African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 2756-3367 Vol. 9 (8), pp. 001-006, August, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A rapid PCR based method to distinguish between Enterococcus species by using degenerate and species-specific sodA gene primers

Farid Bensalah^1*, Maria-José Flores² and Aziz Mouats³

¹Faculté des Sciences, Département de Biologie, LMA (Laboratoire de Microbiologie Appliquée), Université Es-Sénia, Oran 31000, Algérie.

²INRA-UEPSD, CRJ bat440, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Domaine de Vilvert, 78352 Jouy en Josas CEDEX, France.

³Faculté des Sciences, Département des Sciences Agronomiques, LPAA, Université de Mostaganem, 27000 Algérie .

Accepted 6 July, 2022

Abstract

Thirty of thirty-seven cocci isolates from traditional 36 h-old fermented goat’s raw milk were characterised phenotypically and genotypically in order to assess the biodiversity within this wild microbiol population. Selective SB media, genus and species- specific tests, based on the manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase A encoding gene sodA, were used for the identification of enterococci species. All 30 isolates were characterised at strain level and 28 of them could be identifyed as belonging to the genus Enterococcus. In addition, by using Efm1/Efm2, Efs1/Efs2 and Eh1/Eh2 primers, ten different genotypes were recognised. Enterococcus faecium was the dominant biotype followed by E. faecalis. The results suggest that wild bacterial populations should be preserved in order to protect the traditional lactic fermentation and for product innovation.

Key words: sodA, PCR, enterococci, genus primer, species-specific primer, fermented milk, Enterococcus.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 2756-3367 Vol. 9 (7), pp. 001-006, July, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of the physiological and biochemical characterization of a Lactic acid bacterium isolated from chicken faeces in sahelian region

Ali Bayane^1,*, Dominique Roblain¹, Robin Dubois Dauphin¹, Jacqueline Destain¹, Brehima

Diawara², Philippe Thonart¹

¹FUSAGx, Unité de Bio-industrie, Centre Wallon de Biologie Industrielle (CWBI). Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgique.

²Département de Technologie Alimentaire, IRSAT/CNRST. 03 BP 7047 Ouagadougou 03 Burkina Faso.

Accepted 12 May, 2022

Abstract

The aim of this work was the examination of the microbiological and technological properties of a lactic acid bacterium (CWBI-B623) isolated from chicken faeces in sahelian region (Burkina Faso). The strain CWBI-B623 is a Gram positive rod, asporogenous, catalase-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non motile and mesophilic. The analysis showed that it produce L(+)-lactic acid via homofermentative pathway and it was able to ferment an important number of the carbohydrates of API 50CHL system. The 16S-rDNA-sequence analysis revealed that the isolate was phylogenetically a member of the genus Lactobacillus and formed a subline within the Lactobacillus casei cluster. The minimal inhibitory concentration of CWBI-B623 for bile salts was higher than 1% and the survival rates to acidity with pH 3.0 and pH 2.5 were 26 and 1.2%, respectively. CWBI-B623 is an Lactobacillus casei species based on its physiological and biochemical properties and it could be a good candidate for probiotic formulations.

Key words: Lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus, probiotic, biodiversity.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 2756-3367 Vol. 9 (6), pp. 001-012, June, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Sorghum grain as human food in Africa: relevance of content of starch and amylase activities

Mamoudou H. Dicko^1,2,3*, Harry Gruppen², Alfred S. Traoré¹, Alphons G. J. Voragen and Willem J. H. van Berkel³

¹Laboratoire de Biochimie, UFR-SVT, CRSBAN, Université de Ouagadougou, 03 BP. 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso,

²Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, PO Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands.

³Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, PO Box 8128, 6700 ET Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Accepted 17 April, 2022

Abstract

Sorghum is a staple food grain in many semi-arid and tropic areas of the world, notably in Sub-Saharan Africa because of its good adaptation to hard environments and its good yield of production. Among important biochemical components for sorghum processing are levels of starch (amylose and amylopectin) and starch depolymerizing enzymes. Current research focus on identifying varieties meeting specific agricultural and food requirements from the great biodiversity of sorghums to insure food security. Results show that some sorghums are rich sources of micronutrients (minerals and vitamins) and macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fat) . Sorghum has a resistant starch, which makes it interesting for obese and diabetic people. In addition, sorghum may be an alternative food for people who are allergic to gluten. Malts of some sorghum varieties display a-amylase and ß-amylase activities comparable to those of barley, making them useful for various agro-industrial foods. The feature of sorghum as a food in developing as well as in developed countries is discussed. A particular emphasis is made on the impact of starch and starch degrading enzymes in the use of sorghum for some African foods, e.g. “tô”, thin porridges for infants, granulated foods “couscous”, local beer “dolo”, as well agro-industrial foods such as lager beer and bread.

Key words: sorghum, a-amylase, b-amylase, starch, infant porridge, beer, couscous, dolo, tô, bread.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 2756-3367 Vol. 9 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Consumer awareness and attitudes toward GM foods in Kenya

Simon Chege Kimenju¹*, Hugo De Groote², Joseph Karugia¹, Stephen Mbogoh¹ and David Poland ³

¹University of Nairobi, Department of Agricultural Economics, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi, Kenya.

²International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), P.O. Box 1041-00621, Nairobi, Kenya.

³International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Apdo. Postal 6-641, 06600 Mexico, D.F. Mexico.

Accepted 12 March, 2022

Abstract

A survey of 604 consumers was conducted in Nairobi, Kenya, in November and December 2003, at three points of sale (supermarkets, kiosks, and posho mills) to determine consumer awareness and attitudes towards genetically modified (GM) foods. Above a third (38%) of the respondents were aware of GM crops, mostly from newspapers, television and radio. Others had learned about GM crops at school. Newspapers and television were more important to higher-income and more educated consumers. Consumers acknowledged the technology’s potential positive impacts, with more than 80% agreeing that it increases productivity. Sixty-eight percent said they would buy GM maize meal at the same price as their favorite brands, although many had concerns; half of the respondents feared that GM technology could lead to a loss of biodiversity and affect non -target insects; while more than one- third (37%) had concerns about the effects of GM food on human health. We conclude that GM technology has a role to play in food security in Kenya. However, consumers need more information about the technology, which can be provided through established sources of information. Finally, consumer attitudes should be studied regularly, and the survey population broadened to include rural consumers.

Key words: consumer, awareness, attitudes, GM crops, Kenya.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 2756-3367 Vol. 8 (8), pp. 001-009, August, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ectomycorrhizal mushroom yield association with woody species and leaf litter in amiombo woodland, central Zimbabwe

Alec Mlambo⃰ and Mcebisi Maphosa

Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Lupane State University, P. O. Box 170, Lupane, Zimbabwe.

 Accepted 03 November, 2018

Abstract

Ectomycorrhizal mushrooms (ECM) symbiotic with woody species develop caps in two successive flushes in the rainy season. Sporocarp yieldis influenced by size of woody host and leaf litter density as carbon sources. Yields of four ECM species, and yield associations with basal areas of possible host tree species and ground leaf litter mass were investigated in two different miombo stands. We also compared sporocarp yields of two flushes during the rainy season. We found higher yields (p< 0.05) of L. Kabansus in one site but similar yields of the other ECM between sites; higher yields (p< 0.05) for C. heinemannianus and L. Kabansus in second flushes, and similar flush yields for A. loosii and C. Miomboensis between flushes. We found a weak positive correlation (r = 0.174) and (r = 0.247) between yields of A. Loosii and C. Miomboensis with J. Globiflora basal areas respectively. A negative correlation (r = –0.338) between yield of L. Kabansus and leaf litter mass was also found. We conclude that host species basal area and leaf litter mass do have a relationship with ECM yields in the miombos.

Key words: Basal area, ectomycorrhizal mushrooms, litter, miombo, mushroom flushes, sporocarp yields.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 2756-3367 Vol. 8 (8), pp. 001-007, August, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Studies on the community ecology of cattle egrets Bubulcus ibis coromandus (Boddaert) in Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir), India

Deep Novel Kour* and D. N. Sahi

Department of Zoology, University of Jammu, Jammu (J & K), India.

Accepted 12 August, 2021

Abstract

Some species of birds mirror an association with herbivores like buffaloes, cows, horses and goats to have their sustenance by feeding on insects living either near or on them. This paper attempts to document such associations of cattle egrets with the above mentioned mammals and birds like little egret, pond heron, common myna, cormorants and purple moorhen thereby throwing light on the various foraging parameters of cattle egrets in association with these animals. Cattle egrets are known to obtain more food in the association of herbivores with which they reflect commensalistic association whereas they are neutrally associated with birds. Besides, this piece of work provides information regarding parameters like time spent by cattle egrets in association with herbivore host species, number of hosts and egret steps per minute, location of foraging egret with respect to host (head, front legs or hind legs), number of attempts and items obtained per minute, capture success rate etc. In case of active foraging with cattle, number of strikes per minute was observed to be 10 to 13, average number of steps ranged from 8 to 9 whereas number of prey items captured was 4 to 6. Moreover, number of steps of cattle while foraging with cattle egrets was noted to be 11 to 13.

Key words: Commensalistic Association, Foraging, Herbivore, Capture Success Rate.