Optimization of bacteria pectinolytic enzyme production using banana peel as substrate under submerged fermentation

The investigation was based on optimizing the cultural conditions of bacteria pectinolytic enzymes indigenous to soil of banana peel dump site. Optimization of cultural conditions was carried out by changing the physico-chemical environment such as pH, temperature, inocula size and substrate concentration of the production medium by testing for one factor at a time. Highest pectinase activity was observed at pH 6.0 which gave 1.455±0.095 U/mL and 1.695±0.01 U/mL for Bacillus subtilis TYg4-3 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SW106 respectively. The optimized temperature for better yield was obtained at 370C with 0.955±0.006 U/mL for Bacillus subtilis TYg4-3 and 1.098±0.012 U/mL for Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SW106. Lactose yielded 1.655±0.046 U/mL and NH4Cl 1.603±0.005 U/mL activity for Bacillus subtilis TYg4-3, while maltose yielded 1.343±0.062 U/mL and KNO3 1.075±0.077 U/mL activity for Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SW106. Bacillus subtilis TYg4-3 produced best at 72 h of incubation giving 1.275±0.006 U/mL and at 36 h incubation for Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SW106 giving 1.345±0.033 U/mL activity. Bacillus subtilis TYg4-3 yielded 2.083±0.008 U/mL and 2.015±0.036 U/mL at 1.5% and 2.0% of inoculum size and substrate concentration respectively. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SW106 produced best enzyme activity at 2.0% of inoculum and substrate concentration and gave 2.193±0.175 U/mL and 2.256±0.067 U/mL enzyme activities respectively

Comparative study of the nutritional, phytochemical and mineral compositions of the nuts of tropical almond (Terminalia catappa) and sweet almond (Prunus amygdalus)

The study was conducted to compare the nutritional, phytochemical and mineral compositions of Tropical almond with Sweet almond. Sample of Terminalia catappa nuts were collected within the premises of Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, Nigeria while Prunus amygdalus was purchased from Shoprite Palms Mall Ilorin, Nigeria. Proximate, phytochemical and mineral analyses were carried out using standard procedures. Results showed that T. catappa was significantly (p0.05) was recorded in their protein contents (33.00 and 32.89% respectively). P. amygdalus was significantly (p<0.05) high in phytochemicals such as tannin (748.49µg/g), phenols (1,781.50 µg/g), flavonoids (456.38 µg/g), saponin (158.70 µg/g) and alkaloids (240.11µg/g) while T. catappa was significantly (p<0.05) high in glycosides (220.27µg/g).The differences in phytochemicals might be due to the differences in drying and other processing methods. T. catappa can well compete with P. amygdalus if the value chain is improved upon by proper packaging and storage for commercial purposes

Effect of variation in temperature and relative humidity on the reproductive performance of grasscutters held in captivity

This study investigated the reproductive performance of grasscutter through oestrus, mating, parturition, abortion and litter size in establishing the success of this performance during the rainy season and dry season. Effects of the atmospheric temperature and relative humidity on the reproductive performance of grasscutter in captivity were duly observed. Twenty female grasscutters were used with ten males for mating and were subsequently individually caged to determine the outcome of male-female contact (i.e. mating, conception and parturition). The signs of mating were detected by observing the marks of climbing at the back of the female grasscutter (doe),observing the changes in the perineum of the female before and after mating, monitoring the changes in weight gained post-mating and presence of fetuses by abdominal palpation. Parturition was detected by monitoring the expectant mothers with successful mating signs and distended abdomens. Keywords: Grasscutter, reproductive performance, reproduction, parturition, mating

Effects of N-Butanol and Aqueous Fractions of Khaya senegalensis, Guiera senegalensis and Tamarindus Indica Leaves Extracts on Eimeria tenella Oocyst Sporulation in Vitro

The in vitro anti coccidial activities of n-butanol and aqueous fractions of Khaya senegalensis, Gueira senegalensis and Tamarindus indica leaves extracts on Eimeria tenella parasite was studied by observing the effects of the plant extracts on the sporulation of the Eimeria tenella oocysts. Drug resistance and consumer demanding decrease in the use of drugs in animals have generated interest in alternative strategies to control the avian disease one of which is herbal intervention studies. Fresh faecal samples were collected from infected birds and their oocysts load determined. Dilutions of the extracts (100mg, 250mg, 400mg, 550mg, 700mg and 850mg per ml) in distilled water were prepared and placed in separate well labelled petri dishes. 100 oocysts were added to each petri dish and the set up was left at ambient temperature on the laboratory table and monitored twice daily (9.00am and 3.00pm) to observe the sporulation of the oocysts over a 72 hours period. Laboratory sporulation medium (2.5% Potassium dichromate) and Amprolium were used for comparison. The phytochemical result implied that the active ingredients were present mainly in the n-butanol and crude extract&nbsp; fractions with the nbutanol fraction of the Khaya senegalensis extract containing phenols and flavonoids which have antioxidant effects. The in vitro study showed that the n-butanol fraction of K senegalensis (100mg/ml) and the aqueous fraction of Tamarindus indica (100mg/ml) extracts had similar effects to those obtained using Amprolium which was considered as the standard by inhibiting the sporulation of Eimeria tenella oocysts. It is therefore recommended that more work needs to be done to determine the anti&nbsp; coccidial activities of these extracts in vivo. Key words: Eimeria tenella, sporulation, in vitro, extract

What is a clinical pathway? Refinement of an operational definition to identify clinical pathway studies for a Cochrane systematic review

Clinical pathways (CPWs) are a common component in the quest to improve the quality of health. CPWs are used to reduce variation, improve quality of care, and maximize the outcomes for specific groups of patients. An ongoing challenge is the operationalization of a definition of CPW in healthcare. This may be attributable to both the differences in definition and a lack of conceptualization in the field of clinical pathways. This correspondence article describes a process of refinement of an operational definition for CPW research and proposes an operational definition for the future syntheses of CPWs literature. Following the approach proposed by Kinsman et al. (BMC Medicine 8(1):31, 2010) and Wieland et al. (Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 17(2):50, 2011), we used a four-stage process to generate a five criteria checklist for the definition of CPWs. We refined the operational definition, through consensus, merging two of the checklist's criteria, leading to a more inclusive criterion for accommodating CPW studies conducted in various healthcare settings. The following four criteria for CPW operational definition, derived from the refinement process described above, are (1) the intervention was a structured multidisciplinary plan of care; (2) the intervention was used to translate guidelines or evidence into local structures; (3) the intervention detailed the steps in a course of treatment or care in a plan, pathway, algorithm, guideline, protocol or other 'inventory of actions' (i.e. the intervention had time-frames or criteria-based progression); and (4) the intervention aimed to standardize care for a specific population. An intervention meeting all four criteria was considered to be a CPW. The development of operational definitions for complex interventions is a useful approach to appraise and synthesize evidence for policy development and quality improvement

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Preparation of Oligosaccharide using Amylase enzyme isolated from soil at cassava dump sites in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

No Abstrac

Suppression of damaging effects of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) by plant powders

Powders prepared from plant species available in Nigeria are reported to possess ovicidal, larvicidal, pesticidal, antifeedant and repellent properties against various insect pests and are regarded as environmentally compatible pesticides. This study evaluated the action of Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Hyptis suaveolens Poit. Piper guineense Thonn. &amp; Schum and Cymbopogon citratus Gaern against the damaging effects of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) in stored cowpea. The experiment was carried out at temperature of 30 ± 1oC and relative humidity of 72 ± 3%. The plant powders were compared at the rate of 2.5 g per 50 g cowpea seeds including the untreated control. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications. The results showed that all the botanicals gave protection to the stored cowpea seeds and significantly (p&lt;0.05) reduced mean adult emergence and seed weight loss (3.75-4.06%) caused by C. maculatus when compared with the untreated control (6.07%). The number of emerged adults from untreated seeds progressively increased with time of exposure compared to the treated seeds. The increasing order of effectiveness of the botanicals in terms of their insecticidal activities against C. maculatus was P. guineense, C. citratus, H. suaveolens, and A. indica. The study, therefore, shows that the botanicals could serve as protectants against C. maculatus in stored cowpea seeds.Keywords: Botanicals, Callosobruchus maculatus, Cowpea, Damage, Mortality, Protectant

Extraction and characterization of essential oils of seeds of maize, Zea mays L., soybean, Glycine max L., pumpkin Telfairia occidentalis Hook F. and lemon, Citrus limon L.

Essential oils are considered to be direct metabolites produced in plant organs (such as secretion ducts or glandular trichomes) by intracellular biogenetic pathways. Plant seeds contain complex mixtures of over 3000 essential compounds, of which about 300 are of commercial importance. The objective of this study was to examine the essential oil composition of seeds of maize, soybean, pumpkin, and lemon. The essential oils were extracted by hydro distillation using Clevenger-type apparatus and their chemical components were isolated by gas chromatography and then analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The major compounds found in the seeds of maize, soybean, pumpkin and lemon were oleic acid (32.80%), 1, 9 – tetradecadiene (46.52%), ethyl oleate (48.46%) and d-limonene (20.50%), respectively. Total components identified in maize, soybean, pumpkin and lemon seeds were 11, 10, 11 and 21, respectively including monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and other components including aldehydes, acids, esters and oxides. The present study confirmed that these seeds contained varying degrees of bioactive components of nutritional and industrial values. The potentials of these oils for enrichment of human and other animal diets are therefore recommended.Keywords: Molecular compounds, Extraction, Isolation, Characterization, Essential Oils, Seed