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A cathodic stripping voltammetry method relying on the use of hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) was devised for determination of natamycin in dairy samples. Based on the concept of adsorptive stripping voltammetry, the possible additional effects of several metallic ions were examined in order to intensify the natamycin's weak signal generated on HMDE. Among others, Ni(II) was the only and the most efficient ion promoting the electrochemical signal. This method is reliable and convenient to use as a routine analysis of natamycin instead of sophisticated HPLC methods. The described procedure was applied to evaluate the concentration of natamycin in cheese and yoghurt drink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the dissipation, terminal residues, and dietary exposure risk of flonicamid, a field trial was conducted in China, and cabbage samples were determined by modified QuEChERS pretreatment and high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The method showed good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.99), the mean recoveries ranged from 97% to 103%, with the relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 1.5%, and the matrix effect (ME) was 5%. The field trial showed that the dissipation of flonicamid in Shanxi conformed to the first-order kinetic equation with a half-life of 2.2 days. The terminal residue results showed that the residues of flonicamid in cabbage were all lower than 0.12 mg/kg. The hazard quotient (HQ) and risk quotient (RQ) were applied to dietary exposure risk assessment based on terminal residue and toxicology data. The HQ of different populations ranged from 0.17 to 0.37, and the RQ was 81.4%, indicating low risk of dietary intake of flonicamid in cabbage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palm kernel cake (PKC) is a by-product of palm oil that is mainly used as animal feed. The tropical climate of Malaysia, along with high humidity, favours the growth of aflatoxin-producing fungi. PKC contamination with aflatoxins poses a serious food safety risk. The PKC samples were collected from selected palm kernel crushers in Malaysia between January 2015 and February 2018. A total of twenty-four samples (n = 24) were collected from Southern Peninsula Malaysia (10), Central Peninsula Malaysia (5), Northern Peninsula Malaysia (4) and East Malaysia (5). These samples were analysed for aflatoxins by solvent extraction and immunoaffinity clean-up, followed by determination using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Aflatoxins level in all samples were less than 5 µg kg−1, meeting the maximum allowed limit of 20 µg kg−1 set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union (EU). The developed method of detecting aflatoxins as mentioned above was specific, easy, reliable and suitable for routine analysis of aflatoxins in animal feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by certain filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus flavus and may pose severe risks to human health. The presence of aflatoxins in commercial food products such as pistachio can bring severe economic drawbacks during harvest, production, and exportation. This study aimed to reduce aflatoxin levels in raw pistachio by active food packaging film enriched with silver nanoparticles and quinoa peptides and extend the shelf-life. The pistachios contaminated with Aspergillus flavus were packaged in a nanocomposite film enriched with silver nanoparticles, quinoa peptide with antifungal properties, and low-density polyethylene at varying percentages. Then, all samples were stored at 25°C for 30 days. The amount of Aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, and G2) were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that the percentage of film composition and time significantly affected aflatoxin values during storage (P < 0.05). The control sample had the highest amount of aflatoxins, while the sample was packaged with a film containing 35% silver nanoparticles, and the quinoa peptide had the lowest amount of aflatoxin at the end of the storage period. Based on the results obtained, the combined use of silver nanoparticles and quinoa peptides in pistachio packaging reduced aflatoxins and increased the shelf life of raw pistachio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations have shown the traces of antibiotics in surface water, groundwater, wastewater treatment plants, and drinking water. However, conventional wastewater treatment is not entirely effective for vancomycin degradation. Advanced oxidation is one of the most widespread methods of antibiotic degradation in aqueous media. Vancomycin was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to explore and optimise the effect of the independent variables on vancomycin degradation. Independent variables were as follows: pH (3–11), vancomycin concentration (15–75 mg/L), TiO2–clinoptilolite (25–125 mg in 250 mL reactor volume), the temperature (25–45°C), and the reaction time (15–75 min). The validity and adequacy of the model were confirmed by the corresponding statistics (F–value = 111.5, correlation coefficient R2 = 0.98, adjusted R2 = 0.97, and prediction R2 = 0.95). The vancomycin degradation efficiency was 97% under optimal conditions (pH = 5, vancomycin concentration = 30 mg/L, TiO2-clinoptilolite content = 50.2 mg in a 250 mL reactor volume, temperature = 32.24°C, and reaction time = 50.9 min). This process followed the zero-order reaction kinetics model (R2 = 0.98), and the removal rate of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) under optimal conditions was 56%. The results indicated that supporting TiO2 on clinoptilolite particles could increase the photocatalytic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree nuts, especially pistachio kernels, are highly susceptible to aflatoxin contamination. These substances are produced by certain moulds such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Release of aflatoxins in pistachio bulks and their sources are the main causes of aflatoxin contamination in pistachio nuts. The aim of this study is the assessment of aflatoxins in some pistachio cultivars supplied in bulk in Tehran Food stores. Iranian pistachio cultivars such as Ahmad Aghaei, Akhbari closed-mouth, half-splitting Akbari, Ohadi, Badami Sefid, Chorouke, Khanjari Damghan, Abbas Ali, Fandoghi 48, Kaleghoochi, and Mumtaz, were randomly collected and sampled from nuts supply centres. Levels of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, and total aflatoxin were measured in the cultivars using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The findings showed that aflatoxin B1 contamination was found only in Akbari closed-mouth (0.3 μg/kg) and Ohadi (0.4 μg/kg) pistachio cultivars (p < 0.05). Total aflatoxin levels in these two cultivars were measured at 0.3 and 0.4 μg/kg, respectively (p < 0.05), with no aflatoxin found in the other cultivars. The values measured in the present study are lower than the maximum tolerance established in the national standard for aflatoxin B1 (5 μg/kg) and the total aflatoxin (15 μg/kg) in the pistachio crop. It was concluded that the density of aflatoxin in highly consumed pistachio cultivars supplied in Tehran is within acceptable health and safety standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a notable endocrine disrupting chemical and a core raw material utilised in the manufacture of some food contact materials such as epoxy resin and polycarbonate (PC) plastics. The human health risk (HRI) associated with the migration of BPA into malt drinks packaged in epoxy-cans and stored under various conditions was investigated. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was used to extract BPA, while analysis was performed with a high performance liquid chromatography coupled to an ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV). The health risk index was used to assess the likelihood of developing chronic non-carcinogenic health risk among consumers of epoxy-can malt drink. Results showed BPA concentrations at 3.98 ± 0.05°C, 25.34 ± 0.70°C and 30.98 ± 0.27°C range from 0.0166 to 0.0300 μg L−1, 0.0188 to 0.0788 μg L−1 and 0.0217 to 0.2131 μg L−1 respectively. BPA levels in the samples did not exceed the European Union limit (50 μg kg−1). Enrichment levels of BPA in samples stored at 30.98 ± 0.27°C were highest, while that at 3.98 ± 0.05°C samples were the least. Initial migration rate of BPA at 3.98 ± 0.05°C and 25.34 ± 0.70°C decreased with increasing exposure duration, and later maintained a mildly constant rate at longer exposure duration. However, at 30.98 ± 0.27°C, BPA migration rates decreased initially with increase in exposure duration, and increased later at prolonged exposure. Although BPA concentrations showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) at the study's storage conditions, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in BPA migration rates. The computed chronic non-carcinogenic health risk for daily ingestion of malt drink contaminated with BPA by both adults and children was less than one indicating no probable adverse health effect from consumption of the malt drink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zanthoxylum nitidum is a traditional Chinese herb, but limited information is available concerning its antioxidant activity of Z. nitidum. In this study, the bioactive components, content, and antioxidant activity of Z. nitidum roots from various regions in southern China were detected and evaluated. The results revealed that the highest nitidine chloride content found in S13. The S1 contained significantly higher concentrations of hesperidin, total flavonoids, and total phenols than other samples. The samples from S13, S1, and S12 had the strongest comprehensive antioxidant activity. Stoichiometric analysis revealed that samples from various regions were effectively identified and classified. This is the first study to investigate the antioxidant activity of wild-type Z. nitidum in southern China. It lays the groundwork for Z. nitidum harvesting, origin identification, sensible use, as well as the quality evaluation of Z. nitidum resources, particularly in vitro antioxidant activity assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemical investigation on the bark of E. kingiana plant afforded ten compounds, including six polyketides namely kingianin A 1, kingianin B 2, kingianin E 3, kingianin F 4, kingianin K 5 and kingianin L 6, three endiandric acids; kingianic acid A 7, tsangibeilin B 8 and endiandric acid M 9, and one sesquiterpene; daibuoxide 10. All compounds were separated as racemic mixture by recycling high-performance liquid chromatography (RHPLC), except for daibuoxide. Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic and comparative literature data analysis. This is the first report on the presence of the sesquiterpene; daibuoxide in Endiandra genus. In vitro enzymatic bio-evaluation of the isolated compounds against α-amylase and α-glucosidase showed that 4 demonstrated the best α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 181.54 ± 6.27 µg/mL and 237.87 ± 0.07 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, molecular docking analysis confirmed the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities demonstrated by 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) during early development particularly in-utero has been linked to a wide range of pathology. Over the last two decades the importance of vitamin D in maternal and child health has been highlighted. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the relationship of BPA and its naturally occurring metabolite BPA-glucuronide (BPA-g) with 25-hydoxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels in South African mother-child pairs. Methods: Third-trimester serum maternal samples and matching cord blood samples were analyzed for BPA and BPA-g using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and 25OHD3 and 25OHD2 using high performance liquid chromatography. A total of 58 maternal and child pairs were analyzed. Results: More than fifty percent of maternal-child pairs were noted to be vitamin D deficient or insufficient using the Endocrine Society Practice guidelines cut-off of 50 nmol/L. Spearman rank correlation and Kruskal Wallis analysis did not show statistically significant relationship between cord 25OHD (total) and maternal and cord BPA-g concentrations. Analysis of covariance after controlling for confounders showed a significant relationship between cord BPA-g levels and cord 25OHD levels (p=0.03) as well as between maternal BPA-g levels (p=0.04) and cord total 25OHD levels (p=0.04). Discussion: The findings of the current study indicate a possible relationship with BPA/BPA-g and fetal/early infant Vitamin D levels that needs to be further investigated in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the molecular basis, genotype – phenotype relationship, and genetic origin of Hemoglobin (Hb) Hekinan associated with several forms of α-thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies for a better understanding of its diverse clinical phenotypes. Seventeen participants with suspected abnormal Hb were studied. Hb analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). Mutational and α-haplotypic and structural analyses were conducted, and the effects of mutations on globin-chain stability were determined. All participants harbored Hb Hekinan II (HBA1:c.84 G>T) co-inherited with another α-globin gene anomaly. Three novel genotypes, (ααHekinan/αCSα), (ααHekinan/αCSα,βA/βE), and (ααHekinan/αCSα,βE/βE), were characterized. Despite being co-inherited with both α- and β-Hb variants Hb Hekinan II led to minimal changes in erythrocyte parameters, suggesting a non-pathological nature. HPLC but not CE revealed a distinct small shoulder-like Hb pattern. Thai Hb Hekinan II was strongly associated with haplotype [+ - S + - - -] and the possibility of four different haplotypes, while two Burmese Hb Hekinan II were associated with haplotypes [± - S + - + -] and [± - S + - - -]. The novel genotypes identified provide a fresh perspective on Hb Hekinan II diversity. HPLC has superior identification capabilities for samples of Hb Hekinan II co-inherited with α-thalassemia. Thai and Burmese Hb Hekinan II have diverse origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Moringa contains significant phytochemical profile. • Antibacterial synergism with antibiotics is appreciable. • Decoction is replaceable with green tea. • Public acceptability was appreciable. The increasing trend in antibiotic resistance and food safety demands exploring nutraceutical products for optimized health. The current study explores the synergism of Moringa oleifera extracts (MOE) with antibiotics, body growth, and public acceptance as a decoction for better health. Plants collected from the South Punjab province of Pakistan were subjected to extraction through reflux extraction and characterized using HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography). Phytochemical analysis revealed enriched contents of reducing sugars, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, and steroids, all of which possess significant antioxidant potential. The antibacterial activity of MOE showed the highest zones of inhibitions against Klebsiella pneumoniae, followed by Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. There was a significant reduction in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the antibiotics when used in combination with MOE against bacteria. None of the combinations exhibited antagonistic effects. Feeding MOE led to significant improvements in growth and weight of the mice, while histopathological parameters were significantly higher among all, except for glomerular diameter, sinusoid width, and corpuscle density. The decoction trial showed the highest odd ratio for the acceptability within a preparation having higher proporotion of MOE. The study thus revealed the enriched nutraceutical contents in MO extracts, their potential for synergism with antibiotics, optimized growth effects, and significant public acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There are chemical properties of bark and wood samples that could be associated with EPD scores. • There is a significant correlation of sample electrical conductivity and EPD scores. • pH of bark and wood samples effectively differentiated EPD resistant clones;. Despite favorable adaptations to soil and climate conditions in Brazil, eucalyptus cultivation faces challenges, such as physiological disorders linked to abiotic stresses. Symptomatology of the disorder involves lesions, swelling, and cracking of the bark and branches, increased sprouting, leaf abscission, and even plant death. Commercial eucalyptus clones were selected based on their response to and the occurrence of eucalyptus physiological disorder (EPD) under field conditions. A field experiment was conducted using a randomized block design consisting of 30 clones, from which nine genotypes were selected based on divergent phenotypes. Three trees per clone were sampled along the stem at the diameter at breast height (DBH) and 50 % and 75 % of the commercial height. Historical data on clone behavior and EPD scores assigned to the sampled trees were used as references for the comparison of chemical variables. The concentrations of soluble carbohydrates (total, reducing, and non-reducing), starches, phenolics, total amino acids, caffeic acid, quercetin, and gallic acid were estimated in the bark and wood samples. The analyses were conducted using compound samples processed for nutritional evaluation, aiming for ease and speed of obtaining the results. The methodologies used for quantifying the compounds were enzymatic and colorimetric assays for carbohydrates, colorimetric assays for phenolics and total amino acids, and laboratory techniques, such as pH measurement, electrical conductivity, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for phenolics. The aim of these methods were to efficiently obtain data from sampled trees. Certain chemical properties of both bark and wood are associated with tolerant EPD phenotypes. Starch (1.81–6.84 g 100 g −1), total phenolics (1.18–5.77 g 100 g −1) and amino acids (0.95–1.33 mmol kg−1), concentration did not separate the tolerant from the susceptible genotypes. The same was observed for total phenolics (1.78–3.09 g 100 g −1), amino acids concentration (1.13–1.40 mmol kg−1), and electrical conductivity (7.73–12.24 µS cm−1) in bark, despite both bark and wood samples exhibited significant differences among the tested genotypes. Significant correlations of electrical conductivity (ECB = 0.57), pH (PHB = −0.80), total amino acids (AB = 0.60), and quercetin (QEB = −0.47) in bark, and pH (PHW = −0.78), total amino acids (AW = 0.44), and gallic acid (GAW = −0.55) in wood samples, indicate their importance in the plants' response to triggers associated with the disorder, here considered as the expected phenotype score (FDE). Significant differences were observed between the pH of the solution or filtrate from bark and wood samples, from 4.4 to 6.3 in the susceptible, and from 5.0 to 7.2 in the tolerant clones, suggesting a potential role in distinguishing clones with varying EPD scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Moringa oleifera , known as a miracle tree, possesses a rich repository of bioactive metabolites and nutraceuticals. • In vitro derived callus cultures of M. oleifera were subjected to different UV-C exposure durations and various melatonin concentrations to assess their combined impacts on biomass, secondary metabolite synthesis, and antioxidant ability. • Melatonin significantly raised biomass accumulation. • Optimum phenolic and flavonoid contents were produced by UV-C treatment. • HPLC analysis showed maximum accumulation of major phytochemicals in melatonin. Moringa oleifera, widely recognized as a miracle tree, boasts a rich repository of bioactive metabolites and nutraceuticals. This study explores a biotechnological approach utilizing UV-C and melatonin elicitation for enhancing pharmaceutically significant secondary metabolites in M. oleifera callus cultures. callus cultures were exposed to different UV-C exposure durations and various melatonin concentrations to assess their combined impacts on biomass, secondary metabolite synthesis, and antioxidant ability. Biomass yields for fresh weight (F.W) were measured for 10 μM melatonin (176. 18 g/L) and UV-C 60 min (172.17 g/L). Total phenolic production (TPP: 25.83 mg/L D.W) and total flavonoids production (TFP: 157.07 mg/L D.W) peaked at 15 μM melatonin. High-performance liquid chromatography facilitated metabolite quantification. Significant increases in total phytochemical production were observed, reaching 12.98 mg g-1 D.W with 15 μM melatonin—an approximately 2.5-fold rise. UV-C exposure for 60 min yielded a two-fold increase (10.847 mg g-1 D.W) compared to the control (5.155 mg g-1 D.W). Metabolic profiling identified four phytochemicals (p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, and apigenin) through HPLC. Melatonin at 15 μM demonstrated superior DPPH free radical scavenging activity (93.32 %) compared to the control (82.05 %). Additionally, FRAP (382.52 TAEC μM) and ABTS (535.8 TAEC μM) exhibited maximum values under 15 μM melatonin concentration. This study provides a comprehensive approach for enhanced phytochemical production, offering insights into the comparative impacts of UV-C and melatonin elicitation on secondary metabolite pathways in M. oleifera callus cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• HgR and IAA producing rhizobacteria were isolated from mercury-contaminated areas. • HPLC and GC–MS analyses were performed for the confirmation of IAA production by selected rhizobacteria. • Pot and field experiments were conducted under controlled conditions on triticum aestivum l. • HPLC and GC–MS confirmed the production of IAA by selected bacteria. • Greenhouse experiment showed plant growth promoting ability of HgR bacterial isolates with T. aestivum in both HgCl 2 amended and non-amended soils. • Field experiments showed a significant increase in plant growth and yield per acre in T. aestivum. • In silico analysis showed the structural determination of MerT protein of B. cereus AZ-3. Mercury (Hg) resistant and indole 3-acetice acid (IAA)-producing rhizobacteria were isolated from mercury-contaminated areas. Among the 60 Hg-resistant bacterial isolates, three were selected based on high Hg-resistance (MIC-30 µg/ml) and IAA production (15–40 µg/ml). Selected isolates were subjected to biochemical and molecular characterization, and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses were performed to confirm IAA production by these rhizobacteria. Pot and field experiments were conducted under controlled conditions on Triticum aestivum L. with a bacterial consortium consisting of AZ-3, Z-A15, and Z-A22. The selected isolates were identified as Bacillus cereus AZ-3, Enterobacter cloacae Z-A15, and Pseudomonas putida Z-A22, respectively. B. cereus AZ-3 showed 90 % resistance against HgCl 2 at 40 µg/ml due to the presence mer T gene. E. cloacae Z-A15 and P. putida Z-A22 showed high production of IAA at 20 and 36 µg/ml respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) confirmed IAA production by the selected bacteria. In greenhouse experiments, the inoculation of T. aestivum L. with bacterial consortium A7 (AZ-3, Z-A15, and Z-A22) with Hg resulted in 35 %, 60 %, 22 %, 98 % and 100 % increase while without Hg showed 32 %, 60 %, 30 %, 56 %, and 120 % increase in shoot length, tillers, spike length, number of spikelets, and seed weight/200 g respectively. In field experiments, the A7 showed 17 %, 66 %, 17 %, 27 %, 40 % and 70 % increases in shoot length, tillers, spike length, number of spikelets, dry weight and yield/acre in T. aestivum L. respectively (p < 0.05). The structural determination of MerT protein of B. cereus AZ-3 was carried out using bioinformatics tools, i.e., DISOPRED, SwissModel, ERRAT, Verify3D and PROCHECK. These tools predicted the structural-based functional homology of MerT transmembrane protein in bacterial Hg-detoxification system. The use of the bacterial consortium A7 as a biofertilizer to reduce mercury pollution while promoting plant growth in contaminated soils offers a novel approach to maintaining sustainable agricultural land in polluted environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary supplements are widely consumed. However, the lack of mandatory testing results in limited data on their quality, particularly in Eastern Europe. In this study, 21 legally registered and 9 illegal supplements, seized from an underground facility by the Polish Police, were examined. Contaminants were screened by utilising high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with untargeted mass spectrometry. The analysis identified 32 contaminants in the 30 dietary supplements examined. Untargeted analysis revealed a concerning issue: the intentional adulteration of both legal and illegal supplements with pharmacologically active substances that are prohibited in this category of products. This study indicated that many dietary supplements are of low quality due to deliberate adulteration or inadequate manufacturing conditions. The presence of unregistered or unapproved substances in these supplements poses serious health risks. Strong legal regulations are essential to address this issue effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate antibiotic residues such as oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin and levofloxacin, in both pasteurised and raw cow's milk. A method using high-performance liquid chromatography with a UV detector (HPLC-UV) was developed and validated following International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines for simultaneous detection and quantification of these residues. The technique demonstrated linearity, with r2 values ranging from 0.999 to 1.00 within the 1.3–15.0 μg ml−1 range for each antibiotic. Thirty cow's milk samples, raw and pasteurised, from Dhaka's local markets were analysed, revealing the presence of enrofloxacin and levofloxacin, while oxytetracycline was absent in all samples. Notably, pasteurised milk samples contained enrofloxacin, levofloxacin and oxytetracycline, with groups P6 and P7 exceeding the Maximum Residue Limit for enrofloxacin, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin (121 µg l−1). This study emphasises antibiotic residues in milk, with a validated method holding promise for routine analysis in industries requiring simultaneous quantitation of multiple antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. In order to compare the difference between different derivatisations for amino acids determination of foie gras via, reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), O-phthalaldehyde and 9-fluorenyl-methyl chloroformate (OPA-FMOC group), phenylisothiocyanate (PITC group) and 6-Aminoquinolyl-N-hydrox-ysuccinimidyl Carbamate (AQC group) were applied to derivatisation reagent in this current experiment. The determination results of automatic amino acid analyser were applied, and 17 amino acids were detected by these three derivatisation methods. 2. The running times of OPA-FMOC group, PITC group and AQC group were 18, 45 and 35 min, respectively. There was a large difference between the results of OPA-FMOC group and results from the automatic amino acid analyser, although the difference between the results from PITC and the automatic amino acid analyser was minimal. 3. In conclusion, the running time of OPA-FMOC group was shorter than that of PITC group and AQC group; the accuracy of the former was better than the OPA-FMOC group and AQC group for the determination of amino acid of foie gras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose A leachable cyclic amide (caprolactam) can be found in normal saline (NS) and 5% dextrose in water (D5W) plastic bags widely used in clinical practice if they contain polyamide in a multilayer sheeting. This contamination and the parameters that could influence its content have never been studied in a public work such as a scientific publication. Methods Two independent laboratories validated a caprolactam dosing method and studied contamination levels in several containers. Results Caprolactam content in multilayer polypropylene/polyamide/polypropylene plastic bags ranged from a mean (SD) of 5.43 (0.21) mg/L (D5W 1,000 mL) to 22.83 (1.26) mg/L (NS 50 mL). NS and D5W can be intravenously administered with a total daily dose of 3 L, corresponding to a minimal daily dose of 16.3 mg of caprolactam. Conclusion The high levels of contamination we have reported and the possibility of administering caprolactam to high-risk patients (eg, neonates, the elderly) should make it imperative for pharmaceutical companies to communicate publicly on the safety of caprolactam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although analytical methodologies are known to generate pollution, universal strategies to decrease their environmental, safety, and health burdens while maintaining performance are lacking. Separation science techniques including sample preparations and chromatography require large amounts of solvent and power to separate, identify, and quantitate pure constituents from their matrices. Recent advancements to green analytical chemistry have now provided comprehensive metrics, such as the analytical method greenness score (AMGS), that allow researchers to better understand their method's environmental burden, compare it to other methods, and indicate what areas can be addressed to enhance sustainability. Here, we review approaches and technologies that can be used to green analytical separations with a focus on improving the method's analytical figures of merit. Approaches to green sample preparation are first considered including microextraction techniques in liquid, solid, and supercritical phases and the ability to automate such techniques. We focus on high-performance liquid chromatography and sub- or super-critical fluid chromatography, where it is shown that changing the column dimensions and packing can reduce environmental impact while preserving chromatographic resolution. We review equations to calculate the greenest flow rate at which to operate a separation method, then we discuss of modern ultrafast and high throughput separations. Finally, we describe digital signal processing for analytical signals as a major green technology for the first time. We observed that, using digital signal processing, an ultrafast liquid chromatographic separation of 101 components in just one minute produced an AMGS of 0.12 which is, to our best knowledge, the lowest ever reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. is an ethnomedicinal plant known for its antioxidant, antibacterial, and therapeutic potential. The current study was an effort to explore the impact of extraction technique on the phytochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial profile of the plant extracts. K. pinnata leaf extracts were prepared using conventional solvent extraction (100% methanol; 50% methanol: 50% water; 100% water), microwave-assisted extraction at 700-W power (3 min; 6 min; 9 min), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) (3500 psi; 4500 psi; 5500 psi). Best results were attained from SFE in terms of total phenolic content (240 ± 3 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid content (165.2 ± 0.4 mg QE/g), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging potential (91.9 ± 0.4%), 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid assay value (8.04 ± 0.03 mMol TE/g) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay value (471.7 ± 0.8 µg/mL). K. pinnata leaf extracts have been found to be most effective against Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (22.20 ± 0.95 mm) and least effective againstProteus vulgaris (0 ± 0 mm). High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of K. pinnata extract showed that it contains flavanol quercetin (2.0 ± 0.1 mg/g). It is evident from the findings of current study that K. pinnata extract can effectively treat bacterial infections and can cure metabolic disorders by reducing oxidative stress. Application of advance extraction techniques enhances the biological activity of plant extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pharmaceutical research sector's inability to develop new drugs has made it challenging to combat microbial resistance. Secondary metabolites from plant extracts have been identified as potential protective agents against multi-drug-resistant bacteria. This study aimed to analyze hydro-ethanol extracts' antioxidant and antimicrobial activities from various parts of the Zahidi date (whole fruit, pit powder, and flesh). Phytochemical screening of phenolic and flavonoid compounds was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were extracted at their maximum levels, 71.89 mg/100 g and 843.06 mg/100 g, respectively, using EoH 60%. The whole fruit had the highest concentration of flavonoid quercetin (0.83 μg/g) and phenolic compoundsinapic acid (20.03 μg/g) at the same concentration. The findings from the broth micro-dilution method showed that the whole fruit had the strongest antimicrobial effects at 60% EoHagainst Salmonella typhi (30 mg/ml), Helicobacter pylori (27 mg/ml), Escherichia coli (22 mg/ml), and Staphylococcus aureus (44 mg/ml). Zahidi whole fruit extracts showed higher antioxidant potential at EoH 60% using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging potential (78%) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a significant negative correlation between antioxidant activity and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Evidence from this study highlights the considerable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Zahidi date fruit, suggesting its potential use in producing natural drugs and value-added foods to counteract contagious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an initial exploration of the phytochemical composition and biological properties of Salsola foetida, a wild plant native to southeastern Algeria. The investigation encompassed an analysis of the biochemical content, phytochemical profile, and bioactivity of the plant's aerial parts. The biomass of S. foetida was found to comprise 51.2 ± 0.4% ash, with elemental analysis revealing the presence of carbon, oxygen, calcium, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, potassium, and sulfur. Carbohydrates were identified as the predominant constituents, surpassing the levels of proteins and lipids. Phytochemical screening, coupled with Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) analysis, confirmed the presence of various secondary metabolites, including alkaloids and phenols. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis further delineated a spectrum of phenolic compounds, with rutin emerging as the predominant compound at 1.59 µg/ml. Quantification revealed a noteworthy phenolic content of 67.1 ± 0.2 µg GE/mg ED. The extract exhibited robust radical scavenging effects, with the radical 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) being 61.8 ± 0.2 μg/ml, along with protective effects against H2O2-induced hemolysis and the ability to reduce ferric ions. Additionally, the extract demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antidiabetic activities. Notably, it exhibited considerable sunscreen properties, boasting a sun protected factor (SPF) value of 21 ± 1. Overall, S. foetida presents promising antioxidant activity and a spectrum of potential biological activities, underscoring its significance as a novel antioxidant candidate for applications in animal nutrition, medicine, and natural product research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for consistency in analytical method development reinforces the dependence of pharmaceutical product development and manufacturing on robust analytical data. The Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD), akin to the product Quality by Design (QbD) endows a high degree of confidence to the method quality developed. AQbD involves the definition of the analytical target profile as starting point, followed by the identification of critical method variables and critical analytical attributes, supported on risk assessment and design of experiment tools for the establishment of a method operable design region and control strategy of the method. This systematic approach moves away from reactive troubleshooting to proactive failure reduction. The objective of this review is to highlight the elements of the AQbD framework and provide an overview of their implementation status in various analytical methods used in the pharmaceutical field. These methodologies include but are not limited to, high-performance liquid chromatography, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, capillary electrophoresis, supercritical fluid chromatography, and high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Finally, a critical appraisal is provided to highlight how regulators have encouraged AQbD principles application to boost the prevention of method failures and a better understanding of the method operable design region (MODR) and control strategy, ultimately resulting in cost-effectiveness and regulatory flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The review presents methods that are used frequently for multi-analytical study of fossil resins. The preliminary characterization relies on physical methods such as microhardness, density and fluorescence in UV light measurements. The spectroscopic methods: infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy are also presented in the paper. Besides that, the review also contains examples of the application of chromatographic methods: gas chromatography, thin layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry as well as sample preparation methods for chromatographic studies such as pyrolysis. Additionally, thermal methods such as thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry also are covered by the review. Beside the examples of application, a detailed description with development history and perspective for further improvement are presented for each method. Moreover, fit-for-purpose assessment of each method is illustrated based on many examples from literature. The paper also contains examples of the application of multivariate statistical analysis and chemometric methods for comparing multiple properties of different fossil resin specimens for differentiation and classification purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by human neutrophils can lead to oxidative imbalances and several diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Opuntia ficus-indica (O. ficus-indica) is rich in bioactive substances with anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to identify the bioactive compounds present in aqueous cladodes extract (ACE) of O. ficus-indica using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and to test its effects on human neutrophil inflammatory functions and on ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by acetic acid (Aa) in rats. ROS production and degranulation by neutrophils were assessed by luminol-amplified chemiluminescence, enzymatic techniques, and western blotting. In vivo, the experiment involved seven groups of rats: a negative control group (NaCl), the acetic acid group (Aa), and groups treated with oral sulfasalazine (150 mg/kg) or various doses of ACE for 7 days. Colonic lesions were induced by an intra-rectal Aa injection, and inflammation was assessed. HPLC analysis identified gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid as major compounds in ACE. In vitro, ACE inhibited neutrophil ROS production, including superoxide anion produced by NADPH oxidase, and significantly reduced myeloperoxidase activity and neutrophil degranulation. In vivo, ACE protected rats from Aa-induced histopathological damage of the colonic mucosa, significantly increased catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione levels, and significantly suppressed the increases of plasma cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) observed in the Aa group. In conclusion, O. ficus-indica ACE has significant anti-inflammatory properties by restoring oxidative balance, indicating that it could be a potential source of therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases, particularly UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder accompanied by occasional flare-ups, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding. Persicaria bistorta Samp. is a medicinal plant repeatedly mentioned in traditional Persian medicine for the treatment of bleeding and tissue damage in different organs, including the intestines. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of bistort root in an animal model of colitis. Freeze-dried aqueous extract of the plant (PB) was prepared and analyzed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. The anti-inflammatory effect of oral PB (300, 500, and 700 mg/kg) was evaluated in acetic acid-induced colitis in Wistar rats compared with negative control and positive control (dexamethasone). The role of nitric oxide (NO), opioid receptors, Toll-like receptors (TLR-4), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, NF-κB, myeloperoxidase, and intestinal tissue damage using immunohistochemistry staining for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were also assessed. A total of 29 compounds were identified in the extract. The gallic acid content of the extract was 4.973 ± 1.102 mg/g. PB significantly ameliorated the gross morphological damage from 4.66 ± 0.577 in negative control to 1.33 ± 0.56 in PB 700 (p < 0.001). Also, PB 700 lowered the levels of TNF-α (p < 0.01), TLR-4 (p < 0.001), NF-κB (p < 0.0001), IL-1β (p < 0.0001), and IL-6 (p < 0.0001) compared to the negative control. Additionally, while blocking NO and opioid pathways, the therapeutic effect of the extract was not significant, compared to the negative control, suggesting that PB 700 has exerted its therapeutic effect via these two pathways. However, further mechanistic and clinical studies are recommended to confirm PB as a natural treatment for colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of gamma ray and x-ray irradiation at different dose levels 95, 10, 15 and 20 kGy) on in mangosteen peel. The antioxidant activities were assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), while total phenolic contents and antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli of 60 % ethanolic mangosteen powder extracts were analyzed. The results indicated that both types of ionizing radiations showed a non-significant decrease in measured parameters with increasing doses. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of irradiated mangosteen peel extracted against S. aureus and E. coli ranged from 0.125 to 2.0 mg/mL. The quantity of bioactive compound mangostin determined via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), did not show significant decrease with different irradiation sources and doses. In microbiological aspect, total yeast and mold from both irradiation sources were reduced by 1 log cycle after irradiation at 5 kGy. The irradiation induced color changes corresponding to Hunter color L a b value. X-ray irradiation caused slight color alteration compared to gamma rays. The advantage of x-ray irradiation was that it revealed non-significant changes in b values, whereas gamma irradiation showed the significant change in L, and b values with increasing dosage. The x-ray irradiation at the dose 5 kGy effectively decreased microbial contamination while causing minimal changes to phytochemical qualities and color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice (Oryza sativa) contains γ-oryzanol, which consists of 4 main compounds: Cycloartenol ferulate, 2,4-methylenecycloartanyl ferulate, campesterol ferulate, and ß-sitosterol ferulate, that contribute to the health benefits of rice. This research aimed to develop a rapid method to determine the 4 major γ-oryzanol compounds in 45 varieties covering pigmented (black and red) and non-pigmented (white) rice grain. The method was developed by integrating UV-Vis spectroscopy with chemometrics, specifically principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square (PLS) regression. Sampling was performed across the Indonesian archipelago collecting 180 samples, which comprises 60 samples for each type of rice in form of rice husk, bran, whole grain, and polished rice. The results of PCA on the spectroscopic data successfully identified distinction for the 3 types of rice attributable by different type and levels of chemical compound in the grain. White rice exhibited a characteristic absorption at 325 nm while in pigmented (red and black) rice showed a maximum absorbance at 280 nm, indicating the presence of different composition of chemical compounds. A reliable model to predict the 4 major γ-oryzanol compounds was established with R2 calibration, R2 cross-validation, and R2 prediction higher than 0.9 was obtained using the spectroscopic data in the range from 200 to 400 nm. However, the PLS modeling was unsuccessful for red and black rice samples most likely due to the interfering high absorption of red colored compounds. Compared to the existing techniques for analyzing individual compounds of the γ-oryzanol by high-performance liquid chromatography, the newly developed approach using UV-Vis spectroscopy combined with chemometrics is more practical, faster, and cost-efficient and mainly, solvent and residues free. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of halibut oil cream, containing omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and D, and hydroxyproline, on burn wound healing in rats. Acute dermal toxicity tests confirmed its nontoxicity. Wistar rats were divided into five groups: a control, a positive control treated with silver sulfadiazine 1% (SSD), and three groups treated with 3%, 9%, and 27% halibut oil cream Formulation (HBOF). The SSD and HBOF groups showed significant healing improvements compared to the control. Histopathological analysis indicated increased collagen production in the HBOF groups, suggesting halibut oil cream's potential as a topical treatment for burn wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquiritigenin is a natural medicine. However, its inhibitory effect and its potential mechanism on bladder cancer (BCa) remain to be explored. It was found that it could be visualized that the transplanted tumours in the low-dose liquiritigenin -treated group and the high-dose liquiritigenin -treated group were smaller than those in the model group. Liquiritigenin treatment led to alterations in Lachnoclostridium, Escherichia-Shigella, Alistipes and Akkermansia. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis showed that a total of multiple differential metabolites were identified between the model group and the high-dose liquiritigenin-treated group. This provides a new direction and rationale for the antitumour effects of liquiritigenin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphids and mites, which cause severe yield reductions, are commonly controlled by commercial insecticides, which has led to serious environmental problems. Research is currently being performed on developing safe and low-toxicity botanical pesticides, which are an effective way to reduce environmental pollution and pesticide residue in food. Trifolium pratense L. is a globally important forage and vulnerable to aphids and mites. The differences in secondary metabolites between infested leaves (ILs) and pest-free leaves (PFLs) of T. pratense were investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine the chemical defense mechanism. The results revealed significant differences in the contents of fatty acids and isoflavones. The contents of neophytadiene, methyl linoleate, daidzein, genistein, formononetin, and biochanin A in ILs were significantly increased compared with PFLs. The insecticidal compounds were further separated by bioassay-directed fractionation against Myzus persicae Sulzer, Brevicoryne brassicae Linnaeus and Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract had greater insecticidal activity than the petroleum ether (PE) extract. Notably, there was no significant difference between the EtOAc extract and avermectin at 1.00 mg/mL against T. cinnabarinus after 48 h. The following ten compounds were obtained from the PE and EtOAc extracts: prunetin (1), genistein (2), formononetin (3), biochanin A (4), 8-hydroxy-4',7-dimethoxyisoflavane (5), L-maackiain (6), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-(6aR,11aR)-8,9-methylenedioxypterocarpan (7), β-sitosterol (8), linoleic acid (9) and linoleic acid monoglyceride (10). Compound 7 exhibited the highest level of insecticidal activity, which was close to that of avermectin. The results indicated that isoflavones were the main active insecticidal components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A green and efficient process, free from toxic solvents, was employed to prepare an α-mangostin-rich extract. Conventional techniques like maceration and heat reflux extraction are recognized for their time-intensive nature, as well as the requirement for significant quantities of organic solvents. This innovative process not only reduces energy consumption but also streamlines production steps, providing a more sustainable alternative in herbal medicine preparation. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the antibacterial activities of alcohol disinfectants and α-mangostin extract-containing disinfectants against tested microorganisms. Materials and Methods: The α-mangostin-rich extract was obtained from dried powders of Garcinia mangostana pericarps utilizing the microwave-assisted extraction method with polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400). The α-mangostin content in the resultant extract was determined through the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Additionally, a broth microdilution method was utilized to investigate the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of each compound against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. Results: According to a microdilution method, the disinfectant comprising isopropanol (50% and 70%) with 1% α-mangostin extract demonstrated antibacterial effectiveness against both MRSA and S. pseudintermedius. The MICs and MBCs were observed within dilutions ranging from 1:64 to 1:512 and 1:64 to 1:256, respectively. Ethanol (50% and 70%) plus 1% α-mangostin extract disinfectant exhibited antibacterial activity with MICs and MBCs at dilutions of 1:32–1:512 and 1:16–1:128, respectively. Moreover, isopropanol and ethanol (30%) with 1% α-mangostin extract disinfectant demonstrated antibacterial activity with MICs and MBCs at dilutions of 1:16–1:256 and 1:4–1:128, respectively. However, isopropanol (50% and 70%) and ethanol (50% and 70%) disinfectants showed weaker antibacterial activity than α-mangostin extract-containing alcohol solutions. Although isopropanol (30%) disinfectant demonstrated antibacterial activity (MICs and MBCs at dilutions of 1:16–1:32), the 30% ethanol solution did not show any activity against either bacterium. In addition, α-mangostin extract exhibited stronger antibacterial activity (MICs and MBCs at dilutions of 1:625–1:5,000) than all alcohol solutions. Conclusion: The combination of isopropanol and ethanol disinfectants with α-mangostin-rich extract exhibited significant antibacterial effectiveness against MRSA and S. pseudintermedius. The enhancement of efficacy by α-mangostin-rich extract suggests promising opportunities for enhancing disinfection approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, accurate and sensitive determination of ibuprofen in blood, urine, pharmaceutical tablet, syrup, and water samples was accomplished with the combination use of deep eutectic solvent-based ultrasound-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction (DES-UA-LLME) and high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet visible detection system. The most important advantage of this method is that it can be used in the determination of ibuprofen without affecting the matrix environment of a wide range of samples. Ibuprofen in the sample phase was extracted to 500 µL of deep eutectic solvents phase (ChCl:Ph at 1:4 molar ratios) at pH 3.0. The influence of analytical parameters, such as pH of sample solution, the molar ratio of deep eutectic solvents components, tetrahydrofuran volume, and volume of DESs, were optimised in details. The preconcentration factor (PF), the detection limit (DL), intraday, and interday relative standard deviations (RSD, %) for the developed DES-UA-LLME/HPLC procedure were found as 30, 0.4 µg L−1, 1.74%, and 4.68%, respectively. The developed DES-UA-LLME was successfully used for the determination of ibuprofen in urine, blood, pharmaceutical tablet, syrup, and water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking has been suggested as a modifiable and cardiovascular risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although long-term smoking has been associated with CKD, the potential relationship between its metabolite hydroxycotinine and CKD has not been clarified. A total of 8,544 participants aged 20 years and above from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017 - March 2020 were enrolled in our study. CKD was defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/(min*1.73 m2). Serum hydroxycotinine was measured by an isotope-dilution high-performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometric (ID HPLC-APCI MS/MS) method with a lower limit of detections (LLOD) at 0.015 ng/mL. The non-linear relationship was explored with restricted cubic splines (RCS). Pearson's correlation coefficient and a multivariate logistic regression model were used for correlation analysis. Serum hydroxycotinine and eGFR were negatively correlated in both non-CKD group (r= −0.05, p < 0.001) and CKD group (r= −0.04, p < 0.001). After serum hydoxycotinine dichotominzed with LLOD, serum hydroxycotinine ≥ 0.015 ng/mL was negatively correlated with eGFR not only in non-CKD group (r = −0.05, p < 0.001) but also in CKD group (r = −0.09, p < 0.001). After adjusting for comprehensive confounders, results from the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that participants with serum hydroxycotinine ≥ 0.015 ng/mL had increased odds of CKD (OR = 1.505, p < 0.001). Serum hydroxycotinine might be positively associated with CKD. Further study is warranted to find the right concentration of hydroxycotinine to measure the CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Baghdad Science Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Baghdad Science Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Based on chromatographic fingerprinting combined with quantitative analysis on characteristic chemical constituents as well as hierarchical cluster analysis, an easy and sensitive approach utilizing high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed for the identification and quality evaluation of Rutongshu oral liquid (ROL). What is more, nontargeted metabolomic analysis was conducted to gain a global view in terms of its chemical profile. In this study, 16 peaks from different batches (S1–S10) of ROL samples produced by Taihe Hospital of Chinese Medicine were selected as common peaks for the evaluation of their similarity whose values of all tested 10 batches exceeded 0.90 when compared with the control fingerprints. Meanwhile, simultaneous quantification of five markers in the oral solution, including albiflorin, paeoniflorin, chlorogenic acid, quercetin and ferulic acid was performed, and standard curves established for respective reference substances showed good regression in the linear range (r 2 > 0.999) with recoveries in the range of 98.96–102.35%. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) combined with Orbitrap Exploris 120 mass spectrometer resulted in 88 identified compounds. The results of validation showed that the established method was reproducible, precise and stable. This study offers an effective, dependable and useful approach for the systematic evaluation of the hospital formulation ROL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, two different ethanol-based RP-HPLC methods for assay and quantification of rivaroxaban related substances in tablets were developed, based on green analytical chemistry (GAC) principles, using the design of experiments approach. The chromatographic separation was performed on X-Bridge C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm particle size), using isocratic elution with ethanol : water (35:65, % v/v) for the assay and gradient elution with ethanol/water mobile phase, for related substances, with a flow rate of 1.0 mL min−1. The gradient method was optimized for the separation of three specified impurities (impurity G, impurity H, and impurity 14) and the selectivity was further confirmed using forced degradation studies. Both methods were validated in accordance with ICH guidelines. The robustness of the methods was confirmed with the Central Composite Face Design of Experiments. Analytical Eco-scale approach and AGREE metrics confirmed that both methods are in accordance with the GAC principles. The proposed ethanol-based RP-HPLC methods were applied for assay and determination of related substances in rivaroxaban 10 mg tablets obtained from three different manufacturers available on the Macedonian market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coloring agents in foods and drinks have been popular for centuries. This study aims to analyze the presence of ten synthetic colors (namely, (allura red (E129), amaranth (E123), sunset yellow (E110), tetrazine (E102), fast green (E143), ponceau 4R (New Coccine) (E124), erythrosin B (E127), brilliant blue FCF (E133), brilliant black (E151) and carmoisine (E122))) in food and drink samples using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detection (UHPLC-DAD). The present analytical method was carried out using Agilent Poroshell 120 HPH-C18 column, 3 × 100 mm, 2.7 µm, and a mobile phase consisting of 10 mM Na2HPO4, pH 7, mixed with methanol as a time-increment gradient solution until the time was 20 min, then decreased with time until the time was 26 min. The pH was set by orthophosphoric acid at 7 and 5 μL injection volume, 0.50 mL flow rate, and the elution systems were monitored at 428 nm for E102, 518 nm for E124, E110, E129, E122, 530 nm for E151, E127, 622 nm for E143, and E133, respectively. The limit of detection and quantification for all colors ranged from 0.017 to 0.025 and 0.057 and 0.082 mg L−1, respectively. The correlation coefficient values ranged between 0.9991 and 1.0. The selectivity of the assay revealed no interference from other components in the analyzed samples. The percent recovery and precision (intra- and inter-day) of the spiked samples were within the acceptable limits of the ICH guidelines. Five analytical parameters were employed, and the results showed a new, novel, and robust method according to ICH guidelines for analyzing these colors. While most of the investigated food and drinks fell within the accepted range, some fell outside. The current sample preparation and analytical methods are comprehensive and universal for extracting and measuring synthetic colors in various food and drink samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review focuses on monosodium glutamate which proclaims the fifth taste as "Umami". Monosodium glutamate imparts a deep, meaty, umami flavour to foods. Asian cuisine frequently uses this flavouring, just as in the processed items produced across the United States and Europe. This article dealt with a detailed discussion of physicochemical features, pharmacological actions, and different reported analytical methodologies for the estimation of monosodium glutamate. Monosodium glutamate is analyzed using a variety of techniques, including spectroscopy, chromatography, electrochemistry, electrophoresis, chemometrics, flow injection analysis, and biosensors. According to results of comparative research of analytical methodologies, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is most widely used method for analyzing monosodium glutamate which surpasses the gas chromatographic (GC) approach. All of the reported methods are accurate, precise, cost-effective, and sensitive. The European Union defined monosodium glutamate as a food additive that is permitted in some foods, but is subject to quantitative limits. Consequently, this study provides the analyst with an accessible path to quantifying monosodium glutamate's content for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The scarcity and preciousness of plateau characteristic medicinal plants pose a significant challenge in obtaining sufficient quantities of experimental samples for quality evaluation. Insufficient sample sizes often lead to ambiguous and questionable quality assessments and suboptimal performance in pattern recognition. Shilajit, a popular Tibetan medicine, is harvested from high altitudes above 2000 m, making it difficult to obtain. Additionally, the complex geographical environment results in low uniformity of Shilajit quality. Methods: To address these challenges, this study employed a deep learning model, time vector quantization variational auto- encoder (TimeVQVAE), to generate data matrices based on chromatographic and spectral for different grades of Shilajit, thereby increasing in the amount of data. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to identify three grades of Shilajit samples based on original, generated, and combined data. Results: Compared with the originally generated high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) data, the data generated by TimeVQVAE effectively preserved the chemical profile. In the test set, the average matrices for HPLC, FTIR, and combined data increased by 32.2%, 15.9%, and 23.0%, respectively. On the real test data, the PLS-DA model's classification accuracy initially reached a maximum of 0.7905. However, after incorporating TimeVQVAE-generated data, the accuracy significantly improved, reaching 0.9442 in the test set. Additionally, the PLS-DA model trained with the fused data showed enhanced stability. Conclusion: This study offers a novel and effective approach for researching medicinal materials with small sample sizes, and addresses the limitations of improving model performance through data augmentation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of Alhagi maurorum ethanolic extract (AME) in concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis (CIH) as well as possible underlying mechanisms. Methods: Polyphenols in AME were characterized using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Swiss albino mice were divided into 4 groups. Normal group received intravenous phosphate-buffered saline (PBS); Con A group received 40 mg/kg intravenous Con A. Prophylaxis group administered 300 mg/(kg·d) AME orally for 5 days before Con A intervention. Treatment group received intravenous Con A then administered 300 mg/kg AME at 30 min and 3 h after Con A intervention. After 24 h of Con A injection, hepatic injury, oxidative stress, and inflammatory mediators were assessed. Histopathological examination and markers of apoptosis, inflammation, and CD4+ cell infiltration were also investigated. Results: HPLC analysis revealed that AME contains abundant polyphenols with pharmacological constituents, such as ellagic acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid, methylgallate, and naringenin. AME alleviated Con A-induced hepatic injury, as manifested by a significant reduction in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase (P<0.01). Additionally, the antioxidant effect of AME was revealed by a significant reduction in oxidative stress markers (nitric oxide and malondialdehyde) and restored glutathione (P<0.01). The levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, and interleukin-6) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity were reduced (P<0.01). Histopathological examination of liver tissue showed that AME significantly ameliorated necrotic and inflammatory lesions induced by Con A (P<0.01). Moreover, AME reduced the expression of nuclear factor kappa B, pro-apoptotic protein (Bax), caspase-3, and CD4+ T cell hepatic infiltration (P<0.01). The expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was increased (P<0.01). Conclusion: AME has hepatoprotective and ameliorative effects in CIH mice. These beneficial effects are likely due to the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects of the clinically important polyphenolic content. AME could be a novel and promising hepatoprotective agent for managing immune-mediated hepatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the effect of hemodialysis on plasma concentration of valsartan. Methods The relevant data of 55 hemodialysis patients in Xiamen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to January 2022 were collected. The subjects took 80 mg of valsartan capsule 6 hours before hemodialysis, and the venous blood was collected from the dialyzer at the beginning and end of dialysis, and the plasma concentration was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Results The recovery rates of valsartan at low, medium and high concentrations were (100.75± 1.36)%, (103.12±1.02)% and (101.68±2.37)%, respectively, and the relative standard deviation were 1.35 %, 0.99% and 2.33%, respectively. The plasma concentration of valsartan after dialysis (0.47 µg/mL) was lower than that before dialysis (0.67 µg/mL), the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). There was no correlation between age, plasma albumin, urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and plasma concentration (P>0.01). Conclusion The plasma concentration of valsartan shows a downward trend after hemodialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increasing diversity of psychoactive substances on the unregulated drug market poses significant health, psychological, and social risks to people who use drugs (PWUD). To address these risks, various harm reduction (HR) policies have been implemented, including drug checking services (DCS). Many analytical methods are used for DCS. While qualitative methods (e.g., thin layer chromatography, spectroscopy) are easier to implement, they are not as accurate as quantitative methods (e.g., LC-UV, LC-MS). Some HR programmes have implemented high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with UV detection (LC-UV). This article presents the cross-validation of this quantitative method with a reference liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) method. Methods: Drug samples were provided by PWUD to a DCS called DrugLab in Marseille, France. The samples were weighed and prepared through dissolution in methanol, followed by ultrasonic bathing. Samples were analysed onsite using LC-UV analysis. They were then subsequently analysed with the reference LC-HRMS method. The LC-UV instrument in DrugLab was calibrated after being purchased; analysis of standard solutions was routinely performed once a month and after maintenance operations. For the LC-HRMS instrument, calibration and quality control procedures followed European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidelines. Statistical analyses were conducted including Spearman correlation tests using IBM® SPSS® Statistics version 20. Results: A total of 102 samples representing different product classes and cutting agents were cross-validated. Differences between both analyses methods for each molecule analysed were ≤ 20%, with significant correlations between both methods' results for most substances. Notably, LC-HRMS provided lower concentration values for cocaine and acetaminophen, whereas it provided higher values for other substances. Correlations were significant for cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, heroin, amphetamine, caffeine, acetaminophen, and levamisole. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the results provided by DrugLab were accurate and reliable, making LC-UV an adaptable, stable, and suitable analytical method for simple matrices like drugs in a DCS context. However, this cross validation does not guarantee accuracy over time. A proficiency test project in HR laboratories across France is currently under development in order to address potential drifts in LC-UV accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The MYB superfamily (v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog) plays a role in plant growth and development, environmental stress defense, and synthesis of secondary metabolites. Little is known about the regulatory function of MYB genes in Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn, although many MYB family members, especially R2R3-MYB genes, have been extensively studied in model plants. Results: A total of 157 R2R3-MYB transcription factors from P. praeruptorum were identified using bioinformatics analysis. Comprehensive analyses including chromosome location, microsynteny, gene structure, conserved motif, phylogenetic tree, and conserved domain were further performed. The length of the 157 transcription factors ranged from 120 to 1,688 amino acids (molecular weight between 14.21 and 182.69 kDa). All proteins were hydrophilic. Subcellular localization predictions showed that 155 PpMYB proteins were localized in the nucleus, with PpMYB12 and PpMYB157 localized in the chloroplasts and mitochondria, respectively. Ten conserved motifs were identified in the PpMYBs, all of which contained typical MYB domains. Transcriptome analysis identified 47,902 unigenes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed 136 pathways, of which 524 genes were associated with the phenylpropanoid pathway. Differential expressed genes (DEGs) before and after bolting showed that 11 genes were enriched in the phenylpropanoid pathway. Moreover, the expression patterns of transcription genes were further verified by qRT-PCR. With high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), 8 coumarins were quantified from the root, stem, and leaf tissue samples of P. praeruptorum at different stages. Praeruptorin A was found in both roots and leaves before bolting, whereas praeruptorin B was mainly concentrated in the roots, and the content of both decreased in the roots and stems after bolting. Praeruptorin E content was highest in the leaves and increased with plant growth. The correlation analysis between transcription factors and coumarin content showed that the expression patterns of PpMYB3 and PpMYB103 in roots align with the accumulation trends of praeruptorin A, praeruptorin B, praeruptorin E, scopoletin, and isoscopoletin, which declined in content after bolting, suggesting that these genes may positively regulate the biosynthesis of coumarins. Eleven distinct metabolites and 48 DEGs were identified. Correlation analysis revealed that the expression of all DEGs were significantly related to the accumulation of coumarin metabolites, indicating that these genes are involved in the regulation of coumarin biosynthesis. Conclusions: R2R3-MYB transcription factors may be involved in the synthesis of coumarin. Our findings provide basic data and a rationale for future an in-depth studies on the role of R2R3-MYB transcription factors in the growth and regulation of coumarin synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With an expected increase in population by 2050, the demand for high-quality protein for human consumption will increase. To improve the sustainability of US cattle production, producers and researchers have historically focused on improving the feed efficiency of steers through improvements in genetics, nutrition, and microbiome management, producing a more marketable beef product. However, without a successful pregnancy, there would be no marketable animal to feed. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of pregnancy on the rumen environment, microbial communities, and the correlation to feed efficiency status in Angus heifers. Utilizing 17 cannulated Angus heifers, feed efficiency status was determined using the GrowSafe 8000 feed intake monitoring system to monitor feed intake for a 70d trial period to calculate residual feed intake. Following the trial, heifers were bred and 40mL rumen fluid and content samples were collected every two weeks during gestation. Metagenomic DNA was extracted from the rumen samples, sequencing libraries were prepared targeting the bacterial V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, and resultant libraries were sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq. All microbial analyses were conducted in the R environment v2.6.2 where alpha diversity, beta diversity, and differential abundances were determined. Metabolites were identified using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry, and Metabolomic Analysis and Visualization Engine was used to select metabolite peaks. Differential abundance analyses using "ANCOMBC" indicated 10 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), assigned to seven Prevotella and three Succiniclasticum , significantly varied among weeks of gestation (P <0.05). Based on a one-way ANOVA, 90 metabolites were determined significant throughout pregnancy (P <0.05). The 10 metabolites with the highest variable importance of projection scores from a partial least squares discriminant analysis were used to calculate correlations between. Of the 10 ASVs and 10 metabolites, significant correlations with feed efficiency status were found at various time points (P <0.05). The rumen microbiome and its fermentative profile were different at various time points during pregnancy with several correlations to feed efficiency status. Identifying pregnancy-related microbial and metabolite changes may aid producers to anticipate nutritional or management adjustments, ultimately contributing to the sustainability of beef production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lice infestation negatively impacts the welfare and productivity of domestic animals. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a commercial polyherbal formula (PHF) containing Asarum europaeum , Lavandula angustifolia , Artemisia absinthium , and Tanacetum vulgare in managing lice infestations in chickens and goats within a backyard farming system in Romania. Methods: The PHF was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine its phytochemical composition. Chickens and goats with confirmed lice infestations were treated with the PHF by spraying it on the entire body. Treatments were administered three times at 14-day intervals for goats and at both 14- and 7-day intervals for chickens. Lice infestations were assessed in experimental groups before each treatment by counting the collected lice specimens. Results: HPLC analysis identified key compounds in PHF: kaempferol (336.25 mg/ml), quercetin (88.38 mg/ml), epicatechin (43.98 mg/ml), and catechin (9.43 mg/ml). The PHF effectively controlled chewing lice in both chickens and goats, achieving a mortality rate of 76–98% in chickens and 96% in goats. However, the PHF was not effective against sucking lice in goats. A significant reduction in lice infestation (75% in chickens) was observed when the PHF was applied at 7-day intervals. No adverse reactions were noted in treated animals. Discussion: The polyherbal formula demonstrated promising efficacy against chewing lice in chickens and goats, supporting its potential use as an alternative to chemical treatments, especially in organic farming settings. The findings suggest that this PHF could be a viable option for managing lice infestations in domestic animals, particularly where organic practices are prioritized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Effective antimicrobial therapy is an essential part of intensive care medicine and renal replacement therapy is an important and common intervention which significantly affects the pharmacokinetics of many antimicrobials. This is especially critical for substances with a narrow therapeutic range, creating a dilemma of weighing the risk of toxicity from increased drug exposure against risk of ineffective treatment and promotion of antimicrobial resistance. To address this problem, we investigate a target-controlled dialysis by in vitro experiments — a novel technique in which drug is spiked into the dialysis solution to make use of the physicochemical properties of renal replacement therapy for solute transport, with the goal to reduce the risk of inadequate drug exposure. Methods: Five antibiotics (ceftazidime, meropenem, piperacillin/tazobactam, vancomycin, flucloxacillin) were dialyzed in an in vitro model of continuous veno-venous hemodialysis using 1 L of bovine serum albumin solution as simulated patient plasma compartment. This was done with and without antibiotics in target concentrations added to the dialysis solution, mimicking three clinically relevant scenarios: (i) target-controlled dialysis in a subject with sub-therapeutic drug levels, (ii) target-controlled dialysis in a subject with supra-therapeutic drug levels, and (iii) traditional dialysis of drugs starting at the target concentration. Drug levels were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Additionally, the stability over 24 h of all antibiotics in two typical dialysis solutions was assessed. Results: Our data shows that with target-controlled dialysis, antibiotic concentrations will change in the desired direction towards the target concentration, depending on the patients' unbound drug levels in relation to the concentration in the dialysis solution. The desired target concentrations can be induced and maintained, regardless of the initial concentration. Furthermore, the stability tests revealed only a minor and clinically irrelevant loss in drug concentration (all < 10.2%) after 12 h. Conclusions: We outlined the mechanistic plausibility and provided experimental evidence of the feasibility of the target-controlled dialysis concept, which could help to maintain therapeutic concentrations of many time-dependent antibiotics in critically ill patients under renal replacement therapy. The required stability in dialysis solutions was shown for a set of important antibiotics. The next step will be the prudent application of this concept to patients in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study evaluates the antioxidant effects of aqueous leaf extract of Pistacia lentiscus (ALEPL) and its potential to counteract oxaliplatin (OXA)-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress in rat livers, a common side effect of chemotherapy in cancer treatment. Bioactive compounds were identified using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS and MS), with Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) for chemical and mineral analysis. ALEPL showed notable antioxidant activity, with IC50 values of 4.30 ± 0.27 μg/mL for DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging, 13.64 ± 0.51 μg/mL for reducing power, 32.62 ± 5.32 μg/mL for hydroxyl radical scavenging, and 205.08 ± 25.77 μg/mL for superoxide anion radical scavenging. In ex vivo experiments, mitochondria isolated from Wistar rat livers were treated with OXA and ALEPL in a dose-dependent manner. ALEPL pretreatment effectively restored mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme activities, increased glutathione (GSH) levels, and reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA) caused by OXA. These findings suggest that ALEPL has the potential to act as a natural antioxidant to support cancer treatment by mitigating chemotherapy-induced oxidative stress. Future studies could explore its application as an adjuvant in clinical settings to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy while reducing its side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]