Journal of Natural Sciences Engineering and Technology

EFFECTS OF LOW AND ELEVATED SODIUM ION CONCENTRATIONS ON ACETONE-BUTANOL- ETHANOL (ABE) FERMENTATION AND BIOHYDRO- GEN PRODUCTION FROM WASTE FIG ( Ficus carica)

W. A. ABIBU, I. KARAPINAR — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

The positive role of sodium on Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) fermentation, most especially in the
improvement of butanol concentration has been documented. The role of sodium in inhibiting biohy-
drogen production has also been reported. This research therefore focused on the role of low and
elevated sodium concentrations on ABE fermentation since ABE fermentation and biohydrogen pro-
duction share a common biochemical pathway. Waste fig (Ficus carica) was pretreated via microwav-
ing hydrolysis. Optimum pretreatment conditions were particle diameter (370 μm), pH (4.96), power
(250W) and treatment period (50 mins) with maximum sugar concentration of 82 g/L obtained. Hydro-
lyzed fig was fermented at low (20 – 100 mg/L) and high (500 – 2000 mg/L) sodium concentrations. A
control experiment was conducted. Highest acetone, butanol and ethanol concentrations of 11.63,
6.28 and 2.18 g/L were recorded at 60 mg/L, 60 mg/L and 20 mg/L, respectively. Highest cumulative
hydrogen was observed at 40 mg/L (681.84 ml). Results obtained from elevated concentrations were
similar to that of the control experiments. This showed that elevated sodium concentration may not be
needed when considering fermentation media supplementation with sodium in ABE fermentation stud-
ies.

CURCUMIN REVERSES DICHLORVOS-MEDIATED ERYTHROCYTE TOXICOSIS IN RATS BY ATTENUATING OXIDATIVE STRESS AND DEPLETION OF CELLULAR ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

In low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, dichlorvos (DDVP) is a prevalent organophosphate insecticide. However, its misuse as a suicide agent and presence in food items endangers the human populace. Curcumin is known to modulate free radicals, antioxidant proteins, and lipid peroxidation. However, its effect on DDVP-induced erythrocyte intoxication remains undocumented in the scientific literature. Herein the influence of curcumin was examined on DDVP-mediated erythrocyte toxicosis in Wistar rats. Forty-two rats were randomly allocated to seven groups of six rats each: normal control, DDVP alone (20 mg/kg/day), DDVP delivered with curcumin (50 and 100 mg/kg/day) or atropine (0.2 mg/kg/day) as a reference drug, and curcumin alone (50 and 100 mg/kg/day). Rats were humanely killed after one week of gavage DDVP treatment and another two weeks of curcumin therapy; blood was collected, and erythrocytes were isolated. Sub-acute administration of curcumin markedly (p<0.05) attenuated DDVP-provoked augmentation in the erythrocyte concentrations of NO and malondialdehyde and the activity of GST. Curcumin abrogated DDVP-mediated decreased in erythrocyte GSH levels and activities of SOD, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, acetylcholinesterase. Ultimately, curcumin ameliorated DDVP-mediated erythrocyte toxicosis via anti-oxidative and cholinergic mechanisms.

ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANE-STABILITY AND PROPHYLACTIC POTENTIALS OF CHRYSIN AND RUTIN ON TRICHLOROETHYLENE-ENGENDERED ERYTHROCYTOTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a halogenated alkene solvent linked to several cancers and autoimmune diseases in humans and animals and is a contaminant of the air, water, and soil. Chrysin and rutin are known to modulate oxidants, antioxidants, and lipotoxicity. However, their mechanistic effect on TCE-prompted red blood cell injury remains undetermined. This investigation hypothesized that chrysin and rutin could offer an alleviative influence on TCE-triggered erythrocyte damage. Randomization was employed to earmark forty-eight rats into eight groups (6 rats/group): control, chrysin and/or rutin (100 mg.kg⁻¹ day⁻¹), TCE only (1,000 mg.kg⁻¹day⁻¹), chrysin and/or rutin (100 mg.kg⁻¹day⁻¹) treated with TCE. Rats were pre-treated orally by gavage with flavonoid therapy (chrysin and/or rutin) every day for fourteen days before administering a single dosage of TCE. Twenty-four hours following TCE administration, the rats were euthanized, and their blood was taken for biochemical assays. Chrysin and/or rutin pretreatment pronouncedly (p < 0.05) mitigated TCE-engendered increases in lipids (triacylglycerol and cholesterol) concentrations, reactive oxygen/nitrogen specie (NO) levels, lipid peroxidation (MDA) amounts, and myeloperoxidase activity. The two flavonoids equally attenuated TCE-invoked depletions in haemoglobin, haematocrit, and total thiol levels, antioxidant enzymes (glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Improved antioxidant status, and activities of LDH in rats pretreated with the therapeutic agents are indicators of the membrane stability potential of the agents against the cellular assaults of TCE. Therefore, this study suggests that chrysin and/or rutin pretreatment abated TCE-provoked erythrocytes perturbations in rats possibly via radical trapping, antioxidants augmentation, anti-dyslipidemic mechanisms and positive modulation of LDH activity.

PALYNOLOGICAL FEATURES OF Senna occidentalis L. IN FOUR VEGETATION ZONES OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Pollen morphology is an important taxonomic character that can provide insights into the variability
and adaptation of plant species in different environments. This study aimed to analyze the pollen mor-
phological variation of Coffee senna (Senna occidentalis L). accessions across four vegetation zones
in Ogun State, Nigeria. Mature anthers were collected, and standard palynological procedures were
followed to examine the pollens using light microscopy. Pollen size, shape, aperture, exine pattern,
and thickness were compared across the four zones. Statistical analysis using SPSS version 27.0
revealed significant variations (p≤0.05) in pollen size, colpi size, and exine pattern across the zones.
Pollen grains were oblate-spheroidal in shape, with sizes ranging from 27.63 to 36.73 μm (polar axis)
and 25.7 to 33.7 μm (equator diameter). The aperture was 3-colporate in all zones, but with distinct
ora in colpi in the rainforest and syncolporate in the mid-rainforest zone. Exine patterns showed slight
variations, with slightly coarse reticulation in the rainforest and fine reticulation in the other three
zones. The distinguishing characters of S. occidentalis pollen across the zones were pollen size (polar
axis and equator diameter), colpi length and width, and exine pattern. These findings reveal the diag-
nostic features of S. occidentalis pollen with taxonomic significance.

IN SILICO IDENTIFICATION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM MEDICINAL PLANTS AS POTENTIAL GLUCOKINASE INHIBITORS FOR DIABETES MANAGEMENT

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Diabetes, a chronic elevation in blood glucose levels, is primarily caused by the inactivation of glucoki-
nase, a glucose sensor enzyme present in insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells. This study investi-
gated the inhibitory potential and proposed competitive binding mechanism of bioactive compounds
from six medicinal plants: (Mormordica charantia L., Aloe barbadensis Mill., Cinnamomum zeylanicum
L., Vernonia amygdalina H., Persea americana M., and Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) against Gluco-
kinase active sites. Thirty (30) bioactive compounds were selected and screened together with Pi-
ragliatin (control drug). The PubChem identification number, 3D structure, and canonical SMILES of
the phytocompounds and control drug were obtained using the PubChem online server. Drug likeness
screening and other molecular docking analyses were carried out using web-based tools
(SwissADME, AutoDock Vina, and Molinspiration). The absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion
(ADMET), and toxicity profiles of the ligands were evaluated using ADMETlab online tool. The drug-
likeness screening showed that 23 of 30 bioactive compounds violated one or more of the four rules
(Lipinski, Ghose, Veber, and Egan). The protein-ligand docking revealed that anthraquinone, cin-
namaldehyde, coumarin, beta-amyrin, diosgenin, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and silymarin had
higher binding energies of -8.8 kcal/mol, -7.6 kcal/mol, -8.1 kcal/mol, -7.8 kcal/mol, -8.6 kcal/mol, -7.8
kcal/mol, -7.8 kcal/mol, -8.5 kcal/mol, -7.5 kcal/mol, respectively compared with that of Piragliatin (-7.0
kcal/mol). Compounds with higher binding affinity violated at least one rule except for the non-
carcinogenic anthraquinone with no drug-likeness screening violation. This study revealed anthraqui-
none and other lead bioactive compounds as potential antidiabetic drugs for further consideration and
wet lab experimentation.

LEAF EPIDERMAL STUDIES OF THREE APOCYNACEAE SPECIES (Allamanda cathartica Linn., Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel. and Catharanthus roseus Linn.)

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Apocynaceae is a family of flowering plants that comprises 200 genera and about 2000 species and is widely distributed in tropics and subtropics. In West Africa, it is made up of 37 genera and 138 species. This study focuses on enhancing the taxonomic classification of the Apocynaceae plant family in Nigeria by investigating leaf epidermal characteristics of three species. (Allamanda cathartica Linn., Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel. and Catharanthus roseus Linn) at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Identification of species within this family is challenging due to the absence of easily distinguishable flowers and fruits. Leaf epidermal peels were obtained following standard procedures. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive analysis and one-way Analysis of variance. Common elliptic stomata shape was observed, except in A. cathartica, which exhibited additional circular stomata on the adaxial surface. C. roseus was identified as amphistomatic, distinguishing it from the hypostomatic nature of the other two species. Anisocytic stomata type was consistent across all species but A. cathartica and R. vomitoria displayed extra tetracytic stomata type, while C. roseus showcased distinct stomata types like diacytic, and paracytic. The studied species exhibited similarities in anticlinal wall patterns, non-glandular trichomes, and polygonal to irregular epidermal cell shapes. A. cathartica had additional and different epidermal cell shapes which ranged from cylindrical, rectangular and triangular. The study emphasizes the taxonomic significance of epidermal characters like leaf surface, stomata type, anticlinal wall patterns, presence of non-glandular trichomes, distribution of stomata on leaf surfaces in delineating boundaries among the Apocynaceae species studied.

HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATIONS IN EARTHWORMS (Eudrilus eugeniae) EXPOSED TO WATER AND SEDIMENTS FROM OGUN RIVER

A. A. ALADESIDA, F. O KEHINDE, O. D UMOREN, N. O. ARIWOOLA — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

The bioavailability of heavy metals plays a vital role in their toxicity and accessibility to organisms. This study aimed at evaluating heavy metal levels in the earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae) exposed to water and sediment from the Ogun River. Earthworms were collected using the handpicking and sorting method from the Botanical Garden of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Fifteen (15) earthworms each were inoculated into three plastic culture bins a few centimeters below the surface of the beddings and treated with sediments and water from Ogun River and distilled water, respectively. The treatment was applied at 72 hours (3 days) intervals for the duration of thirty (30) days. Sample digestion for heavy metals was by wet oxidation, thereafter analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Highest Lead (Pb) concentration was observed in the tissue of earthworms exposed to river sediments (20.89 mg/kg) while the highest Copper (Cu) concentration was obtained in the control (7.81 mg/kg). Cadmium (Cd) concentration (0.15 mg/kg) was similar in earthworms exposed to river sediments and the control. The highest Chromium (Cr) and Iron (Fe) concentration was observed from those exposed to river sediments (7.66 and 12.30 mg/kg) respectively while Zn had the highest concentration in those exposed to river water (0.72 mg/kg). The highest CN concentration was determined in those of the control (0.65 mg/kg). The level of heavy metals was evident in the earthworm samples affirming that the safety threshold for metals in the environment can be determined via earthworm toxicity tests.

GUIDE TO AUTHORS

E.A. MAKINDE — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Journal of Natural Sciences Engineering and Technology

EFFECTS OF LOW AND ELEVATED SODIUM ION CONCENTRATIONS ON ACETONE-BUTANOL- ETHANOL (ABE) FERMENTATION AND BIOHYDRO- GEN PRODUCTION FROM WASTE FIG ( Ficus carica)

CURCUMIN REVERSES DICHLORVOS-MEDIATED ERYTHROCYTE TOXICOSIS IN RATS BY ATTENUATING OXIDATIVE STRESS AND DEPLETION OF CELLULAR ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE

ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANE-STABILITY AND PROPHYLACTIC POTENTIALS OF CHRYSIN AND RUTIN ON TRICHLOROETHYLENE-ENGENDERED ERYTHROCYTOTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

PALYNOLOGICAL FEATURES OF Senna occidentalis L. IN FOUR VEGETATION ZONES OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

IN SILICO IDENTIFICATION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM MEDICINAL PLANTS AS POTENTIAL GLUCOKINASE INHIBITORS FOR DIABETES MANAGEMENT

LEAF EPIDERMAL STUDIES OF THREE APOCYNACEAE SPECIES (Allamanda cathartica Linn., Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel. and Catharanthus roseus Linn.)

HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATIONS IN EARTHWORMS (Eudrilus eugeniae) EXPOSED TO WATER AND SEDIMENTS FROM OGUN RIVER

GUIDE TO AUTHORS

Contents