Under Rainfed Effect of Foxtail Millet [Setaria italica (L.) beauv] Germplasms Evaluation on Genotypic Variance, Correlation and Path Analysis

Background: Setaria italica is an essential crop in the developing world and yield levels are low. To improve the yield, the utilization of diverse germplasm in a breeding program is vital. Methods: The present study aimed to characterize 50 genotypes in the first year and out of 50, 10 genotypes in the second year using multivariant traits. Wide variation was observed in both the qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Analysis of variance revealed the presence of significant differences for most symptoms. Higher estimates of GCV were followed for grain yields, followed by panicle lengths and organic outcomes. Higher estimates of PCV were observed for plant height and leaf length, followed by leaf width. Low GCV and PCV were recorded as leaf length, 50% flowering in days. PCV study indicated direct selection based on characters, panicle weight, test weight and strawweight showed a high and positive effect on grain yield per plant in both rainy and summer season indicating the proper relationship between these characters with grain yield per plant, which helps indirect selection for these traits thus in improving the grain yield per plant. Variability in foxtail millet germplasm allows plant breeders to effectively select specific donor lines for genetic improvement of foxtail millet. Result: Best 5 genotypes were found to be: Kangni-7 greater than Kangni-1 greater than Kangni-6 greater than Kangni-5 greater than Kangni-4.

Evaluation of the binding and disintegrating properties of gum obtained from the stem bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Excipients are the various ingredients, apart from the active pharmaceutical ingredients, which are added to pharmaceutical formulations. Excipients obtained from natural sources are preferred over those from synthetic sources because they are cheap, biocompatible and readily available. Gums are made up of carbohydrate units which are linked by glycosidic bonds. This study was aimed at evaluating the potential binding and disintegrating properties of gum obtained from the bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, which was obtained from Effiduase in the Ashanti region of Ghana. The gum was extracted using 96% ethanol and the moisture content, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra, water holding capacity, swelling index and flow properties of the gum were determined. The gum was used to formulate tablets at different concentrations (10% w/v, 15% w/v and 20% w/v) as binder with acacia as the standard. The gum was also used to formulate tablets at different concentrations (5% w/v, 7.5% w/v and 10% w/v) as disintegrant with starch as the standard. Quality control tests were then conducted on all formulated tablets. The gum exhibited good flow and physicochemical properties. All formulated tablets passed the uniformity of weight test, friability test, disintegration test, hardness test, uniformity of dimensions test and drug content. All batches of tablets, except Batch 7, passed the dissolution test. Based on the study carried out, C. zeylanicum gum can be used as an alternative excipient to acacia and starch as a binder and a disintegrant, respectively.

Advances on the Fragmentation-Energy Fan Concept and the Swebrec Function in Modeling Drop Weight Testing

The breakage index equation (BIE), or t10 model from drop weight testing (DWT) data for rocks and ores is used in the design of crushers and mills. Such models are becoming increasingly difficult to visualize as the number of variables increases. The so-called double fan BIE, combined with the Swebrec distribution’s accurate description of the sieving curves, is applied to the modelling of drop-weight test fragmentation. The key parameters are geometric properties visible in the fan plot; slopes of straight lines and their point of convergence. The ability of the double fan BIE to reproduce DWT data had been previously established for 8 rocks with 480 DWT data sets. Here the fidelity of the double fan BIE is further evaluated for 18 new materials, based on 281 data sets. The fidelity of the double fan BIE with three fan lines is on par with the fidelity of the current state-of-the-art models for the new materials. Besides the breakage index equation, the new double fan BIE’s t10 equation produces, without additional parameters or fitted constants, the general breakage surface equation tn for an arbitrary n value as a bonus. The specific sieving curve for any combination of particle size and impact energy is also contained in the same formula. The result is an accurate, compact and transparent model.

Pharmacological evaluation of Vrishya karma (Aphrodisiac activity) of Whole plant of Lavandula bipinnata (Roth) Kuntze

Background: Lavandula bipinnata Roth. of family Lamiaceae known as Kamaraja in Odisha is an erect, strongly fragrant, annual herb with multifaceted ethno medicinal claims to treat, poisons, tooth ache, anxiety, depression, headache, cold and sexual disorder etc. Aim: To study the effect of whole plant of Lavandula bipinnata for its aphrodisiac activity in albino rats. Material Methods: The sexually active male rats were chosen separately and divided into 2 groups; each group consisting of 6 animals and the study was carried by using the suitable animal experimental model. The data generated during the study were analyzed by employing Student’s‘t’ test for paired and unpaired data as applicable to determine significant difference between groups at P<0.05. Results: Lavandula bipinnata showed significant increase in weight of rats in comparison with initial weight. Test drug provided significant increase in mounting frequency, licking, chasing, genital sniffing, in comparison to control group and non-significant increase in mounting latency and serum testosterone level. Conclusion: Lavandula bipinnata whole plant possess significant aphrodisiac activity in test rat model and confirms its traditional claim as an aphrodisiac.

A Comparison of Organic Cement Made from Recycled Waste Material and Portland Cement

Organic cement is an environmentally friendly alternative to Portland cement which is acquired by recycled organic waste and Mediterranean soil. Waste management is a global problem. The physical characteristic test results of the organic cement show that the weight test of fresh organic concrete is 2081kg/m³ and the dry weight of concrete is 2032kg/m³ which are smaller than Portland cement concrete's which are 2525kg/m³ and 2405 kg/m³ respectively. The fineness of alternative cement grains that passed the 200 mesh sieve is 56%, which is more than Portland cement's which is 52%. The solid weight of alternative cement is 1200kg/m3 whereas the solid weight of Portland cement is 1250kg/m3.

Use of Box–Behnken design for optimization of compounded medication: acyclovir capsules report

Campus compounding pharmacies play an important role in public health. Herpes simplex is one of the most common viral diseases in humans, which generates a great demand for acyclovir capsules in compounding pharmacy. It is well known that the formulation's components influence the effectiveness of the drug. The objective of this study is to show the applicability of Box-Behnken design in optimization of a compounded formulation and to evaluate the effect of excipients on dissolution and drug content in acyclovir 200 mg capsules produced at UFF´s University Pharmacy (FAU). The formulations were prepared and evaluated for average weight test, uniformity of dosage units and in vitro dissolution, while meeting pharmacopoeial specifications. A statistical analysis showed that sodium starch glycolate, Aerosil®, influences drug content and dissolution results. Magnesium stearate shows no influence on the dissolution at different concentrations but influences the assay results. A numerical optimization was applied to adjust the formulation variables based on the foresaid responses, accomplishing the best formulation that will be prepared and dispensed at FAU upon medical prescription.

Comparative Study of Soil Index Properties of Gudu Sokoto State And Oworoshoki Area Lagos State, Nigeria.

The comparative study of the soils sample collected from Gudu and Oworoshoki area, Sokoto state and Lagos State was carried out to compare the index properties of soil at shallow soil deposit. The Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to locate the coordinates of the site. Shallow soil samples (disturbed and undisturbed) at different depths (1m, 2m and 3m) were collected from both study areas (Gudu and Oworoshoki). The disturbed samples were collected using hand trowel, digger, hoe and polythene bags while the undisturbed samples were collected using short pipes (samplers) by stroking each pipe into the ground completely with a hammer at each depth. Disturbed and undisturbed soils collected at different shallow depths (1m, 2m and 3m) were taken to the laboratory for natural moisture content, specific gravity, sieve analysis, Atterberg limits and unit weight test. Empirical equations were used for analyzing the soil samples and AASTHO System of classification was used for classifying the soil samples. The results of the test on Gudu soil samples has shown that the soil sample collected at depth 1.0m and 2.0m are nonplastic materials and were classified according to AASHTO standard as A-3 and sample at depth 3.0m as A-4 which is silty soil while Oworoshoki soil samples has shown that Soils from depth 1.0m, 2.0m and 3.0m are nonplastic (NP) because the Plastic Index (PI = 0) is zero and the soil samples are classified as A – 3 according to AASHTO standard.

Potential and Comparative Tablet Disintegrant Properties of Pectin Obtained from Five Okra Genotypes in Ghana

Okra pectin has been studied as a potential excipient in tablet formulations for pharmaceutical industries. Okra is widely grown and available in Ghana and other parts of the world. The prospective use of pectin from okra genotypes grown in Ghana as tablet disintegrants has not been reported. This study aims to determine the potential and comparative disintegrating properties of pectin from five okra genotypes (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in Ghana using uncoated immediate release paracetamol tablet formulations. The yield of the pectin from the various genotypes ranged between 6.12 and 18.84% w/w. The extracted pectins had pH ranging from slightly acidic to almost neutral (6.39–6.92). Pectin from the various genotypes exhibited good swelling indexes (˃200%), varying solubility in different solvents, and low moisture content (˂20%). Elemental analysis of the extracted pectin from the various genotypes revealed very low levels of toxic metals and micronutrients. Pectin from the various genotypes was evaluated as disintegrants within concentrations of 5–10% w/w (F1–F18). Their disintegrating properties were compared to that of maize starch BP. All the formulated batches of uncoated immediate release paracetamol tablets (F1–F18) passed the following: uniformity of weight test, uniformity of dimensions, hardness, friability (˂1%), and drug content (95–105%). Significant differences ( p ≤ 0.05 ) were observed between the hardness of the maize starch tablets and tablets formulated from pectin of the various genotypes. Pectin from all genotypes other than PC5 exhibited good disintegrating properties (DT ˂ 15 min) and subsequently passed the dissolution profile test (≥70% release in 45 minutes). Tablets formulated with PC5 as disintegrants at all concentrations (5% w/w (F5), 7.5% w/w (F11), and 10% w/w (F17)) failed the disintegration and dissolution tests. Ultimately, pectins extracted from PC1, PC2, PC3, and PC4 can be commercially exploited as disintegrants in immediate release tablets.