Chitosan beads loaded with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were prepared by ionotropic gelation using sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as a crosslinking agent in presences of Eudragit S100. The objective was to improve the loading and sustained release of 5-FU. The influence of the solvent system, counter ion concentration, crosslinking time, and addition of Eudragit on particle size, drug loading, entrapment efficiency (E.E.), and in vitro release was investigated. The beads were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Spherical beads were produced with at least 2% SLS, and the resultant particle size was smaller with higher SLS concentration. FTIR has confirmed the incorporation of 5-FU and the electrostatic interaction involved in the formation of chitosan/SLS/Eudragit beads. TGA graph has shown a sharp weight loss between 225 °C and 250 °C in beads prepared with an alcoholic crosslinking solution. The amorphous nature of the entrapped drug was also revealed in the TGA. All batches exhibited 5-FU burst release within 30 min, and beads prepared with 2% SLS/Eudragit has displayed a sustained release up to 4 h in a dissolution medium of increasing pH. Further, the E.E. of 5-FU was increased with hydroalcoholic solvent, lower SLS concentration, and shorter crosslinking time.
Background: Phosphatase producing bacteria (PPB) plays a major role in mineralising organic P into inorganic form. Though application of bacterial biofertilizers are practiced in agriculture, their application is very limited in aquaculture. Method: The PPB isolates were screened and isolated from rhizospheric sediment of mangrove, Avicennia marina of Ennore creek, Tamil Nadu. Their P transformation potential and the possibilities of their application in aquaculture to mineralise organic P to inorganic P were studied. Result: Twenty PPB isolates were screened in the study site and their Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity was in the range of 13.6-20.4 µmol.ml-1.hr-1. Out of this, five Bacillus sp isolates were selected to assess their P transformation potential at various salinity. The P mobilizing potential of these isolates were compared with the commercial PPB following a microcosm study for a period of 14 days. During the study period, there is a significant increase in phosphorus in water as well as ALP activity and available phosphorus concentrations in sediments were observed between control and treatment tanks. Among the treatment groups, B. subtilis treatment tanks showed maximum P in water ie. 1.60mg.L-1, followed by B. altitudinis –1.49mg.L-1; B. pumilus –1.47mg.L-1; the soil ALP activity was in the order of commercial P products greater than B. pumilus greater than B. subtilis greater than B. paramycoides greater than B. altitudinis greater than B. aryabhattai. In terms of available phosphorus content in sediments on 14th day, there is no significant difference observed between B. pumilus and commercial product with respect to available P content of sediment.
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