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Carboxymethyl-dextran (CMD)-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) are of great interest in nanomedicine, especially for applications in drug delivery. To develop a magnetically controlled drug delivery system, many factors must be considered, including the composition, surface properties, size and agglomeration, magnetization, cytocompatibility, and drug activity. This study reveals how the CMD coating thickness can influence these particle properties. ION@CMD are synthesized by co-precipitation. A higher quantity of CMD leads to a thicker coating and a reduced superparamagnetic core size with decreasing magnetization. Above 12.5–25.0 g L−1 of CMD, the particles are colloidally stable. All the particles show hydrodynamic diameters < 100 nm and a good cell viability in contact with smooth muscle cells, fulfilling two of the most critical characteristics of drug delivery systems. New insights into the significant impact of agglomeration on the magnetophoretic behavior are shown. Remarkable drug loadings (62%) with the antimicrobial peptide lasioglossin and an excellent efficiency (82.3%) were obtained by covalent coupling with the EDC/NHS (N-ethyl-N′-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide) method in comparison with the adsorption method (24% drug loading, 28% efficiency). The systems showed high antimicrobial activity with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 1.13 µM (adsorption) and 1.70 µM (covalent). This system successfully combines an antimicrobial peptide with a magnetically controllable drug carrier.

Westar summer rape (Brassica rnpusL.),licensed in1982, is a canola-quality cultivar that combines high seed yield with high oil content and early maturity. Westar is adapted to the B. napus growing areas of western Canada and because of its superior agronomic performance has replaced the older cultivars Regent, Andor and Altex.

Eight lines of triticale (Triticale hexaploide) selected for variation in degree of kernel shrivelling were analyzed during development and at maturity for α‐amylase activity, reducing sugars, and starch content. Alpha‐amylase activity varied widely among the triticale lines and was inversely correlated with grain density, the index of shrivelling. Differences in α‐amylase activity in turn were reflected in the reducing sugar values. Starch content of mature grain ranged from 49.1 to 57.1% and was significantly correlated with grain density. Alpha‐amylase developmental patterns were similar at early stages for 6A320, a line with better kernel type, and 6A190, a line with poor kernel development. However, at about 55% moisture, α‐amylase activity in 6A190 began to increase rapidly as compared to 6A320. Reducing sugar patterns were similar to those for α‐amylase. Patterns of starch development indicated a premature termination of starch deposition in triticale lines with poor kernel characteristics.

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