The role of biosensors and biological weapons in national defence and security operations

The knowledge of biotechnology plays an important role in the development of biological weapons. Biological weapons are considered an attractive factor in war for several reasons: ease of manufacture, low cost, confirmed injury, increased number of victims, large losses incurred by other countries. Biological weapons detection methods are among the most important means of military defense. Biological sensors are used in early detection of weapons. Biotechnology is of paramount importance in all fields of medicine, engineering, agriculture, industry, as well as military life. The key applications of biotechnology in the military are in the areas of sensor systems and systems for protection from espionage. Among the most important countries that have applied knowledge of bioweapons technology into their security system are the USA and China. Despite the enormous advantages of biotechnology, it has negative effects in biological weapon production. Therefore, the near future will witness a tremendous boom in biotechnology. DNA profiling also plays an important role in detection of crime. The overall aim of the review is to emphasize the importance of biotechnology towards solving bioterrorism and other forms of security challenges in an environment

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF RAW AND COOKED JACKBEAN (Canavalia ensiformis) ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WEANER RABBITS

[EN] Jackbean (Canavalis ensiformis) is a tropical legume which has shown potential as source of forage and seed. The seed contains up to 32 % CP. But as with other tropical legumes, the raw seed contains toxic substances A 42-day feeding trial was conducted to compare the effect of raw and cooked jackbean on the performance of weaner rabbits. Raw Jackbean seeds were dried and milled and incorporated at 1 O and 20 % dietary levels respectively while another batch was cooked for 40 minutes, dried, ground and incorporated also at 10 and 20 % dietary level respectively and each diet fed to 8 rabbits. At dietary level of 20 %, raw jackbean significantly (P<0.05) depressed performance of rabbits (ADG 16.2g/d vs 20.5 for the control). Cooking for 40 minutes improved the nutritive value of jackbean for weaner rabbits up to 20 % dietary level ( ADG of 26.7 and 21.9 g/day for 10% and 20% levels respectively).[FR] Le Jackbean est une légumineuse tropical, source potentielle de fourrage et de graines. La graine contient jusqu'a 32 % de proteines brutes. Mais comme pour d'autres légumineuses tropicales, la graine brute contient des substances toxiques. Au cours d'une expérimentation de 42 jours des lapins on été nourris a partir du sevrage avec du jackbean brut ou cuit afín de comparer leurs performances. Des graines de jackbean brutes ont été séchées et moulues puis incorporées a l'aliment aux taux respectifs de 10 et 20 % tandis que d'autres ont été cuites pendant 40 minutes, séchées, moulues et également incorporées a l'aliment aux taux de 10 et 20 % respectivement. Chaque alimenta été distribué a 8 lapins. Au taux d'incorporation de 20 % le jackbean brut diminue significativement (P<O. 05) les performances des lapins (GMQ de 16,2 g/j vs 20,5 pour le témoin). La cuisson du jackbean pendant 40 minutes améliore sa valeur nutritiva pour des lapins au sevrage jusqu'au taux d'incorporation de 20 % (GMQ de 26,7 et 21,9 g/jour pour les taux de 10% et 20% respectivement).Esonu, B.; Udedibie, A.; Herbert, U.; Odey, J. (1996). COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF RAW AND COOKED JACKBEAN (Canavalia ensiformis) ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WEANER RABBITS. World Rabbit Science. 04(3). doi:10.4995/wrs.1996.285SWORD04