Isolation, characterization and formulation properties of a new plant gum obtained fromCissus refescence

Influence of weevil on the physicochemical characteristics, functional properties, and nutritional value of rice (Oryza sativa L.) produced at Yagoua (far-north Cameroon)

The infestation of rice by pests during the post-harvest phase is one of the consequences of the deterioration of its technological and nutritional quality. Therefore, the present study was carried out to determine the physico-chemical characteristics, functional properties and nutritional value of uninfested and weevil-infested rice during storage. To this end, rice samples were collected from a rice production unit in the Far North Region of Cameroon. The physico-chemical and functional properties of uninfested and infested rice flours were determined using standard methods. The results showed that among the functional properties, only porosity showed a significant difference (p˂0.05) between infested (13.88 %) and uninfested (17.30 %) rice flours. Concerning the proximate composition, except for the carbohydrate content, where a significant decrease (p˂0.05) was observed between infested (68.15 %) and non-infested (58.43 %) rice flours, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed for the other nutrients evaluated. It was also observed that weevil infestation had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the mineral content of the rice samples. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the presence of smaller granules with imprecise shapes in non-infested rice flour. Thus, this study showed that weevil infestation had a significant negative impact on the nutritional quality of rice and that good practices must be adopted by producers to ensure the quality of rice grains during storage.

Physicochemical Characterization and Evaluation of Ficus vasta Gum as a Binder in Tablet Formulation

Binders are ingredients used in tablet granulation process for tablet cohesiveness which confirms that the tablet remains intact after compression. Natural gums have been employed as disintegrants, emulsifying agents, suspending agents, and binders in tablets. Even though Ficus vasta gum is claimed as a possible pharmaceutical excipient by some phytochemical studies, literature is scanty on its efficacy as a tablet binder. The purpose of this study was to isolate, characterize, and comparatively evaluate Ficus vasta gum as a potential binder in tablet formulation. Gum was extracted from Ficus vasta tree, characterized for physicochemical properties, and applied as a binder in paracetamol granule and tablet formulation. Granules were prepared using 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% w/w concentration of the gum and standard binders (polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 and Starch@1500) by wet granulation. The formulated tablets were then evaluated for tablet quality parameters, and comparison between the test and standard binders was done by ANOVA. The dried crude gum yielded 50.63% (w/w) of a brownish yellow purified gum. The angle of repose, Carr's index, and the Hausner ratio all complied with the pharmacopoeial recommendations. The gum is compatible with the model drug, paracetamol. The paracetamol granules prepared with Ficus gum binder demonstrated an optimum size range and size distribution with substantial flow and compressibility properties. Ficus gum binder demonstrated significantly higher disintegration time and strength properties than that of similar concentrations of Starch@1500 but lower than polyvinylpyrrolidone (p < 0.05). Ficus gum has better binding properties than starch but lower than polyvinylpyrrolidone. Hence, Ficus vasta gum can be used as an alternative tablet binder in tablet manufacturing.

Alternative Utilization of Vegetable Crop: Pumpkin Polysaccharide Extract and Their Efficacy on Skin Hydration

Traditional pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) and Japanese pumpkin (C. maxima) consist of natural polysaccharides. From a scientific basis, natural polysaccharides could be applied to improve hydration in the cosmetic field. The purified polysaccharide was extracted and deproteinized with the CaCl2 method. Japanese pumpkin showed the higher value of physicochemical properties including yield (12.96 ± 0.60%), total polysaccharide content (0.89 ± 0.04 mg/mL), swelling capacity (4.00 ± 0.00%), swelling index (1.04 ± 0.00%), solubility (126.67 ± 5.77%), viscosity (1.25 ± 0.00 cps), water capacity (0.93 ± 0.15 g/g) and oil absorption capacity (5.93 ± 0.06 g/g) than traditional pumpkin. Additionally, Japanese pumpkin (IC50 9.30 ± 0.58 µg/mL) provided higher antioxidant activity by DPPH assay than traditional pumpkin (IC50 9.98 ± 0.25 µg/mL). The evaluation of efficacy on skin hydration in fifteen Thai volunteers indicated that Japanese pumpkin showed non-skin irritation. An extract concentration of 0.05–0.1% showed a significantly increased effect in moisturizing ability according to concentration (p < 0.05). This result supported that it was safe and effective to use as a moisturizer for cosmetic products.

Surface Morphology and Physicochemical Characterization of Thermostable Moringa Gum: A Potential Pharmaceutical Excipient

An efficient protocol for physico-chemical characterization of gum exudates collected from the drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera Lam.) has been reported in the present study. Extraction of gum metabolites was done using a series of water, alcohol, acid, and alkali solvent systems. The gum was sparingly soluble in water at room temperature and formed a colloidal solution. Solubility of the gum gradually increased in the solvent gradient (80% ethanol, deionized water, 0.05 M HCl, and 0.05 M NaOH) at 90 °C. Further, electron microscopy revealed that the acetyl group is essential in maintaining the structural integrity, and deacetylation of gum resulted in formation of a mesh of scattered and fibrous particles. Treatment of gum with deionized water resulted in development of a hydrocolloidal matrix with a pore size of 0.5 μm, which upon deacetylation was reduced up to 0.2 μm. The polymer was amorphous in nature and showed maximum thermal stability in ethanol. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the gum polymer revealed that carbohydrate derivatives constituted its major part (>75%). Maximum carbohydrate concentration was obtained in the ethanol soluble fraction, along with fatty acids (10%) and secondary metabolites (9%). The results provided very first confirmation of the hydrocolloidal properties and thermostability of the gum exudates obtained from the drumstick tree, which can further be used to develop an eco-friendly and nontoxic bioligand.

Preparation and Characterization of Polyelectrolyte Complexes of Hibiscus esculentus (Okra) Gum and Chitosan

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) of Okra gum (OKG) extracted from fruits of Hibiscus esculentus (Malvaceae) and chitosan (CH) were prepared using ionic gelation technique. The PECs were insoluble and maximum yield was obtained at weight ratio of 7 : 3. The supernatant obtained after extracting PECs was clearly representing complete conversion of polysaccharides into PECs. Complexation was also evaluated by measuring the viscosity of supernatant after precipitation of PECs. The dried PECs were characterized using FTIR, DSC, zeta potential, water uptake, and SEM studies. Thermal analysis of PECs prepared at all ratios (10 : 90, 20 : 80, 30 : 70, 40 : 60, 50 : 50, 60 : 40, 70 : 30, 80 : 20, and 90 : 10; OKG : CH) depicted an endothermic peak at approximately 240°C representing cleavage of electrostatic bond between OKG and CH. The optimized ratio (7 : 3) exhibited a zeta potential of -0.434 mV and displayed a porous structure in SEM analysis. These OKG-CH PECs can be further employed as promising carrier for drug delivery.

Extraction, Characterization, and Molecular Weight Determination of Senna tora (L.) Seed Polysaccharide

The objective of the present work was extraction of polysaccharide from Senna tora L. seed and its characterization as a pharmaceutical excipient. Polysaccharide extraction was based on mechanical separation of the endosperm of seeds of Senna tora, water dissolution, centrifugation, and precipitation with acetone. Standard procedures were used to study the viscosity, micromeritic properties, and microbial bioburden. Accelerated stability study was carried out on isolated polysaccharide for six months at 40°C/75 RH as per ICH guidelines. The gum obtained from S. tora seeds was an amorphous free flowing odourless powder with dull brown colour (yield = 35% w/w). The bulk density, tapped density, and angle of repose data reveal that S. tora gum possesses good flow property. The intrinsic viscosity obtained was 1.568 dL/g. The average molecular weight of purified S. tora gum was found to be 198 kDa by intrinsic viscosity method. The results indicated that viscosity of gum solution increases with increase in temperature. FTIR study revealed the absence of degradation or decomposition of polysaccharide at accelerated stability conditions for six months. It has been concluded that extracted polysaccharide can be used as pharmaceutical excipient in terms of flow behavior, microbial properties, and stability.

Hordeum vulgare hull in the design of fast disintegrating tablets

In the present study, fast disintegrating tablets were designed with a view to enhance patient compliance. In this method, the hull of Hordeum vulgare, cross carmellose sodium, and sodium starch glycolate were used as superdisintegrants (4 and 6%), along with microcrystalline cellulose and mannitol, to enhance mouth feel. The prepared batches of tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, drug content uniformity, wetting time, water absorption ratio and in vitro dispersion time. Based on the in vitro dispersion time, the formulations were tested for the in vitro drug release pattern. Tablets having H. vulgare hull showed the release profile comparable to those tablets having sodium starch glycolate and cross carmellose sodium.