International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 253-262, January, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Differential Antioxidant Properties of Ethanol and Water Soluble Phytochemicals of False Nutmeg (Monodora myristica) Seeds

Ogunmoyole T*., Inaboya. S.,  Makun. J. O., and Kade. I. J.

Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P. M. B. 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]   

Received 13 September 2012, Accepted 01 January 2012

Abstract

In traditional medicine, several solvents like water, ethanol, limewater, coconut water and honey are used for extraction of phytochemicals. However, information on the solvent differential of these commonly used solvents in relation to their therapeutic effect is still poorly understood. Hence, the present study sought to evaluate the differential effect of water and ethanol which are commonly used for extraction in traditional medicine. The amount of some antioxidant agents such as phenols, flavonoids and vitamin C were determined in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the seed. In addition, the possible antioxidant mechanisms of the extracts were assessed by measuring their reducing property, iron (II) chelating ability and free radical scavenging properties. Furthermore, the ability of both extracts to inhibit lipid peroxidation and deoxyribose degradation was also measured. Generally, results showed that the phytochemical content of the ethanolic extract was significantly (P <0.05) higher than the aqueous. In a similar fashion, ethanolic extract exhibited stronger antioxidant potency than aqueous extract in all antioxidant indices determined. Taken together, ethanol exhibited a stronger solvent differential than water in the extraction of Monodora myristica seed. Hence, ethanol is better than water when full exploitation of the therapeutic potentials of Monodora myristica seed is intended.

Key words: Antioxidant, Monodora myristica, lipid peroxidation, deoxyribose degradation, ethanol, aqueous.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 268-272, February, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper                                        

Optimization for determination of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate(LAS) and AlkylbenzeneSulfonat (ABS) from biodegradation by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa bacteria

Yeyen Maryani, Rahmayetti, Aisyah Nurul Fatin and Rohmawati

Department of Chemical Engineering,  Engineering Faculty, University of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, Serang – Banten, Indonesia

International Seminar Biotechnology for Enhancement the Tropical Biodiversity, Padjadjaran University-2010

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 29 October 2012; Accepted 19 February 2013

Abstract

LAS and ABS are the detergent active compounds and their presence should always be monitored because they are pollutants. Detergent treatment has been done by way of adsorption, flocculation, coagulation and advanced oxidation, but the process can produces unwanted sludge that need further processing. One alternative technology that is used to treat wastewater is biological treatment using the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, because this method was easier and very economical when compared with other processing methods. Before, biodegradation by Pseudomonasaeruginosa is done only for the treatment of LAS but on this study it is also conducted for the treatment of LAS and ABS. So it is necessary to determine optimum conditions. With this method LAS and ABS was degradable to CO₂ and H₂O.  In this study, LAS and ABS successfully degraded 99.73%. With the longer time CO₂ formed was increasing, and the biggest CO₂ at pH 7 and the 50th hour, concentration of CO₂was127.6 mg / L.

Key words: Biodegradation, LAS, ABS, Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 2  (2), pp. 276-281, February, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper

The role of curcuminoids in overcoming neurodegenerative disorders resulting from heavy metal overload

Atef E. Abd El-Baky

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Egypt. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +201222883875. Fax: +20862369075.

Received 24 August, 2012; Accepted 12 February, 2013

Abstract

Iron plays a vital role in brain where it is essential for production of several neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and γ-aminobutyric acid. But, overload may have neurodegenerative effect due to oxidative metabolism. So, this study aimed mainly on how can overcome neurodegenerative disorders results from iron fortified diet using a natural product. We utilized curcumin (25 mg/kg/day) in normal and iron overload experimental rats against control. Iron overload was induced by packed biscuits (50 to 60 g/day) enriched with ferrous sulphate (0.2%, w/w) daily for 10 weeks. Rats were divided into four groups (n=10), Group I, rats received packed biscuits. Group II, rats received packed biscuits enriched with ferrous sulphate daily for 10 weeks. Group III, rats received curcumin orally. Group IV, rats were given packed biscuits enriched with ferrous sulphate concomitant with curcumin throughout the period of study referred to as treated group. All animals were killed after 10 weeks. The results showed that iron fortified elevated serum iron, ferritin, nitric oxide (NO) and peroxidation value (MDA) but reduced glutathione (GSH) and super oxide dismutase (SOD) were decreased. Also, Monoamine oxidase (MAO) was elevated leading to decrease of serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin, dopamine, GSH and SOD were alleviated significantly by curcumin. Both neuronal NOS (nNOS) expression and inducible NOS (iNOS) expression were elevated in rats fortified with iron overload and were decreased when treated with curcumin but endothelial NOS (eNOS) protein expression was absent in both controls, animals with iron overload. In conclusion, curcumin displayed effective neuroprotective potency. It has MAO inhibitory effects concerned with increasing of some neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine through iron chelators and antioxidant action.

Key words: Neurotransmitters, iron, serotonin, dopamine, ferritin, curcumin.   

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 273-275, February, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Physiochemical properties and fatty acid profile of oil extracted from Irvingia gabonensis seeds

Omeh Yusuf S.¹, Ezeja Maxwell I.² and Ugwudike Patrick O.³

¹Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural and Applied Science, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

²Department of Veterinary  physiology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

³Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Science, Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

 *Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 08036766169, 08040206144

Received 07 October, 2012; Accepted 15 February, 2013

Abstract

The physiochemical and fatty cid profile of the oil extracted from Irvingia gabonensis was determined. Soxhlet extraction method using n-hexane as solvent was employed for the extraction. The extraction process yielded 65% of oil. The physiochemical determination was done using standard method while fatty acid profile was done using Gas Chromatographic technique. The result of the study is as follows: Relative density (0.82), pH (6.19), Saponification value (182.3 mgKOH^-1), Iodine value (4.17/100 g Fat), Peroxide value (3.02 mgEqKg^-1). The fatty acid profile of the oil revealed the presence of six fatty acid fractions viz: C14:O(51.85%), C12:O(35.12%), C16:7.95%), C10:O(1.01%), C18:0(0.62%) and C18:1(2.99%).The overall result revealed that the oil is highly unsaturated and thus should not be consumed in high quantity by cardiovascular patients.

Key words: Physiochemical, fatty acid, Irvingia gabonensis, chromatographic technique.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 263-267, January, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Haematological profile of rats treated with aqueous extracts of common dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale Weber) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) toxicity

Berezi, E.P. ¹, Monago, C.¹, and Adelagun, R.O.A.²

¹Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.

²Department of Chemistry, Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author.E-mail:[email protected]. Tel: 08038777997

Received 29 October, 2012; accepted 08 January, 2013

Abstract

The effect of aqueous extract of common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber) on the hematological profile of Wistar Albino rats poisoned with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) was investigated. Results of this study revealed an elevation in the levels of White Blood Cell (WBC) and Bilirubin and a decrease in Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and Hemoglobin (Hb) occasioned by CCl₄ relative to control samples. The increase in the WBC is attributed to stimulation of the immune system response caused by the toxicity of CCl_4; there was also an indication of anemia and hemolysis in the blood of the experimental rats. After three weeks of oral administration of 100mL and 200mL aqueous extract of common Dandelion, there was significant decreasing (p<0.05) in WBC and Bilirubin levels, with a corresponding increase on PCV and Hb. It was also observed that the functional recovery of these blood indices is concentration dependent. The efficacy claims of common Dandelion by traditional healers can further be validated in this study.

Key words: Hematology, common Dandelion, Packed Cell Volume, Bilirubin, Carbon tetrachloride. 

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 343-252, January , 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comet assay and some biochemical studies on Bacillus cereus using heavy metals and ultraviolet (UV)

D. E. El-Hadedy* and S. M. El-Sonbaty

Department of Microbiology, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology,

Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 06 October, 2012; Accepted 12 January, 2013

Abstract

Genotoxicity tests (comet assay) are used to detect the toxicity of the materials that causes damage to the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Bacillus cereus strain used in this study was isolated and identified previously by 16S rRNA with accesion number AB599718.1. This study aimed to investigate the impact of ultraviolet (UV) and environmental pollutants (cadmium and lead) on B. cereus as a bacterial contaminant of food. B. cereus was grown on L.B medium supplement with lead or cadmium followed by exposure to UV radiation as combined effect with heavy metal. To study the cytogenetic shape of total DNA genomic in individual cells. DNA damage (genotoxicity) was analyzed by using comet assay. The results indicated that, the metabolic rate of B. cereus was affected by the metal adsorption rate. Changes in the concentration of DNA damage, glutathione (GSH) (record 13 mg/mg protein with 1 mM Cd, 13 mg/mg protein without Cd and lead and high value with lead at 10 mM) while lipid peroxidation values were (7 nM/mg protein with Cd and high value 5.5 nM/ mg with lead). This method could be used as a useful biomarker for the identification of the presence of environmental contamination. In the future, for heavy metals removal, immobilized on waste biomaterials (there are no sense in this phrase). Input of heavy metals imposes a selective pressure that may favor the growth and activity of resistant/tolerant microbes.

Key words: Bacillus cereus, comet assay, ultraviolet (UV), cadmium, lead, glutathione, lipid peroxidation.