Biotechnology Journal International
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Evaluation of Some Biochemical Parameters of Taro Corms (Colocasia esculenta) of the "Fouê" and "Yatan" Cultivars and Organoleptic Characterization of Traditional Pastry Dishes Made with Composite Flour of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Type 45 and Taro Corms
No full textAims: This study explores the biochemical properties of taro corms and the sensory qualities of traditional pastries made with composite flours from wheat and taro of the Fouê and Yatan cultivars.
Methods: Biochemical and sensory data were analyzed with Tukey\u27s test after ANOVA to compare sample means and identify significant differences at a 5% level (P < 0.05). This analysis assessed the impact of substituting wheat flour with taro powder on dish characteristics, identifying optimal substitution levels for acceptable sensory quality.
Results: Biochemical analysis showed significant differences (P < 0.05) between the two taro cultivars, with the Fouê cultivar having generally higher levels of dry matter (28,75 ± 3,93 %), protein (1,79 ± 0,04 g/100 g DM), fiber (5,53 ± 0,08 g/100 g DM), vitamin C (5,29 ± 0,08 mg/100 g DM), and minerals like calcium (48,75 ± 3,31 mg/100 g DM), magnesium (41,03 ± 2,16 mg/100 g DM), and iron (0,79 ± 0,02 mg/100 g DM). In preparing traditional pastries (Spring Rolls, snowball cakes, and savory croquettes) with composite flours, incorporating taro powder changed the appearance, texture, and sensory acceptability, especially above 6% substitution. Sensory analysis by a tasting panel assessed color, texture, aroma, and taro flavor. Low taro levels (1–3%) maintained acceptability similar to the 100% wheat control, while higher levels (9–12%) reduced it.
Conclusion: This work enhances understanding of the nutritional benefits of the Fouê and Yatan cultivars and their potential for producing traditional pastries with optimized sensory qualities
Proximate and Mineral Composition of Raw and Boiled Tympanotonus fuscatus var. radula Sold in Markets in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
No full textTympanotonus fuscatus var. radula are invertebrates commonly consumed in Nigeria and valued for their medicinal, nutritional and economic importance. In Nigeria, some people use the shelled Tympanotonus fuscatus var. radula periwinkle for cooking while others prefer the unshelled (flesh). This study investigated the proximate and mineral composition of raw and boiled T. fuscatus var. radula sold in selected markets in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Raw samples of Tympanotonus fuscatus var. radula were bought from Keffi, Masaka, and Orange markets. The proximate composition was determined using standard analytical methods. Mineral analysis was determined by Atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Raw periwinkles had a high moisture content ranging from 68.76% to 70.31%, and protein contents ranging from 48.10% to 49.60%, with low lipid values (0.33% –1.62%). Boiling the periwinkles under laboratory conditions of 100℃ for 10 minutes gave moderate reductions in protein content (44.10% –46.00%) and mineral concentrations, as well as variable changes in moisture level (59.42% –69.00%). The result showed that raw and boiled samples with shells and without shells (flesh) have adequate crude protein, crude ash and crude fibre. It is low in crude lipid and carbohydrate. This makes it suitable as a food supplement and a good source of high animal protein. The potassium, manganese, magnesium, zinc and iron values did not exceed the set standard safe for human consumption. The raw periwinkles contained appreciable levels of calcium (43.22–49.51 mg/100 g), magnesium (141.62–169.78 mg/100 g), potassium (22.22–39.64 mg/100 g), and iron (6.25–14.51 mg/100 g), insignificant reduction in value after boiling, especially for calcium and potassium. The varying values obtained from the different markets could be attributed to the effect of environmental conditions, such as harvesting methods and post-harvest handling. The periwinkle T. fuscatus var. radula is nutrient packed, low-fat food with the ability to improve dietary protein and micronutrient intake. The result of Investigation showcases the importance of processing in determining nutritional quality. Tympanotonus fuscatus var radula is especially recommended for consumption by diabetics and people with fat related issues
Synergistic Ameliorative Effect of Vitamin C and Activated Charcoal on Paraquat-induced Lung Histotoxicity in Wistar Rats
No full textAims: To investigate the Synergistic ameliorative effect and the safety of Vitamin C/ Activated Charcoal on Paraquat-induced lung histotoxicity and normal lungs of Wistar rats respectively. To investigate the relationship between the level of tissue damage and clinical manifestations with the duration of paraquat exposure.
Place and Duration of Study: National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria, for 28 days.
Methodology: A total of 40 female 8-week-old Wistar rats, weighing between 150 to 200 grams were used, the rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups, of 10 rats each. Group 1 rats, normal control, received orally, 1ml of normal saline solution daily for 28 days. Group 2 animals received paraquat solution at 50mg/kg body weight dissolved in 1ml of distilled water once daily, for 28 days. Group 3 animals received paraquat solution at 50mg/kg body weight daily, followed after 5 minutes by 1ml of a combination of a solution of Vitamin C at 250mg/ kg body weight and a suspension of activated charcoal in distilled water at 0.175g/kg body weight, once daily for 28 days. Group 4 animals were administered 1ml of a combination of a solution of Vitamin C at 250mg/ kg body weight and a suspension of activated charcoal in distilled water at 0.175g/kg body weight once daily for 28 days. They were observed weekly. Lung tissue was harvested weekly for histopathology processing and microscopic examination from the groups randomly. The histopathological method applied is tissue morphology assessment and intra as well as extra cellular substances manifestation
Results: Group 1 and 4 animals present with normal physical behavior, water/ feed consumption. Group 2 animals present with severe reduction in feed/ water intake, respiratory distress and other physical abnormalities, which worsened with duration of the experiment. A mortality was recorded on each of days 8, 17 and 25. Group 3 animals present with milder signs of what was observed in group 2, with a mortality on day 23. Microscopically, Lung sections of groups 1 and 4 remain histologically normal throughout the experiment. Group 2 lung sections show massive diffuse eodema and vacuolations in alveolar spaces, indistinct alveolar epithelium, interalveolar septal haemorrhages and profuse infiltration of inflammatory cells in alveolar spaces, with complete loss of tissue architecture, which worsened with duration. Group 3 sections shows mild alveoli septa enlargement from day 7 to day 14, with mild interseptal haemorahes and edema from day 21 to day 28.
Conclusion: Histopathologically, group 2 shows established histotoxicity while group 3 shows amelioration and recovery from toxicity. As the duration of the experiment increases, the ameliorative effect of the dosage of this combination begins to decrease. There is hence, a need, to use graded doses of the combination of vitamin C and activated charcoal, to establish the optimum dose that can withstand long term exposure to paraquat toxicity. The normal morphology seen in both group 1 and group 4 has shown that at this dose, the combination of vitamin C and activated charcoal is safe for the animal
Genome-Scale Bioinformatic Analysis of Mob-Like Proteins in Tomato
No full textAims: The MOB protein family is an evolutionarily highly conserved protein family that participates in the regulation of cell volume and proliferation. However, its function in tomato growth and development remains unclear. Clarifying the properties, structure and protein interaction network of SlMOB proteins is of great significance for exploring the regulatory mechanism of tomato growth and development.
Study Design: To explore the characteristics and potential functions of the tomato SlMOB protein family, we conducted systematic bioinformatics analyses to predict and characterize the SlMOB proteins in Solanum lycopersicum. The results of this study laid a solid foundation for further in-depth exploration of the regulatory role of SlMOB proteins in tomato fruit development and the breeding of high-yield tomato varieties.
Methodology: In this study, bioinformatics methods were used to comprehensively analyze the physicochemical properties, transmembrane structure, subcellular localization, signal peptide, secondary structure, conserved domain, open reading frame, 3D structure, protein interaction relationship and phylogenetic evolution of tomato SlMOB proteins.
Results: The results showed that there were three members of the tomato SlMOB protein family, and all contained 215 amino acids, with no transmembrane regions or signal peptides, and were localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. The secondary structure was mainly composed of α-helix, and all members contained the conserved Mob1_phocein domain. The 3D models of all SlMOB proteins were constructed with 5twg.1.A as the template, showing high evolutionary conservation. The proteins interacting with SlMOB family members mainly included serine/threonine protein kinase 38-like, serine/threonine protein kinase 39-like and other kinases involved in signal transduction and cell cycle regulation. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that tomato SlMOB proteins had a close evolutionary relationship with Camellia sinensis MOB proteins.
Conclusions: The results of this study clarified the basic characteristics and evolutionary relationships of the tomato SlMOB protein family, enriched the information of the MOB protein family in plants, and provided a theoretical basis for further experimental verification of the function of SlMOB proteins and the molecular breeding of high-yield and high-quality tomatoes
Genetic Diversity of Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in Peri-urban Communities of Southern Nigeria
No full textAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant public health issue, with its recent reports in Nigeria showing rising resistance among community and clinical bacterial pathogens. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) remains a major issue due to its ability to acquire resistance genes such as mecA and virulence determinants with PVL. However, hospital- based surveillance in Nigeria is increasing, but evidence from peri-urban communities remains limited. Therefore, this study investigated the genetic diversity and antibiotic resistance patterns of multidrug-resistant S. aureus circulating in peri-urban communities of Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria. Nasal and clinical isolates collected from community volunteers between 2019 and 2022 underwent standard culture, susceptibility testing, mecA and pvl PCR screening, and spa typing with phylogenetic analysis. A high proportion of multidrug-resistant isolates, with more than sixty percent resistant to three or more antibiotic classes. Resistance to penicillins, tetracycline, macrolides, and trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole matched national reports, while susceptibility to vancomycin remained largely preserved. mecA was widely detected, and multiple spa types with clonal complexes were identified, indicating several transmission routes. Phylogenetic clustering suggested local spread between households and primary care settings. There is a need for community-level antimicrobial stewardship, improved surveillance, and integrated One Health strategies to limit further expansion of resistant S. aureus in peri-urban regions of Nigeria
Impact of Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA) on Cotton Resistance (Gossypium hirsutum L. var Y 764G3) a Fusarium Oxysporum Vasynfectum and the Chlorophyll Content of the Leaves
No full textA tropical plant belonging to the genus Gossypium, cotton is cultivated for both its fibers and seeds. In Côte d\u27Ivoire, cotton cultivation represents 10% of export earnings and contributes 1.7% to the gross domestic product. Despite its social and economic importance, cotton farming is attacked by numerous pests and parasites, causing crop losses. In tropical regions, Fusarium wilt causes enormous damage.
Objective: The objective of this study was to test the influence of the application of methyl jasmonate on the resistance of cotton plants to fusarium wilt.
Location of the Study: The first part of this study was carried out on the experimental plot of the Nagui Abnrogoua University and the second part at the Laboratory of Biology and Plant Production (LBPV) of said University.
Methodology: Cotton plants were treated with methyl jasmonate to stimulate natural defenses and then infected with Fusarium Oxysporum.
Results: The results showed that chlorophyll content increased in plants treated with methyl jasmonate. The chla / chlb ratio was greater than 1, while the control plants had the lowest ratio. Growth parameters also increased relatively in the methyl jasmonate -treated (TIM) plants. Untreated and uninoculated (NTNI) plants exhibited the highest growth parameters.
Conclusion: Methyl jasmonate improves the resistance of cotton to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum
Molecular Characterization of blaCTX-M-G1 and blaOXA Genes in Enteropathogenic Escherichia Coli Isolated from Children under Two Years in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
No full textExtended Spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) are evolved forms of β-lactamases produced mainly by gram-negative bacilli that allow them to inactivate penicillins, cephalosporins and Aztreonam. They are encoded by various genes that are either chromosomal or plasmid and hosted by bacterial strains especially those of E. coli widely distributed in the world. The presence of antibiotic resistance genes increases the pathogenicity of bacterial strains already equipped with virulence factors.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterize the CTX-M-G1 and OXA genes in enterophatogenic Escherichia coli Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases-producing strains isolated from children under two years of age at Protestant Hospital Center Schiphra in Ouagadougou.
Methods: A total of 53 strains of Escherichia coli responsible for human infections and isolated from stool were subjected to serotyping and susceptibility tests targeting antibiotics such as ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, imipenem were performed according to discs diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar. The search for resistance genes was carried out by classical PCR.
Results: Among 53 strains analyzed, 26.41% represented enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. The susceptibility test showed high proportions of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, 27.27% (ceftriaxone), 75% (ceftazidime) and 100% (cefotaxime). Imipenem was the most active of all the strains tested with a sensitivity ratio of 100%. Analysis of PCR products after agarose gel electrophoresis revealed 32 strains (60.37%) harboring at least one of the resistance genes sought. Of these strains, 28.30% harbored the blaOXA gene, 32.07% the blaCTX-M-G1 gene. The co-existence of blaOXA and blaCTX-M-G1 genes was found on 18.86%.
Conclusion: This study calls attention to community and hospital hygiene measures and the need for monitoring to limit the spread of virulent, antibiotic-resistant strains
Extracts from Callistemon rigidus (Myrtaceae) and Gnetum africanum (Gnetaceae) Inhibit the Growth of Selected Bacteria-causing Pneumonia
No full textBacterial pneumonia involves acute lung parenchyma and alveolar inflammation triggered by various bacteria, leading to fever, cough, dyspnea, and potential complications like sepsis or respiratory failure. The treatment of this infection is increasingly hindered by antibiotic resistance, thus justifying the pressing need to search for effective treatments against bacterial pneumonia. This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Gnetum africanum (G. africanum) and Callistemon rigidus (C. rigidus) extracts on selected pneumonia-causing bacteria. Extracts from the bark and flowers of C. rigidus and from the leaves of G. africanum, were obtained by successive maceration using solvents of increasing polarity, including hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. The inhibitory effects of the as-prepared extracts (20) were assayed against five pneumonia-causing bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (two strains), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. The bacterial (S. aureus HM-468) growth kinetics were evaluated with the most active extract (CrMeOHE, methanol extract of C. rigidus bark). The yields of plant extraction ranged from 0.507 to 18.12 %. The CrMeOHE extract was the most active extract with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 62.5, 125 and 500 µg/mL on S. aureus NR-46003, S. aureus HM-468 and A. baumannii NR-17784, respectively. The hexane extract of G. africanum inhibited the growth of S. aureus HM-468 with MIC value of 500 µg/mL. The time-kill kinetics of CrMeOHE extract on S. aureus HM-468 revealed a bactericidal effect at MIC, 2 MIC and 4 MIC. These results suggest that extracts of G. africanum and C. rigidus possess antibacterial activity and could serve as starting points for the discovery of drugs against pneumonia
Evaluation of the Knockdown and Insecticidal Potentials of the Essential Oils of Plectranthus amboinicus and Eryngium foetidum against Culex quinquefasciatus
No full textCulex quinquefasicatus is an important vector of lymphatic filariasis and also a well-known nuisance mosquito. The insect’s resistance to synthetic insecticides has made its management extremely challenging. This study evaluated the knockdown and insecticidal effects of essential oils of Plectranthtus amboinicus and Eryngium foetidum against Culex quinquefasicatus. The oils were obtained by hydro-distillation and were each separately serially diluted in 15% tween -80 solution to obtain five concentrations (31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 μl/ml). Each concentration had four replicates. The control (1ml of 15% tween -80 solution) was also replicated four times. Whatman No. 1 filter paper was separately impregnated with different concentrations of the oils and placed inside the WHO insecticide susceptibility test tubes. Twenty adult mosquitoes were exposed to each oil concentration and control to ascertain the knockdown effect at intervals of 5 for 30 while the insecticidal effect was observed for 60 minutes at intervals of 10 minutes. Complete knockdown was observed in the highest concentration (500μl/ml) for P. amboinicus and E. foetidum after 20 and 30 minutes respectively. Both oils showed increased mortality as concentration increased. After 60 minutes exposure period, P. amboinicus oil recorded 100% mortality against Cu. quinquefasicatus with all test concentrations while 100% mortality was only recorded against the insect after 60 minutes exposure to the highest concentration of E. foetidum oil. There was no knockdown or mortality recorded in the control experiment. Plectranthus amboinicus oil was more potent than E. foetidum oil. This was judged by the 30 minute KD50 value of 12.793 μl/ml and 303.883µl/ml for E. foetidum and P. amboinicus respectively. Also, the LC50 value for P. amboinicus was 67.019 μl/ml while that of E. foetidum was 643.663 μl/ml, supporting a higher susceptibility of Culex quinquefasicatus to the oil of P. amboinicus. Both plant oils exhibited activity against Culex quinquefasicatus but P. amboinicus oil produced a more appreciable potency and should be incorporated into the production of potent natural insecticides against Culex quinquefasicatus
Sustainable Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Supply Chain Diversification for Economic Growth in Africa: Barriers, Opportunities, and Policy Pathways
No full textWhile Africa continent has high potential due to its large and youthful population, manufacturing remains underdeveloped, with only 2% of global manufactured goods originating from Africa. Inadequate and unreliable infrastructure is one of the most critical barriers to manufacturing implementation and broad growth. Little is documented on biomanufacturing readiness and supply chain systems performance and robustness that are essential for safe and efficacious vaccines, medicine and other diagnostic products. This review article highlights biopharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain management regulatory ecosystem and engagement, workforce and infrastructure capacities implementation strategies. Findings showed that pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa is a rapidly growing, strategic focus for health sovereignty, aiming to shift from importing over 99% of its vaccines to producing 60% locally by 2040 through massive workforce development, strategic partnerships, and targeted investments. This review article highlights the biomanufacturing regulatory ecosystem and policies implementation to targeted capacity building strategies in enhancing sustainable production and supply chain systems resilience, efficiency and access and uptake effectiveness for economic growth and well-being, Addressing implementation barriers and knowledge gaps is crucial in harnessing and fast-tracking vaccines and medical products scale production and wide availability against preventable infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases among under-served and vulnerable populations across Africa and global south. Findings revealed that key barriers and challenges include a shortage of skilled labor, complex and inconsistent regulatory environments, inadequate and unreliable infrastructure like geopolitics power increasing operational costs and limits production, fragmented markets, transportation, inefficient roads and ports, which drives up freight costs and causes significant supply chain management bottlenecks, and limited allocation domestic finance. Key strategies in national and regional diversification of manufacturing are highlighted to significantly impact socio-economic growth by fostering innovation, creating jobs, and enabling sustainable production of various goods. Advancing biomanufacturing basic and advanced research to industrial-scale production and sustainability approaches. Africa’s development and transformation relies on biomanufacturing actionable outcomes which is crucial for a thriving bioeconomy immense opportunities driven by the Africa Union Platform for Harmonized African Health products Manufacturing (PHAHM) to build capacity for vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. This calls for the urgent need for integration and sustainability drivers and evidence-based biomanufacturing policies and regulations, productivity and economic development strategies. Fostering public-private biomanufacturing partnerships and co-investment actions plans. Boosting integrative vaccines biomanufacturing national regulatory and ethics engagement, licensure pathways and hamonized reliance approaches through advancing data sharing and standard practice for programmatic vaccine biomanufacturing decision-making and resilience across borders. Data-driven and evidence-informed decisions safe and effective biomedical products development, scale production, availability,low-cost and uptake compliance have shown signifficant global and public health benefits and returns impact. Biopharmaceutical manufacturing and biotechnologies skilled workforce development and programmatic plans including risk mitigation and supply chain capabilities across Africa have potential social and pubic health impact and driving “the Africa w Want”, while addressing manufacturing regulatory processes and high cost investment and global supply chain complexities and vulnerabilities issues and gaps is core across Africa and worldwide