MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

Research Article

Gangliosides as potential inhibitors of Naja naja venom PLA2 (NV-PLA2) induced human erythrocyte membrane damage

Mukunda Chethankumar and Leela Srinivas*

Abstract: We determined the ability of mixed gangliosides (16% GD1b, 19% GT1b, 21% GM1, and 40% GD1a) and individual gangliosides GM1 and GD1b to modulate the NV-PLA2 induced human erythrocyte ghost membrane damage. CM-Sephadex purification of crude Naja naja venom yielded eight peaks of which peak VII, a major phospholipase A2 (NV-PLA2) accounted for 22% of the total protein recovered and 8% of the total PLA2 activity recovered. The membrane damage induced by NV-PLA2 was assessed by measuring the decrease in the relative intensity of fluorescence using cis–parinaric acid (PnA) as a monitor molecule. The RBC membranes isolated from healthy human blood showed 72% damage on treatment with NV-PLA2 (2 mg) when compared to untreated membranes. Mixed gangliosides (18 nM) and GM1 (15 nM) offered 81 and 86% protection respectively, whereas GD1b (20 nM) did not show significant protection. Analysis of membrane bound Na+K+ and Ca2+Mg2+ ATPase indicated a 3 fold and 2 folds decrease in their activities on NV-PLA2 treatment when compared to untreated membranes. Mixed gangliosides restored the Na+K+ ATPase activity by 78%, whereas GM1 and GD1b offered 74 and 52% restoration respectively. The Ca2+Mg 2+ ATPase activity was restored by 80 and 81% with mixed gangliosides and GM1 respectively. GD1b showed only 50% restoration. Mixed gangliosides and GM1 exhibited a significant dose dependent inhibition of NV-PLA2 activity when compared to GD1b. The data show that mixed gangliosides and GM1 were effective in modulating NV-PLA2 induced erythrocyte membrane damage than GD1b.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Gangliosides, NV-PLA2, PnA, gangliosides, erythrocyte membrane, Na+ K+ ATPase, Ca2+ Mg2+ ATPase.

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats: possible chemoprevention by blueberries

*Nermin A.H. Sadik, Shohda A. EL-Maraghy, Manal F. Ismail

Abstract: Nitrosamine compounds are known hepatic carcinogens. This study was designed to study the efficacy of dietary supplementation with blueberries (BB) on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated hepatocarcinogenesis in male wistar rats. Rats were divided into three groups. The first group served as normal control group, the second group received DEN at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight five times a week for 15 weeks. The third one received DEN as in DEN-treated group simultaneously with 4% BB-supplemented diet. The results showed that BB caused significant decrease in the elevated serum levels of -fetoprotein (AFP), homocysteine (Hcy) along with levels of glutathione(GSH), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA)and activity of glutathione reductase (GR) in liver. Normalization of elevated 2-macroglobulin ( 2M) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels in serum, hepatic glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and liver weight was achieved whereas body weight was significantly decreased. Moreover, no significant change was observed in elevated relative liver weight, hepatic glucose-6-P-dehydrogenase (G6PD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) along with serum aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and - glutamyltransferase ( -GT) activities. Significant increase in reduced hepatic activity of xanthine oxidase (XO) was achieved and histopathological damage was minimized in BB-treated group. It is suggested that BB suppress DEN- induced hepatocarcinogenesis and could be developed as a promising chemopreventive natural supplement for liver cancer.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Blueberries, diethylnitrosamine, hepatocarcinogenesis, 2-macroglobulin, -fetoprotein, homocysteine, glutathione, rats.

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Lipid peroxidation and tyrosinase inhibition by lichen symbionts grown in vitro

Neeraj Verma, Bhaskar C. Behera*, Anjali Sonone and Urmila Makhija

Abstract: The symbionts of lichen species Arthothelium awasthii, Heterodermia podocarpa, and Parmotrema tinctorum were isolated and cultured on various nutrient media incubated in a growth chamber. Methanolic extracts of one year old symbiont cultures were taken for evaluating their potential to inhibit lipid peroxidation and tyrosinase enzyme activity. The extracts of all cultured lichen-symbionts have shown a concentration-time dependent inhibition of lipid peroxidation and tyrosinase activities. IC50 values for inhibition of lipid peroxidation by culture-extracts were 15.7 µg for A. awasthii, 12.68 µg for H. podocarpa and 11.47 µg for P. tinctorum. Testing the impact of the extracts on tyrosinase activity, we found IC50 of 8.71 µg (A. awasthii), 14.55 µg (H. podocarpa) and 12.44 µg (P. tinctorum). According to their IC50 the tested extracts turned out to be more effective for the tested parameters than the standard antioxidant Trolox (IC50 for lipid peroxidation 16.13 µg) and Kojic acid tyrosinase inhibitor (IC50 for tyrosinase inhibition 17.63 µg). The results suggest possible applications of lichen substances in the extracts of A. awasthii, H. podocarpa, and P. tinctorum symbionts as natural tyrosinase inhibitors. Keyword: Lichen culture, Tyrosinase inhibition[...] Read More.

Keywords: Lichen culture, Tyrosinase inhibition

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Study of the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of evening primrose oil in adjuvant arthritis

*Manal F. Ismail, Shohda A. EL-Maraghy, Nermin A.H. Sadik

Abstract: The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-arthritic nature of evening primrose oil (EPO) rich in -linolenic acid (GLA), on adjuvant -induced arthritic rats. Results were compared to those of diclofenac sodium, a reference standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Arthritis was induced by subcutaneous injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) in the right hind paw of male Wistar rats. EPO (5 g/kg b.w.) was orally administered from day 0 till day 28, while diclofenac sodium (5 mg/kg b.w.) was orally given from day 10 to day 28 after adjuvant injection. In the arthritic group, the results revealed significant decrease in body weight together with increased spleen weight, increase in serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF- ) levels whereas serum interleukin-4 (IL-4) level was decreased. Serum N-acetyl- -D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and - glucuronidase enzyme activities were also elevated. Splenic antioxidant status was suppressed as manifested by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level, decreased glutathione (GSH) content along with decreased enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Moreover, the splenic activity of the pathophysiological enzymes, - glutamyltransferase ( -GT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was enhanced. Oral administration of EPO exerted a significant elevation in serum IgG and IgM levels. In addition, normalization of body weight, serum IL -4 and TNF- levels together with serum NAG, -glucuronidase and splenic LDH enzyme activities were observed. It could be suggested that administration of plant oils rich in GLA may provide a way to modulate the inflammatory response through alteration of certain inflammatory indices.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Adjuvant-induced arthritis, evening primrose oil, immunoglobulins, IL- 4, TNF- , rat.

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Algal extracts improve antioxidant defense abilities and salt tolerance of wheat plant irrigated with sea water

Hanaa H. Abd El-Baky*, Hussein M. M. and Game S. El-Baroty

Abstract: Effect of irrigation bread wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Giza 94) with sea water (10 and 20% v/v), spraying with microalgae extracts obtained from Chlorella ellipoida and Spirulina maxima (5 gL-1 dry weight in 0.1% Tween solution) cultivated under normal and stress conditions were studied. Some plant bioregulators (BRGs, ascorbic acid and benzyl adenine, at 200 ppm) at the vegetative growth stage on photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant components, activity of some antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation products, growth parameters, mineral content and economic yield were estimated. Irrigation of wheat plants with sea water led to an increase in Na+ ion, activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and total peroxidase, and TBARs components. In contrast, the contents of photosynthetic pigments and yield components were reduced. Furthermore, the overall growth of wheat plants was interrupted by irrigation with sea water (10 and 20%) and the effect was pronounced at higher level (20%). Application of BRGs had a slight effect on plant growth, antioxidant behavior and activity of antioxidant enzymes in plants irrigation with sea water compared with that in stressed wheat plants. Application of algal extracts significantly increased the contents of total chlorophyll and antioxidant phenomenon. In additional, application of algal extracts exhibited strong positive correlation with increase in fresh weight (FW), grain weight and yield components. It is concluded that productive purpose of wheat crop by mean of brackish water (at 20 v/v level) is possible under a level of economical value through its application of algal extracts. Keywords: Microalgae, sea water, wheat, salinity stress, antioxidant systems[...] Read More.

Keywords: Microalgae, sea water, wheat, salinity stress, antioxidant systems

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Antihepatotoxic potential of Sargassum polycystum (Phaeophyceae) on antioxidant defense status in D-galactosamine-induced hepatitis in rats

B. Meena*, R. Anbin Ezhilan, R. Rajesh, A. Sheik Hussain, B. Ganesan, R. Anandan

Abstract: We have examined the protective effect of ethanol extract of Sargassum polycystum on hepatic antioxidant status in D-galactosamine-induced hepatitis in rats. Levels of diagnostic marker enzymes [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK)] in plasma, lipid peroxides, reduced glutathione and the activities of glutathione dependent antioxidant enzymes [glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione- S-transferase (GST)] and antiperoxidative enzymes [catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] in the liver tissue were determined. Prior oral administration of S. polycystum extract [125mg/kg bodyweight/day for 15 days] considerably (P[...] Read More.

Keywords: Sargassum polycystum, D-galactosamine-induced hepatitis, diagnostic marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Allethrin-induced biochemical changes and properties of human erythrocyte membrane

Narendra M., Kavitha G., Padmavathi P., Helah Kiranmai A. and Varadacharyulu N. C.*

Abstract: Erythrocyte membranes from twelve human volunteers exposed regularly to allethrin, a mosquito repellent of type-I pyrethroid, were analyzed for cholesterol (C), phospholipids (P), and individual phospholipid classes to assess changes induced by this toxicant. A decrease in C and P moieties with no change in C: P ratio was observed with allethrin exposure. A significant reduction in the amount of phosphotidyl serine (PS) was noticed indicating that PS is an allethrin sensitive phospholipid species. Furthermore, decreased red cell membrane lipid peroxidation (LPO) and with no change in osmotic haemolysis of erythrocyte was observed. Increased plasma and red cell nitrate and nitrite were evident suggesting that the bioavailability of nitric oxide may have rendered tolerance to erythrocyte membrane by protecting the cell from haemolysis and oxidative damage due to its free radical scavenging and antioxidant effects. Keywords: Allethrin, nitric oxide, osmotic haemolysis, phosphatidyl serine, rbc biochemical changes.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Allethrin, nitric oxide, osmotic haemolysis, phosphatidyl serine, rbc biochemical changes.

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Short Communication

Effects of Landolphia owariensis leaf extract on the liver function profile and haemoglobin concentration of albino rats.

L. A. Nwogu*, C. U. Igwe and A. A. Emejulu

Abstract: The effects of aqueous extract of Landolphia owariensis leaves on the biochemical indices of liver function were investigated in Wister strain of albino rats. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the plant leaves showed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins. Acute toxicity tests of the extract gave an LD50 of 3370 mg/kg. Liver function tests revealed that the serum activities of alanine aminotransferrase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as the concentrations of total protein and albumin were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the oral administration of the extract. However, bilirubin and haemoglobin concentrations decreased significantly (p[...] Read More.

Keywords: Landolphia owariensis, hepatotoxicity, LD50, haemoglobin.

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Comparative study on the determination of assay for laccase of Trametes sp.

Airong Li, Yue Zhu, Liang Xu, Wenqing Zhu and Xingjun Tian*

Abstract: The aim of this work was to determine the sensitivity among compounds in common use for detecting laccase activity. In this study, three assay procedures to measure laccase activity of Trametes sp. were performed in Kirk’s basal salts mediums of three dyes. In the assay methods, three substrates were employed, which were 2,2©-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), -dianisidine and guaiacol. The results indicate that laccase activity used ABTS as a substrate was significantly higher than the other two. Therefore, the ABTS method is recommended while detecting laccase activity.[...] Read More.

Keywords: ABTS, -dianisidine, guaiacol, laccase activity, Trametes sp.

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Hepatoprotective effect of Cichorium intybus on CCl4-induced liver damage in rats

Sadeghi Heibatollah*, Nikbakht Mohammad Reza; Ghaitasi Izadpanah and Sabzali Sohailla

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of hydroalcholic extract of Cichorium intybus (Cichorium intybus) using a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) - induced liver injury in rats. The leaf extract at oral dosage of 200, 400 and 500 mg/kg exhibited significant (P[...] Read More.

Keywords: Cichorium intybus, hepatoprotective activity, carbon tetrachloride, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminitransferase, alkaline phosphatase.

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Trypanocidal potential of methanolic extract of Bridelia ferruginea benth bark in Rattus novergicus

J.T. Ekanem, *O.M. Kolawole, O.C. Abbah

Abstract: An in vivo study of the trypanocidal potential of Bridelia ferruginea benth bark was investigated to determine its possible use against African sleeping sickness. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, steroids and phlobatanins. Four groups of male albino rats weighing 220-250 g were used. The groups included the control, infected -untreated, uninfected-treated, and infected-treated. A daily dose of 20 mg/Kg body weight methanolic extract of B. ferruginea benth bark was administered intraperitoneally at 72 h post-infection with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and parasitaemia was monitored daily. A continuous rise in parasite count was observed in the infected-untreated group. The infected-treated group showed a progressively lowered parasitamia on Days 5 to 8 post-infection, with percentage parasite reduction between 11 and 76%. Treatment also extended the lifespan for 2 days. Results also showed that treatment significantly ameliorated heamatological parameters that were studied. We suggest that methanolic extract of B. ferruginea benth bark can be useful in the management of African sleeping sickness.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Bridelia ferruginea benth bark, Trypanosoma brucei, sleeping sickness, management.

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Hepatoprotective activity of Bi - herbal ethanolic extract on CCl4 induced hepatic damage in rats

Samudram P.*, Rajeshwari Hari, Vasuki R., Geetha A. and Sathiya moorthi P.

Abstract: The combined hepatoprotective effect of Bi- herbal ethanolic extract (BHEE) was evaluated against carbon tetra chloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damage in rats. Ethanolic extract from the leaves of Eclipta alba and seeds of Piper longum at a dose level of 50 mg/kg body weight was administered orally daily once for 14 days. The substantially elevated serum marker enzymes such as SGOT, SGPT, ALP, LDH, ACP, gGT and 5’ Nucleotidase, due to CCl4 treatment were restored towards normalization. The biochemical parameters like total protein, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and urea were also restored towards normal levels. In addition, BHEE significantly decreased the liver weight of CCl4 intoxicated rats. Silymarin at a dose level of 50 mg/kg was used as a standard reference also exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity. The results of this study strongly indicate that BHEE has got a potent hepatoprotective action against CCl4 induced hepatic damage in rats.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Hepatoprotective, marker enzymes, Bi-herbal ethanolic extract, carbon tetra chloride.

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Decreased cardiovascular risk and resistance to hyperlipemia-induced hepatic damage in rats by aqueous extract of Urtica dioica

Alisi C. S*, Emejulu A. A, Alisi P. N. C, Nwaogu L. A and Onyema O. O

Abstract: Hyperlipemia and Hepatic metabolism was studied in hyperlipemic albino rats maintained on a high fat diet. Aqueous extract (100, 200, 300mg/kg/day) of Urtica dioica corrected dyslipidemia and restored hepatic chemistry in hyperlipemic animals. The extract was effective in normalizing the atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype. Total cholesterol (CHOL), Triglyceride (TG), Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), LDL/HDL-ratio, and Total Non-HDL cholesterol (TNH-CHOL) were significantly reduced by the treatment. There was no significant effect of treatment with extract on the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). Hyperlipemia was associated with significant elevations in serum liver enzymes (ALT, AST, LDH, and -GT) activities that are markers of altered hepatic chemistry. These elevations were however normalized by treatment with the extract. Hyperlipemia also induced a significant increase in bilirubin levels, decrease in total protein and decrease in albumin levels. These alterations in hepatic chemistry were normalized by treatment with U. dioica at aqueous extract concentration of 300 mg/kg. The study shows that aqueous extract of U. dioica may restore lipemic normalcy, and may posses a potential for reduction of cardiovascular risk and a resistance to hyperlipemia-induced hepatic damage in rats. Keywords: Urtica Dioica, hyperlipemia, hepatic chemistry, cardiovascular risk, rats.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Urtica Dioica, hyperlipemia, hepatic chemistry, cardiovascular risk, rats.

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Oxidative injury and enzymic antioxidant misbalance in schizophrenics with positive, negative and cognitive symptoms

Uma Devi P* and Chinnaswamy P

Abstract: With its hallucinations, delusions, thought disorder, and cognitive deficits, schizophrenia affects the most basic human processes of perception, emotion, and judgment. Evidence increasingly suggests that schizophrenia is a subtle disorder of brain development and plasticity and oxidative injury contributes largely to pathophysiology of schizophrenia, indicated by the increased lipid peroxidation products in plasma and altered levels of enzymatic antioxidants in schizophrenic patients. However, the status of antioxidants and the extent of lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes have not been investigated so far in schizophrenia patients with different symptoms. In the present study, in order to examine the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in the schizophrenics with positive, negative and cognitive symptoms, the activities of three free radical scavenging enzymes glutathione transferase (GST), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), ceruloplasmin ferroxidase (Cp) and the level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) as an index of lipid peroxidation were analyzed. Results showed that there was a significant increase in GST activity in all the schizophrenics when compared to normal and it was observed that there was a significant decrease in erythrocyte, G6PD and ceruloplasmin ferroxidase levels in patients with schizophrenia, when compared to controls. Schizophrenics with positive symptomology were found to have pronounced decrease in the activities of Cp ferroxidase and statistically more significant decrease in G6PD levels were found in patients with negative symptoms. Further a significant rise in oxidative stress and decreased secondary enzymic antioxidant status was observed in the chronic stage of schizophrenics as compared to those in acute condition. The study showed that the level of malondialdehyde was increased in schizophrenics with positive (163%), negative (137%) and cognitive (132%) symptoms compared to control groups .The increased activities of antioxidant enzymes may be a compensatory regulation in response to increased oxidative stress. The decreased concentrations of the antioxidants status support the hypothesis that lipid peroxidation is an important causative factor in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. These data reveal that antioxidant defense mechanisms might be impaired in schizophrenic patients. Understanding these basic pathologic processes may yield novel targets for the development of more effective treatments. Keywords: Schizophrenia, symptoms, secondary antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidative stress[...] Read More.

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2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Effect of administration of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Enantia chlorantha stem bark on brewerâ€™s yeast-induced pyresis in rats

Adesokan, A. A.*, Yakubu, M. T., Owoyele, B. V., Akanji, M. A., Soladoye, A. O. and Lawal, O. K.

Abstract: The phytochemical screening of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the stem bark of Enantia chlorantha Oliv as well as the antipyretic effect of the solvent extracts at 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight was investigated in albino rats. Phytochemical analysis of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of E. chlorantha stem bark revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides and saponins. The concentrations of these phytochemicals in the ethanolic extracts were slightly higher than in the aqueous extracts. The 50 - 200 mg/kg body weight of the solvent extracts produced significant reduction (P0.05) with the indomethacin dosed groups. This study showed that the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of E. chlorantha stem bark at 50 - 200 mg/kg body weight possess antipyretic activity and thus supports the folklore use of the plant in the management of fever.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Enantia chlorantha, brewer’s yeast, antipyretic, rectal temperature.

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Effects of lipids and (n-3) highly unsaturated fatty acids compositions of three artificial foods on survival, growth and body composition of common dentexâ€™s fingerlings (Dentex dentex, L)

Ali Ait Ali, Nadia Rharbi, Azeddine Abrehouche and Hassan Nhhala

Abstract: Dentex juveniles of initial live weight 5 - 6 g and 108 days old after hatching, were fed three different diets for ten weeks (moist pellet (MP), imported dry pellet (IDP) and locally dry pellet (LDP)) containing three different lipid levels (26, 21 and 10% respectively) and crude protein levels (46, 45 and 47% respectively). Fatty acid composition showed that, DHA and EPA contents of moist pellet are higher than those of imported and locally dry pellets. DHA/EPA ratios of muscle were of 1.04 ± 0.00 (MP), 1.48 ± 0.57 (IDP) and 0.72 ± 0.05 (LDP). They increased in fact during feeding period for both the three tested diets while muscle’s EPA content decreased compared with its initial state when beginning this experiment. Obtained specific growth rate (SGR) by weight were 1.7, 2.4 and 2.7% and food conversion rate (FCR) were 1.8, 1.3 and 1.5 respectively for MP, IDP and LDP. While survival did not show significant difference (P>0.05), the best growth performance was observed using IDP and LDP as fish fed diets containing 47/10 and 45/21 protein/lipid ratios.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Dentex dentex, fingerlings, lipids, (n-3) HUFA, survival, growth.

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Acid phosphatase from snail heamolymph: a cheap and convenient source of enzyme for kinetic parameters determination

Femi Kayode Agboola* and Adeyinka Afolayan

Abstract: The study of enzymes occupies a very important position in biological, medical and industrial research. Also, the satisfactory performance of an enzyme assay provides a good introduction to biochemical techniques. This experiment presents a good introductory project to students for the estimation of the kinetic parameters of an enzyme. The spectrophotometric/colorimetric assay of acid phosphatase is very simple with a readily available substrate, p-nitrophenyl phosphate, which can easily be purchased, and other common laboratory reagents; sodium hydroxide, sodium acetate and ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA). The snail is cheap and the heamolymph collected required no hemolysis and/or centrifugation. The assay method does not require an additional reagent for colour development. Earlier acid phosphatase had been found to be present in a relatively high activity in the heamolymph of the giant African snail, Archachatina marginata, and is highly specific for p-nitrophenyl phosphate.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Acid phosphatase, snail, Archachatina marginata, heamolymph, p-nitrophenyl phosphate.

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Aeration as a factor in textile dye bioremoval by Aspergillus niger

Wafaa M. Abd El-Rahim*, Ola Ahmed M. El-Ardy and Hassan Moawad

Abstract: Experiments were done to study the bioremoval/ biosorption of dis-azo dye by Aspergillus niger strain 20 in two concentrations using 5 liter bioreactor at five aeration rates. The experimental results are compared for various operating conditions. The dye used was direct brown and the inlet air flow rate was: 1/8, ¼, ½, 1, 2 v/v/min. The aeration rate of ½ v/v/min yielded 9.2 g fungal biomass and removed 72% of the dye. Increasing of the aeration rate to 2 v/v/min increased the removal to 77%, whereas the biomass was decreased markedly at the end of the incubation time. The results also indicate that the fungal biomass obtained at the three other air flow rates was more or less the same after 3 days of incubation. The obtained results indicate that air flow rates 1/8, ¼ and ½ v/v/min gave better dye bioremoval as compared with the high aeration rate (1, 2 v/v/min) and can be recommended for dis-azo dye bioremediation. Isotherm experiments were conducted to determine the sorbents-desorption behavior of examined dye from aqueous solutions using Langmiur and Freundlich equations.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Textile dyes, removing, dis-azo, batch reactor, modeling, bioremediation.

2008, 7(1), 1-6;

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