Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 2 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Influence of sex, source, health status and acclimation on the haematology of Clarias gariepinus (Burch,1822)

Gabriel, U.U.¹*, Ezeri, G.N.O.² and Opabunmi, O.O.²

¹Department of Fisheries, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

²Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 January, 2012

Abstract

The influence of sex, source (pond and wild) acclimation and health status on some blood parameters of C. gariepinus was studied. There were no significant differences between the blood parameters (haemoglobin (Ht), packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), red blood cells (RBC), RBC indices ( MCHC;, MCH: and MCV), white blood cells (WBC) and differential counts (neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils and eosinophils) of the males and females among the apparently healthy and sick group of fish under sex, source and acclimation. Differences in blood parameters in fish before and after acclimation were noted in the WBC (p<0.001), neutrophils (p<0.001) and lymphocytes (p<0.001). Interactions between sex, acclimation and health status did not significantly influence all the parameters studied; however, various degrees of significant differences were produced by the interactions of health status and source of fish in the WBC (p<0.05), neutrophils (p<0.001), lymphocytes (p<0.001) and monocytes (p<0.05). Pooled data for males and females, apparently healthy and sick fish, respectively, showed there were significant differences between the WBC, neutrophils and lymphocytes of males and females under acclimation as well as monocytes of apparently healthy and sick fish under source and neutrophils of the same under acclimation. Results from this study suggest that sex, source of fish, and period of acclimation have some degrees of influence on the blood parameters of C. gariepinus and hence the need to reckon with them when reporting haematological parameters of this fish species.

Key words: Sex, source, acclimation, Clarias gariepinus, haematology.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 2 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Temperature profiles of Agaricus bisporus in composting stages and effects of different composts formulas and casing materials on yield

Mehmet COLAK

Mu`ğla University, Faculty of Technical Education, Kötekli, 48000, Muğla, Turkey. Tel: +90-252-2238612; Fax: +90-252-2238511. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected].

Accepted 12 January, 2012

Abstract

Three compost formulas using different activator materials were prepared for Agaricus bisporus cultivation. A locally available casing material known as peat of Bolu district and its different combinations with perlite were used. Temperature profiles of all mixtures during composting were measured at every composting stages at various depth in order to determine the compostability level of substrates. Compost temparature steadily increased until the 10th day of composting and maximum temperatures were recorded at the second turning stage of composting. The highest yield of (5124.1 g/kg) was recorded by wheat straw mixed with pigeon manure (formula number II) with the peat as casing material mixed with perlite (80:20 in volume). The most appropriate casing materials was appeared to be the peat of Bolu district mixed with perlite (80:20; in volume) for all of compost materials.

Key words: Composting, Agaricus bisporus, compost temperature, casing material, yield.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of roasting on the aflatoxin contents of Nigerian peanut seeds

Ogunsanwo, B.M.*¹, Faboya, O.O.P.², Idowu O.R.³, Lawal O.S.¹ and Bankole S.A.⁴

^*1 Department of Chemical Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye. Nigeria.

²Department of Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho, Nigeria.

³Department of Chemistry University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Biological sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye. Nigeria.

Accepted 12 January, 2012

Abstract

Peanut seeds were prepared with variations in roasting conditions. Positive correlations were obtained between loss of aflatoxins in the products and the roasting conditions. Seeds dry- roasted at 140^OC for 40 min resulted in 58.8% and 64.5% reductions in AFB₁ and AFG_1, those roasted at 150⁰C for 25 minutes resulted in 68.5% and 73.3% reductions in AFB₁ and AFG_1, respectively. Roasting at150^OC for 30mins led to 70.0% and 79.8% reductions in AFB₁ and AFG₁ respectively.

Keywords: Peanut, aflatoxin, roasting.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Optimization of industrial production of rifamycin B by Amycolatopsis mediterranei. IV. Production in the fermentor

El-Tayeb, O.M.¹*, Hussein, M. M. M.², Salama, A.A.² and El-Sedawy, H.F.¹

¹Microbial Biotechnology Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

²Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Accepted 13 January, 2012

Abstract

Optimization of the physical and physiological parameters of the fermentation process using the gene amplified variant of Amycolatopsis mediterranei (NCH) was carried out. Optimization of the physical parameters by controlling the pH at 6.5 for 3 days then at 7 thereafter and by adjustment of aeration at 1 vvm for 3 days then controlling the dissolved oxygen (DO) at 30% saturation increased the yield from 9.77 to 11.96 (22%) and 13.39 g/l (37%), respectively. Replacing 12% glucose in the fermentation medium (F2m1) with 5% glucose syrup (F2m3 medium) resulted in a drop of the yield from 9.77 to 7.5 g/l, while further addition of another 5% glucose syrup at day 4 increased the yield from 7.5 to 13.81 g/l (84%); with a further increase in the yield to 14.25 g/l (90%) upon controlling DO. Whereas, the combined addition of 0.1% yeast extract at day 2 to F2m3 medium along with the addition 5% glucose syrup at day 4 increased the yield from 7.5 to 15.35 g/l (105%); with a further increase in the yield to 16.3 g/l (117%) upon controlling DO. The fed-batch addition of both 3% soytone at day 3 and 5% of glucose syrup at day 4 to F2m3 medium increased the yield from 7.5 to 16.2 g/l (116%) and by extending the fermentation period to 10 days the yield reached 17.9 g/l (139%). Upon applying all optimum physical and physiological conditions in the fermentor the yield increased from 7.5 to 17.43 g/l in 8 days (132%) and by extending the fermentation period to 10 days the yield reached 19.4 g/l (159%). Further process optimization by examination and analysis of the kinetics of the process would most certainly further increase the yield and quantitatively define the process to a level that could be tested on a pilot scale.

Key words: Rifamycin B, fermentor, biotechnology, Amycolatopsis mediterranei, optimization, fed-batch and process development.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of four derivatives of salicylic acid and anthranilic acid in mice and rats

O. O. Fadeyi¹, C. A .Obafemi¹, C. O. Adewunmi² *, E. O. Iwalewa³

¹Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

²Drug Research and Production Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

³Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Accepted 16 January, 2012

Abstract

Four-Substituted derivatives of salicylic and anthranilic acids: 2-hydroxy-5-azidosulfonylbenzoic acid (HASBA, 1), 2-acetyloxy-5- azidosulfonylbenzoic acid (AASBA, 2), 2-acetamido-5- azidosulfonylbenzoic acid (AMASBA, 3) and 2-acetamido-5-sulfonamidobenzoic acid (AMSABA, 4) were synthesized and evaluated for their analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities. HASBA, AASBA and AMASBA showed higher analgesic activity than aspirin (ASA) at 100 mg/kg dose, while AMSABA showed the least analgesic property. AMASBA exhibited higher antipyretic activity than paracetamol (PCM), while HASBA, AASBA and AMSABA also showed antipyretic effects which were of equal potency to that of PCM. The order of anti-inflammatory effects of the four compounds is: AASBA > AMASBA > HASBA > AMSABA. The effects of the substituents on the biological activities of the synthesized compounds are discussed.

Key words: Salicylic acid derivatives, anthranilic acid, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, cytotoxicity.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 001-003, March, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Analysis of genetic structure in Melia volkensii (Gurke.) populations using random amplified polymorphic DNA

Runo, M.S.¹, Muluvi, G.M.¹* and D.W. Odee²

¹Biochemistry Department, Kenyatta University, P. O .Box 43844, Nairobi, Kenya.

²Farm Forestry Programme, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, P. O. Box 20412, Nairobi, Kenya.

Accepted 05 January, 2012

Abstract

Melia volkensii (Gurke.) is a popular fast growing agroforestry tree species in the East Africa’s arid and semi arid lands (ASALs). The species is valued for its high quality termite resistant timber. In addition, its fruits are eaten by livestock thus making it the species of choice by small-scale farmers. However, the species has been overexploited and information on its existing gene pool is currently lacking. The present work was therefore carried out using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers to assess genetic diversity within and between populations in order to suggest appropriate conservation and management strategies. Eight RAPD primers generated 38 scorable polymorphic bands which were used to estimate genetic distances between populations and for construction of neighbour-joining phenograms. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) indicated significant genetic differentiation between populations in the eastern and the coastal regions with 21.1%, (P < 0.0002) of the total variation attributed to differences between these regions. There was a clear split between populations from Eastern and Coastal populations of Kenya. These differences may be due to ecogeographical association with genetic variation and should be conserved to retain the full breadth of genetic variation of the species.

Key words: Melia volkensii, random amplified polymorphic DNA, genetic variation, agroforestry species.