Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2736-1756 Vol. 14 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Nutritional and sensory properties of soybean fortified composite ogi – A Nigerian fermented cereal gruel

Adesokan I. A.¹*, Fawole A. O.², Ekanola Y. A.², Odejayi D. O.² and Olanipekun O. K.²

¹Department of Science Laboratory Technology, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Nigeria.

²Department of Biology, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Accepted 19 May, 2020

Abstract

The effect of soyabeans fortification on acceptability and shelf life of ogi was investigated. The pH of the fermenting ogi decreased steadily with a corresponding increase in titratable acidity (TA). The pH and TA ranged between 3.03 and 4.30; and 1.07 and 1.54 (mg/100 g) respectively. During fermentation, a significant increase in yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts was observed. The aerobic plate count (log cfu/ml) of fermenting ogi samples ranged between 5.96 and 5.99. Sample A containing sorghum, millet and soybeans had the highest protein content (9.2%) while sample D containing sorghum only had the lowest (8.16%). Sample D was rated best in all the parameters tested. This study revealed that fortification with soybean at 10% level and a combination of sorghum and millet improved the nutrition quality of ogi without adverse effect on acceptability.

Key words: Nutritional quality, soybean, fortification, composite ogi, acceptability.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2736-1756 Vol. 14 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral properties of Goniothalamus umbrosus leaves methanolic extract

Noor-Zarina Abdul-Wahab, Saleha Shahar, Halimah Abdullah-Sani, Azimahtol Hawariah Lope Pihie and Nazlina Ibrahim*

School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor.

Accepted 15 July, 2020

Abstract

The antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral effects of crude methanol extract from the leaves of Goniothalamus umbrosus were studied. Good free radical scavenging activity using 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was shown by the extract at EC₅₀ of 0.263 mg/ml compared to 0.01 mg/ml for trolox as the positive control. The extract showed greater antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were more sensitive than methicillin sensitive S. aureus. Cytotoxicity testing of the leaf extract and goniothalamin a styrylpyrone derivative (SPD) as a lead compound found mostly in the genus Goniothalamus was performed on Vero cells. From the test, the CC₅₀ value for the extract was 125 µg/ml and for SPD 31.25 µg/mL (1.563x10^-7 µM). Antiviral test was carried out against Herpes Simplex virus type 1 infected to Vero cells. The results showed that G. umbrosus leaf methanol extract was effective in showing the antiviral activity in all three treatments but SPD is effective only in the first treatment; 1) (C+V)+E, extract and SPD were able to control virus post-infection 2) (C+E)+V: the extract has prophylactic activity implied by treatment of cells with the extract for one day before viral infection and C+(V+E) refers to the ability of extract to control viral infectivity when extract and virus was added simultaneously to cell. This study showed the potential of non-cytotoxic G. umbrosus leaf methanol extract as herbal alternative against MRSA and herpes simplex viruse (HSV) -1.

Key words: Goniothalamus umbrosus, leaf, methanol extract, styrylpyrone derivative, antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxicity, antivirus.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 14 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

High-level acetaldehyde production by an indigenous LACTOBACILLUS  strain obtained from traditional dairy products of Iran

Maryam Ghobadi Dana¹, Bagher Yakhchali ²*, Ali Hatef Salmanian² and Ferdous Rastgarjazi Jazii²

¹Institute of Standard and Industrial Research of Iran P. O. Box 31585-163, Karaj, Iran.

²National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Pajhohesh blv. P. O. Box 14965-161, Tehran, Iran.

Accepted 23 March, 2020

Abstract

Isolation and characterization of new LACTOBACILLI strains with high level acetaldehyde production, from traditional fermented milk, in different provinces of Iran, are reported. In this study, a total of 112 local dairy products such as yoghurt and doogh were collected from four provinces in the west of Iran, namely Kordestan, Kermanshah, Ilam and Lorestan. Ninety three isolates with extensive diverse phenotypic and biochemical characteristics were identified. These isolates were screened for productions of acetaldehyde during fermentation of skim milk. 67 isolate were positive for acetaldehyde production. Two strains (KR43 and IL121) with the highest acetaldehyde production were further characterized by amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and their phylogenetic trees were constructed. The results showed that the two strains were similar to LACTOBACILLUS FERMENTUM. 2-dimensional electrophoresis analysis was used to investigate the proteome of the cytosolic fraction extracted from stationary phase cells of the KR43 strain. Also some spots of KR43 strain were analyzed by MS/MS subunits of acetoin dehydrogenase involved in the production of acetaldehyde from acetoin, which has not been reported in LACTOBACILLI yet. To our knowledge, this is the first report in LACTOBACILLI.

Key words: Acetaldehyde production, acetoin dehydrogenase, Lactobacillus, Iran, proteomics, fermented foods, dairy products.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 14 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

In situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction methods for the detection of Epstein-Barr virus RNA in breast cancer specimens

Izham N. S. A. S.¹, H. Zuridah^{1, 2}*, S. Rashidah¹, O. Azizon³ and N. A. Zeenathul⁴

¹Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

²Pharmogenomic Centre (PROMISE), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

³Pathology Department, Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, Jalan Rasah, 70300 Seremban, NegeriSembilan, Malaysia.

⁴Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.

Accepted 08 March, 2020

Abstract

The role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as a cofactor in breast cancer is controversial and its association with breast cancer varies. In this study, EBV was detected by using in situ hybridization technique (ISH) to detect Epstein-barr virus encoded RNA1 (EBER1) transcripts. Archival formalin-fixed paraffin embedded breast cancer tissue samples (n = 139) and normal breast tissue (n = 20) obtained from Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar were sectioned, stained and examined microscopically for nuclear staining and by DNA amplification of the same gene. By ISH, 83/139 (59.7%) and 12/20 (60%) were EBV positives in the breast cancer tissues and normal tissues, respectively. On the other hand, confirmation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) found that additional six samples (89/139 or 64%) breast cancer tissues were positive for EBER1 gene. To further confirm the identity of these amplified products, two samples (UiTM-53 and UiTM-73) were sequenced, BLAST, analyzed phylogenetically and was found to be 100% similar to the EBV EBER1 gene sequences already deposited in the GenBank (accession numbers AB065135, FN545286, EF187853 and DQ883818). These preliminary findings suggest that there is a correlation between EBV and breast cancer but need further testing with more samples to confirm the role of EBV.

Key words: Breast cancer, Epstein-Barr virus, EBER1 transcripts, in situ hybridization, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), tumour grading.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 14 (5), pp. 001-009, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Genetic diversity analyzed by quantitative traits among rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes resistant to blast disease

M. A. Latif^1,3*, M. M. Rahman², M. S. Kabir³, M. A. Ali³, M. T. Islam⁴ and M. Y. Rafii¹

¹Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

²Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

³Plant Pathology Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh.

⁴Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Accepted 22 August, 2019

Abstract

Genetic diversity was studied for blast resistant and susceptible genotypes using 13 morphological characters. Plant height, days to flowering and maturity, panicle length, number of spikelet per panicle, number of filled grain per panicle, number of unfilled grain per panicle, 1000-grain weight and yield per hill were indicated as important contributors to genetic divergence in 14 rice genotypes. The first 3 principal components accounted for 78.72% of the total variation among resistant and susceptible rice genotypes. The genotypes were grouped into 7 clusters according to Mohalanobis’s D² statistics and canonical vector analysis. On the basis of cluster distances, high yielding along with highly susceptible genotype, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) dhan29 could be crossed with resistant genotypes, BR 6017-3-3-4-1 and Zong-yu 7. Similarly, BRRI dhan28 could be crossed with Qing Liali No.1 for the development of blast resistant rice varieties with higher yield.

Key words: Blast disease, genetic diversity, quantitative traits, rice, resistant genotypes.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 14 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Papers

Fungi and mycotoxins in stored foods

Atanda S. A*, Pessu P. O., Agoda S., Isong I. U., Adekalu O. A., Echendu M. A. and Falade T. C.

Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, 34 Barikisu Iyede Street, off University of Lagos Road Yaba P.M.B. 12543 Lagos, Nigeria.

Accepted 22 January, 2019

Abstract

This review focused on the worldwide contamination of foods and feeds with mycotoxins as a significant problem. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of molds that have adverse effects on humans, animals, and crops that result in illnesses and economic losses. Aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, zearelenone, fumonisins, tremorgenic toxins, and ergot alkaloids are the mycotoxins of greatest agro-economic importance. Factors influencing the presence of mycotoxins in foods or feeds include environmental conditions related to storage that can be controlled. Other extrinsic factors such as climate or intrinsic factors such as fungal strain specificity, strain variation, and instability of toxigenic properties are more difficult to control. The economic impact of mycotoxins include loss of human and animal life, increased health care and veterinary care costs, reduced livestock production, disposal of contaminated foods and feeds, and investment in research and applications to reduce severity of the mycotoxin problem. Although efforts have continued internationally to set guidelines to control mycotoxins, practical measures have not been adequately implemented.

Key words: Fungi, mycotoxins, aflatoxins, contamination, relative humidity, safe moisture content.