A STUDY ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF NORMAL FLORA ON THE HUMAN SKIN AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE USE AND NON-USE OF COSMETICS

The long term use of cosmetics modifies the microbial ecology on the skin surface. The present study quantitatively assayed the microbial flora on female respondents (age group of 18-20 yrs) using and not using cosmetics, plus those who use coconut oil alone on the skin surface. The results showed that the higher number of microbial flora is observed on skin surface of respondents using coconut oil (90.4 x 102 cfu/ 5 cm2 skinarea). The microbial count of respondents using and not using cosmetics were 34.4 x102 and 45.6 x102 cfu, respectively, per 5 cm2 area of skin surface. Cosmetics (C1 to C6) were assayed for antibacterial activity where C1, C2, C3, C4 and C6 were resistant to the three species of test bacteria namely Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase negative Staphylococcus and E. coli. The sample C5 exhibited a low level of antibacterial activity against E. coli with a diameter of zone of growth inhibition of 9 mm. An assay carried out for a period of six months to compare the modifying effect of cosmetics on skin microflora of a respondent whose left hand was applied with a body lotion (C7) and her right hand not applied with any topical applicants. There was reduction in the number of microflora on the left hand with an average count of 13.3 x 102 cfu/ 5 cm2 area on the skin surface, than on the right hand with an average count of 22.6 x 102 cfu/ 5 cm2 area on the skin surface

Raman spectral studies for solutions of dimethyl sulphoxide in the S = 0 stretching region

97-103Raman spectra in the S=0 stretching region are reported for solutions of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) in carbon tetrachloride (CCI4), dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), chloroform (CHCI3) and acetonitrile (CH3CN). The bands have been analysed qualitatively as a function of the concentration of DMSO with respect to the change in the shape and integrated intensities. Raman spectra of solutions of DMSO in binary mixtures of polar solvents and CCI4, keeping the concentration of DMSO constant and varying the concentration of polar solvent, show interesting regularities in the variation of the band shapes. In some cases the bands are further subjected to analysis such as second derivative, Fourier self deconvolution (FSD) and Gaussian band fitting for gaining further information on the band structures and the existence of different complexed species in solutions. The results are explained in terms of self-association of DMSO and its intermolecular interactions with polar solvents

Enhancing properties of polyvinyl alcohol film using sorghum starch nanocrystals – A cost effective filler from natural source

Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite films with Sorghum Starch Nanocrystals (SSN) were prepared by incorporating various concentrations of SSN in PVA.  SSN was isolated using acid hydrolysis of sorghum starch.  The morphological studies of SSN using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) revealed that the particle size varied from 65 to 68 nm.  The mechanical properties of PVA-SSN nanocomposite films indicated an improvement in tensile strength and percentage elongation at break when compared to that of PVA films.  This can be attributed to the stronger interaction of PVA with SSN due to hydrogen bonding.  Besides this, PVA-SSN nanocomposite films also exhibited good thermal properties.  Thus, the use of SSN (a cost effective filler from natural source) imparted superior properties to the PVA nanocomposite films, which will be beneficial for applications such as food packaging.