Green isolation and physical modification of pineapple stem waste starch as pharmaceutical excipient.

The waste of inedible parts of pineapple, particularly in tropical countries, contributes to environmental burden. This study aimed to utilize pineapple stem waste as a source of starch-based pharmaceutical excipient. The starch was isolated from pineapple stem waste using a simple process without applying harsh chemicals. The isolated starch (PSS) was then physically modified through gelatinization and spray drying to improve its physical properties. Starch characteristics were identified by FTIR, TGA, and XRD analysis. The SEM imaging showed morphological change with reduced surface roughness due to physical modification of the starch. Decreased crystallinity of modified starch (MPS) was confirmed by our XRD results: the peaks of A-type crystalline at 2θ of 13°, 15°, 18°, and 23° were present in PSS, yet mostly absent in MPS. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that MPS behaved differently from PSS and the degradation events occurred at lower temperature. When the starch was spray-dried without prior gelatinization process, the physicochemical characteristics of spray-dried starch resembled untreated starch. Moisture content in PSS (10.66%) decreased after gelatinization to 7.3%. Potential use of MPS was demonstrated by its powder flowability (Student's t test, p < 0.05), swelling capacity (Student's t test, p < 0.05), and compaction profile. In summary, our findings demonstrated that modified pineapple starch showed better physical characteristics and quite promising as a tablet binder and disintegrant.

Preoperative forced-air warming combined with intraoperative warming versus intraoperative warming alone in the prevention of hypothermia during gynecologic surgery.

Hypothermia in the perioperative setting can have serious consequences, including increased risk of infection or adverse cardiac events. Forced-air warming units commonly are used to prevent hypothermia. This study examined the impact of adding preoperative warming (Bair Paws, 3M) to conventional intraoperative forced-air warming modalities. Thirty patients received both preoperative and intraoperative forced-air warming, and 30 patients received intraoperative warming alone. Temperature readings were recorded across 3 time periods: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and repeated-measures ANOVA. Demographics were similar in both groups with respect to age, body mass index, total intravenous fluids, and estimated blood loss. Statistically significant differences in temperature were seen over time (df = 2, P < .001), and for each intervention across all 3 time periods (P = .042). However, no statistically significant differences in temperature were demonstrated between groups over time. ASA status and type of procedure (laparoscopic vs open) also had no impact on results. These results suggest that preoperative warming with the Bair Paws gown offers no benefit over conventional therapy in maintaining normothermia in the perioperative period.