Antioxidant properties of cultivated edible mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) in Kenya

Antioxidant activities and phytochemical compounds of ethanol and hot water extracts of Agaricus bisporus species fruiting body and mycelia cultivated in Kenya were spectophotometrically determined and evaluated. The total antioxidant activity was analysed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil, hydroxyl, superoxide radical scavenging and reducing power assays, while phytochemicals were assayed through calorimetric assays. Total phenolic, β-carotene, lycopene, flavanoid and ascorbic acid composition of A. bisporus extracts was analysed by calometric assays and found to contain 40.26 to 4.61 mg/g, 48.99 to 2.86 mg/g, 67.82 to 11.87 mg/g, 93.8 to17.2 mg/g and 11.62 to 10.22 mg/g) respectively. The mineral elemental analysis done using energy dispenser x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analytical method revealed that the samples contain zinc (42.9 mg/l), iron (33 to 48.5 mg/l), copper (18 to 24 mg/l) and manganese (7.5 to 9 mg/l). Generally, the mycelium extracts were more effective radical scavengers than the fruiting bodies. Due to the above characteristics, A. bisporus mushroom could be considered a food complement with antioxidative activity in the diet for the health benefits they present. Their effectiveness was also evaluated by their EC50 values through interpolation from linear regression analysis of their respective data.Keywords: Button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), edible mushroom, antioxidant, reducing power, scavenging ability, phytochemicals.Abbreviation: MEE, Mycelium ethanoic extract; FBEE, fruiting body ethanoic extract; FBHWE, fruiting body hot water extract; MHWE, mycelium hot water extract.

Variation in Lipophorin Titres During Development in Solitarious and Gregarious Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

The levels of lipophorin, the principal insect haemolymph lipoprotein, were estimated during the development of solitary and gregarious phases of Schistocerca gregaria using single radial immunodiffusion. In the gregarious phase, lipophorin titres ranged from 6.69 ± 0.57 mg/ml in the 3rd nymphal instar to 14.42 ± 2.04 mg/ml in mature adults. The titres in the solitary phase were 3.33 ± 0.59 mg/ml in the 3rd nymphal instar and 8.44 ± 0.67 mg/ml in mature adults. Peak lipophorin titres occurred in mature adults (14.42 ± 2.04 mg/ml) and 5th nymphal instar (8.75 ± 0.25 mg/ml) for gregarious and solitary locusts, respectively. Gregarious locusts had significantly (P< 0.05) higher lipophorin titres than their solitary counterparts during the 3rd and 4th nymphal instars as well as in the adult stage (P< 0.01). Estimation of the haemolymph protein levels over the same period showed a general increase from the 3rd nymphal instar to mature adult stage in both phases. It is proposed that the higher lipophorin titre in gregarious locusts is a physiological adaptation that ensures high lipid reserves that are necessary to cope with the high metabolic requirements of this phase. RÉSUMÉ Les taux de lipophorine, la principale lipoprotéine de l'hémolymphe des insectes, ont été estimés pendant le développement des phases solitaires et grégaires de Schistocerca gregaria à l'aide de l'immunodiffusion radiale simple. Chez la phase grégaire, les teneurs en lipophorine sont comprises entre 6.69 ± 0.57 mg/ml pour le 3ème stade juvénile et 14.42 ± 2.04 mg/ml pour les adultes matures. Chez la phase solitaire, les teneurs sont de 3.33 ± 0.59 mg/ml pour le 3ème stade juvénile et de 8.44 ± 0.67mg/ml pour les adultes matures. Les teneurs les plus élevées en lipophorine sont rencontrées sur les adultes matures (14.42 ± 2.04 mg/ml) et le 5ème stade juvénile (8.75 ± 0.25 mg/ml) pour les criquets grégaires et solitaires, respectivement. Les criquets grégaires ont des teneurs significativement plus élevées (P < 0.05) que leurs homologues solitaires pendant les stades juvéniles 3 et 4, de même que chez le stade adulte (P < 0.01). Pendant la même période, pour les deux phases, l'estimation des teneurs en protéines de l'hémolymphe montre un accroissement général lorsque l'on passe du 3ème stade juvénile au stade adulte. Les plus fortes teneurs en lipophorine chez les criquets grégaires seraient une adaptation physiologique leur permettant de disposer d'importantes réserves lipidiques nécessaires à leurs fortes exigences métaboliques

Detection of proteins induced in the haemolymph of Biomphalaria pfeifferi infected with Schistosoma mansoni

Objectives: Snail-schistosome interactions in relation to immunological, and biochemical changes induced in the host’s tissues by the developing intramolluscan stages of the parasite form an integral part in  understanding the biology of infection. This study focused on determining whether there are induced proteins in an infected snail haemolymph and to determine the cross reactivity of the proteins with antibodies raised against the cercariae and worm antigens.Methodology and results: Proteomic analysis was carried out to analyze differentially expressed proteins. This was done by separation of proteins by SDS-PAGE and 2D electrophoresis on infected snail haemolymph. Laterwestern blotting was done to check for cross reactivity of induced proteins and antibodies. The protein profiles in SDS-PAGE revealed a complex mixture of polypeptides some of which were induced or suppressed on specific days during the infection period. Separation of haemolymph  proteins by 2D electrophoresis analysis revealed a progressive increase of expressed proteins during the parasite’s developmental period in the snail,however there was no specific trend in distribution of the acidic or basic proteins. Finally, haemolymph proteins from infected snails and the control (uninfected) snails were not recognized by antibodies raised against S.mansoni antigens namely Soluble Worm Antigen (SWAP) and Soluble Cercariae Antigen (SCA).Conclusions and application of findings: Snail- schistosome interaction leads to suppression and induction of proteins. This is important in  understanding stage specific interactions of the parasite during  intramolluscan development. Lack of cross reactivity was an indication that these proteins could not be used as immunogens for vaccine design.Key words: Schistosomiasis, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, haemolymph, induced protein

Adsorption

Removing of wastewater pollutants by novel adsorption techniques is urgent as they are continuously defiling the limited freshwater resources, seriously affecting the terrestrial, ecosystems, aquatic, and aerial flora and fauna. Emerging carbon nanotube (CNT)-based adsorbent materials are effective for efficient handling of wastewater pollutants. This chapter describes the mechanisms of CNT, and its forces to host the wastewater pollutants. Such details would help to considerably improve the performance of classical adsorbent technologies. Additionally, the functionalization of CNT and adsorption isotherms are considered as they have been significantly used for achieving maximum adsorption capacity and disclosing the adsorption phenomena of CNT, respectively. Some multifunctional CNT-based adsorbent are also discussed with reusability phenomena which need to be addressed before large-scale implementation of CNTs for water purification. Some suggestions and research clues are given to inform investigators of potentially disruptive CNT technologies and/or optimize the CNT sorption performances that have to be investigated in more detail