Particle Size, Surface Area, Crystallite Size, and Thermal Analysis of Consciousness Energy Healing Treated Selenium

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for the animals aimed at various physiological functions, i.e., healthy metabolism and inhibition of the toxic effect of heavy metals in the body [1]. The food sources for Se are animal meat, fish, cereals, nuts, mushrooms and can be obtained from mineral supplements/multi-vitamins [1,2]. It is one of the key components of the active site of selenium enzymes, i.e., glutathione peroxidase, ribonucleotide reductase, etc. and about 30 selenoprotein (selenocysteine) [3]. The Se has potent antioxidant property, which protects from oxidative damage, also from infections, nervous system, plays critical roles in reproduction, DNA synthesis, and thyroid hormone metabolism [1,4,5]. The Se deficiency in the body responsible for the critical pathophysiology of several diseases, i.e., cancer, type-2 diabetes, viral diseases, male infertility, muscle disorders, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, degenerative ailments, etc. [6-8]. Poor selenium containing diet and genetic variations may lead to its deficiency in the body [9]. Low level of Se in the body may be responsible for many deficiency diseases, so it is recommended as a daily supplement in a number of countries. Though, the excess intake of Se may cause adverse health effects [9,10]. Se absorbs by the body in selenite form which is more than 80 percent. The physicochemical properties of any pharmaceutical/ nutraceutical compounds play a crucial role in its bioavailability in the body [11].

Worldwide pharmaceutical scientists doing extensive research on the improvement of the quality of pharmaceutical or nutraceutical compounds for better formulations. In this scenario, the Trivedi Effect®-Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment (Biofield Energy Healing Treatment) has the huge impact on the particle size, surface area, and thermal properties of pharmaceutical/nutraceutical compounds [12-15]. The Trivedi Effect® is a natural and only scientifically proven phenomenon in which a person can harness this inherently intelligent energy from the Universe and transmit it anywhere on the planet through the possible mediation of neutrinos [15]. Every living organism possesses this kind of unique, infinite, para-dimensional electromagnetic field surrounding the body, originate from the continuous movements of the charged particles, ions, cells, blood/lymph flow, brain functions, and heart function in the body known as the Biofield Energy. This Biofield Energy Therapy (energy medicine) have been reported to have substantial outcomes against various disease conditions [15,16]. The National Institute of Health/National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NIH/NCCAM) recommend and included the Energy therapy under Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) category along with homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicines, Ayurvedic medicine, acupuncture, acupressure, meditation, yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, chiropractic/osteopathic manipulation, Reiki, special diets, massage, relaxation techniques, movement therapy, hypnotherapy, pilates, Rolfing, mindfulness, cranial sacral therapy, aromatherapy, etc. The CAM therapies are well accepted by most of the U.S.A. people [17,18]. The Trivedi Effect®-Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment also been scientifically reported with amazing results altering the characteristic properties of the several living and non-living object(s), i.e., metals and ceramic [19-21], organic compounds [22,23], microorganisms [24,25], cancer cells [26,27] and crops [28,29]. The Biofield Energy Treatment has also improved the bioavailability of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical compounds [30,31]. Therefore, this experiment was designed to determine the impact of the Trivedi Effect®-Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment on the physicochemical, and thermal properties of selenium using particle size analysis (PSA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analytical techniques.

Chemicals and Reagents

Selenium (Se) powder sample was procured from Sigma Aldrich, USA. All other chemicals required during the experiments were of the analytical standard available in India.

Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment Strategies

The test sample Se powder was divided into two parts. One part of the Se powder sample was treated with the Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment (the Trivedi Effect®) remotely under standard laboratory conditions for 3 minutes and the sample was known as the Biofield Energy Treated sample. The Biofield Energy Treatment was provided by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Dahryn Trivedi, USA, to the test sample. Moreover, the other part of the powder sample was treated with a “sham” healer for comparison purpose. The “sham” healer completely ignorant about the Biofield Energy Treatment. After the treatment, the Biofield Energy Treated and control Se powder samples were kept in sealed conditions and characterized using modern analytical techniques.

Characterization

Particle Size Analysis (PSA): The particle size analysis of Se was performed with the help of Malvern Master sizer 2000, from the UK with a detection range between 0.01μm to 3000μm using the wet method [32,33]. The % change in particle size (d) for Se powder at below 10% level (d₁₀), 50% level (d₅₀), 90% level (d₉₀) and D(4,3) was calculated using the following equation 1:

Where d_Control and d_Treated are the particle size (μm) for at below 10% level (d₁₀), 50% level (d₅₀) and 90% level (d₉₀) of the control and the Biofield Energy Treated samples, respectively.

The % change in surface area (S) was calculated using the following equation 2:

Where S_Control and S_Treated are the surface area of the control and the Biofield Energy Treated Se, respectively.

Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD) Analysis: The PXRD analysis of Se powder was executed with the help of Rigaku MiniFlex-II Desktop X-ray diffractometer (Japan) [34,35]. The size of individual crystallites was calculated from PXRD data using the Scherrer’s formula (3):

Where k is the equipment constant (0.94), G is the crystallite size in nm, λ is the radiation wavelength (0.154056 nm for Kα1 emission), β is the full-width at half maximum (FWHM), and θ is the Bragg angle [36].

The % change in crystallite size (G) of Se was calculated using the following equation 4:

Where G_Control and G_Treated are the crystallite size of the control and the Biofield Energy Treated samples, respectively.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC): The DSC analysis of Se powder was executed with the help of DSC Q200, TA instruments. Sample of ~1-3mg was loaded to the aluminium sample pan at a heating rate of 10 °C/min from 30 °C to 350 °C [32,33]. The % change in melting point (T) was calculated using the following equation 5:

Where T_Control and T_Treated are the melting point of the control and the Biofield Energy Treated samples, respectively

The % change in the latent heat of fusion (ΔH) was calculated using the following equation 6:

Where ΔH_Control and ΔH_Treated are the latent heat of fusion of the control and the Biofield Energy Treated Se, respectively.

Particle Size Analysis (PSA)

The particle size distribution data and surface area of both the control and the Biofield Energy Treated Se powder are presented in Table 1. The particle size values of the control Se powder at d₁₀, d₅₀, d₉₀ and D(4,3) were 9.671μm, 26.003μm, 52.113μm, and 28.787μm, respectively. Likewise, the particle sizes of the Biofield Energy Treated sample at d₁₀, d₅₀, d₉₀ and D(4,3) were 7.978μm, 22.556μm, 47.591μm and 25.552μm respectively. Thus, the particle size values in Dahryn’s Biofield Energy Treated sample were significantly decreased by 17.51%, 13.26%, 8.68%, and 11.24% at d₁₀, d₅₀, d₉₀ and D(4,3), respectively compared to the control sample. As a result, the specific surface area of the Biofield Energy Treated sample (0.386m2/g) was significantly increased by 17.68% compared with the control sample (0.328m2/g). Hence, it can be presumed that the Trivedi Effect® might act as an external force for breaking larger particles to smaller one hence increased the surface area of Se powder sample. As per the literature pharmaceutical compounds with reduced particle size increase the surface area and improve the solubility, dissolution rate, and bioavailability in the body [11,37]. Thus, it is anticipated that the Trivedi Effect® Treated Se powder would offer better solubility and bioavailability compared with the control sample.

Table 1:Particle size distribution of the control and the Biofield Energy Treated selenium.

d₁₀, d₅₀ and d₉₀: Particle diameter corresponding to 10%, 50%, and 90% of the cumulative distribution, D (4,3): The average mass-volume diameter, and SSA: The specific surface area. *denotes the percentage change in the Particle size distribution of the Biofield Energy Treated sample with respect to the control sample.

Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD) Analysis

The PXRD diffractograms of the control and the Biofield Energy Treated Se powder showed sharp and intense peaks (Figure 1) specified that both the samples were crystalline. The highest peak intensity of the control and the Biofield Energy Treated samples were observed at 2θ equal to 29.8° in both the diffractograms (Table 2, entry 2). The peak intensities of the Biofield Energy Treated Se sample were significantly altered ranging from -18.14% to 2.19% compared to the control sample. The crystallite sizes of the Biofield Energy Treated Se powder were significantly altered ranging from -4.3% to 14.29% compared with the control sample. Overall, the average crystallite size of the Biofield Energy Treated Se powder (99.71nm) was increased by 1.54% compared with the control sample (98.2nm).

Figure 1:PXRD diffractograms of the control and the Biofield Energy Treated selenium.

Table 2:PXRD data for the control and the Biofield Energy Treated selenium.

^adenotes the percentage change in the peak intensity of the Biofield Energy Treated sample with respect to the control sample; ^bdenotes the percentage change in the crystallite size of the Biofield Energy Treated sample with respect to the control sample.

The significant alterations in the crystallite sizes and peak intensities might have altered the crystal morphology of the Biofield Energy Treated Se powder compared to the control sample. Literature suggested that the peak intensity of each diffraction face on the crystalline compound changes according to the crystal morphology and alterations in the PXRD pattern provide the proof of polymorphic transitions [38-40]. The Trivedi Effect®- Consciousness energy healing treatment probably produced the new polymorphic form of Se through the possible mediation of neutrino [15]. Different polymorphic forms of pharmaceuticals have the significant effects on the drug performance, such as bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy, and toxicity, because of their physicochemical properties like melting point, energy, stability, and especially solubility, are different from the original form [41]. Therefore, it can be projected that the Trivedi Effect®-Consciousness Energy Healing Treated Se would be better in designing novel pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations containing Se; that might offer better therapeutic response against cancer, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, viral diseases, stress, aging, muscle disorders, male infertility, neurological disorders, degenerative ailments, etc.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) Analysis

Figure 2:DSC thermograms of the control and the Biofield Energy Treated selenium.

DSC analysis has been performed to characterize the thermal behavior of the Biofield Energy Treated Se compared to the control sample (Table 3). The DSC thermograms of the control and the Biofield Energy Treated sample showed the sharp endothermic peak at 221.18 and 221.4 °C, respectively (Figure 2). The melting point of the Biofield Energy Treated Se sample was slightly increased by 0.1% compared with the control sample (Table 3). The latent heat of fusion (ΔH_fusion) of the Biofield Energy Treated Se (84.49J/g) was significantly increased by 10.33% compared with the control sample (76.58J/g) (Table 3). The change in the melting point and latent heat of fusion can be attributed to the disrupted molecular chains and the crystal structure [42]. Thus, it can be assumed that Dahryn’s consciousness energy healing treatment might be accountable for the stronger intermolecular chains and crystal structure of Se which the cause of improved thermal stability of the Biofield Energy Treated sample was compared with the control sample.

Table 3:DSC data for both control and the Biofield Energy Treated samples of selenium.

ΔH: Latent heat of fusion, *denotes the percentage change of the Biofield Energy Treated sample with respect to the control sample.

The Trivedi Effect®-Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment showed a significant effect on the particle size, surface area, peak intensities, crystallite size, and thermal properties of Se powder. The particle size values of the Biofield Energy Treated Se powder were significantly decreased by 17.51%, 13.26%, 8.68%, and 11.24% at d₁₀, d₅₀, d₉₀ and D(4,3), respectively. Therefore, the specific surface area of the Biofield Energy Treated Se was significantly increased by 17.68% compared to the control sample. Significant reduction in particle sizes and increase in the surface area may help in improving the solubility and dissolution rate of the Biofield Energy Treated Se powder sample that further enhances its absorption and bioavailability profile within the physiological system. The PXRD analysis exhibited that the peak intensities of the Biofield Energy Treated Se were significantly altered in the range from -18.14% to 2.19% compared with the control sample. Similarly, the crystallite sizes of the Biofield Energy Treated sample were significantly altered ranging from -4.3% to 14.29% compared to the control sample. But, the average crystallite size of the Biofield Energy Treated Se was increased by 1.54% compared with the control sample. The ΔH_fusion of the biofield energy treated Se was significantly increased by 10.33% compared with the control sample. The thermal analysis data showed improvement in the thermal stability of the Biofield Energy Treated Se compared to the control sample. Thus, the Trivedi Effect®-Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment might have generated a new polymorphic form of Se which may be better soluble, bioavailable, and thermally more stable compared with the control sample. The Trivedi Effect® Treated selenium would be more useful to design better nutraceutical and pharmaceutical formulations which would offer an enhanced therapeutic response against cancer, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, viral diseases, stress, aging, muscle disorders, male infertility, neurological disorders, degenerative ailments, etc.

The authors are grateful to Central Leather Research Institute, SIPRA Lab. Ltd., Trivedi Science, Trivedi Global, Inc., Trivedi Testimonials, and Trivedi Master Wellness for their assistance and support during this work.

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