Spectrofluorimetric determination of DL-N-methyl-3-phenyl-3-[(α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]propylamine in pharmaceuticals and chitosan solution.

A spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of D,L-N-methyl-3-phenyl-3-[(α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl)oxy]propylamine, fluoxetine (F), in pharmaceuticals was evaluated in the 50.0-500.0 µg ml⁻¹ range. Linearity, sensibility, quantification and detection limit, and precision values are satisfactory. The method does not need pre-treatment and was successfully applied to the determination in pharmaceuticals and chitosan (Ch) solution. Ch has an ability to carry and absorb fat and may eventually be used together with F in slimming diets, and then interactions of Ch-F may occur. This work seeks to study these interactions by monitoring the photophysics of a drug in the presence of Ch. The results warn about the care that must be taken when both compounds are prescribed together.

Use of chitosan in the treatment of obesity: evaluation of interaction with vitamin B12.

Is well known that obesity has increased significantly in recent times and therefore many dietary supplements, synthetic or natural, have been proposed in order to prevent and/or to treat obesity or overweight. Chitosan, a polysaccharide with ability to act as a carrier and to absorb fat, has been used for this purpose. However, interactions with other molecules present in the body may also occur and, therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate interactions of chitosan with vitamin B12. Spectroscopic properties of vitamin B12 (acid aqueous solution) were monitored in the absence and the presence of chitosan in order to evaluate possible interactions between the two. Results showed that the rigid micro-environment generated by chitosan solution modifies the photophysical properties of vitamin B12. Thus, chitosan is able to eliminate vitamin B12 and, based on this information, some care must be taken during prolonged treatment with chitosan.

Use of chitosan in the treatment of obesity: evaluation of interaction with vitamin B2.

Obesity is a serious health problem and its prevalence has increased over the years. Studies have assessed the polysaccharide chitosan as anti-obesity supplement due to its ability to absorb fats. However, this property may cause the interaction of chitosan with essential substances for the proper functioning of the body, such as vitamins. In this context, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate interactions of the chitosan with vitamin B2. These interactions were evaluated in the absence and the presence of acid aqueous solution of chitosan using fluorescence and ultraviolet-visible absorption measurements of vitamin B2. Results showed that the rigid microenvironment generated by chitosan solution modifies the photophysics properties of vitamin B2. Thus, chitosan is able to eliminate vitamin B2 and the present study aims to warn of excessive loss of vitamins or other nutrients by the body during prolonged treatment with chitosan.