Potential nephrotoxicity in African mud catfish (Clarias gariepinus) following exposure to compost derived humic acid

Influence of compost-derived Humic Acid (HA) on nephrotoxicity in juvenile African mud catfish (Clarias gariepinus) was evaluated in static water culture. Fish samples were exposed to different HA concentrations (0, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg L(-1)) for 45 days at 5 samples per aquarium. Renal function was assessed spectrophotometrically via levels of serum albumin, measured using bromocresol green, creatinine by Jaffe method and urea by Nesslerization method. Results revealed that the mean value of albumin or urea in the exposed group (1), at each HA concentration, was lower than the value found in the control group (II). Creatinine was relatively higher in I relative to II. Significant (p < 0.05) variations for I and II were obtained at 250 to 1000 mgHA L(-1) for the three biomarkers. Relative to increasing HA concentration, decreasing albumin (0.84 to 0.43 g dL(-1): r = -0.114; p > 0.10), urea (5.21 to 1.95 mg dL(-1); r = -0.586; p > 0.10) and increasing creatinine (0.20 to 1.53 mg dL(-1): r = +0.704; p > 0.10) were recorded; r is correlation coefficient. Changes in urea were not predictive of nephrotic syndrome but alterations in albumin and creatinine revealed induced nephrotoxicity, especially at elevated HA concentrations (above 100 mg L(-1)). Overall, the effect of humic acid was dose-dependent. Further studies at various humic acid concentrations, especially below 100 mg L(-1), are required to establish the actual nephrotoxic dose.     

Dyeing properties of novel azo disperse dyes derived from phthalimide and color fastness on poly(lactic acid) fiber

The coloration of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fiber with 18 carbocyclic monoazo disperse dyes bearing a hydrolyzable phthalimide ring fused to the aromatic ring of their diazo components has been investigated. The phthalimidyl nitrogen atom was substituted with either a n-butyl, sec-butyl, or isopropyl group, while the adjoining phenyl ring bore a substitution pattern typical of commercial colorants. There was a broad correlation between percentage dye exhaustion onto PLA and that onto polyester (PET) fiber, although significant differences in certain instances were apparent with no clear trends regarding dye structure. Attempts to explain the observed percentage exhaustion values by mapping them to calculated partition coefficient or solubility parameter values were unsuccessful. Wash fastness was relatively good compared to that of some conventional disperse dyes applied to PLA. As was found to be the case with PET, the wash fastness of dyes on PLA tended to be highest when their diazo ring was substituted with electron acceptors.     

Management of plant residue for cassava (Manihot esculenta) production on an acid Ultisol in Southeastern Nigeria

A study consisting of two experiments was conducted in southeastern Nigeria during 1983 and 1984 to determine whether cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) production on sandy, acid Ultisols could be improved by residue management techniques. One experiment studied the effect of location of Eupatorium odoratum mulch on soil properties and crop growth. A second experiment studied the effect of tillage system and Eupatorium odoratum mulch on soil properties and crop growth. In both experiments mulch was applied at an annual rate of 12 t¹ ha⁻¹ (25% moisture content) in a split application at planting and 150 days after planting (DAP). No fertilizer was applied during the experiment.Concentration of mulch in the plant row resulted in values of within-row bulk density in the surface 0.10 m which were lower by 15% and 13% in 1983 and 1984, respectively. Tillage in combination with mulch reduced bulk density in the surface 0.10 m by an average of 10% and 9% in 1983 and 1984, respectively. No significant differences were found among other treatments. Soil chemical properties were unaffected by treatments in both experiments. Cassava tuber yield was unaffected by location of Eupatorium odoratum mulch. Both plowing and no-tillage when combined with mulch improved tuber yields. Cassava tuber yields of untilled plots were 16.8 and 12.7 t ha⁻¹ during 1983–1984, and 13.1 and 8.3 t ha⁻¹ during 1984–1985 in mulched and unmulched treatments, respectively. Tuber yields of tilled plots were 14.5 and 13.1 t ha⁻¹ during 1983–1984, and 11.3 and 6.9 t ha⁻¹ during 1984–1985 in mulched and unmulched treatments, respectively.     

Effect of niacin and folic acid in feed rations on growth and live weights of Green catfish (Mystus nemurus Valenciennes 1840)

This study aims to justify effects of niacin and folic acid in feed rations on growth and survival rate of the fish under in vitro conditions. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications for Experiment I and three replications for Experiment II was used. Niacin (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg kg(-1)) and folic acid (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg kg(-1)) were used for Experiments I, and II, respectively. The cement tanks were used for Experiment I and fibre tanks for Experiment II. A static water system was used. Water temperature was maintained at a range from 26 to 30 degrees C with pH values from 7.4 to 7.9. The results showed that niacin at a rate of 10 mg kg(-1) feed ration gave significant differences on weight gained %, survival %, protein efficiency ratio, specific growth rate % and feed conversion ratio with mean values of 99.92, 100, 1.18, 5.77 and 1.35, respectively. Folic acid at a rate of 2 mg kg(-1) gave significant differences on weight gained %, survival %, protein efficiency ratio, specific growth rate % and feed conversion ratio with mean values of 108.88, 100, 1.22, 6.13 and 1.43, respectively. Niacin at a rate of 10 and 2 mg kg(-1) of folic acid were the best rates for in vitro culture of Green catfish.     

Influence of pH and sodium chloride on selected functional and physical properties of African breadfruit (Treculia africana Decne) kernel flour

African breadfruit seeds were cleaned, parboiled (98 ^°C) for 15min, drained and dehulled. The kernels were sun-dried, then milled andsieved into flour. Nitrogen solubility (NS), water absorption capacity(WAC), emulsion activity (EA), viscosity, foaming and emulsifyingproperties of the flour were determined as functions of pH and NaClconcentration. The NS was pH dependent with a minimum at pH 4 andmaximum at pH 10. The flour also exhibited minimum and maximum foamcapacity at pH 4 and 10, respectively. The minimum emulsion activity wasat pH 4, a value which increased from 7–16% at pH 12. The addition ofNaCl at concentrations of 0.2 to 0.4 M improved WAC, NS, foamingand emulsion properties of the flour. Sodium chloride enhanced NS of theflour at pH 4–6 and EA at pH 2–8.The EA at pH 2, 10 and 12 correlated negatively (r = –0.30) with NaClconcentration levels; however, the correlation was not significant (p> 0.05). The flour dispersions had lower viscosities at acid pH and in thepresence of NaCl than at neutral and alkaline pH values. Results indicatedthe flour could be used in food product supplementation.     

Polyphenol contents and antioxidant activities of five Indigofera species (Fabaceae) from Burkina Faso

Aqueous acetone extracts prepared from five Indigofera species of Burkina Faso, namely Indigofera colutea (Burm.) Murril., I. macrocalyx Guilld et Perr., I. nigritana Hook f., I. pulchra willd. and I. tinctoria L., were investigated for their phytochemical composition and their antioxidant activities. Standard methods and TLC were used to screen the phytochemical composition. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of extracts were assessed by Folin-Ciocalteu and AlCl3 methods, respectively. These extracts were also evaluated for their antioxidant potentials using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) assays. Flavonoids, saponins, quinones, sterols/triterpenes and tannins were present in all these species except for I. pulchra where quinones were not found. Gallic acid, caffeic acid, rutin and myricetin in I. colutea; gallic acid, quercitrin, myricetin in I. tinctoria; galangin and myricetin in I. macrocalyx were identified by thin layer chromatography. Among these, I. colutea, I. tinctoria, I. nigritana and I. macrocalyx, which had the highest phenolic content, were also found to possess the best antioxidant activities. The results indicated a good correlation between antioxidant activities and total phenolic content (p<0.05 for FRAP/DPPH and DPPH/ABTS and p<0.01 for FRAP/ABTS). These plants represent promising sources of natural antioxidants and these findings give scientific bases to their ethnopharmacological uses.     

Influence of heat processing of African yam bean seed (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) flour on the growth and organ weights of rats

The influence of heat processing of African yam bean seed flour on the growth and organ weights of rats was studied. Body weight change, feed utilization and feed conversion ratio were improved by heat processing. All rats significantly (p0.05) gained weight except those fed raw African yam bean and basal diets (diets 3 and 1 respectively). Raw African yam bean diet decreased the growth of rats and had negative effect on the organ weights especially the pancreas which was enlarged. The results indicate that heat processing improved the growth of rats and organ weights due to heat inactivation of toxic factors especially trypsin inhibitors.     

Effect of sucrose on antioxidant activities and other health-related micronutrients in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-enriched sprouting Southern Vietnam brown rice

Improving the nutritional quality of germinated brown rice (GBR) is important for the population consuming rice as part of the daily diet to offer health benefits. In this study, a set of popularly grown 79 rice varieties in Southern Vietnam was evaluated to identify the potential materials for producing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-enriched GBR. Enhancing antioxidant components, antioxidant activities, and other health-promoting micronutrients by sucrose treatment were also investigated in both white and red GBR. The results indicated that OM457 (white rice) and TN11 (red rice)-derived GBR had the highest GABA content of 105.68 mg GABA/100 g F.W and 47.68 mg GABA/100 g F.W among investigated rice varieties, respectively. Sucrose at 50 mM, in general, boosted total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, anthocyanin content, thereby increasing antioxidant activities in both these GBR. Moreover, GC-MS-based metabolomic analysis indicated that GABA accumulation under sucrose treatment was rice pericarp/variety-specific. Also, sucrose stimulated the accumulation of other health-benefiting metabolites and free sugars. Altogether, the results in this study indicate that sucrose is an effective elicitor for improving the nutritional value in GBR, facilitating for production of ready-to-eat GBR with health-promoting benefits.     

Effect of processing and storage on the ascorbic acid (vitamin C) content of some pineapple varieties grown in the Rivers State of Nigeria

Ascorbic acid contents of the juice of four different pineapples species grown in the Rivers State of Nigeria were determined before and after storage of whole pineapple and processing and storage of the juice for two months. Ascorbic acid of the fresh juice ranged from 22.5 mg to 33.5 mg/100 g sample. After storage at room temperature (30–32 °C) of whole pineapple for two weeks, ascorbic acid was reduced to between 59 and 65 percent of the fresh juice. Processing the juice by pasteurisation reduced the ascorbic acid to between 28 and 46 percent while storage in plastic bottles for two months further reduced the ascorbic acid content to between 10 and 21 percent.     

Effect of germination on total phenolic compounds,total antioxidant capacity,Maillard reaction products and oxidative stress markers in canihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule)

Germination of cereals/pseudo-cereals has been suggested as an effective method to increase antioxidant compounds. However, this process could also lead to high reducing sugar levels and subsequent Maillard reaction products. The aim of this work was to determine the time course effect of canihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule) germination on: 1) antioxidant capacity, 2) extractable and non-extractable phenolic compounds content, 3) Maillard reaction products and 4) oxidative stress markers. Germination increased antioxidant capacity, phenolic compounds and Maillard reaction products, including advanced glycated end products while it decreased oxidative stress markers. All parameters exhibited a similar time course pattern with a maximum at 72 h. In addition to the increase in phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity, canihua germination produced advanced glycated end products. The impact on human health of these compounds in germinated seeds deserves future attention.     

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of heated sterilized pepsin hydrolysate derived from half-fin anchovy (Setipinna taty)

In this paper we studied the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of the heated pepsin hydrolysate from a marine fish half-fin anchovy (HAHp-H). Furthermore, we compared the chemical profiles including the amino acid composition, the browning intensity, the IR and UV-visible spectra, and the molecular weight distribution between the half-fin anchovy pepsin hydrolysate (HAHp) and HAHp-H. Results showed that heat sterilization on HAHp improved the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity and reducing power. In addition, the antiproliferative activities were all increased for HAHp-H on DU-145 human prostate cancer cell line, 1299 human lung cancer cell line and 109 human esophagus cancer cell line. The contents of free amino acid and reducing sugar of HAHp-H were decreased (P < 0.05). However, hydrophobic amino acid residues and the browning intensity of HAHp-H were increased. FT-IR spectroscopy indicated that amide I and amide III bands of HAHp-H were slightly modified, whereas band intensity of amide II was reduced dramatically. Thermal sterilization resulted in the increased fractions of HAHp-H with molecular weight of 3000-5000 Da and below 500 Da. The enhanced antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of HAHp-H might be attributed to the Maillard reaction.     

Influence of citric acid and water on thermoplastic wheat flour/poly(lactic acid) blends. I: Thermal, mechanical and morphological properties

Wheat flour was plasticized with glycerol and compounded with poly(lactic acid) in a one-step twin-screw extrusion process in the presence of citric acid with or without extra water. The influence of these additives on process parameters and thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of injected samples from the prepared blends, was then studied.Citric acid acted as a compatibilizer by promoting depolymerization of both starch and PLA. For an extrusion without extra water, the amount of citric acid (2 parts for 75 parts of flour, 25 parts of PLA and 15 parts of glycerol) has to be limited to avoid mechanical properties degradation. Water, added during the extrusion, improved the whole process, minimizing PLA depolymerization, favoring starch plasticization by citric acid and thus improving phases repartition.     

Effect of processing on nutrient composition and anti-nutritive substances of African locust bean (Parkia filicoidea) and baobab seed (Adansonia digitata)

The effects of various processing techniques on nutrient composition and anti-nutritional factors in baobab seeds (Adansonia digitata L.) and locust beans (Parkia filicoidea L.) were investigated. The methods used for processing include boiling in water, acid or alkali and fermentation. Using the water treated samples as controls, there were slight decreases in protein and carbohydrate contents of the fermented and alkali-treated meals. However, an increase in extractable oil content was observed in acid, alkali and fermented samples. The alkali treatment appeared to be the most effective method for reducing trypsin inhibitor and tannin contents and has the additional advantage of improving the protein digestibility.     

The bioavailability of magnesium from Wakame ( Undaria pinnatifida) and Hijiki (Hijikia fusiforme) and the effect of alginic acid on magnesium utilization of rats

The bioavailability of magnesium from Wakame and Hijiki, and the effects of alginic acid on absorption of dietary magnesium were examined in five groups of rats fed either control, Wakame, Hijiki, AW (containing the same amount of alginate as in the Wakame) and AH (containing the same amount of alginate as in the Hijiki) diets, and animals fed a low magnesium diet (LMg) (twentieth amount of magnesium in the original mineral mixtures as the control). Food intake and body weight gain were decreased by adding sodium alginate to the diets. A large amount of calcium accumulated only in the kidneys of the rats fed the LMg diet. Serum magnesium concentration decreased only in the LMg group. The magnesium content in the defatted left femurs did not differ between the control and Wakame fed animals and also among the animals eating Wakame, Hijiki and AW diets. The breaking force of the right femurs did not differ among all the groups except the LMg group. The ratio of apparent magnesium absorption (%) of the control, LMg, Wakame, Hijiki, AW and AH groups was 82.2, 72.7, 66.9, 50.8, 69.3 and 54.2 in the first experimental period, and was 75.3, 52.1, 57.7, 46.9, 62.6 and 60.5 in the second experimental period, respectively. It was clear that the bioavailability of magnesium in the Wakame fed rats was higher than in those eating the Hijiki. Large amounts of sodium alginate lowered magnesium absorption from the diet.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a series of novel monoazo disperse dyes derived from N-carboxylic acid-1,8-naphthalimide on poly(ethylene terphthalate)

A series of novel monoazo disperse dyes based on N-carboxylic acid-1,8-naphthalimides have been synthesized via 4-(4-amino-1,8-naphthalimido) butanoic acid as diazo components and various couplers. The synthesized dyes were characterized with elemental analysis, differential scanning colorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and UV-visible spectroscopic techniques. The molar extinction coefficient, wavelength maxima, and solvatochromism effect were obtained using chloroform, acetone, and N,N-dimethyl formamide as solvent. The results showed that the synthesized dyes had molar extinction coefficient of 20908 to 38939 l mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹, wavelength maxima of 409–549 nm, and positive solvatochromism by changing solvent from chloroform to N,N-dimethyl formamide. The synthesized dyes were applied on poly(ethylene terephthalate) using high temperature method. Dyes 1 and 2 showed high build-up properties on poly(ethylene terephthalate), whereas dyes 3 and 4 offered medium build-up. All the dyes offered excellent heat fastness, good wash and rubbing fastnesses on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabrics. The hydrolysis of the synthesized dyes in alkali media indicated that the presence of a carboxylic acid group within the dye molecules provides alkali-clearable potential.     

Potential Biomedical Applications of Collagen Filaments derived from the Marine Demosponges Ircinia oros (Schmidt, 1864) and Sarcotragus foetidus (Schmidt, 1862)

Collagen filaments derived from the two marine demosponges Ircinia oros and Sarcotragus foetidus were for the first time isolated, biochemically characterised and tested for their potential use in regenerative medicine. SDS-PAGE of isolated filaments revealed a main collagen subunit band of 130 kDa in both of the samples under study. DSC analysis on 2D membranes produced with collagenous sponge filaments showed higher thermal stability than commercial mammalian-derived collagen membranes. Dynamic mechanical and thermal analysis attested that the membranes obtained from filaments of S. foetidus were more resistant and stable at the rising temperature, compared to the ones derived from filaments of I. oros. Moreover, the former has higher stability in saline and in collagenase solutions and evident antioxidant activity. Conversely, their water binding capacity results were lower than that of membranes obtained from I. oros. Adhesion and proliferation tests using L929 fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes resulted in a remarkable biocompatibility of both developed membrane models, and gene expression analysis showed an evident up-regulation of ECM-related genes. Finally, membranes from I. oros significantly increased type I collagen gene expression and its release in the culture medium. The findings here reported strongly suggest the biotechnological potential of these collagenous structures of poriferan origin as scaffolds for wound healing.     

Effect of processing on flatus producing oligosaccharides in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and the tropical African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa)

The effect of dehulling, soaking and soaking/cooking on sucrose, raffinose and stachyose in mature dry seeds of nine varieties of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and one variety of tropical African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) were investigated. The results showed a progressive decrease in sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose contents. Soaking for 12 hours and cooking for 30 min eliminated most of the sucrose, raffinose and stachyose. The sugar contents in whole raw cowpea were sucrose 0.73–4.58%, raffinose 0.71–6.86% and stachyose 2.38–3.87%, and for tropical African yam bean sucrose 4.08%, raffinose 1.08% and stachyose 4.14% while the seeds soaked for 12 hours and cooked for 30 min had for cowpea sucrose 0.03–0.81%, raffinose 0.04–0.20% and stachyose 0.12–0.72%, and tropical African yam bean sucrose 0.70%, raffinose 0.40% and stachyose 0.41%.     

Protein quality of some Nigerian traditional diets based on the African yambean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)

The protein quality of Nigerian traditional diets based on the African yambean (AYB) and pigeon pea (PP) were performed by in vivo and in vitro bioassays. The individual foods were processed, cooked, dried and mixed to resemble the traditional diets. Weanling male Wistar rats (45–55 g) were used for the bioassay. The rats were fed ad libitum for 35 days of which 28 days were for growth and 7 days for N-balance. All the eleven diets including casein (control) provided 1.6 g N/100 g diet. The parameters tested include PER, growth, N-balance, BV, NPU and apparent digestibility (AD). The rats fed the AYB diets, except AYB: Agidi (Ag), showed superiority in most of the parameters tested. There were significant positive correlations between PER and NPU (r=0.925;p<0.001); PER and AD (r=0.908;p<0.001); PER and body weight gain (r=0.969;p<0.001). The in vitro protein digestibility of the diets was significantly correlated (r=0.80;p<0.01) with the in vivo apparent digestibility. These parameters were used to rank the various diets. Crayfish protein was a better supplement to legume/cereal or legume starchy staple mixtures than leguminous oil seed. However, supplementation of PP: steamed corn (SC) diet with crayfish did not prove beneficial. The result showed that diets based on the African yambean, an under-exploited legume, are nutritious. The need for its reintroduction into the fare of the populace through increased production and appropriate processing technology is stressed. The results of this study can form a base for the standardization of Nigerian diets based on these legumes.     

Compositional,functional and storage properties of flours from raw and heat processed African breadfruit (Treculia africana Decne) seeds

African breadfruit (Treculia africana Decne) seeds were either boiled or roasted and then milled into flour. Chemical composition, functional properties and storage characteristics of raw and treated flours and the effect of partial proteolysis on selected functional properties of the raw flour were determined. Raw flour contained 20.1% crude protein, 2.5% total ash and 13.7% fat. Heat processing significantly (p<0.05) improved in vitro protein digestibility, and water and fat absorption capacities but decreased bulk density, nitrogen solubility, emulsion and foaming properties, trypsin inhibitor, and phytic acid and polyphenol contents of the samples. Boiling proved more effective than roasting for improving protein digestibility, emulsion capacity and foam stability and reducing antinutritional factor levels. Partial proteolysis increased nitrogen solubility, bulk density and water and fat absorption capacities but decreased foam capacity at hydrolysis levels greater than 35%. Fatty acid and peroxide values of the samples increased during storage. Compared to raw samples, heat processed samples had significantly (p<0.05) lower and more acceptable peroxide values and free fatty acid contents and higher and more stable water (3.0 g/g sample) and fat (2.4 g/g sample) absorption capacities.     

Influence of spices on protein utilisation of winged bean (Prophocarpus tetragonolobus) and horsegram (Dolichos biflorus)

The influence of a mixture of eleven spices commonly consumed in India on the utilisation of protein from boiled winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) and horsegram (Dolichos biflorus) was studied at 10 and 20 percent level of protein intake in experimental rats. Spices used in the mixture include red chillies (Capsicum annum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), garlic (Allium sativum), ajowan (Carum copticum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), caraway seeds (Carum carui) and fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare). Addition of this spice mixture at 1.5% level of the diet decreased the TD of both legumes, significantly only in the case of horsegram. A significant increase was observed in the BV of both the legumes at both levels of protein tested.