Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-004, December, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of cyanide overload in cassava consuming populations of Nigeria and the cyanide content of some cassava based foods

OKAFOR, P. N.

Department of Chemical Sciences (Biochemical Unit). Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, P.M.B. 7267, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. Email: [email protected].

Accepted 22 July, 2011

Abstract

The cyanide overload of 40 cassava (gari) processing workers, 25 frequent consumers of cassava foods and 20 cigarette smokers (all Nigerians) were assessed using a new simple kit method for determination of thiocyanate (cyanide metabolite) in urine. The mean thiocyanate measured in the urine of three groups of cassava processing workers were 9.48±2.8, 8.70±2.23, and 7.46±2.57 ppm. The mean thiocyanate measured in the urine of frequent cassava consumers and cigarette smokers were 3.57±0.6 and 13.99±13.81 ppm, respectively. The urine samples of 15% of the processing workers measured ³10 ppm SCN (172µmol/L), while two urine samples from the smokers measured 30, and 44 ppm SCN. The cyanide contents of some cassava based foods commonly consumed among Nigerians were determined and ranged from 0.68± 0.31 to 0.88±0.21 for total cyanide and 0.14±0.03 to 0.52±01 mgCN^-100g^-1 DM for free cyanide. The toxicological implications of these findings are discussed.

Key words: Cyanide overload, thiocyanate, simple kit method, cassava foods.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-003, December, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Phenotypic characterisation and assessment of the inhibitory potential of Lactobacillus isolates from different sources

Oyetayo, V.O.

Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 18 October, 2011

Abstract

Six strains of Lactobacillus spp. were isolated from fermenting corn slurry, fresh cow milk, and the faeces of pig, albino rat, and human infant. Their inhibitory action was tested against some spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. Lactobacillus acidophilus isolated from milk was found to display a higher antagonistic effect with zones of inhibition of 6 and 15 mm against E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. This isolate was incapable of inhibiting the other indicator bacteria. The other isolates have zones of inhibition ranging between 1 to 4 mm. Characterisation of the microbial metabolic product for antimicrobial agents reveals that lactic acid may be responsible for the inhibition of the indicator organisms.

Key words: Lactobacilli, biopreservatives, pathogenic bacteria.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-002, December, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Oxygen uptake kinetics of Pseudomonas sp. strain VB grown under limiting concentration of 2-methoxyethanol

Ekhaise Frederick Osaro¹* and Aluyi, H. S. A².

¹Universitat Bayreuth, Lehrstuhl fur Mikrobiologie, D-95440 Bayreuth Germany.

²University of Benin, Faculty of Science, Department of Microbiology, P. M. B 1154, Benin City, Nigeria.

Accepted 22 July, 2011

Abstract

Oxygen uptake and 2-methoxyethanol oxidation kinetics of 2-methoxyethanol degrading bacterium Pseudomonas sp. strain VB were studied. The bacterium was grown under oxygen saturating conditions with limiting concentrations of 2-methoxyethanol. Pseudomonas sp. strain VB was found to utilize one mole of oxygen per one mole of 2-methoxyethanol as opposed to four moles of oxygen required for total oxidative metabolism. This indicates that intermediate metabolites are involved during the degradation of 2-methoxyethanol under aerobic conditions.

Key words: Oxygen uptake, 2-methoxyethanol, Pseudomonas sp. strain VB biodegradation.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-004, December, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Characterisation of a chimeric Phanerochaete chrysosporium cellobiohydrolase expressed from Escherichia coli

R.L. Howard¹*, P. Masoko¹, M.B. Mowa¹, E. Abotsi² and Howard S³

¹Microbiology, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, University of the North, P/Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa.

²Biochemistry, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, University of the North, P/Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa.

³Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of the North, P/Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa.

Accepted 09 September, 2011

Abstract

The aim of this study was to purify and analyse a Phanerochaete chrysosporium cbhI.1 gene-product expressed as an inducible, secreted, heterologous protein from an Escerichia coli pGEXcbh I.1 clone. Using glutathione Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography, the expressed protein was purified from the supernatant of an induced E. coli transformed with pGEXcbhI.1 and ran as a single band on a Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel. The glutathione S-transferase (GST) fused CBHI.1 was approx-imately 80 kDa in size, approximately 2.2 kDa smaller than the theoretically predicted size. The purified protein exhibited time dependent hydrolytic reaction against carboxy-methyl-cellulose (CMC) and Avicel. On CMC the highest hydrolytic reaction occurred at 120 min. whereas for Avicel it was at 150 min. Optimum pH and temperature for activity of the protein against these cellulose substrates were pH 6 and 55^oC, respectively, and the protein remained stable under these optimum conditions for 24 h.

Key words: Phanerochaete chrysosporium, cellobiohydrolase purification, heterologus expression.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-003, December, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Haematological changes associated with crude oil ingestion in experimental rabbits

S.S. Ovuru* and I.K.E. Ekweozor

Department of Animal Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Accepted 10 October, 2011

Abstract

Blood cell profile among experimental rabbits associated with crude oil ingestion were evaluated and was significantly (P<0.05) altered. Erythrocytes decreased linearly (P<0.05) indicating an anemic condition. The decrease also affected dependable factors such as packed cell volume (PVC) and haemoglobin (Hb). Leukocyctes, the main defense cells of the animal decreased linearly (P<0.05) further indicating susceptibility of the animal to stress and infection. Granulolytic leukocytes, which include neutrophils and eosinophils increased linearly (P<0.05). This increase is a physiological response to stress. Lymphocytes, antibody forming leukocytes decreased linearly, indicating a response to stress and susceptibility of the animal to infection. Crude oil fraction present in the diet has serious consequences on hematological parameters in animals.

Keywords: Haematological changes, crude oil ingestion, experimental rabbits.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-003, December, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Biochemical blood parameters in semi-adult rabbits experimentally fed crude oil contaminated diets

S.S. Ovuru*, N.A. Berepubo and M.B. Nodu

Department of Animal Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Accepted 23 August, 2011

Abstract

Biochemical parameters in blood specimens obtained from semi- adult rabbits of both sexes fed crude oil contaminated diets were examined. The diets had crude oil inclusions of 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20%. Blood samples were obtained from the marginal ear vein of representatives in each treatment group and assayed for urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin and cholesterol. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in biochemical parameters between control and crude oil treated animals. The biochemical changes observed indicate that ingestion of crude oil fractions cause disturbances in kidney and hepatocytes.

Keywords: Biochemical parameters, rabbits, crude oil contaminated diets.