Mixture Of Extracts Research Articles

Effects of Chinese Herbal Medicines on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, and Liver and Intestinal Health of Hybrid Snakehead (Channa maculata ♀ × Channa. argus ♂)

Chinese herbal medicines have become a new green feed additive in the aquaculture industry. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of traditional Chinese herbal medicines (Isatidis radix, Forsythia suspensa, and Schisandra chinensis) on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbiota of hybrid snakehead (Channa maculata ♀ × Channa argus ♂). A total of 600 fish (mean weight: 15.85 ± 0.15 g) were randomly assigned to five groups, including the control group (CG), I. radix extract group (IRE), F. suspensa extract group (FSE), S. chinensis extract group (SCE), and the Chinese herbal medicine mixture group (CHMM; a mixture of extracts of I. radix, F. suspensa, and S. chinensis at the ratio of 1:1:1) for 6 weeks. The results show that the IRE-supplemented diet improved the survival rate (SR), feed efficiency ratio (FE), and condition factor (CF) compared to others. Compared to the control group, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in plasma and intestine was significantly increased in the FSE and CHMM groups, whereas the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma and liver was significantly reduced in the SCE group. A 16s rRNA analysis indicates that dietary supplementation with FSE significantly promoted the proliferation of Fusobacteriota, while IRE supplementation increased the alpha diversity of intestinal bacteria. In conclusion, the addition of I. radix to the diet of hybrid snakehead improves growth, antioxidant capacity, and liver and intestine health, and modulates the intestinal microbiota of snakehead positively.

Astragalus mongholicus and Scutellaria baicalensis Extracts Mixture Target Pyroptosis in Ischemic Stroke via the NLRP3 Pathway

Ischemic stroke, caused by blocked cerebral blood flow, requires prompt intervention to prevent severe motor and cognitive impairments. Despite extensive drug development efforts, the failure rate of clinical trials remains high, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of a natural herbal extract mixture of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (AM) and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SB), traditionally used in Eastern Asian herbal medicine (EAHM) for ischemic stroke treatment. Using transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) and photothrombotic (PTB) mouse models, oral administration of the AM-SB mixture was evaluated during both acute and chronic phases. Results showed that AM-SB significantly reduced infarction volume, inflammation (IL-1β, TNF-α), and pyroptosis-related markers (NLRP3, GSDMD, ASC, Caspase-1), while decreasing gliosis and improving cerebral metabolites. Behavioral assessments revealed that early and sustained AM-SB intervention enhanced motor and cognitive functions, as measured by mNSS, Rotarod, Novel Object Recognition, and Passive Avoidance tests. These findings suggest that AM-SB extract is a promising alternative therapy for ischemic stroke management.

Mixture of Mastic Gum and Peppermint Extracts Promotes Hair Growth and Health in Vitro and in C57BL/6 Mice

Mixture of Mastic Gum and Peppermint Extracts Promotes Hair Growth and Health in Vitro and in C57BL/6 Mice

Individual and Dual Cytotoxicity of the Combination of Passiflora Caerulea Leaf Extract and Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles against A549, U937, and Hela Cells

Background: The study addresses the underexplored realm of cytotoxicity evaluation involving binary mixtures of Passiflora caerulea leaf extracts and Titanium nanoparticles (TiO2NPs). The focus lies on understanding the combined effects of these components on cancer cells (A549, U937, and HeLa). Methods: In vitro cytotoxicity assessments were employed to evaluate the toxicity of P. caerulea leaf extracts, TiO2NPs, and their combination. The study utilized MTT, NRU, and LDH assays to measure cellular viability. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione levels were assessed alongside the aforementioned assays. Results: The toxicity percentage exhibited dose-dependent behavior for P. caerulea leaf extracts, TiO2NPs, and their combination. Interestingly, when P. caerulea leaf extract and TiO2NPs were combined, the reduction in cell viability was noticeably more than when the exposures were made separately. Moreover, the production of ROS was higher in the combined toxicity scenario, and a more pronounced decrease in glutathione levels was observed compared to individual exposures. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the combined effects of P. caerulea leaf extract and TiO2NPs induce greater cytotoxicity compared to their impacts. This underscores the potential for synergistic cytotoxicity in combined exposure scenarios, warranting further exploration of combined effects in future studies.

Effects of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), Onion (Allium cepa L.) Extracts as Feed Additive on Layers Performance, Hematological and Blood Biochemical Parameters of White Leghorn

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of rosemary and onion extracts on leave performances and some hematological and serum biochemical parameters of White Leghorn layers at Haramaya University Poultry Farm. One hundred twenty (120) White Leghorn layers at thirty-two weeks of age were randomly allocated to four treatments, each replicated three times with ten layers and one cock per replication and managed on a deep litter system for 70 days. The treatments were T1 (control group without any addition of feed additives), T2 (water with 4 milliliters of onion extract), T3 (water with 4 milliliters of rosemary extract), and T4 (water with 4 milliliters of onion and rosemary extract mixture). Body weight was taken at the beginning and end of the experiment to determine body weight change. Feed intake was determined as the difference between the feed offered and refused divided by the total number of layers in the replication. Data were subjected to be analyzed by SAS software version 9.4 (SAS, 2019), and the significance in treatment mean was determined by the least significance difference (LSD) for all parameters considered. The daily feed intake of chickens in T2 (97.59±0.72g) was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than the feed intake of chickens in T1, T3, and T4. There was no significant difference in PCV percentage, but there is a significant (P<0.05) difference in lowering total serum cholesterol from T1 to T4 but higher in HDL cholesterol. Layers using the blended use of spices with drinking water (T4) had lowered total cholesterol levels in the blood compared to other treatments.

Aktivitas Antijamur Ekstrak Biji Kopi Hijau Robusta (Coffea canephora) Terhadap Candida albicans.

Acne is a disease that can be caused by bacteria, one of which is Staphylococcus epidermidis. Acne can be treated with active compounds derived from natural ingredients such as cucumbers and tomatoes. Gel masks peel off. This study aims to determine the average diameter of the inhibition zone, the difference in the average diameter of the inhibition zone, and the antibacterial activity of the peel-off from a mixture of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) with a concentration of 5%, 10 %, 15%, 20% against Staphylococcus epidermidis. This experimental study uses a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of one factor and 6 levels. The results showed that the average diameter of the inhibition zone of the anti-acne peel-off gel mask preparation of cucumber and tomato extracts against Staphylococcus epidermidis at a concentration of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% were 16.38 mm, respectively. ; 24.88 mm; 29.88 mm and 34.88 mm. There was a significant difference in the average diameter of the inhibition zone of the peel off mixture of cucumber and tomato extracts with a concentration of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%; against Staphylococcus epidermidis. gel mask preparation peels off from a mixture of cucumber and tomato extracts against Staphylococcus epidermidis at a concentration of 5%, 10% concentration, 15% concentration and 20% concentration, namely strong, very strong, very strong and very strong. Keywords: staphylococcus epidermidis, gel mask peel-off, cucumber, tomato

Aktivitas Antibakteri Sediaan Masker Gel Peel Off Ekstrak Mentimun (Cucumis Sativus) Dan Tomat (Solanum Lycopersicum) Terhadap Staphylococcus Epidermidis

Acne is a disease that can be caused by bacteria, one of which is Staphylococcus epidermidis. Acne can be treated with active compounds derived from natural ingredients such as cucumbers and tomatoes. Gel masks peel off. This study aims to determine the average diameter of the inhibition zone, the difference in the average diameter of the inhibition zone, and the antibacterial activity of the peel-off from a mixture of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) with a concentration of 5%, 10 %, 15%, 20% against Staphylococcus epidermidis. This experimental study uses a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of one factor and 6 levels. The results showed that the average diameter of the inhibition zone of the anti-acne peel-off gel mask preparation of cucumber and tomato extracts against Staphylococcus epidermidis at a concentration of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% were 16.38 mm, respectively. ; 24.88 mm; 29.88 mm and 34.88 mm. There was a significant difference in the average diameter of the inhibition zone of the peel off mixture of cucumber and tomato extracts with a concentration of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%; against Staphylococcus epidermidis. gel mask preparation peels off from a mixture of cucumber and tomato extracts against Staphylococcus epidermidis at a concentration of 5%, 10% concentration, 15% concentration and 20% concentration, namely strong, very strong, very strong and very strong.

Assessing the impact of an environmentally friendly approach on irreversible dental hydrocolloid performance.

Impression materials can harbour microorganisms from saliva and blood, posing cross-contamination risks. However, post-setting disinfection might compromise the dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties of alginates. Hence, it was the aim of this research to assess the detail reproduction, tear strength, elastic recovery, and surface quality of the gypsum model of newly developed dental alginates with inherent antimicrobial properties. Three dental alginate groups with antimicrobial alterations were formulated. One group replaced water with 0.2% chlorhexidine solution (CHX group), while the other two utilized water-based extracts of Syzygium aromaticum (SA, clove) or Zingiber officinale (ZO, ginger) to reduce silver nitrate, resulting in two silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)/extract (clove or ginger) mixture solutions. These mixture solutions were employed for the preparation of dental alginate yielding the SA + AgNP and ZO + AgNPs groups. All modified groups were compared to an unmodified control group that used water for mixing. Elastic recovery, detail reproduction, and tear strength were assessed following the ISO 21563:2021 standard. The surface roughness of plaster models was analysed using the optical profilometer. Elastic recovery was assessed by applying and then releasing load on alginate specimens to measure their ability to recover from deformation. Detail reproduction was evaluated by observing the reproducibility of a 50μm line in a metallic mold using a light microscope, while tear strength was determined by stretching the specimens until failure at a constant speed of 500mm/min. All tested groups exhibited elastic recovery values meeting ISO standards for hydrocolloid impression materials. Regarding detail reproduction, both the control and modified alginates successfully reproduced the 50-µm line without interruption in all specimens. Tear strength values for all tested groups remained within the acceptable documented ranges, surpassing the minimum requirement of 0.38N/mm as mandated by ISO 21563:2021. The ZO + AgNPs (0.94 ± 0.17N/mm) demonstrated significantly higher tear strength values and surface roughness values compared to the other tested groups. Chlorhexidine, Syzygium aromaticum, and Zingiber officinale green-synthesized silver nanoparticles are promising, cost-effective alternatives for disinfecting alginate impressions without compromising performance. Green nanoparticle synthesis is a safe, efficient, and non-toxic method, potentially synergizing metal ions with plant extract.

Effects of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), Onion (Allium cepa L.) Extracts and their Mixtures on White Leghorn Layers Performance and Blood Profile

Introduction: The consumer’s requirements for the highest quality animal products should be achieved by the application of appropriate health-safe animal diets. The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of rosemary and onion extracts on performances, and some hematological and serum biochemical parameters of White Leghorn. Materials and methods: One hundred twenty White Leghorn layers at 32 weeks of age were randomly allocated to four treatments each replicated three times with ten layers and one cock per replication and managed on a deep litter system for 70 days. The treatments were control group without any addition of feed additives (T1), basal diet supplemented with 4 milliliters of onion extract in water (T2), basal diet supplemented with 4 milliliters of rosemary extract in water (T3), and basal diet supplemented with 4 milliliters of onion and rosemary extract mixture in water (T4). The data on performance parameters such as feed intake, body weight change body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, egg production, egg mass, and serum biochemistry and hematology were evaluated. Results: The daily feed intake of chickens in T2 was significantly higher than the feed intake of chickens in T1, T3, and T4. There was no significant difference in packed cell volume percentage but there was a significant difference in total serum cholesterol in T1 compared to T4. Layers supplemented with onion extract had lower blood total cholesterol levels compared to other groups. Results revealed that the use of onion extract (T2) in drinking water recorded significantly higher daily feed intake, body weight change, and gain compared to other groups. Layers fed on onion blended with rosemary extract in drinking water recorded the highest feed conversion compared to T1, T2, and T3 treatments. Conclusion: The use of rosemary, onion extracts, and their mixtures in drinking water significantly influenced most of the studied hematological and serum biochemical parameters of White Leghorn layers except packed cell volume and serum albumin.

Hypolipidemic and Hepatoprotective Effect of Linum usitatissimum and Moringa oleifera Seeds in Diabetic Induced Damage in Rats

Background Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder and a fast-growing global problem. Studies have shown that Linum usitatissimum has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that decrease blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and Moringa oleifera possesses hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycaemic effects. Hence, this study investigated both extracts’ hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects on diabetes. Purpose To study the improvement in glucose level, lipid levels (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein) and hepatic parameters after giving L. usitatissimum and M. oleifera seed extract combination in diabetic rats. Methods A total of 36 healthy male Wistar rats were taken and divided into six groups (groups I–VI). Diabetes was induced by administering a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin in overnight fasted rats. The mixture of aqueous extract of L. usitatissimum and M. oleifera seeds was prepared and given to rats of groups IV–VI daily for 4 weeks. After 28 days, the blood sample was collected from all the rats, and biochemical parameters were determined. Results All the values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Significant decreases in lipid levels, urea, creatinine and liver function tests were seen at the end of 1 month in all the three groups receiving the extract. Conclusion From our study, it was found that the administration of L. usitatissimum and M. oleifera seeds extract possesses excellent hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective properties, making them effective in preventing long-term complications of diabetes.

Biofabrication of Silver Nanoparticles Using Pergularia tomentosa Extract and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Properties.

The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant extracts is a promising field of research because of the useful biomedical applications of metal nanoparticles. In this study, the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized with the aqueous leaf extract of Pergularia tomentosa were defined using a simple, eco-friendly, consistent, and cost-effective method. The leaf extract of Pergularia tomentosa (PT) served as a capping and reducing agent to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles. The effects of several parameters, such as the concentration of AgNO3, ratio of AgNO3 to extract, pH, and incubation time, were examined to optimize the synthesis process. In total, 5 mM of AgNO3, a 1:0.06 ratio of AgNO3 to Pergularia tomentosa extract, pH 9.0, and reaction mixture incubation for 24 h were found to be the ideal parameters for biosynthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the biosynthesized Pergularia tomentosa silver nanoparticles (PT-AgNPs). Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella enteritides and Escherichia coli) were used to test the PT-AgNPs' antibacterial activity. The presence of different functional groups was determined using FTIR. The AgNPs were hexagon shaped. The nanoparticles were more toxic against S. enteritides than both B. cereus and E. coli. In antioxidant analyses, the AgNPs were found to be as strong at free radical scavenging as gallic acid (standard), with IC50 values of 0.69 and 22.30 μg/mL for DPPH and ABTS radicals, respectively. Interestingly, the PT-AgNPs displayed increased anti-inflammatory activity compared with the P. tomentosa leaf extract (79% vs. 59% at 500 µg/mL). The PT-AgNPs did not display any cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 cell line at the MIC. In conclusion, silver nanoparticles fortified with Pergularia tomentosa extract exhibited potential as effective antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant agents, suggesting their viability as alternatives to commercially available products.

Biosynthesis and Characterisation of Silver Nanoparticles using Leaf Extract of <i>Gardenia resinifera</i> and its Antioxidant and Photocatalytic Degradation Activity

Background: Green synthesis of nanoparticles and their bioactive applications have always been significant in the present scenario. Nanomedicine is a promising alternative approach for the development of sensitive and selective drugs for fast-progressing ailments like inflammation and cancer. Aim: The purpose of this study is to synthesise and characterise silver nanoparticles from the leaf extract of Gardenia resinifera and to test its application as an antioxidant agent. Methods: The green synthesised silver nanoparticle was authenticated and validated by Ultraviolet-Visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis Spec), Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) analyses. Results: In UV-Vis spectrophotometric analysis a change in colour of the mixture of plant extract and AgNPs (Silver nanoparticles) from green to yellowish-brown confirms the production of AgNPs. The presence of 12 peaks in FTIR spectra represents the respective bands and stretches of the bonds. SEM image shows the spherical shape of the AgNPs and an average size ranging from 70 nm to 100 nm. The most frequently used methods for determining antioxidant activity are the ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assays and they are based on the reaction of coloured radicle measured by spectrophotometric methods. The antioxidant capacity of synthesised AgNPs was evaluated by these assays and compared with leaf extract and a standard. These findings strongly suggest that AgNPs may play a therapeutic role in oxidative stress-associated disorders. A 100% photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue a synthetic dye resulted in the presence of synthesised AgNPS. Based on the result it is evident that a gradual decrease in absorption peak was observed by an increase in reaction time which indicates the degradation of methylene blue dye. Conclusion: The present study explains the possibility of silver nanoparticles synthesised using G. resinifera leaf extract as an antioxidant agent due to its efficiency in radical scavenging.

Clinical Trial With a Depigmented, Polymerized Mite Mixture Extract at Maximum Concentrations.

Efficacy of allergen immunotherapy is dose-dependent; however, high doses of allergen may imply a greater risk of adverse reactions. To assess the safety and tolerability of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) with mixtures of mite allergen extracts, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus/Blomia tropicalis (Dpt/Bt) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus/Lepidoglyphus destructor (Dpt/Ld) at maximum concentrations, in adult patients with allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis, and controlled allergic asthma due to a clinically relevant sensitisation to these mites. An open-label, noncontrolled, nonrandomised, phase IIb clinical trial was carried out in three hospitals in Spain between September 2014 and May 2018. Patients received SCIT of either Dpt/Bt (100/1000 DPP/mL) or Dpt/Ld (100/100 DPP/mL) in two phases: a rush build-up phase on the first day (0.2 mL and 0.3 mL with a 30-min interval) and a monthly maintenance phase administration (0.5 mL) up to 48 months. Forty patients were recruited for the study, seven allocated to the Dpt/Bt group and 33 to the Dpt/Ld. None experienced immediate or delayed systemic Grade ≥ 2 reactions (EAACI classification) (systemic reactions were mostly Grade 1) nor died during the study. Local reactions were mostly mild (0‒10 cm). Thirty-nine patients (97.5%) experienced at least one adverse event (AE). Of the 283 reported AEs, eight (2.8%) were systemic reactions experienced by six (15%) subjects and 14 (4.9%) were local reactions sustained by ten (25%) subjects. SCIT treatment of patients with allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis and controlled asthma with mixtures of Dpt/Bt and Dpt/Ld allergen extracts at maximum concentrations showed a favourable safety profile.

Bioactive rich fingered citron leaves: investigation of usage potential in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products

Background. Fingered citron is one of the important plants attracting attention with its important bioactive components. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential for use of fingered citron leaves in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Materials and Methods. The antimicrobial activity of fingered citron leaf ethanol extract was determined by disc diffusion and micro-dilution methods against clinical pathogens. Furthermore, fingered citron leaf ethanol extract sun protection factor (SPF) was spectrophotometrically evaluated. Results and Discussion. The inhibition zone diameters obtained as a result of the disc diffusion method were 9.16 mm against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and 9.63 mm against C. glabrata RSKK 04019. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 was inhibited by fingered citron leaf ethanol extract with 7.76 mm of inhibition zone. Minimal inhibition (MIC) and bactericidal or fungicidal (MBC or MFC) concentrations values varied between 2.5 and 40 mg/mL. Additionally, the biological activity of the cream formulation obtained with cream, probiotic strain Limosilactobacillus fermentum MA-7 and fingered citron leaf extract was evaluated using the well diffusion method. The inhibition zone diameters of cream, L. fermentum MA-7, and fingered citron leaf extract cream group against C. albicans ATCC 10231, C. glabrata RSKK 04019 and S. aureus ATCC 25923 were determined as 2.73 mm, 4.37 mm, and 5.21 mm, respectively. Furthermore, the SPF value of fingered citron leaf ethanol extract was determined as 25.82. Then, fingered citron leaf ethanol extract-cream mixtures were prepared at various concentrations. It was determined that the SPF values of the extract and cream mixtures were higher at all concentrations compared to the commercial cream (control). The highest SPF value was determined as 6.7 at 10 mL concentration. Conclusion. The results indicated that fingered citron leaf ethanol extract can be a valuable resource for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries in the development of natural origin and effective products.

Immunomodulatory effects of herbal extract mixture of Boswellia serrata, Commiphora myrrha, and propolis in a forced swimming-induced mouse model of immune dysfunction

Immunomodulatory effects of herbal extract mixture of Boswellia serrata, Commiphora myrrha, and propolis in a forced swimming-induced mouse model of immune dysfunction

Modified sorbents based on natural mineral and its mechanical properties

The use of modified sorbents based on natural minerals, widely distributed in Kazakhstan, is a promising direction. This direction is related to the development of domestic ion-exchange materials. The republic lacks its own production of synthetic sorbents. The environmental situation in the regions of uranium ore mining and processing is also important. Moreover, the application of synthetic sorbents is not always justified due to their high cost, while the use of natural sorbents is limited by their low sorption capacity. The development of modified ion-exchange materials based on a combination of these is a pressing issue for various industries. Research has been conducted on the choice of modification methods for natural sorbents and the evaluation of their sorption capacity after modification. The modification of natural minerals zeolite and shungite using the "solid-phase extractants" method was carried out in two stages. At the first stage, the modification was performed with organic extractants and compositions based on them, and at the second stage with phosphoric acid in combination with polyacrylamide. The natural sorbents used were zeolite from the Kusmuryn deposit and shungite from the Koksu deposit, following preliminary flotation. The mechanical strength of sorbents modified by different methods was compared with the original ion-exchange materials. Studies of the sorption process have shown that the best results for uranium sorption were obtained with modified sorbents: zeolite modified with a mixture of extractants Di-2-Ethylhexyl phosphoric acid (Di-2-EHPA), Tributyl phosphate (TBP), kerosene, and shungite modified with phosphoric acid in the presence of Polyacrylamide (PAA).

Effects of probiotic and yeast extract supplement on liver functionality index and metabolic parameters in transition period of dairy cattle

This research sought to evaluate the potential effects of probiotics and yeast cell wall (YCW) supplements on the liver functionality index (LFI) and metabolic parameters of dairy cattle throughout the transitional period. A cohort of forty dry cows was randomly divided into four groups, namely the probiotic group (Pr) receiving a basal diet combined with a blend of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus lechiniformis, Streptococcus Thermophilis, and Enterococcus faecium; the YCW group receiving a basal diet enriched with Saccharomyces cerevisiae; the probiotic and yeast cell wall extract group (P & Y) receiving a basal diet supplemented with a mixture of probiotic and yeast cell wall extract; and the control group adhering to the basal diet. The intervention was initiated 21 days before calving and persisted until 28 days post-calving, except for the control group. The study entailed the collection of blood samples at four sampling times, encompassing 21 days preceding calving, seven days before calving, seven days post-calving, and four weeks post-calving. Multiple biochemical parameters were assessed, including urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bilirubin (TB), albumin, total protein (TP), globulin, glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, and liver functionality index. The results showed that the Pr group exhibited reduced average levels of GGT and glucose compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Similarly, the P & Y group demonstrated lower average BUN, TB, and cholesterol levels than the control (P < 0.05). Notably, the LFI exhibited a discernible trend towards elevation in the Pr group compared to the control group (P = 0.007) and the P & Y group (P = 0.007). In essence, supplementation of YCW and probiotics is associated with advantageous effects on metabolic parameters and liver function.

Production of a herbal drink by spray drying of mixed purple basil extract-lemon juice; formulation, process optimization, and characterization

This article focuses on the production of an herbal drink containing the mixture of basil extract and lemon juice (65:35 (% v/v)), at inlet air temperature (IAT) (110–190 °C) as well as the concentrations of maltodextrin (MD, 0–7.5%) and gum Arabic (GA, 0–7.5%). Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to investigate the variation of spray-dried powder attributes including moisture content (MC), water activity, water solubility, product yield, particle size, total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA), and aroma components. The optimum conditions for maximizing encapsulation efficiency and powder yield were IAT of 146 °C, 9.68% MD, and 5.32% GA. Both IAT and MD/GA ratio had a significant effect on final powder properties except for water activity. The GC-MS data revealed that the predominant aroma components in the final powder, lemon juice, and the reconstituted product were limonene and γ-terpinene; limonene; γ-terpinene, linalool, and 1.8 cineole, respectively. The results demonstrated that spray drying (SD) using GA/MD blends improved the consolidation of bioactive compounds in powdered form.

BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS POTENTIATION AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF A PETALONIA FASCIA EXTRACT ON METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS STRAINS

The bioactive algal components that contribute to their antimicrobial properties have garnered significant attention, particularly in light of the rising incidence of antibiotic resistance. The current study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of a Petalonia fascia methanolic extract and to explore the potentiation action of extract–antibiotic combinations with the available antibiotics, as well as the effects of their mixture on multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, namely, five methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. The algal crude extract displayed antibacterial activity against all assayed isolates, with an inhibition zone ranging from 16 to 21 mm and the best spectrum of bactericidal effect with a ratio of MBC/MIC &lt; 4 obtained on the five tested bacterial strains. Amoxicillin–extract mixtures decreased the bacterial growth rate dramatically on all five S. aureus isolates in a time-dependent manner. These results indicate the ability of the extract to modulate antibiotic activity. However, the possibility of its use to solve the issue of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains and their application as therapeutic agents against infectious diseases warrants further investigation.

Multielemental determination in lubricating oil samples by microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometry after extraction induced by emulsion breaking

Extraction induced by emulsion breaking (EIEB) was studied as a strategy for the determination of Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, and Pb in used lubricating oil via microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP OES). No significant spectral and nonspectral interferences were observed in the developed method. These were evaluated as a function of the emission intensity of natural molecular species in the N2 plasma and different atomic and ionic emission lines. The time required for extraction was evaluated, and the best sensitivity for all the elements was obtained at 40 min of contact between the sample and the extraction solution in the presence of the surfactant. Doehlert matrix response surface methodology was employed to study the effects and interactions between the nitric acid (extractor) and surfactant (emulsifier) concentrations during sample preparation. The recommended conditions for 3.0 g of sample were as follows: 5.0 mL of extraction mixture consisting of 2.8 mol/L nitric acid and 3.0 % (v v−1) of the surfactant Triton X-114. The limits of quantification obtained were 2.9 (Al), 43 (Cr), 4.0 (Cu), 17 (Fe), 4.0 (Mg), 3.7 (Mn), 7.0 (Mo), 9.2 (Ni) and 45 (Pb) µg kg−1. The method developed was applied in the analyses of lubricating oil samples. The following concentration ranges (mg kg−1) were found: 2.5–106 (Al), 2.8–24.8 (Cr), 3.5–21.4 (Cu), 16.9–199 (Fe), 33.4–64.0 (Mg), 0.57–9.7 (Mn), 4.7–43 (Mo), 1.6–11.1 (Ni) and 2.0–12.6 (Pb).