Ascension Sciences’ Research Featured in Nature

VANCOUVER, January 8th, 2021 — Ascension Sciences Inc. (“Ascension Sciences”, “Ascension” or “ASI”), an independent laboratory focused on nanoparticle formulation development for cannabinoid therapeutics, is pleased to announce the publication of collaborative research with Food and Beverage Innovation Professor Anubhav Pratap-Singh and his group at the University of British Columbia in the Journal Scientific Reports published by Nature.

The manuscript is co-authored by Dr. Anubhav Pratap-Singh, BC Ministry of Agriculture Endowed Professor in Food and Beverage Innovation, at UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems; Dr. David Kitts, Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC; Farahnaz Fathordoobady, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC; and Natalia Sannikova, Research and Development Manager at Ascension Sciences. Titled “Comparing microfluidics and ultrasonication as formulation methods for developing hempseed oil nanoemulsions for oral delivery applications,” the manuscript is freely available online at www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-79161-w. 

“Emerging formulation technologies to produce nanoemulsions with improved characteristics, such as stability are attractive, yet lack comparisons between competing technologies. In this study, two formulation techniques employing ultrasound and microfluidic approaches were considered for the production of oil in water nanoemulsions based on hempseed oil (HSO). The ultrasound method reached >99.5% entrapment efficiency to obtain nanoemulsions with an average droplet size (Z-Ave) <180 nm and polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.15± 0.04. Surfactant concentration (% w/v) was found to be a significant factor (p <0.05) controlling the Z-Ave, PDI and zeta potential of nanoparticles. On the other hand, the microfluidic approach was found to produce smaller particles compared to ultrasonication, with good stability observed during storage at room temperature. The Z-Ave of <62.0 nm was achieved for microfluidic nanoemulsions by adjusting the aqueous: organic flow rate ratio and total flow rate at 4:1 and 12 mL/min, respectively. Further analyses including a morphology examination, a simulated gastrointestinal release behavior study, transepithelial transport evaluations and a toxicity test, using a Caco2-cell model, were performed to assess the functionality of the prepared formulations. The results of this study suggest that both approaches of ultrasound and microfluidics have the capability to prepare an HSO-nanoemulsion formulation with acceptable characteristics and stability for oral delivery applications.” 

Source: Abstract from “Comparing microfluidics and ultrasonication as formulation methods for developing hempseed oil nanoemulsions for oral delivery applications” Manuscript

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About Ascension Sciences

Employing nanoparticle formulation technology from the cutting edge of genetic medicine, Ascension Sciences Inc. (ASI) is developing cannabinoid nano delivery platforms and techniques for the pharma and nutraceutical industries. ASI’s R&D and formulation development services are an efficient option for research driven firms that require the advantages of nanoparticle delivery for their active ingredients. 

For more information, please visit www.ascensionsciences.com.