Category Archives: b_original_articles

Farid Berroukeche^1,2*, Nawel Attoui³, Fethi Toul⁴, Mohammed Ziane^5,6, Nassima Mokhtari Soulimane¹, Hafida Merzouk¹

¹Laboratory of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Earth and Universe, University of Tlemcen 13000, Algeria

²Faculty of Medicine, University of TAHRI Mohammed, Bechar, Algeria

³Laboratory of Vegetal Resources Valorization and Food Security in Semi-Arid Areas South West of AlgeriaDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, , University of TAHRI Mohammed Bechar, Algeria

⁴Laboratory of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of TAHRI Mohammed, Bechar, Algeria

⁵University Center of Ain Temouchent, Sidi bel Abbes Road, N101, Ain Temouchent, Algeria

⁶Laboratory of Microbiology Applied to Agri-food, Biomedical and Environment (LAMAABE), Faculty of SNV / STU, University of Tlemcen, Algeria

Abstract

The present study aimed at determining the effectiveness of Bunium incrassatum acetonic and ethanolic tuber extracts as antioxidant (DPPH assay) and anti-hemolytic agents (hypotonic solution, H₂O₂ and triton X100 assays) and tubers’ powder as dietary supplement on body weight, on histological (liver, thyroid, testes, and kidney) and biochemical parameters (glycaemia, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine, HDL, LDL, AST and ALT). In DPPH assay, acetonic extract (IC₅₀=0.02 mg/ml) exhibited by far, higher scavenging potential, even compared to ethanolic extract (IC₅₀=0.19 mg/ml) and ascorbic acid (IC₅₀=0.25 mg/ml) as reference compound. The same extract showed a very good protective effect against hemolysis induced by H₂O₂ and hypotonic solutions with 76.43%±3.71 and 77.67%±2.07 mg/mL, respectively and closely followed by quercetin as reference compound. The in vivo results revealed that rats receiving orally 15% of B. incrassatum with diet (BID group) during 15 days of experimentation increased significantly their final body weight (98.88%). Then, a significant rise of glycaemia (+17.92%), HDLc (+25%), AST (+36.78%) and ALT (+56.76%) levels associated to a notable decrease of triglycerides (-29.1 %) and creatinine (-12.74%) were observed compared with control animals. These promising findings support the traditional use of B. incrassatum tubers as functional food for human and farm animals, and suggest that their radical scavenging and anti-hemolytic potentials are may be due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds.

Keywords: Bunium incrassatum, Histology, Diet, Antihemolytic, Antioxidant, Wistar rats

Ngo Duc Duy^1,2*, Duong Thi Hong Dao^1,2, Nguyen Hoang Dung^1,2, Vu Thi Tuyet Nhung¹, Pham Anh Vu¹, Le Quynh Loan¹, Huynh Thi Diep¹, Pham Thanh Luu^1,2, Hoang Quoc Khanh^1,2

¹Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam Academy of Sciences and Technology, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam

²Graduate University of Sciences and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Sciences and Technology, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam

Abstract

Salt contamination is one of the major problems of agricultural land. It is important to find new bacteria with sodium removal ability, which can be used to reduce salts from soils. This study aims to isolate and characterize the novel Rhodobacter spp. with the sodium removal ability from mangrove forest sediment in Southeast Vietnam. After screening of morphological characteristics of the cell size, shape, and presence of protrusions, seven strains were identified. The results also showed that these strains were able to reduce NaCl from Glutamate-malate medium (GM). The concentration of NaCl decreased from 28.57% to 36.42% for the treatment with 25 ppm NaCl after 14 days of incubation. However, in the 35ppm NaCl concentration was absorb proficiency of decrease by approximately 5% compare with the 25 ppm NaCl concentration. The gene sequences of the 16S rDNA and puMf gene regions of the isolated strains shared high similarities with genus Rhodobacter, which were identified as Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Rhodobacter johrii. Our results showed a high diversity in the isolated strains belonging to the Rhodobacter species with sodium absorption ability. This study suggests the possibility of using isolated Rhodobacter strains to remove salinity from soils.

Keywords: Collection, Mangrove forest, Salinity, Reduce, Rhodobacter spp.

Wardah Wardah¹, Finalah Nurhayati², Mery Maria Magdalena², Nur Fazilah², Tatang Sopandi^2*

¹Study Program of Agroindustry, Faculty of Vocational, University of 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya. Jl. Semolowaru 45, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

²Study Program of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of PGRI Adi Buana, Surabaya. Jl. Dukuh Menanggal XII, 60234, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

The use of low-cost culture media is important for the development of large-scale Spirulina platensis production. This study aims to investigate the effects of using diluted monosodium glutamate wastewater (MSGW) as a culture medium on the growth and biochemical composition of S. platensis dry biomass. Nitrogen and phosphorus uptake by S. platensis from MSGW media was also investigated in this study. Four concentrations of MSGW have been used in this study, namely 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 mL/L and Walne medium was used as a control. All media were adjusted at pH 9 and S. platensis culture was carried out for 14 day at 36.0^oC, 77% relative humidity, 5000 lux light intensity and aeration rate at 0.7 L/min. The results of this study have indicated that the growth, protein, lipids, carbohydrates and chlorophyll of S. platensis biomass at 2.5 mL/L MSGW concentrations were not significantly different from Walne medium, but were significantly different from 1.5, 3.5 and 4.5 mL/L MSGW concentrations. The present study have also shown those nitrogen and phosphorus uptakes by S. platensis from 2.5 mL/L MSGW concentration was not significantly different from Walne medium, but were significantly different from 1.5, 3.5 and 4.5 mL/L MSGW concentrations. The present study concluded that S. platensis can be cultivated in MSGW as a medium with an optimum concentration of 2.5 mL/L. This finding will serve as a basic reference for future studies to utilize MSGW for microalgae culture media.

 Keywords: Biomass, Biochemical, Monosodium glutamate wastewater, Spirulina platensis

Nimarsha Sonali Kamaradiwela Arachchige, Bimali Jayawardena*

Department of Chemistry, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus is a major health concern in many countries.  Although there are many synthetic drugs to manage diabetes, most of them are associated with many side effects. Hence there is attention to the use of natural herbs with fewer side effects as an alternative. In this study the hypoglycemic properties, biological activities and chemical composition of leaves of two new Cinnamomum zeylanicum accessions (Sri Wijaya and Sri Gemunu) were investigated using spectrometric techniques. Ethanolic extracts of the two accessions were tested for alpha-amylase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ of Sri Gemunu 0.0565 ± 0.0013 mg/mL, IC₅₀ of Sri Wijaya 0.1136 ± 0.0011 mg/mL), alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ of  Sri Gemunu 0.0347 ± 0.0002 mg/mL, IC₅₀ of Sri Wijaya 0.0884 ± 0.0002 mg/mL), total phenolic content (20.60 ± 0.01 mg Gallic acid equivalents.g^-1of Sri Gemunu, 6.07 ± 0.01 mg Gallic acid equivalents.g^-1 of Sri Wijaya), total  flavonoid content (72.02 ± 0.02 mg quercetin equivalents.g^-1of Sri Gemunu, 23.59 ± 0.02 mg quercetin equivalents.g^-1 of Sri Wijaya), total proanthocyanidin content (0.60 ± 0.05 g catechin equivalents.g^-1of Sri Gemunu, 0.15 ± 0.05 g catechin equivalents.g^-1 of Sri Wijaya) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀-58.18  ± 2.53 µg/mL of Sri Wijaya, IC₅₀-69.60 ± 5.48 µg/mL of Sri Gemunu). GC-MS analysis and HPLC analysis indicated that both accessions were rich in eugenol and cinnamaldehyde. According to the results of this study, the ethanolic extract of Sri Gemunu Cinnamomum zeylanicum accession leaves displayed better anti-diabetic properties than the leaves of Sri Wijaya.

Keywords: Cinnamomum zeylanicum leaf, Ethanolic extraction, Anti-diabetic, Sri Gemunu accession, Sri Wijaya accession

Imran Riaz Malik^1,5*, Sawera Nayyab², Munazza Raza Mirza³, Saima Muzammil⁴, Javaria Saleem Cheema², Komal Imran², Kanwal Nisar², Sumreen Hayat⁴, Muhammad Javed⁵

¹Department of Biotechnology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

²Department of Biotechnology University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakistan

³Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, ICCBS, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

⁴Department of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

⁵Department of Microbiology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Growth is an index of metals influence on a fish. This investigation aimed to determine growth responses of major carps viz. Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhina mrigala during exposure to sublethal concentration to zinc. The variations among fish age, species, treatment (zinc) of growth parameters viz. weight increment, fork lengths, and condition factor were statistically significant at P<0.01. The control fish age group 90,120,150 and 180 day showed better feed conversion ratio 0.234, 0.168, 0.132 and 0.29 as compared to that of zinc exposed fish which showed range 0.01 to 0.23. Three fish species showed significantly higher amount of zinc in liver than other organs. Labeo rohita showed significantly higher trend for zinc accumulation in body organs than as compared to Cirrhina mrigala and Catla catla. Among body organs; skin, muscle, scales displayed significantly lesser trend for zinc accumulation. It is concluded that metal intoxication significantly reduced the growth of all three fish species and may also show good indicator of metals present in surrounding environment.

Keywords: Bioaccumulation, Chronic sublethal exposure, Heavy metals, Major carps, Zinc

Md. Hafiz All Amin^1,2, Sumaia Sumi¹, Warangkana Jutidamrongphan^3,4, Kua-anan Techato^3,4*

¹Agroforestry and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh

²Sustainable Energy Management, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, 90110, Songkhla, Thailand

³Environmental Assessment and Technology for Hazardous Waste Management Research Center, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, 90110, Songkhla, Thailand

⁴Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Abstract

Taro (Colocasia esculenta L. cv. Latiraj) is a vegetable for many people in tropical and sub-tropical countries in the world. Because of large quantities of vitamins and minerals, it has considerable value in the food market. As the Taro has raised market demand, it needs to increase production as much as possible. Agroforestry would be a possible production approach for Taro as it can be practised in a partially shaded conditions. The research aimed to evaluate the performance of Taro under woody perennials of Melia azedarach, Leucaena leucocephala, Albizia lebbeck and sole crop cultivation to get potential production and high financial return. This experiment was followed a single factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments were (1) sole cropping of Latiraj, (2) Latiraj-Melia azedarach, (3) Latiraj-Albizia lebbeck and (4) Latiraj-Leucaena leucocephala. The results showed the maximum number of stolon per plant (29.50) found in Latiraj-Albizia lebbeck and noted the minimum number of stolon (19.17) was in Latiraj-Leucaena leucocephala. Also, the highest stolon length (60.85 cm) and girth (3.33 cm) were observed in Latiraj-Albizia lebbeck and Latiraj-Melia azedarach, respectively. Moreover, the highest stolon yield (10.08 ton/ha) was obtained from Latiraj-Albizia lebbeck compared to (9.85 ton/ha) Latiraj sole cropping. The maximum benefit-cost ratio (4.78) was recorded in the Latiraj-Albizia lebbeck, 24% higher than (3.62) Latiraj sole cropping for economic performance. Finally, it was found that the Taro cv. Latiraj cultivation under Albizia lebbeck as an agroforestry practice would be a sustainable strategy to maximize the production, touching financial benefit and ensuring the proper utilization of vacant woodlots space.

Keywords: Aroid vegetable crop, Woody perennial trees, Agroforestry practices, Benefit-cost ratio, Monetary return

Van-Thanh Vo, Thai-Minh-Long Le, Thi-Quynh-Anh Duong, Nhat-Anh-Thu Mai, Huyen Nguyen Thi Thuong^*

Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Vietnam

Abstract

Fish is one of the reliable biomonitoring used to assess the levels of heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment. Analyzing the biological parameters of fish provides a predictable transformation of the underwater ecosystem and the current state of nursery water. Blood directly or indirectly reacts to changes in the environment, objectively reflects the physiological state and allows predicting the direction of adaptive responses in the body. According to the blood indicators and proper generalization of the blood system, we can estimate the physiological and pathological processes inside the body. This study aimed to estimate the effects of lead on hematological parameters in red tilapia. Fish were investigated for the effects of the lead after one week. Fish blood is taken from the tail vein by suction injection. Hematological parameters were determined by standard methods. The number of WBC is counted indirectly through blood smears stained Giemsa. The result of the study shows when the concentration of lead for infection increase from 0mgL^-1 (control) to 0.5mgL^-1, 1.0mgL^-1 and 1.5mgL^-1, there is a decrease in the hematocrit, hemoglobin, RBC and increases of the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, WBC. RBC and WBC have observed the shape. Blood cells of red tilapia Oriochromis sp. living in a lead polluted environment can be affected and result in many different values of hematological parameters. This is an adaptive reaction of the body in response to harmful factors at the cellular level.

Keywords: Hematological parameters, Red tilapia, Heavy metal pollution, Oreochromis sp., Infection of lead

Badreddine Moussaoui¹, Abdellah Rahali¹, Djahira Hamed ¹, Laid Guemou², Ali Riazi^1*

¹Laboratory of Beneficial Microorganisms, Functional Food and Health (LMBAFS), Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University, Mostaganem, Algeria

²Laboratory of Improvement and Promotion of Local Animal Productions (LAVPAL), Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, University of Ibn Khaldoun, Tiaret, Algeria

 Abstract

The prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) is not only prized for its fruit but also for its cladode which contains many bioactive compounds of health interest such as alkaloids. The present study aims to characterize the alkaloids of young inermis cladodes (nopals) of Algerian Opuntia ficus-indica, and to evaluate their in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The alkaloid extraction yield was remarkably low (0.59%). The GC-MS analysis demonstrated the presence of seventeen alkaloids such as Neronin and Glucobrassicin. Assessment of alkaloid antioxidant activity showed a significant DPPH scavenging capacity, a medium reducing power and a weak inhibition of β-carotene bleaching. The nopal alkaloids had no cytotoxic effect on the viability of the hepatic cancer cell line HepG2, or even after inhibition of CYP enzymes. However, their presence can significantly induce the overproduction of reactive species and lead to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential ∆ψm. The purification of these alkaloids, the rational choice of the doses and the understanding of their pharmacological mechanism are obviously one of the key steps to identify the overall therapeutic potential of these nopals.

Keywords: Opuntia ficus-indica, Nopal, Alkaloids, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic

Muhammad Bilal Shahid^1*, Muhammad Nadeem¹, Mian Anjum Murtaza¹, Lala Rukh¹, Amal Shaukat^1,2, Mian Nadeem Riaz³

¹Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Sargodha, Pakistan, 40100

^1,2Department of Food Science & Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

³Process Engineering R & D Center, Graduate Faculty, Nutrition and Food Science Dept. Texas A&M University, USA

Abstract

Citrus is known as a good source of valuable bioactive components and vitamins. In fruit juices, thermal treatments such as pasteurization are usually used for inactivation of enzymes and for destruction of microorganisms. Thermo-sonication is combination of heat (37 to 75 °C) with ultra-sonication treatment has high efficiency for inactivation of microbes and enzymes. The present study aims to develop a new processing technique for citrus juice to improve its functional properties. Variety Succari excelled in terms of average fruit diameter and weight and the maximum number of segments found in Feutrell’s Early. The highest acidity value was observed in T0 (0.251±0.008 %) and the lowest in T1 (0.147±0.002 %) juice of Kinnow. Acidity value was decreased by application of pasteurization. Total phenolic contents of Musambi juice showed significant increase in thermo-sonicated and sonicated juice in comparison to non-sonicated juice. The increase was high in T4 (458.89±6.72 µg/mL of GAE) and T5 (450.37±9.83 µg/mL of GAE). Antioxidant activity showed significant increase in thermo-sonicated and sonicated juice. The increase was high in T5 (1,103.20±9.94 µg/mL of ascorbic acid equivalent) and T5 (1,110.74±23.67 µg/mL of AAE) in juice of Kinnow. Total plate count showed significant reduction in thermo-sonicated (T4) and in combined treatment of chemically preserved and pasteurized (T3) juice in comparison to sonicated (T5) and non-sonicated (T1 and T2) juice. The minimum decrease of total plate count was found in juice of Feutrell’s Early while maximum reduction was checked in the juice of Musambi during storage.

Keywords: Citrus; physical properties; acidity; total phenols; anti-oxidant; AAE (Ascorbic acid equivalent); GAE (Gallic acid equivalent)

Lanka Undugoda¹, Sagarika Kannangara^2*

¹Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

²Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Agricultural sustainability through crop residue biodegradation is an eco-friendly method to enrich soil fertility essential to agricultural countries. Rice straw, rich in cellulose, is the primary source of organic matter, enhancing the fertility in rice fields and is a better alternative to replace chemical fertilizer usage. Therefore, this attempt is to isolate and identify different genera of straw degrading microfungi efficient in lignocellulose biodegradation. Rice straw degrading fungal species were isolated from the partially degraded rice straw collected from selected areas in Sri Lanka, following the washing and plating techniques. They were identified into the genus level using standard identification keys, and their capacity to degrade cellulose, starch, lignin, and pectin were evaluated using substrate-specific testing protocols. Eighteen fungal species in the genera of Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cunninghamella, Goidanichiella, Penicillium, Rhizomucor, Rhizopus, Stachybotrys, and Trichoderma were isolated from the partially degraded rice straw collected from different areas of Sri Lanka. Three Trichoderma species showed significantly the highest frequency of occurrences (40%, 45%, and 43% respectively) in rice straw and a homogenous distribution among the collected samples. Furthermore, they were significantly efficient in degrading cellulose, starch, pectin, and lignin. Since the management of crop residues has become an essential aspect of sustaining long-term fertility in cropping systems, incorporation of rice straw, which is rich with cellulose, and the application of Trichoderma species into the harvested rice fields will improve the nutrient availability and hence rice yield.

Keywords: Degradation, lignocellulose, rice straw, substrate utilization, Trichoderma spp.