Microbial Analysis of Majoone Falasifa (A Compound Herbal Formulation).

Majoone Falasifa (MF) is a polyherbal sugar based semisolid preparation used in Unani medicine to treat neurological, digestive, urinary and various chronic and debilitating disorders especially in geriatric care. This Unani compound formulation contains thirteen ingredients viz; Emlica Officinalis, Matricaria Chamomillia, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, Piper Longum, Piper Nigrum, Pinus Gerardiana, Cocus Nucifera, Vitis Vinifera, Terminalia Bellirica, Orchis Latifolia, Plumbago Zeylanica, Zingiber Officinalis nd Aristolochia Indica. Though used since ancient time its microbial analysis was not carried out till date. Therefore in present study microbial analysis of Majoone Falasifa was evaluated under the accelerated testing conditions.

Assessment of enteric viruses in a sewage treatment plant located in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil / Avaliação de vírus entéricos em uma estação de tratamento de esgoto localizada em Porto Alegre, sul do Brasil

In order to verify the microbial quality of the influents and effluents of one STP from southern Brazil, an eight-month survey was conducted to examine the presence of total and fecal coliforms and of adenovirus (HAdV), enterovirus (EV), genogroup A rotaviruses (GARV) and Torque teno virus (TTV), in treated effluent samples from São João/Navegantes STP, Porto Alegre (Brazil). A total of 16 samples were collected, eight of influent (raw sewage, prior to treatment), and the other eight of the effluent (post-treatment sewage). Total and fecal coliform levels ranging from 3.6 × 10(4) to 4.4 × 10(7) MPN/100 mL and 2.9 × 10³ to 1.7 × 10(7) MPN/100 mL, were detected in all samples. In raw sewage, HAdV (25%) and GARV (28.6%) viral genomes were detected. The analysis of effluent samples revealed the presence of HAdV (50%), EV (37.5%), and TTV (12.5%) genomic fragments. All samples, regardless of the month analysed, presented detection of a least one virus genus, except for in April. Higher virus detection rates were observed in treated sewage samples (62.5%), and in 80% of them (effluent positive samples) HAdV was detected. Results showed that improvements in sewage monitoring and treatment processes are necessary to reduce the viral and bacterial load on the environment in southern Brazil. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first study showing the monitoring of viral genomes in influent and effluent samples from a STP located in Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), southern Brazil.

Com o intuito de verificar a qualidade microbiológica de afluentes e efluentes de uma estação de tratamento de esgoto (ETE), um monitoramento de oito meses foi realizado para examinar a presença de coliformes totais e fecais, e de adenovírus (HAdV), enterovírus (EV), rotavírus do genogrupo A (GARV) e torque teno vírus (TTV), em amostras de esgoto tratado da ETE São João/Navegantes, em Porto Alegre-RS, Brasil. Um total de 16 amostras foi coletado, sendo oito de afluente (esgoto bruto, anterior ao tratamento) e oito de efluente (esgoto tratado). Os níveis de coliformes totais e fecais variaram entre 3,6 × 10(4) e 4,4 × 10(7) MPN/100 mL e 2,9 × 10³ e 1,7 × 10(7) MPN/100 mL, respectivamente, tendo sido estes detectados em todas as amostras. No esgoto bruto, foram detectados os genomas virais de HAdV (25%) e GARV (28,6%). A análise das amostras de efluente revelou a presença de fragmentos genômicos de HAdV (50%), EV (37,5%) e TTV (12,5%). Todas as amostras, independentemente do mês analisado, possibilitaram a detecção de pelo menos um gênero viral, exceto no mês de abril. Altas taxas de detecção viral foram observadas em amostras de esgoto tratado (62,5%), sendo que o HAdV foi detectado em 80% dessas amostras de efluente positivas. Os resultados mostram que aprimoramentos no processo de tratamento e monitoramento do esgoto são necessários para reduzir a carga viral e bacteriológica no ambiente do Sul do Brasil. Ao conhecimento dos autores, este é o primeiro estudo de monitoramento de genomas virais em amostras de afluente e efluente de uma ETE localizada em Porto Alegre-Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

Análise da qualidade da água e dos peixes do lago Aratimbó, Umuarama Pr - Brasil / Qualitative analysis of water and fish from lake Aratimbó in Umuarama Pr ? Brazil

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os padrões qualitativos da água e do pescado do Lago Aratimbó, localizado na cidade de Umuarama PR, por meio de análises físico-químicas, bacteriológicas e de metais. As coletas foram realizadas in loco em três (3) pontos estratégicos do lago que foram encaminhadas para análises físico-químicas, tendo os resultados como insatisfatórias e positividade nas análises da demanda bioquímica de oxigênio e óleos e graxas. As análises microbiológicas da água obtiveram resultados insatisfatórios para coliformes totais. As análises de metais na água que foram cromo, cobre, ferro, potássio, sódio, níquel, chumbo e zinco todas foram satisfatórias dentro dos parâmetros analisados. No exame microbiológico do pescado os resultados foram satisfatórios para coliformes totais, termotolerantes, Salmonella sp e Staphylococcus aureus. Os metais analisados na amostra 1 dos peixes, tiveram presentes o potássio, sódio, zinco e ferro nas brânquias, músculo e vísceras, o cobre foi detectado somente nas vísceras. Na amostra 2 nas brânquias, músculo e vísceras encontrou-se potássio, sódio e ferro. O zinco foi detectado nas brânquias e músculo e o cobre somente nas vísceras. Na amostra 3 detectou-se potássio, sódio, zinco e ferro nas brânquias, músculo e vísceras. O cobre foi detectado exclusivamente nas vísceras. Quando comparados os resultados deste estudo aos aspectos visuais do lago Aratimbó, observou-se algumas irregularidades existentes, como algumas galerias de águas pluviais e a falta de vegetação arbórea nas margens do lago, esses fatores são associados aos malefícios, como contaminação da água e dos peixes e o assoreamento causado pelas chuvas.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality standards of water and fish from Lake Aratimbó located in Umuarama PR, through physical-chemical, bacteriological and metal analyses. Samples were collected on site at three (3) strategic points of the lake that were referred to physical-chemical analysis, and the results were: unsatisfactory and positive for the analysis of biochemical demand of oxygen, oil and grease. The results of the microbiological analysis of water was unsatisfactory for total coliform. The analyzed metals in water were chromium, copper, iron, potassium, sodium, nickel, lead and zinc, and they were all within satisfactory parameters. In the microbiological examination of fish, the results were satisfactory for total coliform, coliform, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus. The detected metals in the fish sample 1 were potassium, sodium, zinc and iron in the gills, muscle and viscera; copper was only detected in the viscera. In sample 2, potassium, sodium and iron were found in the gills, muscle and viscera. Zinc was detected in the gills and muscle, and copper only in the viscera. In sample 3, potassium, sodium, zinc and iron were detected in the gills, muscle and viscera. Copper was only detected in the viscera. When comparing our results to the visual aspects of Lake Aratimbó, some irregularities as some existing storm sewer and the lack of trees along the lakeshore were observed, and these factors are associated with harmful effects such as contamination of water and fish and siltation caused by rains.

Evaluation of herbal formulation (capsule) containing Ashwagandha as a single herb with their nutritional value determination.

The most important challenges faced by herbal formulations arise because of their lack of complete evaluation. Evaluation is necessary to ensure quality and purity of the herbal product. For evaluation of capsule containing single herb various parameters were tested. These parameters for raw material include powder characteristic study, organoleptic, physicochemical, phytochemical parameters etc., and assay of active constituent. Parameters for finished product (capsule) include uniformity of weight, pH, moisture content, disintegration time and dissolution study. HPTLC study, heavy metal analysis, microbial analysis and Nutritional value were carried out as a part of evaluation. Results indicate that Ashwagandha capsule has passed through all organoleptic and physicochemical parameters. Active constituent was present in adequate amount in the Ashwagandha capsule. Data of HPTLC finger printing indicates that extract was derived from genuine plant or parts of the plant and also capsule contain the same extract. Concentration of lead, arsenic and cadmium in capsules passed the limit of heavy metal. Mercury was absent in capsule and in their extract. Capsules have <10 cfu/gm total bacterial count. Total yeast and mould was absent in capsules. The pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, P.aeruginosa and S.aureus were also absent in capsule.Carbohydrate, protein and cholesterol content for Ashwagadha capsule is 84.56%, 8.29% and 2.32% respectively. Data suggested that capsule and its extract were consistent with various identity, quality and purity parameters such as organoleptic characters, physico-chemical parameter, HPTLC fingerprinting, heavy metal and microbial analysis. Nutritional assessment of the each capsule indicates their dietary supplement value.

Application of sensory and microbial analysis to assess quality of fish in Siliguri city of West Bengal, India.

Sensory and certain microbial analyses were applied to assess the quality of raw fish sold at a market in Siliguri city of West Bengal, India. In regular surveys undertaken during June to August 2008, a particular fish species was randomly selected, its source was noted and a sensory analysis, the quality index method (QIM) was applied to assess its quality. Raw fish samples were also collected and a small quantity (about 1 g) of scales or an upper layer of the skin surface (for scale-less fish samples), gill, liver and a portion of gut with gut-contents were aseptically removed for enumeration of the total aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, Aeromonas spp., Pseudomonas spp., Salmonella spp. and coliform counts. Oreochromis mossambicus and Tenulosa ilisha recorded significantly higher QIM scores, compared to other species (p<0.05). Riverine fish, Lepidocephalichthys guntea and Channa punctatus scored the lowest QIM scores (0) while scores for Puntius ticto and Mystus vittatus and pond cultured species like Cirrhinus mrigala, Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Labeo bata and Cyprinus carpio were very marginal (p<0.05). Aeromonas spp., Salmonella spp. and total coliforms were recorded from all the studied species while Pseudomonas spp. was isolated from only seven species. Among the tissues examined, the lowest counts of total heterotrophic bacteria, Aeromonas spp., Pseudomonas spp., Salmonella spp. and total coliforms were recorded from the skin in every fish species. Highest counts of pathogenic bacteria (except Pseudomonas spp.) were recorded in Tenulosa ilisha for all the tissues except liver. Since fish are properly cooked in Bengali households, the risk of disease from fish consumption is relatively less. However, some tribes residing in the region are known to consume undercooked fish and proper cooking methods should be followed in view of the present findings to avoid health risks. Besides, utmost care should be taken while handling fish.