Cellulolytic and Ethanologenic Evaluation of Heterotermes indicola's Gut-Associated Bacterial Isolates.

Cellulose is the basic component of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) making it a suitable substrate for bioethanol fermentation. Cellulolytic and ethanologenic bacteria possess cellulases that convert cellulose to glucose, which in turn yields ethanol subsequently. Heterotermes indicola is a subterranean termite that causes destructive damage by consuming wooden structures of infrastructure, LCB products, etc. Prospectively, the study envisioned the screening of cellulolytic and ethanologenic bacteria from the termite gut. Twenty six bacterial strains (H1-H26) based on varied colonial morphologies were isolated. Bacterial cellulolytic activity was tested biochemically. Marked gas production in the form of bubbles (0.1-4 cm) in Durham tubes was observed in H3, H7, H13, H15, H17, H21, and H22. Sugar degradation of all isolates was indicated by pink to maroon color development with the tetrazolium salt. Hallow zones (0.42-11 mm) by Congo red staining was exhibited by all strains except H2, H7, H8, and H19. Among the 26 bacterial isolates, 12 strains were identified as efficient cellulolytic bacteria. CMCase activity and ethanol titer of all isolates varied from 1.30 ± 0.03 (H13) to 1.83 ± 0.01 (H21) umol/mL/min and 2.36 ± 0.01 (H25) to 7.00 ± 0.01 (H21) g/L, respectively. Likewise, isolate H21 exhibited an ethanol yield of 0.40 ± 0.10 g/g with 78.38 ± 2.05% fermentation efficiency. Molecular characterization of four strains, Staphylococcus sp. H13, Acinetobacter baumanni H17, Acinetobacter sp. H21, and Acinetobacter nosocomialis H22, were based on the maximum cellulolytic index and the ethanol yield. H. indicola harbor promising and novel bacteria with a natural cellulolytic tendency for efficient bioconversion of LCB to value-added products. Hence, the selected cellulolytic bacteria can become an excellent addition for use in enzyme purification, composting, and production of biofuel at large.

Antibacterial properties of Apis dorsata honey against some bacterial pathogens.

Now-a-days, different bioproducts are being used extensively for the welfare of mankind. However, for proper utility of any bioproduct, the exact biotechnological potential of that product should be explored. Honey is produced in almost every country on the planet. It has long been used as a medicinal agent in addition to its broader use as a popular food throughout the human history. It can be used to treat various diseases without causing any negative side effects. In the present study, the antibacterial potential of honey produced by A. dorsata was investigated at its variable concentrations (25, 50, 75 and 100 %) against four pathogenic bacterial species. The highest antimicrobial action was seen against E. coli at 100 % concentration of the honey while showing zone of inhibition of 37.5 ±â€¯3.5 mm. However, the lowest antibacterial action was observed against E. faecalis. The overall order of growth inhibition by the honey at its 100 % concentration for the implicated bacterial species appeared as: E. coli ˃ P. aeruginosa ˃ S. aureus ˃ E. faecalis. The honey couldn't show antibacterial action at its 25 % concentration. Our findings of the present study will be helpful for utility of the honey as an alternative medicine for curing different complications caused by microbial pathogens.

RUNX1 mutation and elevated FLT3 gene expression cooperates to induce inferior prognosis in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a bone marrow malignancy having multiple molecular pathways driving its progress. In recent years, the main causes of AML considered all over the world are genetic variations in cancerous cells. The RUNX1 and FLT3 genes are necessary for the normal hematopoiesis and differentiation process of hematopoietic stem cells into mature blood cells, therefore they are the most common targets for point mutations resulting in AML. METHODS: We screened 32 CN-AML patients for FLT3-ITD (by Allele-specific PCR) and RUNX1 mutations (by Sanger sequencing). The FLT3 mRNA expression was assessed in all AML patients and its subgroups. RESULTS: Eight patients (25%) carried RUNX1 mutation (K83E) while three patients (9.37%) were found to have internal tandem duplications in FLT3 gene. The RUNX1 mutation data were correlated with clinical parameters and FLT3 gene expression profile. The RUNX1 mutations were observed to be significantly prevalent in older males. Moreover, RUNX1 and FLT3-mutated patients had lower complete remission rate, event-free survival rate, and lower overall survival rate than patients with wild-type RUNX1 and FLT3 gene. The RUNX1 and FLT3 mutant patients with up-regulated FLT3 gene expression showed even worse prognosis. Bradford Assay showed that protein concentration was down-regulated in RUNX1 and FLT3 mutants in comparison to RUNX1 and FLT3 wild-type groups. CONCLUSION: This study constitutes the first report from Pakistan reporting significant molecular mutation analysis of RUNX1 and FLT3 genes including FLT3 expression evaluation with follow-up. This provides an insight that aforementioned mutations are markers of poor prognosis but the study with a large AML cohort will be useful to further investigate their role in disease biology of AML.

Pomegranate peels waste hydrolyzate optimization by Response Surface Methodology for Bioethanol production.

Unwanted agricultural waste is largely comprised of lignocellulosic substrate which could be transformed into sugars. The production of bioethanol from garbage manifested an agreeable proposal towards waste management as well as energy causation. The goal of this work is to optimize parameters for generation of bioethanol through fermentation by different yeast strains while Saccharomyces cerevisiae used as standard strain. The low cost fermentable sugars from pomegranate peels waste (PPW) were obtained by hydrolysis with HNO3 (1 to 5%). The optimum levels of hydrolysis time and temperature were elucidated via RSM (CCD) ranging from 30 to 60 min and 50 to 100 °C respectively. The result shows that optimum values (g/L) for reducing sugars was 61.45 ± 0.01 while for total carbohydrates was 236 ± 0.01. These values were found when PPW was hydrolyzed with 3% HNO3, at 75 °C for one hour. The hydrolyzates obtained from the dilute HNO3 pretreated PPW yielded a maximum of 0.43 ± 0.04, 0.41 ± 0.03 g ethanol per g of reducing sugars by both Metchnikowia sp. Y31 and M. cibodasensis Y34 at day 7 of ethanologenic experiment. The current study exhibited that by fermentation of dilute HNO3 hydrolyzates of PPW could develop copious amount of ethanol by optimized conditions.

Punica granatum waste to ethanol valorisation employing optimized levels of saccharification and fermentation.

Pomegranate peels (PPW) as municipal waste is inexpensive biomass that could be a renewable source of sugars particularly rich in hemicellulosic contents. The subsequent conversion of available sugars in PPW can provide prospective strategy for cost-effective bioenergy production. In this study, an experimental setup based on CCD was implemented with the aim of bioconversion of biomass into bioethanol. The factors considered were Hydrochloric acid concentration (X1), the hydrolysis temperature (X2) and time (X3) for optimization with dilute Hydrochloric acid (HCl) saccharification. The present study investigates the optimised level of bioethanol synthesis from acid pre-treated PPW explained by RSM. Subsequently, three yeasts viz. Saccharomyces cerevisiae K7, Metschnikowia sp. Y31 and M. cibodasensis Y34 were utilized for fermentation of acid hydrolysed and detoxified feed stocks. Optimum values of reducing sugars 48.02 ± 0.02 (gL-1) and total carbohydrates 205.88 ± 0.13 (gL-1) were found when PPW was hydrolyzed with 1% HCl concentration at 100˚C of temperature for 30 min. Later on, fermentation of PPWH after detoxification with 2.5% activated charcoal. The significant ethanol (g ethanol/g of reducing sugars) yields after fermentation with Metschnikowia sp. Y31 and M. cibodasensis Y34 found to be 0.40 ± 0.03 on day 5 and 0.41 ± 0.02 on last day of experiment correspondingly. Saccharomyces cerevisiae K7 also produce maximum ethanol 0.40 ± 0.00 on last day of incubation utilizing the PPWH. The bioconversion of commonly available PPW into bioethanol as emphasize in this study could be a hopeful expectation and also cost-effective to meet today energy crisis.

Analysis of RAS gene mutations in cytogenetically normal de novo acute myeloid leukemia patients reveals some novel alterations.

Rat sarcoma gene (RAS) holds great importance in pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The activated mutations in Neuroblastoma rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) confers proliferative and survival signals, deliberating numerous effects on overall survival and progression free survival in AML patients. In this study thirty one (31) blood samples of adult newly diagnosed AML patients were collected to identify possible incidence of mutations through amplification of KRAS (exon 1 and 2) and NRAS gene (exon 1 and 2) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplicons were then subjected to sequencing and were analyzed through Geneious Prime 2019. Five of thirty one (16.12%) patients had altered sites in either NRAS or KRAS. The NRAS mutations were observed in three AML patients (N = 3, 9.67%). A novel missense mutation NRAS-I36R (239 T > G) representing a substitution of single nucleotide basepair found in NRAS exon 1 while exon 2 was detected with heterozygous mutation NRAS-E63X (318G > T) and insertion (A), resulting in frameshift of the amino acid sequence and insertion of two nucleotide basepairs (TA) in two of the patients. KRAS mutations (N = 2, 6.45%) were found in exon 1 whereas no mutations in KRAS exon 2 were detected in our patient cohort. Mutation in KRAS Exon 1, KRAS-D30N (280G > A) was observed in two patients and one of them also had a novel heterozygous mutation KRAS-L16N (240G > C). In addition there was no statistically significant association of mutRAS gene of AML patients with several prognostic markers including age, gender, karyotyping, CD34 positivity, cytogenetic abnormalities, total leukocyte count, white blood cell count and French-American-British (FAB) classification. However, the presence of mutRAS gene were strongly associated (p = 0.001) with increased percentage of bone marrow blasts. The prevalence of mutations in correlation with clinical and hematological parameter is useful for risk stratification in AML patients.

Plasticity in life features, parasitism and super-parasitism behavior of Bracon hebetor, an important natural enemy of Galleria mellonella and other lepidopteran host species.

The wasp, Bracon hebetor Say, is an important potential biocontrol agent of a wide range of lepidopteran insect species. The current study was subjected to compare these ectoparasitoid fitness traits on different host species belonging to the order Lepidoptera. Moreover, we determine the population dynamic with different host densities, sex ratio patterns, super-parasitism, longevity, paralysis success, and reproductive potential under laboratory conditions. Our results revealed that oviposition increased with an increase in host density, while the adult emergence and egg hatching were decreased due to the super-parasitism on host larvae. A higher male and female-biased population were observed when virgin and mated females offered fresh hosts. Adults' longevity was recorded more in females than males when kept only with bee honey + royal jelly + host larvae. The mean duration of egg-adult development was recorded higher on Galleria mellonella and lowest on Busseola fusca. The parasitization rate, super-parasitism, and cumulative fecundity of mated and virgin female wasps with different host species were observed higher on specific host Galleria mellonella while it was lower on Phthorimaea operculella. Furthermore, the parasitoids having mating experience preferred fresh, while the parasitoids' lack of mating experiences preferred paralyzed host under olfactometer test. Besides, this research has produced novel facts on the biology of parasitic wasp, B. hebetor that may guide the advancement of sustainable biological control programs to control lepidopteran pests.

Exploring the non-coding regions in the mtDNA of some honey bee species and subspecies.

The sequence of the DNA contains coding and non-coding regions. The role of the non-coding regions is not known and is hypothesized to maintain the structure of the DNA. This study aimed to investigate the structure of the non-coding sequences in honey bees utilizing bioinformatics. The non-coding sequences of the mtDNA of three honey bee species Apis dorosata, Apis florea, Apis cerana, and ten subspecies of Apis mellifera were investigated. Different techniques were utilized to explore the non-coding regions of these bees including sequence analysis, phylogenetic relationships, enzymatic digestion, and statistical tests. Variations in size and sequences of nucleotides were detected in the studied species and subspecies, but with the same nucleotide abundance (i.e. nucleotides A were more than T and nucleotides G were less than C). The phylogenetic tree based on the non-coding regions was partially similar to the known phylogenetic relationships between these bees. The enzymatic digestion using four restriction enzymes confirmed the results of the phylogenetic relationships. The statistical analysis based on numerical codes for nucleotides showed the absence of significant variations between the studied bees in their sequences in a similar way to results of neutrality tests. This study suggests that the non-coding regions have the same functional role in all the studied bees regardless of the number of nucleotides, and not just to maintain the structure of the DNA. This is approximately the first study to shade lights on the non-coding regions of the mtDNA of honey bees.

A comparative study on the effects of selected pesticides on hemato-biochemistry and tissue histology of freshwater fish Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822).

The aim of the present study was to investigate the comparative effects of pesticides Chlorfenapyr, Dimethoate and Acetamiprid on the health of Cirrhinus mrigala under long term exposure. Eighty C. mrigala were divided in four equal groups; one control and three treated groups. The blood was collected from both control and treated groups at intervals of 10th, 20th and 30th days for hemato-biochemistry and histopathological alterations. The result indicates significant difference (P < 0.05) in RBCs, Hb, PCV and MCHC whereas elevation in WBCs and Platelets counts were recorded. In 10th day sampling, MCV value of Dimethoate and Acetamiprid treatment had no difference in comparison with the control group, however it is significantly increased (P < 0.05) in rest of sampling. The MCH value of exposed fish showed significant increased (P < 0.05) after 20th and 30th days for Chlorfenapyr and after 30th days for Acetamiprid exposure while insignificantly increased for rest of sampling. It was also found that these pesticides significantly decrease (p < 0.05) the T3 and T4 levels while increase in the TSH, cortical, ALP, AST, ALT and LDH levels in the serum of the treated fishes in contrast to control group. Similarly, histopathological analysis of gills and liver showed significant alterations in all the treated groups. Toxicity trends of these pesticides was ranked as Chlorfenapyr > Acetamiprid > Dimethoate. It is concluded that indiscriminate use of such pesticides poses a noxious threat to non-target organisms, harm the ecosystems and jeopardizes human health.

Hepatoprotective activity of silymarin encapsulation against hepatic damage in albino rats.

Liver fibrosis occurs due to liver injuries and toxins. Silymarin (SMR) extracted by the milk thistle seeds, is widely used such as herbal drug for its hepatoprotective properties. The purpose of this study to assess the properties of an optimized dose of encapsulated crude SMR on antidiabetic activity and liver fibrosis induced by paracetamol in male albino rat. Hepatic fibrosis was assessed by measuring liver enzymes. Results revealed that the consumption of encapsulated SMR, can effectively affluence the target and avoid the degradation of bioactive compound. Body weight of animal also significantly increased in each group during all the period. According to our optimized study, the long-term induction of SMR (300 mg/kg) significantly amplified survival time of rats with paracetamol induced hepatic injuries. The changes of liver fibrosis and the significant increase of hepatic enzyme biomarkers were also observed. In conclusion, the results suggest that SMR acts as a hepatoprotective agent by inhibiting the fibrogenisis and apoptosis in liver, as well as insulin resistance.

Molecular mechanisms of anticancer activities of polyphyllin VII.

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality in the world. The major therapies for cancer treatment are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. All these therapies expensive, toxic and show resistance. The plant-derived compounds are considered safe, cost-effective and target cancer through different pathways. In these pathways include oxidative stress, mitochondrial dependent and independent, STAT3, NF-kB, MAPKs, cell cycle, and autophagy pathways. One of the new plants derived compounds is Polyphyllin VII (PPVII), which target cancer through different molecular mechanisms. In literature, there is a review gap of studies on PPVII; therefore in the current review, we summarized the available studies on PPVII to provide a base for future research.

Comparative growth potential of thermophilic amylolytic Bacillus sp. on unconventional media food wastes and its industrial application.

Amylases take part with vital role in industries such as food, fermentation; starch processing, textile and paper etc. Increasing amylases demand, high nutrient expenditure and environmental pollution have forced to utilize agro-industrial residues as a low-cost feedstock for enzyme production. In present study, three soil samples were collected from agro-industrial waste dumping areas in District Faisalabad. Ten thermophilic bacterial isolates were separated at 55 °C on the basis of colonial morphology, three isolates (F6, F11, F17) showed prominent zone of clearance applying iodine test on starch agar plates. Bacterial isolate F-11 showed highest amylase activity with DNS method and molecularly identified through 16S RNA sequencing as Bacillus sp. with Accession number MH917294. Four unconventional food wastes (banana, lemon, mango and potato) pretreated with 0.8% sulphuric acid concentrations taking 1000 g/L weight released the highest sugars contents and phenolic components. Maximum amylase activity i.e. 29.23 mg/ml was achieved in mango waste at, 40 °C, with pH 6.0 and 0.17% nitrogenous source adding 8% inoculum size (2 days old) using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for optimization. Crude amylase confirmed its efficiency in starch hydrolysis that suggested it as potential candidate for application in starch industries.

Development of DNA barcodes for selected Acacia species by using rbcL and matK DNA markers.

Acacia species are very important tree species in tropical and subtropical countries of the World for their economic and medicinal benefits. Precise identification of Acacia is very important to distinguish the invasive species from rare species however, it is difficult to differentiate Acacia species based on morphological charcters. In addition, precise identification is also important for wood charcterization in the forest industry as these species are declining due to illegal logging and deforestation. To overcome thsese limitations of morphological identification, DNA barcoding is being used as an efficient and quick approach for precise identification of tree species. In this study, we selected two chloroplast and plastid base DNA markers (rbcL and matK) for the identification of five selected tree species of Acacia (A. albida, A. ampliceps, A. catechu, A. coriacea and A. tortilis). The genomic DNA of the selected Acacia species was extracted, amplified through PCR using specific primers and subsequently sequenced through Sanger sequencing. In matK DNA marker the average AT nucleotide contents were higher (59.46%) and GC contents were lower (40.44%) as compared to the AT (55.40%) and GC content (44.54%) in rbcL marker. The means genetic distance K2P between the Acacia species was higher in matK (0.704%) as compared to rbcL (0.230%). All Acacia species could be identified based on unique SNPs profile. Based on SNP data profiles, DNA sequence based scannable QR codes were developed for accurate identification of Acacia species. The phylogenetic analysis based on both markers (rbcL and matK) showed that both A. coriacea and A. tortilis were closely related with each other and clustered in the same group while other two species A. albida and A. catechu were grouped together. The specie A. ampliceps remained ungrouped distantly, compared with other four species. These finding highlights the potential of DNA barcoding for efficient and reproducible identification of Acacia species.

Apparent nutrient digestibility of carbohydrate (corn) in Cirrhinus mrigala under the influence of chromium chloride hexahydrate / Digestibilidade aparente de nutrientes oriundos de carboidratos (milho) em Cirrhinus mrigala sob a influência do cloreto de cromo hexa-hidratado

Abstract A feeding trial was carried out to assess the effect of dietary chromium supplementation on apparent nutrient digestibility coefficient (%) of gelatinized and non-gelatinized corn in Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings for 90 days. Using various levels of chromium chloride hexahydrate six test diets designated as T1 (G/0.0 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T2 (NG/0.0 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T3 (G/0.2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T4 (NG/0.2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T5 (G/0.4 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1) and T6 (NG/0.4 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1) were prepared. Results showed highest apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of nutrients dry matter, crude lipid and gross energy in test diet T5 that was gelatinized and supplemented with chromium 0.4 mg/Kg while, for crude protein higher value of nutrient digestibility was recorded in T3 test diet (G/0.2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg/Kg). It was concluded that chromium supplementation with gelatinized corn in fish (Cirrhinus mrigala) diet can improve the nutrients digestibility more efficiently.

Resumo Um experimento referente à alimentação foi realizado para avaliar o efeito da suplementação dietética de cromo, no coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente do nutriente (%) do milho gelatinizado e não gelatinizado em alevinos de Cirrhinus mrigala por 90 dias. Usando vários níveis de cloreto de cromo hexa-hidratado, seis dietas testes foram designadas e preparadas como: T1 (G/0,0 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1); T2 (NG/0,0 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1); T3 (G/0,2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1); T4 (NG/0,2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1); T5 (G/0,4 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1) e T6 (NG/0,4 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1). Os resultados mostraram maior coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) em matéria seca de nutrientes, lipídios brutos e energia bruta na dieta teste T5, que foi gelatinizada e suplementada com cromo 0,4 mg / Kg; enquanto que para a proteína bruta, foi registrada maior digestibilidade dos nutrientes na dieta teste T3 (G/0,2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg/Kg). Concluiu-se que a suplementação de cromo com milho gelatinizado na dieta de peixes (Cirrhinus mrigala) pôde melhorar a digestibilidade dos nutrientes de forma mais eficiente.

Insecticidal, biological and biochemical response of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) to some indigenous weed plant extracts.

In the current study; insecticidal, growth regulation, oviposition deterrence and repellency of petroleum ether extracts of Azadirachta indica, Penganum harmala, Datura stramonium, Tribulus terrestris and Chenopodium murale against 2nd instar larvae of housefly was investigated. Five different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) were used through larval feeding and the mortality data was recorded after 24, 48 and 72 hrs. Highest mortality was induced by P. harmala (63.87%) followed by D. stramonium (62.78%), A. indica (53.84%), T. terrestris (41.86%) and C. murale (4.09%) after 72 h at 25% concentration, respectively. Increased mortality was observed with increased time duration and concentration. Longest larval duration (9.33 ±â€¯0.33 days) and pupal duration (7.33 ±â€¯0.33 days) days) was recorded in larvae treated with 25% concentration of P. harmala which also caused a decrease in the activity of AChE, ACP, AKP, α-Carboxyl, and ß-Carboxyl enzymes. However, at 25% concentration, C. murale showed highest oviposition deterrence activity (81.88%) followed by D. stramonium (79.58%). In comet assay test, at highest concentration (25%) the mean comet tail lengths represented by Penganum harmala, Datura stramonium and Azadirachta indica (Reference plant) were 10.20 ±â€¯0.49, 9.20 ±â€¯0.37 and 7.80 ±â€¯0.49 µm while percent DNA damage was 10.56 ±â€¯0.77, 10.67 ±â€¯1.62 and 8.11 ±â€¯0.85% respectively compared to controls cells. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of flavonoids, steroids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids and anthraquinones. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed the presence of phenolic flavonoids, saponins, tannins as major functional groups. Further studies are needed to explore and thus, to incorporate weed plant extracts for the management of house flies.

Comparative study of physio-chemical analysis of fresh and branded honeys from Pakistan.

Honey is a nutritious substance produced by bees. Its quality and nutritional value is of great importance for consumers. Keeping this in view physicochemical and minerals determination as quality parameters of fresh floral Pakistani honeys produced by A. mellifera and branded honeys was conducted. The results of fresh honey indicated average means of Color as 48.78 mmPfund, pH 4.9, Total acidity 37.14 meq/kg, Moisture content 18.62%, Electrical conductivity 0.23 mS/cm, Ash content 0.49%, HMF content 30.85 mg/kg, Proline 365.84 mg/kg, Diastase activity 34.39(DN) and Invertase activity was 68.61(IN) comparable to honey standards. Natural honey were rich in k+ (408.46 ppm) and Na+ (405 ppm). Although Ca+ was very low. Whereas, Co, Mn and Ba concentrations exceed the 1 ppm. However, Pb, Cr, and Mo were unnoticeable. Similarly, Color, pH, MC, EC, T. Acidity, HMF, Proline, Ash content, Diastase and Invertase activity of branded honey samples average means found were 42.5 mmPfund, 5.05, 20.5%, 0.18 mS/cm, 15.34 meq/kg, 36.5 mg/kg, 181.6 mg/kg, 1.11%, 7.90(DN) and 36.97(IN) respectively. The findings showed that fresh honey samples were good and of consumable quality as per honey standards than branded honey. Higher HMF content and lower enzymatic activity in branded honey sample than the Codex standards revealed its either long or improper storage.

Apparent nutrient digestibility of carbohydrate (corn) in Cirrhinus mrigala under the influence of chromium chloride hexahydrate.

A feeding trial was carried out to assess the effect of dietary chromium supplementation on apparent nutrient digestibility coefficient (%) of gelatinized and non-gelatinized corn in Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings for 90 days. Using various levels of chromium chloride hexahydrate six test diets designated as T1 (G/0.0 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T2 (NG/0.0 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T3 (G/0.2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T4 (NG/0.2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T5 (G/0.4 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1) and T6 (NG/0.4 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1) were prepared. Results showed highest apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of nutrients dry matter, crude lipid and gross energy in test diet T5 that was gelatinized and supplemented with chromium 0.4 mg/Kg while, for crude protein higher value of nutrient digestibility was recorded in T3 test diet (G/0.2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg/Kg). It was concluded that chromium supplementation with gelatinized corn in fish (Cirrhinus mrigala) diet can improve the nutrients digestibility more efficiently.

Effect of organic and in-organic chromium supplementation on growth performance and genotoxicity of Labeo rohita.

In aquaculture industry, the aim of feed formulation is to provide the fish with feasible diet to enhance their body. Carbohydrates supplemented with chromium compounds (organic and in-organic) are major energy currencies for biological machinery of fish. Here, this article presents a description that emphasizes the effect of chromium picolinate (organic) and chromium chloride hexahydrate (in-organic) on growth execution and genotoxicity of Labeorohita. Seven groups (each with a replica) with 30 Labeorohita fingerlings were formed: a control group, three groups were supplemented with chromium chloride Hexahydrate (0.3, 0.5 and 0.6 mg kg-1) and three groups were supplemented with Cr-Pic, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.6 mg kg-1) respectively. The experimental group T4 fortified with (Cr-Pic) along with carbohydrates by dose of 0.3 mg/kg demonstrated significant results (P < 0.05). Superior growth for Labeo rohita was observed as compared to control and other experimental groups. Minimum growth trend was observed in group T5 (CP-0.5 mg/kg), T6 (CP-0.6 mg/kg) and T7 (control) respectively. Comet assay results indicated the dose and Cr related (organic or in-organic) genetic damage in fish erythrocytes. Hence, maximum comet parameters (Tail length, Tail DNA and Olive Tail Moment) were observed in (in-organic Cr) by 0.3 mg/kg concentration. This study suggested the toxicity corresponding to in-organic Cr but organic Cr could be used as growth promoter if so. Overall results demonstrated supplementation of organic chromium compounds by 0.3 mg/kg should be reconsidered for growth. This drive of research address the fish farmers to utilize the feed supplemented with organic Cr compounds which is most appropriate to provide sustainable yield as part of increment in growth performance and beneficial health effects for consumers on indices to reduce the toxicity risks.

Study on survival, growth, haematology and body composition of Cyprinus carpio under different acute and chronic salinity regimes.

Pakistan's most of the land is less productive or no productivity at all due to erosion and salinity of the soil, which can be utilized to develop fisheries. The project, "Survival, growth and body composition of Cyprinus carpio under different salinity regimes" was undertaken in two phases. In the first phase susceptibility of Cyprinus carpio at four salinity levels in triplicate within 0-10 g L-1NaCl for 96 h in each aquarium was checked after one week acclamation at 0 g L-1, 2 g L-1 and 4 g L-1 NaCl. LC50 values varied from 7.67 to 10.65 g L-1 after 96 h for C. carpio. Percentage mortality of the fish and important water quality parameters after every 12 h were observed for a period of 96-h. Probit analysis showed that 96-h LC50 values ranged from 7.67 to 10.65 g L-1 . During experimental period aquaria water temperature ranged from 29.6 to 33.7 °C, pH values fluctuated between 7.8 and 9.7, Electrical conductivity values ranged from 2.40 to 20.13 dSm-1 and Dissolved oxygen ranged between 2.23 and 10 mg L-1. Sub-lethal salt concentration i.e. 0 g L-1 to 3 g L-1 NaCl upto 40 days showed that growth of C. carpio decreased with the increase of water salinity levels and ceased at 4 g L-1 salinity and increase in salinity have negatively affected hematological parameters.

Apparent nutrient digestibility of carbohydrate (corn) in Cirrhinus mrigala under the influence of chromium chloride hexahydrate

Abstract A feeding trial was carried out to assess the effect of dietary chromium supplementation on apparent nutrient digestibility coefficient (%) of gelatinized and non-gelatinized corn in Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings for 90 days. Using various levels of chromium chloride hexahydrate six test diets designated as T1 (G/0.0 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T2 (NG/0.0 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T3 (G/0.2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T4 (NG/0.2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T5 (G/0.4 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1) and T6 (NG/0.4 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1) were prepared. Results showed highest apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of nutrients dry matter, crude lipid and gross energy in test diet T5 that was gelatinized and supplemented with chromium 0.4 mg/Kg while, for crude protein higher value of nutrient digestibility was recorded in T3 test diet (G/0.2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg/Kg). It was concluded that chromium supplementation with gelatinized corn in fish (Cirrhinus mrigala) diet can improve the nutrients digestibility more efficiently.

Resumo Um experimento referente à alimentação foi realizado para avaliar o efeito da suplementação dietética de cromo, no coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente do nutriente (%) do milho gelatinizado e não gelatinizado em alevinos de Cirrhinus mrigala por 90 dias. Usando vários níveis de cloreto de cromo hexa-hidratado, seis dietas testes foram designadas e preparadas como: T1 (G/0,0 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1); T2 (NG/0,0 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1); T3 (G/0,2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1); T4 (NG/0,2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1); T5 (G/0,4 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1) e T6 (NG/0,4 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1). Os resultados mostraram maior coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) em matéria seca de nutrientes, lipídios brutos e energia bruta na dieta teste T5, que foi gelatinizada e suplementada com cromo 0,4 mg / Kg; enquanto que para a proteína bruta, foi registrada maior digestibilidade dos nutrientes na dieta teste T3 (G/0,2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg/Kg). Concluiu-se que a suplementação de cromo com milho gelatinizado na dieta de peixes (Cirrhinus mrigala) pôde melhorar a digestibilidade dos nutrientes de forma mais eficiente.