Production and morphological properties of water-based cellular particles containing biologically active molecules from European spruce (Picea abies) needle homogenates by experimental and theoretical approaches

Abstract

Plants have the incredible ability to synthesize many of the active ingredients on which today’s medicines and therapies are based. They are able to defend themselves against external influences by releasing the corresponding molecules in individual parts of the plant. The European spruce (Picea abies) contains a different composition of biologically active and complex substances The composition of these substances depends on various factors, e g the geological composition of the soil, the climate, the time of harvest, the availability of nutrients. Due to the accelerated development of medical diagnostics and the development of delivery systems, such as vesicles researchers began to look for alternative sources in the field of natural sources. Since cell particles of smaller size can also be found in plant samples and represent an alternative to biological fluids research today also focuses on the development of cost effective and reproducible methods for the isolation and characterization of these particles. The samples of spruce needles were collected and processed by mechanical deformation of the plant tissue The homogenates (in distilled water d H 2 O), saline 0 9 NaCl) and 9 0 NaCl) were aged at room temperature and after achieving boiling point using microwaves. The formation of the resulting particles was investigated. The salt concentration has a decisive influence on the formation and morphology of the formatted cell particles Compared to NaCl media, the dH2O media shows the formation of aggregates in the form of particle agglomerates, which can be easily broken down into smaller units with the assistance of thermal energy via microwaves The formation of particles with a double membrane was observed in all media used as well as in a one week “aged” sample prepared in dH2O Spruce needle homogenates contain particles with a minimal membrane energy that are similar in shape to particles of blood cells.