In vitro sensitivity pattern of some urinary tract isolates to Carica papaya extracts

Powdered leaves of Carica papaya(L.) were extracted with ethanol and partitioned in chloroform and distilled water. The extract and fractions were tested for antibacterial activity against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas species using disc diffusion and microbroth dilution technique. The extract and fractions were further subjected to phytochemical tests for the presence of secondary metabolites using standard procedures. Results of sensitivity test results showed that ethanol extract of the leaf was active against E. coli and K. pneumoniae (7mm each) at 1000μg/disc concentration while chloroform and water fractions of the leaf were active against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis at 1000μg/disc concentration with zone diameter of 7mm each. Both the extract and fractions were inactive against P. aeruginosa at all concentrations used in this study. The results of phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids and tannins in either ethanol extract, fraction(s) or both. This indicates that the Carica papaya has the potential for the production of drugs against organisms causing urinary tract infections. Keywords: Sensitivity, Clinical isolates, Urinary tract, Carica papaya, Extract, Fraction

In Silico Site-Directed Mutagenesis of Ser11 and Lys107 on the Predicted 3D Structure of glutathione s-transferase from Acidovoras sp. KKS102

Bacterial glutathione s-transferases (GSTs) are known to have variety of functions in detoxification processes. It is familiar that this detoxification ability is achieved through the attack of the thiolate form of glutathione on the electrophilic centres of toxic compounds. Indeed, cytosolic glutathione s-tranferase from Acidovorax sp. KKS102 is now known to have a dehalogenation function. However, little is known about the specific aminoacids involved in this catalytic process. In this study, we investigated the effect of in silico site-directed mutagenesis of the evolutionarily conserved amino acids, Ser11 and Lys107, on the theoretical 3D structure of GST from Acidovorax sp. KKS102 (GST-KKS102) using Deep View/Swiss-Pdb Viewer. The substitution of Ser11, with aromatic amino acids, Tyr, Phe and Trp and positively charged amino acids, Arg, His and lys produced the greatest effect on the stability of the 3D structure of GST-KKS102. Indeed, at Lys107 position, substitution with nonpolar amino acids, Pro and Gly produced the highest structural stability effect on the theoretical 3D structure of the GST-KKS102. This in silico analysis suggests that Deep View rotamer scores could aid in planning in vitro site-directed mutagenesis studies in protein engineering.Keywords: Glutathione s-transferase, Acidovoras sp. KKS102, Site-directed mutagenesis, 3D structure, Ser11, Lys10

Purification and characterization of a novel p,p’-DDT dehalogenase from Aeromonas sp. strain MY1

Although dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) occupies a prominent position for its recalcitrance in the environment which led to its ban by the Stockholm Convention. This pesticide is still unregulated used in low and middle-income countries, which contributes to the global burden of this hazardous contaminant. In the recent time, biological approach has been proven to be effective and environmentally safer for the decontamination of the residual DDT. In this research, we reported a gel-purified p,p’-DDT dehalogenase from Aeromonas sp. strain MY1, revealing a single band with a molecular weight of approximately 37 kDa. The dehalogenase was unique for its capability to release chloride ions from p, p’-DDT substrate with optimum dechlorination activity at pH 8.0 and 35°C. The enzyme followed Michaelis-Menten’s kinetics and measurement of its initial velocities with various p,p’-DDT concentrations showed a Km of 27.05 μmol L-1 and Vmax of 476.19 μmol L-1 min-1. However, the enzyme lost its dechlorination activity in the presence of Ag2+ and Hg2+ This dehalogenase could pave a way for the effective decontamination of p,p’- DDT contaminated environment, suggesting its potentials for p,p’-DDT bio-cleansing applications

Effects of Aqueous White Grubs Extract on Some Markers of Liver Injury in Guinea Pigs

The effects of aqueous white grubs extract on some markers of liver injury was studied in guinea pigs with CCl4-induced liver damage. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), cholesterol and triglyceride were analysed in guinea pigs after subcutaneous administration of 100mg/kg CCl4 followed by oral treatment with 0.834g/kg of white grub extract in order to asses the curative effect of the extract against liver damage. Guinea pigs treated with 0.834g/kg extract for 48 hours following subcutaneous injection of 100mg/kgCCl4 had serum AST, ALT and ALP levels not statistically different compared to normal control (at p>0.05) but decreased significantly compared to toxicity control (p>0.05). The serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in the test showed no statistical difference (at P>0.05) compared to normal control. However, comparing the test values with toxicity control shows a significant increase in both cholesterol and triglyceride levels (at P<0.05). The serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, cholesterol and triglyceride when the treatment was extended to 96 hours also showed no statistical difference compared to normal control (at P>0.05). However, there was a significant decrease in serum AST, ALT and ALP while serum cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly increased compared to toxicity control (at P<0.05). This result clearly indicates aqueous that white grubs’ aqueous extract possess hepatoprotective property against CCl4 induced liver damaged in guinea pigs

PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PROTEASE EXTRACTED FROM “YATSIN BIRI” GINGER (Zingiber officinale) CULTIVAR OF NORTHWESTERN NIGERIA

enzymes for cheese making and related processes have ignited a flame of scientific enquiries on the possibility and suitability of their substitution by other enzymes of plant sources. In this study, ammonium sulphate fractionation, characterization and milk clotting activity (MCA) of protease extracted from YatsinBiri ginger rhizome cultivar of the family Zingiberaceae from northwestern Nigeria were analysed. The protease extracted showed optimum activity at 50 °C and pH value of 5.5. Relative activity of the enzyme was also observed within a broad pH range of 4.5 to 7.0 accordingly. The enzyme was completely denatured at 100 °C and alkaline pH of 11.5. The milk clotting property of the protease indicated 2.83 and 1.81 folds of MCA and MSCA respectively in relation to commercial calf rennet with MCA/PA ratio of 2.18. These properties of YatsinBiri ginger protease, especially its milk clotting activity, broad pH ranges and moderately elevated temperature of 50 °C, may favour its suitability as substitute calf rennet in the food industries, especially incheese making and related product

Nutritional Analysis of Three Commonly Consumed Varieties of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Three sorghum samples (yellow, red, and white sorghums) were analyzed for their proximate, vitamin (B1, B3, B6) and mineral element (Mg, Na, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn) compositions. Vitamins and mineral compositions were determined using HPLC and AAS respectively. The results of the proximate analysis revealed that there was no significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in the ash, crude fibre, crude protein and carbohydrate content of the three samples. The difference in the moisture and fat content were significant (p ≤ 0.05). The moisture content of white and red sorghum and white and yellow sorghums was significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) while the difference in the moisture of red and yellow sorghums was not significant (p ≤ 0.05). The fat content of white and red sorghum are significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) while the difference between the fat content of white and yellow and red and yellow sorghums were not significant (p ≤ 0.05). White sorghum has higher percentage of moisture and fat 11.90±0.36 & 9.26±1.81 respectively. Red sorghum has higher percentage of ash and protein 2.32±0.68 & 6.08±0.40 respectively. Yellow sorghum has higher percentage of fibre and carbohydrate 2.41±1.44 & 73.53±1.87 respectively. The HPLC vitamin analysis showed that sorghum has low vitamin B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine) content and did not meet the recommended dietary allowance of the world health organization, although red sorghum was richer in all the vitamins analyzed, followed by yellow sorghum and then white sorghum which has the lowest vitamin content. The AAS results for the mineral elements revealed that all the three sorghum varieties contains all the mineral elements analyzed except for white sorghum which does not show any trace of copper. Statistical analysis on the mineral elements of the three sorghum showed that there were no significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in all the mineral elements analysed with respect to each of the samples except for calcium that showed a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05). The difference in the calcium content between white and red sorghum and red and yellow sorghum was significant (p ≤ 0.05) while the difference was not significant (p ≤ 0.05) between the white and yellow sorghum. It was also found that the three sorghum varieties are richer in potassium, zinc and sodium and low in the other mineral elements analyzed. The proximate analysis revealed that sorghum samples contain appreciable nutrient contents and vitamin analysis shows that red sorghum is nutritionally more valuable than the white and yellow sorghum. Keywords: Mineral elements, Proximate Composition, Sorghum and Vitamin

Surface Phonon Polariton Modes in Suspended Monolayer Hexagonal Boron Nitrides

Dispersion properties and characteristics of transverse magnetic (TM) and transverse electric (TE) surface phonon polaritons (SPhP) in suspended monolayer hexagonal boron nitrides (hBN) was studied extensively. The analytical results show that the hBN based TM (TE) phonon polaritons exist in restsrahlen bands when imaginary surface conductivity is positive. The effective mode index of TM phonon polaritons is much higher than that of TE phonon polaritons with respective values of ~3000 and ~1.0002 which makes TM SPhP more promising in the practical realization. In addition, the propagation length of TE SPhP is less lossy and surpass that of TM SPhP by factor of 104. This study compares these important properties and sheds more insight into their applications in optical communications, photonics and optoelectronics devices

Effects of Herbal “Gadagi” Tea on Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Experimental Rats

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major cause of mortality worldwide in spite of the recent advances in medical and surgical treatment. Twenty Wistar albino rats were divided into Four (4) equal groups each comprising of five (5) members. The groups (A, B & C) were orally administered with prepared Herbal/Garlic “Gadagi” Tea, at low dose (3 mg/kg), standard dose (6 mg/kg) and high dose (12 mg/kg) respectively. Group D served as normal control. After two weeks of Herbal/Garlic “Gadagi” tea administration, all the 20 Wistar albino rats were sacrificed by decapitation and their blood samples were collected and used for biochemical analyses. Total Cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Sodium, Potassium, AST, CK, and LDH were analysed using standard methods. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of TC, LDL-Cholesterol, Potassium and CK in group C compared to control and significant decrease (P<0.05) in HDL-Cholesterol in group A compared to normal. Dose- dependent increases were observed (P<0.05) in TC, LDL-cholesterol, Triglycerides and LDH at 6mg/kg and 12mg/kg doses; Potassium at 3mg/kg and 6mg/kg doses and at 6mg/kg and 12mg/kg doses; CK at 3mg/kg and 6mg/kg doses respectively. Generally, the current research suggests that herbal/Garlic “Gadagi” tea might be a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, and may be toxic to both the heart and peripheral vascular tissues at doses beyond 6 mg/kg. Keywords: Gadagi, cardiovascular diseases, herbal medicine, tissue damage marker

Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Borreria verticillata Species of Sudano-Sahelian Savanna on CCl4 Induced Hepatotoxicity

Preliminary phytochemical screening of Borreria verticillata species of Sudano-Sahelian savanna and the effect of aqueous leaf extract of the plant were studied in CCL4-induced hepatotoxicity rats. Screening of the aqueous extract indicates the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, sterol and saponins. While athraquinone was absent. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP) and bilirubin (BL) were analysed in rats intraperitoneally administered with 100 mg/kg CCl4 followed by oral treatment with 300mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of B. verticillata for 48 and 96hrs. The rats treated for 48 hours after had serum AST, ALT, ALP, TP and BL levels not statistically different (P>0.05) compared to both normal control and positive control (treated with 100mg/kg standard drug) although the value of positive control was slightly lower than the test values. However, the test values were statistically lower compared to toxicity control at P< 0.05. The serum AST, ALT, ALP, TP and BL levels when the treatment was extended to 96 hours showed similar pattern to 48 hours treatment. Even though the test values with respect to the enzymes activity were slightly lower in the extended treatment. This result indicates the hepatocurative properties of aqueous leaf extract of B. verticillata on CCL4-induced hepatotoxicity rats, which could be attributed to its phytochemical contents. Keywords: Borreria verticillata, Hepatotoxicity, Hepatocurative, Aqueous leaf extract, CCL