Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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Discovery of Active Antibacterial Fractions of Different Plant Part Extracts of clove (Syzigium aromaticum) Against Streptococcus mutans
Get PDFNowadays, dental cavities caused by Streptococcus mutans are a major focus of research in Indonesia. While several antibiotics are available to combat this bacterium, concerns about antibiotic resistance have prompted researchers to explore natural remedies. Clove (Syzigium aromaticum) is a commonly studied natural remedy against dental cavities and S. mutans. Among the different parts of the clove plant, clove bud is the most widely used against dental cavities or S. mutans, and the potential of other clove parts has not been thoroughly explored. Identifying which parts of the clove plant have higher concentrations of active ingredients and exhibit the strongest antibacterial activity is important. Therefore, this study evaluated the antibacterial activity of three different parts, i.e., leaf, stems, and buds of the clove plant ethanolic extracts against S. mutans. The ethanolic extracts of clove leaf, stems, and buds were prepared using the maceration method with 70% ethanol, and their activity against S. mutans was tested using the disc diffusion method at three different concentrations (10%, 5%, 2.5% b/v). Fractionation was carried out using hexane and water to obtain two fractions: hexane and water fraction. These fractions were then subjected to antibacterial assays. The ethanolic leaf, stems, and bud extracts exhibited varying antibacterial activity levels. The best activity was observed with the 10% clove bud ethanolic extract, which produced an inhibition zone of 20.83 ± 0.77 mm. The leaf and stem extracts showed inhibition zones of 16.38 ± 3.84 mm and 17.95 ± 5.15 mm, respectively. Furthermore, the hexane-soluble fraction of the clove bud displayed the highest activity with an inhibition zone diameter of 23.7 ± 3.21 mm at 10%. This activity was twice as high as ampicillin, used as the positive control. In conclusion, clove bud remains the best source of antibacterial compounds against S. mutans. Fractionation of the bud extract using hexane can significantly enhance its activity. Further investigation should be conducted to optimize the effectiveness of this active fraction for use as an anti-dental caries treatment
Assess the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of herbal popsicles prepared by Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and Clitorea ternatea floral waste
Get PDFIn this study, we extracted bio-colour from two commonly available flowers, Rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) and Butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea), and evaluated their potential therapeutic benefits by examining their antioxidant and antibacterial activity. To assess the suitability and quality of the extracted bio-colour as a food additive, we formulated ice popsicles using bio-colour derived from H. sabdariffa and C. ternatea. The crude floral waste extract of H. sabdariffa showed the highest reducing capacity (FRAP assay), antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS assay), and antibacterial potential. This may be attributed to polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, ascorbic acids, organic acids, hibiscus acid, and other compounds in H. sabdariffa flower parts. The ice popsicles formulated with these two bio-colours contained significant polyphenol and flavonoid content, contributing to their antioxidant potential comparable to ice popsicles available in the local market. The formulated ice popsicles also retained better physical properties (texture, melting, smoothness/hardness) and sensory qualities (as per hedonic scale rating) than market-derived ice popsicles. Therefore, these two crude floral wastes can be utilized as functional food bio-colourants in the food industry
ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF CABBAGE PRODUCTION UNDER DIFFERENT IRRIGATION LEVELS AND SOIL AMENDMENTS IN A SEMI-ARID ENVIRONMENT
Get PDFCrop production in small-scale farming communities in semi-arid Central Namibia faces significant challenges due to the high costs associated with irrigation and fertilizers. This study evaluated the impact of different irrigation levels (full and reduced) and six types of soil amendments—biochar, compost, zeolite, NPK, Be-Grow Boost (L) hydrogel, hoof and horn combined with a bone meal (HHB meal), and control on the economic benefits of cabbage production and assessed their feasibility. In the first experiment, irrigation was implemented at 79.6 m³ (100% of the water requirement) for four days a week, classified as full irrigation, and at 39.6 m³ (50% of the water requirement) for two days a week, termed reduced irrigation. Among the fully irrigated treatments, Be-Grow Boost (L) hydrogel, zeolite, and NPK demonstrated the highest Benefit-Cost Ratios (BCRs) at 3.81, 3.67, and 3.65, respectively. In the second experiment, irrigation schedules were adjusted to five and four days per week, using a total of 136.0 m³ (170% of the water requirement) and 124.8 m³ (150% of the water requirement) of water. The compost, HHB meal, and NPK application rates were also modified. The fully irrigated Be-Grow Boost (L) hydrogel, NPK, and reduced irrigation with HHB meal achieved the highest and comparable yields of marketable cabbage heads per hectare, with BCRs of 3.43, 3.24, and 3.29, respectively. In conclusion, utilizing fully irrigated Be-Grow Boost (L) hydrogel, NPK, and reduced irrigation with HHB meal could be effective practices for sustainable crop production in the semi-arid, sandy soil conditions typical of Central Namibia. Moreover, local biochar production could enhance sustainability by reducing overall production costs
Sources, blood concentrations, and approaches for reducing exposure to lead: A critical appraisal on lead poisoning
Get PDFLead, a non-essential metal, enters the body in various ways, making it a major public health issue. Painters and smelters report lead poisoning in children and staff. Mining and battery workers risk lead exposure. Traditional and cultural remedies may include dangerous quantities of lead, producing lead poisoning. These drugs must be properly understood and regulated to avoid toxicity. Lead poisoning symptoms vary by duration and severity. Lead first impairs cognition, development, and behaviour by damaging the neural system. Time degrades reproductive and haematological systems. Lead's quiet entry into the body makes it deadly. Acute lead nephropathy damages kidneys at 100mg/dL. Lead levels exceeding 150mg/dL may induce encephalopathy. Blood lead levels indicate lead poisoning severity. Lead levels over 10g/dL in children and 40g/dL in adults are hazardous. Lead toxicity affects various organs. Lead may induce hypertension and cardiovascular disease. It may also cause chronic kidney disease and renal failure. Lead exposure may impede fertility, cause miscarriages, and alter foetal development; hence the reproductive system is vulnerable. Symptoms and lead levels may be treated with different approaches. Lead chelation treatment is frequent. Other vitamins and medications may enhance organ function and treat lead poisoning. Lead poisoning prevention requires widespread awareness. Strict standards and education regarding lead-contaminated products and conventional remedies should reduce occupational lead exposure. Regular blood lead level monitoring, especially in youngsters and lead workers, may help detect and treat lead poisoning early. Lead poisoning has serious health consequences. Understanding lead exposure pathways, identifying symptoms, and preventing lead poisoning is essential to public health and organ system protection
Deep Learning Paradigms for Existing and Imminent Lung Diseases Detection: A Review
Get PDFDiagnosis of lung diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis, cancer, etc., by clinicians rely on images taken through various means like X-ray and MRI. Deep Learning (DL) paradigm has magnified growth in the medical image field in current years. With the advancement of DL, lung diseases in medical images can be efficiently identified and classified. For example, DL can detect lung cancer with an accuracy of 99.49% in supervised models and 95.3% in unsupervised models. The deep learning models can extract unattended features that can be effortlessly combined into the DL network architecture for better medical image examination of one or two lung diseases. In this review article, effective techniques are reviewed under the elementary DL models, viz. supervised, semi-supervised, and unsupervised Learning to represent the growth of DL in lung disease detection with lesser human intervention. Recent techniques are added to understand the paradigm shift and future research prospects. All three techniques used Computed Tomography (C.T.) images datasets till 2019, but after the pandemic period, chest radiographs (X-rays) datasets are more commonly used. X-rays help in the economically early detection of lung diseases that will save lives by providing early treatment. Each DL model focuses on identifying a few features of lung diseases. Researchers can explore the DL to automate the detection of more lung diseases through a standard system using datasets of X-ray images. Unsupervised DL has been extended from detection to prediction of lung diseases, which is a critical milestone to seek out the odds of lung sickness before it happens. Researchers can work on more prediction models identifying the severity stages of multiple lung diseases to reduce mortality rates and the associated cost. The review article aims to help researchers explore Deep Learning systems that can efficiently identify and predict lung diseases at enhanced accuracy
Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of plant extracts against Pseudomonas aeruginosa – a review
Get PDFAntimicrobial resistance among bacterial pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is a global problem that has led to research on naturally occurring compounds as an alternative source of antibacterial and anti-biofilm agents. This review focuses on determining plant extracts' antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities against P. aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen contributing to microbial and biofilm-associated infections in humans. Medicinal plants are being widely researched as they are rich sources of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and terpenoids. These phytochemicals have been well known for their antibacterial activity, which contributes to the effectiveness of certain plants, including Punica granatum and Triumfetta welwitschia, against P. aeruginosa. Hypericum perforatum and Berginia ciliata contains phytochemicals that directly inhibit the quorum sensing mechanism, inhibiting the direct cell-to-cell communication, thereby preventing or reducing biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa. Plant extracts also inhibit bacterial growth and should be considered an alternative to antibiotics. Furthermore, plant extracts can be used with antibiotics for better efficacy against P. aeruginosa. However, more research must be carried out to select plants with a broad spectrum of activity against not only P. aeruginosa infections but other gram-negative bacteria in general. It would be economically viable to develop as a therapeutic drug. This would align with the third United Nations sustainable development goals on good health and well-being and is a significant step forward in the battle against antibiotic resistance
Cinnamon as a Potential Feed Additive: Beneficial Effects on Poultry Health and Production Performances – An Update
Get PDFAccording to the Food and Agricultural Organization, global poultry output increased from approximately 115 million tons in 2016 to around 136 million tons in 2023. Poultry production has increased significantly with the dramatic uptick in meat and egg demand. Feed accounts for between 65 and 70 percent of total production costs, making it the largest chicken industry expense. This is why it's important to maximize the transformation of poultry feed into feed with a high biological value while taking as many steps as possible to protect feed quality and reduce feed costs. The use of feed additives in poultry feed has recently gained popularity and has been essential to increase feed efficiency and growth rate, which typically leads to reduced costs. The meat's texture, consistency, and nutritional content are all improved, and its shelf life is lengthened as a bonus. Feed additives are a fantastic tool for boosting a poultry farm's bottom line. For example, cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is often used as a traditional feed supplement. Rather than antibiotics, the poultry industry could benefit from using cinnamon as a natural antibiotic replacement, which would benefit animal welfare, consumer health, and the bottom line. The performance index, feed intake, FCE performance, and weight growth of poultry can all be improved by including cinnamon in the feed at varied concentrations. The digestive health and intestinal microbial population of hens are enhanced by a diet containing bioactive components of cinnamon. Cinnamon essential oils' popularity stems from their many valuable features, such as their ability to increase gastric enzyme synthesis and other biofunctional benefits. This review focuses on the possible advantages of cinnamon as a natural feed supplement for chickens, particularly about their intestinal microbiota, blood chemistry, nutrient absorption, gene expression, and immunology
Ovarian Gene Transcriptional Responses To Antidepressant Drugs (Imipramine And Fluoxetine) In Female Wistar Rats
Get PDFThis study was designed to investigate ovarian gene transcriptional responses to selected antidepressant drugs (imipramine and fluoxetine) in female rats. Fifteen female rats (120 – 140 g) were used for this study. Imipramine (0.71 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (0.57 mg/kg) were given orally for 50 days. The method of RT-PCR was employed to investigate the expressions of FSH-R, p53 and Bcl-2 genes. Graphics were generated as mean +/- SEM using GraphPad Prism version 8.0. Results of the study revealed that the FSH-R, p53 and Bcl-2 expressions were significantly (p<0.05) up-regulated in the imipramine-treated rats relative to their controls. Conclusively, it can be suggested that imipramine induced follicular growth and apoptosis in female Wistar rats
Antibacterial activity of Libyan Juniperus phoenicea L. leaves extracts against common nosocomial pathogens
Get PDFIn ancient times, botanical extracts were essential complementary method for microbial control. This study has been carried out to assess the antibacterial activities of methanol, acetone, and aqueous leaf extracts of Libyan Juniperus phoenicea L. against multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates (Staphylococcus aureus, S. haemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis) using the agar well diffusion method. Based on the inhibition zone's diameter or appearance, the tested MDR bacteria were identified as susceptible, intermediate, or resistant using the standard criteria. The current study's findings showed that the concentration, type of solvent and bacterial species had a significant impact on the effectiveness of the plant extracts. Results of the study revealed that the methanol and acetone extracts demonstrated moderate to excellent antibacterial properties against all tested bacteria at all predefined concentrations (25, 50, 75, and 100%), with the zone of inhibition ranging from 15.66 to 27.66 mm. Among the tested solvents, the aqueous extract of J. phoenicea was the least effective against the clinical bacterial isolates. Further, the plant's leaf extracts were more effective against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Most importantly, neither the aqueous extract nor the standard antibiotics inhibited P. aeruginosa, while the methanol and acetone extracts displayed remarkable inhibition zones against all tested bacteria. Consequently, the plant extracts (acetone and methanol) in this study may provide insightful information about the potential use of J. phoenicea leaves as a natural antibacterial agent, which could be used to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria
An Integrative Approach Towards Recommending Farming Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture
Get PDFSustainable Agriculture is rapidly emerging as an important discipline to meet societal needs for food and other resources by adopting paradigms of conserving natural resources while maximizing productivity benefits. This paper proposes an integrative methodological approach for critically analyzing Precision Farming (PF) paradigms and Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), providing sustainable farming solutions and achieving productivity and profitability. This paper analyses the productivity of crops in PF using various machine learning (ML) algorithms based on different soil and climatic factors to identify sustainable agricultural practices for maximizing crop production and generating recommendations for the farmers. When implemented on the collected dataset from various Indian states, the Random Forest (RF) model produced the best results with an AUC-ROC of 95.7%. The Juxtaposition of ZBNF and non-ZBNF is evinced. ZBNF is statistically (p<0.05) observed to be a cost-efficient and more profitable alternative. The impact of ZBNF on soil microbial diversity and micro-nutrients is also discussed