Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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Hyperspectral signatures and reflectance models related to the ripening index in four grape varieties
Get PDFThe preference for the consumption of red wine in Mexico is increasing because its components derived from the grape are attributed to health benefits. The quality of wine depends mostly on the vineyard conditions. The objective of this study was able to differentiate the physicochemical composition in the harvest stage of four varieties of red grapes that are used in the production of wine to relate their maturation with those of their hyperspectral signatures. Various parameters including pH, total soluble solids, color, weight, and morphology were determined from the bunches of grapes. Concerning the maturity index, it was observed that the grapes with the highest degree of maturity were Shiraz and Merlot at harvest time. The pH of grape juice is a measure of active acidity; the texture is considered a quick and inexpensive technique. The hyperspectral signatures reflectances versus color, total soluble solids, morphology, weight, texture, and pH for each grape variety was best fitted with Gaussian curves of order 8 to Cabernet sauvignon and Merlot, 7 to Malbec, and 5 to Shiraz with R2 above 0.99
Marburg Virus Disease – A Mini-Review
Get PDFMarburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly fatal disease caused by the Marburg virus (MARV) which belongs to the family Filoviridae. The disease has been recently reported from Ghana, an African country, and nearly 15 outbreaks of MVD have been reported in the past five decades. Various species of bats viz., Rousettus aegyptiacus, Hipposideros caffer, and certain Chiroptera act as the natural source of infection. Pathophysiology of the disease reveals severe antiviral suppression due to changes in gene expression and interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) production in the hepatic cells. With the progression of the disease, there may be the development of pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomition, pharyngitis, and diarrhea along with the onset of hemorrhagic manifestations which may lead to the death of a patient. The advent of molecular detection techniques and kits viz., reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) kit has greatly aided in the diagnosis of MVD. Identification of the virus in the specimen with great accuracy can be done by whole viral genome sequencing. The use of a combination of MR-186-YTE (monoclonal antibody) and an antiviral drug named remdesivir in the NHP model is greatly effective for eliminating MARV. The protective effect of a Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) (recombinant) - based vaccine expressing the glycoprotein of MARV has been revealed through animal model studies, other vaccines are also being developed. Proper health education, personal hygiene and precautions by health care workers while handling patients, good laboratory facilities and service along with the establishment of enhanced surveillance systems are the need of the hour to tackle this highly fatal disease. This article presents an overview of different aspects and salient features of MARV / MVD, and prevention and control strategies to be adopted
Chemotaxonomic Significance and Environmental Implications of the Phytochemical Constituents of four Mussaenda L. (Rubiaceae) taxa in Nigeria
Get PDFThis work investigated the phytoconstituents of some Mussaenda taxa (Rubiaceae) collected from Nsukka (Derived Savanna) and Uyo (Tropical Rainforest) ecological zones of Nigeria to establish their contribution as possible taxonomic and environmental monitoring markers. Fresh leaf samples used in this study were collected from plants of the same age, air-dried, and made into powder for further use. Histochemical and phytochemical tests were carried out by following the standard procedures. Results of the comparative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, hydrogen cyanide, reducing sugars, soluble carbohydrates, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, and tannins in varying proportions. Results of the phytochemical constitute analysis revealed the presence of the cystoliths from the M. elegans (MEL) and M. erythrophylla (MER) which were absent in Mussaenda “ Doña Aurora” (MDA) and Mussaenda “Doña Luz”(MDL). Further, the presence of the Raphides was unique to MEL while Gum and mucilage were reported only in MDA. Quantitatively, MEL had the highest value of terpenoids (650.88 mg/100g) while MDA had the highest values of phenols (899.27 mg/100g), alkaloids (311.01 mg/100g), reducing sugars (967.35 mg/100g), steroids (2.89 mg/100g), soluble carbohydrates (27.68 mg/100g) and tannins (393.16 mg/100g), and MDL was richest in glucosides (339.64 mg/100g), flavonoids (69.34 mg/100g) and hydrogen cyanides (1.34 mg/100g). The cluster analysis based on obtained phytochemical data revealed three (3) distinct clusters with MEL in cluster 1; MDA and MDL in cluster 2 while cluster 3 had MER. The evolutionary closeness of the two infraspecific and exotic species (MDA and MDL) were confirmed and their taxonomic relationship with the indigenous infrageneric taxa (MEL and MER) was established. The results also highlight the opportunity of employing plant metabolomics in ecological studies and environmental monitoring. 
Infertility Impact of Cotton Seeds (Ceiba pentandra) and Eggplant Cepoka (Solanum torvum) on the Nfkb Expression and Seminiferous Tubules Diameter
Get PDFThe presence of the solasodine and gossypol compounds in Kapok seeds (Ceiba pentandra) and cepoka eggplant (Solanum torvum) suggest the use of these two as an herbal contraceptive ingredient in male animal fertility. This study aimed to determine the effect of cepoka eggplant extract (S. torvum) and kapok seed (C. pentandra) on infertility in rats (Rattus norvegicus) through NFkB expression and seminiferous tubule diameter. The study was carried out on 75 to 90 days old male Wistar rats having 150-200 grams of body weight. The experimental design used in this study was a completely randomized design (CRD) with three treatment groups i.e. C (control), KP1, and KP2 having six rats in each group. Here the rats of group C were not treated with gossypol or solasodine while the rats of group KP1 were treated with solasodine compound at a dose of 1g/kg BW and rats of group KP2 were treated with gossypol induction at a dose of 0.1 g/kg BW. Kapok seed extract and eggplant cepoka extract were extracted by the maceration method with 70% ethanol solvent. NFkB expression was examined using the immunohistochemical (IHK) method, which was analyzed with immunoratio software. Histopathological preparations (HE) of seminiferous tubule diameter were analyzed using raster image software 3. All the obtained data were analyzed by the One Way ANOVA test and Tukey's follow-up test with a 95% confidence level (α = 0.05). The results showed that the administration of cepoka eggplant extract could significantly increase the expression of NFkB (p<0.05) with an average amount of 87.22 ± 6.89 with a dose of 1 g/kg BW. Treatment with Kapok seed extract can reduce the diameter of the seminiferous tubules (STs) by an average of 0.31 ± 0.016 at a dose of 0.1 g/kg BW. The results of the study can be concluded that the extract of cepoka eggplant and kapok seeds can be used as candidates for herbal contraceptives
Effectiveness of Quercetin and Its Derivatives Against SARS CoV2 -In silico Approach
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic that erupted in November 2019 is continuing, with no effective antiviral agent to date. Synthetic antiviral agents have limitations such as a narrow range of therapeutic effectiveness of the activity, toxicity, and resistant viral strains and traditional antiviral medicines at large seem not to have these limitations. Here, some of the existing phytochemicals are cherry-picked for repurposing against the enzyme or protein targets of SARS CoV2, by the principles of structure-based drug design based on molecular docking studies. The most important drug targets of SARS CoV2 namely, Mpro protease (6LU7), RdRp polymerase (7BTF), and Spike glycoprotein of SARS CoV2(6VSB) were employed for docking analysis with chosen phytochemicals and binding affinity was calculated using PRODIGY software and docking sites determined using Chimera software. For docking studies, 160 phytochemicals were selected from a large pool of phytochemicals. Based on the binding affinity values, 61 phytoconstituents were selected for further in-silico screening which resulted in 15 phytochemicals, with higher binding affinity to spike glycoprotein of SARS CoV2. Moreover, Guaijaverin, Quercetin, Quercitrin, Quinic acid, and spiraeoside binds both to the spike glycoprotein of SARS Cov2 and the host receptor of human ACE2. Hence these compounds may serve as two-pronged drug candidates for SARS CoV2. In nutshell, we present a few phytochemical candidates with higher binding affinity to the Spike protein of SARS CoV2, which needs to be further optimized by in vitro studies to minimize the cytotoxicity and increase or retain the binding affinity, towards an effective antiviral drug against COVID 19
Beneficial health effects of cumin (Cuminum cyminum) seeds upon incorporation as a potential feed additive in livestock and poultry: A mini-review
Get PDFCumin (Cuminum cyminum Linn) is an annual plant of the family Umbelliferae, with its use dating back to ancient times when it was cultivated for its medicinal and culinary potential. Cumin seeds could contain a wide variety of phytochemicals, including alkaloids, coumarins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, glycosides, proteins, resins, saponins, tannins, and steroids. In particular, linoleic acid, one of the unsaturated fatty acids found in abundance in cumin oleoresin, is credited with promoting good health. Many of cumin's purported biological actions in livestock and poultry have been attributed to flavonoids such as apigenin, luteolin, and glycosides. Cumin has several healthful qualities, such as antibacterial, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-platelet aggregation, hypotensive, bronchodilatory, immunological, anti-amyloidogenic, and anti-osteoporotic properties. Cumin supplementation may improve milk production and reproductive function in dairy cows by altering the feeding pattern of bacteria in the rumen, encouraging the growth of beneficial microbes, or stimulating the secretion of certain digestive enzymes. Because of the low price of cumin seed, it could be concluded that its inclusion in the diet might be beneficial to the commercial poultry industry and reduce the overall cost of egg and meat production. In recent years a rise in cumin's popularity has been seen as a result of the herbal movement spearheaded by naturopaths, yoga gurus, advocates of alternative medicine, and manufacturers of feed additives. Animal nutritionists are exploring the use of cumin for its potential to boost growth, improve nutrient usage efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This mini-review discusses how cumin could be used as a feed ingredient to boost productivity and ensure healthy animal reproduction
Impact of Metallic Nanoparticles on the Nutritional Values of Spirulina
Get PDFSpirulina has high nutritional values and anti-oxidative properties. It is a staple diet due to its easy cultivation and greater nutritional values in biological macromolecules (proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates), pigments (chlorophyll, carotenoids, phycobiliproteins) vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds, and amino acids. Spirulina also has been used as a nutraceutical to treat numerous diseases and disorders due to its promising therapeutic values. However, extensive anthropogenic activities cause the discharge of metals and metallic nanoparticles into the environment that might cause toxicity to marine and freshwater microalgae due to bioaccumulation. The presence of metals in the environment beyond the normal range does not only affect the growth but also the nutritional values of microalgae. The nutritional properties and usage of Spirulina along with the harmful effects of metals and metallic nanoparticles on Spirulina are highlighted and summarized in this paper
Effect of probiotic Bacillus spp.-supplemented feed on the growth, length-weight relationship, and condition factor of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Get PDFThis study was carried out to evaluate the effect of two probiotic Bacillus spp. (RM10 and BFAR9) on the growth, length-weight relationship (LWR), and condition factor (k) of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). For this, one hundred thirty-five fingerlings (1.12±0.08 g weight and 1.26±0.15 cm length) were divided into three groups (Control, RM10, and BFAR9) and distributed into nine circular concrete tanks. The fish were fed with commercial (control) and Bacillus spp. supplemented diets at 5% of body weight for 56 days. The results of the study revealed better (P<0.05) growth concerning average body weight (ABW - 17.12±0.71g), specific growth rate (SGR - 4.89±0.22 g·day-1), absolute growth (AG - 16.02±0.78 g), and feed conversion ratio (FCR - 1.31±0.09) in the group fed with Bacillus sp. RM10 as compared to the control (ABW- 13.25±2.34g; SGR - 4.41±0.17g·day-1; AG - 12.13±2.25g; FCR - 1.62±0.11). The LWR in all experimental treatments showed a significant correlation (P<0.05) with an R2 value of 0.988, 0.966, and 0.979 for Control, RM10, and BFAR9, respectively. The k value revealed that all treatments are in good condition as k value is greater than 1 (1.913, 2.038, and 1.896 for control, RM10, and BFAR9 respectively). The result of the current study revealed that application of Bacillus sp. RM10 improves the growth and feed utilization in Nile tilapia
Artificial Womb Technology: A Roadmap to a changing Medico-Legal Landscape
Get PDFScientists worldwide have tried to replicate birth processes for years, which have resulted in many new infertility solutions like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or surrogacy, but Artificial Womb Technology (AWT) is the most advanced and unique. AWT proposes an alternative to conventional pregnancy and childbirth. Presently, there is no prototype of an artificial womb for people. The innovation is particularly in its early stages. However, we do have to think about the scientific moral, and legal issues before racing into this innovation. We also need to deal with social, religious economic, and health issues. Here in this paper, we have specifically done a critical analysis of the bioethical issues concerning this upcoming technology. A transdisciplinary approach encompassing both the legal and scientific viewpoints, concerns, and suggestions related to this new technology has been discussed. We strongly suggest a worldwide discussion and be ready with a strong framework before we practice AWT, a venture whose outcomes are yet awaited
A detailed investigation to study the pattern of the interplay of Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein (CRP) of E. coli with its different classes of promoters
Get PDFThe activity of most of the promoters in Escherichia coli, involved in the metabolism of sugars other than glucose, is controlled by a CRP (cAMP receptor protein) or CAP (catabolite activator protein). CRP-dependent promoters are differentiated into various classes (Class I, Class II, and Class III) based on its cognate binding site’s position on DNA. The promoters regulated by CAP are differentially regulated by this transcriptional factor and it is also imperative to mention that these promoters vary greatly in respect to the binding site of CAP to its cognate binding site, it has also been reported that either it overlaps with the binding site of RNA polymerase or it present upstream to it. In Class I CAP-dependent promoters, a particular CAP molecule makes protein-protein interaction for the start of transcription. In Class II CAP-dependent promoters, a particular CAP molecule makes multiple interactions for the start of transcription. At last, in Class III-CAP dependent promoters, more than one CAP molecule is involved and activation of transcription is done synergistically. It has also been documented that CAP shows a kind of biphasic behavior in some promoters. So, the main focus of this work is to find out whether this biphasic behavior is true for other E. coli promoters as well. Experiments have been performed to know more about this biphasic nature and the various patterns of interactions of catabolite activator protein (CAP) of E. coli with its different classes of promoters