International Journal of Scientific Research in Biological Sciences
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Observable Differences and Similarities in Proximate and Mineral Constituents of Air-Dried Leaf and Inflorescence of Petiveria Alliaceae (L.)
Get PDFThe present research seeks to evaluate the differences and similarities in proximate and mineral constituents of air-dried leaf and inflorescence of Petiveria alliaceae (L.). To achieve this goal, the procedures of analyses by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) were adopted. The proximate analyses of the crude fat, dry matter, carbohydrate, and energy were higher in the leaf than the inflorescence while moisture content, total ash, crude protein, and crude fibre were more in the inflorescence. The two samples are endowed with substantial percentage of crude protein (14.13 to 15.05 %), total ash (9.28 to 9.66 %), and energy (331.00 to 315.33 Kcal/100g) but low in fat (2.96 to 1.66 %), and fibre (0.27 to 0.63 %) in the leaf, and inflorescence respectively. The leaf was richer in calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, and cobalt than the inflorescence while the inflorescence was higher in sodium, potassium, copper, manganese, lead, chromium and nickel. The level of heavy metals like; chromium, cobalt, nickel, zinc and lead in both samples (cadmium was not detected) were similar. Based on the fact the levels of the minerals were within the permissible safe limits recommended by FAO and WHO, the leaf and the inflorescence were considered free of heavy metal toxicity
Documenting Some Species of Bats in the Central and Coastal Regions of Syria
Get PDFWe have studied and documented Six Species of bats in the central region of Syria (Eastern, and Western Homs countrysides) and some areas of the Syrian coastal region (Draykish, Safita and Ash Shaykh Badr).These Species are: Roussettus aegyptiacus, Myotis myotis, Myotis blythii, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Pipistrellus savii, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. The Species Pipi strellus savii has been recorded for Syria for the first time in Slanfah – Lattakia on 2/10/2018. Pipistrellus kuhlii has been recorded in Sukkarah (eastern Homs countryside) on 16/7/2017 and Ash Shaykh Badr (Tartus) on 19/8/2017, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum has been recorded in Fajlit (Draykish) on 30/9/2017 and Al-Zahabiya (Shin district west Homs countryside) on 1/8/2017. Myotis myotis, Roussettus aegyptiacus have been recorded in in Al-Dawwar cave - Kafr Sanif (Safita – Tartus) on 5/10/2017 and on 14/7/2018, Myotis plythy has been recorded Which Myotis myotis, Roussettus aegyptiacus in same cave on 14/7/2018, the morphometric measurements of these Species have been taken and classified and compared with previous studies in Syria and Egypt
Cytoprotective Properties of Makabuhay (Tinospora crispa) Bark Decoction in Cisplatin-induced Nephrotoxic Mice
Get PDFRenal failure in cancer patients is one common problem in chemotherapy. Patients are frequently treated with nephrotoxic antibiotics like cisplatin. After a single dose of cisplatin, thirty-three percent (30%) of patients develops nephrotoxicity that leads to acute kidney injury. This study investigated the cytoprotective properties of makabuhay bark decoction in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxic mice. The makabuhay was extracted through decoction. Nine adult albino mice were used and divided into three groups. Nephrotoxicity was induced through repeated low dose cisplatin intraperitoneally and makabuhay extracts were administered orally. The treatment lasted for five consecutive days and animals were sacrificed under anesthesia on the 6th day after an overnight fast. Blood was collected for blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels evaluation. Results showed that there is a significant difference in the blood urea nitrogen levels of makabuhay treated mice compared to other groups. However, serum creatinine levels among treatments did not show any significant difference. On the other hand, kidney sections of mice were prepared and interpreted. The normal control group showed normal kidney tissues. Kidney sections from the cisplatin group showed severe renal degeneration and necrosis with congestion. The makabuhay treated mice presented moderate renal congestion and degeneration. The data from this study, proved that makabuhay possess cytoprotective properties in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity using established mouse model
Bacteriocin Induced Milk as a Vehicle against Dental Cavities
Get PDFThe prevalence of dental caries is consistently increasing, in every age across the globe, and today the concern for the “Oral health” is almost at the same level as for “General health”. The oral health care demands are beyond the capacities of the health care systems in most low and middle income countries. Therefore, it was thought to explore the natural ways by which the problems of dental caries can be prevented in a cost-effective manner. It was found that a few studies have set the path through use of natural bacteriocins against inhibition of caries causing organisms. The inhibition of caries causing organisms can be done by naturally occurring substances like bacteriocins found in lactic acid bacteria. Bacteriocins are potent protein toxins produced by virtually every bacterial and archeal species. In the present study, prevention of dental caries by utilization of bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria has been done by incorporating bacteriocin in milk. The bacteriocin producing five strains of Lactobacillus brevis isolated from curd were used for the production of bacteriocin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the bacteriocins was carried out to find the best bacteriocin producing strain. Out of five bacteriocin producers, the strain LB11(1) showed maximum percentage of MIC. The characterization of the bacteriocin was done using various optimization conditions. The partial purification was done using ammonium sulphate precipitation and centrifugal filteration. The purified bacteriocin was then incorporated in the milk to check the effect of inhibition on caries causing organisms (Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus isolated from dental cavities). It was confirmed that the bacteriocin induced milk can be applied to prevent dental caries directly by the consumer and the milk itself can become a vehicle against dental cavities.
 
Role of H+ and Ca++ concentrations on Vorticella stalk Contraction Determination
Get PDFVorticella stalks contraction mechanism is based upon the behaviour of novel types of motor proteins involved in the process and thus determined positive sensitive effects when in [H+] from 14.80 × 10-10 to 7.15 × 10-10 mole whereas [Ca++] from 0.5 to 4.5 mM reflected negative effects on contraction dynamics in terms of birefringence. The protoosmotic applications on the stalk contraction provided information about biochemical nature of motor proteins involved in contraction dynamics of the stalk in terms of frequency and duration profiles in reversible reactions have potential future applications in controlling patterns of structural modifications of motor proteins involved throughout the system.
 
Assessment of Nodulation Potential of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium elkanii on Glycine max L. in Acidic Clay and Loam Soils
Get PDFPoor soils and prohibitive cost of nitrogen fertilizers contribute to low soybean production in southern Africa. Soybean is a legume with high nitrogen demand during its development and is sensitive to acidic soils. This paper investigated the potential of two rhizobia species Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain 550 and Bradyrhizobium elkanii strain 510 in nodulating soybean variety SeedCo Status in acidic clay and loam soils. Strains of Bradyrhizobiun japonicum and B. elkanii rhizobia were each inoculated to surface sterilized soybean seeds prior sowing in acidic clay and loam soils. The inoculated seeds were sown in 1-litre pots with three replicates for each of six treatments. The soybean plants were evaluated for nodule colour, nodule number, shoot biomass and shoot N content. All means were subjected to ANOVA in STATA version 12.1. The observed nodule colour for plants inoculated with B. japonicum and B. elkanii strains was red brown. The results showed a significant difference in nodule number, shoot biomass and N content among the soybean plants inoculated with the rhizobia in both acidic clay and loam soils (F=9.09 p=0.05). Inoculating soybean seed with B. elkanii strain 510 provides more nodulation potential in acidic loam soil than B. japonicum strain 550 in the same soil type.
 
Endophytes Fungi Associated With a Water Hyacinth of Eichhornia Crassipes (Mart.) Solms
Get PDFNineteen endophytes fungal species were isolated from leave and petiole of an aquatic hyacinth weed plant of Eichhornia crassipes. These plants were collected from a freshwater pond in different months at Mannargudi in Tamil Nadu. Among these two belonging to Ascomycetes, four fungal species belonging to Coelomycetes and eleven Hyphomycetes beside to two sterile forms. These endophytic fungi were studied shows fewest colonies that some of the distinct occupying the leaf and petiole tissue. Commonly isolated genera from both month and tissue were Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum cloeosporioides, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium sp. Phomopsis sp., and Yeast form. This study revealed that fungal diversity varied with tissue types and by host plant in representative two months. This diversity of fungi has been assessed to vary depending on the specificity of the tissue. According to the RPO statistical analysis, Hyphomycetes fungi have been dominated by both tissues. Similarly, according to the CF% calculation, more no. of fungal colonies has been isolated from leaf tissue. Assumed, that these distributed fungi have been dependent on tissues specificity.
 
Social Media Usage, Eating Habits and Nutritional Status of School-Going Adolescents: A Descriptive Study
Get PDFInfluence of social media on eating habits of adolescent children (increased number of meals taken other than home; consumption of junk foods in the forms of snacks and soft drinks) could increase their chances of developing health risks in adulthood such as obesity. Therefore, we aimed to assess the prevalent eating habits; physical activity, and use of social media among school-going adolescents. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 150 adolescents studying in a private school, located in the suburban area of Faridabad. Data related to social media usage, eating habits and physical activity was collected using self-administered questionnaires. The purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit students from classes eight to ten aged between 12-18 years. A total sample of 150 students comprised 63% boys and 37% girls. The mean age of the students was 14.2?1.12 years. There was a significant difference between the BMI of students who spent ≤ 3 hours and > 3 hours on social media as mean BMI was 18.13?2.64 and 19.59?3.94 respectively with the increase in time spent on social media. Frequent consumption of food items high in salt, sugar, and fat was also seen. Increased time spent on social media sites just for fun activity would be reducing the nutritional status of adolescents. Less intake of nutritious food might also cause micronutrient deficiency. We need to conduct more such studies to find the health effects of excess social media usage
 
A Study on Phytochemical Screening and Analysis of Leaf Extract of Withania Somnifera
Get PDFWithania somnifera is a highly renowned plant in the Indian Ayurvedic and Unani System of medicine. This plant is known to promote physical and mental health and is used to treat almost all of the disorders that affect human health. So, it is called as’ Power Herb’. The present study investigated the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of W. somnifera. The leaves were shade dried and powdered and sequentially extracted with Hexane, Ethyl acetate, and Ethanol solvents. Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical analysis was performed for the three extracts.The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, quinones, phenols, etc., Quantitative estimation of the phytochemicals was also evaluated. Biologically active phytochemicals were mainly present in the Ethyl acetate extract of W. somnifera
Antibacterial Effects of Brown Algae Extracts of Cystoseira Sp. Collected From Tukra Beach, Mediterranean Sea Coast of Libya
Get PDFTwo species of brown algae Cystoseira compressa and Cystoseira crinita were studied in this project collected from Mediterranean coast of Tukra beach and that was in order to study their inhibition effects on growth of five different species of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli). Five different organic solvents (ethanol, methanol, acetone, ethyl acetate and hexane) were used with both algal species and the bacteria species. Discs of the antibiotic Azithromycin 15 were used as a positive control and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a negative control. Nutrient Agar was used to reactivate colonies of bacteria that were used in this study and Muller Hinton (M.H) media was used for the sensitivity test. Well diffusion method was also used in the sensitivity test for both species of Cystoseira which were extracted by applying a cold extraction method. Both Cystoseira spp. showed vary inhibition effects on gram-positive bacteria. aureus and S. pyogenes. Highest inhibition zones were found in colonies of S. aureus and S. pyogenes by using of Cystoseira compressa ethanol extracts. Extracts of both species of Cystoseira had no inhibition effect on gram-negative bacteria