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Oxidative Insults of 2, 2-dichlorovinyl-dimethyl phosphate (DDVP), an Organophosphate Insecticide in Rats Brain
Full text linkThe oxidative insult of 2, 2-dichlorovinyl-dimethyl phosphate (DDVP) in male rats brain was investigated. Rats were grouped into four: A, B, C and D where A, (the control) received orally 1 mL of distilled water; B, C and D (test groups) received orally 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight of DDVP respectively for 28 days. DDVP administration caused significant decrease (P<0.05) in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in the brain. Brain levels of glutathione (GSH), total thiol, vitamins C and E were also significantly reduced (P<0.05), while peroxide glutathione (GSSG) level increased significantly (P<0.05). Brain malonidialdehyde and lipid hydroperoxide also increased significantly (P<0.05) in all DDVP treated groups. The available data from this study revealed that DDVP brings about its toxicity through depletion of the antioxidant systems and thus exposing the cells and cellular macromolecules to oxidative assault by reactive oxygen species generated either from its metabolites or other in vivo means.
Keywords: 2, 2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate; redox homeostasis; enzymic antioxidant system; nonenzymic antioxidant system; lipid peroxidation
Partial Purification of Amylase from the Culture Filtrates of Aspergillus flavus Grown on Cassava Peels
Full text linkAmylase from a Cassava peel culture of Aspergillus flavus was partially purified by Ammonium Sulphate precipitation as well as dialysis. The dialysed 60% (NH4)2.SO4 precipitated enzyme had an activity of 1.087 mg T.R.S released/ min/mg protein which was two folds of the activity of the crude culture filtrate. Hydrogen ion concentration as well as temperature had profound influence on enzyme activity of the partially purified enzyme while Amylase activity increased progressively as pH was increased from 3 to 7 reaching a maximum of 1.68 mg T.R.S released/min/mg/protein at PH 7.0. A rapid decrease in amylase activity was observed as pH was increased from 7 to 9 while the amylase activity increased with increase in temperature from 30 oC to 45 oC and reached a maximum of 1.15 mg T.R.S. released/min/mg/protein at 45 oC. Subsequent increase in temperature resulted into decrease in activity of the amylase enzyme.
Keywords: Aspergillus flavus; dialysis; pH; temperature; partial purification; cassava pee
Effect of Three Species of Stylosanthes on The Performance of West African Dwarf Sheep
Full text linkAn experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding three species of Stylosanthes as supplements to a basal diet consisting of Cyonodon dactylon on the performance of West African dwarf sheep. The three treatments imposed were: Treatment 1, a basal diet consisting of poor quality grass (Cyondon dactylon) and Stylosanthes scabra in the ratio of 70:30. Treatment 2, the basal diet added with Stylosanthes guianensis (70:30); and Treatment 3,the basal diet with Stylosanthes hamata (70:30). The study lasted for 24 days, a 10 day adjustment period and a 14- day data collection, using 3 rams of comparable age and weight. Data were analyzed as a 3 x 3 Latin square. Animals supplemented with S. guianensis had the highest DM intake while S. scabra was least consumed by sheep (p<0.05). Digestibility of crude protein and DM however showed that animals on S. guianensis performed better. It could be concluded that sheep can be supplemented with Stylosanthes guianensis in the savannah zone of Nigeria.
Keywords: Stylosanthes guianensis; Stylosanthes scabra; Stylosanthes hamate; West African Dwarf sheep; crude protein digestibilit