Applied Industrial Technology التكنولوجيا التطبيقية والصناعية
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- ItemFormulation of a microemulsion of curcumin(Al-Quds University, 2025-08-20) Raghad Ziad Rasheed Zaghal; رغد زياد رشيد زغلAlthough curcumin is a bioactive compound with a wide range of pharmacological potential, its topical and systemic applications are severely limited by its poor water solubility. To enhance solubility and facilitate dermal delivery, a curcumin-loaded microemulsion system was developed using a nonionic surfactant blend of Span 80 and Tween 20, with ethanol as the co-surfactant and oleic acid as the oil phase. Curcumin was incorporated at a concentration of 3% (w/w). Pseudo-ternary phase diagram was constructed to identify single-phase microemulsion regions capable of effectively solubilizing curcumin. Several distinct zones of solubilization were observed, confirming the potential of this formulation approach for improving curcumin’s solubility in both aqueous and oil phases. Following the approach of Vollmer (1999), a fish-cut diagram was constructed to illustrate the relationship between temperature, composition, and curcumin solubility. To evaluate temperature effects on phase behavior, 16 samples were prepared using a binary mixture of 8 g oleic acid and 2 g distilled water. Each was combined with varying amounts (1.0–10.0 g and 6.3–7.8 g) of a ternary surfactant–curcumin solution prepared by dissolving 3 g of curcumin in 100 mL of 95% ethanol, followed by the addition of 50 mL Tween80 ,and 50 mL Span 80. Samples were subjected to different temperatures, and phase transitions were recorded. The resulting fish-cut diagram revealed a distinct solubilization region across various curcumin concentrations and temperature levels, marked as the “fish tail” region. Experimental data were further used to calculate the water (Rw) and oil (Ro) droplet radii in both one-phase and two-phase regions. For Rw determination, the temperature was fixed at 45 °C, and measurements were taken at the specific water volume fraction corresponding to the intersection with the fish tail (〖 Φ〗_w^web.), along with two preceding points in the two-phase region and one following point in the one-phase region. An increase in Rw was observed with increasing water content. A similar approach was used to determine Ro at a fixed temperature of 39 °C. The upper (Tu) and lower (Tl) phase transition temperatures were also determined, along with the corresponding Winsor boundary temperatures (Tweb and Toeb) for water and oil, respectively. The parameters aw and ao were calculated to determine the dimensionless micellar radii, |R_mic^oil |/l_s , (R_mic^w)/l_s , within the three-phase region. A plot was constructed to examine the relationship between the volume fraction of mixture A (ΦA) and the normalized micellar radii, revealing a decreasing trend with increasing ΦA.Additionally, the fish tail region was analyzed to explore correlations between Tweb , Toeb, and ΦA. The water emulsification boundary (Tweb) showed a linear increase with increasing volume fraction of A, while the oil emulsification boundary (Toeb) exhibited a decreasing trend. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the developed microemulsion significantly enhanced curcumin solubility and exhibited structural behavior consistent with established microemulsion theories. The integration of theoretical modeling with fish-cut diagram analysis proved to be a valuable approach for understanding and optimizing microemulsion systems.These results have practical implications for the development of pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations of curcumin.
- ItemFormulation and characterization of Microemulsion Using Artemisia Extract(Al-Quds University, 2025-05-24) Manar Abed Moh'd Al-wahsh; منار عبد محمد الوحشThis study presents a novel and validated approach to formulate and characterize microemulsions incorporating Artemisia herba-alba extracts for potential pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. The microemulsions were developed using biocompatible surfactants (Tween 80 and Span 20) and characterized through pseudo-ternary phase diagrams to determine the optimal emulsification behavior. Methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of Artemisia leaves and seeds were analyzed for phytochemical content, antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial efficacy. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified using spectrophotometric methods, with seed extracts yielding higher phenolic content (881 mg GAE/g) compared to leaves (302 mg GAE/g), while leaf extracts exhibited superior flavonoid levels (371.59 mg/g). Antioxidant activity was confirmed via DPPH assay (>74% inhibition), and key phytochemicals such as chlorogenic acid and rutin were identified through HPLC-PDA. Nanoparticle morphology and size were analyzed by Atomic Force Microscopy, revealing particles as small as 4.5 nm. Optical properties were confirmed using UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Antibacterial tests against S. aureus, E. coli, and K. pneumoniae showed moderate efficacy. Stable and transparent microemulsions were successfully developed, and a topical cream formulation was prepared and evaluated for physical stability. This is the first report detailing the emulsification behavior and microemulsion-based delivery system of Palestinian Artemisia herba-alba, establishing a foundation for its application in natural therapeutics.
- ItemAssessment of the Awareness, Implementation, and Barriers to Continuous Manufacturing Processes (CMP) in Palestine. A Cross-sectional Study (2024)(Al-Quds University, 2025-05-20) Abeer Mohammad Hussin Imar; عبير محمد حسين أعمر.The awareness, implementation, and perceived barriers to adopting continuous manufacturing processes (CMP) in the Palestinian pharmaceutical industry. Despite the sector's growing significance for public health and economic development, most factories continue to use traditional batch manufacturing methods, resulting in inefficiencies, quality inconsistencies, and slow responsiveness. CMP has emerged as a promising alternative worldwide, providing benefits such as cost reduction, improved product quality, and increased production flexibility. We conducted a cross-sectional survey involving six pharmaceutical companies, gathering data through questionnaires and interviews. The questionnaire, developed by Dr. Mohammad Abu Assab, served as our primary research tool. A total of 80 participants from these companies responded. The results indicated a high level of awareness with overall mean score of (3.68), equivalent to (73.6%), a moderate of implementation, with overall mean score (3.46), equivalent to (69.3%) and moderate perceived barriers with overall mean score (3.33) equivalent to )66.7%). The main challenges identified included limited financial resources, lack of regulatory understanding, and insufficient workforce training. Additionally, statistical analysis showed that certain demographic factors influenced awareness and implementation levels (such as company category, educational qualifications, specialization, job title, total work experience, and type of production line). We recommend enhancing infrastructure, improving the regulatory framework, and providing specialized training programs to support the transition to continuous manufacturing. These steps will strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of the pharmaceutical sector in Palestine.
- ItemSynthesize and Characterization of Polyimine and Its Application for Removing Amoxicillin from Polluted Water(Al-Quds University, 2025-05-15) Alaaeddin Jawadat Mohammedmousa Alsharif; علاء الدين جودات محمد موسى الشريفThis study aimed to prepare and characterize crosslinked polyimine polymer and its efficiency in removing pharmaceutical contaminants, specifically amoxicillin and paracetamol, from polluted water. A polyimine was prepared by reacting 1,4-diaminobutane, glutaraldehyde, and tris(2-aminoethyl) amine in a fixed molar ratio of 1:1:0.05. The FTIR and DSC were used to analyze the chemical structure and thermal behavior of the polyimine. Adsorption capacity was determined by HPLC, and the data were examined using both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The impact of pH on adsorption was also studied. Despite the exciting application of polyimine-polymers in molecular filtration, no previous study had examined their efficiency in pharmaceutical removal from contaminated water. The FTIR results indicated the successful synthesis of polyimine. The DSC results suggested a crosslinked structure and a thermoset-like behavior due to the lack of thermal transitions. In addition, the polyimine’s insolubility in organic solvent supported the high degree of crosslinking within its structure. The reattached polyimine grains in aqueous environments indicated a self-healing property. The amoxicillin removal reached 63% at pH 7, while the removal of paracetamol was negligible. Experimental data fitted both to the Langmuir and the Freundlich models, suggesting a partially heterogeneous surface. The research findings suggested further modifications for polyimine to enhance its adsorption efficiency. Such modifications, which will increase the positively charged species N⁺, could be applied by increasing the crosslink density or introducing quaternary ammoniums. In addition, the study demanded that toxicological evaluation should be considered before any large-scale environmental application.
- ItemQuantitative determination of olive oil adulteration with cheap oils using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR)(Al-Quds University, 2025-05-24) Iman Ibrahim Ismail Alassa; ايمان ابراهيم اسماعيل العصاExtra virgin and virgin olive oils (EVOO and VOO respectively) have much higher nutritional and therapeutic values, pleasant taste and aroma, when compared with other oils. The consumption of EVOO and VOO are continuously increasing in all kitchens around the world. This explains why EVOO and VOO are relatively expensive and corrupted people, factories and traders tend to blend them with lower grade and cheap vegetable oils such as corn, sunflower and soybean oils. It is important to develop a fast, easy, cheap, without sample preparation, robust, accurate and precise method to recognize pure EVOO and VOO and to determine quantitatively the extent of adulteration with other oils. This method depends on using attenuated total reflection fourier transform infrared (ATR FTIR) to measure the absorbance of each oil sample at characteristic wavenumbers in the range 5000-500 cm-1. Fifty fresh olive oil samples (EVOO) were collected from Palestinian farmers in the west bank. The area of collection covered all the Palestinian territories. The IR spectrum of each EVOO sample was taken and stored as data points of absorbance as function of wave number. Sample 22 of EVOO was chosen to be blended with other vegetable oils with different proportions in order to construct calibration curves for quantitative determination of olive oil adulteration with other cheap oils. This method reveals the presence of many values corresponding to pure EVOO and can be calculated by taking absorbance ratio at two certain wavenumbers. For example, absorbance at 583.9/2922.2 cm-1 is a constant value for all examined EVOO samples and equals 0.1136±0.0012. Also many equations were derived to measure quantitatively the extent of EVOO adulteration with other cheap oils, such as: wt % corn oil = -779.92 R + 776.71, R² = 0.997, P=1.6E-11. Where R is the absorbance of the oil sample at wavenumber 2853.6 cm-1/absorbance of the oil sample at 1160.6 cm-1. wt % of sunflower oil = 567.31 R - 610.16, R² = 0.997, P=2.1E-11. Where R is the absorbance of the oil sample at wavenumber 722.3 cm-1/absorbance of the oil sample at 1463.2 cm-1. wt % soybean oil = 1641.8 R - 576.64 R² = 0.998, P=2.0E-11. Where R is the absorbance of the oil sample at wavenumber 1232.0 cm-1/absorbance of the oil sample at 2922.2cm wt % corn oil = -779.92 R + 776.71, R² = 0.997, P=1.6E-11. wt % of sunflower oil = 567.31 R - 610.16, R² = 0.997, P=2.1E-11. wt % soybean oil = 1641.8 R - 576.64 R² = 0.998, P=2.0E-11