Solid-state properties of pink clay from Jequitinhonha Valley in Brazil for pre-formulation study

Abstract Clay minerals are still widely used in pharmaceutical products for human health and cosmetic purposes. Pre-formulation studies were conducted to identify solid-state properties of pink clay, a sample from Diamantina, Brazil. Among the solid properties to be analyzed, we have selected type identification, iron phases, crystallinity, powder flow characteristics, thermal behavior, and non-isothermal phase transition kinetics. The pink clay is composed of (1:1) clay type and kaolinite as the main component. The Mössbauer spectrum of pink clay shows Fe3+(α-Fe2O3) Clay minerals are still widely used in pharmaceutical products for human health and cosmetic purposes. Pre-formulation studies were conducted to identify solid-state properties of pink clay, a sample from Diamantina, Brazil. Among the solid properties to be analyzed, we have selected type identification, iron phases, crystallinity, powder flow characteristics, thermal behavior, and non-isothermal phase transition kinetics. The pink clay is composed of (1:1) clay type and kaolinite as the main component. The Mössbauer spectrum of pink clay shows Fe3+(α-Fe2O3) hematite, Fe2+, and Fe3+ with large Δ/2ξq of about 2.80 and 2.69 mm.s-1 respectively, related to iron silicates, most likely pyroxene, and a superparamagnetic Fe3+. Pink clay exhibits poor flow properties. The thermal behavior indicates a phase-transition between 400 - 600 ºC associated with the dehydroxylation of the pink clay system requiring ~300 kJ mol-1, being constant until the process reaches a conversion of ~50% when the energy is enhanced to ~530 kJ mol-1, concluding the whole dehydroxylation process (α=80%). Solid-state properties and characteristics found for the pink clay must be considered for the proper design of formulations. This type of clay shows unique pharmaceutical properties that can be favorably exploited by the cosmetic industry

Exposición a polvo de harina de trigo en panaderías de la Región Metropolitana / Bakers' exposure to wheat flour dust in Santiago, Chile

Wheat flour is a known sensitizer for humans. Bakers exposed to flour dust may develop occupational rhinitis and asthma. In Chile there is no current permissible limit for occupational exposure to wheat flour. To propose such a limit, 9 bakeries located in 6 districts of Santiago de Chile were evaluated, 6 bakeries were semi-industrial and 3 were small business. Twenty-eight environmental personal samples were obtained by standard sampling methods and they were analyzed at the Institute of Public Health of Chile. No significant differences were found (p = 0,2915, Kruskall-Wallis' test) between air concentrations of flour particles in the working environment of semi-industrial (geometric mean: MG = 0.88 mg/m³,geometric deviation: DEG = 2,68) and small business (MG = 1.39 mg/m³, DEG = 2,31). A permissible limit of wheat flour dust exposure is recommended.

Se conoce que la harina de trigo es un sensibilizador en seres humanos. Los panaderos expuestos a polvo de harina pueden desarrollar rinitis y asma ocupacional. En Chile actualmente no existe un límite permisible para la exposición ocupacional a polvo de harina. Con el objetivo de proponer un límite, fueron evaluadas 9 panaderías de 6 comunas de Santiago de Chile, de las cuales 6 fueron semi-industriales y 3 pequeñas. Un total de veintiocho muestras personales de aire fueron obtenidas según método estándar de muestreo y analizadas en el Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile. No se encontraron diferencias significativas (p = 0,2915, prueba de Kruskall-Wallis) en la concentración de partículas de harina en el ambiente de trabajo semi-industrial (media geométrica: MG = 0,88 mg/m³, desviación geométrica: DEG = 2,68) y en el de panaderías pequeñas (MG = 1,39 mg/m³, DEG = 2,31). En base a las observaciones realizadas se recomienda establecer un límite permisible de exposición para polvo de harina de trigo.

Uso de fibra dietética de nopal en la formulación de un polvo para flan / Use of nopal dietary fiber in a powder dessert formulation

The development of diverse types of foods of low caloric value and with high content in dietary fiber have occupied a preponderant place in the food industry in the last years, due to the growing interest of the consumers for a healthy and nutritious diet. Pre-cooked or quick to prepare foods are attractive for the time they save; if to this you add their nutritious value, the attractiveness is even greater. For this reason, this study analyzes different formulations of a powder to prepare a dessert (flan), with different percentages of incorporation of nopal flour, as a source of dietary fiber (16 per cent, 18 per cent, 20 per cent). Two flavors (melon and banana) were tried. It was observed that the flan flavored with banana and with 16 per cent of nopal flour, reached better sensorial characteristics. Greater percentages of nopal flour negatively affected the sensorial characteristics, mainly flavor, color and texture. The analysis showed that the powder presented 5.7 per cent of moisture, low water activity (0.48) and therefore a low total recount of microorganisms. The content of protein was high (27.2 per cent), the ether extract low (2.0 per cent) similar to the caloric contribution (40 Kcal/portion). The flan showed a 9.8 per cent of total dietary fiber, being greater the contribution of soluble fiber (6.1 per cent) than that of insoluble fiber (3.7 per cent). Due to these characteristics this formulation could be considered as a food that provides benefits for the human health.

Utilization of N-halouccinimide for semi-microdetermination of azapropazone in bulk powder and pharmaceutical formulations

The utilization of N-bromosuccinimide [NBS] and N-chlorosuccinimide [NCS] for titrimetric determination of anti-inflammatory drug azapropazone was described. The study of stoichiometry of the reactions revealed that 1 mole of azapropazone reacts with 4 moles NBS and 2 moles of NCS. The optimum time for complete the reaction was found to be 10 minutes in cases of NBS and NCS. The method was successfully applied for the determination of azapropazone in bulk powder and prolixan capsules. The reaction product of azapropazone with NBS was isolated and investigated by instrumental analysis and reaction pathway was proposed. Also, suggested reaction pathway for investigated drug with NCS was proposed

Utilization of N-bromosuccinimide and N-chlorosuccinimide for colorimetric determination of azapropazone in bulk powder and capsules

Two simple and accurate procedures are described for colorimetric determination of anti-inflammatory drug, azapropazone. The procedures involve the use of N-bromosuccinimide [NBS] and N-chlorosuccinimide [NCS] for determining azapropazone in bulk powder and pharmaceutical formulation. The optimum reactions conditions were studied. In the first procedure, azapropazone was dissolved in ethanol, treated with NBS solution [1%, 5 ml] and sulfuric acid [5 ml]. The red color produced exhibits and absorption maximum at 488 nm. Different concentrations ranging from 80 to 320 muml-1 of azapropazone were measured. In the second procedure, the yellow color developed upon the treatment of azapropazone with NCS solution [0.5%, 2 ml] in different media exhibits an absorption maximum at 451 nm. Linearity of the absorbance of yellow color versus the concentration of azapropazone was verified in the ranges 5-50, 20-100 mug m1-1 for aqueous, acidic and basic media, respectively. Both procedures described here were applied for the determination of azapropazone in the pure state and in prolixan capsules. The procedures proposed here are precise and reproducible

Análise qualitativa dos componenentes químicos dos pós de alguns cimentos obturadores dos canais radiculares do tipo Grossman / Qualitative analysis of the powder chemical components of some Grossman-type root canal sealers

Analisaram-se qualitativamente alguns pós dos cimentos obturadores dos canais radiculares do tipo Grossman presentes no mercado nacional. A microanálise espectrográfica a laser e a espectrofotometria de absorção atômica revelaram contaminações por vários íons metálicos nos pós dos cimentos estudados, principalmente pelo chumbo

Contaminacao microbiana em medicamentos fitoterapicos sob a forma solida / Microbial contamination of phytotherapic oral solid pharmaceuticals

Produtos fitoterapicos de uso oral sob a forma solida, comercializados no Brasil, foram analisados quanto a qualidade microbiologica. Dos 84 lotes amostrados, apenas 40,5 por cento enquadraram-se com os limites microbianos da FIP para medicamentos nao estereis de uso oral, com componente de origem natural, quanto aos contaminantes aerobios totais; 5 lotes acusaram presenca de Escherichia coli e Salmonella sp. Os autores tecem consideracoes acerca dos resultados encontrados com relacao a droga vegetal, forma farmaceutica e produtor, demonstrando a necessidade de controle de qualidade rigido a fim de garantir seguranca ao paciente