Search Results (7)

Palmyra palm is a resourceful plant species that can be put to use in superabundance. Its extensive range of use stretches in all directions—making it useful for consumption in countless forms, and the cosmetic industry is not a deviation from this. In accordance with the beneficial molecules generated in it, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids and others, the addition of Palmyra raises incentives like reduction and microbe prevention when developed into therapeutic products. Therefore, the virtues of Palmyra fruit, sap, leaves, pulp, bark, haustoria and other parts are being diversely exploited in the beauty and health industry at present. To summarise the compass of Palmyra palm and its products in cosmetology and dermatology, an overview is drafted exploring the extant literature on the topic. Following the description of the available molecules, their adoption into skincare products and in vivo effects was analysed in this study. Aiming to highlight the prospects of Palmyra in skin and personal care formulations, this article discusses the span of its potential in light of its physicochemical attributes. Full article

The term ‘toddy’ represents a group of different varieties of mild-alcoholic palm beverages of coastal and inland India, produced from the fresh saps of various palm trees through uncontrolled natural fermentation. In this study, we analysed the successional changes of microbial abundances and various physico-chemical parameters during natural fermentation (0 h to 48 h) of taal toddy, prepared from Palmyra palm, and khejur toddy, prepared from date palm of West Bengal and Jharkhand in India. Microorganisms from different successional levels were isolated and grouped using repetitive element sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) technique and identified by the sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and D1-D2 region of 26S rRNA gene for bacteria and yeasts, respectively. Enterococcus faecalis, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei and yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were identified during natural fermentation of toddy. During the natural fermentation, the average pH and total sugar content in the samples of both taal and khejur toddy decreased, whereas a gradual rise was observed in the contents of acidity, total alcohol, total ester and total protein. Bio-active potential (presence of phenolics and flavonoids) of toddy was also analysed (0 h to 48 h), where contents of total phenolics, flavonoids and resulting anti-oxidant activity were found higher in the end-product than the fresh palm sap, indicating toddy as a functional low-alcoholic drink. Lastly, it can be concluded that the inter-variable dynamics and microbial interrelation, which in turn depend on a number of local factors, regulate the overall fermentation dynamics and determine the product quality. Full article

This study examined the gel behavior of naturally-occurring palmyra palm kernel (PPK). Due to the presence of polysaccharide in PPK hydrogels, they exhibit excellent swelling behavior in response to pH. Chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was encapsulated in these gels using an equilibrium swelling technique. It was found that 5-FU had an encapsulation efficiency of up to 62%. To demonstrate the drug stability in the gels, the PPK hydrogels were characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the PPK hydrogel matrix contained molecularly dispersed 5-FU drug. The PPK hydrogel exhibited a denser structure and a rough surface, according to images obtained by scanning electron microscopy. In vitro release tests were carried out at pH 1.2 (gastric fluid) and 7.4 (intestinal fluid). The efficacy of the encapsulation and the release patterns were influenced by the network topology of the PPK hydrogel. The release patterns showed that 5-FU was released gradually over a time internal of more than 12 h. The findings suggest that naturally-occurring PPK hydrogels loaded with chemotherapeutic drugs could be employed to treat colon cancer. Full article

This research focused on the removal of Fe(III) ions from an aqueous solution of wastewater through an adsorption process using biosorbents of natural palmyra palm fruit fibres (N–PPF) and chemically modified palmyra palm fruit fibres (C–PPF). BET was used to determine the pore volume and pore size of the biosorbents; the C–PPF was more than N–PPF at 0.01069 cm³/g and 450.2094 Å, respectively. The initial concentration of Fe(III), the adsorbent dosage, solution pH, and contact time for optimal adsorption were investigated for adsorption, and it was found that the dosage of the adsorbent was 2.0 g, pH 4, and 300 min for adsorbent dosage, solution pH, and contact time, respectively. The adsorption data were consistent with the three models, though the Freundlich model provided the best fit. The characteristics for both before/after adsorption were examined by FT–IR, which showed that hydroxyl groups were involved in adsorption. SEM–EDX analysis confirmed the successful increase of containing functional groups during adsorption. Adsorption proceeded according to a pseudo–first–order kinetic model for N–PPF, while the adsorption of C-PPF was according to both kinetic models. It was revealed that Fe(III) adsorption is an exothermic process that occurs on the surface of heterogeneous adsorbents and physisorption. The intra-particle diffusion model is appropriate to explain the rate-controlling step in the Fe(III) adsorption process of natural fibres. Full article

Carboxymethyl cellulose from young Palmyra palm fruit husk (CMCy) film has low water barrier properties, which can limit its application. Thus, the combination of CMCy with other polysaccharides, such as rice flour (RF), may solve this problem. The aim of this study is to prepare the CMCy/RF composite films in different proportions (CMCy100, CMCy75/RF25, CMCy50/RF50, CMCy25/RF75, and RF100) and investigate their mechanical and physicochemical properties. The film strength (33.36–12.99 MPa) and flexibility (9.81–3.95%) of the CMCy/RF composite films decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with an increase in the RF proportion. Blending the RF with CMCy could improve the water vapor permeability (9.25–6.18 × 10⁻⁸ g m m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹) and film solubility (82.70–21.64%) of the CMCy/RF composite films. Furthermore, an increased lightness with a coincidental decreased yellowness of the CMCy/RF composite films was pronounced when the RF proportion increased (p < 0.05). However, the addition of RF in different proportions did not influence the film thickness and transparency. Based on SEM micrographs, all film samples had a relatively coarser surface. FTIR spectra showed that some interactions between CMCy and RF blended films had occurred. According to these findings, the CMCy50/RF50 composite film was found to be the best formulation because it has good mechanical and physicochemical properties. Full article

Palmyra palm syrup, produced from Borassus flabellifer flowers’ sap, is rich in nutrients and minerals and has unique flavors. This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant activity, physicochemical characteristics, and Maillard reaction products of palmyra palm syrup prepared by thermal and ultrafiltration processes. Palmyra palm syrup prepared by a thermal process had smaller L*, b* values, and larger a* values than that prepared by an ultrafiltration process. Palmyra palm syrup contained 10 vitamins, the most abundant being vitamin E. Overall, 38 volatile compounds were found and classified into six groups in the order of alcohols > acids > ketones > sulfurs > pyrazines > phenols and aldehyde. Volatile compounds depended on concentration, temperature, and ultrafiltration process. Protein content decreased because of participation in the Maillard reaction and increased 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and total phenolic content. The HMF content was very low (0.02–14.95 mg/100 g). The radical scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-1 picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) in palmyra palm syrup with thermal process was higher than with ultrafiltration. This study established that ultrafiltration pretreatment of palmyra palm syrup generated a good appearance and reduced the HMF content, however, it negatively affected the volatile compounds and physicochemical characteristics. Full article

Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer Linn.) is an important sugar-producing plant that is widely distributed in tropical Asian countries. Its jaggery and sweet sap are prevalent in Cambodia as a substitute for table sugar. They contain essential minerals, vitamins, and biological compounds. We investigated the changes in the nutritional composition, antioxidant properties, and biological activity of palm granulated sugar prepared by using three different drying–solidification processes under vacuum conditions: the drying temperature was controlled at 80 °C, 90 °C, and 100 °C, and the drying time was 60, 75, and 90 min, respectively. Palm granulated sugar contains 10 kinds of vitamins (mainly vitamin E 52.15–55.12 mg/100 g), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (2.18 to 41.92 mg/100 g), and 38 volatile compounds that belong to the alcohol, ketones, pyrazines, acids, and phenols groups, and an aldehyde group. Moreover, palm granulated sugar exhibits a high total phenolic content (2.77–8.94 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g), 2,2-diphenyl-1-1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (20.15%–37.88%), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value (322.68–378.23 μmol Fe²⁺/mL). Furthermore, palm granulated sugar-treated NIH3T3 cells showed a higher cell viability of 18.10% to 23.68%. This study confirmed that palm granulated sugar prepared at 90 °C for 75 min can have a better product quality with increased vitamin and mineral contents, antioxidant properties, and biological activity, while also being low in 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content. Full article