Kenaf has a high content of gum that is difficult to remove. Traditional chemical degumming process causes serious environmental pollution. To solve the problem, we developed a new method to degum kenaf. We pretreated the kenaf with steam explosion followed by ultrasonic treatment. We chose the single factor tests to select the ultrasonic frequency, sodium hydroxide concentration and processing time. Combined with orthogonal tests, we found that the optimum conditions were as follows: ultrasonic frequency was 28 kHz, sodium hydroxide concentration was 2%, and processing time was 60 min. Under these conditions, the residual gum of kenaf fiber was 9.72% and the fineness was 139.45 N(m). Steam explosion combined with ultrasonic method is effective in degumming of kenaf.
Hibiscus ; Plant Gums ; isolation & purification ; Sodium Hydroxide ; chemistry ; Steam ; Ultrasonics

Degraded guar was prepared by acid with guar as the main material, which was then brought into reaction with chlorosulfonic acid under proper conditions, the sulfonated degraded guar was obtained successfully. The effects of sulfonation conditions on the SO4(2-) content were investigated, and the proper reaction conditions were determined. The results of infrared spectrometry showed that this sulfated derivative is a novel heparin-like polysaccharide. At the same time, the selective removal of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and fibrinogen (Fib) by degraded guar gum sulfate was studied. The experimental results showed that degraded guar gum sulfate is a novel LDL/ Fib purifying agent. When pH= 5.15 and the initial concentration of the degraded guar gum sulfate is 2500 mg/L, the reduction percentages were about 60%-66% for total cholesterol, about 76%-89% for LDL and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), and almost 100% for fibrinogen. There were no significant changes regarding the level of high-density lipoproteins and total proteins.
Fibrinogen ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Galactans ; chemistry ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; isolation & purification ; Mannans ; chemistry ; Plant Gums ; chemistry ; Sulfates ; chemistry

Two types(A model and B model) of articular cartilage defect models were prepared by using adult New Zealand white rabbits. A model group was applied by drilling without through subchondral bone, whose right joint was repaired by composite scaffolds made by seed cell, gum-bletilla as well as Pluronic F-127, and left side was blank control. B model group was applied by subchondral drilling method, whose right joint was repaired by using composite scaffolds made by gum-bletilla and Pluronic F-127 without seed cells, and left side was blank control. Autogenous contrast was used in both model types. In addition, another group was applied with B model type rabbits, which was repaired with artificial complex material of Pluronic F-127 in both joint sides. 4, 12 and 24 weeks after operation, the animals were sacrificed and the samples were collected from repaired area for staining with HE, typeⅡcollagen immunohistochemical method, Alcian blue, and toluidine blue, and then were observed with optical microscope. Semi-quantitative scores were graded by referring to Wakitanis histological scoring standard to investigate the histomorphology of repaired tissue. Hyaline cartilage repairing was achieved in both Group A and Group B, with satisfactory results. There were no significant differences on repairing effects for articular cartilage defects between composite scaffolds made by seed cell, gum-bletilla and Pluronic F-127, and the composite scaffolds made by gum-bletilla and Pluronic F-127 without seed cell. Better repairing effects for articular cartilage defects were observed in groups with use of gum-bletilla, indicating that gum-bletilla is a vital part in composite scaffolds material.
Animals ; Arthroplasty, Subchondral ; Cartilage, Articular ; surgery ; Cells, Cultured ; Orchidaceae ; chemistry ; Plant Gums ; chemistry ; Poloxamer ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering ; Tissue Scaffolds

The aim of this work was to investigate guar gum/ethylcellulose mix coated pellets for potential colon-specific drug delivery. The coated pellets, containing 5-fluorouracil as a model drug, were prepared in a fluidized bed coater by spraying the aqueous/ethanol dispersion mixture of guar gum and ethylcellulose. The lag time of drug release and release rate were adjustable by changing the ratio of guar gum to ethylcellulose and coat weight gain. In order to find the optimal coating formulation that was able to achieve drug targeting to the colon, the effect of two independent variables (the ratio of guar gum to ethylcellulose and the coat weight gain) on drug release characteristics was studied using 3 x 4 factorial design and response surface methodology. Results indicated that drug release rate decreased as the proportion of ethylcellulose in the hybrid coat and the coat weight gain increased. When the ratio of guar gum to ethylcellulose was kept in the range of 0.2 to 0.7, and the coat weight gain in the range of 250% to 500%, the coated pellets can keep intact for about 5 h in upper gastrointestine and achieve colon-specific drug delivery. The pellets prepared under optimal conditions resulted in delayed-release sigmoidal patterns with T(5%) (time for 5% drug release) of 5.1 - 7.8 h and T(90%) (time for 90% drug release) of 9.8 - 16.3 h. Further more, drug release was accelerated and T(90%) of the optimum formulation pellets decreased to 9.0 - 14.5 h in pH 6.5 phosphate buffer with hydrolase. It is concluded that mixed coating of guar gum and ethylcellulose is able to provide protection of the drug load in the upper gastrointestinal tract, while allowing enzymatic breakdown of the hybrid coat to release the drug load in the colon.
Cellulose ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Colon ; metabolism ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Galactans ; administration & dosage ; Mannans ; administration & dosage ; Plant Gums ; administration & dosage

A biodegradable modified guar gum microsphere was prepared for the first time by ionic gelation of the guar gum derivative containing quarternary ammonium group with tripolyphosphate at room temperature in the absence of emulsifying agent or organic solvent. Its average particle diameter was about 140 microm and the particle size had a narrow and normal gauss distribution. From the loading experiment of bovine serum album (BSA) with various concentrations, it was found that the encapsulation efficiency is more than 80%. By the investigation of in vitro release from the BSA-loaded microsphere, it was found that the BSA had a continuous release for more than 6 hours and the release percentage was affected by the initial concentration of the BSA and temperature.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Galactans ; chemistry ; Mannans ; chemistry ; Microspheres ; Plant Gums ; chemistry ; Proteins ; administration & dosage ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; administration & dosage

The present investigation is aimed to develop a new formulation containing chemically crosslinked guar gum microspheres loaded with 5-fluorouracil for targeting colorectal cancer. The emulsification polymerization method involving the dispersion of aqueous phase of guar gum in castor oil was used to prepare spherical microspheres. Various processing parameters were studied in order to optimize the formulation. Particle size and surface morphology of the microspheres were determined using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The in vitro drug release studies performed in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) for 2 h followed by intestinal fluid for 3 h, revealed the retention of the drug inside the microspheres from which only (15.27 +/- 0.56) % of the drug was released in 5 h. In vitro release rate studies were also carried out in simulated colonic fluid (SCF) in the presence of rat caecal contents, which showed improved drug release. The drug release from the formulation was found to be (41.6 +/- 3.5) % with 2% (w/v) caecal matter in 24 h as compared to control study where (25.2 +/- 3.5) % of drug was released. The drug release from the formulation with 2% and 4% rat caecal contents medium after 2 days of enzyme induction was found to be (56.3 +/- 4.1) % and (78.9 +/- 2.8) % in 24 h respectively. Similarly, (61.3 +/- 5.4) % and (90.2 +/- 2.9) % drug was released respectively with 2% and 4% rat caecal matter after 4 days of enzyme induction and (72.1 +/- 2.9) % and (90.2 +/- 3.2) % after 6 days of enzyme induction. In this way, 5-fluorouracil loaded guar gum microspheres have shown promising results in the management of colorectal cancer, warranting thorough in vivo study for scale up technology.
Animals ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Cecum ; metabolism ; Colon ; metabolism ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Compounding ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Galactans ; chemistry ; Mannans ; chemistry ; Microspheres ; Particle Size ; Plant Gums ; chemistry ; Rats

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a hereditary chronic hemolytic anemia with several clinical consequences. Intravascular sickling of red blood cells leads to multi-organ dysfunction. Moreover, several biochemical abnormalities have been associated with SCA. Gum arabic (GA) is an edible dried gummy exudate obtained from Acacia Senegal tree. GA showed antioxidant and cytoprotective activities and demonstrated protection against hepatic, renal, and cardiac toxicities in experimental rats. We hypothesized that regular intake of GA improves renal and liver functions in patients with SCA. METHODS: Forty-seven patients (5–42 yr) carrying hemoglobin SS were recruited. The patients received 30 g/day GA for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected before administering GA and then after 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Liver enzymes, total protein, albumin, electrolytes, urea, creatinine, and uric acid were determined in the serum. The study was approved by the Al Neelain University Institutional Review Board and Research Ethics Committee Ministry of Health. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT02467257). RESULTS: GA significantly decreased direct bilirubin level [statistical significance (P-value)=0.04]. It also significantly decreased serum alanine transaminase level after 4 weeks, which was sustained till the 8th week. GA, however, had no effect on serum aspartate transaminase level. In terms of renal function, GA decreased serum urea level but the effect was not sustained after the first month. CONCLUSION: GA may alter the disease severity in SCA as demonstrated by its ability to decrease direct bilirubin and urea levels in the serum.
Acacia ; Alanine Transaminase ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Anemia, Sickle Cell ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bilirubin ; Cardiotoxicity ; Creatinine ; Electrolytes ; Erythrocytes ; Ethics Committees, Research ; Exudates and Transudates ; Gingiva ; Gum Arabic ; Hemoglobin, Sickle ; Humans ; Liver ; Rats ; Senegal ; Trees ; Urea ; Uric Acid

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether chewing gum affects mask contamination. Methodology and results: Two groups of participants were requested to wear a mask for 15 min with (experimental group) or without (control group) chewing gum. Then, masks were collected and CFU calculation and 16S rDNA sequencing was performed. We found that temperature, humidity and bacterial CFU inside of the mask significantly increased when wearing a mask while chewing gum. Staphylococcus epidermidis was found in both groups. Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus parasanguinis and Bacillus wiedmannii were found in only the experimental group. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Chewing gum significantly increased the temperature, humidity and bacterial CFU inside the mask. Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. aureus, S. haemolyticus, S. oralis, S. parasanguinis and B. wiedmannii were detected inside the mask after chewing gum.
Chewing Gum ; Food Contamination

BACKGROUND: Although AT1 receptor antagonist can protect myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury at the cellular level, the in vivo effect and the mechanisms of this effect have not yet been characterized. The present study was designed to examine the myocardial protective effect of irbesartan(an AT1 receptor antagonist) in ischemia-reperfusion model of rats, and to elucidate the role of apoptosis as a biological mechanism mediating reperfusion injury. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An inert vehicle(10% gum arabic: group I, n=14) or irbesartan(50mg/kg/day: group II, n=12) was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats orally every 24 hours for 3 days. Animals were subjected to a 45-minute left coronary artery ligation followed by a 2-hour reperfusion, then the hearts were harvested. The ratio of myocardial infarct area/ischemic risk area was assessed through TTC(triphenyltetrazolium chloride) staining. Degree of apoptosis was evaluated by analyzing the DNA fragmentation attern on agarose gel electrophoresis and TUNEL(TdT-mediated dUDP nick end labeling) staining. Western blot analysis was performed to estimate the expression of the proteins known to regulate apoptosis such as Bcl-2(B-cell lymphoma 2 gene) and Bad, and the MAPKs(mitogen-activated protein kinases) implicated in signal transduction such as ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and p-38. RESULT: The ratio of infarct area/ischemic area at risk in group II was significantly smaller than that of group I(42.6+/-2.7% vs. 64.1+/-4.6% ; p<0.005). Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed discrete DNA laddering in the ischemic zone of group I, but DNA ladder formation was attenuated in group II. The expressions of Bcl-2 and ERK1 were higher in ischemic area of group II compared to that of group I. CONCLUSION: AT1 receptor antagonist, irbesartan, was effective in reducing myocardial reperfusion injury in vivo. This effect can be attributed partially to the attenuation of cardiomyocyte apoptosis, which was suggested by the increased expression of Bcl-2.
Angiotensin II ; Angiotensins* ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Death ; Coronary Vessels ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Gum Arabic ; Heart ; Ligation ; Lymphoma ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; Myocardium ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; Negotiating ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1* ; Reperfusion Injury* ; Reperfusion* ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo study the anti-halitosis effect of sugar-free chewing gum through their influence on odor induced by cysteine.

METHODSTen volunteers were randomly divided into the treatment group and the untreated group; each group consisted of five volunteers. All volunteers consented to participate in a test in which breath odor was induced by cysteine. After the test, the treatment group chewed sugar-free chewing gum for 1 min, whereas the untreated group did not undergo any treatment. The effectiveness was determined by the percent reduction of H2S, CH3SH, and (CH3)2S response after the volunteers chewed gum for 1, 10, and 20 min.

RESULTSAt 1, 10, and 20 min, H2S of the treatment group was reduced by 82.68%, 92.27%, 97.47%, respectively, CH3SH was reduced by 65.49%, 73.79%, and 82.89%, respectively, and (CH3)2S was reduced by 60.45%, 73.82%, and 59.72%, respectively. The differences between the two groups at different times were significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChewing gum can effectively inhibit cysteine-induced odor.