International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

This study was carried out to evaluate the ability of hyphomycetous fungi to degrade fowl feather using its keratinase activity. The soil sample used for the study was collected at random from a poultry farm at Awka. Isolation and identification of the fungi was carried out using baiting technique, serial dilution, colonial morphology and microscopic examination with the aid of a fungi atlas. The keratinase activity of the isolates was carried out in a submerged shaken culture. The protein released in the medium was measured spectrophotometerically. The highest keratinolytic activity was recorded by Aspergillus niger (39.70 µ/ml), Candida species (29.40 µ/ml), Aspergillus flavus (28.10 µ/ml), Trichophyton megnini (12.60 µ/ml) and the least being Aspergillus oryzea (11.60 µ/ml). The use of feather waste and isolation of the keratinolytic fungi from the soil has been shown to be an ideal and effective method of poultry waste management.

Keywords: Hypomycetous fungi, Keratinase activity, Poultry feathers

The national need for poultry meat is mostly (80%) supplied by domestic producers in Indonesia. Large companies such as Charoen Pokphand Group, Japfa Comfeed, and Anwar Sierad control 60% of domestic market (USDA, 2003). Those constraints resulted in diseases, fluctuation in prices, and uncertainty in time for sale and low margin which are naturally followed by the decrease in supply quality and quantity of broilers. Broiler industry by farmers can be through a self-supported business or partnership pattern by considering the advantages and disadvantages in terms of production efficiency and sustainability.
The objective of this study was to evaluate and assess the feasibility of business pattern practiced by farmers in broiler industries, including self-supported and partnership enterprises. Selected farmers from Indramayu, Subang and Karawang Regencies of West Java, those who practiced the two kinds of business pattern were interviewed and site observation was made. Production performances within three years of business period were collected and financial analysis was made to describe the economic feasibility of each practice.
The results showed that both types of broiler enterprises implemented under different management were economically feasible as indicated by high average of profit (E), significance values of Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and medium Payback Period (PBP). However, there was significance differences between the results obtained, of which partnership enterprises supported by standardized management earned higher profit USD$ 28.29% ($21.5 vs $15.5) per production period (5-6 periods/year), as compared to the self-supported enterprises. Other benefits in the self supported enterprise were 2 years shorter payback period, low risk and higher net income.

Keywords: Broiler, Partnership enterprises, Self-supported enterprises

An experiment was conducted to determine growth and feed intake by Balami lambs of a concentrate containing agro-industrial by-products and crop residues. Twelve recently weaned male lambs aged 82 days old with an average body weight (BW) of 16.8+2.66kg, were placed in an individual pens and the diet was offered ad libitum. There was a significant curvilinear relationship (P<0.01) determined by the equation Y= 0.0018x2+0.106x+16x+16.8 (R2=0.999) characterized the growth curve of the lambs (Y= live weight; x is days on trial). Overall average growth rate was 205g/day; feed conversion was 5.21. It was concluded that lambs fed diet based on completely non-conventional feed resources indicated a recommendable growth and feed conversion rate.

Keywords: Growth, Intake, Lambs, Mixed diet

Broiler feeds from different commercial feed mills were collected and NIR spectrum of feed samples were obtained in duplicate (scanning number 32, resolution 8) with an FT-NIRS (Bruker, MPA, Germany) systems mono- chromator (700-2400 nm) using a Quartz cup sampling device. Multivariate analysis were performed for the development of calibration equations of nutrient content by an Optical User Software (OPUS) and Opus-Lab to relate the spectral data and corresponding concentration values of broiler and layer feeds. Data were centered using Partial Least Squares (PLS) algorithm and spectral outliers were identified from each calibration. The calibration models were validated by RMSECV (Root Mean Square Error Cross Validation), RMSEE (Root Mean Square Error of Estimation) and correlation coefficient (r2) between the measured values of nutrient component determined by analytical laboratory versus predicted values by the NIRS. The standard error of estimation (RMSEE) for the determination of moisture, CP, CF, EE, Ca and P in broiler feeds was 0.230, 0.351, 0.361, 0.350, 0.056 and 0.021% respectively with correlation coefficient (r2) of 86.09, 95.77, 86.28, 96.28, 80.50 and 95.80. After cross validation, the standard error (RMSECV) for the prediction of moisture, CP, CF, EE, Ca and P in broiler feeds was 0.242, 0.371, 0.406, 0.390, 0.066 and 0.031% respectively having correlation coefficients (r2) of 84.32, 92.20, 81.84, 95.46, 75.00 and 94.71. From the results of the present study it may be concluded that NIRS could potentially be used to predict the moisture, CP, CF, EE, Ca and P contents in commercial broiler feeds.

Keywords: Broiler feeds, NIRS, Nutrient evaluation, Quality

Wheat contains both soluble and insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) which are poorly digested in broilers. Supplementation of such diets with NSP degrading enzyme helps to improve digestibility of the nutrients entrapped in the wheat cell wall thereby improving performance and carcass quality of broiler chickens. The effect of Roxazyme G2G (a cocktail of carbohydrase enzymes) supplementation on growth performance and carcass characteristics was investigated in a 42-day experiment using 120 one-day-old unsexed broiler chickens (Arbor acre strain) fed wheat-based diets without or with enzyme supplementation. The birds were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments. Each diet had 4 replicates of 10 birds each in a completely randomised design. Performance indices measured were the body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed efficiency ratio. At day 42, birds were weighed and slaughtered by cervical dislocation. The weight of the carcass primal cuts and visceral organs were recorded. Roxazyme G2G supplementation significantly (P<0.05) influenced the dietary treatments, although growth performance of birds fed wheat based-diet with enzyme was identical to those without enzyme and the control diet. Similarly, enzyme supplementation did not positively increase the live weight, percentage dressed weight, eviscerated weight and other primal cuts with the visceral organs. Also, the carcass characteristics measured did not differ significantly from birds fed wheat diet without enzyme and control diet. There were no significant differences observed in feed cost/kg/bird and feed cost/kg weight gain of birds across the dietary treatments in both the starter and finisher phases. However, the feed cost/kg differ significantly (P< 0.05) among the dietary treatments in the two phases. It was highest (N107.81) in birds fed wheat diet with enzyme and least (N 102.90) in birds on the control diet for starter phase. Also, similar trend was observed for feed cost/kg in the finisher’s phase.

Keywords: Broilers, Carbohydrase, Carcass, Performance, Wheat

Fusarium species are among the most commonly occurring and economically important member of micro-fungi. The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic diversity and relationship among 29 isolates of F. semitectum collected from various cereals and locations in the north of Iran by using morphological characters and RAPD-PCR polymorphisms. Based on morphological studies the isolates were divided into two distinct groups A and B. Microscopic characters (shape of macroconidia and presence of sporodochia and chlamydospore) of group A varied between isolates and lead to this group divided into two subgroups. Using eight polymorphic primers, 82 RAPD fragments were obtained with an average of 10 polymorphic bands per primer. Cluster analysis with UPGMA revealed three distinct arbitrary level of 50% similarity. Majority of isolates of group A were homogenous having similar DNA patterns. There were low levels of genetic difference among isolates of morphotype A while two of them (28 and 29) have a different banding pattern. Genetic estimates demonstrated that the isolates from morphotype A were significantly distinct from morphotype B isolates. Results of cluster analysis using RAPD data did not show any correlation with geographical distribution but the results of this analysis confirmed a genetic variation among all isolates.

Keywords: Cereal grains, Fusarium semitectum, Genetic variation, Morphology, RAPD

Seven dominant isolates of cellulase producing fungi were isolated from pulverized rotten wood samples obtained from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka botanical garden in Anambra state Nigeria. The samples were grown in Czapex Dox agar medium incorporated with carboxymethylcellulose. Clear zones surrounded the colonies with zone diameter measuring 12 to 45 mm respectively, and their cellulase activities ranged from 0.9-2.85 (units/ml) respectively. On the basis of morphological characteristics the isolates were identified as A. flavus, A. niger A. terreus A. fumigatus, penicillium spp, Trichoderma spp and Fusarium spp. However, Aspergillus flavus gave the highest zone diameter of clearance with a corresponding highest enzyme activity in the preliminary submerged fermentation of the isolates and was more effective than the others. Thus, A. flavus cellulose system is recommended for use in biodegradation of cellulosic wastes.

Keywords: Carboxymethylcellulose, Colonies, Isolates, Zone diameter

Water born environmental contaminants have been shown to exert pronounced effect on various aspects of fish physiology and sometimes lead to large scale mortality. The effects of Lead Nitrate and crude oil on the growth of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus were studied. The acute toxicity tests lasting 96 hours were performed on Clarias gariepinus of mean weight 138±12g and mean total length of 28±1.5 cm. The LD50 of Lead Nitrate was 57.5 mg/l while the LD50 of crude oil was 823.3 ppm. The experimental fish mean weights ranged from 126.0±3.22g to 151.0±0.67g and mean total lengths from 27.38±0.43cm to 31.18±3.76cm were divided into 5 groups A, B, C, D, E, of 20 fish each. Group A was kept as control (no treatment), Group B was exposed to 20mg/l Lead Nitrate, Group C was given to 35 mg/l Lead Nitrate, Group D was administered to 300ppm crude oil, Group E to 600 ppm crude oil. The body weights of the fish were measured weekly. Percentage weight gain and feed conversion ratios were calculated. Treatment lasted for 70 days (10 weeks). The control group showed significant increase in body weight at P<0.05 while the treated groups showed significant reduction in body weight. Therefore, fish under the influence of these pollutants did not mature duly and was susceptible to diseases which lead to low productivity and nutritional value. Environmental protection laws must be enforced to prevent and control pollution of water bodies, thereby safeguarding public health.

Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, Crude oil, Lead Nitrate, Toxicity

The word fermentation is derived from a Latin verb fervere which means to boil. However, events of boiling came into existence from the fact that during alcoholic fermentation, the bubbles of gas (CO2) burst at the surface of a boiling liquid often give rise to Warty appearance. The conventional meaning of fermentation is the breakdown (Metabolism) of larger molecules, for example; carbohydrates, into simple ones under the influence of micro-organism for enzymes. In Micro-biological way, fermentation is defined as any process for the production of useful products through mass culture of microorganisms, whereas, in a biochemical sense, this word means the numerous oxides reduction reactions in which organic compounds, used as source of carbon and energy, act as acceptors or donors of hydrogen ions. The organic compounds used as substrate give rise to various products of fermentation which accumulate in growth medium. Although fermenting in brewing and wine production was done many hundred years ago. Fermentation can also be looked at as the process of increasing yields in volume without losing process yields. Microorganisms isolated from different sources (soil, water, air or genetic manipulation are cultivated in growth media, supplemented with sources of carbon, Nitrogen, phosphorous, amino acids, trace elements, sterilized and inoculated with specific micro-organism for the specific products. Fermenter or Bio-reactor is a vessel designed to carry out fermentation process that is biological reactions under control conditions.

Keywords: Bio reactor, Designing fermenter, Industrial application

The generation of leachate is as a result of the action of water on decomposing organic materials. Leachates are waste water generated principally from landfills and solid waste disposal sites. They have several deleterious effects on living organisms and on the environment. The microbiological and physico-chemical quality assessment of leachates from five dumpsites namely: Uzebu, Iguomo, Oluku, Ugbowo and Ikhueniro all in Benin City, Nigeria were assessed in this study. Raw and simulated samples were collected over a period of three months of the wet season. Raw samples were collected at depths of 0.15m and 0.30m. Five bacteria species were isolated and characterized; they include staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella aerogenes, Serratia marcescens and Alcaligenssp. The fungi genera isolated from the leachates were Aspergillus sp. Rhizopus sp. and yeast. Bacteria counts were higher than the fungal counts in all leachates sample. Microbial load decreased with depth. Manganese was the only heavy metal that exceeded the FEPA limit. It is reasonable that leachates are properly handled in order to reduce their negative effect to the barest minimum.

Keywords:Dumpsites, Leachates, Physico-chemical, Raw, Simulated

The genus Jatropha is distributed throughout the tropics and sub-tropics growing in marginal lands and is a potential biodiesel crop worldwide. The plants can prevent soil erosion, grown as a live fence and used as an alternate commercial crop. The seed oil can be used as a feed stock for biodiesel. Alternatively Jatropha oil is used in soap, glue or dye industry. The seed cake is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, and can be used as manure. All parts of the plant including seeds have medicinal properties. However, the toxic components of the seed need immediate attention and efforts are needed to genetically modify Jatropha seed toxins to useful and non-toxic components through genetic transformation. This review focuses some basic aspect of the distribution, diversity, biology, cultivation, tissue culture and genetic transformation of Jatropha.

Keywords: Biodiesel, Bio-fertilizer, Genetic engineering, Jatropha, Tissue culture

In order to study the effect of remobilization of photosynthesis materials in restricted conditions of source and sink on corn hybrid K.S.C. 704, an experiment was conducted in Ahvaz during the summer 2011 on the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Restricted condition of source and sink included; cutting the leaves above the maize, cutting the leaves below the maize and cutting half of the maize and not cutting the leaves as control. The results indicated that the change in the amount of current photosynthesis affected the remobilization. A significant decrease in amount of current photosynthesis was observed in the treatments of cutting leaves and also in eliminating lower leaves of the maize. Increasing amount of remobilization in treatments of cutting the leaves above the maize can be due to extreme decrease in amount of current photosynthesis, in which the plant tries to increase its remobilization so to compensate somehow the decrease. This is while the total current photosynthesis and remobilization was less comparing with the control. In other words, increasing the amount of remobilization in condition of cutting the leaves does not achieve compensating decrease in current photosynthesis. Cutting 50 percent of the corn – due to extreme decrease in number of grains and sink limitation- did not fulfill increase of remobilization, yet sink limitation led to decrease of remobilization. Cutting 50% of the maize caused more decrease in biologic yield which is due to the greater role of maize in total yield as a sink for preserving nutrients.

Keywords:Corn, Current photosynthesis, Remobilization
Source and sink limitation

60 weaned rabbits were fed mixed banana forage and concentrate diets treated with 5g and 4g of brozyme per kilogram of feedstuff to determine the effect of brozyme on the diets. Feed intake and weight gain of the rabbits was monitored for 56 days from where the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. The nutrient analysis of the feedstuff and faces voided by the rabbits during the experimental period was conducted from where the digestible nutrients and coefficient digestibility was calculated. The result showed that there was significant difference (P<0.05) in feed intake and weight gain. The feed intake decreased while weight gain improved as the brozyme was introduced at levels of 4g and 5g per kilogram feedstuff. The FCR reduced from 9.28 for diets without the brozyme to 4.79 for the diet with 5g of brozyme per kilogram of feedstuff. The digestibility coefficient improved from 52.8% for diet without brozyme to 72.5% for the diet with diet with 5g brozyme per kilogram. Also the crude fibre, crude protein and ether extract improved from 39.32, 51.31 and 59.32% for the diet without brozyme to 64.34, 71.35 and 73.15% for diets with 5g brozyme respectively.

Keywords: Banana forage, Brozyme, Concentrate diet, Digestibility, Weaned rabbit

Poultry farming is playing an important role in boosting economy of India. Tamil Nadu state ranked second in commercial egg production in India. Hence it is essential to determine the needs and problems of poultry farmers of India to improvise the egg production. There is no methodology to scientifically estimate the needs and problems of poultry farmers in developing countries. Keeping this point in mind, a methodology has been developed by empirical research. This methodology include 11 steps that includes activity listing, inventory preparation, finding out the degree to which the available technologies meet the technological needs, estimating awareness and adoption, extent of participation in each activity, listing of technological needs/problems, ranking of problems and technological needs, Rank Based Estimation, estimation of loss due to the problem / needs, magnitude value estimation, and classifying the technological need into research need and extension need. This would result in identifying research needs and extension problems in poultry farming which would boost poultry production. This study would pave way for estimating the technological needs of farmers in different parts of the country. When such estimated needs are discussed with concerned authorities, this might help to pave an efficient way to develop viable technologies and implement extension programmes.

Keywords:Awareness, Extension needs, Poultry farmers, Technological needs

The peel components and juice quality of two tangor scions were investigated in this study. Peel components were extracted using the cold-press and eluted using n-hexane. Then all analyzed using GC-FID and GC-MS. Total soluble solids, total acid, pH value, ascorbic acid as well as density were determined in juice obtained from two tangor scions. Twenty and twenty-eight peel components were identified in Murcott and Temple scions respectively including: aldehydes, alcohols, esters, ketones, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The major components were limonene, linalool, β-myrcene, (E)-β-ocimene, α-Pinene and sabinene. Between two scions examined, Murcott showed the highest content of aldehydes and TSS/TA. Since the aldehyde and TSS/TA content of Citrus are considered as two of the most important indicators of high quality, scion apparently has a profound influence on these factors.

Keywords: Flavor components, Juice quality, Mandarin hybrids, Peel oil, Tangor scions

The experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effects of inclusion dietary bole soil at different levels on dry matter intake, milk yield and milk composition of Holstein Friesian cows. Sixteen, two to four multi-parious mid-lactation Holstein cows with milk yield of 10.5 ± 2.14 kg d-1 and 383.5 ± 35.44 kg average body weight were blocked based on their average milk yield. Cows were assigned to one of the four dietary treatments using RCBD. The treatments were T1= 0% Bole soil in the concentrate, T2= 1.5% Bole soil in the Concentrate, T3= 3% Bole soil in the Concentrate and T4= 4.5% Bole soil in the Concentrate. Grass hay was used as a basal diet. The trial was conducted for 60 days. Data were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), general linear model (GLM) procedure of SAS (2002). Grass hay intake was significantly different (P<0.01) among treatments, the highest being T2. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) on concentrate intake among treatments. Total dry matter intakes were significantly different (P<0.05), with the highest record for T2. Crude protein and metabolizable energy intakes were not significantly different (P>0.05) among treatments where as intake of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and ash were significantly different (P<0.05) among treatments with higher value for T2. Dietary treatments did not affect average daily milk yield of cows. Similarly, milk protein, solid not fat and total solid content were not significant different (P>0.05) among treatments. However, milk fat content and feed conversion efficiency were significantly different (P<0.05) among treatments, the highest being in T3. The 4% fat corrected milk yield of cows were significantly different (P<0.01) between treatments for T2=T3 > T1=T4. Therefore, from the present study, it can be conclude that inclusion of 1.5% bole soil with concentrate diet is recommended on biological response of lactating Holstein Friesian cows.

Keywords:Bole soil, Dry matter intake, Milk composition, Milk yield

ABO blood groups/ Rhesus factor were randomly investigated in relation with Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) infection from August to December, 2011. A total of 651 blood samples were collected, HIV infested donors were 287 male, donors 121, (18.6%), female 166 (25-5%) and health control donors (HIV-negative) were 364, male 193 (29.6%), female donors 171 (26.3%), with ages ranging between 15-50 years of HIV-infected and HIV healthy control donors. ABO blood group donors were determined by white tile method and confirmed by a direct coombs test method to rule out any weakly positive antigens. All HIV-blood samples were screened using Enzyme linked Immuno absorbent Assay (ELISA) and the positive samples were confirmed by western blood. Statistical analysis was by Binary logistic regression SPSS 15.0 version, blood groups A+B+, B-, AB-, O+ odd values were shown < 1.0, no risk group to HIV infection and non-significant, while A- blood group (odd 2.00, 95% Cl, 0-490-8.68 p value = 0.33) was more likely to be HIV infection risk.

Keywords: ABO blood groups, HIV- Infection

Fungi isolated from oil-contaminated soil around Eke-Awka market in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, were accessed for lipolytic activity on modified lipase assay medium. Mucor sp., Aspergillus flavus and Candida sp. showed the highest activity as accessed on colony diameter to calcium monolaurate precipitate ratios. Lipase production was studied in both shake, still fermentation systems and mycelia mass was determined. In still cultures Mucor sp. and Aspergillus flavus showed greater activity after 120 hours whereas, in shake culture Candida sp. showed greater activity. Mucor sp. showed a marked increase in activity (40U/ml) after 168hours for the still culture and a reduction in activity for the shake culture (0.60 U/ml). Lipases can be produced with still-culture systems using strains of Candida sp. These findings suggest that agitation is an important factor in the production of lipase as it influences biomass production.

Keywords:Contaminated soil, Fungal isolates, Lipase production, Palm oil