Water-soluble Powder Research Articles

Producing food supplements by complex processing of fruits and vegetables of reduced quality using biotechnology methods

The actuality of processing of substandard by external signs fruit and vegetables is caused by their higher volumes in the processing industry and retail chains, and additionally by their high biopotentials. The aim of research is to ground complex processing of such raw materials to obtain food supplements containing natural biologically active components, and assessment of their nutritional functionality. The experiments used apples, bananas, oranges, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers that did not meet the freshness criteria of GOST 57976-2017, but without any signs of microbial damage. Three types of experimental mixtures were made from this raw material: fruit, vegetable and fruit-vegetable. The key processing operation was the enzymatic hydrolysis of the mixtures with various carbohydrases (cellulase, ?-glucanase, amylase and glucoamylase). The hydrolyzed mixtures were fractionated, followed by dehydration of the fractions to obtain water-soluble and water-insoluble powder supplements. During the fermentation process, the accumulation of simple sugars, dry substances in water-soluble fractions, and the yield of finished products were studied. The highest concentrations of sugars are found in water-soluble fractions from fruit mixtures. In the resulting supplements from three types of mixtures, organoleptic characteristics, chemical composition, and the content of functional food ingredients – vitamin C, substances with P-vitamin activity, and dietary fiber have been studied. The qualitative composition of dietary fiber and other polysaccharides in a water-insoluble supplement has been established using IR-spectra. Taking into account the obtained data, calculations have been made to satisfy the daily physiological needs for established biologically active substances when consuming 100 g of supplements for ordinary people and athletes. It is recommended to use supplements as enriching agents for functional purposes in specialized antioxidant, immunomodulatory and prebiotic nutrition, including as part of dietary supplements for athletes.

Development of a water-soluble Vitamin D drink for enhanced absorption and serum levels

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency have been found in general population but especially in women of childbearing age. Although Vitamin D can be obtained from food source (few naturally) and produced from skin sunlight exposure, it can come from a reliable source via supplementation. Supplementing 15 µg daily could meet the recommended dietary allowance for 19 years and older and 20 µg for 70 years older. Daily supplementation greater than 100 µg is not recommended. Unlike water-soluble vitamins B and C, Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. This property of Vitamin D affects not only the delivery of it in drink but also absorption at the small intestine and bioavailability (i.e., serum level). This study focused on enhancing the solubility of vitamin D using a novel botanical solubilizer. Using rubusoside (RUB), isolated from stevia and other plants, Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol; VD3) was experimented for solubility enhancement. VD3 was processed with RUB to form the VD3-RUB structure in powder form. Solubility of this powder in physiologic solutions of water, gastric or intestinal fluid, stability over time, and dilutability for achieving desired supplementation levels were examined. The VD3-RUB complex structure in water solution was characterised for particle size and shape using dynamic light scattering techniques. VD3 in water solution after filtration was quantified on HPLC. VD3 was practically insoluble in water. However, in the presence of 10% w/v RUB as the botanical solubilizer, VD3 became soluble in water to a concentration of 4,500 µg/mL. This water-soluble concentrate appeared clear and was freely dilutable to a drink containing amounts of VD3 ranging from 15 µg to 100 µg. Particle size analysis indicated the presence of approximately 4 nm spherical particles. HPLC analysis of the water solution detected RUB and VD3. These drinks were stable and remained clear and transparent for at least eight weeks. A packet of water-soluble Vitamin D3 powder was also developed for addition to a glass of water in the amount of 15 µg VD3. The packet, similar to the instant coffee powder, produced an instant Vitamin D drink containing the recommended dietary allowance of 15 µg. The water-soluble VD3 powder was also dissolvable in simulated gastric fluid and intestinal fluid, and stable for at least two hours. This solubility enhancement could aid in absorption and improve oral bioavailability, seen in the work with oily ceramides(1) and insoluble curcumin(2). It is especially advantageous for making drinks as the solubilizer is generally regarded as safe by the US FDA.

Development and validation of an analytical method for acetamiprid determination in plant protection products using HPLC-DAD

AbstractPlant protection products (PPP), crucial for agricultural production, are experiencing increased global demand, particularly with the growing need for food production. To meet this demand, robust analytical methods are essential for confirming the presence and determining active substance concentrations in PPP. This study introduces an analytical method utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) for determination of acetamiprid in water-soluble powder formulations. The method, validated according to SANCO/3030/99 rev.5, demonstrated exhibited adequate accuracy and precision, with repeatability expressed as the ratio of the standard deviation (% RSD) to the relative standard deviation (% RSDr) being lower than 1. Recoveries for the active substance at concentrations above 10% ranged from 97% to 103%. The developed method is also characterized by suitable linearity, confirmed by a correlation coefficient >0.99. Specific chromatographic profiles were generated, and acetamiprid content in 180 formulations was analyzed, including reference products. The developed method aligns with “green chemistry” principles, minimizing solvent use and emphasizing energy efficiency. Overall, it offers a comprehensive approach for qualitative and quantitative analysis, ensuring the reliability of PPP quality control.

Effects of Astaxanthin Preparation Form on the Efficiency of Egg Yolk Pigmentation in Laying Hens.

This study investigated the effects of the preparation form of astaxanthin on egg yolk pigmentation and egg quality in laying hens. The following four astaxanthin sources were prepared in this study: (1) dried cell powder of Paracoccus carotinifaciens (Panaferd-AX), (2) fine cell powder of P. carotinifaciens (Panaferd-P), (3) astaxanthin oil suspension, and (4) water-soluble astaxanthin powder. These astaxanthin preparations were added to the basal diet at a final concentration of 2 mg/kg and fed to White Leghorn laying hens for 14 days. Although the administration of these astaxanthin preparations did not largely affect egg quality (i.e., egg weight, yolk weight, albumen height, and Haugh unit), feeding significantly improved astaxanthin concentration and yolk color fan score. When water-soluble astaxanthin powder was fed, the yolk astaxanthin concentration and color fan score were most improved, followed by Panaferd-P. These results indicated that astaxanthin pulverization and water solubilization significantly improved its bioavailability in laying hens. Furthermore, although diets rich in (all-E)-astaxanthin were fed to the hens, approximately 30% of astaxanthin was present as the Z-isomers in the egg yolk. These findings may contribute to improving not only the egg quality but the nutritional value of hen eggs.

Effect of extraction solution on functional properties of extracted protein from Bombay locust (Patanga succincta Johannson, 1763)

Alternative sources of protein are gaining popularity since they require less natural resource input, but still provide a significant amount of protein as compared to traditional protein sources. Insect protein is one of the alternative protein types, and due to its nutritional benefits, research interest in Bombay locust (Patanga succincta) (BL) protein has grown. In the present work, we aimed to determine the protein content, yield, molecular weight profile, and functional properties such as protein solubility, emulsion, and foam properties of BL protein extracted using distilled water, salt (NaCl), or alkaline (NaOH) solution, at the concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5%. The highest protein extraction yield was alkaline soluble protein (22 - 28%), which was followed by water (16%) and salt (11 - 13%) soluble proteins. The protein powder prepared by 0.5% alkaline extraction had the highest foam capacity (33.33%) and foam stability (12.50%) (p < 0.05), but the water soluble protein powder had the highest emulsion activity index (118.3 m2/g) and emulsion stability index (52.45 min) (p < 0.05). These results indicated that the type and concentration of solution could have an impact on the protein extraction yield, molecular weight profile, and functional characteristics.

Antibacterial Activity against Escherichia coli and Cytotoxicity of Maillard Reaction Product of Chitosan and Glucosamine Prepared by Gamma Co-60 Ray Irradiation.

In this study, the gamma ray-induced Maillard reaction method was carried out for chitosan (CTS) and glucosamine (GA) to improve the water solubility and antibacterial activity. The mixture solution of CTS and GA was exposed to gamma rays at a dose of 25 kGy and freeze-dried to obtain a Maillard reaction product (MRP) powder. The physicochemical and biological properties of the CTS-GA MRP powder were investigated. The CTS-GA MRP powder expressed good solubility at a concentration of 0.05 g/mL. In addition, the result of the antibacterial activity test against Escherichia coli revealed that the CTS-GA MRP powder exhibited highly antibacterial activity at pH 7; in particular, bacterial density was reduced by over 4 logs. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity test of the CTS-GA MRP powder on mouse fibroblast cells (L929) showed non-cytotoxicity with high cell viability (>90%) at concentrations of 0.1-1 mg/mL. Owing to the high antibacterial activity and low cytotoxicity, the water-soluble CTS-GA MRP powder can be used as a favorable natural preservative for food and cosmetics.

Oral iron powder for prehabilitation in hip and knee arthroplasty: A randomized controlled trial to optimize hemoglobin concentration

BackgroundOne of the key aspects to enhance the suitability for surgery in elective arthroplasty is the optimization of hemoglobin concentration. In this randomized controlled trial, we investigated the efficacy of an oral iron supplement and its impact on blood management practices. Materials and methodsA total of 60 older adults undergoing elective hip or knee surgery were randomized to follow a month and a half of supplementation with a water-soluble powder containing iron and vitamins. We monitored iron homeostasis and the use of blood resources. ResultsThe trial was completed by 58 subjects. We observed a significant inter-group change in hemoglobin and its mean corpuscular concentration (P<0.05), vitamin B6, B9 (P<0.001), and B12 (P<0.05). Albeit not statistically significant, fewer patients in the intervention group had hemoglobin over the threshold for blood unit request before (11 vs. 14) or transfusion evaluation after surgery (1 vs. 6), or actually received a blood transfusion (1 vs. 3). The extent of preoperative iron deficiency and hematocrit were predictive for postoperative blood units (AUC=0.9). ConclusionIron homeostasis improved in the intervention group, while the changes in the control group were consistent with the depletion of iron reserves. The iron-based formulation enriched with vitamins was safe but showed a slight impact on blood management practices. The potential of optimizing patient blood management encourages the planning of large-scale studies, possibly combining a diet therapy to promote the consumption of foods rich in iron long before the operation.

A preparation technology of volatile components in Linggui Zhugan decoction based on the transfer of cinnamaldehyde and its anti-gastric ulcer effect

PurposeThis study aims to preserve the volatile components of Linggui Zhugan (LGZG) decoction, offering an experimental foundation for subsequent preparations efforts. MethodsTwo modern sample preparation processes were compared with the traditional method approach using HPLC fingerprints. After identifying the main volatile components in LGZG aqueous decoction, the inclusion method of inclusion compounds (IC-LGZG) was established and optimized at laboratory, pilot and production scales. Characterization, stability testing of IC-LGZG, and experiments on gastric ulcer rats were conducted to validate the transferability of chemical composition and pharmaceutical efficacy. ResultsThe study focused on preserving the volatile components in LGZG modern preparations. HPLC analysis revealed cinnamaldehyde (CA) as the main volatile component in LGZG decoction. The optimized IC-LGZG preparation involved heating aromatic water to 40 °C, adding 20 g/L of β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD), keeping warm and stirring at 300 r for 30 min. This process exhibited good repeatability across different verification tests at varying scales. IC-LGZG obtained effectively transferred CA molecules into the β-CD molecules via encapsulation, remaining stable when stored in sealed and dark conditions. Finally, CA, IC-LGZG and M−LGZG (a mixture of IC-LGZG and water-soluble extract powder) effectively prevented the formation of gastric ulcer by mitigating reductions in IL-10, SOD and the increase of TNF-α, NO, MDA in serum. ConclusionThe IC-LGZG prepared using this process successfully transfers volatile components, both chemically and pharmacologically, making it suitable for modern preparations of LGZG.

Influence of Encapsulation of Propolis Extract with 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) on Polyphenolic Contents during In Vitro Simulation of Digestion

Studies of polyphenols in various natural products have shown their variability and often low amounts. Thus, we aimed to investigate the bioaccessibility of the main polyphenolic groups extracted from two poplar types of propolis collected in continental Croatia. The propolis complex, in the form of water-soluble powder of propolis extract with the carrier 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), was obtained by applying ultrasonic-assisted extraction followed by lyophilization. The in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was conducted on the propolis complex extracts and a mixture of standards (pinocembrin, galangin, chrysin, caffeic acid, and caffeic acid phenylethyl ester). Fractions from the oral, gastric, and intestinal phase samples were analyzed spectrophotometrically by standard methods used to determine the content of total phenols (TPs), flavonols/flavones (TFFs), and flavanones/dihydroflavonols (TFDs). The small-intestinal phase was performed by two models: centrifugation and dialysis. The results of propolis-HP-β-CD extracts demonstrated high polyphenolic bioaccessibility during all three phases of digestion. The bioaccessibility of TPs, TFFs, and TFDs after the intestinal phase with centrifugation was from 0.02 to 8.86 times higher than in the dialysis phase, stressing that it is a better model than dialysis. Our findings show that the inclusion complex of propolis with HP-β-CD enables the good solubility of polyphenol groups.

The impact of avian IgY antibodies and probiotics supplementation via drinking water on growth and laying performance of 16-week-old layer pullets

Antibiotics raise an issue concerning the development of antibiotic resistance of some pathogenic bacteria. The use of probiotics and Avian IgY in layer pullet farming is a better way of protecting against pathogenic bacteria and increasing production performance. Supplementation of Avian IgY antibodies and probiotics(Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus faecium, Bifido bacterium longghum, Bacillus thermophilum) were conducted on 5,724 healthy layer pullets to determine its effect on their growth and laying performance. The supplement was in powder form with a dosage of 100 mg per liter of water for 6 hours. The effect of the supplementation was evaluated by measuring production parameters on growth and laying performance of the layer pullets; there were 3 treatment groups, the control group, Treatment 2 which received 5 days initial supplementation for the first week and then twice every week for 9 weeks and Treatment 3 which received 5 days initial supplementation for the first week and then twice every 2 weeks for 9 weeks. Results showed that the supplementation had significant effects in the age in days when 50% of the total population per treatment laid their first eggs, average number of eggs produced, % Hen day production, % Hen house production, total weight of eggs, and feed conversion efficiency. It also showed that the supplementation is economical and yielded higher profit. On the other hand, the supplementation had no significant effect on the average body weight and mortality count of the layer pullets. The supplementation of Avian IgY antibodies and probiotics in water soluble powder via drinking water with 5 days initial supplementation of Avian IgY antibodies and probiotics for the first week; then twice every 2 weeks for 9 weeks has the greatest effects to increase the production performance and profitability of layers.Keywords: Avian IgY antibodies, Growth performance, Laying performance, Layer pullets, Probiotics

DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIFICATION AND CONTROL OF INPUT MATERIALS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF AMOXICILLINE-TRIHYDRATE BASED PREPARATION

To characterize and determine the quality of the veterinary medicinal product «Amoxidev 60» (powder for oral use) which contains amoxicillin trihydrate, in addition to physical and chemical tests, it is important to develop a specification and control of input materials intended for its production.&#x0D; The aim of the study was to create a drug based on amoxicillin trihydrate of appropriate quality and to substantiate the specification of control of input materials intended for its production.&#x0D; Veterinary drug «Amoxidev» - water-soluble white powder with a specific odor. One gram of the drug contains the active substance: amoxicillin trihydrate – 600 mg and filler: lactose – up to 1 g.&#x0D; The drug is prescribed to zoo animals - European deer, ornamental birds (pheasant, peacock) for the treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases (rhinotracheitis, bronchopneumonia, pneumonia), digestive (gastroenteritis, enterocolitis), genitourinary systems (metritis, nephritis, rubella) apparatus and soft tissues (injuries, myositis, dermatitis, mastitis) caused by microorganisms sensitive to the drug.&#x0D; Control of raw materials included the following operations: determination of the mass fraction of amoxicillin trihydrate; testing; preparation of control solution; chromatography; testing of amoxicillin trihydrate for purity; testing of amoxicillin trihydrate for the presence of accompanying impurities; determination of the pH of the test solution and the transparency of the substance solution.&#x0D; Based on the proposed specification and approaches to laboratory quality control of powder for oral use based on amoxicillin trihydrate developed production documentation that corresponds to the registration dossier for the veterinary drug «Amoxidev 60». The test results are properly investigated and documented in accordance with the Operating Standards Standard (SOP).

DOXYCYCLINE EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE INTESTINAL INFECTIONS OF BACTERIAL ETIOLOGY IN BROILER CHICKENS

Doxycycline is a bacteriostatic antibiotic from the group of tetracyclines, a semi-synthetic derivative of chloretracycline. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is active in gram- positive and gram- negative bacteria, including some anaerobes. Therefore, the use of doxycycline drugs is relevant to solve the problem of treatment and control of mono- and polyinfections, which are caused by doxycycline sensitive and other antibiotics resistant to other antibiotics.&#x0D; The article presents the results of clinical studies of a new veterinary drug Doxal (water-soluble powder for oral administration), production of PJSC “Technologist” (Ukraine), an active pharmaceutical ingredient of which is doxycycline, in the treatment of acute intestinal disease in broiler chickens.&#x0D; A high level of therapeutic efficacy and safety of the Doxal studied drug in the treatment of chickens 25 daily age with colibacteriose-claspidiosis infection was established.&#x0D; The diagnosis was made on the basis of anamnestic data, a clinical picture of the disease, the results of pathoanatomical section and bacteriological examination. Microorganisms – pathogens of infection, their level of sensitivity to doxycycline were selected and identified. Therapeutic efficiency of the tested drug was not inferior to the drug-comparison of Doxatib®, production of KRKA DD Novo-Mesto (Slovenia), similar in dosage form and the content of the active substance.&#x0D; According to the results of laboratory tests, a positive effect of Doxal on the morpho-functional state of the body of chickens in the treatment of acute colibacteriosis-claspidiosis infection was revealed, which is confirmed by normalization with a high percentage of the reliability of morphological and biochemical blood indicators to the values of clinically healthy bird.&#x0D; Comparative clinical studies have confirmed that Doxal drug is effective chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of bacterial infections in chickens caused by microorganisms sensitive to doxycycline, and is analogous to Doxatib® by it’s action.

Development of methods for prevention of cryptosporidiosis of calves

Cryptosporidiosis of calves, caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum, is a dangerous disease for calves for up to one month. Sick animals suffer from debilitating diarrhea, intoxication, and dehydration, which can lead to death. Currently, effective preventive and curative measures have not been developed. Therefore, new strategies for preventing cryptosporidiosis in cattle are being sought. The study was conducted on the farm for raising young cattle in Holstein LTD agricultural firm “Lan” Sumy region in February 2021. The circulating microflora in the calf and the clinical condition of the animals were determined. The first experimental group of calves used the antimicrobial agent Trimeratinvet powder (water-soluble powder for oral administration). In the second experimental group, calves were fed the acidifier Kronocid L. As a control, healthy calves were used, which received a regular diet. Conducted a study of fecal masses of calves from birth to one month. The presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in fecal masses of calves was determined microscopically and by nested polymerase chain reaction. The count of microorganisms was performed after cultivation on elective media and determined the number of colony-forming units in CFU/cm3. The EXPERTISTM Rainbow diagnostic kit was used to diagnose Rotavirus and Coronavirus. Studies have shown that Cryptosporidium in calves under one month of age is the most common cause of diarrhea (42 %). Acidifier Kronocid L and Trimeratinvet inhibited the reproduction of cryptosporidia by stopping sporulation. Acidifier at a pH of 4.5 penetrated the oocyst's shell, causing cytoplasm compression. At 60 minutes of exposure, Kronocid L reduced the possibility of sporulation and destroyed 90 % of treated oocysts, which is 20 % more than the antimicrobial agent Trimeratinvet. In the experimental group using Trimeratinvet, the onset of chewing occurred later than eight days compared to the control group and with Kronocid L. Calves of the experimental groups had an average weight gain during the month with Trimeratinvet less by 20.8 % (P ≤ 0.05), with Kronocid L – by 14.3 % compared to healthy. Prospects for further research are to determine the effect of Cronocid L and other species of Cryptosporidium in adult cattle.

Metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis 168 for the utilization of arabinose to synthesize the antifungal lipopeptide fengycin

Fengycin is a cyclic lipopeptide complex produced by Bacillus species. The focus of this study was to improve fengycin titer through promoter replacement and fatty acid pathway modification. Here, arabinose was used as a carbon source to study fengycin synthesis in B. subtilis 168. Firstly, the nitrogen source of the medium was investigated, and water-soluble soybean cake powder was identified as the optimal nitrogen source for fengycin synthesis, resulting in a titer of 121.20 mg/L. Secondly, the native promoter of the fengycin biosynthetic gene cluster was replaced with the phase-dependent promoter Pylb, which further increased fengycin titer to 137.05 mg/L. Thirdly, the synthesis of fengycin was further promoted through enhancing the supply of fatty acyl-CoA by deleting fadB as well as overexpressing yhfL, yngH and tesA. Fengycin titer of the resulting recombinant strain reached 258.41 mg/L. qRT-PCR revealed the underlying reason for the increase of fengycin synthesis. This study confirms the feasibility of using a phase-dependent promoter and fatty acid pathway modification to improve the titer of fengycin, providing a reference for the production of antifungal lipopeptide using arabinose.

Determination of the Protein Quality of Low-Molecular Weight Water-Soluble Chicken Breast Powder by a Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) Analysis

Jin A Lee, Min Ju Kim, Mi-Rae Shin, Seong-Soo Roh, Jung-Bok Lee, Ye hei Seo, Hyun Gyu Choi, and Hae-Jin Park. Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition 2022;51:439-47. https://doi.org/10.3746/jkfn.2022.51.5.439

Cross-genus inhibitory activity of polyoxins against aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus and fumonisin production by Fusarium fujikuroi.

Co-exposure to aflatoxin and fumonisin is a health concern where corn is a staple food, and a method to prevent co-contamination of these mycotoxins in foods is urgently needed. Polyoxins are chitin synthase inhibitors produced by Streptomyces cacaoi var. asoensis. The aflatoxin production inhibitory activity of a commercially available polyoxin D and four polyoxins purified from polyoxin AL water-soluble powder, an agricultural chemical containing polyoxins, was tested. The five polyoxins dose-dependently inhibited aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus and the IC50 values of polyoxin A, B, D, K and L were 16, 74, 110, 9 and 280µmol L-1, respectively. Polyoxins also inhibited fumonisin production by Fusarium fujikuroi, and the IC50 values of polyoxin B, D, K and L were 270, 42, 65 and 62µmol L-1, respectively. Polyoxins repressed the transcription of genes encoding proteins required for aflatoxin biosynthesis in A. parasiticus and fumonisin biosynthesis in F. fujikuroi. Polyoxin K and D also inhibited conidiation in A. parasiticus and F. fujikuroi, respectively. These results suggest that a mixture of polyoxins may effectively prevent co-contamination of aflatoxin and fumonisin in foods.

Characterization and Toxicity Evaluation of Broiler Skin Elastin for Potential Functional Biomaterial in Tissue Engineering.

Broiler skin, a by-product of poultry processing, has been proven to contain essential elastin, a high-value protein with many applications. The present study reported the extraction of water-soluble elastin from broiler skin by using sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and oxalic acid treatment before freeze-drying. Chemical characterization such as protein and fat content, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, amino acid composition and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed and compared with commercial elastin from bovine neck ligament. The resultant elastin’s toxicity was analyzed using an MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tetrazolium assay and primary skin irritation test. Results showed a high quality of the extracted-elastin with the presence of a high amount of proline (6.55 ± 0.40%) and glycine (9.65 ± 0.44%), low amount of hydroxyproline (0.80 ± 0.32%), methionine (2.04 ± 0.05%), and histidine (1.81 ± 0.05%) together with calculated 0.56 isoleucine/leucine ratio. FTIR analysis showed the presence of typical peaks of amide A, B, I, and II for protein with high denaturation temperature around 322.9 °C. The non-toxic effect of the extracted elastin was observed at a concentration lower than 0.5 mg/mL. Therefore, water-soluble elastin powder extracted from broiler skin can be an alternative source of elastin as a biomaterial for tissue engineering applications.

Plant Sampling for Production of Essential Oil and Evaluation of Its Antimicrobial Activity In Vitro.

Essential oils (EOs) and oleoresins are complex mixtures mainly made up of terpenes, synthesized by a wide variety of plants. Individual terpenes may show broad-spectrum activity against different plant pathogens, and their combination into EO and oleoresin mixtures enhances plant chemical defense. The interest in EOs has significantly increased due to the trend of using natural products as herbicides, insecticidal and antimicrobial agents. In addition, the use of plant mixtures is an emerging approach to face the problem of antimicrobial resistance in agriculture. This chapter reports guidelines about plant sample collection for the production of EOs and provides protocols to test their activity as antimicrobial agents against bacteria and fungi. It also describes a solvent-free method for the inclusion of EOs into β-cyclodextrins. This type of formulate is prepared to turn liquid EOs into easily manageable water-soluble powders, and to control the release of volatile compounds, aiming to increase EOs' applications in agriculture.

Adaptogens as anti-stress agents in reducing increased plasma cortisol level during stress

The stress response involves the activation of both the sympathetic-adrenal response and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. During times of increased stress, the adrenal gland is stimulated to produce increased levels of hormones. Cortisol, the main hormone involved in the stress response, is secreted in increased amounts within minutes of a perceived stressor. Cortisol secretion can increase as much as 20-fold and has several important physiological effects. Short-term surges in cortisol levels can suppress inflammation and at the same time suppress immune function. Though inflammation control is important, surges of sustained levels of cortisol are not healthy and ultimately lead to premature aging, degenerative disease, and increased susceptibility to cancer. Studies show that psycho-social stress activates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis causing an increase in morning cortisol levels, which correlated to the subjects reports of increased fatigue and anxiety. Although this stress response is important for survival during an acute stressor, prolonged activation of the stress response may lead to adrenal exhaustion in which cortisol levels drop to insufficient levels resulting in fatigue or illness. Many herbs have been shown to impact adrenal function. Adaptogens are plants that produce a non-specific response improving the physiological resistance to stressors. These herbs are often used in the context of adrenal support formulas to balance adrenal hormone levels. It is believed that adaptogenic herbs can increase low levels of adrenal hormone or decrease levels that are elevated. Additionally, these herbs provide balancing activity on many body systems that are impacted by stress, such as the immune response and blood sugar control.In the present study, we have evaluated the efficacy of ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum 47mg/kg p.o, Withania somnifera 23 mg/kg p.o and Bacopa monnieri 23 mg/kg p.o on plasma cortisol level in mice subjected to swim endurance test and cold restraint stress. The standard group was administered water-soluble root powder of Panax ginseng 100 mg/kg p.o and the stress control group was administered distilled water orally for 7 days. It was found that mice pretreated with ethanolic extracts of Ocimum sanctum, Withania somnifera and Bacopa monnieri showed a fall in the plasma cortisol level. The standard group also showed a significant decrease in the plasma cortisol level compared to the stress and normal control groups.

Efficacy of Water-Soluble Pearl Powder Components Extracted by a CO2 Supercritical Extraction System in Promoting Wound Healing.

Pearl powder is a biologically active substance that is widely used in traditional medicine, skin repair and maintenance. The traditional industrial extraction processes of pearl powder are mainly based on water, acid or enzyme extraction methods, all of which have their own drawbacks. In this study, we propose a new extraction process for these active ingredients, specifically, water-soluble components of pearl powder extracted by a CO2 supercritical extraction system (SFE), followed by the extraction efficiency evaluation. A wound-healing activity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. This demonstrated that the supercritical extraction technique showed high efficiency as measured by the total protein percentage. The extracts exhibited cell proliferation and migration-promoting activity, in addition to improving collagen formation and healing efficiency in vivo. In brief, this study proposes a novel extraction process for pearl powder, and the extracts were also explored for wound-healing bioactivity, demonstrating the potential in wound healing.