MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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The distribution of cyanide detoxifying enzymes in different species of the family Cichlidae

Okonji Raphael Emuebie*, Popoola Michael Olaoluwa, Kuku Adenike and Aladesanmi Omolara Titilayo

Abstract: The cyanide metabolising enzymes (rhodanese and mercaptopyruvate sulphurtransferase) were estimated in different tissues of three species of tilapia (Tilapia zilli, Sarotherodon galileus, and Oreochromis niloticus) from two locations (Aiba and Osinmo reservoirs, both in the South-Western region of Nigeria). The enzyme activities were carried out by measuring the amount of thiocyanate produced by the two enzymes using specific substrates in each case. There was no significant difference in the activity of rhodanese in the tissues of the tilapia species from Aiba River. Mercaptopyruvate sulphurtransferase (3-MST) presented a different pattern of distribution with significant difference in the gut of the tilapia species. The study showed the activities of two cyanide detoxifying enzymes (rhodanese and mercaptopyruvate sulphurtransferase) in the different tilapia species indicating the presence of strong cyanide detoxifying mechanisms.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Rhodanese, mercaptopyruvate sulphurtransferase, cyanide, tilapia, detoxification.

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Characterization of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds of cinnamon and ginger essential oils

G. S. El-Baroty, H. H. Abd El-Baky, R. S. Farag and M. A. Saleh

Abstract: Essential oils obtained from the bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) and the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale (ginger) were characterized by analytical TLC and GC/MS, and their antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds were detected by TLC-bio-autography assays. Essential oil of cinnamon bark (CEO) was found to be a unique aromatic monoterpene-rich natural source, with trans-cinnamaldehyde (45.62%) as the major constituents. Ginger oil (GEO) was characterized by high content of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, including β-sesquiphellandrene (27.16%), caryophyllene (15.29%), zingiberene (13.97%), α-farnesene (10.52%) and ar-curcumin (6.62%). CEO and GEO oils showed significant inhibitory activity against selected strains of bacteria and pathogenic fungi, with MIC values ranging from 20 to 120 µg/ml depending upon the microbial species. Cinnamaldehyde (CA) and eugenol in cinnamon bark oil and β-sesquiphellandrene, caryophyllene and zingiberene in ginger rhizome oil were identified as the most active antibacterial components, with the aid of bioautography on TLC and GC-MS. Also, both oil exhibited appreciable in vitro antioxidant activity as assessed by 2, 2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and β-carotene bleaching methods, compared to α-tocopherol, BHT and BHA. Guided isolation through TLC-autography using 0.05% DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid as a detection reagent led to identified CA and eugenol as main active antioxidant compounds in CEO. The significant antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of both oils suggest that it could serve as a source of compounds with preservative phenomenon.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Antimicrobial, bioautographic assay, antioxidant, essential oils, ginger, cinnamon.

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TRYPANOSOMA VIVAX exists in isoenzyme forms

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Abstract: Malate dehydrogenase was isolated and partially purified from blood stream TRYPANOSOMA VIVAX. The enzyme exists in isoenzyme forms (MDH1 and MDH2). The relative molecular weights of MDH1 and MDH2 determined by Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were 61 and 63 kdal. respectively. MDH2 lost activity immediately after purification. It has purification fold of 15 and percentage recovery of 31%. Similarly, MDH1 was purified 21 fold from the crude with 54% recovery. This isoenzyme was considerably stable. There was no MDH activity when the live parasites were incubated with the assay medium suggesting that the enzyme was not secreted by parasites. However, addition of detergent led to a surge in MDH activity suggesting that the enzyme is membrane bound. Malate dehydrogenase from the infective form of T. VIVAX has a stable and non – stable isoforms.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Malate dehydrogenase, isoenzyme, parasites, Trypanosoma vivax.

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Effects of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia on the lipid profile and some enzyme activities in female Wistar rats

Gloria A. Otunola*, Oyelola B. Oloyede, Adenike T. Oladiji and Anthony A. Afolayan

Abstract: The effects of a high dietary soybean oil and cholesterol on serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), and triglycerides were investigated. Total protein, albumin, glucose, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) activities were also investigated in weanling female Wistar rats for eight weeks. Two groups of weanling Wistar rats were use in this study. The first group of rats were fed with a control diet made up of the normal rat chow (C), while the second group was given a hypercholesterolemic diet (HPC) enriched with 25% soybean oil and 1% cholesterol for eight weeks. The dietary intake of the HPC diet significantly increased the level of total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglycerides in the serum of animals fed the (HPC) diet. GGT, AST and ALT activities were also markedly elevated in rats fed with the HPC diet. While total protein and glucose level of the animals fed with the HPC diet was remarkably reduced, there was no significant difference in the HDL-C and albumin contents of both groups. This study established that hypercholesterolemia is induced by high soybean oil/cholesterol diet, despite the fact that soybean oil has high content of poly unsaturated fatty acids. Also, the HPC diet led to weight loss in the rats and injury to both heart and liver of the rats.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Diet-induced, injury, lipid profile, enzyme activities, hypercholesterolemia, soybean oil, cholesterol.

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Screening of antioxidant activity, total phenolics and GC-MS study of Vitex negundo

P. Praveen Kumar*, S. Kumaravel and C. Lalitha

Abstract: The present study was carried out for identification of the phytochemicals present in the Vitex negundo leaves and also evaluate the total phenols, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity of the leaf extract. Total phenols was carried out by Folin Ciocalteu method and the phenolic content was 27.72 mg/100 of gallic acid equivalent (GE). Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH method and the leaves of V. negundo showed 23.21 mg/100 of Ascorbic acid Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (AEAC). The GC-MS study also carried out and it showed the presence of phytochemicals like 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-(RT:6.17), Phytol (RT:19.67) and Vitamin E (RT:25.11).[...] Read More.

Keywords: Total Phenols, total flavonoids, antioxidant activity, DPPH, GC-MS.

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Standardized alcoholic extract of Phyllanthus fraternus exerts potential action against disturbed biochemical parameters in diabetic animals

Munish Garg*, Chanchal Garg, V. J. Dhar and A. N. Kalia

Abstract: Alcoholic extract of Phyllanthus fraternus Webster whole plant (PFAE) prepared by successive solvent treatment was administered at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight once in a day for 21 days to the alloxan induced diabetic albino rats. Certain biochemical parameters that is lipid profile (total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, triacylglycerols), kidney functions (urea, creatinine) and liver functions (alkaline phosphate, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase) were evaluated and compared with normal and standard drug tolbutamide (200 mg/kg body weight) administered group. As a result, drug treatment has significantly improved the disturbed biochemical parameters at variable degrees when compared with standard drug. The phytochemical studies conducted for standardization of the extract showed the presence of tannins and flavonoids as major phytoconstituents. The total phenolics content was found to be 37.51 mg/g of drug extract. Quantitative estimation carried out on two major flavonoids by HPTLC confirmed a concentration of 1.706% w/w rutin and 5.614% w/w of quercetin present in the alcoholic extract. In conclusion, owing to the positive potential activity against disturbed biochemical parameters associated with diabetes, P. fraternus can be used effectively in the management of this deadly disease.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Phyllanthus fraternus, renal functions, liver functions tests, lipid profile, total phenolics.

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Phytochemical screening and histopathological effects of single acute dose administration of ARTEMISIA ANNUA L. on testes and ovaries of Wistar rats

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Abstract: ARTEMISIA ANNUA L. is a medicinal plant whose derivatives are used in the treatment of malaria. Phytochemical screening and histopathological effects of single acute intraperitoneal dose of the alcoholic extract of A. ANNUA, were investigated in Wistar rats in this study. Thirty five adult albino Wistar rats (109 - 307 g) of both sexes used for the study were randomly assigned on the basis of weight and litter origin into seven study groups of five rats per group. The control (group A) was administered placebo (2 ml of pure olive oil) while test groups B to G received single graded doses of 0.18, 0.35, 0.52, 0.70, 0.86 and 1.05 g/kg body weight of extract in olive oil vehicle, respectively. Twenty four hours after the single acute dose administration, animals were sacrificed and testes and ovary tissues obtained for histological evaluation using standard methods. Results of phytochemistry of the alcoholic extract assessed by standard methods identified the presence of alkaloids, glycosides (presence of these in A. ANNUA is questionable), flavonoids, reducing compounds and polyphenols present in different concentrations. Histopathological changes showed adverse lesions on the ovary ranging from atretic-degenerating corpus luteum, with loss of connective substance, arrest of ovarian follicle maturation to complete absence of ovarian follicle. No adverse histopathological changes were observed in the testes. The result suggests arrest of ovulation and a predisposition to infertility (add in the female animals). The possible roles of phytoestrogenic constituents in the favonoid fraction of the phytochemicals are discussed.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Artemisia annua, phytochemistry, histopathology, testes and ovaries.

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Evaluation of nutritional and antinutritional characteristics of Obeche (Triplochition scleroxylon scleroxylon) and several Mulberry (Morus alba) leaves

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Abstract: The biochemical composition of some selected varieties of White Mulberry and Obeche leaves were investigated to ascertain their nutritional and antinutritional values. Three varieties of white Mulberry leaves (S36, S54 and K2) were harvested from Ondo State sericulture centre while Obeche leaves were harvested from Aponmu Forest Reserve located in Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria, for analysis. Proximate chemical composition, minerals and anti-nutritional contents were determined on dry matter basis for the samples. The percentage of crude protein in all the samples was significantly higher (P 0.05) with 34.31, 21.66, 21.585 and 21.24% in Obeche, S36, S54 and K2, respectively. Similarly, crude fibre follow the same trend with 20.753, 13.70, 10.81, 10.81, 13.70 and 8.74%, respectively, while the percentage water content were 73.70, 71.35, 72.16 and 76.00%, in Obeche , S36, S54 and K2, respectively. The results further show that the samples contain zinc in the range of 34.4 - 57.5, sodium 1069 – 1526, manganese, 14.83 – 24.37, calcium 944 – 1467, potassium 1684 – 2170, iron, 129.70 – 238.00 and magnesium, 1450 – 2196 (mg/kg). The mineral composition was generally comparable with what is obtained with other leafy vegetables. Phytate was significantly higher (P 0.05) in Obeche. Likewise, cyanide and tannin were significantly higher (P 0.05) in S36 than other treatments (Obeche, K 2 and S34). However, these antinutrients (phytate, cyanide and tannin) are much lower than the pemitted values in fruits and any other food items. The result of the chemical analysis showed that all the selected Mulberry varieties and Obeche leaves contained adequate level of food nutrients required for normal body functioning.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Mulberry leaves, nutritional characteristics, Obeche leaves, proximate composition.

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Metabolic engineering of an ethanol-tolerant Escherichia coli MG1655 for enhanced ethanol production from xylose and glucose

Ruiqiang Ma, Ying Zhang, Haozhou Hong, Wei Lu, Wei Zhang Min Lin and Ming Chen*

Abstract: Efficient ethanol production will require a recombinant to able to ferment a variety of sugars (pentoses, and hexoses), less formation of by- products, as well as to tolerate high ethanol stress. In this study, a mutant (MGE) that can grow in 60 g ethanol/l was selected from Escherichia coli MG1655 by enrichment method with increasing concentrations of ethanol. The ethanol-tolerant mutant was used as the host to develop the ethanologenic recombinant by knockout of pyruvate formate lyase (pflB) and lactate dehydrogenase (ldhA) genes, and expression of Zymomonas mobilis alcohol dehydrogenase and pyruvate decarboxylase genes in plasmid pZY507bc. The resultant recombinant (GMEPLbc) showed the genetic stability of Z. mobilis genes in glucose medium without antibiotics under anaerobic conditions, and generated little acetic acid (3.6 mM), no formic acid and lactic acid. The ethanol production by GMEPLbc were 41.6 and 35.8 g ethanol/l from 100 g/L glucose and 100 g/L xylose during fermentation in M9 mineral medium, 37.0 and 36.5% more than that of the ethanol-sensitive strain carrying pZY507bc alone, respectively. Our results indicated that enhancement of ethanol tolerance and inactivation of pflB and ldhA are advantageous in the production of ethanol.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Escherichia coli, ethanol production, ethanol-tolerance, Gene knockout, metabolic engineering.

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Corncob is the optimum carbon resource for the growth of Tremella aurantialba

Zhi-Cai Zhang*, Mingxia Chen, Xin Li and Wangli Shen

Abstract: The minimum medium without carbon source was used to investigate the effects of five kinds of hexoses, four kinds of pentose, four kinds of bi-saccharide and three kinds of polysaccharides on Tremella aurantialba growth. The result demonstrated that (1) The fittest carbon source of T. aurantialba was the five-carbon aldose in all the tested monosaccharides; (2) Polysaccharides linked with -1,4-glycosyl bond is fitter for the growth of T. aurantialba than that linked with -1,4-glycosyl bond (3) Corncob, which contained abundant poly-xyloses linked with -1,4-glycosyl bond, is the fittest for growth of T. aurantialba. The reaction system of -1,4-glycosidase was employed to study the reason that the polysaccharides linked in -1,4-glycosyl bond is fitter for growth of T. aurantialba. The result showed that T. aurantialba broth can inhibit the activity of -1,4-glycosidase produced by T. aurantialba.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Tremella aurantialba, glycosyl bond, carbon source, aldose, ketose.

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