Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences

Fruits of Prosopis chilensis and Tetrapleura tetraptera as an alternative against multi-resistant bacteria in lower respiratory tract infections

Jotham Yhi-pênê N’do — 2024-11-29

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium whose global spread poses a significant threat to human health due to its multidrug resistance (MDR). As a result, it is crucial to explore alternative treatments, particularly plant-based drugs, that are considered safe. The fruits of two plants, Tetrapleura tetraptera, and Prosopis chilensis, have been traditionally used to treat infectious diseases. These fruits are well-known for their nutritional and functional properties and their various bioactive compounds. Given these characteristics, the fruits can be effectively used against bacterial species like P. aeruginosa, which are resistant to conventional antibiotics. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of fruit extracts on the multi-resistant bacterium P. aeruginosa PAO1. The research utilized methanolic, hydro-methanolic extracts, and aqueous decoctions of the selected fruits for phytochemical analysis and to assess antioxidant and antibacterial activities, along with acute toxicity. The study employed the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods to examine antioxidant properties. The antibacterial activity was assessed through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum biofilm concentration (BMC), and biofilm formation analysis. The results indicated that the methanolic extracts of P. chilensis and the aqueous decoction of T. tetraptera exhibited high total phenolic contents (135 and 143 mg GAE/g, respectively) and demonstrated the best antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the hydromethanolic extract of T. tetraptera showed the most substantial biofilm inhibition (70.15%) compared to the other extracts from both plants. Importantly, none of the extracts showed signs of toxicity at a dosage of 2000 mg/kg body weight. In conclusion, T. tetraptera and P. chilensis fruits contain compounds responsible for significant antioxidant activity and demonstrate efficacy against P. aeruginosa PAO1. These fruits could be potential candidates for developing phyto-drugs to combat antibacterial resistance in respiratory tract infections.

Development of a portable electrocoagulation unit for on-site treatment of washing machine wastewater

José Carlos Ayuque-Rojas — 2024-11-29

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the electrocoagulation method in treating wastewater from two laundries in the Huancavelica district of Peru, focusing on reducing chemical oxygen demand (COD) and monitoring temperature and pH levels. Over two weeks, treatments were conducted with varying current intensities (15 and 30 Amp/m²) and durations (15 and 40 minutes), mixing speed + time (20 and 40 rpm) alongside a control with 0 Amp/m² and 0 minutes. The initial untreated samples showed high COD levels, highlighting significant organic pollution. The results demonstrated substantial COD reductions across all treatments, with the most effective reduction observed at 15 Amp/m² for 15 minutes, achieving COD levels of 366.50 mg/L in Laundry 1 and 348.50 mg/L in Laundry 2. This significant decrease complies with Supreme Decree No. 010-2019-VIVIENDA, which mandates COD levels below 1000 mg/L for non-domestic wastewater discharges. Temperature and pH variations were also analyzed, revealing that the electrocoagulation process increased the temperature moderately, with averages ranging from 15.15°C to 36.80°C in Laundry 1 and 15.65°C to 34.80°C in Laundry 2. The pH levels remained slightly alkaline, ranging from 8.47 to 10.55 in Laundry 1 and 9.47 to 10.62 in Laundry 2, indicating that the process maintains acceptable alkalinity. In conclusion, the electrocoagulation method effectively reduces COD, maintains moderate temperature increases, and slightly alters pH levels, making it a viable option for treating industrial wastewater. These findings support the potential for electrocoagulation to enhance wastewater management practices, promoting environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance.

Medicinal value of Lippia multiflora Mondenke flowers in the fight of oral and dental infections

Ablassé Rouamba — 2024-11-29

Oral infections pose a significant global health issue. This study assessed the antibacterial properties of methanol and dichloromethane extracts from Lippia multiflora flowers against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 and Streptococcus mutans ATCC 2517, two bacteria known to cause oral infections. The study measured the ability of these flower extracts to inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of S. aureus and S. mutans using micro-dilution and crystal violet methods, respectively. Additionally, we analyzed the presence of secondary metabolites in the extracts both qualitatively and quantitatively. The antioxidant properties of the extracts were evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. The results indicated that the dichloromethane extract demonstrated a more substantial bactericidal effect than the methanolic extract against S. mutans and S. aureus, with minimal bactericidal concentrations of 0.25 ± 0.02 mg/mL and 3.13 ± 0.30 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the dichloromethane extract at a 100 µg/mL concentration exhibited the highest anti-biofilm activity against both S. aureus and S. mutans. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, quinones, and tannins in both extracts. The total phenolic content was higher in the methanolic extract (49.57 ± 2.74 mg EAG/100 mg) compared to the dichloromethane extract (25.71 ± 0.39 mg EAG/100 mg). Similarly, the total flavonoid content was more significant in the methanolic extract (2.87 ± 0.049 mg EQ/100 mg) than in the dichloromethane extract (2.24 ± 0.02 mg EQ/100 mg). The methanolic extract also exhibited superior anti-DPPH and anti-ABTS activities, as well as a higher Fe (III) reduction potential than the dichloromethane extract (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that L. multiflora flowers could serve as a potential source of antimicrobial agents for combating oral infections.

EVALUATION OF ASPERGILLUS NIGER CONTAMINATION AND OCCURRENCE OF CITRININ IN RED CHILLI (CAPSICUM ANNUUM) SAMPLES

Arpita Mishra — 2024-11-29

Numerous Ascomycete fungi produce toxic, low-molecular-weight secondary metabolites known as mycotoxins. Mycotoxin contamination poses a global challenge to food safety, and growing regulatory expectations regarding the presence of mycotoxins in various products have spurred increased research into detecting these toxins in food and animal feed. Mycotoxin contamination has been reported in many significant spices, including chillies. However, most research has focused on aflatoxins as primary contaminants, highlighting the need to investigate other lesser-studied mycotoxins, such as citrinin and patulin. Consequently, the current study aimed to screen for fungal contamination in locally available red chilli varieties and detect the presence of mycotoxins. Random samples of red chilli were collected to isolate and identify the fungi responsible for producing mycotoxins. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were employed to analyze the extracted mycotoxins qualitatively. Morphological and molecular characterization through 18S rRNA sequencing of the isolated samples confirmed the presence of Aspergillus niger in red chilli. HPLC and FTIR analyses of the red chilli samples confirmed the occurrence of citrinin. Very few studies have reported the production of Citrinin by A. niger in red chilli. Further research is necessary to conduct quantitative analyses and assess the effects of citrinin on human health.

Effect of salinity stress on antioxidant activity and secondary metabolites of Piper betle

Abhaya Kumar Sahu — 2024-11-29

Salt stress is the most devastating abiotic stress that drastically limits the productivity and quality of crops. This study assessed the impact of NaCl concentrations (100, 200, and 400 mM) on betel vine's antioxidant activities and secondary metabolites (Piper betle L.). Results of the study suggest that the activity of antioxidative enzymes was enhanced at 100 and 200 mM NaCl levels but reduced at 400 mM NaCl. Further, the GC-MS analysis revealed the increased production of secondary metabolites such as alkane, ester, fatty acid, phenolic, and terpene compounds during salt stress. These findings would be helpful for further investigations that could lead to enhanced production of secondary metabolites in betel vine for industrial and medicinal benefits.

Real-time and in silico-based characterization of the heat stress-responsive gene TaGASR1 from Indian bread wheat

Satish Kumar — 2024-11-29

Wheat is a staple food for 80% of the global population, offering essential protein, calories, and nutrients. Earlier wheat heat interaction studies revealed that increasing temperatures can severely hinder plant growth and development, increasing overall productivity and sensitivity to extreme temperatures during seed emergence and anthesis. In this study, TaGASR1 (gibberellic acid-stimulated regulator 1), a potential candidate for heat stress resistance, was isolated, and its expression was found to be significantly greater in HD3086 wheat than in HD2894 wheat at both the seedling and anthesis stages after exposure to 42 °C heat stress (HS). Furthermore, in silico studies validated the molecular findings, revealing a CDS region of 297 nucleotides with 2 ORFs, with ~93% sequence similarity to the TaGASR1 gene from the TAM107 wheat variety. A 3D model of the target protein was designed using the C8C4P9.1 template, showing 95.92% sequence similarity and 100% query coverage with the gibberellin-stimulated transcript. Furthermore, studies of the conserved motifs and protein-protein interactions of the TaGASR1 protein have identified three major functional partners: cold acclimation proteins, ABA-inducible proteins, and protein phosphatase 2C, emphasizing its role in abiotic stress responses. Hence, the TaGASR1 gene is a promising candidate for further studies, as it positively responds under HS conditions. Therefore, future research should focus on its role across different species to cultivate heat-tolerant varieties, supporting sustainable development amid climate change. This would encourage breeders and researchers to use this gene to advance wheat crop development, considering current and anticipated environmental conditions.

Exploring the Phosphate Solubilising Rhizobacteria isolated from Wild Musa Rhizosphere and their Efficacy on Growth Promotion of Phaseolus vulgaris

Mum Tatung — 2024-11-29

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are recognized for enhancing plant growth, protecting against pathogens, and boosting productivity. The present study focused on isolating PGPR from the rhizosphere of wild Musa, screening for growth-promoting traits, and assessing their effects on the growth of Phaseolus vulgaris L. A total of 20 strains were isolated and evaluated for their capacity to solubilize phosphate, produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), synthesize siderophores, and their tolerance to salt and heavy metals. Among 20 isolates, four most effective isolates were selected and based on 16S rRNA sequencing these isolates were identified as: Burkholderia cepacia (RZ27), Agrobacterium larrymoorei (RZ23), Pseudomonas taiwanensis (RZ5), and Pseudomonas orientalis (RZ3). P. orientalis exhibited the highest phosphate solubilization ability (222.17 µg/ml), followed closely by B. cepacia (222.80 µg/ml), A. larrymoorei (71.57 µg/ml), and P. taiwanensis (19.20 µg/ml). Isolate RZ27 demonstrated the greatest salt tolerance at 14%, followed by RZ5 and RZ23 (10% each) and RZ3 (6%). Notably, only isolate RZ23 produced IAA, while all isolates except RZ27 could produce siderophores. The highest siderophore production was recorded with RZ23 (33.34% siderophore production unit, SPU), followed by RZ3 (29.07 SPU) and RZ5 (27.20 SPU). A. larrymoorei and P. orientalis showed the highest chromium tolerance (1840 µg/ml), followed by B. cepacia (1810 µg/ml) and P. taiwanensis (1300 µg/ml). There was a noticeable enhancement in plant growth when P. vulgaris was inoculated with the PGPR strains. Among the four isolates, RZ3 significantly increased both shoot and root lengths and biomass compared to the control; meanwhile, isolate RZ23 improved shoot fresh weight. These findings suggest that these isolates have the potential to be used as bioinoculants to improve plant development.

Introgressing photoperiod/thermo-sensitive genic male sterile gene into Basmati 370 rice

Beatrice Nyarangi Nyankemba — 2024-11-29

The emasculation of male gametes in pollen-recipient parents among self-pollinated crops (rice) is key to producing quality hybrid rice seeds. One of the emasculation tools in rice breeding is the photoperiod-thermo sensitive genic male sterility (P/TGMS) method, which ultimately requires long daylight length and high-temperature growth conditions to induce male gametes sterility. Using the P/TGMS method to produce hybrid Basmati rice seeds has been slow because no commercial line has been developed. Crossing the Basmati rice line with a non-aromatic rice line produces F₁ with non-basmati quality traits. This study aimed to introgress the p/tgms12-1 gene into Basmati 370 by treating P/TGMS lines (IR-7327-2376-157S and IR-75589-31-27833S) with daytime temperatures (>33ºC) under a polythene greenhouse to emasculate pollen and cross-pollinating them with Basmati 370. Marker-assisted backcrossing was used to develop the BC₁F₂Basmati breeding lines evaluated for pollen sterility and agro-morphological traits. Pollen sterility was tested by staining with 1% iodine potassium-iodide solution (I₂KI), in which fertile and sterile pollen grains were stained with blue-black and yellow-pink dyes, respectively. The acquisition of near-complete pollen sterility among female parents is a manifestation of the greenhouse temperatures effectively emasculating pollen in P/TGMS parents and BC₁F₂. Analysis of variance on agro-morphological data showed significantly better agro-morphological traits in BC₁F₂ than the parents and significantly higher pollen sterility in P/TGMS lines than Basmati 370 (P≤0.05). The presence of the fgr gene in BC₁F₂ lines was confirmed using SSR markers, and the hybrids had both homozygous aromatic and heterozygous non-aromatic traits, the successful development of BC₁F₂ with p/tgms12-1 and fgr genes. The results obtained from this study are a major milestone towards improving Basmati rice yields in Kenya using hybrid seeds.

ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF CABBAGE PRODUCTION UNDER DIFFERENT IRRIGATION LEVELS AND SOIL AMENDMENTS IN A SEMI-ARID ENVIRONMENT

Kuume B. P. ENGUWA — 2024-11-29

Crop production in small-scale farming communities in semi-arid Central Namibia faces significant challenges due to the high costs associated with irrigation and fertilizers. This study evaluated the impact of different irrigation levels (full and reduced) and six types of soil amendments—biochar, compost, zeolite, NPK, Be-Grow Boost (L) hydrogel, hoof and horn combined with a bone meal (HHB meal), and control on the economic benefits of cabbage production and assessed their feasibility. In the first experiment, irrigation was implemented at 79.6 m³ (100% of the water requirement) for four days a week, classified as full irrigation, and at 39.6 m³ (50% of the water requirement) for two days a week, termed reduced irrigation. Among the fully irrigated treatments, Be-Grow Boost (L) hydrogel, zeolite, and NPK demonstrated the highest Benefit-Cost Ratios (BCRs) at 3.81, 3.67, and 3.65, respectively. In the second experiment, irrigation schedules were adjusted to five and four days per week, using a total of 136.0 m³ (170% of the water requirement) and 124.8 m³ (150% of the water requirement) of water. The compost, HHB meal, and NPK application rates were also modified. The fully irrigated Be-Grow Boost (L) hydrogel, NPK, and reduced irrigation with HHB meal achieved the highest and comparable yields of marketable cabbage heads per hectare, with BCRs of 3.43, 3.24, and 3.29, respectively. In conclusion, utilizing fully irrigated Be-Grow Boost (L) hydrogel, NPK, and reduced irrigation with HHB meal could be effective practices for sustainable crop production in the semi-arid, sandy soil conditions typical of Central Namibia. Moreover, local biochar production could enhance sustainability by reducing overall production costs.

Innovations in Soil Health Monitoring: Role of Advanced Sensor Technologies and Remote Sensing

Jorge Luis Huere-Peña — 2024-11-29

Soil health monitoring is essential for sustainable agricultural practices and effective environmental management. Recent sensor technologies and remote sensing innovations have transformed how we assess soil health, providing real-time and precise data that enhance decision-making processes. This review focuses on integrating advanced sensor technologies, like Internet of Things (IoT) devices, alongside remote sensing techniques, including drones and satellite imagery, in soil science. These technologies enable continuous monitoring of critical soil parameters, such as moisture levels and nutrient content, significantly improving the accuracy and efficiency of soil health evaluations. Additionally, remote sensing provides a comprehensive overview of soil conditions across large areas, allowing for the identification of spatial patterns and temporal changes that traditional methods may overlook. Various case studies from agricultural and environmental projects demonstrate the practical benefits and the challenges of implementing these innovations. The article also discusses future trends and potential obstacles, highlighting the need for further research and development to exploit these technologies' capabilities fully. Ultimately, advanced sensors and remote sensing promise to improve soil health monitoring, contributing to more sustainable and productive agricultural systems.