Effect of cross-linked biodegradable polymers on sustained release of sodium diclofenac-loaded microspheres

The objective of this study was to formulate an oral sustained release delivery system of sodium diclofenac(DS) based on sodium alginate (SA) as a hydrophilic carrier in combination with chitosan (CH) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) as drug release modifiers to overcome the drug-related adverse effects and to improve bioavailability. Microspheres of DS were prepared using an easy method of ionotropic gelation. The prepared beads were evaluated for mean particle size, entrapment efficiency, swelling capacity, erosion and in-vitro drug release. They were also subjected to various studies such as Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) for drug polymer compatibility, Scanning Electron Microscopy for surface morphology, X-ray Powder Diffraction Analysis (XRD) and Differential Scanning Calorimetric Analysis (DSC) to determine the physical state of the drug in the beads. The addition of SCMC during the preparation of polymeric beads resulted in lower drug loading and prolonged release of the DS. The release profile of batches F5 and F6 showed a maximum drug release of 96.97 ± 0.356% after 8 h, in which drug polymer ratio was decreased. The microspheres of sodium diclofenac with the polymers were formulated successfully. Analysis of the release profiles showed that the data corresponds to the diffusion-controlled mechanism as suggested by Higuchi

Preparation and characterization of microcapsules of Pterodon pubescens Benth. by using natural polymers

An oleaginous fraction obtained from an alcohol extract of the fruit of Pterodon pubescensBenth. (FHPp) was microencapsulated in polymeric systems. These systems were developed using a complex coacervation method and consisted of alginate/medium-molecular-weight chitosan (F1-MC), alginate/chitosan with greater than 75% deacetylation (F2-MC), and alginate/low-molecular-weight chitosan (F3-MC). These developed systems have the potential to both mask the taste of the extract, and to protect its constituents against possible chemical degradation. The influence of the formulation parameters and process were determined by chemical profiling and measurement of the microencapsulation efficiency of the oleaginous fraction, and by assessment of microcapsule morphology. The obtained formulations were slightly yellow, odorless, and had a pleasant taste. The average diameters of the microcapsules were 0.4679 µm (F2-MC), 0.5885 µm (F3-MC), and 0.9033 µm (F1-MC). The best formulation was F3-MC, with FHPp microencapsulation efficiency of 61.01 ± 2.00% and an in vitro release profile of 75.88 ± 0.45%; the content of vouacapans 3-4 was 99.49 ± 2.80%. The best model to describe the release kinetics for F1-MC and F3-MC was that proposed by Higuchi; however, F2-MC release displayed first-order kinetics; the release mechanism was of the supercase II type for all formulations

The need for the nexus approach

The water, energy, and food resources share a lot in common; they have strong interdependencies and are inadvertently affected by action in any one of them. Therefore, the nexus approach (integrated policies related to water, energy, and food) is required in the face of growing concerns over the future availability and sustainability of these resources. The nexus approach can help achieve at least some of the "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" (e.g., SDG 2, 6, 7, 12, 13, 15). This chapter discusses trends in availability and consumption of the three key resources (i.e., water, energy, and food) and interactions between them, and finally provides some reasons why the nexus approach can help achieve social and economic development goals

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Not AvailableTo assess the role of phenol in flowering of litchi, an experiment was conducted at ICAR-NRC on Litchi, Muzaffarpur. Twenty desired litchi genotypes were selected and content of leaf phenol and leaf flavonoids were estimated from flowering and non-flowering trees. Results revealed that phenol content varied from 22.86 – 53.59 mg/g in flowering tree while it ranged from 10.03 – 33.7 mg/g in non-flowering tree during 2017. Among flowering genotypes phenol content was ranged from 16.51-50.35 mg/g. The highest phenol content was recorded in genotypes IC-0615590 (53.59 mg/g) whereas lowest was found in genotype IC-0615589 (22.86 mg/g) during 2017. The difference in phenol content between flowering and non-flowering tree ranged 12.74 - 66.09 %. The genotype Coll. 39 contained 66.09 % more phenol in flowering tree as compared to non-flowering trees in 2017 and IC-0615597 possessed 12.74% more phenol in flowering tree as compared to non-flowering tree during the same period. Similarly, phenol content ranged from 6.45 – 31.17 mg/g in non-flowering tree in 2018. In 2018, phenol content followed the same trend registering the maximum content in genotype IC-0615590 (50.35 mg/g) and lowest in IC-0615593 (16.51 mg/g). The difference in phenol content between flowering and non-flowering tree in 2018 ranged from 3.27 - 71.46 %. The genotype IC-0615604 possessed 71.46 % more phenol in flowering tree as compared to non-flowering tree and IC-0615593 contained 3.27 % more phenol in flowering tree as compared to non-flowering tree. In general, it was observed that the level of phenol in litchi tree varied from year to year but flowering tree always possessed more content of phenol as compared to non-flowering trees. However, the relation of flavonoids and flowering in litchi was not observed.Not Availabl

AsiFood and its output and prospects: An Erasmus+ project on capacity building in food safety and quality for South-East Asia

Erasmus +, 561630-EPP-1-2015-1-FR-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP, ASIFOOD : Universities as key partners for the new challenges regarding food safety & quality in ASEA