Category Archives: b_original_articles

Chanida Kupradit^1*, Araya Ranok¹, Seksan Mangkalanan^1, Chompoonuch Khongla¹, Sumalee Musika¹

¹Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Liberal Arts, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan,  Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand

Abstract

The commercial mushroom extracts from Thailand, Lentinus squarrosulus, Pleurotus sajor-caju, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Volvariella volvacea, could be sources of β-glucan and antioxidant. The objective of this research was to evaluate the β-glucan content and antioxidant activities of the mushroom extracts prepared from different extraction conditions. Various solvents, including water, ethanol, acid, and alkali were used for the mushroom extraction. The mushroom extracts were evaluated for their β-glucan content, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant properties. Among all extraction conditions, the alkaline extracted (BE) P. ostreatus and P. sajor-caju showed high level of β-glucan content with 25.82 ± 3.87% w/w and 23.08 ± 0.56% w/w, respectively. Large amounts of total phenolic compounds were obtained from V.  volvacea and L. squarrosulus extracted with water at 60^oC (W60) as 38.07 ± 2.53 and 34.78 ± 5.69 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract, respectively.  Excellent scavenging of ABTS radicals and FRAP assay were also observed in W60 of V.  volvacea as 67.12 ± 4.41 and 36.46 ± 3.44 mg trolox equivalent/g extract, respectively. The metal chelating effect of P. ostreatus was the highest at 66.13 ± 1.63 mg EDTA equivalent/g extract but was not significantly different from V.  volvacea (63.76 ± 0.51 mg EDTA equivalent/g extract) (p > 0.05). In conclusion, alkaline extraction was the most suitable for β -glucan and metal chelating activity extracts whereas water extraction was suitable for antioxidant extracts. These simple extraction conditions could be applied in producing high bioactive compounds and antioxidant active ingredients from local mushrooms for further addition in food and health products.

Keywords: Antioxidant activity, β-glucan, Phenolic compound, Extraction, Mushroom

Olwetu Antonia Sindesi¹, Bongani Ncube^2*, Muinat Nike Lewu³, Azwimbavhi Reckson Mulidzi³, Francis Bayo Lewu¹

¹Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Private Bag X8, Wellington 7654, South Africa

²Centre for Water and Sanitation Research, Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa

³Soil and Water Science Programme, Agricultural Research Council Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Private Bag X5026, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa

Abstract

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla) are important vegetables for food and nutrition in many parts of the world. Like many other crops, vegetable production is affected by poor soil fertility and shortages of irrigation water. Climate change-related drought has led to shortages of irrigation water in many countries, including South Africa. Farmers have used amendments such as inorganic fertilisers, organic manure, and compost to improve soil fertility. However, organic soil conditioners fall short in providing stable non-decomposable soil amendments, and inorganic fertilisers are expensive. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Council Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Stellenbosch, to assess the effect of zeolite (a soil conditioner) on cabbage and Swiss chard yield, water, and nutrient retention ability of the soil. Zeolite to sandy soil (zeolite: sandy soil) was applied in the ratio of 0:100%, 10:90%, 20:80% and 30:70%. Both cabbage and Swiss chard yields increased, irrigation requirements decreased, and soil acidity was ameliorated due to zeolite application. Cabbage yields were improved by the residual effects of zeolite, while the Swiss chard yield increase was due to vigorous vegetative growth of Swiss chard in zeolite-amended treatments, which led to more N and water utilisation, particularly in the second season. The study also highlighted the potential of zeolite in ameliorating the pH of acidic soils, as well as the water and nutrient-saving ability of zeolite, which are major challenges for crop production in sandy soils. However, there is a need to carry out further studies to find the cost-effective application rates of zeolite under on-farm conditions.

Keywords: Soil nutrients, Leafy vegetables, Sandy soil, Irrigation, Soil conditioner

Ramzi Lamraoui^1,2, Messaoud Hachemi¹, Djalel Eddine Gherissi^2*, Fatima Laabassi¹, Dounia Djellal¹, Naima Kadrine³, Souhila Haddad⁴, Sameh-Echourouk Saoudi¹, Zineb Chouit⁵, Zineb Djellal¹, Meriem Fellahi¹, Faicel Chacha⁶

¹Department of Biology of Living Organisms, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Batna 2, Batna (05110), Algeria

²Laboratory of Animal Productions, Biotechnologies and Health, Institute of Agronomic and Veterinary Sciences, University of Souk-Ahras, BP 41000, Algeria

³Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Batna 1, Batna, Algeria

⁴Laboratory of Biomathematics, Biophysics, Biochemistry and Scientometry, University of Bejaia, Algeria

⁵Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Jijel, Algeria

⁶Biotechnology Research Center, PO E73 .NU N° 03 Constantine, Algeria

Abstract

Hepatotoxicity is defined as injury to the liver or impairment of the liver function after exposure to various risk factors. This study was planned to investigate hypothesis of hepatoprotective effect of sandfish (Scincus scincus) consumed for its health virtuous by local Saharan peoples from Algeria. For this purpose, sandfish extract benefits against cadmium chloride (CdCl₂)-induced liver toxicity in rats was evaluated. The rats (n=23) were divided into 4 groups; the control group (n= 5) received a vehicle, the extract group (n= 5) received via gavage sandfish extract (100mg/kg), Cadmium group (n= 6) received CdCl₂ (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection), cadmium +extract group(n= 7) received after the single injection of CdCl₂(1mg/kg) the sandfish extract (100 mg/kg, orally).The experimentation was performed over 56 days. Body weight, relative liver weight (LW) and biochemical parameters namely glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TB) and direct bilirubin (DB) were measured. Glutathione (GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) activities were measured to evaluate the changes in antioxidative system and lipid peroxidation activity in liver tissues. Relative LW, MDA, ALT and TB were significantly increased by CdCl₂ treatment. The treatment with sandfish extract after CdCl₂ injection reduced significantly ALT, AST and TB. The GSH level was significantly altered (0.19±0.05 mg/g) by Cd treatment, which was recovered (0.43±0.08 mg/g) after that by sandfish extract gavages. In conclusion, inclusion of sandfish in rat diet showed significant evidences of hepatoprotective effect in response to acute Cd hepatotoxicity.

Keywords: Biochemical parameters, Cadmium, GSH, Hepatoprotective effect, Scincus scincus

Roghayeh Fatemi¹, Mehrdad Yarnia¹*, Soleman Mohammadi², Ebrahim Khalil Vand¹, Bahram Mirashkari¹

¹Department of Agronomy, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

²Seed and plant improvement research Department, West Azerbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, AREEO, Urmia, Iran

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate promising lines and commercial barley cultivars in terms of some quantitative and qualitative characteristics under normal and water deficit conditions. The experiment was conducted as a split-plot based on a randomized complete blocks design with three replications. According to the results, water deficiency significantly reduced the chlorophyll index (34.64 %), leaf relative water content (RWC) (15.11%), the leaf area index (42.90%), the number of seeds per spike (6.04%), 1000- grain weight (60.19%), biological yield (37.46%), grain yield (42.79%), starch (6.15%), and grain ash (20.16%) content while increasing superoxidase (33.89%) and catalase (CAT) (50.0%) enzyme activity and the grain protein content (19.58%) compared to normal conditions. In both environmental conditions, the highest grain yield was attributed to M-88-2 and M-86-5 lines and the Jonoob cultivar. However, the M-88-2 line had higher chlorophyll content, relative water content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and grain ash content in both environmental conditions compared to the Jonoob cultivar. Under normal conditions grain yield showed a positive and significant phenotypic correlation with 1000-grain weight. Furthermore, under water deficit conditions, we detected a positive phenotypic correlation between the grain yield and leaf RWC as well as the number of spikes per square meter and a positive phenotypic and genetic correlation with the biological yield. According to the results of the present study, the promising M-88-2 line can be used in future breeding programs for drought resistance as well as its quantitative and qualitative characteristics.

Keywords: Barley, Drought stress, Grain yield, Genotypes

Nadia Shaukat1, Umar Farooq2*, Kashif Akram3, Afshan Shafi2, Zafar Hayat4, Ambreen Naz2, Ayesha Hakim5, Khizar Hayat2, Samra Naseem6, Muhammad Zaki Khan2
1Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
2Department of Food Science and Technology, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
3Department of Food Sciences, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
4Department of Animal Sciences, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
5Department of Computer Sciences, MNS- University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
6Department of Mathematics and Statistics, MNS- University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan

Abstract

The bacterial pathogens not only cause food borne illness and disturbance in the metabolic process of human body rather also cause the severe disorders leading to mortality. The present research was designed to investigate the antimicrobial potential of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of banana peel against food borne pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhus and Escherichia coli. The results showed that the extracts possessed significant antimicrobial potential against both Gram-negative (S. typhus & E. coli) and Gram-positive (B. subtilus & S. aureus) strains. The ethanolic extracts revealed maximum antimicrobial potential against S. typhus (16.27±0.01 mm zone of inhibition) and S. aureus (17.15±0.01 mm zone of inhibition) at 40°C, which was very close to the antimicrobial potential of the standard antibiotics (Amoxicillin & Ciprofloxacin). The results concluded that banana peel would be a suitable choice to use as a natural preservative in food items to enhance the food safety.

Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Banana peel, Food borne pathogens, Antibiotic.

Ali Salman Ajmal¹, Zahid Hussain^2*, Muhammad Moazam Jalees³, Jamila Shafi⁴, Sohail Manzoor⁵, Anwar ul Haq⁶

¹Department of Poultry Production, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

²Livestock & Dairy Development Department, Lahore, Pakistan

³Department of Microbiology, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

⁴Poultry Disease Laboratory, L&DD, Samundri, Pakistan

⁵Animal Disease Diagnostic, Reporting and Surveillance, L&DD, Lahore, Pakistan

⁶Veterinary Research Institute, L&DD, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

This study was planned to assess the effectiveness of natural anti heat stressors on the broilers during hot climate. Three hundred one day old broiler birds were divided into four treatments groups, yoghurt, garlic powder and mint and a control group. After two weeks of rearing, data were recorded for growth performance, carcass and visceral organ yield and immune response against Newcastle Disease. Statistical analysis revealed that growth performance (weight gain, carcass weight and cumulative feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved with garlic powder, but feed intake remained non-significant. Dressing% and breast% were also significantly higher in garlic fed birds and similar effect was observed for intestinal length. Among visceral organs, liver% was improved upon garlic supplemented broiler but heart and gizzard were not influenced by dietary treatments. Additionally, garlic powder in feed also resulted in significantly higher antibody titer against Newcastle disease. It was concluded that garlic as natural anti-heat stressor has significant positive influence on the performance of heat stressed broilers.

Keywords: Broiler birds, Heat stress, Garlic, Mint, Yogurt

Worasitikulya Taratima^1*, Narisa Kunpratum², Pitakpong Maneerattanarungroj³

¹Salt Tolerance Rice Research Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
²Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Pitsanulok 65000, Thailand
³Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand

Abstract

Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) ‘Laikaotok’ is an important edible vegetable but growth and crop yield are affected by salinity stress. Response of physiological traits to salinity stress was investigated under hydroponic culture using Hoagland’s solution at different NaCl concentrations of 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 120 mM. All treatments were cultured for four weeks and physiological traits were recorded. Results showed that pumpkin growth decreased after NaCl treatment, especially at 45 mM and higher concentrations. Leaf number, leaf width, leaf length, root number, stem length, stem diameter, SPAD unit, chlorophyll fluorescence in dark condition for 30 min (Fv’/Fm’), chlorophyll fluorescence in light condition (Fv/Fm), total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Results indicated that salt concentration at less than 45 mM NaCl was suitable for C. moschata ‘Laikaotok’ growth. Phenotypic correlation coefficient estimation of 12 physiological traits showed positive correlation at a highly significant level, except for the correlation between plant height – Fv/Fm; plant height – Fv’/Fm’; root number – Fv/Fm and root number – Fv’/Fm’. This is the first report on salt stress response in C. moschata ‘Laikaotok’. Knowledge gained will be useful for pumpkin culture or rootstock selection under sensitive and moderately sensitive saline conditions.

Keywords: Growth, Hydroponic culture, NaCl, Pumpkin, Phenotypic correlation

¹Faculty of Fisheries and Food Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

²Laboratory for Pest, Disease and Microbial Biotechnology (LAPDiM), Central Laboratory, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

³Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), No. 70, Lienhai Rd., Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan

Abstract

Bioavailable silicon (silicic acid) is considered to be beneficial for plant growth and development. This study therefore aimed to determine the effects of silicic acid [Si(OH)₄] and potassium bicarbonate (KHCO₃) application on strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch) plants’ nutrient uptake and leaf wax formation. The strawberry plants (cvs Festival and Fortuna) were grown in a rhizosphere cooling system (RCS) at a mean rhizosphere temperature of 18°C ±2. Accumulation of plant nutrients in the plant parts was analysed by using inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), whilst the formation of wax on the leaves was observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that plants given 0.25% (v/v) Si(OH)₄ via the roots had the highest amount of silicon accumulated in the leaves, roots, and crowns of both cultivars. The greatest amount of Ca and Mg was also found in the leaves of cv. Festival plants treated with 0.25% (v/v) Si(OH)₄ through the roots; whereas in cv. Fortuna, Ca, Mg and P had their highest amount accumulated in the leaves of plants sprayed with 0.25% (v/v) Si(OH)₄ mixed with 0.5% (s/v) KHCO₃. Root application of the KHCO₃ treatments on the other hand, limited Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe uptake into the plant parts. The leaves of the Si(OH)₄ treated plants were covered with a denser mass of wax when observed under SEM. Thus, Si(OH)₄ application was found to enhance strawberry plants’ uptake of essential nutrients and also improved the formation wax on leaves, that may delay plant diseases invasion.

Keywords: Cooling system, Silicic acid, Silicon, Plant nutrient, Strawberr

Hasnun Nita Ismail¹*, Normawaty Mohammad Noor², Zuhairi Ahmad², Wan Nurul Hidayah Wan Anuar¹

¹Faculty of Applied Science, University Technology of MARA Perak Branch Tapah Campus, 35400 Tapah Road, Perak, Malaysia

²Kuliyyah of Science, International Islamic University, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract

The ecosystem of rice fields is subjected to fluctuations between dry and wet conditions. Therefore, it contains a unique biodiversity of aquatic organisms. The present study was conducted in the rice field to assess the algal composition and changes in algal population after the application of herbicides and insecticides. The physicochemical parameters were measured in situ while algal identification and examination were investigated through microscopy. The results showed that there were insignificant changes in terms of water chemistry except for the temperature. Algal examination revealed the composition of 4 phyla (Euglenophyta, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta) with 18 genera in the rice field. Despite the heavy application of herbicides and insecticides in the rice field, Euglenophyta significantly bloomed in the entire length of study where Euglena and Trachelomonas were the most dominant genera. Phylum of Bacillariophyta slightly bloomed during control and after the application of herbicides with the most dominant genus was Nitszchia. The application of herbicides and insecticides significantly affected the abundance of Chlorophyta even though the total abundance was below than 100 ind/mL. The Cyanophyta were the rarest algae in the ecosystem with only a single genus found, Oscillatoria. Conclusively, although the herbicides and insecticides affected the abundance of algae, but it did not induce a shift in algal community. The ecosystem of rice field supports a sustainable growth of Euglenophyta when compared to other phyla.

Keywords: Algae, Herbicides, Insecticides, Physicochemical parameters, Rice fields

Eldrin DLR. Arguelles*

Philippine National Collection of Microorganisms (PNCM), National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), University of the Philippines Los Baños College, Laguna, Philippines

Abstract

Seaweeds are marine organisms capable of producing diverse biomolecules and other important bioactive compounds with potential pharmacological uses. Proximate composition analysis of S. oligocystum showed high ash, carbohydrate, and protein content with an estimated value of 39.01±0.16%, 21.43±0.37%, and 19.13 ± 0.19% respectively. The macroalga has a phenolic content (TPC) of 30.94 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g. In terms of antioxidant efficiency, high copper reduction capacity (IC₅₀ = 6.97 μg GAE/ml) and potent radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 28.5 μg GAE/ml) were exhibited by S. oligocystum extract, which is more effective than ascorbic acid (control). Also, S. oligocystum extract showed potent antibacterial activities towards Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Bacillus cereus with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 125 μg/ml and 250 μg/ml, respectively. This investigation is a pioneering study in the Philippines documenting the use of S. oligocystum as an alternative source of bioactive substances that can be used as novel therapeutic agents in disease treatment.

Keywords: Biological activity, Marine, Polyphenols, Philippines, Seaweeds