Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2017 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Purification and characterization of a laccase from the basidiomycete Funalia trogii (Berk.) isolated in Tanzania

Ferdinandi Patrick¹, Godliving Mtui¹*, Anthony Manoni Mshandete¹, Gunnar Johansson² and Amelia Kivaisi¹

¹Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 35179 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

²Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Uppsala University, P. O. Box 576, BMC SE75123, Uppsala, Sweden.

Accepted 25 February, 2017

Abstract

A lignolytic basidiomycete fungus, Funalia trogii (Berk.), was isolated from decayed wood in coastal Tanzania and cultivated in submerged culture. Initially screened crude enzyme filtrate showed complete rhemazol brilliant blue - R (RBBR) decolorization 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulfonate and guaiacol oxidation after 7 days of incubation. The fungal filtrate had maximum laccase activity of 593 U/ml after 15 days of incubation. A laccase was purified by anion exchange and size exclusion chromatography to good purity as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and isoelectric focusing (IEF). The isolated main component had a molecular weight of ca 58 kDa as determined by MS and an isoelectric point (pI) of 3.8. The optimal pH and temperature range for the purified laccase were 4.0 - 5.0 and 50 - 70 ºC, respectively, using 2, 6-dimethoxyphenol as a substrate.

Key words: Funalia trogii, laccase, anion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2017 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Enhancing antioxidant availability in grains of wheat plants grown under seawater- stress in response to microalgae extracts treatments

Hanaa H. Abd El-Baky

Plant Biochemistry Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel.: 20122220658. Fax: 20233370931.

Accepted 12 March, 2017

Abstract

This study investigated the antioxidant capacity and the levels of enhanced total carotenoids (TCAR), tocopherols (TOC) and phenolic (TPC) and protein (PC) contents in whole grains of wheat plants irrigated 10 and 20% (v/v) seawater (SW) in response to water extracts of microalgae Spirulina maxima (SME) and Chlorella ellipsoida (CEE) and exogenous plant growth enhancers of ascorbic acid (Vit. C) and benzyladinin (BA) treatments. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in amounts of TCAR (ranged 80 to 140 µg/g), TOC (ranged 50.4 to 115 µg/g), TPC (ranged 0.80 to 2.96 mg/g) and PC (ranged 9.34 to 13.79 %) in wheat grains among all treated plants were observed. The levels of their compounds increase related to irrigation-SW combined with algal treatments. The ethanolic extracts of grains of SW-stress plants treated with algal extracts exhibited high antioxidant capacity based on scavenging of DPPH and ABTS radicals than other samples. This activity remarked correlation with levels of antioxidant compounds present in these extracts. The electrophoretic profiles (SDS-PAGE fingerprint) of grains protein of treated samples exhibited similar pattern that in controls samples. It is concluded that the application of algal extracts to wheat plants irrigated SW lead to increase antioxidative components and protein content; hence consumption of these whole grains may render beneficial health effects.

Key words: Microalgae, antioxidant activity, phenolics, proteins, seawater.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2017 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Efficacy of defatted soy flour supplement in Gulabjamun

Awadhesh Kumar Singh¹, Dattatreya Mahadev Kadam²*, Mili Saxena³ and R. P. Singh⁴

¹Department of Process and Food Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, Punjab, India.

²Food Grains and Oilseeds Processing Division, Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, PO: PAU, Ludhiana-141004, Punjab, India

Accepted 2 February, 2017

Abstract

Study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of defatted soyflour mix levels in Gulabjamun (sweet dessert comprised of fried milk balls dipped in sugar syrup) and its impact on the quality parameters. Soy flour was fortified in three levels (3.33, 6.66 and 9.99%) w/w to prepare different compositions of Gulabjamuns by replacing wheat-flour in control recipe. 10 g spherical shape balls were made using thoroughly mixed ingredients dough and these were deep -fried in oil before soaking in sugar syrup (50°Brix for 4 h) at 70°C. Standard methods were used to estimate protein and crude fat content in Gulabjamun. Significant effect of raw premixes, prior to sugar syrup dipping, was observed due to addition of defatted soy flour on protein and fat content. Protein content was decreased to 18.24% from 20.66% and fat content increased to 28.36 from 12.09% in deep-fried samples from raw premix. Hardness, cohesiveness, springiness/elasticity, gumminess and chewiness values were increased with the increase in the soy flour levels. Appearance, colour, texture, flavour and overall acceptability of the Gulabjamuns had improved with the addition of 3.33% soy flour and decreased there after.

Key words: Fat, fortification, Gulabjamun, protein, sensory attributes, soy flour, TPA.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2017 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Anti anaemic properties of Scoparia dulcis in Trypanosoma brucei infected rabbits

Orhue N. E. J^*. and Nwanze E. A. C.

Department of Biochemistry, University of Benin, P. M. B 1154, Benin City, Nigeria.

Accepted 24 April, 2017

Abstract

A major feature of infection with trypanosomes is the development of anaemia. In this study, the effect of Scoparia dulcis ( Atiotiousha in Akoko-Edo) on Trypanosoma brucei induced anaemia was investigated in fifteen rabbits divided into three groups of n = 5 over a period of twenty eight days. Changes in Packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, Red blood cell count (RBC), Mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), Mean cell haemoglobin concentration, (MCHC) and Mean cell volume (MCV) were monitored over the period. The results obtained indicate that infection with T. brucei results in a significant decrease (p<0.05) in PCV, Hb concentration and RBC. No significant (p>0.05) changes were observed in MCH, MCHC and MCV. However the severity of observed anaemia was significantly less pronounced (p<0.05) in the infected rabbits that were treated with S. dulcis when compared with their infected but untreated counterparts. It is concluded that S. dulcis therapy may prove useful in the management of T. brucei anaemia, and possibly other forms of anaemia, although the precise mechanism by which the preparation enhances the haematological indices investigated remains to be fully understood.

Key words: Scoparia dulcis, Trypanosoma brucei, Rabbits, PCV, Haemoglobin.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2017 International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Direct ex vivo effects of herbal extracts on serum bilirubin in neonatal blood samples

Seyed Hessamedin Nabavizadeh¹, Ozair-bin Majid² and Amir Anushiravani²*

¹Department of Pediatrics Allergy and Immunology, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

²Department of Pediatrics, Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Accepted 18 May, 2017

Abstract

Herbal drug therapy is a common practice adopted in traditional and alternative medicine and has been used in the treatment of neonatal jaundice or hyperbilirubinemia from ancient times. This is done with the help of different herbal extracts and using different treatment methods. The knowledge of new possibilities and the fact that herbal drugs have been used in some communities for a long time, clarifies the importance of studying herbal drugs. Herbal drug therapies are used commonly which amplifies the need to evaluate the efficacy of these drugs. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of commonly used herbal drugs in neonatal jaundice, through in vitro techniques. In this study 0.5 cc (50 µg/ml) of different herbal extracts such as Chi corium intybus, Fumaria parviflora, Zizyphus jujuba and Alhagi pseudoalhgi, Purgative manna which were obtained through hydrochloric instillation and were added to 1 cc of neonatal serum with hyperbilirubinemia. Then the level of bilirubin was checked by diazo blank method. Among all of the herbal extracts, only Chi corium intybus demonstrated a lowering effect on indirect serum bilirubin. Although Chi corium intybus showed lower levels than the control group, but statistically there was no significant difference in direct bilirubin levels between these groups. Herbal drugs can decrease the bilirubin level through different mechanisms, such as increasing the activity of liver enzymes and decreasing the enterohepatic circulation. But the extract of the herb Chi corium intybus imposes its affect directly on bilirubin. Therefore further investigation is needed in order to separate the active agent in chi corium intybus.

Key words: Hyperbilirubinemia, Fumaria parviflora, Zizyphus jujuba, Chi corium intybus, Alhagi pseudoalhagi, Purgative manna.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2017 International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Cholesterol concentration in different parts of bovine meat sold in Nsukka, Nigeria: Implications for cardiovascular disease risk

Chukwunonso E. C. C. Ejike ¹* and Tufon N. Emmanuel²

¹Departments of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, PMB 7267 Umuahia, Nigeria

²Departments of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka – Nigeria

Accepted 10 February, 2017

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality globally. Reducing dietary fat and cholesterol intake is central to the reduction in the risk of CVD. In Nigeria and other developing countries, meat is a good source of protein and other nutrients, and its consumption is increasing. This study investigates the cholesterol concentration of ten parts of bovine meat – rib muscle, fore-limb muscle, hind-limb muscle, lungs, large intestine, small intestine, colon, liver, kidney and heart. Standard biochemical methods were used for all assays. The results show that cholesterol concentration was highest in the liver (6.5 ± 0.15 mg/g) and lowest in the large intestine (1.0 ± 0.01 mg/g). Organ meats had more cholesterol per 85 g serving than the daily recommendations of the American Heart Association. Considering that meat has some beneficial effects, we conclude that while bovine meat should not be avoided completely, its consumption (especially bovine organ meats consumption) should be minimized particularly by individuals and populations at risk of CVD and its co-morbid conditions.

Key words: Bovine meat, cardiovascular disease, cholesterol concentration.