Use of synthetic janus particles for preventing or reducing crystal growth

A technology of crystal growth and particles, applied in medical preparations of non-active ingredients, nanotechnology for materials and surface science, applications, etc., can solve problems such as low utilization, complex multi-step synthesis steps, and degradation limitations

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-08-27
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0008] Despite the very clear potential of AF(G)Ps, their low availability, possible toxicological and immunological problems, and problems with degradation during storage or sterilization have so far limited their use and their In-depth understanding of t

Method used

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  • Use of synthetic janus particles for preventing or reducing crystal growth
  • Use of synthetic janus particles for preventing or reducing crystal growth
  • Use of synthetic janus particles for preventing or reducing crystal growth

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment 1

[0070] Example 1 - Preparation of amphiphilic particles

[0071] Dumbbell (peanut-shaped) anisotropic, or "Jenners" particles were produced using a two-step emulsion polymerization process. In the first step, a lightly crosslinked polymer emulsion with a hydrophilic shell is prepared. Styrene sulfonate and poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate-based monomers were used in small amounts as comonomers to generate microgel emulsified particles (approximately 200 nm in diameter) with a hydrophilic surface. These particles were then swollen with various amounts of styrene monomer at room temperature. The separation of the phases, resulting in the formation of hydrophobic protuberances, is caused by the entropy reduction of the crosslinked particles at elevated temperature and, to further exclude the introduction of hydrophilic moieties, by a second phase induced by azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). The seed polymerization step is further facilitated. The second hydrophobic protrusion...

Embodiment 2

[0076] Example 2 -test

[0077] 2.1 Method

[0078] The ability of particles to inhibit ice recrystallization was measured using a modified 'splat' assay that enables quantitative evaluation of the mean maximum particle size (MGLS) of polycrystalline borneol after annealing at -6 °C for 30 min.

[0079] As a reference, "hair-like" particles containing the same hydrophilic core with grafted poly(styrenesulfonate) polymer chains grown from the surface were also synthesized and tested. The physical properties of this kind of particle and the particle prepared according to embodiment 1 are summarized in table 1, in image 3 SEM images of these particles appearing as peanut-like or dumbbell structures are shown in .

[0080] Table 1. Properties of Nanoparticles

[0081]

[0082] (a) determined by SEM; (b) polydispersity index determined by DLS; (c) seed particles, which form the hydrophilic part of all other particles; (d) "hair-like" particles, poly(styrene sulfonate) bru...

Embodiment 3

[0089] Example 3 -test

[0090] 3.1 Method

[0091] A modified (qualitative) RI assay was also performed in concentrated sucrose solution. This is more representative of food science applications and has been used to characterize other AFPs. The granules were formulated in a 45% by weight sucrose solution at a concentration of 5 mg.mL-1. 5 μL of this solution was placed between two microscope coverslips and snap frozen to approximately -20°C on the microscope stage. Once frozen (typically less than 30 seconds), samples were heated to -6°C and maintained at this temperature throughout the experiment. Pictures were taken every 10 min, and particle size (area) was determined using Image J software.

[0092] 3.2 Results

[0093] Figure 6 The results of this assay with particles A and G are shown. The samples containing particle G clearly had more and smaller ice crystals present, further indicating the ability of the particles to inhibit ice recrystallization.

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Abstract

The invention provides a method of preventing or reducing the growth of crystals in a substance which is susceptible to crystal growth in which colloidal particles having an amphiphilic structure, e.g. Janus particles, are contacted with the substance. Colloidal particles suitable for use in the invention include cross-linked, colloidal materials formed from hydrophobic monomers such as acrylates or methacrylates and hydrophilic monomers such as those derived from acrylic and/or methacrylic acid. The colloidal particles find particular use in methods of cryopreservation of biological samples (e.g. cells, tissues or organs), as a texture modifier in frozen food products, in the inhibition of gas hydrate formation, and as scale inhibitors.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to crystal growth inhibitors, and more particularly to the use of amphiphilic colloidal substances for reducing or inhibiting the growth of ice crystals. Background technique [0002] The substances described herein have a wide range of industrial, medical and agricultural applications. In particular, these substances are used to reduce the formation of large ice crystals in frozen foods, in the petrochemical industry as antiscalants, and as cryopreservatives during freezing and subsequent thawing to damage the structure of biological materials such as cells, tissues and organs. Damage is minimized. [0003] Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) that protect organisms during exposure to subzero temperatures have been isolated from many species (animals and plants), allowing organisms to survive climates that would otherwise cause freezing and death (see Harding et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 270 :1381-1392, 2003; Harding et a...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A01G13/06A23L3/37A01N1/02B82Y30/00
CPCC08F2500/24A23B4/08C09K2208/22C09K8/52B01J13/14C07C7/20A01N1/0221A23L3/375A61K47/32A01G1/001C08F290/12A01G13/065A23L3/37A23B7/05C08F212/08C08F212/36
Inventor M·I·吉布森S·A·F·邦
Owner UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
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