Sumerianz Journal of Biotechnology

    
Online ISSN: 2617-3050
Print ISSN: 2617-3123

Quarterly Published (4 Issues Per Year)

Journal Website: https://www.sumerianz.com/?ic=journal-home&journal=32

Archive

Volume 7 Issue 4 (2024)

The Influence of Different Dietary Categories on Life-History of Daphnia pulex

Authors : Burcu Yesilbudak
DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjb.74.116.121
Abstract:
The type and amount of food that Cladocera species eat is known to affect their growth, development, capacity for reproduction, and ultimately the size of their populations. This study examines the influence of different diet types and mixtures on the Daphnia pulex (Leydig, 1860) life-history characteristics such as development, growth, and reproduction in a lab setting. D. pulex was fed with a yeast diet (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), a fresh green algal diet (Scenedesmus acutus), an aquarium fish feed diet (Arthrospira platensis), and a mixture diet (yeast, algae and fish feed) in a controlled static experiment for 21 days in the study. When D. pulex was fed with only one type of food, body weight, body size, somatic, and population growth rates decreased compared to the mixed diet but continued to increase compared to the control group throughout the 21-day experimental duration (P≤0.05). In contrast, according to morphometric measurements, the effect of a diet containing only cyanobacteria caused a stagnation in growth rates, while growth rates increased in those fed with cyanobacteria-containing feeds added to the mixed diet (P≤0.05). Our results show that the type of food and its mixtures significantly affect the vital characteristics of the D. pulex population.

Pages: 116-121

The Impact of BMH-21 on Parasite Load, Biochemical Indices, ESAG6 and ITS-I Genes of Trypanosoma brucei brucei Infected Albino Rats

Authors : Godson Ofobuike Eze ; Idowu Asegame Aimola ; Yakubu Kokori Eneneve Ibrahim et.al.,
DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjb.74.105.115
Abstract:
This study investigated the in vivo anti-trypanosomal activity of BMH-21. Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into eight groups, each consisting of five rats: IT20, IT40, and IT60. These groups received treatments with 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg body weight (bw) of BMH-21, respectively, after being infected. Additional groups included IUT (Infected-untreated), UUT (Uninfected-untreated), UT60 (Uninfected but given 60 mg/kg bw of BMH-21), P60 (administered 60 mg/kg bw of BMH-21 once, infected after 72 hours, with treatment continuing daily until Day 4), and ITDA (Infected and treated with 3.5 mg/kg bw of diminazine aceturate). Infection was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 ml of blood containing approximately 10³ cells/ml. Standard protocols were followed for parasitological, biochemical, histopathological, and gene expression analyses. Graded doses of BMH-21 significantly reduced (p<0.05) parasitemia in the infected-treated rats. Treatment with 60 mg/kg bw of BMH-21 resulted in a significant increase (p<0.05) in PCV, RBC, Hb, and WBC counts in infected-treated animals compared to the IUT group. Serum ALT activity significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the UT60 and P60 groups compared to IUT. Serum AST levels also showed a significant decrease in the IT20, UT60, and P60 groups. Additionally, the expression levels of the T. b. brucei ESAG6 and ITSI genes were down-regulated by 40 mg/kg bw of BMH-21, with fold reductions of 5 and 3, respectively, compared to the calibrator. BMH-21 demonstrated anti-trypanosomal potential against T. b. brucei, improved the biochemical parameters of infected animals, and reduced the expression levels of ESAG6 and ITSI genes.

Pages: 105-115

Food Additives of Cereals, Legumes, and Their By-Products, and the Role of Bioinformatics of Food Sciences

Authors : Soheir N. Abd El-Rahman ; Sheikha M. AlGhannam ; Raafat N. Sandak
DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjb.74.89.104
Abstract:
Food additives offer a way to reduce food loss and waste, while simultaneously maintaining the supply of readily available, reasonably priced, and nutrient-dense food for human consumption, thus feeding the globe. Following a century of continuous research and technological advancements in the food industry, more than three thousand naturally occurring and artificially manufactured compounds have been added to food during processing or preparation in order to give it certain, desired qualities. Though the use of food additives has aided in the food industry’s explosive expansion, there have also been unintended health effects that raise concerns for the general public’s health. In order to encourage safe use and limit detrimental health effects, this paper examines the significant role that food additives play in the food industry, as well as current advancements and trends in the food sector. It also identifies various health hazards that are linked to specific food additives. Bioinformatics can be used to efficiently access all of the genomic, proteome, and metabolomics data that has been found thus far, and to make this data available to any particular industry, group, or corporation in order to improve the nutritional value, taste, and quality of food that is to be produced. The function of bioinformatics and a few methods in the field of food sciences have been covered here.

Pages: 89-104

GC-MS Analysis, Genotoxic and In vitro Antioxidant Activities of Fruit Extract and Fractions of Solanum anomalum Thonn. Ex Schumach (Solanaceae)

Authors : Kubiatabasi Umoh ; Jude E. Okokon ; Olamide Favour ; Imoh I. Johnny
DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjb.74.76.88
Abstract:
Solanum anomalum Thonn. Ex Schumach, Solanaceae fruits are used in Ibibio traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments including diabetes mellitus and malaria. The ethanol fruit extract and fractions of S. anomalum were investigated for cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on the root meristem cells of Allium cepa  and in vitro antioxidant activity using various models; 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, Ferric Reducing Power assay (FRAP), Nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assay, total flavonoid and phenol content using standard methods. Onion bulbs were exposed to 2.5 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, and 10 mg/mL concentrations of the leaf extract for macroscopic and microscopic analysis. Tap water was used as a negative control and Methotrexate (0.1 mg/mL as a positive control. Also, the GC-MS analysis of the fractions were carried out.  There was statistically significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of root growth depending on concentration by the extract when compared with the negative control group. All the tested concentrations of the extract were observed to have cytotoxic effects on cell division in Allium cepa. The extract- induced chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei (MNC) formations in A. cepa root tip cells were significant (p<0.05) when compared with control group. The extract treatment further induced cell death, ghost cells, cells membrane damage, and binucleated cells. The fruit extract and fractions exhibited significant antioxidant activity with the hexane and dichloromethane fractions demonstrating higher antioxidant potentials. The dichloromethane fraction was found to contain the highest level of total flavonoid and phenol followed by the crude extract. The fruit fractions (hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate) were found to contain some pharmacologically active compounds These results suggest that the fruit extract and fractions of Solanum anomalum possess genotoxic, cytotoxic and antioxidant potentials which are due to the activities of the phytochemical constituents.

Pages: 76-88

Examination of Prevalence and Sex-Related Variation in Gill and Gastrointestinal Tract Parasite Infestation of Clarias Species in ‘Tella’ Area of River Taraba, Nigeria

Authors : M. S. Bingari ; C. A. Ukwubile ; T. O. L.  Aken’Ova ; J. Auta ; Z. Barak
DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjb.74.68.75
Abstract:
The presence of certain parasites in Clarias species consumed in Nigeria has continued to pose some challenges to fish production in many parts of Nigeria. The present study was aimed at assessing the sex-related distribution of parasites in gills and gastrointestinal tracks of Clarias species consumed in Nigeria. Two hundred and sixty (260) Clarias species obtained from River Taraba, Taraba state was examined for the presence of gill and digestive tract parasites. One hundred and forty (140) of them were Clarias gariepinus and one hundred and twenty (120) were Clarias anguillaris. Analysis was carried out using standard parasitological techniques. The gills of the fish were removed and observed under a stereo microscope for parasites. The intestines were cut opened and viewed under the stereo microscope section-by-section. Parasites seen were recovered, fixed, and preserved in 5% formalin before they were later processed. Two gill parasites, Macrogyrodactylus sp. (a monogenean) and Ergasilus sarsi (a copepod) were recovered. The relationship between sex and gill parasite infestation was significant (p<0.05). Three parasite species namely Tetracampos ciliotheca and Monobothroides woodland (cestodes) and Procamallanus laeviconchus (nematode) were recovered from the digestive tract of both Clarias species in the river. Relationships between the sex of fish and digestive tract infestation were also significant (p<0.05).

Pages: 68-75

Heavy Metals Analysis of Breweries Effluent used in Soil Cultivated with Glycine Max (L.) Merr. Accessions with Biochar Augmentation

Authors : Okon O. G. ; Uzono R. I. ; Ukpong A. A. et.al.,
DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjb.74.61.67
Abstract:
Beer production has promulgated the prevalence of heavy metal contamination in the environment (soil and water bodies). The magnitude of breweries wastewater-effluent effect discharged on soil and its effect on crop quality in terms of growth and physiology must therefore be investigated. This study aims to assess the level of seven heavy metals (HM) (lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe)) in breweries wastewater-effluent and its effect on the growth of Glycine max accessions (TGM-3990, TGM-1348, TGM-1732, TGM-2175 and TGM-928) as well as the influence of biochar soil amendment in the induction of HM tolerance in G. max. Effluent properties were analyzed using the A1 portable TDS/EC meter. HM in the wastewater-effluent was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The experiment was set up in a complete block design. 3 seeds G. max accessions were planted in 7kg of sterilized soil (control, effluent and biochar treatments). Growth parameters were taken using standard methods, while the total photosynthetic pigments (TPP) were determined using the atLeaf chlorophyll meter. The wastewater-effluent recorded an electrical conductivity (EC) of 928µS/cm, total dissolved solids (TDS) (464ppm), Temperature (31.9-32.6°C) and pH (5.37). Results for HM concentration showed; Pb (0.20mg/L), Ni (<0.001mg/L), Cr (0.03mg/L), Cu (<0.001mg/L), Cd (<0.001mg/L), Zn (<0.001mg/L) and Fe (8.74mg/L). The trend shows that Fe˃Pb˃Cr˃Cd˃Cu˃Ni˃Zn. Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn were significantly below the World Health Organization (WHO) and Waste Water Forum (WWF) permissible limit, while Fe and Pb significantly higher. G. max accessions TGM-928 (80%) and TGM-3990 (80%) had better germination percentage (GP), TGM-1348 (60%) had the lowest GP, while TGM-2175 recorded no germination in all treatments. At 6 weeks after planting (WAP), it was observed that irrigation of G. max accessions with breweries wastewater-effluent significantly (p=0.001) stimulated growth parameters such as shoot length for TGM-3990 which recorded; Treatment=19.53±0.94cm; Control=17.10±0.67cm; Biochar=40.83±1.01cm) while TGM-1732 had the highest shoot growth (T=38.57±1.53cm; C=25.00±0.00cm; B=82.33±5.70cm) when compared to their controls. TGM-3990 (T=32.20mg/kg, C=34.10mg/kg, 43.30mg/kg) recorded the least TPP contents, while TGM-928 (T=51.00mg/kg, C=45.60mg/kg, B=43.50mg/kg) recorded the highest TPP in all treatments. Amelioration of soil with biochar significantly (p=0.001) stimulated growth above the effluent treatment and control. Similar trend was observed for leaf area, petiole length, leaf number, stem girth and internode length. This study has shown that breweries effluent has the potential of growth enhancement in G. max cultivation and in combination biochar application reduces the need for additional fertilizer application.

Pages: 61-67

Enzymatic Activity of Lactoperoxidase in the Colostrum of Cows in different lactations

Authors : Bracho-Espinoza Héctor
DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjb.74.54.60
Abstract:
In order to evaluate the activity of the lactoperoxidase enzyme (LPO), in colostrum and milk at the first month of lactation, the characterization of colostrum in cows was carried out from the first day postpartum and during the first month of lactation, in first, second, third and more lactations for six (06) months, the parameters were analyzed: acidity, pH, temperature, qualitative detection of the lactoperoxidase enzyme, quantifying the volume of the LPO activity. Descriptive statistics were applied using the STATISTIX 4.0 package (1985-1992) and one-way nonparametric statistics Kruskal – Wallis test for the levels First, second, third and more lactations and for the characterized parameters, using the SAS-STAT statistical system, to know the independence of the variables under study. It was found that the acidity is high and varies in a decreasing manner as follows: 37.68; 27.13 and 26.13 ml of NaOH O.1N/100ml. respectively, the pH was observed below that of milk, ranging between 5.0 and 6.2 (equiv/L). The enzymatic activity registered values of up to 182.89 U/lt., considered low compared to milk in the first month of lactation; from one to more than three lactations, according to the values found: 383.9, 394.39 and 753.54 U/ml respectively. It is concluded that the enzymatic activity is low in colostrum and then increases, until reaching the values of normal milk in the first month of lactation. The independence of each parameter (variable) in colostrum was also verified.

Pages: 54-60