Gulnara A. Gaynanova

Supramolecular strategy of the encapsulation of low-molecular-weight food ingredients

Abstract A large number of additives (stabilizers, preservatives, vitamins, and nutraceuticals) are scarcely soluble in polar media, and therefore poorly mix with aqueous food dispersion. Besides, they are unstable against light, temperature, pH changing, and oxygen. Therefore, design of effective nanocontainers with controlled binding/release functions toward active components remains a challenge in the food industry. The chapter is oriented on the elucidation of recent trends in the field of engineering of delivery and storage systems for food ingredients. According to modern nanotechnological criteria and the green chemistry approach, food formulations tend to be polycomponent and polyfunctional, with natural and low toxic synthetic materials receiving special attention. Several lines of investigations have been reviewed, including the amphiphile- and polymer-based nanocontainers, supramolecular guest–host strategies involving macrocycle platforms, as well as binding/release behavior of loads.

Encapsulation of quantum dots in supramolecular systems based on amphiphilic compounds and polyelectrolytes

Supramolecular nanocontainers based on monocationic and gemini surfactants and oppositely charged polyelectrolytes (polyacrylic acid, polyethyleneimine) for the stabilization and enhancement of solubility of hydrophobic quantum dots CdSe/ZnS were formed. The size (from 2 to 70 nm depending on the type of nanocontainers) and shape of aggregates containing quantum dots were determined by transmission electron microscopy. It was shown that the nature of the stabilizing agent influences the morphology of aggregates. The increase in photostability of quantum dots in micellar solutions of gemini surfactants and the possibility of their preservation in the polyelectrolyte capsules are identified.

Structure and supramolecular organization of tri-n-butyl(octadecyl)phosphonium tetrafluoroborate and its influence on catalytic activity of stabilized palladium nanoparticles

A crystal structure and aggregation properties of tri-n-butyl(octadecyl)phosphonium tetrafluoroborate were studied. Palladium nanoparticles stabilized by this phosphonium salt exhibit different catalytic activity in the Suzuki reaction, depending on the concentration of the stabilizing agent, which is related to the supramolecular organization of the Pd–phosphonium salt system.

Effect of Hydrotropic Compounds on the Self-Organization and Solubilization Properties of Cationic Surfactants

The effect hydrotropic additives (salts of aromatic acids and choline chloride) have on the micelle-forming properties (the critical concentrations of micelle formation and the Krafft temperature) of cationic surfactants, and on the solubilization capability of mono- and dicationic surfactants toward such hydrophobic compounds as a Sudan I spectral probe and curcumin natural dye, is considered. The factors that govern solubilization capacity, e.g., the structure of the head group of surfactants, the nature of the solubilizate and hydrotropic additives, and the pH of the medium are determined.