ABSTRACT
In the present study isolated uterine epithelial cells from normal rabbits were maintained in culture on free floating rat-tail collagen matrix, and the morphological characteristics of these cells were examined. Additionally, the pattern of protein synthesis and secretion by rabbit uterine epithelial cells grown on free floating collagen gels following estradiol and/or progesterone treatment in vitro was examined. Isolated epithelial cells cultured on collagen gels in complete medium containing serum attached to form monlayers, and eventually the gels became free floating and contracted giving rise to luminal arrangements. These cells were cytokeratin positive epithelial cells and were ultrastructurally polarized. These cells also exhibited differential upregulation and down regulation in the synthesis and secretion of proteins in response to estradiol, progesterone, and estradiol plus progesterone. Additionally, a permissive action between progesterone and estradiol in the synthesis of two species of secretory proteins was observed. It however remains to be examined whether different species of proteins produced in vitro in response to estradiol and progesterone bear any association with physiological states in reproductive cycle in this species.
Subject(s)
Animals , Cell Division , Cells, Cultured , Collagen , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Epithelial Cells/cytology , Female , Gels , Protein Biosynthesis , Rabbits , Uterus/cytologyABSTRACT
The antifungal activity of saponins isolated as a byproduct from the defatted cake of M. butyracea oil seed is reported. The inhibitory concentrations against plant pathogenic fungi ranged from 500 to 2000 ppm. Maximum sensitivity to saponins was shown by Penicillium expansum. Cephalosporium acrimonium, Helminthosporium oryzae and Trichoderma viride. The saponins caused leakage of cell components and underwent degradation by fungus, Trichoderma viride. The usefulness of saponins as antimycotic agents is discussed.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents/isolation & purification , Fungi/drug effects , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Saponins/isolation & purification , Trichoderma/drug effectsABSTRACT
Saponins, isolated from M. butyracea, were assessed for their acute and subacute oral toxicity in albino rats. Acute doses of saponins caused mortalities and LD50 and LD90 values were 330 and 430 mg/kg body wt respectively. Severe diarrhoea, restlessness and histopathological changes were observed in liver and kidney. Diets containing saponins at 0,250,500 and 1000 ppm for 14 weeks did not affect food intake, growth or organ weights, but induced mild histological changes in liver and kidney and altered the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol and proteins, particularly in female rats.
Subject(s)
Administration, Oral , Animals , Diarrhea/chemically induced , Diet , Female , Kidney Diseases/chemically induced , Lethal Dose 50 , Male , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Random Allocation , Rats , Rats, Inbred Strains , Saponins/administration & dosage , Seeds , Sex Factors , TreesABSTRACT
Defatted Madhuca butyraceae seeds contain 24% of crude protein and 10.4% of saponins. The solubility of Madhuca seed proteins was determined in water and NaCl as a function of pH and minimum solubility occurred at pH 4.0. The proteins consist of three components with S20,w values of 2.2, 9.8 and 15.4. On gel filtration the proteins gave three peaks and on diethylaminoethyl cellulose chromatography they resolved into two components. The in vitro digestibility of Madhuca seed protein was found to be 69% when assayed with a pepsin-pancreatin system.
ABSTRACT
Microbial contamination in cultures of the alga, Scenedesmus acutus raised in outdoor open tanks and also in the processed powder of the alga was monitored; The total bacterial population increased with time during the growth period of six days. When a combination of molasses and carbondioxide was employed as carbon source for this alga, the bacterial load increased to 10 colony forming units/ml. Yeast, molds and also coliforms were quantitated. Drum-drying the algae drastically reduced the bacterial load and storing the algal powder for a period of over 3 months did not increase the bacterial load. Pathogens like Salmonella and Staphylococcus were not detectable either in the open cultures or in the drumdried algal powder. Although there are not set standards available in literature on the permissible level of the microbial contamination in algal biomass for use in foods, the microbial load appears to be within the limits of permissible levels stipulated by Indian Standard Institution standards for baby foods.