Identification and Determination Methods of Aspartame

Objective: To evaluate identification and determination methods of a synthetic sweetener, aspartame.Method: For identification methods, aspartame was tested with ninhydrin solution and with alkaline hydroxylamine solution byusing thin layer chromatogram (TLC). TLC was developed with acetonitrile phosphate buffer. For determination methods,colorimetric method and HPLC method were used.Results: Testing with ninhydrin solution was sensitive (limit of detection was 7.5 mg) but was not specific because this methodwas also able to detect amino acid with a free a-amino group. Testing with alkaline hydroxylamine solution (limit of detectionwas 300 mg) was specific method because it was used to detect carbonyl functional group and formed color complex with ferricchloride. The determination methods were colorimetric method (reaction with ninhydrin solution the same as in identificationmethod) and high pressure liquid chromatographic method (HPLC). The relative standard deviation of colorimetric method ofsimple sugar samples was 5 - 17% and for HPLC method was 3-11%. Percent recovery of these two methods was about 97%.Aspartame was found lower than the labeled amount in many samples and the percent relative standard deviations were largebecause aspartame was a chiral compound and the samples were kept improperly so aspartame may degrade.Key words: identification, determination, aspartameThai Pharm Health Sci J 2008;3(2):214-218

Determination of Lead Amount in Noodle Soup

Objective: To determine amount of lead in noodle soup prepared in the old-style noodle soup boiling pot. Method: Noodle soupfrom 10 places in Muang district of Chiagmai province was sampled 3 times with one week apart. Each sample was digestedand measured for lead amount using absorbance by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results: The method to determine leadamount in noodle soup was found to have a high linearity (r2 = 0.999) with a concentration range of 0.25 - 10 ppm, a limit ofdetection of 0.25 ppm, limit of quantitation of 1 ppm, %RSD of 4.37 - 7.6%, and % recovery of 100 – 104%. The amount oflead in the noodle soup samples ranged from 0.1 – 1.25 ppm (Table 3). The amount of lead in many samples was over the limitin food recommended by the Thai Food Act, which is 1.0 ppm. In addition to the inorganic lead from the soup pot, lead innoodle soup could come from the organic lead in flavoring agents added into the soup. Conclusion: Lead in noodle soup wasover the recommended limit. It may be harmful to consume noodle soup frequently. The source of lead in noodle soup could beinorganic (soup pot) as well as organic ones (flavoring agents).Key words: lead, noodle soupThai Pharm Health Sci J 2009;4(2):164-168

Antimicrobial Activity of Alkaloid from Roots of Vetiveria zizanoides (L.) Nash ex Small

ABSTRACTObjective: This study aimed to isolate active compounds from the root of Vetiveria zizanoides (L.) Nash ex Small cultivar Surat Thani and test forantimicrobial activity. Method: Crude methanolic extract of the root of V. zizanoides (L.) Nash ex Small root cultivar Surat Thani was screened forantimicrobial activity by agar diffusion method. Crude methanolic extract was purified by column chromatography and further purified by preparativethin layer chromatography (PTLC) twice by using 2% dichloromethane in ethyl acetate as the first mobile phase. The residue was developed in thesecond PTLC which used 2% ethyl acetate in dichloromethane as the mobile phase. Structured elucidation was performed by UV, IR, NMR and MSand was also confirmed by 1H-1H COSY and 1H-13C HMBC techniques. Result: Five pure compounds were isolated. Four of these pure compoundsshowed antifungal activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The most active compound, vetiverin, which was an alkaloid showed minimuminhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1,628 μg/ml. The structure of vetiverin was elucidated successfully. Conclusion: Root of V. zizanoides (L.) Nash exSmall cultivar Surat Thani showed antimicrobial activity especially vetiverin. However, antimicrobial activity of V. zizanoides was more likely a resultof the additive or synergistic effect of several compounds.Keyword: Antimicrobial activity, Vetiveria zizanoidesThai Pharm Health Sci J 2010;5(2):99-102

Viral hepatitis and HIV-associated tuberculosis: Risk factors and TB treatment outcomes in Thailand

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The occurrence of tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and viral hepatitis infections in the same patient poses unique clinical and public health challenges, because medications to treat TB and HIV are hepatotoxic. We conducted an observational study to evaluate risk factors for HBsAg and/or anti-HCV reactivity and to assess differences in adverse events and TB treatment outcomes among HIV-infected TB patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Patients were evaluated at the beginning, during, and at the end of TB treatment. Blood samples were tested for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (BR), complete blood count, and CD4+ T lymphocyte cell count. TB treatment outcomes were assessed at the end of TB treatment according to international guidelines.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 769 enrolled patients, 752 (98%) had serologic testing performed for viral hepatitis: 70 (9%) were reactive for HBsAg, 237 (31%) for anti-HCV, and 472 (63%) non-reactive for both markers. At the beginning of TB treatment, 18 (26%) patients with HBsAg reactivity had elevated liver function tests compared with 69 (15%) patients non-reactive to any viral marker (p = 0.02). At the end of TB treatment, 493 (64%) were successfully treated. Factors independently associated with HBsAg reactivity included being a man who had sex with men (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–4.3) and having low TB knowledge (AOR, 1.8; CI, 1.0–3.0). Factors most strongly associated with anti-HCV reactivity were having injection drug use history (AOR, 12.8; CI, 7.0–23.2) and living in Bangkok (AOR, 15.8; CI, 9.4–26.5). The rate of clinical hepatitis and death during TB treatment was similar in patients HBsAg reactive, anti-HCV reactive, both HBsAg and anti-HCV reactive, and non-reactive to any viral marker.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Among HIV-infected TB patients living in Thailand, markers of viral hepatitis infection, particularly hepatitis C virus infection, were common and strongly associated with known behavioral risk factors. Viral hepatitis infection markers were not strongly associated with death or the development of clinical hepatitis during TB treatment.</p

Antimicrobial Activity of Hexane and Dichloromethane Extracts from Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng Leaves

Objective: To determine antimicrobial activity of hexane and dichloromethane extracts from Momordica cochinchinensis leaves.Method: Crude, partially purified hexane and dichloromethane extracts were determined for antimicrobial activity by using agar diffusion and agar dilution methods.Results: One chemical constituent was isolated and elucidated from partially purified hexane extract which it was momordica triterpenoid ester. Crude, partially purified hexane and dichloromethane extracts showed antimicrobial activity against ten pathogenic bacteria and three pathogenic fungi. Momordica triterpenoid ester also showed antifungal activity against T. mentagrophytes and C. albicans. Conclusion: Antimicrobial activity of crude and partially purified hexane and dichloromethane extracts was probably a result from many constituents in the extracts. These crude extract can be potentially used as antimicrobial compound as in the traditional medicine.Keywords: Momordica cochinchinensis leaves, antimicrobial activit

Antimicrobial Activity of Hexane and Dichloromethane Extracts from Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng Leaves

Objective: To determine antimicrobial activity of hexane and dichloromethane extracts from Momordica cochinchinensis leaves.Method: Crude, partially purified hexane and dichloromethane extracts were determined for antimicrobial activity by using agar diffusion and agar dilution methods.Results: One chemical constituent was isolated and elucidated from partially purified hexane extract which it was momordica triterpenoid ester. Crude, partially purified hexane and dichloromethane extracts showed antimicrobial activity against ten pathogenic bacteria and three pathogenic fungi. Momordica triterpenoid ester also showed antifungal activity against T. mentagrophytes and C. albicans. Conclusion: Antimicrobial activity of crude and partially purified hexane and dichloromethane extracts was probably a result from many constituents in the extracts. These crude extract can be potentially used as antimicrobial compound as in the traditional medicine.Keywords: Momordica cochinchinensis leaves, antimicrobial activit