Advances in Food Science and Technology

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 001-009, May, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Biochemical evaluation of mineral and some anti-nutritional constituents of Aspergillus niger aged Chrysophyllum albidum seed meal

*Adebayo V. Kunle, Osinbajo Daniels and Gbenga M. F

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Accepted 12 January, 2016

Abstract

Effect of fermentation using Aspergillus niger on some mineral and anti-nutritional constituents of Chrysophyllum albidum seed meal was carried out. Levels of the some minerals and anti-nutritients (like tannin, oxalate, saponin, phytate and cyanide) of the raw and fermented seed meal were determined. The percentage nutritional concentrations (%) in the raw seed were: tannin (6.23 ± 0.01), oxaloacetate (48.39 ± 0.14), saponin (1.58 ± 0.01), phytate (0.76 ± 0.03) and cyanide (1.07 ± 0.32). While level of mineral element concentrations (%) of significantly (p<0.05) high values in the raw seed where: sodium (74.13 ± 0.07), potassium (61.15 ± 1.25), phosphorus (40.76 ± 0.28) and iron (43.10 ± 0.35ppm). Fermentation however, significantly reduced levels of the anti-nutrients (like phytate, oxalate, tannin, saponin and cyanide) and minerals (like phosphorus, sodium, copper and zinc), but increased significantly, levels of minerals (like calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron) in the C. albidum seed meal. Hence the fermentation significantly (p<0.05) improved the nutritional quality of C. albidum seed meal.

Key words: Fermentation, Aspergillus niger, Chrysophyllum albidum seeds, minerals, anti-nutrients.

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 4 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Natural product borne mycoflora of Capsicum annum L (pepper), Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench (okra), and Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (tomato) from Accra city

*Albert Casely, Kwame E. Kotaka and Emmanuel V. Pele

Department of Forestry Research, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

Accepted 19 September, 2015

Abstract

Fungal species composition on fresh Capsicum annum L, Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench, and Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. obtained from Madina, Makola, Mallam Atta and Agbogbloshie markets in the Accra metropolis were studied. Using two media types Potato dextrose agar (PDA) and dichloran-glycerin (DG18) agar, a total of 18 fungal species belonging to 8 genera were isolated from surface sterilized and non sterilized fruits. From fruits of all four markets, species in the genera Aspergillus (5 species), Cladosporium (2 species), Fusarium (3 species), Penicillium (4 species), Mucor (1 species), Neurospora (1 species), Trichoderma (1 species) and Yeasts species were isolated. The highest (2.79 log10 CFU/g) microbial load of fungi was recorded in samples of pepper obtained from Agbogbloshie market on PDA medium whilst the least fungal load (1.69 log10CFU/g) was resident on tomato samples from Makola and Mallam Atta markets isolated on DG18. A. flavus was the most common species occurring on all the fruits from all the markets surveyed. The fresh fruits therefore ought to be handled properly to eliminate or minimize mycofloral contaminants which may prevent seed germination and its adverse effect on humans in the event of toxin production.

Key words: Mycoflora, fungal load, conidia, fruits.

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Effects of heat stress changes in steroid hormone concentrations in peripheral blood of Cattle

*Nasim B. Karimi, Ali Daei Bahar and Abbas Bazargan

Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, P.O.BOX # 31587-4111 Karaj. Iran.

Accepted 10 December, 2015

Abstract

In dairy cows inseminated during the hot months of the year, there is a decrease in fertility. Different factors contribute to this situation; the most important are a consequence of increased temperature and humidity that result in a decreased expression of overt estrus and a reduction in appetite and dry matter intake. Heat stress reduces the degree of dominance of the selected follicle and this can be seen as reduced steroidogenic capacity of its theca and granulosa cells and a fall in blood estradiol concentrations. Plasma progesterone levels can be increased or decreased depending on whether the heat stress is acute or chronic, and on the metabolic state of the animal. These endocrine changes reduce follicular activity and alter the ovulatory mechanism, leading to a decrease in oocyte and embryo quality. The uterine environment is also modified, reducing the likelihood of embryo implantation. Systems activated by heat stress can influence reproduction at the hypothalamus, pituitary gland or gonads. However, the major impact is thought to be within the brain or at the pituitary gland. Measurement of plasma concentrations of the gonadotrophins provides a good indication of the effects at these higher levels, since the pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) is a reflection of the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus. Both the secretion and actions of GnRH are influenced by the feedback actions of gonadal sex steroids and inhibin. Recent studies suggest that the use of gonadotropins to induce follicular development and ovulation can decrease the severity of seasonal postpartum infertility in dairy cows.

Key words: Reproductive hormones, dairy cow and heat stress.

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 3 (12), pp. 001-008, December, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study on aflatoxins and heavy metals in some poultry feeds obtained from the local market in Saudi Arabia

*Ahmed Al-Waleed Salman, Talal Abdulaziz and Ameera Al Gosaibi

Department of Plant Production and Protection, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Bureidah, Saudi Arabia.

Accepted 19 August, 2015

Abstract

Aflatoxins and heavy metals were investigated in some poultry feed samples used as starter, grower, developer, layer, rabbit feed and bran which obtained from the local market at Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. The results indicated that different amounts of aflatoxins were found in the analyzed samples. They reached peak values of 70.6, 46.38 and 50.88 µg/kg sample for aflatoxin B1, G1, and G2, respectively, however aflatoxin B2 was generally less than 2.0 µg/kg. The study showed that the levels of aflatoxins were generally below the permissible levels (100 - 200 µg/kg). The results, also indicated that different levels of lead, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, zinc, manganese, iron and copper were detected in all samples. They ranged from 0.10 - 3.21, 0.004 - 0.249, 0.14 - 1.82, 4.57 - 37.6, 9.77 - 42.93, 0.51 - 55.38, 0.43 - 10.20, 3.78-  5.18, and 0.45 - 3.26 mg/kg for lead, cadmium, cobalt, zinc, manganese, iron, copper, chromium and nickel, respectively. The high levels of zinc, copper, manganese and iron may reflecting the deliberate addition of these metals to meet animal nutrient requirements. Cadmium levels were less than the permissible limit of 0.5 mg/kg in US feeds. Lead levels in most feed sample exceeded the permissible limit of < 1 mg/ kg in UK. However, they lower than the allowed lead content in feed ingredients according to the current official regulations (10 mg/ kg).

Key words: Aflatoxin, heavy metals, feeds, poultry, monitoring.