Pharmaceutical Industry Research Articles

Constructing High-Yielding Serratia marcescens for (-)-α-Bisabolol Production Based on the Exogenous Haloarchaeal MVA Pathway and Endogenous Molecular Chaperones.

(-)-α-Bisabolol exhibits analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and skin-soothing properties and is widely applied in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The use of plant essential oil distillation or chemical synthesis to produce (-)-α-bisabolol is both inefficient and unsustainable. Currently, the microbial production of (-)-α-bisabolol mainly relies on Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as chassis strains; however, high concentrations of (-)-α-bisabolol have certain toxicity to the strain. This study uses synthetic biology and metabolic engineering strategies to redesign a solvent-tolerant Serratia marcescens for the efficient production of (-)-α-bisabolol. By introducing the Haloarchaea-type mevalonate (MVA) pathway and the (-)-α-bisabolol biosynthesis pathway, we successfully constructed a strain capable of producing (-)-α-bisabolol. The coexpression of the chaperone protein DnaK/J significantly enhanced the soluble expression of the (-)-α-bisabolol synthase, resulting in a 10% increase in (-)-α-bisabolol titer. Furthermore, knockout of the PhoA gene, which reduced the formation of the byproduct farnesol (FOH), further increased the (-)-α-bisabolol titer to 3.21 g/L. In a 5 L bioreactor, S. marcescens achieved a final (-)-α-bisabolol titer of 30.2 g/L, representing the highest titer reported to date. This research provides guidance for the production of (-)-α-bisabolol in nonmodel microorganisms without the requirement for induction.

Statistical analysis plan for the Petal trial: the effects of parental touch on relieving acute procedural pain in neonates

Background Infants undergo multiple clinically-required painful procedures during their time in hospital, and there is an increasing desire from both parents and clinical staff to have parents directly involved in their newborn’s pain relief. To avoid biases due to selective analysis and reporting, a clinical trial’s statistical analysis plan (SAP) should be finalised and registered prior to dataset lock and unblinding. Here, we outline the SAP for the Petal trial, which was registered on the ISRCTN registry prior to dataset lock and unblinding. Methods The Petal trial is a multicentre, individually randomised, parallel-group interventional superiority trial. The study involves in-patient neonates born at or after 35+0 weeks gestation with a postnatal age of ≤7 days, in two hospital research sites (John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK; Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, UK). The primary objective is to investigate the potential efficacy of a non-pharmacological parent-led stroking intervention on reducing the magnitude of neonates’ noxious stimulus-evoked brain activity. The primary outcome is the neonate’s brain activity recorded using electroencephalography (EEG) in response to a heel lance blood sampling procedure. Secondary outcomes include neonatal clinical pain scores and tachycardia, and parental anxiety. The study hypothesis is neonates’ pain responses and parents’ anxiety scores are lower in the intervention group. Randomisation will be via a minimisation algorithm to maintain balance in five prognostic factors. Conclusions Paediatric pain trials have been highlighted by regulatory bodies as an important and challenging topic, with interest increasing in brain imaging outcomes. The Petal trial, to which this SAP relates, is part of a larger effort of establishing a brain-based EEG outcome measure of infant pain for use in clinical trials. This SAP is thus likely to be of interest to those in academia, pharmaceutical companies, and regulatory bodies. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04901611, 25/05/2021; ISRCTN: ISRCTN14135962, 23/08/2021).

Human Defensins: Structure, Function, and Potential as Therapeutic Antimicrobial Agents with Highlights Against SARS CoV-2.

The human defensins are a group of cationic antimicrobial peptides that range in size from 2 to 5kDa and share a common structural motif of six disulphide-linked cysteines. Several naturally occurring human α- and β-defensins have been identified over the past two decades. They have a wide variety of antimicrobial effects, and their potential to avoid the development of resistance to antimicrobial treatment makes them attractive as therapeutic agents. Human defensins have recently been the focus of medical and molecular biology studies due to their promising application in medicine and the pharmaceutical industry. This work aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the current developments of human defensins, including their identification, categorization, molecular features, expression, modes of action, and potential application in medical settings. Current obstacles and future opportunities for using human defensins are also covered. Furthermore, we shed light on the potential of this class as an antiviral agent, particularly against SARS CoV-2, by providing an in silico-based investigation of their plausible mechanisms of action.

Human Health, Environmental Comfort and Well-Being. Part 1. Engineering and Design Resources of the Bioindustry on the Way to Safe Competition with the Resources of Natural Biocenoses and Health-Saving Systems

Everyone has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, and modern preventive, preventive and rehabilitative manipulations promote health and well-being. Thanks to a number of fundamental projects on the study of human health at various levels (genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic), and molecular mechanisms of the development of pathological conditions, there has been a great leap in the field of applied sectors of industrial biotechnology, including segments of the pharmaceutical and food industries, significantly replenished health-saving resources and improved the quality of life of the population. This article will review the advanced achievements of fundamental and applied research, as well as promising areas of the bioindustry.

Oxidative stability of optimized nanostructured lipid carriers containing thymoquinone‐rich oil

AbstractLipid‐based nanodelivery systems are now widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries to enhance the delivery of bioactive compounds by leveraging the properties of lipids. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), as one of the lipid‐based nano‐delivery systems, employs a blend of solid and liquid lipids, which improves the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of bioactive substances. This study aimed to optimize the NLC containing thymoquinone‐rich oil (NLC‐TQO) formulation using the Box–Behnken design; assess its antioxidant activity and oxidative stability by measuring 2,2‐diphenyl−1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, thymoquinone (TQ), and tocopherol contents over 28‐day storage; and evaluate the impact of incorporating beta‐carotene as singlet oxygen quencher on the oxidative stability of the NLC‐TQO. The optimized formulation involved 4.16% lipids (glyceryl monostearate and TQO), 5.85% Tween 80 as the surfactant, and 8.20 min of ultrasonication. NLC formulations demonstrated better DPPH activity retention than the emulsions, with cold and dark storage conditions being the most effective for preserving antioxidant activity. TQ stability in the NLC was observed at elevated temperatures without light, with around 50% remaining intact. However, TQ degraded rapidly under light, almost entirely by day 7. Gamma‐tocopherol exhibited better stability than alpha‐tocopherol, especially under light. The addition of beta‐carotene enhanced NLC‐TQO's oxidative stability. These findings revealed the potential of the NLC formulation as an effective delivery system for TQ with better oxidative protection compared to emulsions, making it a promising option for pharmaceutical and food industry applications.

Reexamining pay-for-delay agreements: anticompetitive practices or strategic settlements under Article 101(1) TFEU?

ABSTRACT This article explores whether pay-for-delay agreements between originator and generic pharmaceutical companies constitute anticompetitive practices under Article 101(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). These agreements, where originator firms compensate generics to delay market entry, raise concerns about competition law violations. The European Commission has investigated such cases extensively, imposing fines on companies like Generics UK, Lundbeck, and Servier. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has found certain agreements inherently restrictive, focusing on the role of value transfers. While the Commission favours case-by-case assessments, its analyses often lack depth. This research evaluates the criteria for anticompetitive behavior under Article 101 TFEU, examining key issues such as restriction by object, patents as entry barriers, and transfer value. It argues for a nuanced approach that balances legal and economic considerations to promote genuine competition and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector.

Уравнения, описывающие процессы эксплуатации траловых комплексов

Exploring deep-sea resources is an important step towards sustainable and efficient use of marine resources. Research may include analysis of biodiversity, ecosystem characteristics, and deep-sea fishing technologies and practices. Research in this area provides unique opportunities to advance understanding of the marine ecosystem for the development of deep-sea fisheries. This, in turn, helps to strengthen the sustainability and competitiveness of the Russian fishery complex in the long term. In the Russian Federation, the priority is to conduct scientific research in the field of deep-sea fishing, aimed both at developing the fishing of deep-sea objects and at studying them for the purpose of processing for the pharmaceutical industry. The development of innovative methods for catching mesopelagic fish and deep-sea aquatic organisms is an important task for the scientific community of the Russian Federation. The equations designed to describe various processes that occur during the operation of bottom and mid-depth trawl systems are discussed. The complexity of solving the above equations indicates the advisability of dividing exploitation processes into micro-level, macro-level and meta-level. The theory of multiphysics similarity allows you to simulate processes at various levels. Computer programs are presented that make it possible to recalculate the results of model experiments from a model of a trawl complex to a full-scale trawl complex.

Study of the effectiveness of the criteria used to evaluate the work of specialists of a pharmaceutical company in an unfavorable epidemiological situation (using the example of the sales department)

Introduction. During the coronavirus pandemic, due to the current situation in the pharmaceutical sector of the economy, specialists from a number of departments of pharmaceutical companies were forced to switch completely or partially to remote work. This transformation has necessitated the need to adapt the employee performance assessment systems that have developed in organizations, including revising the list of indicators and criteria. However, to date there are no unified scientifically based methods for assessing the labor efficiency of specialists, based on the selection and measurement of criteria that take into account the characteristics of both the external and internal environment of the organizational structures of pharmaceutical organizations, including those forced to work in unfavorable epidemiological conditions. The proposed methodological approach based on the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPI) will allow the management of a pharmaceutical company to create a more balanced and flexible assessment system that stimulates both individual achievements and teamwork, as well as to form an intelligent analytical basis for making management decisions that bring the company closer to its organizational goals. The purpose of the study is to analyze the effectiveness of the employee performance assessment system that has developed in a pharmaceutical company and to justify the effectiveness of using KPIs in an unfavorable epidemiological situation (using the example of the sales department). Material and methods. The evaluation study is based on primary data from reports of pharmaceutical companies and data from a survey of 20 sales employees in pharmaceutical companies using a developed questionnaire. Results. A system for evaluating the work of employees in the sales department of a pharmaceutical company based on KPIs is proposed using three table layouts that allow ratings to be translated into a 10-point scale out of 100 possible. The assessment is carried out according to two main criteria: 1) achievement of sales volume and 2) implementation of the plan for the target product, taking into account the quality of the employee’s work, confirmed by his immediate supervisor. This approach will create a more balanced and flexible assessment system in the organization, stimulating both individual achievements and teamwork. Conclusion. As part of the study, proposals were developed for the development of KPIs for the criteria for assessing the work of specialists of a pharmaceutical company in an unfavorable epidemiological situation.

Comparison of the Structures and Antioxidant Activity of the Major Compounds of Lippia multiflora Mold (Verbenaceae) Leaves Essential Oils Collected in Center of Côte d'Ivoire

The growing interest in natural antioxidants is motivated by the harmful effects of the use of synthetic antioxidants. Medicinal plants such as Lippia multiflora are being studied for their multiple biological potentials, in particular their ability to provide new sources of natural antioxidants. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition and assess the antioxidant activity of Lippia multiflora essential oils from five (5) localities in Côte d'Ivoire. The essential oils were extracted by steam stripping and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine their chemical composition. Their antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS tests.The analyses revealed that the major compounds in the essential oils from Yamoussoukro, Tiébissou, Bouaflé, Toumodi and Dimbokro were α-phellandrene, Eucalyptol (1,8-cineole), Linalool, β-citral (Neral), trans-geraniol, α-citral (Geranial), Germacrene D and (±)-trans-nerolidol, respectively. The best antioxidant activities for the DPPH and ABTS tests were obtained for Dimbokro and Toumodi essential oils respectively. These results suggest that Lippia multiflora essential oils have significant biological potential and could be used as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants, with possible applications in the agri-food and pharmaceutical industries.

Hybrid Process Flow Diagram for Separation of Fusel Oil into Valuable Components

Ethanol production by fermentation results in obtaining, in addition to the main product, ethyl alcohol, by-products and secondary products, which include carbon dioxide, fusel oil, and ester–aldehyde cut. Fusel oil, despite its low yield and the large volume of ethanol production, accumulates at distilleries, which ultimately raises the question of its disposal or the rational use of this by-product. Fusel oil, being a complex mixture, can serve as a source of technical alcohols used in various sectors of the economy, including the food industry, pharmaceuticals, organic synthesis, perfume, and cosmetics industries, as well as the production of paints and varnishes. However, the complexity of using fusel oil lies in its difficult separation. The reason for this is the presence of water, which forms low-boiling azeotropes with aliphatic alcohols. Our study aimed to develop a process flow diagram (PFD) that allows individual components from fusel oil to be obtained without extraneous separating agents (not inherent in fusel oil). This condition is necessary to obtain products labeled as natural for further use in the food, perfume, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. The distinctive feature of this work is that the target product is not only isoamyl alcohol but also all other alcohols present in the composition of fusel oil. To achieve this goal and create a mathematical model, the Aspen Plus V14 application, the Non-Random Two Liquid (NRTL) thermodynamic model, and the Vap-Liq/Liq-Liq phase equilibrium were used. Fusel oil separation was modeled using a continuous separation PFD to obtain ethanol, water, isoamyl alcohol, and raw propanol and butanol cuts. The Sorel and Barbet distillation technique was used to isolate ethanol. The isolation of isopropanol and 1-propanol, as well as isobutanol and 1-butanol, was modeled using the batch distillation method. The isolation of fusel oil components was based on their thermodynamic properties and the selection of appropriate techniques for their separation, such as extraction, distillation, pressure swing distillation, and decantation. The simulation of fusel oil separation PFD showed the possibility of obtaining the components of a complex mixture without separating agents, as discussed earlier. Ethanol corresponds to the quality of rectified ethyl alcohol, and 1-butanol and isoamyl alcohols to anhydrous alcohols, whereas isopropanol (which contains an admixture of ethanol), 1-propanol, and isobutanol are obtained as aqueous solutions of different concentrations of alcohols. However, due to a distillation boundary in the raw propanol and butanol cuts, these mixtures cannot be separated completely, which leads to the production of intermediate fractions. To eliminate intermediate fractions and obtain anhydrous isopropanol, 1-propanol, and isobutanol in the future, it is necessary to solve the dehydration problem of either fusel oil or the propanol–butanol mixture.

Regulatory Considerations for Stability Studies of Co-Processed Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient.

A co-processed active pharmaceutical ingredient (CP API) is the combination of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) with non-active component(s). This technology has been demonstrated to offer numerous benefits, including but not limited to improved API properties and stability. The infrastructure requirements are such that the manufacture of a CP API is typically best suited for an API facility. CP API has been regulated as either an API or as a drug product intermediate (DPI). This variability in the designation has led to ambiguities on the regulatory CMC expectations in the CP API including the stability of CP API and CP API containing products which, in turn has hampered the broader application of this technology in the pharmaceutical industry. This difference in designation also resulted in challenges to the lifecycle management of the regulatory documentation for the CMC information of the CP API.This white paper represents the proposals for the regulatory requirements on stability studies related to CP API and to drug product containing CP API by the CP API Working Group (WG) of the International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Pharmaceutical Development (IQ). Additionally, considerations and the WG's recommendations on the stability studies of CP API from different manufacturing sites or processes and post-approval changes for product containing CP API are described.

A Review on 3D Printing Technology Used in Pharmaceutical Industry

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) makes it possible to create a variety of geometries using computer-aided design with various materials and procedures for intended uses, such pharmaceutical drug delivery systems. Despite the fact that 3D printing was patented in 1986, 3DP research did not gain traction until the past 10 years. The expectations of regulatory bodies, constraints, challenges in setting up such facilities for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical goods, benefits, drawbacks, uses, techniques, and related manufacturing hazards are all presented here. FDA. When compared to conventional drug preparation methods, 3D printing technology offers substantial benefits for customized drug production, making it simple to create preparations with intricate structures or drug release characteristics and enabling quick production of tiny quantities of medications. It also offers a thorough analysis of the state of this platform's research and development at the moment. The present review aims to provide an overview of the benefits, limitations, and uses of 3D printing in pharmaceutical technology by outlining several techniques (such as thermal ink jet printing, ink jet printing, fused deposition modeling, extrusion 3D printing, zip dose, hot melt extrusion, 3D printer, stereolithography, selective laser sintering, laser-based writing system, continuous layer interface production, and powder-based 3D printing). [15]

Formulation, Development, and Characterization of AMB-Based Subcutaneous Implants using PCL and PLGA via Hot-Melt Extrusion

The hot-melt extrusion process is currently considered a prominent manufacturing technique in the pharmaceutical industry. The present study is intended to develop amlodipine besylate (AMB)-loaded subcutaneous implants to reduce the frequency of administration, thus improving patient compliance during hypertension management. AMB subcutaneous implants were prepared using continuous hot-melt extrusion technology using poly(caprolactone) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) with dimensions of 3.70 cm (length) by 2.00 mm (diameter). The implants were characterized for thermal characteristics, drug-excipient incompatibilities, surface morphology, fracturability, in vitro drug release, and stability studies. Differential scanning calorimetry study confirmed the drug's crystalline state within the fabricated implants, while textural analysis demonstrated good fracturability in the lead formulation. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the smooth surface morphology of the lead subcutaneous implant. The lead formulation showed an extended drug release profile over 30 days (~ 2.25 mg per day) and followed zero-order release kinetics (R2 value to 0.9999) with a mean dissolution time of 14.96 days. The lead formulation remained stable for 30 days at accelerated stability conditions of 40°C and 75% relative humidity. In conclusion, developing hot-melt extruded implants could be an alternative to the conventional amlodipine besylate (AMB) formulation.Graphical

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) Essential Oil from Bulgaria

Since ancient times, essential oils obtained from various aromatic plants have been utilized as bioactive ingredients in medicines, foods and cosmetics. The present study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and biological activities of St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) essential oil (SJW EO) from Bulgaria, which is known to possess various biological properties. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, determination of antioxidant activity (by the ABTS method), an antimicrobial activity test and an in vitro anti-inflammatory activity test were performed. The main classes of compounds identified by GC–MS analysis were monoterpenes (43.55%), followed by sesquiterpenes (36.81%) and alkanes (16.92%). The predominant chemical components of SJW EO were α-pinene (27.52%), followed by β-pinene (10.08%), β-caryophyllene (6.77%), germacrene D (6.37%) and caryophyllene oxide (4.48%). The highest antibacterial activity was observed against the Gram-negative bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883 (inhibition zone of 12.0 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 (inhibition zone of 11.0 mm). SJW EO exhibited significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, as the results demonstrated that its anti-inflammatory effect was stronger than those of the conventional anti-inflammatory drugs Prednisolon Cortico and acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin), which were used as controls (all in concentration of 1 mg/mL). The obtained results demonstrated that Bulgarian SJW EO can be used as an active ingredient in the composition of new products for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Engineering Nicotiana benthamiana for chrysoeriol production using synthetic biology approaches

Flavonoids are prevalent plant secondary metabolites with a broad range of biological activities. Their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities make flavonoids widely useful in a variety of industries, including the pharmaceutical and health food industries. However, many flavonoids occur at only low concentrations in plants, and they are difficult to synthesize chemically due to their structural complexity. To address these difficulties, new technologies have been employed to enhance the production of flavonoids in vivo. In this study, we used synthetic biology techniques to produce the methylated flavone chrysoeriol in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The chrysoeriol biosynthetic pathway consists of eight catalytic steps. However, using an Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression assay to examine the in planta activities of genes of interest, we shortened this pathway to four steps catalyzed by five enzymes. Co-expression of these five enzymes in N. benthamiana leaves resulted in de novo chrysoeriol production. Chrysoeriol production was unaffected by the Agrobacterium cell density used for agroinfiltration and increased over time, peaking at 10 days after infiltration. Chrysoeriol accumulation in agroinfiltrated N. benthamiana leaves was associated with increased antioxidant activity, a typical property of flavones. Taken together, our results demonstrate that synthetic biology represents a practical method for engineering plants to produce substantial amounts of flavonoids and flavonoid derivatives without the need for exogenous substrates.

From lab to market: the financial impact of industry-university-research cooperation on Chinese pharma firms

PurposeThis study examines the impact of industry-university-research (IUR) cooperation on the financial performance of pharmaceutical enterprises in China. The current literature has primarily focused on the effects of IUR cooperation on innovative performance, often overlooking its financial implications. This research aims to address this gap by analyzing how such collaborations affect financial outcomes.Design/methodology/approachUsing a difference-in-differences (DID) approach, this study analyzes data from publicly listed Chinese pharmaceutical companies between 2011 and 2022. The analysis includes robustness checks and heterogeneity analysis to validate the findings.FindingsEmpirical results indicate that IUR cooperation significantly improves the financial performance of pharmaceutical enterprises. Firms engaged in IUR collaborations exhibit a notable improvement in return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). The research findings confirm that absorptive capacity (internal factors) and the external knowledge resource base (external factors) enhance the positive impact of IUR collaboration on the financial performance of pharmaceutical enterprises. Additionally, the heterogeneity analysis based on regional levels of intellectual property protection demonstrates a stronger positive influence of IUR cooperation on the financial performance of pharmaceutical enterprises in regions with greater levels of intellectual property protection.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the understanding of the financial benefits of IUR cooperation in the biopharmaceutical sector. By highlighting the significance of absorptive capacity, external knowledge resource base and regional intellectual property protection, this study offers valuable insights for policymakers and business leaders aiming to cultivate effective industry–academia collaborations.

Molecular Investigation of SNAC as an Oral Peptide Permeation Enhancer in Lipid Membranes via Solid-State NMR.

Oral peptide therapeutics are increasingly favored in the pharmaceutical industry for their ease of use and better patient adherence. However, they face challenges with poor oral bioavailability due to their high molecular weight and surface polarity. Permeation enhancers (PEs) like salcaprozate sodium (SNAC) have shown promise in clinical trials, achieving about 1% bioavailability. One proposed mechanism for enhancing permeation is membrane perturbation or fluidization, though direct experimental proof and quantitative analysis of these effects are still needed. This study employs solid-state NMR (ssNMR) to investigate how SNAC interacts with hydrated DMPC liposomes, measuring enhancements in membrane fluidity across interfacial and transmembrane regions. The methodology involves analyzing phosphate lipid headgroups and acyl chains using static 31P chemical shift anisotropy and 2H quadrupolar coupling measurements alongside 1H and 13C magic angle spinning NMR for motional averaging of 1H-1H and 1H-13C dipolar couplings. Our findings indicate an overall increase in the uniaxial motion of phospholipids with SNAC in a PE concentration-dependent manner. It boosts lipid headgroup dynamics and enhancement plateaus at 25% between 24 and 72 mM concentrations. SNAC effectively enhances the fluidity of the hydrophobic center by 43% at 72 mM PE concentration, more significantly than the interfacial region. It is worth noting that the extent of liposome dissolution and conversion to micelles increases as SNAC concentration rises. Including a model peptide drug, octreotide, introduces a competitive equilibrium in this complex PE-lipid-peptide system, further influencing membrane dynamics for peptide permeation. Interestingly, the membrane enhancement does not show the expected plateau, and a less significant lipid mobility increase is observed in the presence of octreotide, suggesting a less substantial impact compared to peptide-free systems, which is likely due to peptide-PE interactions that consume monomeric SNAC, reducing its interaction with the lipid membrane. This study provides the first quantitative and site-specific ssNMR measurements of membrane mobility influenced by one representative PE as a snapshot of PE lipid interaction in a liposome model, demonstrating how peptide drugs modulate competitive equilibria and PE-induced lipid dynamics.

Extraction and Characterization of Pectin from Peels of Selected Fruits

Pectin, a polysaccharide is one of the possible products produced from fruit wastes and it finds its usefulness in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The objective of this study was to extract and characterize pectin from banana, orange, mango, watermelon, and pineapple waste peels. The peels of the fruits were collected, dried, and ground into fine powder. Pectin was extracted from the dried powdered peels using a cold extraction method and physiochemical properties and structural analysis via FT-IR spectroscopy were determined. Bananas gave the highest yield of pectin while pineapple gave the lowest. The colour derived from pectin extracted ranged from light to dark brown and in appearance was flakish and powdery. The pectins were found to be HMP i.e. high methoxyl pectins based on their acetyl values. Structural analysis from the Fourier transforms (FT-IR) gave almost the same peaks and functional groups. Conclusively, the pectin extracted from these fruit wastes showed promise as good sources for the pharmaceutical and gelling industries.

Additions to Dictyosporiaceae: Neoxylochrysis typhicola comb. et gen. nov., Two New Species and Four New Host Records from Medicinal Plants in Southwestern China

Medicinal plants serve as vital resources for preventing and treating diseases, with their flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, or entire plants being utilized in the pharmaceutical industry or as direct therapeutic agents. During our investigation of microfungi associated with medicinal plants in Guizhou and Sichuan Provinces, China, several asexual and sexual fungal morphs were collected. Multi-locus phylogenetic analysis based on combined ITS, LSU, SSU and TEF1-α datasets revealed that these taxa are related to the family Dictyosporiaceae. Morphological characteristics, along with multi-locus phylogenetic analysis, supported the establishment of Dictyocheirospora alangii sp. nov. and Pseudocoleophoma rosae sp. nov., as well as the introduction of a novel genus Neoxylochrysis, which accommodates Neoxylochrysis typhicola comb. nov. (≡Pseudocoleophoma typhicola). In addition, four new host records are introduced for Aquadictyospora lignicola from Periploca forrestii, Dendryphiella eucalyptorum from Leonurus japonicus, Ophiopogon japonicus and Sambucus javanica, D. vinosa from Phytolacca americana, and Dictyocheirospora rotunda from Euonymus japonicus and Prinsepia utilis. Detailed descriptions, micrographs of the new taxa and a phylogenetic tree are provided.

The Quantitation of EPA and DHA in Fish Oil Dietary Supplements Sold in the United States

The dietary supplement industry is expanding, but it still remains far less regulated than the pharmaceutical industry, resulting in inconsistent quality control. Limited research has been performed in the U.S., particularly regarding the quantification of omega-3 fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The aim of this study was to quantify the omega-3 fatty acid content in fish oil capsules and liquids purchased from major stores and a grocery chain and compare the results to their label claims. A total of 6 out of 15 were found to have EPA levels ±20% and 10 out of 15 were ±20% outside of the label claim for DHA. One product did not have a label claim for EPA and DHA, but did have a claim for total omega-3 content. These discrepancies indicate that consumers may unwittingly be consuming higher or lower quantities of omega-3 fatty acids than expected, potentially affecting their health outcomes.