Previous studies have suggested that arsenic crosses the placenta and affects the fetus development. The study under consideration aims to show comparative ameliorative effect of Moringa oleifera leaf and flower extracts against sodium arsenate induced fetus toxicity of mice. Pregnant mice (N=44) were kept in lab and divided into eleven group from (A to K) and were orally administered the doses 6 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg for sodium arsenate, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg for Moringa oleifera leaf extracts (MOLE) and 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg for Moringa oleifera flower extracts (MOFE) comparing with control. The investigation revealed evident reduction in the fetuses weight, hind limb, fore limb, tail and snout length, crown rump and head circumferences well as malformations in tail, feet, arms, legs, skin and eyes in the negative control group (only administered with sodium arsenate). Co-administration of sodium arsenate with MOLE and MOFE ameliorate the reversed effect of sodium arsenate on the shape, length, body weight and DNA damage of fetus significantly at 95% confidence interval. However, Moringa oleifera leaf extract showed more significant results in comparison to Moringa oleifera flower extract. Hence concluded that Moringa oleifera leaf extract ameliorated the embryo toxic effects of sodium arsenate and can be used against environmental teratogens.
Molecular appraoch for identification of unknown species by using Cytochrome b gene is an effective and reliable as compared with morphological based identification. For DNA barcoding universal molecular genes were used to identify the species. Cytochrome b is a specific gene used for identification purpose. DNA barcoding is a reliable and effective method compared to the different traditional morphological methods of specie identification. So,in the present study which was conducted to identify the species, a total of 50 fish samples were collected from five different sites. DNA was extracted by using the Phenol Chloroform method from muscle tissue. Five sequences were sequenced (one from each site), analyzed, and identified specific species as Pangasius pangasius. Identified sequences were variable in length from 369 bp (Site 1), 364 bp (Site 2), 364 bp (Site 3), 352 bp (Site 4), and 334 bp (Site 5). Identity matches on the NCBI database confirmed the specific specie as P. pangasius. A distancing tree was drawn to show maximum likelihood among the same and different species. Yet, in many cases fishes on diverse development stages are difficult to identify by morphological characters. DNA-based identification methods offer an analytically powerful addition or even an alternative tool for species identification and phylogenetic study. This work intends to provide an updated and extensive overview on the DNA based methods for fish species identification by using Cytochrome b gene as targeted markers for identification purpose.
The increasing demand for natural food preservatives has intensified research into indigenous microorganisms with biopreservative properties. This study investigated the antimicrobial efficacy and biopreservative potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from traditionally fermented Dacryodes edulis seeds. From 187 initial isolates, 45 LAB strains were comprehensively characterized across three agroecological zones in Kogi State, Nigeria. Molecular identification using 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed five species, with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum predominating (42.2%). Novel strain DE‐LAB‐23 demonstrated exceptional antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli O157:H7 (inhibition zone: 28.4 ± 1.2 mm), Salmonella Typhimurium (26.8 ± 0.9 mm), and Listeria monocytogenes (24.6 ± 1.1 mm). Multi‐omics validation (RNA‐seq, mass spectrometry, Western blot) confirmed production of novel bacteriocins with remarkable thermal stability (85% activity at 100°C for 15 min) and broad pH tolerance (pH 3.0–9.0). Whole‐genome sequencing revealed four novel biosynthetic gene clusters encoding previously uncharacterized antimicrobial peptides. Application in a traditional African porridge model achieved 3.2‐log pathogen reduction and 72‐h shelf‐life extension at ambient temperature. These findings establish indigenous D. edulis ‐derived LAB as promising natural biopreservatives for sustainable food safety enhancement in West African traditional foods.