International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 1 (9), pp. 226-229, December , 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

Antisickling potential of the ethanol seed extracts of Vigna unguiculata and Vigna subterranean

Egba I. Simeone², Emmanuel N. Tufon¹*, Ogugua N. Victor² and Ndohnui N. Noel¹

¹Department of Medical Biochemistry, St Louis University of Health and Biomedical Sciences Mile Three Nkwen Bamenda, Cameroon.

²Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

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

Received 30 October 2012; Accepted 06 December 2012

Abstract

Natural plant products have been used in Nigerian folk medicine in the management of sickle cell anemia by inhibiting sickling. This work was therefore aimed at investigating the Antisickling potential of the ethanol seed extract of Vigna unguiculata (E₁) and Vigna subterranean (E₂) used in the Nigerian herbal medicine with a view of proposing an effective herbal recipe for the management of sickle cell disease. Preliminary phytochemistry, sickling inhibition test, sickling reversal test and polymerization test were carried out using standard methods. The phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of saponins, reducing sugar, carbohydrate, fats and oil, steroids, glycosides, alkaloids and proteins in E₁ and the presence of flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates, fats and oil, resins, terpenoids, steroids, glycosides, alkaloids and proteins in E₂. The results of the antisickling test showed that E₁ and E₂ had significantly (p<0.05) higher antisickling effect than the Hbss control with E₁ showing a higher percentage than E₂. The percentage sickling reversal effect of E₁ was slightly lower than E₂ but their reversal of sickling were significantly higher than the control. The result of the polymerization showed that both extracts significantly (p<0.05) increased delayed time before polymerization at 50, 25 and 12% concentrations compared to the control. From the results, the extracts Vigna Unguiculata and Vigna Subterranean have shown to be therapeutically beneficial in the management of sickle cell disease and thus are strongly recommended by this study to be developed into supplements for the management of sickle cell disease.

Key words: sickle cell disease, Vigna unguiculata, Vigna subterranean, polymerization, antisickling, sickling reversal.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 1 (9), pp.230-238, December, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Utilization of high quality weaning formulae as dietary therapies of protein energy malnutrition

Obimba, Kelechukwu Clarence

Department of Biochemistry, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Rhema University. Aba. Abia State.  Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 07034851899.

Received 19 October 2012; Accepted 11 December 2012

Abstract

High quality weaning formulae SGMC and SMC (20% protein diets) prepared from available and affordable plants (soya bean, groundnut, maize, and fluted pumpkin green leaves) and animal sources (milk, catfish, and crayfish) were used in rehabilitating kwashiorkor-induced wistar albino rats in a comparative study. The experimental design for the treatment of kwashiorkor was a single factor, Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Administration of the weaning formulae to the kwashiokor-induced rats, caused a reversal of the earlier observed decreases in the parameters [White blood cell count (WBC_Total), True Digestibility (TD%) and Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER)], measured, in order of consecutive significant increase (p<0.05) as follows: SGMMRd>SGMC/SMC. Results were recorded as values of mean ± S.D unit, of the SGMC/SMC diet groups, as follows: growth performance: (90.4 ± 0.5/87.0 ± 2.84 g), Liver weight (10.77 ± 1.05/10.47 ± 1.01 g), WBC_Total (5156.12 ± 60.3/5150. 2 ± 59.03 mm³), AST: (11.1 ± 0.05/10.95 ± 0.05 U/l), TD%: (97.0 ± 0.06/96.0 ± 0.07%), and PER: (2.44 ± 0.10/2.45 ± 0.16). The regressions, and correlation between growth performance (grams) and PER of the SGMC and SMC diet groups, were significant (p<0.05), with Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficients of 0.96 and 0.97, respectively.  SGMC and SMC weaning formulae achieved the most rapid catch-up growth rates in the kwashiorkor-induced rats, and serve as prophylaxis and dietary therapy of protein energy malnutrition.

Key words: Protein energy malnutrition, dietary therapy, weaning formulae.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 1 (9), pp. 239-242, December, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Lenght Research Paper

Proximate analysis of shea nut kernel cake/meal samples from industry and cottage industry and some methods of removal of anti-nutritional factors

E.O. K. Oddoye¹, F. Alemawor²*, K.  Agyente-Badu¹ and V. P. Dzogbefia²

¹Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P. O. Box 8, New Tafo-Akim, Eastern Region, Ghana.

²Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana.

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

Received 08 November 2012; Accepted 18 December 2012

Abstract

Shea nut kernel cake (SNC), a major by-product of the shea industry, is rich in carbohydrates and protein, but the presence of anti-nutritional factors, mainly theobromine and tannins, limits its use as animal feed material. The present work studied variations in the chemical composition of SNC from different shea nut processing industries in Ghana. Additionally, the work evaluated the effectiveness of physical treatments (T1 - water-soaked overnight, strained and dried; T2 - washed with flowing water and dried; T3 - water-soaked, kneaded, squeezed in jute bag and then dried; T4 - boiled and dried) and chemical treatments (T5 - wetted with NaOH solution and dried; T6 – wetted with NaCl solution and then dried) for eliminating or reducing total tannins and theobromine in SNC. Compositional analysis showed that SNC was high in protein (116 to 178 g/kg dry matter (DM) and crude fat (25 to 545 g/kg DM). The increasing order for the effectiveness of the treatments in reducing the tannin content of SNC was as follows: T0

Key words: Shea nut kernel cake, chemical composition, theobromine, tannins, physical and chemical pre-treatments.  

International Journal of Biochemistry andBiotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 1 (8), pp. 204-208, November, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Review

A review on Gongronema latifolium (Utasi): A novel antibiotic against Staphylococcus aureus related infections

Etta Hannah Edim¹*, Uzong Grace Egomi¹, Ekpo Uwem F² and Okon Essien Archibong¹

¹Biological Science Department, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

²Department of Biological Sciences, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

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

Received 23 October 2012; Accepted 03 November 2012

Abstract

Over the years, several reports have appeared on Gongronema latifolium  a leafy vegetable locally known in the South-eastern part of Nigeria as Utasi or Utazi. The phytochemical constituents, bioactive[E.2]  principles, proximate analyses and chemical compositions of the herb have been reported as well as antimicrobial activities and hypoglycaemic effects. This review present available evidence on the antibiotic efficacy of extracts of G. latifolium against, Staphylococcus aureus from literature spanning 6 years from 2006 to 2012. We summarized that G. latifolium is efficacious for the remedy of abscesses, boils, or furuncle on the skin, treatment of bacteremia and other entero- infections caused by S. aureus.

Key words: Utasi, Gongronema latifolium, Staphylococcus aureus, antibacterial, biotechnological tool.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 1 (8), pp.198-203, November , 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Insect gut nucleases: a challenge for RNA interference mediated insect control strategies

Rajan Katoch^1,2* and Neelam Thakur³

¹Department of Crop Improvement, College of Agriculture, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya

Palampur, India, 176062.

²Department of Entomology, Purdue University, IN, USA, 47907.

³Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India, 141004.

*Corresponding author’s Email: [email protected]

Received 08 September, 2012; Accepted 04 November, 2012

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is a post-transcriptional control echanism involving degradation of target mRNA which is mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). This phenomenon of gene silencing has now been considered as a potential strategy for the control of insect pests. The selection of the target gene and synthesis of double stranded RNA (dsRNA) comprise crucial component of application of this technology. Different methods for the delivery of dsRNA in to insect have been investigated in the recent years. However, there are many limitations for the application of RNAi as a potential strategy for insect control. Most of the studies on RNAi for insect control have been focused on the insect midgut as it is considered as most effective target for the RNAi based pest control. The delivery of dsRNA in to the midgut is affected by feeding as dietary component; however, the environment of midgut is hostile for the fed dsRNA, where the gut nucleases and pH plays a major role among other associated factors. The current developments have shown RNAi technology as an important tool for next generation insect control measure. To achieve the practical application of this technology in insect-pest control, further study on the protection of dsRNA in insect gut is needed. The present review focuses on the major threats for the integrity of dsRNA in the insect gut.

Key words: RNAi, insect control, midgut, nucleases.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 1 (8), pp. 209-225, November, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Biotechnological control of cotton leafworm via intoxication with recombinants of Bacillus thuringiensis

Saad Aied AlOtaibi

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Taif University , Kingdom of  Saudi Arabia.

E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. Tel: 00966505727900

Received 07 November, 2012; Accepted 22 November, 2012

Abstract

In this study twelve Bacillus strains and 20 transconjugants resulted from nine matings between strains that having the opposite genetic markers were used in this work. This study aimed to evaluate accumulative mortality, as well as, body weight yielding of surviving larvae, after intoxication with Bt recombinants. The results appeared that recombinant crystals from transconjugants number Tr-B and Tr-D were more toxic if compared with other Bt toxins used in this study. This is because they were appeared in the lower LT₅₀ which reached to 4.09 and 5.30 days, respectively. In addition, recombinant crystals + endospores derived from transconjugants; Tr- B and Tr- D were more toxic if compared with other Bt, this because they appeared the lower values of LT₅₀ than other isolates of Bt. The LT₅₀ of Tr-B and Tr-D were 2.87 and 2.44 day, respectively. The results indicated that mortality percentage increased with increasing feed period but decreased with increasing larval age. The yield in body weight of surviving larvae treated with Bt. increased above that in untreated larvae. In addition, the yield in mortality percentage increased above that in control experiment. Although, yield in mortality percentage was increased when the larvae was treated with crystals + endospores than that treated with crystals alone. The results indicated that wider application of this technology will necessitate the testing of a broad range of insects encompassing agriculturally important pests and also beneficial insects to ascertain the full efficacy and safety of these recombinant proteins. This article sets the stage for developing an alternative strategy via using transgenic Bt in controlling important insect pests in a sustainable manner. The results demonstrated that B. thuringiensis - induced accumulative mortality depending on the components of bioinsecticides.

Key words: Accumulative mortality percentage, Bacillus thuringiensis, body weight, LT₅₀, Spodoptera littoralis, toxicity curves.