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Growth Performance, Metabolic Efficiency and Nutrient Utilization of BALB/C Mice Fed with Diet Made from Leftovers from Cocos nucifera Pulp
Omondi Gilbert Ouma,
Malala Joel Bonface,
Msanzu Joseph Baya,
Anjili Christopher Omukhango,
Gicharu Gibson Kamau,
Huxley Makonde Mae,
Chimbevo Lenny Mwagandi
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, January 2019
Pages:
1-6
Received:
25 January 2018
Accepted:
5 September 2018
Published:
27 February 2019
Abstract: Shortage of animal feeds as a result of increased demand and competition for scarcely available animal feeds has led to drastic decrease in animal production globally. In Kenya, utilization of various plant parts including leaves, fruits and bark of various plantations is taking center stage. Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) a member of the pulp family Arecaceae has potential to feed animals from its leftovers after utilization for human food. The study sought to analyze proximate nutritional value composition of Coconut pulp leftovers and its formulated diet as well as in vivo growth performance of BALB/c mice. Formulated coconut pulp leftovers were dried before both phytochemical analysis and in vivo growth performance was determined. The Proximate analysis indicated Coconut pulp leftovers contained; 3.50±0.22% crude protein, 34.15±2.48% dry matter, 65.85±3.97% moisture content, 10.50±1.2422% total sugars and 25.00±0.35% total fats. Analysis of formulated coconut pulp diet indicated elevated crude protein 14.23±0.52%, dry matter 35.97±0.52% and total sugars 20.47±4.26% while moisture content 64.10±0.50% and total fats 22.10±0.50% declined. In vivo results for the Coconut pulp leftovers application on mice model to ascertain growth performance were as follows; weight gain 0.80±0.50%, SGR 0.33±0.29%, FCR 241.67±556.67% and conditional factor 0.47±0.12%. For formulated diet it was weight gain 3.90±3.22%, SGR 1.0483±0.91%, FCR 28.23±28.92% and conditional factor 0.58±0.04%. The result indicates Coconut pulp leftovers have potential for animal feeds diet formulation.
Abstract: Shortage of animal feeds as a result of increased demand and competition for scarcely available animal feeds has led to drastic decrease in animal production globally. In Kenya, utilization of various plant parts including leaves, fruits and bark of various plantations is taking center stage. Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) a member of the pulp famil...
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Incidence and Prevalence of Coffee wilt Disease (Gibberella xylarioides) and Its Impact on the Rural Livelihoods in Western Guji Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Afrasa Mulatu,
Diriba Shanko
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, January 2019
Pages:
7-15
Received:
8 January 2019
Accepted:
13 February 2019
Published:
12 March 2019
Abstract: The current research work was accompanied by the disease sample collection, isolation and identification of the causal agents involved in the coffee tree death complexes and evaluate the incidence and prevalence of coffee wilt disease (CWD) thereby evaluating the impact of the CWD on the livelihood of the coffee farmers in western Guji zone. The current status of CWD was systematically assessed and examined in 36 sample coffee farms across western Guji zone. At the same time, three to four samples of infected coffee tree parts were randomly collected from each plot and the causal pathogen was isolated and identified in the laboratory. Primary and secondary data sources were collected to determine the impact of CWD on rural livelihoods in the study area. The result indicated that CWD was prevalent in the study sites, with highest mean incidence of 53.1% in kercha, 49.1% in Hambela Wamana and 42.3% in Odo Shakiso districts that indicated the present status of the diseases is remarkably on increasing trend and poses a big threat to the farmers. The difference in incidence of CWD across the districts and among the peasant associations was strongly associated with human factors and variation in coffee production systems. In general, this research works implicated that CWD was developed to an important disease level and is one of the potential biotic factors affecting the livelihood of the rural people in the study area and thus the disease management practices should duly considered to tackle this devastating disease.
Abstract: The current research work was accompanied by the disease sample collection, isolation and identification of the causal agents involved in the coffee tree death complexes and evaluate the incidence and prevalence of coffee wilt disease (CWD) thereby evaluating the impact of the CWD on the livelihood of the coffee farmers in western Guji zone. The cu...
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Isolation and Characterization of Cellulase-producing Bacteria from Sugar Industry Waste
Farjana Islam,
Narayan Roy
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, January 2019
Pages:
16-24
Received:
29 January 2019
Accepted:
8 March 2019
Published:
29 March 2019
Abstract: Cellulases are inducible enzymes that are synthesized by a large number of microorganisms during their growth on cellulosic materials. This study focuses on the isolation and screening of cellulase-producing bacteria from sugar industry waste (molasses) and characterization by morphological and biochemical analysis. Further, purification of cellulase was carried by ammonium sulfate precipitation and followed by column chromatography and molecular weight determined by SDS-PAGE. The isolated bacterial strains were grown on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) agar plate at various optimum conditions like pH, temperature, incubation period, carbon and nitrogen sources and substrate concentration. Three isolated strains showed clear hydrolyzing zone on agar plates containing CMC agar after Congo-red staining were identified as cellulase-producing bacteria. Based on cultural, morphological, and biochemical characteristics, the isolated strains were identified as Paenibacillus sp., Aeromonas sp., and Bacillus sp. Among the isolated strains, Paenibacillus sp. showed the capability for highest cellulase production (0.89 µmol ml-1 min-1) at optimal pH 7.0 and 40°C temperature on 24 hour of the incubation period at 1% CMC substrate concentration and was selected for further cellulase purification. In the final step of cellulase purification, the specific activity, purification fold and recovery were 1720 U/mg, 9.74 and 35.6%, respectively. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was determined 66.9 kDa and the enzyme showed a high specificity to CMC substrate. The bacterial strains present in molasses have the potential for cellulase production. Substrate specificity of the purified cellulase indicates it to be an endo-β-1, 4-glucanase. The cellulase produced from the selected strain may benefit for industrial application.
Abstract: Cellulases are inducible enzymes that are synthesized by a large number of microorganisms during their growth on cellulosic materials. This study focuses on the isolation and screening of cellulase-producing bacteria from sugar industry waste (molasses) and characterization by morphological and biochemical analysis. Further, purification of cellula...
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Hematological Parameters and Serum Biochemistry of Clarias gariepinus Juveniles Exposed to Vestaline® (Pendimethalin) Herbicide
Odo Joel Inya,
Amuta Elizabeth,
Umeh Ebele,
Azua Emmanuel,
Odo Edna
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, January 2019
Pages:
25-30
Received:
13 June 2018
Accepted:
7 July 2018
Published:
13 April 2019
Abstract: The study was carried out to determine the effects of sub lethal concentrations of vestaline® (pendimethalin) herbicide to haematological and serum biochemistry of juveniles of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) using static bioassays. The toxicity was carried out using 180 healthy and active fish of mean weight of 27.97±0.03 g which were divided into six treatments with each treatment having ten fish and the setup was in triplicate. The fish were exposed to (1.89 mg/l, 3.79 mg/l, 5.68mg/l, 7.57mg/l. 9.46mg/l and 0.00 mg/l)) concentrations of Vestaline® (Pendimethalin) herbicide for a period of eight weeks during which the fish were fed at 5% of their body weight twice daily. Data obtained were analyzed for descriptive statistics (mean and standard error of means).The data were further subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at P< 0.05 using Minitab. Results showed that Haematological parameters reduced significantly (P<0.05) in amount of HCT, Hb and RBC with increase in concentration an indication of Anaemia. While WBC increased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in concentration. All were dose dependant. The results of Serum Biochemistry showed significant difference (P<0.05) in all the parameters determined. There was significant (P<0.05) decrease in Total protein and Albumin while Cholesterol, Alanine aminoTransferase, Aspartate aminoTransferase and Creatine all increased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in concentration. Vestaline® (Pendimethalin) herbicide from this study is toxic on Clarias gariepinus juveniles so its use around aquatic environment should be done with care.
Abstract: The study was carried out to determine the effects of sub lethal concentrations of vestaline® (pendimethalin) herbicide to haematological and serum biochemistry of juveniles of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) using static bioassays. The toxicity was carried out using 180 healthy and active fish of mean weight of 27.97±0.03 g which were divided...
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