Water-in-Oil-in-Water Double Emulsions as Protective Carriers for Sambucus nigra L. Coloring Systems

The use of natural colorants is needed to overcome consumer concerns regarding synthetic food colorants′ safety. However, natural pigments have, in general, poor stability against environmental stresses such as temperature, ionic strength, moisture, light, and pH, among others. In this work, water-in-oil-in-water (W1/O/W2) emulsions were used as protective carriers to improve color stability of a hydrophilic Sambucus nigra L. extract against pH changes. The chemical system comprised water and corn oil as the aqueous and oil phases, respectively, and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR), Tween 80, and gum Arabic as stabilizers. The primary emulsion was prepared using a W1/O ratio of 40/60 (v/v). For the secondary emulsion, W1/O/W2, different (W1/O)/W2 ratios were tested with the 50/50 (v/v) formulation presenting the best stability, being selected as the coloring system to test in food matrices of different pH: natural yogurt (pH 4.65), rice drink (pH 6.01), cow milk (pH 6.47), and soy drink (pH 7.92). Compared to the direct use of the extract, the double emulsion solution gave rise to higher color stability with pH change and storage time, as corroborated by visual and statistical analysis.

Computational studies on physico-chemical properties in the quality analysis of corn and peanut oil

Oils are commonly used in cooking as a frying medium which has been constantly subjected to different levels of heating. In this work, we have considered the most commonly used oils namely peanut oil and corn oil. Quality analyses of corn and peanut oils were made by relating macroscopic properties (ultrasonic velocity, viscosity, and density) to microscopic parameters (intermolecular free length, adiabatic compressibility etc.,) by subjecting them to six cycles of heating (190 ˚C). Variation in the mentioned property indexes, the degree of degradation and reusability for the next heating cycle that could be used in the food industry and processing were monitored. Using Newton-Laplace and Wood’s equation, the adiabatic compressibility, acoustic impedance, and intermolecular free length of the oil were estimated from the experimental data. Ultrasonic velocity was observed linearly as related to viscosity with the dependency factor (R2 = 0.932). With the aid of experiential data, the physical thermodynamic parameters, particularly particle size, packing factor, chemical potential, and L-J potential were computed. A high correlation factor was observed by fitting ultrasonic velocity, viscosity, and density to Parthasarathy and Bakshi, and Rodenbush equations. In the study, ultrasonic velocity, a macroscopic parameter, could be decoded to determine the microscopic variations in oil subjected to different temperatures in an industrial application.

Valorization of By-Products from Biofuel Biorefineries: Extraction and Purification of Bioactive Molecules from Post-Fermentation Corn Oil

The aim of this work was to develop innovative and sustainable extraction, concentration, and purification technologies aimed to recover target substances from corn oil, obtained as side stream product of biomass refineries. Residues of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, phytosterols, tocopherols, and polyphenols could be extracted from this matrix and applied as ingredients for food and feeds, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic products. These molecules are well known for their antioxidant and antiradical capacity, besides other specific biological activities, generically involved in the prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases. The project involved the development of methods for the selective extraction of these minor components, using as suitable extraction technique solid phase extraction. All the extracted and purified fractions were evaluated by NMR spectroscopic analyses and UV–Vis spectrophotometric techniques and characterized by quali-quantitative HPLC analyses. TPC (total phenolic content) and TFC (total flavonoid content) were also determined. DPPH and ABTS radical were used to evaluate radical quenching abilities. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), amylase, glucosidase, and tyrosinase were selected as enzymes in the enzyme inhibitory assays. The obtained results showed the presence of a complex group of interesting molecules with strong potential in market applications according to circular economy principles.

In-Silico Assisted Development of Supersaturable Preconcentrated Isotropic Mixture of Atazanavir for Augmenting Biopharmaceutical Performance in Presence of H2-Receptor Antagonist

The therapeutic potential of atazanavir (BCS Class II drug), a highly selective inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) has been largely limited due to its low intrinsic solubility at elevated pH resulting in low oral bioavailability. Thus, the current work describes the systematic development, optimization and evaluation of HPMC-AS based supersaturable preconcentrate isotropic mixture (SP-IM) containing long chain triglyceride to improve intestinal lymphatic transport and augment oral bioavailability of atazanavir (ATZ). A D-optimal mixture design was employed for optimization of plain IM containing Corn Oil, Oleic acid, Tween 80 and Propylene Glycol, evaluating CQAs like particle size, PDI, self-emulsification time, % transmittance and drug content. In-silico analysis and in-vitro supersaturation test facilitated the selection of HPMC-AS as a best suited polymeric precipitation inhibitor (PPI) for formulating ATZ loaded SP-IM (ATZ-SP-IM). In-vitro dissolution data indicated that ATZ-SP-IM exhibits superior performance in 0.025N HCl and pH 6.8 over pure drug. Ex-vivo permeation and in-vivo pharmacokinetic study of ATZ-SP-IM corroborated enhanced permeation (2.03 fold) and improved drug absorption via lymphatic transport in wistar rats. Further, the pharmacokinetic performance of ATZ-SP-IM was not affected in presence of H2 receptor antagonist. Therefore, the results showed that ATZ-SP-IM can significantly improve the biopharmaceutical attributes of ATZ so as to lay a foundation of further research on the new dosage form of ATZ.

Isolation Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa from Soil and Production of Lipase Enzyme

The isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria were uncovered in the soil surrounding the roots of palms and public gardens in Baghdad for the production of lipase enzyme. The lipase enzyme has many applications that are included in the textile and food industry, and the manufacture of detergents and medical preparations. Several tests such as temperature change, incubation period, change of lipid sources, nitrogen sources such as peptone and tryptone, and carbon sources such as glucose and lactose were carried out to choose suitable conditions for bacterial growth. The results indicated studying the conditions affecting production, it was noted that the best production was when using the culture medium to which 1% of corn oil was added, pH 7, at a temperature of 37 °C and an incubation period of 24 hours in vibrating incubator at 151 rpm, The soil surrounding the roots of the plant is a good reservoir for the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria

Substantiation of technological parameters of the oil extract obtained from Urtica dioica roots based on the yield determination of phytosterols using capillary gas chromatography method

Due to the content of phytosterols, extractive preparations of Urtica dioica roots are able to show antiandrogenic effect in the case of external therapy of men and women with androgenic alopecia. Oil extracts (OE) are characterized by several advantages when applied to the skin of the scalp compared to water-alcohol extracts. For the development of OE technology from Urtica dioica roots, it is important to choose the optimal extraction parameters, which are based on the quantitative determination of phytosterols in the extractant and the studied samples of extracts. The aim of the work is to choose the optimal parameters for obtaining OE from Urtica dioica roots based on quantitative determination of phytosterols content in experimental samples of OE by gas capillary chromatography. Materials and methods. Objects of the research – Urtica dioica root, refined corn oil, refined sunflower oil, samples of oil extracts. Determination of phytosterol content in experimental samples was carried out by gas capillary chromatography (chromatograph “Crystal 2000”, manufacturer – research and production company “Analytics”). Results. 5 different compounds of steroid structure (stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, etc.) were identified in sunflower oil by gas liquid chromatography, and 10 (campesterol, 2-α stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, Δ5-avenosterol, etc.) were identified in sunflower oil. The quantitative content of β-sitosterol in the sum of sterols of corn oil was significantly higher compared to the content of this substance in sunflower oil and amounted to 59.33 %. Optimal technological parameters were established considering the peculiarities of extraction with oil extractant and quantitative determination of the amount of phytosterols and β-sitosterol in experimental samples of OE. The total content of plant sterols in OE, including considering their amount in the extractant, was in the range of 7880 mg/kg; the amount of β-sitosterol was 4638 mg/kg. Conclusion. The choice of optimal parameters for obtaining OE from UDR based on determination of phytosterol yield by gas capillary chromatography was experimentally substantiated, namely: extractant – corn oil, raw material-extract ratio – 1: 5, extraction time – 6 h, extraction method – maceration