Effects of avocado seed extracts on growth performance and caecal flora of guinea pig (Cavia porcellus)

The diversification of animal protein sources is a beneficial strategy to fill the protein deficit that all developing countries like Cameroon are facing. This work was initiated with the aim of increasing the productivity of guinea pigs through the use of avocado seed extracts. Four experimental rations (T0, T1, T2 and T3) were formulated with graded level of avocado seed extracts (0; 100 g; 200 g and 300 g of extracts per 100 kg of food respectively). Each treatment was tested on 15 females and 3 males divided into 3 subgroups. The results reveal that the mean weights of the animals were significantly the highest: at farrowing (87.00 g); at weaning (160.80 g) and at 8 weeks of age (234.40 g) were obtained with the T1 treatment. The significantly highest total gains (147.4 g) were obtained with the T1 treatment, the T3 treatment having given the lowest mean gain. In animals receiving T0 and T1 treatments, the level of lactobacilli was higher than the level of E. coli. The reverse was observed with T2 and T3 treatments. The use of avocado seed extracts can be considered at an incorporation rate of 100 g / 100 kg in guinea pigs feed. La diversification des sources de protéines animales est une stratégie salutaire pour combler le déficit protéique dont font face tous les pays en développement à l’instar du Cameroun. Ce travail a été initié dans l’optique d’accroître la productivité des cobayes à travers l’utilisation des extraits de noyaux d’avocat (ENA). Quatre rations expérimentales (T0, T1, T2 et T3) ont été formulées contenant respectivement 0 ; 100 g ; 200 g et 300 g de ENA pour 100 kg d’aliment. Chacune des rations a été testées sur 15 femelles et 3 mâles divisés en 3 sous-lots de 6 sujets chacun. Les résultats ont révélé que les poids moyens des animaux significativement les plus élevés : à la mise bas (87,00 g) ; au sevrage (160,80 g) et à 8 semaines d’âge (234,40 g) ont été obtenus avec les animaux recevant 100 g/100 kg d’extrait de noyau d’avocat (T1). Les gains totaux significativement les plus élevés (147,4 g) ont été obtenus avec le traitement T1, le traitement T3 ayant donné le gain moyen le plus bas. Chez les animaux recevant les traitements T0 et T1, le taux de lactobacilles a été supérieur au taux de colibacilles. L’inverse a été observé avec les traitements T2 et T3. L’utilisation des extraits des noyaux d’avocat peut être envisagée à un taux d’incorporation de 100g/100kg d’aliment chez le cobaye

Full Length Research Paper - Production and partial characterization of a thermostable amylase from ascomycetes yeast strain isolated from starchy soils

An amylolytic yeast strain was isolated from starchy soils (flour mills environment, flour market, cassava farms after harvesting and transformation of tubers) and its enzyme productivity and activity evaluated. The enzyme synthesis was optimum at 30°C when initial pH of fermentation medium was 4.5. After extraction and partial purification, the enzyme remained stable in a range of temperature and pH between 20°C-60°C and 2-8 pH respectively. The optimum enzyme activity was displayed at 70°C and pH 5.5 and 6.5. The thermostability of the enzyme was comparable to that of amylases from bacteria

Bacterial and parasitic contaminants of salad vegetables sold in markets in Fako Division, Cameroon and evaluation of hygiene and handling practices of vendors

Abstract Objective Increase in awareness of the health benefits of vegetables has resulted in an increase in consumption. Many vegetables are consumed raw to retain the natural taste and heat labile nutrients. The safety of raw vegetables is a great concern. We investigated the bacteriological and parasitological quality of salad vegetables sold in three major markets in Fako Division Cameroon, the hygiene and preservation practices of vendors and determined the antimicrobial sensitivity of bacterial isolates, to provide data that could be used to improve food safety and safeguard public health. Results Bacterial contamination was high. Mean aerobic bacteria counts ranged from 2.5 × 106 to 15 × 106 cfu/g, total coliform counts from 4 to >  2400/g and fecal coliforms < 3 to 1100/g. Six bacterial species were isolated among which Staphylococcus aureus (35.4%) predominated while Serratia marcescens (8.5%) was the least. Bacteria showed high resistance to erythromycin (87.6%). Ten parasitic organisms were detected. Balantidium coli (25.6%) and Entamoeba spp. (21.7%) predominated. Contamination was highest in lettuce and lowest in green pepper. Hygiene and vegetable preservation practices of vendors were poor and could aggravate contamination. Contamination of fresh salad vegetables with pathogenic bacteria and parasites could be a food safety concern in study area

Microbial interactions for enhancement of α-amylase production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 04BBA15 and Lactobacillus fermentum 04BBA19

Interactions occurring between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and two thermostable α-amylase producing strains (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 04BBA15 and Lactobacillus fermentum 04BBA19) were analyzed by comparing their growth patterns obtained in isolation with those obtained in mixture. The difference between the patterns was assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) in order to measure how much the growth of an organism was affected by other. The results showed two types of interactions in mixed culture; commensalism between S. cerevisiae and B. amyloliquefaciens 04BBA15 and mutualism between S. cerevisiae and L. fermentum 04BBA19. In mixed culture, the α-amylase production increased significantly compared to that observed in monoculture (P < 0.05). Response surface optimization of fermentation parameters in mixed cultures (initial yeast to bacteria ratio 1.125, temperature 33.5 °C, pH 5.5) resulted in about 1.8 fold higher enzyme production than that observed in the unoptimized fermentation

Nutritional, sensory, physico-chemical, phytochemical, microbiological and shelf-life studies of natural fruit juice formulated from orange (Citrus sinensis), lemon (Citrus limon), Honey and Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Orange (Citrus sinensis), lemon (Citrus limon), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and honey contain nutrients and phytochemicals that are beneficial to health. Most of the available fruit drinks are artificial and may contain a lot of chemicals which could be unhealthy and detrimental to the health of the consumers. This work was aimed at formulating a healthy fruit drink from the combination (blend) of orange, lemon, ginger and honey for the development of a new product. Thirty (30) different juice blends (formulae) were made and subjected to sensory evaluation, from which five best formulated juices were selected using a 9 point hedonic scale. These were then subjected to physicochemical, nutritional, phytochemical, microbiological analyses and shelf-life studies. The results of the study showed pH (3.40–4.90), Vitamin C (0.04–0.06 mg/mL), titrable acidity (0.04–0.21 citric acid mg/100mL), total soluble solids (2.90–20.69%), reducing (0.41–1.44 mg/mL) and non-reducing sugar (0.21–2.06 mg/mL). The moisture, protein, fat, ash, fibre and available carbohydrate contents ranged from 79.31-97.10 %, 0.01–0.56g/100mL, 0.05–0.11g/100mL, 0.51–1.13g/100mL, 0.01–0.09g/100mL and 16.39–22.99g/100mL respectively. The macro (K, Ca, P, Na) and micro (Zn, Fe) minerals varied differently with Potassium (K) being the most abundant. Amongst the five best formulated juices, F22 (5% lemon juice) was the most organoleptically accepted. On the other hand, F21 (10% lemon juice + sugar) which had the least overall acceptability amongst the five, was shown to be the most nutritive

Physical activity and quality of life of people aged 50 and over living with HIV/AIDS: A cross-sectional study in a cohort in Yaounde, Cameroon

Introduction: HIV infection has become a chronic disease. Management has shifted to the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Regular physical activity (PA) reduces the impact of HIV. Our objectives were to determine levels of PA, assess quality of life (QoL) and determine the degree to which Brief WHOQOLHIV domains and PA influence QoL in older PLHIV. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between March 2020 and March 2021 among 136 older PLHIV at Mvog Ada District Hospital in Yaoundé. Two questionnaires were administered to assess the level of PA (Ricci and Gagnon) and the brief WHOQOL HIV. A bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Result: The mean age of the participants was 57.07 ± 6.7 years and the female/male ratio was 1.6. Physical inactivity was found in 56.60% of the participants; 43.40% of them felt they had a good quality of life and 65.40% had a good health status. The environmental domain and social relationship had low scores compared to the spiritual domain and the level of independence. Scores for the different domains were higher in active participants than in inactive participants; with the psychological domain more related to physical inactivity (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Physical activity remains very insufficient among PLHIV aged 50 years and over. There is a need to encourage regular physical activity among PLHIV, and adapted physical activity programs should be developed for people living with HIV in sub-Saharan countries