Microplate-based 3D-printed image box for urea determination in milk by digital image colorimetry.

In this study, we describe a rapid and high-throughput smartphone-based digital colorimetric method for determining urea in milk. A compact and cost-effective 3D-printed image box microplate-based system was designed to measure multiple samples simultaneously, using minimal sample and reagent volumes. The apparatus was applied for the quantification of urea in milk based on its reaction with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (DMAB). The predictive performance of calibration was evaluated using RGB and different colour models (CMYK, HSV, and CIELAB), with the average blue (B) values of the RGB selected as the analytical signal for urea quantification. Under optimized conditions, a urea concentration linear range from 50 to 400 mg L-1 was observed, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 15 mg L-1. The values found with the smartphone-based DIC procedure are in good agreement with spectrophotometric (spectrophotometer and microplate treader) and reference method (mid-infrared spectroscopy) values. This proposed approach offers an accessible and efficient solution for digital image colorimetry, with potential applications for various target analytes in milk and other fields requiring high-throughput colorimetric analysis.

A Review of the Popular Uses, Anatomical, Chemical, and Biological Aspects of Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae): A Genus of Plants Known as "Miracle Leaf".

Species of the genus Kalanchoe have a long history of therapeutic use in ethnomedicine linked to their remarkable healing properties. Several species have chemical and anatomical similarities, often leading to confusion when they are used in folk medicine. This review aims to provide an overview and discussion of the reported traditional uses, botanical aspects, chemical constituents, and pharmacological potential of the Kalanchoe species. Published scientific materials were collected from the PubMed and SciFinder databases without restriction regarding the year of publication through April 2023. Ethnopharmacological knowledge suggests that these species have been used to treat infections, inflammation, injuries, and other disorders. Typically, all parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes either as crude extract or juice. Botanical evaluation can clarify species differentiation and can enable correct identification and validation of the scientific data. Flavonoids are the most common classes of secondary metabolites identified from Kalanchoe species and can be correlated with some biological studies (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial potential). This review summarizes several topics related to the Kalanchoe genus, supporting future studies regarding other unexplored research areas. The need to conduct further studies to confirm the popular uses and biological activities of bioactive compounds is also highlighted.

Evaluation of wound healing effect of alginate film containing Aloe vera gel and cross-linked with zinc chloride.

PURPOSE: To develop a new wound dressing composed of alginate and Aloe vera gel and cross-linked with zinc ions. METHODS: The aloe-alginate film was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), swelling profile, mechanical properties, polysaccharide content and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thirty Wistar rats were divided in two groups a) treated with aloe-alginate film and b) control (treated with sterile gauze). Wound contraction measurements and hystological analysis were performed on 7th, 14th and 21st days after wound surgery. RESULTS: The aloe-alginate film presented adequated mechanical resistance and malleability for application as wound dressing. There was no statistical difference in wound contraction between two groups. Histological assay demonstrated that aloe-alginate film presented anti-inflammatory activity, stimulated angiogenesis on proliferative phase and a more significant increased in collagen type I fibers and decreased type III fibers which promoted a mature scar formation when compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: The aloe-alginate film showed adequate physicochemical characteristics for wound dressing applications. The in vivo assay demonstrated that aloe-alginate film enhanced the healing process of incisional skin wounds.

Evaluation of wound healing effect of alginate film containing Aloe vera gel and cross-linked with zinc chloride

Abstract Purpose To develop a new wound dressing composed of alginate and Aloe vera gel and cross-linked with zinc ions. Methods The aloe-alginate film was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), swelling profile, mechanical properties, polysaccharide content and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thirty Wistar rats were divided in two groups a) treated with aloe-alginate film and b) control (treated with sterile gauze). Wound contraction measurements and hystological analysis were performed on 7th, 14th and 21st days after wound surgery. Results The aloe-alginate film presented adequated mechanical resistance and malleability for application as wound dressing. There was no statistical difference in wound contraction between two groups. Histological assay demonstrated that aloe-alginate film presented anti-inflammatory activity, stimulated angiogenesis on proliferative phase and a more significant increased in collagen type I fibers and decreased type III fibers which promoted a mature scar formation when compared to control. Conclusions The aloe-alginate film showed adequate physicochemical characteristics for wound dressing applications. The in vivo assay demonstrated that aloe-alginate film enhanced the healing process of incisional skin wounds.

Determinação de ferro (III) em produtos farmacêuticos por titulação fotométrica / Determination of iron (III) in pharmaceutical products by photometric titration

Este trabalho descreve a montagem de um sistema de titulação fotométrica simples e de baixo custo para a determinação de ferro (III) em produtos farmacêuticos. O sistema de titulação fotométrica foi construído utilizando-se a bomba peristáltica de um espectrofotômetro convencional. O procedimento é baseado na titulação de ferro (III) com EDTA e ácido salicílico como indicador. A absorção do complexo ferro (III)-ácido salicílico foi monitorada espectrofotometricamente em 525 nm. O limite de quantificação foi de 5 µg de ferro (III). O procedimento de titulação fotométrica foi aplicado para a determinação de ferro (III) em amostras contendo sulfato ferroso e hidróxido férrico polimaltosado. O procedimento mostrou sensibilidade, reprodutibilidade e precisão para a utilização em análise rotineira de ferro (III) em produtos farmacêuticos.

This paper describes a simple, precise and low-cost photometric titration method for iron (III) determination in pharmaceutical preparations. The photometric titration system was constructed using the peristaltic pump of a conventional spectrophotometer. The method is based on titration of iron (III) with EDTA using salicylic acid as indicator. The absorption of the iron (III)-salicylic acid complex was monitored spectrophotometrically at 525 nm. The limit of quantification was 5 µg of iron (III). The photometric titration procedure was applied for the determination of iron (III) in samples of ferrous sulfate and ferric hydroxide polymaltose complex. The procedure showed sensibility, reproducibility and accuracy for use as a method for the routine analysis of iron (III) in pharmaceutical formulations.

Determinação de compostos fenólicos em amostras comerciais de chás verde e preto - Camellia sinensis (L. ) Kuntze, Theaceae / Determination of phenolic componds in commercial samples of green and black tea - Camellia sinensis (L. ) Kuntze, Theaceae

O chá de Camellia sinensis é rico em compostos fenólicos antioxidantes, responsáveis por efeitos benéficos à saúde humana. Neste trabalho, foram realizadas as determinações da concentração de fenóis totais e flavonoides de sete amostras comerciais dos chás preto e verde. Os teores de fenóis totais variaram de 4,80 a 26,60 mg de pirogalol g-1 de amostra e os de flavonoides, de 0,46 a 1,10 mg de quercetina g-1 de amostra. A análise anatômica do conteúdo das amostras permitiu caracterizar a autenticidade dos produtos, observando-se os marcadores anatômicos típicos da espécie (estômatos anomocíticos, tricomas tectores unicelulares, mesofilo dorsiventral, drusas de oxalato de cálcio e esclereides).

The tea from Camellia sinensis (green tea and black tea) is rich in antioxidant phenolic compounds, responsible for beneficial effects to human health. In this work, determinations were carried out on the concentration of total phenols and flavonoids in seven commercial samples of black tea and green tea. The samples presented concentrations of total phenols varying between 4.80 and26.60 mg of pyrogallol g-1 and concentrations of flavonoids from 0.46 to 1.10 mg of quercetin g-1. With the purpose of characterizing the authenticity of the product contained in the sachets, the samples were fixed for histological studies. The samples presented the typical anatomical markers of the species (anomocytic stomata, unicellular non-glandulartrichomes, dorsiventral mesophyll, calcium oxalate druses and sclereids).

Avaliação da qualidade das amostras comercias de Baccharis trimera L. (Carqueja) vendidas no Estado do Paraná / Quality evaluation of commercial samples of Baccharis trimera L. (Carqueja) sold in Paraná State

O presente trabalho descreve a avaliação da qualidade de 12 amostrascomerciais de "carqueja" (Baccharis trimera L.) que são empregadas na medicina tradicional como estomáquicas e diuréticas e são vendidas em estabelecimentos comerciaisfarmacêuticos no Estado do Paraná, visando ao preparo de chás. Foram avaliados parâmetros de qualidade preconizados na Farmacopéia Brasileira e na literatura específica: característicasdos rótulos e bulas, análise sensorial, autenticidade das amostras, material estranho e doseamento de marcadores químicos. Todos os produtos avaliados apresentaram algum tipo de irregularidade segundo os códigos oficiais, sendo necessária maior intensificação na vigilância de produtos à base de plantas medicinais.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of 12 samples prepared with "carqueja" (Baccharis trimera L.) used in traditional medicine as stomachic anddiuretic medicines, and sold in commercial pharmacies in Paraná State. The analyses used parameters from the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia and specific literature. The methodology consisted in evaluating the product labels and instructions of the samples to verify theiraccordance to the specific legislation, sensorial analysis, authenticity of the samples, purity and dosage of chemical markers. All products showed some type of mistake or irregularity according to the official codes. These results showed that is necessary to intensify theinspection of medicinal plants in Brazil.