Screening of halotolerant microfungi isolated from hypersaline soils of Algerian Sahara for production of hydrolytic enzymes

The Algerian Sahara contains numerous hypersaline ecosystems including salt lakes in which the fungal diversity has not been characterized. The abundance and diversity of soil microofungi in three salt lakes in southeastern Algeria was investigated together with their profiles of hydrolytic enzyme. Fungal population size and relative abundance were determined in about 75 soil samples by plate count. From 69 fungal isolates, 46.38% were Aspergillus, 20.29% were Penicillium and 11.59% belonging to Cladosporium genus. The sixty-nine isolates have been studied at different constant temperatures and salinities. All fungal isolates are halotolerant or halophiles with the ability to grow at 50°C. The screening for extracellular halophilic enzymes at 40°C showed that 69.57% of the isolates were able to produce at least two types of the screened enzymes. Protease was the most abundant enzyme detected in 60.87% of the total isolates. The results obtained of all the growth tests indicate the adaptability of fungal isolates tested to the extreme conditions and their possible utilisation as producers of halophilic-active hydrolytic enzymes.

Pharmacological Investigations in Traditional Utilization of Alhagi maurorum Medik. in Saharan Algeria: In Vitro Study of Anti-Inflammatory and Antihyperglycemic Activities of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides Extracted from the Seeds

The anti-inflammatory and antihyperglycemic effects of polysaccharides extracted from Alhagi maurorum Medik. seeds, spontaneous shrub collected in Southern of Algerian Sahara were investigated. Their water extraction followed by alcoholic precipitation was conducted to obtain two water-soluble polysaccharides extracts (WSPAM1 and WSPAM2). They were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, 1H/13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Size Exclusion Chromatography coupled with Multi-Angle Light Scattering. The capacity of those fractions to inhibit α-amylase activity and thermally induced Bovine Serum Albumin denaturation were also investigated. WSPAM1 and WSPAM2 were galactomannans with a mannose/galactose ratio of 2.2 and 2.4, respectively. The SEC-MALLS analysis revealed that WSPAM1 had a molecular weight of 1.4 × 106 Da. The investigations highlighted antinflammatory and antihyperglycemic effects in a dose-dependant manner of WSPAM1 and WSPAM2.

Undesired Effects of Bioinsecticides Molecules in Wistar Rats: Case of Spirotetramat, Citrulus Colocynthis and Cleome Arabica Extracts

The use of pesticides is becoming an indispensable technique in most agricultural practices, regardless of the level of development of the country. Currently, the pesticides used are often less toxic and more specific and are based on insect physiology. Recent studies indicate that pesticide intoxication induces oxidative stress. This work aims to study the neurobehavioral consequences of the administration of two insecticides currently widely used in agriculture: spirotetramat (an inhibitor of lipid synthesis in insects) and the ethanolic extract of Citrullus colocynthis (a plant endemic to the Algerian Sahara) and the ethanolic extract of Cleome arabica (Capparidaceae) The different behavioral tests (elevated cross maze, open fields and forced swimming) show that the have a significant impact on the degree of anxiety of rodents.These products significantly influence the biochemical parameters (blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine), the hormone Adreno CorticoTropic Hormone, acetylcholine esterase,

Endocrine, energy, and lipid status during parturition and early lactation in indigenous goats native to the Algerian Sahara

Background and Aim: Goats are widely distributed in southwest Algeria. The Saharan goat is perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions of arid areas, and it is characterized by resistance to long photoperiod and reduced metabolic needs, allowing the survival of its offspring by maintaining lactation. Several studies have demonstrated that parturition and lactation are critical periods that induce hormone, energy, and lipid status changes in mammals. However, the relationship between the blood biochemical parameters of parturition control and lactation functions in the Algerian Saharan goat has not been thoroughly documented. Therefore, this study assesses hormone and metabolite levels during parturition and early lactation in Saharan goats reared in arid areas. Materials and Methods: Experiments were performed on 14 multiparous female goats, and blood samples were collected during parturition, 4 days postpartum (D1PP-D4PP), and during the first 12 weeks of lactation (W1-W12) to analyze prolactin, cortisol, glucose (GLU), total proteins (TP), cholesterol (CHO), triglycerides (TGs), total lipids (TL), low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), and very LDLs (VLDLs). Results: Statistical data analysis revealed a significant (p<0.05) increase in plasma prolactin concentrations at W1 after parturition, reaching maximum values at W3 and W9, and remained high until W12 of lactation. Plasma cortisol levels were high at parturition, reaching two peaks at W3 and W9, and then decreased at W5, W7, and W12 of lactation. No significant changes were found in serum GLU levels during the first 7 weeks of lactation compared with parturition day; then, the levels became significantly (p<0.05) lower at W8, W11, and W12 of lactation. Plasma TP increased significantly (p<0.05) at D3PP, W1, and W4, then decreased significantly (p<0.05) at W8. In addition, this decrease coincided with that of GLU production. Serum CHO, TGs, TL, LDLs, and VLDLs, were low at parturition and high at D4PP and during the first 3 months of lactation. Furthermore, HDL levels were low at D3PP, 1st, and 3rd months and high at the 2nd month of lactation. Conclusion: This study emphasized the impact of parturition and the 1st weeks of lactation on endocrine and metabolic changes in indigenous goats living in the Algerian Sahara Desert. These results can be used to monitor and improve farming management and understand physiological adaptive strategies, mainly lactation function sustainability, of this goat living in marginal zones.