Evaluation of the impact of crude oil spillage on soil and cassava plant (Manihot esculenta) in Uzere, Isoko south LGA of Delta State Nigeria.

An evaluation of the impact of crude oil spillage on soil, cassava tubers and leaves in Uzere (contaminated site) and Ekrejeta (control site) communities of Delta State were carried out. Three representative soil samples, cassava tubers and leaves were collected from three different points within each study site and determined in triplicates. Physicochemical parameters, heavy metal content, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and total hydrocarbon contents (THC) of soil, heavy metal content and PAHs in cassava tubers and leaves were determined using standard analytical methods. Parameters determined include pH, conductivity, nitrate, sulphate, PAHs and THC as well as concentration of some heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe) in both soil and cassava samples. Concentrations of heavy metals were determined using Atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The average heavy metals detected in the soil include iron (Fe) 989.11mg/kg, cadmium (Cd) 1.50mg/kg, chromium (Cr) 8.26mg/kg, nickel (Ni) 3.92mg/kg, zinc (Zn) 10.04mg/kg, lead (Pb) 7.08mg/kg while average heavy metal detected in cassava tubers and leaf samples include lead (Pb) 3.13 and 3.22mg/kg, iron (Fe) 69.23 and 62.45mg/kg, cadmium (Cd) 0.00 and 0.22mg/kg, nickel (Ni) 2.73 and 6.38mg/kg, zinc (Zn) 14.04 and 32.72mg/kg respectively. The average pH of soil samples from the test site (Uzere) was 5.5, conductivity 58.67µs/cm. The average PAHs content of the soil was 0.17mg/kg. THC of 151.83mg/kg was detected in the soil. These findings suggest that the study site is heavily impacted by the crude oil spillage. Keywords: Soil, cassava tubers, cassava leaves, physicochemical parameters, heavy metal

Physico-chemical properties of soil polluted with petroleum crankcase oil and chlorophyll concentration of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra).

Effect of petroleum crankcase oil (PCO) on soil physico-chemical parameters and chlorophyll content of Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) was investigated. Garden topsoil was collected from Obingwu, Ohii in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria tested for soil physico-chemical parameters, weighed and polluted with different volumes of PCO to give the various percentage pollutions. Five viable seeds of A. esculentus were planted in each. An unpolluted soil sample served as the control for the investigation. Harvest of the leaves and fruits was done immediately after fruiting and taken to the laboratory for the assessment of soil physico-chemical parameters and chlorophyll concentration. Results obtained for soil pH and soil phosphate show there was no significant difference (p>0.05) at the various levels of PCO pollution. However, there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the percentage moisture content and calcium carbonate with respective increase in PCO pollution while a significant decrease (p<0.05) was observed in organic carbon, nitrogen and chlorophyll content of the PCO polluted samples when compared with the control. Furthermore, at 6% PCO pollution, only two seeds sprouted and leaf growth was not sustained till the end of the experiment. These results indicate that soil physico-chemical parameters and chlorophyll concentration of A. esculentus leaves were responsive to the detrimental effects of PCO in areas where it is disposed indiscriminately. Keywords: Abelmoschus esculentus, pollution, petroleum crankcase oil (PCO), soil, chlorophyll

In Vitro Antisickling Potentials of Ethanol Extract of Annona Muricata, Delonix Regia and Senna Alata

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic condition caused by defective hemoglobin molecules. The in vitro antisickling effects of different concentrations of ethanol extracts of Annona muricata, Senna alata and Delonix Regia on homozygous sickle cell erythrocyte was investigated. Standard antisickling tests evaluated include: Osmotic fragility, antioxidants (Superoxide dismutase, catalase and Glutathione), and polymerization of the sickled red blood cell. The experiment was in five groups Group 1 (Normal RBC), Group 2 (Sickle RBC – experimental control group), Group 3 (Sickle RBC + A. muricata), Group 4 (Sickle RBC + S. alata) and Group 5 (Sickle RBC + D. Regia). Fresh blood was collected from a sickle cell patient and normal individual which were used for the study. Results obtained from these investigations show that the three extracts significantly (p<0.05) increased glutathione and catalase activities in the sickled red blood cells. A. muricata and S. alata exhibited a significant (p<0.05) decrease against superoxide dismutase activity while SOD activity in sickle RBC treated with D. regia was not significant. Results of Osmotic fragility test showed an increase in membrane stability of sickle blood when the extracts were added. Antisickling test showed the ratio at which sickle blood cells were reduced with respect to time. The results of this study indicate that the extracts have the potential to reduce the sickling activity of sickle cell blood. The extracts significantly (p<0.05) reduced the polymerization of sickle blood cells at a very high concentration (0.2mg/100ml) and increased its polymerization at low concentration (0.8mg/100ml). In conclusion, findings show that ethanol extracts of A. muricata, S. alata and D. regia may be helpful in the management of patients with sickle cell anemia

Agro-waste: a potential fermentation substrate for Penicillium chrysogenum

Common agro-wastes found in Lagos, Nigeria (cassava shavings, corncob, sawdust, and sugarcane pulp) were compared with glucose and lactose as fermentation substrates for Penicillium chrysogenum PCL501. Cassava shavings significantly (P<0.001) produced the highest amount of mycelia weight (0.43 ± 0.02 mg/ml) than all the other substrates. This was followed by corncob with peak mycelia weight of 0.33 ± 0.02 mg/ml. Peak mycelia weight of 0.27 ± 0.01 mg/ml was equally obtained with glucose and sugarcane pulp whereas lactose gave a slightly lower peak of 0.25 ± 0.01 mg/ml. Sawdust gave the least mycelia weight of 0.13 ± 0.01 mg/ml. Total sugar content of all the culture media steadily decreased as fungal growth progressed indicating that the organism utilized carbohydrates for growth and mycelia formation. Cultures containing cassava shavings and sawdust gave high protein peaks of 0.84 ± 0.05 and 0.65 ± 0.03 mg/ml respectively. Cultures containing corncob, glucose, lactose and sugarcane pulp yielded lower protein peaks of 0.37 ± 0.02, 0.30 ± 0.02, 0.24 ± 0.02 and 0.18 ± 0.01 mg/ml respectively. The results suggest that cassava shavings, corncob and sugarcane pulp could serve as cheap fermentation substrates for the growth of the fungus. Of all the substrates investigated, cassava shavings have the best potential to serve as substrate for fermentation by Penicillium chrysogenum PCL501. © 2009 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved

Penicillin Production by Penicillium Chrysogenum PCL 501: Effect of UV Induced Mutation

Penicillin production by Penicillium chrysogenum (PCL501) fermented on glucose, lactose and four agro-wastes (cassava shavings, corncob, sawdust, and sugarcane pulp) was monitored with HPLC. The highest amount of penicillin was obtained with sugarcane pulp. Penicillin yield from a 7-day culture of the fungus was 8.65 ± 0.05, 7.68 ± 0.03, 6.85 ± 0.05, 5.54 ± 0.01, 5.32 ± 0.05 and 2.23 ± 0.02μg/ml respectively on sugarcane pulp, glucose, cassava shavings, corncob, lactose, and sawdust. Two mutant strains, UVP1 and UVP2, were obtained by exposing the wild strain (PCL501) to ultraviolet irradiation for 20 and 25 minutes respectively. The 7-day culture of UVP1 and UVP2 on sugarcane pulp yielded 14.83 ± 0.05 and 14.97 ± 0.05 μg/ml penicillin respectively. This represented over 70% increase in penicillin production over the parent strain. There is a good prospect of producing cheaper and effective penicillin using the mutant strains of P. chrysogenum an

Xylanase production by Aspergillus niger ANL 301 using agro - wastes

Xylanase production by wild-type Aspergillus niger ANL301, newly isolated from wood-waste, was monitored at 24 h intervals for a period 168 h in media containing different carbon sources. The carbon sources were oat-spelt xylan (Fluka) and three agro-wastes (sawdust, sugarcane pulp and wheat bran). Highest xylanase activity of 6.47 units/mL was obtained at 96 h in media containing wheat bran as sole carbon source. Maximum activity value for the media containing sugarcane pulp was 0.95 units/mL obtained also at 96 h. Sawdust and oat spelt xylan gave the peak enzyme activities of 0.65 and 0.80 units/mL respectively at 120 h. High protein yield was obtained in media containing the agro-wastes, with wheat bran giving the highest value of 1.14 mg/mL at 96 h. The maximum specific xylanase activities were 3.86, 3.37, 5.69, and 9.36 units/ mg protein for sawdust, sugarcane pulp, wheat bran and oat spelt xylan, respectively. Out of the three agro-wastes used in this study, wheat bran holds greatest promise for low cost production of the xylanase enzyme

Xylanase production by Penicillium chrysogenum (PCL501) fermented on cellulosic wastes

Xylanase production by Penicillium chrysogenum PCL501, newly isolated from wood-wastes, was monitored at 24 h intervals for a period 168 h in media containing four different carbon sources (oatspelt xylan, wheat bran, sawdust, and sugarcane pulp). The highest xylanase activity of 6.47 Units mL-1 was obtained at 96 h in media containing wheat bran whereas media containing sugarcane pulp gave a peak value of 1.39 Units mL-1 at 144 h. Sawdust and xylan gave a peak xylanase activity of 1.35 and 0.79 Units mL-1 respectively at 120 h. Maximum protein released in xylan-containing media was 0.38 mg mL-1. Higher protein yield was obtained in media containing the agro-wastes, with wheat bran giving the highest value of 1.14 mg mL-1. The maximum specific xylanase activities were 2.59, 8.52, 16.06, and 9.36 Units mg Protein -1 for sawdust, sugarcane pulp, wheat bran and xylan respectively. Out of the three agro-wastes used in this study, wheat bran holds the greatest promise for cost-effective production of the xylanase enzyme. The carbon source is the highest inducer of the enzyme in the fungus

Effect of carbon sources on cellulase (EC 3. 2. 1. 4) production by Penicillium chrysogenum PCL501

The effects of glucose, crystalline cellulose and sawdust of Mitragyna cilata on the growth and cellulase production, inferred from cellulase (EC 3. 2. 1. 4) activity, of Penicillium chrysogenum PCL501 was determined. Glucose-containing media gave the highest mycelia weight of 1.78 mg mL-1 in 120 h of incubation. This is about 3.5 – 4.5 times the maximum weights of 0.51 and 0.40 mg mL-1 respectively obtained from the cultures containing cellulose and sawdust. The cultures containing crystalline cellulose and sawdust produced extracellular protein with cellulase (EC 3. 2. 1. 4) activity whereas glucose-containing cultures yielded very low protein and no significant cellulase activity. Maximum protein content of 0.02, 0.13 and 0.46 mg mL-1 respectively were obtained from the cultures containing glucose, cellulose and sawdust. Peak cellulase activity values of 100.0 and 92.2 Units L-1 respectively were obtained for the cultures containing cellulose and sawdust. There is a correlation between the protein released and cellulase activity of the culture filtrates. P. chrysogenum PCL501 produces extracellular proteins with significant cellulase activity in media containing cellulose and sawdust but not in glucose-containing medium. Sawdust is indicated as a good inducer of cellulase activity in the organism. The waste cellulosic material can be used as low-cost carbon source for commercial cellulase production

Plant Waste Hydrolysis by Extracellular Enzymes of Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum: Effect of Ammonia Pretreatment

Aspergillus niger (ANL301) and Penicillium chrysogenum (PCL 501) cultured in basal media with cellulose as sole carbon source yielded extracellular enzymes which partially hydrolyzed sawdust and sugarcane pulp into simple sugars. Pre-treatment of sawdust by ammonium hydroxide steeping increased the yield of simple sugars. The reducing sugars released from the pretreated sawdust by the crude enzymes of A. niger (ANL301) and P. chrysogenum (PCL 501) were 3.58% and 7.02% of the total hydrolysable sugars respectively. This is in contrast to the 0.92% and 1.02% of the total hydrolysable sugars released respectively by the enzymes of A. niger (ANL301) and P. chrysogenum (PCL 501) from the non-pretreated sawdust. Enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane pulp by the crude enzymes was not significantly affected by ammonia pre-treatment. Reducing sugars released from non-pretreated sugarcane pulp by the crude enzymes of A. niger (ANL301) and P. chrysogenum (PCL 501) were respectively 4.17% and 5.08% of the total hydrolysable sugars