Preliminary phytochemical screening of bark (powder) extracts of Ficus religiosa (peepal) plant

The traditional medicine involves the use of various different plant extracts or the bioactive constituents. The study such as ethno medicine keenly r presents the best avenues in searching new economic plants for medicine. This type of study gives the health application at affordable cost. The present study carried out to find out the phytochemical constituents in the Ficus religiosa bark. The Ficus religiosa was collected from the Rama University Campus. The shadow dried bark materials were grained and extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and ethanol: water (50: 50). Photochemical analysis was carried out according to standard procedures. The bark powder was successively extracted ith Phytochemical screening shows the presence of carbohydrate, glycoside, alk loid, protein, amino acid, phytosterol, tannin & flavonoids. The result of the study could be useful for description and phytochemical analysis of the plant.

Production of α-galactosidase from Aspergillus foetidus MTCC 6322 by solid state fermentation and its application in soymilk hydrolysis.

The production of α-galactosidase from the wild fungal strain Aspergillus foetidus MTCC 6322 using solid state fermentation (SSF), its characterization, and its efficacy in the hydrolysis of soymilk using response surface methodology were studied. The optimum conditions for production of α-galactosidase by SSF were: wheat bran (10 g), moisture content (64%), inoculum volume (1.0 mL; 6 × 107 spores/mL) with a yield of 4.1 × 103 units per gram dry substrate (U/gds) at 96 h. The enzyme showed optimum activity at pH 6.0, temperature 40°C, pH stability between 5.0-8.0, and temperature stability between 30-40°C. The enzyme was stable in the presence of trypsin, lipase, and collagenase and it showed susceptibility of the substrates such as raffinose, melibiose, guar gum and soymilk to hydrolysis in varying degrees. The optimized conditions for soymilk hydrolysis were: soymilk (10 mL) from defatted soybean meal (1.5%), α-galactosidase (0.15 UmL-1) at 30°C, pH 6.0 and duration of 1 h.

Formulation and evaluation of novel stomach specific floating microspheres bearing famotidine for treatment of gastric ulcer and their radiographic study

Objective: To develop and characterize multiple-unit-type oral floating microsphere of famotidine to prolong gastric residence time and to target stomach ulcer. Methods: The floating microspheres were prepared by modified solvent evaporation method. Eudragit S-100 was used as polymer. Microspheres were characterized for the micromeritic properties, floating behavior, entrapment efficiency and scanning electron microscopy. The in-vitro release studies and floating behavior were studied in simulated gastric fluid at pH 1.2. Different drug release kinetics models were also applied for all the batches. Selected formulations were also subjected for X-ray radiographic study. Results: Floating microspheres were successfully prepared by modified solvent evaporation technique. Microspheres showed passable flow properties. The maximum yield of microspheres was up to (95.11±0.35)%. On the basis of optical microscopy particle size range was found to be ranging from (52.18±182.00) to (91.64±5.16) μm. Scanning electron microscopy showed their spherical size, perforated smooth surface and a cavity inside microspheres. Microspheres were capable to float up to 20 h in simulated gastric fluid. X-ray radiographic studies also proved its better retention in the stomach. Conclusions:On the basis of the results, such dosage forms may be a good candidate for stomach targeting and may be dispensed in hard gelatin capsules.

Statistical medium optimization of an alkaline protease from Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 10501, its characterization and application in leather processing.

Proteases are shown to have greener mode of application in leather processing for dehairing of goat skins and cow hides. Production of protease by submerged fermentation with potent activity is reported using a new isolate P. aeruginosa MTCC 10501. The production parameters were optimized by statistical methods such as Plackett-Burman and response surface methodology. The optimized production medium contained (g/L); tryptone, 2.5; yeast extract, 3.0; skim milk 30.0; dextrose 1.0; inoculum concentration 4%: initial pH 6.0; incubation temperature 30 °C and optimum production at 48 h with protease activity of 7.6 U/mL. The protease had the following characteristics: pH optima, 9.0; temperature optima 50 °C; pH stability between 5.0-10.0 and temperature stability between 10-40 °C. The protease was observed to have high potential for dehairing of goat skins in the pre- tanning process comparable to that of the chemical process as evidenced by histology. The method offers cleaner processing using enzyme only instead of toxic chemicals in the pre-tanning process of leather manufacture.