International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology

115-125

Authors: Pramod Koirala, Sanjeev Kumar Karn, Prateek Joshi

Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge in Nepal. The right to food is a fundamental human right recognized in various international conventions and national legal frameworks. The Right to Food and Food Sovereignty Regulation was drafted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Nepal, and approved by the Council of Ministers in March 2024. The introduction of legal frameworks to ensure food security and their effective implementation is one of the key action tracks identified in Nepal’s National Food System Transformation Pathway. However, several challenges hinder the effective implementation of this regulation, including the availability of financial resources, technical manpower, the establishment of fair price shops, and the technical capacity of the implementing agency. Additionally, policy coherence across government tiers, the interests of external development partners, and certain cultural factors pose significant obstacles to the successful implementation of the regulation's provisions. A comprehensive approach is required, combining legal reforms, economic support, and social initiatives, to transform the right to food from a theoretical concept into a tangible reality for all Nepali citizens. This paper highlights the key provisions, the development process of the regulation, the roles of key stakeholders, and the challenges in its effective implementation.

137-144

Authors: Saroj Shrestha, Saurav Gyawali, Dinesh Regmi, Supriya Chaulagain

Low seed germination and poor growth have been major problems in French bean production in the hilly region of Nepal. An effective solution may lie in seed priming, which enhances rapid and uniform seed emergence, thereby improving yield. A field experiment was conducted to find out the effect of different seed priming methods on various varieties of French beans under field conditions in Chhaayanath Rara-4, Mugu, Nepal. The experiment was conducted in two factorial RCBD with three replications. Factor A was three French bean varieties; black, ghoratte, and red beans, and Factor B included two methods of priming; hydro and halo along with control. The results revealed that the germination parameter was significantly influenced by the method of priming and it was found non-significant in the case of varieties. Maximum germination percentage and higher speed of germination were found in seeds treated with hydro-priming. Similarly, the growth parameter was found significant for both varieties as well as priming methods. Vegetative growth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, and number of primary and secondary branches were found significantly higher in hydro-primed seeds and ghoratte variety. Likewise, the yield parameters such as days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, and yield per hectare were found significantly higher in hydro-primed ghoratte beans. Hence, hydro-priming can be used as a simple and cost-effective technique to improve germination and growth of French beans along with suitable variety under field conditions in Mugu district, Karnali province, Nepal.

151-157

Authors: Krishna Nyaupane, Nikita Mahat, Apsara Lamichhane, Binita Bhainatwo, Pustika Parajuli

Antibiotics are frequently used for various infectious disease example; acute lower respiratory tract infection. But, injudicious use of antibiotic resistance is an emerging problem. The objective of this study was taken up to analyze the antibiogram pattern of bacterial isolated from the sputum samples of patient in Manmohan Memorial Medical College and Teaching Hospital. Initially, 250 sputum specimens of patients were collected and opted for the isolation and identification of isolates which detected 56.097% Klebsiella spp. 17.073 %, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 4.878 %, Burkholderia spp. 9.756 % Enterobacter spp. 12.195% Escherichia coli respectively. Conducting AST following Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method (CLSI 2020), it was determined that Klebsiella spp. (56.097 %) exhibited sensitive to Gentamycin and exhibited resistance to Cefixime. It was observed that 9 (39.130 %) Klebsiella spp. isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance character. Likewise, out of 23 isolated Klebsiella spp. only 5 (21.739 %) was found to be ESBL producers. The presence of multi drug-resistant strains and Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella spp. is of major concern worldwide. The improper and excessive utilization of antibiotics, encompassing unauthorized practices might be the reason in the rise to the development and proliferation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and multidrug resistance (MDR)in microorganisms. This study highlights the importance of implementing appropriate hygiene and dietary measures for human to prevent the transmission of diverse pathogenic microorganisms.

166-179

Authors: Pawan Chapagaee, Adhiraj Kunwar, Dipak Raj Bist, Lokendra Khatri

Dairy is the oldest staple food, along with fruits and vegetables, for humans. This study investigated the socioeconomic factors influencing milk and dairy production in Baitadi and Darchula districts, Shailyashikhar municipality, and Dilasaini rural municipality, Nepal. Among the 5384 livestock farmers, 100 livestock farmers were randomly selected for the investigation. The findings demonstrated the existence of a subsistence agricultural system for livestock farming with small landholdings. There is a dominance of males over females in decision-making, and workload is common for females. There is a unique practice of management for milk produced during the first three weeks of lactation: 99% of people do not consume milk for 19.81±4.597 mean days; 96% of people do not sell milk; 53% do not sell ghee; 73% of parents refuse to give their kids cow's milk during the first three weeks of breastfeeding; and 16% do not consume ghee because of their tradition. There are various problems in livestock farming, i.e., feed management, low land holding, disease, cost of production, less government support, and lack credit. Feed management was ranked first, whereas lowland holding was ranked second. Worms are the most common disease causing organism seen in livestock in the study area because of the lack of access to improved and well-sanitized barns. Herbal plants are commonly used in disease management. Sociocultural factors directly affect livestock production. Different traditional beliefs, a lack of improved breeds, disease, and feed management have direct impacts on milk production.

54-61

Authors: Raj Singh Yadav, Ankur Dahayat, Naseer Mohammad, Fatima Shirin, Harshita Agrahari

High-quality genomic DNA extraction is crucial for the conservation of forest genetic resources, particularly for endangered species like Dillenia pentagyna Roxb. (Karmal) and Hardwickia binata Roxb. (Anjan), which hold significant value in traditional medicine and economics. The presence of contaminants such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, and secondary metabolites in forest trees complicates the isolation of sufficient, uncontaminated DNA. In this study, we evaluated five DNA extraction protocols, including those by Doyle and Doyle (1990), Michiels et al., (2003), Porebski et al., (1997), Khanuja et al., (1999), and Deshmukh et al., (2007). Quantification and quality analysis of the extracted DNA were conducted using a Nanodrop spectrophotometer and Agarose Gel Electrophoresis. Notably, minor modifications to the CTAB-based method outlined by Doyle and Doyle (1990) significantly enhanced DNA quality. The absorbance ratio at 260/280nm indicated mean purity ratios of 1.62 for D. pentagyna and 1.7 for H. binata, with DNA concentrations recorded at 341.6 μg/ml and 317.72 μg/ml, respectively. The Doyle and Doyle (1990) method consistently produced high-quality DNA, devoid of contaminants. Subsequent PCR amplification with SSR primers confirmed the suitability of the extracted DNA, exhibiting distinct and well-defined bands.

77-83

Authors: Jamuna Bhattarai, Muna Rana Thapa, Pooja Gauro, Sabina Adhikari, Sonam Chaudhary

Introduction: Dengue, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, has been endemic in Nepal, especially in the tropical lowlands since 2004. This study examined Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) levels regarding dengue fever among high-risk populations in Nepal's Terai lowlands. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in specific wards of Biratnagar and Birgunj Metropolitan Cities. 280 purposively selected households were surveyed using a rigorously pre-tested KAP questionnaire, translated to ensure integrity. Data, collected from May to August 2018 through household interviews and inspections for mosquito breeding sites, was verified, cleaned, and analyzed with SPSS version 20, utilizing descriptive and inferential statistics to assess dengue prevention behaviors. Results: The survey in Biratnagar and Birgunj revealed moderate dengue prevention knowledge (mean score 54.20, SD 16.50) and variable practice scores (mean 66.80, SD 17.30). Positive attitudes were prevalent (87.9% in Biratnagar, 92.9% in Birgunj). Knowledge positively correlated with attitudes (0.324) and practices (0.318), while attitudes and practices also showed a positive correlation (0.356), highlighting the interdependence of these factors. Conclusion: The study highlights a positive association between knowledge, attitudes, and practices, indicating that improving one aspect can beneficially influence others. Despite moderate knowledge and practices, and positive attitudes among respondents, variability suggests a need for targeted interventions. The similarity in KAP levels between Biratnagar and Birgunj implies that similar strategies can be effectively applied across both cities. Future efforts should identify factors influencing these variations to tailor interventions for comprehensive dengue management and prevention.

92-99

Authors: Anuradha Singh, Ashik Babu P., Kavita Arora, Sapna Ratan Shah

Our study delves into the heightened risk of blood clot formation in individuals with diabetes, a condition known for its potential to increase clotting tendencies, leading to severe complications like heart attacks and strokes. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, we integrate physiological data, principles of hemodynamic, and mathematical models to simulate the intricate dynamics of blood flow and clot formation within the vasculature of diabetic individuals. By considering critical factors such as altered blood viscosity, resistance to flow, endothelial dysfunction, and platelet aggregation, we gain valuable insights into the complex interactions between diabetes-related factors and the propensity for clotting. Factors like elevated levels of fibrinogen and other clotting factors contribute to blood thickening, increased resistance to flow, and heightened viscosity, exacerbating the clotting risk. As clots grow within blood vessels, they impede blood flow, elevating resistance and making blood movement more challenging. Moreover, the size of clots influences local blood viscosity, further complicating circulation. Through computational simulations, we explore diverse scenarios to evaluate how different parameters affect the risk of clot formation, providing crucial insights for developing preventive measures and targeted interventions tailored to diabetic patients' needs.

1-7

Authors: Ndirika D. Nnaebue, Chikodili G. Anaukwu, Victoria N. Anyaoha, Chukwuma O. Soludo, Amarachukwu B. Isiaka, Tobechukwu M.C. Ajogwu, Samuel C. Onuorah

Bryophyllum pinnatum is a plant abundant in several phytochemicals, that can be extracted, purified, and packaged for the goal of promoting public health. In this study, the phytochemical composition of the leaf extracts of Bryophyllum pinnatum grown in Anambra State, Nigeria, was compared. B. pinnatum leaves were obtained from a farm in Anambra State, Nigeria. The leaves were processed and extracted using cold water and hot water extraction, methanol extraction, and ethanol extraction. The extraction processes were carried out following standard extraction methods. Preliminary qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted to determine the presence and concentration of phytochemicals in the plants. Phytochemicals tested include alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, anthocyanins, reducing sugars, carbohydrates, proteins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, and phlobatannins. All the tested phytochemicals were recovered in the solvent (methanol and ethanol) extracts; carbohydrates, reducing sugar, protein, and anthocyanin were absent in the aqueous (cold and hot water) extracts. Varying concentrations of the phytochemicals in the different extracts were recorded, and they range from 0.00±0.00% to 13.30±0.22%, with the highest concentration of the extracts recovered in the solvent (methanol and ethanol) extracts. This study revealed that the extraction method used can influence the type and concentration of phytochemicals recovered in Bryophyllum pinnatum. Therefore, the specific desired phytochemical should determine the extract method to use in any study.

19-28

Authors: Prateek Joshi, Sanjeev Kumar Karn, Pramod Koirala

This article explores the intricate landscape of stakeholder analysis and management within the framework of promoting small and medium-scale vegetable processing technology in Nepal. Given that agriculture engages a substantial 66% of the country's workforce, the escalating demand for vegetables has been met with challenges stemming from the lack of support for vegetable processing industries, resulting in food waste and financial setbacks for farmers. Addressing these issues, the article advocates for holistic backing and promotion of vegetable processing industries in Nepal. The methodology section delineates a mixed-methods approach for stakeholder analysis, employing documentary reviews, key informant interviews, and surveys to get information. It further explores the constitutional roles of different government levels and details the initiatives by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) and other government agencies in propelling food processing technology. The stakeholder analysis provides a detailed examination of both internal and external stakeholders, categorizing them based on their power and interest. The power/interest grid and influence mapping assist in prioritizing stakeholder engagement and managing their expectations effectively. The article concludes by asserting that effective stakeholder management is crucial for addressing the challenges and promoting the growth of vegetable processing industries in Nepal.

39-45

Authors: Jamuna Bhattarai, Angira Kumari Chaudhary, Surya Koirala, Ruby Shah, Sabina Adhikari, Nidhi Kamal Kushwaha

Background: Community assessment is the basic foundation for promoting and improving the health of community populations. The objective of this survey is to appraise the health profile of the community and assist in promoting community health. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out from August 14, 2019, to September 21, 2019. The population of the study was residents of ward number 1, Chhapkaiya of Birgunj Metropolitan City, a Slum area of the ward selected purposively, where there were 200 houses and a total population was 1364. Data were collected using the interview technique. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. Results: The majority (79.0%) of respondents threw waste in an open field. Only 19.0% of respondents had used latrines. Most women (80.25%) became mothers at the age of fewer than 20 years. More than half (57.31%) of pregnant women had done an ANC visit up to the fourth time, among them, 90.0% of respondents had delivered in a government hospital 86.0% of the mothers had colostrum feeding practiced as well and 90.12% had done exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months. Female sterilisation (38%) were more common in the society. Above sixty percent (62.86%) of families, had done diarrheal management in the home of under 5 children. Conclusion: The health profile of the Chhapkaiya community is satisfactory. All populations used safe water but open field defecation is prevalent and most of the population threw waste in the open field. The majority of the women became mothers below 20 years of age and home delivery is still practiced in this community.

171-180

Authors: Shreejana Pandey, Guheswari Chataut, Suja Maharjan, Dev Raj Maidali, Keshab Bhattarai

Jimbu (Allium przewalskianum), is an indigenous Himalayan spice herb in Nepal and has a long history of culinary use, yet its potential beyond home kitchens remains largely unexplored due to limited studies and exposure. It does not require extensive input of cash, machinery, land, or labor to profit from, making it an excellent and valuable source of pharmaceutical ingredients owing to its bioactive compounds. We investigated its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Quantitative analysis of Jimbu extracts revealed the presence of bioactive compounds, including Oleoresin (extracted using acetone and methanol), polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins. The methanol extract of. A. przewalskianum exhibited the highest polyphenol content (8.11±0.24 mg GAE/g), flavonoid content (5.28±0.29 mg GAE/g) and tannin content (0.923±0.02 mg GAE/g). The antioxidant potential of Jimbu was seen to be increased with an increase in concentration, reaching 58.79% at 400µg/ml, with an IC50 value of 303.58µg/ml for DPPH radical scavenging activity. Likewise, the yield of oleoresin was obtained as (10.86±0.27) from acetone and (7.8±0.20) from methanol. Similarly, sensory evaluation through One-way ANOVA highlighted concentrations of 0.07% and 0.1% of Oleoresin to be most favored. Furthermore, sensory evaluation of the Jimbu extracts in minced chicken meat exhibited remarkable antimicrobial activity against Salmonella along with a significant reduction in the colony forming units (CFU). This study shows that the extracts of A. przewalskianum could be utilized as a potential medicinal plant for the development of effective drugs against pathogenic bacteria. Meanwhile, it provides opportunities for economic benefits and a new potential revenue source for rural communities in the Himalayan region of Nepal.

186-196

Authors: Nikita Mahat, Niharika Bhattarai, Milan Thapa, Mousam Lawati, Anup Basnet

In Nepal, traditional medicinal plants and herbs have long been relied upon for treating various diseases. This study was aimed to explore the antimicrobial properties of commonly used traditional medicinal plants. This study was conducted from December 2022 to June 2023 at the Department of Microbiology, St. Xavier's College, Maitighar, Kathmandu. In this study, antimicrobial property of 12 plants were tested against four ATCC cultures of bacteria- Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027). The extracts were prepared using Soxhlet's apparatus with ethanol and distilled water as solvents. The ethanolic extract of S. aromaticum had the highest percentage yield The ethanolic extract of O. sanctum showed highest potential against S. aureus with a zone of inhibition of 21mm. The ethanolic extract of S. aromaticum demonstrated antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. epidermidis, with respective zones of inhibition of 18mm, 16mm, 18mm, and 20mm. The distilled water extract of A. marmelos displayed the highest antimicrobial activity against E. coli, with a zone of inhibition of 18mm. Phytochemical screening revealed that both extracts of S. aromaticum had the highest presence of phytochemicals. The ethanol extract of Z. armatum exhibited the highest antibacterial activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 2mg/ml against S. aureus. The study of the selected plants extracts confirmed their efficacy as natural antimicrobials against the tested organisms, suggesting their potential for novel drug development in treating infectious diseases.

209-216

Authors: Deepak T.A. , Avinash Tejasvi M.L

Systemic Health goes together with oral health. In India, Oral health remains a big challenge. It is connected tightly to overall individual’s health. Basic oral hygiene such as brushing teeth twice a day is still foreign to most, while such practices are widely practiced in the west. In India, economic factors, coupled with normally accepted behavior and acceptance of poor oral hygiene, prevention of awareness contributed to vast populace with dental issues, like cavities, gum diseases, premature teeth loss, and oral cancers in some cases. With almost 60% of 1.4 billion living in rural areas, initiatives like oral hygiene awareness, preventative care, lifestyle changes and increased dental facilities including universities, colleges and dental care facilities are needed today. We investigate whether there is an association between awareness of teeth alignment, good oral health to overall systemic health. We developed a questionnaire for dental patients falling between the age of 13 - 21 years. This range was selected as most of the patients are old enough to know their oral habits, and other health issues. The patient’s data was collected over a range of 8 months (April 2023 to November 2023) between two states in southern India. The research had 191 patients who were from rural areas, and their awareness on oral hygiene activities were found to be far worse than their urban counterparts (both genders). Based on the data collected, we establish a close relationship between awareness of teeth alignment, to gum bleeding, caries, and pollinosis in young Indians.

123-127

Authors: Ouation Souleymane Soro, Vincent Kadjo, Koffi Sylvanus Aubert Yao, Moussa Kimse

The aim of this work is to test the effect of green forage Ipomoea batatas on young rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) digestive health and growing performance. Two group (T and I) of 15 rabbits were made. These animals were weaned at 35 days of age and slaughtered at 70 days. The mean weight per group was 500 ± 20 g. Control group T was feed only with industrial pelleted Ivograin®. Experimental group I was feed with the same pelleted diet and green forage I. batatas in the cage. Results showed that the growing performances in group I were lower than control. Group I daily gain was 0.89g lower than T (P<0.01). Fed intakes was 1.05 times lower with forage than control (P<0.01). For sanitary risk index (mortality + morbidity) was 2 part higher in group I than control (14 vs 7, P<0.01). However, the nutrient digestibility was higher with I. batatas group than control. Digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF and Hc was 26.68, 23.43, 9.67, 18.56, 18.74 and 16.46 respectively higher with group I than control (P<0.05). We can conclude that, associate green forage I. batatas with pelleted diet was not increased the young rabbit growing performances and health except nutrients digestibility.

135-142

Authors: M. Paudel, B. Bohara, T. Prasai, S. Bhattarai, T.R. Gompo

The dairy sector in Nepal has a high potential for growth, but unfortunately, its progress is impeded by diseases such as mastitis. The purpose of the current investigation was to identify the predominant bacterial species in mastitis-affected cattle milk and to ascertain the most efficacious antibacterial treatment against the bacterial isolates. The study was conducted from 17th August 2022 to 12th February 2023 in lactating cattle of the Kirtipur municipality and Chandragiri municipality of Kathmandu district, Nepal. A total of 640 milk samples from 160 cattle were collected randomly from cattle farms of Kirtipur and Chandragiri municipality of Kathmandu district. Initial screening for mastitis was conducted on collection sites by the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and further bacterial isolation and identification were carried out at the Central Veterinary Laboratory using standard bacterial techniques and the antibiogram were evaluated based on CLSI guidelines. Among 640 samples collected from 160 cattle, 3.91% (25/640) tested CMT-positive at the individual quarter level, whereas the prevalence at the cow level was 15.62% (25/160). The major bacterial species isolated, in subsequent culture of CMT positive samples, were Staphylococcus spp. (10, 40%), E. coli (6, 24%), Streptococcus spp. (5, 20%), Enterococcus spp. (2, 8%), Bacillus spp. (1, 4%), and Klebsiella spp. (1, 4%).. Antibiogram study reveals that major gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., and Bacillus spp. were highly sensitive to Ampicillin, Florfenicol, and Gentamicin while the major gram-negative bacteria, E. coli, and Klebsiella spp. were highly sensitive to Florfenicol, Gentamicin, Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole and Ceftriaxone. Hence, early diagnosis and careful monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility before therapeutic intervention are essential to prevent high economic losses due to mastitis and to mitigate the potential risk of antimicrobial resistance in the livestock population.

152-157

Authors: Ashok Sah, Prakash Gurung

The experiment was conducted in Ratuwamai Municipality, Morang, Nepal to assess the impact of various cropping systems on soil fertility and nutrient status. Four different cropping systems (Rice-Wheat-Rice, Rice-Mustard-Maize, Rice-Maize and Rice-Mustard-Rice) were selected as treatments and all treatments were replicated five times in Randomized Complete Block Design. Soil samples from 0-15 cm depth were collected from each site and evaluated for soil pH, Soil Organic Matter content (SOM), Total Nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K), sand silt and clay content. All the tested parameters except Soil N content, sand content and clay content were found to be significantly affected by the cropping system. The soil in all four cropping systems were found acidic in nature with pH ranging from (4.18-4.48). The Soil Organic Matter was recorded highest (1.84%) from Rice-Maize based system and lowest amount of Soil Organic Matter was observed in Rice-Mustard-Rice based system. The highest N content (0.19%) was recorded from the Rice-Mustard-Maize cropping system and the lowest N content (0.02%) was recorded from Rice-Wheat-Rice cropping system which is statistically similar to Rice-Mustard-Rice based cropping system. The highest P content (163.95kg/ha) was recorded from Rice-Mustard-Maize and the lowest (75.28kg/ha) was recorded from Rice-Mustard-Rice based cropping system. The highest K content (169.18kg/ha) was recorded from Rice-Mustard-Rice cropping system and the lowest K content (57.76kg/ha) was observed in Rice-Wheat-Rice based system. The highest silt content (48.38%) was recorded from Rice-Mustard-Maize cropping system. The result indicated that the Soil Organic Matter, Nitrogen and Potassium were found to be deficit nutrients in all the cropping system.