Moniruzzaman

This study analyzed 89 packaged bakery products (65 biscuits, 16 cakes, and 8 breads) from Dhaka, Bangladesh, using GC–FID and FAAS. Biscuits and cakes contained high mean total fat (19.52 and 18.08 g/100 g) and saturated fat (saturated fatty acid [SFA]) levels, with 81% of all samples classified as “High SFA.” The polyunsaturated‐to‐SFA (PUFA:SFA) ratio was below 1.0 in all biscuit and cake samples, whereas bread showed more favorable ratios. Sodium content was highest in biscuits (mean 421.08 mg/100 g), followed by cakes (326.31 mg/100 g) and bread (277.00 mg/100 g). The results demonstrate that commonly consumed biscuits and cakes in Dhaka have nutrient profiles high in saturated fats and sodium, indicating a potential cardiovascular health risk, whereas bread represents a comparatively safer dietary option.

Aqueous solution containing different concentration (0.5, 0.6 and 1.0%) (w/v) of Polyvinyl pyrrolodon-Iodine (PVP-I) complex, a well-known antiseptic; is prepared and the stability and homogeneity of these solution is assessed as per the ICH Guidelines and International Harmonized Protocol respectively. The solutions were found to be sufficiently homogeneous and stable for a year at 25 °C (60%RH). Measurement uncertainty of the prepared PVP-I solutions were estimated by identifying possible sources of uncertainty using Ishikawa diagram and preparing uncertainty budget based on scope of calibration laboratory. The stable and homogenized PVP-I solution is to be used in a clinical trial for the application on oro and nasopharynx against novel SARS-CoV-2 Virus.

Molnupiravir, an orally active RdRp inhibitor, though originally developed to use against influenza, has become a promising therapeutic candidate for COVID-19 infection by acting as prodrug of the nucleoside analog b-d-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC or EIDD- 931) in the isopropyl ester form. Accordingly, it has been approved by MHRA, UK in November 2021 to use against COVID-19. This work presents the development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the rapid and accurate assessment of molnupiravir. The objective of this approach is to ensure the quality control of Lagevrio® capsules and their generic versions available in Bangladesh. The separation was carried out by isocratic elution through C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm i.d., 5 µ particle size) at 40 °C temperature at a constant flow rate of 1.0 mL/min using acetonitrile and 1% orthophosphoric acid as buffer (20:80, v/v). A 10 mL sample was injected and elution was monitored at 210 nm wavelength. The calibration curve over the concentration range of 80-120% were found to be linear (r2 = 0.9998), the %RSD for intra-day (0.31%) and inter-day (0.73%) precision indicate good precision where %recovery was found in the acceptable range of 99.9-100.4% as per ICH guidelines. The method was successfully applied to commercial pharmaceuticals, Lagevrio® and its generic versions and and the results were found to be consistent with the label claims (95-105%).

A viral transport medium (VTM) was developed following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA (US-CDC) standard operating procedure (SOP) DSR-052-05 with necessary improvisation and was used for storing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) swab specimens. Considering Bangladesh’s supply chain and storage conditions, improvisation was essential for extending sample storage time while retaining efficiency. In-house VTM was produced using Hank’s balanced salt solution (HBSS) supplemented with 1% bovine serum albumin V (BSA), 0.5 µg /mL of gentamicin sulfate, and 100 µg/mL of fluconazole. The produced VTM composition, quality, sterility, specificity, and efficiency were verified in-house and through an independent contract research organization (CRO). An accelerated stability study projected that under the recommended temperature (4 °C), it would remain stable for four months and preserve samples for over a month. The real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test detected the targeted N gene and ORF1ab gene from the VTM stored samples. Our VTM is equally as effective as the Sansure Biotech VTM in keeping SARS-CoV-2 RNA specimens detectable in rRT-PCR (100% sensitivity and specificity in random and blinded samples). In conclusion, the BRiCM VTM will make the battle against pandemics easier by effectively collecting and storing nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 detection.

Without adaptive immunity, invertebrates have evolved innate immune systems that react to antigens on the surfaces of pathogens. These defense mechanisms are included in horseshoe crab hemocytes’ cellular responses to pathogens. Secretory granules, large (L) and small (S), are found on hemocytes. Once the invasion of pathogens is present, these granules release their contents through exocytosis. Recent data in biochemistry and immunology on the granular constituents of granule-specific proteins are stored in large and small granules which are involved in the cell-mediated immune response. L-granules contain most clotting proteins, which are necessary for hemolymph coagulation. They also include tachylectins; protease inhibitors, such as cystatin and serpins; and anti-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) factors, which bind to LPS and agglutinate bacteria. Big defensin, tachycitin, tachystatin, and tachyplesins are some of the essential cysteine-rich proteins in S-granules. These granules also contain tachycitin and tachystatins, which can agglutinate bacteria. These proteins in granules and hemolymph act synergistically to fight infections. These biomolecules are antimicrobial and antibacterial, enabling them to be drug resistant. This review is aimed at explaining the biomolecules identified in the horseshoe crab’s hemolymph and their application scopes in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.