Antimicrobial Effects of Crude Bromelain Extracted from Pineapple Fruit (Ananas comosus (Linn.) Merr.).
Ali Abdulrahman Ali,
Mohammed Adamu Milala,
Isa Adamu Gulani
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
1-4
Received:
19 August 2014
Accepted:
14 October 2014
Published:
23 January 2015
Abstract: The study assessed the antimicrobial activity of crude bromelain extracted from pineapple fruit (Ananas comosus L.) on some microorganisms isolated from fresh and overnight meat at different temperatures and pH. Bromelain was extracted from pineapple fruit by homogenizing in cold phosphate buffer solution. Crude bromelain was estimated by Bradford method and the enzyme was assayed by the casein digestion method. Six bacteria namely, Proteus spp, Corynebacterium spp, B. subtilis, S. pyogenes and two different strains of E. coli., were isolated and identified by the conventional methods. The antimicrobial activity of crude bromelain was determined by the disc diffusion method. One strain of E. coli had the highest zone of inhibition (24.00±1.53mm) at 25°C, but the other strain was resistant. Corynebacterium spp was the least inhibited of all the organisms with 8.33±0.33mm zone of inhibition at 37°C and 45°C. Proteus spp was inhibited, but the effect was not temperature dependent. B. subtilis and S. pyogenes were resistant to the crude extract at all temperatures tested in neutral pH media. B. subtilis, S. pyogenes, and E. coli were totally inhibited at pH 10.0. The crude enzyme exhibited better activity against Proteus spp. at pH 10.0, but failed to inhibit the growth of Corynebacterium spp. Crude bromelain seems to be more effective in inhibiting gram positive bacteria than gram negative. Crude bromelain may be an effective antimicrobial agent against E. coli and Proteus spp.
Abstract: The study assessed the antimicrobial activity of crude bromelain extracted from pineapple fruit (Ananas comosus L.) on some microorganisms isolated from fresh and overnight meat at different temperatures and pH. Bromelain was extracted from pineapple fruit by homogenizing in cold phosphate buffer solution. Crude bromelain was estimated by Bradford ...
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Cathepsins B, L and H Splenocytes as the Secondary Antioxidant Systems in the Conditions of Carbonyl Stress
Fomina Maria Alekseevna,
Abalenikhina Yulia Vladimirovna
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
5-8
Received:
19 December 2014
Accepted:
6 January 2015
Published:
27 January 2015
Abstract: In the conditions of synthesis of nitrogen oxide deficit` modelling there is a growth of carbonyl derived proteins due to basic aldehyde- and keton-dinitrophenylhydrazones. After adding L-NAME into the incubation medium there appears aggravation of the carbonyl stress as the result of growth of oxidative stress secondary markers content and exhausting of reserve-adaptative resource. Activation of cathepsins L and H splenocytes takes place in response to oxidative modified proteins elaboration which is proved by our positive correlative conjunction.
Abstract: In the conditions of synthesis of nitrogen oxide deficit` modelling there is a growth of carbonyl derived proteins due to basic aldehyde- and keton-dinitrophenylhydrazones. After adding L-NAME into the incubation medium there appears aggravation of the carbonyl stress as the result of growth of oxidative stress secondary markers content and exhaust...
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Atomic Absorption Analysis of Toxic Heavy Metal Impurities in Various Commercial Aspirin Formulations
Somaya Al-Sadeq Al-Taeb,
Khairi Al-Sadeq Ahmed Al-Tayeb,
Abdussalam Salem Al-Aseer,
Mohammad Mushahid Khan
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
9-14
Received:
18 January 2015
Accepted:
29 January 2015
Published:
6 February 2015
Abstract: Aspirin is the most extensively used mild analgesic and antipyretic drug. In Libya as well as worldwide, aspirin is purchased without prescription in many forms and is imported into the country without any control. However, conditions for packing, storing and preventing the drug from damage are not properly followed. There are no supervision or quality control procedures on the validity and chemical composition of the drug. In this study, thirteen available aspirin forms imported from different countries and one sample from local factory were collected and analyzed for comparison. The quality of the samples was examined in terms of active ingredient (acetyl salicylic acid- ASA), toxic heavy metal and salicylic acid impurities. ASA contents were analyzed using volumetric titration and HPLC method. The toxic heavy metal impurities were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and salicylic acid impurity was determined by fluorimetric method. The active ASA contents were found in the range from 87 to 104%. Comparison of the determined ASA contents with the actual contents per tablet indicated that only 14% of the samples were in identical values, whereas; 57.1% were exceeded and 28.6% were less than the actual content per tablet. The salicylic acid impurities were under permissible limit. Although, the results for the toxic heavy metals impurities showed significant variations among the samples, but all were under the limit permitted by the world health organization.
Abstract: Aspirin is the most extensively used mild analgesic and antipyretic drug. In Libya as well as worldwide, aspirin is purchased without prescription in many forms and is imported into the country without any control. However, conditions for packing, storing and preventing the drug from damage are not properly followed. There are no supervision or qua...
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Biochemical Characterization of Crude α-Amylase of Aspergillus spp. Associated with the Spoilage of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Tubers and Processed Products in Nigeria
Oghenetega Jonathan Avwioroko,
Nyerhovwo John Tonukari,
Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
15-23
Received:
22 January 2015
Accepted:
1 February 2015
Published:
9 February 2015
Abstract: In this research, crude α-amylases associated with the spoilage of cassava (Manihot esculenta) tubers/ product (‘eba’) were biochemically characterized. They were isolated from five fungi: Aspergillus sp. CSA25, Aspergillus sp. CSA26, Aspergillus sp. CSA27, Aspergillus sp. CSA35 and Aspergillus sp. CSA38. The results of the analyses showed that the activities of α-amylase obtained from both sources (cassava tuber/ eba) were optimal at 45°C and pH 5.0. The maximum specific activity (Vmax) of the enzyme was found to be 10 U/mg protein, while its Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) was between 0.37 -1.25%w/v. The α-amylase is thermally stable for 1 - 2 h at optimum temperature and pH (45°C; pH 5.0). A broad range of substrate specificity was expressed by the enzyme for cassava starch-containing products (tapioca flour, garri flour, cassava flour, 1%, w/v); however, potato (Ipomoea batatas) starch, yam (Dioscorea rotundata) flour and cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) flour were relatively minimally hydrolyzed by the crude α-amylases obtained from Aspergillus spp. that caused spoilage of cassava. Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (1 mM EDTA) and Mg2+ treatment had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on the activities of the amylase, but Na+, K+, Ca2+, Fe3+, thiourea and 5′,5′-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoate (1 mM DTNB) enhanced its activities. The fungal α-amylases were most activated by K+ and had a salt tolerance of 1 - 2 M NaCl for 24 h. The fungal α-amylases reported in this study would find useful application in industries like food industry, detergent industry, paper industry, textile industry, pharmaceutical industry, etc where microbial α-amylases would be required for efficient and cost-effective hydrolysis of cassava starch, cassava flour and or its products.
Abstract: In this research, crude α-amylases associated with the spoilage of cassava (Manihot esculenta) tubers/ product (‘eba’) were biochemically characterized. They were isolated from five fungi: Aspergillus sp. CSA25, Aspergillus sp. CSA26, Aspergillus sp. CSA27, Aspergillus sp. CSA35 and Aspergillus sp. CSA38. The results of the analyses showed that the...
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