Process optimization of physicochemical properties of spray-dried Hydrocotyle umbellata L. extract

Abstract Hydrocotyle umbellata L., Araliaceae, is a species that is recommended in Ayurvedic medicine for its effects on the central nervous system, such as anxiolytic and memory-stimulant effects. Despite the medicinal potential of this species, its phytopharmaceutical and technological potential to produce standardized extracts has not been investigated. This study analyzes the influence of spray drying parameters on the contents of the chemical markers (total phenolic, total flavonoid, and hibalactone) and the functional properties of H. umbellata extract. The optimization of drying conditions was performed using a central composite design combined with response surface methodology and desirability function approach. The mathematical models fitted to experimental data indicated that all the evaluated drying parameters significantly influenced the chemical contents. The optimal conditions were: inlet temperature of 120 °C, feed flow rate of 4 mL min-1, and colloidal silicon dioxide:maltodextrin ratio of 16%:4%. Under these conditions, the powder samples had spherical particles and desirable physicochemical and functional properties, such as low water activity and moisture content, good product recovery, reconstitution, and flowability. Thus, spray drying might be a promising technique for processing standardized H. umbellata extracts.

Comércio ambulante: qualidade microbiológica de carne assada e conhecimento sobre as boas práticas de manipulação / Street food vendors: microbiological quality of barbecued meat and knowledge of good food

O comércio de alimentos praticado por ambulantes tem aumentado nos últimos anos no Brasil, porém questiona-se a segurança alimentar desses produtos. Considerando-se o elevado consumo de carne assada nas ruas de várias cidades do País, objetivou-se, nesta pesquisa, analisar a qualidade microbiológica da carne assada (bovina) e das mãos dos manipuladores deste produto no comércio ambulante na cidade de Anápolis-GO. Pretendeu-se, também, verificar o conhecimento sobre Boas Práticas pelos comerciantes. Foram avaliados 11 pontos de venda ambulante, coletando-se uma amostra de carne bovina crua e outra de carne assada. Em cada ponto, coletou-se também uma amostra das mãos do manipulador da carne assada por meio do enxague das mãos em solução salina contida em saco plástico esterilizado. Além disso, foram aplicados questionários para verificar o conhecimento desses comerciantes sobre as normas de manipulação de alimentos. Nas amostras de carne crua, realizou-se a contagem de Escherichia coli e a pesquisa de Salmonella sp.; nas amostras de carne assada, a contagem de Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli e clostrídios sulfito-redutores e a pesquisa de Salmonella sp. Nas amostras das mãos, realizou-se a contagem de Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli. A qualidade microbiológica mostrou-se satisfatória em 90,9 por cento (10/11) das amostras de carne assada. Nenhum dos manipuladores apresentou S. aureus ou E. coli nas mãos. Em relação ao conhecimento das normas de manipulação, as principais falhas identificadas referiam-se ao preparo e transporte de alimentos.

The food trade by street vendors in Brazil has increased in recent years, but there are questionsabout the food safety of these products. In view of the high consumption at street barbecues incities across the country, this study aimed to analyze the microbiological quality of barbecuedmeat sold by street vendors, while testing the adoption of good food preparation practices by thefood handlers in the city of Anápolis, Goiás. Eleven points of sale were evaluated and at each pointsamples of raw and cooked meat were collected. The cleanliness of sellers’ hands was also evaluatedthrough the collection of samples by the rinsing of their hands in saline contained in a sterile plasticbag. Questionnaires were applied to check the knowledge of vendors about food safety practices.Samples of raw meat were checked for Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., while the samples ofcooked beef were checked for Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, sulphite reducing Clostridium andSalmonella spp., as required by the legislation. The microbiological analysis revealed that one stallhad cooked meat of an unsatisfactory quality. None of the handlers had S. aureus or E. coli on theirhands. Regarding the knowledge of good practices, failures were noted, mainly in the preparationand transport of food.

In vitro skin penetration of clobetasol from lipid nanoparticles: drug extraction and quantitation in different skin layers

Clobetasol propionate (CP) is a potent topical corticosteroid that causes several cutaneous and systemic side effects. In the present work, CP was encapsulated in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to increase drug retention in the outer skin layers and improve the safety of topical therapy. NLCs were prepared using a microemulsion technique with a mixture of lecithin, taurodeoxycholate, stearic acid, and oleic acid. In vitro penetration studies were performed in a modified Franz-type diffusion cell, and porcine ears were used as a model of human skin. A simple and sensitive liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for clobetasol determination in different skin layers. NLCs presented uniform size distribution, high zeta potentialand entrapment efficiency values (> 98%). The analytical procedure was validated according to FDA guidelines. Clobetasol recoveries from skin samples were higher than 85%, with no interference of skin components and NLC ingredients. In experiments, after 6 h, a higher drug accumulation in the stratum corneum arising from NLCs compared to aqueous CP solution was observed. Thus, the NLCs demonstrated high potential for targeting CP to the skin and ensuring drug accumulation in the stratum corneum.

Proprionato de clobetasol (CP) é um potente corticóide tópico, que apresenta vários efeitos adversos cutâneos e sistêmicos. No presente trabalho, CP foi encapsulado em carreadores lipídicos nanoestruturados (NLCs) visando aumentar a retenção do fármaco nas camadas superficiais da pele e a segurança da terapia tópica. NLCs foram preparados usando a técnica de diluição de microemulsão com mistura de lecitina, taurodesoxicolato, ácido esteárico e ácido oléico. Estudos de penetração in vitro foram realizados em células de difusão de Franz modificadas usando pele de orelha de porco como modelo de pele humana. Um método simples e sensível de cromatografia líquida foi desenvolvido e validado para a determinação de clobetasol nas diferentes camadas da pele. NLCs apresentaram distribuição de tamanho uniforme e valores elevados de potencial zeta e eficiência de encapsulação (>98%). O procedimento analítico foi validado de acordo com as diretrizes do FDA. A recuperação de clobetasol a partir das amostras de pele foi maior que 85%, sem interferência dos componentes da pele e dos excipientes das NLCs. Após 6 horas de experimento observou-se maior acúmulo do fármaco a partir das NLCs comparado à solução aquosa de CP. Dessa forma, as NLCs mostraram elevado potencial para direcionar o CP para a pele, pois elas possibilitaram o acúmulo do fármaco no estrato córneo.