MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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Effect of mixing urea with zeolite and sago waste water on nutrient use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.)

Latifah Omar, Osumanu Haruna Ahmed* and Ab Majid Nik Muhamad

Abstract: The efficiency of urea is poor due to the substantial amount of N lost to the atmosphere by ammonia volatilization. Thus, the objectives of this greenhouse study were to evaluate the effectiveness of mixing urea with zeolite and sago waste water on N, P and K uptake and their use efficiency in maize cultivation, and soil exchangeable ammonium, available nitrate, pH, exchangeable K, and available P contents. The treatments evaluated were: No fertilizer (T0), 2.02 g urea (T1), 2.02 g urea + 30 g zeolite + 7 L sago waste water (T2), 2.02 g urea + 40 g zeolite + 7 L sago waste water (T3), and 2.02 g urea + 7 L sago waste water (T4). Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) and Muriate of Potash (MOP) were used as sources of P and K for all the treatments except for T0. These fertilizers were applied twice that is 10 and 28 days after planting. Phosphorus and K requirements of the test crop were met by applying TSP and MOP (standard rate for the test crop) to plants of all the treatments except T0. The mixtures of sago waste water, and zeolite, with urea had significant effect on dry matter, N, P, K uptake and N, P, K use efficiency compared with urea without additives. These mixtures also significantly increased soil exchangeable ammonium, K, Ca, Mg, available P, and nitrate contents compared with urea without additives. Amending urea with sago waste water and peat soil water can reduce ammonia loss by encouraging formation of ammonium and nitrate over ammonia. Additionally, the mixtures ensure N, P, K uptake and their use efficiency while at the same time making soil ammonium, K, Ca, Mg, P, and nitrate available for plant use.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Urea, ammonia volatilization, zeolite, sago waste water, exchangeable ammonium, available nitrate, maize.

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Optimization of a cryoprotective medium and survival of freeze-dried Bifidobacterium infantis 20088

Shamekhi Fatemeh, Shuhaimi Mustafa*, Arbakariya Ariff, and Yazid A. Manap

Abstract: Supplementations of formulae with synbiotic compounds of human milk have shown to be able to decrease several gut-related diseases in formula fed infants. This study was carried out to develop a synergistic cryoprotective drying medium for infant formulae probiotic application. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the concentrations of skim milk and prebiotics for improvement of the cell survival of Bifidobacterium infantis 20088, during freeze-drying. The optimal composition was found to be 2.8% prebiotics blended with 16.1% skim milk which could protect 47.63% of cells’ viability. No significant difference (p > 0.05) between the predicted and experimental values validated the model adequacy. Then, the protective effects of optimal composition on the survival of freeze-dried cells were evaluated through different conditions of rehydration, storage and simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) as compared to cells dried in phosphate buffer (control). After 120 days storage of freeze-dried stationary phase cells at 4°C, there was 2.33 log (CFU/ml) improvement in the viability of cells as compared to control. With increasing temperature to 25°C, the protective effect of optimized medium was more apparent. Direct rehydration with water led to 0.65 log (CFU/ml) increment in the mortality rate of freeze-dried cells as compared to rehydration with skim milk solution. Also, the mortality rate of cells after sequential incubation in simulated GIT conditions including gastric conditions (pH 3.0 and 4.0, 90 min) and intestinal conditions (pH 7.5, 5 h) were reduced by 1.81 and 0.35 log (CFU/ml), respectively, as compared to the control.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis 20088, freeze-drying medium, response surface methodology, storage, infantile gastrointestinal conditions.

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Antifungal and biochemical effects of pseudoguaianolide sesquiterpenes isolated from Ambrosia maritima L.

S. A. M. Abdelgaleil*, M. E. I. Badawy, T. Suganuma and K. Kitahara

Abstract: Five pseudoguaianolide sesquiterpenes, namely neoambrosin, damsinic acid, damsin, ambrosin and hymenin isolated from the aerial parts of Ambrosia maritima, were tested for their antifungal activity against the most economic plant pathogenic fungi Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium oxysporum which cause grey mold and root rot diseases, respectively. In mycelial radial growth inhibition assay, neoambrosin and damsin were the most potent, while hymenin and damsinic acid were the lowest effective among the tested compounds. F. oxysporum was more sensitive for inhibition than B. cinerea. On the other hand, the sesquiterpenes caused significant reduction in spore germination of both fungi at 50, 100 and 200 mg/L compared with the control. Complete inhibition was observed when the spores treated with damsinic acid and ambrosin at 200 mg/L. In vivo activities of polyphenol oxidase, polygalacturonase and pectin-lyase in both fungi that treated with 0.5 and 1 fold of the EC50 value were also carried out in order to investigate the biochemical influences of the tested compounds. The compounds showed significant inhibitory effects on the enzyme activities compared with the control however; the activity was not consistently related to the in vitro inhibitory effects.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Sesquiterpenes, Ambrosia maritime, antifungal activity, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, biochemical effects.

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Application of extracts of Henna (Lawsonia inamis) leaves as a counter stain

Chukwu O. O. C.*, Odu C. E., Chukwu D. I., Hafiz N., Chidozie V. N. and Onyimba I. A.

Abstract: Aqueous (cold and hot) and ethanol extracts solutions of the Henna plant (Lawsonia inamis) leaves was adapted for the first time as a counter stain in Gram staining reaction. Different extracts of L. inamis leaves were formulated into various staining solutions of different concentrations and modified with hydrogen peroxide, ferric chloride, potassium alum and potassium permanganate. These staining solutions were used to stain both known Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial isolates using Gram staining technique. The experimental Henna plant extracts solutions were used with usual counter stains (neutral red, safranine and dilute carbol fuchsin) as positive controls. Phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of tannin (hennatonic acid or Lawsone) and saponin. The aqueous extracts of the Henna plant (cold and hot) oxidized with potassium permanganate (pH 7.00 to 7.16) gave a better staining reaction with Gram negative bacteria, while the ethanol extract oxidized with potassium permanganate (pH 6.55) had no staining reaction with Gram negative bacteria. Hence the aqueous Henna leaves extracts (cold or hot) when oxidized with potassium permanganate can be a substitute to the usual counter stains used in Gram staining procedure. The results of staining ability of the various henna leaves extracts solutions are discussed.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Lawsonia inamis, extracts, bacteria, Gram staining, counter stain.

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Dramatic scenario of urogenital Candida albicans in presence of Lactic acid bacteria

Mohammed Sh. Jebur

Abstract: Yeast infections of the vagina are more prevalence and frequently recurring problem of women. Such infections are caused primarily by Candida albicans and apparently occur when the environmental balance in the-vagina is disturbed. Lactobacillus acidopbilus restricts the growth of pathogenic microorganisms per se displayingwide inhibitory spectrum substances. Fifteen (30%) C. albicans isolates were obtained through 50 vaginal swabs from patients who visited the obstetrics and Gynecology clinic departments of hospitals in Baghdad city during the period of March to July 2010. Local isolates of L. acidophilus was evaluated as antifungal activity against vaginal isolates of C. albicans. Such activity was comprised with common four antifungal agents (Nystatine, Fluconazol, Griseofulvin and Amphotricin B). Susceptibility of C. albicans isolates to L. acidophilus bacteria were determined by means of disc diffusion assay. Results of susceptibility were showed in-vitro that all isolates 15 (100%) sensitive to Nystatine after cultivation on ESDA agar at 37°C for 24 h. Sensitivity of C. albicans to L. acidophilus suspension was less than Nystaine but still high with 13 sensitive isolates (86.6%). Fluconazol and Griseofulvin antifungal agents were showed same susceptibility of 10 sensitive isolates (66.6%) against C. albicans growth, while Amphotricin B had relatively low sensitivity with 7 isolates (46.5%). All results of susceptibility are being detected by the importance of L. acidophilus bacteria in re equilibrium normal flora of vagina that prevent or reduce the chances of vaginal infection especially recurrent vaginal candidiasis (RVC) cases. Also the findings of the study suggest that using of yoghurt as local application can be an important role to reduce or prevent RVC cases, and this can be verify by continuous efforts to make sure of probiotic effects of lactobacilli species.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Candida albicans, vaginitis.

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Evaluation of a new chromogenic selective medium for isolation and enumeration of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Hajime Teramura*, Shingo Mizuochi and Hidemasa Kodaka

Abstract: The X-VP agar, chromogenic selective medium for Vibrio parahaemolyticus, was evaluated for inclusivity and exclusivity by using 169 strains including 55 V. parahaemolyticus and compared with Thiosulfate Citrate Bile salt Sucrose (TCBS) and CHROMagar Vibrio media as conventional methods using V. parahaemolyticus inoculated seafood samples. Our results suggested the X-VP agar was useful for isolation and enumeration of V. parahaemolyticus.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Chromogenic selective agar medium, seafood, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, X-VP agar.

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The integrated use of entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana with botanical insecticide, neem against Bemisia tabaci on eggplant

Md. Touhidul Islam*, Dzolkhifli Omar, M. A. Latif and Md. Mahbub Morshed

Abstract: In a previous experiment, sweetpotato whitefly was found to be difficult to control with either neem or Beauveria bassiana alone. This earlier research also reported that the combined application of neem and B. bassiana increased mortality of whitefly nymphs when both of these products were applied to eggplant foliage; but a higher concentration of neem (more than 0.5%) was slightly toxic for young eggplant. Therefore, the present research was undertaken with these two products in which neem was applied as soil drench and B. bassiana was applied to foliage. Three concentrations of neem- 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0%; and three concentrations of B. bassiana- 106, 107 and 108 conidia/ml were used to investigate the combined efficacy against sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. The results demonstrate that maximum nymph mortality (92.3%) occurred when 1.0% neem was combined with 108 conidia/ml of B. bassiana. The highest (14.3) mortality ratio (N/Bb; mortality caused by neem/mortality caused by B. bassiana) occurred when 1.0% neem was combined with 106 conidia/ml of B. bassiana; and the lowest mortality ratio (5.7) occurred when 0.25% neem was combined with 108 conidia/ml of B. bassiana. The results showed that neem was compatible with B. bassiana; and suggest that soil application of neem along with foliar application of B. bassiana might be useful for the control of B. tabaci.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Botanical insecticide, compatibility, eggplant, entomopathogenic fungus, integrated pest management (IPM).

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Survey role of nano structure surface layer in Bacillus cereus strains resistant to antibiotics (Iran-Azzahra Hospital and Esfahan University)

Shila Jalalpour

Abstract: The most common surface structures bacteria are monomolecular crystalline arrays of proteinaceous subunits termed surface layers or S-layers. Since S-layer-carrying organisms are ubiquitous in the biosphere and because S-layers represent one of the most abundant cellular proteins, it is now obvious that these metabolically expensive products must provide the organisms with an advantage of selection in very different habitats. S-layers have been associated with a number of possible functions that relate to pathogenicity. S-layers can function as adhesins, enabling the bacterium to adhere to host cell membranes and tissue surfaces in order to colonize and protect bacteria from harmful enzymes and antimicrobial agents or changes in pH. Bacillus cereus is one of nosocomial infections bacteria. B. cereus produces several potential virulence factors such as S-layer. A total of 274 strains were isolated from staff hand and hospital surfaces of Azzahra-hospital during 2005 to 2007 years. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of S-layer proteins extracted from B. cereus strains by using Tris-HCl (pH 8) showed that the S-layer proteins of different strains isolate of staff hands and hospital surfaces had subunit molecular weight of 97-kDa. Antibiotic susceptibility was performed according to antibiotic susceptibility standard disc diffusion agar. All the statistical analyses carried out using SPSS version 14. Chi-square and fisher test used for determination of significance of association. The p≤ 0.05 was considered significant. From 247 bacteria, frequency of B. cereus strains was 9.49%. From 13 isolated B. cereus of, staff hand 11 strain (84/6%) and from 13 isolated B. cereus from hospital surfaces, 1 strain (7/7%) production S-layer. According to the antibiogram result, S-layer non producer strains, in comparison with S-layer producer strains, were more sensitive to antibiotics. The result showed high prevalence of S-layer producer of B. cereus strains in hospital; and this point is due to the increased antibiotic resistance of nosocomial infections.[...] Read More.

Keywords: S-layer, Bacillus cereus, antibiotic resistant, nosocomial infections.

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Insights on genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of Hop stunt viroid (HSVd) population from symptomatic citrus tree in Tunisia

Hamdi I., Elleuch A., Bessaies N. and Fakhfakh H.*

Abstract: Hop stunt viroid (HSVd) variants from cachexia symptomatic citrus tree were subjected to retro-transcription and DNA amplification (RT-PCR), cloning and sequencing. Here we report genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of HSVd Tunisian isolate. Our study revealed obvious polymorphism within Tunisian isolates and high similarity with Japanese variants. Neighbor-joining analysis was carried out on the new HSVd-citrus sequences together with 44 previously described HSVd isolates from citrus and one from grapevine. The phylogenetic analysis showed that Tunisian isolates were clustered into 4 different groups (CVd-IIa, b, and c and grapevine group). Furthermore, the predicted secondary structure was scrutinized to be more understanding on how the nucleotide change affects variable (V) and pathogenicity domain (P).[...] Read More.

Keywords: Hop stunt viroid (HSVd), citrus, cachexia, phylogeny, secondary structure, Tunisia.

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Predicting the catalytic sites of Streptomyces clavuligerus deacetylcephalosporin c synthase and clavaminate synthase 2

Hong Soon Chin*, Khang Wen Goh, Kah Cheng Teo, Mun Yee Chan, Seong Wei Lee and Lisa Gaik Ai Ong

Abstract: Enzymes categorized under the 2OG-Fe (II) oxygenase superfamily and Taurine catabolism dioxygenase TauD family demonstrated a striking structural conserveness even with low protein sequence homology. It is evident that these enzymes have an architecturally similar to catalytic centre with active ligands lining the reactive pocket. Deacetoxycephalosporin C synthase (DAOCS), isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS), deacetylcephalosporin C synthase (DACS), clavaminate synthase 1 and 2 (CAS1 and 2) are important bacterial enzymes that catalyze the formation of β-lactam antibiotics. With the advancement of protein structural analysis software, it is possible to predict the catalytic sites of protein that shared a structural resemblance. By exploiting the superimposition model of DAOCS-IPNS, DAOCS-CAS1 and IPNS-CAS1, a computational protocol for predicting the catalytic sites of proteins is now made available. This study shows that without the crystallized or NMR structures of DACS and CAS2, the plausible catalytic sites of protein can be forecasted using this structural bioinformatics approach.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS), deacetoxycephalosporin C synthase (DAOCS), deacetylcephalosporin C synthase (DACS), clavaminate synthase (CAS), 2OG-Fe (II) oxygenase superfamily.

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