Asian Journal of Research in Biosciences
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Selected Food Contaminants and their Interference with Nutrient Utilization by the Body System: Current Insights
Get PDFFood contamination has grown to be a significant issue with possible health risks. It has been shown that a range of dietary pollutants are to blame for several health issues, one of which is the body's inability to properly utilize nutrients, leading to a lack of vital nutrients. Following this, several outbreaks of food-borne illnesses and issues with poor health in humans and animals have attracted widespread international attention. The majority of food contamination happens as a result of environmental contaminants and naturally existing poisons, as well as during food processing, packing, preparation, storage, and transportation. Natural food toxins are unlikely to be hazardous at amounts of food intake that are typical. However, there is always a chance of an unusual reaction from undiagnosed contamination. The identification of such pollutants gets simpler as technology develops. There are still a number of unknown pollutants, though. This review offers up-to-date information about how eating contaminated food affects the body's capacity to absorb nutrients
Effect of Plant Spacing Density and Inter Cropping on the Growth and Wilt Disease of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill), Owerri Metropolis, Imo State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis present study was undertaken to assess the effect of plant spacing density and intercropping on the wilt disease of tomato in the year 2015. The study was designed as a 4x4 factorial in Randomized Complete Block Design with four (4) replications. Data on growth parameters and disease incidence on tomato were collected and statistically analyzed by using Genstat version 4 analytical software, while the means were separated for difference using Fisher`s Least Significant Difference Protocol. Spacing significantly (P<0.05) affected the percentage wilt disease incidence in the 8 weeks of transplanting. However intercropping and spacing had no significant (P>0.05) effect in both plant height and number of leaves of tomato. From the study, the lowest plant spacing of 50 x 25, under the crop combination of tomato, groundnut and soybean, increased the tomato wilt to the highest (113.67%). Dense tomato plant population should, therefore, not to be encouraged in mitigating the tomato wilt. On the other hand, sole tomato, with distance of 100 x 75cm, should be given consideration in managing tomato wilt, as it led to the list disease incidence in the last week of the study when the infection got to the climax
Alkaloids of Jatropha curcas [L] Plant Parts as Control Agent of Root-Knot Nematode Disease on Okra for Improved Yield
Get PDFMedicinal values of plant based nematicides are more often attributed to the phytochemicals they contain. In vitro and screen house experiments were conducted to investigate the bio-nematicidal efficacy of alkaloids of J. curcas plant parts on the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). Efficacy of alkaloids was evaluated against nematode juveniles (J2s) after 24, 48 and 72 hours of incubation at 0, 5 and 10 ml in in vitro conditions. Although, nematode mortality was highest (99.3 %) after 72 h incubation period at 10 ml rate of application, there was no statistical difference with mortality ( 98.9 %) obtained at 5 ml. Under screen house conditions Alkaloids at 0,1,2,3,4 and 5 ml were applied to potted okra plants inoculated with 1,200 infective (J2) larvae of M. incognita. These were later laid out in a 3x6 factorial experiments arranged in Completely Randomized Design with five replications. Results showed that alkaloids applied at 5 ml /pot significantly (P=0.05) reduced root-galls and increased plant growth parameters on application of root and seed alkaloids than the untreated control in 2019 and 2020 years of study respectively. Root and seed alkaloids also increased Okra pod weight by 71 % (4.02 g) and 67 % (4.26 g) in both years. Leaf alkaloids gave least performance in growth and yield of Okra. These findings elucidated the potential of J. curcas alkaloids as possible good alternative for the control of root-knot nematode on okra. There is however, need for further studies in identifying new classes of bio-pesticides from natural plants to replace the synthetic chemicals used at present
Pathogenicity within Bean Pythium Pathosystems of South western Uganda
Get PDFA pathosystem is a subsystem of an ecosystem and is characterized by the phenomenon of parasitism. The bean-Pythium pathosystem consists of the host (bean), the pathogen (Pythium) and their host-pathogen relation. Of interest is how the pathogen causes pathogenicity on other crops and beans. To investigate this, screen house experiments were set up to test the pathogenicity of Pythium species derived from non bean and bean host crops. Their pathogenicity was tested on maize, millet, sorghum, peas, susceptible bean variety (CAL 96) and resistant bean variety (RWR 719). The results indicated that distinct symptoms were observed in the roots and shoots of the crop species which are characteristic of Pythium infection. For instance peas had brownish watery stems and roots. Non bean host derived Pythium species were less virulent than bean pathogenic Pythium species. Sorghum and peas had the highest disease scores therefore were the most affected by Pythium. We concluded that there was cross pathogenicity among Pythium species. Also sorghum and peas were the crops contributing to the bean root rot epidemic since they succumb to Pythium infection
The Circadian Clock: An Essential Biological Rhythm
Get PDFLife existence on earth is based on day/ night time cycle. Circadian rhythms (CR) are essential endogenous autonomous oscillators of physiological activities resulting from 24- hours day/night cycles, which allows organisms to adapt to the fluctuating environment. The pivotal pacemaker of the CR is the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN) which plays pivotal roles in regulating peripheral tissue clocks enhancing metabolic activities and practically every physiological activities in the body of living organisms through the release of endogenous regulatory substances. An unaltered circadian rhythm is a way to good health, programming the array of physiological activities in the body in a chronological/orderly manner. This review appraises the operation of the biological clock as it equips the body of organisms to perform daily routines in a healthy way under the influence of external cues such as food, arousal stimuli and light. The efficiency of many biochemical processes depends on a healthy circadian rhythm
Ultrastructure of the Infection of Sorghum bicolor and Zea mays by Pythium species
Get PDFThe practice of cultivating mixed crops is common in tropical Africa and elsewhere, especially in areas of high population density. The practice of mixed cropping can promote disease spread especially in multi-host pathosystems. Pythium is a soil-borne oomycete with a wide host range affecting both cereal and legumes. In this paper, we examine pathogenesis by Pythium species in maize and sorghum, crops commonly included as intercrops in south-western Uganda. Electron microscopy was used to study the infection process using bean derived Pythium species— Pythium ultimum (MS 61) and Pythium irregulare (DFD 47)—on beans, maize and sorghum. Electron microscopy revealed that on maize P. irregulare hyphae remained extracellular while P. ultimum hyphae in epidermis underwent necrosis after 9 days. On the contrary, in sorghum P. ultimum and P. irregulare extensively colonised both the epidermis and endodermis. In this study, P. ultimum displayed two types of hyphae which mediated infection thus indicating that it might be more virulent than P. irregulare. The results of this study demonstrated that Pythium spp. are pathogenic on sorghum and therefore the role of sorghum in Pythium inoculum build-up in bean fields cannot be ruled out
Chemical and Microbiological Assessment of Plantain (Musa parasidisiaca)
Get PDFPlantain (Musa parasidisiaca) is a main food crop in the humid and sub-humid parts of Africa and good source of energy for millions of people in these regions. It is a perennial crop that grow well in a wide range of environments and belong to the family of Musaceae with the genus Musa and have been a crop of extraordinary significance to human societies. This study evaluates the microbial and chemical quality of plantain; ripe and unripe raw plantain, ripe and unripe roasted plantain, ripe and unripe boiled plantain purchased from local markets and roadside food vendors in Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The total heterotrophic counts (TVC) ranged from 1.0 x 103 to 4.7 x 104 cfu/g, the Staphylococcus counts ranged from 2.4 x 103- 3.2 x 104 cfu/g in raw ripe plantains, while all other plantain samples showed no significant counts, Coliform count ranged from 0 - 4.6 x 103 cfu/g, fungi count ranged from 0-9.7 x 104 cfu/g. Proximate analysis revealed that the pulp of plantain. contain substantial amounts of moisture, fiber, carbohydrates, and low-fat content, while minerals Fe, Mg, Ca, were present in substantially amount. The contamination of fruits and vegetables by microorganism could also be as a result of poor handling practices in food supply chain, storage conditions, distribution, marketing, practices and transportation
Microbiological Quality Assessment of Ready-to-Eat Snacks
Get PDFThe microbial quality of Ready to eat Snacks sold in Port Harcourt; River State was investigated. A total of 48 different samples from 4 sites comprising of two fast food restaurants and two road side sellers around University of Port Harcourt was analyzed for total aerobic plate count, coliform count and for specific pathogens. The Mean Total viable count of Meat pie from different locations which ranged from log10 3.08 to 4.66 cfu/g, Mean Total viable count of Fish roll ranged from log10 2.23 to 5.16 cfu/g, the Mean Total viable count of Eggroll ranged from log10 2.3 to 4.3 cfu/g, Mean Total viable count of Doughnut ranged from log10 1.9 to 4.3 cfu/g. Mean Total bacteria count of Sandwich ranged from log10 3.3 to 5.3 cfu/g, Mean Total viable count of Hamburger ranged from log10 3.32 to 6.38 cfu/g. Four different bacterial isolates were identified which include E. coli, S. aureus, Bacillus cereus, Serratia sp. Snack samples obtained from the road side seller were more contaminated. The presence of E. coli which are indicator organisms call for concern. Public health establishments should educate the producers and consumers on proper handling of RTE foods
The Impact of Pawpaw (Carica papaya) Leaves Extract on Some Biochemical Markers, Organ and Carcass Traits of Broiler Chickens in Nsukka- Nigeria
Get PDFThe impact of pawpaw (Carica papaya) leaves extract on some biochemical markers; organ and carcass traits of broiler chickens in Nsukka- Nigeria were investigated. Searching for a non-conventional and less competitive plant feed sources such as pawpaw leaf extract to serve as an alternative in poultry nutrition will solve the problem of scarcity and high cost of convectional feed sources facing poultry production today. One hundred and fifty day old Anak broiler strains of mixed sex at two weeks of age were used for the study. The birds after stabilizing them together for two weeks were weighed and assigned to five dietary treatments with 30 birds per treatment in a completely randomized experimental design. Each treatment had 5 replicates with 6 birds per replicate. Treatments were as follows: WV (control) = water + vitalyte, PLE20= Water + 20 ml pawpaw leaf extract, PLE40=Water +40 ml pawpaw leaf extract, PLE60= Water +60ml pawpaw leaf extract, PLE80= Water+80 ml pawpaw leaf extract. The birds were fed ad libitum. The following serum biochemical indices were investigated: triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, calcium, phosphorous, glucose, albumin, serum total protein, creatinine, urea, globulin and Cholesterol. Statistical analysis of the results of the serum biochemical indices showed that pawpaw leaf extract caused high (P<0.01) significant effect on triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, calcium, and serum total protein values among the treatment groups, while the values of phosphorous, albumin, creatinine and cholesterol were also significant (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the values of urea, low density lipoprotein and globulin among the treatments. Serum biochemical indices (triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, calcium, serum total protein, phosphorous, albumin, creatinine and cholesterol) values significantly increased as the level of pawpaw leaf extract increased in the water. Carcass and organ parameters investigated (thigh, shank, drumstick, breast, head, neck, wing eviscerated, dressed, heart, liver, lung, kidney, provetriculus, small intestine, crop, gizzard and spleen weights) were not significant (p<0.05, p<0.01). In conclusion, pawpaw leaf extract had significant effects only on the serum biochemical indices of the birds, it was therefore, recommended for use in broiler production but with lower dose of the extract because of the increased value of cholesterol recorded among the treatment groups
Genomic and Proteomic: Their Tools and Application
Get PDFGenomics is an Interdisciplinary branch of Applied Biology which deals with the structure, Function, Evolution, mapping and editing of genomes. Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins. Proteins are vital parts of living organisms, with many functions. The proteome is the entire set of proteins produced or modified by an organism or system. Proteomics enables the identification of ever-increasing numbers of proteins. The Present Review Focus the Different Event and aspects of Genomics and Proteomics