International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology

6-11

Authors: Roushney Fatima Mukti, Sanjida Sakhawat Sinthee

The complexity of the microbial communities and metabolic pathways involved in the microbiological process of biogas production is poorly understood and numerous microorganisms in the fermentation sample of the biogas plant are still unclassified or unknown. The structure and function of microbial communities and the effects of the addition of trace elements are needed to be known, to control and channel the energy sources microbes produce and to capture and store the useful by-products or for targeted screening of novel enzymes. In this review, we discussed an emerging idea that Metagenome sequence data from a biogas-producing microbial community residing in a fermenter of a biogas plant provide the basis for a rational approach to improve the biotechnological process of biogas production. The composition and gene content of a biogas-producing consortium can be determined through metagenomic approach which allows the design of the optimal microbial community structure for any biogas plant for the significant progress in the efficacy and economic improvement of biogas production and biofertilizer of either balanced nutrition or rich in specific element for plant growth produced from the sludge of biogas plant. Biogas-producing microbial community from different production-scale biogas plants supplied with different raw materials as substrates can be analyzed by polyphasic approach to find out the best raw material composition for biogas production. The phylogenetic structure of the microbial community residing in a fermentation sample from a biogas plant can be analysed by an integrated approach using clone library sequences and metagenome sequence data obtained by 454-pyrosequencing.

22-26

Authors: Upama KC, Shiva Kumar Rai, Shaila Basnyat, Milan Upreti

The present study investigated the intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren of Kapan VDC, Kathmandu, Nepal. A total of 330 schoolchildren were included in this study. Stool samples collected in clean, dry, screw-capped plastic containers were examined by formal-ether sedimentation technique. A total of 134 samples (40.6%) were positive for some kind of intestinal parasites. The percentage of monoparasitism (67.9%) were higher than multiparasitism (32.1%). Giardia lamblia (17.8%) and Trichuris trichiura (3.6%) were the commonest protozoa and helminthes respectively. Girls were marginally more infected (41.4%) than boys (39.8%) (p>0.05). Children <5 years were more infected (80.0%) than 5-10 years (36.0%) (p=0.001). Prevalence of parasitic infection rate was higher in family size >5 (41.5%) than ≤5 (40.1%) (p=0.82). In ethnic wise distribution, incidence rate of parasites was higher in Dalits (71.4%) and the least in Indo-Aryans (33.1%) (p<0.05). Children drinking water from groundwater source had marginally lower prevalence rate (31.3%) than who used tap water (58.4%) (p<0.001). The higher infection rate (51.3%) was observed in children belonging to labour family and the least in the business family (33.3%) (p=0.032). The children who had taken anti-parasitic drug within past 6 months had lower prevalence rate (25%) than those who had not taken drugs (44.4%) (p=0.005).

31-38

Authors: Ibrahim Ntulume, Ninsiima Victoria, Abubakar Sunusi Adam, Adamu Almustapha Aliero

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the common cause of pneumonia, meningitis, bacteremia and Septicemia among adults and children worldwide. Resistance to antimicrobials agents has been reported among S. pneumoniae which necessitate the need for alternative intervention such as ethno-medicinal plants. Cymbopogon citratus is an ethno-medicinal plant which is known to have pharmacological activities including antibacterial activity. This study aimed at determining the in vitro antibacterial activity of C. citratus ethanolic leaves crude extract against clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae. A fresh leaves of C. citratus were collected early in the morning; shed dried, pulverized and extracted using ethanol (96%) using standard extraction method. The antibacterial activity, Minimum Inhibitory and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations of C. citratus ethanolic leaves crude extract were determined against clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae. C. citratus ethanolic leaves extract crude showed antibacterial activity against S. pneumoniae at 500mg/ml concentration with mean and standard deviation zone of inhibition (26.33 ± 1.53 mm) in comparison with that of 250mg/ml concentration which gave 20.33 ± 2.08 mm mean and standard zone of inhibition. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the plant crude extract against S. pneumoniae was 15.63 mg/ml while the minimum bactericidal concentration was 125mg/ml. The study found that C. citratus leaves ethanolic crude extract was active against S. pneumoniae. It is recommended that studies should be done focusing on isolation of specific phytochemicals of the C. citratus leaves crude extract and then determines their antibacterial activity against clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae.

43-48

Authors: T. Maoudombaye, A. Bodering, Mahamat Seid Ali Malloum, G. Ndoutamia, A. Ngakou

The present work was carried out in the Doba petroleum basin, Eastern Logone Province, and focused on the serotyping of strains of salmonella isolated in well water, boreholes and rivers for the consumption of the population. The sampling was carried out according to a complete randomized device with 10 samples per source of water, making a total of 30 samples. Salmonellae were detected according to the French standard ISO 6579: 2002, followed by serotyping. The results of the biochemical identification test of the API 20 E gallery led, thanks to the Apiweb Tm-API 20E V4.1 site to Salmonella spp. The serotyping results revealed, according to the White-Kauffmann-Le Minor table, serovars Anatum, Mbandaka and Idikan. S. Anatum was detected in P4 well waters and F6 wells; S. Mbandaka, in F9 and R8 river water; and finally, S. Idikan, in F5 and R4 river water. These results show a homogeneous distribution of these serotypes in the different water sources of the study area. The presence of these pathogenic serotypes in drinking water sources attests that these waters are unhealthy in accordance with WHO's guidelines for drinking quality. Corrective measures are needed to improve the quality of these water rich in germs that may cause food poisoning.

54-61

Authors: Kamal Sah, Sushil Lamichhane

This study analysed the situation of water-induced soil erosion in Kamala River watershed of Sindhuli, Nepal covering 23,194.33 hectares of land, extending from 85°58'11.6"E to 86°18'16.8"E longitude and 26°56'45.9"N to 27°5'44.4"N latitude. Revised universal soil loss equation was applied in GIS environment using the satellite-based data, field measurements, surveys and lab analysis. R factor predicted from the average annual precipitation. K factor based on the soil texture and organic carbon content. LS factors derived from the DEM of 20m resolution. C factor derived from the NDVI value extracted from Landsat 8 OLI imagery of the pre-monsoon season. P factor assigned according to the land cover of the study area. The study explored the massive diversity of erosion rates even within the narrow span of a landscape in the Churia range of the Himalayan foothills. As predisposed by the diversity of terrain and vegetation cover, and aggravated further by the dominance of silts in the texture of soils, soil erosion rate has been found to vary and noticeably occur in higher ranges of severity. Overall, total potential of soil loss in the watershed was 1.460 million tons/ year, out of which only 0.297 million tons of soil was estimated to be actually eroded from the watershed in the existing conditions. Conservation measures are advisable in the areas having severe soil loss. The resulting soil erosion rate map can be a guideline for developing sustainable land management strategy in the concerned and similar lower foothills of Himalayan mountain landscapes.

69-74

Authors: H.K. Poudel, R.R. Kattel, M.R. Poudel, S. Khanal

The study on value chain analysis of coffee was conducted in Palpa and Kaski districts, Nepal during June to August, 2016. The purposive and random sampling technique were used. Semi-structural interview with 160 households (HH) from Kaski and Palpa district (80 samples HH from each district) were conducted. In Palpa district, third party organic certification of coffee has been adopted from company initiation, whereas all coffee from Kaski district has gone through conventional market chain. The coffee cultivated land was 0.85 ropani which was higher among non-certified group (Kaski district) as compared to certified once (Palpa district). Average price of fresh cherry was NRs. 80 per kg which was lower for company initiative third party certification in Palpa (NRs.75/kg) than non-certified area in Kaski (NRs. 85/kg). Average productivity of coffee in study area was found 48 kg per ropani which was very less (13.05 kg/ropani) in certified area than non-certified area (82.96 kg/ropani). The low productivity of coffee and weak value chain structure of coffee was found in third party certified and conventional market chains. Education (49%) and access to credit (67%) were major contributing factors for organic certification of coffee. The land for coffee cultivation had positive and significant impact whereas private company based certification had negative impact on income from coffee subsector. Effective monitoring and premium assessment from certification scheme need to have judged from concerned stakeholders to increase the benefit from certification, to promote proper certification and in coffee market chain in Nepal.

81-87

Authors: Grace Mwuese Gberikon, Fredrick Ityolumun Iyoula, Smart Tersagh Ichor

Effect of bitter leaves extract on bacteria isolated from soils of some mechanic and non- mechanic site in Makurdi metropolis was investigated. Forty (40) soil samples (20g each) were collected at the depth of 8-10cm from different mechanic shops in Makurdi metropolis (New garage, Kanshio and North bank) and soil from non-mechanic site. Fresh leaves of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaves) were purchased at Wadata market and identified at the Department of Plant Science, Federal University of Agriculture (FUAM). Serial dilution and pour plate technique was used for microbial analysis. Bacteria present were identified using cultural, morphological and biochemical techniques. Ethanol and methanol solvents were used to extract the bioactive constituents. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were carried out on the bioactive components in the bitter leaves extracts. Susceptibility pattern of isolates were determined using Agar well diffusion assays. The genera Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Proteus and Escherichia were the predominant petroleum hydrocarbon degrading bacteria. Analysis from phytochemical screening showed that compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavanoids, terpenes, anthraquinones, reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides and phlobatannins were present. Alkaloids in the bitter leaves extract was more in quantity and quality as compared to other phytochemical components. Zones of inhibition of the plant extracts ranged between 20.00± 0.89mm - 32.78± 1.72mm for Methanol and 21.00± 2.37mm - 31.22± 2.05mm for Ethanol at 100mg/ml. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of both solvents ranged between 23.83± 3.23m/l and 50.00± 0.00m/l.The MBC values ranged from 50.00± 0.00mg/l to 100.00± 0.00 mg/l. Bacteria from the control site which had no hydrocarbon products contamination were more susceptible than those from the mechanic sites. Results from findings have shown that Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaves) has potentials to be used as an alternative source of antibacterial agents in the ever increasing menace of Multi-Drug Resistance.

96-101

Authors: Ashish Ghimire, Sundarman Shrestha

The Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin is an important soil pathogen that attacks brassicaceae family of plants. The ability of pathogen to survive in soil for many years as a resting structure even in the absence of suitable host has increased its threat by making it more devastating. Lower effectiveness of treatments applied so far and failure to completely eradicate the disease once it enters the field has posed more problems. The study was conducted at a disease infected field in Sidhuwa, Dhankuta. It was focused on the effectiveness of different cultural and biological treatments against clubroot disease under field conditions. The treatments; lime, combination of lime and vermicompost, Effective Microorganisms (EM) solution and Trichoderma viride were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated four times. The yield and yield attributing parameters and clubroot scale were recorded at the time of harvest. Values like Disease Incidence, Disease Severity Index and Disease Control Percentage were calculated based on clubroot scale value. The treatments showed no significant influence on vegetative parameters of the plants and on disease incidence. However, the combined treatment of lime and vermicompost was found to be most effective regarding disease severity and disease control i.e. the least Disease Severity Index (31.25%) and highest Disease Control Percentage (50.94%) compared to the control were obtained from the combined treatment of lime and vermicompost. Effective Microorganisms showed the highest disease severity. The combination of lime and vermicompost used as a treatment yielded highest marketable head weight (1.779 kg) and head diameter (19.90 cm).

108-113

Authors: Wafa Shaheen, Syed Amir Gilani, Zain-ul Hasan, Mehreen Fatima, Raham Bacha, Sajid Shaheen Malik

The fetal Kidney length can be used in estimation of gestational age. In late 2nd and 3rd trimester both kidneys can be visualized easily and can be measured accurately. In late 2nd and 3rd trimester the fetal kidney length can be used as an investigational tool alone or may be in addition of other parameter in estimation of gestational age. The most commonly used parameters used by sonologist can predict gestational age in 1st and 2nd trimester. But as pregnancy advances, the accuracy of these parameters decreased. The length of fetal kidneys in mm collaborates very nicely with gestational age in weeks Objective: To evaluate that fetal kidney length is a reliable parameter for gestational age estimation in 2nd and in 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Methods: 371 healthy, pregnant females with a normal fetus were included in this study. A standard 2nd and 3rd trimester ultrasound examination was done. In addition to the standard biometric parameters, both fetal kidneys length were also measured. The collected data was subjected to statistical analysis. Results: This study finding confirmed that fetal kidney length can be used as standard parameters alone or in addition with other routine parameters for estimation of gestational age in late 2nd and 3rd trimester. The Pearson correlation coefficient r=0.988 which showed a strong correlation with kidney length and gestational age and p value is (0.00) Conclusion: Fetal kidney length estimates gestational age as accurate as other standard traditional parameters. It is more accurate in late 2nd & 3rd trimesters of pregnancy when other parameters are not much reliable. It is easy to detect and measure.

120-123

Authors: Saurav Shrestha, Bablu Thakur, Bharata Regmi, Manoj Kumar Shah

A 3-month-old male Murrah crossbred buffalo calf was presented to Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), Rampur, Chitwan with a history of anuria for the past 4 days. Physical examination was carried out to check the status of the urethra and urinary bladder. Ultrasonography revealed an intact distended bladder. Based on the history of anuria and above examinations, the condition was diagnosed as obstructive urolithiasis. Meloxicam (0.3 mg/kg) was injected intramuscularly as a preemptive analgesia and Streptomycin Sulphate (10 mg/kg) was administered intramusculary as a prophylactic antibiotic. The calf was sedated with Xylazine-HCl (0.2 mg/Kg) and analgesia was achieved with epidural administration of Lignocaine-HCl (3 ml) at lumbosacral space (L6-S1). The left ventral paramedian site was aseptically prepared and laparotomy surgery was performed. The subcutaneous tunnel was made to pass the leading edge of the catheter and outlet is affixed with skin by placing stay suture on the ventral aspect of the abdomen. The urinary bladder is identified, isolated and decompressed by aspirating with 60-CC syringe and the 3-way Folley catheter was introduced on the dorsal aspect of the urinary bladder. Peritoneum was sutured with Catgut # 2-0 in continuous suture pattern and all the muscle layers were sutured together with Catgut # 2 using modified ford lock sutures. Subcutaneous tissue was sutured with Catgut # 1 in continuous suture pattern and skin was sutured using nylon # 1 in simple interrupted pattern. The calf was placed in sternal recumbency till it gets recovered from the anesthesia. The urinary acidifier ammonium chloride (13g) twice a day daily orally upto 30 days was prescribed. The same antibiotic was administered once a day daily for 5 days and the wound was dressed daily with povidone iodine till complete healing of the wound. Finally, the skin suture was removed after 14 days.