Characterization of natural cellulosic fiber isolated from Malaysian Cymbopogan citratus leaves

A novel natural fiber derived from the Cymbopogan citratus plant was investigated for the first time. The characterization of the C. citratus fibers was conducted, and the chemical composition and physical, thermal, mechanical, crystallinity, and morphological characteristics were studied. The chemical composition analysis of Cymbopogan citratus fiber revealed that the suggested fiber was rich in cellulose contents (37.6%). The tensile test of C. citratus fiber demonstrated the fiber’s average tensile strength of 43.81 ± 15.27 MPa and modulus of elasticity of 1.046 ± 0.33 GPa. Further analysis with X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that the crystallinity index of Cymbopogan citratus fiber was 35.2%, and the crystalline size was estimated as 4.28 nm. The Cymbopogan citratus fiber’s thermal stability was investigated via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and observed to be thermally stable (230 °C). A morphological investigation was employed on the fiber via a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The morphological study result exhibited that the fiber had a perforated and rough surface with the lumen in the center. Thus, the findings revealed that the Cymbopogan citratus fiber was a promising potential reinforcement for thermoplastic green composite applications.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of Lemon grass oil by MIC and agar well diffusion method

Abstract-Foodpreservativesareusedtoincrease the shelf life of food and to maintain the quality for longer time. In the last scenario no herbal ayurvedic preservative had been considered with respect to the use of chemical preservative. Due to increasing demands for naturalandpreservativefreecompoundspromoted an idea of the replacement of synthetic preservatives with essential oils of antimicrobial properties.Essentialoilsfrommedicinalplantsarepotentialsourceofnovelantimicrobialcompounds especially against food spoilage pathogens. The aim of this project was to study antimicrobial activity of essential oil from Lemongrass (Cymbopogan citratus)oil against food spoilage organisms Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus andBacillus cereus and fungus Aspergillus brasilliensis, Candida albicans, Chaetomium globosum and Penicillium funiculosumusing agar well diffusion method. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by measuring the zone of inhibition. The oil at30% concentration completely/partially inhibited the growth of foodspoilagepathogens.Thesuccessfuleffectiveness of Lemon grass oil could also play amajorroleinreplacingthechemicalpreservative.

Uso de plantas com finalidade medicinal por pessoas vivendo com HIV/ AIDS em terapia antirretroviral

Este foi um estudo observacional, transversal analítico realizado em ambulatório de referência do Estado do Maranhão-Brasil, no período de maio de 2009 a fevereiro de 2010, com o objetivo de estudar o uso de plantas com finalidade medicinal entre pessoas vivendo com HIV/AIDS, em uso de antirretrovirais. Um total de 339 pessoas respondeu um questionário abordando o uso de plantas e características demográficas, socioeconômicas, comportamentais, relacionadas à soropositividade e ao uso de antirretrovirais. A prevalência de utilização de plantas foi de 34,81%. As mais utilizadas foram: Turnera ulmifolia (12,09%); Melissa officinalis (10,62%); Plectranthus barbatus (7,67%); Cymbopogan citratus (capim limão) (4,72%) e Mentha spp. (hortelã) (2,36%). A maioria das pessoas (96,61%) referiu melhora após a utilização. Um percentual de 75,42% dos usuários de plantas não informou essa prática ao médico. Entre os que informaram o uso, 55,17% afirmaram que o médico estava de acordo e somente uma pessoa foi orientada a interromper o uso (3,45%). Apenas um médico (3,45%) indicou o uso de plantas. A análise ajustada evidenciou diferença para uso de plantas em relação ao sexo feminino (RP=1,58, 95% IC 1,15-2,15 p 0,004) e à orientação sexual do tipo homossexual (RP=0,63 IC 0,44-0,90 p 0,012). Este estudo aponta para a necessidade de melhor diálogo entre médico e pacientes sobre o uso de plantas com finalidade medicinal, alertando sobre possíveis perigos quando associados aos antirretrovirais, especialmente entre usuários do sexo feminino ou com prática do tipo homossexual.