Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Ocimum basilicum L

Aim: Standardization of Ocimum basilicum through pharmacognosy. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai “Between” Dec 2014-April 15. Methodology: Organoleptic evaluation was carried out based on sensory characters. A free hand anatomical section of the stem was observed. Powder analysis, maceration, Phytochemical test and Fluorescence analysis were conducted according to standard protocol. Results: The organoleptic characters of the dried leaves of Ocimum basilicum were green, aromatic, pungent and brittle in texture with anomocytic stomata with stomatal index 71.87% in the lower epidermis. A prominent bundle sheath in the leaf was evident. The macerated stem showed annular xylem vessels. The aqueous extract showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and glycosides. Alkaloids and lignins were evident in the histochemical study. Conclusion: Pharmacognostic evaluation of Ocimum basilicum would help in identification, detection of adulterants and development of a monograph.

Comparative Evaluation of Characterization Methods for Powders Used in Additive Manufacturing

In recent years, the interest in additive manufacturing technologies has increased significantly, most of them using powders as feedstock material. It is therefore essential to check the quality of the powder before processing in order to ensure the same quality of the printed components at all times. This kind of quality assurance of a powder should be carried out independently of the additive manufacturing technology used. Since there is a lack of standards in this field, various powder analysis methods are available, with which, in principle, the same characteristics can often be measured, at least nominally. To verify the validity of these methods, three different nickel-based powders used for additive manufacturing were examined in the present study using standard methods (apparent density, tap density, Hall flow rate, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy) and advanced characterization methods (dynamic image analysis, x-ray microcomputed tomography, adsorption measurement by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method). A special focus has been given on particle size distribution, particle shape, specific surface area, and internal porosity. The results of these measurements were statistically compared. This study therefore provides an insight into the advantages and disadvantages of various optical characterization techniques.

Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Evaluation of Aconitum heterophyllum Root

The present work aims to study the pharmacognostical and phytochemical characteristics of the roots of Aconitum heterophyllum. The study deals with the macroscopy, microscopy, powder analysis, physicochemical standardization, and preliminary phytochemical screening of Aconitum heterophyllum roots. Anatomical studies of the tuberous roots of Aconitum heterophyllum showed distinct endodermis, a wide zone of secondary phloem, and a ring of 4 to 9 vascular strands. The powder analysis revealed the presence of suberized cells of metaderm, reticulate xylem vessels, and starch grains. Physicochemical standardization such as moisture content, ash values, and extractive values of Aconitum heterophylluym was determined. For the identification of various chemical constituents, preliminary phytochemical screening was also studied.

Whey Protein Powder Analysis by Kjeldahl and Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy

There is an ever-expanding number of high protein dietary supplements marketed as beneficial to athletes, body builders, infant formulas, elder care, and animal feed. Consumers will pay more for products with high protein per serving data on their nutritional labels, making the accurate reporting of protein content critical to customer confidence. The Kjeldahl Method (KM) is the industry standard to quantitate dairy proteins, but the result is based on nitrogen content, which is an approximation of nitrogen attributable to protein in milk. Optical spectroscopy is commonly used for quality control measurements and has been identified as having the potential to complement the KM as a more nuanced testing measure of dairy protein. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy offers advantages over the KM in that IR provides an accurate representation of protein content in dairy products, and the results can be achieved very quickly. Protein analysis by IR has been used to study protein degradation in aged cheeses, and milk whey powder adulteration in whey protein concentrate supplements. The hypothesis of this thesis is that if mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy can be used to characterize individual whey proteins, then MIR should be applicable to qualitative analysis of protein powders and quality control monitoring of protein powder products for adulteration by inexpensive protein or amino acids. Protein powder analysis by KM revealed that the calculated total percent protein of the five protein powders tested was lower than the value stated on the product label, the percent variation between label protein content and that of the KM ranged from 2.9% to 9.5%. MIR spectroscopy spectra of four whey protein standards and four other protein standards provided qualitative characterization of each protein by amide I and amide II peak absorbance wavenumber. Product tampering by third-party manufacturers is an issue, due to the lack of United States Food and Drug Administration regulation of nutraceutical products, permitting formulators to add low-cost nitrogen-containing components to artificially inflate the KM approximated protein content of the products. Protein powders have been found to be doped with the amino acids glycine, leucine, and glutamic acid and inexpensive proteins, like bovine serum albumin. Controlled doping experiments were conducted with each of the above listed adulterants to assess the effectiveness of MIR spectroscopy to rapidly detect product tampering. Protein doping experiments revealed that as BSA amounts were increased, the amide I/II peak shape changed from the broad protein powder peaks to the narrower BSA peaks. Amino acid doping experiments revealed that the limit of detection for MIR spectroscopy, for the three amino acids used in this study, is 25%. MIR spectroscopy results may offer product quality assurance that is complementary to dairy protein measurement by the KM.

EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-CANCER AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT EXTRACTS AND FRACTIONS OF STEPHANIA GLABRA

Stephania glabra is a wild medicinal plant possessing multiple uses as anti-cancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Different extracts and fractions were prepared from S. glabra tubers and were analyzed for different activities. Evaluation of the total phenolic and flavonoid content revealed that chloroform extract of S. glabra contain maximum phenolic content and maximum flavonoid content was found in methanolic extract. Dry powder analysis of the tubers revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids and proteins. Ethyl acetate extract of S. glabra tubers showed highest antioxidant potential as revealed by ABTS radical scavenging activity. Methanolic extract has the highest anti-cancer activity while chloroform extracts and fractions have highest antimicrobial activity. These activities can be attributed to the high amount of the phytoconstituents present in these extracts

Study of the Compositional, Microbiological, Biochemical, and Volatile Profile of Red-Veined Cheese, an Internal Monascus-Ripened Variety

Red-Veined Cheese is an experimental internal mold-ripened cheese using red koji powder as the red starter. The objective of this study was to characterize the physicochemical parameters, microorganisms, proteolysis, lipolysis, and volatile profile of the cheese during 33 days of ripening. The gross composition was 56.7% (w/w) for total solids, 45.8% (w/w) for fat-in-dry matter, 2.58% (w/w) for salt content and 37.8% (w/w) for protein. The pH increased from 4.88 to 5.23 during ripening. The Monascus density first rose and then fell, while total mesophilic bacteria count declined steadily throughout the maturation. Proteolysis degree in experimental group was significantly higher than in control group without inoculation of red koji powder. Analysis of the fatty acid profile showed that the internal Monascus-fermentation also promoted lipolysis. A total of 63 volatile compounds, including 12 ketones, 14 alcohols, 15 acids, 13 esters, 5 aldehydes, 3 lactones and 1 phenol, were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) coupled with headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME). The main chemical groups of volatile compounds were ketones, alcohols, acids and esters whereas aldehydes, lactones, and phenols represented only minor components. At the end of ripening, the levels of ketones, alcohols, esters were significantly higher in the experimental cheese compared with the control. Our results therefore show that the internal Monascus-fermentation is not only a suitable technology to form red veins in the paste but also an effective method to impact the composition of volatile compounds in cheese, which can thus distinguish it from other internal mold-ripened cheeses and surface-ripened Monascus-fermented cheese.

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF LEAVES EXTRACT OF DESMODIUM GANGETICUM

According to Biological Conservation Letter, more than 7,000 species of plants found in various ecosystems are said to be medicinal in the country. So, India is one of the world’s richest sources of medicinal and aromatic plants. Desmodium gangeticum is an important medicinal plant. It is commonly used in ayurvedic formulations for the treatment of various disorders. Phytochemical evaluations, pharmacogonostic evaluation, organoleptic characters, TLC profile was carried out to set them as diagnostic indices for the identification/validation of the raw material and standardization of the formulations. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of active constituents which is necessary for the pharmacological activity. Organoleptic properties, phyto-chemical studies, powder analysis, showed the presence of adulteration in the powder. Majority of the antidepressant drugs improve depressive symptoms, but they exert multiple undesirable side effects. The search for more productive and well tolerated drugs is in progress. Phytochemical analysis of Desmodium gangeticum revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, Saponins, Steroids. Desmodium gangeticum is a well known medicinal plant as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and nephroprotective etc. It is a very good drug for urinogenital problems, hepatic problems, oxidative stress etc. The present study was depict to evaluate the antidepressant activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Desmodium gangeticum in mice. It was evaluated using the Tail Suspension Test (TST) and Forced Swimming Test (FST) in mice. Desmodium gangeticum (200 and 400 mg/kg) was administered orally in separate groups of Swiss albino mice weighing 20-25 for 14 days in TST and FST tests.. The Leaves extract of Desmodium gangeticum showed a dose dependant reduction in duration of immobility in mice. The dose of 400 mg/kg of Leaves extract of Desmodium gangeticum significantly reduced the immobility time of mice in both FST and TST. The effectual of extract was found to be similar to fluoxetine (20 mg mg/kg, po). It was found to be toxicologically safe with no deaths of mice when administered orally at the dose of 2000 mg/kg. From the current study, it can be concluded that the Leaves extract of Desmodium gangeticum possess dominant antidepressant activity as reveal by the TST and FST tests and is toxicologically safe.

Macro and microscopic characters of Maerua oblongifolia (Forssk.) A. Rich leaf

The paper deals with a detailed investigation on the leaves of Maerua oblongifolia (Forssk.) A. Rich. which includes it’s morphological, anatomical and powder analysis. It is a low woody bushy under-shrub belonging to the family Capparaceae. The leaves are used in treatment of as fever, ear ache, stomach ache, skin infections, urinary calculii, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, rigidity in lower limbs, and abdominal colic. The leaf amphistomatic, with mostly anamocytic, few tetracytic stomata. In transverse section of leaf is ribbed on either sides at midvein, epidermis one layered. Mesophyll differentiated into palisade and spongy tissues. Ground tissue of midvein differentiated into palisade, collenchyma and parenchyma. The midvien consists of one large oval shaped vascular bundles arranged are at the centre. Petiole in transverse section is circular adaxially small, grooved at centre and epidermis is having one layered, a single circular vascular bundle present at the centre, vascular bundle is enclosed by endodermis. The powder microscopic and organoleptic characters are also presented in this study. This study would helps as an appropriate source for authentification of the present studied drug.

Stainless steel weld metal enhanced with carbon nanotubes

This paper aims to establish the most indicated route to manufacture a nanostructured powder composed of 5 wt% Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes and 304LSS powder. Four specimens were prepared using Mechanical Alloying and Chemical Treatment (CT) with Hydrogen Peroxide ($${\mathrm{H}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$$ H 2 O 2 ) as the main processes. A thermal treatment post-processing was used in half of the samples to remove the remaining amorphous carbon and to evaluate its effects. Regarding the powder analysis, attachment, amorphous carbon degree, crystallinity, and doping of the CNT throughout the metal matrix were investigated. The nanostructured powders were then inserted as a core in a 304LSS tubular rod to perform the arc welding process. The CT route eliminated the amorphous carbon and generated more refiner grains, which provided a cross-section hardness gain of more than 40% regarding the 304LSS joint. In summary, the CT route, combined with the GTAW process, provided a new method for nanocomposite manufacturing by combining shorter preparation steps, obtaining an improvement in the microstructural and hardness performance.

Comparison of Spectroscopic Techniques Combined with Chemometrics for Cocaine Powder Analysis

Spectroscopic techniques combined with chemometrics are a promising tool for analysis of seized drug powders. In this study, the performance of three spectroscopic techniques [Mid-InfraRed (MIR), Raman and Near-InfraRed (NIR)] was compared. In total, 364 seized powders were analyzed and consisted of 276 cocaine powders (with concentrations ranging from 4 to 99 w%) and 88 powders without cocaine. A classification model (using Support Vector Machines [SVM] discriminant analysis) and a quantification model (using SVM regression) were constructed with each spectral dataset in order to discriminate cocaine powders from other powders and quantify cocaine in powders classified as cocaine positive. The performances of the models were compared with gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection (GC–FID). Different evaluation criteria were used: number of false negatives (FNs), number of false positives (FPs), accuracy, root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) and determination coefficients (R2). Ten colored powders were excluded from the classification data set due to fluorescence background observed in Raman spectra. For the classification, the best accuracy (99.7%) was obtained with MIR spectra. With Raman and NIR spectra, the accuracy was 99.5% and 98.9%, respectively. For the quantification, the best results were obtained with NIR spectra. The cocaine content was determined with a RMSECV of 3.79% and a R2 of 0.97. The performance of MIR and Raman to predict cocaine concentrations was lower than NIR, with RMSECV of 6.76% and 6.79%, respectively and both with a R2 of 0.90. The three spectroscopic techniques can be applied for both classification and quantification of cocaine, but some differences in performance were detected. The best classification was obtained with MIR spectra. For quantification, however, the RMSECV of MIR and Raman was twice as high in comparison with NIR. Spectroscopic techniques combined with chemometrics can reduce the workload for confirmation analysis (e.g., chromatography based) and therefore save time and resources.