Angle Of Repose Research Articles

Study on Physical Properties of Groundnut Cultivated in Andhra Pradesh for Design of Remote-Operated Groundnut Planter

Physical properties of groundnut seeds play an important role in designing the cell size of seed metering device, the thickness of metering disc, the diameter of metering device and the design of seed hopper for the development of remote-operated groundnut planter. The present study describes the measurement of the physical properties of four groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties namely K-6 (Kadiri-6), Kadiri Lepakshi, Tag-24 (Trombay Akola Groundnut-24) and Dharani using standard measuring procedures. The results obtained for four varieties revealed that the seed length, width and thickness vary from 10.29 ± 1.11 to 17.52 ± 0.76 mm, 6.15 ± 0.39 to 9.51 ± 0.46 mm and 5.48 ± 0.33 to 8.59 ± 0.47 mm, respectively. The geometric mean diameter, arithmetic mean diameter and surface area varied from 7.39 ± 0.15 to 10.58 ± 0.36 mm, 7.87 ± 0.32 to 11.13 ± 0.45 mm, and 171.98 ± 6.89 to 352.21 ± 24.54 mm2, respectively. The Sphericity and Aspect Ratio varied from 55.51 ± 2.99 to 81.36 ± 6.87 % and 42.40 ± 4.16 to 77.82 ± 8.86 %, respectively. The Moisture Content (db.), bulk density, true density, porosity, hundred seeds weight and Angle of Repose for four different groundnut varieties are obtained as 5.25 to 10.45 %, 605.8 to 691.49 kg/m3, 1008.12 to 1123.4 kg/m3, 32.25 to 46.05 %, 30.485 to 45.62 g and 26.32 to 36.58º, respectively. The maximum values of axial dimensions were considered for design of seed metering device cell. The parameters of bulk density, test weight, and angle of repose were useful in the design of the seed hopper.

An investigation into the physical factors that control slow mass movements

The behavior of slow mass movements like soil creep is well known to be governed by soil composition, slope, and cycles in temperature and rainfall. However, their magnitude and importance vary dramatically in often unpredictable ways, with important consequences for creep rate and infrastructure damage prediction. Here, we present long-term (2015–2022) creep measurements for four regions of the UK characterized by intense mass movement activity but different bedrock lithologies. We also obtained co-located temperature and precipitation time series over this period, as well as local measurements of slope and soil thickness and composition. Our goal was to deconvolve the relative importance of each observable on creep behavior. Our results imply that parent lithology governs first-order creep rates indirectly via hillslope repose angles and soil thickness and composition. Rates of ground movement on peat and sandstone soils are dictated by annual fluctuations in precipitation and temperature, respectively. By employing a simple error-minimizing regression routine, we demonstrate how creep rates can be predicted in these settings as a function of climatological observables. Over thinner limestone and thicker clay soils, however, our model fails: in these settings, we suggest that creep behavior is instead dominated by variations in regolith thickness, and slope and clay mineral content, respectively.

On the sensitivity of DEM parameters on pile experiments

AbstractThe discrete element method (DEM) is suitable to investigate problems where large deformations occur especially in granular material. The fitting of reliable DEM parameters is crucial and a challenge which is caused by the high number of DEM parameters and the computational effort. Despite its drawbacks, a trial and error approach is often used for the DEM parameter calibration. The knowledge of the DEM parameter influence on the model response is necessary to improve the calibration and to check whether the experiment is suitable to calibrate specific parameters or not. It is possible to reduce the dimensionality of the optimisation problem by omitting parameters whose influence on the model response is negligibly small. One approach is to perform a global sensitivity analysis based on Sobol’ indices. A frequently used calibration experiment in literature is the pile experiment. The deviation between the experiment and the simulation is evaluated with the angle of repose. In the present paper, an algorithm to determine the angle of repose considering the three-dimensional shape of the heap is discussed. The global sensitivity analysis is performed for two different experimental heap set-ups. To decrease the computational effort of the sensitivity analysis, the model response is approximated with metamodels whose predictability is evaluated using the root mean squared error (RMSE) based on a separate sampling point set.

How oregano essential oil can be transformed into a taste-masking controlled release solid formulation

Oregano essential oil (OEO) has antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. OEO could be administered orally for some gastrointestinal diseases, however, its oral use, is severely hampered by its irritant taste, which requires a high dilution in water before administration, and by its high susceptibility to light and humidity. Moreover, phenols have a high instability during digestion, and are rapidly metabolized, so that only a small fraction of the oral dose reaches the lower gut. Protection of OEO from degradation in the gastrointestinal tract is essential for its enhanced efficacy and sustained release The aim of this work has been the preparation and characterization of tablets based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) granules containing OEO adsorbed on zeolite and coated with Eudragit® E PO to protect the oil from instability. Measurements of angle of repose demonstrated that OEO-containing zeolite granules were not cohesive and could be easily compressed. The obtained coated tablets had sufficient mechanical strength and were able to prevent the oxidation of polyphenols in the stomach, indeed only the 15 and 30 % of them was released in simulated jejunal and ileal fluid, respectively. These solid dosage forms protect phenols contained in OEO from degradation and volatilization, as suggested by TG analysis.

Formulation and Evaluation of Different Polymer-Coated Spherules from Granules

Abstract: A novel spheronization technique is reported here for forming spherules from granules using FDA-approved excipients and common pharmaceutical unit operations. Aspirin is used as a drug to check stability during the process. Spherules are made by “bed coating during sliding” (BCDS) of granules. The spherules provide an opportunity to modify their surface properties by polymer film coating. It improves the functional properties such as appearance, drug release, and integrity of particles during the processing of spherules. Spherules with two size ranges (sieves no 22 and 44) are compared. These spherules are further coated with polymers to show the adaptability of the process. Microscopical evaluation reveals that several edges (90° and 45°) are less for spherules compared to granules. The angle of Repose and packing parameters appeared excellent. Different polymer coating drugs give different release profiles as per the properties of the polymeric drugs. This is a versatile platform delivery system for developing advanced drug delivery systems (ADDS). However, the stability of aspirin is affected by the wet process may be because aspirin is a hydrolytically labile drug. Granules and pellets are not necessarily spherical. Coated spherules can also be an option for coating as against to coating the tablet.

Improving flow dynamics and storage longevity of a low-cost phosphorescent fingerprint powder.

An inexpensive, commercially available doped strontium aluminate phosphor with long-lived afterglow was prepared as a luminescent fingerprint dusting powder suited for challenging, highly patterned substrates; however, prolonged exposure to humidity was found to reduce that powder's affinity for fingermarks. Here, an enhanced preparation for synthesizing that fingerprint dusting powder is presented that prevents powder aggregation and loss of function upon exposure to humid environments. This was achieved by introducing a flow regulator during synthesis: hydrophobic silica SIPERNAT® D10 or SIPERNAT® D17. Increasing the hydrophobicity of the powder prevents aggregation by inhibiting the uptake of water, thereby improving the material's flow dynamics and transfer behavior from brush to fingermark. The angle of repose and flow characteristics made by the modified powders were quantified, with excellent affinity for fingermarks observed, even after being stored under 85% (±5%) humidity for 4 weeks. A preliminary comparison of the performance of the modified hydrophobic powders relative to the unmodified precursor revealed that more of the SIPERNAT® treated powder typically adhered to fingermarks while simultaneously imparting less background development. In addition, fewer clumps of particulate were observed in the developed fingermarks after addition of a hydrophobic flow regulator. This technical report outlines the updated method for synthesizing the fingerprint powder, with summarized flow performance results, and a demonstration of the modified powder's affinity for simulated fingermark evidence.

Preparation and Evaluation of Metronidazole Tablets Produced with Different Binders Using Wet Granulation Method

In tablet formulation, binders are essential for ensuring proper powder mix, granulation and overall tablet quality. Variations in binder quality and concentration can impact drug bioavailability, strength and manufacturing processes. The inconsistency in bioavailability and therapeutic response of metronidazole from different manufacturers highlights the importance of binder selection in tablet formulation. This study evaluates the impact of different binding agents on tablet quality. The optimum binder concentration for each of the binders was assessed to obtain suitable concentration that was used to prepare metronidazole tablets. Metronidazole tablets were formulated with four different binder vis, acacia, gelatine, PVP, maize starch at 3% concentration using wet granulation method after which the tablet properties were evaluated. Metronidazole powder exhibited poor flow indices, as indicated by angle of repose: 39.92 ± 1.85, Carr’s compressibility index (CI): 20.13 ± 0.28 and Hausner’s ratio (Hr): 1.26 ± 0.01, whereas its granules exhibited good flow properties. The crushing strength (CS), friability (FR), disintegration time (DT) (CSFR/DT) ratio for batches showed values in 3% binder concentration, indicating higher strength as compared to other concentrations. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the CSFR/DT ratio for gelatine (2.22) in formulation F2 compared to maize starch in Formulation F4. The formulated tablets with the various binders have met with the British Pharmacopeial criteria of 80% drug release from uncoated immediate-release tablets. Amongst the four binders, gelatine was found to be the best in the formulation of robust metronidazole tablets by wet granulation method at an optimised concentration of 3% w/w. Tablets produced with gelatin exhibited greater mechanical strength than those produced with other binders, while also demonstrating a slightly longer DT. Metronidazole tablets produced with gelatine have met the British Pharmacopeial requirements including an acceptable in-vitro drug release profile.

Engineering Characteristics of Curcuma Flour (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.) from Convection Drying

Curcuma is a herbs having a lot of advantages for human health. The fresh rhizome has a lot of disadvantages especially from the volume and low quality. To maintain the quality, curcuma should be processed to curcuma flour. This study was carried out to determine the engineering properties including water content, color, bulk density, water absorption, oil absorption, and angle of repose of curcuma flour ground after convection drying. The research method used in this study was CRD (completely randomized design) with 2 factors, namely drying temperature (40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C) and flouring or milling duration (6, 8, and 10 min). Curcuma rhizome was pre-treated with a convection drying. After milling process, the flour was sieved to have particle size of 60 mesh. Statistical analysis included ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), Duncan post-hoc test, and correlation test. The result revealed the curcuma flour has engineering properties including bulk density (0.35 – 0.38 g/ml), water content (7.97% – 11.77%), water absorption (2.78 – 3.79 ml/g), angle of repose (27.99° – 30.44°), color brightness L (67.07 – 71.78), red-green chrome a (7.67 – 8.92), yellow-blue chrome b (51.37 – 55.13), and total color change ∆E (57.42 – 62.12). Keywords: Convection dryer, Curcuma, Drying, Engineering characteristics, Flour.

A global map of gullied hillslopes on Mars

The distribution of gullies on Mars has been used to support different modes of formation involving CO2, H2O or entirely dry processes. We mapped the extent of gullied hillslope using a global mosaic of ConTeXt camera (CTX) at 6 m/pixel and High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) browse products at ∼3 m/pixel. Our new global catalog of gullied hillslopes allows for quantitative, area-based analysis of gullies both at global and regional scale, which was not possible with point-based or more localized previous datasets. We analyzed aspect and gradient information derived from MOLA topography for every mapped gullied hillslope. We have confirmed the trends identified in previous works, which are that the mean gradient of gullied hillslopes is lower than 30°, the angle of repose of dry material on Mars, and that the preferred aspect of gullied hillslopes is latitude-dependent, with a shift between pole-facing to equator-facing happening around 40° in both hemispheres. We established a hierarchy of factors that can explain the global distribution of gullied hillslopes: Latitude is the strictest control because gullies are constrained between 26°-83°S and 28°-76°N. The availability of steep slopes is a strong control over gully distribution, and we observed that gullied hillslopes aspect reflects the orientation of large regional reliefs, which implies that hillslope aspect is less of a factor than the hillslope gradient in explaining gully distribution. We analyzed the correlation of gully distribution with a subsurface water ice consistency map, and we found that gullies are preferentially distributed on areas with some ground ice rather than no ice at all. We identified for the first time a bias toward an east-facing trend for southern hemisphere gullies poleward of ∼40° of latitude. We also linked our gullied hillslopes dataset with a global crater morphometry dataset: 63% of the gullied area on Mars is found in craters, and we find that the area covered by gullies in a given crater is positively correlated with the depth and diameter ratio of this crater.Our observations point toward a complex interplay between local slope, insolation, and thermal properties of the substrate to explain the spatial distribution of the current population of gullies. Finally, we have assessed the very high resolution (sub-meter) imagery coverage of gullies to be 36% and that the repeated coverage reaches 21% of gullies, hence this would need expanding to better understand the spatial trends in active gullies.

Virtual parameter calibration of pod pepper seeds based on discrete element simulation

In order to achieve numerical optimization of the pod pepper seed sowing device, the contact parameters of pod pepper seeds were calibrated, with the angle of repose used as the response value. A set of discrete element method (DEM) models of pod pepper seeds was developed to simulate the formation of seed repose angles using reverse engineering reconstruction techniques. An eight-factor, three-level response surface experiment based on the Box-Behnken central combination test method was performed to study the effects of various factors on the angle of repose of seeds. The angle of repose obtained from physical experiments with a value of 27.56° was taken as the target value. The optimal combination of parameters is obtained as follows: seed Poisson's ratio of 0.22, seed shear modulus of 15.47 MPa, seed-to-seed static friction coefficient of 0.25, seed-to-seed rolling friction coefficient of 0.67, seed-to-seed collision recovery coefficient of 0.64, seed-to-steel-plate static friction coefficient of 0.55, seed-to-steel-plate rolling friction coefficient of 0.45, and seed-to-steel plate collision recovery coefficient of 0.34. A two-sample t-test of the angle of repose obtained by the cylinder lifting method and the pumping plate method against the target value yielded P > 0.05, indicating the reliability of the simulation experiments.

Calibration of the DEM sliding friction and rolling friction parameters of a cohesionless bulk material

The discrete element method (DEM) has become a valuable tool for understanding the mechanical behaviour of granular assemblies, however, the accuracy of the DEM simulations depends on several interaction parameters such as the sliding friction and rolling friction coefficients. Generally, these parameters are estimated using bulk calibration approach (BCA) where the draw down test has been suggested as an effective way to approach these coefficients. This test provides up to four bulk criteria, the angle of repose, shear angle, mass flow rate and the mass loss which are used to narrow down the possible coefficients. However, there is still more research needed around it to fully understand how this methodology works. An experimental and numerical study was carried out using the draw down test to assess the influence of different mass flow rates and particle shapes on DEM parameters for a cohesionless bulk material. It is concluded that use of multi-sphere particles and three aperture sizes in the draw down test to calibrate the sliding and rolling friction parameters of a cohesionless bulk material can converge to a small feasible region in which a single combination of the friction coefficients can be selected. The calibrated sliding and rolling friction coefficients were validated using multi-sphere particles, where the maximum deviation was 5.9% from the experimental values.

Extraction, characterization, and utilization of mung bean starch as an edible coating material for papaya fruit shelf-life enhancement.

This research was aimed to investigate the utilization of mung bean starch as an innovative edible coating material to enhance the shelf-life of cut papaya fruits. The study focused on the extraction process of mung bean starch and its subsequent characterization through various analyses. Particle size (142.3 ± 1.24 nm), zeta potential (-25.52 ± 1.02 mV), morphological images, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and thermal stability (68.36 ± 0.15°C) were assessed to determine the mung bean starch properties. The functional properties, such as bulk density (0.51 ± 0.004 g/cm3) and tapped density (0.62 ± 0.010 g/cm3), angle of repose (21.61°), swelling power (12.26 ± 0.25%), and minimum gelation concentration (4.01 ± 1.25%), were examined to detect its potential as a coating base material. Subsequently, the prepared mung bean starch coating solution (1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) was applied to papaya fruits and the coated fruits' physicochemical characteristics evaluated during storage. These characteristics encompassed color, weight loss, pH shifts, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, vitamin C content, fruit firmness, microbial analysis, and sensory attributes. The results revealed that starch coating on papaya maintained its color, reduced weight loss, preserved vitamin C, and delayed firmness loss, enhancing shelf-life when compared to control sample. These findings demonstrated the effectiveness of mung bean starch coatings in preserving papaya fruits. The research made a significant contribution to the use of mung bean starch as a potential coating material for improving the shelf-life of papaya fruits. This finding has great promise for the field of food preservation and quality control.

A Study on Powder Spreading Quality in Powder Bed Fusion Processes Using Discrete Element Method Simulation

Powder deposition is a very important aspect of PBF-based additive manufacturing processes. Discrete Element Method (DEM) is commonly utilized by researchers to examine the physically complex aspects of powder-spreading methods. This work focuses on vibration-assisted doctor blade powder recoating. The aim of this work is to use experiment-verified DEM simulations in combination with Taguchi Design of Experiments (DoE) to identify optimum spreading parameters based on robust layer quality criteria. The verification of the used powder model is performed via angle of repose and angle of avalanche simulation–experiment cross-checking. Then, four criteria, namely layer thickness deviation, surface coverage ratio, surface root-mean-square roughness and true packing density, are defined. It has been proven that the doctor blade’s translational speed plays the most important role in defining the quality of the deposited layer. The true packing density was found to be unaffected by the spreading parameters. The vertical vibration of the doctor blade recoater was found to have a beneficial effect on the quality of the deposited layer. Ultimately, a weighted mean quality criteria analysis is mapped out. Skewness and kurtosis were proven to function as effective indicators of layer quality, showing a linear relation to the weighted means of the defined quality criteria. The specific weights that optimize this linearity were identified.

Research on the Population Flow and Mixing Characteristics of Pelleted Vegetable Seeds Based on the Bonded-Particle Model

In order to precisely reproduce the precise seeding process of the population in the air-suction seed-metering device, it is necessary to execute accurate modeling of seed particles using the bonded-particle model, in combination with the discrete element method (DEM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Through the repose angle, slope screening, rotating container, and particle sedimentation experiments, in this paper, the influence of the filling accuracy of the bonded-particle model on the flow behavior and mixing characteristics of the seed population was first explored based on EDEM software. The viability of the suggested modeling approach for pelleted vegetable seeds, as described in this study, was confirmed by comparing experimental and simulation outcomes. The surface roughness values obtained from the studies above were utilized to assess the accuracy of the bonded-particle model in filling. Additionally, a mathematical technique for determining the surface roughness was provided. Furthermore, an analysis of the multiple contacts in the bonded-particle model was also performed. The results indicated that the simulation results closely matched the experimental data when the number of sub-spheres in the bonded-particle model was equal to or more than 70, as measured by the standard deviation. In addition, the most optimal modeling scheme for the pelletized vegetable seed bonded-particles, based on the cost of coupling simulation, was found to be the bonded-particle surface roughness (BS) with a value of 0.1. Ultimately, a practical example was utilized to demonstrate the utilization of the pelleted vegetable seed bonded-particle model and the DEM-CFD coupling approach in analyzing the accuracy of the seeding process in the air-suction seed-metering device. This example will serve as a valuable reference point for future field studies.

Calibration and Verification of Discrete Element Parameters of Surface Soil in Camellia Oleifera Forest

To analyze the interaction between the surface soil and the soil-contacting component (65 Mn) in the camellia oleifera forest planting area in Changsha City, Hunan, China, in this study, we conducted discrete element calibration using physical and simulation tests. The chosen contact model was Hertz–Mindlin with JKR cohesion, with the soil repose angle as the response variable. The repose angle of the soil was determined to be 36.03° based on the physical tests. The significant influencing factors of the repose angle determined based on the Plackett–Burman test were the soil–soil recovery coefficient, soil–soil rolling friction coefficient, soil-65 Mn static friction coefficient, and surface energy of soil for the JKR model. A regression model for the repose angle was developed using the Box–Behnken response surface optimization method to identify the best parameter combination. The optimal parameter combination for the JKR model was determined as follows: surface energy of soil: 0.400, soil–soil rolling friction coefficient: 0.040, soil-65 Mn static friction coefficient: 0.404, and soil–soil recovery coefficient: 0.522. The calibrated discrete element parameters were validated through experiments on the repose angle and steel rod insertion. The results indicated that the relative errors obtained from the two verification methods were 2.44% and 1.71%, respectively. This research offers fundamental insights for understanding the interaction between soil and soil-contacting components and optimizing their design.

New Hydrophilic Matrix Tablets for the Controlled Released of Chlorzoxazone.

The modified release of active substances such as chlorzoxazone from matrix tablets, based on Kollidon®SR and chitosan, depends both on the drug solubility in the dissolution medium and on the matrix composition. The aim of this study is to obtain some new oral matrix tablet formulations, based on Kollidon®SR and chitosan, in order to optimize the low-dose oral bioavailability of chlorzoxazone, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of class II Biopharmaceutical Classification System. Nine types of chlorzoxazone matrix tablets were obtained using the direct compression method by varying the components ratio as 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 chlorzoxazone/excipients, 20-40 w/w % Kollidon®SR, 3-7 w/w % chitosan while the auxiliary substances: Aerosil® 1 w/w %, magnesium stearate 0.5 w/w % and Avicel® up to 100 w/w % were kept in constant concentrations. Pharmaco-technical characterization of the tablets included the analysis of flowability and compressibility properties (flow time, friction coefficient, angle of repose, Hausner ratio, and Carr index), and pharmaco-chemical characteristics (such as mass and dose uniformity, thickness, diameter, mechanical strength, friability, softening degree, and in vitro release profiles). Based on the obtained results, only three matrix tablet formulations (F1b, F2b, and F3b, containing 30 w/w % KOL and 5 w/w % CHT, were selected and further tested. These formulations were studied in detail by Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry. The three formulations were comparatively studied regarding the release kinetics of active substances using in vitro release testing. The results were analyzed by fitting into four representative mathematical models for the modified-release oral formulations. In vitro kinetic study revealed a complex mechanism of release occurring in two steps of drug release, the first step (0-2 h) and the second (2-36 h). Two factors were calculated to assess the release profile of chlorzoxazone: f1-the similarity factor, and f2-the factor difference. The results have shown that both Kollidon®SR and chitosan may be used as matrix-forming agents when combined with chlorzoxazone. The three formulations showed optima pharmaco-technical properties and in vitro kinetic behavior; therefore, they have tremendous potential to be used in oral pharmaceutical products for the controlled delivery of chlorzoxazone. In vitro dissolution tests revealed a faster drug release for the F2b sample.

The physicochemical characteristics and phenolic bioaccessibility of defatted millet bran powder prepared using superfine grinding

Since defatted millet bran (DMB) is considered unpalatable and its poor application performance means that it is only used as animal feed, this product is wasted and underutilized. This study altered the shapes of processed DMB particles using superfine grinding technology, physically overcoming the binding forces within the material. This reduced the particle sizes and surface roughness while increasing the tap density, peak temperature, and angles of repose and slide. Superfine grinding significantly disrupted the cell wall matrix, substantially increasing the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant properties compared to coarse and fine powders. Additionally, the superfine powder exhibited high phenolic compound bioaccessibility (vanillic, protocatechuic, syringic, ferulic, and isoferulic acid, and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic). These findings highlighted the potential use of superfine grinding technology to expand DMB application as a functional food.

Studies on Various Taxonomic, Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Properties of Sanchezia speciosa Leonard Acanthaceae

Sanchezia speciosa Leonard, Acanthaceae is used as ornamental plant. It used in folklore medicine in the management of pain, anti-microbial and insecticide. An investigation was carried out to evaluate the various taxonomic, pharmacognostic and phytochemical standards to ensure the identity, purity, safety and efficacy of the medicinal plant, S. speciosa. Various observations were recorded which included microscopy, micromeritics, fluorescence, chemomicroscopy, soluble extractive values, moisture contents and phytochemical analysis. The results indicated that the epidermal shapes were both polygonal on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Stomatal distribution was amphistomatic with anisocytic and diacytic stomata on the adaxial and abaxial surface, respectively. Stomatal index was 21.47% on the adaxial surface and 15.43% on the abaxial surface. Micromeritics results for the leaf powder were bulk volume of 25.33± 0.408, tapped volume of 19.00± 0.00, bulk density of 0.40± 0.006, tapped density of 0.53± 0.021, Hausner’s ratio of 1.34± 0.037, Carr’s index of 25.00± 2.550 and angle of repose of 43.07°. The micromeritics indicated a passable flow. The chemo microscopy indicated presence of lignin, mucilage and starch. Fluorescence properties showed different colours under different ultraviolet lights. The water-soluble, methanol-soluble, ethanol-soluble extractive values were 14.7% w/w, 4.3% w/w and 5.0% w/w, respectively. Moisture content was 8.5% w/w. Total ash, acid-insoluble and water-soluble ash values were 20.0 % w/w, 2.0% w/w and 4.2% w/w, respectively. GC-MS of methanol extract revealed the total of 39 phytochemicals with over 5 prominent peaks having higher area% which include hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (2.64%), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester (4.77%), phytol (9.98%), 9,12,15 octadecatrienoic acid (12.97%), Stigmasterol (2.00%) and Squalene (28.16%). Other compounds are glycerin (5.83%), n-hexadecanoic acid (2.85%) and 9 octadecenamide (2.18%). Many of them possess good pharmacological properties. The data generated from the present study would help to authenticate S. speciosa and also affirm its folklore use in traditional medicine which has potential for further development into drug product.

DEVELOPMENT OF MYCROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE ORIGINATE FROM SAGO (METROXYLON SAGU) STEM BARK BY HYDROLISIS METHODE USING NITRIC ACID

Objective: Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is an essential excipient in tablet formulation. Mostly MCC was obtained from wooden conifer stem fiber, therefore environment issues had been came up. Alternative sources for MCC which offer friendly conifer wood need to be explored. This study aimed to isolate and determine the characteristics of MCC originated from Sago (Metroxylon sago Rottb.) stem fibers as an promising alternative of MCC. Methods: MCC was prepared through pre-hydrolysis using an acetic acid solution, alkali heating using NaOH solution, and acid hydrolysis using nitric acid 0.3 N using three variations of heating temperature, namely 90, 95 and 100 °C. The characterization carried out were pharmaceutical grade, powder properties, FTIR analysis and powder morphology by SEM. Results: The yields obtained were 66.02; 65.53 and 65.08%, respectively. The characteristics of the MCC sample based on pharmaceutical grade quality were white to yellowish white powder, odorless, tasteless, insoluble in: ether, 96% alcohol, HCl 2N and NaOH 1N. The pH of the MCC suspension were 5.07-5.12, while moisture content were 3.67-4.17%, with loss on drying value as much as 0.37-0.4%, and ash content 1-2.17%. The value of permanganate number were 0.09-0.11, Hausner factor was between 1.05-1.25, and angle of repose were between 11.4-24.8°. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that Sago is potent natural resource for MCC. The resulting MCC revealed physicochemical and characteristic of MCC, which almost similar to Avicel PH 102 as standard.

FORMULATION AND STABILITY EVALUATION OF ANTI-OBESITY NUTRACEUITCAL BLEND OF WHITE KIDNEY BEAN EXTRACT (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.), PROPOLIS ETHANOLIC EXTRACT AND CRPIC3

Objective: This study aimed to formulate and evaluate the stability profile of an anti-obesity nutraceutical combination in different dosage forms. Methods: Active and inactive ingredients were formulated into pharmaceutical dosage forms. The quality parameters of the dosage forms were determined, followed by accelerated stability testing (40±2 °C and 75±5% Relative Humidity (RH)) for 180 d was completed to evaluate their physical, chemical and microbiological attributes throughout the storage period. Results: Pre-formulation parameters of the powder blend of active and inactive ingredients for each dosage form showed a satisfactory flowability with Hausner's ratio falling between 1.16 and 1.18, average angle of repose between 22.29° and 22.90° and acceptable compressibility with Carr’s index below 25%. Tablets assessments were acceptable with a mean friability value of 0.21±0.03%, hardness of 4.12±0.09 kg/cm2. The average disintegration time of 5 min 10 sec for tablets and 4 min and 30 sec for capsules. The accelerated stability study revealed that tablet dosage forms are stable for longer period that can reach up to 180 d (24 mo real-time), while sachets and capsules are stable for a period of 135 d (18 mo real-time). Conclusion: The anti-obesity blend of White Kidney Bean Extract (WKBE), Propolis Ethanolic Extract (PEE) and CrPic3 can be successfully formulated in acceptable and convenient dosage forms that can be stable for 18-24 mo.