Category Archives: b_original_articles

Raushan Blieva^*1, Nurlan Akhmetsadykov¹, Aigerim Zhakipbekova¹, Aigul Kalieva², Zhanar Rakhmetova¹

¹Department of Biochemistry, RPE Antigen, Almaty, Kazakhstan

²Aktobe Regional State University named after K. Zhubanov, Aktobe, Kazakhstan

Abstract

Proteases are among the most important hydrolytic enzymes which have great potential in various industrial processes such as leather, detergent, textile, food, feed industries. Although many microorganisms produce these enzymes, in the recent period Aspergillus fungi have most widely been used for proteases production. The production of protease enzymes has been affected by a variety of physical and chemical factors, such as inoculum concentration, time of incubation, pH, temperature, carbon, nitrogen and mineral sources etc. However, composition of the cultivation medium (carbon and nitrogen sources) play significant role in enzymes production. The aim of the present study was the selection of suitable carbon and nitrogen sources of Aspergillus awamori 16 and Aspergillus awamori 22 mixed cultures for maximal production of extracellular protease. Sucrose (4.2 U/ml) and peptone (4.8 U/ml) were found as the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively.

Keywords: Protease, Aspergillus fungi, Carbon sources, Nitrogen sources

Anam Sarwar¹, Sumera Afsheen^1*, Syed Shakeel Shah^2*, Sabila Afzal², Ahmed Zia³, Inamullah Khan⁴,  Yousaf Hayat⁵

¹Department of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan

²Department of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Sub-campus Narowal, Punjab, Pakistan

³National Insect Museum, National Agriculture Research Centre, Islamabadm Pakistan

⁴Department of Plant Protection, Agricultural University Peshawar, 25130, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

⁵Department of Statistics, Mathematics and Computer Science, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, 25130, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

In the present study four plant oils including neem oil (Azadirachta indica), castor oil (Ricinus communis), mustard oil (Brassica rapa) and almond oil (Prunus amygdalus) were evaluated against Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera; Bruchidae) applied to mung bean (Vigna radiata) at a dosage of 10ml/kg. Free choice and no choice experiments were conducted to observe the oil effects on insect orientation, adult mortality, oviposition, adult emergence, seed weight loss and seed viability. All these oils showed 100% reduction in adult emergence and seed weight loss. Neem oil was proved to be most effective in oviposition deterrence as well as in deterring insects.  These oils also did not affect seed viability.

Keywords: Plant oils, Mung bean, Seed viability, Leguminosae, Callosobruchus maculatus

Adnan A. Lahuf^1*, Ola H. Jaafar¹, Zainab L. Hameed²

¹Department of Plant protection, College of Agriculture, University of Kerbala, Kerbala, Iraq

²Department of Field crops, College of Agriculture, University of Kerbala, Kerbala, Iraq

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop an easy, fast, non-hazardous and inexpensive technique for extraction of genomic DNA from multiple plant fungal pathogens. Samples of pure fungal growth of Fusarium equesti , Neoscytalidium dimidiatum , Fusarium proliferatum and Alternaria alternata isolated from diseased wheat, grapevine, potato and lily plants respectively were ground with sterilized sand and NaOH (2N), followed by a centrifuging process to separate the sand grains and cellular components of fungi from the DNA. Subsequently, the DNA was mixed with Tris  buffer (1 M) pH 8. The ITS region of rDNA was successfully amplified, sequenced and analyzed from the extracted DNA of the four pathogenic fungi. This new approach provides a simple, rapid, safe and low cost way to obtain DNA samples of sufficient quantity and quality for use in molecular assays for the identification of plant fungi.

Keywords: DNA extraction, Fungi, PCR, Sequence, Phylogeny analysis

Arjay Julio, Wynsel Carven Tandoc, Hans Daniel Tipace, Yannah Franzine Vendivil, Zyrene Yanesa, Maria Violeta R. Tare, Elmar Jon Lactaoen, Ken Joseph Clemente

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Strand Strand, Senior High School, University of Santo Tomas, Sampaloc, Manila, 1015, Philippines

Abstract

Allelopathy is a biological process where plants affect, often inhibitory, the growth and germination of other species within their space. This study aimed to demonstrate and compare the allelopathic effect of Lantana camara and Chromolaena odorata leaf extracts on plant germination, with Vigna radiata as the test plant. Leaf extracts were assayed at 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% concentrations, and the corresponding allelopathic effects were compared to that of control. Findings indicated that L. camara and C. odorata leaf extracts inhibited V. radiata seedling growth and germination in increasing concentrations, with C. odorata leaf extract exhibiting greater inhibitory effect. The estimated marginal mean lengths (in cm) of root, hypocotyl, and epicotyl of V. radiata are 0.917, 5.937, and 3.263 under the control; 0.195, 0.813, and 0.499 under L. camara; and 0.101, 0.217, and 0.051 under C. odorata, respectively. Phytochemical analysis showed presence of several allelochemicals in both leaf extracts. These compounds were suspected to be the primary drivers of the observed allelopathic effect. It is suggested that the quantitative phytochemical analysis and herbicidal properties of L. camara and C. odorata be studied further.

Keywords: Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata, Allelopathy, Invasive Alien Species, Bioassay

Ala Yahya Sirhan^1,2*, Richard C.S. Wong ³, Lukman Bola Abdulra’uf⁴, Joumana Abd Aljabar², Ahmad Mostafa², Ahmad Talhouni⁵

¹Dept. of Basic Science, Applied Science Private University, 11931 Amman, Jordan

²Food Lab Dept., Jordan Food & Drug Administration, Amman, Jordan

³Dept. of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Lembah Pantai, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

⁴Dept. of Chemistry, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kwara State University, Malete, P.M.B. 1530, Ilorin, Nigeria

⁵Faculty of Pharmacy, Isra’ University, 11622 Amman, Jordan

Abstract

A simple, sensitive, and direct method to decide if “alcohol-free” beverages, energy drinks and fruit juices could result in positive “alcohol alerts” based on the use of the gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC– FID) has been developed. The chromatographic conditions such as injection volume and split ratios were optimized in order to increase the sample throughput and sensitivity. Unlike other conventional methods which also employ laborious sample preparations; this method analyzes samples directly without any prior treatment and thus cutting down the sample treatment time, as well as reducing the analysis cost per sample. Additionally, low ethanol concentrations as low as 6 mg/L were detected and quantified; making this method an appropriate technique for routine alcohols analysis in beverages. Optimization of chromatographic conditions gave recoveries in the range of 83.00% to 112.8% with relative standard deviations lower than 9%. The calibration curves were linear over the range from 6.250-200.0 mg/L for methanol and ethanol. The correlation coefficients (r²) were higher than 0.9997. The limits of quantifications (LOQ) are 4.48 mg/L for ethanol and 5.74 mg/L for methanol.  A total of 100 domestic and imported labeled "alcohol-free" in Jordan were analyzed for their alcohol content.  Concentrations ranged from non-detectable to 14.9 mg/L for ethanol and from non-detectable to 9.38 mg/L for methanol were found in energy drinks. On the other hand, non- quantifiable amounts of alcohols were found in malt beverage as well as fruit juices.

Keywords: Alcohol-free beverage, Energy drink, Flame ionization detector, Gas chromatography

Maryam Sindu¹, Umar Farooq², Afshan Shafi², Kashif Akram³, Zafar Hayat⁴, Muhammad Riaz⁵, Muhammad Shahbaz²

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, CVAS-Jhang Campus, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

⁵Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

Abstract

Diabetes is a condition when body fails to maintain the glucose levels in the blood properly and the level cross the normal ranges. Natural treatments particularly through bioactive components from fruit and vegetable sources are becoming popular worldwide and are broadly accepted because of no side effects and cost effectiveness. In current study, the antidiabetic potential of persimmon peel powder was investigated by using alloxan induced diabetic rabbits as an animal model. The rabbits were divided into five groups. Persimmon peel powder supplemented diets (0%, 10% and 20%) were given to the diabetic rabbits for the duration of 21 days. The blood samples of rabbits were examined for glucose, serum creatinine and urea levels on weekly basis.  There was a significant decline in the levels of blood glucose in the alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. The reduction of blood glucose level was from 357.66 mg/dL to 256.45 mg/dL when the animals were fed on diet supplemented with 20% persimmon peel powder. Similarly, serum creatinine and urea levels were also significantly reduced because of supplementation of persimmon peel powder. It is concluded from the results that persimmon peel powder might be a potential natural best possible therapeutic option for the management and treatment of Diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Diabetes, Antidiabetic potential, Persimmon peel, Bioactive components

Nor Hayati Ibrahim^*, Tengku Nur Dayana Tengku Zakaria, Yusnita Hamzah

School of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of extraction conditions i.e. water:fronds ratio (0.5:1 – 12:1), temperature (25 – 90˚C) and pH (3 – 11) on extraction yield, crude protein content and emulsifying capacity of mucilage from Talinum paniculatum fronds. Response surface methodology with a face cantered-central composite design was applied to optimize the extraction conditions. With 20 experimental runs, extraction yield, crude protein content and emulsifying capacity of the mucilage were recorded to be 2.32 – 4.90%, 15.05 – 30.97% and 8.05 – 37.93%, respectively. Response surface analyses showed that increases in mucilage yield were mainly due to significant (p < 0.05) quadratic effect of pH and also synergistic effect between water:fronds ratio and pH. In contrast, significant (p < 0.05) quadratic effect of temperature and its synergistic effect with water:fronds ratio led to increase in emulsifying capacity of the mucilage. Furthermore, linear effect of pH seemed to significantly (p < 0.05) increase the crude protein content, in addition to significant (p < 0.05) synergistic effect between water:fronds ratio and pH. Experimental data for each response were best fitted with a quadratic model, having high coefficients of determination (R² = 0.81 – 0.98) and no lack-of-fit. The optimum conditions for mucilage extraction from T. paniculatum were obtained at water:fronds ratio of 8.4:1, temperature of 90 ⁰C and pH of 8, providing 3.44 % yield, 29.35 % crude protein content and 34.00 % emulsifying capacity of T. paniculatum mucilage.

Keywords: Mucilage, Talinum paniculatum, Extraction conditions, Optimization, Emulsifying capacity

Amiza Mat Amin, Zaliha Harun*, Intan Liyana Muhamad Roslan

School of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

In this study, optimization of enzymatic protein hydrolysis conditions of flower crab meat (FCM) to yield maximum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity was carried out. First, screening of commercial food grade enzymes (Alcalase®, Neutrase®, Protamex® and papain) was carried out to select the most suitable proteinase to yield ACE inhibitory activity. A 3-level face-centered central composite design (CCD) was employed to optimize four hydrolysis conditions including temperature (45-55°C), hydrolysis time (1-3 hr), pH (6-8) and enzyme to substrate ratio (E/S) (1-3%). Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of FCM hydrolysate prepared at optimum condition was also determined. It was found that the highest ACE inhibitory activity (85.52%) was given by Neutrase® after 2 hr hydrolysis. Hence, Neutrase® was used in the optimization study. It was found that the enzymatic hydrolysis condition of FCM towards ACE inhibitory activity could be predicted by a quadratic model. The optimum enzymatic hydrolysis condition to obtain maximum ACE inhibitory activity was at temperature of 54°C, E/S of 3%, pH of 7 and hydrolysis time of 1 hr. It was found that the predicted value of ACE inhibitory activity (97.21%) was close to that of experimental value (90.34%) with the IC₅₀ of 0.425±0.05 mg/ml.

Keywords: Optimization, Angiotensin-I Converting Enzyme, Enzymatic hydrolysis, Flower crab

Pantipa Na Chiangmai^1*, Monnat Yamying¹, Pimjai Meetum¹, Siraprapa Brooks², Pakpoom Rienghlam¹, Bhutharit Vittayaphattananurak Raksasiri¹

¹Faculty of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Technology, Silpakorn University, Phetchaburi IT Campus, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, 76120, Thailand

²School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Muang district, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand

Abstract

The seed collected from ethnic farmers (Pa-gha-ker-yor People), at Pala U village, Hau Hin district, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, Thailand for genetic conservation and investigating feasibility for breeding and improvement. For genetic improvement, information on either some qualification or ability to assist in the breeding process is required, such as the ability to culture seed, explants or other tissues in a sterile laboratory condition. The objective of this study evaluated the effectiveness of callus induction and regeneration upland rice seeds (var. Nikor, var. Raw Bi, var. Gi Poo and var. Nah San, var. Baw Pae Soo and var. Pae Taw Gaw Bi) collected from minority farmers and some lowland cultivated rice varieties (var. RD51 and var. Pratumtani1) in Thailand. The culture medium used in the study were derived from the previously reported formulations that are highly effective in inducing callus (MS1, MS2 and MS8) and regenerating (MS1, MSa and MSb) in rice. The different formulas in medium were from various combinations of plant growth regulator both or either on cytokinin (Benzyl aminopurine; BAP) and/or auxins (Napthalene acetic acid; NAA, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid; 2,4-D) for callus induction and regeneration. For statistical analysis, the data have been analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The means among treatments were compared with the Duncan’s new multiple range test (DMRT). The results showed the increasing on callus induction percentage were recorded on MS2 (86%) and MS8 (90.5%) mediums studied on immature and mature seed, respectively. The callus of upland rice varieties induced on a medium which showed higher percentage (90.5% callus induction on MS8 and 0% on MS1) were selected to shoot regeneration experiment contained three media (MS1, MSa, and MSb). However, in the regeneration process, there is no significant difference between medium; the percentage of regenerating callus of these media at 6.25%, and the interaction between media and varieties of rice.

Keywords: Indigenous rice genetic, Plant hormone, Micropropagation, Genetic conservation, Culture medium

Aidilla Mubarak^1*, Kevin D. Croft², Catherine B. Bondonno³, Nurul Sakinah Din¹

¹School of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
²School of Biomedical Science, The University of Western Australia, M570, Level 4, Medical Research Foundation Building, Rear 50 Murray St, Perth, Western Australia 6847, Australia

³School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Western Australia 6027, Australia

Abstract

Information on the composition of chlorogenic acid, caffeine and antioxidant activity of Coffea liberica is scarce, albeit the importance of this species in some parts of the world. This study assessed the composition of chlorogenic acid, total phenolic, caffeine and free radical scavenging activity in green and roasted C. liberica in comparison to C. arabica. The compositions of these compounds were also investigated in C. liberica at different roasting degree. We found a comparable amount of chlorogenic acid in green C. liberica and C. arabica. However, roasted C. arabica had a significantly higher chlorogenic acid content than roasted C. liberica (p<0.05). Chlorogenic acid content significantly reduced in C. liberica after roasting when compared to green beans (p<0.05). There was an insignificant difference of caffeine content between the green and roasted beans of both coffee varieties. Total phenolic content were of comparable value between C. liberica and C. arabica for both green and roasted beans. There was a trend for higher total phenolic content in roasted C. liberica when compared to green beans, although significant difference was observed only in medium-dark roast (p<0.05). DPPH scavenging activity was comparable between C. arabica and C. liberica for both green and roasted beans, and was significantly reduced in C. liberica after roasting (p<0.05). Both green C. arabica and C. liberica had similar DPPH scavenging activity to the standards (BHT and α-tocopherol). These data can aid in promoting the production of C. liberica alongside C. arabica that has been regarded as a premium quality coffee.                       

Keywords: Antioxidant, Chlorogenic acid, Coffea arabica, Coffea liberica, Polyphenols