Background: The objective of this study was to make colloidal dispersions of the active compounds of radix of Angelica gigas Nakai that could be charaterized as nano-composites using hot melt extrusion (HME). Food grade hydrophilic polymer matrices were used to disperse these compound in aqueous media. Methods and Results: Extrudate solid formulations (ESFs) mediated by various HPMCs (hydroxypropyl methylcelluloses) and Na-Alg polymers made from ultrafine powder of the radix of Angelica gigas Nakai were developed through a physical crosslink method (HME) using an ionization agent (treatment with acetic acid) and different food grade polymers [HPMCs, such as HP55, CN40H, AN6 and sodium alignate (Na-Alg)]. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the amorphization of crystal compounds in the HP55-mediated extrudate solid formulation (HP55-ESF). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated a lower enthalpy (ΔH = 10.62 J/g) of glass transition temperature (Tg) in the HP55-ESF than in the other formulations. Infrared fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed that new functional groups were produced in the HP55-ESF. The content of phenolic compounds, flavonoid (including decursin and decursinol angelate) content, and antioxidant activity increased by 5, 10, and 2 times in the HP55-ESF, respectively. The production of water soluble (61.5%) nano-sized (323 ㎚) particles was achieved in the HP55-ESF. Conclusions: Nano-composites were developed herein utilizing melt-extruded solid dispersion technology, including food grade polymer enhanced nano dispersion (< 500 ㎚) of active compounds from the radix of Angelica gigas Nakai with enhanced solubility and bioavailability. These nano-composites of the radix of Angelica gigas Nakai can be developed and marketed as products with high therapeutic performance.

This paper investigated the influence of moisture level on the piezoresistivity of carbon nano-tube/cement composites. Test results indicate that the piezoresistivity sensitivities of carbon nano-tube/cement composites decreased as moisture contents in the composites increased.

Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal in the world as one of the staple food. For the use of natural dye, we have done some researches about sorghum red pigments extracted from stalk and leaves on its physiochemical properties, extracting methods and applications. The researches involved maximum extraction of sorghum pigment and analysis of its processing condition. Total polyphenol and tannin contents were measured by varieties and different plant parts. The stabilities of pigment by irradiation and heat treatment for processing were measured by colorimeter and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). In addition, hybrid nano-silica composites with sorghum pigment were made by combining with polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate and sodium silicate. Water silica hybrids with sorghum pigment were performed by emulsion treatment. Nano-silica particles were identified and measured their size to be about 200 ~ 400 nm by SEM analysis.