Purification and characterization of two larval glycoproteins from the cattle tick, Boophilus annulatus

The present study was conducted to identify new target immunogenic molecules from the larval stage of the cattle tick, Boophilus annulatus (Acari: Ixodidae). Two specific larval glycoproteins (GLPs) were isolated by two-step affinity chromatography. The larval immunogens were first purified with CNBr-Sepharose coupled to rabbit anti-larval immunoglobulins, and the glycoproteins were then purified with Con-A Sepharose. These glycoproteins have molecular weights of approximately 32 and 15 kDa with isoelectric points between 6.8 and 7.2. Antibodies against the two GLPs, labeled I and II, were detected in the anti-whole tick, -whole larval, and -gut antigens through immunoblot analysis. These results suggest that these GLPs are good immunogens and can be useful in the vaccination of cattle against tick infestation.     

Drying morphologies and emport rate effect on wetting and spreading behaviours

The main idea of this work is to study the different phenomena of spreading, evaporation, and diffusion that bound to the ink-jet printing. The coating film is studied as well as its drying morphologies and its wetting behavior. Then the drop water spreading on coated fabric is investigated. At that time spreading kinetic is characterized by the digidrop 3S which permits to measure precisely the various parameters such as contact angle, diameter, height, volume and drop profile in contact with the support during wetting phenomenon. This survey shows, on the one hand, that the coating film structure is deeply affected by drying morphologies. On the other hand, drying conditions influence different parameters of kinetic drop spreading on virgin glass and cotton material. Then the increasing of coating film thickness encourages the drop spreading.     

Use of amino-modified cotton fibers loaded with copper ions for anionic dye removal under batch and fixed-bed systems: A comparative study

Amine-functionalized supports were prepared by chemical modification of cotton fibers using amino compounds namely diethylenetriamine (DET) and 1,4-diaminobutane (DB) in order to be loaded with copper ions. Evidence of attaching amine groups onto cellulosic fibers was confirmed through nitrogen and SEM analysis. Adsorption behavior of Acid Blue 25 from aqueous solutions onto [Cu(II)/DET-cotton] and [Cu(II)/DB-cotton] has been evaluated via batch and column mode systems. During the batch experiments, the effects of temperature and type of adsorbent on dye removal were investigated. Results revealed the formation of ternary complexes of the type [AB25/Cu(II)/adsorbent] with a [5/2:3:1] stoichiometry for DET-cotton and a [1:1:1] stoichiometry for DB-cotton at 20 °C. In the isotherm studies, Langmuir, Freundlich, and Jossens equations were applied and it was found that the experimental data conformed to Jossens model. Thermodynamic parameters such as change in free energy (ΔG ⁰), enthalpy (ΔH ⁰), and entropy (ΔS ⁰) have also been calculated in this paper, and it was found that the adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous. The column experiments were conducted to study the effect of bed height on adsorption performance of both adsorbents. Results exhibited that the column capacity of [Cu(II)/DET-cotton] complex was found to be higher than that of [Cu(II)/DB-cotton] as was obtained in batch process. BDST model was applied to experimental data in order to predict the breakthrough curves and determine the characteristics parameters of the column useful for process design. Results revealed that the used model was appropriate to fit the experimental data. Desorption studies to recover the adsorbed dye from both adsorbents were performed with NaOH and NH₄Cl solutions.     

Dielectric relaxation phenomena in flax fibers composite

In this work, a study of the dynamic dielectric analysis of the unidirectional epoxy composite: flax-fibre-reinforced epoxy (FFRE) was investigated. In this composite, three relaxation processes were identified. The first one is the water dipoles polarization imputed to the presence of polar water molecules in flax fiber. The second relaxation process associated with conductivity occurs as a result of the carriers charges diffusion. As for the third dielectric relaxation associated with the interfacial polarization effect is attributable to the accumulation of charges at the fibers/matrix interface. The analysis of the Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) and the water dipoles polarizations using the Havriliak-Negami model revealed the high adhesion of flax fibers in the matrix. This analysis was supported by the thermal properties using a Differential Scanning Calorimety (DSC).     

Probiotic effect of Bacillus NL110 and Vibrio NE17 on the survival,growth performance and immune response of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

Eight hundred and eighty‐five strains of bacterial isolates from various samples associated with the natural habitat of Macrobrachium rosenbergii were screened for their probiotic potential. Two putative probionts namely Bacillus NL110 and Vibrio NE17 isolated from the larvae and egg samples, respectively, were selected for experimental studies and were introduced to the juveniles of M. rosenbergii (0.080±0.001 g) through different modes such as through feed, water and both. The probiotic potential of the above bacteria in terms of improvements in water quality, growth, survival, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio and immune parameters was evaluated. The treatment groups showed a significant improvement in SGR and weight gain (P<0.001). Survival among different treatment groups was better than that in the control group. There were also significant improvements in the water quality parameters such as the concentration of nitrate and ammonia in the treatment groups (P<0.05). Improvements in immune parameters such as the total haemocyte count (P<0.05), phenoloxidase activity and respiratory burst were also significant (P<0.001). It is concluded that screening of the natural microflora of cultured fish and shellfish for putative probionts might yield probiotic strains of bacteria that could be utilized for an environment‐friendly and organic mode of aquaculture.     

Mosquitocidal activity of two Bacillus bacterial endotoxins combined with plant oils and conventional insecticides

The full whole culture (FWC), containing parasporal protein toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis israelinsis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus 2362 (Bs), either singly or in combination with plant oils and commercial insecticides, was tested against larval and adult stages of Culex pipiens mosquitoes under controlled laboratory conditions. In terms of LC₅₀ values recorded after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, the bacterial toxins showed high potency towards both larvae and adults of mosquitoes in a dose-dependent manner. Generally, the Bti toxin seemed to be more potent than the Bs toxin. For example, the Bti toxin showed a 24 h LC₅₀ of 8.2 ppm against mosquito larvae compared to 13.6 ppm for the Bs toxin. In the adult bioassay, the obtained 24 h LC₅₀ values were 0.064 and 0.085 mg/cm², respectively for the two bacterial toxins. The bacterial toxins mixed with plant oils or insecticides at equitoxic doses (e.g., LC₂₅ values) mostly showed potentiation effects, either against larvae or adults of the tested insect. Among a total of 14 paired mixtures, only the joint action estimated for the mixture of malathion + Bti or Bs was accounted as additively. Combining Bti or Bs endotoxins at LC₀ with different plant oils and insecticides at LC₅₀ concentration levels each, has resulted in considerable synergism against either larvae or adults. In the case of larval bioassays, the maximum synergistic factor (SF) obtained (ca. 2.0) was entitled to the mixture of Bti + spinosad. In the adult bioassays, the mixtures containing Curcuma longa or Melia azedarach oil extracts with Bti or Bs toxins achieved a SF accounted to 2.0. The results of the present study may be considered as an additional contribution to the area of joint toxicity of biocidal agents combining bacterial toxins, plant oils and traditional insecticides. The reached findings may encourage future research to elucidate its performance under practical field conditions.     

Resistance to foliage feeding aphid in wheat

Experimental trials were conducted at Integrated Pest Management Programme, National Agriculture Research Centre Islamabad, to evaluate the resistance of host plants (cereals) against Rhopalosiphum padi (L.). For evaluation of susceptibility, twenty varieties/-advanced lines of National Uniform Wheat Yield Trails (NUWYT) Normal (N) of year 2004-2005 were used. In seedling bulk tests varieties/advanced lines were grouped into three categories resistant, moderately resistant and susceptible. Data from seedling bulk tests showed that DN-47 and PR 87 lines of wheat were resistant to aphid as compared to the other varieties/-advanced lines. In antixenosis tests varieties/-advanced lines were grouped into three categories, least preferred, moderately preferred, highly preferred. Lines V-01180, DN-47 and PR-84 were least preferred, sixteen varieties/-advanced lines were moderately preferred and only one variety V-9021 was found to be highly preferred.     

Bioactive Compounds from Theobroma cacao: Effect of Isolation and Safety Evaluation

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Plants, including most food and feed plants, produce a broad range of bioactive chemical compounds. Among these compounds, polyphenols are reported to provide...