Chiedozie Onyejiaka Ibegbulem

Analysis of Enzymes Activities on Domestic Waste Dump Sites

Introduction: Effects of physico-chemical parameters on microbial dehydrogenases from domestic waste dumpsites were studied. Methodology: The microorganisms (S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans, T. Mentagrophytes and F. oxysoprium) were isolated from three domestic waste dumps in Owerri metropolis and subculture. Microbial dehydrogenases were extracted with acetone, partially purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialysis, DEAEcellulose column chromatography and Sephadex G200 gel filtration chromatography. Dehydrogenase activity at each stage of purification was assayed with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) and the absorbance of the formazan formed was measured and used to ascertain the total dehydrogenase activity. The impacts of effectors (Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Fe2+ and EDTA, ethanol and butanol) on the microbial dehydrogenase were determined by incubating the partially purified enzyme with the effectors for 30 min at 4°C. Also, the effects of temperature and pH were assessed by varying the temperature and pH ranges from 10°C to 60°C and 2.0 to 8.0, respectively. Results: The specific activities of the enzyme from the microorganisms were 7.10, 7.73, 6.47, 6.26, 9.66 and 10.58 mg Formazan/mg cell dry wt/h, respectively. Calcium ion, Mg2+, ethanol and butanol significantly increased (p<0.05) dehydrogenase activities in all the microorganisms studied while Zn2+, Fe2+ and EDTA decreased the activities. Conclusion: These activators can be harnessed within the recorded optimum temperature and pH ranges to enhance microbial growth; which is essential for the degradation of domestic waste thereby promoting cleaner environment.

Amino Acid Profiles, Total Nitrogen Contents, and Computed-Protein Efficiency Ratios of Manihot esculenta Root and Dioscorea rotundata Tuber Peels

Tuberous roots of cassava and yam are major sources of dietary carbohydrate to human, alternative sources of energy in livestock feeds, and sources of starch in small-scale industries. Investigations on amino acid profiles, total nitrogen contents, and computed-protein efficiency ratios (C-PER) of tuberous root peels of Manihot esculenta Crantz and Dioscorea rotundata Poir. were carried out. Amino acid analysis was carried out using ion-exchange chromatography methods. Total nitrogen content was measured using the micro-Kjeldahl methods. The C-PER was calculated using regression equation. The concentrations of amino acids detected in the cassava peels ranged from 0.54 to 6.54 g/100 g protein, whereas those of yam peels were between 0.37 and 6.25 g/100 g protein. The total amino acid concentration of the cassava peels was not significantly ( ) higher than that of the yam peels. Essential amino acid scores showed that Phe + Tyr and Met + Cys were the most abundant and limiting amino acids, respectively, in cassava and yam peels. The percentage nitrogen content and C-PER of the cassava peels were significantly ( ) higher than those of the yam peels. The cassava and yam peels were not sources of good quality proteins. Therefore, the use of cassava or yam peels as livestock feeds should be supplemented with other sources rich in good quality proteins.

Functional Assessments and Histopathology of Hepatic and Renal Tissues of Wistar Rats Fed with Cocoa Containing Diets

The liver and kidney are organs of homeostasis. The present study ascertained functional integrity of renal and hepatic tissues of Wistar rats fed with processed cocoa bean-based beverages (PCB-BB) and raw cocoa bean products (RCBP) containing diets using biochemical and histological methods. Thirty Wistar rats were designated on the basis of experimental diets received for 28 days. At the end of the feeding period, blood samples were drawn and renal and hepatic tissues were excised from the experimental rat groups for functional tests and histological examinations, respectively. Serum ALT activities of the experimental rat groups showed no significant difference (p>0.05) and were within relatively narrow range of 32.17 ± 4.98 IU/L to 41.00 ± 10.85 IU/L whereas, serum AST activities gave wide variation within the range of 15.67 ± 2.13 IU/L to 34.83 ± 8.31 IU/L; p AST in serum appeared to correlate with the extent of disarrangement of hepatic tissue architecture. The experimental rat groups did not exhibit hyperbilirubinemia. Also, PCB-BB - and RCBP - containing diets did not substantially interfere with the capacity of the hepatocytes to biosynthesized plasma proteins and the functionality of renal tissues.