Free and Immobilized Microbial Culture–Mediated Crude Oil Degradation and Microbial Diversity Changes Through Taxonomic and Functional Markers in a Sandy Loam Soil

Crude oil contamination of soil and water resources is a widespread issue. The present study evaluated the degradation of aliphatic hydrocarbons (C11–C36) in crude oil by 17 bacteria isolated from a crude oil–contaminated soil. The results suggested that Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens were the best hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in the presence of surfactant Tween-80 (0.1% w/v). Based on the present investigation and a previous study, Pseudomonas sp. + B. amyloliquefaciens and fungus Aspergillus sydowii were identified as best oil degraders and were immobilized in alginate–bentonite beads, guargum–nanobenonite water dispersible granules (WDGs), and carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC)–bentonite composite. Sandy loam soil was fortified with 1, 2, and 5% crude oil, and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) degradation efficiency of free cultures and bio-formulations was evaluated in sandy loam soils. Compared to a half-life (t1/2) of 69.7 days in the control soil (1% oil), free cultures of Pseudomonas sp. + B. amyloliquefaciens and A. sydowii degraded TPH with t1/2 of 10.8 and 19.4 days, respectively. Increasing the oil content slowed down degradation, and the t1/2 in the control and soils inoculated with Pseudomonas sp. + B. amyloliquefaciens and A. sydowii was 72.9, 14.7, and 22.2 days (2%) and 87.0, 23.4, and 30.8 days (5%), respectively. Supplementing soil with ammonium sulfate (1%) enhanced TPH degradation by Pseudomonas sp. + B. amyloliquefaciens (t1/2–10 days) and A. sydowii (t1/2–12.7 days). All three bio-formulations were effective in degrading TPH (1%), and the t1/2 was 10.7–11.9 days (Pseudomonas sp. + B. amyloliquefaciens and 14–20.2 days (A. sydowii) and were at par with free cultures. Microbial diversity analysis based on taxonomic markers and functional markers suggested that the bioaugmentation process helped keep soil in the active stage and restored the original microbial population to some extent. The present study concluded that bio-formulations of crude oil–degrading microbes can be exploited for its degradation in the contaminated environment.

Solid Dispersions of Gefitinib Prepared by Spray Drying with Improved Mucoadhesive and Drug Dissolution Properties

Gefitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is intended for oral administration yet suffers poor bioavailability along with undesirable side effects. To enhance its solubility and allow colon targeting, gefitinib (ZD) and blends of different ratios of polymers (ternary dispersion) were prepared in organic solution, and solid dispersions were generated employing the spray drying (SD) technique. The methylmethacrylate polymer Eudragit S 100 was incorporated for colon targeting; polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) were utilised to improve the solubility of ZD. SEM, DSC, XRPD, FT-IR, dissolution and cytotoxicity studies were undertaken to characterise and evaluate the developed formulations. SEM images revealed that the rod-shaped crystals of ZD were transformed into collapsed spheres with smaller particle size in the spray-dried particles. DSC, FTIR and XRPD studies showed that ZD loaded in the spray-dried dispersions was amorphous. ZD dissolution and release studies revealed that while a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the ZD dissolution and release was observed from HPMC-based solid dispersion at pH 7.2 (up to 95% in 15 h), practically no drug was released at pH 1.2 and pH 6.5. Furthermore, the HPMC-based solid dispersions displayed enhanced mucoadhesive properties compared with PVP-based ones. Interestingly, cell viability studies using the neutral red assay showed that PVP and HPMC-based solid dispersions had no additional inhibitory effect on Caco-2 cell line compared to the pure drug.

Formulation of Herbal Gel for Wound Healing from Hollarrhena Pubences, Withania Somnifera, Azadirachta Indica, Curcuma Longa

The present reaearch has been undertaken with the aim to fomulate and evaluate the herble gel containng alcoholic extract of Hollarrhena pubences(kurchi), Withania somnifera(ashwagandha), curcuma longa(turmeric)Azadiracht indica(neem). The gel formulation prepared by using various polymer bases(methyl cellulose) . The stability study have carried as perICH guideline. The result show that the gel formulation containing kurchi, ashwagandha, turmeric, neem has better stability than other. All formulation studied on animal model(rat).The present work justifies the use oh herbal gel containing ashwagandha, turmeric, neem, kurchi for wound healing. Keywords: wound healing; Hollarrhena pubences, withania somnifera, curcuma longa, azadirachta indica; topicle gel.

Solid Dispersion Preparation by Different Methods to Improve Solubility & Dissolution Simvastatin

The improvement of a pure drug's solubility and dissolution rate in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Simvastatin is a 5-percent absolute bioavailability selective competitive inhibitor of HMG Co-A reductase. For the selection of the carrier, a preliminary solubility investigation of solid dispersion was performed, and solid dispersion was made using Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC) and gum acacia. Solid dispersion of medication with polymer was created and studied for solubility and in-vitro dissolution profile. Solid dispersion of drug with polymer has shown an increase in solubility and improved dissolution rate. On the obtained formulations, further FTIR, X-Ray, Scanning electron microscopy, and Differential scanning calorimetry experiments were conducted. The existence of amorphous form in a solid dispersion made with polymer in a 1:5 ratio is verified by characterization research. The research also showed that using a solid dispersion approach with Polymer, the dissolving rate of a pure medication may be significantly increased.

SYNTHESIS OF ACTIVATED CARBON AND CMC BEADS FROM CORN HUSK FOR EFFLUENT TREATMENT

Adsorption of dyes from the effluent is a well-known and feasible method been used in the industry. In the present work we are using corn husk agricultural waste as a sustainable raw material for synthesizing activated carbon using biopolymer carboxyl methyl cellulose for formation of beads. The beads formed are been used for removal of reactive ultra-orange RGB , acid telon yellow FG 01, basic coracryl red C2B. The surface area of beads is 39.87m2 /g. The maximum adsorption of reactive orange RGB , acid telon yellow and basic coracryl red is 68.25mg/g, 72.54mg/g and 30.21mg/g for 50ml of dye solution. The stock solution 0.4g/l of dye solution was prepared for each dye respectively. The beads formed shows a variable pH from 2 to 12 which is favourable for textile effluent. This is a green approach to use the agricultural waste for waste water treatment.