Algerian Journal of Biosciences

Molecular markers applied to genetic diversity analysis and genome - wide association studies for micronutrients in grains and biotic stresses traits in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Solange NYIRAGUHIRWA, Valence Ndayisenga, Zahra Grana, Houda Hiddar — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) ranks the fourth most important cereal worldwide. It feeds animals, produces malt, and is used in the human diet. Yield increase and yield stability are the top barley breeding goal. However, diseases such as the Net form of Net blotch (NFNB) and powdery mildew (PM) reduce yield and grain quality. For barley destined for human consumption, micronutrients increase in grains, especially zinc and iron, is essential to alleviate malnutrition. Thus, breeders must select new loci and use them to develop higher-yielding, nutritious, and disease-resistant cultivars. This study reviews the importance of genetic diversity analysis using molecular markers and Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in barley breeding. Genetic diversity studies are crucial for conservation and utilization of barley germaplasm in plant breeding. Secondly, we discuss genome-wide association study (GWAS) uses to locate genomics regions associated with important barley traits such as disease resistance to NFNB and PM, and micronutrients (Zn and Fe) content in grains. Significant SNP identified in GWAS studies once validated in other experiments or populations, they can be converted into user-friendly markers and used to develop barley cultivars with improved quality, and disease resistance via marker-assisted selection.

Phytochemical and biological potential of Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) extracts from M’sila (Algeria)

Bendif Hamidi — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The cladodes juice and seeds oil obtained from the prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indca) grown in M’sila, Algeria are investigated in this work. The objective of the present study was to evaluate their physicochemical composition, polyphenols and flavonoid content, antioxidant potential by DPPH test and antibacterial activities. The results of this experimental study showed that leaf bud juice presented the highest yield of 79.02%. Leaf juice was rich in polyphenols (4.6 g/100 g) and flavonoids (38.35 mg/100 g). While, the study revealed that the seeds oil extracts presented a weak yield of 5%. Leafy sap from spiny species shows high antioxidant activity and an antibacterial effect on: S. aurous, E. coli, S. typhimirum, S. marcesscens. Whereas, the antibacterial activities were as follows: for leafy sap from spiny species E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. typhimirum and K. pneumoniae strains were relatively resistant to oil, E. coli and S. marcescens strains were relatively resistant to cold-pressed oil. The three oil varieties cold, 90°, and 160° pressed oil, were the most proven oils to be effective against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. typhimirum and K. pneumonia.

Views of Al-Anbar Nurses towards Nutrition Nurses

Hazim Alhiti — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This study illustrated the healthcare nurses' opinions towards the importance of nutrition nurses. It is a prospective study that included 101 Al-Anbar nurses, all of whom had five years or above of healthcare experience in different health institutions of the Al-Anbar health directorate. The authors distributed an online survey from 4th -12th February 2022. There were 101 healthcare staff aged (27-55) years. There were 36 females (35.6 %), and 65 (64.4 %) males. Eighty-five of them (84.1 %) recommended a nutritional faculty in the Iraqi Ministry of Health. A nutrition nurse is an essential vacation in any hospital

In vitro Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities assessment of flavonoids crude extract of Anthemis pedunculata subsp. atlantica (Pomel) Oberpr., aerial parts.

Sofiane Gaamoune — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The Anthemis genus is used in traditional medicine for treating asthma, gastrointestinal disorders, and colds, with its beneficial effects attributed to its phenolic contents. The study aims to evaluate the biological activities of this species, which is widely used by the local population by extracting of flavonoids from Anthemis pedunculata subsp. atlantica (Pomel) Oberpr. and valorised their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials. The extraction process involved macerating the plant in 70% ethanol, defatting it with petroleum ether, and extracting the aqueous phase with chloroform. The flavonoid content was measured using Aluminium chloride solution, while the antiradical activity was assessed by DPPH assay. The study also evaluated the plant extract's reducing power and its ability to protect erythrocytes from membrane lysis induced by hypotonicity using the HRBC membrane stabilization method. The results show a very interesting antioxidant activity expressed by a low IC50 and EC50 in case of DPPH and reducing power test respectively. Also, the extract revealed a significant protective power of erythrocytes at a very low concentration (10−100 μg/mL).

Cultivation of Spirulina platensis in human urine medium or/and fish liver oil medium (home design)

Ahmed Abdulrraziq — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Spirulina platensis is one of the most significant algae that has attracted a lot of business interest as a novel natural product, which necessitates the development of a low-cost cultivation system to produce high yields. This study aims to evaluate the 30-day culture of S.platensis in a human urine mixture with or without fish liver oil medium (home design). The cultivation included eight conditions: Zarrouk's medium (control), human urine medium at 1:1 and 1:2 (v:v) concentrations, fish liver oil medium at 5/100 and 10ml/100ml concentrations, and finally mixture medium. The results show that S.platensis grew in all tested media with stable productivity. Nevertheless, Zarrouk's medium was significantly (P<0.05) higher than all tested media in all growth indicators. On the other hand, it was observed that Spirulina cultivation in the mixture medium was very satisfactory, yielding biomass (4.4g/L), a specific growth rate of 0.14 mg/L/day, a generation time of 2.7 days and total carbohydrate 53.0% (w/w), which was comparable to Zarrouk's medium, with biomass (5.2 g/L), a specific growth rate of 0.18 mg/L/day, a generation time of 3.2 days and total carbohydrate 38.0% (w/w). This study is a step in the right direction toward developing an affordable medium for Spirulina platensis cultivation

Coexistence between primary and secondary cavity-nesting birds in Chelia-Ouled Yagoub National Park of Algeria

Mehdi Badis, Imane Benchana , Nabil Hamdi — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

In forest ecosystems, the cavity-nesting community is strongly dependent on the availability of tree cavities in which the breeding season takes place. This work aims to investigate links between two ecological groups as primary and secondary cavity-nesting species. The investigations carried out using the count point method, during two breeding seasons from Mars to July 2018 and 2019, made it possible to distinguish eight species of cavity-nesting birds; only the Levaillant’s Woodpecker Picus vaillantii constitutes a primary cavity able to dig its cavities. In the Chelia-Ouled Yagoub National Park, the modeling of the occurrence data highlights a significant coexistence between the latest species and only three secondary cavity-nesting species, namely the Atlas Pied Flycatcher Ficedula speculigera, the Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops, and the Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla. This result supports the consideration of woodpeckers as keystone species for biodiversity, whose protection leads to the conservation of forest balance in general.

The effects of different short-term Storage Modalities on the Antioxidant Capacity of Beetroot Juice: Short term refrigeration of Beetroot Juice Better Preserves its Antioxidant Capacity

Jeremiah Munguti , Andrew Ndegwa Makanyab, Moses Obimbo Madadi, Vincent Kipkorir — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Beetroot contains phytochemicals that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The nutritional quality of consumed beetroot is, however, affected by post-harvest processing. To determine the effect of different short-term storage modalities on beetroot antioxidant activity. Beetroot samples were freshly sourced and randomly divided into 3 groups: Group A was used to prepare fresh beetroot juice on the day of analysis; Group B was used to prepare beetroot juice that was then refrigerated for one week before analysis while Group C was kept whole at room temperature for one week and then used to prepare the beetroot juice. Beetroot juice was prepared by mixing one-part of beetroot with one-part of clean water and blending the mixture. It was then freeze-dried, and the resultant powder used to measure the residual antioxidant activity and for phytochemical analysis to determine the presence of flavonoids. At analysis, all the three samples contained the same biochemical compounds and had no notable gross differences in smell, viscosity, and consistency. The juice prepared from beets stored whole for a week was of a more intense colour compared to that of the refrigerated beetroot juice. At lower concentrations of the extracts, refrigerated juice had lower antioxidant activity while that stored as a whole had the highest. Refrigerated juice had the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 of 10,457.11 mg/ml) while beetroot stored had the lowest activity (IC50 of 210,069.4 g/ml). Short term refrigeration of beetroot juice better preserves its antioxidant capacity.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Solanum tuberosum peels’ extract and their activity against multi drug resistant bacteria

Dhruti Kerai , Betty Mbatia , Naumih Noah — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health concern. Nanoparticles are increasingly being used as an alternative to overcome microbial drug resistance. The synthesis of nanoparticles from crop residuals has the dual potential of combating antimicrobial resistance and addressing waste disposal challenges. In this study ethanolic extract from Solanum tuberosum peel varieties were investigated for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli evaluated. The formation of the AgNPs was confirmed using UV-Vis spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) analysis, while size was confirmed using dynamic light scattering (DLS). Disc diffusion method was used to evaluate antimicrobial activity. Russet brown and red bliss potato peel varieties showed positive results for the presence of alkaloids, polyphenols, and flavonoids. UV-Vis spectroscopy of synthesized AgNPs showed prominent peaks at 435 and 430nm, while DLS showed a size of 391.5 and 203.00 nm for russet brown and red bliss, respectively. FTIR analysis for the crude extracts and nanoparticles showed a change in peaks, confirming that bio-reduction took place. Major peaks for brown russet nanoparticles were observed at 3337 cm^-1, 1634 cm^-1,1055 cm^-1, while major peaks for red bliss nanoparticles were observed at 3330 cm^-1, 1634 cm^-1, and 1054 cm^-1. Brown russet nanoparticles showed better activity against S. aureus, while red bliss nanoparticles had better activity against E. coli. Nanoparticles synthesized from both varieties showed antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria

Sex Ratio, Fecundity, Gonado-Somatic Index, Length-Weight Relationship and Growth Condition of Sarotherodon melanotheron (Rüppell, 1852) inhabiting Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria

Adefemi Ajibare , Olajide Loto — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This study estimated the sex ratio, fecundity, gonado-somatic index, condition factor and length-weight relationship of Sarotherodon melanotheron inhabiting Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria. A total of 80 fish samples were collected fortnightly with castnets in August 2020, and the sex ratio (3.21:1) was male biased (X²= 22.05) and revealed a significant deviation from the expected 1:1. The minimum and maximum number of eggs counted in the fish were 251 and 370, respectively, while the mean was 331.37±55.64. The female fish had the highest gonado-somatic index, GSI (3.11%), followed by combined sexes (1.44%) and males (0.82%). The regression equation of the length-weight relationship indicated hypoallometric growth for males (W = 1.58L-0.07) and combined sexes (W = 1.74L-0.50), and hyperallometric growth for females (W = 3.15L-4.42). The condition factor ranged from 1.86 (female) to 2.20 (male), while the K of both sexes was 2.11. The result also revealed that TL (r = 0.975), SL (r = 0.931) and WT (1.000) of the fish were positively and significantly correlated with the fecundity of the fish at p < 0.05. This study therefore established that the study area was conducive for the fish and that their fecundity was directly proportional to their sizes. For conservation and management of S. melanotheron, it is recommended that monitoring of fishing be ensured