Evaluation of mango seed kernel and pineapple peels as carbon sources for microbial protease production

Proteolytic enzymes are ubiquitous in occurrence and find multiple applications in various industrial sectors. Although there are many microbial sources available for producing proteases, only a few are recognized as commercial producers. Utilization and recycling of renewable resources that pose threat to the environment can be systematically carried out to bring about resource productivity needed to make human activity sustainable. In the present study, we evaluated the phytochemical, antimicrobial, and protease production ability of mango seed kernel and pineapple peels. The proximate compositions and antimicrobial analysis of Mango seed kernel and pineapple peels were evaluated using standard protocols. We evaluated the protease production of Bacillus megaterium using the mango seed kernel and pineapple peels as the carbon sources. Our results revealed that mango seed kernel has low moisture, ash and crude fibre content but has high oil and crude protein content while pineapple peels have high moisture and fibre content but low in ash, crude protein and oil content. Mango seed extract also demonstrated antimicrobial activities against B. subtilis, less sensitive to B. megaterium and no activity against A. niger. However, the pineapple peel extracted is highly sensitive to B. subtilis and S aureus but demonstrated no activity against P. aeroginosa and A niger. The B. megaterium exhibited higher protease production ability when mango seed kernel was used as a carbon source at all tested concentrations. In conclusion, the information obtained from proximate and antimicrobial analysis of mango seed kernel and pineapple peels serves as a guide for the possible utilization as carbon sources for microbial enzyme production. Thus, both pineapple peel and mango seed kernel can be bio-remediated when used as carbon sources for protease production.

Role of nutrition in ameliorating the severity of COVID-19: A review update

Transmissible diseases are on the increase worldwide. Viral diseases have continued to emerge and represent a serious issue to public health. In the last twenty years, several viral epidemics such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2002 to 2003, and H1N1 influenza in 2009, were recorded. In this study, the role of nutrition in ameliorating the mortality rate of Covid-19 virus infection was reviewed. Nutrition has been confirmed as one factor that can be utilized to inhibit the upshot of viral infection before clinical treatment is received by the patient. For the body to function normally, its nutritional demand must be met in the right proportions. Diet rich in vitamins, minerals and micronutrients are required for the metabolic functioning of the body and immune system, hence effective or adequate nutrition has health benefits to the human body particularly in fighting against infectious diseases including Covid-19. In defining the relationship or interaction between nutrition and infection, nutritionists have conventionally considered only the effects of diet on the host. Contemporary findings, however, stipulates that, at least for an RNA virus, host nutrition can influence the genetic make-up of the pathogen and thereby alter its virulence. Living on a quality diet has a way of improving the body defence mechanism against infectious diseases, Covid-19 virus inclusive. Adequate dietary nutrition could be an effective approach to counter the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, which is yet to have a worldwide scientifically acceptable treatment

Screening, production and partial characterization of proteases from microbial isolates obtained from waste dumpsites

Background: Proteases are proteolytic enzymes having a wide range of applications in various industries such as the food industry, pharmaceutical industry, medicine, leather and textile. Microorganisms are considered potentially to be the most suitable sources of proteases. Prior to industrial applications of proteases, it is important to investigate physical parameters affecting their enzyme activities. Methods: The microorganisms isolated from different waste dumpsites were screened for proteolytic activity using casein as a substrate. The optimum temperature and pH and kinetic parameters such as Km, Vmax, specific activities and Kcat of the proteases produced were determined to ascertain their industrial prospects. Results: The results obtained showed that A. niger, A. flavus, Penicillium sp, Muccor and Fusarium sp. are the active protease producing fungal isolates while B. subtilis and B. megaterium are the active protease producing bacterial isolates obtained from waste dumpsites. The optimum temperature and pH values of the proteases produced from these isolates were recorded within a close range of 50-60 oC and 8-9 respectively. The protease produced from Penicillium sp isolated from sewage sludge was observed to have maximum Vmax (222.2U/ml) while protease produced from B. subtilis isolated from domestic waste dumpsite was recorded to have the minimum Km value (0.244mg/ml). The protease produced from B. megaterium isolated from the abattoir site was observed to have the highest specific activity (659.02U/mg) while the protease produced from B. subtilis isolated from refuse dumpsite was observed to have a maximum Kcat value (26.42 s-1). Conclusion: These results show that proteases produced by the isolates obtained from; abattoir sites, refuse waste dumpsite, sewage sludge, domestic waste dumpsites, possess remarkable kinetic parameters that are crucial for their industrial applications

Inhibition of prolyl oligopeptidase by flavonoids isolated from the roots of Allexis obanensis (Baker f.) Melch

Background: Prolyl oligopeptidase is a cytosolic serine peptidase that hydrolyzes peptides containing proline at the carboxy terminus of proline residues. It has been associated with several neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, it is a target in the management of these disease conditions. Methods: Allexis obanensis was taken through cold extraction, subjected to column chromatography and flavonoids isolated via high-performance liquid chromatographic technique. The flavonoids obtained were investigated for their in vitro prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitory activity. Results: The flavonoids isolated include: 4.4'''- dimethoxylophirone A [1] and 7-hydroxy-3-(3-hydroxy-4 méthoxyphenyl)-5- méthoxy-4H chromen-4-one [2]. They inhibited prolyl oligopeptidase at low IC50 concentrations of 7.201±3.021 µM and 6.223±2.002 µM respectively. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study proves the potential of these flavonoids as prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitors, by inference, their potentiality in the management of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Mexicanolide, a bioactive compound from Cedrela odorata: In silico study of its pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness, potential drug targets, and cytotoxic activities against cancer cell lines

Mexicanolide is a limonoids type of compound identified from Cedrela odorata, a forest plant with various medicinal properties. Several biological activities have been reported for Mexicanolide. In the present study, we used an in silico approach to evaluate the physicochemical, pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness, drug targets, and cytotoxic activities of mexicanolide from Cedrela odorata. The results revealed that mexicanolide has favorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of a good drug-like candidate. Notably, the compound has a high GI absorption rate but could not permeate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and has poor synthetic accessibility. Several proteins targets including Kappa Opioid receptor, Mu opioid receptor, delta-opioid receptor, Cannabinoid receptor 2, Phosphodiesterase 10A (by homology), Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta, Stem cell growth factor receptor, Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, Proteinase-activated receptor 1, and Epoxide hydratase were identified as target candidates for mexicanolide. Furthermore, mexicanolide demonstrated in silico activities against several types of cancer cell lines including the SK-MEL-2, HL-60, 8505C, SF-268, St4, OVCAR-5, K562, SW-60, MKN-7, and Lu1. In conclusion, mexicanolide has favorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of a good drug-like candidate and could be considered a multi-target compound with potential anticancer activities

Biochemical and haematological indices of rats fed with different processed fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) seeds

Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) seed is a perennial plant that belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae. Several nutritional values of the seeds have been reported. In this present study, thirty rats (average weight= 133 g ± 1.25 g) were randomly allocated to 5 groups of 6 rats each and placed on a conventional diet supplemented with groundnut meal (control), unprocessed fluted pumpkin seed flour (UF_Diet), boiled fluted pumpkin seed flour (BF_Diet), germinated fluted pumpkin seed flour (GF_Diet), and soaked fluted pumpkin feed flour (SF_Diet) for 28 days after which animals were sacrificed and blood samples collected for biochemical and haematological analysis. Results revealed that processing improved the protein content of the seed flours. The aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) range from 210.70±2.14 to 517.5±5.39 U/L, 60.6±0.30 to 386.3±3.53 U/L, and 221.7±1.21 to 328.4±3.31 U/L respectively. Processing significantly decreased (p< 0.05) the creatinine content of rats fed supplemented fluted pumpkin seed flours when compare with the control and unprocessed groups. The hematological parameters were also significantly (p<0.05) improved by the dietary treatments. The result of this study revealed that germination, soaking, and boiling were effective processing methods for improving the nutritive values of fluted pumpkin seed meals

Ameliorative effect of crude and solvent partitioned fractions of Gymnema sylvestre in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic and dyslipidemic Rattus norvegicus

The present study aims to evaluate the ameliorative effect of crude and solvent partitioned fractions of Gymnema sylvestre in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic and dyslipidemic rats. The extract and fractions of Gymnema sylvestre were administered to alloxan (120 mg/kg) induced diabetic rats at doses of 100, 300, and 600 mg/kg. Metformin (100 mg/kg) was used as the reference drug. All treatments were administered daily for 14 days through the oral route. Effects of the treatments on blood glucose levels, body weight, and serum lipid profiles were monitored. The results revealed that all the extracts and fractions were able to reduce the blood glucose levels and improved the body weight of diabetic rats, with more pronounced effects at the treatment of 300 mg/kg of crude methanol and ethyl acetate fraction. The blood glucose of diabetic untreated rats continued to increase up to the time of euthanization. There were significant reductions (p<0.05) in the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of all the treated groups when compared to the diabetic untreated. However, a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the serum concentration of highdensity lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL- C) was observed in the diabetic untreated rats when compared to the HDL-C levels in the treated rats. The ameliorative effect of the crude extract and the partitioned fractions on the diabetic induced alterations in serum lipid profile occurs in a significant (p<0.05) dosedependent manner. In conclusion, G. sylvestre extracts possess hypoglycaemic effects and attenuated diabetic induced dyslipidemia in rats

Evaluation of the efficacy and optimization of indigenous microbial isolate for herbicides (Paraquat Dichloride, Glyphosate, and Glyphosate isopropylamine) degradation

The presence of herbicides in soil is a serious problem for the environment. Studies on degradation of Herbicide (Paraquate dichloride (PD), Rake out (RO) and Gobara (GB)) by bacteria and fungi species isolated from soil environment in Keffi Metropolis Nigeria were carried out. A total of twenty (20) soil samples were collected. The bacteria and fungi were isolated from the soil and identified using standard microbiological methods. The herbicides utilization was determined using Atomic Adsorption Spectrometer. The effect of temperature on utilization of the herbicides by Enterobacter asburiae at 26OC ranges from 1.23±0.11 mg/ml for PD, 1.14±0.29 mg/ml for RO and 0.53±0.86mg/ml for GB, Pseudomonas aeruginosa utilization ranges from 1.45±0.17 mg/ml for PD, 1.17±0.35 mg/ml, for RO 1.12± 0.82mg/ml for GB. Aspergillus flavus ranges from 2.12±0.19 mg/ml for PD, 2.00±0.03 mg/ml for RO and 2.02±0.57 mg/ml for GB, Fusarium redolens were 2.19±0.26 mg/ml for PD, 2.15±0.08 mg/ml for RO and 1.92±0.16 mg/ml for GB. Effect of incubation time on microbial herbicides degradations: for E. asburiae on PD it ranges from day 1 with 0.24±0.37 mg/ml to day 20 with 2.06±0.11 mg/ml. for P. aeruginosa on PD ranges from day 1 with 0.38±0.08 mg/ml to day 20 with 2.39±1.45 mg/ml. The Utilization of herbicides by A. flavus on PD ranges from day 1 with 0.10±0.01 mg/ml to day 20 with 2.29±0.12 mg/ml. for F. redolens in PD, it ranges from day 1 with 0.27±0.08 mg/ml to day 20 with 2.57±0.27mg/ml. The process of degradation of herbicide has become very attractive as it allows for removal of herbicide over a relatively broad range of pH and temperature

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus amongst patients attending selected hospitals in Niger State, Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major public health problem globally and accounts for about one million deaths worldwide annually. This study determined the seroprevalence, distribution of HBV infection, and factors associated with the infection amongst patients attending selected hospitals in Niger State. A total of 500 blood samples were collected from five selected hospitals in Niger state. The samples were screened using Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) test kit for the qualitative detection of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in serum. Prevalence of Hepatitis B infection was 13.0% cumulatively in the study area. Female participants had a higher prevalence (6.8%) of HBsAg infection compared to their male counterparts with 6.2%. Participants within the 41- 50 years’ age group recorded a higher rate of infection (5.2%), while those ≥ 50 years had a lower prevalence of (2.3%). The civil servants had a higher percentage prevalence of 6.4% followed by housewives and the least was observed with participants who are students. Patients without a history of blood transfusion recorded a higher percentage prevalence (7.8%) compared to those with a history of blood transfusion (5.2%). The results reveal that participants with polygamous family types recorded a higher prevalence of HBV infection (11.4%) compared to those belonging to the monogamous type (1.6%). The results obtained from this study suggest that HBV is in circulation in the study areas; thus necessitating more awareness campaigns among the general population about HBV and its modes of transmission and associated risk factors

A Systematic Review of Domestication, Ethnopharmacological Use, Phytochemistry, Nutritional Composition, and Biological Activities of Parkia Biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex G.Don

Medicinal plants are an unceasing source of herbal medicine from which many molecules are being isolated for the treatment of various diseases. Parkia biglobosa (family; Mimosaceae), commonly known as African locust bean is an economically vivacious plant of tropical and subtropical regions, cultivated in many countries across the world. Parkia biglobosa contains a broad spectrum of phytochemicals, including polysaccharides, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, proteins, tannins, saponins, glycosides, sterols, triterpenes, saponosides, tannins, reducing compounds, coumarins, anthocyanosides, flavonosides. These bioactive components are responsible for the pharmacological properties of this auspicious plant and demonstrate its importance in daily intake and alimentation. Traditionally, different parts of the plant are used as anticancer, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetes, antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, antiinflammatory activity. In the current review, pharmacological attributes, the nutritional value of Parkia biglobosa, and the medicinal properties of its various parts have been elaborated to provide collective information on this multipurpose commercial plant