Anti bacterial activity and medicinal properties of paw paw (Carica papaya)

The antibacterial activity and medicinal properties of Carica papaya (paw paw) were studied. Paw paw leaves and the roots were extracted using solvents, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and water. The extracts were then assayed for bacterial activity and inhibition of bacterial growth. The results show that all the extracts except the water extract have antibacterial activity and that theinhibition of bacterial growth was dose dependent. The results also showed that paw paw extracts posses medicinal properties and could be used for the treatment of bacterial infections

Effect Of Leptin Status On Neuroendocrine- Reproductive Regulation And Maternal-Fetal Nutrient Transfer In Wistar Albino Rats

Effect of leptin status on neuroendocrine-reproductive regulation in wistar rats was studied. Ten wistar rats weighing between 170-280g were randomly assigned into two study groups. The animals in Group 1 (the control) received a placebo of 5.0ml distilled water while those in Group two were treated with 100mg insulin/kg body weight of rat via gastric intubation. The experiment lasted for 21 days. One day after the final exposure, the animals were euthanized by inhalation of over dose of chloroform. The brain of each rat was harvested and processed into whole homogenate, and was used for some biochemicals assays (i.e isolation and purification of RNA, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and leptin assay). The results showed that insulin increased the secretion of leptin, which in turn, reduced feed intake, and energy balance, leading to increased MRNA expression, suggesting that leptin may beinvolved in the control of appetite and maturation of luteneizing hormone secretory axis, which may be associated with development of the neuroendocrine axis (i.e neuroendocrine signal transduction). The study may suggest that leptin may serve as effectors that link mechanism that regulate reproduction and energy balance, thus playing an importantrole in reproduction and energy balance; modulating maternal nutrient partitioning inorder to optimize the provision of nutrients for fetal growth

Mitogenic Properties Of Lectin From Mucuna Sloanei Seed Extracts

Mitogenic properties of lectin from mucuna sloanei seed extracts were studied. The seeds of mucuna sloanie were shelled and ground using an electric grinder. The powder meal was then defatted with petroleum ether, and adjusted to 10 %( w/v) in potassium inorganic phosphates k-pi (A) buffer (pH 7.5). The suspension was then filtered and clarified by centrifugation. The supernatant (crude extract) was then acidified and centrifuged at 4000 Х g for 30 minutes. The supernatant generated was recovered. The materials were then extensively dialyzed, first against water and then against k-pi (A) buffer. Aliquots of the final dialysate were  serially diluted (2-fold steps) in k-pi (A) buffer and used for haemagglutination assay and immunological parameters (i.e. percentages lymphocytes eosinophils, monocytes, basophiles, and neutrophils). The results showed that the isolated lectin from mucona sloanei seedsextracts agglutinated human ABO, goat and chicken red blood cells, but did not agglutinate those of cow. It was also observed that the physicochemical properties of the lectin did not affect agglutination by variation of the pH of the medium or affected by temperature. The results of the immunological parameters showed that there were significant(p<0.05) increases in the values of the immunological parameters relative to those seen in the controls. This study, suggest that the isolated lectin from mucona sloanei seeds possesses mitogenic properties, and may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of certain diseases such as blood typing disorders and obesity

The management of industrial glass waste and its impact on the Nigeria environment

No Abstract.Global Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp. 19-2

Effect Of Microbial Fermentation Of Lignocellulose Wastes On Nutritive Status

Lignocellulosic wastes (municipal wastes and cassava peels) were hydrolyzed with enzymes (cellulase and glycosidase) and fermented for ethanol using saccharamyce cerevisae. The amount of ethanol produced was found to be both substrate and concentration dependent. Higher yields of ethanol were obtained with less crystalline wastes. Higher yields of ethanol were obtained with cassava peels than with municipal wastes. In both case the best yields of ethanol were in the presence of glucose and acid-hydrolyzed starch. In both cases, the fermented wastes gave higher protein content than the unfermented wastes. The possibility of employing the fermented products food and animal feed supplement is suggested. The feasibility of employing the cassava peels and municipal wastes as sources of ethanol or alcoholic beverages is also worth consideration. Keywords: Lignocelluloses wastes, municipal wastes, cassava peels, saccharamyce cerevisae and ethanol.Global Journal or Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 14 (4) 2008: pp.379-38