Preparation and characterization of inclusion complexes containing fixolide, a synthetic musk fragrance and cyclodextrins

AHTN (7-Acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene), commercially known as fixolide or tonalide, is a synthetic fragrance widely used in replace of natural musk odor which is more expensive. It is a popular fragrance material added in the manufacturing of personal care and household products, such as perfumes, soaps, shampoos, detergents, and fabric softeners. AHTN is semivolatile and is degraded under light exposure and high temperature. This work focuses on the complexation of AHTN with cyclodextrins in the effort to stabilize the fragrance material. AHTN was complexed with β-cyclodextrin, methyl (MβCD), and hydroxypropyl (HPβCD) derivatives in the mole ratio 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 guest:host, and the complexes formed by physical mixing, co-precipitation, kneading, and freeze-drying were analyzed by DSC and FTIR. Percent AHTN included in the complex was also determined by hexane extraction and GC analysis. It was found that no inclusion complex was formed in the physical mixture. When co-precipitation method was performed, only βCD could form inclusion complex with AHTN, while the other two derivatives could not. Using 1:2 AHTN:βCD, no free AHTN was left in the complex as evidenced by DSC and FTIR spectrum. In kneading and freeze-drying methods, complexes could be formed with all CDs tested. However, co-precipitation method with 1:2 AHTN:βCD and kneading method with 1:2 AHTN:MβCD provided the highest complex yield with highest amount of AHTN included in the complex. AHTN in the complex form was more stable against high temperature and UV exposure than its free form.     

Characterization of Antioxidant Activity of Momordica Charantia Fruit by Infrared-Based Fingerprinting

Momordica charantia is widely consumed edible fruit. The food and pharmaceutical industries use it as a natural antioxidant. However, the quality control of M. charantia-based medicinal products is questionable due to the complexity of metabolites in this fruit. Hence, this study has developed a statistical model in predicting the antioxidant value through the 2, 2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power based on infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance. This technique was reliably used for quality control. Six ethanol extracts (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% in water) of this plant’s fruit were prepared. The radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power activities were measured and the chemical profiling of the extracts was fingerprinted by infrared spectroscopy between 4,000 and 600?cm^?1 at a resolution of 4?cm^?1. Statistical analysis was developed by correlating the bioactivity and infrared spectra of each extract using orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis. The C–N, C?O, C–O, C–H, and OH infrared signals were positively correlated with biological activity. The antioxidant activity of the fruit of M. charantia may be due to the presence of several antioxidants that work synergistically.     

Application of the Metabolomics Approach in Food Authentication

The authentication of food products is essential for food quality and safety. Authenticity assessments are important to ensure that the ingredients or contents of food products are legitimate and safe to consume. The metabolomics approach is an essential technique that can be utilized for authentication purposes. This study aimed to summarize food authentication through the metabolomics approach, to study the existing analytical methods, instruments, and statistical methods applied in food authentication, and to review some selected food commodities authenticated using metabolomics-based methods. Various databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, etc., were used to obtain previous research works relevant to the objectives. The review highlights the role of the metabolomics approach in food authenticity. The approach is technically implemented to ensure consumer protection through the strict inspection and enforcement of food labeling. Studies have shown that the study of metabolomics can ultimately detect adulterant(s) or ingredients that are added deliberately, thus compromising the authenticity or quality of food products. Overall, this review will provide information on the usefulness of metabolomics and the techniques associated with it in successful food authentication processes, which is currently a gap in research that can be further explored and improved.     

Substituent and solvent effects on electronic absorption spectra of some N-(substitutedphenyl)benzene sulphonamides

The effects of substituents and solvents have been studied through the absorption spectra of nearly 23 ortho- and para-N-(substitutedphenyl)benzene sulphonamides in the range of 200-400 nm. The effects of substituents on the absorption spectra of compounds under present investigation are interpreted by correlation of absorption frequencies with simple and extended Hammett equations. Effect of solvent polarity and hydrogen bonding on the absorption spectra are interpreted by means of Kamlet equation and the results are discussed.     

Toxicity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Camellia sinensis</Emphasis>-Fabricated Silver Nanoparticles on Invertebrate and Vertebrate Organisms: Morphological Abnormalities and DNA Damages

Our understanding of nanoparticle toxicity and fate in the aquatic environment is still patchy. In the present study, the toxicity of silver nanoparticles coated by Camellia sinensis (Cs) leaf extract metabolites (Cs-AgNPs) was investigated in comparison with C. sinensis leaf extract and AgNO₃ on a micro-crustacean, Ceriodaphnia cornuta, and a fish Poecilia reticulata. 100% mortality of C. cornuta was observed post-exposure to AgNO₃ (40 µg/ml) if compared to the Cs leaf extract and Cs-AgNPs, showing 30 and 56% mortality at the same concentration, respectively. In P. reticulata 100% mortality was observed testing AgNO₃ and Cs-AgNPs post-exposure to 1 and 30 µg/ml, respectively. Light microscopy and CLSM images showed the accumulation of nanoparticles in the intestine of C. cornuta treated with Cs-AgNPs at 40 µg/ml. In addition, histological observations confirmed the abnormal tissue texture in nanoparticle-exposed P. reticulata, if compared to control fishes. Furthermore, C. cornuta and P. reticulata treated with Cs-AgNPs showed DNA damages compared to the control. Overall, these findings indicated relevant limits about the employ of silver-based pesticides in the environment, and also pointed out the Cs-AgNPs were less toxic to C. cornuta and P. reticulata if compared to silver ions.     

Pyrrole Based Schiff Bases as Colorimetric and Fluorescent Chemosensors for Fluoride and Hydroxide Anions

An efficient colorimetric sensor with pyrrole-NH moiety as binding site and nitro group as a signaling unit has been synthesized by a one step procedure and characterized by spectroscopic techniques, which displays excellent selectivity and sensitivity for fluoride and hydroxide ions. The hydrogen bonding with these anions provides remarkable colorimetric responses. ¹H NMR and FT IR studies has been carried out to confirm the hydrogen bonding. UV–vis and fluorescence spectral changes can be exploited for real time and on site application.     

Synthesis and Functional Characterization of Antibiofilm Exopolysaccharide Produced by Enterococcus faecium MC13 Isolated from the Gut of Fish

The synthesis and functional characterization of an antibiofilm exopolysaccharide (EPS) from a probiotic Enterococcus faecium MC13 were investigated. The temperature of 35 °C, pH of 6.5, and salinity of 1–2 % were found to be optimum for EPS production. The sucrose (30 g?l^?1) and yeast extract (20 g?l^?1) acted as suitable carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, which strongly influenced EPS production with yield of 11.33 and 11.91 g?l^?1. Based on the thin layer chromatography, EPS of E. faecium MC13 was found to be a heteropolysaccharide, composed of galactose and glucose sugar units with a molecular mass of 2.0?×?10⁵?Da. Fourier transform infrared spectrum analysis of the EPS revealed many predominant functional groups including hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amide groups. EPS exhibited better emulsifying and flocculating activities which is relatively similar to those of commercial polysaccharides. In vitro antioxidant inspect of EPS showed lesser antioxidant activity than that of the control ascorbic acid. Thermal behavior of EPS was different from the other EPS produced by other lactic acid bacteria. In vitro antibiofilm assay of EPS exhibited significant biofilm inhibition, especially with Listeria monocytogenes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on EPS of E. faecium with strong emulsifying and flocculating activities.     

Dopant depends on morphological and electrochemical characteristics of LiMn 2– X Mo X O4 cathode nanoparticles

For the first time, solid solutions of LiMn_2–X Mo _X O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by combustion method at 700 °C in air. The synthesized LiMn_2–X Mo _X O₄ (X?=?0.0–0.2) nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field emission-scanning electron microscopy, and Particle size analysis. The unit-cell constant is increasing from 8.237 to 8.293 Å with the increase of Mo, the presence of Mo at X?≤?0.05 in LiMn_2–X Mo _X O₄ nanoparticles retained the spinel structure (Fd-3m), whereas on increasing the Mo (X?≥?0.05 %), the ordering of Li⁺ ions in both octahedral and tetrahedral cationic position leads to the lowering of symmetry (P4₁32). On increasing the Mo content, prominent peak splitting and broadening are observed at 600–500 and 830 cm^?1 for Li–Mn–O and Mo–O respectively in the FT-IR spectra. The TG/DTA spectrum reveals that the convenient formation of Li mangano-molybdate is at 700 °C. The voltammograms of all the samples show two redox peaks centered around 4 V except for the sample with higher Mo doping (X?=?0.2). The sample with X?=?0.03 shows higher redox peak current values. A marginal increase of 146 Ω R _ct value was found for the LiMn_1.97Mo_0.03O₄ nanomaterial after 10th cycle which is rather high for the rest of the materials. A discharge capacity retention of 88 % at 50th cycle is observed for X?=?0.03 sample, while the other samples exhibit drastically reduced capacity. The LiMn_1.97Mo_0.03O₄ nanoparticle can able to deliver higher and constant discharge capacity, and it may be a good alternative for the existing cathode materials.     

Mimicking Nanofibrous Hybrid Bone Substitute for Mesenchymal Stem Cells Differentiation into Osteogenesis

Mimicking hybrid extracellular matrix is one of the main challenges for bone tissue engineering (BTE). Biocompatible polycaprolactone/poly(α,β)‐DL ‐aspartic acid/collagen nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning and nanohydroxyapatite (n‐HA) was deposited by calcium phosphate dipping method for BTE. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were cultured on these hybrid scaffolds to investigate the cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation by alkaline phosphatase activity, mineralization, double immunofluorescent staining using CD90 and expression of osteocalcin. The present study indicated that the PCL/PAA/collagen/n‐HA scaffolds promoted greater osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs, proving to be a potential hybrid scaffolds for BTE.