Effects of mixed substrates on growth and vitamin production by Euglena gracilis

The effects of mixed carbon sources on growth and production of vitamins E and A by Euglena gracilis cells were investigated in batch culture. The cells were grown mixotrophically in glucose (G), ethanol(E) and a mixture of glucose and ethanol (EG). Cell growth was measured by counting the cell number with microscope, while vitamin concentrations were measured spectrophotometrically. Growth of thecells was found to be much better in the mixed carbon culture (EG) than in either glucose (G) or ethanol (E) alone. Significance difference was detected (P [G] > [E].The average cell density in the mixed carbon culture reached 2.34 ± 0.109 x 107 cells/ml after 7 days. It was about 1.63 ± 0.089 x 107 cells/ml in glucose and 0.70 ± 0.084 x 107 cells/ml in ethanol. The result also showed that ethanol alone was the best carbon source for production of the vitamins. The results indicated that the mixed carbon culture enhanced growth of the cells, but cellular contents of theantioxidant vitamins were low. Thus, the mixed substrate system has a high potential for large-scale production of Euglena biomass

Determination of amylase activity of crude extract from partially germinated mango seeds (Mangifera oraphila)T

Amylase activity of crude extract from partially germinated mango seeds ( Mangifera oraphila) was determined using Caraway-Somogyi  iodine/potassium iodide (IKI) method. The effects of varied pH and temperature were also investigated. The amylase was extracted with 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 4.2). Amylase activity of the crude extracts was measured by monitoring the amount of starch hydrolyzed by the crude extract over time. The result showed the presence of amylase activity in the extract, depicted by its ability to gradually decrease the concentration of the starch solution used as substrate. The optimum pH and temperature of the crude enzyme were about 6.0 and 60°C respectively. This study demonstrated that the abundant waste mango seeds in the south-eastern Nigeria, particularly Ebonyi state, could be exploited for production of amylase

Phytochemical Analysis of Two Wild Edible Mushrooms, Auricularia Polytricha And Pleurotus Ostreatus, Common in Ohaukwu Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The concentrations of phytochemicals in two edible mushroom varieties (Auricularia polytricha and Pleurotus ostreatus) from Ohaukwu area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, were determined using standard methods. The result revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, oxalates, phytates, HCN and phenols in appreciable amounts. Significant variations in composition of the phytochemicals were observed between the mushrooms (P < 0.05). The obtained values of the phytochemicals were significantly lower in both mushroom varieties compared to their toxic levels according to World Health Organization's stipulated safe limits. Thus, the study suggests that both mushrooms varieties are very safe for consumption, while the significant presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and phenols indicate medicinal properties

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The concentrations of some phytochemicals in three species of edible mushrooms (Coral mushroom, Agaricus bisporus and Lentinus sajor) that are common in Ohaukwu area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria were determined using standard methods. The results revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, oxalates, phytates, HCN and phenols in significant amounts with tannins being the highest, followed by flavonoids and phenols, while HCN was the least in concentration. There was a significant variation among the mushrooms in their composition of the phytochemicals (p<0.05). The obtained values of the phytochemicals in all the mushrooms were interestingly found to be significantly lower (p<0.05) than their toxicity levels according to World Health Organization (WHO) safe limits. The results of this study suggest that these mushrooms may be very safe for consumption in terms of phytochemical toxicity and at the same time have some medicinal properties