Extract Content Research Articles

Pharmacognostical Evaluation, In-vitro Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Arthritic Activities of Sageraea laurina Dalzell

Aim: Present investigation performed pharmacognostical evaluation, extraction, and evaluation of anti-inflammatory as well as anti-arthritic activities of Sageraea laurina Dalzell leaves. Materials and methods: Pharmacognostical evaluation was carried out for morphology and microscopy of Sageraea laurina Dalzell leaf and its powder, followed by determination of proximate values. Ethanolic (SLLE) as well as aqueous extract of leaves (SLLA) were evaluated for phytochemical screening, and in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity against MMP-2 (gelatinase-A) along with MMP-9 (gelatinase-B) by gelatin zymography as well as in-vitro anti-arthritic activity by egg albumin protein denaturation approach. Total phenolic as well as flavonoid content of extract were assessed. Percentage inhibition for protein denaturation was calculated. Results: Microscopical study of leaves showed presence of abaxial midrib, palisade parenchyma cells, phloem elements, xylem elements, spongy parenchyma, cystoliths, lithocysts, glandular trichomes, collenchyma cells thick lamina diacytic type of stomata and vessel elements. Phytochemical screening divulged existence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, saponin glycosides, tannins and phenolic compounds. Copious of phenolic compounds were noted in SLLE which were 89.42mg gallic acid equivalent/g (GAE/g dry weight) along 86.21mg QUE/g quercetin equivalent /g (QUE/g dry weight). Coomasie blue staining revealed proteolysis sites as translucent bands on dark blue background. Percentage inhibition for anti-inflammatory activity for SLLE against MMP-2 and MMP-9 was found to be 62% and 56% respectively, for SLLA against MMP-2 and MMP-9 was found to be 34% and 32% respectively. Egg albumin denaturation method, displayed percentage inhibition at concentration of 500µg/ml for SLLE and SLLA 74.14 and 60.30 respectively, standard drug diclofenac sodium at same concentration was found to be 84.53%. It was found that SLLE was more potent in inhibition of egg albumin denaturation than diclofenac sodium. Conclusion: Findings of present investigation revealed possession of significant in-vitro anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic activities by Sageraea laurina Dalzell leaves and serves as a natural biomedicinal remedial agent treating inflammation and rheumatism.

Skin Cancer Segmentation using CNN

This groundbreaking research introduces a comprehensive strategy for advancing medical image segmentation, merging two pivotal concepts to significantly enhance both the accuracy and efficiency of the segmentation process. The first component of our approach involves the integration of polar transformations as a preprocessing step applied to the original dataset. This transformative technique is designed to address the challenges associated with segmenting single structures of elliptical shape in medical images, such as organs (e.g., heart and kidneys), skin lesions, polyps, and various abnormalities. By centering the polar transformation on the object's focal point, a reduction in dimensionality is achieved, coupled with a distinct separation of segmentation and localization tasks. Two distinct methodologies for selecting an optimal polar origin are proposed: one involving estimation through a segmentation neural network trained on non-polar images, and the other employing a dedicated neural network trained to pre dict the optimal origin. The second key element of our approach is around the integration of the DoubleU-Net architecture, a powerful encoder-decoder model specifically designed for the task of semantic image segmentation. DoubleU- Net is a group of two U-Net architectures, each with a specific purpose. The initial U-Net is pre-trained on VGG-19 as the encoder and uses features learned from ImageNet to provide efficient information transfer. In order to store more semantic information and content, a second U-Net was added to the base to enhance the capabilities of the network. Join Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP) to develop network data extraction content. The combination of DoubleU-Net architecture and joint transformation as a step forward shows good segmentation performance in different clinical tasks, including liver segmentation, polyp detection vision, skin segmentation, and epicardial fat tissue segmentation. It shows that various medical projects, including various diagnostic methods such as colonoscopy, dermoscopy, microscopy, have a positive impact on the plan. More importantly, the method performs well in difficult cases, such as the segmentation of small and flat polyps in CVC-ClinicDB and the 2015 subset of the MICCAI Automated Polyp Detection dataset. The results demonstrate the accuracy and generality of the combination, making it the best way to evaluate medical images in context; Our study has revealed a new method of skin cancer diagnosis that combines the power of deep learning with innovation. Advanced technology. The combination of dual U-Net architecture and polar coordinate transformation not only improves the accuracy of classification of lesions but also improves the robustness of the model to changes in image features. This study contributes to the development of computer-aided diagnostic systems for early diagnosis. Experimental results show that our method provides good accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in detecting malignant and benign tumors. Additionally, we are conducting ablation studies to determine the contribution of each presentation and treatment of skin cancer to ultimately benefit patients and determine these benefits. We also apply the transformation of the joint as the first step to improve the discrimination ability of the model. This mechanical change effectively reduces the impact caused by changes in wound size, shape, and direction by displaying the original image of the polar system. By standardizing the representation of skin diseases, polar transformation improves the model's ability to generalize across different data sets and improves overall performance.

Comparative Phytochemistry of Vitellaria paradoxa: Towards Establishing a Chemotaxonomic Marker

Plants have been known to serve as source of food, income and in the maintenance of health, with their phytochemicals responsible for the biological properties of plants. All parts of shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) are consumed by human and livestock as medicine. The variations in the morphology and chemistry of shea tree and its product have been attributed to the various factors including their geographical sources among others. The phytochemical study of methanol extracts of the stem and leaf of shea tree collected from three locations were determined and compared. Qualitative phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, tannins, saponins, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids and triterpenes. Alkaloidal contents in the leaf extracts ranged from 8.96 ± 0.05 to 16.96 ± 0.48 while the content in the stem extracts is 5.38 ± 0.04 to 14.93 ± 0.02. The phenol contents were higher in both extracts ranging from 43.05 ± 0.04 to 142.96 ± 0.07 and 85.05 ± 0.04 to 148.51 ± 0.07 in the leaf and stem extracts, respectively. Saponin contents in the leaf range from 3.56 ± 0.01 to 19.46 ± 0.01 in the leaf extracts and 9.93 ± 0.01 to 16.62 ± 0.01 in the stem extracts. Compounds such as myricetin, kaempferol-3-glucuronide, dihydroisorhamnetin, vanillic acid, 5,7-dihydroxy2-(4-hydroxy-3)methoxy)-3-{(3,4,5- trihydroxy-6 (hydroxymethyl)-oxan-2-yl)oxy}-4H-chromen4-one, 1H-indole-3-acetronitrille, 3,5-trihydroxy-10 methylacridone, syringin, gallic acid, anthranilic acid and quassin were identified in the liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopies (LC-MS) of the methanolic stem and leaf extracts of shea tree. The results of the phytochemical investigation indicate variation in the chemical composition of the plant across the study area.

We care: A User-Focused Sentiment Analysis Framework for Social Media Interactions

This paper addresses the sentiment analysis of WhatsApp chats, focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by conversational data. The introduction outlines the prevalence of sentiment analysis in social media platforms and the significance of accurate sentiment categorization. The literature review highlights previous work in sentiment analysis, emphasizing methods for categorizing sentiment polarity and feature selection. The proposed system introduces a comprehensive approach to sentiment analysis tailored to WhatsApp chats, considering the unique characteristics of conversational data. Key features include user-centric inclusion, nuanced extraction of sentiment, context-aware analysis, and effective handling of conversational nuances. The method section details the proposed system's emphasis on real-time sentiment tracking, user-specific sentiment scores, and integration with WhatsApp's API for broader applications. The results section summarizes the positive outcomes of the proposed method, including user-centric inclusion, nuanced extraction, context-aware illustration, and effective content handling. The future scope section discusses potential enhancements such as real-time sentiment alerts, multilingual support, detailed sentiment analysis, improved user feedback systems, personalized sentiment metrics, and collaboration capabilities. The conclusion highlights the significance of the "WeCare" sentiment analysis project in improving our understanding of digital conversations, particularly within the context of WhatsApp chats. The project's commitment to user-centric design, adaptability, and ethical considerations positions it as a dynamic tool for enhancing digital interactions and well-being. Finally, acknowledgments recognize the contributions of the development team and academic mentor.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles with Snake Fruit Peel Extract: A Preliminary Study For Optimization of The Preparation Technique

In Indonesia, the pulp of snake fruit is consumed while the peel remains unused. In this context, the phytochemical content of snake fruit aqueous extract was used as a reducing and capping agent in the preparation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). According to the phytochemical screening, snake fruit peel containing alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and polyphenols was used to synthesize AgNPs. Therefore, this research aimed to optimize the synthesis of AgNPs using snake fruit peel extract (Salacca zalacca) in terms of synthesis time, temperature and phytochemical screening. AgNPs were successfully synthesized using a volume ratio of 2:15 (20 mL of 1.00 mM AgNO3 to 150 mL of snake fruit peel extract) in a sealed container in a dark room. Furthermore, characterization was carried out using a UV-Vis spectrum and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The UV-Vis spectrum characterization in a solution incubated for 30 minutes at 30 °C with a concentration of 1.00 mM AgNO3 was differentiated at a wavelength of 410 nm with an absorbance of 2.361. According to the FTIR characterization, there was an increase in the intensity of the O – H functional groups in the AgNPs solution compared to snake fruit peel extract. The results showed that the synthesis of AgNPs from snake fruit peel extract was optimal at a concentration of 1.00 mM AgNO3 at 30 °C and 30 minutes of incubation.

Multisensory museum experience: an integrative view and future research directions

ABSTRACT In museum and aesthetic contexts, the role of multisensory experiences in boosting visitor engagement is well-recognised. Yet, the diverse disciplinary perspectives have led to a scattered and sometimes unclear literature landscape. This article undertakes a systematic review, combining systematic literature extraction and qualitative content analysis of 331 academic sources to address the following questions: What are the theoretical underpinnings for studying multisensory museum experiences? What are the general characteristics of these experiences? How can we understand the role of technology in sensory practices within museums and related sites? By focusing on visitors’ perspectives, the review aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of multisensory experiences, emphasising research framework, conceptualisation, and technology in museum practices. Furthermore, it outlines future research directions in these areas, contributing to a more unified theory and providing practical insights for exhibition design. This establishes a groundwork for nuanced future research endeavours.

The Effect of Psoralea corylifolia (Babchi) on Neuronal Apoptosis Induced by Palmitate in PC12 Cells and its Role in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review

Background: Psoralea corylifolia (PC) seed extract (PCE) has been extensively utilized as an herbal drug due to its favorable effects on human health. It’s extracts and active components have demonstrated a variety of biological actions including estrogenic, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties. Purpose: A study of this medicinal herb has major constituents extracted using different plant parts has been depicted and among them, Bakuchiol has the highest ethyl acetate extract content. Methods: The mechanism behind PCE’s anti-lipotoxic activity against palmitate (PA)-induced lipotoxicity in PC12 cells was examined. Results: CE therapy not only raised the quantities of mRNA for antioxidant genes such as heme-oxygenase and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 but also lowered the production of reactive oxygen species caused by PA. Conclusion: Prenylflavonoids play a unique role in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and can be used as a nootropic agent. This article comprehensively enumerated the literature on the anti-apoptotic effects of PC and its potential pathogenesis in AD.

Qualitative and quantitative metabolomics of Pamburus missionis Swingle – a medicinal tree taxon

Since ancient times, Plant based medicine is a well-known oldest form of healthcare to mankind. Even the commercial medications used for the treatment of various ailments today, contains a large proportion of plant derived chemical compounds. Hence chemical profiling of medicinal plants gained a key role to use them in pharmaceuticals as well as commercial industries. Pamburus missionis is one of the medicinal plants used in the Indian and Srilankan traditional medicine system to reduce kapha dosha. The ayurvedic physicians used its leaves to treat swelling, piles, fractures, fistula, puerperal diseases and as serpent venom. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to reveal the phytocompounds from various parts of this plant. Metabolomics revealed the presence of primary and secondary metabolites like carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, steroids etc. From the aqueous extract, Alkaloid content is almost same in leaf, stem and bark extracts with around 1.2 to 1.3 g (w/v%) and completely absent in the fruit. Phenolic content and steroids are notably high in leaf extract with 112.77±0.34 mg/g of extract and 17.91±0.26 mg respectively, where the flavonoid content in fruit extract with 44.69±0.30 mg/g of extract and the tannin content in bark extract with 62.37±1.75 mg/g of extract.

Comparative evaluation of tannin from banana bunch and stem syrup for leather processing

Utilization of vegetable tannins in leather processing is one of the convenient solutions to protect the environment pollution. Herein, the banana bunch and syrup of banana stem are utilized to prepare an ecofriendly tanning agent. The yield of banana bunch extraction efficiency is found 69.80 %. FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of condensed type tanning component owing to the bearing of different polyphenolic groups. The content of tannins in extracted banana bunch and stem syrup is 3.13 % and 2.6 %, respectively. The phenolic content in the banana bunch extract is determined to be 1332.37 mg GAE/100g of dried weight and in syrup was 873.92 mg GAE/100g of dried weight. This makes it possible to be used as vegetable tanners. The extracted bunch and syrup are applied to re-tan leather and compared with conventionally used vegetable tanning agent (quebracho) in parallel. Tensile strength, tear strength and elongation percentage for the extracted banana bunch and syrup are obtained at 23.84 N/mm2, 68.26 N/mm, 47.07 %, and 22.97 N/mm2, 68.38 N/mm, 40.70 %, respectively. The softness is found 1.41 for the extracted bunch and 2.01 for the syrup. The grain crack load, distension at grain crack, strength at ball burst, distension at ball burst are 246.86 N, 13.24 mm, 530.77 N, 24.54 mm for banana stem syrup and 338.77 N, 13.42 mm, 460.65 N, 29.08 mm for bunch extract, respectively. The shrinkage temperatures recorded for banana bunch extract, syrup and Quebracho (control trial) tannins tanned leather samples are 76.5 °C, 75 °C and 84 °C subsequently. The flexing endurance of the bunch extract and syrup revealed acceptable values that are less than 4. Moreover, the bunch extract tanned leather shows greater thermal stability and for syrup it is similar with the quebracho tanned leather. All the results are satisfactory compared to the control trial. Finally, tanned leather is evaluated to assess the possibility of the newly developed tannin which proves its efficiency as a potential source of tanning material for the leather industry.

Effect of Lentinus sajor-caju on the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of highland barley straw under solid-state fermentation.

The efficient utilization of straw resources as animal feed has gained considerable attention. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether Lentinus sajor-caju treatment alters the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of highland barley straw and enhances its functional value as a ruminant feed. The chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and metabolomic profile of highland barley straw were determined after 21 days of solid-state fermentation with L. sajor-caju at 25°C. The differential metabolites between fermented and unfermented highland barley straw were identified by LC-MS and the relationship between the identified metabolites and antioxidant capacity was elucidated. The results showed that, compared with untreated highland barley straw, the crude protein and ether extract contents were higher (51.55 and 76.43%, respectively) in highland barley straw after 21 days of incubation with L. sajor-caju, whereas the hemicellulose, cellulose, and acid detergent lignin contents were lower (2.48, 25.08, and 45%, respectively). The total antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in L. sajor-caju-treated than in untreated highland barley straw. In total, 600 differential metabolites (301 upregulated and 299 downregulated) were identified between L. sajor-caju-fermented and unfermented highland barley straw. Correlation analysis results showed that Fe2+ scavenging and total phenolic content were strongly correlated with total antioxidant capacity. Meanwhile, the differential flavonoid metabolites between fermented and unfermented highland barley straw were primarily associated with antioxidant activity, with kaempferol 3-xylosylglucoside, isoginkgetin, and rhoifolin being the most representative. Thus, this study demonstrates that L. sajor-caju could enhance the functional value of highland barley straw, showing the potential of L. sajor-caju for improving the utilization of agricultural straws in ruminants.

Analysis of Quantitative Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Activity of Leaf, Stem, and Bark of Gymnosporia senegalensis (Lam.) Loes.

To the best of our knowledge, there was no prior report providing valuable preliminary data through a demonstration of the quantitative phytochemical and antioxidant activity of Gymnosporia senegalensis. The total contents of phenols, flavonoid, flavanol, tannin, and saponin were evaluated from different fractions extracted from the leaf, stem, and bark of G. senegalensis by using standards such as gallic acid, quercetin, rutin, tannic acid, and saponin quillaja. The antioxidant potential was measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide scavenging (H2O2), superoxide anion radical scavenging, metal chelating ferrous ion, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Data were subjected to half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at p < 0.05 as a significant value. The total phenol content was found to be highest in the chloroform extract of stem at 97.7 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g. The total flavonoid and flavonol contents in the aqueous extract were 97.1 ± 0.03 mg QE/g and 96.7 ± 0.07 mg RE/g, respectively. The total tannin content in the ethyl acetate extract of leaf was 97.5 ± 0.01 mg TAE/g, and the total saponin content in the methanol extract of stem was 79.1 ± 0.06 mg SQE/g. The antioxidant analysis indicated that IC50 and percentage (%) inhibition were dose-dependent and showed the highest antioxidant activity (40.9 ± 0.9 µg/mL) in methanol extract of leaf for DPPH, (88.8 ± 1.12 µg/mL) in the chloroform extract of stem for H2O2, (43.9 ± 0.15 µg/mL) in the aqueous extract of bark for superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, (26.9 ± 0.11 µg/mL) in the chloroform extract of leaf for the metal chelating ferrous ion activity, (7.55 ± 0.10 mg/mL) in the benzene extract of leaf for FRAP, and (2.97 ± 0.01 mg/mL) in the methanol extract of bark for TAC. These results show that G. senegalensis has great potential in antioxidant activities. The isolation and characterization of specific bioactive compounds and the in vivo applicability of such activity await further extensive studies for drug discovery and development.

Stigmas and Petals of Crocus sativus L. (Taliouine, Morocco): Comparative Evaluation of Their Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Activities.

The dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L. produce saffron, a precious spice used for its culinary and medicinal properties since ancient times, while its petals are considered the main by-product of saffron production. The present study aimed to comparatively evaluate the phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial activity of methanolic extracts of stigmas and petals of Crocus sativus L. from Taliouine. The polyphenol content was measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, the antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH free radical scavenging method, and the well-diffusion method was used to assess antibacterial activity against seven pathogenic bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, and Staphylococcus aureus). Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts was determined using the microdilution broth test. Our findings revealed that stigmas and petals contained phenolic compounds at the rate of 56.11 ± 4.70 and 64.73 ± 3.42 mg GAE/g, as well as DPPH radical scavenging capacity with IC50 of 1700 µg/ml and 430 µg/ml, respectively. Petal extract showed more effective antibacterial activity, with inhibition diameters ranging from 10.66 ± 0.57 to 22.00 ± 1.00 mm and MIC values ranging from 2.81 to 5.62 mg/ml, compared to the stigma extract, which displayed inhibition diameters from 10.00 ± 0.00 to 18.67 ± 0.76 mm and MIC from 2.81 to 11.25 mg/ml, against five of the seven bacterial strains tested, including S. aureus, E. coli, P. vulgaris, P. aeruginosa, and S. enterica. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the significance of these results. Thus, stigmas and petals of Crocus sativus L. might serve as a suitable source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents for application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Seasonal Variation and Dietary Effects in the Fatty Acid Composition of Bulk Tank Milk in Taiwan

Background: Information about seasonal variation in the fatty acid (FA) composition of bulk tak milk and its relationship with dietary factors in Taiwan remains to be completed. This study aimed to determine the average FA composition of milk in different seasons and collect dietary information to investigate the relationship between dietary characteristics and lactation performance, including FA concentration in bulk tank milk. Methods: Bulk tank milk samples were collected monthly from 90 dairy farms across Taiwan for two years to capture seasonal variations. Additionally, 36 bulk tank milk samples from three farms were collected monthly from August 2022 to July 2023. Result: Milk production (kg/day), fat (%), crude protein (%), true protein (%), lactose (%) and solids-not-fat (%) were significantly higher in the cold season than in the hot and warm seasons (P less than 0.05) over the studied period. In contrast, somatic cell counts were significantly lower in the cold season than in the hot and warm seasons (P less than 0.05). Total saturated FA and C14:0 concentrations were significantly higher in the cold season than in the hot and warm seasons (P less than 0.05). In contrast, the C18:1 concentration was significantly higher in the hot and warm seasons than in the cold season (P less than 0.05). However, the C18:0 concentration did not differ significantly by season. Fat and FA concentrations varied significantly among three selected dairy farms (P less than 0.05). Milk fat only differed significantly between the three farms in the hot season, with Farm B having the lowest milk fat concentration (P less than 0.05). FA concentrations showed significant seasonal effects at all three farms. These results provide an overview of milk FA variation and identify the critical factors influencing variation in bulk tank milk fat and individual farm FA concentrations: dietary ether extract content and forage choice.

The Effect of Various Extraction Methods and Solvents on the Phytochemical Contents and Antioxidant Capacities of Safflower Florets (Carthamus Tinctorius L.) from South Sulawesi

Safflower is a traditional medicine commonly applied for the treatment of varicella in South Sulawesi. The aim of this study is to study the effect of extraction methods and solvents on phytochemical content and antioxidant capacity in the extraction of safflower. The study began with sample extraction with various solvents, i.e., water, ethanol 70, methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane and various methods, i.e., reflux, Soxhlet, hot maceration, cold maceration and room temperature maceration. Each extract was standardized for its phytochemical content, i.e., phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids and the antioxidant capacities were also determined by the radical scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, total antioxidant capacity, cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity and Ferric reducing antioxidant power. The results indicated that the optimum total phenolic content was obtained when the florets were refluxed with methanol, flavonoids were refluxed with 70 % ethanol and carotenoids were Soxhleted with methanol. The research data also showed that 70 % ethanol and methanol have maximal antioxidant capacity. The results conclude that 70 % ethanol and methanol as solvents have the potential to extract the highest levels of phytochemical content and antioxidant substances. HIGHLIGHTS The phytochemical content and antioxidant capacity of safflower floret extract are influenced by the selection of solvent and extraction method. Polar solvents (70 % ethanol or methanol) can efficiently extract higher levels of phytochemical components and antioxidant substances from safflower florets. The hot extraction approach exhibits a higher potential for extracting phytochemical content compared to the cold extraction method, but its antioxidant capacity exhibits the opposite. The application of cold maceration, combined with methanol or 70 % ethanol as solvents, has been identified as a promising method for the extraction of phytochemical compounds and antioxidant substances. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Chemical Quality of Silage Mixture of Sorghum Bicolor (Andropogon Bicolor L. Roxb) and Gamal (Gliricidia Sepium) Leaves with Different Ratios

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the chemical quality of silage mixture of sorghum bicolor (Andropogon bicolor L. roxb) and gamal leaves with different ratios. A completely randomised design (4×4) was applied with four different ratios tried, namely, P0: sorghum bicolor silage without gamal leaves; P1: mixed silage 80% sorghum bicolor + 20% gamal leaves, P2: mixed silage 70% sorghum bicolor + 30% gamal leaves and P3: mixed silage 60% sorghum bicolor + 40% gamal leaves. The variables studied included crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), nitrogen free extract (NFE) and gross energy (GE) content. The study showed the silage characteristics of P0, P1, P2 and P3 for CP (%) 11.38; 13.71; 14.83 and 15.10; CF (%) 22.53; 21.47; 20.54 and 20.43; NFE (%) 43.56; 42.37; 42.26 and 42.22; GE (kcal/kg DM) 3491.18; 3540.60; 3580.37 and 3588.86, respectively. The results of variance analysis showed that the treatment had a very significant effect (P&lt;0.01) on CP and CF content but not significant (P&gt;0.05) on NFE and GE. It was concluded that silage mixture of sorghum bicolor and gamal leaves up to 60:40 increased CP content and decreased CF and gave the same NFE and GE content compared to sorghum bicolor silage without gamal leaves.

Chitosan for improved encapsulation of thyme aqueous extract in alginate-based microparticles

Ionotropic gelation is a low-cost, easy and green microencapsulation technique. However, the encapsulation of highly soluble compounds is challenging because of the wide loss of material into the external water phase by passive diffusion and the consequent low encapsulation efficiency. In this work an important increase of encapsulation efficiency for Thymus vulgaris L. aqueous extract in alginate-based microparticles has been obtained. A formulation with the proper thyme extract/alginate ratio (30:70) was used as reference and then optimized by adding different co-carrier excipients. Microparticles obtained by dropping a solution containing thyme extract and alginate into a chitosan/calcium-chloride/acid acetic solution lead to a high encapsulation efficiency (70.43 ± 5.28 %). After drying, microparticles had a particle size of 1096 ± 72 μm, 20.087 ± 1.487 % of extract content, 6.2 % of residual water, and showed a complete release of thyme extract within one hour. Combining alginate and chitosan as polymeric co-carrier was a valuable option for efficiently encapsulating an aqueous extract by ionotropic gelation.

Effects of 3-nitrooxypropanol (Bovaer10) and whole cottonseed on milk production and enteric methane emissions from dairy cows under Swiss management conditions

The objective of this study was to determine the potential effect and interaction of 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP; Bovaer, DSM-Firmenich Nutrition Products Ltd.) and whole cottonseed (WCS) on lactational performance and enteric methane (CH4) emission of dairy cows. A total of 16 multiparous cows, including 8 Holstein Friesian (HF) and 8 Brown Swiss (BS; 224 ± 36 DIM, 26 ± 3.7 kg milk yield, mean ± SD), were used in a split-plot design, where the main plot was the breed of cows. Within each subplot, cows were randomly assigned to a treatment sequence in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 2 × 2 factorial arrangements of treatments with four 24-d periods. The experimental treatments were as follows: (1) control (basal TMR), (2) 3-NOP (60 mg/kg TMR DM), (3) WCS (5% TMR DM), and (4) 3-NOP + WCS. The treatment diets were balanced for ether extract, crude protein, and NDF contents (4%, 16%, and 43% of TMR DM, respectively). The basal diets were fed twice daily at 0800 and 1800 h. Dry matter intake and milk yield were measured daily, and enteric gas emissions were measured (using the GreenFeed System, C-Lock Inc.) during the last 3 d of each 24-d experimental period when animals were housed in tiestalls. There was no difference in DMI on treatment level, whereas the WCS treatment increased ECM yield and milk fat yield. No interaction of 3-NOP and WCS occurred for any of the enteric gas emission parameters, but 3-NOP decreased CH4 production (g/d), CH4 yield (g/kg DMI), and CH4 intensity (g/kg ECM) by 13%, 14%, and 13%, respectively. Further, an unexpected interaction of breed by 3-NOP was observed for different enteric CH4 emission metrics: HF cows had a greater CH4 mitigation effect compared with BS cows for CH4 production (g/d; 18% vs. 8%), CH4 intensity (g/kg milk yield; 19% vs. 3%), and CH4 intensity (g/kg ECM; 19% vs. 4%). Hydrogen production was increased by 2.85-fold in HF and 1.53-fold in BS cows receiving 3-NOP. Further, a 3-NOP × time interaction occurred for both breeds. In BS cows, 3-NOP tended to reduce CH4 production by 18% at approximately 4 h after morning feeding, but no effect was observed at other time points. In HF cows, the greatest mitigation effect of 3-NOP (29.6%) was observed immediately after morning feeding, and it persisted at around 23% to 26% for 10 h until the second feed provision, and 3 h thereafter, in the evening. In conclusion, supplementing 3-NOP at 60 mg/kg DM to a high-fiber diet resulted in 18% to 19% reduction in enteric CH4 emission in Swiss HF cows. The lower response to 3-NOP by BS cows was unexpected and has not been observed in other studies. These results should be interpreted with caution due to the low number of cows per breed. Finally, supplementing WCS at 5% of DM improved ECM and milk fat yield but did not enhance the CH4 inhibition effect of 3-NOP of dairy cows.

Antioxidant Properties of Azadirachta Indica Leave Extracts

Background: Azadirachta Indica is an important medicinal plant commonly found in India, Africa, America, Europe, and many other regions of the world. The current study was designed to investigate the concentrations of important phenolic/flavonoid contents of ethanolic extracts of Azadirachta Indica (neem) leaves (Lahore, Pakistan). Methods: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed the presence of three phenolic compounds (gallic acid, sinapic acid, and caffeic acid) and two flavonols (Myricetin and Kaempferol). The plant extract contained the highest and lowest concentrations of myricetin acid (26.41µg/g) and kaempferol (3.35µg/g) among flavonols, respectively. Results: Both acids are helpful in the manufacturing of antioxidant medicines. Among phenolics, sinapic acid (45.73µg/g) and gallic acid (1.96µg/g) were present in highest and lowest concentrations in plant leaves, respectively. Conclusion: Gallic acid, sinapic acid, caffeic acid, myricetin, and kaempferol possess antioxidant and therapeutic potential and are highly beneficial for human health. Human beings can get many benefits and produce more medicines from the leaf extract of neem in the future. Many more advantages can also be taken from different parts of neem (leaves, seeds, and bark).

Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) Flower Water and Ethanol Extract: Phytochemical Screening, FTIR Analysis, and Antioxidant Activity Estimation using comparison of ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP Assays

Background: The community has empirically employed butterfly pea flower, one of the species, extensively as a traditional beverage with pharmacological benefits. The flavonoid content of these plants, particularly the anthocyanins, is assumed to be the source of the pharmacological effects. The content of the extract to be obtained will be impacted by the variation in solvent polarity. In this investigation, the butterfly pea flowers will be extracted utilizing the solvents of water and Ethanol. Objective: The goal of this study was to qualitatively assess the content of butterfly pea petal extract in water and ethanol solvents using phytochemical screening and FTIR analysis, followed by testing for antioxidant activity using three different methods, including ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP. Method: The extraction with water and ethanol solvents, phytochemical screening tests, antioxidant activity testing with DPPH assay, antioxidant capacity testing with ABTS, and quantitative FRAP assays utilizing UV-Vis spectrophotometry are all steps of this study. Results: When tested for antioxidant activity, ethanol extract produced IC50 of 113.31 0.142ppm and water extract produced IC50 of 86.67 0.485 ppm, placing water extract in the strong category and ethanol extract in the medium category. Using the FRAP assay, the antioxidant capacity of water extract and ethanol extract from butterfly pea flowers was tested, and the results were 52.8957 0.0881mgQE/g extract and 32.0051 0.0441mgQE/g extract, respectively. The antioxidant capacity test of the butterfly pea flower's ethanol and water extracts was performed using the ABTS assay, and the results were 71,497 3.29mgQE/g extract and 114,195 0.279mgQE/g extract, respectively. Conclusion: The water dan ethanol extract of butterfly pea flowers differs from one another in terms of antioxidant activity and phytochemical composition.

Influence of particle size fraction and bioactive compound contents on the biological activities of Solanum torvum L. leaf powder extracts

This study investigates the bioactive compound content and biological activities of raw powder extracts and particle size fractions from Solanum torvum leaves. The leaves, harvested from Douala, were processed into powders and subsequently divided into different fractions. Methanolic extracts of these powders were analyzed for their content of bioactive compounds (total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and condensed tannins), antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP assays), and antimicrobial (bacterial and fungal) activities. The particle size fraction of 250-400 µm constitutes the largest proportion (33.41%) of the raw powder. The highest contents of bioactive compounds are found in the 200-250, 400-500, and &lt; 125 µm fractions for total polyphenols (44.62 ± 0.19 mg GEA/100 ml extract), total flavonoids (14.47 ± 0.37 mg QE/100 ml extract), and condensed tannins (22.79 ± 0.12 mg CE/100 ml extract), respectively. The antioxidant activity of extracts from 500-800µm fraction improved their DPPH and ABTS assays by 31.50% and 40.44% compared to the raw powder. The same fraction (500-800 µm) and the raw powder extracts demonstrated bactericidal activities, while the 125-200, 200-250, and ≥ 800 µm fraction extracts exhibited moderate and significant antifungal activities against several bacterial and fungal strains, respectively. These biological activities are primarily attributed to the average flavonoid contents, which become more accessible in extracts after fractionation. This method of processing powder suggests that no plant powder should be disregarded or rejected due to its low content of bioactive compounds.