bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Investigation of Amylase Producing-Bacteria from Soil in Gombe Metropolis
Authors: Garba L , Ibrahim M.M. , Sahara E.K. , Adamu M.T. , Isa S. , Yarma A.A.
Published: April 2022

Amylases are enzymes that are able to hydrolyse starch or glycogen molecules into polymers of glucose units. They have great potential applications in various industrial processes like in pharmaceutical, fermentation and food industries. Research on starch degrading enzymes has resulted into increased applications of amylases in different industrial processes. These enzymes occupy a greater space in the current biotechnological processes such as detergent, starch degradation, pharmaceutical, foodstuff, textile, and paper manufacturing. In fact, amylases constitute nearly 25% of the total sale of global enzymes. Amylases have been screened and identified from various sources, both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms such as animals, plants, fungi and bacteria, respectively. To further isolate novel amylases with enhanced desirable properties for such diverse industrial application, more organisms need to be screened. In this study, a total of 27 bacterial isolates were isolated from soil samples in Gombe metropolis. The bacteria were screened for amylase production using plate screening method. Each isolate was streaked onto a 1% starch agar plate and incubated for 24h at 37 Â°C. The plates were covered with iodine solution and observed for positive amylase isolates based on the formation of clearing zones against the blue black background. The results confirmed eight (8) isolates of amylase-producing bacteria which include Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., Salmonella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Serratia spp., Proteus vulgaris, and Klebsiella spp. In conclusion, bacterial isolates capable of amylase production have been successfully screened and identified. This research may serve as a stepping stone to isolating functional amylase enzymes from these bacteria for promising industrial applications.
Effects of Crude Saponins Extract of Parkia biglobosa Fruit-Husk on Some Liver and Kidney Indices on Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Male Wistar Rats
Authors: Ibrahim Abubakar , Adamu Mukhtar , Bello Aishatu , Sadisu A. , Sani A.M. , Dahiru Daniel
Published: April 2022

The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of crude saponins extract of Parkia biglobosa fruit husk on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats. The study was aimed to determine the effects of crude saponins extract of Parkia biglobosa fruit-husk on some liver and kidney indices on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Nephrotoxicity was induced in male Wistar rats (80Â±20g) by intraperitoneal administration of 80 mg/kg b.w of gentamicin for 9 days. Forty-two male rats were divided into six groups of 7 each, as follows: group 1: normal control, group 2: negative control, group 3: standard control, groups 4 and 5 were gentamicin-induced nephrotoxic but treated with 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg b.w of crude saponins extract respectively. Group 6: received normal saline with 1200 mg/kg b.w of crude saponins extract. Administration of extract occurred daily for 12 days. A serum sample was used for the determination of kidney function parameters and liver function parameters. Kidney tissues were used for histological evaluations. At dose up to 500 mg/kg b.w does not cause any mortality or sign of toxicity. Thus the extract is considered safe. Gentamicin administration induced marked nephrotoxicity as evidenced by a significant increase (p< 0.05) in serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid and bun. A significant increase (p< 0.05) in ALT, ALP, AST, TP, GGT and ALB. Treatment of rats with crude saponins of Parkia biglobosa fruit-husk extract was found to improve kidney and liver indices, as well as histological changes in the kidney. Administration of crude saponins of Parkia biglobosa fruit husk extract was found to improve kidney and liver indices, as well as antioxidant activities and histological changes in the kidney.
A confidence interval comparison chart to assess the sensitivity of acetylcholinesterase from Hemibagrus nemurus as a source of enzyme for insecticides detection
Authors: Asri Nurul Aida Muhamad , Begum Ghousia , Ahmad Siti Aqlima , Yasid Nur Adeela , Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: April 2022

In this work, the potential of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from Hemibagrus nemurus (Baung) as a sensitive tool to detect the presence of insecticides was assessed. The affinity partially purified fraction was utilized as a source of AChE for in vitro assay of the effect of insecticides on the AChE. The resultant IC50 values were then compared with published results.  An IC50 confidence interval comparison chart coined Shukorâ€™s chart was utilized to compare the sensitivity of the AChE from H. nemurus to various other published results. In this chart, the IC50 confidence interval (95%) values for a particular insecticide is placed at one end of the chart and lined up with published values of IC50. Two lines are then made crossing the entire chart and represent the 95% confidence interval value for H. nemurus. Any confidence interval values for targeted insecticides from published results that do not touch these two lines are deemed significantly different (p<0.05), either more or less sensitive judging whether they fall below or above the two lines, respectively, whilst any confidence interval values that fall in or touch the two lines are deemed comparable in sensitivity.The results show that the AChE from H. nemurus is more sensitive to diazinonoxon and comparable in sensitivity compared to commercial and other local fish sources suggesting that the ACHE from H. nemurus can be a cheaper alternative for the current commercially and locally available AChEs.
Elevated Molybdenum Concentrations in Soils Contaminated with Spent Oil Lubricant
Authors: Yakasai Hafeez Muhammad , Rahman Mohd Fadhil , Yasid Nur Adeela , Ahmad Siti Aqlima , Halmi Mohd Izuan Effendi , Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: April 2022

Molybdenum is an essential trace element of which its pollution due to excessive levels are increasingly reported worldwide. One of the most important usage of molybdenum is as an engine lubricant. Pollution of spent oil lubricant due to indiscriminate dumping of the waste is an important source of molybdenum pollution. In this study, soil samples from various locations in Malaysia were taken from sites which are visible with the dumping of spent oil lubricant and were tested for the presence of soluble and insoluble molybdenum content. The highest concentrations of Mo found for both of the aqua regia digested and ammonium extracted soil sample were at 35.27 and 17.86 mg/Kg soil, respectively. The percentage of ammonium acetate (soluble) extractable Mo to total Mo measured as the aqua regia digested sample was also the highest at 50.64%. The results indicated an excessive content of molybdenum on these soils which warrant remediation process.
Mathematical Modelling of the Growth of Caulobacter crescentus on Caffeine
Authors: Ibrahim Salihu , Mansur Abdulrasheed , Ahmad Siti Aqlima
Published: April 2022

Caffeine is a purine alkaloid naturally found in many species of plant and can be degraded by bacteria. Prolong caffeine consumption is well-known to have serious adverse effects. The used of linearization technique using natural logarithm transformation, though standard, is erroneous and can just give an estimated value for the sole parameter measured; the specific growth rate. In this paper, for the first time we present different kinetics models such as Von Bertalanffy, Baranyi-Roberts, modified Schnute, modified Richards, modified Gompertz, modified Logistics and most recent Huang were used to get values for the above constants or parameters from Caulobacter crescentus bacterium growth on caffeine. Huang model was found to be the best model with the highest adjusted R2 value with the lowest RMSE value. The Accuracy and Bias Factors values were close to unity (1.0). The Huang parameters such as Ymax (bacterial growth upper asymptote), Î» (lag time),  Âµmax (maximum specific bacterial growth rate) and A or Y0 (bacterial growth lower asymptote) were found to be 1.367 (95% confidence interval of 1.322 - 1.412), 2.683 (95% confidence interval of 2.030 - 3.337), 0.322 (95% confidence interval of 0.252 - 0.392) and 0.324 (95% confidence interval of 0.278 - 0.370).
Mathematical Relationship of Optical Density, Total Viable Count and Microbial Biomass for Growth of Serratia marcescens Strain AQ07 on Cyanide
Authors: Karamba Kabiru Ibrahim , Ahmad Siti Aqlima
Published: April 2022

This study illustrates the mathematical relationship between Optical Density (OD600nm), Total Viable Cell Count (CFU/mL) and Microbial Biomass (mg/dry weight) of Serratia marcescens strain AQ07. The parameters were tested using spectrophotometric, colony-forming unit per ml and oven drying methods respectively. Bacterial density range of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 were correlated with the other two growth analyzing methods to correspond with 4.37 x 1015, 1.02 x 1016, 1.61 x 1016, 2.19 x 1016 and 2.77 x 1016 CFU/ml and bacterial biomass corresponding to 1.01, 2.14, 3.29, 4.43 and 5.57 mg/ml respectively. This illustrates a clear relationship that can be explored in the batch growth remediation process so as to avert the continuous processes of viable cell count and microbial biomass techniques at every stage in the course of research. It saves cost, time and energy exhaustion as well help in simplifying research process since there is the need for researchers to report microbial parameter in mass (mg/ml) or Colony Forming Unit/mL rather than OD600nm. Moreover; this technique can be utilized in modelling the bioremediation batch technique.
Antibacterial Effect of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Bark Extract on Different Bacterial Isolates
Authors: Abdulrasheed M. , Ibrahim I.H. , Luka A. , Maryam A.A. , Hafsat L. , Ibrahim S. , Maigari F.U. , Gidado M.B.
Published: April 2022

In this study, the antibacterial activity of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) bark ethanolic extract was investigated on different bacterial isolates (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) of clinical origin. The ethanolic extract of Cinnamon was extracted from the Cinnamon bark (spice) powder using ethanol, and various standard concentrations of the Cinnamon extract were aseptically impregnated onto sterile circular discs. Pure culture of the bacterial isolates was subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test using the Agar Disc Diffusion method. The findings of this study revealed E. coli produced the highest susceptibility to the cinnamon extract; S. aureus was intermediately susceptible while P. aeruginosa was least susceptible to the highest concentration of the cinnamon extract. Reasonably, the lowest concentration (20 % (v/v)) of Cinnamon extract also had minimal antibacterial action only on S. aureus but E. coli and P. aeruginosa exhibited resistance to this concentration of Cinnamon bark ethanolic extract. This study portrayed Cinnamon as an antibacterial agent and serves as a pointer for pharmaceutical industries in producing effective antibacterial drugs of plant sources.
Aerated Static Pile (ASP) Enhanced Bioaugmentation of Oil Sludge Contaminated Soil Using LIBEM Consortium
Authors: Zahari Nur Zaida , Tuah Piakong Mohd
Published: April 2022

This paper focused on efficiency of selective locally isolated beneficial microorganisms (LIBeM) consortia in bioaugmentation of oil sludge contaminated soil on a laboratory scale. Five different selective microbial consortia LIBeM were obtained from Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. The arrangement of aerated static pile (ASP)-bioreactor made up of acrylic materials was developed act as continuous aeration to the soil. Six different sets of treatment containing 10 kg of soil mixed with 20% (v/v) oil sludge with five bacterial strains and natural attenuation consisted of indigenous microbial in the soil as a control plot was utilized. The rates of biodegradation of oil sludge were studied for a period of three months and periodic sampling of soil from each bioreactor was carried out at 7 days of interval. Analysis of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) was done along with physiochemical parameters such as pH, moisture content and microbial population (CFUs) in the soil. The results obtained revealed biodegradation of oil sludge contaminated soil in all set treatments were much higher than Natural attenuation by 12.1 fold. The bioreactor augmented with Consortia 4 proved to be a better performance with 94% of TPH degradation followed by Consortia 2 (91.6%), Consortia 5 (90.1%), Consortia 1 (90%), Consortia 3 (87.5%) and Natural attenuation (27.4%) respectively. The variations of physiochemical parameters that influence the reduction of oil sludge in the soil were also discussed in this paper. High degradation of long chain alkanes was observed between consortia treatment as compared to natural attenuation plots suggested that bioaugmentation using consortia LIBeM decrease the level of oil sludge in contaminated soil. It was noted that, the continuous supplied of oxygen from aerated static pile (ASP)-system into the soil showed a good prospect in bioremediation of oil sludge.
Predictive Mathematical Modelling of the Total Number of COVID-19 Cases for Brazil
Authors: Uba Garba , Yakasai H.M. , Abubakar Abdussamad , Shukor Mohd Yunus Abd
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we present different growth models such as Von Bertalanffy, Baranyi-Roberts, Morgan-Mercer-Flodin (MMF), modified Richards, modified Gompertz, modified Logistics and Huang in fitting and analyzing the epidemic trend of COVID-19 in the form of total number of infection cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil as of 15th of July 2020. The MMF model was found to be the best model with the highest adjusted R2 value with the lowest RMSE value. The Accuracy and Bias Factors values were close to unity (1.0). The parameters obtained from the MMF model include maximum growth rate (log) of 0.026               (95% CI from 0.024 to 0.028), curve constant (d) that affects the inflection point of 1.094 (95% CI from 1.024 to 1.165) and maximal total number of cases (ymax) of 66,527,316 (95% CI from 35,156,044 to 143,548,943). The MMF predicted that the total number of cases for Brazil on the coming 15th of August and 15th of September 2020 will be 2,993,850 (95% CI of 3,407,196 to 2,630,649) and 4,676,829 (95% CI of 5,553,936 to 3,938,240), respectively. The predictive ability of the model utilized in this study is a powerful tool for epidemiologist to monitor and assess the severity of COVID-19 in Brazil in months to come. However, as with any other model, these values need to be taken with caution due to the unpredictability of the COVID-19 situation locally and globally.
Prediction of Cumulative Death Cases in The United States Due to COVID-19 Using Mathematical Models
Authors: Shukor Mohd Yunus Abd , Sabo Ibrahim Alhaji , Yahuza Salihu , Dan-Iya Bilal Ibrahim , Wada Surajo Adamu
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we present different growth models such as Von Bertalanffy, Baranyi-Roberts, Morgan-Mercer-Flodin (MMF), modified Richards, modified Gompertz, modified Logistics and Huang in fitting and analyzing the epidemic trend of COVID-19 in the form of total number of death cases of SARS-COV-2 in The United States as of 20th of July  2020. The MMF model was found to be the best model with the highest adjusted R2 value with the lowest RMSE value. The accuracy and bias factors values were close to unity (1.0). The parameters obtained from the MMF model include maximum growth of death rate (log) of 0.048 (95% ci from 0.047 to 0.048), curve constant (d) that affects the inflection point of 2.34 (95% ci from 2.31 to 2.38) and maximal total number of death (ymax) of 151,356 (95% ci from 147,911 to 154,525). The MMF predicted that the total number of death cases for The United States on the coming 20th of August and 20th of September 2020 will be 148,183 (95% ci of 149,199 to 147,173) and 153,780 (95% ci of 152,640 to 154,928), respectively. The predictive ability of the model utilized in this study is a powerful tool for epidemiologist to monitor and assess the severity of COVID-19 in The United States in months to come. However, as with any other model, these values need to be taken with caution due to the unpredictability of the COVID-19 situation locally and globally.
Mathematical Modeling of the Molybdenum Blue Production from Serratia sp. strain DRY5
Authors: Syed Mohd Arif , Shamaan Nor Aripin , Shukor Mohd Yunus
Published: April 2022

The reduction of molybdenum to molybdenum blue is a detoxification process and the development of Mo-blue is associated with growth. Significant parameters such as precise reduction rate, theoretical maximum reduction and whether reduction at high molybdenum concentration influenced the lag time of reduction can be discovered by mathematical modeling of the reduction phase. While common, the use of the linearization method by the use of natural logarithm transformation is inaccurate and can only provide an approximate value for the calculated single parameter, the real growth rate. In this work, a variety of models for such as logistic, Gompertz, Richards, Schnute, Baranyi-Roberts, Von Bertalanffy, Buchanan three-phase and more recently Huang were utilized to obtain values for the above parameters or constants. The Huang model was the best model in modelling the Mo-blue production curve of the Serratia sp. strain DRY5 based on statistical tests such as root-mean-square error (RMSE) (0.043), adjusted coefficient of determination (R2) (0.994), bias factor (BF) (1.00), accuracy factor (AF) (1.03) and corrected AICc (Akaike Information Criterion) (-67.02). Parameters obtained from the fitting exercise were maximum Mo-blue production rate (ï­m), lag time (ï¬) and maximal Mo-blue production (Ymax). We make use of primary growth models for modeling Mo-blue output in this work. This is an emerging method of identifying constants of parameters that control the reduction of molybdenum. For the creation of further secondary models, the constants calculated from this work will be utilized for such purpose. The use of these primary models can also be broadened to processes involving the detoxification of other heavy metals.
Physicochemical optimization of granular sludge in rubber industrial wastewater
Authors: Parimoolam Sasitharan , Dahalan Farrah Aini
Published: April 2022

Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) technology is a novel and promising development in the field of biological wastewater treatment where it develops granulated sludge without any additional of supporting carrier material.  Self-immobilized granular sludge has high settling velocity and contribute to high efficiency of solid-liquid separation in wastewater. Current problem of rubber manufacturing wastewater are low solid:liquid separation ratio and therefore, this study aims to incorporate aerobic granulation technology into rubber industry treatment in order to improve the problems.  Aerobic granules were developed in two identical sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) with different strategies for the enhancement of granulation. The characteristic of the microbial granular sludge was monitored throughout the study period and the results demonstrated good removal of COD and ammonia of 90% and 85%, respectively at the end of the study. Findings of this study show that granular sludge could be developed in rubber industry wastewater and is capable in treating the wastewater.
Removal of shells in palm kernel cake via static cling and electrostatic separation
Authors: Roslan Muhamad Akhmal Hakim , Abdullah Norhani , Mustafa Shuhaimi
Published: April 2022

Palm kernel cake (PKC), a by-product of the palm oil industry is limited in its use as a feedÂ ingredient for poultry due to its high fibre and lignin content. The presence of these antinutritiveÂ components is the result of shells contaminating the by-product. The nutritive value ofÂ PKC has to be improved in order to increase its inclusion rate in poultry diet. In this study, PKCÂ was subjected to a separation method using static cling and electrostatic separation to removethe shells present in PKC. Response surface methodology based on Box-Behnken design wasÂ used to optimize the separation method with moisture content (8 to 18%), particle sizeÂ distribution (0.5 to 2.5 mm) and feed rate (20 to 200 g/min) as the independent variablesÂ evaluated. According to the regression coefficients and significance of the quadratic polynomialÂ model, the optimum separation parameters were as follows: 13% PKC moisture content; <1.5mm PKC particle size and 110 g/min feed rate. Under these conditions, the total lignin contentÂ of PKC was reduced to 8.1% PKC and crude fibre to 10.2%.
A rapid inhibitive enzyme assay for monitoring heavy metals pollution in a river running through a UNESCO heritage site
Authors: Gunasekaran Baskaran , Ahmad Siti Aqlima , Halmi Mohd Izuan Effendi
Published: April 2022

The Malacca river runs through the Malacca UNESCO heritage site where a number of historical buildings are located. The river itself runs through several industrial sites that increase the chances of the water being polluted. Water pollution including heavy metals, in the long run, can damage the reputation of the site. Hence monitoring of the water quality needs to be done periodically. As the cost of instrumental monitoring is costly, biomonitoring using enzyme is being intensely developed worldwide. In this study, a rapid inhibitive enzyme assay using the molybdenum-reducing enzyme from the bacterium Serratia sp. strain DRY6 sensitive to the heavy metals mercury, copper, silver, and chromium was developed as a method for a rapid monitoring of heavy metals. The ICÂ¬50 values for mercury, copper, silver and chromium were 0.268, 0.352, 0.393 and 0.499 mg L-1, while the LOD values were 0.166, 0.071, 0.033 and 0.064 mg L-1, respectively. The IC50 values for these heavy metals are comparable and in several cases, more sensitive than established assays. Water samples from various locations in the Melaka river were tested for the presence of heavy metals using the developed assay. Enzyme activity was found to be inhibited in one sampling location, but the concentration of metal ions on the site was found to be below the Maximum Permissible Limit according to Malaysian Environmental Quality standard. The assay for heavy metals can be completed in less than 10 minutes and can be carried out at ambient temperature. The assay is rapid and simple and can be used as a first screening method or even near real-time method for routine monitoring of heavy metals.
Modelling the growth kinetics of callus cultures from the seedling of Jatropha curcas L. according to the modified Gompertz model
Authors: Hussein Sobri , Halmi Mohd Izuan Effendi , Kiong Anna Ling Pick
Published: April 2022

One of the most important preliminary investigation of callus attributes is the growth characteristics. Most often than not, callus growth curve is sigmoidal in characteristics. In this work, we model callus growth from the seedling of Jatropha curcas L. according to the modified Gompertz model from published literature to acquire essential growth constants. These growth constants can be obtained with better precision using model such as the modified Gompertz. Parameters obtained from the fitting exercise were maximum callus growth rate (ï­m), lag time (ï¬) and maximal callus production (Ymax) of 0.193 d-1, 2.91 days and 0.38 g callus/25 mL culture, respectively. Growth parameter constants extracted from the modelling exercise will be helpful for additional secondary modelling implicating the consequence of media conditions as well as other factors on the growth of callus from this plant.
Role of Foeniculum vulgare oil on the antimicrobial activity of some antibiotics against resistant pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Abd El-Mongy Mahmoud . , Mohamed Shehab E. Talat , Mabrouk Mona I. , Mohammed Abeer Mohammed , Hamza Hanafy A.
Published: April 2022

In this manuscript, the antimicrobial efficacy of fennel oil alone and combined with antibiotics were studied by the agar diffusion method. Fifty samples from edible food were collected from supermarkets in the El-Giza governorate, Cairo, Egypt. The presence of multi drug resistant bacteria in the edible food is reported. The aim of this work focuses the sensitivity improvement of the most five resistant Gram negative bacterial isolates due to the presence of fennel oil in the agar medium. Isolation was carried out by classical method using a selective medium followed by biochemical tests.Â  The results showed that the identified isolates include 50 pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus spp. 10 isolates (40%), Micrococcus spp. 1 isolate (4%), E. coli 11 isolates (44%), Citrobacter freundii 1 isolate (4%), Enterobacter species 1 isolate (4%), Enterobacter cloacae 1 isolate (4%) and P. aeruginosa 1 isolate (4%). There are significant improvements in the antimicrobial activity of tetracycline against E. coli isolated from milk due to the fennel oil contained medium. In addition, the sensitivity of Enterobacter spp. to meropenem was significantly increased in the medium containing fennel oil. Furthermore, the sensitivity of E. coli and Enterobacter spp. had significantly decreased to ciprofloxacin in the medium containing fennel oil.
Characterisation of purified acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) from Oreochromis mossambica brain tissues
Authors: Tham Lik Gin , Perumal Natarajan , Ahmad Siti Aqlima , Sabullah Mohd Khalizan
Published: April 2022

This study reports on the characterization of a purified AChE from Oreochromis mossambica brain extract. The purification protocol involved the application of custom-synthesized affinity chromatography gel (Edrophoniumâ€“Sephacryl S-400) and the use of high performance liquid chromatography system (HPLC). Soluble AChE was partially purified 27.9 fold with a highest specific activity around 73.1 Ã— 103 U/mg proteins. The partially purified AChE higher capability to hydrolyse acetylthiocholine (ATC) and shows less degradation against propionylthiocholine (PTC) and also butyrylthiocholine (BTC). Based on enzyme kinetic analysis, the partially purified AChE exhibits the apparent Michaelis constants Km, for ATC, PTC and BTC in the range of 125, 260 and 600 ÂµM and the maximum velocities Vmax were 276, 59 and 36 Âµmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The apparent inhibition constant (ki) values of eserine, propidium and carbofuran were 0.24 ÂµM-1min-1, 65 ÂµM-1min-1 and 0.41 ÂµM-1min-1 ÂµM-1min-1, respectively. The purified enzyme is apparently an AChE since it capable to hydrolyzes ATC at a higher rate compared to other synthetic substrates, at pH 7.0 and 25ÂºC, and is inhibited by it specific inhibitor which is eserine but not by iso-OMPA.
The Effects of Synbiotics and Probiotics Supplementation on Growth Performance of Red Hybrid Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus x Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Jahari Muhamad Amin , Mustafa Shuhaimi , Roslan Muhamad Akhmal Hakim , Manap Yazid Abd , Lamasudin Dhilia Udie , Jamaludin Farahiyah Ilyana
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a synbiotics between Lactobacillus plantarum and mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) extract and probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum) on growth performance in red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus x Oreochromis.niloticus). The fishes with initial average weight 11.9 Â± 0.7g were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments which were fed on a diet containing probiotics only and a diet combination of probiotics and prebiotic (synbiotics), with four replicates for each treatment. The control group was fed without supplementation of any probiotics or prebiotics for the same duration. All the diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. All fish were fed daily at 3% of the body weight per day in two equal instalments. The feeding rate was kept at 4% body weight day-1 for the whole rearing period of 30 days, and the amount of feed was adjusted every tenth day following a bulk weighing of each group of fish. All diets contained about 32% of crude protein. Significantly (P < 0.05) high growth performance (percent gain body weight, weight gain and feed intake) were observed in the group fed diet containing synbiotics as compared to probiotics and control group. Similarly, significantly (P < 0.05) low FCR was recorded in synbiotics as compared to probiotics and control group. This result revealed that a feeding regime with synbiotics for 30 days led to a significant increase in growth performance, survival rate and feeding efficiency in red hybrid tilapia fingerlings.
Studies on Utilization and Degradation of Anthracene by Bacteria Isolated from Industrial Waste Water Areas in Egypt
Authors: Shaaban Mohamed T , Abdelazim Hamdy A , Zanoun Gehad H
Published: April 2022

Industrial areas in Egypt has become one of the major routes of some wastes production as it discharges a large amount of petroleum hydrocarbons which possess severe hazardous effects on the surrounding environment. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) is one of the most toxic organic pollutants, among this organic hydrocarbon is anthracene, which is highly carcinogenic. The environmental threat of anthracene to humans due to exposure through industrial effluent discharge and other combustion activities into the environment beside expensive nature of the physical and chemical remediation techniques initiates this research. In this study anthracene was degraded by bacteria isolated from industrial waste water areas and degradation was carried out in liquid minimal salt media (MSM). From the fourteen bacterial strains isolated only three isolates were selected that show high potency for degrading anthracene. Isolates GH1, GH17 and GH21 were identified biochemically and genetically by 16S rRNA sequence as Lysinibacillus fusiform, Bacillus subtilis and Serratia liquefaciens, resepectively. Some environmental factors which effect anthracene degradation were also studied in this research to optimize its degradation process. The intermediates formed during anthracene degradation were identified by GC-MS spectroscopic analysis, which revealed anthracene degradation pathway.
Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon: A Mini Review
Authors: Sabullah Mohd Khalizan , Marbawi Hartinie , Mohd Faik Ainol Azifa , Abdullah Rahmath , Abd Sani Suraya , Japanis Feodora Grace Japanis , Jaganathan J. Niranjana , Julius Mark Wilson , Saini Nurshafiqah , Roland Reverend
Published: April 2022

Several contaminants that are present in the environment are able to be removed through the physical and chemical approach. Environmental rehabilitation is a challenge especially in large water bodies like rivers due to the volume and fastmoving property of river water. The exorbitant cost, safety and efficiency of physicochemical methods are important issues especially to remediate dissolved compounds such as pesticides, drug, and heavy metals. Nowadays, environmental rehabilitation using biological approach or known as bioremediation gets great attention as the treatment processes are environmentally friendly, low cost and easy to handle. Moreover, the result is highly satisfactory and at the same time cause no harm to the environment. This mini-review highlights the application of bioremediation to clean contaminated environment. The advantages and disadvantages will also be discussed.
Effectiveness of Double Discs Synergy Test in the Confirmation of Extended Spectrum Î²-lactamase (ESÎ²L) Production
Authors: Garba L. , Yushaâ€™u M. , Abdullahi M.M. , Abubakar M.U. , Inuwa A.B. , Isa S. , Adamu M.T.
Published: April 2022

Extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESÎ²Ls) are enzymes which have evolved from bacteria upon exposure to penicillins antibiotics. Such bacteria have developed resistance to Beta lactam antibiotics and their relatives such as cephalosporins (extended spectrum beta lactam antibiotics). The enzymes represent the major source of multidrug resistance in gram negative bacteria. Different methods of confirming ESÎ²L production from bacteria have been described. Most of these methods suggest screening the test isolates in accordance with decrease in susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins in preliminary susceptibility testing and use any of the available confirmatory tests for ESÎ²L production. However, it is not clear which confirmatory tests are the most sensitive and which extended-spectrum cephalosporins should be tested. In our previous study, disc replacement method was used to detect ESÎ²Ls production among Gram negative isolates from Gombe specialist hospital. In this report, the effectiveness of double disc synergy test (DDST) in the confirmation of ESÎ²L- production was studied from the clinical isolates obtained from this hospital for the first time to the best of our knowledge.  A total of two hundred and fifty (250) bacteria screened to be suspected ESÎ²L-producers were subjected to confirmatory test using double disc synergy test (DDST). The method effectively confirmed ninety six (96) isolates to be ESÎ²L-producers. Esherichia coli had the highest occurrence (26, 27.08%), followed by Klebsiella pneumonia (20, 20.83%), Providencia spp. (14, 14.58%), Morganella morganii (12, 12.5%), Yersinia enterocolitica (6, 6.25%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Shigella spp. and Salmonella paratyphi A each with a total occurrence of 4(4.17%), Citrobacter freundii, Serratia marcescens, and Salmonella typhi  each with an occurrence value of 2 (2.08%) while Proteus vulgaris was found to be negative ESÎ²L- producer. In conclusion, the DDST was found to be effective in the confirmation of ESÎ²L-production.
pH Shift Solubilization and Precipitation Protein Extraction from the Wastes of the Threadfin Bream, Nemipterus japonicus
Authors: Raihan Noorsuliya , Abbasiliasi Sahar , Tan Joo Shun , Masomian Malihe , Tengku Ibrahim Tengku Azmi , Ariff Arbakariya B. , Mustafa Shuhaimi
Published: April 2022

This study aimed at extraction of protein from the wastes of the threadfin bream, Nemipterus japonicus using pH shift solubilization and precipitation processes and evaluation of the influencing factors on protein extraction. Towards this objective, the wastes of head, skin and internal organs were collected, and their nutritional composition evaluated. Furthermore, the ratio of waste: water for protein extraction was screened and the effect of pH, centrifugation speed and time on protein solubility rate, the amino acid composition and the molecular weight of proteins via SDS-PAGE were determined. Results demonstrated that moisture was the highest percentage (~70-78%) of all wastes. Highest protein content (19.67Â±1.10%), fat content (1.81Â±0.09%) and carbohydrate content (4.43Â±0.23%) were observed in skin, head and internal organs, respectively. The optimum ratio of waste: water for protein extraction is 1:9 for head, 1:8 for internal organs and 1:6 for skin. The protein extraction efficiency for all three samples were high at pH 3 and pH 12. Protein solubility increased with increased centrifugation speed up to 10,000 Ã—g, and there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the protein solubility at 10,000 Ã—g and 20â€™000 Ã—g. Furthermore, there was significant difference (P<0.05) between protein solubility with increased centrifugation time. Alkaline process showed a remarkably higher amino acid content as compared to that of acid version. Glutamic acid and lysine were found higher compared to other amino acids. The molecular weight of proteins isolated in this study were low (<100 KDa).
Molecular Identification, Phylogenetic Classification and Proteolytic Capacity of Cultivable Bacteria Isolated from Soils in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Authors: Itsouhou Ngo , Etienne Nguimbi , Christian Kayath AimÃ© , Raoul Ampa
Published: April 2022

Soils present a biodiversity of bacteria, part of this microflora is cultivable, it can be estimated, characterized and identified. Four zones each comprising three sites were sampled in Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo. Phenotypic characterization, molecular identification and proteolytic capacity of soil bacteria were conducted. One of the factors, the pH was measured, the pH values were between 6 and 7. From the classical microbiology techniques, we counted the total flora of the microorganisms in (CFU / g.103), it is between 47 Â± 11.2 and 214 Â± 58.2 and that of bacteria of the genus Bacillus from 51.3 Â± 5.0 to 74 Â± 30.7. Cocci and bacilli were obtained, Gram- and Gram + bacteria distinguished, all bacteria were catalase +, some had sporulation, others not. Thirty-one (31) isolates were phenotypically characterized and 16S rDNA PCR was performed. Ten (10) strains were sequenced and the phylogenetic classification of the identified strains presented. Blastn's research on the 16S rDNA sequences of the different strains shows similarity rates (96.77% -100%) and E. value (9.00E-93 -0.0), these two indices allowed the identification of the strains studied. The percentages of the identified strains are as follows: Bacillus cereus (20%) = MN6 and MN14, Bacillus pumilus (10%) = MN7, Bacillus thuringiensis (10%) = MN12, B sp. (10%) = MN17, Bacillus subtilis (10%) = MN26, Staphylococcus haemolyticus (10%) = MN8, Staphylococcus saprophyticus (10%) = MN21, Staphylococcus sp. (10%) = MN22, Staphylococcus gallinarum (10%) = MN24. The phylogenetic tree shows that the bacteria belong to two main monophyletic genera, the genus Bacillus and the genus Staphylococcus. The proteolytic capacity of Bacillus bacteria was assessed in parallel with growth. The optical density was between (0.8- 0.93) and proteolytic enzyme production between (9-20mm). The parallelism between growth and enzymatic production shows that the two phenomena are distinct.
Predicting the Impact of PHEX, FGF23 and DMP1 Gene Variants Found in Malaysian Malay Patients with Hypophosphataemic Rickets Through In Silico Analysis of Protein Function and mRNA Secondary Structure
Authors: Razali Nurul Nadirah , Tzer Hwu Ting , King Hwa Ling , Kennerson Marina L. , Thilakavathy Karuppiah
Published: April 2022

Hypophosphataemic Rickets (HR) is a rare bone disorder characterised by chronic hypophosphataemia caused by defective phosphate reabsorption in the renal tubules. Variants in phosphate-regulating endopeptidase homolog, X-linked (PHEX), fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) and dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP1) genes contribute to X-linked dominant, autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive forms of HR, respectively. In this study, four Malaysian patientsâ€™ DNA samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing to identify the types and locations of the variants. Then, in silico study was conducted based on the variants found to predict the effects of amino acid substitution on protein functions using SIFT and PolyPhen-2 software and RNAfold was used to construct the mRNA secondary structure. Mutational analyses had revealed two variants in PHEX; c.10G>C (E4Q), c.1970A>G (Y657C), one mutation in FGF23; c.716C>T (T239M) and three variants on DMP1; c.309A>T (S69C), c.1322C>T (S406S), c.1334G>A (E410E). The variants in these Malay patients were previously reported in different ethnic HR patients. Protein prediction programs suggested that the PHEX Y657C and DMP1 S69C variants may affect protein function. All variants were predicted to alter the secondary mRNA structure. These findings suggest that these missense and silent variants may lead to changes in protein function and mRNA secondary structure that are associated with the manifestation of HR phenotype.
Screening of Anti-Quorum Sensing Activity from Selected Chinese Herbs Against Chromobacterium violaceum
Authors: Loke Wai Keong , Saud Halimi Mohd
Published: April 2022

Overuse of antibiotics was contributed to the increasing of bacterial infection resistance against antibiotics and caused a serious issue to the public health. Anti-quorum sensing is a new alternative ways or treatments to fight bacterial pathogenicity. Traditional Chinese herbs were screened of their anti-quorum sensing activities. Six selected traditional Chinese herbs were screened for a simple anti-quorum sensing activity by using Chromobacterium violaceum as the biomonitor. Two out of these herbs were found to be able to exhibit anti-quorum sensing properties; Lycium barbarum and Zingiber officinale. Extraction from Lycium barbarum has stronger anti-quorum sensing activity than Zingiber officinale. Colonies of biomonitor C. violaceum treated with Lycium barbarum almost fully loss its purple pigment. The loss and lack of purple colour from the colonies of C. violaceum indicated that quorum sensing activity was inhibited by the herbâ€™s extracted. It is believed that this herb contains rich source of compounds to fight or control pathogenic bacteria and potentially a new therapeutic way to reduce the development of antibiotic resistanc
In Vitro Heavy Metals Inhibitive Assay Using the Acetylcholinesterase from Osteochilus hasselti (Cyprinid Fish)
Authors: Sabullah Mohd Khalizan , Subramaniam Kavilasni , Basirun Ain Aqilah , Umar Abubakar M.
Published: April 2022

Rapid industrial development has caused many hazardous toxicants, especially heavy metals, to be released directly or indirectly into the environment which resulted in the polluted environment, mainly the water bodies. There are numerous Malaysian rivers that are largely polluted by heavy metals which can cause negative impact on health of public as well as the environment. Hence, a rapid and simple biomonitoring method will aid in notifying government agencies as well the public to such threat. Accordingly, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition has been widely used as a biomarker for heavy metals detection. In this study, the potential of AChE from Osteochilus hasselti brain as an alternative biosensor for heavy metals detection is measured. We discovered that out of seven heavy metals tested at the final concentration of 5 mg/L, only Hg2+, Ag2+, and Cu2+ exerted more than 50% significant inhibition (p<0.05) based on ANOVA analysis. The As5+ and Cd2+ exhibited inhibition by lowering the activity of AChE to less than 50%, displaying no significant difference (ð‘ƒð‘ƒ > 0.05) compared to each other. Meanwhile, the Cr6+ and Pb2+ showed no notable inhibitory effect on the activity of AChE. The results exhibited that AChE of O. hasselti has the capability to be used as a biosensor for the detection of metal ions.
Efficacy of Different Marination Methods on Microbial Quality of Meat
Authors: Talat Shehab , Ali Fatma H.M. , Hassan Abdelrahim H.A.
Published: April 2022

Beef meat is an animal flesh food that is considered a good diet for consumption as it contains many minerals, vitamins, basic amino acids and essential fatty acids. The people prefer marinated beef meat from a few decades. Microbiological count affection food and especially pathogenic organisms of public health importance. The tenderness and flavour considered as the main factors that affect consumerâ€™s acceptability and satisfaction. Worldâ€™s beef meat production in 2016 is approximately about 321,000,000 tons. The importance of post marinated beef meat on quality and acceptability with the importance of consumer point of view as the health and diet increases as beef meat is a high source of minerals, protein, vitamins as well as some essential compounds. Samples from meat food were collected from supermarkets, Egypt. This study evaluates the effects of marinade on meat microbial quality as reduction of the microbiological count. Microbial count was carried out by using selective medium and to determine the best marinating method. The results indicated that SDS+1% give best microbial controlling buffer where decreasing bacterial and fungal count to around zero that gave marvellous results.
Mathematical Modeling of The Biodegradation of Phenol from Industrial Effluents Using Immobilized Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Uba Garba , Yakasai Hafeez Muhammad , Abubakar Abdussamad
Published: April 2022

Synthetic chemicals are extremely harmful, particularly those man-made ones. Models are used to describe the behavior of microorganisms under different physical or chemical conditions such as temperature, pH, and water activity. Phenol is one of the potentially hazardous synthetic industrial contaminants capable of causing deteriorating effects in humans. In this paper, for the first time we present different kinetics models such as Von Bertalanffy, Baranyi-Roberts, modified Schnute, modified Richards, modified Gompertz, modified Logistics and the most recent Huang were used to get values for the above kinetic constants or parameters from simultaneous biodegradation of phenol from industrial effluents using immobilized Pseudomonas putida. All the curves present the best models with highest adjusted R2 value with the lowest RMSE and AICc value. The Accuracy and Bias Factors values were close to unity (1.0). Nearly all of the models best fit the curves indicating that Pseudomonas putida growth on phenol can be described mathematically the modelling parameters obtained can be utilized for predicting bioremediation of phenols in batch culture and perhaps in the future will be valuable in modelling growth eon industrial effluent containing phenol.
Utilization of Comprehensive Mathematical Modelling to Evaluate the Growth Kinetics of Pseudomonas putida LY1 on Phenol
Authors: Aisami Abubakar , Usman Mohammed Maikudi
Published: April 2022

Kinetic equations, which explain the behaviour of a microbe or an enzyme towards a specific substrate, are key to understanding many phenomena in biotechnological processes. They facilitate the mathematical prediction of growth parameters essential for the identification of key growth control parameters. We remodelled Banerjee and Ghoshal's published research (Banerjee and Ghoshal 2010) using some more kinetic growth models, such as Monod, Teissier, Andrews and Noack, Hinshelwood, Moser, Aiba, Webb (Edward), Yano and Koga, Han and Levenspiel and Luong used statistical methods such as Root Mean Square (RMSE), Adjusted Coefficient of Determination ( R2), corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AICc), Bias Factor, Accuracy Factor  to determine the accuracy of the fitted model. The best model was Haldane with the true value of ï­max determined as the value where the gradient for the slope is zero was 0.115 h-1 at 51 mg/L phenol. The results indicate that the exhaustive use of mathematical models on available published results could gleam new optimal models that can provide new knowledge on the way toxic substance inhibits growth rate in microbes.
Estetik Amaçlı Müdahalelere İslâm Dini’nin Bakışı
Authors: Akın Abdullah
Published: April 2022

Estetik amaçlı müdahaleler günümüzde cerrahî tıbbın ve teknolojinin gelişmesiyle giderek yaygınlaşmaya başlamıştır. Bu cerrahi müdahalelerin bir kısmı yaratılışı değiştirme amacı güdülmeden, hastalık sebebiyle oluşan ya da fıtri olarak anadan doğma gelen bozuklukları gidermek maksadıyla yapılmaktadır. Ancak insanların genelinin tıbbî ihtiyaç ve zaruret bulunmadığı halde gençleşme, süslenme, fıtratı değiştirme ve karşı cinse benzeme gibi amaçlarla bu müdahalelere yoğun ilgi gösterdikleri görülmektedir. Bu ilginin temelinde hâkim kültürü taklit etme psikolojisinin ve kimlik bunalımlarının yattığı düşünülmektedir. Özellikle ziynet amacıyla yapılan estetik müdahaleler gençler arasında bir moda halini almış durumdadır. Yetişkin kesimde ise tedaviden ziyade daha genç, dinç ve güzel görünme gayesi ve estetik duygusu ile yapılan cerrahi müdahaleler söz konusu olmaktadır. Teknolojinin gelişmesiyle oluşan bu yeni durumlarla ilgili klasik fıkıh kitaplarında özel bir hüküm ve açıklama olmaması tabidir. Ancak günümüzde bazı fetva mecmuaları dışında bu mecrada halâ yeterli akademik çalışmaların yapılmamış olması böyle bir araştırmayı yapmaya sevk eden ana etkenlerden olmuştur. Araştırmada “Tarama Modeli” kullanılarak Asr-ı Saadet’te ve fıkhın oluştuğu dönemdeki yazılı kaynaklardan toplanan verilerin analizleri yapılarak İslâm Dini’nin bakışı güncele yansıtılmaya gayret edilmiştir.