Algerian journal of Biosciences

The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Ecto and Endoparasites of animals in Osun State University Zoological Garden, Osun State, Nigeria

Akinlabi Mohammed Rufai

Zoological gardens worldwide face threats from parasitic infections. This study examined the prevalence and risk factors of ecto- and endoparasites among animals in the Osun State University Zoological Garden. Thirty captive animals from various species, including Cavia porcellus, Anser albifrons, Pavo cristatus, Oryctolagus cuniculus, Anas platyrhynchos, Leptoptilos crumenifer, Geochelone elegans, Erythrocebus patas, Anser anser, and Centrochelys sulcata, were investigated. Fecal samples were analyzed using flotation and sedimentation techniques, while skin examinations were conducted for ectoparasites. Identified parasites included Trichuris, Ascaris, Capillaria, Coccidia, Strongylus, Cryptosporidium, and Spirorchis parvus. Ornithobius and Ixodidae were found on the skin. A significant association (p<0.05) was observed between parasitic load and housing, feed type, and management. These findings provide a foundation for sustainable and cost-effective zoological garden management practices.

Isolation, characterization and optimization of amylase producing bacilli from Western Algeria

Godious Owila

Amylase, a hydrolase enzyme, plays a crucial role in catalysing the breakdown of starch and has significant applications across various biotechnological fields. Its optimization is of particular interest in industries such as detergents, paper, textiles, and brewing. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of local bacillus species in amylase production and to determine their optimum amylolytic activity conditions. This study involved the isolation, characterization, and identification of Bacillus genus from soil, water, and potato samples collected from the Mascara and Sidi Bel Abbes regions of Algeria. The amylolytic activity was screened using starch agar plates, with quantification based on the size of the hydrolytic zone. The isolate with the highest amylase production, ST3-4, was further analyzed for its response to different nitrogen sources, starch concentrations, pH levels, agitation speeds, its’ growth kinetics, and the correlation between bacterial growth and amylase production. Fifteen bacterial isolates were obtained, with ST3-4 identified as Bacillus circulans, exhibiting the highest amylase production index. Optimal conditions for the ST3-4 isolate were determined to be urea as the nitrogen source, 3% starch concentration, a pH range of 8-9, and an agitation speed of 100 rpm. Growth kinetics indicated two phases of exponential growth along with a lag phase. The findings suggest that amylase-producing bacteria possess substantial market potential. Further investigations are warranted to explore the capabilities of these bacterial isolates in Algeria for industrial applications

Manuscript submission Histopathological Transformation of Tissues of Guinea Pigs Fed With Plants From Four Highway In Parts Of Obio/Akpor (Port Harcourt), Rivers State, Nigeria.

NKECHI UDEAGBALA

Abstract

The toxicity of air pollution has been proven to be the main threat to human as well as animals and it is associated with a lot of health risks. The outcome of vehicular emissions and anthropogenic activities on vegetation along four major busy highway (Aba road, Ikwerre road, East/West road and NTA road) with severe traffic density in parts of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and a control (in Ozuguru, Ikwerre Ngwo) in Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria were studied. At each sampling location, four sampling points were ascertained. Eighteen guinea pigs were fed with the leaves of four test plants (Panicum maximum Jacq., Eleusine indica L., Xanthosoma mafafa Schott. and Amaranthus spinosus L.) to determine the effects of pollutants on their tissues (kidney and liver). The data obtained were analyzed statistically using descriptive statistics, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The result of the enzyme marker was observed that East/West road had the highest AST, ALP, ALT, GGT, urea and creatinine levels with values (84.67±2.2), (142.33±6.4), (72.67±0.9), (2.07±0.15), (37.67±1.76) and (3.1±0.12) respectively while NTA road had the least with values (71.67±0.88), (116.33 ± 2.91), (62.67±1.45), (1.63 ± 0.09), (34.0±0.58) and (2.5 ± 0.12) respectively. The enzyme markers from the exposed animals were higher than the reference values and their histopathological tissues revealed lysed tissues while the control and pretest group fell within the reference values and their tissues were healthy.

Key words: Air pollution, enzyme markers, histopathological tissues.

Application of Marker Assisted Selection in Plant Breeding: Review

Dawit Merga

Conventional and modern plant breeding play a great role in improving crops for desired traits. Conventional breeding relied entirely on morphological markers, and selecting plants with desirable traits requires several generations and years. Selecting economically important traits such as yield, quality, and stress tolerance is difficult due to their polygenic nature and the strong influence of environmental factors. This has driven plant breeders to explore second and third generation breeding techniques, such as marker-assisted selection (MAS).The present article was reviewed with the intention of understanding the principles and applications of marker-assisted selection in plant breeding. Various types of markers and their functions were articulated very well. Single nucleotide polymorphism markers are among the most recent and advanced markers in plant breeding. They are highly effective for identifying genomic regions linked to desirable traits, enabling breeding accuracy and efficiency. MAS is an essential tool in plant breeding activities, such as crop improvement. The applications of MAS in selecting from breeding lines/populations, recurrent selection, marker-assisted backcrossing, and gene pyramiding were briefed and discussed in this article. MAS plays a key role in shortening the breeding cycle and facilitating rapid and cost-effective selection. It significantly contributes to increasing genetic gain in desired traits compared to conventional breeding methods.

ORGANOMINERAL FERTILIZER (OMF) AS SUPPLEMENT FOR MAIZE (Zea mays) ACTUATED PHYTOREMEDIATION

Peter O. Ogungbile

The effectiveness of organo-mineral fertilizer (OMF) in enhancing maize (Zea mays) activated phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil was investigated around Askar Paints Factory, Eleyele, Ibadan. The experimental site was divided into six plots where maize was cultivated with and without OMF application for 110 days. Pre- and post-harvest soil samples and maize plant tissues were analyzed for Cd levels using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Initial cadmium concentrations in the topsoil and subsoil were 31.48±7.82 mg/kg and 31.35±3.72 mg/kg, respectively, in OMF-treated plots, compared to 26.96±7.81 mg/kg and 33.50±3.72 mg/kg in control plots. Post-harvest, Cd levels in the OMF-treated topsoil decreased by 39.17% (to 19.15±9.14 mg/kg) and in the subsoil by 15.18% (to 26.59±3.28 mg/kg). In contrast, control plots showed reductions of 27% and 16.24% in topsoil and subsoil, respectively. These results indicate that OMF significantly improves maize’s ability to remove Cd, particularly from the topsoil. the trend of Cd accumulation in the Control and OMF treated maize was Root > Shoot > Leave > Seed. Analysis of maize plant parts revealed that OMF treatment increased Cd concentrations in roots (6.30±1.24 mg/kg vs. 4.70±1.73 mg/kg), shoots (4.72±1.53 mg/kg vs. 3.50±1.39 mg/kg), and leaves (2.88±1.96 mg/kg vs. 1.92±1.52 mg/kg), compared to control plants. However, Cd concentrations in seeds were lower in OMF-treated plants (0.61±0.56 mg/kg) compared to control (0.82±0.60 mg/kg). OMF application also positively affected the fresh and dry weights of maize plant parts, with significant increases in root, shoot, leaf, and seed weights in treated plots. This study demonstrates that OMF enhances the phytoremediation efficiency of maize by increasing Cd uptake and translocation to vegetative parts, while potentially reducing Cd accumulation in seeds. Thus, OMF presents a promising approach for improving the phytoremediation of contaminated soils.