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Electrospinning is an effective method in preparing polymeric nanofibrous drug delivery systems (DDSs) for topical wound healing and skin burn therapy applications. The aim of the present study was to investigate a new synthetic graft copolymer (Soluplus) as a hydrophilic carrier polymer in electrospinning of nanofibrous DDSs. Soluplus (polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (PCL-PVAc-PEG)) was applied in the nonwoven nanomats loaded with piroxicam (PRX) as a poorly water-soluble drug. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used in the physical characterization of nanofibrous DDSs. According to the SEM results, the drug-loaded PCL-PVAc-PEG nanofibers were circular in cross-section with an average diameter ranging from 500 nm up to 2 µm. Electrospinning stabilized the amorphous state of PRX. In addition, consistent and sustained-release profile was achieved with the present nanofibrous DDSs at the physiologically relevant temperature and pH applicable in wound healing therapy. In conclusion, electrospinning can be used to prepare nanofibrous DDSs of PCL-PVAc-PEG graft copolymer (Soluplus) and to stabilize the amorphous state of a poorly water-soluble PRX. The use of this synthetic graft copolymer can open new options to formulate nanofibrous DDSs for wound healing.

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A variety of sucrose replacers (SRs) are increasing in popularity for reducing sucrose usage in low moisture baked goods (cookies, biscuits, etc.). The goal of this study was to link SR physicochemical properties to their observed effects on starch thermal properties, including results from differential scanning calorimetry, rapid viscoanalysis, particle size analysis, and model wire‐cut cookie baking performance. The 12 SRs examined in this study were: Truvia, Splenda, Swerve, coconut palm sugar, Monk Fruit, erythritol, Benefiber, Miralax, blue agave syrup, yacon syrup, Sukrín Fiber Gold Syrup, and date syrup. The onset gelatinization temperature (Tgel) of wheat starch increased significantly (P < 0.05) as sucrose and SR concentration increased (0 to 60% w/w), with significant variations in Tgel found between different sweetener types at the same concentration. Generally, as solution concentration increased, the larger SRs (degree of polymerization [DP]> 10) decreased paste viscosity (peak and final), decreased granule swelling, and increased Tgel compared to the control (water). The smaller SRs (DP < 10) increased both paste viscosity (peak and final) and granule swelling, unlike the larger SRs, and did not increase Tgel as much as larger SRs. The SRs which performed similar to sucrose in model cookie baking (fracturability, spread, color, etc.) and effects on starch properties (Tgel, paste viscosity, and granule swelling) were yacon, Sukrín, date syrups, and coconut palm sugar. The results linking sweetener physicochemical properties to their effects on starch gelatinization, pasting, and swelling can be used to guide reformulation strategies for potentially reducing sugar and/or increasing fiber content in foods. Practical Application Several commercially available natural sweeteners and polymers (coconut palm sugar, date syrup, yacon syrup, Sukrín Fiber Gold syrup, and Benefiber) show promise for reducing or replacing sucrose in cookies, and other low‐moisture baked goods, based on their similar effects on wheat starch gelatinization, pasting, and swelling, as well as performance in cookie baking trials. Compared to sucrose, some of these ingredients have a lower glycemic response and higher dietary fiber content, and act as prebiotics, thereby providing potential health benefit.

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We investigated nozzleless ultrasound-enhanced electrospinning (USES) as means to generate nanofibrous drug delivery systems (DDSs) for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Traditional electrospinning (TES) equipped with a conventional spinneret was used as a reference method. High-molecular polyethylene oxide (PEO) and chitosan were used as carrier polymers and theophylline anhydrate as a water-soluble model drug. The nanofibers were electrospun with the diluted mixture (7:3) of aqueous acetic acid (90% v/v) and formic acid solution (90% v/v) (with a total solid content of 3% w/v). The fiber diameter and morphology of the nanofibrous DDSs were modulated by varying ultrasonic parameters in the USES process (i.e., frequency, pulse repetition frequency and cycles per pulse). We found that the USES technology produced nanofibers with higher fiber diameter (402 ± 127 nm) than TES (77 ± 21 nm). An increase of a burst count in USES increased the fiber diameter (555 ± 265 nm) and the variation in fiber size. The slight-to-moderate changes in a solid state (crystallinity) were detected when compared the nanofibers generated by TES and USES. In conclusion, USES provides a promising alternative for aqueous-based fabrication of nanofibrous DDSs for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.