Hypocholesterolemic effect of germinated fenugreek seeds in human subjects

The effect of consumption of germinated fenugreek seed powder at two different levels, i.e., 12.5 g and 18.0 g on the blood lipid profiles of twenty hypocholesterolemic adults of both sexes in the age range of 50–65 years was studied. The subjects were divided into two groups, i.e., Group I and Group II who were asked to incorporate the powder into any dish of their choice at the rates of one packet per day containing 12.5 g and 18.0 g of the germinated powder, respectively, for a period of one month. Fasting blood was drawn intravenously one day before and at the end of 30 days feeding trials. The findings revealed that germination had brought distinct changes in soluble fiber content of the seeds. Consumption of the seed at both the levels resulted in a hypocholesterolemic effect. Between the two levels, higher levels of consumption, i.e., 18.0 g of the germinated seed resulted in a significant reduction in total cholesterol and LDL levels. No significant changes were found in HDL, VLDL and triglyceride levels in all the subjects.     

Sorption of isoxaflutole by five different soils varying in physical and chemical properties

Isoxaflutole is a new pre-emergence corn herbicide which controls both grass and broadleaf weeds. Experiments were performed in the laboratory to study the sorption of isoxaflutole in five different soils (Moorhead, MN; East Monroe, CO; Ellendale, MN; South Deerfield, MA; and Chelsea, MI) using the batch equilibration technique. Total initial isoxaflutole solution concentrations for each soil were 0.05, 0.15, 0.3. 0.8, 1.5, 2.0 and 4.0 mg litre⁻¹. Analysis of [ring-¹⁴C] isoxaflutole was performed using liquid scintillation counting, and sorption data were fitted with the Freundlich model. Isotherms of isoxaflutole in all the soils were non-linear as depicted by the exponent (n < 1.0), indicating differential distribution of sorption site energies in various soils. Since the isotherms were non-linear the data fit Freundlich's isotherm well, as was indicated by high values of the regression coefficient (r²). The Freundlich sorption coefficient ranged from 0.555 to 50.0 (litre ⁿmg ^l−nkg⁻¹). Multiple regression of the sorption constant, K_F against selected soil properties indicated that organic matter content was the best single predictor of isoxaflutole sorption (r² = 0.999) followed by soil pH (r² = 0.954). Clay content of the soils did not have a high correlation with K_F values (r² = 0.453), while the sorption of isoxaflutole was not influenced by the Ca²⁺ concentration in the soil solution. Isoxaflutole sorption increased with an increase in organic matter content of soils. Sorption of isoxaflutole decreased as the soil pH increased from 4.5 to 8.5, which was depicted by the reduction of K_F values. Sorption of isoxaflutole to the soils varied with differences in binding energies. At a particular net energy value (E*), the corresponding site energy distribution [F(E*)] values followed the order, Chelsea, MI > Moorhead, MN > East Monroe, CO > South Deerfield, MA > Ellendale, MN. The negative magnitude of Gibbs free energy of sorption (ΔG ^x) indicates the spontaneity of the given sorption process in the soils from Moorhead, MN; East Monroe, CO and Chelsea, MI. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Pyocyanin as a safe aquaculture drug for the control of vibriosis in shrimp recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)

Diseases are one of the most critical limiting factors in aquaculture. Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are one of the most functionally viable sustainable aquaculture production systems adopted world over. In the event of any eventuality caused by bacterial pathogens, antibiotics or other antibacterial agents cannot be applied due to the vulnerability of biological filters which form an integral part of the RAS. Because of this, newer drugs are required for the effective control of diseases in RAS which would not interfere with the activity of nitrifying bacteria used in the biological filters. The antagonistic activity of pyocyanin, a bioactive compound produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, against vibrios is well established. The purpose of this study was to prove the effectiveness of pyocyanin as an aquaculture drug for application in RAS by employing a pilot-scale shrimp culture under RAS. It was noted that at the concentration of 5 mg L^?1, pyocyanin could significantly bring down the population of Vibrio spp. in RAS without affecting noticeably the other natural heterotrophic bacteria. Also, pyocyanin at this concentration did not inhibit the activity of nitrifying bacterial consortia used in the SBSBR (stringed bed suspended bioreactor) of RAS. The reared shrimp (Penaeus monodon) showed 100% survival after the application of pyocyanin, besides exhibiting normal health signs. Pyocyanin was non-toxic to the shrimp hybrid cell line (PmLyO-Sf9) at the concentration required for its application in disease management (IC₅₀?=?419.26 mg L^?1). The present study has demonstrated that pyocyanin is effective as an environment-friendly and safe aquaculture drug for the application in RAS-based shrimp culture to control Vibrio spp. without impeding nitrification established through the deployment of nitrifying bioreactors.

     

Antioxidant Activity of Protein Isolate Obtained by the pH Shift Technique from Hydrolyzed and Unhydrolyzed Shrimp Processing Discards

Protein isolates from hydrolyzed and unhydrolyzed shrimp waste were prepared using the pH shift method. The conditions for protein isolation from unhydrolyzed shrimp waste by the pH shift method were standardized with respect to waste to distilled water ratio (1:2.5, 1:5, 1:7.5, and 1:10 w/v) and the alkaline pH (9.0, 10.0, and 11.0) to which the waste was to be adjusted before protein precipitation for higher yield of protein isolate. The yield of precipitate with waste to distilled water ratio of 1:2.5 (17.3 ± 0.9) was lower (p < 0.05) compared to the other three dilutions. The pH to which the waste is adjusted before precipitating the proteins at pH 4.5 had no effect (p > 0.05) on the yield. The antioxidant activity of the protein isolate obtained by the pH shift method from unhydrolyzed waste was compared with that obtained from the waste hydrolyzed with Alcalase®. The DPPH scavenging activity of protein isolate after enzyme hydrolysis was significantly higher than that of protein isolate from unhydrolyzed waste. With respect to recovery of total antioxidant activity, protein isolation from unhydrolyzed waste was superior to hydrolyzed waste due to higher yield.     

Enhancement of non‐specific immune responses in common carp,Cyprinus carpio,by dietary carotenoids obtained from shrimp exoskeleton

The immunostimulatory role of carotenoid extract from shrimp processing discards was evaluated by feeding common carp fingerlings with a diet containing carotenoid extract for 21 weeks at 100 and 200 mg kg^?1 astaxanthin levels. Haemoglobin content was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the blood of fish fed with carotenoid diet (>8.1 g dL^?1) compared with that from fish fed with carotenoid deficient diet (6.86 g dL^?1) and also leukocyte counts were higher (P < 0.05). No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in total serum protein, globulin level and albumin‐globulin ratio, but albumin content was higher (P < 0.05). Respiratory burst activity was significantly (P < 0.05) higher, the serum lysozyme activity almost doubled and the serum bactericidal activity was significantly increased when the fish were fed with diet containing 200 mg kg^?1 of astaxanthin but no significant differences were observed in serum trypsin inhibitory activity. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in leukocyte myeloperoxidase activity due to dietary carotenoids. Challenging fish with Aeromonas hydrophila after the feeding period resulted in 50% mortality in the control group while in the group fed with diet containing 100 mg kg^?1 astaxanthin, the mortality rate was 15%. No mortality and even symptoms of infection was not observed in the group fed with diet containing 200 mg kg^?1 of astaxanthin. The study indicated that carotenoid extract from shrimp processing discards can effectively be used as immunostimulants in aquaculture of carps and dietary carotenoids were found to enhance various immune defence mechanisms and also provide protection against the infection of pathogen A. hydrophila.     

Antioxidant and Antiglycative Potential of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Psidium guajava Leaf Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Hyperglycemia causes increased protein glycation and the formation of early glycation products and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which are major factors responsible for the complications associated with diabetes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant as well as antiglycative potential of ethyl acetate fraction of guava leaves. Oral administration of the extract at different doses showed a significant decrease in blood glucose level. It also showed an improved antioxidant potential as evidenced by decreased lipid peroxidation and a significant increase in the activity of various antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. Glycated hemoglobin as well as fructosamine which are indicators of glycation was also reduced significantly in treated groups when compared to diabetic control. In vitro studies also support the antioxidant as well as antiglycative potential of guava leaves.