Biotransformation of Food Dyes by Human Intestinal Bacteria (Streptococcus faecalis, Eschericia coli)

Biotransformation of food dyes (Tartrazine and Quinoline yellow) by Streptococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli isolated from human intestinal microflora was investigated. Decolourisation of the media containing the dyes was used as an index of biotransformation. Biotransformation was higher under aerobic than under anaerobic conditions. The results obtained were attributed to the organisms cytosolic flavin-dependent reductases and redox equivalents generated by metabolism of soluble starch which transfer electrons to the chromophoric group of the dyes. The potential health risk of the resulting colourless metabolites (aromatic amines) is under investigation. @JASE

Continuous-Flow Depulping Machine for Treculia Africana

A continuous flow machine for the depulping of partially fermented fruit of Treculia Africana is presented. The machine is designed to improve upon an existing batch depulper, and consists of four main units, namely the hopper/depulping chamber, the connector-pipe, the separation chamber and power system. The machine operation involves the introduction of fermented breadfruit into the hopper from where it falls under gravity into the de-pulping chamber for further processing. The combination of crank and separation chamber is idealized as a six-member crank-rocker mechanism. Detailed kinematic and dynamic analysis of the idealized system is undertaken using an existing computer programme, SIXBAR. In this way, appropriate dimensions of each element are determined. A laboratory scale model of the machine is constructed and tested. Preliminary results indicate that 69–93% of the seeds could be effectively depulped. Further work is continuing to improve on the system performance and its acceptability by the stakeholders

Comparative study on the microbiology and shelf life stability of palm wine from Elaeis guineensis and Raphia hookeri obtained from Okigwe, Nigeria

The microbiological and biochemical changes and shelf life stability of Elaeis guineensis and Raphia hookeri brands of palm wine were determined. R. hookeri brands were found to habour more heterotrophic and coliform population than the E. guineensis, whereas the later haboured more yeast species. Identification tests revealed the isolation of Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Brevibacterium and Staphylococcus from E. guineensis while Escherichia coli and Micrococcus species with the exception of Brevibacterium sp. was additionally isolated from R. hookeri. Furthermore heterotrophic count and pH were observed to decrease with increased fermentation days. The effect of the preservatives on the sensory properties of palm wine was dependent on the type of preservation used. The level of CO2 as well as the effect of extracts from the plant preservatives on the isolates from the palm wine samples was also carried out. Percentage loss of CO2 for each successive fermentation day was observed and there was significant difference in the effect of the plant preservatives used

Can energy self‑sufficiency be achieved? Case study of Warmińsko‑Mazurskie Voivodeship (Poland)

An analysis was carried out to show whether the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship (Poland) could become energy selfsufficient. The technical potential of electricity and heat from renewable sources has been calculated. The calculated values are 6.93 TWh/year of electricity and 15.84 PJ/year of heat—these amounts would ensure the energy independence of the Voivodeship. The Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship is an example of transformation towards “green” energy, it shows that such transformation is also possible in Poland even in short term. This would reduce air pollution as well as limit the import of energy resources. It is very important, it allows us to think with optimism and implement Poland’s energy transformation towards renewable energy (RE). Additionally, a SWOT analysis of each type of RE in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship was presented. The SWOT analysis makes it possible to identify the strengths, weaknesses, prospects and threats for RE in the Voivodeship and the whole country. It has been found that there is a great interest of investors in RE in the Voivodeship, there is usually a great public support for new energy sources, and the biggest barriers are high investment costs and complicated law in Poland

Continuous-flow depulping machine for Treculia Africana

continuous flow machine for the depulping of partially fermented fruit of Treculia Africana is presented. The machine is designed to improve upon an existing batch depulper, and consists of four main units, namely the hopper/depulping chamber, the connector-pipe, the separation chamber and power system. The machine operation involves the introduction of fermented breadfruit into the hopper from where it falls under gravity into the de-pulping chamber for further processing. The combination of crank and separation chamber is idealized as a six-member crank-rocker mechanism. Detailed kinematic and dynamic analysis of the idealized system is undertaken using an existing computer programme, SIXBAR. In this way, appropriate dimensions of each element are determined. A laboratory scale model of the machine is constructed and tested. Preliminary results indicate that 69– 93% of the seeds could be effectively depulped. Further work is continuing to improve on the system performance and its acceptability by the stakeholders

Inhibition of dehydrogenase activity in bacterial isolates from palm wine by extracts of Vernonia amygdalina

Inhibition of dehydrogenase activity of bacterial isolates from palm wine by leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina was investigated. The cultures were exposed to extract concentrations of 0-2500 μg/ml in a nutrient broth-glucose-TTC medium. The responses of the bacterial strains varied with extract concentration. In all the isolates, dehydrogenase activities were progressively inhibited with increasing concentration of extract. The IC50 ranges from 83.27 ± 4.9 to 736.82 ± 13.6 μg/ml. Total inhibitory concentrations for E. coli, Lactobacillus and Streptococcus species were 1984.93 ± 16.5, 2102.82 ± 22.8 and 2476.79 ± 27.7 μg/ml respectively. The total inhibitory concentrations of the remaining isolates (Staphylococcus, Micrococcus and Bacillus species) were beyond the extract concentrations used. The findings may be of clinical relevance and further substantiates the traditional use of extracts of Vernonia amygdalina to control microbial load and foaming in palm wine.© 2010 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, dehydrogenase activity, palm wine, Elaeis guineensis Raphia hookeri, Raphia vinetera

Bacterial Contamination of Some Edible Shellfish Harvested from Kalarugbani Creek, Rivers State, Nigeria

The bacteriological quality of raw shucked oyster (RSO), raw extracted periwinkle (REP), overlying water (OLW) and mud flat samples (MFS) obtained from Kalarugbani Creek in Rivers State was investigated. The parameters investigated were the total viable count (TVC), salmonella-Shigella counts (SSC), total faecal coliforms (TFC) and total coliform counts (TCC). There were variations in the values of these parameters analyzed, which were sample dependent. Of all the samples analyzed, RSO had the highest microbial counts except for TFC and TCC in which periwinkle has higher counts. Statistical analysis of the mean total viable counts showed high significant differences among the four samples across various months at (p≤0.05). The microbial counts were lower in the wet season and higher in the dry season. Correlation analysis of the seasonal variations of the total viable count for the various samples showed a very weak correlation between the two seasons for MFS and OLW (r= 0.499 and r= 0.515, respectively), while those of REP and RSO were strongly correlated between the two seasons (r= 0.69 and r= 0.607, respectively). The microbial counts obtained from this study were found to be higher than the specified standard limits (1x105 cfu/g) for bacteria by International Commission on Microbiological Specification for Foods (ICMSF) and United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). The results of this study show the presence of organisms of public health concern and highlight the need for maintenance of quality standards in the processing of these shellfish. The data obtained will be useful for the development of food safety schemes and policies

Modified Atmosphere Packaging and Biodeterioration of Plantain

Fruits of two local plantain cultivars and a disease-resistant tetraploid hybrid were subjected to modified atmosphere packaging. The same organisms namely Colletotricum musae, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium monilifomae, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus, were isolated from the local cultivars and the hybrid fruits. Pathogenicity tests showed that local cultivars were more susceptible to Botryodiplodia theobromae and Fusarium monilifomae, while the hybrid fruits were more susceptible to Colletotricum musae. It was observed that Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus isolated did not show any pathogenicity indicating that colonization of plantain fruits and its hybrids is metabiotic. At ambient temperature, there was delay in biodeterioration, ripening, and weight loss. This resulted into increased shelf life. The responses of the hybrid fruits to fungal attack and the physicochemical changes that took place had the same trend, with the fruits of the local cultivars showing that the hybrid will be a good substitute when it is eventually introduced as a cultivar. The most obvious advantage of modified atmosphere packaging is the extension of shelf life of plantain and plantain hybrid fruits without the use of chemical preservatives. Int. J. Agric. Rural Dev., 2003, 4: 53-5