JOURNAL OF ADVANCED APPLIED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Facile functionalization cum fabrication of novel fenugreek gum /chitosan based self-crosslinked hydrogel networks through Schiff base formation: Characterization & Swelling kinetic studies

2022-11-15T13:39:49+00:00

Abstract

In the current scenario, material synthesis techniques are transitioning from traditional to safer, chemical-free routes. The current research focuses on the self-crosslinking of fenugreek gum(a medicinal seed gum) and chitosan via Schiff base production through an oxidative pathway into hybrid hydrogels. To create oxidised fenugreek gum(OFG), fenugreek gum was oxidised with sodium periodate. Periodate oxidation converts vicinal glycols in the backbone to aldehydic groups. Crosslinking occurred due to the creation of Schiff base imine connections between amino groups of chitosan and aldehyde groups of oxidised fenugreek gum without the usage of severe conditions or crosslinking and initiator systems. To confirm the structural modifications integrated as well as changes in physiochemical properties of the backbone, FTIR, powdered XRD, FESEM, EDX, and swelling experiments were performed on newly synthesized polymeric networks. To determine their suitability as drug delivery agents, swelling kinetics were examined as a function of reaction parameters and ionic strength of swelling medium.XRD data confirms an increase in crystallinity caused by oxidation, which further reflected as decline in swelling OFG. The pH responsive behaviour of OFG and OFG-cl-CH Schiff base matrix is validated by swelling kinetics. SEM examination validated the porous structural shape of the functionalized gel. Schiff base polymeric networks of OFG-cl-CH follow a pseudo-Fickian process. These newly synthesised OFG-cl-CH Schiff base could be employed as a possible drug delivery systems in the future.

Effect of a community-based nutrition intervention program about dietary immunonutrients during COVID-19 pandemic

2022-07-13T15:08:48+00:00

Background: The global agitation caused by the coronavirus disease of 2019 has emerged the need to make today’s population more aware of immune health to protect against disease and illness. Thus, we conducted a community-based nutrition intervention program that puts forward immunonutrition in the limelight.
Objectives: To study the effects of a community-based nutrition intervention program on (a) the significance of immunonutrients, (b) its rich sources and (c) its role to boost immunity against viral infections and diseases among a local community in Chennai city.
Material and Methods: This study used the pretest-posttest design consisting of pre-and post-survey conducted from 400 active participants selected by the random sampling method. Pretest and posttest involved the assessment tools like the 4-point Likert scale and 7-item food frequency questionnaire. The employed intervention strategies include the distribution of informative pamphlets and offering individual nutrition counselling that highlights the benefits of consuming immunonutrients- rich foods.
Results: The mean pretest score based on the perception of participants on the importance of immunonutrients was 2.022±0.856. Significant associations between age, education level, and socioeconomic status with the perception levels of the participants were observed (P<0.001). A mean difference of 1.1200±0.0603 was observed when compared with the posttest responses conducted three months after the intervention, showing a significant increase in their perception level (P<0.001). Additionally, the consumption of immunonutrients rich foods studied using the 7-item food frequency questionnaire, also increased.
Conclusions: Our intervention program was found remarkably effective for improving the awareness and consumption level of locally available, cost-effective immune-boosting foods among the participants and their intention toward healthy eating behaviour. Thus, a community-based nutrition intervention program would help upgrade awareness about the synergism of nutrition, immunity, and infection.

Adsorption process of reactive red 2 using a low-cost activated charcoal: isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamics studies

2022-08-26T10:57:49+00:00

Activated charcoal with an appropriate functional group was synthesized by carbonizing method, from the stem of Albizia Lebbeck. The average 75-125 µm mesh was utilized to separate particles. The charcoal parameters of bulk density, surface area, moisture content, pH, and pH_zpchave been measured, which are concurrent with literature-reported values. Chemical functionality was studied by FT-IR spectroscopy and particle size was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The dye, Reactive Red 2(Red2), adsorbs on the surface of activated charcoal through microscopic holes. General parameter variations, namely exposure time, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, temperature, and pH of the dye solution, were used to find out the best condition for dye removal. Compare to the reported adsorbents that require acidic conditions (pH<5), the prepared charcoal has been capable of absorbing Reactive Red 2 at an ambient pH of 5.5. The equilibrium adsorption data were found to match with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, and thermodynamic tests indicated the endothermic adsorption process. Furthermore, it has been proven by Lagergren and models, that the monolayer coverage and first-order kinetics of adsorption indicate the scalability of the adsorptive process for large-scale dye removal from waste-water streams.