An investigation into the prevalence of water borne diseases in relation to microbial estimation of potable water in the community residing near River Ravi, Lahore, Pakistan

Water-borne diseases are the most prevalent infectious diseases in the developing countries especially in new settlements along the river. The present investigation was carried out to assess the prevalence rate of water-borne diseases among people residing near the left bank of River Ravi. This study has a descriptive cross sectional design on a statistically calculated sample of 50 households and 150 interviewees selected through simple random sampling technique. The target site was divided into three areas on the basis of socioeconomic conditions of the people. People were interviewed and water samples were collected from households and tested for microbial estimation. The information obtained from the study revealed a rather grave scenario, showing that almost 69% of the people were illiterate. An average of 42% did not have the facility of community water supply and 21% had to fetch water from a nearby place. An idea of the sanitatory conditions could be made from the fact that 76% had closed sewer type of toilet facility whereas 8% used the conservancy and 16% had to go to open fields for defecation, as they did not have any toilet facility in their own houses. The most common illness was diarrhoea and vomiting having a prevalence rate of 62.67% followed by skin problems (21% prevalence rate). Water-borne diseases were mostly prevalent in monsoon and summer season (May to September) showing a percentage of 44.67% and 39.33%, respectively. 82% of the people interviewed admitted that they did not treat (boiled or filtered) water before drinking. Bacteriological examination of water samples, collected from the target households in the area of study alarmingly showed that only 4 (8%) samples out of 50 were found to be fit for drinking while 46 (92%) were found to be contaminated and were found unfit for drinking according to WHO standards.Key words: Water-borne diseases, socioeconomic conditions, microbial estimation, semi-structured questionnaire, community water supply

Transesterification of oil extracted from different species of algae for biodiesel production

In the current study, biodiesel production efficiency of Chlorella vulgaris, Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum and mixed algae culture was measured by transesterification process. Growth rate of algal species was measured on the basis of increase in their dry matter in various media. Protein, carbohydrates and lipids in all selected algae were measured on dry matter basis. Extracted oil was analyzed for water contents, iodine value, saponification value, acid number and fatty acid composition. Transesterification of algal oil was performed by using sodium methoxide as a catalyst. Yield of biodiesel from extracted oil was calculated for C. vulgaris (95%), R. hieroglyphicum (91%) and mixed algae culture (92%). Produced biodiesel was analyzed for kinematic viscosity (4.9, 5.0 and 4.7 mm2/s), flash point (160, 156 and 155°C), specific gravity (0.91, 0.914 and 0.912 g/ml), cetain number (51, 49 and 47 min), iodine value (47, 53 and 49 mg/g), acid number (0.49, 0.5 and 0.46 mg.KOH/g), carbon residue (0.01, 0.02 and 0.01 mass%), sulfated ash (0.007, 0.003 and 0.004 mass%), sulphur (0.013, 0.012 and 0.01 wt%) and water contents (15, 23 and 17 mg/kg) for C. vulgaris, R. hieroglyphicum and mixed algae culture, respectively. Properties of biodiesel were compared with ASTM standards and it was found with high quality biodiesel.Key words: Biodiesel, oil extraction, algae, transesterification

Production and regulation of lignin degrading enzymes from Lentinus squarrosulus (mont.) Singer and Psathyrella atroumbonata Pegler

The influence of metal ions on the production and regulation of ligninase and mycelia extension of two type Basidiomycetes (Lentinus squarrosulus and Psathyrella atroumbonata) cultivated on lignocellulose waste was investigated. Mn2+ and Ca2+ ions stimulated growth of both fungi and mycelia extension significantly. Ligninase production increased two to twelve fold under the influence of Mn2+ and Ca2+ ions at concentrations of 20 to 80 mM. Mg2+ and K+ ions did not stimulate growth and extension of fungal mycelia, rather fungal cultures became deactivated after six days. The importance of mycelia extension and enhanced enzyme production has biotechnological applications in wood and pulp, textile and tanning, as well as in oil industries. Key words: Basidiomycetes, Lentinus squarrosulus, Psathyrella atroumbonata, ligninase, cofactors. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.2(11) 2003: 444-44

Studies on Buddleja asiatica antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic and Ca++ antagonist activities

Crude extract of Buddleja asiatica Lour and its fractions, chloroform (F1), ethyl acetate (F2) and nbutanol (F3) were evaluated for antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic and Ca++ antagonist activities. The antibacterial activity was performed against 11 types of bacteria. The crude extract and fractions F2 and F3 exhibited significant activity, while F1 showed low activity in killing the Shigella flexenari, Sternostoma boydi and Escherichia coli. In the rest bacteria, the crude extract and all the fractions (F1 to F3) revealed minimum to nil inhibitory effect. The fungicidal activity of the crude extract and all the fractions (F1 to F3) was also performed against six different fungi. The crude extract and fractions F1 and F3 displayed significant activity, while fraction F2 showed moderate activity against Fusarium solani. In the case of Microsporum canis, the crude extract and fraction F3 showed high activity but in the other four fungi, the inhibition area exhibited optimum to nil activity in crude extract and all the fractions (F1 to F3). In isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, B. asiatica crude extract caused concentration-dependent (0.03 to 1.0 mg/ml) relaxation of spontaneous and high K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions. The results indicate the antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic and Ca++ antagonist potential of B. asiatica Lour.Key words: Buddleja asiatica, antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, Ca++ channel blocker

Nutritional studies with Lentinus squarrosulus (Mont.) Singer and Psathyrella atroumbonata Pegler: I. Animal assay

Lentinus squarrosulus and Psathyrella atroumbonata, two edible indigenous mushroom species, were dried, ground and used in nutritional studies. According to the results L. squarrosulus and P. atroumbonata had significantly lower protein efficiency ratio (PER) values than the standard casein diet but gave rise to net protein retention (NPR) values which were at par, but slightly higher than that of the standard casein diet. In addition, the mean albumin and bilirubin levels were significant at p<0.01 while the total serum protein level was significant at p<0.05. The animals fed the protein free and P. atroumbonata diets produced comparable total serum protein levels that were significantly higher than the comparable total serum protein levels produced by the animals fed L. squarrosulus and the standard casein diet. The albumin levels produced by mice fed the protein free diet were at par with those of the P. atroumbonata diet, but significantly higher than the albumin levels of animals fed L. squarrosulus and the standard casein diets, which were similar.Keywords: Lentinus squarrosulus, P. atroumbonata protein efficiency ratio, net protein retention ratio, total serum protein, albumin, bilirubi

Variability Studies as Inferred from Leaf Morpho-Stomatal Features in Moringa oleifera Lam. from Northern Nigeria

The increasing demand for the Moringa oleifera product needs to be complimented with new improved cultivars with high performance to meet the supply chain of the country. To achieve this, the present study was aimed at studying the variability among 21 ecotype of M. oleifera based on morphology and leaf anatomy to detect promising cultivars for mapping out of future breeding schemes of this important crop. The generated data were analysed with the NTSYS pc software, and the 33 plant accessions were clustered into five groups irrespective of area of collection. Significant variations were observed in the leaf morphological and anatomical parameters of the accessions such that on clustering, region unspecific were observed in clusters I, II and III indicating a high possibility of exchange of genetic information between samples from far and closer geographical locations since they are not completely isolated. From the analysed accessions, 26BDMKT from north-west part of Nigeria forms a single cluster (IV) and gave the highest leaf length measurement of 61.2cm.Keywords: Leaf, Morphology, Stomata, Variation and Moringa oleifer

Effects of rainwater harvesting and afforestation on soil properties and growth of Emblica officinalis while restoring degraded hills in western India

Effect of rainwater harvesting (RWH) structures like Contour trench (CT), gradonie (GD), box trench (BT), V-ditch (VD) and afforestation with Emblica officinalis Gaertn (planted in August, 2005) were studied in <10%, 10-20% and >20% slopes with a view to improve soil status, plant growth, sequester carbon and rehabilitate hills for local benefits. Soil pH and EC decreased and percent soil, SOC, NO3-N and PO4-P increased in June 2010 over 2005. Enhanced soil water and nutrients in <10% slopefacilitated height and collar diameter growth of E. officinalis. Soil water was 14.0 and 51.4% greater in >20% and <10% slopes, respectively than in 10-20% slope, whereas it was 17.8, 16.1, 24.2 and 14.0% greater in CT, GD, BT and VD treatments, respectively over control. The highest plant growth was in CT plots in all slopes. Second best treatment was BT in <10% slope and VD in other slopes. Conclusively, RWH and afforestation facilitated soil improvement but CT/BT treatments were more efficient inconserving soil and water facilitating plant growth and helped restore the degraded hill. However, further research is required on soil water use and its partitioning in different vegetation component and the benefits accrued from it for the local people

Isolation and screening of alkaline protease producing bacteria and physio-chemical characterization of the enzyme

Soil samples from different habitats including tanneries, soap industries, garden soil and soil compost were screened for the presence of alkalophilic Bacillus isolates capable of producing alkaline protease in large quantities. One hundred and eighteen (118) isolates were found having proteolytic activity on skim milk agar plates. Isolates forming larger zones, as a result of casein hydrolysis were further studied for quantitative production of extracellular alkaline protease activity in the shake flask studies. Isolate CEMB10370 gave maximum activity. Time course studies indicated that strain CEMB10370 had the highest protease activity (380 APU/mL) after 48 h of fermentation. The wild type enzyme was biochemically characterized. The enzyme exhibits optimal activity at 50°C and pH 11.5. The protease enzyme was completely inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl (PMSF, serine protease inhibitor) and its isoelectric point was ~9.5. The enzyme was purified by ion-exchange chromatography using CMSepharose column as a ~29 Kilo Dalton (kDa) protein.Key words: Alkaline protease, alkalophilic ,Bacillus subtili

Biofilms in Endodontics—Current Status and Future Directions

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An energy efficient interference-aware routing protocol for underwater WSNs

Interference-aware routing protocol design for underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) is one of the key strategies in reducing packet loss in the highly hostile underwater environment. The reduced interference causes efficient utilization of the limited battery power of the sensor nodes that, in consequence, prolongs the entire network lifetime. In this paper, we propose an energy-efficient interference-aware routing (EEIAR) protocol for UWSNs. A sender node selects the best relay node in its neighborhood with the lowest depth and the least number of neighbors. Combination of the two routing metrics ensures that data packets are forwarded along the least interference paths to reach the final destination. The proposed work is unique in that it does not require the full dimensional localization information of sensor nodes and the network total depth is segmented to identify source, relay and neighbor nodes. Simulation results reveal better performance of the scheme than the counterparts DBR and EEDBR techniques in terms of energy efficiency, packet delivery ratio and end-to-end delay