Chemical Profile and Proximate and Elemental Composition of Ocimum basilicum Grown in Sudan

This study aimed to investigate the chemical profile, proximate and elemental composition of leaves and flowers of Ocimum basilicum grown in Sudan. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) was used for the analysis of the n-hexane extracts. Results showed that fifty six compounds were detected from the aerial part of the plant. Most of the identified compounds were terpenoids. Monoterpenes represented 47.19%of the n-hexane extract while sesquiterpenes were 32.51%. The major compounds were linalool (18.16%), methyl eugenol (16.18%), α-terpineol (10.02%), and Eucalyptol (8.51%) respectively. Chemical proximate analysis was carried using standard analytical methods. Results showed that the plant was rich in moisture content, total ash, crude fiber and fiber protein. Elemental analysis was performed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer and flame emission for the detection of Ca, Fe, Na, K, Mg, Pb and Mn. Results demonstrated higher calcium and potassium contents. In conclusion O. basilicum grown in Sudan was a good source of food and therapeutic agents which could be of use in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Sodium content in meat products: suitability to labeling and the voluntary agreements

This study was undertaken to evaluate the sodium concentration in meat products, to ascertain their appropriateness for labels and agreements set up between the Health Ministry and the Brazilian Association of Food Industries. A total of 96 meat derivative samples (italian salami, chicken pate, cooked ham, ham, sausage, bologna, tuscan sausage and smoked mixed sausage) were collected from different brands and batches. Using flame emission spectroscopy, the samples were analyzed for sodium levels based on the official methodology. It was observed that 46.9% of the companies showed values in nutritional labeling to be noncompliant with the Brazilian legislation. In fact, 31.2% of the brands assessed failed to satisfy the sodium reduction target decided upon for 2017. The italian salami was the product with the higher sodium content present a average value among the brands of 1716.11 mg 100 g-1. It became evident that merely implementing voluntary agreements had failed to provide total adequacy in the sodium content of the meat products. There is also great need for the industries to be more engaged in finding substitutes to minimize the sodium levels in the foods, without inducing significant alterations in the physicochemical, microbiological and technological features of the products, apart from the higher inspection by the government agencies in terms of agreement compliance and population awareness.

A validated non-compendial method for determination of haemodialysis concentrate’s contents and its comparison with compendial method: Application of ISO 13958:2014 standard

Background: Haemodialysis is a process to remove the waste products and excess fluids that build up in the human body when kidneys stop working. Haemodialysis concentrate consists of two parts, acid concentrate (Part A) that contains mineral ions (Na, K, Mg and Ca) and buffering agent acetic acid /citric acid whereas basic concentrate (Part B) comprise of sodium bicarbonate alone or in combination with sodium chloride. Aim: Present research aimed to develop and validate a rapid method for determination of cations and anions in haemodialysis concentrates in solution and powder form by choosing one of technique among various suggested in ISO 13958:2014. Method: The analysis was done by flame emission (flame photometer), atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS), polarimetric and titrimetric techniques. ICH guidelines were followed for method validation by addressing the linearity, accuracy, precision and detection limits (LOD and LOQ). Results and Discussion: The calibration curves were linear for Mg, Ca, K and Na with coefficient of determination (R2 ) ≥ 0.9978 and regression data indicating the excellent linearity for the selected concentration range for each content. The recovery results were obtained between the ranges 96.9-102.5 % which were good enough to justified the suitability of proposed method for its intended applications. Statistical analysis indicated that there was no significant difference was observed between proposed and compendial method at 95 % confidence of interval. Conclusion: The advantage of proposed method over the compendial method by virtue of its economy and fast with reliable results because more reagents and chemicals are consumed in compendial method.

A Comparative Study Between Conventional ICP-OES and the Innovative PLS Model-Assisted ICP-OES for the Assay of Trace Elements

Background Inductively coupled plasma is widely used for elemental analysis with the advantage of being eco-friendly since the discharge is free of contaminants. Objective A rapid, novel method was developed for the quantitation of trace elements using inductively coupled plasma with optical emission spectrometry.This method has the advantage of simultaneous calibration compared to the conventional method. Method The assay was carried out for iron, copper, zinc, and molybdenum using the linear regression model partial least-squares. Results The method was optimized and validated as per the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines, showing highly accurate and precise results. The linearity range was 0.25–4 ppm for all trace elements under investigation. The method was applied for the assay of the cited elements in non-chelated and amino acid chelated multi-mineral preparations in the Egyptian market with acceptable mean percent recovery. Conclusions In comparison with the official method by flame emission, statistical analysis showed no significant difference with Student’s t-test and F-values. Highlights Inductively coupled plasma is superior as all of the elements can be measured simultaneously. The method was found to have a high degree of specificity and can be easily applied in routine elemental analysis in laboratories.