African Journal of Agriculture

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (9), pp. 001-011, September, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Characterization and Mechanical Evaluation of Starch/Natural Rubber Biocomposites with X-ray Diffraction and Crosslink Density Assessment

Uzoh Raymond D.¹*, Buba Ardo A.² and Osemeahon Sunday²

¹Chemical Science Technology, School of Science Technology, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

²Chemistry Department, School of Physical Science, Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Received 11 October, 2023; Accepted 4 July, 2024

Abstract

Starch fillers were extracted from three plant sources namely amora tuber, Tacca lentopeteloides; sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas; yam starch, Dioscorea rotundata and their particle size, pH, amylose, and amylopectin percentage decomposition determined accordingly. The starch was introduced into natural rubber in liquid phase (through gelatinization) by the latex compounding method and compounded according to standard method. The prepared starch/natural rubber composites was characterized by Instron Universal testing machine (UTM) for tensile mechanical properties. The composites was further characterized by x-ray diffraction and crosslink density analysis. The particle size determination showed that amora starch granules has the smallest particle size (156 × 47 μm) followed by yam starch (155 × 40 μm) and then sweet potato starch (153 × 46 μm) with the biggest particle size. The pH test also revealed that amora starch has a near neutral pH of 6.9, yam 6.8, and sweet potato 5.2 respectively. Amylose and amylopectin determination showed that yam starch has a higher percentage of amylose (29.68), followed by potato (22.34) and then amora starch with the lowest value (14.86) respectively. The tensile mechanical properties testing revealed that yam starch produced the best tensile mechanical properties followed by amora starch and then sweet potato starch. The structure, crystallinity/amorphous nature of the product composite was confirmed by x-ray diffraction, while the nature of crosslinking was confirmed by swelling test in toluene solvent using the Flory- Rehner approach. The increasing values of crosslink density in the starch/rubber composite is a clear evidence of good interfacial adhesion between the starch fillers and the rubber, hence good dispersion of starch fillers in the rubber. This research has rendered a workable strategy for enhancing interfacial interaction between a hydrophilic filler (Starch) and hydrophobic polymeric matrix (natural rubber) yielding moderately good tensile mechanical properties with prospects for the rubber processing industry. The studied fillers can partially replace carbon black as natural rubber fillers with reduced cost, no risk to human health and also an environment friendly approach.

Key words: Natural rubber, fillers, starch, amylose, amylopectin, crosslink density, mechanical properties.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (9), pp. 001-007, September, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of Betaine Supplementation on Protein, Glycoprotein, and Amino Acid Levels Following Isoprenaline-Induced Cardiac Injury in Rodent Models

B. Ganesan^1,2, R. Rajesh^1,3, R. Anandan ²,* and N. Dhandapani^1,4

¹Vinayaka Mission University, Ariyanoor, Salem-636308, Tamil Nadu, India.
²Biochemistry and Nutrition Division, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Matsyapuri (PO), Cochin-682029, India.
³Quality Assurance and Management Division, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Matsyapuri (PO), Cochin-682029, India.
⁴Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, R.V.S College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sulur, Coimbatore-641402, India.

Accepted 12 August, 2024

Abstract

The protective effect of betaine administration on changes in the levels of protein, glycoproteins and amino acids was studied in isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats as an animal model of myocardial infarction in man. Oral pre-treatment with betaine significantly (P<0.05) attenuated the isoprenaline-induced rise in the levels of troponin-T and creatine phosphokinase (CPK). Oral supplementation of betaine also significantly (P<0.05) counteracted the isoprenaline-induced alterations in the levels of amino acids (taurine, aspartate, glutamate, arginine, hydroxy proline and homocysteine), protein content, glycoprotein components (hexose and hexosamine) and lipid peroxidation in the heart tissue and maintained their levels comparable to that of control animals. The results indicated that the overall cardioprotective effect of betaine was probably related to its ability to strengthen the myocardial membrane by its membrane stabilizing action or to a counteraction of free radicals by its antioxidant property.

Key words: Betaine, myocardial infarction, isoprenaline, glycoproteins, lipid peroxidation.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (9), pp. 001-005, September, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluating the Environmental Resilience of Salix Species: Copper and Cadmium Tolerance in North Moroccan Ecosystems

Abdelmalek Hakmaoui¹*, Matilde Barón², Mohammed Ater¹

¹Laboratoire Diversité et Conservation des Systèmes Biologiques (LDICOSYB), Department of Biology, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, BP 2121-Tetouan, Morocco.
²Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology of Plants. Estación Experimental del Zaidín-CSIC. Profesor Albareda, 1, 18008 Granada, Spain.

Accepted 11 May, 2024

Abstract

Hydroponic culture has been used to compare copper and cadmium tolerance in five Salix species from North Morocco using different approaches. Measurements of growth parameters have been combined with those of some photosynthetic parameters. Tolerance index based either on root or shoot growth allowed to define Salix pedicelata and Salix purpurea as Cu and Cd-tolerant species, respectively. From the methodological point of view, the use of tolerance index based on aerial part growth, appeared most adequate for the screening of metal tolerance in woody plants. On the other hand, no significant effect on chlorophyll content was observed under treatment with either Cu or Cd, in any of the Salix species analyzed. In vitro experiments with thylakoid membranes showed that the effects on the electron transport chain differ for each metal and species used. Furthermore, it seems that metal tolerance at the chloroplast level is distinct to that of the whole plant.

Key word: Salix, heavy metals, tolerance index, photosynthesis.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (9), pp. 001-003, September, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Efficient Extraction of Heavy Metals from Contaminated Water Using Thioglycolic Acid-Modified Oil-Palm Fiber

J. O. Akaninwor, M. O. Wegwu and I. U. Iba

Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Accepted 25 June 2024

Abstract

Various kinds of agro and wood based fibres can be used to filter both trace and heavy metals from contaminated solutions. The efficacy of thioglycolic acid treated oil-palm fibre was investigated in this study. The result showed maximum absorptions (at pH = 6) of 83.6, 75.6 and 50.8% for Fe++, Zn++ and Mg++ respectively in the Southern Point (SP) samples. Similarly, 79.1, 78.3 and 77.5% for Fe++, Zn++ and Mg++ were obtained for Northern Point (NP) samples. The removal efficiency of the metals was pH as well as ionic size dependent. The uptake capacities showed that iron had a higher capacity than zinc while magnesium had the least. This study therefore suggests that thioglycolic acid modified oil-palm fibre is highly efficient in sorption of metals from solutions and should be used as such at a slightly acidic pH.

Key words: Heavy metal removal, thioglycolic acid modified oil-palm fibre.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (9), pp. 001-007, September, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluating Biochemical Changes in Rats Induced by Crude Oil Contaminated Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Consumption

T. O. Sunmonu* and O. B. Oloyede

Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Accepted 12 July, 2024

Abstract

Biochemical investigations were carried out to assess the effect of consumption of crude oil contami-nated catfish on the hepatocytes and performance of rat. Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) (n = 120) were grouped into 6 of 20 catfish each and held for 30 h in 5 different mixtures of crude oil polluted water (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1% v/v). Catfish in the control group were held in borehole water. At the expira-tion of 30 h, the catfish were harvested and used to formulate diet. Albino rats (n = 60) were grouped into 6 of 10 rats each and fed on the formulated diet for a period of 30 days. Compared with the control, the result showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the average daily feed intake in all the groups of rats. However, a significant reduction (p<0.05) was observed in the overall body weight, the liver-to-body weight ratio as well as the serum concentrations of albumin and globulin of rat as the amount of crude oil in the diet increased. A significant increase (p<0.05) was also observed in the serum bilirubin concentration of rats fed on diet formulated with crude oil contaminated catfish when compared with the control. Histological analysis also revealed that the architectural arrangement of the liver was alte-red following the consumption of diet containing catfish exposed to crude oil polluted water. Overall, the data obtained indicate a possible adverse effect on the performance and impaired liver function in the rats fed on diet containing catfish exposed to crude oil polluted water.

Key words: Crude oil, hepatocytes, catfish, albumin, globulin, bilirubin.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (9), pp. 001-006, September, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessing How Different Processing Techniques Affect the Bioavailability of Starch from Cooking Bananas

Florence Isabirye Muranga¹*, Harini Sampath², Judith A. Marlett² and James M. Ntambi^2,3

¹Department of Food Science and Technology, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
²Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison WI USA.
³Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison WI USA.

Accepted 02 May, 2024

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the apparent bioavailability of starch in raw, cooked and extruded matooke flours using weanling mice. Two control and three test groups consisting of seven mice each (initial body weight of 21.32 ± 1.05 g) were fed diets incorporating soluble unavailable starch (Control I), soluble starch (Control II) and raw, cooked and extruded matooke flours as carbohydrate bases, for three weeks. The growth rate, food intake, adipose tissue size and 12 h fasting glucose levels were measured. The mean values of the growth parameters were separated by ANOVA using GENSTAT statistical package. There was a significant difference (P<0.001) in food intake between the control and test groups. The mice fed on solubilised matooke starches (cooked and extruded) exhibited significantly higher (P<0.001) growth rates than the ones fed on raw starch, showing a higher apparent bioavailability of the former flours. The mice fed on Control I appeared malnourished despite an excessively high food intake. The raw matooke group displayed less pronounced symptoms of malnourishment despite recording the highest weight loss. The fat pad sizes were in agreement with the growth rate data. The glucose levels, though on the lower side particularly in the Control I and raw matooke flour groups, were within the normal range. The results demonstrated that solubilised matooke starches adequately met the energy requirement of a growing animal. Nonetheless extrusion cooking appeared to confer a marginal advantage over the cooked flour, due to extruded flour’s lower peak viscosity. This advantage would be enhanced in humans if the rations are taken as porridges.

Key words: Starch-bioavailability, matooke, protein-energy malnutrition.