Open Access Research Paper

Sericulture is a highly viable industry capable of generating substantial, gainful employment for the people. Bacteria Flacherie is the most serious disease of Bombyx mori; identification of bacterial isolates was done using cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. But in the present study, identification of the bacterial isolates from the silkworm cadavers was carried out with modern techniques like 16s RNA gene sequence analysis. On the basis of multiple sequence alignment and the phylogenetic tree constructed by Chromoslite (version 1.2) showed that the bacterial strain isolated as clustered from mulberry silkworm cadavers was the closest homology with Staphylococcus sciuri with 100% similarity and length of 1550 bp.

Dicroceliosis is an important parasitic disease of small ruminants that can cause significant physiological disturbances and economic losses. The present study investigated the pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical outcomes, and hematobiochemical alterations in sheep naturally infected with Dicrocoelium lanceatum, including cases with concurrent babesiosis. A total of 120 sheep were examined, of which 39 animals were infected with D. lanceatum. Hematological analysis in mono-infected sheep revealed slight reductions in hemoglobin (53.69 ± 5.75 g/dl) compared with healthy animals (56.81 ± 11.34 g/dl), as well as decreases in packed cell volume (34.62 ± 5.01% vs 38.52 ± 7.75%) and mean corpuscular volume (65.51 ± 8.11 vs 69.71 ± 11.92 fL). White blood cell counts showed only minor variation (12.31 ± 1.94 ×10³/µl in infected sheep vs 12.15 ± 1.88 ×10³/µl in healthy animals). In contrast, sheep with concurrent infection of D. lanceatum and Babesia ovis exhibited more pronounced hematological and biochemical disturbances. In co-infected animals, white blood cell counts increased markedly (16.8–28.2 ×10³/µl) compared with healthy sheep (8.4–14.6 ×10³/µl), while hemoglobin levels decreased to 3.8–5.6 g/dl. Biochemical analysis revealed elevated liver enzyme activities, including AST (116–309 U/L) and ALP (136–454 U/L), along with increased total bilirubin levels (0.1–1.1 mg/dl) and decreased albumin concentrations (1.9–2.5 g/dl). These findings indicate that while mono-infection with D. lanceatum induces moderate hematological alterations, concurrent infection with babesiosis leads to severe systemic disturbances characterized by anemia, leukocytosis, and hepatic dysfunction. Early diagnosis and integrated parasite control strategies are therefore essential to reduce disease severity and associated economic losses in sheep production.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and irrigation interval on cowpea from June 15, 2021, to August 31, 2021, at Cagayan State University, Lallo Campus Sta. Maria, Lallo, Cagayan. The treatments considered in the experiment were: Factor A (SAP Levels): S1 –0.15g SAP/ 5 kg soil, S2 – 0.20g SAP/ 5 kg soil and S3 – 0.25g SAP/ 5 kg soil. Factor B (Irrigation Interval): T1 –Irrigation at Planting, T2 – 7 days irrigation interval, T3 – 14 days irrigation interval and T4 – 21 days irrigation interval. The pots were filled up with five kilograms of dried soil and the SAP was mixed thoroughly in the soil following its treatments. The study was laid out in Completely Randomized Design in Factorial with three replications. Wherein the parameters to be gathered are the following; plant height at 20, 40 and 60 days after planting, number of branches per plant, number of green pods per plant, the weight of green pods per plant, and pod length. The study result shows that the application of 80-100 kg SAP ha-1 at 14 days irrigation interval attained the tallest plants, the most number of pods per plant, more number of branches per plant, the heaviest pods per plant, and longest pods per plant. Using 80- 100 kg superabsorbent polymer per hectare and irrigation at 14 days interval is recommended for cowpea production.

This study was carried out with the aim of characterizing pig production for sustainable development of this industry. The work took place in the Poro region, specifically in the commune of Korhogo. A questionnaire-based survey interviewed farmers from 60 pig farms. It revealed that pig farming is practiced exclusively by adult male actors (90%), whether or not they are educated. Ninety Five (95)% of pig farmers started breeding with their own funds and practice it as a secondary activity. The habitats, although cemented, are often equipped with reclaimed roofs (65%). While confinement is common (74%), hygiene remains a major challenge with 81.67% of farms being unsanitary. 5% of the farms surveyed observe a health prophylaxis program. Mixed breeds of pigs (35%) dominate the livestock sector. The animals are fed with agricultural by-products (83.33%). This information collected will serve as a database to develop strategies for the sustainable development of this activity.

The development of marine culture activities aims to meet the needs of fisheries production that continues to increase due to declining capture fisheries production. This research aims to analyze the suitability of marine culture in Rat village so that it can be used as the basis for the development of cultivation in the area. The research was conducted in the waters of Rat village, Southeast Maluku district from February to September 2017 by combining interview method, observation and endurance testing of sea pens. Based on the research result, it can be concluded that the waters of Rat village can be utilized for the development of sea cucumber cultivation (Holothuria sp), swimming crabs (Portunus sp), sea urchin (Diadema sp), and Gracilaria sp with sea pens method.

Fried snacks emerged as one of the enticing, delightful snacks of modern consumers. Vacuum frying emerged as a new frying technology that improves the quality and retains the nutrients of food products. The concept of applying this to marine produce, specifically the “aninikad” could be a unique product since mostly vacuum frying is applied to fruits and vegetables. This study aims to utilize, optimize and evaluate the sensory acceptability of the vacuum fried aninikad. Response Surface Methodology using Central Composite Design (CCD) of Experiment was employed in order to optimize the product. The three identified factors, namely pre-cooking time (5, 10, and 15 min.), soy sauce (5, 10, and 15 %) and sugar (20, 30 and 40%), were used in the experiment. Determination of the sensory acceptability was the parameter used for optimization. The optimum condition of the product that would give acceptability of ≥7.1 was 9.7 min. pre-cooking time, 9% soy sauce level and 30.2% sugar level. Hence, the results in this study prove that a healthy snack can be produced and will add value to aninikad.

This study aimed at analyzing the proximate compositions (moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, ash content) and minerals (iron and phosphorous) of some commercial fish feeds (FF) and poultry feeds (PF) available in the local market of the Rajshahi City Corporation area of Bangladesh. In addition, results were compared with the company labeled nutrients values and Bangladesh guideline values. Three FF products and two PF products are collected, namely FF1, FF2, FF3 and PF1, PF2 respectively. The variation between the analyzed and the company declared values have no significant difference (p≥0.05), but the results of proximate parameters and mineral contents are significantly different at 0.05 level (p

Herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) are widely utilized worldwide as supplementary and alternative medicine modalities that can cause hepatotoxicity. HDS consists of nutrients, minerals, or additional plant materials and substances derived from such plant life. They’re being taken by oral route and intended to augment one’s diet and improve one’s health and properly-being. There’s a bent for false reporting the amount of food they consume through patients and the significance of their utilization is under-recognized by physicians, although no single causality evaluation method is ideal for hepatotoxicity caused by HDS. The most extensively used method is the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method defining epidemiology, defining an acceptable nomenclature, and identifying culprit ingredients, predisposing host characteristics, and useful biomarkers are all things that need to be addressed for harm must all be priorities in the future. Herbal medicines have long been thought to be safe by people because they’ve been utilized for thousands of years in disease treatment despite potential toxicity, particularly “drug-induced liver injury” (DILI). Despite the risk of side effects, herbal medications have become increasingly popular around the world due to a lack of regulatory oversight.

We reported in the previous works the successful rescue, domestication, optimization, enriched cultivation, compositions, and functional activities of Lentinus strigosus, a naturally occurring, wood-rotting edible mushroom. Herein, the embryo-toxic and teratogenic effects of water extracts of mycelia and fruiting body of this mushroom in zebra fish (Danio rerio) embryos were investigated. The toxic effects of both extracts were dependent on concentration and time of exposure. Embryos at 1000 µg/ml (after 24 hrs) and 100 µg/ml (after 48 hrs) and lower concentrations of mycelial extract survived while 100% mortality was recorded to those exposed at 10000 µg/ml (after 24 hrs) and 1000 µg/ml (after 48 hrs) concentration of fruiting body extract. Both extracts significantly reduced the hatchability and heartbeat rate of zebra fish. Delayed development was the sole teratogenic effect and this was obvious to embryos exposed at 100 µg/ml of both mycelia and fruiting body extracts. Therefore, L. strigosus holds promising potential as source of teratogens, which are also known as anticancer agents.

The discovery of plant containing secondary metabolites or commonly known as phytochemicals gain interests nowadays because it offers benefit of treating diseases. Most of the indigenous people are advocating the use of plant extracts to treat diseases without knowing its properties but because they have done it for more than a year and for them it was effective. Hence, this paper aims to investigate two plants utilized in the Municipality of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur namely: Leucosyke capitellata POIR. and Dendrocnide densiflora C.B.ROB commonly known as alagasi and sagay respectively. Roots of each plants were collected and were subjected for ethanolic extraction. Three extracts, (1) L. capitellata, (2) D. densiflora, and combined formulation with 1:1 ratio was subjected for qualitative phytochemical tests to detect the presence of bioactive compounds. Findings of the study revealed that the following bioactive constituents are present in the three extracts namely: saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and steroids. The presence of this secondary metabolites may be the reason to support its therapeutic value to the local healers to treat inflamed wounds. Richer amount L. capitellata bioactive constituents supports the most preferred utilization among local healers. Combined formulations of these plants were found to contain rich amount of its constituents which may be the reason why most of the healers practiced mixing root samples in their traditional medication. Furthermore, there is a need to explore more of its therapeutic value since they possess secondary metabolites that offer more than the present therapeutic utilization.

Vitamin D deficiency is very common among the people of Saudi Arabia. Majority of the population here is aware of it and most of the people try to have medication without checking their vitamin D level or even consulting the doctors, due to Vitamin D related toxicity is very common among the general public. The aim to conduct this cross section survey was to study the awareness of Vitamin D deficiency and toxicity among the population of Saudi Arabia. The cross-sectional study was conducted by developing questionnaire related to the deficiency and the toxicity of vitamin D, The questionnaire was generated in Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia in March, 2022. 400 people participated in the survey out of which were mostly female participants. The education level of the participants was highest among the age of 31-45 and educational qualification was at university level. Results indicated that the general population is well aware of vitamin D deficiency but they had very little knowledge about vitamin D intoxication.

The present study evaluated the role of Bacillus subtilis in mitigating cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) stress in three rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties ADT 36, CO 51, and TPS 5 under 100 mM metal concentration. Heavy metal stress significantly increased oxidative damage; however, microbial inoculation enhanced both enzymatic (SOD, CAT, POD, PPO, PAL, APX) and non-enzymatic (ascorbic acid, glutathione, phenols, and proline) antioxidant activities across varieties. Among the genotypes, ADT 36 exhibited the highest antioxidant enzyme activities, particularly under B. subtilis + As treatment, indicating superior oxidative stress management. Phytoaccumulation studies conducted at 30, 60, and 90 days after treatment revealed significantly higher metal accumulation in roots than shoots, with maximum accumulation at 60 days. Microbial inoculation markedly increased root Cd and As concentrations in all varieties. Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) and Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF) values exceeded unity under B. subtilis treatments, demonstrating enhanced metal uptake efficiency. However, Translocation Factor (TF) and Level 2 mobility values remained below 1.0, indicating restricted metal translocation to aerial parts and suggesting a phytostabilization tendency rather than complete phytoextraction. The results highlight the synergistic interaction between metal-tolerant genotypes and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in alleviating heavy metal stress.