Biotechnology Journal International
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Effect of Processing on in–vitro Protein Digestibility and Anti–nutritional Properties of Three Underutilized Legumes Grown in Nigeria
No full textComparative studies are conducted on the effect of roasting and boiling methods on anti–nutritional properties and in–vitro protein digestibility of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.), scarlet runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.) and lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) which are legume seeds grown in Nigeria. For this purpose some anti–nutritional factors and in–vitro protein digestibility were investigated using standard analytical techniques. Roasting method significantly reduced the anti–nutritional contents while in–vitro protein digestibility values were also decreased by 35.54%, 60.36% and 53.32% for Vigna subterranean, Phaseolus coccineus and Phaseolus lunatus, respectively. Boiling on the other hand significantly decreased the anti–nutritional properties as well as improved the in–vitro protein digestibility by 17.77%, 15.09% and 35.54% for Vigna subterranean, Phaseolus coccineus and Phaseolus lunatus, respectively. Among the two domestic processing methods, boiling was the most effective in reducing anti–nutritional factors and improving in–vitro protein digestibility
Jumping Genes-“The Other Half of the Human Genome” and the Missing Heritability Conundrum of Human Genetic Disorders
No full textAlmost 45% of the human genome is composed of transposons with about 4 million copies. The retrotransposons constitute 42% of the human genome with active families (Long Interspersed Nuclear Element, SINE-R, VNTR, and Alu) allied with insertional mutagenesis and diseases. There are >500,000 L1 copies which represent ~17% with less than 100 active copies and are inserted in the human genome; >1 million Alu copies referred to as “a parasite’s parasite” and ~3,000 SVA (SINE-R, VNTR, and Alu) copies. Some Human Endogenous Retroviruses are still active in humans. Nonactive DNA transposons embody 3% of the human genome. TEs are known to engender genomic instability and reorganize gene expression system in germline as well as the somatic cells. The amended retrotransposon expression or function appears to be associated with stress, alcohol, neurodegeneration and aging. This review highlights recent findings on the role of jumping genes in human genetic disorders like cancer, autoimmune and neurological diseases
Effect of Cytokinins on In vitro Propagation of Boucerosia umbellata (Haw.) Wight & Arn. (Syn.: Caralluma umbellata Haw.) from Nodal Explants of Field Grown Plants
No full textAn efficient protocol was described for the rapid in vitro multiplication of medicinal plant Boucerosia umbellata via enhanced axillary bud proliferation from nodal explants collected from young shoots of three-month-old field grown plants. Effects of cytokinins 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), Thiadiazuron (TDZ), Kinetin (Kin) and 2-isopentenyl adenine (2iP) individually and in combination have been investigated. MS medium supplemented with BAP (2 mg/l) and TDZ (1 mg/l) gave maximum response for multiple shoot induction with a shoot sprouting frequency of 86% and mean shoot number of 3.9±0.16 per node and 2.04±0.05 cm shoot length. Rooting was best achieved on ½ strength MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) medium supplemented with Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) (0.1 mg/l). The regenerated plantlets were successfully established in the garden with 73% survival rate
Properties of Aspergillus flavus Cellulase Produced from Solid State Fermentation of Brewers’ Spent Grain (BSG) as Substrate
No full textThe production of cellulase from Aspergillus flavus isolated from Brewers’ Spent Grain (BSG) undergoing bio-deterioration was carried out using solid state fermentation method. Out of a total of four fungal isolates with cellulase producing potentials, Aspergillus flavus with a clearance zone of 5.0cm was the best hyper-producer and was selected for optimization and cellulase production. Two different enzyme production media containing either yeast extract or potassium nitrate (KNO3) served as sources of nitrogen to the Aspergillus flavus. The crude activity of the potassium nitrate (KNO3) option (28,170 Units) was significantly higher than the crude cellulase from yeast extract option (18,600 Units). Ammonium sulphate precipitation at 60%, 80%, and 100% had cellulase activities 14600 units, 4400 unit, and 2800uits in yeast extract amended experimental option. In addition, ammonium sulphate precipitation at 60%, 80%, and 100% gave cellulase activities of 21130 units, 1700 units, and 1110 units, respectively in the KNO3 amended experimental option. Thus, 60% ammonium sulphate precipitation gave the best cellulase activity. The optimum pH of Aspergillus flavus cellulase was 6.0, while the optimum temperatures were between 50°C to 60°C. Tolerance to some alkali and alkaline–earth metals was also established, and probable co-factor behaviour of manganese ion to this cellulase was also established. Good government policies that support high import duties on foreign enzymes, emphasis on local production are advocated for in order to stamp out the economic leakages accruing through enzyme importation into Nigeria
Production of Bovine Herpesvirus-1 Vaccine Strains in MDBK Cells Using BelloCell Bioreactor
No full textAim: To produce bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) vaccine strains in MDBK cells using an oscillating bioreactor, BelloCell.
Place and Duration of Study: Division of Veterinary Biotechnology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243122, India, between November 2013 and June 2015.
Methodology: MDBK cells were cultured in BelloCell bioreactor seeded with MDBK cells. After 6 days incubation at 37°C under 5% CO2 tension, the MDBK cells were infected with 0.001 multiplicity of infection (MOI) of either wild-type (wt)-BoHV-1 or glycoprotein E deleted (∆gE)-BoHV-1vaccine strains and incubated further for 96 h. To analyse the vaccine potential of the harvests, inactivated wt-BoHV-1 and ∆gE-BoHV-1 were inoculated in guinea pigs. Sera from immunized guinea pigs were collected at 90 days after primary immunization and analysed for virus neutralizing (VN) antibody response specific to wt-BoHV-1.
Results: Using BelloCell bioreactor, the MDBK cell density reached to a maximum number of 1.5 x 109 to 2.0 x 109 cells after 6 days cultivation. After infection with wt-BoHV-1 and ∆gE-BoHV-1 strains, the total virus yield at 96 h post-infection was 0.5 x 1011.25 and 0.5 x 1011.83, respectively. There was no significant difference in VN antibody response in sera collected from immunized guinea pigs.
Conclusion: This study indicated that BelloCell bioreactor can be used as a simple system for high population density cell culture and large scale production of vaccines
Production of Wine and Vinegar from Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) “Apple”
No full textAims: To prepare commercial-grade wine from cashew apples using less expensive household materials and vinegar production by natural spontaneous fermentation.
Study Design: Cashew wine was prepared by fermenting cashew apple juice with Saccharomyces cerevisae. Various parameters viz., time, pH, temperature, density and vinegar concentration was monitored.
Place and Duration of Study: Biochemistry Division and New Product Development Unit, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, between February 2009 and July 2013.
Methodology: Progress and quality of fermentation were carried out by using various biochemical tests. Acceptability of products was determined by sensory analysis.
Results: Physico-chemical analyses of the wine during fermentation showed a decrease in specific gravity and pH, and a corresponding increase in titratable, fixed and volatile acidity. The ageing wine was amber, dry (12.58±0.24%v/v alcohol content), slightly acidic in taste (titratable acidity of 0.79±0.02 g tartaric acid/100 mL and pH of 3.84±0.04) and had high phenolic content (406.10±4.56 mg/100 mL) and a distinct cashew apple juice smell. Microbiological assay of the wine showed no microbial growth. Sensory evaluation showed no significant differences (P>.05) between the cashew wine and a commercial grape wine with respect to clarity, colour, taste, astringency and aftertaste. However, in terms of aroma, the grape wine was found to be significantly superior (P<.05) to the cashew wine. Vinegar was produced by natural spontaneous acetic acid fermentation of the cashew wine. Chemical monitoring of the acetic acid fermentation showed a decline in both alcohol and pH from 7.14±0.04%v/v to 0.00±0.04%v/v and 4.23±0.03 to 2.40±0.27 respectively over a period of 29 days. Conversely, volatile acidity increased from 0.01±0.01 g acetic acid/100 mL to 6.85±0.03 g acetic acid/100 mL over the same period. The characteristics of the cashew vinegar met the standard specifications for vinegar.
Conclusion: This study shows that ordinary household materials could be used to commercially exploit the underutilised cashew apples in Ghana through the production of wine and vinegar to conserve foreign exchange and increase the income of farmers in the country
Response of Pseudomonas species from Contaminated Soils to Selected Organic (Synthetic) Pesticides
No full textGrowth response profile of three species of Pseudomonas isolated from pesticide contaminated soils within Uyo, Nigeria was studied using standard microbiological and analytical techniques. The ability of the isolates to tolerate varying concentrations of commercially available pesticides namely; Decis, DD force and Cyperforce was assessed over a 96 hour period. Selective enrichment cultures with graded concentrations of the pesticides were used to assay their growth response profile and the absorbance determined using CO75 digital colorimeter. The results showed that the Pseudomonas species differed biochemically. Their growth response at pesticide concentrations 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10% v/v differed significantly (P<0.05) at 24 hours interval for four days. At 10% concentration of Decis pesticide over 96 hour, the absorbance were 0.20, 0.23 and 0.30 for Pseudomonas from Agriculture research farm, hospital dumpsite and municipal waste dump site respectively. This ability therefore offers a veritable tool for use in the bioremediation and ultimate restoration of pesticide contaminated soils but however requires further evaluation
Persistence and Comparative Pesticidal Potentials of Some Constituents of Lippia adoensis (Hochst. ex Walp.) (Lamiales: Verbenaceae) Essential Oil against Three Life Stages of Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)
No full textOver the past decades, the development of an alternative and eco-friendly pest control strategies has become a public concern for the sake of mankind. Plant essential oils are complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds, which play indispensable roles in the environment, for the plant itself, as well as for humans.
Aims: The objectives of this study were (i) to identify and report the volatile organic compounds of Lippia adoensis (Hochst. Ex Walp.) (Lamiales: verbenaceae) essential oil (EO, herein after) and to compare the bioactivity of its four major compounds with the crude EO at relatively low dosages on some fitness parameters of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleptera: Bruchidae), (ii) to test the persistency of each compounds over time, and (iii) to evaluate the type of interaction of the major constituents of the EO (whether antagonistic, synergistic or additive) in order to project the biological interaction of the whole compounds.
Study Design: Young leaves of L. adoensis were randomly collected in Mbe locality (Ngaoundere-Cameroon) for EO extraction which was then analysed by the means of Gas Chromatography (GC-FID) coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Bioassays consisted of three shelves treatments for adult mortality, eggs laying, larval development and progeny production. A complete randomized design (CRD) with five replications was set for each treatment.
Places and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Biology of the Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere (Cameroon) and Pest Control laboratory of Professor Niu Changying HZAU, Wuhan (China) from February 2014 to January 2016.
Methodology: Essential oil was extracted with a Clevencher-type apparatus, hydrodistilled and air-dried. Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) were carried out to analyze the constituents. The toxicity of crude EO and its four major constituents was evaluated at 0.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 µL/g. Ten glass jars (volume 800mL) containing 50 g of cowpea seeds were prepared. After treatment, ten couples of C. maculatus aged 1-7days were randomly selected and separately introduced in each glass jar and kept at 22.72±1.06°C, 83.73±1.28% RH. Control jars were treated only with pure acetone. Each treatment was replicated five times. The exposure lasted for six days post treatment. Data on adult’s mortality, eggs laying, larvae and progeny production were assessed and monitored.
Results: The GC–MS analysis allowed the identification of 43 volatile components representing 93.54% of total oil. The major components were Thymol (22.01%), Thymol-acetate (15.21%), para-cymene (13.85%) and Triacetin (9.131%).
The crude EO suppressed adults, completely inhibited eggs laying and adult emergence at 5 and 1
Dietary Effect of Different Drying Methods and Graded Inclusion Levels of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) on the Performance and Gut Morphology of Broilers
No full textThe effect of processing methods and varying dietary inclusion levels of ginger on performance and gut morphology of broilers was studied. Ten experimental diets designated as diet 1 (control 0% ginger inclusion), diet 2 (sundried ginger at 1%), diet 3 (sundried ginger at 1.5%), diet 4 (sundried ginger at 2%), diet 5 (air-dried ginger at 1%), diet 6 (air-dried ginger at 1.5%), diet 7 (air-dried ginger at 2%), diet 8 (oven-dried ginger at 1%), diet 9 (oven-dried ginger at 1.5%) and diet 10 (oven-dried ginger at 2%) were fed to the broilers ad-libitum. The experimental design was a 3 by 3 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. Three hundred broilers were used for the experiment; they were randomly allotted to the ten dietary treatments with 5 replicates per treatment and 6 birds per replicate. The birds were weighed weekly to determine their weight gain, body weight and feed conversion ratio. Thirty finisher birds were sacrificed and the ileum and duodenum removed for gut histo-morphometry.
Results showed that drying methods influenced performance. This was observed for the average body weight gained per bird per day while the effect of the inclusion level was observed on the feed conversion ratio. Factor interaction was observed for weight gained/bird per day and feed conversion ratio. However, only numerical differences were observed for average final body weight/bird and average feed intake /bird/day.
Duodenal and ilea, villous height showed significant effect (P<0.05) of drying method, inclusion levels and treatment interaction with the control having the highest mean values.
It can be concluded that supplementing broiler feed with air-dried ginger at 1.5% inclusion level can be effective as it led to an increase in the final body weight, average body weight gained per day per bird and average feed intake. No effect of drying methods and inclusion levels were observed for the histo-morphometry
Water Quality and Distribution of Pathogenic Microorganisms along Kabianga River in Kericho County, Kenya
No full textBackground: Safe and clean water is of major concern to mankind because it is directly linked with the health and their wellbeing. The disposal of different kinds of pollutants and nutrients through sewage, agricultural runoff and industrial effluents into rivers and water bodies effect a sequence of changes in its physicochemical characteristics. Kabianga River is known for provision of clean drinking water, a habitat for many aquatic plants and living organisms and irrigation water to farmlands. Excessive industrialization and consequent urbanization has led to several problems of water quality management of the river.
Aim: This research was aimed at assessing the quality of Kabianga river by ascertaining the levels of microorganisms and if it meets the local and international microbiological standards.
Study Design: The study used experimental design.
Methodology: The water samples were collected during rainy and dry seasons. Standard bacteriological techniques was used to describe bacteria content from water samples.
Results: The results indicates that water is highly contaminated with human pathogenic bacteria. The most dominant bacteria in both seasons were Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Proteus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Conclusion: From the findings it can be concluded that the water from this river is not fit for human consumption or for domestic uses. Therefore regular monitoring of the water microbiological quality and public health education should be carried out to sensitize the residence on the dangers of using the polluted water.