ISSN 2736-1756
Review
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2006
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2005 International Scholars Journals
Review
Taxol synthesis
B.H. Guo1, G.Y. Kai1, H.B. Jin1 and K.X. Tang1,2,*
1Plant Biotechnology Research Center, Fudan-SJTU-Nottingham Plant Biotechnology R&D Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, P. R. China.
2State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan-SJTU-Nottingham Plant Biotechnology R&D Center, Morgan-Tan International Center for Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China.
Accepted 4 October, 2005
Abstract
Being a complex diterpenoid, the potent anticancer drug, Taxol, requires complicated steps for its biosynthesis. In the present article, recent advances on Taxol biosynthesis pathway are reviewed, including many recently reported genes that regulate Taxol biosynthesis. To meet the urgent need of clinic and scientific research, besides Taxus supply, other approaches to obtain Taxol have also been discussed here.
Key words: biosynthesis pathway, cell culture, endophytic fungi, Taxol, Taxus.
H.B. Jin and K.X. Tang*, G.Y. Kai, B.H. Guo
Page: 1 - 10
Review
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2006
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2006 International Scholars Journals
Review
Aflatoxin contamination of foods in developing countries: Implications for hepatocellular carcinoma and chemopreventive strategies
E. Olatunde Farombi*
Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan Nigeria. Fax: 234-2-8103043. Tel: 234-8023470333. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected].
Accepted 29 December, 2005
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality in the world and, in certain parts of Asia and Africa, it accounts for about 70% of cancer deaths. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and dietary exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB 1) are the two major risk factors in multi factorial aetiology of HCC. Multiple lines of evidence indicate synergistic interaction between these two agents in the development of HCC. Several mechanisms of interaction have been suggested including activation of cytochrome P450s by HBV infection leading to the metabolism of inactive AFB1 to the mutagenic AFB 1-8,9-epoxide as well as the generation of reactive oxygen species by HBV and AFB1 sensitising the cells to AFB1-induced p53 249ser mutations. The poor survival rate achieved by the current surgical procedures and chemotherapy treatment has motivated a number of scientific investigations to elucidating the molecular events involved in HCC thus providing the scientific rationale for prevention strategies, including primary and chemoprevention approaches. Recent findings have implicated intracellular signalling cascades involving nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) and nuclear transcription factor erythroid 2p45 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) as molecular targets of a wide range of chemopreventive agents. The new findings thus raise the intriguing possibility that chemopreventives modulating these molecular targets in the liver might provide a novel therapeutic approach to the development of liver cancer.
Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma, chronic hepatitis B virus, aflatoxin B1, chemoprevention.
E. Olatunde Farombi*
Page: 1 - 10
Short Communication
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2005
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2005 International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Identification of metallo-b-lactamase from a clinical isolate at Saint Camillle medical Center of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Boukaré Zeba1, Pere Jacques Simporé2, Odile G. Nacoulma1, Jean-Marie Frère3
1Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biochimie Appliquée (Enzymologie) /UFR-SVT/ Université de Ouagadougou/ BurkinaFaso 03 BP 7021 03 Ouagadougou.
2Saint Camille Hospital center/ Ouagadougou/ Burkina Faso
3Enzymology/ Center of Protein Engineering/ Ulg/ Belgium.
Accepted 23 December, 2004
Abstract
A metallo-b-lactamase was identified from a clinical sample. The host bacteria was identified to be Chryseobacterium indologenes. This preliminary characterization of the enzyme is reported here.
Key words: b-lactamase , metallo-b-lactamase,Chyseobacterium indologenes, bacterial resistance, antibiotics.
Odile G. Nacoulma and Jean-Marie Frère, Pere Jacques Simporé, Boukaré Zeba
Page: 1 - 10
Short Communication
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2005
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2005 International Scholars Journals
Short communication
Studies on the extraction and characterization of thermostable a-amylase from pericarp of Borassus indica
M. Srinivasa Rao, N.S. Reddy, G. Venkateswara Rao and K.R.S. Sambasiva Rao*
Center for Biotechnology Nagarjuna University, Nagarjunanagar, Guntur – 522 510, A.P., India.
Accepted 14 August, 2004
Abstract
Thermostable a-amylase was extracted and characterized from the fruits (pericarp) of Borassus indica. Analysis on the influence of various physico-chemical parameters on the extracted enzyme revealed a Vmax of 0.793 and a Km of 0.022. The optimum temperature was found to be 370C at pH 4.5. The stability studies on enzyme activity envisaged that the enzyme is stable up to 800C and retained its activity over a wide range of pH (4.0 – 8.5). Significant enhancement in the enzyme activity was observed in the presence of metal ions like Manganese and Strontium and an insignificant decrement in the presence of Sodium ions.
Key words: a-Amylase, Borassus indica, enzyme activity.
N.S. Reddy, M. Srinivasa Rao, G. Venkateswara Rao and K.R.S. Sambasiva Rao*
Page: 1 - 10
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2005
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2005 International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Temperature effect on dextransucrase production by Leuconostoc mesenteroides FT 045 B isolated from Alcohol and Sugar Mill Plant
Mariana CORTEZI1, Rubens MONTI2 and Jonas CONTIERO1*
1Departamento de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro/ UNESP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
2Departamento de Alimentos e Nutrição, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas UNESP, Araraquara, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Accepted 13 August, 2004
Abstract
Temperature (23 to 31°C) and sucrose concentration (3 and 4%) effects on dextransucrase production by Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B 512 (F) and Leuconostoc mesenteroides FT 045 B were studied. The conditions in all fermentations were: total reaction volume 2 L, 132 rev. min-1, 0.5 vvm and pH 6.0. The optimum temperature for enzyme yield for strain NRRL B 512 (F) was 23°C, where at 8-h fermentation was possible to achieve 49.3 DSU/mL. When FT 045 B strain was utilized, 3.2 DSU/mL was obtained at temperature 23 to 25 °C.
Key words: Dextran, dextransucrase, Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B512 (F), Leuconostoc mesenteroides FT045 B, temperature, enzyme activity.
Mariana CORTEZI, Rubens MONTI and Jonas CONTIERO*
Page: 1 - 10
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2005
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2005 International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Methods of preparation and nutritional evaluation of dishes consumed in a malaria endemic zone in Cameroon (Ngali II)
Roger PONKA1*, Elie FOKOU1, Rose LEKE2, Martin FOTSO3, Jacob SOUOPGUI1, Mercy ACHU BIH1 and Félicité MBIAPO TCHOUANGUEP4
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, P.O. BOX 812, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
2Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
3Centre for Research in Food and Nutrition, IMPM, Yaounde, Cameroon.
4Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
Accepted 21 January 2005
Abstract
This study deals with the description of the methods of preparation and determination of the nutritional potential of dishes consumed by Cameroonians living in a rural area, which is a malaria endemic zone, called Ngali II. The dishes consumed are prepared from leguminous seeds, seeds of the Cucurbitaceae family (egusi seeds), green leafy vegetables, tubers, cereals unripe bananas and plantains. The contents in moisture, ash, proteins, lipids, crude fibres and carbohydrates were determined by standard AOAC methods. The results obtained are expressed in percentage f.w for moisture and percentage d.w for ash, proteins, lipids, crude fibres and carbohydrates. The moisture content ranges from 57.77-86.17; ash, 0.66-14.74; proteins, 1.49-37.25; lipids, 0.26-54.98; crude fibres, 1.43-17.82 and carbohydrates, 3.51-95.76. This study revealed that a higher consumption of dishes made from leguminous seeds, egusi seeds, green leafy vegetables, and low consumption of tubers, unripe bananas and plantains will lead to a good nutritional balance.
Keywords: Dishes, preparation, nutritional potential, malaria.
Jacob SOUOPGUI, Elie FOKOU, Roger PONKA*, Martin FOTSO, Mercy ACHU BIH and Félicité MBIAPO TCHOUANGUEP, Rose LEKE
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