No abstract

The crude aqueous extract of Guiera senegalensis stem bark was evaluated for its phytochemistry, acute toxicity and in vitro antitrypanosomal efficacy in this study. Tests for alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phlabotannins, saponins, steroids, cardenolides, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, and anthraquinones were conducted. A total of 15 albino rats of both sexes were used and grouped into 5 (A to E) of 3 rats each. Groups A-D were intraperitoneally treated with graded doses of 100, 200, 400, 800mg/kg body weight of the crude aqueous extract of G. senegalensis stem bark. Group E was treated with Physiological Saline Solution serving as the control. All groups were observed for 24 hours for clinical signs and death to determine the median lethal dose (LD50). An in vitro experiment was carried out with 2 drops of blood from a donor rat added to 5 ml of phosphate buffer glucose solution out of which 0.2ml was finally used at 40, 20, 10, 5, 2.5, 0.625, 0.313, 0.156 and 0.078 concentrations of the extract. The phytochemical screening for bioactive substances had tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones and cardiac glycosides. Phlabotannins and cardenolides were not detected. The clinical signs observed were sluggishness, awkward posture, loss of appetite, starry hair coat and terminal death within 24 hours with LD50 value of 600mg/kg. The in vitro antitrypanosomal efficacy of the extract showed 100% inhibition of motility against Trypanosoma brucei at 20mg/ml. In conclusion, the crude aqueous extract of G. senegalensis stem bark contains phytochemical components that exhibit inhibitory trypanosomal activity.

Highlight ResearchEffects of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder on pellet water stability in shrimp diet.Evaluation of squid oil attractant on feed palatability.The quality of water after inclusion of CMC binder and squid oil in pellet.CMC and squid oil improved dry matter retention and feeding responses in shrimp. AbstractPellet water stability and feeding attractant are the crucial factors to be considered in the formulation of shrimp feed to minimize nutrient leaching and improve food palatability, respectively. The aim of this study was to determine the binding effect of supplementation of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) during pellet manufacturing, and feeding responses with the inclusion of squid oil in pellet. Both experiments were conducted separately in five feed formulations ranged from 0.00% to 3.00% of CMC and squid oil. All T0 was referred as control with no CMC or squid oil. Experiment was conducted using 30 shrimps/treatment with triplicates. The dry matter retention up to 120 min of immersion and the feeding response test were evaluated in pellet supplemented with CMC and squid oil, respectively. Results showed the percentage of dry matter retentions increased with the increase of CMC, over time. The CMC containing pellets at 2.00% and 3.00% had minimal disintegration in water and possessed high water stability after 120 min immersion. The addition of 3.00% squid oil in feed exhibited a significant result (p<0.05) in the time taken for shrimp to access the pellet, also increased the time starts for ingestion. No significant change was observed in water quality indicated no water contamination occurred throughout the study. Results demonstrated that the addition of CMC binder at 2.00% and 3.00% improved pellet water stability, whilst 3.00% squid oil was recommended to enhance feed palatability. However, future studies on the activity of enzymes in shrimp bodies after treatment would be an advantage.

The aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaf was evaluated for its phytochemistry, acute toxicity and in vitro antitrypanosomal efficacy in this study. A total of 15 albino rats grouped into 5(A-E) of 3 rats each were intraperitoneally treated with graded doses of 100, 200, 400, 800mg/kg body weight of the aqueous extract and observed for 24 hours for clinical signs and death. The calculated median lethal dose (LD50) was 600mg/kg body weight, with clinical signs of sluggishness, awkward pasture, loss of appetite, starry hair coat and terminal death within 24 hours. Severity of clinical signs varied with increasing doses. The in vitro antitrypanosomal efficacy of the aqueous extract showed 100% inhibition of Trypanosoma brucei at concentrations of 40mg/ml, 20mg/ml, 10mg/ml, 5mg/ml and 2.5mg/ml respectively. In conclusion the aqueous extract of C. papaya leaf has bioactive components that are moderately toxic and has trypanosomal inhibitory activity.

Gregarines are groups of protozoan parasites that ubiquitously infect arthropods worldwide including host from terrestrial and aquatic environment. To date, 1,600 gregarine species have been described, but less study for invertebrates have been recorded for these apicomplexan parasites. Wild marine bivalve species Anadara cornea (Reeve, 1844) populations were surveyed for gregarines at Setiu Lagoon in Terengganu, Malaysia for a year. This species of bivalve was previously unlisted as hosts. Malaysia is known as a country that experience with rainy and dry season. The trends of rainfall regime in Peninsular Malaysia is mainly affected by the seasonal monsoon i.e. Southwest (SW) monsoon (May to October) and Northeast (NE) monsoon in November and ends in April the following year. The objective of this study was to associate the incidence of gregarine in common wild bivalves, A. cornea of Setiu Lagoon, Terengganu in relation to water quality and seasons. Gregarine prevalence and mean intensity of infections were compared between seasons. Samples were collected at seagrass beds which contain sandy muddy area which is a suitable habitat for this bivalve. The study was conducted from January to December 2018 with a total of 480 sample bivalve collected (n=40 per month). Total numbers of parasites were counts during this study were 33,239 phagocytes. The highest intensity of the infection of the parasite was found in November (n=5014) and the lowest number of infection was in January (n=767). The confidence interval for proportions normal approximation in the prevalence of dry season was 48.9% with 95% of CI=45.3%–54.3%. The confidence interval for proportions normal approximation in the prevalence of rainy season was 47.7% with 95% of CI=43.2%– 52.2%. Risk estimation for odds ratio (OR) was 0.087 with 95% CI=0.01-0.68 Pearson Chi-Square showed the significant value (p≤0.05) cases via season. Most of the site infections of this parasite were on gill and digestive tract. Prevalence of parasites was considerably the same for both seasons. The mean intensity levels of infections were slightly high during the rainy season, which was assumed characterized by low surface seawater temperature, low salinity, and high levels of rainfall. Regression analyses revealed that season was significantly related to gregarine prevalence and intensity. This result emphasizes the importance of considering season and habitat as a part of the consideration factor while studying gregarine in bivalve ecology.