jbas

journal-basic-applied-scien

Screening, Production and Optimization of L-Asparaginase From Soil Bacteria Isolated in Ibadan, South-western Nigeria
Pages 39-51
Sherifah M. Wakil and Adesewa A. Adelegan

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2015.11.06

Published: 21 January 2015

Open Access

Abstract: L-Asparaginase producing bacteria were isolated from soil samples under optimum conditions using submerged fermentation. Their abilities to produce asparaginase at different pH, temperature, incubation temperature, utilization of different carbon and nitrogen sources as well as their specific conditions for optimal activity were also investigated. Streptococcus spp. D1, Bacillus polymyxa and Streptococcus spp. D2 showed optimum asparaginase production at pH 8 with activities of 11.6 U/ml, 8.8 U/ml and 7.9 U/ml respectively. The pH 7 was observed as optimum pH for Bacillus firmus (8.8 U/ml) while optimum pH 6 was observed for Bacillus circulans and Paenibacillus validus. Maximum L-asparaginase productivity was attained at a temperature of 45°Cby Bacillus firmus, Streptococcus sp. D1 and Bacillus circulans with activity of 4.6 U/ml, 5.6 U/ml and 3.8 U/ml respectively while 35°C incubation temperature was optimum for Paenibacillus validus and Bacillus polymyxa with enzyme activity of 6.2 U/ml and 6.1 U/ml respectively. Mannitol supported the maximum asparaginase production of Bacillus circulans, Streptococcus sp. D2 and Bacillus polymyxa while maltose was observed as the best carbon source for Streptococcus sp. D1 and Bacillus firmus; and sucrose for Paenibacillus validus. The optimum nitrogen source was casein for Bacillus circulans (7.57 U/ml) and Streptococcus spp. D1 (6.19 U/ml), Yeast extract for Bacillus polymyxa (7.037 U/ml)and Bacillus firmus (5.368 U/ml) while NaNO3 supported optimum L-asparaginase production for Streptococcus sp. D2 (6.006 U/ml) and Paenibacillus validus (4.754 U/ml). At optimum conditions, Bacillus polymyxa had the highest (4.835 U/ml) while Bacillus circulans had the least (2.981 U/ml) asparaginase activity. In all, the bacterial isolates prefers slightly alkaline to alkaline medium (pH 6-8) for optimum asparaginase production.

Keywords: Submerge fermentation, L-asparaginase, enzyme activity, optimum condition.
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Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences

Demarcation of Right of Way (ROW) and Re-Installation of Damaged Markers of Transmission Pipeline in Balochistan, Pakistan through Geomatics Technologies: A Case Study of Zarghun to Quetta High Pressure Natural Gas Supply
Pages 52-61
Zawwar Hussain, Syed Ali Asad Naqvi, Syed Jamil H. Kazmi, Syed Ali Naqi, Muhammad Haneef and Farina Zulfi
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2015.11.07

Published: 21 January 2015

Open Access

Abstract: The alignment of gas pipelines in a rugged terrain has always been a serious challenge around the globe but they can be perfectly aligned with the help of Geo-Spatial technologies. When South Zarghun gas fields were discovered in Pakistan, gas transmission pipeline laying process between gas fields and Quetta city was as challenging task for the Government of Pakistan. Very rough terrain and extreme weather conditions especially in winter season were the two major constraints for the alignment of pipeline. Geomatics survey was essential before transmission pipeline construction work, done twice by private consultant in Pakistan’s local geographic coordinate system. SSGC took decision in 2006 for the construction of pipeline but unfortunately it could not be executed due to law & order situation in Pakistan especially in Balochistan province and later all bench marks of pipeline alignment route were vanished by the locals. In 2012, SSGC again started pipeline construction work on war steps. Previous pipeline alignment survey was converted into existing SSGC’s GIS coordinate system i.e. UTM Zone 42 WGS84 using ESRI ArcGIS software. Identification & re-installation of all bench marks and re-routing of pipeline were done by SSGC GIS survey team with the help of global positioning system (GPS) and satellite data. Finally, right of way (ROW) of transmission pipeline from Zarghun gas fields to Quetta city was designed and produced in the form of GIS map for pipeline construction activities.

Keywords: Geomatics Technologies, Realignment, Land Markers, GPS, ROW, Gas Transmission.
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journal-basic-applied-scien

Evaluation of Prevalence Patterns of Dengue Fever in Lahore District through Geo-Spatial Techniques
Pages 20-30
Syed Ali Asad Naqvi, Syed Jamil H. Kazmi, Saima Shaikh and Maryum Akram

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2015.11.04

Published:14 January 2015

Open Access

Abstract: Dengue and its impacts are growing environmental, economic and health concerns in Lahore. Disease pattern is important to know for better control and effective management, GIS is one of the tested tools and quite efficient for this purpose. In this study, firstly month-wise dengue cases mapping for seven consecutive years (2007-2013) is performed in order to reveal temporal or seasonal pattern of dengue disease in Lahore district. Then a composite analysis was conducted using Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) technique in order to show dengue most affected locations (towns) and in this analysis, all cases of the study period (2007-2013) were appended and visualized by IDW. Temporally, September (6548 cases) was the most dengue affected month of all years whereas February (4 cases) was marked as least affected throughout the dengue incidence period. Endemic Foci is noticed in 2011 most affected months. This cluster of disease is agglomerated near Ravi River and Densely Populated Towns, which further aggravated the incidence of dengue in economically deprived areas. Data Gunj Baksh town was the most affected town and IDW results showed that this town is composite endemic foci where cases were agglomerated most frequently. The reason of prevalence in this town would possibly be due to its more density of population and proximity of Ravi River.

Keywords: GIS, Epidemiology, Disease Pattern, Mapping, Endemic Foci.
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Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences

Rod Like ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized by Simple Cost Effective Chemical Rout
Pages 17-19
Zia-ur-Rehman, S. Rizwan Ali and Humeira Hafeez

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2015.11.03

Published: 14 January 2015

Open Access

Abstract: Chemical synthesis of nanoparticles is thought to be an efficient and cost effective technique. Chemical synthesis of nanoparticles offers good control of morphology and particle size. ZnO nanoparticles with rod like shapes have been synthesized by using simple chemical method. Zinc acetate was used as source of Zn, ethanol was used as solvent and NaoH was used as oxidizing agent. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by using SEM, EDS and XRD. Characterization result reveal the perfect phase transformation of ZnO nanoparticles with rod like morphology.

Keywords: ZnO, nano rods, chemical method, semiconductors.

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