Antibacterial activity of Escherichia coli from squid ink (Loligo sp.) n-Hexane extracts

Squid is one of the export commodities in Indonesia. In general, the use of squid meat, while the ink is only as waste. In fact, Squid ink contain bioactive compound that potential as anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, anti-diabetic,anti-microbial and anti-malaria agents. The purpose of the study is to determine the types of secondary metabolite compounds contained in n-hexane extract of Loligo sp. ink using maceration method to determine its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. The results of secondary metabolite compounds obtained from the n-hexane extract of Loligo sp. ink are alkaloid, saponins, glycosides and phenol. The results of antibacterial test against E. coli using the disc method obtained the average of inhibition zone diameter at the concentration of 4% is 6.3 mm (intermediate), concentration of 8% is 7.83 mm (intermediate), concentration of 16% is 14.5 mm (susceptible) and concentration of 32% is 10.83 mm (intermediate). The antibacterial activity in n-hexane extract of Loligo sp. ink is optimal at the concentration of 16% against E. coli bacteria.

High Performance Process Development for Iron Ore Concentration

References on microwave energy use were reviewed and it demonstrated wide use of this kind of energy in various sectors of national economy. However in ferrous metallurgy this type of energy practically is not used despite the fact that it holds much promise and offers a number of advantages over other kinds of energy. In this work an attempt was made to use microwave energy in ferrous metallurgy and it was implemented in terms of concentration process development for limonite ores of the Lisakskoye deposit with hydro-goethite being a base iron-bearing mineral. Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the subsequent magnetic separation process were determined. The developed concentration process of the Lisakovskoye deposit ores with the microwave energy used for baking and magnetizing of intermediate concentration products was compared with the current deep concentration process of the Lisakovskiy Mining and Processing Works and its advantages were demonstrated. Technical and economic calculation showed that the concentration process with microwave energy used is more efficient than deep concentration process without the product baking; it allows a significant increase of iron recovery into the concentrate and provides additional profit to the Company.

Fuzzy Divisive Hierarchical Associative-Clustering Applied to Different Varieties of White Wines According to Their Multi-Elemental Profiles

Wine data are usually characterized by high variability, in terms of compounds and concentration ranges. Chemometric methods can be efficiently used to extract and exploit the meaningful information contained in such data. Therefore, the fuzzy divisive hierarchical associative-clustering (FDHAC) method was efficiently applied in this study, for the classification of several varieties of Romanian white wines, using the elemental profile (concentrations of 30 elements analyzed by ICP-MS). The investigated wines were produced in four different geographical areas of Romania (Transylvania, Moldova, Muntenia and Oltenia). The FDHAC algorithm provided not only a fuzzy partition of the investigated white wines, but also a fuzzy partition of considered characteristics. Furthermore, this method is unique because it allows a 3D bi-plot representation of membership degrees corresponding to wine samples and elements. In this way, it was possible to identify the most specific elements (in terms of highest, smallest or intermediate concentration values) to each fuzzy partition (group) of wine samples. The chemical elements that appeared to be more powerful for the differentiation of the wines produced in different Romanian areas were: K, Rb, P, Ca, B, Na.

Nonirritant and Cytocompatible Tinospora cordifolia Nanoparticles for Topical Antioxidant Treatments

Tinospora cordifolia extract contains antioxidants such as polyphenols, and thus, it has been used as a natural phytochemical antioxidant therapeutic agent. Many of these compounds are insoluble or only partially soluble in water. In this study, we produced a novel aqueous nanoparticle formulation, with an average particle size of 182.9 ± 3.8 nm, to improve the dispersion of the bioactive compounds in water and to increment its bioavailability. The nanoparticles are composed of polyphenols, alkaloids, and glycosides. We studied the effect of this nanoparticle formulation on mouse 3T3 fibroblast cell viability and New Zealand rabbit dermal irritability tests. Concentrations of 2.5, 25, and 250 µg/mL resulted in similar cell viability to cells in culture media. An intermediate concentration of 12.45 mg/ml was used for the acute dermal irritability test. There were no severe alterations that compromised animal health. These results represent a precedent for application of such nanoparticles derived from plant stems, such as Tinospora cordifolia, in biomedicine and in antiaging cosmetic treatments.

Antimicrobial wound dressing films containing essential oils and oleoresins of pepper encapsulated in sodium alginate films

ABSTRACT: Medicated wound dressings are important barriers to avoid contamination and, when they contain antimicrobial additives, can be used as treatment for infected wounds. There are several types of polysaccharide materials that serve as matrices for medicated wound dressings, among them, sodium alginate. For the preparation of the films studied in this paper, sodium alginate was employed in combination with essential oils/oleoresins (EO/OL) of six peppers that are commonly used in cooking. The EO/OL were incorporated at three different concentrations (low, intermediate and high). Most of the films prepared had better dispersion of the EO/OL at the intermediate concentration. All films studied in this research were dissolved in water at different rates. The antibacterial activity of the prepared films showed significant results against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, and demonstrated that the films studied may be a new alternative for medicated wound dressings.

Regulating the rooting process of rose softwood cuttings by foliar citric and malic acid spray on stock plants

We evaluated the effects of spraying different concentrations of citric and malic acids on stock plants in the greenhouse prior to the propagation and rooting of rose (Rosa × hybrida ‘Love Letter’) cuttings. Malic and citric acids (3, 6 and 9 mM) were sprayed several times at 14-day intervals on rose plants in a commercial cut flower producing greenhouse. Single-node cuttings taken from flowering stems were rooted under misty conditions, and the rooting parameters including root count and dry root weight were measured. A distinct change was observed in rooting features in response to the applied organic acids. Malic acid significantly enhanced rooting at the intermediate concentration while retarding it at both the higher and lower concentrations. On the other hand, the effect of citric acid was best at the highest concentration applied. We conclude that in softwood cuttings taken from rose plants these organic acids can act as a potential alternative to the currently applied methods of promoting rooting.

Functional and Antioxidant Properties of Angelwing Clam (Phplas orientalis) Hydrolysate Produced using Alcalase

In this study, Hydrolysate from angelwing clam (Pholas orientalis) was produced at 0, 1, 2 and 3 hrs and E/S ratio of0.5 and 3%using alcalase where the pH and temperature were kept constant at pH 8.5 and 60°C, respectively. The hydrolysates were analysed for antioxidant and functional properties such as solubility, emulsifying properties and water and oil holding capacity. Degree of hydrolysis (DH), yield, functional and antioxidant properties were influenced by the hydrolysis time and E/S ratio. Higher enzyme concentration (E/S 3%) and longer hydrolysis time increased the DH. Yield was higher at E/S 3% but reduced with hydrolysis time. Longer hydrolysis time produced more soluble hydrolysate and higher metal chelating activity but lower in emulsifying properties and DPPH activity. Higher enzyme concentration resulted in increase only in solubility and metal chelating activity. This study revealed that enzymatic hydrolysis using alcalase should be performed at shorter hydrolysis time using intermediate concentration of enzyme (E/S between 0.5 to 3%) in order to produce angelwing clam hydrolysate with collectively good functional and antioxidant properties.