Rotary Evaporator Research Articles

Quantitative analysis of quercetin in tea mistletoe (Scurrula oortiana Dans.)

Indonesia has a variety of plants that are useful as medicine. One is the Tea Mistletoe plant (Scurrula oortiana Dans.). This plant contains flavonoid compounds that are effective as antioxidants, especially in the form of quercetin. Quercetin in the tea mistletoe plant can prevent cell damage caused by free radicals, where cells need this antioxidant to avoid the harmful effects of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and prevent damage to immune cells. This study aims to analyze the levels of quercetin in Tea Mistletoe extract using quantitative analysis methods such as thin-layer chromatography and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Tea Mistletoe powder was extracted by maceration with 96% ethanol solvent and then concentrated using a rotary evaporator and water bath. The thick extract obtained was then tested for phytochemical screening and specific and non-specific parameters. Analysis of flavonoid quercetin compounds was carried out using a thin layer chromatography method using a mobile phase of a mixture of chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol with a ratio of 5:4:1 and a stationary phase of Silica Gel GF₂₅₄. Determination of flavonoid levels was carried out using UV-Vis spectrophotometry at a wavelength of 428 nm. The results of this study indicate that the Mistletoe Tea plant contains flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, saponins, phenolics, and glycosides. All test parameters meet the specified requirements. The thin layer chromatography test showed the Rf value of the Mistletoe Tea extract of 0.78. The linearity test showed a correlation value (r) = 0.9988 with a total flavonoid compound content of 372.250 mg QE/g extract, or a percentage of 37.225%.

Oral Cancer's New Enemy: Goniothalamus umbrosus Targets Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Spare Human Gingival Fibroblast Cells.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the prevailing type of oral cancer, representing poor prognosis and elevated mortality rates. Major risk factors for OSCC include the use of tobacco products, alcohol consumption, betel quid chewing, and genetic mutation. Goniothalamus umbrosus is traditionally consumed by cancer patients to fight against tumor growth. To date, research on the anticancer potential of G. umbrosus in oral cancer remains deficient. This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer potential of G. umbrosus in OSCC cell lines (SCC-15 and HSC-3) and compare its cytotoxic activity on human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cell lines. Leaves of G. umbrosus were cleaned, air dried, ground, and soaked for 24 hours with methanol and hexane repeatedly three times, respectively. Pooled extracts of each solvent were then dried with a rotary evaporator. Anticancer potential of G. umbrosus extracts was evaluated on two OSCC cell lines (SCC-15 and HSC-3) and a normal HGF cell line incubated for 24, 48, and 72 hours by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The cytotoxicity of cisplatin was assessed as a positive control. Morphological changes of cells were observed under an inverted microscope. MTT assay revealed that G. umbrosus methanol extract (GUME) displayed moderate anticancer activity on SCC-15, HSC-3, and HGF cell lines with IC50 values of 126.67, 90.5, and 87.33 µg/mL following 72 hours' incubation times, respectively. G. umbrosus hexane extract (GUHE) exerted moderate anticancer activity against SCC-15 and HSC-3 cell lines with IC50 values of 171 and 174 µg/mL, respectively, but weak cytotoxicity against the HGF cell line with IC50 value of 343.5 µg/mL. Cisplatin exerted a strong cytotoxic impact on both OSCC and HGF cell lines. Morphological observation revealed the characteristics of cells undergoing apoptosis. The findings show that GUHE was more selective in inhibiting the proliferation of oral cancer cells than GUME by exerting moderate cytotoxicity on OSCC cell lines and weak cytotoxicity in HGF cells, while GUME exerted moderate cytotoxicity on both. These findings suggest a more targeted anticancer effect by GUHE as compared with cisplatin, which exerted nonselective cytotoxic activity. These findings provide a groundwork for the development of more targeted plant-based treatment for oral cancer.

Innovative Applications of Rotary Evaporators in Vacuum-assisted Synthesis for Sustainable Chemistry

Innovative Applications of Rotary Evaporators in Vacuum-assisted Synthesis for Sustainable Chemistry

Recovery of N-Methylmorpholine N-Oxide (NMMO) in Lyocell Fibre Manufacturing Process

The lyocell process offers an environmentally friendly strategy to produce regenerated cellulose fibre from biomass. However, it is critical to recover and reuse the N-methyl-morpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) solvent to maximize the environmental benefits and lower the cost. This article reviews NMMO recovery and characterization techniques at the lab and industrial scales, and methods to limit the NMMO degradation during the process. The article also presents the results of a pilot study investigating the recovery of NMMO from lyocell manmade cellulosic fibre (L-MMCF) manufacturing wastewater. The work described includes the development of a calibration curve for the determination of NMMO content in aqueous solutions using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Successful NMMO recovery from the wastewater was achieved using a rotary evaporator: the final NMMO concentration was 50, i.e., ready for use in the lyocell process, and no NMMO degradation was observed. The knowledge in this paper will support advances in L-MMCF manufacturing and the reduction in textile environmental footprint.

Enrichment of Second Generation Ethanol Concentration Obtained from Napier Grass Pretreated with Sulfuric Acid and Hydrothermal Pretreatment

Enhancing sugar concentration is crucial for improving ethanol yield in biorefinery processes, enabling more efficient downstream recovery. This study investigates the hydrothermal pretreatment of Napier grass with 2% sulfuric acid to boost sugar recovery and ethanol production by incorporating a concentration step. After pretreatment, the liquid fractions were concentrated two-fold and four-fold through rotary evaporation and freeze-drying, resulting in a significant increase in sugar levels, with a 3.5-fold rise in sugar concentration achieved through rotary evaporation compared to unconcentrated samples. However, ethanol production was limited by elevated levels of inhibitors, such as acetic acid and furfural. The maximum ethanol concentration reached was 2.43%, from a liquid fraction concentrated four-fold. These results highlight the necessity of concentration techniques to improve sugar recovery, while also emphasizing the importance of removing inhibitors to increase ethanol yields and enhance the overall efficiency of biorefining processes.

Optimization and Characterization of Niosomal Transdermal Patch of Lornoxicam

Lornoxicam has a low solubility; therefore, its oral use is restricted due to its adverse effects on the gastric system. Hence, we intend to design a niosomal transdermal patch of Lornoxicam to improve clinical efficacy and enhance its absorption and penetration through the skin by applying surfactants. Surfactants generally improve the solubility and penetration of the active ingredients. The niosome vesicles are prepared by using the rotary film evaporation technique. The result showed that the percentage entrapment efficacy of unsonicated niosome vesicles was 70.13 ±0.2% and sonicated 72.39 ±0.02% of the optimized formulation. The sonicator apparatus reduced the size of vesicles; hence, the entrapment efficacy of sonicated formulations is greater than that of unsonicated formulations. The in vitro release of optimized niosomal patches formulations (TPF1- TPF2-TPF3) was performed for 6 hours across the egg membrane, where results showed that the maximum release of TPF1 formulation due to less thickness (121 ±1.53 μm) was 90.86%.

Vacuum evaporation optimization of Bali local honey for quality enhancement

The quality of honey is of great importance to both local and international markets, as it ensures competitive pricing and promotes human health. One crucial factor that affects honey's quality is its moisture content. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of temperature and rotation speed of evaporated vacuum on the physicochemical quality of local honey and to determine the most effective vacuum evaporated to improve honey quality. It employed a randomized complete block design comprising of two factors, such as evaporated temperatures of 60℃, 70℃, and 80℃, as well as the rotation speed of the evaporator vacuum at 80 rpm, 100 rpm, and 120 rpm. The results showed that reducing the moisture content of local honey can improve its quality significantly. Furthermore, the quality can be improved by a rotary vacuum evaporator using a temperature of 70℃ and a rotary speed of 100 rpm. The physicochemical quality showed a moisture content, ash content, reducing sugar, pH value, L*, a*, and b* of 20.978±0.335%, 0.310±0.006%, 65.460±0.135%, 3.741±0.006, 16.473±0.206, 2.447±0.105, and 1.280±0.040, respectively.

SKRINING FITOKIMIA FRAKSI AQUA DEST EKSTRAK ETANOL DAUN SALAM Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Walp.

Diabetes, hypertension, diarrhea, gastritis, and cholesterol can be reduced by Bay Leaves or Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Walp because of its properties. Knowing the Rf value (aquadest fraction of bay leaf ethanol extract) and secondary metabolite compounds (aquadest fraction) is the research's purpose. Extraction using 96% ethanol solvent with the maceration method, which will be evaporated using a rotary evaporator. Furthermore, the extract obtained will be fractionated using the liquid-liquid fractionation method. The level of polarity obtained will determine the fractionation treatment, the solvent used is aquadest. After that, the aquadest fraction screening will be carried out, and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) will later be used for confirmation testing. In this study, several experiments have been carried out on the aquadest fraction of the ethanol extract of bay leaves. The results obtained from the aquadest fraction screening are flavonoid, tannin, and saponin compounds. For the Rf value of the aquadest fraction of flavonoid compounds, the Rf value of the aquadest fraction of tannin compounds was 0.78 and the Rf value of the aquadest fraction of saponin compounds was 0.88.

Evaluation of the Anti-Psoriatic Activity of Mangifera Indica Flower Extract in Different Solvents

Mangifera indica (M.indica) is considered to be medicinal plant that belongs to ayurvedic family of plants used against numerous diseases and disorders. The objective of this research is to assess the anti-psoriatic effectiveness M.indica flower extract in various solvents. The current study was designed to formulate an anti-psoriatic spray at Fatima Tul Zahra Department of Life Sciences, Muhammad Institute of Medical & Allied Science, Multan. The M.indica flowers were collected from Multan Mango Farm and M.indica flowers extracts were prepared separately by macerated grinding of fresh flowers using different solvents (n-hexane, ethanol and olive oil) by mortar and pestle that were stored in air tight glass bottles separately for 7days before filtration through double layered muslin cloth. The filtrate (pellets) were obtained from filtered pharmaceutical product through rotary evaporator at 37°C at low pressure to prepare 5%, 10% and 20% (W/V) solutions with same solvents separately that were applied topically using sprayer bottles on psoriasis affected skin area of rabbits to evaluate the therapeutic effects keeping the patients free of any other allopathic medicines for two week. Out of 33 rabbits with mean age 34.62±5.11 years, 27 rabbits were trialed in experimental group (n=27), other than positive control (n=3) and negative control (n=3), while corticosteroid ointment and distilled water were used as standard drug for positive control and negative control groups respectively. Surprisingly in our study, 100% rabbits were recovered from psoriasis treated with olive oil flowers extract that was 33.33% of experimental group. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS version-22, based on obtained data during research trial. Lack of proper treatment and adverse effects of allopathic medicines including anticancer drugs urged the way to find the natural products with anti-psoriatic activity. The present findings suggest that the M.indica flowers extract possesses significant potential in mitigating psoriasis-related symptoms. The diverse solvents used for extraction demonstrated variations in efficacy, emphasizing the importance of solvent selection in extracting bioactive compounds.

Pomegranate Peel Extract Fortified Yogurt: Effect on Physicochemical, Microbiological and Sensory Quality of Functional Dairy Product

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating Punica granatum (pomegranate) hydroethanolic extract as a functional ingredient in yogurt on the physicochemical, sensory quality and microbiological count of freshly prepared and refrigerated stored (4°C) yogurts. Methods: Pomegranate peels were dried, ground and extracted with 70% ethanol, then concentrated using a rotary evaporator and finally lyophilized to obtain pomegranate peel powder (PPP). Yogurts were prepared using pasteurized semi-skimmed cow’s milk, with phenolic extracts of pomegranate peels added at 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg and 30.0 mg per 100 mL of milk; a control product was simultaneously prepared without such pomegranate peel extract. The physicochemical analysis included pH, acidity, syneresis and viscosity measurements. Microbiological analysis was performed to determine the viability of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus. Sensory scoring of the yogurt was carried out by 25 panelists using a 5-point scale. Result: Initial pH values of freshly prepared yogurt ranged between 4.48 and 4.64, decreasing to pH values of 4.3 and 4.15 at 21st day of refrigerated (4°C) storage. The titratable acidity of yogurt increased from initial value of 75°D for freshly prepared control product to 99°D as noted on 21st day of storage. Syneresis at the 21st of storage were 35.98%, 37.88%, 39.34%, 39.22% for yogurt samples control, experimental yogurt containing PPE of 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg and 30.0 mg respectively. The viscosity of yogurt utilizing 10.0 mg PPE peaked to value of 769.63 cP on 21st day of storage. Streptococcus thermophilus count peaked to 8.39 log CFU/g for experimental sample containing 10.0 mg of PPE as noted on 7th day of storage. Yogurt samples containing 20.0 mg and 30.0 mg of PPE received the superior overall acceptability scores over others. The extract improved yogurt’s physicochemical and sensory properties, enhancing its nutritional value and consumer acceptance.

Development of technology for obtaining an extract of Ziziphus Jujuba Mill. Fruits

Introduction. In spite of many years of experience herbal medicines for the treatment of various diseases remain relevant and in demand due to the combination of effectiveness, safety and efficiency. In the production of herbal medicines extracts obtained from plant raw materials are used on the pharmaceutical substance. Complex processing of plant raw materials is one of the ways to achieve economic efficiency of production, which is an important aspect in the development of herbal preparations. The aim of the study: to develop the complex processing technology of Ziziphus Jujuba Mill fruits using the cascade extraction method in order to obtain a plant extract as a pharmaceutical substance. Material and methods. Ziziphus Jujuba Mill. fruits were collected between October and November 2022 in “Sila Dolmena”Ltd (Gelendzhik, Russian Federation). Extraction Ziziphus Jujuba Mill. fruits was carried out on the laboratory module of the Cascade type, using battery extractors and a rotary evaporator. The following were used as extractants: liquefied subcritical carbon dioxide, 70 and 40% ethyl alcohol and purification water, which are necessary for the extraction of both lipophilic and hydrophilic components. Results. A technology for complex processing of Ziziphus Jujuba Mill. fruits by the cascade extraction method has been developed. The essence of the technology is in the sequential extraction of fruits with various extractants. By doing so, four extracts were obtained and standardized with the aim to obtain the final polyextract of Ziziphus Jujuba Mill. fruits. The kinetics of plant biologically active substances extraction was studied. Subcritical carbon dioxide extraction was used to extract lipophilic components. Flavonoids were extracted with 70% ethyl alcohol, and triterpene saponins – with 40% ethyl alcohol. The polysaccharide complex was extracted with purified water. The content of biologically active substances in the extracts obtained using extractants with successively increasing polarity was studied. Conclusion. The complex processing technology allows extracting a wide range of biologically active substances from plant raw materials. The final polyextract permits to combine all biologically active components of the Ziziphus Jujuba Mill. fruits in one medicinal product in order to expand the spectrum of its pharmacological activity. The work was carried out in accordance with the topic of the research project FGUU-2022-0011 of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants".

Development of taste-masked enteric granules containing diclofenac sodium utilizing Eudragit® E PO as a taste-masking agent

This study aimed to develop a taste-masking method for Eudragit® L 100-based enteric microparticles containing diclofenac sodium (DS) using Eudragit® E PO and to determine the optimal polymer ratio for effective taste-masking. The taste-masked enteric granules (TEGs) were fabricated via rotary evaporation with dichloromethane as the solvent, with enteric microparticle-to-Eudragit® E PO weight ratios of 1:0.1, 1:0.25, 1:0.5, and 1:1. Reducing the polymer ratio to 0.1 caused enteric microparticles to disperse independently from the polymer, while higher ratios embedded them in the polymeric carrier. To evaluate the taste-masking efficiency of TEGs, drug release in 10-mL simulated salivary fluid (SSF) was tested. The results revealed that increasing the polymer ratio enhanced the inhibition of drug release in SSF, indicating improved taste masking. However, in the in vitro drug dissolution in a two-stage biorelevant medium, TEGs with high polymer ratios of 1 and 0.5 released only 69.80±1.47% and 78.87±1.21% of DS after 3 h in the buffer stage dissolution, while TEGs with lower polymer ratios of 0.25 and 0.1 exhibited higher drug release percentages of 92.61±1.23% and 97.14±0.58%, respectively. From this study, the optimal enteric particle-to-Eudragit® E PO ratio was 1:0.25, effectively masking the bitter taste of DS while minimally affecting drug release in a gastrointestinal-mimicking environment.

Dihydromyricetin/montmorillonite intercalation compounds ameliorates DSS-induced colitis: Role of intestinal epithelial barrier, NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and gut microbiota.

Dihydromyricetin (DHM), the primary active compound in vine tea possesses various pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, along with high biosafety. However, its oral delivery remains a significant challenge. Montmorillonite (MMT), the primary component of bentonite, is a commonly used drug in the clinical treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and serves as an excellent drug carrier due to its intercalation capability. In this study, we intercalated DHM into the interlayer spaces of MMT via solution intercalation method combined with rotary evaporation and used it to treat ulcerative colitis in mice. SEM, XRD, and FTIR analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of the DHM/MMT intercalation compound. In vitro studies shown that DHM/MMT eliminated intracellular ROS and suppressed inflammatory genes IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Moreover, DHM/MMT demonstrated notable therapeutic effects in ulcerative colitis (UC) mice, significantly restoring the intestinal mucosa. Importantly, the therapeutic mechanism of DHM/MMT is closely linked to the inhibition of the NLRP3 signaling pathway. Additionally, this strategy modulated gut microbiota by increasing probiotics and suppressing harmful bacteria, thereby maintaining intestinal homeostasis. In conclusion, DHM/MMT presents a promising strategy for UC treatment.

Bilastine-Loaded Transethosome Based Nanogel for the Treatment of Allergic Reactions: An In vitro Characterization

Objective: The goal of the current study was to formulate and evaluate bilastine-loaded transethosomal nanogel. Bilastine has 60% oral bioavailability, which restricts the rate of absorption and dissolution and classifies it under BCS class II drugs, which can be overcome by incorporating bilastine in transethosomal nanogel formulation in the treatment of urticaria. Methods: Bilastine-loaded transethosomes were prepared using a thin film hydration method with different proportions of Tween 80 and ethanol by using a rotary evaporator and incorporated into a transethosomal gel using Carbopol 934 as a polymer by dispersion method. Results: The bilastine-loaded transethosomal formulation was optimized by using the “Box Behnken design” and evaluated for various parameters. The optimized formulation was found to be stable, as determined by the zeta potential of −27.0 mV and polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.167, and vesicle size was found to be 183nm and exhibiting the maximum entrapment efficiency of up to 80.23%. The drug content of the transethosomal gel was found to be 81.56%. The best results were obtained with a transethosomal gel prepared with 1% Carbopol 934 (TF7G2). The optimized batch showed prolonged in-vitro release of bilastine for 8 hrs. Ex vivo skin permeation studies showed 76.23 ± 2.63% permeation in comparison with plain gel. Conclusion: Transethosomal nanogel batches were optimized based on drug content, viscosity, uniformity of drug content, zeta potential, spreadability, pH, drug release, and stability testing, exhibiting good results. The results of this investigation showed that the transethosomal nanogel loaded with bilastine might be used to improve bilastine delivery through the skin with greater bioavailability.

Optimizing Fermentation Parameters for Bioethanol Production from Areca Nut Leaves using Artificial Neural Networks and Response Surface Methodologies

The research covered the entire process, from collecting the Areca nut leaves to purifying the produced bioethanol. Materials and Methods: The Areca nut leaves were pre-treated with sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis using cellulose enzymes. The hydrolyzed biomass was then fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 12–72 h to produce bioethanol. The produced bioethanol was purified through distillation using a rotary flask evaporator. To optimize the fermentation process and bioethanol production, the researchers employed two modeling approaches: Artificial neural networks (ANN) and response surface methodology (RSM). Variables such as pH, fermentation time, and disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4) concentration, identified from the Plackett- Burman design, were optimized using the central composite design of RSM. Results and Discussion: The R² value for the RSM model was 91.72%, and the adjusted R² was 84.72%. In addition, an ANN algorithm model with 3 input neurons, 10 hidden layer neurons, and 1 output neuron was developed to investigate the relationship between bioethanol production and fermentation parameters. The ANN model achieved an R² of 99.78%, indicating higher accuracy and reliability compared to the RSM approach. The optimal conditions for bioethanol production were identified as pH 5.5, 60 h fermentation time, and 0.45 g of Na2HPO4. Under these conditions, the experimental bioethanol concentration reached 36.54 g/L. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the effective utilization of Areca nut leaves, a readily available agricultural waste, to produce bioethanol. The combination of statistical and machine learning techniques, such as ANN and RSM, allowed for the optimization of the fermentation process and the enhancement of bioethanol yield, showcasing the potential of this approach for sustainable biofuel production.

Fabrication of Ruthenium-Based Cathode Material/Solid Electrolyte Composites

Introduction Oxide-based all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) are considered safe due to their chemical stability and are attracting attention as a power source for electric vehicles (EVs). Because the driving range of EVs is not sufficient compared to conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, ASSBs with higher capacities are required. To overcome the above issue, it is necessary to adopt the electrode material having high energy density such as Li-rich layered oxides, or to increase the amount of active material in the cell. The positive electrode of an ASSB needs to be a composite of electrode material and solid electrolyte to ensure ionic conductive pathways. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the ratio of active material in the composite cathode to improve energy density in the battery. Previously, the ASSB with positive electrode composed of only active material without any conductive additive was reported for Ru containing oxide, Li2Ru0.8S0.2O3.2 [1], having high electronic and ionic conductivity. Therefore, we focused on the Ru containing Li-rich layered oxide, Li2RuO3 and Li2Mn0.4Ru0.6O3. The garnet-type solid electrolyte was selected as an oxide solid electrolyte due to its high ionic conductivity and the reductive tolerance to Li metal having a large capacity of 3860 mAh g–1. The high stiffness of the oxide solid electrolytes leads to a decrease in the contact area and prevents the formation of a superior electrode/electrolyte interface only by mixing and applying pressure, which hinders the operation of ASSBs. To lower the resistance of the interface, the co-firing of cathode material and solid electrolyte is required. However, side reactions associated with co-firing are an issue. Li2TiO3 as a buffer layer was introduced between the cathode material and the solid electrolyte to suppress side reactions. Li2TiO3 has a similar structure to Li2RuO3, which is expected to improve sinterability by a partial substitution. The co-firing of the cathode materials and the garnet-type solid electrolyte and the effect in the suppression of side reactions using buffer layers will be presented. Experimental Li2RuO3 and LMRO were used as cathode materials, Li6.25Ga0.25La3Zr2O12 (LLZ-Ga) as a solid electrolyte, and Li2TiO3 as a buffer layer. The buffer layer was introduced into the cathode surface by solid-phase and liquid-phase methods. LiOH-H2O and TiO2 were mixed and sintered with the cathode material in the solid-phase method. LiOH-H2O and tetra n-butyl titanate monomer were weighed and dissolved in ethanol separately in the liquid-phase method. Each solution and the cathode material were mixed and stirred overnight, then dried at 60 ºC in a rotary evaporator. The resultant powder was pelletized by uniaxial press and then heated at 800 ºC for 5 hours in an oxygen atmosphere. The electrochemical property of the cathode material with the buffer layer was confirmed by a constant-current charge-discharge test using a coin cell. The cathode composite composed of the cathode material (with buffer layer) and the solid electrolyte was fabricated by co-firing at 600-800ºC after the mixing by hand or ball mill. The obtained samples were subjected to phase identification by X-ray diffraction. The reaction process was observed by SEM observation and EDX composition analysis. All-solid-state cells were fabricated by a uniaxial press using the obtained sample as the positive electrode, Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5 as the solid electrolyte, which has excellent ion conductivity and can easily form a good interface simply by applying pressure, and Li-In alloy as the negative electrode. Constant current charge-discharge tests were performed on the fabricated all-solid-state cells. Results and discussion X-ray diffraction and EDX analysis confirmed that the impurity phase of La2Li(RuO6) formed by co-firing the cathode material and LLZ-Ga. Therefore, the buffer layer was introduced by the solid-phase and liquid-phase methods. In the solid-phase method, Li2TiO3 was not distributed uniformly on the particle surface of the cathode material. In the liquid-phase method, Li2TiO3 covered the cathode surface more uniformly and thinner than that formed in the solid-phase method. Both Li2RuO3 and LMRO retained their original structure, while the lattice parameter of LMRO changed, indicating that LMRO formed the solid solution with Li2TiO3. No inter-diffusion of lanthanum and ruthenium between the cathode material with buffer layer and LLZ-Ga was observed in the EDX analysis. It suggests that the introduction of a buffer layer suppressed the inter-diffusion. The cathode composite co-fired did not exhibit the discharge capacity in the charge-discharge test using the all-solid-state cell. It is attributed to the low conductivity derived from the low sinter ability of the cathode composite.[1] K. Nagao et al., Sci. Adv. 2020; 6 : eaax7236 (2020). Acknowledgements This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP22H04615.

Development of Fe/N/C Type Oxygen Reduction Catalysts Using Carbon Supports Derived from Cellulose Paper by a Microwave Method

Introduction Effective utilization of abundant forest resources is crucial in Japan, which has vast forest reserves. Cellulose, which constitutes half of plants, has recently garnered attention as a novel material, such as cellulose nanofiber. Kyotani et al. reported that high-yield carbon materials retaining the original shape can be obtained by high-temperature treatment of cellulose-based paper treated with methanesulfonic acid1.We have been preparing Fe/N/C oxygen reduction catalysts using the carbon materials prepared by the method as a support; however, the oxygen reduction activity was insufficient. This study aimed to enhance the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity by employing the microwave method for the preparation of carbon supports, synthesis of catalyst precursors, and drying treatment. Experimental Cellulose paper (toilet paper (TP), Nippon Paper Crecia) was immersed in 1.0 M methanesulfonic acid and air-dried for more than two days in a container with a filter attached to the top. The air-dried sample was sandwiched between two carbon plates, placed in an electric furnace, and heat-treated at 800°C for 1 h under Ar atmosphere with a heating rate of 5.5°C/min to obtain a carbonized sample. The sample was heat-treated using microwave oven (ER-SS17A, TOSHIBA) (denoted as MWtre). The sample was pulverized into carbon powder, mixed with 1,10-phenanthroline monohydrate, zinc acetate dihydrate, iron(II) acetate, and Milli-Q water, and heated and stirred for 30 min. Subsequently, the catalyst precursor slurry was obtained by heating using a microwave oven (RE-S5C-W, SHARP) (denoted as MWref). The obtained catalyst precursor slurry was dried using a microwave oven (ER-SS17A, TOSHIBA) to obtain the catalyst precursor (denoted as MWdry). The heat treatment was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, the catalyst precursor was placed in a SUS316 sealed container, replaced with Ar, heated to 800°C at 14°C/min, and then quenched to room temperature to prepare an intermediate material. In the second stage, the intermediate material was placed on a quartz boat and heat-treated at 1050°C for 20 min under Ar flow to obtain the catalyst.The oxygen reduction activity of the prepared catalyst was evaluated using the rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) method. A 2.00 mg/mL catalyst-2-propanol suspension, prepared by sonication and shaking, was cast on the GC electrode of a Pt ring-glassy carbon (GC) disk electrode (φ 6 mm), air-dried, and then 0.1 wt% Nafion® was cast and air-dried to prepare a catalyst-modified electrode. The evaluation of ORR activity was performed in 0.1 M sulfuric acid using the modified electrode as the working electrode, a GC electrode as the counter electrode, and RHE as the reference electrode. Results and discussion Fig. 1 shows the polarization curve and the efficiency of four-electron reduction (%H2O) obtained by the RRDE method. For comparison, the results for the catalyst prepared using the conventional method (refluxing for 24 hours followed by drying using a rotary evaporator) are also shown in Fig. 1 (quoted as EVAdry). The onset potential (@0.1 mA mg−1) derived from the oxygen reduction reaction was improved by 0.012 V compared to the conventional method. The efficiency of 4-electron reduction (@0.6 V vs. RHE) was improved by 8.9 – 21.1% compared to the conventional method. References (1) M. Kyotani, K. Hiratani, T. Okada, S. Matsushita, and K. Akagi, Global Challenges, 1, 1700061 (2017). Figure 1

Upscaling co-amorphous formulation of naringin-quinacrine dihydrochloride translating from laboratory to pilot scale using spray drying for improved physicochemical and mechanical properties

The current work focuses on improving the poor physicochemical and mechanical properties of naringin (NRN) and quinacrine dihydrochloride (QDH) by formulating a co-amorphous system where the properties of individual drugs complement each other. Additionally, an attempt was made to evaluate the effectiveness of spray-drying in scaling up the stable co-amorphous formulations produced by lab-scale process like rotary evaporation. Analytical processes including PXRD, DSC, SEM, and FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the amorphization of NRN-QDH and molecular interactions between two. A significant enhancement in the NRN solubility along with 10 &19-folds improvement in dissolution rate was observed in FaSSGF & FaSSIF. The flow properties and compression behaviour of QDH were improved in the resultant co-amorphous formulation as confirmed by the micromeritics and Heckel analysis. These positive results encourage further investigation of the preclinical studies to prove the pharmacokinetic and dynamic benefits of this combination and their successful transfer to clinical applications.

Use of Marine Microorganisms in the Production of Bioactive Materials for the Pharmaceutical Industry

The global pharmaceutical industry is constantly looking for new resources that can be used to develop bioactive ingredients to produce more effective and innovative medicines. One resource that has attracted the attention of researchers is marine microorganisms (UGM, 2017; Wiganti, 2022). The ocean, which covers more than 70% of the Earth's surface, is an ecosystem rich in biodiversity, including microorganisms that are unique and rarely found in terrestrial environments. This research aims to explore and identify marine microorganisms that have potential in the production of bioactive materials for pharmaceutical applications. Based on the results of this study, only Extract I showed significant inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus, while Extract II had almost no inhibition. Table 2 shows the results of the study indicating that the inhibition of seaweed extracts was absent. Gracillaria sp. seaweed extracts evaporated through a rotary vacuum evaporator and seaweed extracts evaporated through an oven had no inhibition. This study showed that bioactive compounds prepared through extraction using vacuum evaporator had greater inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus. This suggests that marine microorganisms can be a source of bioactive ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry.

Isolation of methyl caffeate and flacourtin from Flacourtia jangomas with comprehensive in-vitro and in-vivo pharmacological evaluation

BackgroundFlacourtia jangomas, the Indian Coffee Plum or Indian Plum, is a medicinal plant found in Bangladesh and South Asia. Renowned for its potential as a source of bioactive compounds, this plant has garnered attention for its diverse therapeutic applications. This study aims to isolate phytochemicals and investigate the biological properties of methanol extracts from the bark of Flacourtia jangomas. Material and methodsThe dried coarse plant powder was extracted with methanol and dried with a rotary evaporator. Then, the plant extract was subjected to phytochemical screening using various test reagents. Furthermore, extracts were investigated for isolating and characterizing chemical compounds and some of their biological activities. ResultsThe chloroform fraction of the methanolic extract of Flacourtia jangomas (MEFJ) yielded methyl caffeate and flacourtin, the first ever reported from this plant. Secondary metabolites were found via phytochemical screening, and total phenolic content was assessed. MEFJ was compared to BHT in the DPPH experiment for antioxidant potential. The brine shrimp lethality assay showed MEFJ's greater cytotoxicity than vincristine sulfate. Compared to streptokinase, increasing concentration increased thrombolytic activity and clot lysis. Compared to ciprofloxacin, F. jangomas did not exhibit substantial antibacterial activity (P < 0.001). The antifungal activity is not significant compared to Griseofulvin under the same conditions (P < 0.001). MEFJ stabilized membranes better than diclofenac sodium. The 400 mg/kg group inhibited acetic acid-induced analgesia by 70.32 %, but the control group did not. MEFJ at 200 mg/kg relieved pain better than the reference drug and 400 mg/kg in the hot plate test. This indicates the need for additional research. ConclusionFlacourtia jangomas is a potential candidate for bioactive compounds, and further studies on the isolation and characterization of its bioactive compounds are highly required.