jpans
Abstract : Carotenoid Content and Composition in 20 Medicinal Plant Species of Traditional Malay Midwifery Postnatal Bath
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Abstract: Today in Malay community, midwifery traditional knowledge of herbal medicine has disappeared and extinct. The facts are Malay midwives are becoming rare and the more crucial is medicinal plants are over-harvested. The aim of this research is to identify and investigate the active pharmaceutical ingredients content in 20 selected species used in the Malay traditional bath. There is a solid need to analyse the potential of these natural bioactive compounds, particularly carotenoids to be fully utilised and commercialised especially in halal market and health advantages. Through High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, all 20 species were found to have at least four individual carotenoid pigments with a relatively high concentration of lutein and β-carotene and lower concentrations of zeaxanthin. Strobilanthes crispus (Pecah Kaca) leaf was detected to have the highest total carotenoid content (1546.80±283.45 μg/g DW)while Psidium guajava (Jambu Batu) shoot has the lowest total carotenoid content (112.9±82.2 μg/g DW). The significant outcome of the research was a new findings of new natural bioactive compound sources as health promoting agents which covers not only the Shariah requirement, but also safety aspects. Moreover, it will preserve the traditional knowledge of Malay traditional bath practices.. Keywords: Malay midwifery, postnatal traditional bath, carotenoids, antioxidant, active pharmaceutical ingredients, natural bioactive compounds. |
Abstract : Natural Carotenoid Pigments of 6 Chlorophyta Freshwater Green Algae Species
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Abstract: Nowadays, halal products are gaining wider recognition as a new benchmark for safety and quality assurance. As a consequence the commercial development of microalgae is established due to their high value chemicals, for examples, β-carotene, astaxanthin, phycobilin pigments and algal extracts for cosmaceutical products. Therefore, many researchers have gained interest to study the potential of microalgae as new valuable chemicals and other product sources. The aim of the research is to explore new sources of pigments to be used as halal food colorants. This quest is not only directed in finding natural alternatives for synthetic dyes, but also to discover new taxons for the carotenoid production. Thus, there is a solid need to investigate the potential of natural pigments, particularly carotenoids in microalgae to be fully utilised and commercialised especially in halal market, health advantages, food products and dye technology. A total of 6 species was evaluated for quantitative and qualitative carotenoid composition, namely, Chlorella fusca, Chlorella vulgaris, Selenastrum capricornutum, Pandorina morum, Botryococcus sudeticus and Chlorococcum sp. The main carotenoids identified in all species through HPLC analysis were lutein, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene. The ratio of these carotenoids varies between species. Lutein was detected substantially higher in Chlorella fusca (69.54±11.29 µg/g DW); β-cryptoxanthin in Pandorina morum species (1.24±0.33 µg/g DW) whereas β-carotene in Chlorella vulgaris (18.42±9.2 ug/g DW). The significant outcome of the research will be new findings of new natural carotenoid pigment sources as potential food colorants and bioactive compounds which can be beneficial to halal health promoting products industry. Keywords: Active pharmaceutical ingredients, natural colorants, carotenoid, freshwater green microalgae, lutein, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin. |
Abstract : Structural Changes to Immune Organs in Rats after Intermittent Fasting Following a High Carb and Fat Diet
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Abstract: Methods: An experimental study with post-test only control group design, with 15 male rat subjects aged 2.5 months were divided into three groups: first group had a diet that was ad libitum (AL); second group were given a diet high in fats and carbohydrates for 1 month then were fed ad libitum (HCL); and third group were given a diet high in fat and carbohydrates for 1 month continued with alternating 12 hour fasting periods for 72 days (F). Results: Total Hassall’s corpuscles of AL, HCL, and F groups were 1.33 ± 077; 2.58 ± 1.35; and 0.69 ± 0.27, respectively (p = 0.008). Fat cells were not found in the thymus. The largest white pulp in the spleen was found in group F, followed by AL, while the smallest was found in group of HCL (p = 0.01). The most depleted white pulp density was the HCL group. There is no significant difference in the number of leukocytes and different leukocyte count between the groups (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Intermittent fasting for 72 days affects the number of Hassall’s corpuscles in the thymus and the width of white pulp in the spleen of Wistar rats. Keywords: Intermittent fasting, thymus, spleen, leukocytes, high carbohydrate diet, high fat diet. |
Abstract : Direct Determination of Selenium in Serum Matrix by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry: Application on Healthy Individuals from Algeria
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Abstract: Selenium is a trace element implicated significantly in oxidative stress in biological systems. In this work, a direct method for selenium determination in serum samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman background correction is proposed. Serum samples were five-fold diluted in a 0.14% HNO3 and 0.2% Triton X-100 solution. Aliquots of 20 µL of the diluted serum samples were directly introduced into transversely heated graphite tubes. A total of 5 µg Pd and 3 µg Mg(NO3)2 was used as chemical modifier. Optimization of heating program was conducted by varying pyrolysis and atomization characteristic values. The optimal conditions were found to be 1400 and 2000 °C for pyrolysis and atomization temperatures respectively and 11 seconds for pyrolysis hold time. The standard additions method was employed for calibration. Intra-day and inter-day validation using quality control samples at each point of the addition calibration curve were performed. Good accuracy, precision and recovery were achieved with the proposed method (less than 5% for accuracy and precision). A characteristic mass of 92.550 pg, a limit of detection of 4.010 ppb and a limit of quantification of 13.375 ppb in undiluted serum samples were obtained. Several reference values of serum selenium concentrations were reported. As an application of the present method, selenium levels were determined in serum samples collected from 20 healthy individuals from Northern-Center of Algeria. Selenium concentrations ranged from 86.883 to 133.955 ppb with a mean value of 110.824±11.898 ppb. Keywords: Selenium, serum, optimization, electhrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, healthy individuals |
Abstract : Phytochemical Investigation and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Foeniculum vulgare Leaves Extract Ingredient of Ethiopian Local Liquor
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Abstract: Medicinal plants are of great interest to the researcher in the field of biotechnology, as natural products, including medicinal plants, accounts 25% of prescribed drugs. Plants are sources for fragrances, drink colors and flavors in several countries including Ethiopia. All parts of Foeniculum vulgare were traditionally used as antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, galactagogues, stomach and kidney ailment. Foeniculum vulgare leaves extract was investigated for its phytochemicals as well as antimicrobial effects. The petroleum ether, CHCl3, CHCl3/CH3OH (1:1) and CH3OH crude extract were subjected to phytochemicals screening test which revealed that it is rich in any primary and secondary metabolites such as steroids, tannins, flavonoids, cholesterol, terpenoids, saponins, phenols, cardiac glycosides, carbohydrates, and proteins. The essential oil of the plant leaves was investigated by GC‑MS and was found to have (64.92%) anethole, as a major constituent followed by (30.88%) estragole and (3.21%)fenchyl acetate. The crude extracts, oil, and the isolated compound were tested against four bacterial species (Gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri; Gram positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyrogenes) and two fungal species (Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus niger) using paper disc diffusion method. Tests of antimicrobial activity showed that all crude extracts and isolated pure compound were active against all the tested bacterial and fungal species. However, the hydrodistillation extract was found to have no antibacterial activity towards the tested bacterial species but active against the two fungal species and thus the present study supported the traditional claims of the plant. Keywords: Antimicrobial activities, Disc diffusion method, Phytochemical screening, anethole, estragole, GC‑MS, Essential oil, Apiaceae. |