Posted by admin on Feb 28, 2022 in |
Millets are called nutri-cereals, highly nutritious, and are known to have high nutrient content, which includes protein, essential fatty acids, dietary fiber, B-Vitamins, minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, and magnesium. They help render health benefits like reducing blood sugar level (diabetes), blood pressure regulation, thyroid, cardiovascular and celiac diseases. The present study was carried out to develop millet-based fryums and to assess their acceptability and functional properties. Rice, finger millet, pearl millet, foxtail millet, sorghum, sago and other materials required were procured from the market, cleaned, milled and further used for the development of fryums in different proportions. All the developed millet fryums were evaluated for acceptability and functional properties. The results revealed that sensory scores for sorghum millet fryums had high scores for all the parameters (5.1±1.06, 5.06 ± 1.12, 5.3 ± 1.02, 5.1 ± 1.1 and 5.2 ± 0.9 for appearance, texture, colour, aroma, taste, and overall acceptability, respectively) compared to control and other millet...
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Posted by admin on Feb 28, 2022 in |
Introduction: Anabaena azollae (AM) is used as a biofertilizer feed for cattle; much research is developing toward identifying the elements and their role in food supplements for human consumption. Objective: The study was to characterize the whole plant powder of the A. microphylla concerning physicochemical and elemental analysis. Material and Methods: The whole plant powder was subjected to physicochemical analysis such as total ash content, acid insoluble ash content, and moisture content by standard procedure. Further, it was analyzed for elements through SEM and XRD studies. Results: The results revealed that the total ash content, acid insoluble ash content and moisture content were within limits. The morphological feature of the A. microphylla whole plant powder showed a compact structure. The XRD showed that the elements such as carbon, oxygen, potassium, calcium, chlorine, sodium, magnesium, and silicon were present in descending order and within the normal limits. Conclusion: The presence of the inorganic elements in the whole plant powder of A. microphylla was within limits for the plants’ standardization. Hence,...
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Posted by admin on Feb 28, 2022 in |
Curcumin, an active phytochemical compound of the rhizome Curcuma longa, shows several pharmacological activities. Curcumin shows high permeability and low dissolution rate, and its incomplete absorption leads to very poor oral bioavailability. The present study aimed to enhance curcumin’s solubility and dissolution rate by forming internal ternary solid dispersion using hydrophilic polymer PVP K30 and water-insoluble surface modifying carrier Syloid XDP in a weight ratio of 1:3:2, 1:3:3, 1:1:3, and 1:2:2 for curcumin: PVP K30: Syloid XDP. Saturation solubility of internal ternary solid dispersion showed many folds increase in solubility as compared to plain curcumin in water, pH 1.2, 4, 6.8, and 7.4. Lozenges prepared from internal ternary solid dispersion showed excellent solubility and dissolution comparable with the marketed product. The lozenges exhibited improved antibacterial activity and rapid drug dissolution for a prolonged period of time. Therefore, they can be a promising alternative to the marketed product as immunity booster, anti-inflammatory, and oral hygiene. The study suggests that internal ternary solid dispersion of curcumin prepared using PVPK30 and Syloid...
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Posted by admin on Feb 28, 2022 in |
This study looked at heavy metal levels in selected registered herbal drugs of Asian and unregistered Ghanaian herbal drugs sold in Kumasi. It examined the health risks of the metals. It provided authorities with data to ensure that herbal drugs are strictly monitored and their metal levels evaluated to safeguard patrons’ health. Dry ashing method was used on 10g of each of the herbal drug samples. Ashes were digested at 95 ºC with 70% HNO3 and 70% HClO4 (2:5v/v), and then metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The Asian drugs recorded 27.42E-01 mg/kg (Fe), 28.17E-0 4 mg/kg (Pb), 27.43E-0 4 mg/kg, 12.06E-06E-0 2 mg/kg (As) and 79.72E-0 2 mg/kg (Cu) whilst the Ghanaian drugs recorded mean levels of 15.43E-01 mg/kg (Fe), 24.99E-02 mg/kg (Pb), 16.04E-03 mg/kg, 47.70E-0 4 mg/kg (AS) and 12.37E-0 4 mg/kg. Metal levels in drugs were below WHO and Pharmacopeia (China) permitted levels. HI and HQ were below 1, indicating that risk linked to the metals were...
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Posted by admin on Feb 28, 2022 in |
Background: Dengue is an arthropod-borne viral disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV). DENV is an RNA virus that belongs to the Flavivirus genus. The incidence of dengue has grown in the recent decade globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers dengue as a major global public health challenge in the tropic and sub-tropic nations. Materials and Methods: NS1 antigen and IgM antibody ELISA were done, and the serum levels of Vitamin-D and Mannose Binding Lectins (MBL) were determined to find out their association with the severity of Dengue, i.e., Dengue fever (DF) / Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever status (DHF). Results: The male-to-female ratio was 1.35:1 with the most commonly affected age group of 11-20 years (31.3%). NS1 antigen ELISA alone was positive in 12 (15%) samples, IgM ELISA alone was positive in 20 (25%) samples, while NS1 and IgM ELISA both were positive in 48 (60%) samples. 64 (80%) and 16 (20%) cases were DF and DHF, respectively. Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia is significantly notable in DHF patients as compared to...
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