In-Vitro Antileishmanial Activity of Raphanus sativus L. var. caudatus
Pages 242-244
Ishrat Younus and Afshan Siddiq
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2016.12.37
Published: 13 June 2016

Abstract: Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem causing significant morbidity and mortality around the world specially Asia, Africa and Latin America. The present preliminary in-vitro study reports antileishmanial potential of Raphanus sativus L. var. caudatus. Various concentrations of ethanolic extract of plant were used. The tested extract showed noteworthy inhibition (concentration – dependant) of Leishmania promastigotes. The IC₅₀of extract was found to be 39 μg/ml. The results of present study could be helpful in future for antileishmanial therapy.

Influence of Metal ions, Surfactants and Organic Solvents on the Catalytic Performance of Levansucrase from Zymomonas mobilis KIBGE-IB14
Pages 41-46

Sidra Shaheen, Afsheen Aman and Nadir Naveed Siddiqui
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2017.13.07
Published: 16 March 2017

Abstract: A significant progress has been made in discovering and developing new bacterial polysaccharides producing enzymes possessing extremely functional properties. Levan is a natural polymer of fructose linked by β (2→6) glycosidic bond which is produced by transfructosylation reaction in the presence of levansucrase. Among wide range of microorganisms, Zymomonas mobilis is considered as the most promising candidate for the production of extracellular levansucrase. It has potential applications in multiple industries from pharmaceutics, cosmetics to food industries. Determination of levansucrase characteristics is necessary to increase its industrial applications. This concept has directed much interest towards enzyme characterization by observing its effects against different chemicals. The present investigation focused on the characterization of levansucrase by observing its behavior with reference to different metal ions, surfactants and organic solvents. The results showed that these chemicals acted as activators, inhibitors or stabilizers. In metal ions, different activators (K⁺, Na⁺, Cs⁺, Ba⁺², Ca⁺², Cu⁺², Mg⁺² and Mn⁺² ) and inhibitors (Co⁺², Hg⁺² , Fe⁺³and Al⁺³) were investigated. Among them, Hg⁺² found to be strong inhibitor as it inhibits enzyme activity by 92% at 1 mM. Non-ionic surfactants i.e. triton X-100, tween-20 and tween-80 considered as stabilizers while anionic surfactant such as sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) inhibited the enzyme activity by 11%. Moreover, ethanol and methanol stabilized the enzyme activity while other solvents observed as inhibitors or stimulators.

Keywords: Transfructosylation, levan, characterization, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), activators and inhibitors.

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Inclusion of Blend of L-lysine, DL-Methionine and Vitamins D3, E in Diets for Broiler; Effects on Growth Performance, Feed Intake and Conversion and Water Intake.
Pages 185-191
Rani Abro, Abdul Ghaffar, Shahid Hussain Abro,Hakimzadi Wagan, Ahmed Nawaz Tunio, Jameel Ahmed Gandahi, Pershotum Khatri,Huma Rizwana, Riaz Ahmed Leghari, Bakhtawar Wagan and Mohsan Ullah Goraya

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2016.12.27

  Published: 31 March 2016

Abstract: The blend comprising of L-lysine, DL-methionine and vitamins D3, E in diets evaluated for growth performance, water intake, feed consumption and conversion ratio and live body weight in broiler was investigated. The study was performed on 360 day old broiler chickens and divided into four groups i.e. A (control), B,C and D (30 chickens in each group) randomly. The birds were fed blend in the diets; group B (40gm / 50 kg feed), group C (80 gm / 50 kg feed) and group D (120 gm / 50 kg feed). The growth parameters of broilers were significant (P<0.05) high in the diet group D in comparison to C, B and A groups respectively. The broiler in group D consumed more feed (4303.20 g/bird) followed by the broiler in C, B and A groups respectively. The significant difference (P<0.05) was determined in water intake of broilers among the groups. The broiler in group D was gained more live body weight (2301.60 g/bird) followed by the broilers in C (2094.50), B (2009.00) and A (1922.20 g/bird). The broiler in group D resulted superior feed conversion efficiency (1.87); followed by the broilers in group C (1.97). The broiler in groups B and A (control) resulted in lowest feed conversion efficiency (1.99 and 2.00) respectively. Overall, the supplementation of the blend in feed 120gm / 50 kg significantly influence on the feed consumption, water intake, live body weight and growth performance in broiler chickens.

Influence of Rootstocks (Gisela 5, Gisela 6, MaxMa, SL 64) on Performance of ‘0900 Ziraat’ Sweet Cherry
Pages 60-66
Erdal Ağlar and Kenan Yıldız

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2014.10.09

Published: 12 March 2014

Abstract: This study was carried out in order to determine the effect of rootstocks (Gisela 5, Gisela 6, MaxMa 14 and SL 64) on performance of sweet cherry cultivar ‘0 900 Ziraat’ during 2010-2013 years. The trail in randomized block design was established as to factorial design. Each graft combination included 20 trees. The trees was trained as Spanish Bush training system. At the end of study, effect of rootstocks on vegetative growth was found significant. It has been determined that the trees grafted on SL 64 and MaxMa 14 rootstocks were more vigorous than the those grafted on Gisela 5 and Gisela 6. The rootstocks formed significant differences at the precocity. While the first blooming on the trees grafted on Gisela 5 and Gisela 6 rootstocks occurred at the second year after planting, the first blooming on the trees on MaxMa 14 and SL 64 rootstocks occurred at fourth year after planting. It has been determined that occur significant differences on yield per tree and yield efficiency among rootstocks. In terms of yield per tree and yield efficiency, While the lowest value was in SL 64 rootstock, the highest value was recorded in Gisela 5, and it has been determined that the differences between three rootstocks (Gisela 5, Gisela 6 and MaxMa 14) were not significant. While fruits weight varied according to the rootstock used in study, the trees grafted on Gisela 5 had the smallest fruit. Accompanied with differences between MaxMa 14 and SL 64 rootstocks were not significant, the biggest fruits were produced on trees grafted on SL 64 rootstock. As a result of the statistical analysis, it has determined that the rootstocks that used in trial did not create significant differences on soluble solids content (SSC) value. One of the most significant diagnosis was 6 % mortality rate that occurred on trees grafted Gisela 5 and Gisela 6 rootstocks.