Kinetic Studies of Alkaline Phosphatase from the Liver of Agama agama Lizard

Kinetic studies were carried out on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) extracted from the liver of Agama agama lizard. Incubation of ALP extract with para – nitrophenyl phosphate formed the basis for the determination of enzyme activity. Spectrophotometric method was used to assay the enzyme, and the kinetic constants: Maximum velocity (Vmax) and Michaelis Menten constant (Km) were calculated. The Km and Vmax values were 2.5mM and 1.538 X 10-3 ìmol/min respectively. Inhibition studies show that the enzyme activity was competitively inhibited by 0.67mM sodium hydrogen orthophosphate (NaH2PO4) with inhibition constant (Ki) of 2.27mM. The optimum pH of the enzyme was 9.9 and the optimum temperature was 35OC. The enzyme exhibited linear Arrhenius relationship with  corresponding catalytic energy of activation (Ea) of 1.44KJmol-1. This study gives an insight of the catalytic properties of ALP extracted from the liver of Agama agama lizard.Keywords: Alkaline phosphatase, Agama agama, para – nitrophenyl phosphate (p - NPP), Arrhenius relationship, Michaelis Menten constant

Comparative proximate composition and antioxidant vitamins contents of two honey varieties (light amber and dark amber) from Sokoto State, Nigeria

The proximate composition and antioxidant vitamins analysis of two varieties of honey (dark amber and light amber) were carried out using standard methods. The values for moisture, ash, crude lipid, crude protein and crude carbohydrate contents of the two honeys, (light amber and dark amber) are 9.39 ± 0.15, 0.55± 0.05, 1.51± 0.11,1.64± 0.06and 86.89± 0.93 % (for light amber) and 13.03± 0.47, 0.68± 0.11,3.44± 042,1.87± 0.11and 81.57± 0.47% (for dark amber) respectively, while fibre was not detected in both samples. Both samples showed high amount of carbohydrate, that of light amber being higher. The antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A, C and E) content of the two honeys are 4.08± 0.21, 2.22± 0.10and 0.28± 0.03(mg/dl), (for light amber), and 4.42± 0.06, 2.61± 0.11,and 0.26± 0.02 (mg/dl), (for dark amber) respectively. Both samplesshowed high content of Vitamin A, with that of dark amber being higher. The results suggest that both honeys are nutritionally good source of energy and possess some antioxidant vitamins.Keywords: Comparative, proximate composition, antioxidant vitamins, hone

Antihyperglycaemic and Antilipidaemic Activities of the Methanol Seed Extract of Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa) in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antihyperglycaemic and antilipidaemic effect of methanol extract of seeds of Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Alloxan was administered as a single dose (120mg/kg, b.wt) to induce diabetes mellitus. Thirty albino rats were randomly divided into six groups of five rats each. Group I served as normal control. Group II served as diabetic control. Group III served as diabetic rats treated with oral hypoglycemic agent glibenclamide (2.5mg/kg). Groups IV, V and VI were diabetic rats orally administered with extract of the seeds (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg). The study was carried out for 28 days. On the 29th day, after an overnight fast, blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture under inhaled chlorofoam anesthesia for the determination of the fasting blood glucose (FBS), serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high density cholesterol (HDL-C). The low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), atherogenic index (AI) were also calculated. The extracts of the seeds at the dose of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg reduced the blood glucose level by 46.89%, 52.13% and 57.52% respectively as compared to standard drug glibenclamide (2.5mg/kg) which showed 66.18% reduction in the diabetic rats. The extract also reduced the elevated lipid profile parameters such as TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and TC, increased the reduced level of HDL-C. The result suggests that methanol extract of the seeds of Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa possesses antihyperglycaemic and antilipidaemic properties. Keywords: Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa., Antihyperglyceamia., Antilipidaemia., Alloxan., Glibenclamide

Nutritional composition, antinutritional factors and elemental analysis of Nymphaea lotus (water lily)

The study is aimed at evaluating nutritional composition, antinutritional factors and elemental analysis of three parts (roots sample RS, seed sample SS and leave sample LS) of Nymphaea lotus (water lily) using standard  methods. The plant parts were analyzed for the content of crude lipid, crude fiber, crude proteins, ash,  moisture and carbohydrate was estimated by difference. Crude lipids and carbohydrate were higher in seeds,  while crude protein was exceptionally higher in the leaves. There are moderate amount of both antinutritional  factors and heavy metals. The vitamin E content was high in the seeds sample while other vitamins  determined were present in all plant parts respectively. Considering the potential nutritive and health benefits  of the underutilized water lily, it is suggested that utilization of water lily should be encouraged so as to  ameliorate the problem of malnutrition, since it is rich in nutrients.Keywords: Nymphaea lotus, Nutritional, antinutritional factors, water lily, elemental analysi

Secondary Structures Associated With Alkaline Transition of Horse Heart Ferricytochrome C: An FTIR Study

The spectra of amide I region (1700-1600cm-1) of horse heart ferricytochrome c at 20oC are reported at low ionic strength at of pH values between 7.0 and 11.5 encompassing the alkaline transition. The mid-infrared spectra can probe the protein secondary structures. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic technique is used to investigate the changes in the conformationally sensitive amide I band of cytochrome c with pH and ionic strength. Analysis of these results supports the hypothesis that an increase in the non-repetitive secondary structure during alkaline transition is at the expense of regular secondary structures. These strongly suggest that structural switching and ligand exchange behaviour of ferricytochrome c is accompanied by conformational change in the protein backbon

Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Study of Methanol Seed Extract of Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa) in Albino Rats

The present study investigates the toxicological properties of the methanol seed extract of Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa. For the acute toxicity study, a limit test dose of 5000mg/kg was used while in the sub-chronic toxicity study, the treatment groups received a daily oral dose of the extract at 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg/kg for 28 days. The acute toxicity study revealed that the extract was safe up to 5000mg/kg. Results of sub-chronic toxicity study revealed significant (p<0.05) increase in body weight at the dose of 3000mg/kg. Neutrophils in all the treatment groups were significantly increased (p<0.05) while all the other haematological parameters tested showed no significant difference with the control group. The extract also showed mild to moderate deleterious effects on some biochemical parameters. ALT, ALP. AST and GGT levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) with mild distortion of hepatic architecture in the liver of the group that received the highest dose (3000mg/kg).  No pathological changes in the kidneys were observed at the various doses. This suggests that the extract should be used with caution with increasing dose. Keywords: Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa, acute toxicity study, sub-chronic toxicity study, haematological parameters, biochemical parameters

Comparative Chemical Analysis, Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activities of the Rinds, Seeds and Juice of (Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa) Passion Fruit

In this study, an attempt had been made to determine the proximate composition and anti-nutritional factors of the juice, rind and seed of passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa. Crude lipid was determined by Soxhlet extraction, crude protein by microkjeldahl method and crude carbohydrate by difference. The result of proximate composition showed that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in fibre, protein, lipid, and moisture content between the rind, juice and seed.  The oxalate, phytate, tannin and cyanide content of the rind, seed and juice were low but differed significantly. The methanol extract of the rind, seed and juice of Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa were screened for the presence of secondary plant metabolites and tested for antimicrobial activity. Flavonoids, alkaloids, volatile oils and balsam were detected in all the extracts. Saponins and steroids were detected in seed and juice extracts. Glycosides and saponin glycosides were detected in seed and peel extracts. The antibacterial activity was tested against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by well-in agar method. The rind and seed showed significant antibacterial activity against the test organisms at all the concentrations tested (30, 60 and 90 mg/ml). The juice extract showed moderate activity. The rind, seed and juice showed antifungal activity. The fungus isolate used was Aspergillus niger using agar incorporation method. The methanol extracts of seed and rind showed extremely significant differences (p<0.05) against the Aspergillus niger, while juice extract considered not quite significant (p>0.05). The result showed a significant increase in the activity of the extracts at all the concentrations tested (10, 20, 40, 70 and 100 mg/ml). The observed result may be attributed to the presence of detected phytochemical constituents. It can be concluded that Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa possess antimicrobial activity and is also nutritionally relevant and could serve as a rich source of nutrients. Keywords: Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa, Comparative, Chemical, Antinutritional. Phytochemical, antimicrobial