A review of the biochemical, biotechnological and other applications of enzymes

Enzymes are proteins evolved by the cells of living organisms. Their specific function is to catalyse chemical reactions. Enzymes increase the rate at which reactions approach equilibrium. Enzymes have found wide and diverse applications in different disciplines and fields of human endeavours. Enzymesplay critical role in the metabolic activities of all living organisms, whether humans, animals, plants or microorganisms and are widely applied in agriculture, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, genetics, industries, human and veterinary medicine, pharmacy, research, etc. The differentapplications of enzymes abound in the literature. The aim of this review is to discuss the diverse applications of enzymes for the purpose of teaching, education and research

Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of saponins extract of Sorghum Bicolor L. Moench

The n-butanol purified saponin extract of sorghum bicolor were screened for anti-bacterial activity against three pathogenic microbes; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The extract inhibited the growth of the S. aureus. It was concluded that the saponins have inhibitory effect on gram-positive organism but not on gram negative organism and the fungi

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens root and Bombax buonopozense leaves

In-vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC root and Bombax buonopozense P. Beauv. leaves against some bacterial and fungal isolates implicated in oro-dental, urogenital and other opportunistic infections were investigated using standard microbiological methods. The extracts of D. adscendens exhibited significant inhibitory action against all twelve organisms tested at a concentration of 2.00 mg/ml, while that of B. buonopozense inhibited nine organisms at the same concentration and conditions. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) exhibited by extract of D. adscendens ranged between 0.0625 and 0.25 mg/ml while that of B. buonopozense ranged between 0.125 and 0.50 mg/ml. Phytochemical analysis of the two plant extracts revealed the presence of tannins and saponins while D. adscendens has alkaloids and flavonoids in addition. Between 92 and 100% of Staphylococcus aureus SA 1199 were killed within 120 minutes of contact time with a concentration of 0.25 - 0.50 mg/ml, while 98 - 100% of Candida albicans ATCC 90029 were killed within the same period and  concentration by the same extract (D. adscendens). Therefore, this study justified the antimicrobial properties of these plants, hence the plants could be recommended for use as source of new drugs for fungal and bacterial infections. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Desmodium adscendens, Bombax buonopozense, antibacterial, antifungal, Minimum Inhibitory Concentratio

Rational use of Jatropha curcas L. in food and medicine:from toxicity problems to safe applications

<p>Jatropha curcas L. has become an important plant for biorefinery and production of biodiesel. From its ethnobotanical use, the plant is known for several activities which are associated with high toxicity. The latest development in engineering technology enables detoxification of native oil and other parts of the plant for new pharmaceutical purposes. Hence a revised look to the rich metabolic spectra of partly structurally rare secondary compound becomes an interesting field of research to be explored. In this review, we discuss recent developments in the technology of detoxification process and give insight about how this ethnomedicinal plant can be applied to new fields of experimental medicine. The review highlights recent data on biological activities and discusses concepts and strategies for turning a poison plant into a valuable crop with high pharmaceutical potential.</p>