Culture of Macroalgae Spirogyra ellipsospora for Long-Term Experiments, Stock Maintenance and Biogas Production

The freshwater alga Spirogyra ellipsospora, a filamentous charophyte, collected from the stream, was identified on the basis of morpho-anatomical characters. In this study, we tried to utilize the natural water resource to develop the algae growth system by ecological engineering concept to develop a low cost medium for macroalgae growth. The outdoor photo-reactor was used to grow macroalgae through using natural water as medium. The results showed that the reactor had good performance on algae growth. Culture media for growth of this study species have not yet been tested for long-term experiments, stock maintenance and biogas production. Here we tested the S. ellipsospora growth with natural water medium in a 6-weeks laboratory experiment. Consequently, the study consists of laboratory tests showing S. ellipsospora growth, harvesting, chlorophyll extraction, biomass analysis and anaerobic fermentation for biogas production.
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http://www.emergentresearch.org/abstract.php?article_id=1776&title=Culture%20of%20Macroalgae%20Spirogyra%20ellipsospora%20for%20Long-Term%20Experiments,%20Stock%20Maintenance%20and%20Biogas%20Production

Ricinoleic acid esters from castor oil modifying male reproductive system of Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius 1787)

Ticks of the genus Amblyomma have medical and veterinary importance because they can transmit pathogens to humans, as well as domestic, wild and livestock animals. The management and control of this tick has led livestock farmers to an inadequate use of synthetic chemical acaricides, consequently creating environmental problems and selecting resistant populations. Thus, the search for new substances that can be efficient in tick control and have low toxicity to the environment and non-target organisms is latent. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of ricinoleic acid esters from castor oil as modifying agents of A. cajennense male reproductive system, seeking an alternative method to control these parasites. Hence, esters from castor oil were incorporated to the diet of rabbits, which were then infested with A. cajennense. Male ticks were collected from the hosts and their reproductive systems were removed and prepared for histological and histochemical techniques. The results showed that the effects of esters became more evident at the highest concentration available, leading to morphophysiological changes in the secretory cells of the accessory gland complex, altering the secretion content and causing morphological changes in spermatids. The esters changed development dynamics and gamete production, probably affecting the production of spermatophores and seminal fluid. Our results confirmed that these substances have the potential to interfere with reproduction, one of the most important biological processes for a species.

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http://www.emergentresearch.org/abstract.php?article_id=1775&title=Ricinoleic%20acid%20esters%20from%20castor%20oil%20modifying%20male%20reproductive%20system%20of%20Amblyomma%20cajennense%20(Fabricius%201787)

Effect of Corm Size and Nitrogen on the Growth and Flowering of Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorous L.)

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of corm size and nitrogen on the growth and flowering of gladiolus. The experiment considered with three corm sizes viz. small (11-20g), medium (21-30g) and large (31-40g) and four levels of nitrogen viz. 0, 80, 100 and 120 kg ha-1. Both corm size and nitrogen exhibited significant effect in almost all parameters studied. Considering the corm size, a gradual increasing trend in plant height, number of leaves plant-1 and length of leaves found with small to large sized corm. The highest length of flower stalk, length of rachis, number of floret spike-1, percentage of flowering plant and number of spike ha-1 were recorded in large sized corm. Considering the nitrogen fertilizer, the number of leaves plant-1 and width of leaves increased gradually with increasing nitrogen fertilizer. The highest length of flower stalk, rachis, number of floret spike-1, weight of single spike at harvest, percentage of flowering plant and number of spike ha-1 were recorded in the plot treated with 120 kg nitrogen ha-1. Considering the combined effect of corm size and nitrogen fertilizer, the highest length of flower stalk (76.53 cm), length of rachis (40.05 cm) at harvest, percentage of flowering plant (98.52%) and number of spike ha-1 (193920) was recorded from the plot of large sized corm with 120 kg nitrogen ha-1, whereas the lowest length of flower stalk (42.23 cm), rachis (19.67cm) percentage of flowering plant (56.64%) and number of spike ha-1 (145150) were recorded in the plot of small sized corm with no nitrogen. The highest net return (686845.2) and benefit cost ratio (2.464) were also obtained from the treatment combination of large sized corm and 120kg nitrogen ha-1
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http://www.emergentresearch.org/abstract.php?article_id=1774&title=Effect%20of%20Corm%20Size%20and%20Nitrogen%20on%20the%20Growth%20and%20Flowering%20of%20Gladiolus%20(Gladiolus%20grandiflorous%20L.)

Antioxidant Profile Determination of off-Seasonal Guava, Allahabad Safeda (Psidium guajava L.) Fruits

Antioxidants received from plant sources are found to be one of the best remedies for a number of human diseases. Guava with high amount of dietary fiber is recommended as natural and secured source of antioxidants. In this study, antioxidant capacity in guava fruits is determined by the assessment of total phenol content and DPPH scavenging activity. Results obtained emphasize on the usage guava fruits to eradicate destructive free radicals from the human body. Daily intake of guava fruits can help fighting noxious diseases like cancer and arthritis.

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http://www.emergentresearch.org/abstract.php?article_id=1771&title=Antioxidant%20Profile%20Determination%20of%20off-Seasonal%20Guava,%20Allahabad%20Safeda%20(Psidium%20guajava%20L.)%20Fruits

Determination of Aerobic Bacterial Composition of Dental Plaque Biofilms and Their Role in Oral health

Dental plaque is the biofilm found naturally on teeth and it is the etiologic agent in dental caries and periodontal diseases. A better understanding of bacterial communities found in biofilms provides opportunities for new methods to control biofilm formation. Therefore, control of the dental plaque biofilm is a major objective of dental professionals and critical to the maintenance of optimal oral health. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify aerobic bacteria from dental plaque biofilm on the external surface of the teeth and gums and to determine their role in the etiology of gingivitis and dental caries. Fifty nine samples of dental plaque from gingiva and teeth were collected randomly from patients attending Sebha dental clinic, Libya, males and females of different age groups. All samples were cultured on different media, conventional methods used for isolation and identification. Results revealed that 52 samples (88%) were positive for culture, and they were polymicrobial. Bacteria isolated were 110 species, 93 (84.5%) were gram positive composed of Streptococcus species 43 (39%), Lactobacillus 27 (24.5%), Staphylococcus 23 (21%) and 17 were gram negative (15.5%), they were E.coli 7 (6.4%), Enterobacter 6 (5.5%), Proteus 4 (3.6%). Isolates from males were 66 (60%) and females were 44 (40%), 61 (55.5%) of the isolates were from children (5-15) years old (44% were Streptococcus species and 25% were lactobacilli, Staphylococcus 18%) and 49 (44.5%) were from the age group (16-68) years old (28% were Streptococci and 21% were Lactobacilli). Most of the isolated bacteria (58%) was from patients who do not clean their teeth by daily brushing with toothpaste

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Phthalate Plasticizers and Safety of Toys - Problems and Perspectives

A number of reports published worldwide create awareness on the harms of global usage of phthalates in various products. The concern towards potential exposure of consumers to phthalates through many sources and different routes of administration is increasing day by day. Evidences of phthalates in toys and phthalate metabolites in the urine of children are becoming common. Children under 3 years are more sensitive as compared to general population towards this problem due to their additional intake of plasticizers by chewing toys. Phthalates are found to cause allergy, asthma and affecting kidney, liver and endocrine system, especially at a young age. As phthalates bear the property to soften the hard plastic material, soft toys possess their higher content in comparison to hard toys. Their usage is restricted in EU, United States and Canada and several other countries mainly in toys suspected to be kept in mouth. Phthalates basically included in the banned for toys category are DEHP, DBP, BBP, DNOP, DIDP and DINP. Usage of less than 0.1% phthalates has been allowed for plastic toys and directives are given to producers to label the age of children who may use the toys and specify its hazards. Parents are suggested to control these labels before buying the phthalate plasticizers based products. 
http://www.emergentresearch.org/vol-1-issue-1-june-2015 

Sunflower Oil: Efficient Oil Source for Human Consumption

Oil crops are well distinguished for supplying protein and energy in human diet (Mehran et al. 2011). Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a significant crop possessing 15-21% protein and 50% oil content (Ayeen 1996). It holds second position in the world in edible oil manufacturing following soyabean oil (Nandha et al. 2014) and grouped among preeminent plant oils for human diet due to its nutritional worth (Skoric et al. 2008). Its seeds provide considerable amount of  vitamins, minerals and tocopherols (Skoric 2009) and found to be rich in minerals like magnesium, iron, copper, calcium, zinc, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, selenium and manganese (Nandha et al. 2014). Regular sunflower oil contains 69% linoleic acid, 20% oleic acid and 11% saturated fatty acids, but a number of strategies have been adopted to present advance range of sunflower oils with elevated oleic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and low saturated acid. 

http://www.emergentresearch.org/vol-1-issue-1-june-2015