Indexing

Abstract: This work assessed the probiotic potential of “Nunu” using Lactobacillus, a genus of Lactic acid bacteria and a major probiotic organism as the indicator. The viable Lactobacillus counts of samples purchased from six different areas within Lagos Mainland were enumerated by serial dilution and pour plating in selective media, DeMann, Rogosa and Sharpe agar (MRS). Twelve strains of Lactobacillus were randomly selected from the samples and identified by standard morphological, physiological and biochemical methods. The isolates were identified as L. casei, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, L. thermophilus, L. reuteri, L. helviticus, L. delbrueckii, L .brevis. L. cellobiosus, L. fermentum with L. acidophilus occurring the most and elicited the highest count of 421.2 x 10⁶ cfu/ml while L. reuteri has the lowest count of 2.5 x 10⁶ cfu/ml. This indicates that L. reuteri probiotic level is been compromised by count. The isolates were further examined for bacteriocin like activity against E.coli ATCC25922 using agar well diffusion method. After incubation, the zones of inhibition was observed and recorded. Locally fermented milk of probiotic value has bacteriocinogenic property against E.coli although it carries resistant plasmid which can serve as drug resistance when consumed. 
Keywords: Characterization, Fermentation, Identification, Incubation, Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), Lactobacillus, Milk, Nunu.

Title:Identification and Characterization of Lactobacillus Isolates Recovered from Locally Fermented Milk (Nunu) consumed within Lagos Metropolis
Author:Chukwuemeka Amarachi Esther, Igwillo Ugochukwu Clifford, Aigboje Ojemoiniyi
ISSN 2349-7823
International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences (IJRRLS)
Paper Publications

Abstract: A comparative assessment of growth potential of low-cost formulated diet for catfish production was conducted using a low-cost formulated diet and commercial fish feed (Multifeed). An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of the locally-formulated feed and the commercial feed on the weight and length of catfish samples at 3% body weight (b.w) and 5% body weight (b.w) respectively. Forty (40) juvenile catfish samples, with average weight of 8.07g and average length of 10.01cm, were stocked at the rate of 10 fishes per tank (4 tanks in all and 2 tanks per group). Each group has 2 treatments (3% b.w and 5% b.w) for weight and length respectively. 1 group was used for the actual treatments, while the other group was used for control treatments. The fishes in the actual treatments were fed with the low-cost formulated diet while the fishes in the control treatments were fed with commercial fish feed (Multifeed). The duration of the experiment was eight weeks. Results indicated that the average weight of the fishes for control treatments increased from 7.14g – 55.10g for treatment A₁ (3% b.w), from11.43g – 56.60g for treatment A₂ (5% b.w). The mean values for actual treatments for weight of fishes ranged from 6.57g – 32.3g for treatment B₁ (3% b.w) and from 7.14g – 34.50g for treatment B₂ (5% b.w) respectively. The mean values of control treatments of A₁ (3% b.w) and A₂ (5% b.w) for the length of the fishes increased from 10.08cm –19.71cm and 10.93cm – 20.20cm. The treatments B₁ (3% b.w) and B₂ (5% b.w) produced a corresponding increase from 9.54cm – 17.00cm and 9.50cm – 17.80cm respectively. Comparatively, the commercial fish feed showed greater growth potential than the locally-formulated diet for catfish production.

Keywords: Aquaculture, Body weight, Catfish, Commercial fish feed, Fish farming, Local fish feed.

Title: Comparative Assessment of Growth Potential of Low-cost Formulated Diet for Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Production

Author: Udoye Obi Chukwudebelu, Igwillo Ugochukwu Clifford, Chukwuemeka Amarachi Esther

ISSN 2349-7823

International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences (IJRRLS)

Paper Publications (Publisher)

Website: www.paperpublications.org

Abstract:Breeding for disease resistance is a central focus of plant breeding programs, as any successful variety must have the complete package of high yield, disease resistance, agronomic performance, and end-use quality. Wheat breeding is focused on high yield, pathogen resistance and abiotic stress tolerance. Among diseases of wheat yellow rust, stem rust, and leaf rust are the most damaging diseases of wheat and other small grain cereals. Disease resistance in wheat breeding with one exception, the diseases of wheat that are important because of their effect on yield. Resistance to all diseases together can is important to avoid an unexpected loss in effectiveness of the resistance of a cultivar to a major disease. The genetic resistance to stem rust, leaf rust and yellow rust can be characterized as qualitative and quantitative resistances. Vertical resistance is specific to pathogen isolates based on single or very few genes. Race-specific is used to describe resistance that interacts differentially with pathogen races. Quantitative resistance is defined as resistance that varies in continuous way between the various phenotypes of the host population, from almost imperceptible to quite strong. With the need to accelerate the development of improved varieties, genomics-assisted breeding is becoming an important tool in breeding programs. With marker-assisted selection, there has been success in breeding for disease resistance. Generally, breeding programs have successfully implemented molecular markers to assist in the development of cultivars with stem, leaf and stripe rust resistance genes. When new rust resistance genes are to be deployed in wheat breeding programs, it unfortunately takes several years before the new sources of resistance will become available in commercial wheat cultivars. This is due to the long process involved in the establishment of pure breeding wheat lines. Biotechnology based techniques are available to accelerate the breeding process via doubled haploid production.
Keywords:Disease resistance, Qualitative resistance, Quantitative resistance and Wheat breeding.

Title:Wheat Breeding for Disease Resistance: Review
Author:Gadisa Alemu
ISSN 2349-7823
International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences (IJRRLS)
Paper Publications

Abstract:Voluntary Environmental Management (EM) intensified worldwide with the publication of ISO 14001 environmental management systems (EMS) in 1996. However adoption of the standard in developing countries, especially in Kenya has been rather slow. This study aimed at investigating the current status of EM adoption by industries in Kenya, determine key factors that influence its implementation, and evaluate the level of compliance to local environmental regulations. Stratified sampling technique was used to administer questionnaires to 30 industrial establishments in major towns of Kenya. Results showed that industries have developed EMS practices like energy conservation, waste management, Eco-labeling and life cycle assessment. However, 20% of the industries do not have standardized EMS. The major drivers for EM implementation were pollution prevention, cost reduction, international acceptance of products and pressure from customers. Main challenges to its implementation were the initial high investment required, lack of government incentives, long time of certification and voluntary nature of EM. Some industries had, however, made plans of getting certified to ISO 14001 in the near future. It was concluded that certification to voluntary EMS like ISO 14001 was not effective in solving the current state of environment in Kenya, since it is based on “commitment to continual improvement” only instead of being a performance standard. It is therefore recommended that enforcement initiatives should be combined with voluntary education for sustainable development
Keywords:Biological Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, Environmental Permit, Life Cycle Analysis, National Environmental Action Plan and Quality Management System.

Title:INVESTIGATIONS ON IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS BY COMPANIES IN KENYA
Author:VICTOR MUASYA MUTUKU, PROF. GEORGE M. NDEGWA, DR. JACKSON J. KITETU
ISSN 2349-7823
International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences (IJRRLS)
Paper Publications

Abstract:Systemic sclerosis, also known as Systemic Scleroderma is a multisystem disorder characterized by fibrosis of the dermis and vascular abnormalities. It is rare disorder, with an incidence of about 2-8 per 1,000,000 population, and is even more unusual during childhood. It belongs under the spectrum of Scleroderma, a group of disorders that present with indurated patches or plaques on the skin. We are presenting a case of a 6-year-old male with diffuse indurated hidebound skin, Raynaud’s phenomenon, flexion deformity of the digits, microstomia and a beak like nose with onset at 3 years of age. Biopsy revealed prominent sclerosis of the papillary and deep reticular dermis and few to absent adnexal structures in the dermis. Clinical and histological findings of the case were compatible with a diagnosis of Scleroderma.  However, testing of autoantibodies such as anti-nuclear antibodies and anti-Scl70 yielded negative results. Additionally, systemic manifestations like pulmonary or renal involvement, which are often encountered in patients with Systemic Sclerosis, were notably absent in our case. Despite heterogeneity of its presentation, careful medical history, thorough dermatological evaluation and histopathological correlation still remains the cornerstone of diagnosis of Systemic Sclerosis. Finally, a multidisciplinary approach to management cannot be overemphasized in these patients.
Keywords:Systemic sclerosis, scleroderma, autoantibodies.

Title:A Case of Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis in a 6-year-old Filipino Male
Author:Mary Rose M. Maballo MD, Benedicto dL Carpio MD, Eileen Regalado-Morales MD, Amelita Tanglao-de Guzman MD, Armelia Lapitan-Torres MD
ISSN 2349-7823
International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences (IJRRLS)
Paper Publications