Journal of Coastal Life Medicine

510-515

Authors: Robilson Antonio Weber, Jorge José Pérez Maceira, María José Aldegunde, Leopoldo Oscar García Martín, Manuel Aldegunde

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of the anaesthetic agents 2-phenoxyethanol, MS- 222, clove oil and metomidate in attenuating acute handling stress in juvenile specimens of Solea senegalensis subjected to two routine stressful events specific to aquaculture and/or fish research. Methods: The stress-preventing effects of four anaesthetic agents (2-phenoxyethanol, 600 mg/L; metomidate, 5 mg/L; clove oil, 30 mg/L and MS-222, 75 mg/L) were evaluated in juvenile specimens of Senegalase sole (Solea senegalensis) subjected to two different types of acute (handling-related) stress: air exposure and net handling (chasing). To assess the stress-preventing effects of the four anaesthetic agents, diverse blood and plasma parameters (haematocrit, haemoglobin, glucose, lactate and cortisol levels) were determined as stress indicators. Fish were treated with the anaesthetic agents before being subjected to the different types of acute stress, and they were sacrificed 30 min, 2 and 24 h later. Control fish were processed in the same way without pretreatment with the anaesthetic agents. Results: The net handling stress was of sufficient intensity to cause a significant increase in the levels of most of the stress indicators considered. By contrast, air exposure stress only induced significant increases in cortisol and haemoglobin levels. Conclusions: The stress-preventing effects of the anaesthetic agents tested were ranked on the basis of their capacity to prevent increases in the haematocrit, haemoglobin, glucose, lactate and cortisol levels, as follows: metomidate (5 mg/L) > clove oil (30 mg/L) > MS-222 (75 mg/L) > 2-phenoxyethanol (600 mg/L).

521-530

Authors: Lavanya Rayapu, Fasina Makkar, Suresh Karanam Anandan, Anusree Maneesh, Kajal Chakraborty, Lokanatha Valluru

Objective: To study the anti-diabetic activity of marine macroalgae extracts (n = 31), purification and characterization of sulphated galactopyran (SGP) from Gracilaria opuntia (FM4) in diabetic rats. Methods: The animals were separated into groups and STZ (55 mg/kg body weight) was used to induce diabetics. Glucose, HbA1c, insulin, C-peptide levels and in vivo antioxidant levels were estimated and histopathological studies were done in STZ-induced diabetic and marine macroalgae treated rats. Results: Based on glucose and HbA1c levels and in vivo antioxidant levels, among the 31 marine macroalgae extracts, FM4 has showed high anti-diabetic activity. Hence, FM4 was purified and characterized by 1H-NMR spectra and FT-IR as sulphated galactopyran. During the survival analysis, SGP at dose of 100 mg/kg showed significant (P < 0.05) survival rate and elevations in C-peptide and insulin levels. The histopathological modulations of SGP were observed in diabetic rat tissues such as liver, kidney and brain. Hence obtained results reveal that SGP treated diabetic rats has significant changes in C-peptide and insulin levels which regulates the blood glucose levels and recovered the histopathological changes. Conclusions: Marine macroalgae have significant anti-diabetic activity. Hence, they could be used as nutraceutical supplement or natural green remedy against diabetes mellitus.

540-546

Authors: Sana Chakroun, Intissar Grissa, Lobna Ezzi, Oumaïma Ammar, Fadoua Neffati, Emna Kerkeni, Mohamed Fadhel Najjar, Zohra Haouas, Hassen Ben Cheikh

Objective: To investigate the potential adverse effects of imidacloprid on biochemical parameters, oxidative stress and liver damage induced in the rat by oral sub-chronic imidaclopride exposure. Methods: Rats received three different doses of imidacloprid (1/45, 1/22 and 1/10 of LD50) given through gavage for 60 days. Two dozen of male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups. Liver damage was determined by measuring aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase leakages. The prooxidant-antioxydant status in hepatic tissue homogenate was evaluated by measuring the degree of lipid peroxidation, the antioxidant enzymes activities such as catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Results: The relative liver weight was significantly higher than that of control and other treated groups at the highest dose 1/10 of LD50 of imidacloprid. Additionally, treatment of rats with imidacloprid significantly increased liver lipid peroxidation (P ≤ 0.05 or 0.01) which went together with a significant decrease in the levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Parallel to these changes, imidacloprid treatment enhanced liver damage as evidence by sharp increase in the liver enzyme activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase. These results were also confirmed by histopathology. Conclusions: In light of the available data, it is our thought that after imidacloprid sub-chronic exposure, depletion of antioxidant enzymes is accompanied by induction of potential oxidative stress in the hepatic tissues that might affect the function of the liver which caused biochemical and histopathological alteration.

550-555

Authors: Nigussie Seboka, Endashaw Bekele, Shimelis Nigussie, Yonas Bekele, Kidist Bobosha, Demissew Beyene

Objective: To analyze haptoglobin polymorphism, plasma haptoglobin concentration, and ABO blood groups associated with leprosy. Methods: Blood groups were determined using monoclonal anti-A and anti-B. Haptoglobin was genotyped by PCR; plasma haptoglobin concentration was measured by ELISA. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 and P-values ≤ 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: ABO blood groups in leprosy patients were found to have no significant difference compared to controls and the general population (P > 0.05). The data showed a lower frequency of Hp1-1 (14.6%) and higher frequency of Hp2-2 (25.6%) in leprosy patients compared to healthy controls (23.1% and 19.8%, respectively), without significant association (P = 0.315). The mean of haptoglobin concentration was higher in leprosy patients [(1.32 ± 0.70) mg/ mL] than in healthy controls [(1.17 ± 0.67) mg/mL] (P = 0.160). The mean (1.44 mg/mL) and median (1.37 mg/mL) values of haptoglobin concentration were significantly higher in male leprosy patients than in male healthy controls (1.11 mg/mL and 1.11 mg/mL, respectively) (P = 0.018). Independent sample t-test and One-way ANOVA analysis also indicated significant mean elevation of Hp along leprosy spectrum and bacterial index (P < 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, the study revealed absence of influence of Hp polymorphism and ABO blood groups on leprosy occurrence; however, plasma haptoglobin concentration elevates in leprosy patients and is significantly associated with leprosy spectrum and bacterial loads in patients.

559-561

Authors: Hadi Hassibi, Mahdieh Rezaei*, Sajad Seyyedin, Dariush Vosugh

Intussusception due to linear foreign body obstruction was described in this clinical report in a dog presented with a history of lethargy, anorexia, vomiting and abdominal pain. Diagnosis of intussusception was confirmed by contrast radiography. Manual reduction of jejuno-jejunal intussusception and removal of thread were done in laparotomy. No other complications were identified during the 4-month postoperative period in this case.

463-467

Authors: Amira Talaat Abo-Hashesh, Wafaa Said Sallam, Fedekar Fadel Madkour, Hanaa Khalil Ashour, Amro Mohamed Hanora

Objective: To investigate the chitin yield of two commercial crustacean species that are exploited in the Suez Canal region, the Red Sea crab Charybdis natator (C. natator) and the Mediterranean mantis shrimp Erugosquilla massavensis (E. massavensis), and to assess the effect of some biological factors such as sex, size and maturity stages of females' ovaries on this yield. Methods: A total of 64 specimens of crabs were collected from the Red Sea and 1 377 mantis shrimps were collected from the Mediterranean Sea. Chitin was obtained after the deproteinization, de-mineralization and de-colorization of 5 g oven dried exoskeletons and values were expressed as g/5 g and percentages. Results: Chitin yield was significantly higher in E. massavensis than C. natator (22.1%, 14.22%, respectively). No significant difference in the yield was recorded between males and females of C. natator (12.9%, 14.9%, respectively), while the yield in E. massavensis males was significantly higher than females (25.3%, 21.2%, respectively). Significant variations in the chitin yield were observed between the different sizes of E. massavensis with the maximum being from the individuals falling in the size range 90–130 mm body length. The yield was at its lowest in the immature stage of C. natator females' ovaries (9.29%). However, the values increased and remained constant for the remaining stages (≥ 18%). Conclusions: The study recommends the use of the mantis shrimp for the production of chitin on commercial scale particularly medium sized males.

474-479

Authors: Ali Farzi, Alireza Dehnad, Najibeh Shirzad, Faezeh Norouzifard

Objective: To investigate the biodegradation of high density polyethylene (HDPE) by Streptomyces species isolated from the soil of East Azerbaijan, Iran. Methods: Powders of HDPE samples were prepared by grinding in different particle sizes of 212, 300, 420, and 500 microns. Each time 50 mg of a sample was poured to a liquid medium containing species. Samples were incubated for 18 days at 28 °C in a shaker-incubator and their degradation percentage was measured by weighting method. Produced metabolite at 18th day was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Also a film of HDPE was subjected to biodegradation and after one month was analyzed by scanning electron microscope which showed degradation on the surface of the film. Results: The results showed that Streptomyces species degraded 50 mg of HDPE sample with the size of 212 μm about 18.26%, 300 and 420 μm about 14.4%, and 500 μm about 13%. Kinetic modeling of biodegradation process showed that the reaction rate was first order with respect to concentration of HDPE. Based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry results, no high toxic material was produced during biodegradation of HDPE. Conclusions: The research showed that isolated Streptomyces sp. are capable of degradation of HDPE polymer with high degradation efficiency.

486-491

Authors: Mathewos Anza, Mesfin Bibiso, Bereket Alemayehu, Engeda Desalegn

Objective: To investigate phytochemical constituents, antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the root extracts of Carduus macracanthus (C. macracanthus). Methods: Phytochemical screening tests were conducted as per of the standard procedure to identify the classes of compounds present in the root extract of C. macracanthus. Silica gel column chromatographic technique was applied to separate the constituents from chloroform/ methanol (1:1) root extracts. Various spectroscopic techniques were applied to determine the structure of the isolated compound. In vtiro antibacterial activities of crude extracts were evaluated via disc diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bacterial concentration were determined by broth dilution method. Moreover, antioxidant activities of extracts were determined by DPPH assay, the phosphomolybdenum method and total flavonoid contents were determined as per of the standard procedures. Results: Phytochemical screening of root extracts of C. macracanthus revealed the presence alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes, tannins and steroids. Silica gel column chromatography separation of root extract using chloroform/methanol (1:1 ratio) yielded a known plant steroid stigmasterol. The result revealed that methanol extract had the greatest DPPH scavenging (IC50 = 97.50 ± 4.38 μg/mL) and total antioxidant (1.92 ± 0.24 mg AAE/g of dried extract) activities. Chloroform/methanol (1:1), and methanol extracts showed that growth suppression of Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration above 25 mg/mL, and minimum inhibitory concentration was found to be 25 mg/mL. Methanol extract showed growth suppression against Escherichia coli at a concentration of 50 mg/mL. The antibacterial activities of the extracts were compared with a commercially available antibiotic (chloramphenicol) and showed moderate antibacterial activities, with inhibition zones ranging between 18–28 mm. However, the extracts had no antibacterial effects on Salmonella typhi. Conclusions: The present study found that polar extracts of the root of C. macracanthus possessed antibacterial and antioxidant activities.

496-500

Authors: Uddin Jalal, Karim Samira, Gain Dwigbijoy, Hassan Mahmudul, Sultana Julie Azima, Khalid Labu Zubair

Objective: To rationalize the folkloric use of hypoglycemic, antinociceptive and antioxidant potentials with phytochemical screening of methanolic bark extract of Crataeva nurvala (C. nurvala) in vivo and in vitro. Methods: The collected bark was dried and grinded. The coarse powder was soaked in 2 000 mL of 90% methanol for several days then filtrated. At 40 °C the volume of crude methanolic extract (CME) was reduced by a vacuum rotary evaporator, then the aqueous methanol extract was separated into petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, and aqueous soluble fractions by Kupchan protocol. Then the extracts were subjected to evaluate in vivo analgesic, hypoglycemic activities in Swiss albino mice model and antioxidant in vitro. Results: In quantitative phytochemical analysis, total phenolic content was found maximum (235.94 mg of GAE/g) in aqueous soluble fraction; in case of antioxidant potentials, DPPH free radical scavenging assay showed IC50 value of 9.25 μg/mL exhibited by aqueous soluble fraction in comparison to ascorbic acid (8.27 μg/mL) as a reference standard. The CMEs potentially (P < 0.05) reduced the acetic acid-induced writhing and increased (P < 0.05; P < 0.01) latency period in the tail immersion method at a dose dependent manner. The CME significantly reduced blood sugar level of diabetic rat induced by alloxan monohydrate. Conclusions: This study was conducted to validate the extensive use of C. nurvala bark as folk medicine with antinociceptive, hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects. It can be concluded that the bark of C. nurvala possesses good antinociceptive, moderate hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities. However, further chemical and pharmacological revise are needed to elucidate the detail mode of action behind this and identify the responsible active principles.

504

Authors: Masoud Keikha

no

422-426

Authors: Levent Bat, Sabri Bilgin, Ayşah Öztekin

Objective: To investigate the effect of copper on Crangon crangon (Linnaeus, 1758) (C. crangon) and Syngnathus acus (Linnaeus, 1758) (S. acus) from Black Sea. Methods: The acute toxicity of copper in water with clean sediment to C. crangon and S. acus from Sinop Peninsula of the Black Sea was evaluated by static 10-day and 21-day bioassays. Results: Mortality of both organisms increased with increase in concentrations of copper. The results showed that S. acus was more sensitive to copper than C. crangon. Conclusions: In the present study, both C. crangon and S. acus have been shown to be a suitable test species to assess heavy metal toxicity using static 21-day and 10-day bioassays.

433-440

Authors: Sisay Misganaw Tamiru, Seyoum Leta Asfaw, Seyoum Mengistu Yilma

Objective: To assess the quality of water using biological and chemical information correlation study. Methods: A total of 6 sites, one reference site less impaired to represent natural conditions from upstream, and 5 impaired sites in the downstream were sampled for macroinvertebrates and physicochemical parameters. Results: In the polluted sites with high nutrient enrichment and organic loading, only organisms with special physiological and morphological adaptations were found, such as Hydrobiidae, Physidae and Viviparidae snails. Physicochemical parameters: electrical conductivity, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, sulphate, orthophosphate and nitrate-nitrogen and metrics: percent of Mollusca, percent of Physidae and percent of dominant taxa were used for monitoring, and expected to have strong positive relation with increasing disturbance. Conclusions: Therefore, floriculture industries wastewater discharged to the nearby rivers has enormous effect on the degradation of the ecosystem. To sustain the ecological conditions of the nearby rivers, wastewater treatment and environmental audit were suggested. Environmental assessment and environmental audit enable the floriculturist to keep humans and the environment safe. Taking care of workers, soil, water and the environment has to be seen with great care and caution because it is difficult to maintain a healthy community and carry out development in a degraded environment.

447-450

Authors: Sukanya Pattarapo, Kittikarn Ratanavijarn, Voravuth Somsak

Objective: To investigate the alteration of biochemical parameters during Plasmodium berghei ANKA (P. berghei ANKA) infection in mice. Methods: Male BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with 1 × 107 parasitized erythrocytes of P. berghei ANKA. Parasitemia was daily monitored by microscopy of Giemsa stained thin blood smear. Additionally, packed cell volume (PCV) and biochemical parameters including glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, and bilirubin levels were also measured using Cobas 111 automate analyzer. Results: Parasitemia was increased during P. berghei ANKA infection until the infected mice died within 2 weeks, and early and late infections were separated by Days 4 and 10, respectively. At early infection, it was found that hemolysis occurred as indicated by markedly decreased PCV. Hypoglycemia and acute kidney injury were also developed at the early infection as indicated by decrease in blood glucose and increase in BUN and creatinine levels. Moreover, the loss of liver function was observed at the late infection as indicated by markedly increased enzyme activities of AST, ALT, and ALP, and decreased albumin level. Additionally, bilirubin level was also increased. Conclusions: The finding reveals the pathological condition during P. berghei ANKA infection in mice. The hemolysis and acute kidney injury were developed at the early infection, and loss of liver function then occurred at the late infection. Hence, the prevention of these pathological conditions during malaria infection is urgently needed.

455-458

Authors: Nagina Gilani, Hasina Basharat, Huma Qureshi

Curcumin, a polyphenol (diferuloylmethane), is a derivative obtained from the Curcuma longa. It has many beneficial functions, including pain-killing, activity against reactive oxygen species, preventing inflammation and antibacterial activities, for which it has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medication. The mechanisms showing curcumin activity involve a grouping of signaling pathways in the cell at multiple stages. Recently, the anticancer effects of curcumin were studied on different pathways, including the gene expression for cancer, its spread, the regulation of cell cycle, programmed cell death, and tumor expression. All these studies suggest enormous potential of curcumin in cancer therapy. It has many more potential benefits against cardiovascular diseases, reactive oxygen species, bacteria and fungi. The present review provides a brief description of the studies conducted and the information supportive to pharmaceutical activities of curcumin. It also considers anticancer applications and clinical benefits of nano-formulations of curcumin.

375-378

Authors: Levent Bat , Sabri Bilgin, Ayşah Öztekin

Objective: To evaluate the suitability of Palaemon adspersus (P. adspersus) as a bio-indicator for 4 and 10 days of cadmium toxicity bioassays. Methods: Four and ten days experiments were designed. CdCl2·2½H2O was dissolved in distilled water and a stock solution was made. At 4-day bioassay, the larvae of Baltic prawns were exposed to nominal concentrations of 0, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 mg/L of Cd for 4 days. The 4-day LC50 was calculated by the probit analysis. At 10-day bioassay, the concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/L were introduced into each of the jars in triplicate treatments and 0 mg/L as control. Each tank containing 20 larvae was exposed to test solutions. Results: Results from probit analysis showed that the 96-h LC50 value was 0.14 mg/L for Cd. The 10 days bioassays were conducted with nominal concentrations of 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/L Cd. Mortality increased in parallel with the increase in concentrations of Cd on Zoea – I stage of P. adspersus and time of exposure. The toxicity rate of the organism is concentration-dependent. All organisms except the control group died at the end of 10 days. Less than 25% of the animals survived at the 5 days of the exposure to concentrations of 0.5 mg/kg Cd or more. Only 20% of the organisms survived at the 7 days of the exposure to concentrations of 0.1 mg/kg Cd or less in seawater with clean sediment. Conclusions: The results showed that Cd was highly toxic to P. adspersus. When the larvae were exposed to concentrations of Cd, they become slightly excited and swam erratically, probably due to stress. However, behavioural and swimming patterns in control groups were normal, and there was not any mortality during the course of the experiment.

383-388

Authors: Osasenaga Ighodaro, Abiola Adeosun, Basirat Adeoye, Oluwafemi Soetan

Objective: To determine the toxicity of Sapium ellipticum (S. ellipticum) ethanol leaf extract in animal model. Methods: Three groups (I, II and III, n = 10) of Wistar rats were respectively given 0.5 mL corn oil, 400 and 800 mg/kg BW of S. ellipticum extract, twice daily, for a period of 14 days. Lethal dose (LD50) was determined and morbidity was assessed via repeated dose administration of the extract. Results: S. ellipticum at the doses employed did not cause any significant changes in the serum concentrations of ALT, AST and ALP compared to the control group. The level of total serum cholesterol was significantly (P ˂ 0.05) and dose-dependently reduced in the extract- treated animals by 13.5% and 16.0% compared to the control animals. Total plasma protein concentration and body weight were respectively increased by 8.7% and 13.7% at 800 mg/ kg BW of the extract. The intraperitoneal (i.p.) and intramuscular (i.m.) LD50 values of S. ellipticum leaf extract were determined as 979.80 and 1 341.60 mg/kg BW respectively while the oral (p.o.) LD50 was estimated to be greater than 45 000 mg/kg BW. Conclusions: The observations noted in this study apparently validate the use of S. ellipticum ethanol leaf extract in folklore medicine in terms of herbal safety.

394-397

Authors: Anis Alam Lotfabadi, Ali Mohammadi Sani

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial effect of Cyperus species as an important medicine plant in the study area. Methods: The agar disk diffusion method was used to study the antibacterial activity of Cyperus extracts against 2 Gram-positive and 4 Gram-negative bacteria at concentration 400 and 600 mg/mL of methanol and the aqueous extract. Then minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations were determined by micro-dilution method. Results: The results showed that the methanol extract of longus species presented the highest zone of inhibition against tested pathogens (15 mm inhibition zone). Other plants did not show significant inhibition zone. The methanol extracts of the plant against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PTTC 1707) strains showed the best activities, with the lowest minimal inhibitory concentration of 3.125 mg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration was 166.50 and 83.25 mg/mL, respectively for Staphylococcus aureus (PTTC 1431) and Escherichia coli (PTTC 1399). Conclusions: The results showed that the methanol extract of the herb has antibacterial activity and therefore it could be used as a natural preservative ingredient in food and/or pharmaceutical industries.

403-408

Authors: Muyideen Lawal * , Ademola Aderolu, Adetola Oke

Objective: To examine antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of Cissus populnea (C. populnea) root and Securidaca longipedunculata (S. longipedunculata) leaf and root extracts using aqueous, ethanol and petroleum-ether media. Methods: The free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl was used to measure scavenging activities of extracts, while phenol and flavonoid contents were estimated by spectrophotometry and the antibacterial screening of extracts was done using disc diffusion method. The extracts were tested against five strains of Gram positive and negative bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentration of extracts in the screening assay was according to micro-broth dilution, and minimum bactericidal concentration was carried out by agar diffusion method. Results: The ethanol extract of the S. longipedunculata leaf recorded the highest [(83.00 ± 2.97) μg/mL] radical scavenging potential while the least value [(48.50 ± 2.55) μg/mL] was recorded for C. populnea root ethanol extract. The highest phenol content was found in the ethanol extract of C. populnea [(145.60 ± 0.85) mg gallic acid equivalent/g], while the least value [(87.75 ± 3.46) mg gallic acid equivalent/g] was recorded in petroleum ether extract of S. longipedunculata. The highest and lowest values [(81.30 ± 0.99) and (46.60 ± 1.98) mg rutin equivalent/g] of flavonoid were recorded with ethanol extracts of S. longipedunculata leaf and root, respectively. The aqueous and ethanol leaf and root extracts of S. longipedunculata were active against the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi. Similar results were observed with ethanol and aqueous root extracts of C. populnea for the same bacteria. Conclusions: All the crude plant extracts possessed strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activities qualifying them as medicinal herbs that could be included in animal feed production.

330-335

Authors: Semra Benzer, Recep Benzer, Aysel Çağlan Günal

Objective: To analyze the growth prediction results of crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz 1823) with two methods of length-weight relation (LWR) and artificial neural networks (ANNs). Methods: We examine the relationships between total length and total weight; carapace length and total weight; carapace length and total length for Astacus leptodactylus caught from Eğirdir Lake between 2013 and 2014. Length weight relation is used as a traditional method and artificial neural networks as a new approach. Results: The research is based on a sample of 222 crayfish [34% (75 individual) female, 66% (147 individual) male]. The outcomes of the research can be summarized as follows: average total length is 128.40 mm for female and 135.50 mm for male; average total weight is 59.79 g for female and 82.95 g for male crayfish. LWR equation was found to be W = 0.054 251 96 L2.73 for females, W = 0.052 721 02 L2.81 for males, and W = 0.035 898 89 L2.94 for the entire sample, regardless of gender. The results acquired from ANNs and LWR are analyzed to those obtained by the growth rate of crayfish caught from Eğirdir Lake. Conclutions: LWR and ANNs mean absolute percentage error results were examined. ANNs provide better results than the LWR. ANNs can be considered as an alternative for growth estimation.

343-349

Authors: Walimuni Kanchana Subhashini Mendis Abeysekera1*, Sirimal Premakumara Galbada Arachchige2, Wanigasekara Daya Ratnasooriya3, Naduviladath Vishvanath Chandrasekharan4, Amitha Priyadarshanie Bentota5

Objective: To evaluate the physicochemical and nutritional properties of selected traditional rice varieties of Sri Lanka. Methods: Twenty three rice varieties were selected. All the varieties were studied for grain colour, grain size and shape as physicochemical properties, while for nutritional properties, moisture, crude ash, crude protein, crude fat and total carbohydrate contents were studied. Only selected set of varieties were studied for total, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. These properties were studied using internationally accepted standard techniques. Results: The results showed significant (P < 0.05) difference in the physicochemical and nutritional properties of the studied varieties. Out of 23 varieties tested, 20 varieties were red rices, while the rest were white rices. The grain size and shape were mostly medium bold (30%) and short bold (56%). The mean moisture, crude ash, crude protein, crude fat and total carbohydrate contents of selected varieties varied from (10.42 ± 0.25)% to (12.33 ± 0.02)%, (1.30 ± 0.14)% to (1.92 ± 0.05)%, (10.59 ± 0.12)% to (13.27 ± 0.32)%, (2.18 ± 0.10)% to (4.12 ± 0.28)% and (81.42 ± 0.25)% to (85.66 ± 0.24)%, respectively. The selected varieties had total, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber contents in the range of 4.2%–6.9%, 0.8%–2.1% and 3.1%–4.8%, respectively. The varieties Pachchaperumal, Suduru samba, Wanni Dahanala, Gonabaru and Sudu Heeneti had the highest crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, total carbohydrate and dietary fiber contents, respectively. Conclusions: Selected traditional rice varieties of Sri Lanka had physicochemical properties preferred by consumers and nutritional properties with dietary importance.

356-359

Authors: Samuel Mailafia, Olatunde Hamza Olabode, Godspower Okoh, Chinyere Jacobs, Shuaibu Gidado Adamu, Samson Amali Onyilokwu

Objective: To determine the prevalence of bacterial organisms from raw milk of cows in Gwagwalada and determine their susceptibility to commonly used antimicrobial agents. Methods: A total of 120 samples of milk were obtained from lactating cows that were at different stages of postpartum from six different locations in Gwagwalada metropolis. Samples were subjected to Microbact™ 24E system identification, isolation and characterization of isolates, and antibiotics susceptibility test. Results: The most prevalent organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (34.1%), Escherichia coli (27.3%) and Bacillus species (18.2%) while the least isolated were Salmonella species (11.4%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.0%). The highest resistance patterns were shown by Staphylococcus aureus which displayed resistance to five drugs: amoxicillin, ampiclox, levofloxacin, norfloxacin, chloramphenicol and streptomycin. The least resistance was displayed by Bacillus species which were resistant to only two drugs, norfloxacin and chloramphenicol. Pseudomonas aeroginosa dissipated the highest pattern susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, gentamicin and streptomycin while Salmonella species showed the lowest pattern of susceptibility to ciprofloxacin only. Other microorganisms dissipated susceptibility patterns ranging from 16.6%–100.0%. Conclusions: This study documented the occurrence of bacterial flora in raw milk of apparently healthy lactating cows in the Gwagwalada area. The variation in patterns of multidrug resistance and susceptibilities in our studies may lead to possibility of transfer of antibiotic resistance from raw milk consumers. More studies are required using higher molecular techniques to expose different species of microorganisms causing milk borne illness and their antibiotic resistant genes.

365-370

Authors: Kanika Patel, Vikas Kumar, Amita Verma, Dinesh Kumar Patel

Nature is the source of the various raw chemicals in the form of oils, food supplement, neutraceuticals, and colour pigments. A lot of presently existing drugs available in the market mainly belong to the natural sources including the plants, animal, microorganism, minerals and marine source. Flavonoids, benzo-c-pirone derivates are one of the main secondary flavonoid liable for the different shades of flowers like orange, yellow and red color. More than 4 000 flavonoids like flavanols, flavonols, isoflavones, flavanones, flavanonols and flavones are found in the different edible plants which are also found in the regular human diet. Flavonoids are present in vegetables, spices, tea, whole grains, fruits, wine, herbs and seeds. Gossypin, a flavonol glucoside, is present in the flowers of different plants like Gossypium indicum, Hibiscus esculentus and Hibiscus vitifolius and is one of the major chemical of plants belonging to ‘Malvaceae’ family. In the present review, we have collected all the information of gossypin and found that it has antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anticancer, anticataract, antidiabetic, analgesic and hepatoprotective activities. It also protects against beta-amyloid induced toxicity. The information provided in the present review will be beneficial to the researchers of the various field of science for the development of better alternate for various disorders. On the basis of the presented database of this review we can conclude that gossypin has various beneficial effects and it could be used for the treatment of various disorders.