Isam A. Mohamed Ahmed

Dubiumin, a chymotrypsin-like serine protease from the seeds of Solanum dubium Fresen

A serine protease was purified 6.7-fold and with 35% recovery from the seeds Solanum dubium Fresen by a simple purification procedure that combined ammonium sulfate fractionation, cation exchange and gel filtration chromatographies. The enzyme, named dubiumin, has a molecular mass of 66kDa as estimated by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE. Carbohydrate staining established the existence of a carbohydrate moiety attached to the enzyme. Inhibition of enzyme activity by serine protease inhibitors such as PMSF and chymostatin indicated that the enzyme belongs to the chymotrypsin-like serine protease class. Dubiumin is a basic protein with pI value of 9.3, acts optimally at pH 11.0, and is stable over a wide range of pH (3.0-12.0). The enzyme is also thermostable retaining complete activity at 60 degrees C after 1h and acts optimally at 70 degrees C for 30 min. Furthermore, it is highly stable in the presence of various denaturants (2.0% SDS, 7.0M urea and 3.0M guanidine hydrochloride) and organic solvents [CH(3)CN-H(2)O (1:1, v/v) and MeOH-H(2)O (1:1, v/v)] when incubated for 1h. The enzyme showed a high resistance to autodigestion even at low concentrations.

Chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and mineral extractability of Sudanese date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the chemical composition, mineral extractability, and antioxidant capacity of six date palm varieties grown in Sudan. The results showed that Sudanese date varieties contained significantly different (P < 0.05) amounts of moisture, ash, fiber, oil, and carbohydrates, but have almost similar amounts of protein. Moreover, results revealed that date varieties contained significantly varied (P < 0.05) amounts of total polyphenols and total flavonoids, which ranged between 35.82 and 99.34 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g and 1.74–3.39 mg catechin equivalent/100 g, respectively. The antioxidant activities of the studied date varieties were as follows: ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was within the range of 2.82–27.5 mmol/100 g, chelation of Fe2+ ion ranged from 54.31% to 94.98%, and scavenging of H2O2 ranged from 38.48% to 49.13%. There were many correlations (positive, negative, and weak) between antioxidant and mineral extractability of Sudanese date fruits.

Isolation and characterization of 3-N-trimethylamino-1-propanol-degrading Rhodococcus sp. strain A2.

The aerobic degradation of 3-N-trimethylamino-1-propanol (homocholine) as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen has been found for a Rhodococcus sp. bacterium isolated from soil. The isolate was identified as Rhodococcus sp. strain A2 based on its phenotypic features, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and results of phylogenetic analysis. The washed cells of strain A2 completely degraded homocholine within 6 h, with concomitant formation of several metabolites. Analysis of the metabolites using capillary electrophoresis, fast atom bombardment-MS, and GC-MS showed that trimethylamine was the major metabolite, in addition to beta-alanine betaine (beta-AB) and trimethylaminopropionaldehyde. Therefore, the possible degradation pathway of homocholine in the isolated strain is through consequent oxidation of the alcohol group (-OH) to aldehyde (-CHO) and acid (-COOH). Thereafter, the cleavage of beta-AB C-N bonds yielded trimethylamine and alkyl chain.

Intercropping Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.): Effect of Bradyrhizobium Inoculation and Fertilization on Minerals Composition of Sorghum Seeds

This investigation was carried out in order to gain a better understanding of the effect of Bradyrhizobium inoculation and fertilization on the nutritional values of macro- and micronutrients of sorghum intercropped with cowpea in the field under rainfed conditions. The results of the present study demonstrated that intercropping, Bradyrhizobium inoculation, and N and P fertilization had significant effect on the mineral status of sorghum seeds. Intercropping significantly (𝑃≤0.05) increased Ca, Mg, Cu, Mn, and Fe contents of sorghum seeds, while it had no effect on the concentration of P, K, Na, and Zn in the sorghum seeds. However, Bradyrhizobium inoculation did not enhanced the most of minerals content of sorghum in both cropping systems; it slightly reduced the phosphorous content of sorghum seeds in the two cropping systems. Results of application of N and P fertilizers separately or combined with Bradyrhizobium showed fluctuated effect on the mineral contents in both cropping systems and both seasons.

Microbial and oxidation characteristics of refrigerated chicken patty incorporated with moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf powder

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effect of different levels of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) on physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of chicken patties during cold storage. For MLP extracts, methanolic extract exhibited flavonoid and total phenolic contents of 48.0 and 2010.3 mg/kg, respectively. The aqueous extract of MLP showed high (16.7 mm) and mild (8.7 mm) antimicrobial activity (inhibition zones) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. In chicken patties, the pH, peroxide value (PV), sensory properties, and microbiological characteristics were all affected (P ≤ 0.05) by the incorporation of MLP into the patty formula. The PV and bacterial counts were decreased (P ≤ 0.05) with the increase in MLP concentration; however, their values were increased (P ≤ 0.05) with the progress of storage period. Moderate level (50 g/kg) of MLP was good (P ≤ 0.05) in retarding lipid peroxidation and inhibiting microbial growth without affecting the sensory quality of stored chicken patties.

Yield and quality attributes of faba bean inbred lines grown under marginal environmental conditions of Sudan

Abstract Faba beans (Vicia faba L.) represent an essential source of food protein for many people in Sudan, especially those who cannot afford to buy animal meat. The demand for faba bean seeds is greatly increased in recent years, and consequently its production area was extended southward where the climate is marginally suitable. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate seed yield and nutritional quality of five faba bean inbred lines grown under marginal environmental conditions of Sudan. The inbred lines have considerable (P ≤ 0.05) variability in yield and yield components, and seed chemical composition. The mean carbohydrate content was very high (501.1 g kg−1) and negatively correlated with seed yield, whereas the average protein content was relatively high (253.1 g kg−1) and positively correlated with seed yield. Globulin was the significant fraction (613.5 g kg−1protein) followed by albumin (200.2 g kg−1protein). Biplot analysis indicates that inbred lines Hudeiba/93‐S5 and Ed‐damar‐S5 outscore other lines in terms of seed yield and nutritional quality. This study demonstrates that Hudeiba/93‐S5 and Ed‐damar‐S5 are useful candidates in faba bean breeding program to terminate the protein deficiency malnutrition and provide healthy and nutritious meal for people living in subtropical areas.

Effect of Environment and Genotype on the Protein Quality Attributes and Baking Characteristic of Newly Developed Wheat Inbred Lines

The present work examined the effect of genotype and environment on protein content and fractions, gluten and starch fraction, SSL (sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate) and DMG (distilled mono glyceride) binding ability of starch and specific loaf volume (SLV) of six wheat genotypes grown in three different environment. Genotype and environment significantly affected all quality attributes under investigation. However, protein content and fractions showed differences in relative effects of genotype and environment. Most of the protein quality characteristics were influenced more by genotype than environment. Size distribution of gluten subunits was significantly affected by genotype and environment. It was observed that as the flour protein content increased, the magnitudes of monomeric proteins appeared to rise, but glutenin decreased. Flour protein content was expressively associated with gliadin and dough making characteristics. Environment influenced b eedings.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of Damsissa (Ambrosia maritima) leaf powder extract added to minced beef during cold storage

ABSTRACT The antioxidant and antimicrobial effect of Damsissa leaf powder extract (DLPE) for application to cold-stored minced beef was investigated. DLPE exhibited inhibition zones of 14.0 and 12.7 mm against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of DLPE were 188.06 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 2.56 mg catechin equivalent (CE)/g, respectively. DLPE exhibited a concentration-dependent increase (P ≤ 0.05) in total reducing power ability (TRPA), scavenging of H2O2, and chelation of Fe2+ ions. Incorporation of different concentrations of DLPE in minced beef significantly (P ≤ 0.05) enhanced the physicochemical characteristics, sensory features, and microbial quality of the minced beef during cold storage (4°C). DLPE (2.5%) was effective (P ≤ 0.05) in delaying lipid oxidation and preventing microbial growth in stored minced beef. Therefore, DLPE at 2.5% concentration is recommended as a useful preservative to prolong the shelf-life of minced beef during cold storage.

Antioxidant Activities and Caffeic Acid Content in New Zealand Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) Roots Extracts

Asparagus officinalis are perennial plants that require re-planting every 10–20 years. The roots are traditionally mulched in the soil or treated as waste. The A. officinalis roots (AR) contain valuable bioactive compounds that may have some health benefiting properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC, respectively) and antioxidant (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) and Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays) activities of New Zealand AR extract. The antioxidant activity decreased with a longer extraction time.

Fermentation of Grains

Fermentation of grains is not only an old and cheap processing and preservation method, but it is also a vital approach that increases the diversity and enhances the nutritional, organoleptic and functional properties of grain-based products. Consequently thousands of grain-based fermented foods are produced, traded and consumed worldwide. Grain-based fermented foods are the major staple foods for peoples in many developing countries and nowadays they have received a high global demand due to their health promoting properties and it is predicted that in the future more grain-based fermented food products will become available on the market as important health promoting foods. For this reason, new safe fermentation technologies and more systematic research on grain-based fermented foods are of high global importance.