Biotechnology Journal International
Not a member yet
822 research outputs found
Sort by
Cardiac and Pulmonary Complications in HbE-β Thalassaemia Patients: A Study from West Bengal, Eastern India
No full textAims: Hemoglobinopathies including HbE β thalassemia are associated with significant cardiac and pulmonary compromise in affected persons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiac and pulmonary health of transfusion dependent 50 HbE β thalassemia patients of West Bengal.
Study Design: 50 transfusion dependent HbE-β thalassaemia patients were selected to evaluate the pulmonary hypertension as it is often associated with anemia.
Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Out Patient Department of Thalassaemia Control Unit, Imambara Sadar Hospital, Chinsurah, Hooghly, West Bengal, India between January, 2014 to December, 2015.
Methodology: We have evaluated the ECG, Echocardiography and Chest X ray to assess the cardiac function. Chest X ray and Spirometry (FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, PFC) were also monitored to evaluate the pulmonary obstruction.
Results: 68% patients showed severe to moderate pulmonary restriction, where as only 10% patients were found to have no significant pulmonary restrictions. The remaining 22% patients showed mild restriction. Other clinical abnormalities found on these HbE-β thalassaemia patents includes palpitation, chest pain, dyspnoea, edema feet and investigation reveals pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), volume overload of left heart, pulmonary arterial enlargement, cardiomegaly and LVH strain pattern.
Conclusion: In this study, we have found that 68% of all patients showed reportable pulmonary restrictions. Cardiomegaly, volume overload of left heart and LVH strain pattern was found in 26%, 22% and 16% of all patients respectively. Overall, this study will help to get a clear cut and overall idea about the cardiac and pulmonary health of the HbE-β thalassaemia, which ultimately help in the prospective management of the related complications associated with the disease
Impact of Probiotic Strain LBKV-3 on Phagocytic Cells of Children under Age of Ten
No full textThere is unequivocal evidence that administration of probiotics could be effective in the treatment of acute infectious diarrhoea in children and the prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhoea and nosocomial/community acquired diarrhoea. Encouraging evidence is also emerging for the effectiveness of probiotics in the prevention and management of pouchitis and paediatric atopic diseases, and the prevention of postoperative infections. There is also strong evidence that certain probiotic strains are able to enhance immune function, especially in subjects with less than adequate immune function such as the elderly. This work describes a randomized, double blind, placebo- controlled human clinical trial to investigate the immune effects on tribal children of a fermented product containing probiotic strains, Lactobacillus acidophilus LBKV-3, which was compared with another traditional fermented product, Dahi and Buffalo milk. To study the immunomodulatory effects, implantation abilities of the culture in the GI tract of tribal children, forty-five tribal children of 6-7; 7-8 and 8-9 years were randomly selected and distributed in three groups, each comprising of 15 children in each of the age group. Regular dietary history of the children involved during the feeding trial was obtained. The parents of all children were informed about the importance and the objectives to be ascertained during the study. A formal signed consent was obtained from their parents. The test group of the children was receiving 100 g product volunteers/day of freshly prepared Probiotic Acidophilus Milk P.A.M. containing 107 cfu/g of culture. The control group was receiving 100 g freshly prepared Dahi containing 107 cfu/g of the LAB while blank group of the volunteers was receiving thermal processed (85°C/30 min) buffalo milk containing 5% fat and 10% S.N.F.@ 100 ml/day/volunteer. This feeding trial was continued for 12 weeks. As a result the volunteers assigned to the probiotic group a clear improvement in their intestinal track. The study revealed that probiotics may exert a positive effect on health of tribal children
Metagenomic Analysis of Microbial Communities in the Soil-mousse Surrounding of an Amazonian Geothermal Spring in Peru
No full textAim: Aguas Calientes (AC) is one of the very few geothermal springs located deep into the Amazon rainforest in Peru. The main aim of this study was to generate an illumina based high resolution microbial phylogenetic profile of the soil-mousse surrounding of an Amazonian geothermal spring like AC.
Study Design: Soil-mousse surrounding of AC geothermal spring was subjected to metagenome sequencing using Illumina HiSeq platform.
Place and Duration of Study: Soil samples were collected from the surrounding of Aguas Calientes (7°21\u2712\u27\u27 S, 75°00\u2754\u27\u27 W). The duration of the study was from 2013-2016.
Methodology: Metagenomic DNA was extracted from pooled soil samples using PowerSoil® DNA isolation kit and analyzed at 16S rRNA V3-V4 hypervariable region by amplicon metagenome sequencing on Illumina Hiseq platform. QIIME pipeline was used for 16S RNA detection, clustering and Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) picking followed by Biom file generation and statistical analysis. Functional analysis of 16S amplicons was performed using the default settings of PICRUSt.
Results: A total of 72 bacterial phyla and 3 archaeal phyla were detected in AC soil. Proteobacteria (50.09%) was found to be the highest represented phylum among bacterial communities while among archaeal communities Crenarchaeota (0.26%) dominated the sample. More than 50% of the sequences in AC soil were found unidentified/novel at the genus level. A plausible facultative mutualistic relationship was predicted among some members of the communities. In Clusters of Orthologs (COGs) analysis, most of the sequences were found to be associated with “Amino acid transport and metabolism” (8.3%) category, while among predicted Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGGs) pathways "Membrane transport" (12.1%) was the most abundant one.
Conclusion: This is the first report of a high resolution microbial phylogenetic profile of an Amazonian geothermal spring soil-mousse surrounding. Although a very diverse group of the bacterial and archaeal population was observed in the sample, a large portion of unidentified thermophilic microbial members was also noticed which need to be studied
Detection of many Health Hazardous Chemicals Used in Tomato Marketing in Bangladesh
No full textFor the developing countries like Bangladesh vegetable like tomato is very important for the supplement of nutrient. But in many markets of Bangladesh, moderate amount of tomatoes are contaminated with the health hazardous chemicals like CaC2, formalin, ethylene, dithane, shampoo and other chemicals. In this comparative study we collected tomato samples from four major divisions (Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Rajshahi) of Bangladesh and tried to measure the amounts of tomatoes that were contaminated. This survey based study revealed that huge amounts (69%) of tomatoes were contaminated with calcium carbide (CaC2) and more than 10% of tomatoes were adulterated with Formalin in Dhaka divisions. Tomatoes of other division’s markets were more or less contaminated with different types of health hazardous chemicals. These chemicals are very toxic and injurious to health. So the use of these chemicals should be strictly prohibited to minimize the risk
The Effect of Pen Colour and Increased Photoperiod on Performance of Weaned Gilts
No full textThis study was conducted to evaluate the effect of colour and increased photoperiod on performance, rectal and body temperature of weaned gilts. Forty cross bred (largewhite x landrace) weaned gilts at 8 weeks with an average weight of 7.70 kg ± 0.07 kg were randomly allotted into four housing colours consisting of a control; (T1: grey colour and normal day length (12 h), while T2, T3 and T4 contained red, blue and green coloured housing, respectively with increased photoperiods of 12, 15 and 18 h. Each treatment was replicated four times. The experimental design was 3x4 factorial arrangements in a completely randomised design. Feed intake and body weight gain were measured weekly throughout the 8 weeks of the experiment. The main effect of pen colour showed that there were significant variations (P<0.05) for final weight of weaned gilt with values ranging from 14.15 ± 0.34 kg (T3) to 18.18 ± 1.46 kg (T2). The same was observed for average weight gain per week (0.91 ± 0.05 kg to 1.48 ± 0.21 kg) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) 2.65 ± 0.26 to 3.49 ± 0.17, respectively. The main effect of photoperiod has significant difference in the final weight, with weaned gilts in 12 h having the highest value of (17.00 ± 0.95 kg) compared to those that were under 15 h (14.82 ± 0.66 kg) and 18 h (13.88 ± 0.26 kg) of lighting. The results also showed that there are significant differences in the average body and rectal temperature across the treatments with the values ranging from the least 37.08±0.19°C (T1) to highest 37.74 ± 0.20°C (T2) and rectal temperature 39.25 ± 0.11°C (T4) to 39.62 ± 0.08°C (T3), respectively. It was observed that gilts in the T3 had the lowest respiratory rate value of 39.80 ± 1.01 breaths/minute while the T1 had the highest value of 42.10 ± 1.86 breaths/minute. It can be concluded from this study that pen colour has an effect on the performance attributes of weaned gilts and increasing the photoperiod will not result in better performance hence, 12 h of lighting is sufficient for increased weight gain in weaned gilts
Purification and Characterization of Pectin Methylesterase Produced in Solid State Fermentation by Aspergillus tubingensis
No full textAim: Purification and characterization of pectin methylesterase produced by Aspergillus tubingensis in solid state fermentation.
Study Design: Pectin methylesterase enzyme produced by A. tubingensis was extracted from the fermented solid medium and purified using chromatographic techniques. The purified enzyme was characterized for physico-chemical and kinetic properties.
Place and Duration of Study: Experiments were performed at the School of Biotechnology, Devi Ahilya University, Indore, INDIA and Maharaja Ranjit Singh College of Professional Sciences, Indore, INDIA, between October, 2014 and August, 2015.
Methodology: The enzyme was extracted and purified using ammonium sulphate fractionation, ion exchange chromatography (IEC) using CM- cellulose and gel filtration chromatography (GFC) using Sephadex G-100. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was determined using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Native PAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE). The purified enzyme was characterized to determine the pH and temperature optima. Thermostability, pH stability and substrate kinetics were studied for purified pectin methylesterase.
Results: The acidic pectin methylesterase of Aspergillus tubingensis was purified to 20.3 fold with a 47.7% recovery through IEC on CM- cellulose and GFC using Sephadex G-100. The purified enzyme had a specific activity, 112.6 U/mg. The SDS-PAGE revealed that the enzyme was monomeric with a molecular weight of 45.7 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature were 4.6 and 50°C, respectively. This enzyme was stable over a wide pH range (3.0–8.0) and at relatively high temperature at 50°C for 1 h. The Km and Vmax values of pectin methylesterase towards citrus pectin were 33.3 mg/l and 251.2 µmol/ml/min, respectively. In addition, the enzyme activity increased by about 16% in the presence of 5 mM Mg2+.
Conclusion: The pectin methylesterase enzyme of A. tubingensis has been purified up to homogeneity and found to be monomeric on SDS-PAGE. Enzyme characterization revealed that purified enzyme worked optimally in acidic conditions and was stable at wider pH range
Physico-chemical Attributes of Meat from Broiler Chickens Fed Pelletised Cassava Chips-Based Diets Supplemented with Graded Levels of Crystalline DL-Methionine
No full textAims: This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of cassava chips-based diets with methionine supplementation on performance and meat physico-chemical attributes of broiler chickens.
Methodology: 400 one-day old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were randomly allotted to twenty groups of two replicates each in a 4x5 factorial arrangement in a completely randomised design (4 levels of methionine (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 g/kg) and 5 levels of cassava chips (0, 25, 50, 75, 100%)). Data on performance were collected weekly while at the end of the feeding trial, three birds were sacrificed from each replicate for meat quality evaluation.
Results: Performance results showed that there was significant difference (P<0.05) on methionine on final body weight and weight gain and on cassava on weight gain and FCR. The interactive effect of cassava and methionine on weight gain was significant (P<0.05). There were significant differences (P<0.05) on methionine, cassava and their interaction on shear force, water holding capacity and thermal shortening of the meat. Methionine showed significant difference (P<0.05) for aroma and tenderness while cassava was only significant (P<0.05) for juiciness. The main effect of methionine was significant (P<0.05) for TBARS. There was significant difference (P<0.05) on the main effect of methionine, cassava and their interactions on the proximate composition of meat.
Conclusion: Methionine inclusion in cassava chips-based diets had positive effects on performance and meat quality attributes of broiler chickens
Purification and Partial Characterization of β-Galactosidase from Cajanus cajans (Pigeon Pea)
No full textAims: This study reported the purification and partial characterization of the enzyme β-galactosidase (EC 3:2: 1: 23) from the seeds of Cajanus cajans.
Methodology: The dry seeds of Cajanus cajans were purchased at Shomolu market in Lagos Nigeria. One hundred and fifty gram of the fine powder of the seed was defatted twice in Soxhlet extractor using 300 mL of cold acetone and maintained at room temperature for 4 hours. There after the dark brown supernatant was decanted and filtered on a Buchner glass funnel. The dark brown residue was then treated with additional quantity of cold acetone until no evidence of fat was found on the fine particles. The acetone extract was allowed to evaporate overnight in the open at room temperature. The dry powder was suspended in 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 7.4 stirred in the cold at 4ºC for 4 hours and centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 30 minutes at 4ºC and ammonium sulphate was added to the supernatant to 40-60% saturation level. The pellets were collected by centrifugation and dissolved in 50 mL of 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 7.4 and dialyzed against distilled water for 48 hours with stirring. The concentrated crude extract was loaded into a column (1.7x3.0 cm) of Sephadex G-75 eluted with 5 mL sodium phosphate buffer pH 7.4 and collected in 4 mL fractions. The fractions collected were assayed for β-galactosidase activity.
Results: A single band was obtained which indicated the presence of single polypeptide chain; optimum pH was found to be 4.0 while the optimum temperature was 45°C in the active enzyme. Conclusion: Enzymatic electrophoresis and molecular evidence in this study indicated that the purified 4.8 kDa protein is a pigeon pea β-galactosidase
Field Performance and Gene Expression of Drought Stress Tolerance in Cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.)
No full textTwenty cotton genotypes belonging to Gossypium barbadense L. were used to screen the cotton genotypes for drought stress tolerance and to study gene expression of some genes related to cotton tolerance for drought stress. According to the field performance, highly significant genetic differences were found between cotton well-watered and water-stressed treatments as well as among the twenty cotton genotypes. According to Drought Stress Index (DSI), the genotypes “10229”, “Suvin” and “Giza75” were most drought tolerant. Meanwhile, the genotypes “Giza92”, “[Giza84x(Giza70xGiza51B)xs6]” and “Giza93” were the drought moderate tolerant. On the other hand, the most drought susceptible genotype was “Giza85”. The above mentioned genotypes were used to study the gene expression of different genes related to drought stress tolerance in cotton. The gene flowering locus T-like protein 1 (FTL1) and the Gossypium heat shock protein 1 (GHSP1) have been expressed in most genotypes (with different degrees of intensity) except in the pattern of genotype “Giza85” (control and stressed) which suggest that these genes clearly discriminate the drought susceptible cotton genotypes. The general trend of the expression of Lea2A and MFT1 genes was not affected by the drought stress. No discriminate trend was obtained for the genes Lea4 D9a and Lea4 D9b, whereas, different band patterns were noted. It can be said that the most affected genes with drought stress are FTL1 and HSP1 genes and can be used to determine the drought susceptible cotton genotypes
Investigation of the Salt Tolerance of Wheat Genotypes: Changes in Antioxidants, Total Protein, K+/Na+ Ions and Grain Yield
No full textSalt stress causes huge losses of agricultural productivity worldwide, negatively affects soil properties and limits plants growth. In the present study, response of 11 wheat (Triticum aestivum) landrace varieties, 2 commercial cultivars and 2 promising lines to three levels of salinity (EC= 7, 14 and 21 dS m-1) was assessed based on variations in grain yield, antioxidants, and Na+ and K+ ions. Pots were daily weighed and irrigation with saline solution (1:1 ratio of NaCl and CaCl2 salts) was performed based on field capacity (FC) 50 days after sowing at the four-leaf stage of growth. Results of linear regression showed that K+/Na+ ratio had strong direct relation (R2=0.98) in root and leaf. Correlation between grain yield in control and salinized conditions was supported by positive regression coefficient (b=0.853) in regression equation (R2=0.65). This correlation showed that superior genotypes in control condition produced higher grain yield under salinized conditions. Enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, SOD and peroxides, POD) and total protein content were increased as the level of salinity increased from EC= 7 to EC=21 dS m-1. K+/Na+ ratio in the leaf and grain yield were reduced as the level of salinity increased. Overall, results showed that great variations was existed between genotypes for three types of traits and selections can be made using a weighted index defined based on changes in antioxidants, protein, ions and grain yield