Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

Abstract: The lipid profile of normal adult male rats administered both ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Landolphia owariensis (P. Beauv) were determined. The animals were distributed into two sets of four groups with five animals in each group. Each set had one group, which served as control while the other three groups in the two sets were administered different concentrations of the ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts. The control groups were administered normal saline and the other groups’ 100, 200 and 300 mgkg-1 o…

Abstract: Schistosoma mansoniasis is a disease of grave concern due to its high morbidity and mortality in parts of the world. This study aimed at providing insight into the pathogenesis of S. mansoniasis as an aid in the development of effective control methods. Iron, zinc and copper concentrations were spectro-photometrically measured in sequential serum specimens obtained from baboons throughout the course of acute S. mansoni infection, following curative treatment with praziquantel and following post-treatment challenge…

Abstract: Diabetes- induced endothelial dysfunction has been well recognized for its underlining causes of oxidative stress. Therefore, several studies have worked on testing active antioxidant agents such as vitamin C and E against diabetes induced oxidative stress to preserve endothelial cells. In the present study, we assessed the effects of plant-derived antioxidant, curcumin and its analog, tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) and also its preventive qualities. Using an animal model, assessment for endothelial-dependent vasodilatat…

Abstract: Possible organ infections associated with human filariasis, helminthiasis and malaria in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, South-Eastern Nigeria were investigated. Blood, urine and stool samples were collected in appropriate containers from 200 male and female respondents aged 31 – 85 years. Parasitological studies were carried out on blood samples for malaria and/or microfilariae parasites while stool samples were tested for the presence of some intestinal parasites. The study showed a prevalence of intest…

Abstract: An investigation was conducted on the pH, nutritional and cost benefit of the use of different substrates for the production of Curvularia pallescens Boedijn. The growth of the organism was examined at pH range between 5.5 and 8.6 and on different growth media, potato carrot agar (PCA), potato dextrose agar (PDA), sabouraud agar (SA), tap water agar (TWA), water hyacinth agar (WHA) and Czapek-Dox agar (ZA). Also, the growth of the organism was examined on different enrichment media “Czapek-Dox” with its sodium nitr…

Abstract: This study was conducted to establish the effect of a traditionally designed nutraceutical on stress related changes in selected immunoglobulin levels in the body. The nutraceutical was prepared from different potent herbs described in Ayurveda using standard operative procedures and were tested for heavy metal and microbial load. Initially, 21 subjects were selected in addition to 7 volunteers for control group who did not consume nutraceutical. Sampling was done at zero days and at fortnightly intervals. The leve…

Abstract: Melon seed (Citrullus vulgaris) and locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) were separately subjected to a natural solid – substrate fermentation for 5 days. The peak of protease (P.I) production from the fermenting melon seeds was 48 h while that of the protease (P.II) from fermenting locust bean was 96 h. Both P.I and P.II demonstrated maximum activity at 40°C. The peak of activity for P.I was observed between pH 6.6 to 7.6, whereas for P.II, the optimum pH was 5.8. The Michaelis – Menten’s constant (KM) as well as the ma…

Abstract: Date palm fruits Phoenix dactylifera cultivated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were used for the production of high quality date syrup. This syrup is suitable for the manufacture of different food products. Date syrup was prepared from Reziz date (Soft variety) at different ratios of water/date (2:1, 2.5:1 and 3:1) . Pectinase and cellulase were used to obtain the maximum date syrup extraction. Data revealed that Reziz variety contained high total sugar content (about 83.51% on dry basis). The extraction rate of su…

Abstract: Tetrahymena pyriformis a ciliated protozoan, is considered as a good indicator of water pollution. However its energy supply is poorly understood. This work was focused on the metabolism of hydroxybutyrate through the study of the membrane bound mitochondrial NAD+-dependent D-3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (EC. 1.1.1.30) (BDH), a ketone body catalysing enzyme involved in the interconversion of D-3- hydroxybutyrate to acetoacetate. Due to lack of informations, the physico-chemical properties and kinetic parameters…

Abstract: In this study, the 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-induced biochemical and hematological changes in rabbits were examined under the administrative protocol of anthocyanin extract from Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces. Blood levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as red blood cell counts (RBC), white blood cell counts (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration were determined as indices of alteration and protection. Relative to control, 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2, 4-D…

Abstract: Sorghum brown midrib (bmr) mutants have reddish-brown vascular tissues in their leaves and stems as a result of changes in lignin content and subunit composition. Past research at Purdue University has generated a set of bmr sorghum mutants via chemical mutagenesis and established some to be allelic to each other. More recently, we identified additional spontaneous mutants in true breeding lines with marked phenotype and a range of agronomic characteristics. One such mutant, bmr-26, is of particular interest becaus…

Abstract: The effect of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic field (EMF) (50 Hz 0.5 mT) on the activity of acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) was studied. In addition the factors affecting the enzyme activity such as the temperature, pH and substrate concentration were also investigated. The results show that ELF EMF have significant influence on enzyme activity. Upon EMF exposure Km increased from 0014 ± 0.005 to 0.040 ± 0.008 mM whereas Vmax increased from 0.991 ± 0.254 to 1.638 ± 0.345 µmol/min. Further studies can pr…

Abstract: This study investigated the toxicological effects of oral administration of hydroxyurea, tellurite and thiocyanate on some biochemical parameters in rats. The drugs were administered orally to rats daily at their therapeutic dose for 28 days after which some biochemical parameters were measured. All the drugs caused growth depression and significant elevation (P < 0.05) of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) while they also lowered serum albumin and…

Abstract: Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Leguminosae), known in Morocco as “Helba”, is used in folk medicine for its anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, cicatrizing activities and to treat various pain-related physiological conditions. In the present study, we attempted to verify the possible antinociceptive action of different extracts obtained from the seeds of this plant. Three experimental models were used (acetic acid, formalin, and hot-plate tests) in order to characterize the analgesic effect. The extracts significantly, an…

Abstract: The hepatoprotective effect of aqueous root extract of Cochlospermum tinctorium on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) on induced hepatic damage in rats was reported. The present study examined the curative action of the plant extract on experimentally induced hepatic damage in rats. Wistar rats were divided into normal control, induction control, extract and prednisolone treated groups. Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by intraperitoneal administration of CCl4 (30% in olive oil) for 5 days. Treatment group received 200…