Characterization of plant-derived lactococci on the basis of their volatile compounds profile when grown in milk

peer-reviewedA total of twelve strains of lactococci were isolated from grass and vegetables (baby corn and fresh green peas). Ten of the isolates were classified as Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and two as Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris based on 16S rDNA sequencing. Most of the plant-derived strains were capable of metabolising a wide range of carbohydrates in that they fermented D-mannitol, amygdalin, potassium gluconate, l-arabinose, d-xylose, sucrose and gentibiose. None of the dairy control strains (i.e. L. lactis subsp. cremoris HP, L. lactis subsp. lactis IL1403 and Lactococcus lactis 303) were able to utilize any of these carbohydrates. The technological potential of the isolates as flavour-producing lactococci was evaluated by analysing their growth in milk and their ability to produce volatile compounds using solid phase micro-extraction of the headspace coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME GC–MS). Principal component analysis (PCA) of the volatile compounds clearly separated the dairy strains from the plant derived strains, with higher levels of most flavour rich compounds. The flavour compounds produced by the plant isolates among others included; fatty acids such as 2- and 3-methylbutanoic acids, and hexanoic acid, several esters (e.g. butyl acetate and ethyl butanoate) and ketones (e.g. acetoin, diacetyl and 2-heptanone), all of which have been associated with desirable and more mature flavours in cheese. As such the production of a larger number of volatile compounds is a distinguishing feature of plant-derived lactococci and might be a desirable trait for the production of dairy products with enhanced flavour and/or aroma

Lactobacillus gasseri APC 678 reduces shedding of the pathogen Clostridium difficile in a murine model

Clostridium difficile is a common cause of health-care acquired diarrhoea, resulting in a spectrum of disease from mild diarrhoea to life-threatening illness. Sixty Lactobacillus strains were screened for anti-C. difficile activity using a co-culture method. Based on their ability to inhibit C. difficile, L. gasseri APC 678 (PB-678TM) and L. rhamnosus DPC 6111 were selected for study in a murine model of C. difficile infection. L. gasseri ATCC 33323, was included as a control. It was established that, relative to control mice not fed Lactobacillus, feeding with L. gasseri APC 678 resulted in a significant reduction by day 7 (8-fold, p=0.017) of viable C. difficile VPI 10463 in the feces of mice. In contrast, neither L. rhamnosus DPC 6111 nor L. gasseri ATCC 33323 significantly reduced fecal C. difficile shedding. Sequencing of the cecal microbiota showed that in mice fed L. gasseri APC 678 there was a significant increase in bacterial diversity across a number of indices when compared to the control or other Lactobacillus-fed groups. There was no significant change in the relative abundance of Firmicutes or Bacteroidetes in the group fed L. gasseri APC 678 relative to the control, while the groups fed L. rhamnosus DPC 6111 or L. gasseri ATCC 33323 showed a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Firmicutes (p=0.002 and p=0.019, respectively) and a significant increase in Bacteroidetes (p=0.002 and p=0.023, respectively). These results highlight the potential of L. gasseri APC 678 as a live therapeutic agent to target C. difficile infection

African <em>Moringa stenopetala</em> Plant: An Emerging Source of Novel Ingredients for Plant-Based Foods

Moringa stenopetala is a multi-purpose tropical plant native to East Africa. The plant is exceptionally rich in nutrients and health-promoting bioactive compounds. It is among the top plants that could potentially feed the world and alleviate nutritional deficiencies. Moringa stenopetala is a versatile plant because its various parts, including leaves, seeds, flowers, pods, bark, and roots are useful to humans. Especially, the leaves and seeds are high in protein with all the essential amino acids. Based on the FAO database, M. stenopetala seed protein with its essential amino acid content stands highest among all commercial plant protein sources. Though it is a high-value plant and extensively used for food and traditional medicine by the local people in its native place, it is underutilized elsewhere. This chapter reviews recent research efforts that aim to unlock the potential of the plant as a source of ingredients for food, cosmetic and nutraceutical industries

Isolation, identification, and molecular characterization of probiotic bacteria from locally selected Ethiopian free range chickens gastrointestinal tract

ABSTRACT: The poultry industry is facing continuous challenges with regard to increased feed costs and loss due to infectious disease. To overcome this challenge, several antibiotics have been used along with chicken feeds to promote growth. Nevertheless, the use of antibiotics as growth promoter has been banned in many countries, due to the concerns associated with potential risks of emerging and horizontal transfer of multidrug resistant genes to bacteria in animal tissues. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize potential probiotic bacteria strains from the gastrointestinal tract of free-range locally selected chickens. The bacterial isolates were screened, purified and characterized based on morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics from 12 well-adopted free-range healthy young chickens. Low pH and bile salt tolerance, antagonistic activity, antibiotic activity, hemolysis activity, adhesion to the chicken intestine and carbohydrate fermentation tests was conducted to identify potential probiotic bacteria. Twelve bacterial isolates were screened based on their ability for their tolerance to low pH and bile salt. The isolates were identified by using 16S rRNA gene partial sequencing method. All screened isolates showed great survival percentage at low pH, that is (89.2 ± 0.75 to 97.1 ± 0.64) survived at 3 h and (83.6 ± 0.75 to 95.2 ± 0.63) at 6 h challenge at pH2. Isolate GCM112 was the least tolerant strain in 6.0% salt concentration at 12 and 24 h exposure time (82.1 ± 1.28 and 79.9 ± 1.96%) respectively. The result revealed no strain tests in this study exhibited α- and β-hemolytic activity when cultured in sheep blood agar. Most isolated strains showed best growth at 37°C temperature and up to 4% NaCl concentration. Based on the reported result from in vitro data, GCH212 and GCM412 isolates were recognized as best potential probiotic bacteria for chicken against pathogens but further studies are needed on in vivo assessment on the health benefits in the real life situation

Characterization of plant-derived lactococci on the basis of their volatile compounds profile when grown in milk

A total of twelve strains of lactococci were isolated from grass and vegetables (baby corn and fresh green peas). Ten of the isolates were classified as Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and two as Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris based on 16S rDNA sequencing. Most of the plant-derived strains were capable of metabolising a wide range of carbohydrates in that they fermented D-mannitol, amygdalin, potassium gluconate, l-arabinose, d-xylose, sucrose and gentibiose. None of the dairy control strains (i.e. L. lactis subsp. cremoris HP, L. lactis subsp. lactis IL1403 and Lactococcus lactis 303) were able to utilize any of these carbohydrates. The technological potential of the isolates as flavour-producing lactococci was evaluated by analysing their growth in milk and their ability to produce volatile compounds using solid phase micro-extraction of the headspace coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME GC–MS). Principal component analysis (PCA) of the volatile compounds clearly separated the dairy strains from the plant derived strains, with higher levels of most flavour rich compounds. The flavour compounds produced by the plant isolates among others included; fatty acids such as 2- and 3-methylbutanoic acids, and hexanoic acid, several esters (e.g. butyl acetate and ethyl butanoate) and ketones (e.g. acetoin, diacetyl and 2-heptanone), all of which have been associated with desirable and more mature flavours in cheese. As such the production of a larger number of volatile compounds is a distinguishing feature of plant-derived lactococci and might be a desirable trait for the production of dairy products with enhanced flavour and/or aroma

Sorption of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid from Agricultural Leachate Using Termite Mound Soil: Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

The extensive use of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) pesticide leads to the contamination of surfaces and groundwater. In this respect, it is critical to develop an inexpensive and environmentally friendly adsorbent for 2,4-D-laden agricultural leachate. In the current study, termite mound soil (TMS) from Ethiopia was used as an adsorbent in a batch mode aimed at the removal of 2,4-D from an aqueous solution. The TMS was characterized using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The effects of various operating parameters such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, and initial concentration were investigated. In addition, the optimization process and interaction effect were studied using response surface methodology (RSM). A high 2,4-D removal percentage (89.6%) was achieved for a 2,4-D initial concentration of 50.25 mg/L at pH 2, an adsorbent dose of 15.25 g/L, and a contact time of 180.5 min. The 2,4-D adsorption isotherms could be adequately described by the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.9687), while the kinetics of the 2,4-D adsorption on the TMS best fit the pseudo-second-order model. Overall the study showed that TMS is an effective adsorbent for the removal of 2,4-D from agricultural leachate

A book in honour of Tunde Kelani

The essays in this book of appreciation speak to these joys that the films of Tunde Kelani (and those of a few others explored in the book) bring to the heart and the mind. The magic of translating and transforming a verbal narrative to a pictorial narrative is indeed a reawakening to the ever-evolving wonder of further-creativity.Every re-interpretation of a work of art is an enrichment of the culture that inspired that work in the first place. The artist of the reinterpretation is truly blessed not only by the initial artist but by the community and the culture called upon to see itself in another light, a new might. It is in this way that Tunde Kelani is blessed and a blessing to Yoruba culture and the Nigerian community. TK's films, unlike other films of Nollywood notoriety, are quintessential victories of the communal art form involving the writer, the film script writer, the actors male and female, the camera men, the grip holder, the make-up artists, the costume makers, the musicians, the post-production crew of editors and voice over contributors, all under the supreme director-creator TK. Any wonder then that the films of Tunde Kelani are such delights to the eyes and the ears of his audience

Linking Relief and Development: An Ethiopian Case Study

Summary The idea of linking relief and development (LRD) is immediately attractive in Ethiopia, where 27 million people, 55 per cent of the population, are food insecure, and where the cost of relief has exceeded the equivalent of one third of government revenue in drought years. LRD is indeed central to government policy, notably in the National Policy on Disaster Prevention and Management. Though practice lags behind policy, progress is being made, for example with an employment?based safety net. However, LRD involves costs and tradeoffs, there are questions about what is feasible in a poor country with weak state capacity, and the future role of NGOs is in doubt. The article discusses these and concludes with operational and research agendas. Operationally, the greatest risk is trying to do too much too quickly: the first priority is to assure an effective famine safety net and then build an LRD strategy from the bottom up, with NGOs setting out explicitly to strengthen and support government capacity. The research agenda focuses on the costs and trade?offs inherent in different interventions, and about the pace and sequencing of LRD as a whole. Resumé Allier l'aide d'urgence au développement: une étude de cas en Ethopie Le concept LRD d'allier l'aide d'urgence au développement est, au premier abord, des plus attrayants pour l'Ethiopie où 27 millions de gens, soit 55% de la population, se trouvent en situation d'insécurité alimentaire et où le coût de l'aide d'urgence aurait dépassé d'un tiers les revenus gouvernementaux pendant les années de sécheresse. Le LRD est en fait un concept tout à fait central dans la politique gouvernementale, et notamment dans la Politique nationale sur la prévention et la gestion des catastrophes. Bien que la politique devance la pratique de bien loin, certains progrès se constatent néanmoins, grâce par exemple à la mise en place d'un “filet de secours” basé sur l'emploi. Toutefois, le LRD entraîne certains coûts et certains compromis, et plusieurs questions se posent sur ce qu'il est possible de faire dans un pays pauvre où les capacités de l'état sont faibles et où l'on s'interroge sur le rôle des ONG à l'avenir. L'article discute ces questions, et présente des programmes opérationnels et de recherche. En termes opérationnels, le risque majeur serait de trop faire, trop vite: la priorité absolue reste celle d'implanter un filet de sécurité efficace contre la famine et ceci fait, de mettre en place une stratégie LRD qui aille du bas vers le haut, et dans laquelle les ONG puissent déterminer explicitement de renforcer et de soutenir les capacités gouvernementales. Le calendrier de recherche se concentre d'une part sur les coûts et compromis que recèlent intrinsèquement les diverses possibilités d'intervention et, d'autre part, sur les cadences et séquences du LRD en général. Resumen La relación asistencia?desarrollo: un caso de Etiopía La idea de integrar asistencia y desarrollo (LRD) resulta muy atractiva en Etiopía, donde 27 millones de personas (55% de la población) sufren inseguridad alimentaria, y donde el costo de la asistencia ha excedido el equivalente de un tercio de la recaudación fiscal en años de sequía. LRD es central a la política del Gobierno, principalmente en las Directivas Nacionales para la Prevención y Manejo de Catástrofes. Aunque la práctica va a la zaga de las directivas, se va alcanzando algún progreso, por ejemplo con una red de protección laboral. Sin embargo, LRD supone costos; también debe decidirse qué es posible en un país pobre con capacidad estatal débil; y por último, se pone en duda el role futuro de las organizaciones no gubernamentales (NGO). El artículo examina estos factores y culmina con una agenda de investigaciones y operaciones. En este último aspecto, el mayor riesgo es tratar de hacer demasiado en poco tiempo; la prioridad número uno debe ser asegurar una red efectiva de protección contra el hambre y luego preparar una estrategia de LDR desde las bases, con las NGO explícitamente dedicadas a reforzar y apoyar la capacidad gubernamental. La agenda de investigación se centra en costos inherentes a diferentes operaciones, así como en las secuencia y ritmo de LRD en general

Utilization of institutional delivery service at Wukro and Butajera districts in the Northern and South Central Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Ethiopia has one of the highest maternal mortality in the world. Institutional delivery is the key intervention in reducing maternal mortality and complications. However, the uptake of the service has remained low and the factors which contribute to this low uptake appear to vary widely. Our study aims to determine the magnitude and identify factors affecting delivery at health institution in two districts in Ethiopia. METHODS: A community based cross sectional household survey was conducted from January to February 2012 in 12 randomly selected villages of Wukro and Butajera districts in the northern and south central parts of Ethiopia, respectively. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire from 4949 women who delivered in the two years preceding the survey. RESULTS: One in four women delivered the index child at a health facility. Among women who delivered at health facility, 16.1% deliveries were in government hospitals and 7.8% were in health centers. The factors that significantly affected institutional delivery in this study were district in which the women lived (AOR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.28, 3.82), women age at interview (AOR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.05, 3.62), women's education (AOR: 3.53, 95% CI: 1.22, 10.20), wealth status (AOR: 16.82, 95% CI: 7.96, 35.54), women's occupation (AOR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.24), antenatal care (4+) use (AOR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.42, 2.20), and number of pregnancies (AOR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.18,0.35). We found that women who were autonomous in decision making about place of delivery were less likely to deliver in health facility (AOR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.23,0.63). CONCLUSIONS: Institutional delivery is still low in the Ethiopia. The most important factors that determine use of institutional delivery appear to be women education and household economic status.Women's autonomy in decision making on place of delivery did not improve health facility delivery in our study population.Actions targeting the disadvantaged, improving quality of services and service availability in the area are likely to significantly increase institutional delivery

Lineage-specific proteomic signatures in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex reveal differential abundance of proteins involved in virulence, DNA repair, CRISPR-Cas, bioenergetics and lipid metabolism

Despite the discovery of the tubercle bacillus more than 130 years ago, its physiology and the mechanisms of virulence are still not fully understood. A comprehensive analysis of the proteomes of members of the human-adapted Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) lineages 3, 4, 5, and 7 was conducted to better understand the evolution of virulence and other physiological characteristics. Unique and shared proteomic signatures in these modern, pre-modern and ancient MTBC lineages, as deduced from quantitative bioinformatics analyses of high-resolution mass spectrometry data, were delineated. The main proteomic findings were verified by using immunoblotting. In addition, analysis of multiple genome alignment of members of the same lineages was performed. Label-free peptide quantification of whole cells from MTBC lineages 3, 4, 5, and 7 yielded a total of 38,346 unique peptides derived from 3092 proteins, representing 77% coverage of the predicted proteome. MTBC lineage-specific differential expression was observed for 539 proteins. Lineage 7 exhibited a markedly reduced abundance of proteins involved in DNA repair, type VII ESX-3 and ESX-1 secretion systems, lipid metabolism and inorganic phosphate uptake, and an increased abundance of proteins involved in alternative pathways of the TCA cycle and the CRISPR-Cas system as compared to the other lineages. Lineages 3 and 4 exhibited a higher abundance of proteins involved in virulence, DNA repair, drug resistance and other metabolic pathways. The high throughput analysis of the MTBC proteome by super-resolution mass spectrometry provided an insight into the differential expression of proteins between MTBC lineages 3, 4, 5, and 7 that may explain the slow growth and reduced virulence, metabolic flexibility, and the ability to survive under adverse growth conditions of lineage 7.publishedVersio