Mapping a sustainable approach: biosynthesis of lactobacilli-silver nanocomposites using whey-based medium for antimicrobial and bioactivity applications.

This study explores a sustainable approach for synthesizing silver nanocomposites (AgNCs) with enhanced antimicrobial and bioactivity using safe Lactobacillus strains and a whey-based medium (WBM). WBM effectively supported the growth of Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Lactobacillus acidophilus, triggering a stress response that led to AgNCs formation. The synthesized AgNCs were characterized using advanced spectroscopic and imaging techniques such as UV‒visible, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-Edx). Lb acidophilus-synthesized AgNCs in WBM (had DLS size average 817.2-974.3 ± PDI = 0.441 nm with an average of metal core size 13.32 ± 3.55 nm) exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria such as Escherichia coli (16.47 ± 2.19 nm), Bacillus cereus (15.31 ± 0.43 nm), Clostridium perfringens (25.95 ± 0.03 mm), Enterococcus faecalis (32.34 ± 0.07 mm), Listeria monocytogenes (23.33 ± 0.05 mm), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (13.20 ± 1.76 mm), and filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus brasiliensis (33.46 ± 0.01 mm). In addition, Lb acidophilus-synthesized AgNCs in WBM exhibit remarkable free radical scavenging abilities, suggesting their potential as bioavailable antioxidants. These findings highlight the dual functionality of these biogenic AgNCs, making them promising candidates for applications in both medicine and nutrition.

Fabrication of biochar-based superhydrophobic coating on steel substrate and its UV resistance, anti-scaling, and corrosion resistance performance.

In this study, we report an eco-friendly and facile process for the synthesis of biochar, BC, and a cobalt-biochar nanocomposite, Co-BC, using rice straw biomass. We constructed two superhydrophobic coatings on steel substrates using potentiostatic electrodeposition of nickel-modified biochar, Ni@BC, and nickel modified by cobalt-biochar nanocomposite, Ni@Co-BC, then, these coatings were soaked in an ethanolic stearic acid solution. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the stearic acid-grafted Ni@BC coating, Ni@BC@SA, and the stearic acid-grafted Ni@Co-BC composite, Ni@Co-BC@SA, were well grafted on the steel surface. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the superhydrophobic coatings have nanoscale features. Atomic force microscopy results showed that the Ni@Co-BC@SA coat had higher roughness than Ni@BC@SA, resulting in higher superhydrophobicity. The water contact angles for Ni@BC@SA and Ni@Co-BC@SA coatings were 161° and 165°, respectively, while the values of water sliding angles for both coatings were 3.0° and 1.0°, respectively. Quantitative estimation of the scale inhibition efficiency revealed that the Ni@Co-BC@SA coating exhibited greater efficiency compared to the Ni@BC@SA coating. Additionally, the Ni@Co-BC@SA coating demonstrated improved corrosion resistance, UV resistance, mechanical abrasion resistance, and chemical stability compared to the Ni@BC@SA coating. These results highlight the superior performance of the Ni@Co-BC@SA coating and its potential as a highly effective and durable superhydrophobic coating for steel substrates.

New application of brown sea algae as an alternative to phosphorous-containing antiscalant.

Over the past decade, green chemistry research has focused on the importance of protecting the environment, especially to align with UN sustainable development goals by avoiding the use of chemicals that are harmful to the environment and society. In this study, an aqueous extract derived from brown sea algae was prepared and its performance as antiscalant was compared to commercial antiscalant (Hydroxy ethylidene, 1-Diphosphonic Acid, HEDP) and evaluated using electrochemical measurements, conductivity and standard NACE test in addition to microscopic examination. It was found that there is a significant inhibition efficiency of brown algae towards the tested scales as HEDP. The obtained extract had the ability to prevent precipitation of calcium sulphate, calcium carbonate, barium sulphate and strontium carbonate with percent inhibition of 100%, 80%, 84% and 75%, respectively. The inhibitory effect of the extract can be attributed to the presence of carboxylate and hydroxyl groups that are adsorbed on the surface sites and disturb the normal crystal growth of the scale. The results of the study will lead to the discovery of further new applications of ecologically, cost-effective, renewable source and benign antiscalant that can be considered as an alternative to non-green technologies particularly those used in the food and pharmaceutical industries as well as in desalination plants.

Green HPTLC and stability-indicating RP-HPLC for the assay of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and menthol in their lozenges.

Two chromatographic methods were developed for the assay of the FDA approved lozenges containing dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DXT) and menthol (MNT). The first was a green HPTLC method which uses a mobile phase of methanol-ammonia (10:0.1, v/v). The densitometric measurements of the spots which were retained at 0.28±0.01 for DXT and 0.76±0.02 for MNT was done at 210nm. The other method was RP-HPLC method with stability indicating merits at which a mixture of 20mM phosphate buffer pH 3 and acetonitrile as mobile phase in isocratic mode was used. The cited drugs were resolved in RP-HPLC method using isocratic elution using 20mM phosphate buffer: acetonitrile (65:35 v/v) with retention times of 2.21 and 3.47min for MNT and DXT, respectively and quantified using 215nm. Both methods were entirely validated and both methods were successfully able to analyze both drugs in presence of lozenges inactive ingredients. HPLC method had the advantage of being stability indicating at which resolution of the drugs from their forced degradation products was successfully attained. For HPTLC method, both drugs showed reasonable RF values when compared to rapidly eluted MNT in RP-HPLC; also it was more environmentally friendly than RP-HPLC as it used solvents which are less toxic and greener.

Fourier convolution versus derivative spectrophotometry: Application to the analysis of two binary mixtures containing tamsulosin hydrochloride as a minor component.

Simple and rapid spectrophotometric methods are described for determination of two mixtures of tamsulosin (TM), as minor component, with either solifenacin (SL) or tolterodine (TL). The proposed methods involve treatment of the absorbance ratio spectra or zero order spectra by derivative or discrete Fourier function. TM and TL mixture could not be resolved by manipulation of their zero order spectra due to the strong overlap between both spectra and only derivative or Fourier function coefficients of ratio spectra could resolve their spectra. TM and SL mixture was fully resolved by the manipulation of both ratio and zero order spectra. The values of the derivative or the Fourier function coefficients of ratio spectra and/or zero order spectra, at either peak or trough points, were correlated to the concentration of each drug in each mixture. Calibration graphs were linear in ranges 2.5-40 and 30-500µg.mL-1 using derivative ratio and Fourier function ratio, 5-40 and 80-600µg.mL-1 using direct derivative and 2.5-40 and 30-300µg.mL-1 using direct Fourier function for TM and SL, respectively. The plots of derivative ratio amplitude and the Fourier function ratio coefficient versus concentration were linear over ranges 2.5-20 and 25-250µg.mL-1 for TM and TL, respectively. Higher sensitivity as indicated by lower values of detection and quantitation limits were obtained using Fourier convoluted spectra (ratio or zero order) compared to derivative methods. All validation aspects per ICH guidelines are included. The proposed methods were also applied for the studied drugs assay in their tablets and capsules.

Palivizumab Prophylaxis among Infants at Increased Risk of Hospitalization due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in UAE: A Hospital-Based Study.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represents a significant public health burden and the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections globally, and it is the major cause of hospitalization during the winter. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of palivizumab prophylaxis to reduce the hospitalization in children at high risk of RSV infection. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational single-arm hospital-based study including five RSV seasons (September to March) from 2012 to 2017. We retrospectively included premature infants born at less than 35 weeks of gestation with chronic lungs disease or hemodynamic significant congenital heart disease for palivizumab prophylaxis against RSV infection according to the criteria presented. Results: A total of 925 children were enrolled in the study over the five RSV seasons. Of them, 410 (44.3%) infants born at <32 weeks of gestation and 515 (55.6%) infants born at 32-35 weeks of gestation with mean (±SD) birth weight of 1104.8 ± 402.85 and 1842.5 ± 377.5, respectively. The compliance with the course of palivizumab was reported in 841 (90.9%) children. Of them, about 75 (8.9%) hospitalized children were reported, and 17 (2.02%) RSV positive children were detected. Hospitalization due to RSV infection was decreased from 9.23% in the 2012-2013 season to 0.67% in the 2016-2017 season. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that palivizumab prophylaxis in children at high risk of developing RSV infection was effective in reducing the risk of hospitalization with a high compliance rate over the five RSV seasons.

Corrosion and hydrogen evolution rate control for X-65 carbon steel based on chitosan polymeric ionic liquids: experimental and quantum chemical studies.

The corrosion performance of carbon steel was tested in four polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) that differed only in the fatty acid linked to the chitosan (CS) amine group. The measurements were implemented involved the hydrogen evolution rate (HER), gravimetric measurements, potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and quantum chemical estimations. The morphology and the elements arranged on the metal were considered by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) system attached to an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) system. The addition of polymeric ionic liquids hindered the rate of hydrogen generation. The order of the inhibitors efficiency was CSPTA-lauric > CSPTA-myristic > CSPTA-palmitic > CSPTA-stearic. The polarization method proved that the percentage inhibition efficiency increases with increasing the inhibitors concentration in 1 M HCl, representing a drop in the corrosion rate of carbon steel. On the other hand, the percentage inhibition decreased with the increase in temperature. Quantum chemical calculations revealed that the tested ionic liquids could react with the iron surface via electron transfer from the metal atom to ionic liquid molecule.

Quantitative determination of some thiazole cephalosporins through complexation with palladium (II) chloride.

A simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of five cephalosporins namely cefpodoxime (CFPD), ceftizoxime (CTIZ), ceftazidime (CZD), ceftriaxone (CTRX), and cefixime (CXIM). This method is based on the formation of yellow to yellowish brown complex between palladium (II) chloride and the investigated cephalosporins in the presence of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) as surfactant. The reaction conditions were studied and optimized. The procedure was validated. For each drug, the composition of this complex as well as its stability constant were also investigated. The proposed method was used for the determination of the above-mentioned drugs in their commercial preparations. The results were compared statistically with either official or published methods and showed no significant difference between the two methods.

Application of H-point standard additions method to spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric determinations of glafenine and glafenic acid in mixtures.

H-point standard additions method (HPSAM), based on spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric measurements, was proposed for simultaneous determination of glafenine (G) and glafenic acid (GA). A study of the absorption spectra of G and GA in various pH media has been carried out. Reasonably resolved UV-absorption spectra were obtained with a solution adjusted at pH 4.5 with citric acid-phosphate buffer. Additionally, the fluorescence properties in aqueous micellar systems of anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants were investigated. Well resolved fluorescence spectra were established in aqueous Triton X-100 solution at pH 7.8 (citric acid-phosphate buffer). As a comparative method, UV-derivative spectrophotometry (based on zero-crossing technique) was suggested. First-derivative value at 352 nm ((1)D(352)) and second-derivative value at 366 nm ((2)D(366)) were selected for the quantification of G and GA, respectively. The relative standard deviations of the proposed methods approximate 2%. The proposed methods were evaluated through the analysis of commercial tablets. The results were accurate and precise.

Selective spectrofluorimetric determination of phenolic beta-lactam antibiotics through the formation of their coumarin derivatives.

A simple, sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric procedure was developed for the determination of amoxycillin, cefadroxil and cefoperazone. The method is based on the reaction between these drugs and ethyl acetoacetate, in acidic medium, to give yellow fluorescent products with excitation wavelengths ranging from 401 to 467 nm and emission wavelengths ranging from 465 to 503 nm. The reaction conditions were studied and optimized. The reaction obeyed Beer's law over the range of 10.0-20.0, 1.5-1.0 and 50.0-100.0 microg ml(-1) for amoxycillin, cefadroxil and cefoperazone, respectively. Interference's from other antibiotics, drugs and dosage forms additives, in capsules and vials dosage forms, were investigated. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical formulations (capsules and vials) containing the above antibiotics, either alone or in combination with other antibiotics or drugs. The validity of the method was tested by the recovery studies of standard addition which were found to be satisfactory. The results of the proposed method demonstrated that the method is equally accurate, precise and reproducible as the official methods (USP XXIII) and those published for the non-official binary mixtures.

Corrosion evaluation of recasting non-precious dental alloys.

The effect of recasting, up to four times, non precious Ni-Cr and Co-Cr commercial dental alloys on their corrosion behaviour in saliva and saline media was carried out. A potentiokinetic technique was utilised to analyse the electrochemical characteristics of the anodic polarisation curves of these alloys. A considerable anodic polarisation range (about 2.0 V vs SCE) was used to investigate the possibility of developing a passive regime at such high potential range. The most important feature noted was a rapid rise in current density above a certain critical potential called pitting potential, Ep. The experimental data show that the open circuit potential, Eoc does not enable differentiation between the corrosion resistance of the four alloys used in this study. However, Ep and the rupture potential Er does distinguish between them. Increasing the number of the successive recastings of Wirolloy leads to enhancing the pitting potential, thus, the corrosion resistance of Wirolloy (Ni-Cr) improves after remelting and recasting. It has been found that Wirolloy corrodes 26 times faster than Wironit alloy under the same solution. The alloys containing cobalt and molybdenum show higher corrosion resistance than those containing nickel. Additionally, their corrosion resistance was not affected by successive melting and recasting. In chloride solutions Ni-Cr alloys show a high susceptibility to pitting corrosion, while Co-Cr alloys show a noble behaviour. The corrosion resistance of the four non precious alloys were in the following order: Biocast > Wironit > Cobond > Wirolloy.

A stability-indicating first-derivative spectrophotometric assay of acetazolamide and its use in dissolution and kinetic studies.

A simple, rapid, stability-indicating first-derivative spectrophotometric assay procedure for the determination of the degradation products of acetazolamide is described. The dissolution and kinetics of drug degradation in aqueous buffered solutions were studied using the proposed method. Acetazolamide solution exhibited optimum stability at pH 4. The influences of temperature and sonic energy on the degradation of acetazolamide in 0.01 M NaOH solution were also studied. The results showed first-order reaction kinetics, with a degradation rate constant and degradation half-life of 3.51 x 10(-3) day-1 and 8.23 days, respectively.