Bioconversion of Aspergillus niger KM treated rice and wheat bran for experimental rat feed formulation

This study investigated the nutritional value of pre-treated rice and wheat bran wastes as feed formulation in experimental rats. Aspergillus niger KM isolated from decomposing organic matter was tested for cellulase assay. The lignocellulosic agricultural residues (wheat bran and rice bran) were pretreated with ammonia and diluted sulfuric acid after which solid substrate fermentation with Aspergillus niger KM was carried out. Determination of reducing sugar was carried out and the fermented residues were included as components in feed formulation and were fed to different groups of rats for four weeks. The proximate analysis of the feed formulation showed that the NH3 pretreated feeds gave higher protein content of 21.94%, relative to the control or other groups. Growth performances of animals fed with NH3 pretreated wheat bran significantly increased from 158.25 to 201.66 g throughout the feeding periods. Evaluation of the various feeds’ effect on tissue marker enzymes revealed inconsistent alterations relative to the control. Bioconverted wheat or rice bran has nutritive value to support animal growth and could be explored in animal feed preparation

Antimicrobial and toxic potential of aqueous extracts of Allium sativum, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Zingiber officinale in Wistar rats

AbstractAllium sativum, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Zingiber officinale are medicinal plants with wide use in traditional medicine; however, the increasing use of crude extracts for traditional medicine applications raises safety concerns. We made a preliminary determination of the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial and safety profiles of aqueous extracts of A. sativum, H. sabdariffa and Z. officinale. The extracts were administered orally to Wistar rats for 30 days: a control group received distilled water, three groups received the three extract, and a fifth group received a combination of the three extracts. All three extracts, either individually or in combination, had antimicrobial activity, and all extracts influenced the activities of marker enzymes. The evidence lends credence to use of these plants in traditional medicine but also suggests the probable toxic potential of crude plant extracts

Production of Itaconic Acid from Jatropha curcas Seed Cake by Aspergillus terreus

Submerged substrate fermentation of Jatropha seed cake, a by-product of oil extraction from Jatropha curcas seed was carried out using Aspergillus terreus for the production of itaconic acid. The Jatropha seed cake was initially converted into fermentable sugars by dilute acid hydrolysis using 50% sulphuric acid. The rate of hydrolysis was 1.04 gL-1. The fermentation process was carried out at room temperature, agitation of 400 rpm and three physico-chemical parameters (pH, inoculum size and substrate concentration) were varied. Itaconic acid and glucose assays were carried out by spectrophotometry and Dinitrosalicylic acid methods respectively daily. Maximum yield of itaconic acid was 48.70 gL-1 at 5 ml of inoculum size, 50 g substrate concentration and pH 1.5. The residual glucose concentration increased for the first two days of fermentation after which it began to decrease as the itaconic acid concentration increased. The least concentration of itaconic acid observed was 6.00 gL-1, obtained after 24 hours of fermentation with 4 ml inoculum size, 50 g substrate concentration and at pH 1.5. The findings of this work indicate that Jatropha curcas seed cake is a suitable substrate for itaconic acid production

Bioconversion of Aspergillus niger KM treated Rice and Wheat Bran for Experimental Rat Feed Formulation

This study investigated the nutritional value of pre-treated rice and wheat bran wastes as feed formulation in experimental rats. Aspergillus niger KM isolated from decomposing organic matter was tested for cellulase assay. The lignocellulosic agricultural residues (wheat bran and rice bran) were pretreated with ammonia and diluted sulfuric acid after which solid substrate fermentation with Aspergillus niger KM was carried out. Determination of reducing sugar was carried out and the fermented residues were included as components in feed formulation and were fed to different groups of rats for four weeks. The proximate analysis of the feed formulation showed that the NH3 pretreated feeds gave higher protein content of 21.94%, relative to the control or other groups. Growth performances of animals fed with NH3 pretreated wheat bran significantly increased from 158.25 to 201.66 g throughout the feeding periods. Evaluation of the various feeds’ effect on tissue marker enzymes revealed inconsistent alterations relative to the control. Bioconverted wheat or rice bran has nutritive value to support animal growth and could be explored in animal feed preparation