Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2009

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

© 2009 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Immunopurification of a rape (Brassica napus L.) seedling lipase

H. Belguith¹*, S. Fattouch², T. Jridi¹ and J. Ben Hamida¹

¹Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Bizerte, Tunisia.

²Biological Engineering Laboratory, INSAT, Tunis, Tunisia.

Accepted 20 July, 2009

Abstract

Lipase or triacylglycerol acylhydrolase (E.C.3.1.1.3) was purified to homogeneity from rapeseed-germinated cotyledons (Brassica napus L.). The purification scheme involved homogenization, centrifugation, ultracentrifugation and affinity chromatography using polyclonal antibodies raised against porcine pancreatic lipase. The purified rapeseed lipase was homogenous and did not contain contaminating proteins detectable by SDS-PAGE and HPLC analysis. The specific activity of the purified preparation was increased about 1950 times, with an overall yield of 35%. The rapeseed lipase was found to be a cytosoluble, glycosylated and heat-labile serine-hydrolase. It was monomeric with a molecular mass of 38 kDa and a pI of 6.6. The purification method used in the present work is rapid, simple and yields highly purified lipase. It may therefore be applicable in the purification of other uncharacterized plant lipases.

Key words: Brassica napus L., immuno-affinity, lipase, purification, triacylglycerol acyl hydrolase.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2009

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

© 2009 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative methaemoglobin concentrations of three erythrocyte genotypes (HbAA, HbAS and HbSS) of male participants administered with five antimalarial drugs

P.C. Chikezie

Department of Biochemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel.:+23408038935327.

Accepted 29 June, 2009

Abstract

In the present in-vivo study, the capacities of five antimalarial drugs (Fansidar, Halfan, Quinine, Coartem and Chloroquine phosphate) to alter/distort methaemoglobin concentrations of three human erythrocyte genotypes (HbAA, HbAS and HbSS) was investigated. Spectrophotometric method was used to ascertain this erythrocyte parameter. The male participants enrolled for this study were grouped according to their genotypes, pathologic status, (that is, non-malarious and malarious individuals). Determination of erythrocyte methaemoglobin concentration was carried out before (control; t = 0 h) and after (tests; that is, at t = 3, 6 and 18 h) the five (5) antimalarial drugs were administered to various corresponding groups of participants. The results showed that methaemoglobin concentrations of these individuals ranged between 1.45+/-0.13 and 2.50+/- 0.43%; 8.27+/-2.41 and 14.78+/-2.45%, for non-malarious and malarious male individuals respectively. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between methaemoglobin concentrations of HbAA and HbAS erythrocyte of non-malarious participants. The doses of the five antimalarial drugs administered to non-malarious individuals did not cause toxic methaemoglobinemia. Under the same experimental conditions, erythrocytes obtained from persons of HbSS genotype exhibited significant (p < 0.05) elevation of methaemoglobin concentration. Relatively high levels of methaemoglobin concentration of parasitized red blood cells decreased in a time dependent manner after administration of the five antimalarial drugs. Therefore, erythrocyte methaemoglobin evaluation is a reliable biochemical marker and rational for diagnostic and therapeutic potential in malaria. Furthermore, moderate increases of erythrocyte methaemoglobin in HbSS individuals served as point of caution when administering these drugs to this category of human subjects.

Key words: Antimalarials, erythrocyte, malaria, genotype, methaemoglobin.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2009

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

© 2009 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Determination of toxic metal concentrations in flame-treated meat products, ponmo

W. Okiei*, M. Ogunlesi, F. Alabi, B. Osiughwu and A. Sojinrin

Chemistry Department, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.

Accepted 14 April, 2009

Abstract

Cowhides ‘ponmo’ prepared by various and unknown processing methods were purchased from several markets in Lagos and environs and the contents of lead, cadmium, chromium, zinc, mercury and arsenic were determined before and after boiling. Significantly high levels of these metals except cadmium and zinc were found in all the samples obtained after boiling. The highest levels of Pb (1.54 mg.kg^-1), Cr (0.79 mg.kg^-1) and As (2.85 mg.kg^-1) were found in singed hides processed with flame fuelled by plastics mixed with refuse while Hg (6.74 mg.kg^-1) content was highest in singed hides processed with burning tyres. However, cadmium (0.10 - 0.38 mg.kg^-1) was detected in three samples of hides randomly obtained from the open market and hence of unknown processing methods. The lowest levels of the metals were usually found in hides processed through the traditional method of boiling in water followed by shaving. A sample of the ‘black oil’ used as fuel in one of the processing methods was found to have lead content as high as 31.4 mg.dm^-3. Some samples of the ash scraped from the singed cowhides were found to have high levels of Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Hg and As. The ash is usually carelessly handled and often disposed into streams by food processors thus causing extensive water pollution. Several of the samples were found to be toxic and suggestions are made about how to obtain cowhide samples that are fit for consumption and eliminate pollution and health hazards associated with processing cowhides.

Key words: Heavy metal concentrations, meat products, cowhides.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2009

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

© 2009 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Studies on separation techniques of pomegranate seeds and their effect on quality of Anardana

Amit Parashar^{1, 2}*, S. K. Gupta³ and Ashok Kumar⁴

¹Department of Chemistry, Eshan College of Engineering, Agra-Mathura Highway Agra-282001, India.

²Department of Chemistry, Institute of Engineering and Management, Mathura, India, 281406 India.

³Department of Chemistry, Bipin Bihari College, Jhansi, India.

⁴Department of Chemistry, St. John’s College, Agra, India.

Accepted 7 May, 2009

Abstract

The dehydrated seeds of wild pomegranate fruits (Anardana) are used as acidulent in culinary preparations and in making various medicines. For easy separation of seeds, fruits were subjected to sand roasting, hot water dipping and soaking in cold water. Hot water dip for 2 min saved time required for separation of seeds from fruits (80% excluding treatment time and 74% including treatment time). Due to the high temperature during sand roasting, quality of seeds and Anardana was inferior when compared to other treatments. The desirable color and chemical composition of the product Anardana was retained in the treatment hot water dipping for 2 min.

Key words: Wild pomegranate, seeds, treatments, separation, quality.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2009

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

© 2009 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Haematology, plasma enzymes and organ indices of Clarias gariepinus after intramuscular injection with aqueous leaves extracts of Lepidagathis alopecuroides

¹Gabriel, U. U., Obomanu, F. G². and Edori, O. S.³

¹Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University of Science of Science and Technology,

P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

²Department of Chemistry, Rivers State University of Science of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

³School of Remedial and General Studies, Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, P.M.B. 5039, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Accepted 5 April, 2009

Abstract

Tank-raised Clarias gariepinus (mean total length, 30.05 ± 4.05cm,SD; mean weights, 250.04 ± 50.22 gSD) were injected intra-muscularly with two millilitres per kilogram of each of five concentrations (2.00, 2.00, 6.00, 8.00 and 10.00 ppm) of aqueous extracts of leaves of Lepidagathis alopecuroides above the lateral line. The fish in the control group were injected with same dose of distilled water. There were four fish per treatment level. On the 14^th day the fish was assessed for organ indices (hepatosomatic index, HIS; cardiosomatic index, CSI; renatosomatic index, RSI and spleenosomatic index, SSI) and Fulton’s condition, K . Blood samples were analysed for packed cell volume, PCV; haemoglobin, Hb; red blood cell, RBC white blood cell, WBC and platelets. The plasma was analysed for the transaminases (aspartate transaminase, AST; alanine transaminase, AST), alkaline phosphostase, ALP and lactate dehydrogenase, LDH. The values of PCV (p < 0.05), HB and RBC (p > 0.05) in the control were higher than those in the treated group. However, the decline was not concentration-dependent. The increase in the number of WBC in the exposed fish was twofold and above (p < 0.05) that in the control, 66.67 ± 23.09x10⁶cells/l with highest value (360.00 ± 33.24x10⁶cells/l) recorded at 10.00 ppm. The response pattern of platelets to the extracts varied very widely among the treated group (p < 0.05) with fish injected with 2.00 ppm having the highest value (100.00 ± 33.20x10⁹cells/l), which was about twofold that at other concentrations. Generally, the activities of AST, ALT, ALP and LDH were inhibited below the control value without any direct relationship to toxicant concentration. Never-theless, AST generally showed a decline in activity from that of the control except at 4.00 ppm (117.75 ± 9.80 IU/L); ALP declined with a slight increase at 10.00 ppm above the control. There was no difference (p > 0.05) between the organ indices in control and treated group except in the SSI. K and HSI showed variable responses relative to extracts concentration, while the heart showed a very slight decline in size. RSI and SSI had a reverse pattern. Exposure of C. gariepinus to L. alopercuroides in the open waters during fishing activity may impact negatively on the physiology of the fish as manifested in changes in some of the blood parameters, plasma enzymes and organ indices of the fish.

Key words: Clarias gariepinus, Leidagagthis.alopercuroides, plasma enzymes, blood parameters, organ indices, condition.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2009

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

© 2009 International Scholars Journals

 Full Length Research Paper

Levels of cadmium in different brands of cigerettes sold in Abakaliki metropolis of Nigeria

Augustine A. Uwakwe¹* and Udu Ibiam²

¹Department of Biohemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Accepted 24 July, 2009

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is recognized as category 1 carcinogen by the international agency for research on cancer based on its relationship to pulmonary tumors. Cigarette smoking is one major source of Cd in the environment. Levels of Cd in 19 different brands of cigarettes (both local and foreign made) sold in Abakaliki town were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) (205). The results showed varied levels of Cd in different brands of cigarettes analyzed. On the average, locally made cigarettes contained higher levels of Cd than the foreign brands, except Dorchester which contained 0.259 ug/g. London, Benson and Hedges and Marlboro red contained 0.389, 0.680 and 0.329 ug/g Cd, respectively, the results also showed that different brands of cigarette contained varied quantities of tobacco per stick. However, the quantity of tobacco per stick of cigarette did not correlate with the level of Cd it contained. Brands like excel, green spot, business club, consulate, London, Benson and Hedges and Marlboro which contained 0.66, 0.821, 0.786, 0.670, 0.736 and 0.650 g of tobacco/stick of cigarette, respectively, had 0.043, 0.087, 0.043, 0.1517, 0.3899, 0.3863 and 0.1299 mg of Cd, respectively. In addition to emphasizing the danger of cigarette smoking, the results highlight the Cd-toxicity potential of each brand of cigarette. Thus some brands can be more poisonous than others based on their Cd contents. Smoking in public places should be banned to reduce the public health consequences of Cd intoxication due to uncontrolled emission of Cd into the environment via cigarette smoking.

Key words: Cigarette brands, cadmium, smoking, intoxication.