WHO SEAR Institutional Repository Collection:

Investigation of the effectiveness of mother enzyme on model organic waste material by enzyme degradation

2011-02-14T16:25:23Z

Title: Investigation of the effectiveness of mother enzyme on model organic waste material by enzyme degradation Authors: WIMALADHARMA, AGII Abstract: It is reported that at least 22 human diseases are associated with solid wastes. (Arne, Jeffery \& Arber 1982). Therefore continuous disposal of solid waste and their collection creates a severe environmental health hazard. As such, it is of utmost importance to avoid this problem before it is too late to do anything about it. In Sri Lanka the major percentage of municipal solid waste consist of organic waste. Hence one way of overcoming this problem is to increase the rate of degradation of organic material in which enzyme and micro organisms play a big role. Mother Enzyme (ME) is said to be one such mixture of enzymes and micro organisms. Objectives of this research was to identify the constituents of the ME, to determine the effectiveness of the ME on degradation of different types of organic wastes, and to determine the effective levels of ME for different types of organic wastes. Laboratory experiments were done at the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Department of Microbiology of Faculty of Medicine and the Food Science laboratory of the Department of Chemistry of the University of Sri Jayawardenepura. Results were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U-Test and Wilcoxon's Signed Rank Test. Macconkey agar, Nutrient agar, and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar were used to find the total number and the types of micro-oranisms present in the ME. Effect of Mother enzyme on different types of organic waste were done by using Farm (cattle and poultry) waste, Kitchen wastes and Fruit industry wastes in the presence and in the absence of ME with replication. Weight reduction with time was noted down. To estimate the effect of ME on model organic waste, wheat flour, Egg Yolk and coconut oil were used. Alanine, Glucose and Acid value estimation were done to estimate the rate of degradation of the above macro molecules in the presence of and in the absence of ME. In order to find out the effective levels of ME Farm (cattle and poultry), Kitchen wastes and Fruit industry wastes were used with replication. 2g/1kg and 0.5g/1kg of mother Enzyme was given and weight reduction was noted down. From the Microbiological analysis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Mucor, were found to be present in ME and the total number of cells present was 13x101 g-1. Since it was unexpected to find E.coli in Mother Enzyme we can conclude that E.coli. Has come into the sample by some kind of contamination that has occurred either in the original sample of Mother Enzyme we used as the test material or the during laboratory testing. Presence of Mucor, common contaminant fungi is also surprising. From the study it was found that the break down of model organic matter-fats and proteins occur quite fast in the presence of mother enzyme. But breaking down of carbohydrates is not accelerated significantly by mother enzymes. Increase or decrease levels of ME have no significant effect on mixed organic waste due to our consumption pattern most of organic waste generated in Sri Lanka are of carbohydrates origin. This may be the reason why there is no significant effect due to ME on different organic waste found in Sri Lanka Description: Dissertation: M.Sc., University of Sri Jayawardenepura: USJ(Main), 2002.

Ayurvedic Drugs

2011-02-14T16:25:16Z

Title: Ayurvedic Drugs Authors: TENNAKOON, MSG Abstract: Ayurveda plays a significant role in the health care in Sri Lanka. Within the social context in which Ayrveda is practiced in the present day, the standardization and quality assurance of Ayurvedic drugs is urgent and imperative.Dasamoolarista (DMA) is a complex drug containing over 60 ingredients. Test for identify in complex herbal drugs such as DMA can be devised through chromatographic methods to identify specific marker compounds which can be correlated with specific plant ingredients and representative compounds for groups of plants ingredients. A strategy for identifying such marker compounds by comparing the thin layer chromatograms of drugs (Arista) having closely related formulae, was developed. Thin layer chromatographic systems to detected the following plant ingredients through the marker compounds and representative compounds shown in parenthesis were developed; Aegle marmelos Correa. (Umbelliferone); Plumbago indica L. (Isoshinanolone and Epiisohinanolone); Saussurea lappa C.B. Clarke. (Dehydrocostus lactone and Dihydrodehydrocostus lactone); Glycyrrhiza glabra L. , Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb., and Myroxylum balsamum (L.) Harms. (Isoliquiritigenin); Rubia cordifolia L. (Alizarin and Purpurin); Eugenia caryophyllata Thumb, and Cinnamomum verun Presl (Eugenol);Woodfordia fruticosa (Linn.) Kurz., Vitis vinifera L. and bees honey (Quercetin and Kaempferol). It is proposed that tests for strength (potency) of drugs such as DMA of unknown pharmacological action, can consist of quantitative measurements of compounds of high biological activity found in the drug and specific marker compounds irrespective of their biological activity. Analytical methods based on TLC densitometry, HPLC and GLC were used to quantify gallic acid, isoliquiritigenin, umbelliferone, dehydrocostus lactone, dhydrodehydrocostus lactone, 5-hydroxymethylfurfral, isoshinanolone and epiisoshinanolone in DMA. The analytical methods were shown to be precise and accurate. These methods were then used to study the variability in composition of different commercial brands of DMA, and of different manufacturing batches of DMA of the same brand. Inter batch and inter brand variability was high, indicating a significant variation in the quality of crude drugs used in the manufacture of the drug. Changes in the level of dehydrocostus lactone, gallic acid and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural during the different stages of manufacture were monitored. It was concluded that levels of gallic acid and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural were more suitable as parameters for process control than those of dhydrocostus lactoen. Description: Dissertation: M.Phil., University of Sri Jayawardenepura: USJ (Main), 2002.

Ayurvedic preparations containing cannabis some analytical aspects of pharmacological and legal importance

2011-02-14T16:25:09Z

Title: Ayurvedic preparations containing cannabis some analytical aspects of pharmacological and legal importance Authors: ABEYSINGHE, DMUJ Abstract: Ayurvedic preparations containing varying amounts of Cannabis are freely available in Sri Lanka. These narcotic preparations are being abused by youngsters including school children which poses a threat not only to their health but also to society. However current narcotics legislation in Sri Lanka does not cover these preparations. "Madana Modakaya" (MM) is the most popular preparation currently available.The aim of this study was to develop a method to quantify the ?9- Tetrahydrocannabinol (?9-THC) levels in MM , to use this method to analyse market samples and to study how the manufacturing process affected the final level of ?9-THC in the product. It is hoped that this data will enable the authorities to legislate for permissible levels of ?9- THC in MM, and that the method developed would be used as the official method of analysis. A method to quantify ?9-THC in MM was developed. The method which involved solvent extraction and column chromatography followed by GC, was validated by the standard addition recovery method. In the study of the methods for the preparation of MM, TLC densitometry was used in quantifying ?9- THC, cannabidiol and cannabinol. A laboratory sample prepared according to the ayurvedic pharmacopoeia was used as the standard preparation. A field survey revealed that there were over 20 brands of MM in the market. The price and weight of a packet (single dose) varied from 3-5 rupees and 5.70 - 10.01 g respectively. The ?9- the content varied from 0.0183 percent to 0.0747 percent (w/w). None of the samples of the 23 brands studied contained atropine, indicating that the popular belief that MM is adulterated with Datura seeds is not true. The Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia describes two methods for "detoxification" of Cannabis prior to incorporation in the drug. It was shown that one of the method, namely frying in ghee, resulted in the reduction of ?9-THC approximately by 50 percent. Based on data obtained on the standard sample and data on the highest levels of ?9-THC found in local Cannabis, a permissible maximum of 0.031 percent (w/w) of ?9-THC in MM is proposed. Description: Dissertation: M.Phil., University of Sri Jayawardenepura: USJ(Main), 2000.

Investigation of the effects of a traditional Sri Lankan Medicine on Hepatocarcinogenesis

2011-02-14T16:25:01Z

Title: Investigation of the effects of a traditional Sri Lankan Medicine on Hepatocarcinogenesis Authors: IDDAMALDENIYA, SS Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma is among the eight leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide with a clear tendency to increase further. Therapeutic possibilities for this are very limited and prognosis is usually poor. Several plant-based treatments are being recommended for cancer patients by traditional medical practitioners of Sri Lanka. However, none of these has been subjected to scientifically controlled investigation to validate their anti-cancer potential. One of these is a decoction comprised of Nigella sativa seeds. Hemidesmus indicus root and Smilax glabra rhizome. In the present investigation protection against Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) - induced hepatocacinogenesis was investigated in Wistar rats by the decoction using the medium term bioassay of Ito, based on a two-step model of hepatocarcinogenesis. In previous studies, garlic has been shown to protect, rat liver against DEN-induced carcinogenesis. Therefore, it was used as a positive control in the present study. Objectives of the investigation were to determine:- 1. whether a decoction of Nigella sativa, Hemidesmus indicus and Smilax glabra ubhibits glutathione S-transferase (GST-P) expression in rat liver. 2. Whether this decoction has any anti-tumour potential. 3. Whether this decoction has any toxic side effects. 4. The mechanisms/s of action/s by which the decoction mediates its anti-tumour activity. Four studies (Studies 1,2,3 and 4) were conducted to achieve the above four objectives. In study 1, the short-term effects of the decoction on GST-P+ expression in rat hepatocytes were investigated. Carcinogenic potential in study 1 was scored by comparing the number, area and staining intensity of GST-P positive foci and number of cells/cm2 of the foci in the livers of rats treated with the decoction (test 1 and test 2) or garlic (positive control, control 2) for 10 weeks with those of the corresponding group (control 1 ) of rats given DEN and distilled water. Decoction dose 1(4g/kg body weight/day) corresponding to the normal therapeutic dose, was administered to the test group of rats, while dose 2, was given to the test 2 group of rats, provided a higher dose (6g/kg body weight/day). Treatment with decoction 1 reduced significantly, (a) the number and area of GST-P positive foci, (b) number of cells/cm2 of foci, (c) staining intensity of GST-P positive foci (p\<0.01) compared with animals in control 1. Treatment with decoction dose 2 resulted in further significant reduction in the above parameters (P\<0.001). The reduction mediated by dose 2 was similar to that produced by garlic (20mg/kg body weight/day). In study 2, the effects of long-term treatment (for 9 months) of the decoction on tumour development were investigated. Two groups were used-DEN only treated group (DEN-control) and DEN+ decpction treated group (6g/kg body weight/day; test study). During the post mortem of rats after nine monts, one hepatocellular adenoma (HA) was found in the DEN control group. Haematoxylin and Eosin staining of liver sections confirmed the HA and revealed altered hepatocyte nodules which may progress to HA.DEN and decoction treated group showed no HA. Reticulin stain was done to confirm the HA and to see whether it has progressed up to the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). DEN control group showed well-preserved reticulin framework of normal liver, which confirms that HA , has not yet progressed up to HCC. Test groups showed expected normal liver recticular pattern. The effects of the decoction were investigated in study 3. Treatment with decoction dose 1 or dose 2 for three months had no adverse effects on the liver function (as assessed by its effects on serum levels of alanine and anspartate aminotrasnferase and alkaline phosphatase). Histopathological studies indicated that no significant histological changes had occurred in any of the major body organs (liver, kidney, lung heart, stomach and duodenum) investigated. No significant changes in haematological parameters (red blood cell count, white blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration) were observed during treatment with this decoction. The investigations also demonstrated that the decoction did not possess anti-ovulatory, anti-implantation, and anti-spermatocytogenic properties. The LD50 study showed that event at a dose of 40 times the highest dose (6g/kg body weight/day), used in other experiments of the study, the decoction did not cause any mortality. Long-term (3 months) treatments of the study, the decoction did not cause any mortality. Long-term (3 months) treatment with the decoction did not cause any changes in average feed consumption, average body weight gain, and body weight: liver weight ratios and the general behaviour of the animals. In study 4, preliminary investigations were carried out to determine possible mechanism of action by which the decoction mediates its anti-cancer effects. Tests done for anti-oxidant activity showed that the decoction significantly increases the activity of blood glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (p\<0.05) with little radical scavenging activity. Studies on immunomodilatory activity indicated that the decoction could stimulate production of T lymphocytes and NK cells (CD8 and NK receptors) although the results were not statistically significant. Overall results indicate that the decoction comprised of N.sativa seeds, H.indicus root and S glabra rhizome can protect against chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis with no significant toxic effects even when it was administered for a period of three months. Antioxidant activity and immunomodulation are two possible mechanisms by which the decoction mediates its anti-carcinogenic activity. Description: Dissertation: M.Phil., University of Sri Jayawardenepura: USJ(MED), 2003.