International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 780-789, March, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of heavy metals regulated and mended with two different kinds of biosolids

*Rebecca Adams¹, Mario Wendell² and Jack Barker²

¹Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Montevallo, Alabama, United States.

²Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of North Alabama, Alabama, United States.

Corresponding author's E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 22 April, 2015

Abstract

Land application of biosolids has been shown to benefit degraded rangeland; however, soil metal accumulation has been a concern. To date, nine heavy metals found in land applied biosolids are regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Concern increases when application rates exceed the agronomic rate. The objective of this study was to monitor changes in soil metal accumulation from a one-time biosolids surface application on disturbed rangeland in Western Utah. Two types of biosolids, aerobically digested and lime stabilized, were applied at rates up to twenty times (20x) the estimated agronomic rate. Biosolids were not incorporated into the soil. Levels of heavy metals were recorded at five different soil depths, 0.2, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5 m. The one-time application was evaluated over a two year period. No significant consistent trend between metal concentration, biosolids application rate, biosolids type, year, and soil depth was found. It was concluded that metal concentrations in this study were below the cumulative loading rate from the 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 503 rule. These findings can help alleviate concerns about environmental and health risks due to metal accumulation from biosolids land application.

Key words: Biosolids application, biosolids-amended soil, agronomic rate, cumulative loading rate, metal accumulation.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 782-790, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Colour improvement and extraction of gelatin from the skin of striped catfish  

Ram Kori¹, Singh Rama² and Zakir Kidwai²

¹Department of Fishery Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Andhra Pradesh, India.

²Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Dravidian University, Pradesh, India.

Corresponding author's E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 02 January, 2017

Abstract

Functional properties of gelatin from skin of striped catfish with and without bleaching for 48 h by 5% H₂O₂ (w/v)) were studied. Gelatin from skin bleached with 5% H ₂O₂ for 48 h showed the highest yield (16.18 g). Bleaching not only improved the colour of gelatin gel by increasing the L* (lightness)-value and decreasing a*(redness/greenness)-value, but also enhanced the bloom strength and the emulsifying and foaming properties of the resulting gelatin. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic study showed higher intermolecular interactions and denaturation of gelatin from bleached skin than that of the control. These results indicated that hydrogen peroxide most likely induced the oxidation of gelatin, resulting in the formation of gelatin cross-links, hence improved functional properties.

Key words: Gelatin, catfish, color, bloom strength.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 6 (4), pp. 767-774, April, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of probiotic fermented soy milk and gamma radiation on nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinogenesis

¹Omayma A Ragab*, ²El-sonbaty SM, ¹Aziza SA and ¹Aboelftouh AE

¹Biochemistry department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, ²Microbiology, National Centre of Radiation Research and Technology, Atomic Energy Authority.

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 02 March, 2014

Abstract

Functional food enters the concept of considering food not only as a necessity for living but also as a source of mental and physical well-being. The anti-proliferative effects of fermented soy suggested the need of low dose of gamma radiation in order to achieve an optimal therapeutic effect. This study investigated the potential chemotherapeutic effects of orally administrated fermented soy milk (FSM) with low dose of gamma radiation on mammary carcinogenesis induced by exposure to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). There was significant immunomodulatory effect of FSM on the reduction of WBC count caused by gamma radiation or MNU. Also FSM showed ameliorative effect on GPx, SOD and CAT enzyme activities and on lipid peroxidation and TNF-α level compared to rats exposed to radiation or MNU. FSM and irradiation markedly elevated GSH content. Combined treatment of FSM and radiation ameliorated MNU effect on cell cycle phases Go/1,S,G2/M. pretreatment with FSM and gamma radiation markedly conclusion, Consumption of FSM synergizes with exposure to low doses of gamma radiation which was found to have a protective and ameliorative effect from carcinogenesis and oxidative stress induced by MNU.

Keywords: Fermented soy, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, mammary gland, cell cycle, TNF- α, gamma radiation, antioxidant state.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 6 (4), pp. 750-755, April, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of serum electrolytes and calcium status in both hemodialysed and conservatively treated chronic kidney disease patients attending a tertiary care hospital of Assam

¹Rashmi Rekha phukan and ²Rohini Kt. Goswami

¹Department of Biochemistry, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Gangtok, Sikkim, India. 

²Department of Biochemistry, Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, Assam, India.

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 15 November, 2016

Abstract

The present study is a hospital based study in patients with CKD attending a tertiary care hospital in assam. 71 CKD patients (31 conservatively treated and 40 hemodialysed) and 50 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum Na+ and calcium was significantly lower  with p value 0.015 and <0.001 respectively in CKD groups as compared to the controls. The difference of serum potassium between the cases and controls was statistically not significant. Varied ranges of dyselectrolemia is observed in the CKD group with incidence of hyponatremia and hypokalemia being more prevalent in CKD patients undergoing treatment with prevalence of 28.1% and 53.5% respectively. Whereas prevalence of hypernatremia and hyperkalemia was found to be 12.6% and 11.2% respectively. Between the conservatively treated and hemodialysed group, hyponatremia was found to be more prevalent in conservatively treated group with prevalence of 41.9%, whereas hypokalemia was more prevalent in the hemodialysed group with prevalence of 60%. Hypocalcemia was prominent invariably in both conservative and hemodialysed group. There was significant difference of Na+ and K+ values between CKD patients treated by hemodialysis and conservatively with p values 0.0103 and 0.0258 respectively. Whereas there was no differences found for calcium between the two groups. Varied range of dyelectrolemia has been noticed in CKD patients that depend upon the mode of treatment.

Keywords: CKD, hemodialysis, dyselectrolemia, prevalence.