Effect of in utero exposure of Toddy (coconut palm wine) on liver function and lipid metabolism in rat fetuses

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a country liquor Toddy (Coconut palm wine) and an equivalent quantity of ethanol on liver function and lipid metabolism in utero. Female albino rats with an average weight of 125± 5 g were exposed to Toddy from coconut palm (24.5 ml/kg-1 body weight/day) and ethanol (0.52 ml/kg body weight/day) for 15 days before conception and during pregnancy. On day 13 and day 19 of gestation, altered liver function and hyperlipidemia were seen in the fetuses of both the treated groups. Altered liver function was evidenced by the increased activity of alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (aspartate amino transferase (GOT)), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (alanine amino transferase (GPT)). Hyperlipidemia was caused by increased biosynthesis since the incorporation of 14C acetate into lipids and activities of HMG CoA reductase and lipogenic enzymes were elevated. Toddy treated fetuses were more severely affected than those exposed to an equivalent quantity of ethanol. Toddy seemed to potentiate the toxicity induced by alcohol suggesting the role of non alcoholic components. Hepatic functions of the day 13 fetuses were effected to a lesser degree than those in the day 19 hepatic liver.     

Serum and liver lipids in rats fed diets containing corn oil,cottonseed oil,or a mixture of corn and cottonseed oils

Previous research has demonstrated that the total replacement of corn oil (CO) with cottonseed oil (CSO) in the diets of growing male rats results in a lowering of the total cholesterol (TC) concentration in the serum. It is not, however, known if a partial replacement of dietary CO with CSO would be sufficient to lower TC levels, nor is the effect of replacing dietary CO with CSO on other indices of cholesterol status (e.g., the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], non-HDL-C [i.e., very-low and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol], or the TC/HDL-C ratio). Growing male rats were fed diets having CO, CSO, or a CO/CSO (1:1, w/w) oil mixture (OM) as the source of dietary oil (diet groups CO, CSO, and OM, respectively). There were no differences between CO and OM groups for TC, HDL-C, non-HDL-C, or the TC/HDL-C ratio. However, TC was significantly lower (p 0.05)for the CSO group than the CO group (2.85 vs. 3.23 mmol/l, or 110 vs. 125 mg/dl, respectively) as was HDL-C (1.83 vs. 2.13 mmol/l, or 71 vs. 82 mg/dl, respectively), but there were no differences between these groups for non-HDL-C or the TC/HDL-C ratio. Diet had no effect on serum triglycerides (TGs) or on total liver content of either cholesterol or TGs. Thus, partial (50%) replacement of CO with CSO was without effect on any of these serum indices of cholesterol status, but total replacement resulted in lower TC and HDL-C, without affecting non-HDL-C or the TC/HDL-C ratio. Because, relative to CO, CSO has higher levels of saturated fatty acids but lower levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, the cholesterol-lowering effect of CSO appears to be unrelated to its fatty acid composition, and may be caused by a component of its nonsaponifiable fraction.     

Effect of coconut palm wine (Toddy) on carbohydrate metabolism in pregnant rats and fetuses

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of an alcoholic beverage (Toddy) and the equivalent quantity of ethanol on carbohydrate metabolism in utero. Female rats were exposed to Toddy from coconut palm (24.5 ml/kg body weight/day) and ethanol (0.52 ml/kg body weight/day) for 15 days before conception and throughout gestation. On the 19th day of gestation, hypoglycemia was seen in both the treated groups, but it was more in the Toddy-treated group. Synthesis of glycogen was elevated on exposure to ethanol/Toddy but its degradation was enhanced only in alcohol-exposed rats. Key enzymes of citric acid cycle and gluconeogenesis were inhibited on administration of both alcohol and Toddy. Activity of glycolytic enzymes were increased. Toddy seemed to potentiate the toxicity induced by alcohol, indicating the additive effects of congeners.     

Influence of palm oil ( Elaesis guineensis) on health

In recent times there has been a growing research interest in palm oil, one of the major edible plant oils in the tropical countries, because of the link between dietary fats and coronary heart disease. Obtained from a tropical plant, Elaesis guineensis, it has a polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid ratio close to unity and a high amount of antioxidant vitamin A precursors and vitamin E. Palm oil is consumed in the fresh state and/or at various levels of oxidation. Feeding experiments in various animal species and humans have highlighted the beneficial role of fresh palm oil to health. These benefits include reduction in the risk of arterial thrombosis and atherosclerosis, inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis and platelet aggregation, and reduction in blood pressure. However, a considerable amount of the commonly used palm oil is in the oxidized state which possesses potential dangers to the physiological and biochemical functions of the body. Oxidation is as a result of processing the oil for various culinary purposes. Studies have revealed that relative to fresh palm oil, oxidized palm oil induces an adverse plasma lipid profile, free fatty acids, phospholipids and cerebrosides. Additionally, oxidized palm oil induces reproductive toxicity and organotoxicity particularly of the kidneys, lungs, liver and heart. Available evidence suggests that at least part of the oxidized oil impact on health reflects generation of toxicants due to oxidation. The reduction of the dietary level of oxidized oil and/or the level of oxidation may reduce the health risk associated with consumption of oxidized fats.     

桃色顶孢霉发酵液对大豆的促生及其抗逆酶活性的影响

本实验采用了管碟法和种子萌发法研究了实验室分离获得的桃色顶孢霉对茄病镰刀菌F. solani.的拮抗作用以及对大豆的促生作用,并采用愈创木酚法、紫外吸收法、氮蓝四唑光化还原法研究了顶孢霉发酵液对POD、CAT、SOD三种抗逆酶活性的影响。结果表明：顶孢霉发酵液对镰刀菌菌丝生长有明显抑制作用,菌丝变稀疏。大豆种子经不同浓度桃色顶孢霉发酵液处理后,萌发率及种子酶活性均产生变化。不同浓度的发酵液对种子萌发促进作用不同,当发酵液浓度为10%时,胚根长,胚芽长,胚根鲜重,胚芽鲜重均达到最高值,分别为2.91cm,0.037g,4.07cm,0.1666g。与对照相比分别提高了49.37%,63.24%,30.54%,45.80%。当处理种子的发酵液浓度为60%时,种子萌发率最高为83.67%,与对照相比提高了23.90%;酶活性最强,POD、CAT和SOD分别为683U、160.67U和301U,与对照相比分别提高 73.50%,43.78%,76.73%。初步证实了桃色顶孢霉发酵液中含有能够促进大豆种子的萌发及抗逆酶活性升高的物质。     

Proximate composition, extraction, characterization and comparative assessment of coconut (Cocos nucifera) and melon (Colocynthis citrullus) seeds and seed oils

Proximate composition, extraction, characterization and comparative assessment of Cocos nucifera and Colocynthis citrullus seeds and seed oils were evaluated in this work using standard analytical techniques. The results showed the percentage (%) moisture, crude fibre, ash, crude protein, lipids and total carbohydrate contents of the seeds as 7.51 and 4.27, 7.70 and 5.51, 1.02 and 2.94, 10.57 and 11.67, 47.80 and 50.42 and 32.84 and 29.47 while the calorific values were 553.99 and 567.32 Kcal/100 g for C. nucifera and C. citrullus, respectively. The two seed oils were odourless and at room temperature (30 degrees C) liquids, with a pale yellow to yellowish colouration. Lipid indices of the seed oils indicated the Acid Values (AV) as 2.06-6.36 mg NaOH g(-1) and 2.99-6.17 mg NaOH g(-1), Free Fatty Acids (FFA) as 1.03-3.18 and 1.49-3.09%, Saponification Values (SV) as 252.44-257.59 and 196.82-201.03 mg KOH g(-1), Iodine Values (IV) as 9.73-10.99 and 110.93-111.46 mg of I2 g(-1) of oil and Peroxide Values (PV) as 0.21-0.21 and 1.53-2.72 mg O2 kg(-1) for soxhlet-mechanical extracted C. nucifera and C. citrullus seed oils, respectively. The studied characteristics of the oil extracts in most cases compared favourably with most conventional vegetable oils sold in the Nigeria markets; however, there were some observed levels of significant differences in the values at p < or = 0.05. These results suggest that the seeds examined may be nutritionally potent and also viable sources of seed oils judging by their oil yield. The data also showed that the seed oils were edible inferring from their low AV and their corresponding low FFA contents. Industrially, the results revealed the seed oils to have great potentials in soap manufacturing industries because of their high SV. They were also shown to be non-drying due to their low IV which also suggested that the oils contain few unsaturated bonds and therefore have low susceptibility to oxidative rancidity and deterioration as confirmed by their low PV which also serves as indicators of the presence or high levels of anti-oxidants in the oils.     

Effect of high and prolonged gari diets on some microsomal enzymes activities of rat liver

Male wister albino rats (90–130 g) were fed control and gari (56% w/w) (a dried cassava product) containing diets for 9 wks and sacrificed at intervals (1, 3, 6 and 9 wks). Liver microsomal fractions were assayed for glucose-6-phosphatase, NADPH-cytochrome c (P-450) reductase, NADPH-dichlorophenolindophenol reductase, cytochrome P-450 peroxidase and aniline hydroxylase activities. Whereas changes were observed in the activity rates of all enzymes, significant changes were observed in the NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity (43% inhibited,P<0.001) and glucose-6-phosphatase (19% inhibited,P<0.05) at 9 wk. The results are discussed in terms of the hepatotoxicity of gari.     

Effect of extrusion pretreatment on extraction,quality and antioxidant capacity of oat (Avena Sativa L.) bran oil

Extrusion is an alternative pretreatment for oil extraction from cereal resource. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of extrusion pretreatment of oat bran for oil extraction. The effects of extrusion conditions including feed moisture content, screw speed and die temperature on the extraction, quality and antioxidant capacity of oat bran oil were investigated. The results showed that the extraction yield of oat bran oil varied from 3.93% to 8.43% under different extrusion conditions. A feed moisture content of 25% had an important effect on the extraction of oil from oat bran. Extrusion pretreatment could increase oil extraction efficiency by increasing expansion index and porosity of oat bran extrudates. Extrusion processing had no positive or adverse effect on the fatty acid compositions, and acid, peroxide and iodine values. Meanwhile, extrusion processing did not affect the phytochemical components and antioxidant capacity of oat bran oil. But refining process could result in decrease of phytochemical components and antioxidant capacity of oat bran oil. These results indicated that extrusion is a feasible and potential pretreatment procedure for oil extraction from oat bran.     

Comparison of fatty acid composition,phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity in four flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) varieties

The present study evaluates variations among flaxseed varities in terms of fatty acid composition, phytochemical profile, and antioxidant activity determined by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferrous ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Significant variations in fatty acid composition, phenolic acids and lignan were observed in flaxseed varieties from different countries. Among them, unsaturated fatty acids accounted over 4/5 of total fatty acid content. The highest ratio of linolenic acid of total fatty acid was observed in USPEA, whereas the lowest one was found in Yexiao. USPEA showed the highest content of total phenolics, as well as flaxseed lignan. In general, total phenolics appeared to be the main contributors of antioxidant capacity of flaxseed, which presented significant positive correlation. Our study revealed that both cultivar and origin of seed significantly affected fatty acid composition, phenolic acids, lignans and subsequent antioxidant activity of flaxseed. These results provided new aspects of breeding resources of flaxseed cultivars by presenting their quality specification and possible commercial value.     

镁对大豆叶片抗氧化代谢的影响

以大豆品种浙春2号、浙春3号和9703为材料,采用土培实验方法,设置不同的镁离子处理水平,研究五 叶期和盛花期大豆叶片叶绿素含量、脯氨酸( Pro)含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、质膜透性(MP)和抗氧化酶( SOD、POD 和CAT)活性的变化。结果表明,大豆叶片叶绿素含量在五叶期时与镁离子浓度成正相关,盛花期时与镁离子浓度 负相关;在缺镁(0. 00mg/kg)条件下,大豆叶片的脯氨酸含量、MDA含量、质膜透性、超氧化物歧化酶( SOD)和过氧 化物酶( POD)活性较其它处理高,过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性较低;施镁则能显著降低大豆叶片的脯氨酸含量、MDA 含量和质膜透性,其中镁离子浓度60. 00mg/L的效果最好。3个大豆品种五叶期时脯氨酸和MDA含量较对照(0. 00mg/kg)降低1. 38%～22. 96%和12. 60%～44. 50% ,盛花期时则下降了11. 11% ～57. 90%和9. 87% ～71. 61%; 质膜透性五叶期时较对照下降了7. 19% ～38. 61% ,盛花期时则降低了21. 79%～46. 10%。SOD、POD和CAT对镁 的反应存在明显的不同。大豆品种对镁的反应存在一定的基因型差异,浙春3号对镁最为敏感,浙春2号次之, 9703对镁不太敏感。     

Improvement of(Eruca sativa Mill) yield,oil, chemical constituents and antioxidant activity utilizing a by-product of yeast production(CMS) with zinc and boron under salinity stress conditions

The impact of low-quality irrigation water on plant development has garnered significant attention from researchers. In light of this, two field experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance, yield, oil production and composition, as well as active constituents of Rocket(Eruca sativa Mill) cultivated in calcareous soil under saline water irrigation. Foliar sprays containing condensed molasses soluble(CMS), zinc(Zn), and boron(B) alone or in combination were used for irrigation. The data...     

Antidiabetic activity evaluation of glimepiride and Nerium oleander extract on insulin, glucose levels and some liver enzymes activities in experimental diabetic rat model

The present study is aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of sulfonylurea drug glimepiride in comparison with Nerium oleander plant extract on insulin, glucose levels and some liver enzymes activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Rats were rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of 50 mg kg(-1) body weight streptozotocin. Rats with serum glucose levels > 200 mg dL(-1) were subdivided into three sub-groups: the first sub-group were remained without treatment and considered as diabetics. The second and third subgroups were orally administered 0.1 mg kg(-1) body weight/day glimepiride and 250 mg kg(-1) body weight/day Nerium oleander, respectively for 4 weeks. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats showed hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia compared to controls. Strong negative correlation (r = -0.8) was found between serum insulin and glucose levels in diabetic rats. This correlation was +0.4 and -0.3 in glimepiride and Nerium olender-treated rats, respectively implying that glimepiride and plant extract improved insulin and glucose levels with the former was more efficient. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats compared to controls. Treatment of diabetic rats with glimepiride or Nerium oleander extract also improved liver enzymes activities.     

Effect of processing on the phenolic contents,antioxidant activity and volatile compounds of sorghum grain tea

Sorghum grain is rich in phenolic compounds and may be used to develop functional tea beverages. This work investigated the effect of processing techniques on the phenolic contents, antioxidant activity, and volatile compounds of a white colour sorghum (Liberty) grain tea. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and condensed tannin content were observed during the processing, whereas the antioxidant activity was not statistically enhanced. A total of 63 volatile compounds were detected including 5 alcohols, 13 alkanes, 2 aldehydes, 2 carboxylic acids, 15 esters, 4 ketones, 3 pyrazines and 1 phenylenediamine, which were affected by the processing techniques. The sorghum tea made from powder form infusion had more abundant volatile compounds compared to whole grain form infusion. The findings of this research have potential to expand human consumption of sorghum grain in the new form of grain tea.     

Effect of heat treatments on trypsin/chyomotrypsin inhibitor activity of red gram (Cajanus cajan L.)

The application of dry heat to the seeds and meal was not effective in inactivating the trypsin inhibitory activity (TIA) and chymotrypsin inhibitory activity (CIA). Soaking for 24 hours followed by cooking for 20 min was effective in destroying the TIA and CIA.     

Effect of prolonged consumption of gari (Cassava,Manihot Utilisima) on rat hepatic energy metabolism

Rats were fed high (35%, w/w) gari (Cassava,Manihot utilisima) — based diets for a prolonged period and sacrificed after 22/23 days, 30/31 days, 45/46 days and 59/60 days. Hepatic mitochondrial respiratory control for succinate oxidation was evaluated by four criteria (a) osmotic swelling/contraction cycle, (b) oxygen uptake, (c) ATPase activity and (d) Ca²⁺ uptake. A decrease (28–51% in respiratory control ratio (RCR)) in the degree of oxidative phosphorylation coupling, ATPase activity (19–24%) and increased swelling/contraction (30–75%) with no apparent effect on Ca²⁺ uptake were suggestive of moderate alterations in mitochondrial energy metabolism caused by the ingestion of garri based diet. The possible in vivo significance of these observations are discussed.     

Effect of leaf rust (Puccinia recondita tritici) on yield of four isogenic wheat lines

Four near-isogenic lines of wheat (Thatcher and Thatcher backcross lines with Lr3b, Lr16 and Lr9) with different levels of resistance to leaf rust were used to determine the relationship between disease severity and yield loss in the greenhouse and the field. Larger areas under the disease progress curves were associated with greater host susceptibility. Yield losses varied from 21% to 47% depending on the susceptibility of the lines and the severity of the epidemics. Yield loss measured varied with the size of the plot harvested. Percentage yield losses from each line in the field experiment were pooled and regressed against the area under the disease progress curve of disease severity on flag leaf and the mean severity per tiller. Both regressions were highly significant with R² of 0·89 and 0·88, respectively. The ratio of area under the disease progress curve to yield loss was higher in susceptible than resistant cultivars; thus it was difficult to ascertain whether a linear or S-shaped curve was more appropriate for the disease-loss relationship.     

Insecticidal and repellent activity of selected essential oils against of the pollen beetle, Meligethes aeneus (Fabricius) adults

The essential oils from 9 aromatic plants were tested on repellency and mortality of Meligethes aeneus adults. All the tested essential oils caused high mortality of M. aeneus adults in the tarsal tests. The lethal doses after 6 h exposure were ranged between 197 and 1508 μg cm⁻². Essential oils obtained from Carum carvi and Thymus vulgaris were most efficient where LD₅₀ was estimated as 197 and 250 μg cm⁻², respectively.Repellency declined in all the essential oils as a function of time. The longest persistence time was determined for essences obtained from C. carvi and T. vulgaris where significantly the highest repellent index of 65.6% and 63.8%, respectively, was determined. Repellent index lower than 15% was determined for the remaining essential oils.     

Effect of short term ingestion ofTelfaria occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) on the liver

Four groups of female mice (18–22g) were fed for at least 10 days on a control diet or diets with addedTelfaria occidentalis (10% w/w) vegetables. Group 1 were the control animals. Group 2 were fed the vegetable diet alone. Group 3 were fed the control diet and injected with aflatoxin B₁(AFB₁, 0.35 mg/kg/day) in the last 3 days. Group 4 were fed with the vegetable diet and similarly treated for 3 days with AFB₁. No effects attributable to treatment were encountered in body weight, food intake, water intake and relative liver weight (g/100 g body weight). Decreases (17–40%) in PB sleeping time in the vegetable fed animals were not significant (P>0.05) in comparison to the control. Microsomal proteins increased by 2 fold in group 2 but were apparently normal in groups 3 and 4. In group 2 the activities of liver microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase and NADH-cytochrome c reductase increased but those of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and aniline hydroxylase decreased. Increases were observed in the activities of all of these enzymes in groups 3 and 4. The highest increases were observed in glucose-6-phosphatase activity in mice fed the vegetables and also injected with AFB₁.     

施氮量对旱地胡麻养分积累、转运及氮素利用率的影响

通过田间试验,研究不同施氮量对胡麻产量、氮素积累转运及氮肥利用率的影响。结果表明, 在本试验土壤肥力条件下,无论施氮与否,胡麻各器官不同生育阶段氮素养分吸收、累积和转运规律的基本趋势一致,但其变化量与施氮量有极大关系。施氮量为55.2kg/hm2时,叶和茎中的氮素向籽粒的转移量、转移率及对籽粒氮素的贡献率最大;叶中氮素向籽粒的转移量、转移率及贡献率要比茎高出89.18%、83.36%和86.36%。胡麻籽粒中47.10%～57.66%的氮素来源于叶,22.46%～30.94%的氮素来源于茎,21.00%～30.48%来自籽粒生长后期从土壤中的吸收。施氮量为27.6、55.2、82.8 kg/hm2时,胡麻籽粒产量分别比不施氮增加了10.21%、16.92%和15.55%。施氮量为27.6～55.2 kg/hm2时,氮肥的表观利用率、偏生产力分别为：51.10%～68.63%和51.54～97.16 kg• kg-1。本试验条件下,综合考虑产量、氮肥利用率及生态环境,施氮量在27.6～55.2 kg/hm2为宜。     

温度、光、pH值对茶尺蠖病毒活性的影响

试验结果表明,茶尺蠖核型多角体病毒的多角体悬液经80℃(水浴)、干多角体经120℃(烘箱)恒温处理15分钟时,多角体失去活性。夏季,干多角体薄层经阳光直射24hr后几乎失去活性。病毒悬液的pH值在4～8之间对病毒活性无影响。