jpans
Abstract : Characterisation of Carotenoid and Total Retinol Equivalent Content in Ulam and Medicinal Speciesas Alternative Food Intervention to Combat Vitamin A Deficiency
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Abstract: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is one of the continuous leading causes of children and pregnant women death. To overcome this malnutrition which currently affected one-third of the world population, there is always renewed interest in exploring numerous dietary sources rich in carotenoids which some of them serve as pre-cursors to vitamin A (pro-vitamin A). It is important that affordable staple foods be as nutritious as possible because poverty limits food access for much of the developing world’s population. Therefore, this study was aimed to explore various dietary sources for carotenoids in 28 ulam and medicinal species which are commonly consumed by the local folks. Carotenoid extraction using organic solvents was performed and analysis employed in this study through High Performance Liquid Chromatography revealed seven types of carotenoids in the food matrices; neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene and β-carotene. Interestingly, these carotenoids profiles were found in varying concentration and composition in different species as well as in different period or season. Total carotenoids content quantified in all of the samples lies between 1.315 ± 0.007 to 190.301 ± 3.427 µg/g DW where cekur manis has the highest content. The total vitamin A activity (in terms of retinol equivalent, RE) of every species is also included in this study. The results suggested that at least 20 of the ulam and medicinal species may be used as alternative food intervention to eliminate VAD as a public health concern. Keywords: |
Abstract: Testing Neurotransmitters for Toxicity with a Luminescent Biosensor: Implications for Microbial Endocrinology
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Abstract: Background: The human organism is a complex superorganism including numerous eukaryotic, eubacterial, and archaean cells. The qualitative and quantitative assessment of the microbiota toxicity of chemical agents, i.e., their inhibitory effects on the microbial inhabitants of the human organism in health and disease, seems to hold much value in this context. In this work, a bacterial luminescence-based express test system for microbiota toxicity is applied to neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and histamine. Methods: The biosensor was based on a GM Escherichia coli K12 strain (TGI) that contained the lux operon of the luminescent soil bacterium Photorhabdus luminescencens ZMI. The biosensor was exposed to the action of the tested neurotransmitters for 5 to 60 minutes The intensity of bacterial luminescence (counts.sec-1) was monitored in the control and the experimental samples with a Biotoks 6 ms luminometer (Russia); the toxicity index (T) of the neurotransmitters was determined. Results: A marked toxic effect on bioluminescence was produced by serotonin, histamine, and dopamine at concentrations exceeding 80 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml, and 1 mg/ml, respectively. At lower concentration, these neurotransmitters were “negatively toxic”, i.e. stimulatory in terms of the effect on bacterial luminescence. In contrast, norepinephrine inhibited luminescence at all concentrations tested. Conclusions: The bacterial luminescence-based testing method is applicable to the assessment of the destructive and stimulatory effects of neurotransmitters; the data obtained are of microbiological and clinical relevance. Keywords: |
Abstract : Isolation and Purification of β-Carotene from Morinda citrifolia as HPLC Standard and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient
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Abstract: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of individual carotenoids content and composition are complicated, time consuming and in fact very costly. The crucial and vital part is the availability and reliability of the pure standards. Most of the individual carotenoids are commercially available either in natural or synthetic form but they are quite expensive and some of it not available in the market anymore. These problems strongly associated with the accuracy and reliability of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis data. Therefore, this study aimed to set up an analytical scheme of obtaining b-carotene standard from the leaves of Morinda citrifolia as one of the carotenoid standards for HPLC analysis. M. citrifolia has been selected due to its abundance throughout the year with tropical climate. The scheme via open column chromatography (OCC) established that the purity of β-carotene standard was 97% and the coefficient of correlation was 0.9923. However after 30 day storage period of time, the purity decreased to 95.46%. Although these had an effect on the carotenoid standard stability but it can be a reliable source of β-carotene standard for HPLC analysis as well as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, food and beverage industries. Keywords: |
Abstract: Phase II Clinical Trial to Establish Efficacy of a Locally Appropriate Bivalent Anti Snake Venom in Pakistan
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Abstract: Objective: This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of Snake anti-venom Immunoglobulin [IgG] manufactured by Anti-Snake Venom [ASV]/Anti-Rabies [ARV] Serology Laboratory, Health Department, Government of Sindh. Methods: The prospective, observational single arm study was conducted after the approval of IRB. Study included six patients with viper [Echis carinatus sochureki] snakebites referred to the emergency ward of Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences Hospital, Nawabshah and District Headquarter Hospital Mithi, Sindh, Pakistan with consultation of Clinical and Principal investigator. The study was conducted over a period of three months [August 2015 to November 2015]. All patients were given IV infusion of 10 mL [1 vial] investigational ASV diluted in 100 mL normal saline except one patient who received 5 mL management dose and 5 mL subsequent dose for the recovery of coagulopathy. The efficacy was assessed by Primary and secondary efficacy endpoints, i.e. the dose at which maximum no of patients were treated [permanent restoration of normal blood coagulation tested by 20-minute whole blood clotting test [20-minute WBCT] with minimum toxicity. Results: All patients recovered from coagulopathy after receiving IV infusion of 10 mL investigational ASV diluted in 100 mL normal saline tested by 20-minute WBCT. Mean Recovery time was 9:15 ± 3:25 hours. Conclusion: Safety and efficacy was assessed for the Bivalent Anti venom Immunoglobulin-NQ1 [IgG] manufactured by ASV/ARV Serology Laboratory, Health Department, Government of Sindh.. Keywords: |
