Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoarticles from extract of Eucalyptus citriodora

The primary motivation for the study to develop simple eco-friendly green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using leaf extract of Eucalyptus citriodora as reducing and capping agent. The green synthesis process was quite fast and silver nanoparticles were formed within 0.5 h. The synthesis of the particles was observed by UV-visible spectroscopy by noting increase in absorbance. Characterization of the particles was carried out by X-ray diffraction, FTIR and electron microscopy. The developed nanoparticles demonstrated that E. citriodora is good source of reducing agents. UV-visible absorption spectra of the reaction medium containing silver nanoparticles showed maximum absorbance at 460 nm. FTIR analysis confirmed reduction of Ag+ to Ag0 atom in silver nanoparticles. The XRD pattern revealed the crystalline structure of silver nanoparticles. The SEM analysis showed the size and shape of the nanoparticles. The method being green, fast, easy and cost effective can be recommended for large scale production of AgNPs for their use in food, medicine and materials

Sistem Pakar Berbasis Web sebagai Alat Bantu Pembelajaran Mahasiswa Kedokteran untuk Penyakit Kanker Darah pada Anak

Today,expert system as a part of artificial intelligence has many applications in various fields. This report presents one of expert system applications, namely health problemsknowledge base. Specifically, the final project presented here applies expert system approach to the knowledge base of blood cancer disease in children. It is expected to helpmedical practitioners and students to improve their quality of learning and knowledge. Features of the application are disease definitions, explanations and consultations. There isalso a facility to add, delete and update the knowledge base. Knowledge base is implemented using a decision tree, which consists of rules governed by forward chaining inference technique. This application is coded using PHP and MySQL

Pathology of Eupatorium adenophorum (Sticky snakeroot) toxicity in mice

The leaves of Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng were powdered and extracted with methanol.  An acute oral toxicity study was conducted in male Swiss albino mice and a LD50 of 3501 mg/kg was obtained during 14 days observation period. Twenty Swiss albino mice (male) randomly divided into four groups were administered orally with vehicle (5% tween 80), 1/20th (i.e. 175 mg/kg), 1/10th (i.e. 350 mg/kg) and 1/5th (i.e. 750 mg/kg) LD50 doses of methanolic leaf extract of E. adenophorum Spreng; respectively for a period of 30 days. The mice were sacrificed on day-31 and the liver dissected out freed from adherent tissue weighed to nearest milligram. The  liver histology, estimations of biochemical contents and enzyme activities were carried out. Treatment of the mice with methanolic extract of E. adenophorum at the dose level of 750 mg/kg (i.e. 1/5th LD50) elicited hepatotoxicity and the animals had yellow discoloration of liver, subcutaneous tissue and musculature indicating jaundice. Study on liver enzymes revealed marked increase in the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), while significant increase in serum bilirubin level. Histopathological examination of the livers of the group IV animals had focal areas of necrosis and bile duct proliferation. Elevation in plasma bilirubin concomitant with alterations in enzyme profile and histopathological lesions are consistent with liver injury and cholestasi

Postharvest quality of carrot cultivars, packaged and in bulk

This study aimed at evaluating the postharvest durability of different carrot cultivars stored in bulk. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four repetitions. The treatments were arranged in a 3 x 2 factorial design comprising three cultivars (Brasília RL and AF-1620 from SAKATA, and Alvorada from EMBRAPA) and two forms of conservation (on polystyrene trays covered with PVC plastic film and in bulk). Mass loss was higher in carrots stored in bulk than in packaged carrots. ‘Brasília RL’ presented the highest number of sprouts when stored in bulk (48.5%) and the largest number of carrots with radicels (54.7%). The hybrid AF-1620 cv. presented the lowest number of sprouts when packaged (49%). The average number of carrots with radicels during this study was 14.7 and 75.5% with and without packaging, respectively. Packaged carrots showed a higher percentage of rot (5.4%) than carrots stored in bulk (0.7%). ‘Brasília RL’ showed the largest percentage of rotten carrots (10.8%). The Brasília RL, Alvorada and AF-1620 cultivars showed β-carotene concentrations of 351, 405 and 543 μg.100g-1, respectively, without variations over time. Conservation in bulk extended to 14 days, while packaged product remained conserved for 8 days.Key words: Daucus carota L., postharvest, weight loss