Nutritional Composition, in vitro Antioxidant Activity and Artemia salina L. Lethality of Pulp and Seed of Tamarindus indica L. Extracts

This study was designed to examine the nutritional composition, antioxidant activity and medium lethal concentration (LC50 value) of Tamarindus indica L. pulp and seed extracts in vitro. The extraction was set at 40°C, 60°C and 100°C for 12 hours, 6 hours and 15 minutes respectively to determine the optimum extraction parameter whereas the anti-oxidant activity of the extracts was measured using iron (III) reduction (FRAP) assay. Total phenolic content (TPC) of the extracts was estimated as gallic acid equivalent by Folin-Ciocalteau method. Toxicity potential of the extract was assessed in vitro by Artemia salina lethality test both in seed and pulp samples. The results showed that tamarind seed contained a higher percentage of carbohydrate, protein, fat and energy (15%, 82%, 95% and 33.13% respectively) than the pulp. On the other hand, the pulp demonstrated a high moisture (51.1%) and ash (34.84%) content than the seed. For the mineral analysis, tamarind seed contained higher Ca and C (1.0% and 50.73% respectively) than the pulp (0.27% and 40.40% respectively). No heavy metals were detected in both samples. Seed extracted at 60°C/6 hours and 100°C/15 minutes showed the highest TPC value and were significantly different (p<0.05) than the seed extracted at 40°C/12 hours. Anti-oxidant activity is positively correlated to the TPC value of the extracts (R=0.991). The pulp and seed extracted at 100°C/15 minutes showed the highest FRAP value among its groups (216.17 ± 14.06 μmol (Fe)/g and 659.74 ± 16.40 μmol (Fe)/ g respectively). This study indicates that tamarind pulp and seed extracts possess beneficial antioxidant properties and the optimum extraction parameter is 100°C for 15 minutes. In Artemia salina lethality test, tamarind pulp caused significant mortality of the crustacean larvae with LC50 in the range of 26-28 μL/mL. Tamarind seed were not toxic to Artemia salina since the LC50 of the extracts was higher than 1000 μL/mL

Toxicity screening and hypocholesterolemic effect evaluation of aqueous extract of anacardium occidentale Linn. in hypercholesterolemic induced rabbits.

Previous findings have supported to the ethnopharmacological use of Anacardium occidentale Linn. in folk medicine. In this study, the toxicity properties and the hypocholesterolemic effect of aqueous extract of Anacardium occidentale Linn. were evaluated in hypercholesterolemic induced rabbits. Thirty Five male New Zealand White Rabbits were randomly assigned into five groups and fed with normal diet (NC), 0.5% high cholesterol diet (PC), 0.5% high cholesterol diet+10 mg/kg simvastatin (SC), 0.5% high cholesterol diet+100 mg/kg AOE (AOE100) and 0.5% high cholesterol diet+200 mg/kg AOE (AOE200). The study duration was set for 12 weeks. In vitro toxicity study has been performed using brine shrimp lethality test and MTT assay to determine the LC50 and IC50 values respectively while in vivo toxicity study has been evaluated in hypercholesterolemic induced rabbits. Blood samples were withdrawn at week 0 and 12. Supplementation of 0.5% high cholesterol diet caused the elevation of TC, LDL and TG and also significantly rise (p<0.05) the level of liver enzymes compared to the normal control group. For in vitro toxicity screening, extracts demonstrated very low LC 50 values and no IC 50 value detected. For in vivo hypercholesterolemic induced rabbits, extracts were able to prevent the increment of liver enzymes: gammaglutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase compared to positive control group. Aqueous extract of AO found to be not toxic and posses hypocholesterolemic and hepatoprotective effects in hypercholesteromic induced rabbits

Toxicity Screening and Hypocholesterolemic Effect Evaluation of Aqueous Extract of Anacardium occidentale Linn. in Hypercholesterolemic Induced Rabbits

Background: Previous findings have supported to the ethnopharmacological use of Anacardium occidentale Linn. in folk medicine. In this study, the toxicity properties and the hypocholesterolemic effect of aqueous extract of Anacardium occidentale Linn. were evaluated in hypercholesterolemic induced rabbits. Methods: Thirty Five male New Zealand White Rabbits were randomly assigned into five groups and fed with normal diet (NC), 0.5% high cholesterol diet (PC), 0.5% high cholesterol diet+10 mg/kg simvastatin (SC), 0.5% high cholesterol diet+100 mg/kg AOE (AOE100) and 0.5% high cholesterol diet+200 mg/kg AOE (AOE200). The study duration was set for 12 weeks. In vitro toxicity study has been performed using brine shrimp lethality test and MTT assay to determine the LC50 and IC50 values respectively while in vivo toxicity study has been evaluated in hypercholesterolemic induced rabbits. Blood samples were withdrawn at week 0 and 12. Results: Supplementation of 0.5% high cholesterol diet caused the elevation of TC, LDL and TG and also significantly rise (p&lt;0.05) the level of liver enzymes compared to the normal control group. For in vitro toxicity screening, extracts demonstrated very low LC50 values and no IC50 value detected. For in vivo hypercholesterolemic induced rabbits, extracts were able to prevent the increment of liver enzymes: gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase compared to positive control group. Conclusion: Aqueous extract of AO found to be not toxic and posses hypocholesterolemic and hepatoprotective effects in hypercholesteromic induced rabbits

A Review on Potential use of Coal Bottom Ash as a Supplementary Cementing Material in Sustainable Concrete Construction

The demand of concrete is increased rapidly due to worldwide growth in infrastructural development. Consequently, consumption of concrete also raises the demand for Portland cement, because it is the fundamental material in concrete construction. The increasing demand for Portland cement is expected to be encountered by introducing new supplementary cementing materials. Considering the sustainability of construction, it is imperative to develop supplementary cementing materials from the industrial waste by-products; one of such waste is the coal bottom ash, produced by coal-based thermal power plants. Previously several studies have been conducted on the utilization of coal bottom ash in its original form as natural sand replacement but limited research has been reported on the coal bottom ash as replacement of cement. It was observed through the literature review that the original coal bottom ash is porous in nature, and cannot be used as a replacement of cement, but after the proper grinding, it possesses the good pozzolanic property and could be utilized as replacement of cement in concrete. The result of this review has indicated that ground coal bottom ash has a good potential to be utilized as supplementary cementing materials in concrete construction. The aim of this review is to summarize the previous findings on the utilization of coal bottom ash as supplementary cementing materials in concrete construction. Hence, this article will deliver the key information and valuable material for the researchers looking for the supplementary cementing materials in the field of advanced concrete technology

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate Bottle

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) led to the disposing and managing issue due to it extensively consumptions. Hence, its application in construction field particular on concrete production has become general. However, the preliminary study on PET itself is very limited. This study was focused on the investigation on mechanical properties of PET film using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) over a temperature range of 40-180°C at fixed frequency of 1 Hz. In the paper, glass transition temperature were analyzed with the curves of storage modulus (E’), loss modulus (Eâ€) and tan delta. The results show decreasing curve of storage modulus, meanwhile loss storage and tan delta present same curve which is increases with temperature as glassy phase and radically decreases due to rubbery phase. From these curves, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PET have been characterized which the value has been found to be 114°C. Generally, this study could provide better characterization of a material in order to examine the ability of a material to store or lose energy

Compressive and Flexural Strength of Concrete Containing Palm Oil Biomass Clinker with Hooked-End Steel Fibers

This research was carried out to investigate the effects of hooked-end steel fibers on compressive and flexural strength of concrete containing palm oil biomass clinker (POBC) as partial replacement of fine aggregates. The optimum percentage of POBC was taken as 10%, to replace natural sand on the basis of trial mixes. Due to the porous characteristic of POBC, hooked-end steel fibers were added to improve the flexural strength of concrete. For this research, the concrete mixture containing 10% of POBC with varying percentages of the hooked-end steel fibers i.e. 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% by weight was produced. Total 48 specimens were prepared, 24 concrete cubes for compressive strength and 24 prisms were prepared for flexural strength at 7 days and 28 days. Hence, it was evaluated that the reduction of workability in concrete with the addition of steel fibers. Furthermore, The maximum flexural strength were recorded as 2.54 MPa with 0.4% hooked-end steel fibers at 28days and maximum compressive strength of was recorded as 27.51 MPa with 0.6%  hooked-end steel fibers at 28days. It is concluded that the hooked-end steel fibers has good potentiality to enhance the compressive as well as flexural strength of concrete

Biological Properties of Tinospora crispa (Akar Patawali) and Its Antiproliferative Activities on Selected Human Cancer Cell Lines

The antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity of the aqueous crude extract of Tinospora crispa stem was investigated. The proximate composition of its stem and leaves was determined. Proximate analysis revealed that T. crispa contains - protein: leaves = 4.7%, stem = 1.2%; fat: leaves = 1.5%, stem = 0.43%; carbohydrate: leaves = 11.8%, stem = 19.4%; ash: leaves = 2.7%, stem = 1.1%; moisture: leaves = 79.3%, stem = 77.9%; fibre: leaves = 1.59%, stem = 0.65%; and energy: leaves = 1.59%, stem = 0.65%. The antioxidant activity of the extract prepared at various temperatures and incubation time was evaluated to determine the optimum extraction procedure. Based on DPPH and TBA tests, the preparation of the extract at 60oC for 6 hours was established as the best possible method as it demonstrated the highest inhibition percentage. The extract was tested against brine shrimp to evaluate its toxicity and no significant toxicity was recorded since the IC50 value was more than 1000 μg/ml. The extract produced moderate anti-proliferative activity on selected human cancer cell lines (IC50 MCF-7: 107 μg/ml, HeLa: 165 μg/ml, Caov-3: 100 μg/ml, and HepG2: 165 μg/ml). The findings from this study suggest that T. crispa has the potential to be a source of natural antioxidants and nutrients, besides having a moderate anti-proliferative effect on selected human cancer cell lines

Influence of Ground Coal Bottom Ash on the Properties of Concrete

The coal based thermal power plant in Malaysia produces annually around 1.7 million tons of coal bottom ash (CBA) as a discarded material which poses great environmental problems. Hence, the objective of this study is to utilize ground CBA as a supplementary cementing material in concrete. The oven dried original CBA was grinded for 20hours to achieve required fineness. The mixture of concrete was prepared with CBA proportion of 10, 20 and 30% by weight of cement. For the evaluation of density, water absorption, compressive and tensile strength of concrete, 48 specimens were cast. The workability of fresh mix concrete was also evaluated, and it was found to be decreased as the quantity of CBA increased in the mixture. However, the compressive and splitting tensile strength of concrete was also reduced with the addition of ground CBA but with 10% replacement has attended the targeted compressive strength at the age of 28days. Besides that, it was also observed that the influence of CBA on concrete is obvious in density as well as in water absorption. The density of concrete gradually decreased due to addition of ground CBA, concrete containing 10% ground CBA was likely to be similar to that of control mix and the opposite performance was noticed in water absorption. Hence, experimental findings of this study indicated potentiality of ground CBA as supplementary cementing material in concrete construction which will reduces the environmental concern

Potential of Tinospora crispa as a Hypocholesterolemic agent in rabbits

Introduction: Hypercholesterolemia is the major cause of cardiovascular disturbances. The influence of Tinospora crispa on atherosclerotic plaque formation in rabbits fed with high cholesterol diet was investigated. Methods: Thirty male New Zealand White rabbits were divided into 6 groups. The negative control (NC) and positive control (PC) groups were used as a negative and positive (0.5% cholesterol) control. The simvastatin control (SC) group was given a high cholesterol diet (HCD) with 5mg/kg simvastatin. Treatment groups T150 and T450 were given HCD with supplementation of 150,300 and 450mg/kg of T.crispa extract respectively for 10 weeks. Blood was collected from ear vein for plasma analysis while the aortas were excised and examined microscopically. Results: Comparison within groups showed that PC, T300 and T450 had a significant increase (p<0.05) in total cholesterol level throughout the study. The groups supplemented with T.crispa (T150, T300 and T450) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in high density lipoprotein (HDL) level by 10.7-fold, significantly higher (p<0.05) in total antioxidant activity and had a significantly lower (p<0.05) LDL level compared to PC at week 10. At week 10, T450 had significantly highest (p<0.05) glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels compared to PC. No foam cell formation was visible in the aorta of rabbits,in groups NC,SC and T450. However , there was visible foam cell formation in the aorta of groups PC, T150 and T300. Conclusion: This study suggest that supplementation of 450mg/kg of T.crispa extract would be able to reduce or retard the progression of atherosclerotic plaque development induced by dietary cholesterol