Kaolin in pharmaceutical preparations: a review

Background: Kaolin is a clay mineral with Al2Si2O5(OH)4 structure which can be found in sedimentary rocks also known as clay stones. Kaolin consists of clay materials such as quartz, illite, smectite, and hematite, with the largest constituent component being kaolinite. Kaolin is one of the most common minerals with an abundant presence in the earth's crust compared to other minerals, especially in Indonesia. In the pharmaceutical sector, this clay mineral is widely used in Indonesia. Kaolin is known to be a good adsorbent and has good physical, chemical, and surface physicochemical properties. Objective: This review article aims to provide information about the uses of kaolin in the pharmaceutical industry. Methods: This review article was written by conducting a literature search study method in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases. Results: In the pharmaceutical field, kaolin is used as an excipient in various types of medicinal preparations, one of which is as a suspension agent because of its ability to stabilize suspensions in a deflocculated state as an emulsifying agent, crushing agent, filling agent, and drug carrier. As an active substance, kaolin is widely used because it has a therapeutic activity. In the cosmetic industry, kaolin can be administered in a variety of topical dosage forms which act as skin protective agents or sunscreens. Conclusion: Based on the results of the review, it was found that kaolin, with its abundant presence on earth and its great potential in the pharmaceutical field, is used as an active medicinal substance, excipient ingredient, and in the cosmetic field as a sunscreen. Keywords: Kaolin, excipient, active pharmaceutical ingredient, cosmetics

Synthesis of a Compound Phosphorus-Nitrogen Intumescent Flame Retardant for Applications to Raw Lacquer

Raw lacquer (RL) is a natural polymer compound with highly promising applications; however, its inflammable attribute restricts the industrial applications. In this study, melamine is used to formulate tri (1-melamine-2-propanol) phosphate (FR-1), after which it is synthesized with ammonium phosphate (FR-2) and diatomite to form a compound phosphorus-nitrogen intumescent flame retardant (IFR). Next, IFR is used as the filling agent that then cross-links with RL, and as such RL/IFR membranes are formed after the curing. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurement, the vertical combustion test (UL-94), the microshape calorimetric analysis (CCT), and the thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) are conducted to examine the combustion resistance and thermal stability of the membranes. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and electron scanning microscope (SEM) are performed to separately characterize the structure and compatibility; the mechanical properties of the membranes are also evaluated. The vertical combustion test results confirm that with 30 wt% of IFR, RL/IFR membranes acquire 12.3% higher LOI and a vertically combustion of V-0 level. The TGA indicates that RL/IFR membranes demonstrate a greater adhesion level, a higher rigidity, and better luster than pure RL membranes.

Characterization of a Novel CaCO3-Forming Alkali-Tolerant Rhodococcus erythreus S26 as a Filling Agent for Repairing Concrete Cracks

Biomineralization, a well-known natural phenomenon associated with various microbial species, is being studied to protect and strengthen building materials such as concrete. We characterized Rhodococcus erythreus S26, a novel urease-producing bacterium exhibiting CaCO3-forming activity, and investigated its ability in repairing concrete cracks for the development of environment-friendly sealants. Strain S26 grown in solid medium formed spherical and polygonal CaCO3 crystals. The S26 cells grown in a urea-containing liquid medium caused culture fluid alkalinization and increased CaCO3 levels, indicating that ureolysis was responsible for CaCO3 formation. Urease activity and CaCO3 formation increased with incubation time, reaching a maximum of 2054 U/min/mL and 3.83 g/L, respectively, at day four. The maximum CaCO3 formation was achieved when calcium lactate was used as the calcium source, followed by calcium gluconate. Although cell growth was observed after the induction period at pH 10.5, strain S26 could grow at a wide range of pH 4–10.5, showing its high alkali tolerance. FESEM showed rhombohedral crystals of 20–60 µm in size. EDX analysis indicated the presence of calcium, carbon, and oxygen in the crystals. XRD confirmed these crystals as CaCO3 containing calcite and vaterite. Furthermore, R. erythreus S26 successfully repaired the artificially induced large cracks of 0.4–0.6 mm width.

Research on Dynamic and Mechanical Properties of Magnetoactive Elastomers with High Permeability Magnetic Filling Agent at Complex Magneto-Temperature Exposure

We consider magnetically active elastomer as a potentially applicable material for manufacturing a working channel of a magnetic pump unit. During the study, the samples were exposed to a magnetic field, a temperature field, and their combination to assess the change in the elastic-strength properties of the final material. For the preparation of samples, high permeability magnetic fillers of various sizes were used in the concentration range of 50–70%. Samples were made with an isotropic and an anisotropic structure. Studies have shown that when using a filler with a relatively coarse fraction, the material has more stable dynamic and mechanical characteristics: the tensile strength of the sample increases by an average of 38%. With the combined effect of magnetic and temperature fields on the material, its elasticity and strength increase by an average of 30% in comparison with the material without external influence. Based on the results obtained, the composition and structural organization of the material, which has the best complex of elastic strength characteristics, has been substantiated. For the manufacture of a pumping unit tube, it is preferable to use an isotropic magnetoactive elastomer with a coarser filler content of about 60%.

Research on Dynamic and Mechanical Properties of Magnetoactive Elastomers with High Permeability Magnetic Filling Agent at Complex Magneto-Temperature Exposure

The paper describes the research findings on dynamic and mechanical properties of composite elastomers with high permeability magnetic filling agent capable of rapidly and reversibly changing its properties when exposed to an external magnetic field, which makes it a perspective material for application in a wide range of engineering areas. The research has analyzed the trends in the strength properties of the materials obtained through the use of filling agents of different fineness, content, and structural organization in the final polymer, under different conditions. This allowed to obtain the correlations between the influence of the filler's relative fineness on the dynamic and mechanical properties of composite polymers, and to estimate the trends in the parameters describing the material strength under the complex magnetic and thermal influence. The results obtained by the authors allowed to ground the composition and structural organization of the final material with the best set of dynamic and mechanical properties.

Research on the effects of sulfur on characteristics of sulfur bituminous binder (SBB) and hot mix asphalt – sulfur (HMAS)

Sulfur in SBB has been found to occur in three different forms: (1) chemically bonded, (2) dissolved in bitum, and (3) crystalline sulfur which generally exists in the form of discrete tiny particles dispersed in asphalt depending on sulfur content was added to bitumen, mixing temperature and time of a given mixture. At extraction temperatures (20 and 50oC), sulfur crystallizes and acts as a filling agent. It organizes the structure of the asphalt concrete and increases the thermal stability, hardness, and resistance of asphalt concrete to rutting. Due to the progressive restructuring of the modified sulfur in the mixture, the paving mixture made with modified sulfur takes several days to develop its final strength. This paper investigates the effect of time on the properties of SBB and HMAS. Experimental results show that by the time, the crystallization of sulfur in SBB has effects on SBB properties (penetration, softening temperature) and HMAS properties (Marshall stability, Marshall flow)

A novel food-based foam as oral contrast agent with negative Hounsfield units for demarcation of small bowel loops on abdominal CT: tolerability and bowel distension in 25 volunteers

Background Diseases of the bowel are not always displayed on conventional abdominal computed tomography (CT). The studied oral contrast agent aims to improve this. Purpose To investigate whether the use of a novel oral contrast for abdominal CT enables the same diagnostic advantages as seen in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and Methods Twenty-five consented volunteers drank up to 1400 mL of a stable, drinkable foam. Comments on acceptance and side effects were noted immediately and 24 h later. Foam palatability was documented through interviews, and distribution in the small bowel by Hounsfield units from the CT software. The CT results were compared with age- and sex-matched controls, pretreated according to routine. A non-enhanced abdominal CT protocol of lowest possible radiation dose was used. External referees evaluated all data obtained. Results Foam was considered odd to swallow, and fullness was reported by all volunteers after 950 mL. Five had difficulties in drinking the last 320 mL and two abstained from it. All adverse symptoms were mild. The distribution in the small bowel was on par with standard agents. Foam density revealed stability with intraluminal values of around –550 HU from stomach to terminal ileum, satisfying the requirement of a great bowel lumen-to-wall contrast. External reviewers re-evaluated all our data, and one predicted the foam to offer a potential for improved diagnostics. Conclusion A CT true-negative bowel filling agent was formulated, with high acceptance, few side effects, and a potential to mimic T1-weighted MRI images.

Introduksi Pangan Lokal pada Produk Olahan Ikan sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Daya Saing

LOCAL FOOD INTRODUCTIONS INTO FISH PROCESSED PRODUCT AS A WAY TO ENHANCE COMPETITIVE VALUE. Bilayuk Village is one of 18.25% underdeveloped village with IDM (Village Development Index) score below 0.491. Based on Forum Group Discussion results with village officials, one of the main reasons is the village’s human resources lack of knowledge. The lack of human resources knowledge leads to unutilised village’s local food. The abundant and unutilised local foods are tubers and san-sankng leaves. The tuber has potential as filling agent to reduce the amount of fish use in fish processed product, and san-sankq leaves can be used as flavour enhancer substitute (MSG). Therefore, in this community service activity, we provide training and assistance to fish cultivators in Bilayuk village to process the harvest into hekeng which enriched with tubers filling and used san-sankq leaves for seasoning. The purpose of the activity is to increase local competitive value of Bilayuk village with increasing knowledge in fish processing by processed it into hekeng made from local food. The results showed that there is increasing knowledge since audience never made hekeng and processing food without flavour enhancer before, 77% target audience understand how to make hekeng, 22% target audience really like the result, and the rest of the audience just like the result. All audience are practising how to make hekeng for their family consumption. The audience are expected to have interest to make hekeng to increase their family income.

Bio-agent de retanare utilizat in procesarea pieilor si procedeu de obtinere

Currently, the leather industry has to deal with very high costs for waste treatment and disposal. As a result, it is recommended to subject the organic protein waste from tanning to biochemical treatments for recycling in the industry. The degree of novelty lies primarily in the fact that the starting point of the promoted technologies is obtaining new complex products by processing organic waste and using it in tanneries. The lime fleshings resulting from the hide fleshing operation represents the highest amount of reusable leather material of approx. 25%. This paper presents an innovative process for the biochemical degradation of hide waste resulting from hide fleshing in order to obtain a retanning/filling agent used in leather processing.

Bio-agent de retanare utilizat in procesarea pieilor si procedeu de obtinere

Currently, the leather industry has to deal with very high costs for waste treatment and disposal. As a result, it is recommended to subject the organic protein waste from tanning to biochemical treatments for recycling in the industry. The degree of novelty lies primarily in the fact that the starting point of the promoted technologies is obtaining new complex products by processing organic waste and using it in tanneries. The lime fleshings resulting from the hide fleshing operation represents the highest amount of reusable leather material of approx. 25%. This paper presents an innovative process for the biochemical degradation of hide waste resulting from hide fleshing in order to obtain a retanning/filling agent used in leather processing.