Use Of Agar Research Articles

Formulation, Evaluation and Development of Herbal Handwash by Using Hingan Extract for Antimicrobial Activity (Balanite Aegyptiaca)

Bacterial infections are maximum not unusual among human beings, requiring full-size interest for treatment also preserving for wholesome pores and skin. a few herbal vegetation extract and their oil had been located to have antibacterial and antimicrobial pastime the purpose and goal of present examine are to formulate antimicrobial herbal hand wash the usage of Balanites aegyptiaca. The antimicrobial interest and the organized method become tested the use of agar nicely diffusion method (streak plate method) against organism E. coli and that they showcase appropriate antimicrobial activity. The prepared components became evaluated for numerous physicochemical parameters for which right traits have been found. The easy availability of plant and their effectiveness allows manufacturer with value effective benefits and with less or no facet results.

A dual strategy of Na+/vacancy disorder and high Na to construct a P2-type cathode for high-stability sodium-ion batteries.

P2-type layered oxides are widely regarded as highly promising contenders for cathode materials in sodium-ion batteries. However, the occurrence of severe reactive phase transitions hinders satisfactory cycling stability and rate performance, thereby imposing limitations on their practical application. Here we prepared P2-type Na0.75Ni0.23Mg0.1Mn0.67O2 cathode materials using the agar gel approach. The use of agar reduces the synthesis time significantly, and the high Na content enhances the stability of the structure and contributes to its capacity. Meanwhile, the introduction of electrochemically inactive Mg ions into sodium layers not only disrupts the Na+/vacancy ordering, but also increases the spacing between sodium layers, thus reducing the diffusion barrier for sodium ions. The dual modification strategy led to excellent stability of Na0.75Ni0.23Mg0.1Mn0.67O2 with 94% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 1C. This work provides new insights into the design of sodium-ion cathode materials.

Antibacterial Activity of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum‎ from Dairy Products ‎Against Some ‎Foodborne Bacteria


 
 
 
 Lactiplantibacillus plantarum‎, one of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), is found in various foods, ‎‎including dairy products, meat, and vegetables, and most of these bacteria offer beneficial ‎‎effects to humans and animals as potential probiotics with broad-spectrum antimicrobial ‎‎activities. The aim of this study was evaluating the antibacterial efficacy of L. ‎plantarum‎ ‎against ‎some foodborne bacteria isolated from dairy products. This research involved 34 dairy ‎products, ‎including local and imported milk, cheese, and yogurt sold locally in Baghdad ‎province, Iraq, during May ‎‎2022. For the isolation of L. ‎plantarum‎, a special medium called ‎MRS (de Man Rogosa and ‎Sharpe) was applied. Colonies were purified and identified by routine ‎bacteriological methods, ‎Vitek2 system, and confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ‎targeting the ‎16S rRNA‎ ‎gene followed by the amplicon sequencing. Other aerobic bacteria ‎contaminating dairy products ‎were also isolated onto sterile selective media specific for each ‎microorganism, and the isolates ‎were identified by routine diagnostics tests followed by ‎verification with Vitek2 system. Then, ‎the culture supernatant of L. ‎plantarum‎ was tested for its ‎antagonistic activity toward foodborne ‎bacteria by the use of agar well diffusion assay. The ‎findings showed the isolation of 2 L. ‎plantarum‎‎, 3 Pseudomonas aeruginosa‎, 4 Escherichia coli, ‎one isolate of Bacillus subtilis, and ‎another Staphylococcus hominis. The filtered supernatant of ‎L. ‎plantarum‎ was significantly ‎efficient in inhibiting the growth of the above bacteria. Each of E. ‎coli and B. subtilis‎ revealed ‎zones of inhibition of 36 and 38 mm in diameter, respectively, ‎while P. aeruginosa‎ and S. ‎hominis had inhibition zones diameters of 27 and 29 mm, ‎respectively. This suggests that the L. ‎plantarum‎‎ supernatant possesses a broad-spectrum ‎activity against foodborne bacteria. To ‎conclude, locally made dairy products can hold different ‎contaminating bacteria, which can be ‎eliminated by using probiotics, such as L. ‎plantarum‎, to ‎avoid foodborne diseases onset‎.
 
 
 

Recent Advances in Adjuvant Pharmacotherapy for Neonatal Indirect Hyperbilirubinemia: A Narrative Review

Context: Hyperbilirubinemia is a common cause for diagnostic work-up and therapeutic intervention in neonates and needs a convenient, quick, and safe treatment modality. Phototherapy is the most common treatment for neonatal jaundice; however, complementary treatment is still needed. Despite the identification of the enzymatic pathways of bilirubin catabolism, few pharmacological interventions have been found to be effective in reducing bilirubin, along with traditional phototherapy. This review was conducted to evaluate recent pharmacotherapies as adjuvants to phototherapy for the treatment of neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinemia (IHB). Evidence Acquisition: This study was carried out through a literature search with the keywords of Infant, Newborn, and Indirect Hyperbilirubinemia, combined with Drug Therapy, in PubMed, Scopus, International Statistical Institute, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase databases. This study included relevant articles (i.e., randomized controlled trials, observational studies, guidelines, and reviews) written in English and published between 2012 - 2022. Results: This narrative review first assessed the relevant articles to define IHB and its etiology. Then, the efficacy and side effects of recent pharmacologic agents as adjuvants to phototherapy were discussed. Additionally, this study reviewed the efficacy and safety of drugs prescribed to neonates to prevent jaundice. Conclusions: The best drug for adjuvant pharmacotherapy, in addition to phototherapy, for neonatal jaundice has not still been identified. The use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in adjuvant to phototherapy has been recently increasing, and beneficial results were observed in most studies. The use of agar, charcoal, fibrate, and phenobarbital had a minor therapeutic role in recent years. There were conflicting results about the efficacy of herbal agents in neonatal jaundice. The use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), metalloporphyrin, and albumin is also limited to severe or immune-related IHB cases. The prescription of the aforementioned drugs sometimes had different results. Therefore, further research in this regard is necessary.

Effect of plant growth regulator on tissue culture media for trigger of Kepok banana

Kepok banana (Musa acuminata x Musa balbisiana) can be grown in a wide area of Indonesia and is still cultivated regularly in rural areas. The need for commercial-quality of Kepok banana seedlings is still an obstacle to supporting export success. Seed propagation using micropropagation techniques is an alternative to be developed in order to meet the needs of appropriate, high-quality, and potential seeds for high productivity. The use of growth regulators and suitable growth media will promote the success of in vitro culture. The method used is the media Murashige-Skoog (MS). The design used was completely randomized and arranged by factorial. Factor 1 is a type of growth regulator with a concentration of 2 mg/L. Factor I is Z1 = Gibberellins; Z2 = IAA; and Z3 = Auxin. Factor II is 50 mg of the growth medium, namely: M1 = Agar medium; M2= Potato medium; M3 = Medium with coconut; M4 = Media Aloe vera. Data analysis used F 5% test and 5% BNT test. The use of a gibberellin growth regulator showed a better shoot formation time of 8 days, the number of shoots was 13.24 seeds, the length of the shoot was 1.25 cm, the root length was 1.52 cm, and the number of shoots was 77.48%. The growing medium using potatoes and young coconut showed a root length of 0.43 cm and a root diameter of 0.34 mm. Young coconut media showed better results in the growth of the number of plantlet shoots as much as 12.53%. The function of growth regulators, gibberellins, IAA, and auxin gave a rapid response to plantlet meristematic changes and shoot formation. While the use of agar, potato, young coconut, and aloe vera growing media gave a slow response to plantlet meristematic changes and the formation of Kepok banana shoots.

Colistin resistance screening by 3μg/ml colistin agar in Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales.

BackgroundIn low‐ and middle‐income countries, the use of colistin in therapeutic regimens is common, to treat infections produced for Carbapenemase‐producing Enterobacterales (CPE) due to limited access to the recently discovered‐approved antibiotics. Furthermore, the technical limitations to perform colistin susceptibility tests make it difficult to assess the suitability of this treatment for each patient, as well as to monitor the rates of resistance. In the present study, we describe the use of agar dilution using a unique colistin concentration of 3 μg/ml to discriminate isolates with colistin resistance in CPE obtained from clinical samples.MethodsClinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) colistin broth microdilution method and dilution agar with a colistin concentration of 3 μg/ml were performed in 168 isolates of CPE obtained from clinical samples in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Broth microdilution was considered our gold standard using CLSI breakpoints as reference (≤2 μg/ml intermediate and ≥4 μg/ml resistant). Categorical agreement was defined as obtaining a reading within the same category with both methodologies.ResultsIsolates obtained from respiratory samples were the most prevalent (26.19%; n = 44). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the predominant specie (94.04%; n = 158). KPC‐like carbapenemase was present in all the isolates, and interestingly, colistin resistance was not mediated by MCR‐1 production. Categorical agreement between both methods resulted in 97.02%.ConclusionWe propose the use of dilution agar with a colistin concentration of 3 μg/ml, as a valid method for screening colistin resistance in low‐ and middle‐income countries to monitor resistance and to perform epidemiological studies.

Effect of agar and alginate on growth performance and levels of leukocytes and erythrocytes of Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

The use of immunostimulants is an effort to increase the immune system in fish. Agar and alginate are phycocoloid derived from seaweed which function as immunostimulants. Research data collection was carried out for 60 days at the Aquaculture and Toxicology Environmental Research Installation, Cibalagung - Bogor. The container used is an aquarium with a size of 60 × 40 × 50 cm, using an aeration system with a stocking density of 15 fish / aquarium. The fish used was tilapia Oreochromis niloticus with an initial weight of 4.36 ± 0.01 g. The research method used was a laboratory experimental using a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The research treatment is the use of agar and or alginate in feed. Treatment A was control feed without agar or alginate; treatment B was feed containing alginate; Treatment C was feed containing agar and treatment D was feed containing agar and alginate, with 1% dose for each treatment. Parameters measured were absolute weight growth, specific growth rate, survival rate and blood profile (leukocytes and erythrocytes). The results showed that the addition of agar and or alginate to the feed did not have a significant effect on growth and survival, but had a different effect on the profile of white blood cells (leukocytes) compared to the control. Between alginate treatment (B), agar treatment (C) and agar + alginate treatment (D), agar treatment (C) showed the highest value in weight gain (10.437 ± 0.65 g), specific growth rate (3.06 ± 0.08% / day), and survival (100 ± 0.0%). Whereas for blood profile, treatment B had the highest leukocyte levels, namely 9.89 × 104 cells / mm3 and treatment C had the highest erythrocyte levels, namely 1.71 x106 cells / mm3. The conclusion of this study was that the addition of agar and/or alginate in feed did not affect the growth and survival of tilapia but was able to increase the number of fish leukocytes.

Effect of agar and gellan gum on structured guava (Psidium guajava L.): Rheological behavior and gastrointestinal digestion in vitro

Structured guava (SG) was produced by inducing gelation of guava pulp adding agar and gellan gum (GG). The rheological properties, as well as in vitro bioaccessibility of ascorbic acid (AA), total antioxidant activity (TAA) and total extractable polyphenols (TEP) were investigated. The results illustrated that the SG gel network made from agar and low acyl gellan (LAG) was completely developed at temperatures close to 20 °C. LA75/HA25 showed higher elastic behavior in time sweep. The AA analysis of the pulp and SG revealed that these compounds remained practically unchanged after gastrointestinal digestion in vitro (GID), with a higher bioaccessibility percentage. The average values of TAA and TEP of the structured products were close to those of the guava pulp, with no interference from the use of agar and GG. The Optimized Descriptive Profile showed that the hydrocolloid used influenced the sensory attributes of the SG, changing the texture and appearance.

Development of a Simple In Vitro Artery Model and an Evaluation of the Impact of Pulsed Flow on High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation

BackgroundMany parameters have to be investigated before an optimal strategy for thermal therapies can be defined. Such studies are limited by the number of animals that may be included and by the difficulties in the use of isolated perfused organs. Realistic in vitro anthropomorphic vascular phantoms have been suggested and are based on the use of agar or silicone but not on biological tissues. More simply, biological and reliable models can be developed to mimic the behavior of arteries under perfusion. Material and methodsChicken esophagus was used since it reproduces both the anatomical and the mechanical local properties of a 5-mm-diameter artery. The esophagus was placed inside a bovine liver and connected to polyurethane tubes. The flow was driven using two pumps and a solenoid to mimic pulsed flow and the cardiac valve. The blood was mimicked using degassed water and 50-μm silica beads at a concentration of 40 mg/L. The Doppler signals used as a reference to validate the in vitro artery model were acquired during an animal study. Using a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device, several HIFU lesions were created in vitro in liver samples with the artery mimic model placed at different depths. ResultsThe waveforms of in vivo and in vitro Doppler signals had a cycle length of 1.09 s and 1.10 s, respectively, corresponding to 55 beats per minute (bpm). The average peak flow rate was 25.3 cm/s for in vivo waveforms and 27.8 cm/s for in vitro waveforms. The relative distension of the in vitro artery mimic (10%) was similar to that measured in pig mesenteric arteries and representative of human artery compliance. The dimensions of HIFU lesions were different depending on the location of the artery mimic. ConclusionsA simple and reliable model of arteries is described. This model reproduced both the geometrical and the mechanical local properties of an artery. The flow profile, the flow rate and compliant behavior were found to be similar to those that can be recorded in vivo. This model can be used to evaluate the potential perfusion effects when developing devices for thermal therapies.

Production and Characterization of Bioplastic from Phycocolloids

Plastic that is made partly or wholly from polymer derived from biological sources such as sugarcane, potato or starch is called bioplastic. It is bio based, biodegradable or features both the properties. The use of Bio plastic is growing rapidly because of their clear advantage over traditionally used plastic. Bio plastic can be used in packaging industries, in the making of capsules and pills, mobile cases, for making baby toys, etc. The main aim of this study was to identify the potential use of agar (Phycocolloids) in the making of bio plastic. The term phycocolloid is used to described a colloid derived from seaweed; a colloid in turn is defined as a non crystalline substance with very large molecules. A phycocolloid is thus simply a seaweed gum. The results of current study show that agar can be successfully used for making bio plastic.

Bacterial culture through selective and non-selective conditions: the evolution of culture media in clinical microbiology.

Microbiology has been largely developed thanks to the discovery and optimization of culture media. The first liquid artificial culture medium was created by Louis Pasteur in 1860. Previously, bacterial growth on daily materials such as some foods had been observed. These observations highlighted the importance of the bacteria's natural environment and their nutritional needs in the development of culture media for their isolation. A culture medium is essentially composed of basic elements (water, nutrients), to which must be added different growth factors that will be specific to each bacterium and necessary for their growth.The evolution of bacterial culture through the media used for their culture began with the development of the first solid culture medium by Koch, allowing not only the production of bacterial colonies, but also the possibility of purifying a bacterial clone. The main gelling agent used in solid culture media is agar. However, some limits have been observed in the use of agar because of some extremely oxygen-sensitive bacteria that do not grow on agar media, and other alternatives were proposed and tested. Then, the discovery of antimicrobial agents and their specific targets prompted the emergence of selective media. These inhibiting agents make it possible to eliminate undesirable bacteria from the microbiota and select the bacteria desired. Thanks to a better knowledge of the bacterial environment, it will be possible to develop new culture media and new culture conditions, better adapted to certain fastidious bacteria that are difficult to isolate.

Penambahan Bekatul dan Angkak pada Produk Agar-agar sebagai Alternatif Cemilan Pengikat Kolesterol

The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Indonesia reaches 11.2%. Hypercholesterolemia can occur due to lack of exercise, consume too much food containing fat and cholesterol, and lack of fiber intake. Rice bran and red yeast rice contain fiber and phytochemical compounds that can reduce cholesterol, including alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, and phenolics. The purpose of this study is to use rice bran and red yeast rice as an alternative snack that can potentially bind cholesterol. Rice bran and red yeast rice are added to agar to obtain gelatin snacks with high fiber content and phytochemical compounds. Agar is made into three formulas. Hedonic rating tests have been carried out, so that obtain the formula that is most preferred by consumers. The test results show that the formula with the addition of sodium citrate of 0.3% is most preferred, with the addition of bran and red yeast rice each of 30 and 0.8 grams and the use of agar for 7 grams. Gelatin products contain 14.80% food fiber and total flavonoids by 0.02%. The total phenolic was not detected in agar products. The results of the cholesterol-binding test in vitro showed that gelatin products can bind cholesterol by 60.11%.

Paracentrotus lividus roe enhancement by a short-time rearing in offshore cages using two agar-based experimental feed

In this study, we tested the effect of two agar-based biocomposites (differing for the fish meal source), on the Paracentrotus lividus gonad cycle progression and biochemical composition, in an offshore pilot scale trial. The purpose of this study was to identify a feeding regime for P. lividus that would allow adequate gonadal growth without accelerating the gamete maturation, in order to extend the market period. The purpose was pursued through the use of agar as a binding agent in the manufacturing of biocomposites to be used as feed for P. lividus and the realization of special offshore cages. The gonad index, histology, biochemical composition of fatty acids (FA) and free amino acids (FAA) and volatile molecule fingerprint were evaluated. Both the gonad index and the histological analysis showed a slower gametogenesis progression in the gonads of caged sea urchins with respect to the field collected ones, consistent with our previous results obtained testing a similar feed composition in a recirculating system. The amount and the relative proportions of FA and FAA in the gonads of wild and cultured gonads were similar, while the analysis of the volatile substances of the gonads of the sea urchin conducted using the electronic nose, shows that they vary as a result of the different feeding treatments. These results show that P. lividus sea urchins can be housed, under this feeding regime during the recovery phase of the gonads, without acceleration of the maturation of the gametes and thus in conditions to allow the extension of the market period. Moreover, the here tested agar-based biocomposites make it possible to reduce the management costs of the rearing system as they need to be replaced only once a week, and its environmental impact as they guarantee a limited nutrient dispersion in the water.

Uso de la miel de <em>Apis mellifera</em> en agar base para diferenciar cepas bacterianas con característica oxidativa-fermentadora

Objetivo: Evaluar el uso de la miel de Apis mellifera (miel de abeja) en agar base como diferenciador de oxidante-fermentador de carbohidratos en cepas de Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 y Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 29212. Métodos: Se realizó un tamizaje fitoquímico preliminar de la miel de abeja. Para evaluar el uso del agar con miel de abeja como diferenciador oxidativo-fermentador, se emplearon 96 tubos de cultivo que contienen 10 mL de agar base aleatorizadas y divididas en cuatro grupos de 24 tubos: grupo I agar base con miel y Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, grupo II agar base con miel y Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 29212, grupo III agar OF (Basal Medium acc. To Hugh and Leifson, Merck) con Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, y el grupo IV agar OF con Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 29212; siendo el agar OF estándar. Se consideraron dos criterios de evaluación: Oxidación y Fermentación de los carbohidratos. Resultados: La miel de abeja presenta alcaloides, triterpenoides y compuestos fenólicos. Se determinó el calificativo de Bueno (100%) para el agar con miel de abeja y Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, y agar con miel de abeja y Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 29212; comparado con el agar OF. Conclusión: El uso del agar con miel de Apis mellifera (miel de abeja) ha evidenciado ser bueno como alternativa al agar OF (Basal Medium acc. To Hugh and Leifson) para diferenciar Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 y Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 29212 como oxidantes y fermentadoras de carbohidratos.

Design and characteristics of an agar additive polymer gel dosimeter

Herein, we investigate the use of agar and gelatin in a polymer gel dosimeter. The polymer gel is enclosed in a vinyl film to obtain a dosimeter of arbitrary shape and maintain the shape at room temperature. The resulting polymer gel dosimeter could preserve its shape across a wide temperature range. Excluding the surface region, the obtained dose distribution was within 3% of that determined in an ionization chamber.

One-Step Process for Environment-Friendly Preparation of Agar Oligosaccharides From Gracilaria lemaneiformis by the Action of Flammeovirga sp. OC4.

Oligosaccharides extracted from agar Gracilaria lemaneiformis (G. lemaneiformis) have stronger physiological activities and a higher value than agar itself, but the pollution caused by the extraction process greatly restricts the sustainable use of agar. In this study, four bacterial strains with a high ability to degrade G. lemaneiformis were isolated from seawater by in situ enrichment in the deep sea. Among them, Flammeovirga sp. OC4, identified by morphological observation and its 16S rRNA sequencing (98.07% similarity to type strain JL-4 of Flammeovirga aprica), was selected. The optimum temperature and pH of crude enzyme produced by Flammeovirga sp. OC4 were 50°C and 8, respectively. More than 60% of the maximum enzyme activity remained after storage at pH 5.0–10.0 for 60 min. Both Mn2+ and Ba2+ could enhance the enzyme activity. A “one-step process” for preparation of oligosaccharides from G. lemaneiformis was established using Flammeovirga sp. OC4. After optimization of the Plackett–Burman (PB) design and response surface methodology (RSM), the yield of oligosaccharides was increased by 36.1% from 2.71 to 3.09 g L−1 in a 250-mL fermenter with optimized parameters: 30 g L−1 G. lemaneiformis powder, 4.84 g L−1 (NH4)2SO4, 44.8-mL working medium volume at 36.7°C, and a shaking speed of 200 × g for 42 h. The extracted oligosaccharides were identified by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and ion chromatography, which consisted of neoagarobiose, agarotriose, neoagarotetraose, agaropentaose, and neoagarohexaose. These results provided an alternative approach for environment-friendly and sustainable utilization of algae.

Micropropagation of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni Using RITA® Bioreactor

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is used for medicinal and food purposes. The effectiveness of different culture systems in Stevia micropropagation was evaluated. Node explants were cultured in semisolid or RITA® bioreactor containing woody plant medium (WPM) without plant growth regulators (PGRs). The effect of three medium volumes (100, 200, and 300 mL) and four immersion frequencies (10 seconds every 1, 4, 6, or 8 hours) were assessed. The shoots and roots developed simultaneously in the RITA® bioreactor treatment containing 100 mL of WPM at 10 seconds/4 hours immersion frequency and the healthiest plantlets were obtained from this RITA® treatment using 5 mL of medium per explant. The root induction rate was 100% in nonhyperhydrated shoots obtained from both semisolid and RITA® bioreactor, and all of them were successfully acclimatized. Thus, an economical and viable protocol was developed by performing the micropropagation in one step, eliminating the use of agar and PGRs, and decreasing the amount of medium used per explant.

Culturing periprosthetic tissue in blood culture bottles results in isolation of additional microorganisms

Despite low sensitivity, culture of periprosthetic tissue (PPT) specimens on agars and in broths has traditionally been used for the detection of causative microorganisms in patients suspected for prosthetic joint infection (PJI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the added diagnostic value of culturing PPT in blood culture bottles (BCB) over the conventional combination of standard agar and broth alone. This prospective cohort study was conducted over a 12-month period and included consecutive patients undergoing revision arthroplasty. Overall, 113 episodes from 90 subjects were studied; 45 subjects (50.0%) met the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) criteria for PJI, of whom the majority (75.6%) had an acute infection. Sensitivity and specificity of culture were assessed using IDSA criteria for PJI as gold standard. Although the increase in sensitivity from 84.44 (CI 70.54; 93.51) to 93.33% (81.73; 98.60) was not significant, added diagnostic value of culturing PPT in BCBs was demonstrated by the significantly higher number of detected pathogens in culture sets with BCBs compared to culture without BCBs (61 pathogens in conventional set versus 89 when BCBs were included for 57 PJI episodes, P = <0.0001). In 17 (29.8%) episodes, microorganisms were cultured from BCBs only, and in 9 (52.9%) of these episodes, virulent pathogens were found. This study demonstrates that PPT culture in BCBs leads to isolation of additional microorganisms, both virulent and low-virulent, which were not cultured with use of agars and broths alone. Isolation of additional causative microorganisms has serious consequences for the treatment strategy in PJI.

Safe processing method and storage time threshold for consuming of powdered-infant formula based on total plate count test

Powdered-infant formula (PIF) is theoretically suggested as a substitution for breast-milk. The presence of PIF has brought several problems related to its contamination, handling, and processing. Our study aimed to provide the evidence related to determine the safe processing method, between using hot water (HW) or boiled water (BW), and storage time threshold after PIF was left at room temperature for acertain period of time. We obtained PIF, cow milk-based, from supermarket and made it as suspension. Bacterial growth assessment was performedusing total plate agar, total plate count test, while several tests including the use of agar, blood and McConkey agar, and biochemical reactions were used to determine the bacterial species. We provided formula suspension in different amount of dilution (10−1, 102,103, and 10−4), furthermore observation of bacterial colonies for 3-8 hours was done. The study was carried out at Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara in October 2017. We obtained a significant number of bacterial colonies at the first time of observation in HW and using BW was safer than HW regardless of its nutritional value, based on total plate count tests. Meanwhile, safe storage time threshold for consuming after it was left at room temperature was no more than one hour. We identified Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella sp. as contaminants during the observation. Thus, less contamination also reduces infection rate among infantsby performing appropriate handling.

Casca de arroz e 6-Benzilaminopurina na multiplicação in vitro de Oncidium baueri

The aim of the work was to evaluate the use of substrates as support agents in substitution of agar in the medium and concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) in the in vitro multiplication of Oncidium baueri. Two factors were evaluated: types of substrates (rice husk, carbonized rice husk and agar) and BAP concentrations (0, 1, 2 e 3 mg L-1). After four months, it was evaluated the survival percentage; average leaves number; average sprout number; fresh and dry mass aerial part of the explants. Regarding the percentage of survival and the number of leaves, the agar showed the highest averages. For the number of shoots, the carbonized rice husk and the agar did not differ statistically. The highest fresh mass was obtained using 1 mg L-1 BAP and agar. For the dry mass, agar showed the highest average when associated to 1 mg L-1 of BAP, however, no significant difference was observed at 0 and 3 mg L-1. Thus, the use of agar and 1 mg L-1 of BAP is recommended. However, as an alternative to agar carbonized rice husk without the growth regulator, but a reduction of up to 35.8% in the survival rate and 53.8% in the number of in in vitro multiplication of O. baueri.