International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 57

Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the correlation between of salinity stress on growth and phenolic compounds in rice. It was observed that salinity stress caused a significant decrease in shoot lengths, fresh and dry weights of all rice varieties. Under salinity stress, changes of chemical contents also differed among phenolic compounds and rice cultivars. Total phenolics and flavonoids, and contents of vanillin and protocatechuic acid in tolerant varieties were strongly increased, whereas in contrast, they were markedly reduced in the susceptible cultivar. Ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid were detected only in tolerance rice. Vanillin and protocatechuic acid may play a role, but ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid may be much involved in the tolerant mechanism against salinity stress. Ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid and their derivatives are able to be exploited as promising agents to reduce detrimental effects of salinity stress on rice production.

Abstract: The effect of inoculating single cultures of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on development of white beans seedling (Phaseolus vulgaris) was analyzed. Five PGPR were isolated from the rhizosphere of Okra plants and were assessed for abilities to solubilise phosphate and produce indole acetic acid (IAA). The phosphate solubilising index ranged from 6-10 while the concentration of IAA ranged from 17.48mg/l to 27.43mg/l. Serratia sp. produced the highest concentration of IAA (27.43mg/l) and had the highest solubilisation index (10mm). Bacillus sp. produced the least amount of IAA (17.48mg/l) while Staphylococcus sp. had the least solubilisation index (6mm). The highest percentage germination of 83.3% was observed in the seedling inoculated with Bacillus sp. The influence of microbial inoculation on root and shoot elongation was studied hydroponically for 7 days. Significant increases (P< 0.05) in root elongation were observed. The highest seedling root length (18.47cm) and shoot length (19.17cm) were observed with inoculation of Staphylococcus sp. and Bacillus sp. respectively. The use of these bacteria as bio-inoculants could be a sustainable practice to facilitate nutrient supply to white beans seedlings.

Abstract: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome characterised by the rapid loss of the kidney’s excretory function and is typically diagnosed by the accumulation of end products of nitrogen metabolism (urea and creatinine) or decreased urine output, or both. It is the clinical manifestation of several disorders that affect the kidney acutely. No specific therapies have yet emerged that can attenuate AKI or expedite recovery; thus, the only treatment is supportive therapies and intensive care. The present study was aimed to provide an insight into the importance of a metalloproteinase involved in the pathological conditions of AKI and potentially is a unique target for therapeutic intervention during the disease; Meprin. The data obtained using literature search from PubMed and interaction networks analysis software STRING strongly support the concept that meprin acts as a major matrix degrading enzyme in the kidney, and thus creating an environment that leads to impairment in cellular function rather than cellular stability in response to AKI. The present study discerns the structure of meprin alpha subunit using in silico tools SWISS-MODE, Phyre2 web server and identify the active site and critical amino acid residues in the active site using AADS (IIT Delhi), 3DLigandSite and DoGSiteScorer. Further it is documented that actinonin, a naturally occurring antibacterial agent as a pharmacologically active intervention for the metalloproteinase’s α subunit by blocking its active sites from the environment which was validated using molecular docking algorithms of SWISS-DOCK and FlexX.

Abstract: Over the past 50 years, the complete histological study of carp fish gonads was first carried out at Zaporozhian Reservoir. In conditions of environmental transformation of the reservoir the regularities of oogenesis and gonadogenesis, passing sexual cycles were found and the ecology of spawning carp fish was investigated. The adaptive potential of the carp fish reproductive systems, which is expressed through the asynchrony of reproductive products development as well as the functional peculiarities of the fish spawning process, was brought to light. Both environmental assessment and faunal analysis of biodiversity and distribution of young fish of Zaporozhian Reservoir were carried out. The growth and development of the fish larvae dwelling within the industrial agglomerations of Dnipropetrovsk city are found to be under anthropogenic influence. The efficiency of the use of artificial spawning nests for the carp fish spawning was studied, and practical recommendations for their installation and operation in the waters of the reservoir were elaborated.

Abstract: The paucity of standard engineered landfills in Nigeria has given rise to the proliferation of open waste dumpsites. The environment can be impacted by leachates from these dumpsites if not properly managed. This study assessed the characteristics of leachates from three open dumpsites in Warri Metropolis and its contamination potential using leachate pollution index (LPI). The dump sites had low pH with acidic level lower than the recommended limit. The calculated LPI values of the three sites ranges from 6.377 to 7.438. These values are low when compared to open dumpsites in other metropolitan areas of similar climatic conditions. The low value of LPI for leachate indicates relatively lower contaminant potential due to low concentrations of heavy metals, relatively young age of the landfill as well as low population and organic origin of the wastes. The calculated low LPI value does not in any way preclude the continuous monitoring of the dumpsites as the values recorded are just slightly below the threshold level. It is recommended that there should be an upgrade of all open dumpsites to a standard engineered landfill with a robust and effective monitoring put to curtail future release of deleterious materials from these dumpsites.

Abstract: Due to the disadvantages of physiochemical methods for sulfidic spent caustic treatment, attentions are drawn to the environmental-friendly biotreatments including sulfur-oxidizing halo-alkaliphiles. Thioalkalivibrio versutus DSM 13738 was grown at alkaline (pH10) autotrophic medium with sodium carbonate/bicarbonate as the sole source of carbon and amended with sodium thiosulfate as the electron and energy source. The effect of various parameters including temperature (25-40 °C), pH (8-11), NaCl concentration (0.5-5 % w/v) and sodium thiosulfate concentrations (100-750 mM) was evaluated on bacterial growth and thiosulfate removal. This strain could eliminate sodium thiosulfate at very high concentrations up to 750 mM. The results showed that the highest specific growth rate was pH 9.5 and thiosulfate removal of Thioalkalivibrio versutus occurred at pH 10.5. The optimum salt concentration for thiosulfate removal was 2.5 % w/v and 5 % NaCl and specific growth rate elevated 2.5% w/v. It was also specified that this strain thrives occurred in 37 °C and at 35 and 37 °C higher removal of thiosulfate. Following chemical oxidation of sulfide to thiosulfate, application of Thioalkalivibrio versutus could be promising for spent caustic treatment. Since thiosulfate is utilized as an energy source, highest removal efficiency occurred at marginally different conditions compared to optimal growth.

Abstract: Biological method is considered as eco-friendly and reliable process for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNps) in the field of nanotechnology due to its tremendous applications in various fields. In this study we have isolated a total of twelve endophytic fungi from leaves of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Catharanthus roseus out of which six endophytic fungi showed their ability to synthesized AgNps from silver nitrate (AgNO₃₎ solution which splits into a positive silver ion (Ag⁺) and a negative nitrate ion (NO₃^-) in order to turn the silver ions into solid silver (Ago). Of the six positive endophytic fungi VRD2 showed good and encouraging results and was identified as Penicillium spinulosum VRD2. UV-Visible Spectroscopy confirms the AgNps showing maximum peak at 425nm implying the bioreduction of AgNO₃. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed the particle are spherical and well dispersed without agglomeration size ranging from 25-30nm.

Abstract: Present study was performed to analysis both physical and chemical properties of rice germplasm and heritability for yield components in combinations. A total of 44 lines/varieties obtained from Cuu Long Rice Research Institute genebank, and 30 F₁ generation combinations were evaluated. The results showed that the rice line IR79008-B-11-B-B-1 showed overall good physical characters (head rice, grain length, grain width, chalkiness). In terms of chemical characteristics, three varieties IR75499-73-1-B, OM6162, and OM4900 were found to have good amylose content, gel consistency, protein content, gelatinization temperature, and aroma. A very notable finding was that the cross between OM6162/SwarnaSub1 that low amylose content (20.2%), high gel consistency (78.2 mm), high protein content (8.1%), appropriate gelatinization temperature (scale 5), low chalkiness (level 0), high heritability (0.9) for grain yield trait/cluster, and (0.84) for the number of panicles/cluster. Moreover these characters consist of plant height, panicles lenght, number of panicles/cluster, number of filled grains/panicle, number of unfilled/panicle, and grain yield/ cluster showed moderate to high heritability of mean for combination OM6162/SwarnaSub1. The results suggest that the grain yield trait/cluster and the number of panicles/cluster are important yield contributing traits to rice breeders for selecting ideal combinations for higher yield and quality of next generations.

Abstract: Metals and chemicals have been increased in industrial processes which they contain a high level of toxic heavy metals and cause a lot of disadvantages for the environment and human health .Biosorption of Pb (П) ions has been studied from aqueous solutions in a batch system by using a bacterial strain isolated from petrochemical wastewaters. Strain 8-I was selected to study the impact of different factors on removal rate. According to morphological, physiological and biochemical characterizations of the strain and in comparison with other studies the strain was tentatively identified as Bacillus sp strain 8-I. The maximum Lead biosorption capacity of 8-I isolate was determined to be 41.58 % at pH 4.0 with 80 mg/l concentration in 48 hours equilibrium time. The comparison between the biosorption capacity of live (45.50 mg/g), heat inactivated (30.23 mg/g) and NaN₃ pretreated biomass (26.86 mg/g) were indicated that the ability of live biomass for both of active and passive uptake of lead.

Abstract: Geospatial and geostatistical analysis of particulate matter (PM₁₀) variation in Imo State, Nigeria was carried out. The objectives of the study were to determine and analyze the variation in concentration of ambient PM₁₀ level in Imo State, Nigeria. Air quality sampling was conducted within November 2014 and June 2015, in wet and dry seasons three times daily using Haze Dust Particulate Monitor (10μm). The mean concentration of PM₁₀ level observed in the study varied from 5.22 - 6.63 mg/m³ in wet season and 5.80 - 8.38 mg/m³ in dry season. Coefficient of variation (CV %) revealed that the variability of PM₁₀ level ranged between little and moderate variations in both wet and dry season. Analysis of variance (ANOVA p<0.05) showed statistically significant variation in the mean PM₁₀ level in the study locations. Box and Whisker plots confirmed variation of PM₁₀ in the morning, afternoon and evening. The GIS plots revealed the spatial attributes of the air pollutant in the study locations. Time series plots indicate that the air pollutants fluctuated throughout the study duration. The Wind Rose suggests that the prevailing wind speed and wind directions were responsible for the dispersal migration of the air pollutant in the study area. The highest seasonal mean values were observed in Egbema and Okigwe area in both dry and wet season. The seasonal mean values recorded in the study exceeded the Nigerian National Ambient Air Quality Standards. This calls for urgent response to prevent further air quality deterioration and its negative effects on man and the environment.