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Solution-processed metal-halide perovskites are emerging as one of the most promising materials for displays, lighting and energy generation. Currently, the best-performing perovskite optoelectronic devices are based on lead halides and the lead toxicity severely restricts their practical applications. Moreover, efficient white electroluminescence from broadband-emission metal halides remains a challenge. Here we demonstrate efficient and bright lead-free LEDs based on cesium copper halides enabled by introducing an organic additive (Tween, polyethylene glycol sorbitan monooleate) into the precursor solutions. We find the additive can reduce the trap states, enhancing the photoluminescence quantum efficiency of the metal halide films, and increase the surface potential, facilitating the hole injection and transport in the LEDs. Consequently, we achieve warm-white LEDs reaching an external quantum efficiency of 3.1% and a luminance of 1570 cd m −2 at a low voltage of 5.4 V, showing great promise of lead-free metal halides for solution-processed white LED applications. Designing efficient light-emitting diodes with white-light-emission from broadband-emission metal halides remains a challenge. Here, the authors demonstrate bright and efficient lead-free LEDs based on cesium copper halides enabled by introducing Tween organic additive in the precursor.

The Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) provides a scientific opinion re‐evaluating the safety of sorbitan monostearate (E 491), sorbitan tristearate (E 492), sorbitan monolaurate (E 493), sorbitan monooleate (E 494) and sorbitan monopalmitate (E 495) when used as food additives. The Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) allocated an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 25 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day for E 491, E 492 and E 495 singly or in combination; and a separate group ADI for E 493 and E 494 singly or in combination of 5 mg/kg bw per day calculated as sorbitan monolaurate in 1974. The Panel noted that after oral administration sorbitan monostearate can be either hydrolysed to its fatty acid moiety and the corresponding anhydrides of sorbitol and excreted via urine or exhaled as CO2 or excreted intact in the faeces. The Panel considered that sorbitan esters did not raise concern for genotoxicity. Based on the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 2,600 mg sorbitan monostearate/kg bw per day, taking into account the ratio between the molecular weight of sorbitan monostearate (430.62 g/mol) and sorbitan (164.16 g/mol), and applying an uncertainty factor of 100, the Panel derived a group ADI of 10 mg/kg bw per day expressed as sorbitan for sorbitan esters (E 491–495) singly or in combination. This group ADI of 10 mg sorbitan/kg bw per day is equivalent to 26 mg sorbitan monostearate/kg bw per day. The Panel concluded that the exposure at the mean and the 95th percentile level, using non‐brand‐loyal scenario, did not exceed the ADI in any of the population groups. The Panel on the request for an amendment of specifications regarding the removal of ‘congealing range’ concluded that it could be eventually replaced by another identification parameter such as melting point.

: Polysorbate 80 (PS80), a complex surfactant mixture, is widely recognized for its ability to enhance drug permeation across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). While this effect is generally attributed to the combined actions of its components, the specific contribution and potential selectivity of individual minor components remain poorly understood. This study therefore aimed to isolate and compare the primary minor components of PS80 to determine whether they uniformly enhance BBB permeation or exhibit drug-specific functions. : In this research, four primary minor components of PS80-polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (PSM), polyoxyethylene isosorbide monooleate (PIM), polyoxyethylene sorbitan dioleate (PSD), and a polyethylene glycol/polyoxyethylene sorbitan/polyoxyethylene isosorbide mixture (PEG/PS/PI mixture)-were isolated using preparative liquid-phase chromatography. Drug-loaded formulations were then prepared using the solvent evaporation method incorporating five model drugs: 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine iodide (DiR, MW = 1013.39 Da), donepezil (MW = 379.49 Da), nimodipine (MW = 418.44 Da), chlorogenic acid (MW = 354.31 Da), and paclitaxel (MW = 853.92 Da). The permeability of these formulations across the BBB was evaluated in BALB/c mice after intravenous administration. Brain distribution of the lipophilic dye DiR was assessed using fluorescence imaging, whereas brain homogenate concentrations of therapeutic drugs were quantified by UPLC-MS/MS. : Results revealed that the enhancement of brain delivery was dependent on both the specific minor component and the drug. The PEG/PS/PI mixture specially enhanced the brain homogenate concentration of donepezil to 11.8 ± 1.2 ng/mL, representing a 6.9-fold enhancement, while PIM micelles increased the delivery of DiR, donepezil, and nimodipine. In contrast, PSM and PSD micelles improved transport of only DiR and donepezil. The broad performance of PIM suggests a more flexible formulation-a hypothesis that warrants further validation. Conversely, none of the different minor components enhanced the delivery of chlorogenic acid or paclitaxel, underscoring the critical role of specific drug-component interactions. : This component-resolved insight challenges the conventional perception of PS80 and provides a rational framework for engineering precision brain-targeted delivery systems by selecting functional minor components.

The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF Panel) provides a scientific opinion on the safety evaluation of a proposed amendment of the conditions of use of the food additive sorbitan monostearate (E 491) in accordance with Annex III, Part 3 to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, with respect to the intended use as a food additive in preparations of the food enzyme asparaginase (also known as acrylamide reducing yeast, or ARY). The group of sorbitan esters (E 491–495) was re‐evaluated by the EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS Panel) in 2017. The ANS Panel established a group ADI of 10 mg sorbitan/kg body weight (bw) per day applicable to the food additives E 491–495. In the present opinion the Panel calculated an updated dietary exposure estimate of sorbitan resulting from the current authorised uses of the group of sorbitan esters (E 491–495), and from the proposed amendment of the conditions of use of sorbitan monostearate (E 491) in enzyme preparations. In updating the dietary exposure with the latest dietary surveys available, the group ADI of 10 mg sorbitan/kg bw per day was exceeded in toddlers and children at the 95th percentile in the refined non‐brand loyal scenario for a limited number of dietary surveys. This observation holds true either considering the proposed amendment of the conditions of use of the food additive E 491 or only the currently permitted uses in the exposure calculations. The same conclusions apply to the dietary exposure estimates for consumers of food supplements, for which the ADI is exceeded in children at the 95th percentile. The Panel however concluded that the conservative assumptions made in the refined scenarios have resulted in a clear overestimation of the dietary exposure and therefore that the calculated exceedance of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) is not of safety concern. The Panel concluded that the proposed amendment of the conditions of use of sorbitan monostearate (E 491) in preparations of the food enzyme ARY has little impact on the current dietary exposure to sorbitan resulting from the already permitted uses and reported use levels of sorbitan esters (E 491–495) and would not be of safety concern.

Fixed-dose formulations of rosuvastatin and ezetimibe loaded lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles were developed, employing a combination of polymer and lipid components designed to achieve a potential core-shell-like structure through nanoprecipitation method. For building structure, poly-(DL)-lactic-co-glycolic acid, acid-or ester-terminated, and soy phosphatidylcholine combined either with 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane chloride or 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine as lipids were used along with α-hydro-ω-hydroxypoly(oxyethylene)poly(oxypropylene)poly(oxyethylene) block copolymer and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate as stabilizers. The effects of independent variables (lipid quantity and type, polymer type and total drugs quantity) on the response variables (particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, total drug loading and rosuvastatin to ezetimibe ratio) were evaluated using response surface methodology by Design-Expert® software. Four optimal formulations were developed, with acid-terminated polymer and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane chloride, minimized particle size (229–240 nm) and polydispersity index (0.150–0.237), maximized total drugs loading (up to 7.44%) and neutral zeta potential (within ± 10 mV), having successfully loaded rosuvastatin and ezetimibe in ratio of 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5, with potential for its modulation based on lipid to polymer ratio. Optimal formulations with suitable biopharmaceutical and physicochemical properties for oral administration were obtained, showing sustained drugs release over 36 h (in pH 6.8 and 7.4) and stable colloidal behavior over three-month storage. SEM revealed spherical morphology and size consistent with DLS measurements.FTIR, DSC and TGA confirmed nanoparticles stability and gave valuable insight into the drug-excipient interactions. XRPD analysis confirmed drugs encapsulation in an amorphous state. The optimized formulations may serve as a promising platform for future development in hyperlipidemia therapy.

The supplementary effects of an emulsifier mixture (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate and distilled monoglycerides) were investigated on feed utilization, growth performance, and immunity of olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, replacing fish oil with beef tallow. A fish oil containing diet was considered as positive control (PC) and a diet containing beef tallow instead of fish oil was considered as negative control (TW). Two other diets (EM01 and EM02) were prepared by adding 0.01 and 0.02% of the emulsifier into the TW diet. After 8 weeks of a feeding trial, growth performance and feed utilization were significantly higher in fish fed EM01, EM02, or PC diets compared to those fed the TW diet. Dry matter digestibility was higher in EM01 and EM02 diets than the TW diet and comparable to PC diet. Lipid digestibility was significantly higher in PC diet compared to TW diet. Liver EPA and DHA levels were lower, and oleic acid level was higher in fish fed diets containing tallow compared to PC group. Significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase and triglyceride levels were observed in TW group. Dietary supplemented emulsifier restored the reduced performance of olive flounder fed diets containing tallow instead of fish oil. However, the optimum inclusion level of the emulsifier should be elucidated in future studies.

The aim of this work is to experimentally determine co-solvent effects on the solubility of a poorly water-soluble flavonoid. Naringin, a flavonoid glycoside, was studied as a model poorly water-soluble compound. Two surfactants (sodium lauryl sulfate and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80)), and three cyclodextrins (CDs: β-CD, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-CD, and dimethyl-β-CD) were studied as co-solvents by measuring the solubilities of naringin at 298.15 K using high-performance liquid chromatography in water/co-solvent mixtures. The stability constants of the co-solvent/solute systems were evaluated by the Higuchi–Connors solubility method. According to these results, dimethyl-β-CD had the highest co-solvent effect among the CDs. Modeling of the experimental solubility data were performed using the modified Chrastil model.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) undergoes degradation through the action of microorganisms and enzymes that can degrade it by composting. The goal of this work was to observe the degradation/disintegration behavior in garden soil of neat PLA and PLA composites with 3 wt% cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) modified or not with non-ionic surfactants (S) at a weight ratio of 1:1 (CNC:S). Four types of non-ionic surfactants with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) ranging from 4.3 to 16.7 were tested: sorbitan monolaurate (Span 20), sorbitan monooleate (Span 80), polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20) and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80). Films were obtained by solution casting, cut into 2 × 2 cm strips and buried in garden soil, while monitoring the temperature and humidity for 150 days. Changes in the films by visual inspection, polarized light microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were observed. Results showed that the addition of surfactants favored the rate of biodegradation of the composites, being the lowest molecular weight the determinant property of the surfactant to enhance biodegradation rate of PLA/CNC/S composites. Nevertheless, for surfactants belonging to the same chemical family, the highest biodegradation rate for PLA/CNC/S composite obeys the principle of high HLB, and low spherulite size.

Emulsion stability is a critical quality attribute of tahini halva, a traditional Iranian confectionery. In this study, the effect of ethyl cellulose (EC; 0%–30% w/w) and sorbitan monostearate (SMS; 0%–10% w/w) oleogels, temperature (45–60°C), and mixing time (5–15 min) was investigated on the quality of tahini halva using response surface methodology (RSM). With increasing EC, SMS, temperature, and mixing time, the halva colloidal and emulsion stability increased, while oiling off decreased. Textural properties including hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, and chewiness of halva increased with increasing independent variables. With emulsifier concentration and mixing time increasing, the oil binding capacity of halva increased and the peroxide value (PV) decreased. Increasing temperature decreased oil binding capacity and increased PV. The optimum variables were 22.49% EC, 7.37% SMS, temperature of 49.06°C, and mixing time of 12.31 min with an overall composite desirability of 0.97. Since the predicted and actual values had no significant difference ( p > 0.05), the validation experiment of the model was confirmed. Overall, the results indicate that EC and SMS are effective stabilizers, significantly improving the emulsion stability and quality of tahini halva.

The present study examined the physical properties of soybean oleogels and commercial confectionery filling fats and evaluated the oil migration properties in model praline systems. Soybean oleogels were prepared using different oleogelators namely monoglyceride (MAG oleogels) and a mixture of sorbitan tri-stearate (STS) with lecithin (50:50) (Lec-STS oleogels). Both MAG oleogels and Lec-STS oleogels demonstrated a flat solid fat content (SFC) profile with zero SFC at 40 °C. At low temperature, MAG oleogels and Lec-STS oleogels demonstrated a non-flowing gel-like property due to the ability of the oleogelator to entrap liquid oil. In addition, oleogels also showed thixotropic behavior indicating the possible capability to prevent migration of filling fats to coatings and also good flow ability during pumping though manufacturing equipment. The textural property of oleogels also did not change significantly upon storage indicating good structural stability. When used as in a model praline system, oleogels demonstrated a migration delaying property.