Valorization of tuberose flower waste through development of therapeutic products using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and microencapsulation technologies.

Tuberose flowers (Calcutta Single variety) valued as ornamentals globally, have short shelf-lives of 8 days at 4 ± 1 °C and are therefore discarded post senescence. Previous investigations from our laboratory have established that a combination treatment using GRAS preservatives [(sucrose (4%) and CaCl2 (0.02%)]-cum-gamma-irradiation (0.02 kGy) could extend its shelf-life to 24 days, when stored at 4 ± 1 °C with concomitant enhancement in the content of its bioactive principle, viz. methyl eugenol. Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extract of the tuberose flower wastes post combination treatment therefore had a higher methyl eugenol content (4.11 ± 0.05 µg/g), vis-à-vis its non-treated counterpart (2.03 ± 0.03 µg/g), and thus significantly higher antioxidant and antimicrobial potencies (MIC values of 1.83 ± 0.02 mg/ml and 1.98 ± 0.03 mg/ml against S. aureus ATCC 25923 strain and MDR strain, respectively). The microencapsulated powder of the extract (MEp) obtained by spray drying was applied for healing of epidermal wounds created on New Zealand white rabbits, post skin irritancy test (wherein no clinical sign of toxicity, redness or swelling was observed). When MEp was applied, accelerated healing occurred which commenced on day 2 and was completed by day 6 vis-à-vis that of the control powder set (without extract) which showed no signs of wound healing. Therefore, the sensorially compromised-senesced tuberose flowers, a rich source of methyl eugenol, has been successfully valorized through utilization of the same in developing a novel topical antibiotic powder against potent skin pathogens.

Vitamin D supplementation among Bangladeshi children under-five years of age hospitalised for severe pneumonia: A randomised placebo controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D is important for its immunomodulatory role and there is an independent association between vitamin D deficiency and pneumonia. We assessed the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the outcome in children hospitalized for severe pneumonia. METHODS: This was a randomised, double blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial in children aged >2-59 months with severe pneumonia attending Dhaka Hospital, icddr,b. Children received age-specific megadose of vitamin D3 (20,000IU: <6 months, 50,000 IU: 6-12 months, 100,000 IU:13-59 months) or placebo on first day and 10,000 IU as maintenance dose for next 4 days or until discharge (if discharged earlier) along with standard therapy. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02185196. FINDINGS: We enrolled 100 children in placebo group and 97 in vitamin D group. On admission, 50 (52%) and 49 (49%) of children in vitamin D and placebo groups, respectively were vitamin D deficient. Among children with a sufficient serum vitamin D level on admission, a lower trend for duration of resolution of severe pneumonia in hours [72(IQR:44-96)vs. 88(IQR:48-132);p = 0.07] and duration of hospital stay in days [4(IQR:3-5)vs.5(IQR:4-7);P = 0.09] was observed in vitamin D group compared to placebo. No beneficial effect was observed in vitamin D deficient group or irrespective of vitamin D status. CONCLUSION: Age-specific mega dose of vitamin D followed by a maintenance dose shown to have no statistical difference between the two intervention groups, however there was a trend of reduction of time to recovery from pneumonia and overall duration of hospital stay in under-five children with a sufficient serum vitamin D level on hospital admission.

Effect of Packaging on Shelf-life and Lutein Content of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) Flowers.

BACKGROUND: African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) flowers are highly valued for their ornamental appeal as well as medicinal properties. However, their short shelf lives cause high post-harvest loss and limit their export potential. The review of patents and research articles revealed that different types of packaging designs/materials have been successfully employed for extension of shelf lives of cut flowers. OBJECTIVE: The current work focuses on designing of different packaging configurations and selection of best configuration for preservation of marigold cut flowers. METHODS: Ten packaging configurations, composed of four different packaging materials i.e., low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate, glassine paper and cellophane paper, were designed. Each pack, consisting of 20 ± 1 g of marigold flowers along with non-packaged control set were stored at 23 ± 2°C, 80% R.H., in an environmental chamber and the flowers were evaluated for their sensory attributes, phytochemical characteristics and physicochemical parameters of senescence to determine their shelf lives. RESULTS: Flowers packed in LDPE bag showed highest shelf life of 8 days with a lead of 4 days compared to control (shelf life - 4 days). This study also established for the first time the phenomenon of carotenogenesis in marigold cut flowers with significantly (P<0.01) higher production of lutein in LDPE packaged flowers. CONCLUSION: LDPE pack was the best design among the ten package designs, in preserving lutein content of marigold flowers and extending their shelf lives. This economically viable packaging can not only boost the export potential of this ornamental flower, but also allow utilization of nutraceutical potency of lutein.

Antimicrobial Cream Formulated with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extract of Tuberose Flowers Arrests Growth of Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial potency of herbal extracts is well known. The review of patents and research articles revealed that several herbal extracts have been employed in the formulation of topical products such as creams, exclusive of the cream reported in the present study. 0ur previous study has established antimicrobial potency of supercritical carbon dioxide extracts of tuberose flowers, better known for its sweet fragrance. OBJECTIVE: The present work focuses on formulating a topical antimicrobial herbal cream with methyl eugenol (principal antimicrobial compound) rich - supercritical carbon dioxide extract of tuberose flowers, having good combination of phytochemical and antimicrobial potencies. METHODS: Supercritical carbon dioxide parameters such as temperature, pressure and time were optimized using full factorial experimental design to obtain methyl eugenol-rich extracts. A cream was formulated using the extract having the best combination of phytochemical and antimicrobial potencies and was assayed further for in vitro antimicrobial potency; physiochemical and sensory properties. Two commercial antimicrobial cream samples were used as reference samples in the study. RESULT: The extract obtained at 40°C, 10 MPa, 135 min at 1 L min-1 flow rate of gaseous C02 showed the best combination of phytochemical and antimicrobial potencies and was used for formulation of herbal creams. The cream formulated with 5% w/w of extract arrested growth of the common human skin pathogen Staphylococcus aureus and showed stable physiochemical properties and high sensory appeal for a year. CONCLUSION: The cream could be considered as a 'finished herbal product&' in compliance with the World Health 0rganization guidelines.