Chitosan Membrane Containing Copaiba Oil (Copaifera spp.) for Skin Wound Treatment

The interaction of copaiba oil in the polymer matrix of chitosan can produce a favorable synergistic effect and potentiate properties. Indeed, the bioactive principles present in copaiba oil have anti-inflammatory and healing action. In the present work, chitosan membranes containing different contents of copaiba oil copaíba (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0% (v/v)) were for the first time investigated. The membranes were developed by the casting method and analyzed for their morphology, degree of intumescence, moisture content, contact angle, Scanning Electron Microscope, and X-ray diffractometry. These chitosan/copaiba oil porous membranes disclosed fluid absorption capacity, hydrophilic surface, and moisture. In addition, the results showed that chitosan membranes with the addition of 1.0% (v/v) of copaiba oil presented oil drops with larger diameters, around 123.78 μm. The highest fluid absorption indexes were observed in chitosan membranes containing 0.1 and 0.5% (v/v) of copaiba oil. In addition, the copaiba oil modified the crystalline structure of chitosan. Such characteristics are expected to favor wound treatment. However, biological studies are necessary for the safe use of chitosan/copaiba oil membrane as a biomaterial.

Importance of Sports Drinks as a Performance Prerequisites

Optimal hydration is an essential consideration for athletic performance and it involves activities before, during and after exercise. Hence, adequate hydration not only provides benefits for health but also facilitate to maintain athletic performance. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the importance of sports drinks as a performance prerequisites. The central aim of sports drinks utilization differ according to the mode of exercise regime but from a hydration point of view it depends upon rapid fluid absorption, reduction of physiological stress and faster recovery after exercise. So, proper intake of different essential macro and micro nutrients will help our body to hydrate. Sports drinks is a such a product which contain almost all the things which we lost during sports performance. Similarly, dehydration is a condition which cause negative impact on sports performance. The performance of the athlete is very much depends upon their hydration point of view, which may lead to cause both psychological as well as physiological illness. During activity the major fluid loss occurs through sweat. Thus it causes increment of heart rate, body temperature and also reduces the fluid absorption rate, making out body resistive against the minimum demand of work. All these problems can be overcome with the help of isotonic sports drinks. It helps replenish the lost fluid and also provide essential electrolytes and carbohydrates to the athletes which ultimately helped them to execute better performance output.

Diarrhea/Constipation

This chapter will discuss a case of diarrhea/constipation. Diarrhea and constipation are functional bowel disorders (FBDs) of the mid or lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These FBDs result from intestinal motility dysfunction and/or changes in intestinal fluid absorption, which in turn leads to bloating, discomfort, and occasionally, abdominal pain. Certain dietary choices aggravate these conditions, leading to serious complications. Management of diarrhea/constipation usually requires the use of medications and/or lifestyle modifications. The presently discussed case involved factors that exacerbated the conditions of diarrhea/constipation. This case serves as an example of the role of medical nutrition therapy in managing FBDs (particularly diarrhea and constipation). Moreover, this case will allow the dietetic professional to assess the causes of diarrhea/constipation in order to plan for the nutrition intervention and educate the patient about the dietary manipulations required to reduce their symptoms.