Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial efficacy of Alternanthera nodiflora extracts

The phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activities of Alternanthera nodiflora extracts were analyzed. Plant sample was extracted using  methanol and water. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, carotenoid, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac  glycosides, phenols and saponins while tannins were absent in both  extracts. The antimicrobial potential of the extracts was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi, Candidaalbicans and Aspergillus niger. The Susceptibility patterns of the test organisms to varying concentrations (100mg/ml, 75mg/ml, 50mg/ml and 25mg/ml) of both extracts were determined by Kirby Bauer method. From this study, antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts was highest at 100mg/ml with Methanolic extract having more antimicrobial activity than aqueous extract. The extracts showed high activity against Candida albicans but no activity was observed against Aspergilus niger while the highest antibacterial activity of the extract was observed against Staphylococcus aureus.The higher antimicrobial activity in methanolic extract than aqueous extracts could be attributed to the degree of polarity of the extraction solvent.Key words: Alternanthera nodiflora, Phytochemicals, Antimicrobial activity, Extracts

Isolation, Partial Purification and Characterization of Proteases from Aspergillus niger under Solid-State Fermentation

Proteases are enzymes with highly specialized proteolytic functions. They are ubiquitous, being found in all living organisms, they are essential for cell growth and differentiation. Besides their physiological functions and roles in living organisms, they also show great importance in various industries. The shortage of plant and animal proteases to meet the present world demand of industrial enzymes has directed increased interest in microbial proteases. Several researchers have reported on protease production from various sources. However, little is known about protease production using A. niger under solid-state fermentation. This present investigation was carried out to isolate and screen fungi from soil samples for the production, optimization, and characterization of protease. A. niger was identified morphologically and screened for protease production. Soli-state fermentation was carried out and crude protease was harvested. The effect of pH on protease activity was assayed, and different temperatures were used to test for protease activity. Also, the kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) of the crude enzyme were also determined. The results of this investigation revealed that the optimal pH and temperature of the enzyme were 8.0 and 40°C, respectively. The enzyme was found to be more stable at alkaline pH than acidic pH. It also retained 80% of its activity at 50 o C for 60 minutes. Protease activity was revealed to be highest at substrate concentration 1.0 mM. All these data suggest that the selected strain of A. niger can significantly produce protease enzyme under solid-state fermentation

The nutritional composition of the vegetable soybean (maodou) and its potential in combatting malnutrition

IntroductionGlobal malnutrition continues to be a canker owing to poor eating habits and over-reliance on the major staple crops. Vegetable soybean (maodou) is gaining popularity globally as an affordable snack and vegetable.MethodsIn this study, we profiled the nutritional composition of 12 soybean cultivars at the vegetable (R6-R7) and mature (R8) stages. We also conducted an RNA-seq analysis during seed development, focusing on key biosynthesis enzymes for quality traits.ResultsThe results showed that 100 g of maodou contained 66.54% moisture, 13.49% protein, 7.81% fatty acids, 2.47% soluble sugar, abundant content of minerals, and micronutrients, including folate (462.27 μg FW) and carotenoids (3,935.41 μg FW). Also, the isoflavone content of maodou ranged between 129.26 and 2,359.35 μg/g FW. With regard to the recommended daily allowance, 100 g fresh weight of maodou can contribute 26.98, 115.57, and 11.60% of protein, folate, and zinc, respectively, and significant proportions of other nutrients including linoleic acid (21.16%), linolenic acid (42.96%), zinc (11.60%), and iron (18.01%). On a dry weight basis, maodou has two to six folds higher contents of folate, tocopherol, and carotenoid than the mature soybean. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis revealed that key biosynthesis enzymes of quality traits are differentially expressed during seed development and may contribute to variations in the content of quality traits at the vegetable and mature stages. Correlation analysis of quality traits at both stages revealed that protein only correlated positively with zinc at the vegetable stage but negatively correlated with total tocopherol and total fatty acid at the mature stage. Complex associations among folates, soluble sugar, and isoflavones were also identified.DiscussionThis study provides insight into the nutritional contents of vegetable soybean and demonstrates that maodou is essential for meeting the nutritional requirements of most countries

Seroprevalence of IgG Antibodies to Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 in Nigerian Children

Background: Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) can cause chronic ulcerative infection in immunosuppressed children leading to latency with subsequent reactivate in the conjunctiva resulting in scarring, thickening of the cornea and blindness. They are also common cause of fatal sporadicencephalitis in 70% of paediatric patients. This cross sectional study  determined the prevalence of HSV-1 in children in Kaduna State, Nigeria.Method: A total of 377 blood samples were collected from children less than five years old attending some selected hospitals in Kaduna State and analyzed for HSV-1 IgG antibodies employing Enzyme immune assay technique by using commercially available ELISA Kits.Results: Sero-prevalence rate of 57.8 % (218 /377) was obtained. The highest prevalence of HSV-1 infection was obtained in children in age group 49-60 months (85.2%) and lowest in children in age group 13-24 months (44.8%). Further analysis of the result of children less than one year old showed that children 9-16 weeks old were more susceptible to HSV-1 infection. HSV-1 infection was significantly 2 associated with age (÷ =37.92, df = 4, p = 0.001). Though a higher prevalence was obtained in femalechildren (61.5%) than male children (54.5%), the difference observed in the prevalence was not 2 statistically significant (÷ =1.84, df =1, P =0.105).HSV-1 infection was significantly associated with 2 children who were in school (÷ = 15.28, df = 1, P= 0.001) with a higher prevalence of 74.3%.Conclusion: Over half of the children sampled were protected from HSV-1 infection while 42.2% were susceptible to the infection and were at risk of developing severe HSV-1 manifestation which includes keratitis, encephalitis and Keratoconjunctivitis.Keywords: Seroprevalence, Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1, Children, ELIZA, Kaduna State, Nigeri

Ethical and cultural considerations in informed consent in Botswana

Reflections on my experience of conducting research in Botswana are used to highlight tensions and conflicts that arise from adhering to the western conceptualization of bioethics and the need to be culturally sensitive when carrying out research in one\u27s own culture. Cultural practices required the need to exercise discretionary judgement guided by respect for the culture and decision-making protocols of the research participants. Ethical challenges that arose are discussed. The brokerage role of nurse educators and leaders in contextualizing western bioethics is emphasized

Parameter estimation of generalized Rayleigh distribution based on ranked set sample

Ranked set sampling (RSS) is an efficient method for estimating parameters when exact measurement of observation is difficult and/or expensive. In this paper, we provide maximum likelihood estimation of the shape and scale parameters concerning generalized Rayleigh distribution based on RSS and its some modifications. We compare the biases, mean squared errors and relative efficiencies of estimators in simple random sampling, RSS, extreme RSS and median RSS with different set and cycle sizes. Comparison of the mean squared errors of estimators in RSS for the case of imperfect ranking are also given. Monte Carlo simulation study is performed by using Mathematica 11.0 with 10,000 repetitions

Origin, Maturity Group and Seed Coat Color Influence Carotenoid and Chlorophyll Concentrations in Soybean Seeds

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) seeds are abundant in physiologically active metabolites, including carotenoids and chlorophylls, and are used as an affordable source of functional foods that promote and maintain human health. The distribution and variation of soybean seed metabolites are influenced by plant genetic characteristics and environmental factors. Here, we investigated the effects of germplasm origin, genotype, seed coat color and maturity group (MG) on the concentration variation of carotenoid and chlorophyll components in 408 soybean germplasm accessions collected from China, Japan, the USA and Russia. The results showed that genotype, germplasm origin, seed color, and MG were significant variation sources of carotenoid and chlorophyll contents in soybean seeds. The total carotenoids showed about a 25-fold variation among the soybean germplasms, with an overall mean of 12.04 µg g−1. Russian soybeans yielded 1.3-fold higher total carotenoids compared with Chinese and Japanese soybeans. Similarly, the total chlorophylls were substantially increased in Russian soybeans compared to the others. Soybeans with black seed coat color contained abundant concentrations of carotenoids, with mainly lutein (19.98 µg g−1), β-carotene (0.64 µg g−1) and total carotenoids (21.04 µg g−1). Concentrations of lutein, total carotenoids and chlorophylls generally decreased in late MG soybeans. Overall, our results demonstrate that soybean is an excellent dietary source of carotenoids, which strongly depend on genetic factors, germplasm origin, MG and seed coat color. Thus, this study suggests that soybean breeders should consider these factors along with environmental factors in developing carotenoid-rich cultivars and related functional food resources