Assessing the efficiency of essential oil and active compounds/poly (lactic acid) microcapsules against common foodborne pathogens.

Essential oils' active compounds present great potential as a bactericidal agent in active packaging. The encapsulation in polymeric walls promotes their protection against external agents besides allowing controlled release. This work produced PLA capsules with three different active compounds, Cinnamomum cassia essential oil (CEO), eugenol (EEO), and linalool (LEO), by emulsion solvent evaporation method. Characterizations included SEM, Zeta potential, FTIR, TGA, and bactericidal activity against E. coli, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella. The active compounds showed microbiological activity against all pathogens. CEO capsules showed superior colloidal stability. The active compounds' presence in all capsules was confirmed by FTIR analysis, with possible physical interaction between CEO, EEO, and the polymeric matrix, while LEO had a possible chemical interaction with PLA. TGA analysis showed a plasticizing effect of active compounds, and the loading efficiency was 39.7%, 50.7%, and 22.3% for CEO-PLA, EEO-PLA, and LEO-PLA, respectively. The capsules presented two release stages, sustaining activity against pathogens for up to 28 days, indicating a satisfactory internal morphology. This study presented methodology for encapsulation of antimicrobial compounds that can be suitable for active food packaging. CEO-PLA capsules regarding stability and antibacterial activity achieved the best results.

Detecção de desvios de qualidade nos medicamentos manipulados: solução de ácido acético, xarope de cetoconazol e cápsulas de hormônio tireoidiano T4 / Detection of quality deviations in compounded formulation: acetic acid solution, ketoconazole syrup and T4 thyroid hormone capsules

Introdução: Doses incorretas do ativo nas preparações magistrais configuram erros comuns na manipulação, podendo ocasionar agravos à saúde do paciente, refletindo possível ausência das Boas Práticas de Manipulação (BPM). Objetivo: Relatar desvios de qualidade nos medicamentos solução de ácido acético, xarope de cetoconazol e cápsulas de T4. Método: Identificação por reações químicas e por CLAE, teor por titulação e CLAE, pH por potenciometria. Resultados: Identificação positiva, para ácido acético com teor de 98,20% compatível com ácido acético glacial, em desacordo com a prescrição de solução a 5%. O teor de cetoconazol de 16,20 mg/mL encontrado no xarope corresponde a 81,00% do declarado, com especificação mínima de 90,00%; pH 8,0; identificação positiva para tensoativo aniônico componente saponáceo, no xarope. Os resultados encontrados: cápsulas de T4 de 25 µg foi de 177,70 µg e as de 200 µg foi de 174,44 µg, correspondendo a 710,96% e 87,22% do teor declarado, respectivamente, em desacordo com a especificação de 90,00% a 110,00%. Conclusões: O trabalho ilustrou a detecção de desvios de qualidade em medicamentos manipulados de diferentes farmácias, decorrentes de erros farmacotécnicos, ausência de controle de qualidade e falta de implementação das BPM. A frequente fiscalização previne riscos sanitários à população.

Introduction: Incorrect doses of the active ingredient in compounding formulations make up common errors in the manipulation, which can cause harm to the patient's health,reflecting the possible absence of Good Handling Practices (GHP). Objective: To report quality deviations in the medicines acetic acid solution, ketoconazole syrup and T4 capsules. Method: Identification by chemical reactions and by HPLC, content by titration and HPLC, pH by potentiometry. Results: Positive identification for acetic acid with 98.20% content compatible with glacial acetic acid, in disagreement with the prescription of 5% solution. The ketoconazole content of 16.20 mg/mL found in the syrup corresponds to 81.00% of the declared, the minimum specification is 90.00%; pH 8.0; positive identification for anionic surfactant component in the syrup. The results found were: 25 µg T4 capsules were 177.70 µg and for the 200 µg capsules it was 174.44 µg, corresponding to 710.96% and 87.22% of the declared content, respectively, in disagreement with specification 90.00% and 110.00%. Conclusions: The study illustrated the detection of quality deviations in manipulated drugs from different pharmacies, due to pharmacotechnical misconceptions, lack of quality control and lack of GHP implementation. Frequent inspection prevents health risks to the population.