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Research Article
Evaluation of Growth Promotion and Pathogenicity of Endophytic Fungi from the Root of Chenopodium Quinoa Willd
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 1, February 2025
Pages:
1-10
Received:
24 November 2024
Accepted:
23 December 2024
Published:
9 January 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajbio.20251301.11
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Views:
Abstract: Symbiotic associations between endophytic fungi and Chenopodium quinoa have been reported to be beneficial for increasing tolerance to drought and soil salinity, being this the only crop grown in the Southern Altiplano of Bolivia. The symbiotic interaction of endophytic fungi was investigated, considering their detrimental and mutualistic effects. 38 strains of endophytic fungi from the fungal collection of the Faculty of Agronomy were used. The percentage of germination and root length were measured in vitro (4 days). The percentage of emergence (7 days) and plant height (14 days) in pots were also evaluated. The fungi that did not impair germination were strains VP42, VP44, Alternaria sp. VP37, Fusarium sp. VP05 and Fusarium sp. VP30. Fungi that stimulated a significant increase in radicle longitudinal growth were Fusarium sp. VP35, Alternaria sp. VP37 and strain VP18. Fungi that caused a high mortality rate during the emergence phase were strain VP01, Alternaria sp. VP15, Fusarium sp. VP02, Fusarium sp. VP07, Fusarium sp. VP08, Fusarium sp. VP12, Fusarium sp. VP23 and Fusarium sp. VP36. The endophytic strains Alternaria sp. VP37, Fusarium sp. VP35 and strain VP18 stimulated superior seedling growth. The present research work reveals that some endophytic fungi of the Alternaria and Fusarium genera can behave as pathogens during the germination stage, while others have the function of promoting quinoa growth.
Abstract: Symbiotic associations between endophytic fungi and Chenopodium quinoa have been reported to be beneficial for increasing tolerance to drought and soil salinity, being this the only crop grown in the Southern Altiplano of Bolivia. The symbiotic interaction of endophytic fungi was investigated, considering their detrimental and mutualistic effects. ...
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Research Article
Encapsulation of Willow Bark Extract with Potato Starch by Spray Drying
Su-Chol Rim,
Hang-Ryol Maeng*
,
Il-Gon Kim,
Yong-Il Hwang,
Il-Jin Un,
Ryong-Hyon Gong
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 1, February 2025
Pages:
11-17
Received:
12 November 2024
Accepted:
12 December 2024
Published:
21 January 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajbio.20251301.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Willow bark extract has been known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive functions for ancient times and used for traditional medicine. However, it has some drawbacks to apply in clinic application. Encapsulation is an excellent way to solve these problems. In this study, willow bark extract was encapsulated by starch as a wall material in order to improve bioavailability and stability of bioactive materials. Spray drying was applied to obtain powder composed of willow bark extract and starch. Particle size and morphological characteristics were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The encapsulation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis and X -ray diffraction (XRD). Thermal properties, hydrogroscopicity and storage stability were also studied. The result revealed that it was possible to encapsulate bioactive materials in willow bark extract with starch. Encapsulated powder showed small size at micro level. The particles were spherical and amorphous shape with wrinkled surface. In addition, encapsulated powder exhibited better thermal and storage stability than free willow bark extract powder. The results of this study indicate that encapsulation with starch could improve bioavailability and stability of willow bark extract. This result will provide preliminary information for encapsulating bioactive materials in herb extract by using starch through spray drying.
Abstract: Willow bark extract has been known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive functions for ancient times and used for traditional medicine. However, it has some drawbacks to apply in clinic application. Encapsulation is an excellent way to solve these problems. In this study, willow bark extract was encapsulated by starch as a wall material in...
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Research Article
Effects of Aqueous-Methanol Leaf Extract of Luffa cylindrica on Serum Biochemical Indices of Wistar Rats
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 1, February 2025
Pages:
18-26
Received:
18 January 2025
Accepted:
1 February 2025
Published:
26 February 2025
Abstract: Many cultures use various components of Luffa cylindrica plant, such as the fruits, leaves, and seeds in their folk medicine. It is used in traditional medicine to treat ailments like diabetes, skin diseases, constipation, urinary problems, pain and inflammation brought on by a number of illnesses, jaundice and it is used as anthelmintic. Scientific studies have authenticated the veracity of some of the folkloric claims. Hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, anti- fungal, hypoglycaemic and anti-cancer qualities of Luffa cylindrica extracts have been shown. All these point to the fact that Luffa cylindrica has been used medicinally for a long time, and its broad range of applications shows that it can be a useful therapeutic agent in both conventional and alternative medicine. The aim of the present study is to assess the effects of Luffa cylindrica leaf extract on hepatic function indices, renal function indices and serum lipid profile with the view of determining its level of safety when used as medicine. Acute toxicity study was done first to determine the possible range of toxicity for Luffa cylindrica leaf extract. Wistar rats were treated orally in biphasic manner with doses ranging from 10 mg/kg to 5000 mg/kg and were observed for 72 h for signs of toxicity or mortality. For the serum biochemistry evaluation, Wistar rats were grouped into 4, of five rats each. Rats in Group A were administered distilled water (10 ml/kg P.O) to serve as the negative control. Rats in groups B, C, D were respectively treated with the graded doses of the extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg P.O). The treatment was done over a period of 28 days and blood samples were then collected for serum biochemical analysis The acute toxicity study showed no mortality or signs of toxicity, even at doses as high as 5000 mg/kg P.O, indicating that the oral median lethal dose (LD50) is greater than 5000 mg/kg. This suggests that the extract is relatively safe. In the serum biochemical study, the values for hepatic and renal function indices, as well as the lipid profile were majorly non-significantly different from the values of the negative control group. These possibly show that the integrity of the relevant organs was not tampered with and may suggest non-toxic nature of the Luffa cylindrica extract. However, the significant increase of creatinine value at the leaf extract dose of 400 mg/kg P.O requires closer attention. Further studies will evaluate the renal effect of leaf extract of Luffa cylindrica on creatinine using doses equal to or greater than 400 mg/kg P.O.
Abstract: Many cultures use various components of Luffa cylindrica plant, such as the fruits, leaves, and seeds in their folk medicine. It is used in traditional medicine to treat ailments like diabetes, skin diseases, constipation, urinary problems, pain and inflammation brought on by a number of illnesses, jaundice and it is used as anthelmintic. Scientifi...
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Research Article
Spatial Distribution of Mosquito Vectors in Relation to Physico-chemical Properties of the Breeding Habitats in Ondo State, Nigeria; A Sign for Mosquito Borne Diseases
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 1, February 2025
Pages:
27-42
Received:
10 January 2025
Accepted:
27 January 2025
Published:
27 February 2025
Abstract: The abundance and distribution of identified mosquito genera in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, were studied. Mosquito species were sampled from 3sites per settlement using 200 ml plastic dippers (maximum of 10 dips per site) and collection containers. The habitats sampled included containers, stagnant pools, domestic run-offs, foot and vehicle prints, tyres, and gutters. The larvae and pupae collected were reared to adulthood and preserved in silica gels inside 1.5ml Eppendorf tubes and identified morphologically in accordance to standards after which Polymerase Chain Reaction protocol was conducted on all the Anopheles mosquitoes and 156 of the Culex mosquitoes. Larvae were taken from a total 33sites spreading uniformly across the 11 towns and villages making the Local Council to have various stages of larvae and pupae. 2051 immatures grew up to adulthood, after morphological identification 6 genera were recorded namely: Anopheles gambiae s.l was 348 (194 males and 154 females) (16.97%), Aedes 394 (248 males and 146 females) (19.11%), Culex was 1270 (740 males and 530 females) (61.97%), Mansonia was 7 (3 males and 9 females) (0.34%) Toxorhynchite was 20 (14 males and 8 females) (1.07%) and Coquillettidia was 12 (3 males and 9 females) 0.59%. The 1270 Culex species were further identified as Culex pipiens complex 1136 (89.45%) and Culex tigripes 134 (10.55%). After molecular analyses Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus were 154 (98.72%) while After PCR identification of all the 348 Anopheles gambiae s.l spoilt 8 (2.30%), Anopheles arabiensis 21 (6.05%), Anopheles gambiae s.s was 315 (90.52%), Anopheles merus 4 (1.15%) while the remaining were spoilt. This study concludes that the residents of the areas are at risk of mosquito-borne diseases most especially malaria whose vector is recorded specifically in the research. The results obtained of this study showed composition in mosquito species present at the study area. This research advocates proper environmental monitoring and source reduction of the breeding sites as the presence of these species also showed that this environment is predisposed to mosquito borne diseases.
Abstract: The abundance and distribution of identified mosquito genera in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, were studied. Mosquito species were sampled from 3sites per settlement using 200 ml plastic dippers (maximum of 10 dips per site) and collection containers. The habitats sampled included containers, stagnant pools, domestic run-offs, foot an...
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