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Community structure of mesofauna in the light of qualitative and quantitative research on soil mites
Get PDFResearch into structure and abundance of soil fauna communities should be based on material consisting of both qualitative and quantitative samples to provide reliable results. However, in practice it turns out that sometimes it is simply impossible to have both qualitative and quantitative samples. The study presents a comparative analysis of results obtained with qualitative and quantitative methods used in research into soil mites from the suborder Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata). The research was carried out in different regions of Poland. Both qualitative (sieving of soil and litter) and quantitative samples were collected in each of the examined ground plots. The results presented in the study show that zoocenological analysis based on both qualitative and quantitative samples gives similar results in the case of common and abundant species, and collecting 2 or 3 sievings in a given ground plot can be equivalent to large series of quantitative samples in faunistic research and monitoring of the environment. This stems from the fact that sieving of litter allow to obtain far more dense material than from quantitative samples. Due to the high density of sieving they contain more species and specimens, including specimens at different developmental stages found in the examined area. This type of sampling can be more efficient when the researcher needs a simple and fast method of collecting material for analysis, especially in the case of extensive research conducted in large areas, monitoring of changes in soil, as well as in taxonomic, biometric, biogeographical, and molecular research.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.224874
Antioxidant potential of the farmer preferred selections of Solanum aethiopicum vegetable consumed in central Uganda
Get PDFIn addition to the rich micronutrient value, indigenous vegetables are regarded as possessing medicinal attributes. The Solanaceae family has over 1000 species worldwide, with a number of indigenous species originating in Africa. The most popular leafy vegetable in Uganda is the Solanum aethiopicum (Nakati). The objective of this study was to determine the selected phytochemical attributes, chlorophyll content, moisture content and total antioxidant activity of the farmer preferred selections within the landraces of Solanum aethiopicum leafy vegetable in Uganda. The antioxidant activity was achieved by screening the leaf extracts for their free radical scavenging properties using diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and ascorbic acid as standard. The ability of the extracts to scavenge DPPH radical was determined spectrophometrically at 517nm.The study showed that all the landraces had a high polyphenol and flavonoid content with SAS185/P/2015 containing the highest flavonoid content (3.16±0.06 mg QE/g fw). SAS1641/2015 showed the highest total polyphenol content of 7.79±0.27 mg GAE/g fw and also showed the highest vitamin C content. This contributed to the high total antioxidant activity of 2.79±0.01 and 5.43±0.02 mg AAE/g fw when using FRAP and DPPH methods respectively. SAS145/2015 presented the highest chlorophyll content of 19.69±0.01 mg/g dwb. All the landraces showed a high percentage moisture content that ranged from 82.66±0.35 to 84.21±0.48%. These results are of nutraceutical significance and hence confirm their usage as medicinal vegetables.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.119555
Optimization of kojic acid production conditions from cane molasses using Plackett-Burman design
Get PDFFungal synthesis of kojic acid has gained more interest in these days as an alternative way to chemical synthetic. The aspect of the microbial fermentation process is to develop a suitable culture medium to obtain the maximum amount of kojic acid using statistical methods. In this study; different selected three isolates of Aspergillus flavus (No 1, 2 and 3) were screened for their ability to produced kojic acid and the isolate No 3 was the highest kojic acid producer one. The capability of A. flavus No 3 to produce kojic acid was improved using Plackett-Burman design. From ten different agro-industrial wastes cane molasses recorded the highest kojic acid productivity with 2.24 g/l-1 day-1 and was the most effective parameter plays a crucial role in Plackett-Burman design. Maximum kojic acid production (24.65 g/l) by A. flavus (No. 3) obtained under the fermentation conditions: incubation temperature at 25oC, incubation time 9 days, pH 3, inoculum size 0.5%, shaking rate at 150 rpm and medium constituents: Cane molasses 60 g/l, yeast extract 7 g/l, KH2PO4 2 g/l, ZnSO4·7H2O 100 µg/l and MgSO4·7H2O 1 g/l with regression analysis (R2) 99.45% and 2.33-fold increase in comparison to the production of the original level (10.6 g/l).
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.121151
Degradation of surfactant and metal-removal by bacteria from a Nigerian laundry environment
Get PDFThis study aimed at degrading sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), a surfactant in the presence of metals using metal-tolerant bacteria from a laundry site. Metal composition of wastewater and sediments from a laundry environment was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Paenibacillus amylolyticus BAL1 (PAB) and Bacillus lentus BAL2 (BLB), earlier reported to tolerate 1000 ppm SDS were screened for metal tolerance. The bacteria were employed in the simultaneous degradation of SDS and metal removal in a batch culture set-up containing SDS and metals for 14 days on a rotary shaker at 250 rpm. Residual SDS and metal concentrations were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and AAS. Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) were detected in both laundry wastewater and sediment while chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) were only detected in the sediments. The MICs of metals on PAB were: Cu and Zn (500 µg/ml), and Cd (100 µg/ml), while for BLB: Cu (500 µg/ml), Zn (400 µg/ml), and Cd (100 µg/ml). PAB degraded 49.90% of SDS and simultaneously removed 8.3% of Cu, 5.1% of Cd, and 6.6% of Zn, while BLB degraded 54.9% of SDS and simultaneously removed 3.1% of Cu, 39% of Cd, and 3.1% of Zn. A combination of the two bacteria led to 44.3% degradation of SDS, and removal of 11% of Cu, 7.7% of Cd, and 9.8% of Zn. Bacteria from this study possessed both SDS-degradation and metal-removing abilities, and could be useful in the bioremediation of wastewater co-contaminated by surfactants and metals due to their dual tolerance to both compounds.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.149429
Heavy metal composition in the Plantago major L. from center of the Murmansk City, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Get PDFPlantago major is an indicator of environmental pollution in the city. The plant grows along the traversed paths, close to the sidewalks. Contaminating substances accumulate on the leaves of the plantain. In the summer of 2016, samples of plants were collected in the central Murmansk region for analysis using a scanning electron microscope to identify dust particles on their surface, and to study leaves using the ICP-MS method to determination of heavy metals content. A relatively serious concentration of lead, zinc, copper, nickel as well as high arsenic and chromium content has been demonstrated in the city center, along with ties with human activities (vehicular traffic). High iron content is associated with peat soils used in the city for fertilization. The remaining metal content is relatively low.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.146106
Effect of selenium on nutritive value of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.)
Get PDFPurslane (Portulaca oleracea) one of the auxiliary plants was traditionally consumed in many parts of the world for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. The nutrient components of purslane such as total protein, total carbohydrates and mineral content such as macro elements (Na, K, Ca and Mg) and micro elements (Fe, Cu, Pb and Zn) were estimated at different concentrations of selenium which treated in soil where the plant cultivated. The protein and carbohydrate contents of leaves as well as protein of stems increase with increasing the selenium concentration, while protein and carbohydrate of roots as well as carbohydrate of stems decrease with increasing Se concentration. The mineral content was also affected by Se concentration, Fe, Cu and Zn of leaves decreased with increasing Se concentration, while K, Ca, Mg and Na are directly proportional with Se concentration. In stems, Zn only is inversely proportional with Se concentration. In roots, Fe, Cu, Mg and K are inversely proportional with Se concentration, while Na, Ca and Zn are directly proportional. The findings of this study revealed that carbohydrates, protein and mineral contents of purslane can be affected and controlled by selenium concentration.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.128341
Capability of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) for producing indole acetic acid (IAA) under extreme conditions
Get PDFPlant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) inhabiting the area around the plant roots or in plant tissues and stimulate plant growth directly or indirectly. Synthesis of the phytohormone auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is one of the direct effects of PGPR on plant growth. This study aimed to isolate and screen IAA producing bacteria from soil and study the impacts of the alkalinity and salinity on IAA production and total antioxidant activity of the highly IAA producing strain. From the fifteen isolates tested, six were selected as efficient IAA producer, from which one isolate was highly IAA producer. The highly producing isolate was identified based on molecular characteristics using 16S rRNA. The sequence analysis showed 99% similarity with Bacillus subtilis from GenBank data base. The strain yielded IAA in a wide range of pH (5-9), giving its maximum IAA production at pH 8. High IAA concentration was also observed in the presence of 0.5% and 1% NaCl in comparison with control (with no NaCl). Furthermore, the results indicated that, total antioxidant was increased in acidic (pH 5 and pH 6) and alkaline (pH 8) media, as well as in salinity up to 2%. This study could be stated as the prospective of IAA producing bacterial isolate in the field, as a result, using it as alternative valuable biofertilizer.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.141279
Histomorphological responses to aqueous crude leaf extract of Alafia barteri on prefrontal cortex, heart, kidney, liver and testis of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats
Get PDFPhytonutrients present in Alafia barteri leaves include antioxidants which serves to protect cells and tissues against detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species and other free radicals. This research work was targeted at investigating the activities of oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of Alafia barteri on the histology of the prefrontal cortex, heart, kidney, liver and testis of adult Sprague Dawley rats. Twelve (n=12) adult male Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 170-200 g (4-6 weeks old) were used for this study; they were divided into 2 groups of six rats each. The control group A received 2 ml/kg normal saline and treated group B received 500 mg/kg body weight aqueous extract of Alafia barteri for twenty eight days. The gross anatomical parameters of the selected organs and their histology were assessed. The gross anatomical and histological observation of the prefrontal cortex, heart, kidney, liver and testis revealed no visible distortion in Alafia barteri extract treated group when compared with control. Aqueous leaf extract of Alafia barteri thus has no deleterious effects on the histological profile of the prefrontal cortex, heart, kidney, liver and testis of the rats.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.128455
Sodium fluoride: suggestive role in wound healing and cell proliferation with respect to regeneration
Get PDFSodium fluoride is a naturally occurring toxicant. The most common sources of sodium fluoride are municipal water, toothpastes etc. The ever increasing exposure to sodium fluoride may affect various physiological processes including regenerative capabilities. The characteristic events of regeneration include wound healing followed by cell proliferation and differentiation to replace the lost structure or tissue. Lower levels of sodium fluoride may be enhancing wound healing and cell proliferation but higher levels are detrimental for both these processes. Sodium fluoride affects wound healing by altering the expression of various proteins like fibroblast growth factors 2 and 7, Twist1 protein, matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 7, bone morphogenetic protein 7, Bcl-2, p53 etc. Sodium fluoride also influences cell division, migration and matrix synthesis by regulating the expression of bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 3, alkaline phosphatases etc. which are markers of cell proliferation. Excessive fluoride produces oxidative stress in the cells and leads to conditions like apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and even necrosis. Thus, high levels of sodium fluoride hamper the process of cell proliferation and induce apoptosis via caspase and JNK-mediated pathway. The aim of this review is to understand the role sodium fluoride plays during wound healing and cell proliferation and its correlation with regenerative capabilities in organisms.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.131239
Profile of major and emerging mycotoxins in sesame and soybean grains in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
Get PDFThe spectrum of major and emerging mycotoxins in sesame and soybean grains from the six zones of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria was determined using Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 47 samples (24 sesame and 23 soybean were collected from farmers’ stores. Seven regulated mycotoxins in sesame and five in soybean including aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) were detected. However, concentrations were generally lower than regulatory limits set in the EU for raw grains with the exception of ochratoxin A (OTA) exhibiting a maximum concentration level of 23.1 µg kg-1 in one of the soybean samples. This is the first report concerning the contamination of sesame and soybean in Abuja, FCT-Nigeria with the emerging mycotoxins addressed by recent European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion papers totalling 10 in number. These include beauvericin (BEA), moniliformin (MON), sterigmatocystin (STE), altertoxin-I (ATX-I), alternariol (AOH), alternariol methylether (AME) though at relatively low µg kg-1 range. This preliminary data indicate that sesame and soybean might be relatively safe commodities in view of the profile of mycotoxins.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.130718