Physicochemical Evaluation Research Articles

Physicochemical evaluation of sodium hydroxide solutions for lactic acid determinations in milk

Physicochemical evaluation of sodium hydroxide solutions for lactic acid determinations in milk

Formulation of Herbal Tooth Powder Employing Quercus infectoria as a Potential Agent for Oral Care and Microbial Infections

Herbal remedies for oral care are increasingly popular due to their safety, affordability, and compatibility with the mouth's natural bacterial balance. This study develops and evaluates herbal tooth powder using Quercus infectoria (oak galls), Triphala (Amla, Haritaki, Bibhitaki), Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), black salt, and calcium carbonate to prevent oral infections. The objective was to create an effective alternative to conventional dental products. The tooth powder was formulated and tested through physicochemical, rheological, microbiological, patch, and sensory evaluations. The pH level of 5 is ideal for oral applications, balancing effective hygiene and gentleness. Physicochemical evaluations show a moisture content of 1.64% (indicating stability and low microbial risk), an ash value of 0.58% (acceptable limits), and a bulk density of 4g/ml (ensuring good flow and consistent dosing). The effective minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.1 mg/ml highlights the active compounds' potency in inhibiting bacterial growth. Key findings showed it had strong antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Tannic acid from Quercus infectoria was effective against oral infections, while Triphala and Liquorice added antibacterial benefits and improved flavour. This study underscores the potential of herbal tooth powders as a natural, effective solution for oral hygiene and infection prevention.

Physicochemical evaluation and sensory profiling of protein-crosslinked instant noodles enriched with particle size-fractionated banana peel powder

In this study, the impact of varying particle size fractions—namely fine, medium, and coarse fractions—of banana peel powder (BPP) on the physicochemical properties and sensory profiles of transglutaminase-induced protein-crosslinked instant noodles was investigated. Gravimetric measurements revealed that BPP incorporation led to higher ash and total dietary fiber content. Tensile force evaluations of cooked noodles demonstrated that fine BPP crosslinked noodles exhibited superior tensile strength, while crosslinked noodles with coarse BPP maintained similar tensile force to non-crosslinked wheat noodles. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a denser surface within the noodle samples. Enzymatic crosslinking increased β-sheet protein secondary structures, while BPP incorporation reduced the short-range ordered starch structure. BPP also influenced color properties, with greater lightness reduction observed in medium and coarse BPP fractions. Sensory evaluations indicated that consumers favored noodles containing fine BPP particles over the medium and coarse BPP fractions, as revealed by hedonic sensory evaluation. Additionally, penalty analysis of sensory data obtained from the check-all-that-apply method highlighted favorable and unfavorable sensory attributes of the noodles. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for the development of healthier instant noodle products.

Modification and Physicochemical Evaluation of Naque Nazla a Unani Infusion Preparation for Cold and Flu into Soluble Granules

Modification and Physicochemical Evaluation of Naque Nazla a Unani Infusion Preparation for Cold and Flu into Soluble Granules

Formulation and Physicochemical Evaluation of Anti-Ageing Polyherbal Powdered Facial Mask

Formulation and Physicochemical Evaluation of Anti-Ageing Polyherbal Powdered Facial Mask

Physico-chemical evaluation of mozzarella cheese prepared from blends of cow and buffalo milk

Physico-chemical evaluation of mozzarella cheese prepared from blends of cow and buffalo milk

Formulation and evaluation of herbal shampoo

The main objective of these study is to evaluate and formulate herbal shampoo. Shampoo are one of the cosmetic products used in daily life. Synthetic preservatives and detergents have sometimes been the cause of adverse effects among consumers. A more radical approach in reducing the synthetic ingredients is by incorporating natural ingredients whose functionality is comparable with their synthetic ingredients. The ingredients used in formulation of Herbal Shampoo are Ficus Religiosa leaves (Powder), Hibiscus Leaves (Powder), Reetha (Powder), Shikakai (Powder), Aloevera, then prepared by mixing with each other and evaluated for its organoleptic and physio-chemical characteristics and performance tests in terms of wetting time test, pH, solid contents, surface tension, dirt dispersion, foam Stability, and Viscosity was performed. The combination of several such ingredient of herbal origin has made it possible to secure highly effective dry powder shampoo. The formulation at laboratory scale was done and evaluated for number of parameters to ensure its safety and efficacy The Formulated Herbal Shampoo was clear and good appealing. It demonstrated good froth stability, detergency, good cleansing, small bubble size, low surface strain, and execution of good conditioning property. The physicochemical evaluation of the formulated shampoo showed ideal results. However, to improve its quality, product performance, and safety, further development was required.

Formulation and Physicochemical Evaluation of Spray Gel Containing Cordyline fruticosa L. Leaf Extract for Topical Delivery

Spray gel is a gel system applied through a spray pump, producing small or large liquid droplets. Cordyline fruticosa (L.) A. Cheval, commonly known as Andong Merah, is a plant with various medicinal properties, including wound healing activity attributed to its flavonoid content. This research aimed to formulate and evaluate the physicochemical properties of a spray gel containing Cordyline fruticosa leaf extract for topical delivery, focusing on the effects of different concentrations of Carbopol 940 as a gelling agent and sorbitol as a humectant. Cordyline fruticosa leaf extract was obtained by maceration using 96% ethanol. Three spray gel formulations were prepared, varying the concentrations of Carbopol 940 (0.4 g, 0.6 g, and 0.8 g) and sorbitol (5 ml, 7.5 ml, and 10 ml). The prepared spray gels were then subjected to physicochemical evaluation, including organoleptic tests (color, odor, and consistency), homogeneity tests, pH measurements, viscosity measurements, spray pattern analysis, and adhesion tests. All spray gel formulations exhibited acceptable physicochemical properties. The formulations were homogeneous, with a pH within the acceptable range for topical applications. The viscosity and adhesion properties varied with the concentrations of Carbopol 940 and sorbitol. The spray pattern analysis revealed a circular spread pattern, with the pressure required for spraying influenced by the viscosity of the formulation. The spray gel formulations containing Cordyline fruticosa leaf extract demonstrated good physicochemical qualities, indicating their potential suitability for topical delivery. Further studies are recommended to optimize the formulation for enhanced stability and therapeutic efficacy.

Dual drug molecular salt of antibacterial: Formulation, physicochemical properties study, theoretical calculations and evaluation of antibacterial activity

A molecular salt combined with the fluoroquinolone antibacterial gatifloxacin (GAT) and the sulfonamides antibacterial sulfamerazine (SMZ) is designed and synthesized successfully, which is the first report of the dual-drug cocrystallization of gatifloxacin. The precise structure of the acquired molecule salt GAT-SMZ has been characterized via single crystal X-ray diffraction and other techniques. Single crystal diffraction analysis displays that due to the transfer of protons from SMZ to GAT, the molecular salt of GAT-SMZ is formed, and the supramolecular network is dominated by charge-assisted one-dimensional hydrogen bond chain and two-dimensional accumulation layer in the crystal. Such structural feature endows molecular salt with superior physicochemical properties, including enhanced solubility and permeability. More importantly, the superior pharmaceutical performances of the dual-drug salt resulted in enhanced antibacterial activity against the tested strains. These observations are strongly supported by theoretical studies based on Hirshfeld surface and molecular docking analyses. Thus, this contribution not only highlights the validity of combining theory with experiment to drive the problem of physicochemical properties of drugs through co-crystallization methods, but also fills in the previous studies gatifloxacin dual-drug salt synergistic antibacterial research blank.

Standardization of Recipes and Storage Behaviour of Value-Added Products from Knol-Khol (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes L.)

Knol-khol (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes L.) is one of the most important cruciferous vegetable crops which belongs to the family Brassicaceae. Knol-khol is a fast growing, cool season vegetable cultivated primarily for its enlarged stem called ‘knob’ which is rich in nutritional components, especially vitamin A, C, minerals and is also a good source of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron and sodium. To exploit its high nutritional as well as antioxidant properties and also to ensure its year around availability, it needs value addition. Therefore, in the current investigation, value added products viz., nectar and squash were prepared from Knol-khol. Four recipes of prepared nectar and squash were subjected to physico-chemical and sensory evaluation soon after preparation and at 90 days of storage. During the storage, a slight increase in pH, TSS and total sugars, a considerable rise in reducing sugars, but a slight decrease in acidity and also a considerable decrease in non-reducing sugars and ascorbic acid was recorded in various treatments of nectar and squash. The treatments K2N2 (15% pulp, 15˚B), and K1T2 (25% pulp, 45˚B TSS) among different recipes of nectar and squash respectively were found to be the best on the basis of their physico-chemical and organoleptic evaluation. These findings suggest that specific compositional parameters significantly influence the quality and acceptability of fruit-based beverages during storage.

Discovery of Enantiopure (S)-Methoprene Derivatives as Potent Biochemical Pesticide Candidates.

(S)-Methoprene has been widely applied as a powerful biochemical pesticide to control disease vectors and other pestiferous arthropods of economic importance. As a juvenile hormone analogue, many products based on (S)-methoprene are developed and commercialized in the USA, Europe, and elsewhere. However, the agricultural use of (S)-methoprene and its analogues remains underexplored. Here, based on an intermediate derivatization strategy and structural modification, a series of enantiopure (S)-methoprene derivatives were designed for their expected bioactivity against two crop-threatening pests. Six compounds showed more than 2-fold stronger inhibition of emergence against Plutella xylostella than (S)-methoprene, among which one that was designated as B2 showed even superior activity to the conventional chemical pesticide and biopesticide with IE50 of 0.02 mg/L. Nine compounds exhibited over 2-fold higher bioactivity against Aphis craccivora growth than (S)-methoprene. The physicochemical property evaluation and toxicological test showed that the potent (S)-methoprene derivatives were low toxic to the nontarget organism and the environment. Molecular docking studies further demonstrated that the high bioactivity of B2 may be partially attributed to its great affinity for binding to juvenile hormone receptors of P. xylostella. The current study suggests that B2 is a biochemical pesticide candidate with potency to be developed as a new agrochemical for lepidopteran control.

Mineral profile determination by ICP-MS and physicochemical evaluation of cultivated and wild Algerian Opuntia species

Mineral profile determination by ICP-MS and physicochemical evaluation of cultivated and wild Algerian Opuntia species

Physicochemical and biological evaluation of ‘click’ synthesized vinyl epoxide-chitosan film for active food packaging

Chitosan (Cs) being a natural biopolymer serves as an excellent template to construct active packaging materials for achieving sustainable development. In this study, Cs was chemically modified via epoxide ring opening click reaction using vinyl epoxide to obtain a novel chitosan vinyl epoxide (Cs-VE) derivative with hydroxyl and olefinic functional groups. The Cs-VE transparent film was fabricated through the eco-friendly solution casting technique. A meticulous investigation into the chemical structure and physicochemical properties of the synthesized films was conducted using FT-IR, 1H NMR and XRD analyses. The thermal stability and homogeneity of the film were verified by thermogram and FE-SEM images respectively. Improved mechanical properties (tensile strength of 24.64 MPa and 12.08 % elongation at break) and excellent UV-light blocking ability (9.3 % transmittance at 350 nm and 22.15 % transparency at 600 nm) were observed. Also, important parameters such as water vapor permeability (WVP), swelling degree, water solubility and UV-barrier properties were found to be adequate for food packaging application. Similarly, enhanced antioxidant activity with 27.2 % and 73.6 % radical scavenging against DPPH and ABTS radicals respectively was observed for the synthesized Cs-VE film. The film showed antimicrobial activity against both bacteria and fungi. These results along with food packaging studies on Grewia asiatica fruit established the developed Cs-VE film as a suitable candidate for active food packaging application.

Choline chloride-Urea based deep eutectic Solvent: Characterization, interfacial behavior and Synergism in binary (surfactant) systems

The paper focusses on the synthesis and characterization of choline chloride: urea (molar ratio 1:2) DES. The influence of the varying DES concentration on the surface and interfacial behavior of low-concentration commercial surfactant (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide) was examined. The incorporation of DES into the surfactant solution resulted in an augmentation of electrophoretic mobility and absolute zeta potential values, indicative of enhanced surfactant adsorption at the interface. Sessile drop measurements demonstrated the capacity of binary mixture to modify the wettability of sandstone from intermediate-wet state to water-wet condition. In summary, physicochemical evaluation revealed the capability of DES to augment the self-assembly and wetting behavior of surfactant at low concentrations (below critical micelle concentration). The observed phenomenon in these solvents primarily finds utility in nanoscience, drug delivery systems, colloids, catalysis, and applications in many other fields.

Exploring variations in quality parameters of Theobroma cacao L.beans from Eastern Amazonia

The cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao L.) is a native crop of the tropical forests of Central America and the Amazon. It plays an important role in the economy of producing regions; however, the infrastructure remains incipient, leading to inadequate processing practices and affecting the quality of the cocoa beans. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the quality of 55 samples of Amazonian cocoa beans produced in five regions of state of Pará (Lower Tocantins River, Northeast, West, Southeast, and Trans-Amazon) through physical and physicochemical evaluations (proteins, lipids, moisture, ash, pH, acidity, and water activity), and a questionnaire with producers about fermentation and drying practices. This was followed by physical, physicochemical, antioxidant capacity, quantification of total polyphenols, and bioactive compound evaluations. According to the physical evaluation, the samples met the acceptable commercial standard, but the cut test results showed a lack of standardization in the pre-processing of cocoa beans according to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). Among the physicochemical parameters, moisture was within the limit tolerated by legislation, and only lipids showed significant differences. Regarding antioxidant capacity, total polyphenols, and bioactive compounds, only the bioactive compounds showed significant differences, with the Lower Tocantins River region exhibiting higher values for all studied compounds. Inadequate processing practices, such as poor fermentation and drying, may lead to quality deficiencies in cocoa beans. Therefore, this study emphasizes the need for characterization of commercial cocoa beans, as well as standardization in the pre-processing of these beans. It also highlights potential variations in the quality of the beans among producing regions, owing to the vast territorial expanse of Pará, diverse cultivation conditions, variety of cocoa trees, and different methods of cocoa bean pre-processing.

Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Evaluation of Drinking Water Points in the Manianga District, Commune of Djiri (Brazzaville-North) and the Commune of Kintélé (Pool Department), Republic of Congo

Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Evaluation of Drinking Water Points in the Manianga District, Commune of Djiri (Brazzaville-North) and the Commune of Kintélé (Pool Department), Republic of Congo

Physico-chemical and Biosafety Evaluations of a Polyurethane Carrier Used for Bevacizumab

Physico-chemical and Biosafety Evaluations of a Polyurethane Carrier Used for Bevacizumab

Clarification of apple juice using cold plasma treated mixed cellulose esters membrane: flux modeling, membrane fouling, and juice physicochemical properties evaluation

This study aimed to clarify apple juice using unmodified and low-pressure cold plasma (gas: air, power: 10 W, and exposure time: 180 s) surface-modified mixed cellulose esters (MCE) microfiltration membranes. The effect of feed pressure (20, 40, and 60 kPa), feed flow rate (10, 15, and 20 mL/s), and feed temperature (27 and 40°C) on the permeate flux was evaluated using response surface methodology (RSM). The binary interaction of feed pressure and temperature and the second-order (non-linear) interaction of feed pressure and flow rate had a significant effect on the permeate flux (P<0.05). Generally, the process at 60 kPa, 15 mL/s, and 40 °C resulted in the maximum permeate flux. The cold plasma surface modification of the MCE membrane increased the permeate flux by about 45% at the optimum process conditions. Evaluation of membrane fouling showed that the cake formation was the predominant membrane fouling mechanism during both membrane processing. The physicochemical properties evaluation revealed that the surface-modified membrane produced clarified apple juice with antioxidant activity, reducing sugars, total sugars, phenolic, and vitamin C contents about 18.87%, 12.9%, 15.49%, 24.53%, and 45.15% more than clarified apple juice produced with unmodified MCE membrane, respectively.

Wet-chemical preparation and physicochemical characterization of nanostructured Zn-Bi2O3/CeO2 composite: A visible-light-driven catalyst for the annihilation of pharmaceutical pollutant

A modified co-precipitation technique assisted with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant was used to synthesize a nanostructured and zinc-doped mixed metal oxide (Zn-Bi2O3/CeO2) composite. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD), the synthesized nanocomposite was studied in terms of its crystal structure, grain size, percentage crystallinity, and percentage porosity. Energy dispersive X-ray elemental analysis (EDX) was used to ascertain the chemical composition, SEM to confirm the creation of nanostructure material, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to extract the existing functional groups. Investigation of light harvesting properties (UV/Vis) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) reveals that the doped composite exhibits a band gap driven by visible light and remarkable thermal stability at high temperatures. The pH value at which a material's net charge is zero, known as pHpzc, is 7.93 for the doped mixed metal oxide composite. The Zn-Bi2O3/CeO2 nanocomposite effectively eliminates 98.4 percent of the quinolone antibiotic (levofloxacin) via a mechanism that integrates sorption and photocatalytic degradation induced by visible light. To determine the optimal circumstances for the efficient operation of a photocatalyst, we experimented with different time intervals, beginning drug concentrations, catalyst dosages, operating temperatures, and pH levels. Reusability tests and post-activity FTIR analysis were used to investigate the long-term usability and structural stability of the newly developed doped composite photocatalyst. The scavenging tests revealed a potential photocatalytic mechanism to explain the annihilation of the levofloxacin drug on the synthesized catalyst. The physicochemical and photocatalytic evaluations recommend that the assembled integrated material has excellent potential for mineralizing medicinal products in pharmaceutical wastes.

Study on ultrasound-assisted extraction of cold brew coffee using physicochemical, flavor, and sensory evaluation

Cold brew coffee is popular with consumers due to its simple preparation and unique taste. However, traditional cold brew coffee extraction is time consuming and inefficient, which can be improved by ultrasound-assisted extraction to enhance the product market potential. In this study, the flavor profiles and sensory differences of coffee prepared at three different ultrasonic temperatures, as well as traditional cold brew and hot brew coffee, were evaluated by consumer-based sensory evaluation, Rate-All-That-Apply, combined with the determination of the content of volatile and non-volatile components. The results showed that ultrasound assisted cold brew coffee prepared at 25 °C had a good extraction effect, with chlorogenic acid (CGA) and organic acid contents of 1.05 mg/mL and 0.97 mg/mL, respectively, which were higher than the traditional cold brew coffee obtained after 12 h of preparation, with contents of 0.53 mg/mL and 0.85 mg/mL, respectively. And the total content of volatile compounds can almost reach the results of traditional cold brew for 12 h, which were 1.25 mg/kg and 1.42 mg/kg, respectively. Sensory evaluation indicated that ultrasonic treatment enhanced the sensory attributes such as nutty and cocoa flavors in the coffee. Consumers preferred the cold brew coffee obtained via ultrasound-assisted extraction. These samples presented higher levels of sweetness, floral, and fruity flavors, which were associated with 2,5-Dimethyl-3-(2-methylpropyl)pyrazine, 2,3-Dimethyl-5-(3-methylbutyl)pyrazine, (S)-(+)-4-sec-Butylpyrazole, and styrene. In this study, we demonstrated that ultrasound-assisted extraction can help reduce the time to prepare cold brew coffee and make it possible to commercialize ultrasound-assisted cold brew coffee.