Search

A study is presented for the quantitative fluorodensitometric analysis of aflatoxins in spices, in particular nutmeg (Semen myristicae). Samples were extracted with chloroform, followed by silica gel column cleanup according to the AOAC official first action method, 26.019(a), and by 2-dimensional thin layer chromatography according to the antidiagonal technique. The method includes a confirmatory test for aflatoxins by hemiacetal formation. The concentrations of aflatoxins in samples were determined by measurement of the fluorescent intensities of the separated aflatoxin spots from sample and standards on the same chromatoplate with a reflectance flying-spot densitometer. With such a technique, a coefficient of variation value of 5.22±1.24% (P < 99%) was calculated for a series of 5 standard B, spots and averaged for 13 TLC plates, demonstrating the precision of the chromatographic and densitometric procedures. An average recovery of 108.4±5.8% (P < 95%) was obtained for 11 spiked nutmeg extracts (5.0–20.0 μg B1 added/kg), whereas an average recovery of 92.6±4.9 (P < 95%) was established for 13 spiked nutmeg samples (5.0–20.0 μg B1 added/kg). The coefficient of variation of the complete analytical procedure for ground nutmeg was 8.80%. In a survey on the occurrence of aflatoxins in 40 commercial nutmeg samples (covering 12 different brands) in The Netherlands, aflatoxins were detected in 30 ground samples (32 ground samples analyzed) in concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 23.2 μg B1/kg or from 2.7 to 36.5 μg B1 + B2 + G1 + G2/kg, whereas no aflatoxins were present in whole nutmeg kernels (8 samples analyzed). The lowest level of detection was 1.0 μB1/kg. In addition, 50 commercial spices consisting of 19 different types of commodities other than nutmeg were assayed for aflatoxins according to the same procedure. No aflatoxins were detected in these samples, with the exception of 1 sample of bay leaf which contained 5.1 μg B1/kg.

Inflammation is a local reaction of an organism to an irritant or non-physiological state. Existing anti-inflammatory treatments have many side effects if used for a long time. Indonesian people have known and made bay leaves as anti-inflammatory drugs. The purpose of this study was to determine the antiinflammatory activity of bay leaf water extract (Sygyzium polyanthum Wight.) On the feet of male Wistar rats which were induced by carrageenan 1%. The research method used is experimental. The data obtained were analyzed by SPSS 20.0 ANOVA method at a confidence level of 95%. The results of the characteristics of the bay leaf simplicia showed that the water content was 6.6%, the water soluble extract content was 35%, the soluble extract content of ethanol was 21%. The antiinflammatory test results, observed by the percentage of inflammation in the induction group, had the highest percentage of inflammation compared to the other test groups at minute (T300). Whereas in the percentage of inflammation inhibition, all groups of test extracts have effectiveness that is comparable to the comparison group at (T300). EADS group 50 mg / kgbb is the best dose of extract as anti-inflammatory at (T300) where flavonoid compounds are thought to be responsible for decreasing the volume of inflammation in the legs of test animals.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the cause of 7,3 million death globally in 2008. The main pathophysiology process that leads to CHD is atherosclerosis which is caused by high LDL cholesterol level. The aim of this study was to explore bay leaf and celery leaf infusion effect on reducing LDL cholesterol level in dyslipidemic rat model. The type of this study was true experimental research using wistar rat (Rattus novergicus) as the sample. The rats were induced by high fat diet and PTU for two weeks then each of the group were given either bay leaf infusion, celery leaf infusion, simvastatin (positive control), or aquadest (negative control) for a week. The measurement of LDL level used Friedewald formulation. Data was analyzed using paired sample t test and one way ANOVA. As the result there was a significance reduction on LDL level after treatment with bay leaf (p=0,013) and celery leaf infusion (p=0,035) but there was no significance difference between groups (p=0,293). It was concluded that bay leaf and celery leaf infusion could reduce the LDL level in dyslipidemic wistar rat but there was no difference on the capability of the two different leafs on reducing LDL level. Keywords: dyslipidemia, LDL, bay leaf, celery leaf, wistar rats