Anti-fluoroquinolone resistance activity of E558: A natural product

Fluoroquinolone resistance (FQR) has paralleled the abuse of this class of antibiotics in Nigeria ever since the patent rights expired in 2003. However, nature has a potent way of uncoupling unfavourable synergies targeted against the serenity of the biosphere. In this preliminary study, we examined the antibacterial activity of E558, a medicinal plant product against multidrugresistant gram-negative isolates from immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory infections. The agar-well diffusion method was employed to screen for antibacterial activity against strains of Klebsiella pneuminiae, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The organisms were initially subcultured on McConkey agar followed by streaking standard innoculum of the bacterial strains on Mueller-Hinton agar plates. A known concentration of crude extract was loaded into the well bored on the plates and then incubated at 37 °C for 24 hours. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) was carried out to monitor resistance of isolates. Protein profiling with sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) as well as restriction endonuclease mapping with agarose gel electrophoresis was employed to study alterations in the genomic DNA of selected organisms. A reverse mutation was observed in the morphology of organisms exposed to E558 compared to the organism without exposure. AST result further revealed that strains in the reverted zone, which were originally resistant to fluoroquinolones and other antibiotics had become susceptible with very wide zone of inhibition (≥ 40 mm; CLSI-sensitive). Restriction mapping and SDS-PAGE respectively revealed there are major differences in the genomic composition and protein profile of the reverted strains when compared to the original organisms. It can therefore be deduced that E558 possibly contains bioactive compound(s) with potent antitumour and anti-fluoroquinolone resistance activity

In silico Assessment of Antihypertensive Potential of Sweet Proteins (LB542)

The consumption of low-calorie artificial sweeteners by patients affected by diseases linked to sugar consumption may be associated with diverse side effects. Hence, sweet proteins derived majorly from under-utilized plants have been proposed as good replacements. The ability of sweet proteins to release Angiostensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptides was investigated. ACE mediates arterial vasoconstriction and elevation of its activity is an important pathogenic mechanism of hypertension. The protein sequences of six sweet proteins, Thaumatin from Thaumatococcus danielli (NCBI accession number, gi|209473), Brazzein from Pentadiplandra brazzeana (NCBI accession number, gi|218218145), Monellin from Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii (NCBI accession number, gi|381144434), Madinlin from Capparis masaikai (NCBI accession number, gi|1817546), Curculin from Curculigo latifolia (NCBI accession number, gi|11225520) and Miraculin from Richadella dulcifica (NCBI accession number, gi|253735645) were selected for sequence alignment using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis and biological activity search using BIOPEP. Although BLAST analysis gave no homologous similarity among the proteins, BIOPEP analysis showed that they demonstrated either di- or tri-peptide with a total of 51, 14, 40, 28, 30 and 59 potential ACE inhibitory peptides from Thaumatin, Brazzein, Monellin, Madinlin, Curculin and Miraculin respectively. The combined digestion with pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin A, a simulation of human gastrointestinal digestion released 8, 2, 9, 2, 5 and 11 ACE inhibitory peptides from Thaumatin, Brazzein, Monellin, Madinlin, Curculin and Miraculin respectively. These results add value to these proteins by demonstrating their innate nutraceutical potential in their ability to reduce hypertension. Table of Content

Production of Clay-Based Water Filter Using Biomass of Bacillus Subtillis, Sawdust, Activated Charcoal, Periwinkle and Snail Shell as Additives

A Significant proportion of rural households lacked access to improved and safe drinking water due to chemical and microbial contamination. Point-of-use (POU) water filters made from cheap, locally available ceramic materials and additives can achieve quality water parameters. Ceramic water filters were prepared by combining clay minerals with additives. Sawdust was used as a burnout material to achieve porosity and enhance the filtration rate. Silver nitrate, charcoal, periwinkle shell, snail shell, and biomass of Bacillus Subtilis were added in different ratios. The filter was formulated with charcoal, sawdust, snail shell, and periwinkle shell to remove microbes and treat heavy metals through the adsorption process. The filters were molded and fired in a temperature range of (700oC - 900oC). Characterization of the clay mineral, physiochemical and Microbial tests were conducted on the ceramic and water. Antimicrobial test was carried out on the biomass of Bacillus subtilis. Mineralogical (XRD) and elemental analysis of the clay, snail, and periwinkle shells showed high percentage composition of serpentine (a clay crystal), plagioclase, a mixture of feldspar minerals albite (sodium aluminosilicate - NaAlSi3O8), anorthite calcium aluminosilicate- CaAl2Si2O8) and Calcium (70-97 %composition) respectively. The results showed a greater proportion of silica in the clay, suggesting the material is silicate. Filtration rate was estimated at 1.125 L/hr. The result showed the filter has 96.72%, 99.26%, and 66.67% colony removal efficiency for heterotrophic bacteria, coliform, and fungi respectively. The filter showed about 70% - 96% efficiency for the treatment of physiochemical parameters in wastewater

A basic investigation for inherited metabolic diseases: indication for genomic approach

The inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs) or Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are mostly determined by single abnormal autosomal recessive genes; which though rare as a group account for a sizeable proportion of disorders in very large populations. There is neither a screening policy as in many advanced countries nor have the diseases been investigated in the concomitant institution for the handicapped in Nigeria. Sixty-one (61) subjects (40M, 20F); Mean age 18.38 + 1.3 (SD) years who were residents of the Oluyole Cheshire School and the School for the Handicapped both in the Eleyele area of Ibadan, were selected for the study. Thirty-five (35) apparently healthy (no manifest genetic disorder) individuals, mean age 19.00 + 1.30 (SD) years were selected as controls. The mean weight of the handicapped was 40.9 + 1.1kg while the controls was 47.63 + 1.17 (SD) kg. Mid morning urine samples were collected from all subjects and controls. Aversion for venepuncture by both subjects and their care providers prevented some blood assays. All subjects were subjected to Benedicts reaction, the Ferric Chloride (FeC13) test, clinstix, and the ninhydrin reactions. Thirty-two (32) out of a population of 45 (71.1%) at the Oluyole Chesire Home and 29 out of a population 42 (69.1%) at the School for the handicapped participated in the study. The handicapped subjects had significantly lower weight than controls (

Investigation of Angiostensin-converting enzyme inhibitory potential and allergenicity of Sesamum indicum Linn seed proteins by an in silico approach (LB541)

The nutraceutical role of dietary proteins and peptides is gaining considerable interest in the management of cardiovascular disease like hypertension. In order to investigate the contribution of Sesamum indicum seed proteins to its antihypertensive properties was investigated, there seed protein sequences: 7S globulin (NCBI accession number, giǀ13183177), 2S albumin (NCBI accession number, giǀ13183174) and 11S globulin (NCBI accession number, giǀ13183172) were selected for BLAST, BIOPEP and allergenicity analysis. BLAST gave the following similarities: 7S globulin vs rice glutelin precursor (35%), 7S globulin vs oat 12S seed storage globulin 1 (29%), 11S globulin vs rice glutelin precursor (41%), 11S globulin vs oat 12S seed storage globulin 1 (39%) and 2S albumin vs oat 12S seed storage globulin 1 (60%). BIOPEP analysis showed that the sesame proteins demonstrated either di- or tri-peptide with a total of 92, 91 and 34 potential ACE inhibitory peptides from 7S globulin, 2S albumin and 11S globulin, respectively. Papain hydrolysis theoretically released the highest numbers of predicted ACE inhibitory peptides (23, 14 and 5) from 7S globulin, 2S albumin and 11S globulin, respectively. The 8-mer and 80-mer allergenicity analysis of these proteins showed significant matches with allergenic proteins from Lens culinaris, Anacardium occidentale, Carya illinoinensis. Although, the ccombined digestion with pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin A, a simulation of human gastrointestinal digestion, gave a sum of 32 predicted ACE inhibitory peptides from these proteins, their allergenic property may be a limitation