-promoting ingredient and effective alternative for a variety of skincare applications.

Mitragyna speciosa Korth. (Kratom) is a plant native to Southeast Asia, traditionally used for its stimulant and analgesic properties. Beyond mitragynine, the principal alkaloid dominating M. speciosa research, this study explored the cosmeceutical and nutraceutical potential of its phenolic and flavonoid constituents. Kratom leaf extract (MLE) was obtained via ultrasound-assisted extraction optimized by Central Composite Design, yielding high polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity. The optimized MLE showed measurable collagenase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 92.63 ± 7.81 µg/mL) while maintaining fibroblast viability (>80%). UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS tentatively identified chlorogenic acid, rutin, and kaempferol 3-glucosyl-(1→6)-galactoside (K3G). Chlorogenic acid and rutin were quantified by HPLC at 31.37 ± 2.41 and 18.76 ± 1.66 µg/mg extract, respectively, while K3G remained linked to an unidentified peak. Mitragynine was also quantified at an appreciable level (59.38 ± 0.21 µg/mg extract), indicating that removal of the alkaloid fraction is required before application. Molecular docking identified chlorogenic acid as the strongest predicted collagenase binder (−12.82 kcal/mol), though chlorogenic acid and rutin together could not fully account for the extract’s activity, suggesting possible contributions from K3G and other unidentified compounds. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the cosmeceutical potential of kratom leaf extract, pending control of its alkaloid content.