International Journal of Histology and Cytology

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 299-303, February, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the basic data and indices for the production, processing and handling of zobo beverage

Ogiehor I. S.¹*, Nwafor O. E.² and Owhe-Ureghe U. B.²

¹Department of Microbiology, Food and Industrial Division, Ambrose Alli University, P. M. B. 14, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

²Department of Microbiology, Food and Nutrition unit, Delta State University, P. M. B. 1, Abraka.

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

Accepted 12 July, 2016

Abstract

Quality changes in zobo beverage produced from Hibiscus sabdarifa during storage and the effects of extracts of ginger (Zingiber officinale) alone or in combination with refrigeration at 6^○C were evaluated for six (6) weeks duration. Results shows that the total viable bacterial count increased from 0.9 ± 0.01 log₁₀ cfu/ml to 8.42 ± 0.1 Log₁₀ cfu/ml at the 9^th day of storage and thereafter decrease steadily till the end of the storage period (21) days. While the total viable fungi count increased steadily from no growth after boiling and filtration to 6.14 ± 0.1 log₁₀ cfu/ml at the 14^th day of storage and thereafter decrease steadily till the end of the storage period. Treatment with 0.2% extract of ginger at ambient laboratory temperature (30.5 ± 2^○C) retarded the total viable bacterial and fungi count for 10 days with minimal growth from the 14^th day which increase sluggishly. However treatment with 0.2% extract of ginger and refrigeration at 6^○C further retarded the total viable bacteria and fungi count for 21 days with insignificant growth from the 28^th day which was not sustained. The pH decreased gradually from 5.10 ± 0.01 to 2.98 ± 0.00 while the titratable acidity (TA) increased from 0.021 to 0.060 during storage for 21 days. Slight changes were observed in samples treated with 0.2% extract of ginger whereas the pH and TA were fairly stable in samples treated with 0.2% extract of ginger refrigerated at 6^○C for 42 days. Gradual increase was recorded in the total soluble solids (TSS), vitamin C, protein and carbohydrate contents up to the 6^th and 9^th day of storage and thereafter decreased sharply till the end of the storage period for freshly prepared samples. However minimal changes were noted and recorded in samples treated with 0.2% extract of ginger all through the storage period. Whereas, sample treated with 0.2% extract of ginger and refrigerated at 6^○C were fairly stable for 42 days of storage. Overall sensory evaluation shows that acceptability was in the order 0.2% ginger extract + 6^○C > 0.2% extract of ginger > freshly prepared samples.

Key words: Zobo beverage, extract of ginger, refrigeration.

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 310-317, April, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Extracellular enzymes from brown-rot fungus Laetiporus sulphureus isolated from mangrove forests of coastal Tanzania

Godliving Mtui* and Rose Masalu

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Dar es Salaam P. O. Box 35179, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

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

Accepted 09 August, 2016

Abstract

A brown-rot fungus, Laetiporus sulphureus (Fr.) Murr., was isolated from Mbweni, Oyster Bay and Mtoni Mangove Forests in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and the biochemical properties of its extracellular enzymes were investigated. The crude culture filtrate was concentrated by ultrafiltration. Protein content and lignocellololytic enzyme activities were measured by photometric methods. The crude enzyme extract was purified by gel chromatography and characterized by sodium docecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The fungal filtrate had maximum manganese peroxidase (MnP) of 2.5 U/mL and lignin peroxidase (LiP) of 1 U/mL, but showed no laccase (Lac) activity. The enzyme extracts were able to oxidize rhemazol brilliant blue-R (RBB-R) dye and phenol, and could remove up to 90% color from raw textile effluent in immobilized culture. The purified peroxidases showed that the MnP from S. sulphureus has a molecular weight of 48 kDA. The study elucidated the extracellular enzymes profile of facultative marine L. sulphureus and provided basic information on their potential for biological wastewater treatment systems.

Key words: Brown-rot fungi, extracellular enzymes, biodegradation, electrophoresis.

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 293-298, January, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity interactions between epirubicin and daunorubicin in HeLa cell cultures

Gül Özcan Arıcan¹*, Uğur Serbes¹ and Ercan Arıcan²

¹Istanbul University, Science Faculty, Biology Department, Turkey.

²Đstanbul University, Science Faculty, Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Turkey.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].Tel: 00212 455 57 00 ext. 15093. Fax: 00 212 528 05 27.

Accepted 11 March, 2016

Abstract

Epirubicin and Daunorubicin, antibiotics which are derivative of anthracyclines, are used on cancer chemotherapy. In this study, Epirubicin and Daunorubicin effects on cell kinetics parameters were examined both single and in combination on HeLa cell culture that was taken from human servical carcinoma. The experiments tested by using IC₉₀ doses of Epirubicin and Daunorubicin (0.5 µg/ml and 0.1 µg/ml, respectively) were applied for 24 and 48 h. Cell kinetics parameters such as growth rate (WST-1 colorimetric assay), mitotic and apoptotic index were applied to identify cytotoxicity that was formed by drugs. In addition, DNA degradation was examined in agarose gel electrophoresis. The cytotoxic effect of drugs appeared significant decline of growth rate and mitotic index, and significant increase of apoptotic index of HeLa cell line (p<0.05 - 0.001). The enhancement of the cytotoxicity to Daunorubicin was closely associated with the DNA degradation.

Key words: HeLa cells, cell kinetics, DNA, apoptosis, epirubicin, daunorubicin.

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 241-245, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Efficacy of Emblica officinalis of alcohol toxicity and alcohol induced adverse effects in rats

Damodara Reddy. V, Saayi Krushna G, Padmavathi P and Varadacharyulu. N.Ch^*

Department of Biochemistry, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur - 515 003, India.

*Corresponding  author.  E-mail:  [email protected].  Tel. +91 8554 -255761(0) / 273337 (R). Fax : +91 8554 -255244.

Accepted 13 April, 2015

Abstract

Alcohol is widely abused as a psychoactive drug. Emblica officinalis is known for its therapeutic effects and the present study is aimed at investigating therapeutic efficacy of aqueous extract of Emblica officinalis (AEEO) against alcohol-induced damage. Thirty three percent (v/v) alcohol (10 g/kg body weight) and AEEO (250 mg/kg body weight/day) was orally administered once a day for 60 days. Chronic alcohol feeding resulted in higher activities of the alcoholic plasma marker enzyme gamma glutamyl transferase ( GT) and abnormalities in plasma lipid and lipoproteins, minerals as well as activities of plasma transaminases (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Chronic alcohol administration significantly lowered the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in erythrocytes. The AEEO supplementation to chronically alcohol fed rats beneficially modulated plasma lipids and lipoprotein patterns, minerals, and vitamin C and also corrected zigzags in plasma enzyme activities and improved antioxidant and defense enzyme machinery status. However, AEEO supplementation resulted in a significant increase in GSH content and the activities of SOD, CAT and GPx. AEEO can contribute to the alleviation of alcohol induced adverse effects by enhancing the status of antioxidant defense system and by regulating lipid and mineral metabolism.

Key words: Alcohol; Antioxidant enzymes; Emblica officinalis; Lipid profile.

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 250-257, April, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Advocacy on genetic counseling of sickle cell disease among Nigerians

Adeyemo, Oyenike A.*, Omidiji, Olusesan O. and Shabi, Oluwasola A.

Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +234-8055073665.

Accepted 27 July, 2015

Abstract

A descriptive analysis of reported cases of sickle cell disease and the level of awareness about genetic counseling in 30 hospitals were carried out. Additionally, 150 individuals between ages 16 - 45 were randomly selected for evaluation of genetic counselling awareness. The main tools for this study were questionnaires, which were taken to hospitals, and individuals completed the others. The numbers of reported cases of sickle cell disease recorded in private, public and teaching hospitals were 14 and 57; 143 and 89; 272 and 57 for the periods of 1995 - 2000 and 2001 – 2005, respectively. A general informal genetic counselling took place mostly occasionally in the hospitals visited. 122 (86%) individuals have had the knowledge of genetic disease and only 43 (30.3%) individuals have been exposed to genetic counselling. 64% of individuals agreed that genetic counselling would help in the prevention of genetic disease.

Keywords: Sickle disease, genetic counseling, genetic testing, advocacy.