Extraction of effective components of Psoralea corylifolia and efficacy evaluation in the treatment of vitiligo / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To extract the effective components of Psoralea corylifolia and evaluate its efficacy in the treatment of vitiligo. METHODS The concentrations of psoralen， isopsoralen， neobavaisoflavone， corylin， psoralidin， corylifolinin， and bakuchiol in P. corylifolia extract were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Based on the analytic hierarchy process （AHP） and Plackett-Burman design， with the concentrations of the 7 components as evaluation indexes and the crushing degree， ethanol concentration， and soaking time as factors， the extraction process of P. corylifolia was optimized by Box-Behnken response surface methodology and the validation test was conducted. Zebrafish were divided into blank control group， positive control group （8-methoxypsoralen， 10.8 μg/mL）， and low-， medium-， and high-concentration groups of P. corylifolia extract （500， 1 000， 2 000 μg/mL）， with 6 fish in each group. The effects of P. corylifolia extract on the melanin production of zebrafish were studied by density analysis. RESULTS The best extraction process was P. corylifolia powder over 60 meshes and soaked in 80% ethanol for 72 hours. The average comprehensive score of three validation experiments was 98.27， with an RSD of 1.36%， and the relative error was 1.02% compared with the predicted value of the fitting equation （97.28）. Compared with the blank control group， the melanin pigmentation of zebrafish in the low-， medium-， and high-concentration groups of P. corylifolia extract was significantly increased （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS The optimized extraction process of P. corylifolia is reasonable and feasible， and the obtained P. corylifolia extract can significantly promote the production of melanin in zebrafish.

Optimization of the medium and fermentation condition for the Penicillium aurantiocandidum Z12 strain with molluscicidal actions against Oncomelania hupensis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To optimize the culture and fermentation conditions of the Penicillium aurantiocandidum Z12 strain, a fungal strain with molluscicidal actions against Oncomelania hupensis, so as to provide the basis for the research and development of molluscicidal active substances from the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain and its fermentation broth and large-scale fermentation. Methods The carbon source, nitrogen source and mineral salts were identified in the optimal culture medium for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain with a single-factor experiment to determine the best fermentation condition for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain. Factors that significantly affected the growth of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain were identified using the Plackett-Burman design, and the best range of each factor was determined using the steepest climb test. Response surface analyses of temperature, pH value, seeding amount and liquid-filling quantity were performed using the Box-Behnken design to create a regression model for fermentation of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain to identify the optimal culture medium. Results Single-factor experiment preliminarily identified the best culture medium and conditions for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain as follows: sucrose as the carbon source at approximately 20 g/L, tryptone as the nitrogen source at approximately 5 g/L, K2HPO4 as the mineral salt at approximately 5 g/L, initial pH at approximately 8, temperature at approximately 28 °C, seeding amount at approximately 6%, and liquid-filling quantity at approximately 50 mL/100 mL. Plackett-Burman design showed that factors that significantly affected the growth of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain included temperature (t = −5.28, P < 0.05), seeding amount (t = 5.22, P < 0.05), pH (t = −4.30, P < 0.05) and liquid-filling quantity (t = −4.39, P < 0.05). Steepest climb test showed the highest mycelial growth at pH of 7.5, seeding amount of 8%, and liquid-filling quantity of 40 mL/100 mL, and this condition was selected as the central point of response surface analysis for the subsequent optimization of fermentation conditions. Response surface analyses using the Box-Behnken design showed that the optimal conditions for fermentation of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain included sucrose at 15 g/L, tryptone at 5 g/L, K2HPO4 at 5 g/L, temperature at 28.2 °C, pH at 7.5, seeding amount at 10%, and liquid-filling quantity at 35.8 mL/100.0 mL, resulting in 0.132 g yield of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain. Conclusion The optimal culture condition for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain has been identified, and the optimized culture medium and fermentation condition may effectively improve the fermentation yield of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain.

Optimization of extraction process of polysaccharide from Baihe dihuang decoction and study on its anti-anxiety and anti-depression efficacy / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To optimize the extraction process and to primarily evaluate the anti-anxiety and anti-depression efficacy of polysaccharide from Baihe dihuang decoction. METHODS Based on Plackett-Burman experimental design， using the comprehensive score of yield and content of polysaccharide as indicators， with extraction time， water amount， alcohol precipitation concentration as factors， Box-Behnken response surface methodology was used to optimize the extraction process of polysaccharide from Baihe dihuang decoction； and the validation test was conducted. Forty ICR mice were divided into control group， venlafaxine group [positive control， 13.5 mg/（kg·d）]， Baihe dihuang polysaccharide high-dose and low-dose groups [5.28， 2.64 g/（kg·d），by raw material]， with 10 mice in each group （half male and half female）. Administration groups were given corresponding drug solution intragastrically， and control group was given water 10 mL/kg intragastrically， once a day， for 7 test， forced swimming test and tail suspension test were used to evaluate the effects of the extract prepared by the optimal process on the anxiety-like and depression-like behavior of mice； enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the effects of the extract on the levels of neurotransmitter in cerebral tissue of mice. RESULTS The optimal extraction process of Baihe dihuang decoction was： the water amount of 25 times， extract time of 1.5 hours， and alcohol precipitation concentration of 70%. In 3 times of validation test， the average yield and content of polysaccharide were 33.10% and 0.62 mg/mg， the relative deviations of which from the predicted values （36.14% and 0.65 mg/mg） were 8.40% and 4.62% respectively （RSD＜2%， n＝3）. The polysaccharide extract of Baihe dihuang decoction could effectively increase the percentages of open-arms entry， the percentages of open-arms time， the total distance of voluntary activities and the activity distance in central area， and significantly shortened the immobility time of forced swimming test and tail suspension test （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The polysaccharide extract could significantly increase the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine， norepinephrine （except for the Baihe dihuang polysaccharide low-dose group） and gamma-aminobutyric acid in cerebral tissue of mice， while significantly decrease the levels of glutamic acid （except for the Baihe dihuang polysaccharide low-dose group） （P＜0.05 or P＜ 0.01）. CONCLUSIONS The optimized extraction process of polysaccharide from Baihe dihuang decoction is stable and feasible， and the obtained polysaccharide extract has obvious anti-anxiety and anti-depression effect in vivo.

Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd as a source of thermostable serine protease: production and characterization

Proteases are ubiquitously present and are among the largest groups of commercially important enzymes. Here, we investigated a wood-rot basidiomycete Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd [Syn. Coriolus versicolor (L.) Quél.; Polyporus versicolor (L.) Fr.] as a source of the enzyme serine protease, its production, and optimized to obtain a higher yield of the enzyme.. The significant variables with optimized values for maximum production of the enzyme were temperature (30?C), incubation time (120 h) and wheat bran (10 g). The yield increased by 30.76% by statistically optimizing the media. The optimized temperature and pH for the maximum protease activity was 50?C and pH 7.0, respectively. The enzyme was purified through ion exchange (using DEAE cellulose 52 resin) and gel filtration chromatography (using Superdex 200 column). The purified enzyme had a retention time of 7 min in RP-HPLC. The enzyme was stable at a broad range of temperature (30-60?C) and pH (5.0-8.0) with a half-life of 58.72 min, Vmax of 37.17 ?M min/mL and Km of 0.657 mg/mL. Its activity was enhanced by Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+ ions and SDS surfactant. These properties make this enzyme a valuable candidate for industrial applications

A method for measuring the ADCP potency of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody / 药学学报

A method to measure the antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis (ADCP) potency of anti-CD38 mAb was developed based on design of experiment (DoE) with a Jurkat/NFAT/CD32a-FcεRIγ transgenic cell line as the effector cell, the Daudi cell line as the target cells, and luciferase as the detection system. The DoE method was used for optimization of experimental parameters and methodological validation. The results show that anti-CD38 mAb exhibits a dose-response relationship with the following four-parameter equation: y = (A - D) / [1 + (x / C)B] + D. Several experimental parameters were optimized by statistical experimental design and determined as follows: the working concentration of anti-CD38 mAb was 800-20.81 ng·mL-1, the density of the target cells was 7.5×104 per well, and the density of effector cells was 2.5×104 per well, with an induction time of 6 h. The method showed good specificity. The recovery rate for samples from 5 different groups showed that the relative potencies of anti-CD38 mAb were (59.97 ± 4.74) %, (82.44 ± 5.15) %, (110.69 ± 11.71) %, (129.23 ± 5.22)% and (162.15 ± 3.66) %. The recoveries ranged from 103% to 120% and the RSDs of the above results were all less than 11%. The linear detection range was 50%-150%. Based on DoE design, this method for measuring ADCP potency of anti-CD38 mAb was optimized and validated with good specificity, repeatability and accuracy. This method can be used for evaluation of ADCP biological activity of anti-CD38 mAbs.

Study on the preparation of hyperoside mixed nanomicelles and its intestinal absorption / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To prepare hyperoside mixed nanomicelles （Hyp-F127/TPGS） and optimize its preparation technology，and to investigate its intestinal absorption characteristics. METHODS Hyp-F127/TPGS was prepared by thin film dispersion method. Based on single factor test and Plackett-Burman design ，combined with Box-Behnken response surface method ， the preparation process was optimized and validated using entrapped efficiency （EE）and drug loading （DL）as evaluation indexes ， F127-TPGS mass ratio ，hydration time and the amount of Hyp as factors. The appearance and microscopic morphology of Hyp-F127/TPGS obtained by the optimal technology were observed ，and the particle size ，polydispersity index （PDI）and Zeta potential were also determined. The critical micelle concentration （CMC）of blank micelle （F127/TPGS），in vitro release behavior and preliminary stability of Hyp-F 127/TPGS were investigated ，and absorption characteristics of Hyp-F 127/TPGS were investigated by in situ unidirectional intestinal perfusion model. RESULTS The optimal preparation technology of Hyp-F 127/TPGS included F127-TPGS mass ratio of 2∶1，hydration time of 2 h，and Hyp amount of 9 mg. Results of three validation tests showed that the EE of Hyp-F 127/TPGS was （87.20±0.99）％，and the DL was （5.02±1.20）％，deviations from predicted values were 0.92％ and 2.39％. The micelles prepared by optimal technology were yellow ，clear and transparent solution ，with good Tyndall effect ；under transmission electron microscope ，they were spherical ，complete and evenly distributed ；the particle size was （15.02±0.16）nm， the PDI was 0.092±0.031，and the Zeta potential was （－6.67±1.47）mV. The CMC of F 127/TPGS was 21 μg/mL，Hyp-F127/ TPGS was stable after 4 weeks of storage at 4 ℃，and the cumulative release rates of Hyp-F 127/TPGS and Hyp control were （66.30±2.93）％（96 h）and（99.24±0.27）％（60 h），respectively. Hyp-F 127/TPGS and Hyp reference were absorbed in each intestinal segment ，and the main absorption sites were jejunum and duodenum respectively ；drug absorption rate constant andapparent absorption coefficient of the former were significantly higher than those of the latter （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. E-mail：zhangyuhangxz@163.com CONCLUSIONS The optimized preparation technology of Hyp-F127/TPGS is stable and feasible ；prepared Hyp-F 127/ TPGS shows a sustained -release effect ，which promotes the intestinal absorption of H yp to a certain extent.

Identification of critical influencing factors in dropping process of Xuesaitong Dropping Pills / 中国中药杂志

With the dropping process of Xuesaitong Dropping Pills(XDP) as the study object, critical factors affecting the quality indicators of pill pass rate, average weight of drop pills and roundness were screened out, so as to deepen the understanding of the dropping process. The critical process units, critical quality attributes and potential critical process influencing factors of XDP were determined by risk analysis and prior knowledge, and then the critical influencing factors were screened out by Plackett-Burman design. First, according to the risk assessment, the critical technique of XDP preparation process was dropping, and then the critical quality attributes of dropping process were pill pass rate, average weight of drop pills and roundness. Then, according to fishbone diagram and failure mode and effects analysis(FMEA), potential critical influencing factors were determined as flow rate, matrix ratio, solid-liquid ratio, feed-liquid temperature, top temperature of condensate, bottom temperature of condensate and dropping distance. Finally, among these seven potential factors, the critical influencing factors were determined as material liquid ratio, dropping distance, top temperature of condensate, bottom temperature of condensate. This study revealed the potential of Plackett-Burman design in screening and understanding the influence of selected factors on XDP dropping process, which could provide a reference for studying the dropping process.

Improving the yield of Anoectochilus roxburghii by Bacillus licheniformis cultured in Agaricus bisporus industrial wastewater

BACKGROUND: There is a large amount of industrial wastewater produced by the mushroom industry during the canning processing each year, which could provide abundant carbon, nitrogen and inorganic salts for microbial growth. The aim of this study was to optimize the culture conditions for Bacillus licheniformis cultured in the Agaricus bisporus industrial wastewater to produce the agricultural microbial fertilizer. RESULTS: In this work, the maximal biomass of B. licheniformis could be obtained under the following culture conditions: 33.7°C, pH 7.0, 221 rpm shaking speed, 0.5% wastewater, 2 (v:v, %) inoculum dose, loading liquid of 60 mL/250 mL and a culture time of 24 h, and the average experimental value obtained was 1.35 ± 0.04 × 109 Obj/mL, which was within the 95% confidence interval of the predicted model (1.29­1.38 × 109 Obj/mL), and met the national microbial fertilizers' standard in China. Furthermore, the field experiment results showed that the fermentation broth of B. licheniformis could significantly improve the yield of Anoectochilus roxburghii. CONCLUSIONS: Agaricus bisporus industrial wastewater can be used to produce agricultural microbial fertilizer.

To Study The Significance Of Processing Variables Using Quality By Design For Optimization Of Nanoparticulate System Of Cilnidipine

This investigation aimed to prepare Cilnidipine Nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation ultrasonication method and to study the significance of processing variables by applying quality by design. Cilnidipine is fourth-generation dual L/N-type Ca2+ channel blocker used for the management of hypertension. It is BCS class-II drug exhibiting lower aqueous solubility, which tends to lower bioavailability. The combination of Poloxamer 188 and Tween 80 was used as a stabilizer. The design of the experiment is one of the tools of Quality by design. Plackett -Burman design was applied for the screening of processing variables, which are significant for the method. The processing variables screened were stirring speed, antisolvent ratio, drug concentration, polymer concentration, stabilizer concentration. The effect of each parameter evaluated by particle size, entrapment efficiency, and drug release at 10 minutes of prepared Nanoparticles of Cilnidipine. Analysis of variance and Pareto-plot of Plackett-Burman design were utilized to find the significance of the factor and extent of the effect. The surface morphology of Cilnidipine Nanoparticles was studied by SEM. The Pareto plot, as well as statistical analysis of design, had shown that the Concentration of drug, solvent: antisolvent ratio and concentration of poloxamer 188 were the significant parameters for the method. The stabilizer concentration, the stirring speed, and the antisolvent ratio had a negative effect of while the concentration of drug has a positive effect on the particle size of Nanoparticles and drug release at 10 minutes and positive effect of entrapment efficiency of Cilnidipine Nanoparticles. The Cilnidipine Nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR and DSC analysis.

Aislamiento y caracterización de una bacteria marina degradadora de testosterona: Vibrio sp. N3 / Isolation and characterization of a marine testosterone-degrading bacterium: Vibrio sp. N3

Steroids, including testosterone, estrone, 17β-estradiol, estriol and 17β-ethinyl estradiol, are harmful not only to the population dynamics of aquatic life forms but also to public health. In this study, a marine testosterone-degrading bacterium (strain N3) was isolated from Nanao Island in the South China Sea. In addition, the strain could also use 17β-estradiol (E2), 17β-ethinyl estradiol (EE2), estriol (E3) or cholesterol as a sole carbon source. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain N3 was identified as Vibrio sp. Further characterization showed that the strain is aerobic, gram-negative, and mobile and exhibits resistance to ampicillin, carbenicillin, penicillin and spectinomycin. For enhancing its capacity of testosterone degradation, the Plackett-Burman factorial design and the central composite design were used to optimize the culture condition. Under optimal conditions, 92% of testosterone was degraded by Vibrio sp. N3 in 48 h.

Los esferoides-que incluyen la testosterona, la estrona, el 17 β-estradiol, el estriol y el 17 p-etinilestradiol-son nocivos no solo para la población dinámica de las formas de vida acuática, sino también para la salud pública. En este estudio se aisló una bacteria marina degradadora de testosterona de la isla de Nanao, en el Mar del Sur de China, a la que se denominó cepa N3. Se determinó que esta cepa también podría usar 17 β-estradiol (E2), 17 p-etinilestradiol (EE2), estriol (E3) o colesterol como únicas fuentes de carbono. De acuerdo con el análisis de la secuencia del gen 16S rRNA, la cepa N3 se identificó como Vibrio sp. La caracterización adicional mostró que dicha bacteria es un organismo aerobio, gram negativo y móvil, y que presenta resistencia a ampicilina, carbenicilina, penicilina y espectinomicina. Para optimizar la condición de cultivo en relación con su capacidad de degradar la testosterona, se utilizaron el diseño factorial Plackett-Burman y el diseno compuesto central. En condiciones óptimas, el 92% de la testosterona fue degradada por Vibrio sp. N3 en 48 h.

Colombian propolis as starting material for the preparation of nanostructured lipid carriers

ABSTRACT The value of propolis is scientifically and commercially measured through the content of biologically active molecules as phenolic compounds and flavonoids; on the other hand, a high percentage of waxes in the propolis composition makes it a substandard beekeeping product. Colombian propolis is characterized by a high content of waxes; however, this drawback turns into an advantage when this material is used for preparing lipid nanocarriers. Accordingly, in this research work, a propolis-extracted material obtained by Randall method is characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and 1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Then, it is used for obtaining nanostructured lipid carriers by the emulsification-diffusion technique, whose recipe and operating work conditions were established by a Plackett-Burman statistical screening design. The obtained particles exhibit sizes less than 300 nm, polydispersity indices around 0.1, zeta potential values less than ±2 mV, good physical stability and they show to be safe in the in vitro irritation test. Thus, Colombian propolis arises as an attractive natural source for obtaining lipid carriers that could be used in pharmaceutical or cosmetic industries for developing innovative products.

Biosurfactant from endophytic Bacillus cereus: Optimization, characterization and cytotoxicity study

Aims@#The increased importance of biosurfactant in the recent past is mainly due to their applications in various industries ranging from petroleum to pharmaceuticals. Their biodegradability and environmental compatibility with low toxicity makes it even more interesting. Microbial production of biosurfactant is found to be a viable option as they are diverse, eco-friendly, facilitate large scale production, able to perform under extreme conditions etc. One class of microbes that is endophytes are known to show great potential in producing different varieties of medically and industrially significant biological compounds. The present study focuses on the screening and production of biosurfactant from endophytic bacteria. @*Methodology and results@#Of all the isolates tested, one endophyte identified as Bacillus cereus HM998898 was found to produce maximum biosurfactant. Statistical method Plackett burman was used to optimize the media for the maximum production and the ideal composition was found to be KNO3 (1 g/L), Gingley oil (2 mL), K2HPO4 (2.5 g/L), KH2PO4 (0.75 g/L), MgSO4·5H2O (0.5 g/L), FeSO4.7H2O (0.005 g/L) and NaCl (0.025 g/L). The extracted biosurfactant was characterized and was identified to be glycolipid. This was further tested for biocompatibility against Fibroblast (3T3) cells and was evaluated for their anti tumor activity against Hep2 cells. @*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#The biosurfactant produced was found to induce toxicity to cancer cells at appreciable levels while they remained non-toxic to normal cells supporting the possible applications of biosurfactant in medical field.

Optimal extraction of indirubin from Isatidis Folium based on Plackett-Burman design combined with central composite design-response surface methodology / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the significance of each influencing factor and optimize the process of extracting indirubin from Isatidis Folium by Plackett-Burman design combined with central composite design-response surface methodology (CCD-RSM). Methods: Plackett-Burman experimental design was used to screen the main influencing factors, and CCD-RSM was used to optimize the extraction process of indirubin. With the concentration of ethanol, the ratio of material to liquid, and the extraction time as independent variables and the extraction amount of indirubin as dependent variable, the optimum extraction process of indirubin from Isatidis Folium was predicted and analyzed by multiple linear regression and binomial fitting models with independent and dependent variables and the three-dimensional surface graph. Results; The optimal extraction process of indirubin was as follows: ethanol concentration 62%, solvent/sample ratio of 26, and extraction time 9 min. Under these conditions, the maximal extraction rate of indirubin was 4.37 mg/g which was consistent with model predictions. Conclusion: The optimal process is simple and convenient for extracting indirubin from Isatidis Folium with high precision, reproducibility, and predictability.

Optimization of the Extraction Technology of Total Flavonoids from Combretum alfrdii / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To establish the method for content determination of total flavonoids from Combretum alfrdii， and to optimize the extraction technology of total flavonoids from C. alfrdii. METHODS： Using aluminium trichloride as， chromogenic agent， UV spectrum was adopted to determine the content of total flavonoids from C. alfrdii. Based on single factor test， ethanol volume fraction， material-liquid ratio， extraction time， extraction temperature and times were selected as investigation factors， and the content of total flavonoids was selected as response value， Plackett-Burman design was used to screen the factors that had significant influence on the content of total flavonoidsfrom C. alfrdii. Then steepest climbing test was adopted to confirm the optimum valuing range； the extraction technology of total flavonoids was optimized by Box-Behnken response methodology. RESULTS： The linear range of total flavonoids were 0.012-0.036 mg/mL （r＝0.999 9）； RSDs of precision， stability and repeatability tests were less than 3％； the recovery ranged from 92.98％ to 99.86％ （RSD＝2.71％， n＝6）. The optimal extraction technology included that 60％ ethanol， material-liquid ratio of 1 ∶ 34 （g/mL）， extracting for 3 times， lasting for 60 min， extraction temperature of 80 ℃. Under this technology， average content of total flavonoids from C. alfrdii was 2.71％ （RSD＝1.69％， n＝6）， and the relative error was 2.65％ compared with predicted value of the model （2.64％）. CONCLUSIONS： Established method is stable and reproducible， and can be used for content determination of total flavonoids from C. alfrdii. The optimized extraction method is stable and feasible.

Optimization of Extraction Process for Active Ingredients in Seeds of Sophora alopecuroides by Plackett-Burman Design and Response Surface Analysis / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To optimize extraction process for active ingredients in seeds of Sophora alopecuroides, to provide a reference for scale production. METHODS: Active ingredients from Sophora alopecuroides were extracted by ethanol, with average yield of oxysophocarpine and oxymatrine as index, some factors affecting index were firstly evaluated by Plackett-Burman design, then taking oxysophocarpine and oxymatrine as indexes respectively, extraction conditions were optimized by Box-Behnken design, experimental data was fitted by multiple linear regression and binomial formula fitting, extraction process was optimized by response surface method, and prediction was carried out through comparing the observed and predicted value. RESULTS: Extracting times, crushing degree and solvent times had significant effects on yields of oxysophocarpine and oxymatrine; binomial equation fitted well with good predictability. optimum extraction technology of Sophora alopecuroides was as following:crushed through 65 mesh sieve, extracted 4 times with 12-fold the amount of 60% ethanol for 2 h each time; yield of oxysophocarpine and oxymatrine was 92.3%, 78.6% respectively, both deviations were small by comparing with the predicted value. CONCLUSION: This extraction process is reasonable and feasible by Plackett-Burman design and response surface analysis with good predictability. This study can provide experimental basis for further scale production of Sophora alopecuroides.

Exopolysaccharide production from Bacillus velezensis KY471306 using statistical experimental design

Abstract Exopolysaccharide (EPS) biopolymers produced by microorganisms play a crucial role in the environment such as health and bio-nanotechnology sectors, gelling agents in food and cosmetic industries in addition to bio-flocculants in the environmental sector as they are degradable, nontoxic. This study focuses on the improvement of EPS production through manipulation of different culture and environmental conditions using response surface methodology (RSM). Plackett-Burman design indicated that; molasses, yeast extract and incubation temperature are the most effective parameters. Box-Behnken RSM indicated that; the optimum concentration for each parameter was 12% (w/v) for molasses, 6 g/L yeast extract and 30 °C for incubation temperature. The most potent bacterial isolate was identified as Bacillus velezensis KY498625. After production, EPS was extracted, purified using DEAE-cellulose, identified using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The result indicated that; it has molecular weight 1.14 × 105 D consisting of glucose, mannose and galactose.

Statistical tools application on dextranase production from Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC4) and its application on dextran removal from sugarcane juice

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to optimize the dextranase production by fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC4) and evaluate its activity in dextran reduction in sugarcane juice. The effects, over the P. chlamydosporia dextranase production, of different components from the culture medium were analyzed by Plackett-Burman design and central composite design. The response surface was utilized to determine the levels that, among the variables that influence dextranase production, provide higher production of these enzymes. The enzymatic effect on the removal of dextran present in sugarcane juice was also evaluated. It was observed that only NaNO3 and pH showed significant effect (p<0.05) over dextranase production and was determined that the levels which provided higher enzyme production were, respectively, 5 g/L and 5.5. The dextranases produced by fungus P. chlamydosporia reduced by 75% the dextran content of the sugarcane juice once treated for 12 hours, when compared to the control treatment.

Study on Rolling Granulation of Valsartan Tablets / 中国药师

Objective: To prepare valsartan tablets and optimize the parameters of rolling granulation process. Methods: The par-ticle size (D50, Y1/μm), tablet hardness (Y2/N), and 30-min drug dissolution (Y3/%) as the evaluation indices, the critical process variables were studied by Plackett-Burman experiment design firstly, and then Box-Behnken response surface method was used to optimize the parameters of rolling granulation process. Results: Plackett-Burman experimental design showed that the rolling pressure and mesh size had significant effect on the granule size (P<0. 05). The rolling pressure, rolling nip and mesh size had significant effect on the tablet hardness (P<0. 05). The optimum rolling parameters based on Box-Behnken response surface method were as fol-lows: the rolling pressure was 30 bar, the rolling nip was 3. 0 mm and the mesh size was 2. 0 mm. Valsartan tablets had good compres-sibility and high drug dissolution, which was similar to the in vitro dissolution profile of commercial reference preparations. Conclu-sion: The experimental designs to optimize the rolling granulation process of valsartan tablets can improve the controllability of the prod-uct quality.

Preparation and Quality Evaluation of Norcantharidin Albumin Nanoparticles / 中国药师

Objective: To prepare norcantharidin albumin nanoparticles and evaluate the physical characteristics of the albumin nanoparticles. Methods:Norcantharidin albumin nanoparticles were prepared by ultra-high pressure microfluidization technology. The average particle size and the drug entrapment efficiency of albumin nanoparticles were used as the evaluation indices. Firstly,Plackett-Burman experimental design was used to screen the formula and process variables which had significant effects on the properties of albu-min nanoparticles,and then Box-Behnken experimental design was used to optimize the variables range. The morphology,particle size distribution,zeta potential and in vitro drug release behavior were investigated. Results:The average particle size of norcantharidin al-bumin nanoparticles was (105.2 ± 30.1) nm,the PdI was 0.127,and the zeta potential was( -24.7 ± 1.9) mV. In 0.5% Tween-80 phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4),the in vitro cumulative release of norcantharidin albumin nanoparticle suspension reached up to 81.4% in 24 h. Conclusion:The preparation technology of norcantharidin albumin nanoparticles by ultra-high pressure microfluidi-zation technology is simple and feasible. The preparation technology can be used in industrial production.

Study on the Extraction Process of Herbal Pair Puerarin-Berberine by Plackett-Burman Design and Box-Behnken Response Surface Methodology / 中国药师

Objective:To optimize the alcohol extraction process of herbal pair puerarin-berberine.Methods:Based on the etha-nol reflux extraction,the extraction quantity of total flavonoids,total alkaloid,puerarin and berberine hydrochloride were used as the e-valuation index,and the independent variables included the drug particle,ratio of solid to liquid, ethanol concentration, reflux dura-tion and reflux times. Significance analysis was evaluated by Plackett-Burman design,and then the extraction process was optimized by Box-Behnken response surface methodology.Results:The optimal extraction conditions of drug pair puerarin-berberine were as follows:the drug particle was 80 mesh,the ratio of solid to liquid was 1:13,the ethanol concentration was 75%,the reflux time was 60 min, and the reflux times was 4. Under the above conditions, the extraction quantity of total flavonoids, alkaloid, puerarin and berberine hydrochloride was 120.34,56.99,109.63 and 39.26 mg ·ml-1, respectively.Conclusion: The extraction process of herbal pair puerarin-berberine is reasonable and feasible optimized by Plackett-Burman design and Box-Behnken response surface methodology.