Asian Journal of Biology

Pear Production (Pyrus communis L.) in Jerusalem, Palestine

Jehad M. H. Ighbareyeh — 2024-03-22

Pear is a tree belonging to the Rosaceae family, sensitive to different environmental conditions. It is spread in East and West Asia, America and the European Union, and its production has an economic role for many countries of the world, including Palestine. Average annual temperatures and precipitation were analyzed using data from the Palestinian Meteorological Station affiliated with the city of Jerusalem, which was recorded between the years (1993-2014), and equal to the number of years of pear production, noting that the data for pear production was taken from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. On the other hand, we used Professor Salvador Ravers Martins' methodology to classify the Earth in the process of analyzing environmental factors, there are two aspects of the factors: The first is climatic, which is the amount of rain or precipitation, mean monthly temperature and soil water reserve, and the second factor is the bioclimatic, which is annual ombrothermic index, simple continentality index, compensated thermicity index, and water deficit.

Moreover, we used Professor Salvador Rivers Martinez's methodology for classifying the land in the process of analyzing dependent and independents factors (environmental factors). There are two aspects to the factors: First is climatic, precipitation, mean monthly temperature and soil water reserve, and the second factor (bioclimatic factor), as simple continentality thermicity index, annual ombrothermic index, water deficit and compensated thermicity index.

Water Quality and Growth Performance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Chia (Salvia hispanica) and Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus) in a Media-based Aquaponics System

Zipporah Gichana — 2024-03-22

High ammonia levels in enclosed fish production systems negatively impact fish growth and hinder optimum production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the (i) biofiltration potential of chia (Salvia hispanica) and lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) (ii) the influence of the plant filters on water quality and fish growth in an aquaponic system. Treatments included a control-without plants, S. hispanica, and C. citratus aquaponic systems. The study was conducted for 3 months in Aqualife fish farm, Machakos, Kenya. Water quality parameters, growth performance of fish and plants were monitored during the experiment. The plant treatments significantly (P< 0.05) reduced ammonia levels compared to the control (0.07 ± 0.17 mgL^-1). There was a remarkable 32-fold decrease in ammonia compared to the hydroponic inlet. Planted aquaponic systems significantly (P < 0.05) reduced nitrite and nitrate concentrations compared to the control, indicating effective nutrient cycling and improved water quality. Notably, both S. hispanica (115. 5 ± 3.2 g) and C. citratus (130.3 ± 3.32 g) systems significantly (P < 0.05) boosted the growth performance of O. niloticus compared to the control (113. 5 ± 3.2 g). C. citratus performed better (450 ± 9.17 g) than S. hispanica (217.6 ± 2.52 g). These findings highlight the potential of the plants as sustainable and efficient biofilters, enhancing overall aquaponic system performance and contributing to a more productive and environmentally friendly approach to food production.

Enhanced Bioavailability and Efficacy of Bacopa Extract and Ebelin Lactone: Preparation and Biological Evaluation

Devaraj Reddy KN — 2024-04-01

Although Bacopa monnieri extract is well known for its cognitive and memory support, it has received minimal attention in pharmacy due to its terrible palatability and poor bioavailability. This study aimed to develop an improved, cost-effective, and eco-friendly process for the preparation of stable and highly bioavailable non-hygroscopic bacosides enriched fraction in such a manner that it contains a specific amount of Bacoside A3 and jujubogenin, and the aglycone derivative (Ebelin lactone). We prepared two compositions 1 and 2 having Bacoside A3 and jujubogenin: Ebelin lactone ratios 1:1 and 3:1 respectively. The efficacy of these herbal compositions was evaluated independently in comparison to the bioactivity of bacosides (20%), bacosides (50%), and Ebelin lactone. This study also aimed to find a wide range of potential activities of formulated composition, including acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor activity, anti-oxidant activity, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor activity, and anti-cancer activity. We noted that both compositions worked better than parent Bacopa for biological activity assays but the herbal Bacopa Composition 1 is more potent than Composition 2. Hence, further research on Composition 1 should be explored for its potential to treat conditions such as Alzheimer's and various cancer diseases.

Evaluation of the Floristic, Phytosociological and Geographic Characteristics of the Understorey of an Ex-plantation of Guarrea cedrata (A Chev.) in the Yangambi DR. Congo

Jean Trésor Bokanga — 2024-04-03

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the floristic diversity, phytosociological spectra and geographical characteristics of the understorey of the old abandoned plantation of the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve, using the Martineau and Blanc-étoc silvicultural methods. This was done to fill gaps in our knowledge of the latter. The experimental setup consisted of 50*50 m (Martineau method, 2023) and 50*50 m (Blanc-étoc, 2023). All undergrowth species with a diameter of 5.0 cm or greater were inventoried using Letouzey's [1] established technique. Technical abbreviations were clearly explained upon first use. The websites www.tropicos.org and www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa and the catalogue-flora of vascular plants in the Kisangani and Tshopo districts of the DR Congo were consulted to determine the phytosociological and geographical spectrum. After analysis, it is apparent that the Strombosio-Parinarietea species carry more significance than other varieties found in Martineau and Musanga-Terminalietea in Blanc-étoc. Compared to the other vegetation types studied, our observations show that the endemic species from Guinea and Congo are more abundant in the understorey. Consequently, the study shows a complete geographical convergence, while phytosociologically there is a complete divergence between the two silvicultural methods observed.

Impact of Irrigation Water on the Bacteriological Quality of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in the Market Garden Zone of Niamey, Identification of Enterobacteria

Almou Abdoulaye Alio — 2024-04-05

The urban community of Niamey is characterized by a prodigious development of urban and peri-urban agriculture. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is one of the main crops grown in these urban and peri-urban areas. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of irrigation water on the bacteriological quality of lettuce produced in the market gardening zone of the Niamey city. Three (3) market garden sites were studied (Harobanda (site 1), Gamkallé (site 2) and Gounti yéna (site 3). Eighteen (18) lettuce samples and twenty-nine (29) irrigation water samples were taken from the market garden sites and subjected to microbiological analysis using conventional methods appropriate to each indicator. Thus, five (5) indicators of contamiantion were searched, Total Mesophilic Aerobic Flora (TMAF), total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC), enterobacteria (Ent), Faecal streptococci (FS), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Clostridium perfringens (CP). The results showed that irrigation water samples from site 1 were highly contaminated with Total Coliforms (TC) and Faecal Coliforms (FC) (3.65±7.88.10⁶ and 1.41±3.04. 10⁶ CFU/100ml respectively), those from site 2 by Faecal Streptococci (FS) (1.19±2.03.10⁵ CFU/100ml) and from site 3 by Enterobacteria (Ent) (1.61±2.37.10⁸ CFU/100ml) and Escherichia coli (8.22±11.86.10⁵ CFU/100ml). Thus, lettuce samples from site 1 are more contaminated with TC (5.32±8.32.10⁶ CFU/g) and Ent (3.10±0.95.10⁷ CFU/g). Faecal coliforms (1.35±1.13.10⁶ CFU/g) and faecal streptococci (5.30±8.21.10⁵ CFU/g) predominate on the site2 and finally site3 is more contaminated with E. coli (2.43±0.38.10⁵ CFU/g). However, enterobacteria species such as Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter sakazakii, Escherichia coli1, Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp ozaenae, Pantoea spp 1, Proteus mirabilis, Raoultella terrigena, Salmonella enterica arizonae, Salmonella spp, Serratia liquefaciens, Serratia marcescens and Serratia odorifera1 were identified in irrigation water samples and lettuce at these sites. In fact, the quality of the irrigation water is not suitable for irrigation, and strongly influences the contamination of the lettuce produced by the bacteria. Consumption of this lettuce without the minimum of precautions could prove dangerous to consumers.

Mycological Assessment of Selected Swimming Pools of Recreational Centers around the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Joseph C. Onyemachi — 2024-04-11

Aims: This study was carried out to determine the physicochemical properties and mycological safety of four swimming pools within and around the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Study Design: Random sampling design was employed.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology Laboratory, University of Port Harcourt, between August and October, 2023.

Methodology: A total of 8 samples were collected before and after patronage by patrons from 4 swimming pool. Standard methods were employed for the physicochemical parameters such as pH, turbidity and residual chlorine as well as the enumeration for fungi using potato dextrose agar.

Results: The pH values ranged from 4.50 to 10.00. The Nephelometric Turbidity Unit ranged from 0.45 to 0.90 NTU while the residual chlorine ranged from 0.36 to 355.00 mg/l. The fungal counts ranged from 1 to 9 cfu/ml, while the isolated species on the basis of cultural morphology and microscopic characteristics were identified as species of Fusarium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Histoplasma, Rhodotorula, Microsporium and Trichophyton.

Conclusion: This study has revealed a potential health risk associated with the use of water of the examined recreational facilities due to none compliance with the WHO standard of < 1 cfu/100ml for fungal and the other parameters, suggesting a public health concern and need for effective interventions.