Utilisation of blood, chicken offal and fish meal as cockerels' dietary supplements

An experiment was undertaken to investigate the performance of 16-20 week-old cockerels fed diets based on three oil seed cakes viz. groundnut cake (CNG), CNG/Palm kernel cake, CNG/cotton seed cake supplemented with four sources of methionine and lysine viz. synthetic sources, blood meal, fish meal or chicken offal meal in 3 x 4 factorial treatment. The results indicated that weight gain, feed to gain ratio, nitrogen retention, liver nitrogen and liver fat as well as SCPT were not significantly (P<0.05) different either due to plant protein sources or methionine and lysine supplementation forms or both. However, the values for the serum total protein, SCOT, dressing percentage and abdominal fat were significantly (P>O. 05) affected l7y dietary treatments

Purification and Some Properties of a Thermostable α-Amylase Produced from Bacillus subtilis Isolated from the Soil

This work reports the isolation, purification and some properties of a thermostable α-amylase producing Bacillus subtilis isolated from the soil. Soil samples were collected and screened for thermophilic bacterial strains with amylase activity and to examine the amylase heat tolerance potentiality. The isolate was Gram positive, motile rod, bearing terminal endospore. The optimum temperature of amylase activity was at 50oC. Maximum enzyme production occurred at pH 7.0. Corn starch produced the best enzyme activity of 1.82 U/mg protein and was found to be the best carbon source followed by soluble starch (1.21 U/mg protein). Among the five nitrogen sources studied, peptone caused the production of highest enzyme activity of 1.79 U/mg protein, followed by casein (1.38 U/mg protein). Ammonium sulphate proved to be the less suitable nitrogen source for enzyme production. Calcium chloride stimulated enzyme production (2.0 U/mg protein) more than other salts. These characteristics of Bacillus subtilis suggests its promising characteristics for various biotechnological applications.Key words: α-amylase; Bacillus subtilis; Thermophile; Enzyme purificatio

Production of single cell protein from hydrolyzed pineapple (Ananas comosus) peel using fungi

Production of single cell protein from hydrolyzed pineapple peels by fungi was investigated. Trichoderma viride was selected based on its high cellulase activity; diameter of clear zone on CMCagar (7.4 cm) and activity on carboxymethylcellulose (4.64 mg glucose/ml), filter paper (3.76 mg glucose/ml) and cotton wool (4.12 mg glucose/ml). Samples of pineapple peel were hydrolyzed with the solutions of HCl, H2SO4 and NaOH at 0.5% concentration. The NaOH hydrolysates (138 mg/ml, 298 and 9.44 mg/ml) have higher reducing sugar, soluble sugar and protein content than H2SO4 (129, 206l and 6.28 mg/ml) and HCl hydrolysates (131, 279 and 7.32 mg/ml), respectively. The culture of Trichoderma viride were used in fermenting the hydrolyzed pineapple peels. The protein yield in 0.5% NaOH hydrolysates (27.35 mg/ml) was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than H2SO4 hydrolysate (18.32 mg/ml) and HCl hydrolysate (16.48 mg/ml) after 7 days incubation. The un-hydrolyzed samples which served as control produced the lowest protein. Nitrogen sources were added to the media supplemented with ammonium oxalate [(NH4)2C2O4], which gave the highest protein 55.44 mg/ml for NaOH hydrolysate. The maximum weight of biomass after drying biomass was 0.66 g/100ml. This study demonstrated the potential of pineapple peel as a substrate for product recovery, waste control and management.Keywords: Single cell protein, Ananas comosus, Cellulose, Pineapple, Fung

Effects of crude oil on biomass and protein production by aquatic bacteria

Some effects of Bonny light crude oil on the biomass and protein production by three aquatic bacteria namely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromonas hydrophyla and Vibrio fisheri were investigated. The species showed different responses to the toxic influences of various crude oil concentrations. The growth response was measured spectrophotometrically using optical density (OD) at 600nm. Pseudomonas aeruginosa responded positively to all crude oil levels. A general assessment indicated that 2% (v/v) crude oil concentration stimulated maximum biomass and protein production of this organism. Lower biomass and protein yields were observed at reduced crude oil levels. Biomass production decreased gradually among Aeromonas hydrophyla and Vibrio fisheri in comparison to the control. Biomass of Aeromonas hydrophyla increased from 0.1 (OD600nm) at 0 h to 0.58 after 20 h at 0.5% crude oil concentration. This level gradually declined to 0.03 after 20 h cultivation at 1.5 % crude oil concentration. Maximum decline in optical density of this organism was observed at crude oil concentration of 2.0%. Protein levels for Aeromonas hydrophyla decreased from 0.12 mg/mL after 20 h at crude oil concentration of 0.5% to 0.06 mg/mL after 20 h at maximum crude oil concentration of 2%. The biomass of Vibrio fisheri increased slightly from 0.1(OD600nm) at 0 h to 0.03 after 20 h at 0.5% crude oil level. Further decreases in OD values of this organism occurred progressively as the crude oil concentration was increased. Lowest protein yield for this organism was observed at a crude oil concentration of 2% at which the least protein production of 0.03 mg/mL was produced after 20 h cultivation.Keywords: Crude oil, aquatic bacteria; protein; biomas

Effects of Crude Oil on Biomass and Protein Production by Aquatic Yeasts

Toxic effects of Bonny light crude oil on the growth of three aquatic yeasts namely Yarrowia lipolytica, Candida tropicalis and Debryomyces hansenii were studied based on their biomass and protein production. The species showed different responses to the toxic influences of various crude oil concentrations. The growth response was measured spectrophotometrically using optical density (OD) at 600nm. Yarrowia lipolytica responded positively to different crude oil levels. A general assessment indicated that 2% (v/v) crude oil concentration stimulated maximum growth and protein production of this organism. Lower yields were observed at reduced crude oil levels. Growth decreased gradually among Candida tropicalis and Debryomyces hansenii cultures in comparison to the control. Biomass of Candida tropicalis increased from 0.1 (OD600nm) at 0 h to 0.49 after 20 h at 0.5% crude oil concentration. This level gradually declined to 0.04 after 20 h cultivation at 1.5 % crude oil concentration. Maximum decline in optical density of this organism was observed at crude oil concentration of 2.0%. Protein levels for Candida tropicalis decreased from 0.13 mg/mL after 20 h at crude oil concentration of 0.5% to 0.04 mg/mL after 20 h at maximum crude oil concentration of 2%. The biomass of Debryomyces hansenii increased slightly from 0.1(OD600nm) at 0 h to 0.44 after 20 h at 0.5% crude oil level. Further decreases in OD values of this organism occurred progressively as the crude oil concentration was increased. Lowest protein yield was observed at a crude oil concentration of 2% at which the least protein production of 0.05 mg/mL was produced after 20 h.Key words: Crude oil, yeasts; protein; biomass

Purification and some properties of glucose isomerase from Bacillus megaterium

The objective of this study is to produce and purify glucose isomerase (GI) from Bacillus megaterium and to determine some of its properties. Soil sample was collected from cassava starch processing site and used immediately for bacterial isolation. Selected isolate produced the best GI activity in a preliminary test. The isolate was grown in media containing various carbon, nitrogen and metal salts for enzyme production. Among the carbon sources tested, Galactose gave the best yield (1.1 U/mg protein). Peptone was the best nitrogen source and caused the production of 0.85 U/mg protein. Of the tested metal salts, MgSO4.7H2O caused the production of the best enzyme activity of 0.81 U/mg protein. The GI was purified by precipitation with (NH4)2SO4 and chromatography on diethyl amino-ethyl (DEAE) – cellulose and DEAE-sephadex G-200 column. Thereafter, the enzyme activity was determined with the optimum temperature and pH at 40oC and 6.0 respectively. The enzyme was also characterized with a molecular weight of 65kDa as determined by the SDS – PAGE analysis. The enzyme could be applied in the production of high fructose corn syrup.Key words: Glucose isomerase, carbon sources, nitrogen sources, metal ions, enzyme purificatio

Production of Xylanase from Aspergillus sydowii Isolated from Irvingia gabonensis (African Mango) Fruit

This work reports xylanase production from Aspergillus sydowii isolated from spoiled Irvingia gabonensis fruit. Selection of the fungus was based on the production of maximum zone of clearing on agar containing 5% beech wood xylan. The influence of pure carbon substrates on enzyme production showed that the medium containing mannitol produced a maximum enzyme yield of 50.1 U/mg protein after incubation for 72 h. Enzyme productivity in this medium was much higher in a medium that contained only xylan (44.9 U/mg protein) as the sole carbon source. Nitrogen sources were tested for their abilities to stimulate enzyme production and the best enzyme production was observed in the medium containing peptone caused the production of specific enzyme activity of 41.2 U/mg protein after 72 h. The enzyme showed maximum activity (55 U/mg protein) at pH 4.0 and optimum stability at pH 3.0-5.0. Temperature activity profile of the enzyme showed best activity (68 U/mg protein) at 35oC. Best temperature stability occurred at 30-40oC. Dried agricultural residues were tested for their abilities to support xylanase production in media devoid of xylan. The overall best enzyme productivities of 97.8 and 92.6 U/mg protein were achieved after 72 h in the medium containing orange peel and mango peel respectively. These levels were much higher than that achieved when pure carbon sources or xylan alone were used for enzyme production.Key words: Agricultural residues; carbon sources, nitrogen sources; pH activity; temperature activit

Simple picrate method for the determination of cyanide in cassava flour

A simple picrate method was used to quantify the cyanide contents of food samples. The cyanide in the food samples reacted with hot 20% HCl solution to produce hydrogen cyanide vapour which reacted with alkaline picrate test strips to form red colour on the test strips. The red coloured complex on the strips was extracted with 50% ethanol solution and the absorbance of the extract was measured at 510nm using a spectrophotometer. The method was reproducible and cyanide as low as 1 microgram could be determined. Cyanide levels of all the cassava varieties tested were higher than the 10ppm WHO safe level. Recovery of cyanide from acyanogenic foods fortified at levels of 5 and 10mg KCN/10g were 98.6% and 99.1% respectively. The picrate method is simple and useful for routine determination of cyanide content of cassava flour.Keywords: Picrate method, Cyanide, Cassava flou

Quantitative Recovery of Aeromonas hydrophila from Nsukka Sewage

Sewage samples were analyzed for the recovery of Aeromonas hydrophila. The pH of the samples ranged from 8.2 - 9.6 and the temperature from 20.0 – 28.7. Samples were enriched in alkaline peptone water medium (pH 8.4) before plating on different selective media. Media tested for the recovery of Aeromonas hydrophila from the sewage did not restrict the growth of other Aeromonas colonies, Vibrio spp and Pseudomonas spp. A. hydrophila had a recovery rate of 35.3%, 44.4%, 10.7% and 9.6% on starchampicillin agar, sheep blood-ampicillin agar, trypticase soy agar and thiosulphate citrate bile-sucrose agar respectively. Seasonal variations in temperature affected the rate of isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila from the sewage with higher microbial numbers occurring during the warmer months. Incorporation of ampicillin to a concentration of 10μg/mL in both starch-ampicillin agar and sheep bloodampicillin agar improved the selectivity and sensitivity of A. hydrophila on these media. Media without ampicillin did not give good selectivity and specificity for A. hydrophila and were therefore not recommended for preliminary isolation of this organism from sewage samples.Keywords: Aeromonas hydrophila, Recovery rate, Selective media, Sewag

Formulation and Development of a Feed Stock Code-Named Musarpoms from Locally-Derived Non-Conventional Feed-Stuffs for Animal Production

Plantain peels and palm oil mill slurry are discarded as waste from the processing industry in our locality, which accumulates and thereby constituting menace to the environment. The current rising cost of grains and concentrates used in the production of livestock feeds, has led to the alternative use of non-conventional feed stuffs such as ripe plantain peels and palm oil mill slurry, amongst others. The objective of this study was to formulate and develop a feed stock from locally derived non-conventional feed stuffs for animal feeds production code-named MUSARPOMS using appropriate standard technique. The major ingredient for MUSARPOMS is ripe plantain peels and palm oil mill slurry. The results revealed that MSP25% recorded highest crude protein (CP) value of 22.17 %, it was not significantly (P&gt;0.05) different from the CP values (20.42 %) obtained from MSP50% but significantly (P&lt;0.05) different from MSP75% value of 19.25 %. The crude fibre (CF) values were not significantly (P &gt;0.05) different among the different grades. Ash and NFE values differ significantly amongst treatment. MSP75% recorded highest Ash and NFE value of 8.28 % and 515.60 % respectively. It was observed that the reducing levels of MUSARPOMS fermented mixture grade formulations, resulted in proportional increase in the crude protein of the emerging ingredients. 25% MUSARPOMS grade had a higher crude protein value of 22.17 % compare to 50% MUSARPOMS value of 20.42 and 75% MUSARPOMS value of 19.25 % and far above the 10.69 % of the plantain peels