Digestive alkaline proteases from the Tunisian barbel (Barbus callensis): Characterization and application as a detergent additive, in chicken feather-degradation and as a dehairing agent

Alkaline crude enzymes from the viscera of the Tunisian barbel (Barbus callensis) were extracted and characterized. Proteolytic crude extract from barbel viscera was active and stable in alkaline solution. The optimum pH and temperature were 11.0 and 55 °C, respectively, using casein as a substrate. The crude alkaline protease was extremely stable in the pH range of 5.0-12.0. Zymography activity staining using casein as a substrate showed the presence of at least five distinct proteases. The crude alkaline proteases showed stability towards various surfactants, bleach agents and compatibility with some commercial detergents. Alkaline proteases from the viscera of the barbel were tested in chicken feather-degradation and showed important feather degrading activity. Complete solubilisation of whole feathers was observed after 24h of incubation at 50°C. Additionally, crude alkaline protease demonstrated powerful capabilities of hair removal from skin and the collagen, the major leather-forming protein, was not significantly degraded. Considering its promising properties, alkaline crude enzyme from the viscera of the Tunisian barbel may be considered as a potential candidate for future use in several biotechnological processes

Nutritional diversity of leafy amaranth species grown in Kenya

Objectives: Despite the availability of many species of amaranth in Kenya, there is inadequate information on their nutritional diversity and how they can be best used in mitigation of malnutrition. Hence, this study was aimed at investigating the nutritional diversity of five leafy amaranth species grown in Kenya. Methodology and results: Amaranth vegetables were harvested 5-6 weeks after planting. They were analyzed for their nutritional and phytochemical content using standard methods. Moisture content was lowest in A.cruentus (79.29±1.26%). A.cruentus had the highest protein (4.37 ±0.02%).The fat content of A.hybridus (2.53±0.06%) and A.hypochodriacus (2.63±0.11%) was significantly higher than the other species. The crude fibre content (3.01±0.29%) was similar in all the species. A.dubius had the highest calcium (336.47±0.9mg/100g) and iron (18.64±0.23mg/100g) while A.cruentus was highest in zinc content (1.67±0.03mg/100g).The total phenols content was highest in A.cruentus (3.59±0.01GAE/100mg).Catechins were highest in A.cruentus (7.15±0.63CE/100mg) while quercetin was highest in A.cruentus (14.28±0.86QE/100mg). Conclusion and application of results: More than 50% of the Kenyan population live below the poverty line and lack access to adequate food. The food available food is of poor nutritional value, this causes malnutrition and other nutritional disorders. There is therefore a need to identify nutrient-rich foods that can be produced inexpensively to meet the nutrient requirements of everyone and especially the vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, children and the elderly. Amaranth is drought tolerant, grows fast and is easily cultivated. This study indicates that the Amaranth species found in Kenya are a good source of key nutrients, which can be used in mitigation of malnutrition. A.dubius is a superior source of calcium and iron and can help curb the micronutrient deficiencies in Kenya, while A.cruentus is a superior source of protein and phytochemicals which are important in reducing the risk of chronic diseases which are so rampant in Kenya today.Keywords: A. dubius; A. hybridus and A. cruentus; A. albus and A. hypochondriacus; Nutrient

Application of mid-infrared spectroscopy for rapid characterization of key soil properties for engineering land use

AbstractMethods for rapid and accurate soil tests are needed for the index properties of material attributes commonly applied in civil engineering. We tested the application of mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy for the rapid characterization of selected key stability-related soil properties. Two sample sets, representing different soils from across Lake Victoria basin in Kenya, were used for the study: A model calibration set (n=135) was obtained following a conditioned Latin hypercube sampling, and a validation set (n=120) was obtained from independent sites using a spatially stratified random sampling strategy. Air-dried ground (<0.5mm) soil was scanned using a high-throughput screening accessory for diffuse reflectance attached to a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The soil properties were calibrated to smoothed first derivative MIR spectra using partial least-square regression (PLS), and screening tests were developed for various limitation classes applicable in civil works using the soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA). The hold-out full cross-validation coefficient of determination (r2)≥0.8 was obtained for the liquid limit (LL), linear shrinkage (LS), coefficient of linear extensibility (COLE), air-dried moisture content, (W) and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Further independent validation gave r2≥0.73 and the ratio of prediction deviation (RPD) 4.4–2.1 for LL, LS, COLE, W, CEC, plastic limit (PL), plasticity index (PI), and volumetric shrinkage (VS). The independent validation likelihood ratios for the diagnostic screening tests were: LL>55%, 4.2; PI>30%, 2.7; LS>12%, 2.4; exchangeable sodium (eNa)>2cmol (+) kg−1, 2.3; exchangeable sodium percent (ESP)>10%, 1.8; W>8.3%, 1.6, and Activity number (A)>1.25units, 1.5. MIR can provide the rapid assessment of several soil properties that yield stability indices in material testing for engineering land use. Further studies should test the ability of MIR PLS for establishing broader calibrations across more diverse soil types and the direct correlation of MIR to material functional attributes

LEGAL PROTECTION FOR NURSES IN PROVIDING HEALTH SERVICES IN HOSPITALS

Legal protection of nurses in carrying out their profession to provide health services in hospitals, is a very basic thing to maximize the duties of nurses in serving clients / communities. The legal protection has been regulated in various laws and regulations, namely the Health Law, Hospital Law, Health Worker Law, Nursing Law and Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Regulation Number 4 Year 2018 concerning Patient Obligations and Hospital Obligations. However, this legislation only regulates the legal protection of nurses in civil cases, where the actions of nurses are considered detrimental to the client, in criminal cases there is no clear Government policy regarding legal protection for nurses, especially for nurses who have not been proven guilty but have been put in custody because it is suspected of making a mistake or negligence in nursing practice. Keywords: health services, hospitals, legal protection, nurses. DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/83-18 Publication date:March 31st 201

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HOUSEHOLDS’ INCOME OF OIL PALM AND NON-OIL PALM PLANTATION WORKERS OF KURIPAN SUB-DISTRICT, BARITO KUALA REGENCY, INDONESIA

Oil palm is a commodity expected to contribute significantly to the economy through the plantation industry. This industry has substantial potential to support economic growth and national development, particularly in terms of job creation. Barito Kuala Regency, situated under the provincial government of South Kalimantan, boasts a total oil palm plantation area of 21,582 hectares in 2022, distributed across almost all sub-districts, including Kuripan Sub-District. The presence of the oil palm plantation industry represents a significant opportunity for the local community to become the workforce, leading to a notable impact on the increased income of the surrounding population, especially in terms of household income growth. As indicated by Bangun (2018), the income of the community in Kuripan Sub-District has experienced a higher increase compared to other sectors. Apart from oil palm plantations, land use in Kuripan Sub-District includes settlements, forests, rice fields, and shrubland. Consequently, some communities utilize it for livelihoods beyond the oil palm sector, such as logging for galam wood, rattan harvesting, purun collection, and farming. They consider these activities sufficient to meet their daily household needs. Both the oil palm plantation sector and non-oil palm plantation sector have become the backbone of household livelihoods in Kuripan Sub-District, contributing to household prosperity. This research has the objective to analyze the structure and income differences between households working in oil palm plantations and those in non-oil palm plantations in Kuripan Sub-District, Barito Kuala Regency. The research data consist of primary and secondary data. Sampling was done using a simple random method, resulting in a sample of 79 households. The household income of oil palm plantation and non-oil palm plantation workers was calculated based on their occupations, and an analysis of income differences between the two groups was conducted using the independent sample t-test method. The annual household income of non-oil palm plantation workers is Rp 42,822,913/year, with the husband's income being Rp 34,659,826/year and the wife's income being Rp 8,163,087/year. The structure of household income is organized based on the type of work, with income details from galam wood seekers (64.34%), sand laborers (12.13%), purun craftsmen (9.94%), rattan leaf harvesters (7.50%), farmers (4%), daily casual laborers in oil palm (1.06%), and educators (0.49%). The test results show a probability value (sig.) of 0.002, which is smaller than the significance level of 0.01. Therefore, the conclusion is that there is a difference between the household income of oil palm plantation workers and non-oil palm plantation workers, rejecting H0 and accepting H1

Atmosfera modificada na conservação pós-colheita de Uva 'Centennial Seedless' .

Técnicas como armazenamento refrigerado e uso de atmosfera modificada em uvas são eficientes contra a degrana e a incidência de podridões, problemas que afetam diretamente a qualidade e a conservação pós-colheita das frutas. A cultivar Centennial Seedless apresenta potencial de consumo como uva fina de mesa devido à ausência de sementes. Objetivou-se nesse trabalho verificar o efeito da aplicação de atmosfera modificada passiva, com a utilização de filmes para embalagem na conservação pós-colheita de uvas cv. Centennial Seedless. Os frutos foram colhidos no estádio de casca verde amarelado, transportados, selecionados e acondicionados em diferentes filmes para embalagem: polietileno de baixa densidade (PEBD - 10 e 20 ?m) e polipropileno (PP - 6 e 10 ?m). Frutos não embalados foram utilizados como controle. Os cachos foram armazenados em câmara fria a 1°C e 85-90% UR durante 80 dias, sendo analisados a cada 20 dias, mais três dias a 22°C simulando-se a comercialização. Foram analisados: índice de abscisão das bagas, índice de podridões, desidratação do engaço e índice de escurecimento do engaço. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente ao acaso em fatorial 5 x 4 (5 tratamentos e 4 períodos de armazenamento). Foram utilizadas 4 repetições de 3 cachos por tratamento. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste da diferença mínima significativa (p<0,05). Valores baixos de abscisão de bagas (3%) foram encontrados nos frutos embalados com o filme PP durante o armazenamento. A amostra controle foi a que apresentou maiores índices de podridão em todos os períodos avaliados. A desidratação do engaço foi semelhante nos tratamentos com embalagem nos períodos de comercialização simulada. As embalagens foram eficientes contra o escurecimento do engaço. Os resultados mostraram que o filme polipropileno foi o que melhor conservou a qualidade das uvas cv. Centennial Seedless

Composition and Anticoagulant Potential of Chondroitin Sulfate and Dermatan Sulfate from Inedible Parts of Garfish (Belone belone)

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) play a crucial role due to their significant biomedical functions. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS), the main representative family of GAGs, were extracted and purified from garfish (Belone belone) by-products, i.e., skin (GSB), bones (GCB), and heads (GHB), and their composition and anticoagulant activity were investigated. CS/DS were purified by ion-exchange chromatography with yields of 8.1% for heads, 3.7% for skin, and 1.4% for bones. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis was also explored for analyzing the extracted CS/DS. Interestingly, GHB, GSB, and GCB possessed sulfate contents of 21 ± 2%, 20 ± 1%, and 20 ± 1.5%, respectively. Physico-chemical analysis showed that there were no significant differences (p &gt; 0.05) between the variances for sulfate, uronic acid, and total sugars in the GAGs extracted from the different parts of fish. Disaccharide analysis by SAX-HPLC showed that the GSB and GCB were predominately composed of ΔDi-4S [ΔUA-GalNAc 6S] (74.78% and 69.22%, respectively) and ΔDi-2,4S [ΔUA2S-GalNAc 4S] (10.92% and 6.55%, respectively). However, the GHB consisted of 25.55% ΔDi-6S [ΔUA-GalNAc 6S] and 6.28% ΔDi-2,6S [ΔUA2S-GalNAc 4S]. Moreover, classical anticoagulation tests were also used to measure their anticoagulant properties in vitro, which included the activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and thrombin time. The CS/DS isolated from garfish by-products exhibited potent anticoagulant effects. The purified CS/DS showed exceptional anticoagulant properties according to this research and can be considered as a new agent with anticoagulant properties