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Purification and partial characterization of laccase from Lachnocladium Sp.
(2012) Afolabi-Balogun, Nusrah Bolatito
Laccase, a multicopper oxidase that catalyzes the oxidation of various aromatics, particularly phenolic substrates, e.g. hydroquinones guaiacol, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol or phenylene diamine, was purified and partially characterised from culture filtrates of a white rot fungus, Lachnocladium sp. This enzyme was purified by anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Laccase activity was determined using ABTS (2, 2’-azino bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulphonic acid) substrate. The culture filtrate had maximum laccase activity of 1.62 U/ml after 14 days of incubation. The purified laccase had an optimum temperature of 50 oC and its optimum pH was 6 for ABTS. The activity of this enzyme was enhanced by Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+and Ca2+, and was inhibited by EDTA and sodium iodide. Laccase from Lachnocladium sp. had a Km of 0.119 mM and a Vmax of 0.313 U.
Effects of aqueous extract of Viscum album (Linn.) leaf on some biochemical parameters and ovarian morphology of oestradiol valerate-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rats
(2019) Afolabi-Balogun, Nusrah Bolatito
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) has a worldwide prevalence of 15-20% in women of reproductive age group and account for 75% anovulatory infertility cases in them. Aqueous extract of Viscum album leaf was evaluated for its therapeutic effects on oestradiol valerate – induced PCOS rats. Female rats (176. 96 ± 2.01) g were assigned to groups A – G, (n=10) each. Group A (Control) were administered 0.5 ml of distilled water. Groups B, C, D, E, F and G were PCOS-induced with single intramuscular injection of oestradiol – valerate, each group then received 0.5 ml of distilled water, 2.4 mg/kg body weight of metformin, 10, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively for 30 days. Vaginal smear cytology, serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, testosterone, progesterone and polycystic ovarian morphology were assessed. Aqueous extract of Viscum album leaf significantly (p<0.05) reversed PCOS related increased serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone and decreased concentration of luteinizing hormone towards the control values. Persistent oestrus cells and cystic follicles in the ovaries of PCOS-induced rats were restored towards control. Aqueous extract of Viscum album leaf ameliorated some clinical, biochemical and ovarian features of polycystic ovarian syndrome rats.
Antibiotic sensitivity of bacterial and fungal isolates from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit
(2016) Afolabi-Balogun, Nusrah Bolatito
Decayed ripened tomato fruit contaminated with spores and toxins with relatively heat resistant could poised food poisoning in humans and animals. This research investigated the effect of antibiotic sensitivity of fungi and bacteria isolated from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit in Osogbo markets, Nigeria. One hundred decayed fruit of tomato were procured from three main markets (Igbonna, Oja Oba and Sabo) within the metropolis. Fungi and bacteria were cultured on Sabourand dextrose, MacConkey and Tomato juice agar media. Eight species of bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes and Staphylococcus aureus) and six fungi (Rhizopus stolonifer, Fusarium spp., Mucor spp., Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Penicillium spp.) were isolated and characterized. Fungal isolates were highly virulent compared with bacteria in the decayed tomato fruit. Sabo market had the most prevalence fungi and bacteria isolates, while Igbonna and the Oja‒Oba markets followed in that trend. Mucor spp. and Bacillus subtilis exhibited the highest fungal and bacterial counts of 42×104 cfu g-1 each in the Sabo market. Chloramphenicol was the most suitable antibiotic for controlling both micro flora. Except B. subtilis, varied degrees of antibiotic sensitivities and resistances were observed on all the bacteria. Technological improvement of harvesting, packaging, handling, storage and preservation could reduce tomato fruit losses and invariably enhance shelf life and quality.
Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant activity, and structural elucidation of bioactive compounds from anaerobically digested cow dung slurry
(2025) Afolabi-Balogun, Nusrah Bolatito
Introduction: Anaerobic digestion (AD) is heralded as a cornerstone of sustainable waste management, converting organic residues into valuable biogas. While biogas production from AD is well-documented, the valorisation of anaerobic digestate, particularly for its pharmaceutical applications, remains underexplored. We analysed aqueous ethanolic (70%) and methanolic (50%) extracts from cow dung slurry (CSW) to characterise their bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, and structural properties. Results: Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses revealed a diverse array of secondary metabolites, including phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, and saponins, whereas phlobatannins, volatile oils, and resins were undetectable. Notably, the ethanol extract exhibited significantly higher concentrations of total phenolics (~ 250 µg catechin equivalents [CE]/mL) and f lavonoids (~ 220 µg CE/mL) than the methanol extract (p < 0.0001), while other classes, such as saponins, tannins, flavanols, and proanthocyanidins, were present at lower and comparable levels across solvents (p > 0.05). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated a higher abundance of phenolic (O-H stretching at 3450.53 cm− 1) and carboxyl (C = O at 1778.40 cm− 1) groups in the methanol extract, suggesting strong antioxidant potential. In contrast, the ethanol extract contained alkyl (2982.51 cm− 1), nitro (1588.02 cm− 1), and halogenated (652.35 cm− 1) functional groups. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy further identified key secondary metabolites, including harmine, salicylic acid, anacardic acid, quercetin, and gallic acid. In vitro, free radical scavenging assays demonstrated concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, with the methanol extract consistently outperforming the ethanol extract (p < 0.05). At 800 µg/mL, the methanol extract exhibited near-comparable activity to gallic acid (p = 0.0927). Conclusion: These findings suggest that CSW-derived methanol extract holds significant promise as a natural source of bioactive compounds with potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
Effect of acetosyringone on agrobacterium-mediated transformation of cotton
(2014) Afolabi-Balogun, Nusrah Bolatito
Genetic transformation method using Agrobacterium tumefaciens was developed for cotton plant species. Following the efficient regeneration of three cotton varieties, the effect of inclusion of acetosyringone in co-cultivation medium was measured. Subsequently, transformation was obtained by co- cultivation of 3 weeks old cotton apical shoot and A. tumefaciens strain LBA 4404 containing a plasmid harboring neomycin phosphotransferase and β-glucuronidase encoding genes. PCR analyses performed to identify the presence of marker gene (npt II) in the transgenic plants using primers used for amplification of a 700 bp fragment of the npt II gene showed that 87% of the transgenic plants selected for kanamycin resistance were transformed with the gene encoding β-glucuronidase. Routine transformation efficiency of cotton was established at 1.3%. The mean number of GUS positive apices was 67% higher when acetosyringone was included in the medium.