African Journal of Virology Research

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 10 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Investigation on modification of cassava starch using active components of ginger roots (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)

Daramola, B.* and Osanyinlusi, S.A.

Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal Polytechnic, P.M.B. 5351, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 April, 2015

Abstract

Effects of ginger grates at concentrations of l, 5 and 20 g per 150 g of cassava starch suspension in 200 ml of water at room temperature were investigated in order to evaluate the potentials of active components of the ginger in modifying pasting and some physicochemical properties of the starch. Pasting properties of the ginger modified cassava starch showed high peak viscosities (487.58 - 420.25 RVU) compared to low peak viscosity (392.33 RVU) of the native starch. The modified starch was characterized with low set back viscosities (64.14 - 57.05 RVU) in relation to native starch with high set back viscosity (66.58 RVU) . Similarly, the ginger modified starch was characterized with low gelatinization time (3.45 - 3.36 min) compared to the native starch with high gelatinization time (3.5 min). Ginger modified starch showed high swelling power (12.9 - 9.5) and solubility indices (11.3 - 15.6%) compared to native starch with low swelling power (8.9) and solubility index (3.1%). Therefore active components of ginger root can be used as natural modifying agents for cassava starch.

Key words: Cassava starch, ginger root, modification, pasting properties.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 10 (2), pp. 001-010, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Production of functional protein hydrolysates from Egyptian breeds of soybean and lupin seeds

Ashraf A. Khalil¹*, Samira S. Mohamed², Fakhriya S. Taha² and Eva Nordberg Karlsson³

¹Protein Technology, Mubarak City for Scientific Research, Borg Elarab, Alexandria, Egypt.

²Department of Fats and Oils, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.

³Department of Biotechnology, Center for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

Accepted 21 August, 2015

Abstract

Enzymatic hydrolysis is an agro-processing aid that can be utilized in order to improve nutritional quality of protein extracts from many sources. In this study, protein extracts from ungerminated and/or germinated local Egyptian soybean and lupin flours were hydrolyzed using the enzyme papain. The hydrolysis processes were carried out for 2 h and aliquots were withdrawn at different time intervals. We have analysed the protein hydrolysate after 30 min hydrolysis as an example of a partially hydrolyzed protein, and after 120 min as an example of greatly hydrolyzed protein. The hydrolysate (2 h treatment at 80°C and pH 7.4) from both soybean and lupin flour contained significantly decreased trypsin inhibitor activity and urease activity, and a reduced phytate content, which improved the overall protein quality. Hydrolysis caused almost complete inactivation of urease in all soybean and lupin samples regardless if the seeds were germinated or not. High protein content, nitrogen solubility and in vitro protein digestibility was shown after hydrolysis. Total protein content (in g/100 g extract) increased in hydrolyzed samples from 48.1 to 51-60 for soybean (dependent on pre-treatment) and from 36.8 to 39.9-48.6 for lupin. Total essential amino acid content was also increased in papain hydrolyzed samples, compared to that in raw and germinated legumes. More specifically, the amount of lysine, sulphur amino acids, histidine, and to a certain extent isoleucine and threonine increased in samples from both legume species. All soybean samples exhibited antioxidant activity while in lupin samples, only those subjected to hydrolysis showed activity. Generally, it was clearly observed that the longer the duration of enzymatic hydrolysis (within the time frame of the experiment), the higher the improvement of the nutritional quality.

Key words: Lupin, soybean, germination, enzymatic hydrolysis, papain, protein extract, nutritive value.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Chemical composition and insecticidal properties of the underutilized Jatropha curcas seed oil

Adebowale, K.O.¹* and ²Adedire, C.O.

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

²Department of Storage Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

Accepted 11 November, 2015

Abstract

The chemical composition and insecticidal activity of Jatropha curcas L. seed were evaluated using standard techniques. The oil content of the seed is high (66.4%). Triacylglycenol was the dominant lipid species, while the major triacyglycerol was 1,2-Dioleoyl-3-linoleoyl-rac-glycerol. Linolenic acid was the dominant fatty acid in the oil. Physico-chemical properties of the oil indicated that the acid value, fee fatty acids, peroxide value and iodine value were high. Ten seterols and thirteen tritepene alcohol was identified in the unsaponifiable fraction of the oil. Jatropha seed oil at various serial dilution ranging from 0% to 2% (v/w) at 0.5% intervals were evaluated for anti-ovipositional activity and long-term protective ability of treated cowpeas against the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus. The oil significantly (P< 0.05) reduced oviposition by C. maculatus in no-choice test in all the concentrations tested. The number of eggs laid by the seed beetle reduced from an average of 54. 33 ± 3.53 in the control to only 4.00 ± 1.53 in 2% oil-treated seeds. There was no adult emergency in all the oil. However in choice-tested seed, 6.67 ± 1.33 eggs were laid in cultures treated with 2% oil while 21. 67 ± 1.45 were laid in control cultures. In dual-choice tests, oviposition was significantly reduced at all the oil concentration evaluated. J. Curcas oil also offers a 12-week protection for treated seeds since there were neither seed damage nor adult emergency in treated cowpea seeds. The results of this study suggest J. curcas has antioviposition and ovicidal effects on C. maculatus therefore making it a vaiable candidate for incorporation into pest control program of gain legumes.

Key words: Natural insecticides, Jatropha curcas seed oil, unsaponifiable matter, Callosobruchus maculates.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of fermentation and germination on the physicochemical properties of Mucuna cochinchinensis protein isolate

Udensi, E. A.* and Okoronkwo, K. A.

Department of Food Science and Technology, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.

Accepted 23 October, 2015

Abstract

The proximate composition and functional properties of fermentated and germinated Mucuna cochinchinensis protein isolates were determined. Mucuna bean protein extracted at pH 8 and pH 10 had protein contents ranging from 89.6 to 90.1% for the fermented Mucuna bean flour while the germinated bean ranged from 88.1 to 89.8%. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in the results of some of the functional properties of the Mucuna bean isolates at different fermenting and germinating periods. However, oil and water absorption, emulsion capacity, bulk density, foaming capacity and gelation capacity compared favourably with soy and winged bean isolates. Thus Mucuna bean isolate with its high protein content and good functionality has a good potential for application in food systems.

Key words: Fermentation, germination, physicochemical properties, Mucuna, protein isolate.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 9 (6), pp. 001-004, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of modification with nitrocellulose and phenol formaldehyde resins on some performance characteristics of rubber seed oil alkyds

E. U. Ikhuoria¹* and A. I. Aigbodion²

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

²End-use Division, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Benin City, Nigeria

Accepted 07 March, 2015

Abstract 

Three alkyd samples each of 50% oil length were prepared with phthalic anhydride, glycerol and crude rubber seed oil (I), refined rubber seed oil (II) and methyl esters of rubber seed oil (III) employing the alcoholysis method. All the alkyds were processed to acid value below 10 mg KOH/g. The alkyd samples were blended with nitrocellulose and phenol formaldehyde resins in different proportions. The performance of the blends in terms of drying schedule, chemical resistance and pencil hardness was determined. The blends were observed to show improved properties to a substitution level of 40% rubber seed oil alkyd in the blend. The resistance of the blends to different service media was found to be better than the rubber seed oil based alkyd resins.

Key words: Alkyd resin, Rubber seed oil, Methyl ester, Phenol formaldehyde, Nitrocellulose.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 9 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Scoparia dulcis reduces the severity of Trypanosoma brucei-induced hyperlipidaemia in the rabbit

Orhue, N. E. J.* and Nwanze, E. A. C.

Department of Biochemistry University of Benin, P.M.B. 1154, Benin City, Nigeria.

Accepted 11 March, 2015

Abstract

We investigated the effect of oral administration of the herb, Scoparia dulcis, on Trypanosoma brucei-induced changes in plasma lipid profile in rabbits over a period of twenty eight days. Results obtained show that infection with T. brucei resulted in significant increases in plasma total cholesterol, trriacylglycerol, and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, while the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) -cholesterol was also significantly reduced. Further comparative analysis of data revealed that these lesions were significantly less severe (p<0.05), in the infected and treated group relative to their untreated counterparts. However, the precise mechanism underlying the plasma lipid modulating effects of the herb is still a matter of speculations.

Key words: Scoparia dulcis, Trypanosoma brucei, cholesterol, triacylglycerol lipoproteins.