Journal of Coastal Life Medicine

85-87

Authors: Mohammad Taghi Rahimi, Zeynab Gholami, Hamid Reza Esmaeili, Iraj Mobedi

Objective: To determine the infesation of Aphanius sophiae (A. sophiae) with ectoparasite for the first time from Iran as a little attention has been paid to parasitic infection of A. sophiae which is an native species found in the endorheic Kor River Basin, Fars Province, Southern Iran. Methods: A total of 70 A. sophiae (35 males and 35 females) were collected using dip net in May 2010 from Ghadamgah Spring-stream, Southern Iran. After fixation, the external surface of each fish was examined for ectoparasite through stereomicroscope. Results: Out of 70 fish specimens, two females (2.86%) were infected with three Lernaea spp. copepod or anchor worm. The ectoparasite prevalence rate, intensity and abundance were estimated 2.860, 1.500 and 0.043 respectively. Conclusion: This study reports infestation of A. sophiae by Lernaea spp. for the first time in Iran. Further parasitological investigations are required to determine ectoparasites of A. sophiae in different parts of Iran due to its importance and numerous epizootics occurring among the most important farmed fish in various parts of the world.

95-97

Authors: Gholamreza jahed Khaniki, Parisa Sadighara, Ramin Nabizadeh Nodehi, Mahmood Alimohammadi, Naiema Vakili Saatloo

Objective: To find effective method for carotenoids extraction from shrimp waste which is one of the important sources of natural carotenoids and produced in large quantities in Iran. Methods: Two methods of carotenoids extraction, enzymatic and alkaline (NaOH 1 normal) treatment, were assayed. About 5 g of gritted shrimp wastes were used at each stage. For alkaline treatment, sodium hydroxide were added to shrimp waste. After 48 h, the mixture was filtered and centrifuged. Results: Alcalase extraction produced (234.00±2.00) mg/L carotenoid and NaOH extraction produced (170.00±1.53) mg/L carotenoid. Based on the samples analyzed, alcalase enzyme showed more efficiency than NaOH extraction to achieve carotenoids from shrimp waste. Conclusions: It can be concluded that using alcalase enzyme for carotenoids extraction can produce higher carotenoids concentration than NaOH extraction method. So alcalase enzyme method can be used for achieving this kind of antioxidant.

102-107

Authors: Narayanaswamy Tamilselvan, Jothi Hemachandran, Thirunavukarasu Thirumalai, Chacko Vijai Sharma, Krishnan Kannabiran, Ernest David

Objective: To study the biosorption of heavy metals viz., Cr (VI), Cr (III), Hg (II), Pb (II) and Cd (II) using Gracilaria corticata varcartecala (G. corticata varcartecala) and Grateloupia lithophila (G. lithophila) biomass. Methods: Batch biosorption and acid digestion methods were used. Different physical and chemical parameters were optimized for biosorption. Results: Both seaweeds absorb Hg (II) upto 99.9% and 98.2% in batch biosorption method; whereas in acid digestion method, Cr (III) absorbed upto 96.49% by G. corticata varcartecala and Pb (II) absorbed upto 93.71% by G. lithophila. FT-IR analysis was used to know the involvement of different functional groups in the biosorption process. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out to study the morphological cell surface changes due to biosorption. Conclusions: It can be concluded that G. corticata varcartecala and G. lithophila are potential algal species for effective removal of heavy metals namely Cr (VI), Cr (III), Hg (II), Pb (II) and Cd (II) from environmental sources.

113-117

Authors: Selvaraju Kavipriya, Narayanaswamy Tamilselvan, Thirunavukkarasu Thirumalai, Gangaipillai Arumugam

Objective: To study the anti-diabetic effect of methanolic leaf extract of Pongamia pinnata (P. pinnata) on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Methods: Anti-diabetic activity of P. pinnata leaf extract at dosage of 500 mg/kg and 1 g/kg body weight was evaluated. Results: The levels of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase were significantly increased in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats when compared to that of the normal rats. After supplemented with plant extract, significant lower blood glucose level was recorded. Conclusions: The methanolic leaf extract of P. pinnata has been potent anti-diabetic effect in male albino rats.

123-129

Authors: Abu-Taleb Ahmed Yehia, Fahad Ahmed Mohsen Alzowahi, Tukaram Angadrao Kadam, Rafik Usman Shaikh

Objective: To evaluate the performance of preliminary phytochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Dracaena cinnabari Balf.f. (Agavaceae) (D. cinnabari) resin, collected from Socotra Island (Yemen). Methods: The powdered stem resin is extracted with different solvents by using Soxhlet apparatus and evaluated for antioxidant and antimicrobial activity against three Gram positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus NCIM 2106, Staphylococcus aureus NCIM 2127, and Micrococcus luteus NCIM 2169), seven Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli NCIM 2924, Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIM 2863, Salmonella typhimurium NCIM 2501, Klebsiella aerogenes NCIM 2281, Proteus morganii NCIM 2860, Escherichia coli dh5α, Escherichia coli CSH) and three fungi (Candida albicans MTCC 227, Aspergillus flavus MTCC 873, Aspergillus niger MTCC 1781). Results: The antimicrobial activity data revealed that, the selected microorganisms possess varied sensitivity response to chloroform extract followed by methanol and benzene extract of D. cinnabari stem resin. The samples also possess a potent DPPH, OH and SO radical scavenging activity. In addition, the preliminary phytochemical analysis demonstrated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and other organic compounds which could be reason for antimicrobial activities of D. cinnabari resin. Conclusions: The present study is strengthened for the discovery and development of new antioxidant and antimicrobial drugs from D. cinnabari resin which encourage us to continue with pure fractions.

135-140

Authors: Aminu Muhammad, Hasnah Mohd Sirat

Objective: To evaluate leaves and stem bark extracts of Bauhinia rufescens for antimicrobial activities, tyrosinase enzyme inhibition potentials and lethality to brine shrimp larvae (Artemia salina). Methods: The plant materials were extracted based on polarity gradient of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were investigated for their antimicrobial, antityrosinase and cytotoxicity potentials. Results: The antimicrobial results indicated that the extracts inhibited the microbial growth in the range of 6.00-12.57 mm (450-1 800 µg/mL) for bacterial strains and 7.33-14.03 mm (225-1 800 µg/mL) for fungal strains. While the tyrosinase enzyme inhibition assay of the extracts showed that both the petroleum ether leaves and stem bark extracts exhibited a moderate inhibition (39.60% and 39.89%) towards the action of mushroom tyrosinase enzyme on L-DOPA. In the brine shrimp lethality assay, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the leaves of the plant were found toxic to the Artemia salina with IC50 values of 0.059 mg/mL and 0.389 mg/mL. However, both the petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts of the stem bark were nontoxic to the larvae. Conclusions: The result of the present study suggest the presence of phytochemicals possessing antimicrobial and antityrosinase activity as well as cytotoxic agents.

145-150

Authors: Emanuel Senyael Swai, Deogratius Mshanga, Robert Fyumagwa, Deogratius Mpanduji, Idrisa Chuma, Sayael Kuya, Ernest Eblate, Zablon Katale, Julius Keyyu

Objective: To determine the prevalence and spectrum of helminths in free-ranging African buffaloes in Tanzania by a cross-sectional study. Methods: Faecal samples (n=123) from Arusha National Park and Ngorongoro Crater were examined for helminth eggs using sedimentation and floatation techniques during the period of March to June 2012. Results: Coprological examination revealed that 34.1% (n=42) of the buffaloes excreted nematodes and trematodes eggs and protozoan oocyst in their faces. The pattern of infection was either single or mixed. Single (52.4%) and concurrent infections with two, three, four and five parasites were recorded in 19.0%, 11.9%, 14.3% and 2.3% respectively of the cases. The nematode eggs encountered were those of Trichostrongylus sp. (20.3%), Oesophagostomum sp. (7.3%), Strongyle sp. (4.1%), Bunostomum sp. (4.1%), Ostertegia sp. (3.3%) and Toxocara sp. (2.4%). The trematode eggs encountered were those of Fasciola sp. (9.8%), Paramphistomum sp. (4.9%), Gastrothylax sp. (1.6%), Ornithobilharzia sp. (0.81%) and Fischoederius sp (0.81%). The protozoan oocyst recorded was that of Eimeria sp. (8.1%). Geographical location of buffaloes had significant influence on the prevalence of infection with Trichostrongylus (P=0.046) and Fasciola (P=0.001), and the mean prevalances in Arusha National Park are significantly higher than those in Ngorongoro Crater. Age had significant influence on infection with Fasciola (P=0.036), and juvenile recorded higher levels of infection than sub-adults. Health status, body condition score and sex-wise prevalence of helminths were not significant (P>0.05). Conclusions: This study indicates that helminths species are numerous and highly prevalent in the two protected areas and may be one of the contributing factors to lower buffalo productivity.