International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 1 (7), pp.190-193, September, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Bioavailability of micro and macro-minerals in cockerels fed processed ackee apple seeds in diets

Annongu A. A.¹*, Adeloye A. A.¹, Atteh J. O.¹, Joseph J. K.², Toye A. A.¹, Kayode R. M. O.², Adeyina O. A.¹, Ogunbode A. A.³, Okukpe K. M.¹ and Adeyemi K. D.¹

¹Unit of Nutritional Biochemistry and Toxicology, Department of Animal Production, P. M. B 1515 University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.

²Division of Microbial Biotechnology, Department of Home Economics and Food Science, University of Ilorin,

Ilorin, Nigeria.

³Department of Animal Health and Production Technology, Oyo State College Of Agriculture, P. M. B 10 Igboora,

Oyo State, Nigeria.

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

Received 26 August, 2012; Accepted 03 September, 2012

Abstract

Ackee apple seeds from fruits of ackee trees grown in Ilorin, were processed into meal (AASM) by soaking (48 h), boiling (90 min) followed by addition of glycine and riboflavin to antagonize the toxic principles in ackee namely hypoglycin A and B. The treated AASM was included in diets at 17.50% in a complete randomized design experiment using 96-day old cockerels. Bioavailability and utilization of micro and macro-nutrients in AASM in diets by the cockerels were evaluated comparing with those on the conventional diet. The availability and utilization of the macro-minerals, Ca, Na, K similarly gave values on the treated AASM diets that were comparable or even superior to values on the control diet (P<0.05). The ratios of Na/K and Ca/P obtained were within the limit recommended for good health. Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that inclusion of treated AASM in diet at 17.50% has no adverse effects on bioavailability and utilization of minerals in the cockerels.

Key words: Ackee apple seeds, treatments, cockerels, minerals availability and utilization. 

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 1 (7), pp. 188-189, September, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Case Report

A case of Alkaptonuria

B Gayathri, R Sujatha, G Sumitra, M kavitha, D Vijaya, Usha Anand, CV Anand

PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore,Tamilnadu, India. E-mail: [email protected].

Tel: 9444547482.

Received 08 September, 2012; Accepted 28 September, 2012

Abstract

A 63 year old man presented with sudden onset of severe hip pain for the past one month. Physical examination revealed black pigmentation of sclera and blackening of ear lobes. The urine darkened on standing. X- Ray showed degenerative changes in the right hip joint. Biochemical investigations which included urine Benedict’s test and ammoniacal silver nitrate test were positive, suggestive of alkaptonuria. Intra- operative findings also revealed black pigment depositions on the head of the femur. No other complications or systemic abnormalities were detected.

Key words: Alkaptonuria, ochronosis, homogentisic acid, arthritis.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 1 (7), pp. 194-197, September, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of selected well water sources at Ishiagu quarry site, Ebonyi State, Nigeria on basic haematological parameters in peripheral blood of albino rats

Victor Chibueze Ude¹, Uhegbu Friday Obinwa¹, Emmanuel Iroha Akubugwo¹, Ositadinma Chinyere Ugbogu² and Amadike Eziuche Ugbogu¹*

¹Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University Uturu, Nigeria.

²Department of Microbiology, Abia State University Uturu, Nigeria.

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

Received 07 July, 2012; Accepted 06, 2012

Abstract

The haematological studies on selected well-water sources within two kilometers from Ishiagu quarry site were evaluated using albino rats. Haematological parameters were determined using standard methods. Results shows that haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit value, red blood cell count and neutrophytes decreased, while platelet count increased significantly at (p<0.05) in test groups compared to control. Mean corpuscular volume and corpuscular haemoglobin concentration decreased non-significantly at (p<0.05). Total white blood count, percentage lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophytes were not influenced by the long term intake of the well-water. These findings show that consumption of well-water around the quarry site in Ishiagu may lead to anaemia in the experimental animals and therefore may not be safe for human consumption. The toxicological implications of these findings are discussed.

Key words: Haemoglobin, ill-health, haematocrit value, anaemia, thrombosis.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnogy ISSN:2169-3048 Vol. 1 (6), pp. 171-174, August, 2012.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Embryogenetic studies of intra-specific clarias anguillaris hybrid: Implication on genetic manipulation

*Onyia, L.U.¹ Ladu, B.M.B.² and  Olufeagba, S.O³.

¹Department of Fisheries, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, P.M.B.2076, Yola Nigeria.

²Department of Biological Sciences, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, P.M.B.2076, Yola Nigeria.

³Aquaculture and Biotechnology centre, National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries   Research P.M.B.6006, New Bussa, Niger State.

*Correspondence author E-mail: [email protected]

Received 12 July, 2012; Accepted 24 August, 2012

Abstract

The need to carry out a thorough study on the embryogenesis of intra-specific Clarias anguillaris to determine the best time and the implication in chromosome engineering research cannot be over-emphasized. In this study, it was observed that the first cleavage into 2-cell stage was 34minutes after fertilization, which gave the right timing for the production of tetraploids. The 4-cell, 8-cell and 16-cell stages occurred at 47 minutes, 52 minutes and 53 minutes respectively. Fifty-four percent (54%) of the embryo attained morula stage at 94 minutes. Other embryonic stages observed include blastula, gastrulation, somite formation and hatching. Hatching started at 18hours after fertilization and lasted for a period of about 6hours. The hatchlings increased in length at 0.2mm/day in the first 5 days after hatching. 

Key words: Embryonic, development, intra-specific, Clarias anguillaris.

 International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 1 (6), pp.179-182, August, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

 Full length Research paper

Efficiency of natural herbal products used as antimicrobial agents against ornamental fish pathogens

Tariq, A.L ¹ and Reyaz, A.L ²

¹Department of Microbiology Sree Amman and Science College Erode-638003

²Department of Biotechnology Periyar University Salem-636011.

*Corresponding Author’s Email: [email protected]

Received 1 August, 2012; Accepted August, 2012

Abstract

Water is essential requirement for the fish they can’t live without water and quality of water plays an important role in the aquatic oriental fish culture. The physical and chemical parameters play major role for the survival of fish in the fish tank. The temperature reduced to 21⁰C while the hydrogen ion concentration came down to 6.3. The total oxygen level found 6.3 and the hardness of water reached to 105.1mg/ml. The water quality was found contaminated with Escherichia coli and Micrococcus sp. The fish found died due disease caused by Pseudomonas sp, Vibrio sp and Staphylococcus sp. The extracts of mango leaves showed good antibacterial activity against both water bacterial isolates and diseased fish bacterial isolates by showing zone of inhibition against the bacterial isolates. Thus, showing that mango leaves can be used as an antibacterial agent in the ornamental aquatic fish cultures to prevent the disease.   

Key words: Fish pathogen, Mango leaves, Herbal products, Antibacterial activity,

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 1 (6), pp.175-178, August, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Genetic diversity analysis of Musa species using amplified fragment length polymorphism and multivariate statistical technique 

Little systematic work has been done on productivity, breeding and diversity studies in Musa species. It is highly cross-pollinated and is known for continued seedling propagation, and this study has described the reality of wide genetic variability offering significant scope for selecting superior genotypes and provides a sound scientific basis. Few attempts have been directed to improve Musa species due to its complex genetic structure and characterize it at molecular level. Understanding the genetic relationship and variation is important for efficient parental selection for the development of improved cultivar. Restriction site variation in 3 selective primer combination sequences amplified using the AFLP polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, were examined by digesting each fragment with restriction endonucleases. The analysis of the three primers combined genetic data generated 285[j1]  polymorphic bands, and average number of bands per assay was 95. The three primer pairs clearly define two lines between Borneo (maternal parent) and SF 247 (paternal parent). The 285 polymorphic bands scored across the parents and their hybrids were used to generate Jaccard’s similarity coefficients which were analysed phenetically. The UPGMA analysis defined 2, 3 and 2 clusters for the individual primers that diverged at different phenol levels, ranging from 0.56 to 0.98 with base pairs ranging from 50 to 800 bp size. Each primer combination varied at 21, 11 and 22% with 11, 14 and 26 polymorphic bands. Cluster analysis using the unweighted pairgroup method of mathematical averages (UPGMA) separated the two parents into distinct groupings based on the genome classification. Some of the hybrids formed loose clustering, indicating high genetic diversity in the group.

Key words: Musa species, Jaccard’s coefficient, similarity, dendrogram, polymorphism, multivariate.