Malaysian Journal of Medical and Biological Research
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Antibacterial Effects of Ocimum Sanctum L Leaves, Flowers and Shoots against Bacillus spp from Soil
Full text linkIn this study, the antibacterial activity of various organic solvent extracts of Ocimum sanctum L leaves, flowers and shoots was determined in vitro using agar diffusion method and MIC tested against the isolated soil bacteria. The identified bacteria were Paenibacillussp. L32, Paenibacillussp. BF38, Bacillus megaterium, Terribacillussp. 3LF, Bacillus simplex and Bacillus cereus. Various organic extracts of Ocimum sanctum L revealed a good antibacterial activity against about all bacteria. Results showed that the best extract was methanol because highest inhibition zone were obtained by this extract and all studied bacteria were inhibited. At a concentration of 500 µg/disc, the highest microbial inhibition was found 19.2±.76 mm against Bacillus simplex for methanol extract, 15.7±0.58 mm on Terribacillus sp. 3LF for ethanol extract of flower, 14.0±2.0 mm on Terribacillus sp. 3LF for ethanol extract of leaves, 13.34±0.58 mm on Bacillus megaterium for n-hexane extract and 11.7±0.6 mm on Terribacillus sp. 3LF for chloroform extract, respectively and MIC (64, 128, 256 and 512 µg/ml, respectively). Most of the cases, antibacterial activity with commercial antibiotics such as amoxicillin and erythromycin, organic extracts exhibited similar or higher antibacterial activity than standard drug. The results of this study suggest that the organic extracts of Ocimum sanctum L leaves can be a source of natural antimicrobial agents with potential applications.
 
Vegetative Propagation of Peltophorum Petrocarpum (DC.) Backer ex K.Heyne a Multipurpose Tree
Full text linkThis paper describes a successful protocol of vegetative propagation by using stem cuttings of mature Peltophorum petrocarpum plants. The experiment was conducted in the nursery of the Forestry Research Centre at Soba during November 2011and April 2012. The socioeconomic importance of P. petrocarpum comes from its multipurpose uses and there is a demand in production of its seed for tree planting and domestication activities. Hence there is a need for efficient and economically feasible propagation method of P. pterocarpum. Therefore the objective of study is to develop a vegetative propagation protocol by using rooted stem cuttings; and to determine the effects of the rooting hormone indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) on rooting potentiality of stem cuttings of mature mother plants. The result revealed a significant effect (p<0.001) of IBA concentrations on rooting percentage and growth performance of stem cuttings. The highest rooting percent was obtained with 200ppm IBA which was not significantly different from 100ppm, but significantly different from 50 and 0.0ppm. The effect of IBA concentrations on root lengths and of roots per cutting was significantly different from 0.0 and 50ppm treatments. Although 100ppm IBA gave the tallest root (4.6 cm) but it was not significantly different from 200ppm (4.3 cm). Survival of rooted cuttings after transplanting from the propagator was 100% and 97% with 100 and 200mg IBA respectively. Accordingly the conclusion reached is that rooted cuttings can be used successfully for obtaining health, uniform plantations of P. petrocarpum for large-scale, biomass production and tree planting programmes.
 
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Khat Chewing among Atse Fasil Campus Student in University of Gondar, North West Ethiopia
Full text linkIntroduction: Khat is a shrub or tree its leaves have been chewed for centuries in the Eastern part of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Globally, khat chewing habit is being a hot issue of discussion and spreading at an alarming rate in the young generation, especially in higher institutions; where there are intensive academic activities are more intended. Similarly in Ethiopia it is consumed by some population groups commonly youths. It has a reported negative economic and health impact on the individuals engaging in the habit of khat chewing. There were no studies conducted to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of khat chewing in our study area. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and associated factors of khat chewing among students of the Atse Fasil campus at the University of Gondar, North West Ethiopia. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 29 to May 03, 2013, in Aste Fasil campus, University of Gondar. A total of 310 students were selected using a stratified random sampling technique in which only 302 answer the question making the response rate of 97.4%. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Odds ratio and chi-square were used to test the association between different variables and also frequency, proportion and summary statistic was used to describe the study population. The analysis was taken a confidence interval of 95% and association with a P-value of < 0.05. Results: The study revealed 9.6% lifetime prevalence rate of khat chewing. The current prevalence of khat chewing was found to be 6.95%. There were 6.72% female khat chewers and 11.7% male khat chewers. A large proportion (58.6%) lifetime chewers were started khat chewing after joining the university. Tigre ethnic group was significantly associated factor (AOR=0.041, 95%CI (0.002-0.718) with the outcome variable. Conclusion: The prevalence of khat chewing seems to decrease among university students. According to the study, Tigre ethnic group were at low risk of chewing khat than another ethnic group. The majority of the students were started chewing after joining the university. Increasing control measures and awareness about the health and social problems associated with khat chewing need to be implemented. Recreational alternatives for young people have to be found.
 
Fish Culture Practice and Socio Economic Status in Northern Middle Part of Bangladesh
Full text linkThe present study was carried out in Bhaluka upazilla, the northern middle part of Bangladesh to observe the culture technique of fish culture using of supplementary feeds and socio-economic condition of the fish farm owners. Data were collected from 39 fish farms in Bhaluka upazilla during the period from September 2010 to August 2011. Most of the studied farm owners carried out polyculture system and culture, mostly carps (Indian major carps and exotic carps), pangus and tilapia using supplementary feeds. The feeding rate varied from 1-7% of body weight of fish with frequency 1-3 times/day. The highest production was recorded as 56,810 kg/ha/yr using company feed and the lowest production was recorded as 14,210 kg/ha/yr with an average production of 34,350 kg/ha/yr. The average production of 23,520 kg/ha/yr was recorded (farm made feed). Most of the farmers did not use fertilizer and manure in their ponds, but in winter season sometimes they used poultry litter to avoid high priced feed. The overall management practice was not smoothly developed in the monoculture and polyculture farms. It may be concluded that we have to reduce all of the constraints of management practices of aquaculture to achieve sustainable growth in future aquaculture of Bangladesh.