European Journal of Biology and Biotechnology

Effect of Various Oils on the Production of Lipase by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Yarrowia lipolytica Isolated from Spoiled Labneh

Özgür Kebabci — 2025-01-29

The content of the medium is very important in the production of lipase enzyme. Microbial lipase production is carried out by adding carbon source to the compounds in the minimal medium. The use of olive oil is quite common in lipase production medium. In this study, it was aimed to increase lipase production by adding different oils instead of olive oil to the reference lipase production medium. For this purpose, corn oil, sunflower seed oil, walnut oil, hazelnut oil, safflower oil, avocado oil, organic sunflower seed oil, organic canola seed oil, organic flaxseed oil, organic soybean oil, pumpkin seed oil, black cumin oil, St. John’s wort oil and sesame oil were evaluated in terms of lipase production. Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Yarrowia lipolytica strains, which were isolated, purified, and identified, and which caused spoilage in labneh were studied in lipase production. When olive oil was used in lipase production, the lipase activity of R. mucilaginosa was determined as 7.50 U/ml, and that of Y. lipolytica was determined as 8.09 U/ml. It was determined that the lipase activity of R. mucilaginosa was increased by organic linseed oil as 10.67 U/ml, St. John’s Wort oil as 10.17 U/ml, and organic sunflower oil as 9.67 U/ml, respectively. It was determined that the lipase activity of Y. lipolytica was increased by St. John’s Wort oil as 13.50 U/ml, organic linseed oil as 10.84 U/ml, and organic sunflower oil as 10.33 U/ml, respectively. It was also observed that black cumin oil inhibited the growth of both yeast strains.

Identification of Catabolic Genes Involved in the Degradation of Used Engine Lubricant- Contaminated Soil by Lysinibacillus odysseyi and Bacillus sp. (in: firmicutes)

Ojonoma Loretta Okwute — 2024-10-11

This study aimed to identify selected catabolic genes in two indigenous hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria involved in the biodegradation of used engine lubricant-contaminated soil. Used engine lubricant-contaminated and uncontaminated soil samples were collected, and their physicochemical characteristics were evaluated. The results indicated that water holding capacity, potassium, nitrogen, and phosphate were higher in used lubricant-uncontaminated soil than in used lubricant-contaminated soil but vice versa for pH, total carbon, cation exchange, organic carbon, nickel, and lead levels. Culturable heterotrophic and hydrocarbon-utilizing bacterial counts were carried out on both Nutrient agar and Mineral Salt Medium (MSM) amended with used engine lubricant. The counts for heterotrophic bacteria (3.8×10⁸±0.21 cfu/gm) were higher than that of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria (2.2×10⁸±0.15 cfu/gm). All isolated bacteria (16) underwent screening for hydrocarbon degradation potential. Lysinibacillus odysseyi and Bacillus sp (in: firmicutes) emerged as the best oil degraders. Further screening of the chromosomal and plasmid DNA of the two bacteria was done to determine the presence and location of some selected catabolic genes (NidA, AlkB, NahH, NahAC, and Alma). The presence of Alkane monooxygenase (AlkB) and Naphthalene dioxygenase (NahAC) genes was confirmed in both isolates, while Pyrene dioxygenase (NidA) was confirmed in Bacillus sp. (in: firmicutes) only. The location of AlkB was confirmed to be both plasmid and chromosome, while NidA and NahAC genes were confirmed to be the plasmid. In conclusion, the soil contaminated with used engine lubricant contained indigenous bacteria, Lysinibacillus odysseyi, and Bacillus sp. (in: firmicutes), the two bacteria with the highest degradation potential, contained catabolic genes, monooxygenase (AlkB), NidA, and dioxygenase (NahAC). Therefore, they are effectively used as engine lubricant degraders, and the possibility of horizontal gene transfer can be used in important industrial applications and is recommended for the bioremediation of petroleum compounds.

Immunomodulatory Effect of Vitamin D3 in Rats with Induced Osteoarthritis

Hyam Sajed Ghaneam — 2024-09-27

_{Background: The (OA) caused by imbalance between anabolic and catabolic processes within the cartilage ,one of the effects of increased catabolic changes is presence of products of extracellular matrix degradation in the synovial fluid which lead to the joint microenvironment alteration which attempt. Aim of study: Evaluate the influence of induce osteoarthritis (OA) on knee joint and looking on (OA) effect as local immune response in addition to the possible role of vitamin (D3) as protective and repairing agent against (OA) complications. Methods: Total number of rats male (89) were used and divided into three groups, first group (control group) (19) rats, second group (OA induced) (35) rats injected with papain enzyme at dose of (10 mg), treated group (35) rats which firstly injected with papain enzyme at dose (10 mg) then after (2) weeks of injection, treated the rats with vitamin D. Results and Dicussion: Macroscopic observations revealed to cartilage surface erosion , fibrillation , hypertrophied condyles, degeneration. The rats knee joints that treated (2) weeks with vitamin (D3) post (OA) induced showed smooth, intact cartilage surface. Radiographic images indicated to narrowing joints cavity (space) at knee joint of (OA) rat model, destruction of epiphyseal plate, while the results related to (OA) rats treated with vitamin (D3) showed no osteophyte growth , the synovial cavity nearest to the normal, no defect. Conclusion: Vitamin (D) prevent the stability and life of chondrocytes which lead to cartilage protection and synthesis of (ECM) , and inhibite the inflammation resulted from cartilage damaged.}

Effect of Physical Factors on Milt Quality of Malabar Grouper, Epinephelus Malabaricus in Summer and Winter Season

Mohamad Ali Alaenazi — 2024-08-07

A study was conducted to test the effect of physical factors such as temperature, salinity, and pH on spermatozoa motility of Malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus). Mature and healthy male fishes were collected from the Red Sea during the summer and winter seasons for milt collection. Milt quality was assessed for colour, volume, sperm cell concentration, motility, and viability. Sperm motility was tested under different water temperatures, salinity, and pH media. A significant difference (P < 0.01) in sperm cell concentration (density), sperm motility (%), and viability (%) was observed between the summer and winter seasons. Changes in water temperature, pH, and salinity influenced sperm motility (%) and motility duration (min). Low pH and salinity caused adverse effects on spermatozoa motility. The results of the study are useful for the germplasm conservation of Malabar grouper, E.malabaricus.

Reduction of Carbon Assimilation and Water Use Efficiency in Groundnut Ringspot Virus (GRSV)-Infected Groundnut Varieties

Andrew Sarkodie Appiah — 2024-09-18

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production is threatened by the advent of many emerging pests and diseases, key among them being Groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV). The numerous alternative host crops of the virus make its control particularly difficult, resulting in heightened virus transmission risk and increased yield loss. The mechanisms underlying yield loss, though not fully understood, have often been speculated to be a result of the reduction in photosynthesis and transpiration in infected leaves. This study was therefore aimed at testing the effect of GRSV infection on carbon assimilation and water use efficiency by four farmer preferred groundnut cultivars (Nkosuor, Otuhia, Sinka, and Yenyawoso) in Ghana. Seeds of virus indexed plants previously grown in a screen house were nursed in a screen house and artificially infected with GRSV by grafting infected groundnut scions onto them to be compared with plants onto which uninfected groundnut scions had been grafted. The rate of photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance of the distal leaf of each plant was measured using the CO₂/H₂O gas analyzer (CID, Inc., Camas, WA, USA). The virus infection was found to reduce stomatal conductance, transpiration, net photosynthesis, and 100 seed weight in a genotype dependent manner. This highlights the effect of GRSV infection on water conservation through a reduction in transpirational water loss, constraining photosynthesis, or carbon assimilation in the process to confirm the trade-off between photosynthesis and transpiration through the stomata.