Acid Phthalate Research Articles

Brewing method-dependent changes of volatile aroma constituents of green tea (Camellia sinensis L.).

The determination of optimal levels of green tea amount and brewing time would have a crucial role in the accumulation of desired aromatic volatile compounds to meet worldwide market demand. Aroma is the most important factor influencing tea consumers' choices along with taste, price, and brand. This study aims to determine how the brewing time and amount of green tea affect the aroma profile of green tea infusion. The effect of the amount of Turkish green tea (5-10 g) and brewing time (5-60 min) on aromatic volatile compounds was evaluated using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. The SPME/GC-MS analysis identified 57 components in the aroma profile of green tea infusions including 13 esters, 12 alkanes, 7 unknowns, 6 ketones, 3 alcohols, 2 terpenes, 2 terpenoids, 1 alkaloid, 1 phenolic compound, 1 lactone, 1 pyrazine, and 1 norisoprenoid. The green tea amount and brewing time had significant effects on the number of chemical compounds. A total of 42, 47, and 36 aromatic volatile compounds were determined by brewing 5, 7.5, and 10 g of green tea. The most abundant constituents in green tea infusions were phytone, 2-decenal, lauric acid, unknown 1, methoxy-1-methylethyl pyrazine, α-ionone, β-ionone, and diethyl phthalate (DEP). With this study, the aroma structures of green tea infusion have been revealed for the first time depending on the brewing time and quantity.

Detection of phytoconstituents present in Spirulina platensis extract by GC-MS analysis and their formulation activities against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vanillae

Abstract Spirulina platensis represents promising sources of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and industrial applications. This study aimed to determine the active compounds in S. platensis extracts (SpE) formulation with three different solvents and in vitro testing against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.vaniliae. This study was conducted from January to July 2023. Identification of the active compounds present in the three SpE formulations was carried out using the GC-MS method. The effectiveness of SpE formulations was carried out with an inhibition test on F. oxysporum using a completely randomized design (CRD). Based on the results of GC-MS analysis, it is known that the main compounds present in the SpE formulation with ethanol solvent (F1) are trilinolein (48.35%), nonadecatriene (12.50%) and cis-9-hexadecenal (6.47%). SpE formulations using ethyl acetate solvent (F2) are cis-9-hexadecenal (19.53%) and benzene dicarboxylic acid (10.73%). SpE formulations using hexane solvent (F3) are oxacycloheptadec (24.83%) and octadecanoic acid (10.41%). Based on the results of Particle Size Analysis (PSA), it is known that the F1 formulation measures 59.22 µm, the F2 (7.22 µm), and the F3 (7.84 µm). The effectiveness testing of the three formulations showed that the SpE formulation with different solvents effectively inhibited the growth of the fungus F. oxysporum with an average inhibition of 8.41% - 100% compared to the control. F2 treatment with 10% and 15% concentrations resulted in the highest inhibition effect, namely 100%. The 10% and 15% concentrations in the F1 treatment were 8.41% and 39.67%, respectively. The F3 treatment produced 0% inhibition because the growth of the fungus F. oxysporum was better than that of the control. This study implies that SpE formulation with ethanol and ethyl acetate solvents has the potential as an antifungal, especially for F. oxysporum. From this study, the active compounds that act as antifungals are cis-9-hexadecenal, benzene dicarboxylic acid and diisooctyl phthalate.

Phytochemical and biological assessment of secondary metabolites isolated from a rhizosphere strain, Sphingomonas sanguinis DM of Datura metel

BackgroundThe plant roots excrete a large number of organic compounds into the soil. The rhizosphere, a thin soil zone around the roots, is a hotspot for microbial activity, making it a crucial component of the soil ecosystem. Secondary metabolites produced by rhizospheric Sphingomonas sanguinis DM have sparked significant curiosity in investigating their possible biological impacts.MethodsA bacterial strain has been isolated from the rhizosphere of Datura metel. The bacterium’s identification, fermentation, and working up have been outlined. The ethyl acetate fraction of the propagated culture media of Sphingomonas sanguinis DM was fractioned and purified using various chromatographic techniques. The characterization of the isolated compounds was accomplished through the utilization of various spectroscopic techniques, such as UV, MS, 1D, and 2D-NMR. Furthermore, the evaluation of their antimicrobial activity was conducted using the agar well diffusion method, while cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT test.ResultsThe extract from Sphingomonas sanguinis DM provided two distinct compounds: n-dibutyl phthalic acid (1) and Bis (2-methyl heptyl) phthalate (2) within its ethyl acetate fraction. Furthermore, the 16S rRNA gene sequence of Sphingomonas sanguinis DM has been registered under the NCBI GenBank database with the accession number PP422198. The bacterial extract exhibited its effect against gram-positive bacteria, inhibiting Streptococcus mutans (12.6 ± 0.6 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (10.6 ± 0.6 mm) compared to standard antibiotics. Conversely, compound 1 showed a considerable effect against phytopathogenic fungi such as Alternaria alternate (56.3 ± 10.6 mm) and Fusarium oxysporum (21.3 ± 1.5 mm) with a MIC value of 17.5 µg/mL. However, it was slightly active against Klebsiella pneumonia (11.0 ± 1.0 mm). Furthermore, compound 2 was the most active metabolite, having a significant antimicrobial efficacy against Rhizoctonia solani (63.6 ± 1.1 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.7 ± 0.6 mm), and Alternaria alternate (20.3 ± 0.6 mm) with MIC value at 15 µg/mL. In addition, compound 2 exhibited the most potency against hepatocellular (HepG-2) and skin (A-431) carcinoma cell lines with IC50 values of 107.16 µg/mL and 111.36 µg/mL, respectively.ConclusionSphingomonas sanguinis DM, a rhizosphere bacterium of Datura metel, was studied for its phytochemical and biological characteristics, resulting in the identification of two compounds with moderate antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities.

Exploring di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate degradation by a synthetic marine bacterial consortium: Genomic insights, pathway and interaction prediction, and application in sediment microcosms

Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a toxic phthalate ester (PAE) plasticizer, is often detected in marine sediment and biota. Our understanding of DEHP-degrading marine bacteria and the associated genetic mechanisms is limited. This study established a synthetic bacterial consortium (A02) consisting of three marine bacteria (OR05, OR16, and OR21). Consortium A02 outperformed the individual strains in DEHP degradation. Investigations into the degradation of DEHP intermediates revealed that OR05 and OR16 likely contributed to enhanced DEHP degradation by Consortium A02 via the utilization of DEHP intermediates, such as protocatechuic acid and mono (ethylhexyl) phthalate, with OR21 as the key DEHP degrader. A pathway of DEHP degradation by Consortium A02 was predicted based on genome analysis and experimental degradation. Bioaugmentation with Consortium A02 led to 80% DEHP degradation in 26 days in saline sediment (100 mg/kg), surpassing the 53% degradation by indigenous microbes, indicating the potential of A02 for treating DEHP-contaminated sediments. Meanwhile, bioaugmentation notably changed the bacterial community, with the exclusive presence of certain bacterial genera in the A02 bioaugmented microcosms, and was predicted to result in a more dynamic and active sediment bacterial community. This study contributes to the limited literature on DEHP degradation by marine bacteria and their associated genes.

Reaction of KHP with excess NaOH or TRIS as standard reactions for calibration of titration calorimeters from 0 to 60°C.

Calibration of titration calorimeters is an ongoing problem, particularly with calorimeters with reaction vessel volumes < 10 mL in which an electrical calibration heater is positioned outside the calorimetric vessel. Consequently, a chemical reaction with a known enthalpy change must be used to accurately calibrate these calorimeters. This work proposes the use of standard solutions of potassium acid phthalate (KHP) titrated into solutions of excess sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or excess tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS) as standard reactions to determine the collective accuracy of the relevant variables in a determination of the molar enthalpy change for a reaction. KHP is readily available in high purity, weighable for easy preparation of solutions with accurately known concentrations, stable in solution, not compromised by side reactions with common contaminants such as atmospheric CO2, and non-corrosive to materials used in calorimeter construction. Molar enthalpy changes for these reactions were calculated from 0 to 60°C from reliable literature data for the pKa of KHP, the molar enthalpy change for protonation of TRIS, and the molar enthalpy change for ionization of water. The feasibility of using these reactions as enthalpic standards was tested in several calorimeters; a 50 mL CSC 4300, a 185 μL NanoITC, a 1.4 mL VP-ITC, and a TAM III with 1 mL reaction vessels. The results from the 50 mL CSC 4300, which was accurately calibrated with an electric heater, verified the accuracy of the calculated standard values for the molar enthalpy changes of the proposed reactions.

Decolorization of Rhodamine B and conversion into saturated fatty acids by laccase-producing fungi isolated from lake sediment

The persistence of the carcinogenic Rhodamine B dye poses significant risks to human health. Utilizing a unique fungal strain for its degradation offers a sustainable solution to mitigate these hazards. Bioremediation techniques have demonstrated substantial promise in addressing recalcitrant pollutants such as dyes. In this particular study, laccase-producing fungi were carefully chosen for their potential to break down the toxic textile dye Rhodamine B. These selected fungi Cerrena unicolor FBR03 exhibited an impressive maximum degradation rate of 95.10%. Additionally, an analysis using GC-MS revealed the emergence of breakdown products, including 2-cyclopenten-1-one, 3-hydroxy-2-methyl, thymine, dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, and dibutyl phthalate. These results underscore the potential of this fungal strain as a promising organism for the effective degradation of dye compounds, while simultaneously producing valuable saturated fatty acids as by-products.

Isolation and characterization of an antibacterial compound Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate from the fungi Penicillium digitatum

Introduction and Aim: Penicillium is a fungal antibiotic derived from Penicillium notatum. In this study, we aimed to isolate the antibacterial compound Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate from the fungi Penicillium digitatum, as well as study its antibacterial activity against the the pathogens Escherichia coli,Group B Streptococcus agalactiae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Materials and Methods: The identification of Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-containing secondary metabolite was achieved through bioassay-guided chemical analysis of the crude extract. The structure of the compound was identified from UV spectra, IR, and GC-MS spectral data. The antimicrobial activity of Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, isolated from the fungus Penicillium digitatum, was determined using standard methods. Results: UV, IR, and GC-MS spectroscopy confirmed the crude extract of fungi Penicillium digitatum to contain the bioactive compounds 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid and bis(ethylhexyl) phthalate. The MIC value of the bioactive molecule was also determined to be 32 mg/ml. The P. digitatum ethyl acetate extract showed moderate antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative bacterial isolate Escherichia coli and high activity against the Gram positive pathogens Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: The fungi Penicillium digitatum produces the metabolite Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, which exhibits antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram-negative pathogens and hence could be used in treating infections by these bacterial pathogens.

Cytotoxic Activity of Phytoconstituents Isolated from Monotheca buxifolia against Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line HepG2: In Vitro and Molecular Docking Studies.

Natural products and conventional chemotherapeutic drugs are believed to enhance anticancer treatment efficacy while lowering toxicity. The current study investigates the cytotoxic and apoptogenic effects of Monotheca buxifolia bioactive compounds on HepG2 cell lines. MTT assay was used to assess the effect on the viability of HepG2 cells. Morphological changes were investigated. Annexin-V-FITC/PI was used to demonstrate apoptotic activity. A molecular dynamics simulation study was carried out to investigate the compound binding pattern in the active site of the PPRAδ protein. MTT and annexin V-FITC/PI assays revealed that the isolated compounds lauric acid, oleanolic acid, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate inhibited the growth of hepatocellular cancer cells. The IC50 value for lauric acid was 56.46 ± 1.20 μg/mL, 31.94 ± 1.03 μg/mL for oleanolic acid, and 83.80 ± 2.18 μg/mL for bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Apoptosis was observed in 29.5, 52.1 and 22.4% of HepG2 cells treated with lauric acid, oleanolic acid, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, respectively, after 24 h of treatment. Morphological assays and Hoechst staining microscopy revealed that the treatment caused morphological changes in the cell membrane and nuclear condensation. The high fluctuation indicates that various interactions were highly potent and widely adopted, and vice versa. Oleanolic acid displayed high residue fluctuation, remaining stable in the active site of the PPRAδ protein and involved in various interactions while remaining locally fluctuating in the binding sites of the other two compounds. These findings concluded that lauric acid, oleanolic acid, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate have a significant apoptogenic effect against HepG2 cells in inducing apoptosis. Our findings suggest that these bioactive compounds could be used as adjuvant therapies.

Phytochemical Properties of Silk Floss Tree Stem Bark Extract and Its Potential as an Eco-Friendly Biocontrol Agent against Potato Phytopathogenic Microorganisms

In the current study, the ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Ceiba speciosa, the silk floss tree (SFSB), was evaluated against various phytopathogenic microorganisms, including Ralstonia solanacearum, Dickeya solani, Pectobacterium atrosepticum, P. carotovorum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani. At 300 µg/mL concentration, the SFSB extract exhibited the highest inhibition percentages of 83.33 and 86.67 for R. solani and F. oxysporum, respectively. In addition to its antimicrobial activity, SFSB extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity (IC50 value of 140.88 g/mL). HPLC analysis of the extract revealed the presence of various phenolic acids and flavonoids. Among these compounds, naringenin (18,698.83 µg/g), chlorogenic acid (2727.49 µg/g), ferulic acid (1276.18 µg/g), syringic acid (946.26 µg/g), gallic acid (812.34 µg/g), and methyl gallate (651.73 µg/g) were found to be the most abundant constituents. GCMS analysis showed that there were antimicrobial compounds like terpenoids, benzoic acid derivatives, phthalate esters, and different fatty acids. Isopropyl myristate was the most common compound, with a relative abundance of 55.61%. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation on the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial properties of SFSB extract. Consequently, utilizing SFSB extract could hold significant potential as a sustainable and natural approach for controlling and mitigating plant diseases.

GC-MS Analysis of Persicaria bistorta: Uncovering the Molecular Basis of Its Traditional Medicinal Use.

Persicaria bistorta is a perennial herb used traditionally in treating various ailments, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bleeding. In this study, we used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis to identify the chemical composition of Persicaria bistorta. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of several compounds, including flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids. Among those, the most important from medicinal points of view are ethyl oleate (3%), cyclotetradecane (4.74%), dodecanoic acid (4.69%), hexadecanoic acid (5.61%), tetradecane (5.25%), cis-13-octadecenoic acid (10.91%), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (32%). The GC-MS analysis of ethanolic fraction of Persicaria bistorta involved in antibacterial activity showed about 18 compounds. Among those, the most important from a medicinal and nutritional point of view are bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (42.20%), 6-octadecenoic acid methyl ester, (Z)- (10.37%), ethyl oleate (6.84%), hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (6.67%), and methyl ester and oleic acid (5.27%). Reported biological antibacterial activity has shown that the main compound determined in both extracts was bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, which has higher peak area percentage in ethanolic extract than in ethyl acetate fraction. Some oily compounds important for health because of their cis-conformation were also revealed in the given study like ethyl oleate and oleic acid. Overall, results suggest that Persicaria bistorta may have therapeutic potential and warrant further investigation. Further research is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of Persicaria bistorta as a natural medicine and determine its active compounds' mechanisms of action.

Phytochemical Constituents and GC-MS Profiling of the Whole Plant Ethanol Extract of Thesium viride Hill and its Oral Toxicity in Balb/C Mouse Model

Thesium viride Hill, a member of the Santalaceae family, treats several ailments. However, few pharmacological investigations have been done to ascertain its folklore usage. The present study evaluated the presence of phytochemical constituents and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy profiling of the whole plant extract of Thesium viride and its oral toxicity in the Balb/c mouse model. The whole plant-dried sample was collected from Zaria local government, Kaduna State, Nigeria, and 400 grams of the pulverised plant was extracted by the Soxhlet method using different solvents. Phytochemical screening and GC-MS analyses of the whole plant ethanol extract were done according to standard procedures. Acute oral toxicity studies of the extracts were carried out on BALB/c mice weighing 17-23g following recommendations from the OECD. The phytochemical analysis of Thesium viride whole plant extracts showed the presence of cardiac glycosides, carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, triterpenes, and alkaloids. In addition, the GC-MS analysis of the ethanol extract of Thesium viride revealed the presence of thirty-four bioactive compounds, the major ones being Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, cis-13-Octadecenoic acid, trans-13-Octadecenoic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid, 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z), and Diethyl Phthalate with peak areas (concentrations) of 34.44%, 29.75%, 4.18%, 3.60%, 2.62%, and 2.01% respectively. The median lethal dose (LD50) for acute toxicity studies of different fractions of Thesium viride on Balb/c mice was greater than 5000 mg/kg. The study concludes that the whole plant extract of Thesium viride is rich in phytoconstituents with pharmacological prospects. The extract is practically non-toxic and safe when administered orally in mice.

Comprehensive Multi-Spectroscopy and Molecular Docking Understanding of Interactions between Fermentation-Stinky Compounds and Mandarin Fish Myofibrillar Proteins.

The release of flavor compounds is a critical factor that influences the quality of fermented foods. A recent study investigated the interactions between four fermentation-stinky compounds (indole, isovaleric acid, dimethyl disulfide, and dibutyl phthalate) and myofibrillar proteins (MPs). The results indicated that all four fermentation-stinky compounds had different degrees of binding to MPs, with dibutyl phthalate and dimethyl disulfide exhibiting stronger interactions. Reduced hydrophobicity enhanced these interactions. Multi-spectroscopy showed that static fluorescence quenching was dominant in the MPs-fermentation-stinky compound complexes. The interaction altered the secondary structure of MPs, predominantly transitioning from β-sheets to α-helix or random coil structures via hydrogen bond interactions. Molecular docking confirmed that these complexes maintained steady states due to stronger hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, ionic bonds, conjugate systems, and lower hydrophobicity interactions. Hence, it is a novel sight that the addition of hydrophobic bond-disrupting agents could improve the flavor of fermented foods.

Toxicity of &lt;i&gt;Sargassum wightii&lt;/i&gt; to the Malaria Vector &lt;i&gt;Anopheles stephensi&lt;/i&gt; Liston (Diptera: Culicidae)

Seaweed based pesticides exhibit mosquitocidal properties and are found to be effective, biodegradable and non-toxic to non-target organisms. Sargassum wightii Greville butanol and ethanol extracts were tested for its toxicity against the second and third instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi Liston in the present study. One hundred percent larval mortality was observed in the second instar of An. stephensi by the ethanol extract at the highest concentration of 500 mg/ l after 24 hours of exposure. The LC50 values of S. wightii butanol and ethanol extracts were 107.03 and 89.67 mg/ l, against the second instar of An. stephensi; and 132.56 and 92.00 mg/ l against the third instar of An. stephensi respectively. Phytochemical analysis of S. wightii extracts revealed presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, flavonoids, phenols, proteins, tannins and terpenes. Larval mortality of second and third instars of An. stephensi can be attributed to the major compounds present in S. wightii revealed by GC-MS analysis, viz., ethyl salicylate, methyl salicylate, ethyl palmitate, palmitic acid, oleic acid, phytolin and diethyl phthalate. The present study accentuates S. wightii butanol and ethanol extracts to cause lethal effects to the second and third instar larvae of An. stephensi.

Application of NMR spectroscopy for the detection and quantification of phthalic acid in fish muscles: The case of Atlantic Cod from Norwegian Sea

Plastic litter might contain phthalates that can be transferred to marine environment or can be introduced into the marine food chain. Phthalic acid is the final product of phthalate decomposition in marine organisms.Here we used NMR spectroscopy to determine and quantify phthalic acid and dimethyl phthalate in fish muscles. Spike-and-recovery experiments were carried out to confirm assignment of phthalates resonance signals in NMR spectra and to evaluate the method specificity, accuracy, and linearity. The LOQ and LOD of the rapid 1H NMR experiment with a standard setting were respectively 23.0 and 8.0 mg of phthalic acid in kg of fish muscles. Phthalic acid was detected in 13 out of 113 Atlantic cod and none in farmed Atlantic salmon from Norwegian sea.

Chemical and Biological Investigations of the Leaf Extracts of Andrographis paniculata (Acanthaceae)

Introduction: Andrographis paniculata is a plant employed in traditional medicine among the natives of Owerri, Eastern Nigeria, in the management of several ailments. In this study the leaf was investigated for its chemical constituents and to validate its antimicrobial activity in ethnomedicine. Methods: The fresh leaf of the plant was steam-distilled to obtain the volatile oil which was subjected to FT-IR and GC-MS analysis. The powdered air-dried leaf was also extracted with methanol to obtain the crude extract which was subjected to phytochemical analysis. The crude methanolic extract was also partitioned into hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate and 50% methanol in chloroform to obtain the corresponding fractions. The crude extract and fractions were tested for activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The biologically active chloroform fraction was further purified using column chromatography and the fractions subjected to GC-MS analysis. Results: The steam distillation gave an oil and the GC-MS analysis indicated the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene, hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, dibutyl phthalate, 8,11-octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester, 11-octadecenoic acid, methyl ester and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Phytochemical analysis of the crude extract showed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, sterols/steroids, flavonoids, volatile oils, terpenoids, saponins and phenols. Among the extractives, the chloroform-soluble fraction showed the highest activity against S. aureus and B. subtilis while none of the extracts was active against C. albicans and A. niger. It was also found that the hexane-soluble fraction was inactive against all the test organisms while the ethylacetate-soluble fraction showed the broadest spectrum of anti-bacterial activity. Column chromatographic separation of the biologically active chloroform-soluble fraction gave fractions which on GC-MS analysis and by comparison with the standard library computer MS data led to the identification of some chemical constituents, including aromatic compounds, sterols, alicyclics and long-chain hydrocarbons and carbonyl compounds such as carboxylic acids, esters and lactones. Conclusion: The antimicrobial activity exhibited by the leaf extracts support the traditional medicinal use of the leaf to manage infections. Also, the presence of the identified phyto-constituents may be responsible for the ethno-medicinal properties of the plant.

Multilayered polymer coating modulates mucoadhesive and biological properties of camptothecin-loaded lipid nanocapsules

Lipid core nanocapsules (NCs) coated with multiple polymer layers were rationally designed as a potential approach for the colonic delivery of camptothecin (CPT). Chitosan (CS), hyaluronic acid (HA) and hypromellose phthalate (HP) were selected as coating materials, to modulate the mucoadhesive and permeability properties of CPT regarding the improvement of local and targeted action in the colon cancer cells. NCs were prepared by emulsification/solvent evaporation method and coated with multiple polymer layers by polyelectrolyte complexation technique. NCs exhibited spherical shape, negative zeta potential, and size ranged from 184 to 252 nm. The high efficiency of CPT incorporation (>94%) was evidenced. The ex vivo permeation assay showed that nanoencapsulation reduced the permeation rate of CPT through the intestinal mucosa by up to 3.5 times, and coating with HA and HP reduced the permeation percentage by 2 times when compared to NCs coated only with CS. The mucoadhesive capacity of NCs was demonstrated in gastric and enteric pH. Nanoencapsulation did not reduce the antiangiogenic activity of CPT and, additionally, it was observed that nanoencapsulation resulted in localized antiangiogenic action of CPT.

Extraction, antioxidant activity, and hydrogel formulation of marine Cladophora glomerata

In this study, the extraction of marine algae Cladophora glomerata using acetone, methanol, and ethanol solvents was investigated. The extraction yield was in the range of 3.47–4.20 % with a total phenolic content of 2.21–3.40 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram dried weight sample (mg GAE/g DW), and an antioxidant activity IC50 of 0.15–0.39 mg/mL. High chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were observed in all extracts, ranging from 138.44 to 200.79 μg/g DW, 119.05–308.43 μg/g DW, and 15.11–43.45 mg/g DW for chlorophylls a, b, and total carotenoids, respectively. The ethanol extract was selected for further investigation because it has high extraction efficiency and is already used in pharmaceutical preparations.The gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) profile of the ethanol extract showed palmitic acid (21.4 %), 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (14.5 %), and dibutyl phthalate (7.7 %) as major compounds. The extract at concentrations of 7.8125–125 μg/mL did not affect the viability of lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5). However, at the concentrations of 250–1000 μg/mL, the extract significantly decreased cell viability. A topical C. glomerata extract hydrogel was developed. The hydrogel had a homogenous texture; was stable in terms of appearance, pH, and spreadability in a variety of low and high temperatures; light and dark storage conditions, and it retained its antioxidant activity after storage. These findings showed that C. glomerata extract hydrogels could potentially be developed as a skin care product on a manufacturing scale.

Phthalate metabolite concentrations and effects on albuminuria in the US population

BackgroundThe usage pattern of phthalates has changed with the introduction of new alternatives such as 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, diisononyl ester (DINCH) and di-isodecyl phthalate (DiDP). However, the concentrations of these alternatives at the population level and their effects on endothelial function are under-studied. ObjectivesWe examined the concentrations of the new alternatives and their previous counterparts, as well as the associations between phthalate exposure and albuminuria in the general US population. MethodsIn total, 2672 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2018 were enrolled in this study, and we obtained data on 19 urinary phthalate metabolites, albumin, and creatinine. The distributions of urinary phthalates were studied by age and sex. Linear and logistic regressions were used to estimate the association between urinary phthalate metabolites and albumin. ResultsThe geometric mean of the total phthalate concentrations in males and females was 124.97 and 113.09 ng/mL respectively. The detection rates of most urinary phthalate metabolites were greater than 95 %. The major phthalate metabolites found in the US population were MEP (24.20 %) and MECPTP (23.76 %). More positive relationships between phthalate and micro- plus albuminuria were found in females aged ≥ 60 years group（1.49 (95 % CI: 1.08–1.90), 1.44 (95 % CI: 1.06–1.81), 1.52 (95 % CI: 1.14–1.90), 1.41(95 % CI: 1.04–1.78), 1.29(95 % CI: 1.01–1.58), 1.60(95 % CI: 1.20–2.01), 1.45(95 % CI:1.14–1.77), and 1.55(95 % CI: 1.22–1.87) in MECPP, MEHHP, MEOHP, MEHP, MCPP, MHBP, MHNCH and MCOCH respectively）. In total population, logistic regression showed that all traditional phthalate metabolites were associated with an increased proportion of albuminuria (OR range from 1.19 to 1.40, all p < 0.05). However, three new alternatives were not associated with albuminuria (OR range from 1.01 to 1.05, all p > 0.05), and six new alternatives were associated with an increased proportion of albuminuria (OR range from 1.14 to 1.30, all p < 0.05). ConclusionsChildren have higher metabolite concentrations than adults. Exposure to certain phthalates may disrupt albuminuria homeostasis, especially in older females. Alternative phthalates may have a lower impact on albuminuria than conventional phthalates. The safety of the new alternatives should be interpreted with caution, as more research is still required.

Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Potential of Helminthosporin from Rumex abyssiniscus Jacq. Discovered as a Novel Source of Syringic Acid and Bis(2-ethyloctyl) Phthalate.

Rumex abyssinicus Jacq. is a perennial medicinal herb widely used in traditional medicine to treat many diseases. Phytochemicals of the plant were isolated using column chromatography and thin layer chromatography techniques. Extract, fractions and pure compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity against sensitive and multi-drug resistant microbes and their cytotoxicity was performed on different cancer cell lines. The mechanism of action of purified helminthosporin as well as the potent fraction containing a mixture of two compounds was assessed. Fraction R7C3 was the most potent antibacterial with the lowest MIC value of 0.12µg/mL. Helminthosporin was the most potent compound with the lowest MIC value of 1.95µg/mL. The compound was more potent than the antibiotic chloramphenicol against multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria with MIC equal to 16µg/mL. The fraction and helminthosporin were shown to destroy the cell wall of the yeast and bacteria, and DNA fragmentation effect on the genome of Candida albicans and Bacillus cereus. Helminthosporin was the most cytotoxic compound with IC50 ˂ 10µM. Fraction R7C3 showed the most potent cytotoxic effects on all cancer cell lines, with IC50 ranging from ˂1 to 4.35ng/mL. Our study is the first report on the mechanism of action of helminthosporin, a potent candidate in the development of new drugs against multi-resistant bacteria and cancer cells. In addition, this study uncovered Rumex abyssinicus as a new source of syringic acid and bis(2-ethyloctyl) phthalate.

A new Validated UV-visible Spectrophotometric Method for the Estimation of Pregabalin in its pure and dosage form using Bromophenol blue

A new simple, accurate precise, cost effective, rapid and sensitive UV-Visible spectrophotometric method was developed for the estimation of Pregabalin in its pure and dosage form using Bromophenol blue. The developed method was validated as per ICH guideline in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision, ruggedness, LOD and LOQ. In this method the solvent used for the preparation of Pregabalin was distilled water. The method is based on the formation of brown colored ion-pair complex of Pregabalin with Bromophenol Blue reagent. The ion pair complex was produced in presence of Acid Phthalate Buffer of pH 3. The developed brown colour was stable at room temperature. The developed brown coloured complex showed maximum absorbance at 592nm. Linearity was found in the concentration range of 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90µg/ml with regression coefficient value 0.995. Precision studies for intra-day and inter-day shows that percentage relative standard deviation was within range of acceptable limit. The recovery studies were carried out at three percentage levels that is 50%, 100% and 150% levels. The results shows that the method was found to be accurate. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 10.91µg/ml and limit of quantification (LOQ) was found to be 33.06µg/ml. A ruggedness study was carried out using different analysts; assure that the method was rugged. Hence the method can be applied for routine quality control of the drug.