Ligninase Profiling and Optimization of Laccase Production from Indigenous Wood Rot Fungus (WRF) KLUM2 in Kirk Medium-Alkali Lignin Kayu Jati (MK-ALKJ)

The production of ligninase by wood rot fungus (WRF) is determined by carbon source and growth condition. The goal of this study is to determine the ligninase profile produced by WRF KLUM2 in Kirk Medium using teak wood alkaline lignin as a carbon source known as Kirk Medium-Alkali lignin Kayu Jati (MK-ALKJ), optimization of dominant ligninase production in the MK-ALKJ compared to the one that is produced in the Kirk’s medium with glucose as a carbon source (MK-Glucose). This research was conducted in an experimental laboratory consisting of: (1) spore suspension preparation, (2) ligninase profiling at various growth times, (3) ligninase profiling at various temperature variations, (4) optimization of laccase production including pH and the amount of nitrogen source. Growth was identified based on the specific activity of lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP), and laccase. The results showed that relatively the three types of ligninase, namely LiP, MnP, and laccase, were produced in the same amount by the wood rotting fungus isolates KLUM2 in MK-ALJK. All three were produced with the highest yield of respectively 55.65; 52.48; 57.64 U/mg. Laccase as the dominant ligninase can be optimized to reach 83.52 U/mg by inoculating 2.107 spore cells in MK-ALKJ in 37 °C, pH = 3.5, and a nitrogen source of 20mM (NH4)2SO4 for 6 days. Therefore, it can be concluded that the ligninase activity of indigenous WRF KLUM2 in MK-ALJK medium is higher than in the MK-Glucose.

Non-Destructive Imaging on Synthesised Nanoparticles

Our recently developed non-destructive imaging technique was applied for the characterisation of nanoparticles synthesised by X-ray radiolysis and the sol-gel method. The interfacial conditions between the nanoparticles and the substrates were observed by subtracting images taken by scanning electron microscopy at controlled electron acceleration voltages to allow backscattered electrons to be generated predominantly below and above the interfaces. The interfacial adhesion was found to be dependent on the solution pH used for the particle synthesis or particle suspension preparation, proving the change in the particle formation/deposition processes with pH as anticipated and agreed with the prediction based on the Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory. We found that our imaging technique was useful for the characterisation of interfaces hidden by nanoparticles to reveal the formation/deposition mechanism and can be extended to the other types of interfaces.

The aspects that describe the pre-clinical studies of aceclofenac, as an instrument of registration of a generic drug

The paper presents the aspects of the toxicity, specific activity, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of aceclofenac, given in various sources describing its preclinical studies. The search for information sources for the study was carried out using domestic and international databases: elibrary and PubMed using contextual queries, including terms of the international nonproprietary name, preclinical studies of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and animal species. Aceclofenac is one of the most prescribed drugs for acute and chronic pain. It refers to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, considered as drugs of first choice in the treatment of inflammation and pain. On the pharmaceutical market of the Russian Federation, aceclofenac is presented in the form of tablets, powder for suspension preparation, cream for external use, which allows it to be prescribed for various diseases. It has shown itself to be highly effective in the symptomatic treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, for the relief of acute and chronic pain. A review of preclinical studies materials cited in various literature sources and including aspects of studying the toxicity, specific activity, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of aceclofenac, in our opinion, will allow using the data obtained in our study as one of the tools for further registration of generics.

Nuclear Genome Size Determination Of Christia Vespertilionis Via Flow Cytometry

Christia vespertilionis (butterfly wing plant) is an ornamental plant originated from South East Asia with reported usage in traditional medicine practice and potential as an anticancer and antitumor. This research aims to estimate the genome size of C. vespertilionis via flow cytometry (FCM) method. The research was conducted with the optimisation of nuclear suspension preparation followed by the genome size estimation. Two chopping techniques [manual chopping (MC) and BDTM Medimachine (MM)] and two lysis buffers (Otto and LBO1) were tested. Otto buffer with manual chopping was found to be the most suitable method, generated fine DNA peak with minimum debris background, and coefficient of variation (CV) value less than 3%. Five replicates of the FCM analysis were made for the genome size determination. The estimated genome size of C. vespertilionis was found to be 3.22 pg by using Glycine max cv. Polanka (2C=2.5pg) as an external reference standard. Further comparison with other Christia species was not possible due to the lack of data on genome size. The genome size data of C. vespertilionis can be useful for future morphology and genetics studies of Christia species.

Response Surface Methodology for Optimization of Process Variables of Atorvastatin Suspension Preparation by Microprecipitation Method Using Desirability Function

Background : Atorvastatin (AT), as a synthetic lipid-lowering agent, is a highly crystalline substance having poor solubility and low bioavailability. The objective of the present research was to improve the microprecipitation method of AT suspension preparation. Methods: Microprecipitation parameters were improved using Box-Behnken experimental design method. The suspension was formulated with Brij 35 (stabilizer agent) using methanol as solvent and water as non-solvent, respectively. DSC, XRD, FTIR studies were performed for characterization of the microcrystals. With the aim of evaluating the effect of independent variables, the amounts of organic solvent (X1), emulsifier concentration (X2), stirring rate (X3), and volume of aqueous solvent (X4) on dependent variables, drug content (DC,) particle size (PS), drug released after 5 minutes (Q5), Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°tr), crystal yield (CY) and saturated solubility (Ss), a full factorial was used. Results: The results of DSC, XRD, and FTIR showed that there was not any interaction between AT and Brij 35. This research demonstrated a reduction in crystallinity in agglomerates. The microcrystals showed that micromeritics characteristics were significantly improved compared to pure AT. The content of drug and yield crystal was in the limit of 42.58-110.24% and 58.33-98.18% in all formulations, respectively. It was shown that the prepared microcrystals had a higher rate of release compared to the untreated AT powder (P< 0.05). Size reduction of AT is needed for improving the solubility. Solubility and drug release rates of At was enhanced with the microprecipitation method. Conclusion: The results showed that microcrystals significantly increased AT dissolution rate.

Karakteristik Fisika Sediaan Suspensi Ekstrak Etanol Daun Gaharu (Aquilaria microcarpa Baill.) dengan Variasi Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium (CMC-Na)

ABSTRAK Gaharu (Aquilaria microcarpa Baill.) merupakan salah satu hasil hutan yang memiliki aktivitas antioksidan. Ekstrak etanol daun A. microcarpa terbukti memiliki aktivitas antioksidan yang tergolong sangat aktif. Ekstrak etanol daun A. microcarpa kemudian dibuat menjadi sediaan suspensi dengan variasi CMC-Na sebagai agen pengsuspensi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan pengaruh konsentrasi CMC-Na terhadap karakteristik fisik suspensi ekstrak etanol daun A.microcarpa. Suspensi dibuat dengan variasi CMC-Na pada F1 (0,5% CMC-Na), F2 (1% CMC-Na) dan F3 (1,5% CMC-Na). Evaluasi sediaan suspensi meliputi organoleptis, uji viskositas, uji pH, uji homogenitas serta uji berat jenis suspensi. Nilai evaluasi suspensi dianalisis secara statistik dengan software SPSS 21. Hasil evaluasi fisik menunjukkan bahwa penambahan konsentrasi CMC-Na akan meningkatkan nilai viskositas dan berat jenis sediaan. Kesimpulan dari pengujian ini adalah variasi konsentrasi CMC-Na mempengaruhi hasil viskositas, serta berat jenis suspensi (p<0,05) dan tidak mempengaruhi hasil organoleptis, homogenitas dan pH suspensi. Kata kunci: Gaharu, suspensi, CMC-Na ABSTRACT Gaharu (Aquilaria microcarpa Baill.) is one of the Borneo’s forest products that has antioxidant activity. Ethanol extract of A. microcarpa folium has been shown to have antioxidant activity that is classified as very active. The ethanol extract of A. microcarpa folium was then made into a suspension preparation with variations of sodium CMC as a suspending agent. This study aimed to determine the effect of sodium CMC concentration on the physical characteristics of the ethanol extract of A.microcarpa folium. Suspension was made with variations of sodium CMC in F1 (0.5% sodium CMC), F2 (1% sodium CMC) and F3 (1.5% sodium CMC). Evaluation of suspension preparations included organoleptic, viscosity test, pH test, homogeneity test and suspension specific gravity test. The suspension evaluation data were analyzed statistically with SPSS 21 Software. The physical evaluation results showed that the addition of sodium CMC concentration would increase the viscosity and specific gravity of the preparation. The conclusion of this test was that variations in the concentration of sodium CMC affected the results of viscosity and suspension specific gravity (p <0.05) and did not affect the organoleptic yield, homogeneity and pH of the suspension. Keywords: Gaharu, suspension,

TiO2 Nanomaterials Non-Controlled Contamination Could Be Hazardous for Normal Cells Located in the Field of Radiotherapy

Among nanomaterials (NMs), titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the most manufactured NMs and can be found in many consumers’ products such as skin care products, textiles and food (as E171 additive). Moreover, due to its most attractive property, a photoactivation upon non-ionizing UVA radiation, TiO2 NMs is widely used as a decontaminating agent. Uncontrolled contaminations by TiO2 NMs during their production (professional exposure) or by using products (consumer exposure) are rather frequent. So far, TiO2 NMs cytotoxicity is still a matter of controversy depending on biological models, types of TiO2 NMs, suspension preparation and biological endpoints. TiO2 NMs photoactivation has been widely described for UV light radiation exposure, it could lead to reactive oxygen species production, known to be both cyto- and genotoxic on human cells. After higher photon energy exposition, such as X-rays used for radiotherapy and for medical imaging, TiO2 NMs photoactivation still occurs. Importantly, the question of its hazard in the case of body contamination of persons receiving radiotherapy was never addressed, knowing that healthy tissues surrounding the tumor are indeed exposed. The present work focuses on the analysis of human normal bronchiolar cell response after co-exposition TiO2 NMs (with different coatings) and ionizing radiation. Our results show a clear synergistic effect, in terms of cell viability, cell death and oxidative stress, between TiO2 NMS and radiation.

High Velocity Suspension Flame Spraying (HVSFS) of Metal Suspensions

Thermal spraying of metal materials is one of the key applications of this technology in industry for over a hundred years. The variety of metal-based feedstocks (powders and wires) used for thermal spray is incredibly large and utilization covers abrasion and corrosion protection, as well as tribological and electrical applications. Spraying metals using suspension- or precursor-based thermal spray methods is a relatively new and unusual approach. This publication deals with three metal types, a NiCr 80/20, copper (Cu), and silver (Ag), sprayed as fine-grained powders dispersed in aqueous solvent. Suspensions were sprayed by means of high-velocity suspension spraying (HVSFS) employing a modified TopGun system. The aim was to prepare thin and dense metal coatings (10–70 µm) and to evaluate the process limits regarding the oxygen content of the coatings. In case of Cu and Ag, possible applications demand high purity with low oxidation of the coating to achieve for instance a high electrical conductivity or catalytic activity. For NiCr however, it was found that coatings with a fine dispersion of oxides can be usable for applications where a tunable resistivity is in demand. The paper describes the suspension preparation and presents results of spray experiments performed on metal substrates. Results are evaluated with respect to the phase composition and the achieved coating morphology. It turns out that the oxidation content and spray efficiency is strongly controlled by the oxygen fuel ratio and spray distance.