International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 71

Abstract: Melanocytes/melanophores were known for some decades as pigment cells in skin. The origin of these cells in embryogenesis from neural crest cells is actively investigated now. Some melanocytes/melanophores were described inside adult vertebrates. Historically, these internal melanocytes have been largely ignored, until recently. In frogs, the melanophores populate not only the skin, but all the inner connective tissues: epineurium, peritoneum, mesentery, outer vascular layer and skin underside. In adult avian, melanocytes were also found in visceral connective tissues, periostea, muscles, ovaries and the peritoneum. In mammals and humans, melanocytes are also revealed in eyes, ears, heart and brain. A black-brownish pigment, which can be found in brains of humans and some mammals, was called neuromelanin. Currently, attempts are being made to treat neurodegenerative diseases and various nerve injuries with medications containing melanin. In this micro-review, we wanted to remind again about the inner melanophores on visceral organs and lining blood vessels and nerves, their importance in organisms resistance to adverse environmental factors.

Abstract: Proteases is family of enzymes and it has crucial role due to their physiological roles and very valuable commercial applications. Alkaline protease are produced by Bacillus species are particular importance because of their thermal stability and stability at different pH values. This study aimed to investigate the effect of physical and chemical factors in production of alkaline protease enzyme fermentation by members of the genus Bacillus. In this study, alkaline protease enzyme production were evaluated in submerged fermentation by Bacillus strains which were isolated from alkaline soils of Guilan province. Factors incubation were optimized such as time, pH, amount of inoculation and ammonium sulfate in alkaline protease enzyme production whit using response surface methodology (RSM) in culture. The maximum enzymatic activity was observed in incubation time of 36 hours, pH=9, inoculation amount of 15% (V) and ammonium sulfate 1.5% (W/V). Factors had significant effect on the production of alkaline protease enzyme such as pH and ammonium sulfate.

Abstract: Land cover change in any ecosystem vary in space and time. The study analyzed spatial-temporal land cover change to predict forest degradation pressure points in Eastern Mau Forest Reserve. The study objectives were to determine types and amount of spatial-temporal land cover change; land cover change drivers and; forest resources use sustainability. The study used mixed sample survey design involving purposive sampling of spatial data and cluster sampling of forest resource use data. Primary data included ground control points, field validation data and forest resource use data. Secondary data included Landsat imagery, forest and administration boundaries and settlements data. Analysis was done for 1986-2014 period using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System. The analysis techniques used included object based image segmentation and classification, accuracy assessment and land cover change detection. Land cover types in Eastern Mau Forest consisted of indigenous forest, shrubland, grassland, plantation forest, cultivated fields, bare ground and built-up area. The analysis results depicted that cultivated fields coverage increased from 1% to 47%. Indigenous and plantation forests decreased from 43% to 36% and 34% to 7% respectively. Grassland and shrubland decreased from 16% to 8% and 6% to 2% respectively. Bare ground and built up area had a change of less than 1% each. Causes of pressure that lead to forest degradation included crop cultivation, settlement construction, livestock grazing, charcoal burning, firewood collection, logging, bee keeping and medicinal herbs extraction. Land cover change was more on the eastern side than on the western side. Indigenous and plantation forests were likely to disappear if cropland and built up area expansions were to remain unchecked. The study recommendations were: resettlement activities be eliminated in the Eastern Mau Forest; excision of forest land for crop cultivation should be discouraged; and scientific research should be carried out on sustainable plantation forest activities.

Abstract: In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of zeolite and bentonite on the ammonium adsorption at different temperatures. In this research three trial groups with 3 repetitions were created for three different water temperatures (18±0.1°C, 24±0.0°C, 27±0.0°C). Experimental groups were prepared by adding NH₄⁺ amount of 10.5 mg/l in 2 liters of water. After that, zeolite, zeolite+bentonite and bentonite were added into the bottles as 10 gram per liter. Water temperature, pH and TAN (Total Ammonium Nitrogen) values were determined during the trial period. At the end of trial TAN values at 27 °C were recorded as 10.103±0.11 mg/l, 9.227±0.13 mg/l and 7.933±0.17 mg/l in zeolite, zeolite+bentonite and bentonite groups, respectively. At the end of trial TAN values at 24 °C were recorded as 10.027±0.17 mg/l, 9.282±0.15 mg/l and 8.336±0.15 mg/l in zeolite, zeolite+bentonite and bentonite groups, respectively. At the end of trial TAN values at 18 °C were recorded as 9.012±0.28 mg/l, 7.702±0.14 mg/l and 6.594±0.14 mg/l in zeolite, zeolite+bentonite and bentonite groups, respectively. Maximum ammonium removal capacity, q_e, was found to be 0.50 mg/g in the bentonite (18 °C). The TAN values determined at 18 °C were statistically more significant (p<0.05) than the TAN values obtained at 24 °C and 27 °C.

Abstract: This study evaluated the phytochemical and nutrient composition of four selected vegetables consumed in Nigeria, namely, bush mallow (ahihara), garden egg leaf (okpokwa), African spinach (inine), and bush okro (ewedu). They were analyzed for proximate, minerals, vitamins and phytochemical contents. Proximate values maintained the following ranges: moisture 6.73% to 91.22%, protein 7.05% to 32.12%, crude fiber 2.75% to 6.36%, ether extract 3.15% to 6.81%, ash content 2.81% to 6.81% and carbohydrate 48.75% to 72.62% while energy value ranged from 340.54kcal to 363.07kcal. The vitamin contents for these vegetables ranged as follows: vitamin A 0.13.mg/100g to 370.64mg/100g, thiamin (vit B₁) 3.12mg/100g to 7.45mg/100g, riboflavin (vit B₂) 0.08mg/100g to 3.96mg/100g, vitamin B₃ (niacin) 0.17mg/100g to 1.91mg/100g, and vitamin C 39.84mg/100g to 98.75mg/100g. The mineral content, namely, calcium ranged from 45.61mg/100g to 430.69mg/100g, magnesium 11.05mg/100g to 198.14mg/100g, potassium 49.82mg/100g to 708.28mg/100g, sodium 2.36mg/100g to 22.98mg/100g. Also the phytochemical contents of the vegetables for phytate ranged from 0.47% to 3.04%, tannin 0.10% to 1.01%, saponin 0.16% to 2.56% and oxalate 0.63% to 0.72%. The results obtained from these vegetables show that they can contribute qualitatively to the nutritional need of the Nigerian population especially among the rural dwellers where vegetables is major food source.