Antibacterial activity of certain spice extracts

Seventeen raw spice samples were examined for phytochemical constihlents and antimicrobial properties. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of crude spice extracts revealed the occurrence of alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes and tannins. Turmeric, clove and bay leaf showed the highest frequency of occurrence of these plant components among others. Terpenes were present in 94.12% of the samples evaluated. Ethanol extracts of spice samples were in vitro evaluated for their antimicrobial properties using well diffusion assay against six Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Results showed that all the spice extracts, except black cardamom, possess biological activity on one or more of the test bacteria. Clove extracts displayed the highest antibacterial activity (19.5 mm) against Escherichia coli, followed by bay leaf (19 mm) against the same bacteria and cumin (19 mm) against Pseudomonas aeroginosa, at 1000 ug/100 ul. Extracts of galangale, turmeric and fennel also exhibited a broad spectrum biological activity. The most susceptible bacteria, based on frequency values, were E. coli (76.4%), P. aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis (58.82%) and the least susceptible species were Salmonella arizonae (23.52%) and Enterobacter aerogenes (17.64%) at 1000 ug/100 ul. Overall, the presence of biologically active compounds and potent antimicrobial properties elucidate the potential use of spices in small amounts, individually or in combination in human therapy or folk medicine and as food preservative. &nbsp

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Polyacetylene and Poly Diacetylene Substituted with Thiosaccharin

novel polyacetylene & Polydiacetylene Substituted with thio Saccharin were Synthesized by two routes , first polymerization of terminal propargyl Saccharin ( laboratory prepared ) to produce polyacetylene PAS , under nitrogen gas, in presence of PdCl2 in DMF. The Polymerization reaction was carried on for 4hrs. at 30c0 (Yield 78%). Second procedure was used to product PAS using Microwave Radations under the same conditions at 400 W, for 10 minutes , (Yield 70% ). Another route was polymerization diacetylene (laboratory prepared) to produce Polydiacetylene PDAS ,The Synthesis approach to PDAS is based on Oxidative Coupling polymerization under oxygen gas and THF, In basic medium (pyridine) and present CuCl , PdCl2 as Catalytic , The polymer Yield 82% at reaction temperature 40 C0 in 5 hrs. Instrumental analyses such HNMR , FR-IR ,Spectroscopies. These Indicated that the new materials have Conjugated polymers within designed Substituents Saccharin

Effects of daily low-dose date consumption on glycemic control, lipid profile, and quality of life in adults with pre-and type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial

Dates have a low glycemic index and are a source of antioxidants but, nevertheless, contain more than 70% sugar. This study aims to assess the effects of date consumption (three dates daily) on glycemic profile (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), quality of life, and lipid profile, including total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in terms of safety for type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) subjects. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with a sample of 100 T2DM subjects (39 male and 61 female) randomly assigned in two groups. The first group received three dates daily for 16 weeks, and the control group avoided date consumption. After a 16-week follow-up period, the study results showed an improvement of lipid profile with a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol of ∆ = −0.209 mmol/L (confidence interval (CI) 95% −0.358, −0.059; p < 0.05) and in LDL of ∆ = −0.171 mmol/L (CI 95% −0.358, 0.016) in the group receiving three dates daily. Intra-group mean differences of BMI were not statistically different in both groups after 16 weeks of date consumption. Even HbA1c did not change, both within and between groups after date consumption (∆ = 0.087%; CI 95% −0.086, 0.261). Between groups, mean difference changes (intervention minus control) showed a statistically significant improvement of quality of life index of ∆ = ± 30.66 points (CI 95% 12.45, 48.23) due to the consequent improvement in mental health. Although the definitive effect of dose/intake response of date consumption on Hb1Ac, lipid profile, and BMI in T2DM subjects is still to be established, the study suggests that dates could potentially have a beneficial effect on lipid profile, especially in reducing total cholesterol and elevating HDL, because of its high polyphenolic content. In addition, a low–moderate consumption of dates did not impact glucose levels because of dates’ low glycemic index