Evaluation of enzymes inhibition activities of medicinal plant from Burkina Faso

The aim of the present study was to evaluate some enzymes inhibitory effects of 11 plant species belonging to 9 families from Burkina Faso. Methanolic extracts were used for their Glutathione-s-transferase (GST), Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Carboxylesterase (CES) and Xanthine Oxidase (XO) inhibitory activities at final concentration of 100 microg mL(-1). The total phenolics, flavonoids and tannins were also determined spectrophotometrically using Folin-Ciocalteu, AlCl3 and ammonium citrate iron reagents, respectively. Among the 11 species tested, the best inhibitory percentages were found with Euphorbia hirta, Sclerocarya birrea and Scoparia dulcis (inhibition > 40%) followed by Annona senegalensis, Annona squamosa, Polygala arenaria and Ceratotheca sesamoides (inhibition > 25%). The best total phenolic and tannin contents were found with S. birrea with 56.10 mg GAE/100 mg extract and 47.75 mg TAE/100 mg extract, respectively. E hirta presented the higher total flavonoids (9.96 mg QE/100 mg extract). It's was found that Sclerocarya birrea has inhibited all enzymes at more than 30% and this activity is correlated to total tannins contents. Contrary to S. birrea, the enzymatic activities of E. hirta and S. dulcis are correlated to total flavonoids contents. Present findings suggest that the methanolic extracts of those plant species are potential inhibitors of GST, AChE, CES and XO and confirm their traditional uses in the treatment of mental disorders, gout, painful inflammations and cardiovascular diseases.     

Human papillomaviruses prevalence and genital co-infections in HIV-seropositive women in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

The vaginal swabs among HIV-positive women in Africa often revealed opportunistic infections such as human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Mycoplasma that induce respectively cervix cancer and diseases such as vaginosis, abortions, infertility in through salpingitis. The purposes of this study were to: (1) seek for, the prevalence of pathogens such as HPV and Mycoplasma; (2) characterize the strains of HPV and estimate their prevalence; (3) identify among these women, those who were co-infected by these pathogens in order to cure them. From February 2009 to January 2010, 156 HIV-positive women attending our medical centers and aged from 19-45 years (mean age 33.65 +/- 5.75 years) had voluntarily accepted vaginal specimen's tests. PCR, ELISA and molecular hybridization were used for the identification and characterization of these pathogens. The results revealed the presence of Mycoplasma and HPV in 25.64 and 58.33% cases, respectively. The following HPV genotypes and the following prevalence were recorded: HPV-50'S (24.11%), HPV-18 (21.28%), HPV-30'S (18.44%) and HPV-16 (5.67%). The study also enable the identification of co-infections such as HPV-18 strains with HPV-30'S (5.67%) and HPV-30'S with HPV-50'S (3.55%). Other germs infecting the female genital tract including Candida albicans (20.51%), Escherichia coli (12.18%), Treponema pallidum (3.85%), Streptococcus agalactiae (3.21%) and Staphylococcus aureus (1.92%) were isolated. This preliminary research work showed the incidence of several genital pathogens, this could be a springboard for nationwide epidemiological study on HPV strains circulating in Burkina Faso.     

不同采收期三白草中总黄酮含量测定及抗氧化活性研究

目的测定不同采收期三白草中总黄酮含量及其抗氧化活性,方法采用AlCl3比色法测定总黄酮含量,通过DPPH自由基(DPPH·)法和测定还原Fe3+能力的方法评价其抗氧化能力。结果芦丁在0.01～0.1mg/mL范围内呈良好的线性关系,平均回收率为99.62%,RSD为2.37%,5月和8月份采收三白草中总黄酮含量较高,分别为67.56和44.61mg/g,同时清除DPPH·活性亦较强,IC50分别为2.35和2.57mg/mL。结论不同采收期三白草中总黄酮含量和抗氧化活性较大差异,为三白草采收及开发利用提供了一定的科学依据。     

Susceptibility of five nightshade (Solanum) species tophytophthora infestans

The susceptibility of leaves and berries of five night-shade species to infection by the potato late blight pathogenPhytophthora infestans was tested. American black nightshade (Solanum americanum) and eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum) were resistant to infection. However, two accessions (entire-edged and dentate-edged leaf) of hairy nightshade (Solanum sarrachoides), cutleaf nightshade (Solanum triflorum), and bitter or climbing nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) were susceptible. Survival of the pathogen in susceptible species was tested under different environmental conditions. The pathogen survived for at least 2 wk in both hairy nightshade accessions when plant material was kept in soil at a temperature of 20 C. However,P. infestans survived 48 h at ?15 C only in the entire-leaf hairy nightshade accession. In the laboratory, oospores of the pathogen were formed in inoculated plants of the two hairy nightshade accessions, cutleaf nightshade, and ‘Russet Burbank’ potato, but not in American black nightshade, bitter nightshade, or eastern black nightshade.     

In vitro anti Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv activity of Lannea acida A. Rich from Burkina Faso

The cytotoxic and anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv activities of hydro-alcoholic extract of Lannea acida A. Rich (Anacardiaceae) were assessed. The cytoxicity evaluation was carried out on THP1 monocytoid cell line (after 24 h at 1; 5 and 10 microg mL(-1)) and showed only a slight modification of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. The rate of monocytes in different stages of mitosis had been amended in absence and presence of extract as follows: Go/G1 58.83-59.83%; synthesis 21.95-18.64%; mitosis 16.67-15.77%; necrosis 2.65-5.64%. The percentage of inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis proliferation was respectively 77.6 and 36.8% at 1.2 and 0.6 mg mL(-1) of extract. This is an interesting experimental study on antimicrobial and immune-stimulating properties of Lannea acida ethanol-water (70% v/v) extract which may contain potential antibacterial and immune-stimulating agents for clinical use.     

Assessment of sorghum germplasm from Burkina Faso and South Africa to identify new sources of resistance to grain mold and anthracnose

Sorghum is an important worldwide crop whose yield can be significantly reduced by anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineola) and grain mold diseases (multiple fungi). The identification of new genetic sources of resistance to both diseases is imperative for the development of new sorghum varieties. To this end, a total of 80 exotic germplasm accessions from Burkina Faso (BFA) and South Africa (ZAF) were evaluated for anthracnose and grain mold resistance during two planting periods in 2012 at the USDA-ARS experimental farms in Isabela, Puerto Rico. Twelve accessions were resistant to anthracnose during both evaluations of which 10 are originally from BFA. The anthracnose resistant accessions identified herein had a hypersensitive reaction characterized by lesions having red and purple color. Likewise, 9 accessions exhibited grain mold resistance after being inoculated with a mixture of a conidial suspension of Fusarium thapsinum, Fusarium semitectum, and Curvularia lunata during both periods. Eight of these accessions (PI 586182, PI 586186, PI 647705, PI 647706, PI 647707, PI 647708, PI 647710, and PI 647712) originated from BFA, while one (PI 61666) is from ZAF. The PI 586186 was the only accession that exhibited resistance to both anthracnose and grain mold. The grain mold resistant accession PI 61666 has a panicle shape that resembles a standard United States commercial type sorghum and is also photoperiod insensitive. The results presented herein indicate that the BFA germplasm could be an important source for anthracnose and grain mold resistance genes. The integration of these anthracnose and grain mold resistant germplasm into sorghum breeding programs should aid in expanding the genetic diversity and in the development of new resistant varieties.     

香蕉多酚氧化酶成熟蛋白的原核表达

笔者所在课题组从巴西香蕉中分离到1个PPO基因全长,并进行了原核表达,但结果未表达出目的蛋白。鉴于上述情况,笔者对香蕉PPO全蛋白进行转移肽分析,结果发现其N端含有转移肽,长度为47个氨基酸。切除转移肽并进行香蕉PPO成熟蛋白原核表达,SDS-PAGE电泳检测结果表明,在62 ku处有一条特异的蛋白条带,与预测大小相符;并且进行质谱分析,结果确定重组表达蛋白为香蕉PPO,初步说明转移肽对香蕉PPO体外表达的影响,为进一步研究香蕉PPO功能及在香蕉褐变生理和调控机制中的作用提供理论基础。     

Importance of seed-borne fungi of sorghum and pearl millet in Burkina Faso and their control using plant extracts

Seed-borne fungi of sorghum and pearl millet in Burkina Faso were surveyed. A total of 188 seed samples from various locations, collected in 1989 (42) and 2002 (146), were tested, using the blotter, dry inspection and washing methods. Infection experiments were carried out with the major fungi recorded on each crop by the blotter test. Six essential oils of plants were investigated for their inhibitory activity against eight pathogenic fungi. Thirty four and 27 fungal species were found in seed samples of sorghum and pearl millet, respectively. Phoma sp. and Fusarium moniliforme infected 95 to 100% of the seed samples of both sorghum and pearl millet. Sphacelotheca sorghi and Tolyposporium ehrenbergii were encountered in respectively, 75 and 33% of seed samples of sorghum. T. penicillariae, Sclerospora graminicola and Claviceps fusiformis were present in 88, 41 and 32% of seed samples of pearl millet, respectively. Seeds inoculated with Acremonium strictum, Curvularia oryzae, F. equiseti, F. moniliforme and F. subglutinans and sown in sterilized soil, showed considerable mortality of the seedlings. Three essential oils inhibited in vitro the mycelial growth of all the fungi used by 85 to 100% and reduced significantly sorghum and pearl millet seed infection rates of Phoma sp., Fusarium sp., Curvularia sp., Colletotrichum graminicola and Exserohilum sp. Presence of many pathogenic fungi in considerable number of seed samples indicates the need of field surveys for these and other pathogens. Development of plant extracts for the control of seed-borne pathogens and public awareness on seed-borne diseases management measures for maintaining quality seed should be increased.     

Aluminum contents of the edible portions of the winged bean,Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC. (Fabaceae): Field study and caveat

The winged bean,Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC has been widely recognised as a potentially useful source of protein for tropical regions of the world. A neglected aspect of the plants nutritional quality has been the reporting of the accumulation of aluminum (Al) in the edible parts of the plant; the leaves, pods, seeds and tubers. The accumulation of Al in the plant on acidic tropical soils and the implication of Al to human health problems further justified the inclusion of Al in nutritional analysis. Field experiments on two varieties of the winged bean, the USDA-releaseHi-Flyer and an unnamed variety from the Phillipines, showed that all edible portions of the plant accumulate Al from high to very high levels when compared to an average of usually less than 300 ppm in other crop plants. Aluminum accumulation is generally highest in the youngest tissues particularly in the young roots with levels recorded as high as 25,000 ppm and these contents are as high as levels for recognised Al accumulators such as the leaves ofPinus and tea. Future improvement breeding programs for the winged bean will necessarily require identifying and taking advantage of possible variation in Al accumulation between varieties.     

Evaluation of antioxidant activities of the edible and medicinal Suaeda species and related phenolic compounds

Antioxidants are the chemical substances that reduce or prevent oxidation. The present study aimed to assess in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant activities of four acetonic extracts Tunisian halophytes (Suaeda fruticosa, Suaeda pruinosa, Suaeda mollis and Suaeda maritima). Various experimental models were used for characterization of antioxidant activities of shoot extracts. Eventually, the promising specie was subjected to phenolic identification using RP-HPLC. The analyzed shoot extracts exhibited that antioxidant activities varied considerably as function of species. The highest DPPH scavenging ability was found in S. mollis with the lowest IC₅₀ value (2.5 μg/ml), followed by S. pruinosa, S. fruticosa and S. maritima. The same tendency was observed with ferric reducing power. Concerning β-carotene bleaching assays and total antioxidant activity, results showed that S. fruticosa exhibited the highest antioxidant ability against the inhibition of β-carotene bleaching, and a better total antioxidant capacity. Moreover antioxidant capacities using ORAC method and a cell based-assay showed that S. mollis, S. fruticosa, and S. pruinosa exhibit statistically similar antioxidant activity. The identification of phenolic compounds in S. mollis extract using RP-HPLC revealed that 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and rutin hydrate were the major molecules. These results suggested that Suaeda species showed a variability of their antioxidant activities.     

Population Dynamics of Aphthona whitfieldi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Pest of Jatropha curcas,and Environmental Factors Favoring Its Abundance in Burkina Faso

The flea beetle Aphthona whitfieldi Bryant (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is the main pest of the bioenergy crop Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) in Burkina Faso and several other West African countries. Adults severely defoliate plants, resulting in seedling mortality, poor growth, and low yields. To study the population dynamics of the pest in the Sissili Province of Burkina Faso, 12 sites were monitored weekly during a year and 31 sites were inspected for damage at the peak period of insect abundance. The effect of cropping systems (hedge, intercropping, and monoculture) and surrounding vegetation on population densities of A. whitfieldi was assessed. Beetles were rarely found in the dry season and peaked in the second half of the rainy season. The cropping system did not significantly influence the abundance and attack level. In contrast, the close vicinity of fallow lands seems to increase damage levels. Many aspects of the biology and ecology of A. whitfieldi remain to be investigated before sustainable control methods can be developed. However, this study already allows us to propose recommendations for further research on management.     

Nitrogen flows and balances as affected by water and nutrient management in a sorghum cropping system of semiarid Burkina Faso

Efficient use of external inputs and water conservation are a prerequisite of sustainable agricultural productivity in semiarid West Africa. A field experiment was carried out during 3 years (2000–2002) at Saria in semiarid Burkina Faso (800 mm of annual rainfall, PET of 2000 mm per year) to assess the effects of stone rows or grass strips of Andropogon gayanus Kunth cv. Bisquamulatus (Hochst. Hack.) as soil and water conservation (SWC) measures, the sole application of an organic (compost-N) or mineral (urea-N) nitrogen and the combined use of SWC and compost-N or urea-N on N flows and balances. The trial was conducted on a Ferric Lixisol with 1.5% slope and comprised nine treatments in two replications. The SWC measures were put along contours lines. During the three consecutive years, all treatments induced negative annual N balances (−75 to −24 kg N ha⁻¹). The main factors explaining these negative balances were N exports by sorghum biomass and soil erosion-induced N losses. Large amounts of N (7 kg N ha⁻¹ per year in 2000 and 44 kg N ha⁻¹ per year in 2002) were lost in the control treatment through runoff and eroded sediments, which corresponds respectively to about 10 and 43% of the total outflow of N. Sole stone rows and grass strips reduced erosion N losses to 8 and 12%, respectively, of the total annual loss. The combined application of SWC measures and nutrients inputs reduced erosion N losses to only 2–7% of the annual N loss. The application of urea-N or compost-N led to the lowest soil N mining over the 3 years, whereas the highest N mining was observed in plots without added N. We conclude that N mining in poor fertile soils of West Africa can be mitigated through an integration of local water and nutrient management practices.     

Heterofucans from the brown seaweed Canistrocarpus cervicornis with anticoagulant and antioxidant activities

Fucan is a term used to denominate a family of sulfated polysaccharides rich in sulfated l-fucose. We extracted six fucans from Canistrocarpus cervicornis by proteolytic digestion followed by sequential acetone precipitation. These heterofucans are composed mainly of fucose, glucuronic acid, galactose and sulfate. No polysaccharide was capable of prolonging prothrombin time (PT) at the concentration assayed. However, all polysaccharides prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Four sulfated polysaccharides (CC-0.3/CC-0.5/CC-0.7/CC-1.0) doubled aPTT with only 0.1 mg/mL of plasma, only 1.25-fold less than Clexane, a commercial low molecular weight heparin. Heterofucans exhibited total antioxidant capacity, low hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, good superoxide radical scavenging efficiency (except CC-1.0), and excellent ferrous chelating ability (except CC-0.3). These results clearly indicate the beneficial effect of C. cervicornis polysaccharides as anticoagulants and antioxidants. Further purification steps and additional studies on structural features as well as in vivo experiments are needed to test the viability of their use as therapeutic agents.     

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of lignin from residue of corn stover to ethanol production

To improve the economic viability of the biofuel production from biomass resource, a value-added lignin byproduct from this process is increasingly important. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of lignin extracted from residue of corn stover to ethanol production were investigated. The lignin extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activities in hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay and Folin-Ciocalteu test. The extracts also exhibited antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus) and yeast (Candida lipolytica), but not Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Enteritidis) or bacteriophage MS2. Different extraction conditions (temperature and residue/solvent ratio) affected the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of lignin extracts. Generally, the bioactivities of lignin extracts were consistent with FTIR analysis results. Lignin byproducts showed the potential for their antioxidant and antimicrobial application.     

产多酚氧化酶茶树内生真菌的筛选及产酶条件优化

以愈创木酚、α-萘酚、没食子酸、L-酪氨酸和单宁酸等5种酚类物质为底物,采用鉴别培养基筛选法从14株茶树内生真菌中初筛获得4株产多酚氧化酶的真菌。根据变色圈的大小、颜色深浅和摇瓶发酵的结果复筛获得产多酚氧化酶能力较强的菌株CSN-13。对菌株CSN-13产酶营养条件进行初步分析,结果表明,在供试的6种碳源物质中,以麸皮对菌株CSN-13产多酚氧化酶的促进作用最为明显;供试的5种氮源物质中,以硝酸铵的促进作用最为明显;在发酵培养基中添加茶水,对产酶有明显的促进作用。采用正交设计对CSN-13产酶发酵培养基进行初步优化,优化后的培养基配方为：麸皮（40βg·L^-1）、硝酸铵（15βg·L^-1）、茶水（4βg·L^-1）、KH₂PO₄（2βg·L^-1）、MgSO₄·7H₂O（0.5βg·L^-1）、无水CaCl₂（0.075βg·L^-1）、CuSO₄·5H₂O（0.01βg·L^-1）。采用优化后的培养基,菌株CSN-13在28℃下培养5βd,酶活力达到241βU·mL^-1·min^-1,比优化前提高8.5倍。茶树内生真菌菌株CSN-13及其发酵产酶培养基的研究为多酚氧化酶的进一步开发打下了基础。     

Chemical analysis and nutritional assessment of Teramnus labialis (L.) Spreng. (Fabaceae)

Seeds of Teramnus labialis (L.) Spreng.(Fabaceae), used as food by Malayali tribals in theKollihills of Salem District, Tamil Nadu in SouthIndia, were investigated for their nutritional value. These seeds were analyzed for proximate composition,total (true) seed proteins, seed proteinfractions, amino acid composition, fatty acidcomposition, minerals and antinutritional factors. Crude protein, crude fat, ash, and nitrogen freeextracts constituted 22.86%, 6.10%, 4.62%, and,58.15%, respectively, of the seed weight. The caloricvalue of 100 g dry matter of seed material was 378.94kcal. The essential amino acids lysine, leucine +isoleucine, arginine, valine and histidine werepresent in relatively large quantities. Theunsaturated fatty acids constituted more than 60% ofthe crude fat. Concentrations of minerals such aspotassium, magnesium, calcium, and, phosphorus werehigh. Antinutritional factors such as total freephenols, tannins, L-DOPA, hydrogen cyanide andphytic acid were present in minute quantities. Theseantinutritional factors are potentially eliminated using the conventional method of soaking the seeds in water,boiling with water and decanting prior to consumption.     

Feeding perturbation and toxic activity of five Chrysanthemum species crude extracts against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae)

The effect of the whole methanol extracts of five Chrysanthemum species on feeding and performance of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) larvae has been investigated in vitro. The extracts exhibited an anti-feeding and phagostimulating activities against cotton leafworm larvae when applied either on leaf discs or incorporated into an artificial diet. Under chosen conditions, the antifeedant index calculated over 24 h for sixth instar larvae significantly varied from 78.55 for Chrysanthemum segetum L. to −44.18 for Chrysanthemum fuscatum Desf. at the dose of 1000 ppm. Toxicity of the extracts was manifested by a high mortality, reduced growth rates, and low weight gain by larvae fed on diets containing 1000–10,000 ppm of the extract. Anyone of the larvae treated with Chrysanthemum macrotum (D.R.) Ball. leaves crude extract survived to pupation at the two higher concentrations. The time to pupation increased for Chrysanthemum grandiflorum flowers crude extract from 11.40 ± 0.93 to 28.93 ± 10.92 days as the extract concentration in the diet increased from 0 to 10,000 ppm. The ingestion of crude extract by the third instar larvae reduced significantly the consumption, growth and utilisation of the ingested and digested food, and reduced digestibility.     

Performance of haploid x wild species, 2x hybrids (involving five newly evaluated species) in 4x × 2x families

The 4x × 2x breeding scheme in potato allows introgression of germ-plasm from the 2x wild species into the cultivated tetraploid. Eighteen 4x × 2x, forty-five 4x × 4x, seven 4x-selfs, and five open pollinated (OP) families were transplanted in a randomized complete block design with two replications and 18 plants per family per replication. The 2x parents of the 4x × 2x families were seven haploid x wild species hybrids. These hybrids involve five 2x, wild species,Solanum bukasovii, S. gourlayi, S. muhidissectum, S. vermi, andS. verrucosum, which had not previously been evaluated in the 4x × 2x breeding scheme. Data were recorded for family yield, maturity, tuber uniformity, tuber number, and general tuber appearance. The 4x × 2x families as a group performed as well as or better than the 4x × 4x, 4x-self, and 4x-OP groups for all traits except maturity. Within family maturity distributions for 4x × 2x families indicate the possibility to select early maturing clones from high yielding families. Eleven of the fifteen families in the top 25% of the 4x × 2x and 4x × 4x families for yield were 4x × 2x families. Three of the four 2x parents evaluated for parental performance gave highly significant responses for increased yield. 4x × 2x families with Chiquita as a parent were the poorest yielding while several of the 4x x 4x families of which it was a parent were among the highest yielding: This indicates that the benefits of maximum heterozygosity may be overridden if the percentage of unadapted germplasm is too high.     

Phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of six artemisia species

The aim of this work was to establish the antioxidant capacities and the polyphenolic profile of six different Artemisia species that could potentially be used in the human diet. A high-performance liquid chromatographic method coupled with photodiode-array detector was used to identify and quantify individual phenolic compounds of the Artemisia leaves. A total of 18 polyphenolic compounds were identified and quantified in Artemisia leaves, including hydroxybenzoic acids (4), hydroxycinnamic acids (5), flavonols (3), and catechins (2). It was observed that total phenolic content of A. annua and A. stelleriana leaves were significantly lower than the other four species. Ferulic and caffeic conjugates acids were the most dominant hydroxycinnamic acid and gallic acid and catechin were the most dominant hydroxycinnamic acid and catechins respectively. According to DPPH assays, the antioxidant capacity of A. arborescens spp., A. ludoviciana spp., A. oleandica spp. and A. princepts spp., were found to be higher (reflecting a 2-fold difference) than that of the other two species. Compared with those of major commercial leafy vegetables, leaves of Artemisia contain a higher content of flavonoids and phenolic acids, which provide significant health benefits and may be used as natural colorants.