Investigation for the Effects of Omega 3 Fatty Acid and Glutamine-L-Alanine on Morbidity and Mortality in the Critically ILL Patients after Major Abdominal Surgery
Pages 124-130
Kaya Bulut Gulsen, Ozgultekin Asu, Turan Guldem, Isıtmangil Gulbu, Terzioglu Ufuk, Kurt Nurettin and Ekinci Osman
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2014.04.02.8
Published: 30 April 2014

Abstract: Background & Objectives: This study investigated the effects for the addition of omega 3 fatty acids and glutamine-L-alanine to the standard enteral and/or parenteral nutrition regimen on infection and mortality in the critically ill patients after major abdominal surgery.

Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, single center study. A total of 43 patients (age range: 18-85 years), who were in the critical care unit after major abdominal surgery, were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to simple randomized selection [Control group, n=20; Study Group, n=23 (omega3 fatty acids and glutamine-L-alanine)] and were monitored for 21 days. Patients were examined for the assessment of APACHE II Score and existence of ALI (acute lung injury)/ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) requiring mechanical ventilation. In addition to standard enteral or parenteral nutrition, patients in the study group were given parenteral pharmaconutrition products for 10 days postoperatively. Groups were compared for the duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of stay in the intensive care unit and hospitalization, and mortality. Laboratory parameters including CRP, TNFα, IL6, IL8, nitrogen balance, albumin, and total lymphocyte count were recorded.

Results:Although the mean APACHE score was higher in study group in which patients received omega-3 fatty acids and glutamine-L-alanine support, the clinical infection rate seemed to decrease insignificantly.

Conclusions: A clinically decreased rate of infection was observed in patients with a high APACHE II score, or who received omega-3 fatty acids, glutamine-L-alanine, are required to be administered more selectively and in larger patient groups in different doses and in combination protocols in accordance with the current pharmaconutritional support and in different timing combinations, including preoperative period.

Isolation and Purification of β-Carotene from Morinda citrifolia as HPLC Standard and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient
Pages 95-99
Rashidi Othman, Fatimah Azzahra Mohd Zaifuddin and Norazian Mohd Hassan
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2017.07.03.4
Published: 14 July 2017

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:
Carotenoid, β-carotene, Morinda citrifolia, Active pharmaceutical ingredient.

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Investigation of Physical Quality Characteristics of Dry Land and Wet Land Wheat Varieties
Pages 100-105
Saghir Ahmed Sheikh, Benish Nawaz Merani, Aijaz Hussain Somro, Liaquat Jamali and Aasia Akbar Panhwar
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2014.04.02.5
Published: 30 April 2014

Abstract: The aim of this research study was to determine the physical characteristics of some commercial wheat varieties of dry land and wet land grown in Sindh province. Four irrigated land (Inqulab, TD-1, Kherman, and Sarsabz) wheat varieties and four drought tolerant (TK-3, Marvi, PK-85, Sassi) wheat varieties were collected from their respective areas and subjected to physical analysis.

The physical characteristics of dry land and wet land wheat varieties differed significantly. It was observed that dry land wheat varieties higher in length (7.29mm) as compared to wet land wheat varieties (7.05mm). Whereas, wet land wheat varieties higher in breadth (4.97mm), thickness(3.86mm), volume (59.7mm³), geometric mean (10.66mm) and sphericity (1.72%) than those of dry land wheat varieties with breadth (4.15mm), thickness (3.25mm), volume (45.3mm³), geometric mean (9.34mm) and sphericity (1.35%). It is also observed that TKW (47g) of wet land wheat varieties were higher than those of dry land wheat varieties TKW (40.2g). Moreover, falling number (419sec) were recorded higher in wet land wheat varieties than those of dry land wheat varieties falling number (387sec). While, dry land wheat varieties increased in its hardness (55.3%) than those of wet land wheat varieties hardness (51.3%). This study reveals that availability of water and environmental factors are directly related with the nutritional characteristics of wheat varieties. This study revealed that due to more moisture content in wet land wheat varieties TKW, breadth, thickness, volume, geometric mean, falling number and sphericity were recorded as higher than dry land wheat varieties. However, Length and hardness were observed higher in dry land wheat varieties which resulted in better yield of flour as compared with wet land wheat varieties.

Lactic Acid Bacteria in Pharmaceutical Formulations: Presence and Viability of “Healthy Microorganisms”
Pages 66-75
Mariantonietta Succi, Elena Sorrentino, Tiziana Di Renzo, Patrizio Tremonte, Anna Reale, Luca Tipaldi, Gianfranco Pannella, Antonio Russo and Raffaele Coppola

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2014.04.01.10
Published: 18 February 2014

Abstract: Many probiotic formulations are available in the market and are advertised for several preventive or curative roles. The aim of this study was the identification of microorganisms composing different lactic acid bacteria based pharmaceutical formulations and the ascertainment of their ability to survive gastro-intestinal (GI) stresses, the main requisite to produce beneficial effects. For this purpose, viable bacteria were enumerated by plate counts in different media. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR-DGGE) analysis was applied on pure isolates and on crude formulations to confirm the composition in species. Also, crude formulations were subjected to stresses characteristic of the GI tract (GIT) to assess cell survival. Results highlighted concentrations lower than those reported in the labels in almost all the formulations. Moreover, some discrepancies were observed between reported species and those ascertained through the identification, and the use of an erroneous nomenclature was highlighted. The GI stress test revealed that bacteria are strongly injured, and this fact was evidenced by a marked reduction in viable counts after the stress. In conclusion, a widespread number of lactic acid bacteria based formulations are sold as probiotics, but their probiotic requisites are not adequately observed.