Antimicrobial Activity of Fuller’s Earth, Turmeric, and Sandalwood against Streptococcus Mutans, Micrococci and Coagulase Negative Staphylococci -an In vitro Study

Introduction: Sandalwood powder (Santalum alba) is used if the skin is oily for removing dark spots on the skin. Sandalwood has an anti-tanning and anti-aging property. Turmeric powder (Curcuma longa) is mainly used to rejuvenate the skin. It helps to delay aging like wrinkles and also possesses other properties like antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory, and many other properties. Multani mitti helps the skin in many different ways like the reduction of pore size pore sizes, removing blackheads and removing whiteheads fading freckles, soothing sunburns, cleansing skin, improving blood circulation, complexion, reducing acne and blemishes, and gives a glowing effect to your skin as they contain many-particles which can inhibit various organisms. Materials and Methods: In this investigation, the antimicrobial viability of Turmeric, sandalwood and Multani Mutti was tested against Streptococcus mutans, Micrococci, and coagulase-negative staphylococcus. The microorganisms were filled in strong media, and culture containing stock suspensions was made and, in this way, standard strains of Streptococcus mutans, Micrococci, and Coagulase-negative staphylococci were obtained. Microorganisms were subcultured in fitting society media to affirm their virtue. Results: The zone of inhibition of turmeric against Streptococcus mutans is about 11mm. The zone of inhibition of turmeric against Micrococci is about 9 mm. The zone of inhibition of turmeric against Coagulase-negative staphylococci is about 13mm. There was no zone of inhibition for both sandalwood and Multani mitti for Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus mutans, and Micrococci. Conclusion: The study proves the turmeric has antimicrobial potential against Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus mutans,, and Micrococci with good prospects of development into antimicrobial face pack or face wash

Comparative Analysis of Activated Carbons from African Teak (Iroko) Wood and Coconut Shell in Palm Oil Bleaching

This study compares the effectiveness of activated carbons from the African Teak/Iroko wood (Milicia excelsia) and coconut shell as adsorbents in Crude Palm Oil (CPO) bleaching. This was done in order to source for local agro-waste substitutes for the imported Fuller’s earth. The materials were activated using analytical grade CaCl2 in 25% solution at a temperature of 109OC in a laboratory hot air oven. The obtained activated carbon samples were subjected to proximate analysis to ascertain their percentage ash, moisture, volatile matter and fixed carbon contents. The CPO to be analysed was degummed, neutralized and further bleached using 2g, 4g, 6g, 8g, 10g, 12g and 14g of the adsorbent samples at a temperature of 130OC after which the obtained oils were analysed and results plotted. It was observed that the bleached oil samples generally had reduced specific gravity, opacity, colour, and free fatty acid (FFA) compared to the CPO. It was also observed that the opacity, colour, and FFA reduced as the adsorbent dosage increased. Conversely, the percentage colour reduction and the percentage FFA reduction increased with adsorbent dosage. Overall, the oil samples bleached by activated carbon from the African Teak/Iroko wood exhibited more desirable properties than the ones bleached by the coconut shell activated carbon.

Value addition study on coker kero for producing alpha olefin and alkyl benzene

Coker kero stream is obtained from delayed coking which contains saturates with alpha olefins and PNA compounds which was physicochemical characterised. The fractions present in coker kero may be used further for value added products such as alkyl benzene and naphthalene etc. The study described potential of coker kero via aromatics and non-aromatics separation by using liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) with N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), acetonitrile and methanol as solvents of different polarity. Methanol imparts best colour improvement as per ASTM D-1500. Beside this, adsorption study on coker kero was performed using fuller’s earth, chalk powder, red ochre and wood-stick’s ash as adsorbents. The adsorption study suggested that fuller’s earth not only separate aromatics and non-aromatics form coker kero, but also acts as a better adsorbent than graphitic carbon (activated charcoal) and is found suitable for colour improvement comparatively. This study inferred the separation of polar components, improvement in the colour, odour and established the stable fuel. FT-IR study suggested that N-methyl Pyrrolidone gives better results comparatively other solvents. HC22 type analysis of coker kero raffinate and extract phase confirm the sharp extraction of coker kero feed using N-Methyl pyrrolidone as it is a good solvent for extraction of aromatics. GCMS and HRMS compositional analysis successfully performed for the coker kero and it is separated aromatic and non-aromatic fractions.

Immobilization of Mutant Phosphotriesterase on Fuller’s Earth Enhanced the Stability of the Enzyme

Immobilization is a method for making an enzyme more robust in the environment, especially in terms of its stability and reusability. A mutant phosphotriesterase (YT PTE) isolated from Pseudomonas dimunita has been reported to have high proficiency in hydrolyzing the Sp and Rp-enantiomers of organophosphate chromophoric analogs and therefore has great potential as a decontamination agent and biosensor. This work aims to investigate the feasibility of using Fuller’s earth (FE) as a YT PTE immobilization support and characterize its biochemical features after immobilization. The immobilized YT PTE was found to show improvement in thermal stability with a half-life of 24 h compared to that of the free enzyme, which was only 8 h. The stability of the immobilized YT PTE allowed storage for up to 4 months and reuse for up to 6 times. The immobilized YT PTE showed high tolerance against all tested metal ions, Tween 40 and 80 surfactants and inorganic solvents. These findings showed that the immobilized YT PTE became more robust for use especially with regards to its stability and reusability. These features would enhance the future applicability of this enzyme as a decontamination agent and its use in other suitable industrial applications.

Fullers Earth Treatment for Esters Liquids used in Power Apparatuses: Inferences and Arguments

Insulating Liquids are widely used for their electrical and thermal properties in power apparatuses, particularly at the level of liquid-filled transformers. With the shift in engineering aspects towards sustainable development, it is important to find a sustainable solution with ecofriendly nature. Therefore, alternative (biodegradable) liquids are of high importance in the global transformer communities. In the present study, the alternative dielectric fluids (ester-based) feasibility for potential regeneration with Fuller’s earth is investigated. The experimental results are confined to the reclamation temperature as well as the ratio of Fuller's earth (the sorbent) and the liquid. A suitable laboratory treatment apparatus is designed and is adopted in this study. Promising measurements to comment on the effectiveness of the treatment have been performed at controlled treatment temperature and sorbent-liquid ratio with the ASTM 7150-13 as a reference norm.The results of this study allowed 80°C and 1 g/30 ml as affirmative conditions for the present experimental conditions. Diagnostic measurements include turbidity, particle counter, and UV spectrophotometry before and after treatments. It is inferred that fuller’s earth is not a promising sorbent for the reclamation of ester liquids.