Vibra cell vcx 750

RGO and RGO_1700 flakes were prepared accordingly with the previously reported method [32 (link)], consisting of highly reduced nanoflakes having lateral size ranging between 0.5 and 2 µm and thickness between 4 and 15 nm (full characterization previously reported in [32 (link)]). RGO and RGO_1700 were suspended in DMF at concentrations of 0.15 mg·mL⁻¹ and the solutions were sonicated in pulsed mode (15 s on and 15 s off) for 15 min with power set at 30% of the full output power (750 W), to avoid significant temperature increase during the treatment, by using an ultrasonication probe (Sonics Vibracell VCX-750, Sonics & Materials Inc., Newtown, CT, USA) with a 13 mm diameter Ti-alloy tip. The RGO and RGO_1700 suspensions were subjected to vacuum filtration using a Nylon Supported membrane (0.45 μm nominal pore size, diameter 47 mm, Whatman, Buckinghamshire, UK). After filtration, the as-obtained papers were peeled off from the membranes and dried at 65 °C under vacuum for 2 h to completely remove the solvent. Finally, RGO and RGO_1700 nanopapers were mechanically pressed in a laboratory hydraulic press (Specac Atlas 15T, Orpington, UK) under a uniaxial compressive load of 5 kN for 10 min at 25 °C.

Lipids were removed and proteins extracted from insects via a method outlined previously [21 (link)]. The insect samples were first defatted using food-grade n-hexane to increase the protein yield. A 1:20 ratio of n-hexane (w/v) was applied and stirred for 36 h with filtering and replacing the hexane at 12 h intervals. The defatted sample was left to dry overnight under a fume hood at room temperature. Following the hexane defatting, proteins were extracted from these insects by sonication in a Sonics^® Vibra-Cell™ VCX 750 ultrasonic unit (Sonics & Materials Inc., Newtown, CT, USA). The sonicator was set to 20 kHz for 15 min, with a 75% AMPL (amplitude) and pulsed every 3 s with a 1 s interval. Protein extracts were filtered, lyophilized, and then stored at −50 °C until further use.

SLC-SNTs were formulated and prepared as per the method portrayed earlier by El-say KM et al. Each formulation contained 50 mg of SLC, added to 1 g of the optimized SLC-SNED, and then the gelatin solution was mixed (2% 9 mL) on a stirrer in addition to a constant amount of 400 mg of fumed silica, 100 mg of HPMC, 400 mg of Explotab, 100 mg of diluent (Avicel^® PH 101), and 100 mg of mannitol. Initially, the formulation was mixed for 2 min by Vortex and subsequently by a probe sonicator (Sonics Vibra-Cell VCX 750, Sonics and Materials, Inc., Newtown, CT, USA) until a homogenous mixture was produced. The prepared mixture was placed into tablet blister pockets and transferred to and stored in the freezer for 24 h at −22 °C. Afterward, the sample was freeze-dried in Christ Alpha 1-2 LD Plus lyophilizer (Osterode, Germany). Parameters maintained for freeze-drying were (1) a time of 24 h, (2) a condenser temperature of −45 °C, and (3) a pressure of 7 × 10⁻² mbar. The final product was in the form of a patch. The patch was made into a tablet by adding suitable concentrations of diluents and disintegrating agents. The final lyophilized tablets were evaluated for disintegration and dissolution profiles.