Journal of Coastal Life Medicine

Number 5(06), 2017

233-238
Study on enzymes of industrial interest in digestive viscera: Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili)

Authors: Vagne Melo Oliveira, Thiago Pajeú Nascimento, Caio Rodrigo Dias Assis, Ranilson de Souza Bezerra, Ana Lúcia Figueiredo Porto

Abstract

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Objective: To investigate the presence of industrial enzymes (trypsin and chymotrypsin) as well as collagenolytic and fibrinolytic activities of the neglected processing waste of greater amberjack Seriola dumerili (S. dumerili). Methods: The investigations on trypsin, chymotrypsin, collagenolytic and fibrinolytic activities in residues in digestive viscera were performed. The enzymes trypsin and chymotrypsin were physicochemically characterized (including pH- and thermo-stabilities and sensitivity to metal ions and inhibitors). The kinetic parameters were also determined. Collagenolytic and fibrinolytic activities of the crude extract were also investigated. Results: The crude extract of S. dumerili showed enzymatic activity of (1.460 0 ± 0.001 1 and (0.710 0 ± 0.007 9) IU/mg protein for trypsin and chymotrypsin, respectively. The optimal temperature and pH was 60 °C and 9 for trypsin and 40 °C and 8 for chymotrypsin. The main inhibitory ions were in the following order: Fe3+ > Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Cd2+ > Hg2+ (trypsin) and Hg2+ > Fe3+ > Zn2+ > Cd2+ > Mn2+ (chymotrypsin). TLCK and benzamidine were the strongest inhibitors for both enzymes. The crude extract also presented collagenolytic activity [(42.44 ± 0.01) IU/mg] and fibrinolytic activity [(26.70 ± 0.05) IU/mL]. Conclusions: The crude extract of S. dumerili showed potential for reuse of its residues and to provide biomolecules of industrial interest like trypsin and to be a source of fibrinolytic enzymes.

239-241
Unusual presence of Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus, 1758 (Perciformes: Coryphaenidae) under an offshore oil platform in Southern Brazil

Authors: Mauro Sinopoli, Pietro Battaglia, João Pedro Barreiros

Abstract

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Objective: To study the food habits of a sample of the dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) around the Petrobrás PXIV oil platform located off Southern Brazil. Methods: We examined the stomach contents of 28 adult dolphinfish caught around this platform between 2000 and 2001. Results: Results highlighted a diet consisting mainly of pelagic fish, although cephalopods and crustaceans are also present. A large amount of clupeids found in the stomachs could be due to baits used by fishermen that do fish around the platform. Conclusions: In this research we discuss the possibility of this occurrence being related to trophic opportunistic behavior. This could be a reason why adult dolphinfish are attracted by this platform since the whole structure does act as a fish aggregating device.

242-248
Characterization and screening of in vitro antimalarial and larvicidal activities of selected seaweeds from southeast coast of India against Plasmodium falciparum and Anopheles stephensi

Authors: Rajamani Sowmiya, Govindasamy Balasubramani, Paramasivam Deepak, Dilipkumar Aiswarya, Sundaram Ravikumar, Sundaram Prasannakumar, Pachiappan Perumal

Abstract

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Number of views: 339

Objective: To investigate the antimalarial and larvicidal activities of seaweeds against Plasmodium falciparum strain and Anopheles stephensi mosquito larva. Methods: The three different seaweeds, Jania rubens, Turbinaria ornata (T. ornata) and Ulva fasciata were collected from Southeast India. The seaweeds were extracted using hexane and ethyl acetate solvents and evaluated for their mosquito-larvicidal and antiplasmodial property. The bioactive compounds of the seaweed extract were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: The hexane extract of T. ornata (HTO) has shown significant inhibitory effects at the IC 50 value 22.98 µg/mL, when compared to the positive control, chloroquine (12.32 µg/mL). The larvicidal activity of HTO on the fourth instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi was found to be effective with the LC 50 and LC90 values (µg/mL) of 1.38 and 3.34. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of HTO revealed the presence of alkenes, aromatics, amides and amines groups, whereas in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, 11 different bioactive components were recorded. The bioactive component, hentriacontane in the HTO might be responsible for the recorded antiplasmodial and larvicidal activities. Conclusions: The finding of the present study reveals that the constituents of T. ornata have new sources of antimalarial and larvicidal agents in future.

249-253
Gastrointestinal helminth parasites of ruminants slaughtered in Shendi abattoir, River Nile State, Sudan

Authors: Yassir Sulieman, Shaza Osman Ibrahim, Randa Elsir Eltayeb, Theerakamol Pengsakul, Azzam Afifi, Mohamed Ahmed Zakaria, Mudather Abdel Rahman Khairala

Abstract

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Objective: To evaluate the situation regarding gastrointestinal helminth parasites in ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) slaughtered in the abattoir of Shendi, River Nile State, Sudan. Methods: From September 2015 to October 2016, a total of 687 fecal samples were collected and analyzed by flotation and sedimentation techniques. Results: A total of 411 ruminants examined were positive with one or more helminths, giving 59.8% overall prevalence with intensity of 548.23 eggs per gram feces. A total of 12 gastrointestinal helminth parasite genera were identified, including 2 trematodes (Fasciola spp. and Paramphistomum spp.); 7 nematodes (Haemonchus spp., Strongyloides spp., Trichostrongylus sp., Ostertagia sp., Ascaris spp., Nematodirus spp., and Dictyocaulus sp.); and 3 cestodes (Moniezia sp., Taenia spp., and Dipylidium sp.). Prevalence of Taenia spp. infection was the highest, whereas Trichostrongylus sp. and Dictyocaulus sp. infections had the lowest prevalences. Adult ruminants had higher infection prevalence than the younger ones, but this difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). On the other hand, male ruminants had significantly higher infection prevalence than the females (P < 0.05). Helminth prevalence was significantly higher during the rainy season than the dry season. The highest mean egg outputs were recorded for the young and the female ruminants. Likewise, the mean egg output of helminth was higher during the dry than the rainy season, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results encourage implementation of effective preventive and control measures directed against the parasites of ruminants throughout the country.

254-260
Antioxidant activity, volatile and nonvolatile composition of two Phoenix dactylifera L. by-products

Authors: Amira Thouri, Hassiba Chahdoura, Amira El Arem, Guido Flamini, Aicha Jelled, Lotfi Achour

Abstract

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Objective: To examine the nonvolatile components of the date pulp and seeds of two minor Tunisian date palm cultivars Arechti and Korkobbi at besser stage and to investigate their antioxidant activity, their phytochemical compounds and their aromatic volatiles composition. Methods: The physico-chemical properties, the aroma composition, the mineral profile, the phytochemical content and the in vitro antioxidant activity of those two common date palm fruit varieties and those of their seeds were evaluated. All measurements were made at the besser stage, which showed the highest amount of secondary metabolites. Results: New volatiles compounds are detected in both flesh and seeds and the results revealed that those by products are a suitable source of mineral content and have a high potential of natural antioxidants and good antiradical capacities. Conclusions: Thanks to their characteristics, they could potentially be considered as a cheap resource for new functional food ingredient and novel pharmaceutical applications.

261-263
Evaluation of gamma interferon assay for detection of bovine tuberculosis in inactive foot and mouth disease vaccine administered cattle

Authors: Zeki Aras, Gaye Bulut, Zafer Sayin

Abstract

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Number of views: 318

Objective: To investigate the relationship between inactive foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) vaccination and result of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) assay for tuberculosis in cattle negative for bovine tuberculosis. Methods: A total of 300 tuberculosis-negative cattles were subcutaneously vaccinated with inactive FMD vaccine. Nine hundred blood samples were collected from the same 300 cattles after 7, 15, and 30 days of vaccination. Then, all samples were tested with IFN-γ assay for tuberculosis. Results: A total of 900 blood samples were tested with IFN-γ assay for tuberculosis and all of the samples were found negative for bovine tuberculosis. Conclusions: Our results indicate that inactive FMD vaccination in cattle do not affect results of IFN-γ assay for tuberculosis.

264-269
Protective effect of juice extract of mesocarp rind of Citrullus lanatus in carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress in rats

Authors: Fisayo Abraham Bamisaye, Abdulhakeem Olarewaju Sulyman*, Emmanuel Oladipo Ajani, Aminat Bolanle Muhammed

Abstract

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Number of views: 281

Objective: To investigate the protective roles of juice extract of mesocarp rind of C. lanatus in carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress in rats. Methods: Thirty albino rats were divided into six groups of 5 animals each, namely Groups A–F. The oxidant (CCl4) was used to induce oxidative stress in rats. It was administered as a single subcutaneous injection (2.0 mL/kg body weight) diluted 1:1 in paraffin oil on the 21st day. Animals in Group A (control) received 1 mL of distilled water; Group B received 1 mL of distilled water + CCl 4; Group C received 100 mg/kg body weight ascorbic acid + CCl4; while Groups D, E and F were administered with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of C. lanatus extract + CCl 4 respectively. The treatments were given once a day and lasted for 21 days. The levels of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-stransferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver and serum were evaluated. Results: The assessment of antioxidant parameters revealed a significant (P < 0.05) hepatic oxidative damage in CCl4 treated albino rats, and this was considerably reversed to almost normal level in rats co-administered with juice extract of mesocarp rind of C. lanatus at the dose level of 200 mg/kg body weight/day for 21 consecutive days. Conclusions: It can be concluded from this present study that the mesocarp rind of C. lanatus is rich in antioxidants and thus suggesting the possibility of utilizing it as nutraceutical or functional foods to prevent or manage some critical complications in living cells.

270-274
Homology modeling and structural validation of human amylin: A type 2 diabetes causing protein

Authors: Gousia Skaik, Janakiram Bobbilipati, Naveena Lavanya Latha Jeevigunta

Abstract

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Number of views: 352

Objective: In the present study, the protein structure model of human amylin was generated to understand the protein’s structure, function and mechanism of the action. Methods: The stereo chemical quality of the protein model was checked by using in silico analysis with SWISS MODEL, SOPMA, PROCHECK, ProSA and QMEAN servers. Results: The 66.7% residues in the core region of Ramachandran plot showing high accuracy of protein model and the QMEAN Z score of –6.57 indicates the overall model quality of amylin protein. Conclusions: These results may be helpful for further investigation on developing target molecules for amylin proteins that play a key role in type 2 diabetes.

275-278
Molecular events of pathogenic agents invasion of host cells: toward induced resistance

Authors: Mostafa Sayed Mostafa El-Ansary*

Abstract

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Number of views: 274

Recognition of pathogens by their hosts is the result of a highly regulated interaction between both host and pathogen elicitors. Therefore, mechanical defence lead to an increase in the production of substances capable of inhibiting pathogen invasion. Furthermore, chemical materials [antimicrobial (phytoalexins)] released from hosts lead to an increase in the activity of host defense. Recent studies showed that elicitors have been widely used in controlling pathogenic plant diseases showing mostly impressive results and less adverse effect on the environment. The current article explains information about molecular events occurring at the host-pathogen interactions and how these events influence the organization and activation of resistance responses and prospects of advance toward induced resistance in the host.