Fractionated Coconut Oil Research Articles

Migration of a UV stabilizer from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into food simulants

The migration characteristics of the UV stabilizer Tinuvin 234 (2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis (1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)phenol) into food simulants has been measured from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using HPLC with UV detection. Ethanol/water, isooctane and a fractionated coconut oil simulant (Miglyol®) were used as food simulating solvents. The migration characteristics were measured at temperatures in the range of 40–70°C. Diffusion coefficients were determined to be in the range of 1 × 10−14 cm2 s−1 to 1 × 10−18 cm2 s−1. At 40°C, the amount of migration into 95% ethanol after 10 days was 2 μg dm−2. Isooctane is determined to be a good fatty food simulant that provides similar results for PET to those of fatty foods.

Evaluating the potential for recycling all PET bottles into new food packaging

To evaluate the feasibility of recycling all PET bottles into food packaging, realistic estimates of the maximum concentration of contaminants that might be expected in the polymer are needed. To estimate the maximum concentration of a contaminant that might be in PET from the storage of non-food substances, sorption experiments into two types of PET were performed. These test materials were 0.8mm thick amorphous PET (a relative sink for contaminants) and commercial PET bottle wall. Using a commercial shampoo containing 1% lindane (C 6 H 6 Cl 6), the test materials were stored in contact with the shampoo at 20 and 40 ° C for 231 days. This commercial shampoo also represents an extreme case because it contains 7% acetone, a solvent which swells PET, further enhancing sorption of chemicals. Additional sorption experiments into PET were performed by preparing solutions of 10% toluene in Miglyol (a fractionated coconut oil), 10% benzophenone in Miglyol, 5% 2-butoxyethoxy ethanol (2-BE) in 50/50 water/ethanol, and 10% methyl stearate in heptane. Sorption data from the shampoo into PET illustrate Fickian behaviour. Specifically, the amount of sorption at room temperature is 40 times less than that at 40 ° C. The amount of lindane sorbed into PET from the shampoo after 231 days was 0.1 and 3.7mg dm -2 at 20 and 40 ° C respectively. These values correspond to 28 and 765mgkg -1 on a mass/mass basis. All sorptions are within the ranges measured and published by other authors using surrogate contamination testing schemes. Additionally, actual bottles from recycle bins were analysed for the amount of contamination. Results are discussed in terms of potential consumer exposure to non-food contaminants in food containers made of recycled PET and in relation to the surrogate testing methods recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for determining the compatibility of a PET recycling process to produce containers suitable for food-contact use.

The Effects of Some Physico-Chemical Factors and Pharmaceutical Excipients on the Bioavailability of Nitrofurantoin Oily and Aqueous Suspensions in Rats

ABSTRACTThe effects of some physico-chemical factors and various excipients, i.e., sucrose, aluminum stearate, hydrogenated castor oil, Cab-o-sil, and lecithin, either alone or in combination, from suspensions in fractionated coconut oil and distilled water have been investigated. In vitro drug release studies were performed according to the flask–stirrer method. In addition to adsorption and solubility studies, determination of partition coefficients and rheological measurements have been carried out. The experimental design was based on an 8×8 latin square using rats as the test animals. The results of the study showed that the rate and extent of absorption of nitrofurantoin are decreased significantly by the use of an oily rather than an aqueous vehicle. In vitro drug release data showed some correlation with in vivo parameters, and also with the apparent viscosity of the vehicles. However, no correlation was detectable between in vivo parameters and the apparent viscosity of the vehicles.

Preparation of redispersible dry emulsions by spray drying

Development of stable dry emulsions being able to reform the original o/w-emulsion by reconstitution in water is presented. Dry emulsions were prepared by spray drying liquid o/w-emulsions in a laboratory spray dryer. Three hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) types were applied as solid carrier and emulsifier. The lipid phase was fractionated coconut oil. The ratio of solid carrier to lipid phase influenced the reconstitution properties. It was possible to prepare redispersible dry emulsions of a lipid content up to 40% dry powder mass. The different HPMC types had no noticeable effect on the reconstitution properties, but too viscous liquid o/w-emulsions were difficult to atomise. The type of rotary atomizer, or the rate of rotation did not affect the technical properties of the dry emulsions containing 40% lipid. It was concluded that low viscosity HPMC was a useful solid carrier. The dry emulsions remained physically stable for at least 6 months.

Technical optimisation of redispersible dry emulsions

Preparation of dry emulsions suitable for tablet processing was examined in this study. Liquid o/w-emulsions were spray dried in a laboratory spray dryer applying hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) as a solid carrier and emulsifier. As the lipid phase, fractionated coconut oil was used. The ability of various excipients to increase the density of dry emulsions was investigated. Adding sucrose to the formulation, redispersible dry emulsions with higher density were obtained. The type of rotary atomizer did not affect the dry emulsions containing sucrose nor the rate of rotation of the atomizer applied in the spray drying process. By wet granulation, using ethanol as a binder, free-flowing and compactable dry emulsions were obtained and simultaneously the reconstitution properties were preserved. It was concluded that dry emulsions could be optimised for tablet processing by wet granulation. Tablets having a lipid content up to 20% had proper tablet properties.

Sea buckthorn berry oil inhibits platelet aggregation

A small-scale preliminary cross-over study was conducted to investigate the effects of supercritical CO 2-extracted sea buckthorn berry oil (SBO) on some risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Special features of the oil are high proportions of palmitic (16:0), oleic (18:1n-9), palmitoleic (16:1n-7), linoleic (18:2n-6), and α-linolenic (18:3n-3) acids as well as vitamin E, carotenoids, and sterols. Twelve healthy normolipidemic men were recruited and each volunteer consumed SBO and fractionated coconut oil (control) 5 g per day for a period of 4 weeks in a random order (wash-out 4–8 weeks). Phospholipid fatty acids, plasma lipids, and glucose were unaffected by SBO supplementation. Instead, a clear decrease in the rate of adenosine-5′-diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation and maximum aggregation were found. This suggested the beneficial effects of SBO on blood clotting, but further studies on the dose-response effects are needed to assess the practical use of SBO supplements.

Uptake of vitamin E succinate by the skin, conversion to free vitamin E, and transport to internal organs.

The percent solubility at 34 degrees C (skin temperature) of radioactive tocopherol succinate was determined for a number of edible oils, and a semisynthetic oil, Myritol 318 (Henkel, Kankakee, IL, a medium chain triglyceride prepared from fractionated coconut oil). Its solubility in Myritol 318 was approximately 50% better than any of the other oils. 14C-tocopherol succinate was diluted (1) into pure Myritol 318, a cosmetic base or (2) 50% tocopherol succinate in Myritol 318. These preparations were applied topically to a 2 cm diameter circle of the back saddle skin of a hairless mouse (strain skh-1). After 24 hr, up to 65% of the label was absorbed by the skin and was also found in skin removed from areas of the back other than the application area, and internal organs such as liver and heart. Up to 6% was hydrolysed to free tocopherol. Topical treatment may be an alternative to oral administration in gastrointestinal malabsorption diseases.

Intramuscular rate of disappearance of oily vehicles in rabbits investigated by gamma-scintigraphy

The fate of oily vehicles administered intramuscularly was followed with whole body gamma-scintigraphy. Groups of six rabbits received injections administered into the upper hind leg. No differences were observed in disappearance rates of various volumes (50–400 μl) of either fractionated coconut oil or sesame oil. Addition of two different concentrations of a drug substance, zuclopenthixol decanoate, to fractionated coconut oil did not influence the disappearance rate of the vehicle. Half-lives of the two oils at the injection site were in the order of 1 week for fractionated coconut oil and 1 month for sesame oil. Both oils spread approximately 25% along the muscle fibres during the first 24 h after administration. Radioactivity was mainly excreted with the urine. Insignificant amounts of radioactivity were found in blood, liver and carcass after 10 days.

Effects of excipients on the bioavailability of sodium salicylate from orally administered, oily suspensions

The effects of various excipients, i.e. sucrose, aluminium stearate, Cab-o-sil, hydrogenated castor oil and lecithin, either alone or in combination, on the bioavailability of sodium salicylate from suspension in fractionated coconut oil have been investigated using the rabbit as the test animal. In addition an in vitro drug release study and partition and rheological measurements have been carried out. Results of the study show that the bioavailability of sodium salicylate is not affected significantly by any of the excipients other than 20% w/v of sucrose and that this effect of sucrose is nullified by the inclusion of 1% w/v Cab-o-sil. Some correlation was observed between in vitro drug release data and the apparent viscosity of the oily vehicle. However, no correlations were detectable between in vivo and in vitro bioavailability parameters.

In vivo antimalarial action of a lipophilic iron (III) chelator: suppression of Plasmodium vinckei infection by reversed siderophore.

We assessed in vivo antimalarial action of a lipophilic iron (III) chelator belonging to a new synthetic family of biomimetic siderophores previously termed reversed siderophores (RSFs). The family member, RSF ileum2, was chosen for its high membrane permeability and fast irreversible inhibition of human malaria parasite growth in vitro. [Shanzer A, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 88:6585, 1991 and Lytton SD, et al., Blood 81:214, 1993]. The lipophilic drug was administered to Swiss mice by subcutaneous route in fractionated coconut oil at a dosage of 0.37 g/kg every 8 hr with no adverse reactions observed. After 3-4 injections demonstrable suppression of Plasmodium vinckei petteri infection was observed and an additional 3-4 injections resulted in 2-3-fold lower parasitemia with prolonged survival time over sham-injected control mice.

Effects of fish oil supplementation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Sixteen patients with rheumatoid arthritis entered a trial to determine the clinical and biochemical effects of dietary supplementation with fractionated fish oil fatty acids. A randomised, double blind, placebo controlled crossover design with 12 week treatment periods was used. Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and with disease modifying drugs was continued throughout the study. Placebo consisted of fractionated coconut oil. The following results favoured fish oil rather than placebo: joint swelling index and duration of early morning stiffness. Other clinical indices improved but did not reach statistical significance. During fish oil supplementation relative amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the plasma cholesterol ester and neutrophil membrane phospholipid fractions increased, mainly at the expense of the omega-6 fatty acids. The mean neutrophil leucotriene B4 production in vitro showed a reduction after 12 weeks of fish oil supplementation. Leucotriene B5 production, which could not be detected either in the control or in the placebo period, rose to substantial quantities during fish oil treatment. This study shows that dietary fish oil supplementation is effective in suppressing clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

The role of fats and oils in cosmetics.

AbstractThe earliest emollients in the history of cosmetics were the naturally occurring animal fats and vegetable oils. These provided soothing and smoothing action on the skin and grooming effects on head and beard hair. For the most part, odor problems limited the interest in oils derived from fish. With the increasing sophistication of users and increasing understanding of the technology of these materials, the short‐comings of natural fats and oils were overcome in several ways: (a) increased stability through use of antioxidants; (b) reduced odor through improved processing; (c) improved stability and diversification through chemical modification; (d) increased diversity through preparation of derivatives, and (e) substitution of mineral oil. Today the most important single cosmetic use of an unmodified natural fat or oil is that of castor oil as the base for lipsticks. Other unmodified oils have largely minor specialty uses, particularly in higher‐priced cosmetics. These include almond oil, apricot kernel oil, sesame oil, safflower oil, wheat germ oil, avocado oil, turtle oil and mink oil. Cocoa butter is used to some extent in suntan products. Reconstituted fractionated coconut oil is widely used. Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids are increasing in importance. Hydrogenation has produced stable oils useful in cosmetics. Alkyl esters and monoglycerol esters of fatty acids offer a wider range of properties than the original oils. Improvements in the naturally occurring fats and oils have made it possible for them to compete in some characteristics, and current interest in “natural” cosmetics may turn the attention of the cosmetic chemist back to improved versions of the classical raw materials.

Intravenous Infusions Into Human Subjects of Fractionated Coconut Oil Emulsions

Summary1. Emulsions of the glycerides of the short chain fatty acids were toxic when injected intravenously into human subjects.2. The glycerides of the high molecular weight fatty acids, lauric, myristic, palmitic and stearic acids were non-toxic when injected jin emulsion form. 3. Inclusion with the latter of small concentrations of the fatty acid esters of the type of oleic and linoleic acids did not affect the toxicity of the emulsions.