AJMR | Table of Contents

Table of Contents 2017

Research Article

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

Full Length Research Paper

A study on the combined administration of chloroquine and insulin effect on serum transferases and phosphatases activity during increased dietary fat and calcium consumption

Ajani E. O.*, Salau B. A., Ezima E. N. , Oyefuga O. H. and Osineye P. O

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Remo Campus, Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Accepted 28 May, 2017

Abstract

Previous studies reported on relationship between chloroquine administration, insulin and glucose homeostasis, but the role of dietary fat and the combined effect of the drugs on liver function have not been exploited. The present study was set up to investigate the effect of combined administration of insulin and chloroquine on serum transferase and phosphates activity during increased dietary fat and calcium consumption. Thirty (30) adult male albino rats randomly assigned into five (5) groups were used in the study. Group A was placed on normal diet (normal control); B (test control) C, D, and E were placed on an increased dietary fat and calcium. Drugs were administered as follows: group C, insulin (100 µg/kg body weight once daily); group D, chloroquine (Imarsel Chemical Co. Ltd., Chinon, Hungary, 15 mg/kg body weight) thrice weekly over a period of 12 weeks, and group E, chloroquine combined with insulin. All rats were sacrificed after 15 weeks treatment period. Blood was withdrawn and activities of the enzymes were determined. Combined administration of the drugs increased serum alanine amino transferase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphate activity and decreased acid phosphatase activity. The result suggests that combined administration of insulin and chloroquine may result in hepatic injury particularly in individual whose dietary regimen includes increased fat and calcium.

Key words: Chloroquine, insulin, liver function, transaminases, phosphatases, dietary calcium, fat.

Oyefuga O. H. and Osineye P. O, Salau B. A., Ezima E. N., Ajani E. O.*

Page: 1 - 10

Research Article

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

Full Length Research Paper

Efficacy of Dissotis rotundifolia on Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in rats

Abdullahi Mann¹*, Evans C. Egwim², Barnabas Banji1, Nda-Umar Abdukadir¹, Mohammed Gbate¹, J. T. Ekanem³

¹Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal Polytechnic Bida, P. M. B. 55, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology Minna, P. M. B. 65, Minna Niger State Nigeria.

³Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria.

Accepted 19 June, 2017

Abstract

The therapeutic potential of the crude extract of Dissotis rotundifolia was investigated in rats infected with Trypanosoma b. brucei. Animals were treated orally or intraperitoneally at 200, 600 and 800 mg/kg body weight. At 800 mg/kg, parasitemia was reduced by 66.7 and 78.4% after oral and intraperitoneal administration respectively. In vitro exposure of blood forms to high concentration (800 mg/kg) crude extract test resulted in complete paralysis or killing within 45 s of exposure. It is concluded that D. rotundifolia may contain antitrypanosomal constituents.

Key words: Efficacy, trypanosoma, parasitemia, Dissotis rotundifolia, antitrypanosomal activity.

Nda-Umar Abdukadir, Mohammed Gbate, Barnabas Banji1, Evans C. Egwim, J. T. Ekanem, Abdullahi Mann*

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Research Article

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

Full Length Research Paper

Isolation and preliminary characterization of conophor nut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) lipase

Victor N. Enujiugha

Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology. P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 22 July, 20017

Abstract

Lipase in oilseeds helps to hydrolyze the ester bonds of storage triacylglycerols. The crude lipase from the conophor nut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) was isolated and assayed via quantification of the free fatty acids liberated by the hydrolysis of the oilseed triacylglycerols. Optimum pH and temperature for the enzyme activity of the conophor nut lipase was pH 8.0 and at 30°C with substantial lipolysis at 80°C, underscoring the thermostability of the enzyme. The effects of different ions on the activity of the isolated lipase were examined. NaCl and EDTA inhibited activity by various degrees, while Ca²⁺ and Hg⁺ enhanced the enzyme activity. The results of the present study show that the lipase from conophor nut can favourably be exploited to complement existing lipase sources.

Key words: Conophor nut, lipase activity, temperature, pH.

Victor N. Enujiugha

Page: 1 - 10

Research Article

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

Full Length Research Paper

Degradation of pyrimidine ribonucleosides by extracts of Aspergillus terreus

Osama M. Abdel-Fatah*, Maysa A. Elsayed and Ali M. Elshafei

Department of Microbial Chemistry, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

Accepted 28 July, 2017

Abstract

Cell-free extracts of nitrate- grown mycelia of Aspergillus terreus could catalyze the hydrolytic deami-nation of cytidine to uridine and ammonia followed by the hydrolytic cleavage of the N-glycosidic bond of the produced uridine to the corresponding base (uracil) and ribose. The same extracts could not catalyze the hydrolytic deamination of cytosine. Addition of inorganic arsenate to the reaction mixture containing cytidine or uridine did not affect the amount of ribose liberated indicating the absence of pyrimidine ribonucleosides phosphorylase in the extracts. Cytidine deaminase showed an optimum activity at pH 7.0 and 60°C and stability to high degrees of temperature. Uridine hydrolase activity was optimized at pH 8.0 and 55°C. Incubation of the extracts at 55°C for 60 min showed no effect on uridine hydrolase activity whereas incubation of the extracts at 60 and 70°C for different interval times caused a gradual decrease in activity and the enzyme lost its activity completely by incubation at 80°C for 15 min. Dialyzing the extracts showed no effect on cytidine deaminase activity and a decrease in uridine hydrolase activity. Addition of EDTA at a concentration of 5 x 10^-3 M and 10^-2 M caused an inhibition to the two enzymes activities. The presence of MgSO₄ in the reaction mixture seems to activate greatly both enzymatic cytidine deamination (225 and 128% increases) and uridine hydrolysis (22 and 77% increases) at final concentrations of 5 x 10^-3 M and 10^-2 M respectively. However HgCl₂ and CuSO₄ were found to be potent inhibitors for both activities at the two concentrations.

Key words: Pyrimidine ribonucleosides, cytidine, uridine, cytidine deaminase, uridine hydrolase, Aspergillus terreus.

Maysa A. Elsayed and Ali M. Elshafei, Osama M. Abdel-Fatah*

Page: 1 - 10

Research Article

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

Full Length Research Paper

Lipid profile of a population of diabetic patients attending Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Clinic, Abuja

Ugwu, C. E¹*. , Ezeanyika, L. U. S.², Daikwo, M. A.¹ and Amana, R.¹

¹Department of Biochemistry, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Accepted 20 January, 2017

Abstr

This study was conducted to compare the lipid profile of diabetic patients and healthy controls. The lipid profiles and lipoprotein levels of 50 known diabetic patients and 50 healthy subjects were studied. Total cholesterol (TC), Triacylglycerols (TG), Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were assayed for each group using standard biochemical methods. The mean TC, TG, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in the diabetics than in the control subjects though these were not significant (P > 0.05). The frequency of high TC level was higher in the diabetic group while the frequency of low HDL -C level was higher in the healthy controls. The prevalence of high TG and LDL-C were approximately equal in the two groups. The mean (±SD) HDL- C was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in males compared to the females for both diabetic and control groups. The better lipid profiles in the diabetic patients compared to the controls were apparently due to the regime of management of their condition.

Key words: Diabetes, lipid profile, Nigerians.

Daikwo , L. U. S, M. A and Amana, C. E*, Ezeanyika , R , Ugwu

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Research Article

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

Full Length Research Paper

Fatty acid composition and properties of skin and digestive fat content oils from Rhynchophorus palmarum L. larva

Edmond Ahipo Dué¹*, Hervé César B. L. Zabri², Jean Parfait E.N. Kouadio¹ and Lucien Patrice Kouamé¹

¹Laboratoire de Biochimie et Technologie des Aliments de l’Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences et Technologie des Aliments de l’Université d’Abobo-Adjamé, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.

²Laboratoire de Chimie Bio-organique de l’Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences Fondamentales Appliquées de l’Université d’Abobo-Adjamé, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.

Accepted 20 February, 2017

Abstract

Skin and digestive fat content (DFC) oils from Rhynchophorus palmarum L. larva (Curculionidae) were extracted and their physicochemical properties were characterized. Water content (0.41 %) of skin oil was higher than the amount of DFC (0.04 %). While, the lipid fraction of the skin (35.16%) was slightly lower than the DFC (49.05%). The fatty acid compositions of the both oils were determined. Results showed that the most abundant fatty acids in skin and DFC oils were palmitic and oleic acids. In both oils, oleic fatty acid showed the highest percentage of composition of 45.62 and 46.71% for skin and DFC, respectively with palmitic acid followed close by 39.87 and 40.44%, respectively. In this study, saturated fatty acids accounted for 45.06 and 44.97% of total fatty acids, for skin and DFC oils, respectively. Myristic, myristoleic, stearic and linoleic acids were also detected in the both oils. Physicochemical properties of skin and DFC oils respectively include: iodine index, 51.22 and 48.35; acid value, 4.72 and 2.21; saponification value, 189.22 and 198.26; unsaponifiable matter, 0.97 and 0.98; peroxide index, 6.90 and 0; oleic acidity, 7.76 and 0.568; vitamin A, 0 and 12.04 and refractive index, 1.45440 and 1.45424. Results suggested that Skin and DFC oils from R. palmarum L. larva could deserve further consideration and investigation as a potential new multi-purpose product for nutritional, industrial, cosmetic and pharmaceutical uses.

Key words: Fatty acids, digestive fat content, skin of larvae, oil, Rhynchophorus palmarum.

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