Asian Journal of Research in Biosciences
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Assessment of Two Phytochemical Compositions in Different Parts of Cassia occidentals as Affected by Two Chemical Mutagenic Agents
Get PDFCassia occidentalis is consider as a medicinal plant and widely consumed by animals and humans. A research has been conducted to investigate the effect of two mutagenic agents; ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) and dimethyl sulphate (DMS) on alkaloids and saponins contents in different parts of Cassia plant. To achieve this aim, seeds were soaked in EMS at 0, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 ppm and DMS at 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 ppm for 6 h where the control seeds were remained in the water for the same period of soaking. Seed were sown in 25cm plastic pots containing a soil mixture of clay and sand (1: 1 v/v). At the end of each regeneration, alkaloids and saponins were determined in leaves, stems and roots. The statistical analysis shown that treating C. occidentalis seeds with EMS at 4000 ppm increased the saponins content in leaves, stems and roots of the plants produced in the M2 generation compared with the control plants. While the DMS at 400 ppm increased the saponins content in leaves and roots in the M2 generation. EMS at 5000 ppm significantly increased the alkaloids content in the leaves and slightly decreased the content in the roots in the M2 generation. The effect of EMS and DMS concentrations were fluctuated in both generations.  
Haematological Changes in Male Albino Rats Administered Silver Nanoparticles
Get PDFSilver Nanoparticles are by far the most studied in literature due to their wide and rapidly growing applications in a number of scientific areas and in consumer products. However their toxic effects on the environment and human health are yet to be fully investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed at investigating haematological changes on male albino rats administered with Silver Nanoparticles. Sixteen male albino rats were randomly assigned into four experimental groups 1- 4 of four rats per group. Group 1 served as the control and received potable water. Groups 2 to 4 were orally exposed to varying concentrations of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) at 100, 250, and 500mg/kg daily for 14 days. Following cessation of treatments, rats were sacrificed and the blood were collected in heparinized bottles haematological studies. Th results revealed that rat exposure to AgNPs caused no significant difference (p>0.05) on the following haematological parameters: Red Blood Cells (RBC), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Haemoglobin Concentration (Hb), Neutrophils (NEU) and Mixed Cell Percentage (MXD) while WBC and LYM showed significant differences in some groups. At lower dosage of 100mg/kg and 250mg/kg which is slightly below the lethal dosage of AgNPs, rats showed no significantly difference in most of the groups. From the result obtained, it can be deduced, among all the haematological evaluated, RBC is higher in group 1 (5.18±0.25) and least at group 1 (5.18±0.25). PCV is higher in group 2 (44.17±7.30) and least in group 3 (36.03±1.38). MCH is higher in group 2 (31.83±0.71) and least in group 4 (26.93±4.40). MCV is higher in group 3 (66.75±18.74) and least in group 4 (52.81±5.93). MCHC is higher in group 4 (463±213.54) and least in group 4 (463±213.54). Hb is higher in group 2 (420.5±99.70) and least in group 4 (255±77.78). WBC is higher in group 1 (11.75±1.06) and least in group 3 (8.50±0.71). Neutrophils is higher in group 1 (75.34±4.87) and least in group 3 (54.00±5.66). Lymphocytes is higher in group 3 (39.00±1.41) and least in group 1 (16.29±1.36). MXD is higher in group 4 (14.89±4.77) and least in group 3 (7.00±4.24). All the values were within the normal range except WBC and Lymphocytes which showed significant difference p>0.05). It can be concluded that AgNPs administrated at lower dosage showed no significant difference on the haematological parameters of male albino rats
Shelf-Life Study of Branded and Un-Branded Beans Flour Sold in Port Harcourt, Metropolis, Rivers State
Get PDFBeans is a powerful source of vital elements needed for human nutrition. The shelf-life study of branded and unbranded beans flour sold in Port-Harcourt were investigated using standard microbiological techniques. The heterotrophic bacteria count of home-made beans, branded and unbranded beans flour ranged from 2.8×103 cfu/g on day 1 to 1.8×105 cfu/g on day 28; 1.0×104 cfu/g on day 1 to 2.8×105 cfu/g on day 28 and 1.8×105 cfu/g on day 1 to 1.0×107 cfu/g on day 28 respectively. From the results it was observed that the heterotrophic bacteria count increased with days and unbranded beans flour has the highest count. The total fungi count of home-made beans, branded and unbranded beans flour ranged from 3.2×103 cfu/g on day 1 to 8.6×103 cfu/g on day 28, 1.0×102 cfu/g on day 1 to 3.4×103 cfu/g on day 28 and 3.0×102 cfu/g on day 1 to 3.5×103 cfu/g on day 28 respectively. The counts did not exceed the stipulated microbial standards in dry foods. A total of six bacteria genera isolated and their percentage occurrence were Bacillus species (26.83%), Klebsiella species (7.32%), Serratia species (4.88%), Staphylococcus species (41.46%), Streptococcus species (17.07%) and Pseudomonas species (2.44%). Staphylococcus species (41.46%) has the highest percentage occurrence while ten (10) fungi species was identified and their percentage occurrence are Aspergillus niger (20%), Mucor species (10%), Apergillus flavus (5%), Aspergillus fumigatus (5%), Candida species (15%), Penicillium species (10%), Alternaria species (20%), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (5%), Fusarium species (5%) and Rhizopus species (5%). Aspergillus niger and Alternaria species has the highest percentage occurrence of (20%) each. The results of some of the physiochemical parameters examined like pH revealed that there was reduction in the pH of the samples from day 1 to day 21. The ash content of branded and unbranded beans flour increases from day 1 to day 21 while the home-made was the same. The lipid, carbohydrate, and phosphorus contents for all the flour decreased from day 1 to day 21. The findings of this study revealed that homemade beans flour has more nutrient quality and less microbial counts therefore more suitable for consumption
Isolation, Partial Purification and Characterization of Proteases from Aspergillus niger under Solid-State Fermentation
Get PDFProteases are enzymes with highly specialized proteolytic functions. They are ubiquitous, being found in all living organisms, they are essential for cell growth and differentiation. Besides their physiological functions and roles in living organisms, they also show great importance in various industries. The shortage of plant and animal proteases to meet the present world demand of industrial enzymes has directed increased interest in microbial proteases. Several researchers have reported on protease production from various sources. However, little is known about protease production using A. niger under solid-state fermentation. This present investigation was carried out to isolate and screen fungi from soil samples for the production, optimization, and characterization of protease. A. niger was identified morphologically and screened for protease production. Soli-state fermentation was carried out and crude protease was harvested. The effect of pH on protease activity was assayed, and different temperatures were used to test for protease activity. Also, the kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) of the crude enzyme were also determined. The results of this investigation revealed that the optimal pH and temperature of the enzyme were 8.0 and 40°C, respectively. The enzyme was found to be more stable at alkaline pH than acidic pH. It also retained 80% of its activity at 50oC for 60 minutes. Protease activity was revealed to be highest at substrate concentration 1.0 mM. All these data suggest that the selected strain of A. niger can significantly produce protease enzyme under solid-state fermentation
Light-Driven Permeability of Chloride Pump
Get PDFThe effect of light intensity on the permeability of chloride pump was investigated because chloride transport is an essential process in microbes such as halobacteria. The chloride pump was reconstituted into liposomes prepared with dioleoylphosphatidylcholine. The permeability of the liposome layer was estimated by measuring the fluorescence intensity (420 nm) of the 6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl)quinolinium (SPQ) encapsulated in the liposome. The SPQ intensity increased by exposing the liposomes to the 320 nm light, after the chloride was added into the outside of the liposomes. The results of this study seem to be useful in deriving the drug candidate for the pump-relevant disease
Proximate, Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Composition in Smoked and Oven Dried Tilapia Fish (Oreochromis niloticus) Treated with Chemical Preservatives and Liquid Smoke
Get PDFProximate, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon composition on smoked and oven dried tilapia fish (oreochromis niloticus) treated with chemical preservatives and liquid smoke were done using standard methods. Smoked fishes treated with liquid smoke recorded the highest protein content (59.5%) while the least protein content (38.1%) was recorded in oven dried fishes treated with sodium benzoate. Smoked fishes treated with potassium sorbate recorded highest moisture content (17.1%) while oven dried fishes treated with liquid smoke recorded the lowest moisture content of (7.3%) and highest fat content of (14.8%). The fish samples treated with liquid smoke had the lowest levels of all the heavy metals (Cr, Fe, Pb). Fe had the highest value in all the fish samples while Cr had the lowest value. The highest PAHs concentration were in smoked samples, samples treated with liquid smoke had lesser PAHs concentration. The fish samples treated with Liquid smoke proved best in terms of physicochemical parameters and were acceptable to consumers
Nutritional Impact of the Use of Luffa cylindrica (Sponge Seeds) in Livestock Feed, Anti-Nutrient Factors Analyzes and Incorporation Decision
Get PDFBackground and Objectives: Luffa cylindrica belongs to the family of cucurbitaceous. Commonly grown in the wild and abandoned building, the sponge in the whole fruit holds the seeds with fibrous netting which has industrial application as well as water filters. The Luffa cylindrica seeds were investigated for the anti-nutrients to determine the desirability or otherwise of incorporating the seeds into poultry feed as a supplement.
Materials and Methods: The milled Luffa cylindrica seeds were divided into seven equal parts with each part bearing a laboratory identification number. The four parts with the laboratory identification number 20120353, 20120354, 20120355, 20120356 which were for verification of Anti-nutrient content were heated to the temperatures of (Raw 550C, 750C, 1000C) respectively. The remaining three parts with laboratory identification numbers 20120898, 20120999, 20120900 heated at temperatures 550C, 750C, 1000C respectively and subjected to proximate analysis.
Results: The laboratory analysis indicated the raw Luffa cylindrica seeds contained Tannin 0.45%, Cyanide 0.036%, Phytate 0.015%, Oxalate 0.021%, Saponin was not detected. Heating at 750C, the tannin, cyanide, phytate and oxalate content went down to 0.12%, 0.01%, 0.008% and 0.008% respectively.
The optimal levels of Protein, CHO, Crude Fibre, Ash and Fats, the major livestock feed components for optimal performances, were respectively 18.77%, 20.44%, 40.78%, 1.73% and 10.56% at 750C heating.
Conclusion: From the result, it was indicated that the anti-nutrient level in the Luffa cylindrica seed can be brought down to a tolerable level by heating and also reduces the nutritive contents of the seeds. At 750C heating, the optimal nutrient levels and the tolerable safe anti-nutrient level in the Luffa cylindrica were achieved
The Influence of Different Types of Fertilizers on Selected Parameters of Lowland Rice under Badeggi Central Nigeria Conditions
Get PDFThe trial was conducted at the National Cereals Research Institute Lowland Experimental field during the rainy seasons of 2019 and 2020 to determine the effects of the different sources of organic fertilizer application on lowland rice to. The results indicated different organic fertilizer sources has significant affected rice growth, rice straw and grain yield. The Poultry manure application recorded higher rice straw and grain yield. Therefore, the adoption of poultry manure application is recommended for the resources poor farmers to save cost of rice production
Molecular Mechanism and Implication of Telomer Length and Transposable Element on Biological Aging
Get PDFIn terms of pathophysiology, aging is an irreversible process. It presents with decrease in tissue and cell functions and significant increases in the hazards of various aging-related diseases, including cancer, metabolic diseases and immune system diseases. Research on aging has focused on examining how various endogenous and exogenous stressors, including genomic instability, epigenetic alteration, proteostasis loss, compromised autophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, altered intercellular communication, and deregulated nutrient sensing, influence aging. In all prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, transposable elements are the major cause of genetic instability.
Another common feature of age-related diseases is the accelerated rate of telomere attrition. Due to this, telomere length has been recognized as a reliable biomarker of aging for a long time. Research on the pathogenesis of aging could result in interventions that support health and longevity, as well as clinical treatment methods for aging-related diseases, which could lead to a reduction in the incidence and development of aging-related diseases, thereby promoting healthy aging and longevity
Proximate Levels and Phytochemical Contents in Selected Cereals Sold in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State
Get PDFResearch has indicated that consumption of whole grain foods can significantly reduce the risk of some chronic health conditions such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer Therefore, the present study evaluated the proximate constituents and the levels of phytochemicals in rice, maize and millet procured from Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba state. Three cereal samples were procured (rice, maize and millet), air dried and analyzed for proximate and phytochemical contents using AOAC and HPLC respectively. The result for proximate analysis revealed the presence of six proximate components in their respective amounts. These were ether extract, crude protein, crude fibre, Ash, Moisture, nitrogen free extract (soluble Carbohydrates). The results of protein showed no significant difference at p ≥ 0.05 in all the samples, except millet 2 and millet 3 that showed significant difference with rice (1 to 3) and maize 1. Results of fat showed no significant difference between rice (1 to 3), maize (1 to 3) and millet 2, while millet 1 and 2 significantly differ from all the samples except millet 2. The results of fibre showed no significant difference rice (1 to 3) and millet (1 to 3), while maize (1 to 3) showed significant difference with millet 1 and rice (2 and 3) at p ≤ 0.05. There is no significant difference (p>0.05) in ash content of maize and rice samples, while millet showed significant difference at p ≤ 0.05 with rice (1 to 3) and maize (2 and 3). The results of alkaloids and tannins showed significant difference rice, maize and millet. However, there is significant difference in saponins presence in rice, maize and millet at p ≤ 0.05. There is significant difference in oxalates, phytates, tarpenes, glycosides and flavonoids present in all the samples, while phenolics showed no significant difference among all the samples. This study revealed the varying and appreciable levels of food constituents and health promoting components in sample analyzed. This indicated the nutritional qualities of the samples analyzed