The potential role of Red Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) scales: allergic reaction test in mice

Red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of aquaculture’s most adaptive species. It is abundantly found in the wild and known to be cultured in several parts of the world. It is mainly a freshwater fish, inhabiting shallow streams, ponds, rivers and lakes but less commonly found living in brackish water. The concept of ‘waste to wealth’ has been applied widely as an alternative to waste reduction and environmental conservation. Based on these perspectives, the present study was conducted to assess possible medicinal and pharmaceutical values of the tilapia. The mice model of delayed-contact hypersensitivity test, the mice ear swelling test (MEST), was chosen for this study due to its ability to predict contact sensitization with less cost and time consumed. Four female BALB/c mice were tested in each group which included controls. Three different doses of scales powder at 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg in an acetone and olive oil (AOO) solution were formulated and applied to shaved dorsal trunk of the mice at induction phase, and to both sides of each ear of the mice at elicitation phase. From the observations made throughout the study period, neither erythema nor oedema was formed on the skin of mice treated with scales powder in AOO solution. Mice ear thickness increase showed percentage ear swelling of no more than 20%. Thus, the finding of this study showed that the scales of red tilapia fish did not induce allergic sensitization and could have an application in medicinal and pharmaceutical industries

Quality assessment of imported powder milk at Mansoura city, Egypt

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the keeping quality of powder milk sold at local markets in Mansoura City, Egypt, and to isolate the contaminated bacteria particularly Salmonella spp., E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus from these milk samples. Materials and methods: A total of 50 powder milk samples were collected from different sources at Mansoura, Egypt. The samples were subjected for physical examination to determine their pH and acidity. Microbiologcal assessment of the samples were done by Total Bacterial Count (TBC), Total Coliform Count (TCC), True fecal E. coli count, and Most Probable Number (MPN), and Total mold and yeast count. Results: Minimum and maximum values of TBC were 0.45 and times;102 cfu/gm and 5.11 and times;103 cfu/gm milk powder, respectively. On the other hand, minimum and maximum values of fungal count were 0.08 and times;102/gm and 2 and times;102/gm samples, respectively. No E. coli and Salmonella spp. could be isolated from the samples. However, 18% (n=9/50) samples were found to be contaminated with Staph. aureus. Conclusion: Based on the Egyptian Standards, the samples were satisfactory in terms of the association of Salmonella spp., E. coli, and fungi. Contamination with Staph. aureus warrans the public health. Thus, appropriate care and preventive measures are suggested. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(1.000): 75-78

Improving quality and quantity of mungbean plant via foliar application of plant growth regulators in sandy soil conditions

Abstract Background Two field experiments were carried out in Researches and Production Station of National Research Centre, Al-Nubaria District, Al Behaira Governorate, Egypt. To study the effect of indole acetic acid (IAA) and /or gibberellic acid (GA3) on growth, photosynthetic pigments, yield, and chemical composition of mungbean seeds, different concentrations of IAA and/or GA3 were used. Results Results indicated that all treatments caused significant increases in morphological criteria, biochemical parameters, and yield of mungbean plants. IAA or GA3 with 50 mg/l concentration recorded the best values growth photosynthetic pigments, as well as, endogenous auxins, GA3, and cytokinins. Interaction of IAA 50 mg/l + GA3 50 mg/l gave the most effective treatment. The superiority of treatment IAA 50 mg/l, GA3 50 mg/l, and interaction of IAA 50 mg/l + GA3 50 mg/l recorded the same trend due to yield and yield components in characters’ plant height, pods no./plant, pods weight/plant, seeds no./pod, seed yield, straw yield, biological yield, total carbohydrates, protein in seeds (%), and N in seeds (%). Conclusion It could be concluded that foliar spray of 50 mg/l IAA + 50 mg/l GA3 was the most effective treatment on increasing growth and yield of mungbean