The alcoholic fermentative efficiency of indigenous yeast strains of different origin on orange juice

The alcoholic fermentative ability of yeast strains; Saccharomyces cerevisiae (isolated from yam), S. cerevisiae (from sugarcane molasses), S. carlsbergensis (from sugarcane molasses) and S. cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus (from orange juice) were examined on orange juice (Citrus sinensis). The quality of the wine produced on the basis of the acidity, ash content, vitamin C and the alcohol content were assayed. The fermentation efficiency varied between 48.05% with S. cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus and 99.46% with S. carlsbergensis. The highest ethanol concentration, yield and productivity were 6.80 ± 0.07% (w/v), 0.46 gg-1 and 0.57g l-1h-1, respectively. The rate of sugar utilization was least, (2.76 g/day) with S. carlsbergensis and highest (3.07 g/day) with S. cerevisiae from yam. The total alcohol produced was least (3.19 ± 0.21%, w/v) with S. cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus and highest (6.80 ± 0.07%, w/v) with S. carlsbergensis. The optimum pH ranged between 3.81 for S. cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus and 3.71 for S. cerevisiae (from yam). The Vitamin C level was highest (9.02 mg/100 g) with S. cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus and lowest (6.65 mg/100 g) with S. carlsbergensis

Production of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes by a phytopathogenic Myrothecium roridum and some avirulent fungal isolates from water hyacinth

The cellulolytic and xylanolytic activity of a pathogenic Myrothecium roridum Tode (IMI 394934) and non-pathogenic Fusarium solani and Curvularia pallescence Boedjin isolates from water hyacinth were investigated. The mycelial plugs of each isolate was grown in submerged cultures of Czapeck Dox broth containing the appropriate carbon source (carboxymethylcellulose, sawdust and homogenized dry water hyacinth leaf) at 25°C for 16 days. The enzyme activity assay was carried out on the culture filtrates obtained. This was measured as micromole sugar released per min. The result obtained showed that the enzyme activity (U/ml) for b-1,4-exoglucanase, b-1,4-endoglucanase and xylanase was maximum 3.70 ± 0.43, 0.95 ± 0.03 and 2.32 ± 0.10, respectively, in C. pallescens Boedjin grown on carboxymethylcellulose and minimum 0.12 ± 0.02, 0.13 ± 0.03 and 0.34 ± 0.01 respectively, in M. roridum grown on homogenized dry water hyacinth leaf. The b-glucosidase activity (U/ml) was highest, 1.74 ± 0.06 in M. roridum grown on sawdust and least, 0.08 ± 0.00 in C. pa llescens Boedjin grown on homogenized water hyacinth leaf broth. The maximum (324.00 ± 19.51 mg/ml) and minimum (130.00 ±5.83 mg/ml) total extracellular protein was produced in M. roridum grown on homogenized dry water hyacinth leaf and carboxymethylcellulose, respectively. This study showed that the phytopathogenic strain of M. roridum is capable of producing cellulases and xylanase enzyme in submerged cultures but to a lesser degree compared to F. solani and C. pallescence Boedjin

Use and cultural significance of Raphia palms

The genus Raphia (Palmae / Arecaceae) contains 22 species and represents a major multiuse resource across tropical Africa and Madagascar. Raphia species provide goods that range from food to construction material and medicine. Its species play a vital cultural role in African societies. Despite its importance, the taxonomy, ecology, and ethnobotany of this genus remain poorly understood. Here, we review the multiplicity of uses, products and cultural importance of Raphia species across its distribution. We provide a near exhaustive list of all products derived from Raphia species, classified by species and major use categories. We record nearly 100 different uses, traded and commercialized at local, regional, and national levels. Most species have several uses. Raphia wine is the most important product, followed by grubs and fiber extraction. Our review improves our understanding of the uses and cultural importance of Raphia species. If Raphia resources are managed responsibly, they will contribute to alleviate poverty, fight against hunger and conserve tropical biodiversity, especially in Africa