Estudo do derivado do óleo de Ricinus communis L. (mamona) como agente biocida e redutor da viscosidade produzida por Leuconostoc mesenteroides em indústrias sucroalcooleiras / Study of a Ricinus communis L. (castor oil) derivative as a biocidal agent and viscosity reducer on Leuconostoc mesenteroides in the sugar and alcohol industries

Das sementes da mamona extrai-se o óleo de rícino, utilizado in natura ou em sua forma modificada nas áreas médica, farmacêutica e industrial. Um de seus derivados químicos - o Poliquilgerm® - evidencia propriedades antifúngicas sobre Candida albicans e bacteriostática/ bactericida sobre Escherichia coli no nível de 99,9%. Considerando-se essas propriedades, aplicouse o Poliquilgerm® em culturas de Leuconostoc mesenteroides, uma das espécies de bactéria contaminante dos mostos em indústrias sucroalcooleiras. Esta bactéria quando presente em mostos produz além do ácido láctico, a dextrana, que é um polímero da glicose que aumenta a viscosidade dos fluidos dos processos. No presente trabalho avaliou-se o efeito de diferentes concentrações do Poliquilgerm® sobre a viscosidade produzida por L. mesenteroides em diferentes meios de cultivo, condições de pH, e temperatura. Verificou-se 20,56% de diminuição da viscosidade quando se utilizou 1,0% do produto, além da inibição do crescimento da bactéria após 20 horas em contato com 1,0 e 0,2% de Poliquilgerm®. L. mesenteroides apresentou melhor crescimento em valores de pH 6,0, tanto a 28 como a 33º C, evidenciado pela maior produção de biomassa. Além disso, em meio de cultura neste pH verificou-se maior porcentagem de diminuição da viscosidade em ambas as concentrações utilizadas. Estas mesmas concentrações alcançaram até 100% de diminuição das UFC/mL após 24 horas em contato com o produto, evidenciado por quantificação da biomassa e confirmado mediante plaqueamento pela técnica "Pour Plate".

Castor-oil, extracted from seeds of Ricinus communis L., is normally used in natura or in its modified form in the medical, pharmaceutical and industrial areas. One of its chemical derivates ­ Poliquilgerm® ­ has shown antifungal properties on Candida albicans, and bacteriostatic/bactericide effects on Escherichia coli reaching 99.9%. Considering these features, in the present study Poliquilgerm® was applied in cultures of Leuconostoc mesenteroides, a frequent contaminant bacterium of musts in the sugar and alcohol industries. This bacterium, when a contaminant of must, produces lactic acid as well as dextran, a polymer of glucose which may increase the viscosity of fluids in the operation. The present study evaluated the effect of different concentrations of Poliquilgerm® on viscosity produced by L. mesenteroides cultures under different conditions of various culture media, pH and temperature. A 20.56% decrease in viscosity was verified when 1.0% of the product was used, and bacterium growth inhibition after 20 hours in media with 1.0 and 0.2% of Poliquilgerm®. L. mesenteroides showed a higher growth rate in pH 6.0, at both 28 and 33º C, evidenced by greater biomass production. Also, in the culture media at this pH a greater decrease in viscosity percentages was verified at both concentrations used. The media with these same concentrations reached up to 100% decrease of UFC/mL after 24 hours in the presence of the product, observed by biomass quantification and confirmed by the Pour Plate technique.

Prospective, randomized comparison of castor oil and sodium phosphate preparation for barium enema.

OBJECTIVE: To compare castor oil and sodium phosphate preparation (Swiff) in patients' satisfaction, efficacy for colon cleanness, side effects, and prices. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred patients referred for barium enema were randomized to receive castor oil (n = 50) and sodium phosphate preparation (n = 50). They graded their satisfaction using a 5-point scale (easy, acceptable, slightly difficult, extremely difficult, and unacceptable). The efficacy for colon cleanness was graded by two radiologists using a 5-point scale (excellent, easy for evaluation, acceptable, difficult for evaluation, and unacceptable). Side effects were evaluated by patients' vital signs, total number of bowel frequency, and 10 associated symptoms. RESULTS: Both preparations revealed no difference in patients' satisfaction (p = 0.882) and efficacy of colon cleanness (p = 0.130). Sodium phosphate preparation was more expensive (79 vs. 10 Baht) and caused higher number of bowel frequency (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: With a cheaper price, castor oil was comparable with sodium phosphate preparation in patients' satisfaction and efficacy of colon cleanness.