http://irgu.unigoa.ac.in/drs/handle/unigoa/3 2026-08-13T14:13:21Z 2026-08-13T14:13:21Z Bhagwat, Phartade Vilas http://irgu.unigoa.ac.in/drs/handle/unigoa/7939 2026-08-13T06:20:11Z 2024-08-01T00:00:00Z

Characterization of coral mucus for its microbes and antimicrobial properties under healthy and stress conditions Bhagwat, Phartade Vilas

2024-08-01T00:00:00Z Naik, A.V. Velip, P.M. Amonkar, S.G. http://irgu.unigoa.ac.in/drs/handle/unigoa/7894 2026-06-30T06:39:25Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Microencapsulation-mediated modulation of phytochemical stability and antioxidant performance in Annona muricata L. leaf extracts under controlled drying and extraction conditions Naik, A.V.; Velip, P.M.; Amonkar, S.G. Annona muricata L. (soursop) is a pharmacologically important tropical plant known for its rich profile of bioactive compounds and therapeutic potential. The leaves of A. muricata have gained significant attention for their medicinal value in functional foods, plant-based formulations, and phytopharmaceutical applications, mainly because of their high concentration of secondary metabolites, particularly acetogenins. The present study aimed to optimize the extraction and microencapsulation of A. muricata leaf extract to improve the stability of its bioactive constituents. Among the drying methods evaluated, shade drying was the most effective. It preserved an optimal moisture content of 67.92 plus-minus 0.065 percent while maintaining phytochemical integrity and minimizing thermal degradation. Extraction using 100 percent methanol (T2) gave the highest total extract yield, total phenolic content (1.10 plus-minus 0.007nmg GAE/g), and acetogenin concentration. This extract also showed the best antioxidant activity, with the lowest IC sub(50) value of 116 Mu g/mL in the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Microencapsulation using sodium alginate, inulin, and gum arabic produced stable emulsions with particle sizes ranging from 250 plus-minus 0.005 nm to 6943.47 plus-minus 0.003 nm. The highest emulsion stability index (99.33 plus-minus 0.1 percent at 24 h) was recorded for formulations combining gum arabic and sodium alginate with distilled water extract. Overall, microencapsulation is an effective strategy to control release kinetics, improve therapeutic efficacy, and reduce risks associated with rapid degradation or uncontrolled release of bioactive compounds. These findings indicate that the selected drying, solvent extraction, and microencapsulation approaches support the potential of A. muricata leaves as a resource for scalable nutraceutical and functional food applications.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Amonkar, S.G. Naik, A.V. http://irgu.unigoa.ac.in/drs/handle/unigoa/7893 2026-06-30T06:40:44Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Nanocarrier-assisted phytochemical drug delivery in cancer therapy: A bibliometric analysis and integrative review of challenges, innovations, and translational potential Amonkar, S.G.; Naik, A.V. Phytochemicals demonstrate broad anticancer potential and favourable safety profiles, yet their therapeutic value is limited by poor solubility, rapid metabolism, and low bioavailability. Nanocarrier-assisted delivery addresses these challenges by enhancing stability, prolonging circulation, and enabling tumour-selective release. Developments across polymeric, lipid-based, inorganic, protein-derived, and exosome-like systems have strengthened delivery performance through ligand-directed targeting, surface engineering, and stimuli-responsive designs. A bibliometric assessment of 117 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025 reveals increasing research activity in encapsulation strategies, targeted delivery approaches, and translational nanomedicine, with major contributions from India, China, and the United States. Emerging innovations including AI-guided formulation methods, hybrid nanosystems, and multi-omics-based optimisation are advancing phytochemical therapeutics toward greater precision and clinical feasibility. The growing body of evidence supports the translational promise of phytochemical-loaded nanocarriers. Continued progress in scalable synthesis, regulatory alignment, and rigorous in vivo evaluation will be essential for establishing these platforms as next-generation cancer therapeutics.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Dias, J.D. D'Costa, A.H. Bragança, J.M. http://irgu.unigoa.ac.in/drs/handle/unigoa/7877 2026-06-08T08:46:28Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Design of a biocompatible Curcuma aromatica functionalized bacterial cellulose polymer composite as a bioactive wound dressing Dias, J.D.; D'Costa, A.H.; Bragança, J.M. Bacterial cellulose (BC), a pure counterpart of plant cellulose is produced by acetic acid bacteria, particularly species of the genus Komagataeibacter, through the metabolization of sugars. Curcuma aromatica (CA), commonly known as wild turmeric or kasturi manjal in India, has been traditionally used for its potent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in the treatment of wounds, acne, and various skin disorders. Leveraging these bioactivities, CA was incorporated into BC to fabricate a novel BC-CA composite aimed at enhancing its therapeutic efficacy for wound healing applications. HRLCMS confirmed that C. aromatica contained diverse bioactive metabolites, including curcuminoids alongside terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and other phytochemicals. The UV-Vis and photoluminescence analyses revealed distinct optical properties between curcumin and C. aromatica, reflecting differences in their molecular structure and phytochemical composition. While curcumin showed a single intense absorption and emission profile, C. aromatica exhibited broader absorption and dual emission peaks due to the presence of multiple interacting bioactive constituents. Photostability studies on BC-CA film showed that light exposure, especially sunlight, led to partial photodegradation of curcuminoids, resulting in decreased chromophoric intensity without significant changes in chemical structure. Physico-chemical characterisation confirmed successful adsorption of CA onto the BC matrix. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated that BC-1 percent CA exhibited significantly higher bactericidal activity compared to BC- 0.5 percent CA, with the highest inhibition observed against Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 737). The antibacterial mechanism involved intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation with concomitant bacterial membrane disruption. Furthermore, ABTS antioxidant assays, MTT cytotoxicity tests, and haemocompatibility studies revealed that the BC-CA composites possess potent antioxidant activity while maintaining excellent biocompatibility and haemocompatibility. In vivo wound healing studies showed 99 percent wound closure on day 14 by BC1 percent CA composite film which was better than the positive control (mupirocin). Histological evaluation showed that the bioactive BC scaffold significantly increased re-epithelialization, reduced inflammation and enhanced collagen organisation.

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