Hydroalcoholic Solution Research Articles

Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of Cymbopogon citratus leaves in dexamethasone-induced diabetic rats

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Cameroon, different parts of Cymbopogon citrarus (C. citratus) are prescribed as remedies for diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. This study was designed to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of C. citratus (HACC) leaves in dexamethasone-induced-diabetic (Dex-db) rats. Materials and Methods: The HACC was obtained by decoction for 15 min by mixing 250 g of dry powder of the leaves of C. citratus by completing the total volume to 1L with a hydroalcoholic solution (water-ethanol, 30:70). After cooling to room temperature and filtration using Whatman No. 4 filter paper, the extract was concentrated using a rotary evaporator at 45 °C. Moderate diabetes was induced by daily subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) once daily for 7 days. On the 8th day, the animals which have a blood glucose level greater than 120 mg/dL were selected and randomized into 5 groups of 5 animals each who received the different treatments for two weeks as follows: two negative control groups, negative normal control (NNC) and negative dexamethasone control (NDC) received only vehicle (distilled water); one positive control group received glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) and two groups received HACC at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg respectively. On the other hand, compared to the NDC group, we observed a significant (P<0.001) dose-response after 14 days of treatment a decrease in serum concentrations of TC, LDLc, and AI, and an increase in HDLc. A highly significant decrease (P<0.001) was also observed in serum TG concentration but with a more pronounced action at the lowest dose of HACC (50 mg/kg). Results: After two weeks of administration of the HACC, we observed during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) a highly significant rate of reduction in glycemia (%) at the two doses tested (50 and 100 mg/kg) compared to the NNC group (P<0.001) 2 hours after glucose load, no significant difference was observed (P>0.05). With regard to the serum lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDLc), triglycerides (TG), LDL cholesterol (LDLc) and atherogenicity index (AI)), after 14 days of administration of the various treatments, with the exception of the TC which decreased significantly (P<0.001), no significant difference (P>0.05) was observed on the other parameters in the animals having received the HACC only at the dose of 100 mg/kg compared to the NNC group. Conclusion: This finding suggests that the leaves of C. citratus have a highly significant antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activity in diabetic rats by preventing the postprandial glycemia peak and by readjusting the lipid profile, in particular by lowering serum LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and the atherogenicity index.

Adsorption Capabilities of Fungoid Chitosan Toward Organic Acids in Model Solutions and White Wine

In oenology, fungoid chitosan (CH) can be used as an adjuvant for microbial control, haziness prevention, metal chelation, and ochratoxin removal. In acidic media (such as wine), CH can ionise and interact with charged compounds, giving rise to a series of adsorption and/or removal phenomena, some of which potentially impairing the overall quality of wines. In this context, it is worth noting that the interaction between CH and acidic components of wines has been poorly studied so far, and detailed information on this subject is still lacking. To study those interactions, different doses of chitosan (0.5; 1.0; 2.0 g/L) were dispersed in hydro-alcoholic solution (HS), synthetic wine solution (SW), and white wine (W). Results demonstrated that the remotion of tartaric acid and the change of pH were strongly affected by the matrix and dosage. In W and SW, chitosan was found to adsorb tartaric acid up to about 200 mg/g and 350 mg/g CH, respectively. Accordingly, pH values increased; however, the magnitude depended on the matrix as a consequence of different buffer capacities. Interestingly, even in the absence of tartaric acid (e.g. in HS samples) CH addition caused a pH increase (up to 1.2 units for 2 g/L CH addition) which demonstrated that pH variations may not only depend on the amount of organic acids adsorbed. The chitosan dispersed in W showed the highest average diameter D [3,2] (127.96 μm) compared to the ones dispersed in SW (120.81 μm) and in HS (116.26 μm), probably due to the presence of organic acids on the polymer surface. The minor removal of tartaric acid in W compared to SW could probably depend on the competitive adsorption onto chitosan of other families of compounds present in wine such as polyphenols. The data suggested that chitosan addition could affect the pH and organic acid concentration of all matrices, depending on the doses and composition of the solutions.

Prevalence of mecA and Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Genes in Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates from Gaza Strip Hospitals.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are spreading worldwide in hospital and community settings, thus posing a serious public health problem. Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL), an important virulence factor of S. aureus, is a marker of community-acquired MRSA. Here we determined the prevalence of pvl genes among S. aureus isolates from different hospitals in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. A total of 285 S. aureus isolates were collected from five different hospitals in the Gaza Strip. All isolates were characterized for their susceptibility patterns to available antimicrobial agents and by using multiplex PCR for the detection of mecA and pvl genes. The overall prevalence of MRSA in Gaza hospitals was 70.2% (range: 76.3% to 65.5%) and that of pvl among S. aureus isolates was 29.8% (range: 32.9% to 26.2%). The pvl gene was equally prevalent among MRSA isolates (30.5%) and MSSA isolates (28.2%). The most effective antibiotics were rifampicin, vancomycin, and clindamycin, with susceptibility rates of 91.2%, 88.7%, and 84.6%, respectively. The highest percentage of strains were observed to be resistant to penicillin and amoxicillin with clavulanic acid-96.1% and 73.6%, respectively. Our results showed a high prevalence of MRSA and pvl-positive isolates in Gaza Strip hospitals, which likely reflects the situation in the community. It is mandatory to implement systematic surveillance of both hospital and community isolates, together with interventions (such as increased hand hygiene, use of hydroalcoholic solutions, and isolation of carriers) to limit their spread.

Anti-Oxidant Multi-Functionalized Materials: Strontium-Substituted Monetite and Brushite as Delivery Systems for Curcumin.

Curcumin has numerous biological activities and pharmaceutical applications related to its ability to inhibit reactive oxygen species. Herein, strontium-substituted monetite (SrDCPA) and strontium-substituted brushite (SrDCPD) were synthesized and further functionalized with curcumin with the aim to develop materials that combine the anti-oxidant properties of the polyphenol, the beneficial role of strontium toward bone tissue, and the bioactivity of calcium phosphates. Adsorption from hydroalcoholic solution increases with time and curcumin concentration, up to about 5-6 wt%, without affecting the crystal structure, morphology, and mechanical response of the substrates. The multi-functionalized substrates exhibit a relevant radical scavenging activity and a sustained release in phosphate buffer. Cell viability, morphology, and expression of the most representative genes were tested for osteoclast seeded in direct contact with the materials and for osteoblast/osteoclast co-cultures. The materials at relatively low curcumin content (2-3 wt%) maintain inhibitory effects on osteoclasts and support the colonization and viability of osteoblasts. The expressions of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALPL), collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), and osteocalcin (BGLAP) suggest that curcumin reduces the osteoblast differentiation state but yields encouraging osteoprotegerin/receptor activator for the NFkB factor ligand (OPG/RANKL) ratio.

Optimization of a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Synthesis for a Rapid Detection of Caffeic Acid in Wine.

Molecular imprinting is an efficient strategy to make the detection of compounds more specific and more selective. This targeted analytical strategy using molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) synthesis needs to obtain the optimized conditions. A selective molecularly imprinted polymer was prepared for caffeic acid (CA) detection after varying the following synthesis parameters: functional monomer type (N-phenylacrylamide, N-PAA or methacrylic acid, MAA), solvent type (acetonitrile/methanol or acetonitrile/toluene), and the polymerization method (UV or thermal initiation). The optimal polymer was obtained using MAA as a functional monomer, acetonitrile/methanol as solvent, and UV polymerization. Morphological characterizations were done for the optimal CA-MIP using mid-infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption. The optimal polymer showed good specificity and selectivity in the presence of interferents (antioxidants having a chemical structure close to CA) in a hydroalcoholic solution. The electrochemical detection of CA was performed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) after the interaction between CA and the optimal MIP in a wine sample. The linear range of the developed method was between 0 and 1.11 mM, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.13 mM, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.32 mM. HPLC-UV was used to validate the newly developed method. Recovery values were between 104% and 111%.

Ethosomes: A Vesicular Carrier as a Novel Tool for Transdermal Drug Delivery System

In recent years, nanotechnology has a new era of drug delivery for many drug systems. Transdermal drug delivery is one of the few systems that have recently become a major focal point of research. When compared to traditional drug delivery systems, the Transdermal Drug Delivery System (TDDS) has various advantages. Due to the barrier properties of the Stratum Corneum, TDDS has had limited market success. The introduction of ethosomes, which are soft, malleable vesicular carriers containing ethanol and are tailored for enhanced delivery of active agents, has opened up a new area of vesicular research for transdermal drug delivery. According to various reports, ethosomes have a promising future in improving the efficacy of transdermal delivery of various agents. Ethosomes are also useful for the non-invasive delivery of small, medium and large drug molecules. Ethosome preparation is simple, requires no complicated equipment, and can thus be scaled up to industrial levels. The review emphasises introduction to ethosomes, their composition and preparation methods, evaluation, and their efficiency in penetrating the skin and the use of ethosomes in transdermal medication delivery as being more effective than liposomes or hydroalcoholic solution in terms of quantity and depth.
 Keywords: Ethosomes, Novel carriers, Transdermal Drug Delivery System

Introducing a Simple Method to Investigate Relative Volatilities of Flavour Compounds in Fruit Brandies

Determination of relative volatilities of flavour compounds in hydro-alcoholic solutions is usually performed by time-consuming and costly standard methods such as the Gillespie dynamic recirculation method. This study tested a quick and easy method with a simple distillation apparatus for measuring empirical relative volatilities. A total of 17 representative flavour compounds of apple and pear brandies were selected and investigated for their relative volatilities. This also included so far unpublished relative volatilities of one alcohol (2-butanol), one aldehyde (hexanal), one ketone (β-damascenone), and three esters (ethyl butyrate, butyl acetate, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate). Relative volatilities of three alcohols (methanol, isobutanol, and isoamyl alcohol), one ester (ethyl acetate), one aldehyde (acetaldehyde), and one acetal (1,1-diethoxyethane) were compared to reference data. All compounds, except for 1,1-diethoxyethane, showed a high correlation with the reference data. Vapour–liquid equilibrium for an ethanol–water mixture showed a high correlation with the reference data (r > 0.9). In accordance with the high correlation levels, we suggest that the simple distillation apparatus is a fast and simple alternative to the standard method.

Binary ethosomes for the enhanced topical delivery and antifungal efficacy of ketoconazole

This work aimed to prepare ketoconazole-loaded ethosomes and binary ethosomes to improve its skin delivery and antifungal efficacy. A 32 factorial design was used to optimize the ethosomes and formulate ketoconazole-loaded binary ethosomes. Ethosomes and binary ethosomes were evaluated for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, percent drug entrapment efficiency, drug release, skin permeation and deposition and antifungal efficacy. The ethosomes particle size ranged from 78.99±16.72 to 321.53±10.41 nm and decreased by increasing phospholipid and ethanol concentrations. The polydispersity index values were in the range of 0.17±0.01 to 0.49 ± 0.04. The percent drug entrapment efficiency ranged from 36.09±2.66 to 95.89±0.19 and increased by increasing phospholipid concentration while ethanol concentration had the opposite effect. The binary ethosomes had smaller size but similar drug entrapment efficiency and zeta potential compared with the ethosomes. They had significantly higher percent drug release (∼96%) and permeation (∼95%) through rat skin compared with the ethosomes (93% and 90%, respectively). Binary ethosomes and ethosomes had, respectively 1.9 and 1.8-fold higher drug skin permeation and 5.3- and 5.6-fold higher drug deposition in the epidermis/dermis compared with the drug suspension. The antifungal efficacy of the drug-loaded ethosomes and binary ethosomes were similar to the drug hydroalcoholic solution. Collectively, these results confirm the potential of these nanocarriers to enhance drug efficacy given their small size, sustained drug release and enhanced skin permeability.

The main recommendations to fight human infections caused by avian influenza A (H5) and the way forward in Ecuador

Dear Editor, Influenza viruses are one of the viruses of public health importance because of their propensity of causing epidemics and pandemics. Waterfowls have been shown to be the main natural reservoirs of influenza viruses and humans, as the hosts are often infected with avian influenza viruses such as avian influenza A (H5)1. Last year, November 30, 2022, the health authorities of Ecuador declared a health emergency of 3 months outbreak of avian influenza A (H5) virus in their country, and an epidemiological alert in December 2022 was indicated after the detection of an outbreak of avian flu in poultry farms in the Andean province of Cotopaxi, Ecuador. This outbreak has extended to January 2023, thus prompting them to inform the World Health Organization about the scourge of avian influenza A H5 infection. They reported a case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5) in a 9-year-old girl from a rural area in Ecuador on January 9, 2023. So far, this is the first case of human infection caused by the avian influenza A (H5) virus reported in Ecuador but also in Latin America. This case of human infection has been linked to exposure to poultry animals2. Human cases of infection with avian influenza viruses are usually the result of exposure to life or dead infected poultry as well as contaminated environments3. Currently, bird flu is an incurable disease without treatment. At this stage, there is in fact no sufficiently effective vaccine with marketing authorization2. Hence, posing more public health challenges to the Ecuadorian communities and the world at large. The public health measures such as; health education about the signs and symptoms of avian influenza virus A (H5), good hand hygiene practices, good food handling, etc., should be well implemented at both the rural and urban centres in Ecuador. Emergency preparedness, surveillances and disease control strategies should be closely observed to avoid further infections of avian influenza A H5 and a pandemic that may arise. Also, at each entry and exit points in the country, surveillance, and control strategies should be imposed among travelers as well as restrictions on commercial travel. Also, rapid detection of infection should be done immediately there is a suspected case of avian influenza A H5 in the country. Travelers should avoid contact with animals in markets and should also avoid frequenting places or places that appear to be contaminated with animal faeces. Travelers should strictly adhere and comply to barrier measures, such as; washing their hands often with soap and water or with hydroalcoholic solutions, covering their mouth and nose, avoiding touching their eyes frequently. They should also practice good food safety and personal hygiene measures. These measures would serve to preventing a future pandemic or even an epidemic of avian influenza A (H5). Finally, the Government of Ecuador through its Ministry of Public Health in collaboration and in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) as well as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) should put more efforts in strengthening the health facilities and equipments in Ecuador. Such facilities would include; mobile clinics, diagnosis for rapid detection of infection for a close surveillance of avian influenza in the country. Ethical approval None. Sources of funding None. Author contribution A.A.: conceptualization of ideas and manuscript preparation. A.A., M.O.O., C.B., H.C., J.O., K.L., H.E., F.K.: writing. M.O.O.: supervision; review and comments; and data curation. Conflicts of interest disclosure The authors declare that they have no financial conflict of interest with regard to the content of this report. Research registration unique identifying number (UIN) None. Guarantor Aymar Akilimali. Provenance and peer review Not commissioned, externally peer reviewed.

Chemical Characterization and Antimicrobial Properties of the Hydroalcoholic Solution of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. and Propolis from Northern Italy.

In this study, for the first time, the chemical composition of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. and propolis (EAP) hydroalcoholic solution from the Trentino Alto Adige region of northern Italy was investigated by using SPME-GC-MS to describe the volatile content and GC-MS after silylation to detect the non-volatile compounds in the extractable organic matter. The antimicrobial activity of EAP hydroalcoholic solution was evaluated by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination on 13 type strains, food and clinical isolates. Time Kill Kinetics (TKK) assays and the determination on swimming and swarming motility for 48 h gave more details on the mode of action of EAP solution. The results highlighted the presence of some terpenes and a large number of compounds belonging to different chemical classes. Among these, sugars and organic acids excelled. The EAP hydroalcoholic solution exhibited a strong antimicrobial activity in terms of MIC, with a clear decrease in the cellular load after 48 h. However, the bacterial motility may not be affected by the EAP treatment, displaying a dynamic swarming and swimming motility capacity over time. Given the complexity of chemical profile and the strong antimicrobial effectiveness, the EAP hydroalcoholic solution can be considered a source of bioactive molecules, deserving further investigation for the versatility of application.

Fluorescence Detecting of Paraquat and Diquat Using Host-Guest Chemistry with a Fluorophore-Pendant Calix[6]arene.

Paraquat (PQ) and diquat (DQ), some of the most widely used herbicides in the world, both present a high mortality index after intentional exposure. In this paper, a fluorescence sensing method for PQ and DQ, based on host-guest molecular recognition, is proposed. Calix[6]arene derivatives containing anthracene or naphthalene as pendant fluorophore at their lower rim recognize DQ and PQ in hydroalcoholic solution with a broad linear response range at the μg L-1 level concentration. The linear response ranges were found from 1.0 to 18 μg L-1 with the detection limit of 31 ng L-1 for paraquat, and from 1.0 to 44 μg L-1 with the detection limit of 0.16 μg L-1 for diquat. The recognition process is detected by following the decrease in the fluorescence emission consequent to complexation. The proposed quenching method has been applied to the determination of paraquat in drinking water samples.

Natural deep eutectic solvents as a green extraction of polyphenols from spent coffee ground with enhanced bioactivities.

Conventional extraction techniques are usually based on highly pollutant and/or flammable organic solvents. Therefore, alternative environmentally friendly extraction methods are of particular interest for the recovery of bioactive compounds for their application as food ingredients and/or nutraceuticals. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are a green and nontoxic attractive alternative to hydroalcoholic extraction. NADES media primarily depends on the intermolecular interactions (hydrogen bonding) among their components to form a eutectic mixture with a much lower final melting point than its individual components. Examples of natural deep eutectic NADES solvents include aqueous solutions (25%-50% water) of choline chloride, sugars, and polyols. This study aimed to investigate the application of two NADES, namely, betaine:triethylene glycol (Bet : TEG) and choline chloride:1,2-propanediol (Chol : Prop), as sustainable green solvents for the extraction of polyphenols from spent coffee ground (SCG), a by-product of coffee processing. In particular, the extraction yield and selectivity were evaluated and compared with conventional green extractions (hot water and a hydroalcoholic solution). In addition, the effect of NADES on the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the extracts was investigated. The main outcomes were as follows: (i) NADES were as effective as other conventional green solvents in the extraction of polyphenols with the added advantage of operating at milder temperature conditions, without flammable solvents and with sustainable and natural compounds; (ii) the antimicrobial activity of the NADES extracts was 10 times higher than that of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts. Given the low toxicity of NADES, they could be used as formulation aid for food ingredients.

A sensory characterization of some N‐heterocycles in model spirit matrix: Influence of ethanol and several chemical features on aroma perception

AbstractThe qualitative spirit ageing bouquet, developed during maturation in oak casks through a complex transformation process, can result in a broad palette of nuances where roasted and nutty aromas are often identified. Nitrogen heterocycles (pyrazines, thiazoles, pyrroles), produced during the heating step of the barrel‐manufacturing, contribute to the perception of these nuances. However, their specific sensory characteristics within the spirit matrix have been poorly studied until now. The current study consisted in an overall olfactory characterization of nine targeted N‐heterocycles molecules previously identified in oak wood and detected in spirits. In a first step, the olfactory perception thresholds (detection and recognition) were measured in a spirit model medium (23% hydroalcoholic solution, pH 4), revealing that the presence of ethanol at such level minimally affected the olfactory perception of the studied compounds. A first sensory description of the set of N‐heterocycles also highlighted a large spectrum of aromatic nuances, mostly related to the semantic field of wood (nut, roasted, smoky, spicy). In a second step, a profile of the key aromatic attributes of the studied molecules was compiled, on the basis of their corresponding intensity scores given by a trained expert panel. Principal Component Analysis followed by Hierarchical Cluster Analysis categorized the pool of N‐heterocycles according to their sensory similarities. The presence of ethanol in spirit model matrix did not affect detection and recognition thresholds of studied N‐heterocycles. Wood‐derived nuances accounted among the most representative aromas characterized the studied N‐heterocycles. Functionals groups carried out by the chemical ring modified the aromatic perception of N‐heterocycles.

Formulation and Evaluation of a Disinfectant Solution Based on Natural Products

Hands are the main mode of transmission of microorganisms. Hand hygiene is considered the most effective measure of general precautions in the prevention of microbial contamination. The hydroalcoholic solution containing a high concentration of alcohol can cause a burning sensation and marginal irritation of the skin. This is precisely the main reason for the need for a disinfectant solution but which does not have the disadvantages of the hydroalcoholic solution and it is the objective of our end-of-studies dissertation which is the formulation of a disinfectant solution based on essential oils by comparing its effectiveness with the hydroalcoholic solution. In order to measure the antibacterial effect, we performed the aromatogram technique on the hydroalcoholic solution as well as on ours based on essential oils, the effect of which is assessed by measuring the diameter of an area of inhibition. The result obtained allowed us to confirm that the hydroalcoholic solution is effective but it causes skin irritation, while our natural solution has proven to be very interesting for its antibacterial power and its moisturizing effect with aloe Vera.

Avaliação da eficácia da solução hidroalcoólica de própolis com glicina na redução conjunta de microrganismos e ovos de helmintos em vegetais de folhas verdes

Abstract The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a propolis hydroalcoholic solution with glycine on the reduction of microorganisms and helminth eggs removal in lettuce leaves. Three experimental groups were evaluated in triplicate or replicates: microbiological (ME), parasitological (PE), and microbiological and parasitological (MPE). Before the experiments, the initial concentration of the native microbiota was assessed by counting mesophilic aerobes, molds and yeasts, using conventional microbiological techniques. Lettuce leaves were washed in tap water and subjected to different immersion treatments: propolis hydroalcoholic solution (PHS), propolis hydroalcoholic solution at pH 5.5 (PHS2), and propolis hydroalcoholic solution with glycine (PHS-glycine). In ME, propolis hydroalcoholic solution combined or not with glycine, was evaluated on the reduction of native microbiota. Residual microbiological contamination was assessed. In the PE, the effect of PHS2 and PHS-glycine was evaluated on the removal of a known number of Ascaris suum eggs on leaves artificially contaminated. In MPE, PHS-glycine was evaluated on the reduction of native microbiota and removal of eggs. A reduction of more than 2 log CFU/g was observed in ME. In PE, PHS-glycine removed 37.22% of eggs. In MPE, the PHS-glycine reduced 3.3 CFU/g of mesophilic aerobes, 5.0 log CFU/g of fungi, and 35.53% of eggs from vegetables. The results highlighted the solution’s efficiency in reducing or eliminating different contaminants in vegetables and reinforced the need for the development of hygiene methods that do not harm human health and are reproducible at the household level.

Ethylated analogue of Zingerone: A new and eco-respectful preservative in cosmetics.

This article describes the eco-design of a new preservative in cosmetics based on bio-inspiration of natural extracts from traditional medicines. In order to reach the multiple specification targets, various structures have been synthesized and evaluated to select the one demonstrating broad antimicrobial spectrum with favorable environmental profile and application potential to a wide variety of formulas. In order to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized structures, the method of the challenge test consisting in an artificial contamination of the sample with collection microbial strains and evaluation of the number of revivable microorganisms was used to select the most promising candidate. Validation of its antimicrobial potential was later confirmed on Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, yeast and mold with measurement of its Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) in comparison with known preservatives. Environmental impact assessment of the selected candidate was achieved with the help of ready biodegradability and aquatic ecotoxicity tests performed according to appropriate Organization tes a strfor Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and European Union (EU) guidelinesy. Bio-inspired from turmeric and ginger extracts, an ethylated analog of Zingerone (EZ) with the chemical name 4-(3-ethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one demonstrates the strongest activity on Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Moreover, EZ shows a solubility in water two times higher than that of Zingerone thus increasing its interest as a potential preservative. Finally, its assessment of ready biodegradability and aquatic ecotoxicity in OECD-EU tests with a favorable environmental profile confirms its unique interest and fully justifies its use in cosmetic formulas as an eco-respectful preservative. Bio-inspiration based on technologies without noteworthy side effects but also on eco-design, particularly through the use of measures of potential environmental impact very upstream of a development, are two fundamental elements for the launching of new eco-friendly cosmetic ingredients. This approach has thus validated the strong potential of EZ as a preservative of eco-respectful formulas. The selection of EZ is also a very good example of the achievement of two key objectives targeted by cosmetic companies for the development of a novel active ingredient: environmental performance and technical performance.

Simple and effective method for the extraction of silymarin from Silybum marianum (L.) gaertner seeds

IntroductionOne of the top 10 herbal remedies used in both developing and developed countries is milk thistle. The authors previous work showed that most milk thistle tinctures commercially available to herbal practitioners did not contain the required amount of its active ingredient silymarin. The aim of this project is to develop an easy and effective method for the preparation of milk thistle tinctures which guarantees an adequate therapeutic dosage of silymarin for the treatment of liver-associated diseases. MethodsWhole and ground whole seeds as well as whole and ground pericarp were macerated at room temperature with 70 % v/v hydro-alcoholic solution using a plant material to solvent ratio of 1:1 and 1:2 for 1, 3 and 7 days. The total silymarin content was quantified by HPLC and expressed as the mean (mg/L) ± standard deviation. ResultsThe above method yielded 36.23 ± 6.38 mg/mL, 38.02 ± 1.44 mg/mL and 40.93 ± 1.23 mg/mL of silymarin when ground whole seeds, whole and ground whole pericarps were macerated for 7 days using a plant material to solvent ratio of 1:1. No significant statistical differences was observed (P = 0.66 and P = 0.06) ConclusionAn efficient and easy method for silymarin tincture production was achieved by macerating ground whole seeds with 70 % v/v hydro-alcoholic solution and an herb to solvent ratio of 1:1 for 7 days. However, all the investigated 7-days extractions yielded concentrations of silymarin that met the recommended content of active ingredient of at least 25 mg/mL.

Densities, Viscosities, Thermal Expansivities, and Isothermal Compressibilities of Carbonated Hydroalcoholic Solutions for Applications in Sparkling Beverages.

Densities, viscosities, isothermal compressibilities, and thermal expansivities of carbonated hydroalcoholic solutions relevant for sparkling beverages are evaluated by molecular dynamics simulations as a function of temperature and alcoholic degree. They are compared with available experimental data, among which new measurements of densities and viscosities are performed in that respect. The OPC water model seems to yield the most accurate results, and the choice of CO2 model has little influence on the results. Theoretical densities obtained with the OPC model typically deviate by ∼2 kg m-3 from experimental data. At low alcoholic degrees (<9% EtOH vol), experimental viscosities lie in between theoretical values derived from the Stokes-Einstein formula and the calculation of transverse current autocorrelation functions, but at higher alcoholic degrees (≥9% EtOH vol), the Stokes-Einstein relation leads to viscosities in quantitative agreement with experiments. Isothermal compressibilities estimated with a fluctuation formula roughly extend from 0.40 to 0.49 GPa-1 in close agreement with the experimental range of values. However, thermal expansivities are found to significantly overestimate experimental data, a behavior that is partly attributed to the low temperature of maximum density of the OPC model. Despite this discrepancy, our molecular model seems to be suitable for describing several transport and thermodynamic properties of carbonated hydroalcoholic solutions. It could therefore serve as a starting point to build more realistic models for carbonated beverages, from fizzy drinks to sparkling wines.

Silicea terra 200cH evaluated by two different spectroscopy methods: a pilot study

Abstract&#x0D; Spectroscopy has been shown to be a useful method to study the physicochemical properties of homeopathic preparations. In this pilot study, the aim was to compare two methods (photon scattering and visible-light spectroscopy) in the physical evaluation of Silicea terra 200cH. Two samples have been examined and compared: Silicea terra 200cH and Sac lac 200cH, both prepared in aqueous solution (Cemon Lab, Italy). Lactose was included because the first 3 potencies of Silicea terra are made by trituration in lactose. In the first test, performed in Italy, slight variations in chrominance and luminance due to micro-vibrational 3D phenomena were analyzed. The principle of the experimental procedure is to modify and analyse the incidence and refraction angles of the light hitting the bottles of liquid under examination. Measurements were made using an innovative camera device developed by Daniele Gullà, called MIRA/CORA (proprietary name). The image sensor is a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD)/ Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) with interferential matrix filter. A red laser beam, at wavelength 652 nm, hits the bottle and the variations of scattered light are recorded and measured by the device. All measurements have been performed in a dark room at a constant temperature of 22°C +/- 0,2°C using a filter with very narrow spectral bands (10 nm). Proprietary software analyses the incoming frames showing the spectral variations in amplitude and frequency and then interpolates variation in the measured data within a vibrational range between 0.01 Hz and 10 Hz. The measurements have been repeated three times on both Silicea terra 200cH and Sac lac 200cH within a few minutes of each other. Measurements of the mean entropy of the signals, statistically elaborated with T Student test, yielded a two tailed p value &lt; 0.05, where the entropy of the signal recorded from the Silicea terra 200cH sample was statistically lower than the 200cH Sac lac sample. In the second test, performed in Brazil, variations in absorbance were used to identify Silicea terra 200cH compared with Sac lac 200cH and a control solution of non-succussed 30% alcohol, using six solvatochromic dyes, following the method developed by Cartwright [1,2]. Both homeopathic samples were imported from Italy, diluted 1:100 in 30% hydro-alcoholic solution, and submitted to 100 succussions using an automatic mechanical arm (Denise, AUTIC, Brazil) prior to being tested. Samples were inserted into dyes solutions in a 1:60 ratio, and evaluated by visible spectroscopy (FEMTO Spectrophotometer, Brazil). Dyes were prepared in ethanol P.A., according to previous established methods [3]. Samples and dyes were protected from light during the manipulation and environmental conditions of the laboratory (temperature, humidity, and magnetic flux) were monitored during the tests. Three series in triplicate were performed and the results were analyzed by ANOVA / Tukey, comparing both samples and the unsuccussed 30% hydroalcoholic control solution. Among all tested dyes, only BDN showed an interaction with Silicea terra 200cH, reproducing the conclusions obtained in [3]. We conclude that two different spectroscopic methods were able to differentiate Silicea terra 200cH from Sac lac 200cH, suggesting that changes in solvent organization could be involved in the homeopathic signaling process, along with changes in dipole moments of solvent and dyes. The results are potentially in line with a recent published paper [4], that supports the proposition that the lower entropy of the verum signal compared with controls could be explained by increased coherent vibrations of the verum sample, modulated by Nambu-Goldstone bosons. According to Del Giudice and colleagues [5], coherent behaviors are correlated with massless quasi-particles, coding ordering information.

Extraction, purification, food applications, and recent advances for enhancing the bioavailability of 6-gingerol from ginger – A review

6-Gingerol is the major pharmacologically active component of ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome widely used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Various extraction and purification methods have been developed to obtain highly purified 6-gingerol. 6-Gingerol can be extracted using conventional and nonconventional extraction techniques. Hydroalcoholic solutions and liquid CO2 are the most suitable solvents for the extraction of 6-gingerol, while microwave-assisted extraction is the best extraction method. High-speed counter-current chromatography is the purification technique resulting in the highest purity of 6-gingerol. Despite the various biological properties of 6-gingerol, the low bioavailability of 6-gingerol is the main challenge that limits its application. Novel encapsulation and solubilization techniques, including nano-emulsion, complexation, micelles, and solid dispersion methods, have been introduced to enhance the bioavailability of 6-gingerol, overcoming its limitations. 6-Gingerol showed potential applications as a natural antioxidant, preservative, and flavor enhancer as well as demonstrated a synergistic effect with different ingredients for maintaining the quality and shelf-life of the food products. The current work provides a comprehensive review of the prevailing techniques applied for extraction and purification of 6-gingerol from the rhizome of ginger, current research on the application of 6-gingerol in the food industry, and novel advances for increasing its bioavailability.