ABSTRACT
To compare the palatability, acid consuming capacity and cost effectiveness of different brands of liquid antacids available in Karachi. Fifty healthy volunteers between the age of 20 to 59 years were recruited in the study. A total of seven antacid brands available in market were physically and chemically tested. The trial design was that of randomized, double blind and cross over study type. All fifty volunteers were individually asked to taste different brands of respectively classified antacids. All antacids were given during a period of 2-hour. Scoring/rating was conducted on the basis of aroma, taste, consistency and after taste using a scheme similar to wine tasting point scale methodology. Acid consuming capacity of antacid were determined according to British Pharmacopeias 2007. A total of 50 volunteers participated in the study after giving informed written consent. The taste rating scores deduced were independent of age and gender. Among all the antacids suspension B [Sodium Bicarbonate and Sodium Alginate] showed maximum palatability; however the overall palatability of the antacids was poor. Antacid containing sodium bicarbonate and sodium alginate was found least palatable. More over the extra strength antacid version showed highest acid consuming capacity entailing small dosage but shows reduced palatability. Antacid brand-B reveals lowest cost effectiveness and least palatability. While, based on the findings of this study G suspension can be one of the suitable antacid for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders since it showed highest palatability scores and cost effectiveness
ABSTRACT
Fecal contamination of drinking water is the major cause of water borne illnesses. For long time coliforms are exploited as fecal contamination indicator. However, recent studies indicate low survival rate of coliforms in stress conditions, hence it's use as indicator of fecal pollution is being abandoned in many parts of the developed world. Implementation of such strategy demands availability of local data in the cities like Karachi. The present study provides a comparison between coliforms and enterococcal load and its variation in sewage samples collected [June, August and November, 2006] from eighteen towns of Karachi. All the diluted samples were selective media to obtain colony-forming units [CFU] mainly for coliforms and enterococci. The bacteria isolated were identified on the basis of conventional microbiological methods. Observations thus obtained were subjected to rigorous statistical analysis. The total load of enterococci was found in range of 1.27-8.47 X 107 as compared to coliforms [3.03-13.9 X 107]. However, segregation of data reveals greater inter town variability in CFU/ml both in coliforms and enterococci as suggested by their cumulative standard deviation +1.5 X107. Furthermore, CFU/ml of both coliforms and enterococci also varies to variable scale when collected at different time intervals and at intra town level. Conclusively, the studies suggest high survival rate and lower variability of Enterococci compared to escherichia hence indicating its potential advantage to be used as fecal contamination indicator