Form Of Granules Research Articles

Pengaruh Penambahan Plastik PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) dan POFA (Palm Oil Fuel Ash) pada Campuran LASTON AC-WC terhadap Parameter Marshall

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic cannot be separated from everyday life, as is commonly found in bottles. The increasing use of plastic, if not managed and utilized correctly, will cause harm to the environment. On the other hand, Indonesia is rated first as a palm-producing country. Unfortunately, its become a new problem due to the waste generated. POFA (Palm Oil Fuel Ash) is palm oil waste in the form of grayish-black fine granules resulting from burning palm oil at a temperature of 800 – 1000°C. POFA waste management is needed so that it does not only become waste but has added value. In addition, the high demand for asphalt mixtures requires innovations to improve the characteristics of asphalt mixtures, such as utilizing PET and POFA waste as additives in asphalt mixtures. This research aimed to determine the marshall parameters of the AC-WC mixture added with PET and POFA, obtain the KAO value (Optimum Asphalt Content), and look for the cost efficiency of the AC-WC mixture. This study designed 45 samples with details of 15 samples to obtain the KAO value and 30 samples to determine the optimum PET content varying from 1%, 2%, and 3%, along with POFA 50% and 100 %. These samples were tested using the Marshall test referring to SNI 2489-2018. This study found that the percentage of 1% and 2% PET met the requirements of the 2018 General Specification Revision 2 with the optimum percentage of adding 2% PET plastic and 50% POFA substitution.

Biocomposite materials based on polyethylene and amphiphilic polymer-iron metal complex

Objectives. To obtain and study the properties including degradability of polymer composite materials (PCM) based on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) obtained by introducing an environmentally friendly additive comprising an oxo-decomposing additive (ODA) based on an amphiphilic polymer-iron metal complex, which accelerates the process of polymer degradation.Methods. PCMs based on LDPE and ODA were produced by processing in laboratory extruders in the form of strands, granules, and films. Thermodynamic properties were determined by differential scanning calorimetry in the temperature range 20-130 °C. In order to assess the performance characteristics (physical and mechanical properties) of the PCM, tensile strength and elongation at break were determined. The biodegradability of PCM was evaluated by Sturm's method, with the biodegradation index being determined by the amount of CO2 gas released as a result of microorganism activity, as well as composting by placing the PCMs for six months in biohumus. Changes in physical and mechanical properties and water absorption of the films during storage were evaluated. The photochemical degradability of the PCM was determined by exposing it to ultraviolet radiation for 100 h (equivalent to approximately one year of exposure of the films under natural conditions). The appearance of the composite samples following removal from the biohumus was determined using an optical microscope with ×50 magnification in transmitted and reflected light.Results. Following biodegradation by composting, the physical and mechanical properties of PCMs decrease by an average of 40.6%. This is related to the structural changes that occur in composites during storage in biohumus, i.e., the formation of a looser structure due to the development of large clusters of microorganisms that affect the formation of microcracks. It leads to the stage of fragmentation of the polyethylene matrix and indicates the progress of biological degradation of composites. In this case, the water absorption of the composite samples was 63% after 96 h of exposure. The biodegradability index determined by the Sturm method after 28 days of bubbling had changed by 82%, indicating an intensive biodegradation process. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation for 96 h resulted in the complete destruction of the PCMs, which turned into small “flakes.” This method is the most effective for the degradation of LDPE- and ODA-based PCMs.Conclusions. According to the results of the study of ODA-containing PCMs based on an amphiphilic polymer-iron metal complex, the tested filler-modifier can be recommended for the production of PCMs offering an accelerated degradation period.

Enhancing the antioxidant activity and manufacturability of the Indonesian traditional herbal beverage, jamu, through granule formulation: a case study on jamu SIRMA

Traditional Indonesian jamu manufacturers have faced a great challenge regarding their production using more modern techniques. The granulation of jamu was implemented to address this issue. The present study aimed to formulate and optimise the granule formulation of jamu using various fillers and the simplex lattice design technique. Additionally, the main effect and interaction of the fillers in the formulation were assessed simultaneously. Dextrin, maltodextrin, and lactose were used as fillers and the critical quality attributes of the granule formulation were determined, such as the flowability, density, water retention and sorption, and antioxidant properties. The data were fitted using multiple linear regression analysis in addition to a statistical evaluation using a confidence level of 95% (p = 0.05). The results showed that maltodextrin increased the flowability and hygroscopicity of the granules but reduced the antioxidant activity. Furthermore, lactose showed no significant contribution to the critical quality attributes of the granules. Dextrin prolonged the dispersion time of the granules. The formulation was successfully optimised, and it was obtained at 25.81% dextrin, 44.63% maltodextrin, and 29.56% lactose. This formulation produced improved flowability, less hygroscopicity, and denser granules

Lignin and Its Bioconversion to Polyhydroxyalkanoates by the Bacterium Pseudomonas putida

Plant biomass is a very promising source of raw materials to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals otherwise derived from petroleum-based products. Part of plant biomass is lignin, which is one of the main natural sources of aromatic compounds. Although it is a large industrial by-product and a renewable carbon source, further processing into value-added products is currently limited. One of many applications of lignin under consideration is its bioconversion to polyhydroxyalkanoates, i.e., biodegradable polymers, which, due to their properties, could find their use in the fabrication of everyday products or in medicine and replace petroleum-based plastics in the future. They are produced by various bacteria in the form of intracellular granules but their industrial implementation is hindered by high production costs, which depend mainly on the price of the carbon source used for cultivation. Through the efficient bioconversion of lignin to polyhydroxyalkanoates, we could obtain environment-friendly and cost-effective biorefineries. However, to successfully bring the technology to an industrial scale, it is necessary to prepare a biological agent that will quickly and efficiently assimilate the aromatic components of lignin. The metabolically versatile bacterium Pseudomonas putida represents a promising candidate. Although it is a bacterium with lignolytic activity, the commercialization of the process requires further research on genetic and metabolic regulation and the preparation of a quality substrate, which depends on the source and the isolation process itself, and the success is unlikely to be achieved without good characterization and pretreatment of lignin.

Mission Tara Microplastics: a holistic set of protocols and data resources for the field investigation of plastic pollution along the land-sea continuum in Europe.

The Tara Microplastics mission was conducted for 7months to investigate plastic pollution along nine major rivers in Europe-Thames, Elbe, Rhine, Seine, Loire, Garonne, Ebro, Rhone, and Tiber. An extensive suite of sampling protocols was applied at four to five sites on each river along a salinity gradient from the sea and the outer estuary to downstream and upstream of the first heavily populated city. Biophysicochemical parameters including salinity, temperature, irradiance, particulate matter, large and small microplastics (MPs) concentration and composition, prokaryote and microeukaryote richness, and diversity on MPs and in the surrounding waters were routinely measured onboard the French research vessel Tara or from a semi-rigid boat in shallow waters. In addition, macroplastic and microplastic concentrations and composition were determined on river banks and beaches. Finally, cages containing either pristine pieces of plastics in the form of films or granules, and others containing mussels were immersed at each sampling site, 1month prior to sampling in order to study the metabolic activity of the plastisphere by meta-OMICS and to run toxicity tests and pollutants analyses. Here, we fully described the holistic set of protocols designed for the Mission Tara Microplastics and promoted standard procedures to achieve its ambitious goals: (1) compare traits of plastic pollution among European rivers, (2) provide a baseline of the state of plastic pollution in the Anthropocene, (3) predict their evolution in the frame of the current European initiatives, (4) shed light on the toxicological effects of plastic on aquatic life, (5) model the transport of microplastics from land towards the sea, and (6) investigate the potential impact of pathogen or invasive species rafting on drifting plastics from the land to the sea through riverine systems.

Aluminyum fosfit zehirlenmesi

Letter to Editor
 
 
 
 Aluminum phosphide poisoning
 
 
 Dear Editor,
 
 Aluminum phosphide, is a fumigant with high insecticide power in all life stages of insects, which is harmful in stored products.
 It is in the form of tablets or granules and is highlylethal and has no antidote.
 It inhibits the enyzme of cytochrome oxidase. Complications may develop as a result of inhaling phosphine gas or oral intake. Respiratory, circulatory, gastrointestinal tract andnervous system, kidney and liver may be affected. Shock, ARDS, aspration pnomony, anemia, metabolic acidosis, electrolytic disorder, coma, hipoxy, hemorrhage, pericardide are poorprognosis criterion. Leukopenia indicates severe toxicity. The lethal dose is 0.15-0.5 g and death is inevitableeven when buying 3-5 tablets
 Arrhythmia is responsible for death in the first 24 hours.The mortality rate varies between 37-100%.Treatment consists entirely of supportive treatment. (liquid, dopamine, oxygen, mechanical ventilation, gastric washing, activated charcoal,bicarbonate, hemodialysis)We aimed to present the case that developedsystemic complications in follow-up but wedischarged with healing as a result of appropriatefollow-up and treatment.
 CASE
 A 16-year old female patient was rushed to theemergency room two hours ago for drinking morethan she 
 knew the amount of the drug containing aluminum phosphide for suicidal purposes.
 When the patient arrived, his general condition wasmoderate, conscious, pale sweaty appearance and Tachypnea, BREATHING:26/min, TA:60/40mmhg,Pulse:135/min,,fever:37 degree systemic examination showed no abnormalities.
 Initial blood values, ECG and chest x-ray were normal.
 
 The patient was followed up in the emergency department. 1000ml serum physiological started
 In order to reduce the formation of phosphine gas(with alkalısm), oral bicarbonate was started. 
 Ta:100/70mmHg in the 2nd hour of follow-up andchest pain developed.
 The first TROPONIN I value was:0.02(0-0.06 ng/ml). In echocardiography, ejection fraction wasdetermined 57%. In the blood gas, PH was 7.32 and there was metabolic acidosis. Her acidosis level improved in the 6th hour of the follow up. The control TROPONİN value was 0.21. Asetilsalisilik acid started at 100 mg. At the 12th hour white blood cell (4-11 k/ml) decreased from 12000 to 4000.However no abnormality was detected in other hemogram values.
 
 At the 20th hour ,her chest pain gone and her troponin values increased up to 1.45.No ECG change detected.Her acidose improved and lokopenia not seen.The patient’s control , liver and kidney function tests and ECHO were normal.No abnormality was detected in the follow ups , polyclinic controls and laboratory values on the third day of the hospitalization. The patient was discharged from the hospital with suggestions.
 
 Aluminum phosphide is an extremely mortal toxic substance.During the follow ups unwanted complications can develop. Merely satisfactory results can be achieved with valid , timely and appropriate supportive treatments

Experimental Tests on Lightweight Cement Mortar and Concrete with Recycled Plastic Wastes

The management of plastic waste has become a fundamental issue in recent decades and several studies have focused on finding proper solutions to recycle and reuse these secondary raw materials in different sectors. Using plastic waste in the building sector allows for long-term application and reduces the number of times the recycling process is needed. This research focuses on experimenting with two building products, namely lightweight screed and concrete, with the addition of plastic waste in the form of irregular granules. The screed was produced by adding plastic granules of different sizes, while the concrete was produced by replacing different percentages of the coarse and fine aggregates with plastic granules and pulverized plastic. The screed has been tested under compressive and three-point bending tests, while the concrete has only been tested under compressive tests. The results have shown that the addition of plastic waste in both products led to the desired weight reduction. On one hand, plastic waste have provided a decrease in both tensile (−16%) and compressive (−25%) strengths of the screed with an increase of ultimate tensile strain (+60%). On the other hand, the only acceptable concrete mixture resulted to be the one with 25% of aggregates substitution, which exhibited a decrease in compressive strength (−40%) and an increase of ultimate strain (+38%), whereas samples with higher percentages of plastic aggregates have been not considered to be suitable as building materials.

Black soldier fly fertilisers by bioconversion of livestock waste: Farmers’ perceptions and willingness-to-pay

Inappropriate treatment of agricultural residue streams, including livestock manures, can impose environmental, social, and economic costs on producers and general society. Bioconversion of livestock wastes with black soldier fly (BSF) can recover valuable macro- and micronutrients that could be turned into feed or fertiliser products, thus closing the loop and enhancing circularity of agricultural systems. Although the global BSF industry is expected to grow, there is little information about the market perceptions for BSF products. We investigated the market potential for BSF-derived fertilisers, using a discrete choice experiment survey of Australian farmers. The research also evaluates how farmers currently use fertilisers. Results show that farmers agreed that BSF-derived fertilisers will improve the environmental sustainability of the agricultural industry and that they would be interested in using the product. The choice experiment estimated farmers' willingness to pay for different product characteristics (form, organic carbon content, and nutrient content). Farmers preferred BSF-derived fertilisers in granulated form. Willingness to pay for the product increased with higher organic carbon and NPK content. Producers who self-identified as organic, biodynamic, or ‘regenerative’ farmers were willing to pay more than ‘conventional’ farmers. These results should inform further feasibility studies and marketing efforts of BSF producers.

EFFICACY OF VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LOW BACKACHE – A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background: Chronic low back ache (LBA) is one of the commonest and expensive ailments of youngsters with ambiguous pathophysiology leading to a signicant loss of productivity. Studies established that the vitamin D is a proven anabolic hormone for the entire musculoskeletal system. This study was designed to evaluate the differences in outcomes with various oral formulations of vitamin D available in the market. This Methodology: study is a randomised, prospective, open label analytical study of a cohort of patients with LBA and hypovitaminosis D from June 2022 to August 2022. Patients were sequentially randomized to one of the three treatment subgroups (Granule group, Nano Syrup group, Soft gel capsule group) named after the vit.D formulation they received after establishment of clinical, radiological and biochemical eligibility. Total number of 145 subjects were screened, among them 119 subjects were eligible and 87 have completed the study. Vitamin D supplementation of 60,000 IUs per dose for ten consecutive days (pulse-D therapy) was given in form of granule (1 g sachet) or nano syrup using aqueous nanotechnology (5 mL bottle) or soft gel capsule. Adverse drug reaction recording chart was provided to all patients and was reviewed regularly. The patient's weight was measured on day 0, week 3, week 6, week 9 and week 12. Hypovitaminosis D is a potential Results: causative factor for LBA in addition to the other known factors. The results obtained with nano syrup formulation were signicantly better compared to other formulations. Vitamin D can play an important role in pathogenesis and treatment of LBA. Nano Conclusion: formulations developed with aqueous technology have shown enhanced stability, water solubility, bioavailability, signicantly better improvement in vitamin D level and functional outcome in low back pain

Added-Value Compounds in Cork By-Products: Methods for Extraction, Identification, and Quantification of Compounds with Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Interest.

The growing threat of climatic crisis and fossil fuel extinction has caused a boom in sustainability trends. Consumer demand for so-called eco-friendly products has been steadily increasing, built upon the foundation of environmental protection and safeguarding for future generations. A natural product that has been used for centuries is cork, resulting from the outer bark of Quercus suber L. Currently, its major application is the production of cork stoppers for the wine industry, a process that, although considered sustainable, generates by-products in the form of cork powder, cork granulates, or waste such as black condensate, among others. These residues possess constituents of interest for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, as they exhibit relevant bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant. This interesting potential brings forth the need to develop methods for their extraction, isolation, identification, and quantification. The aim of this work is to describe the potential of cork by-products for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry and to assemble the available extraction, isolation, and analytical methods applied to cork by-products, as well the biological assays. To our knowledge, this compilation has never been done, and it opens new avenues for the development of new applications for cork by-products.

Considering inelasticity in the real-time monitoring of particle size for twin-screw granulation via acoustic emissions

A recently developed process analytical technology (PAT) using artificial intelligence to form the framework of its model, combining frequency-domain acoustic emissions (AE) and elastic impact mechanics to accurately predict complex particle size distributions (PSD) in real-time. This model was modified in this study to give more accurate predictions for the more highly cohesive granules typical of pharmaceutical solid oral dosage formulations. AE spectra were collected from the granulated impacts of various formulations with ranging characteristics from largely elastic to highly inelastic collision responses. A viscoelastic (Hertzian spring-dashpot) and elastoplastic (Walton-Braun) contact force model were compared to understand how these different micro-mechanical approaches would affect the prediction accuracy of particle sizes relevant to granulation. Retraining the artificial intelligence model with the Walton-Braun transformation and a more comprehensive dataset of AE spectra spanning a broad range of granulated formulations showed the prediction error drop to as low as 2% compared to the original elastic version showing errors as large as 18.6% with representative formulations of the industry. The improved PAT shows good applicability to monitoring bimodal PSD that are typical of continuous twin-screw granulation.

Novel development of Lecanicillium lecanii-based granules as a platform against malarial vector Anopheles culicifacies

Mosquitoes are infectious vectors for a wide range of pathogens and parasites thereby transmitting several diseases including malaria, dengue, Zika, Japanese encephalitis and chikungunya which pose a major public health concern. Mostly synthetic insecticides are usually applied as a primary control strategy to manage vector-borne diseases. However excessive and non-judicious usage of such chemically derived insecticides has led to serious environmental and health issues owing to their biomagnification ability and increased toxicity towards non-target organisms. In this context, many such bioactive compounds originating from entomopathogenic microbes serve as an alternative strategy and environmentally benign tool for vector control. In the present paper, the entomopathogenic fungus, Lecanicillium lecanii (LL) was processed to make the granules. Developed 4% LL granules have been characterized using the technique of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The developed formulation was also subjected to an accelerated temperature study at 40°C and was found to be stable for 3months. Further, GCMS of the L. lecanii was also performed to screen the potential biomolecules present. The developed formulation was found to be lethal against Anopheles culicifacies with an LC50 value of 11.836µg/mL. The findings from SEM and histopathology also substantiated the mortality effects. Further, the SEM EDX (energy dispersive X-ray) studies revealed that the treated larvae have lower nitrogen content which is correlated to a lower level of chitin whereas the control ones has higher chitin content and healthy membranes. The developed LL granule formulation exhibited high toxicity against Anopheles mosquitoes. The granule formulations can be used as an effective biocontrol strategy against malaria-causing mosquitoes.

The Quantity Effect of Earthworms (Lumbricus Rubellus) and Urea on The NPK Quality of Coffee Husk Waste Compost

Utilization of coffee skin waste as compost can reduce the use of chemicals in cultivation. The addition of the two materials to compost with various doses of urea and the number of earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) is expected to help speed up the process of decomposing coffee husk waste into compost and can increase the nutrient content in the compost. Urea and earthworms are used as decomposition materials and enrich the NPK element in the coffee husk waste compost. The result of making organic fertilizer from coffee husk waste compost is in the form of granules. Granulating is done manually to provide innovation in organic fertilizers. The purpose of this study was to determine the best combination of urea and earthworms in improving the NPK nutrient quality of coffee husk waste compost. Research on coffee husk waste compost was carried out at the Green House and Soil Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jember. The method used was a factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with 2 factors, namely earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) and urea with 3 levels each. The data obtained were analyzed statistically using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). If there is a data treatment that shows significantly different results, then the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) is carried out with a significant level of 5%. The interaction between the number of earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) and the dose of urea in the composting of coffee husk waste has a very significant effect on several variables, namely; Moisture content, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, C-Organic, and C/N ratio values, however, did not significantly affect the temperature and PH variables of coffee husk waste compost.

Effects of Cashew Nut Shell Extract on Ruminal Fermentation and Nutrient Digestibility under Continuous Culture

The overall objective of this study was to determine the dose response to four levels of cashew nut shell extract in a granulated form (CNSE, containing 59% anacardic acid and 18% cardol) on culture pH, rumen fermentation metabolites, and apparent nutrient digestibility in continuous culture fermenters. The study was conducted as a generalized randomized complete block design with four treatments and four replications per treatment. The four treatments were randomly assigned to eight fermenters for two incubation runs of 10 d. Treatments consisted of (1) Control (CO, no CNSE), (2) Control plus 100 ppm of CNSE, (3) Control plus 200 ppm of CNSE, and (4) Control plus 300 ppm of CNSE. Fermenters were fed 52 g/d (DM basis) of a total mixed ration (TMR; 17.0% crude protein (CP), 29.7% NDF, and 29.9% starch), divided between two feedings at 0800 and 2000 h. The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were not affected by CNSE supplementation. Similarly, CNSE had no effect on culture pH, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) or individual VFA molar proportions. These results suggest that at the dosages evaluated in this study, CNSE has no impact on the rumen fermentation profile and the apparent nutrient digestibility under continuous culture conditions.

Intragastric Carbon Dioxide Release Prolongs the Gastric Residence Time of Postprandially Administered Caffeine.

Sparkling water is said to increase gastric motility by the release of carbon dioxide, thereby potentially affecting the pharmacokinetics of orally administered drugs. The hypothesis of the present work was that the induction of gastric motility by intragastric release of carbon dioxide from effervescent granules could promote the mixing of drugs into the chyme under postprandial conditions, resulting in a prolonged drug absorption. For this purpose, an effervescent and a non-effervescent granule formulation of caffeine as a marker for gastric emptying were developed. In a three-way crossover study with twelve healthy volunteers, the salivary caffeine pharmacokinetics, after administration of the effervescent granules with still water and the administration of the non-effervescent granules with still and sparkling water, were investigated after intake of a standard meal. While the administration of the effervescent granules with 240 mL of still water led to a significantly prolonged gastric residence of the substance compared to the administration of the non-effervescent granules with 240 mL still water, the application of the non-effervescent granules with 240 mL sparkling water did not prolong gastric residence via mixing into caloric chyme. Overall, the mixing of caffeine into the chyme following the administration of the effervescent granules did not seem to be a motility mediated process.

PKM Pengelolaan Hasil Panen Jagung Pada Kelompok Tani Assamaturu Di Desa Paddinging Kecamatan Sanrobone Kabupaten Takalar

Paddinging Village is located in Sanrobone District, Takalar Regency. The economy of the people in this village is generally based on agriculture, especially growing corn. Corn is a commodity needed by society and has good business value. This PKM activity was carried out in Paddinging Village, Sanrobone District, Takalar Regency, and the target audience was the Assamaturu Farmer Group. The main problem faced is that the target audience does not have an understanding of science and technology regarding the management of corn yields so that they have a high selling value. So far, the Target Audience uses a pick-sell pattern, that is, after the harvest is immediately sold, sadly it only sells to one buyer. The purpose of this PKM activity is for the Target Audience to have an understanding of science and technology in managing their corn yields so that they have a high selling value. The implementation of this PKM activity uses the Counseling Method, in which the Team provides directions on how to manage corn yields into corn products in the form of granules that are ready to be sold and of course have a high selling value. The results obtained from this PKM activity are that the Target Audience has an understanding of science and technology on how to manage their corn yields and is able to utilize 20% of the harvest to be processed into corn products in the form of granules ready for sale. In the future, it is hoped that more of the harvest will be processed into corn products in the form of granules so that it is expected to improve the farmers' economy.

Holistic chemical characterization of Zaoren Anshen preparations based on HPLC fingerprint and multi-components quantification

Based on HPLC fingerprint analysis and multi-components quantification, a simple, sensible, and reliable HPLC-UV method, capable of qualitatively and quantitatively characterizing the main chemical markers of all medicinal herbs of Zaoren Anshen (ZRAS) prescription by one injection, was firstly developed. Then, three different dosage forms of ZRAS preparations, i.e., capsule, granule, and oral liquid, were analyzed and compared systematically, indicating the similarity and difference in chemical markers of the three ZRAS preparations. The strategy of combining HPLC chemical fingerprint and multi-components quantification in one injection was rather practical, powerful and useful in characterizing the main chemical markers of ZRAS preparations, which was a benefit for holistic quality evaluation and control of ZRAS preparations. Moreover, the present results provide sound scientific data for further studies on the effective constituents and quality control of ZRAS preparations.

Cowpea, corn, and soybean yield using fertilizer based on the bone meal in the Eastern Amazon

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of granulated formulations, made using calcined bone meal as a phosphorus source, on cowpea, soybean, and corn in the Amapá State, Eastern Brazilian Amazon. In the greenhouse, the treatments consisted of two soils with different clay contents (231 and 376 g kg-1), three granulated NPK formulations (08-20-10, 02-20-10, and 01-20-00 prepared with bovine bone meal, monoammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate, urea, and potassium chloride and phosphorite), and three crop successions (cowpea/corn/soybean, soybean/cowpea/corn, and corn/soybean/cowpea). In the field, treatments consisted of four levels of NPK 08-20-10 for corn and NPK 02-20-10 for soybean, in a Cerrado, and NPK 02-20-10 for cowpea, in both Cerrado and upland forest environments. NPK formulations fertilizer promotes greater soybean, cowpea, and corn shoot dry weight in the sandy loam compared to sandy clay soil. NPK promotes greater cowpea grain yield in the Cerrado than in the upland forest environment. The grain yield of the cowpea cultivar BRS Tumucumaque and corn BRS 206 responds linearly to the increase in fertilization with NPK formulations. The increasing levels of NPK formulation made with calcined bone meal do not affect soybean BRS Tracajá grain yield in the Cerrado environment.

Bone Healing of Critical-Sized Femoral Defects in Rats Treated with Erythropoietin Alone or in Combination with Xenograft.

Critical-size bone defect models are the standard in studies of the osteogenic potential of biomaterials. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the ability of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) to induce trabecular bone healing either alone or combined with a xenograft in a rat femoral critical-size defect model. Five-mm bone defects were created in the femoral diaphysis of fifty-six skeletally mature male Wistar albino rats. The animals were divided into six groups: one control group and five experimental groups. The defects in the control group were left empty, whereas an absorbable collagen cone soaked either with saline or erythropoietin (alone or in combination with xenograft) was placed in locally treated groups. The systemic treatment group received EPO subcutaneously. Bone formation was objectively evaluated through radiography, osteodensitometry and histological examination on post-operative days 30 and 90. The results demonstrate that EPO, locally applied on a collagen scaffold, was capable of inducing bone healing, whereas the single systemically administered high EPO dose had only an insignificant effect on bone formation. The combination of EPO with a bone substitute under the form of cancellous granules resulted in more rapid integration between the xenograft and host bone.

Formulation and Evaluation of Rice Bran Granules

Rice represents one of the most important food crops in the world, counting for around 20 of the salutary energy input of the global population1. According to estimations, the world’s rice product will reach 499.31 million metric tons over the 2019 – 2020 period.2 after rice harvesting, the whole grain is subordinated to a milling process to gain the well- known white rice kernels that are abundantly consumed each around the world. Depending on the rice variety, civilization procedure, and the employed fashion, around 40 of the total grain is lost during the milling process in the form of by- products.3 The by- products generated through colorful milling way are cocoon, bran, origins, and broken rice, and they're generally discarded or used for beast feeds. Bran is the most seductive of these by- products, because indeed though it represents only 9 of the rice weight, it contains around 65 nutrient origin.