African Journal of Biochemistry Research最新文献

{"title":"Shea butter extraction technologies: Current status and future perspective","authors":"Iddrisu Abdul-Mumeen, Didia Beauty, A. Adam","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2018.1007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2018.1007","url":null,"abstract":"Shea butter is a high–value shea nut fat used as an edible oil, antimicrobial and moisturiser in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, respectively. The annual worldwide export of shea nut from Africa is 350,000 MT of kernels with a market value of approximately $120 million to producing countries. The multifunctional properties of the shea butter depend strictly on its compositional properties: the peroxide value, moisture content, free fatty acid level and the insoluble impurities. Standard extraction technologies: the traditional, mechanized, enzymatic and chemical methods were used for shea butter extraction. Current extraction technologies which rely on different extraction parameters for shea butter extraction are yet to yield the desired qualities and efficiencies of butter. Application of hydrolysing enzymes during enzyme extraction however eliminates the laborious, tedious and labour–intensive extraction processes creating alternative, selective and mild extraction conditions. The current review gives an overview of shea butter extraction technologies, the efficiencies, qualities and a perspective into the shea butter industry. \u0000 \u0000   \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Shea butter, mechanical, chemical, traditional, enzymatic, technologies.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74017720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of metabolic syndrome with the risk of developing liver disease in chronic hepatitis B patients","authors":"J. Dongsogo, Christopher Larbie","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2017.0956","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2017.0956","url":null,"abstract":"Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of abnormal glucose and lipid metabolic parameter that increases ones risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Metabolic profiles have been linked to progression of varying stages of liver disease in chronic hepatitis B infection. The main objective of this prospective cross sectional study was to establish a link between metabolic syndrome indicators and markers of progression of liver disease in chronic hepatitis B infection. This could provide data leading to an alternative to managing the complications of chronic hepatitis B infection by possibly targeting metabolic precursors and their pathways which will be more targeting, sensitive and has minimal treatment complications than the conventional treatment regimes. In all, 200 chronic hepatitis B patients were sampled of which 100 met the United State National Cholesterol Education Program –Adult Treatment Panel III (US NCEP ATP III) 2005 criterion for metabolic syndrome. Anthropometric data and biochemistry analysis were performed. Obesity and dyslipidemia markers except HDL were higher in metabolic syndrome while haematological makers except WBC were lower in metabolic syndrome. Markers of liver carcinogenesis were generally higher in metabolic syndrome and strongly associated (p=0.01) with initial hepatocellular necrosis and cirrhosis stages of liver carcinogenesis than the intermediary fibrosis stages suggesting virologic mechanism may be responsible more for the fibrosis than metabolic factors. Metabolic syndrome was associated with the developing of various hepatitis B related liver complications. A long term study to elucidate viral genomic and dietary contributions to liver complications due to hepatitis B is necessary. \u0000 \u0000   \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, carcinogenesis, anthropometry, chronic hepatitis, dyslipidemia, haematological, hepatocellular, fibrosis.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"58 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86598298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Studies on some physicochemical properties of Rhodanese synthesized by Bacillus cereus isolated from the effluents of iron and steel smelting industry","authors":"B. Itakorode, R. Okonji, O. Adedeji, N. Torimiro, C. Onwudiegwu, Ademakinwa Oluwaseyi","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2018.1014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2018.1014","url":null,"abstract":"The study purified and investigated the physicochemical properties of rhodanese (a cyanide detoxifying enzyme) synthesized by Bacillus cereus. This was with a view to producing an industrially important enzyme. The bacterial strain was identified as B. cereus by sequencing of its 16SrRNA gene. B. cereus rhodanese was purified with a fold of 3.53, yield of 36.80% and specific activity of 25.30 µmol/min/mg protein. The molecular weight determined on SDS-PAGE was 33.800 kDa. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity at 9.0 pH and 50°C. The Kms of B. cereus rhodanese for sodium thiosulphate and potassium cyanide were 19.9 ± 1.05 and 31.4 ± 1.55 mM respectively, while Vmax were 6.19 ± 0.40 and 4.83 ± 0.93 RU/ml respectively. The substrate specificity study using different sulphur compounds showed that the enzyme prefers sodium thiosulphate. The enzyme showed stability at a temperature range of 40-50°C. At 10 mM concentration, metals such as (BaCl2, CaCl2, MnCl2, and SnCl2) had little influence on the enzyme activity while NaCl and HgCl2 inhibited enzyme activity. The presence and biochemical properties of B. cereus rhodanese suggest its possible application in cyanide detoxification. \u0000 \u0000   \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Bacillus cereus, isolate, cyanide, purification, rhodanese, kinetics.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77238534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the effect of vitamin C on caspase 9 and oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis patients","authors":"M. Amira, K. G. Nagah, E. Nadia, A. Ayman, A. S. Abeer","doi":"10.5897/ajbr2018.0992","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/ajbr2018.0992","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"53 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76234046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"New insight on premature atherosclerosis in Egyptian children with -thalassemia major","authors":"A. Hoda, Said Zakaria Soha, Mohamed Elbatch Manal, R. Mohamed, A. Samia","doi":"10.5897/ajbr2018.1005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/ajbr2018.1005","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"166 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72667230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lipase in biodiesel production","authors":"Onyinyechukwu J. Chioke, C. Ogbonna, C. Onwusi, J. Ogbonna","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2018.0999","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2018.0999","url":null,"abstract":"Although fossil fuels have been serving mankind for several centuries, their exploration and use bring about several environmental problems. Besides, fossil fuels are neither renewable nor sustainable. There is therefore a need to search for renewable alternatives which are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Biodiesel, chemically known as methyl ester, is a renewable and sustainable biofuel used to run diesel engines and it is mainly produced by transesterification through either chemical or enzymatic catalysis. Enzyme catalyzed transesterification has several advantages over chemical catalysis. However, enzyme production and purification are expensive and the inability to recycle these enzymes has limited their application in large scale bioconversion processes. This review highlights some of the strategies employed to reduce the cost of lipase catalzsed transesterificaion, some important feed stocks used in biodiesel production, methods of processing biodiesel, and advantages of enzymatic transesterification over chemical catalyzed transesterification. The properties and sources of lipase enzymes used in enzyme catalyzed transesterfication are also highlighted and discussed. Factors that affect enzyme catalyzed transesterification are also discussed. It also highlights the possible methods of solving the problems encountered in enzymatic transesterification.   Key words: Biodiesel, transesterification, lipase, enzymes, catalysis, immobilization.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83849853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The interplay between paraoxonase-1 and epigenetic changes in colorectal carcinoma","authors":"A. El-Tokhy, El-deen Doaa Hussein Zin, A. Foda, G. Moussa, El-Noeman Saad El-Din Abd el-fatah Abo","doi":"10.5897/ajbr2018.0990","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/ajbr2018.0990","url":null,"abstract":"Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death. Colorectal mucosa has high levels of oxidative stress (OS) landmarks. OS has deleterious effect on cell structures as lipids, proteins and DNA. Markers of protein oxidation are named as advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) which have been considered as novel disease biomarkers. OS may also induce DNA damage which leads to mutation of chromosomes. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and Arylesterase (ARE) metabolize different substrates and act as antioxidant enzymes. Disruption of epigenetic processes can lead to altered gene function and malignant transformation. Altered expression of genes that encode histone deacetylase (HDACs) are linked to tumor development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the PON1 and ARE activities in CRC patients and to assess the epigenetic fingerprint via estimation of HDAC. The study was carried out on 30 CRC patients. After excision of tumor, segments were divided into two groups: group A (Control group) included parts taken from safety margin; Group B: (CRC group) subdivided into 3 grades, grade I: well differentiated tumor, grade II: moderately differentiated tumor, and grade III: poor differentiated tumor. CRC groups showed elevation of OS landmarks (AOPPs and DNA damage), HDACs activity and significant decrease in the level of PON1 and activities of PON1 and ARE. The histopathological results were correlated with the laboratory results. It was concluded that the damage of AOPPs and DNA is novel biomarkers in diagnosis of CRC; PON1 is important protective antioxidant enzyme and HDAC activity estimation is a promising line in CRC diagnosis. \u0000 \u0000   \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Colorectal cancer, epigenetics, oxidative stress, advanced oxidation protein products, paraoxonase 1, arylesterase, histone deacetylase enzyme.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75351618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (A-376/202) in homozygous sickle cell patients in Senegal and its clinical impact","authors":"Doupa Dominique, Boye Ousseynou, Ndiaye Maguette, D. Mamadou, M. Pape, Mohamed Seck Sidy, Makalou Demba, Lam Aminata, Pierre Diouf Marie, Ndiaye Arame, Felix Faye Blaise, Thiam Souleymane, Samba Abdourahmane, Diallo Fatou, Madiéye Gueye Papa, Diatta Alassane, F. Babacar, D. Ibrahima, Diop Saliou","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2018.0988","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2018.0988","url":null,"abstract":"Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common worldwide enzymopathy with approximately 400 million individuals affected. This inherited disease is sex-linked recessive inheritance. The high prevalence of certain variants of G6PD in different populations and ethnic groups increases the likelihood of finding associations with other pathologies. Sickle cell disease and thalassemia are the most common pathologies associated with G6PD deficiency. The aim of this study was firstly to study the prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (A-376/202) by molecular analysis in homozygous sickle cell patients, and secondly to study the influence of this association on the clinical severity of the disease. In a cross-sectional study, 100 patients aged 15 years with homozygous sickle cell disease in the stationary phase regularly monitored in a National Center for Blood Transfusion were included over a six-month period stretching from September 2015 to February 2016. An EDTA sampling tube was taken from each patient for the study of hematological parameters and a molecular study for the detection of mutations 376 and 202. Clinical, epidemiological and biological variables were collected using a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Epi-info 7.2. The results of the study showed that the variant A- characterized by a double mutation (376/202) was found with a frequency of 13% (13/100) with a clear male predominance (p ˂ 0.006). Variant A- was statistically significantly associated with cholelithiasis (p˂0.031). This study is of therapeutic interest since the recognition of G6PD-deficient sickle cell disease would make it possible to take adequate preventive measures with respect to the taking of oxidizing drugs. \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, sickle cell disease, stationary phase, Senegal.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76862207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacteriostatic and Bactericidal effects of ethyl acetate root bark extract of Terminalia avicennioides on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus","authors":"Ekene Ugochukwu Adim, E. Dingwoke, F. Adamude, C. Edenta, N. Nwobodo, R. Offiah, Ifeanyi Peter Onyeka, Ikenna Nnamdi Ezeaku","doi":"10.5897/ajbr2017.0981","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/ajbr2017.0981","url":null,"abstract":"Root bark extract of Terminalia avicennioides was obtained by cool maceration with 750 ml n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol, independently for 48 h using soxhlet extractor. ATCC 33591 standard strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was used. Strain resistance to methicillin/oxacillin antibiotic was verified by a retest of its sensitivity to oxacillin antibiotic. The antimicrobial test and zone of inhibition were determined using the agar well diffusion method. The isolated bioactive fractions of the extract were subjected to FTIR and GC-MS analysis. Results revealed both fractions; (TLb4 and TLb17) were both bacteriostatic and bactericidal. The growth of MRSA was inhibited at extract concentrations of 60, 120, 180 and 240 µg/ml, within the susceptible range of ≥ 14 mm, with a mean inhibitory zone sensitivity of 14 mm at 60 µg/ml, 15.76 mm at 120 µg/ml and 15.33 mm at 180 µg/ml for fraction TLb4 and 15.33 mm at 60 µg/ml, 17.33 mm at 120 µg/ml and 20 mm at 180 µg/ml for TLb17 (≥ 14 mm). GC-MS detected oleic acid and analogs of palmitic acid as pharmacological active compounds of both fractions. FTIR showed the presence of alkyl halides. These bioactive agents revealed could be effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of MRSA. \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Methicillin-resistant, Staphylococcus aureus, inhibition, bacteriostatic, bactericidal, Terminalia avicennioides.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87010349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biochemical characterisation of soybean germplasms with respect to bioavailable iron and zinc, vitamin A and crude protein","authors":"T. Akande, F. N. Onyezili, J. Ikwebe","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2016.0881","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2016.0881","url":null,"abstract":"Soybean germplasms were assessed for bioavailable zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), vitamin A and crude protein using standard methods. Thirty soybean germplasms were investigated. Results were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and showed statistically significant differences in their Zn, Fe and vitamin A concentrations, as well as in crude protein content (P < 0.05). The Zn content ranged from 5.74 ± 0.04 to 18.15 ± 0.05 mg/100 g. TGX 1987-62F had the highest amount of Zn (18.15 ± 0.05 mg/100 g), while TGX 1485-1D had the least Zn concentration (5.74 ± 0.04 mg/100 g). The concentration of the Fe ranged from 6.65 ± 0.05 to 11.58 ± 0.05 mg/100 g with TGX 1987-62F showing the highest (11.58 ± 0.05 mg/100 g) and TGX 1987-10F the least (6.65 ± 0.04 mg/100 g) Fe concentrations. Investigation of the vitamin A content showed that TGX 1951-4F had the highest (8.83 ± 0.03 mg/L), while TGX 1989-53F had the least (2.48 ± 0.01 mg/L) vitamin A levels. Crude protein content ranged from 35.40 ± 0.09 to 57.92 ± 0.02%. TGX 1989-11F (57.92 ± 0.02%) showed the highest crude protein content, while TGX 1990-55F showed the least crude protein content (35.40 ± 0.09%). The germplasm TGX 1987-62F consistently showed high levels of crude protein, Zn and Fe concentrations, but moderate levels of vitamin A, whereas TGX 1989-11F and TGX 1951-4F had the highest levels of crude protein and vitamin A, respectively. No direct correlation with earlier observed genetic and morphological variabilities were observed in terms of bioavailable Fe and Zn, vitamin A and crude protein levels in these soybean germplasms. These genotypes can be widely used in the food industry for the commercial production of high quality protein diet for both human and animal consumption, and can be recommended as good sources of the micronutrients Fe, Zn and vitamin A. \u0000 \u0000   \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Soybean, diversity, micronutrients, crude protein, iron, zinc, vitamin A.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"53 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90855819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}