ISSN 2736-1756
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2006
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2006 International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Esterase and protease activities of Bacillus spp. from afitin, iru and sonru; three African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) condiments from Benin
Paulin AZOKPOTA1, Djidjoho Joseph HOUNHOUIGAN1*, Mathurin Coffi NAGO1 and Mogens JAKOBSEN2
1Département de Nutrition et Sciences Alimentaires, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d'Abomey-Calavi; 01 BP 526. Cotonou. Bénin.
2Department of Food Science and Food Microbiology, the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Rolighedsvej 30, DR-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Accepted 20 October, 2005
Abstract
Fifty strains of Bacillus spp. comprising Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis previously isolated from afitin, iru and sonru were examined for esterase and protease activities. The electrophoretic profiles of fermented African locust bean protein (ALBP), using strains presenting the highest protease activities in casein agar, were analyzed by SDS-PAGE to select strains with good ability to be used as starter cultures. All the Bacillus spp. tested showed esterase activity against tributyrin with high variability among strains. Strains showing the highest esterase activities were B. subtilis, primarily isolated from iru, sonru and lastly in afitin. Only 62% (31/50) of the Bacillus strains tested showed perceptible, but highly variable protease activity in casein agar. Bacillus strains showing the highest protease activities comprised strains of B. subtilis isolated from afitin and iru and strains of B. licheniformis isolated from iru and sonru. A B. subtilis strain isolated from afitin showed high esterase as well as high protease activity. The electrophoretic profile by SDS-PAGE of ALBP fermented by the Bacillus spp. having the highest protease activities showed degradation products with a wide range of molecular size between 4 and 250 kDa. Variability of the characteristics of the Bacillus spp. tested give new opportunities for their use as starter culture for products development.
Key words: Bacillus subtilis, bacillus licheniformis, fermentation, esterase and protease activity, SDS-PAGE.
Djidjoho Joseph HOUNHOUIGAN*, Mathurin Coffi NAGO and Mogens JAKOBSEN, Paulin AZOKPOTA
Page: 1 - 10
Short Communication
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2006
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2006 International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Production potentials of anti-Plesiomonas shigelloides antibody
Oviasogie, F.E. and Ekhaise, F.O.*
Department of Microbiology Faulty of Science, University of Benin, P.M.B 1154, Benin City, Nigeria.
Accepted 29 September, 2005
Abstract
Out of the one hundred and fifty stool human samples screened for the prevalence of Plesiomonas shigelloides, only 3 (2%) were positive for the organisms. The positive isolates were used to produce P. shigelloides antibody in experimental animals (rabbits). Autopsy revealed marked inflammation of the liver, spleen and the kidney in the experimental animals not protected with the antibodies. This study showed that the trial rabbits were suitable for the production of antibodies against P. shigelloides, and further demonstrated the diagnostic and protective potentials of the antibodies.
Key words: Plesiomonas shigelloides, experimental animals, colloidal carbon particles, antibody and antisera.
F.E. and Ekhaise, F.O.* , Oviasogie
Page: 1 - 10
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2006
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2006 International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Evaluation of acute and subacute toxicities of aqueous ethanolic extract of leaves of Senna alata (L.) Roxb (Ceasalpiniaceae)
C.A. Pieme1*, V. N. Penlap1, B. Nkegoum2, P. C. L. Taziebou1, E.M. Tekwu, F. X. Etoa1 , J. Ngongang3
1Microbiology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty Science, P.O. Box 812, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon.
2Patology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, P.O. Box 2787 University of Yaounde I, Cameroon.
3Medical Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, P.O. Box 2787 University of Yaounde I, Cameroon.
Accepted 18 January, 2006
Abstract
We investigated the acute and subacute toxicities of hydro-ethanolic extract of leaves of Senna alata (L.) Roxb. in Swiss mice and Wistar albino rats. The mice were divided into 6 groups of 10 animals and each group received once by intra-gastric gavages 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 times 1000 mg/kg dose of extract. Distilled water served as the control. For the subacute toxicity, three groups of 10 rats (5 males and 5 females) were treated per os with distilled water (control), 500 or 1000 mg/kg of extract every 48 h for 26 days. At the end of treatment blood sample and 20% liver homogenates were collected for biochemical analyses. The results indicated that the medium lethal dose (LD50) was about 18.50 g/kg of body weight. Significant variation (P<0.05) of the body weight was observed after 26 days of treatment, in some biochemicals index of serum and 20% liver homogenates (glutathione , alkaline phosphatase (APL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)), haematological parameters (platelet) also in the female relative weight of heart of rat. Some of parameter investigated in this study showed dose responsive. The histopatological study of the liver did not show any features after the treatment but, the extract seems to ameliorate the liver architecture.
Keys words: Acute toxicity, alkaline phosphatase, hematological and histopatological study.
P. C. L. Taziebou, E.M. Tekwu, B. Nkegoum, V. N. Penlap, F. X. Etoa and J. Ngongang, C.A. Pieme*
Page: 1 - 10
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2006
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2006 International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Influence of intra-row spacing and mulching on weed growth and bulb yield of garlic (ALLIUM SATIVUM l.) in Sokoto, Nigeria
A.K. Karaye and A.I. Yakubu*
Department of Crop Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
Accepted 24 November, 2005
Abstract
Two field experiments were conducted during 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 dry seasons under irrigation at Kwalkwalawa Research FADAMA Farm of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto to investigate the response of weed growth and bulb yield of garlic to intra-row spacing and mulching. The treatments consisted of three intra-row spacings (10, 15, and 20 cm) and four mulching rate (0, 5, 7 and 9 t/ha). These were laid out in split plot design and replicated three times. Intra-row spacing was assigned to main plots and mulching was allotted to sub plots. Gross and net plot sizes were 3 x 1.5 m and 2.5 x 1 m, respectively. Results indicated that the number of leaves/plant, weed growth and cured bulb yield responded significantly to intra-row spacing and mulching, except in 2000/2001 trial, when the effect of mulching on cured bulb yield was not significant. Based on the results obtained, it could be concluded that for optimum bulb yield in garlic, the intra-row spacing of 10 cm and 9 t/ha mulching rate should be adopted.
Key words: Intra-row spacing, mulching, weed, garlic.
A.K. Karaye, A.I. Yakubu*
Page: 1 - 10
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2006
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2006 International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A survey of the microflora of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) and the resulting “Zobo” juice
Omemu, A. M., Edema, M. O.*, Atayese, A. O. and Obadina, A. O.
Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria.
Accepted 11 October, 2005
Abstract
The dried calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) is locally processed into a non-alcoholic drink known as ‘Zobo’ in Nigeria. This popular drink is quite cheap compared to other bottled soft drinks but its acceptability is still limited because of its very short shelf life (24 h at room temperature). The composition and numbers of the microflora of the dried calyx of the Roselle plant and its resulting juice (Zobo) were examined using standard microbiological methods. The dried calyx obtained from a retail market was processed into juice that was compared with commercially sold (retail) juice. The microorganisms isolated from the dried calyx and the juices included the fungi, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus oligosporus, Penicillium citrinum, Mucor spp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Candida krusei, while Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Serratia spp., Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus fermentum represented the bacterial isolates. Viable counts ranged from 0.4 x 104 to 3.2 x 104 cfu/ml. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts were higher in the retail juice (1.1 to 2.2 x104 cfu/ml) than in the laboratory-prepared juice (0.8 to 1.4 x104 cfu/ml) while the dried calyx had the highest fungal counts of 3.2 x 104 cfu/ml. pH of the juices ranged between 2.67 and 2.77 while total titratable acidity values were between 0.02 and 0.08.
Key words: Dried calyx, microflora, viable counts, Zobo juice.
The dried calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) is locally processed into a non-alcoholic drink known as ‘Zobo’ in Nigeria. This popular drink is quite cheap compared to other bottled soft drinks but its acceptability is still limited because of its very short shelf life (24 h at room temperature). The composition and numbers of the microflora of the dried calyx of the Roselle plant and its resulting juice (Zobo) were examined using standard microbiological methods. The dried calyx obtained from a retail market was processed into juice that was compared with commercially sold (retail) juice. The microorganisms isolated from the dried calyx and the juices included the fungi, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus oligosporus, Penicillium citrinum, Mucor spp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Candida krusei, while Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Serratia spp., Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus fermentum represented the bacterial isolates. Viable counts ranged from 0.4 x 104 to 3.2 x 104 cfu/ml. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts were higher in the retail juice (1.1 to 2.2 x104 cfu/ml) than in the laboratory-prepared juice (0.8 to 1.4 x104 cfu/ml) while the dried calyx had the highest fungal counts of 3.2 x 104 cfu/ml. pH of the juices ranged between 2.67 and 2.77 while total titratable acidity values were between 0.02 and 0.08.
Omemu , A. O. and Obadina, A. O., M. O.*, Atayese , A. M., Edema
Page: 1 - 10
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2006
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2006 International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Yield stability analysis of pearl millet hybrids in Nigeria
Y. Yahaya1*, C.A. Echekwu2 and S.G. Mohammed2
1Lake Chad Research Institute, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
2Department of Plant Science, Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
Accepted 11 August, 2005
Abstract
Genotype x environment interaction in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] was studied for grain yield by growing 90 genotypes consisting of 81 hybrids and 9 inbred parents at 5 locations for 2 years. Genotype x environment interaction was observed, a large component of which was accounted for by non-linear regression on the environment means. Although the linear portion was significant, its magnitude was smaller than that of the non-linear component indicating the significance of environmental effects on the genotypes. Six hybrids were found to be stable across the environments. They yielded above the average mean yield of all the genotypes under test, with a slope of unity and the mean square due to deviation from regression equal to zero.
Key words: Genotype x environment interaction, yield, stability, pearl millet.
Y. Yahaya*, C.A. Echekwu and S.G. Mohammed
Page: 1 - 10