Characterization and evaluation of coconut aroma produced by Trichoderma viride EMCC-107 in solid state fermentation on sugarcane bagasse

Background Sugarcane bagasse was shown to be an adequate substrate for the growth and aroma production by Trichoderma species. In the present work the ability of Trichoderma viride EMCC-107 to produce high yield of coconut aroma in solid state fermentation (SSF) by using sugarcane bagasse as solid substrate was evaluated. The produced aroma was characterized. Results Total carbohydrates comprised the highest content (43.9% w/w) compared with the other constituents in sugarcane bagasse. The sensory and gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the highest odor intensity and maximum yield of volatiles were perceived at the 5th d of induction period. The unsaturated lactone, 6-pentyl-α-pyrone (6-PP), was the major identified volatile compound. Saturated lactones, δ-octalactone, γ-nonalactone, γ-undecalactone, γ-dodecalactone and δ-dodecalactone, were also identified in the coconut aroma produced during the induction period (12 d). A quite correlation was found between the composition and odor profile of the produced aroma. The effect of varying the concentration of sugarcane bagasse on 6-PP production and biomass growth was evaluated. The results revealed high 6-PP production at 4.5 g sugarcane bagasse whereas the biomass showed significant (P < 0.05) increase by increasing the concentration of sugarcane bagasse. Conclusion The concentration of 6-PP, the most contribution of coconut aroma, produced in present study (3.62 mg/g DM) was higher than that reported in previous studies conducted under the same fermentation conditions. The significant increase in biomass with increasing the concentration of sugarcane bagasse may be attributed to the increase in sugar content that acts as carbon and energy source.

Maternal and neonatal screening for Group B streptococci by SCP B gene based PCR: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the magnitude of group B streptococcal (GBS) colonization and disease among a sample of pregnant women and their infants in Egypt. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 95 pregnant females, 35-37 weeks of gestational age, attending the antenatal outpatient clinic at AlFayom University Hospital between September 2006 and June 2007. All participants were screened with vaginorectal swabs by a conventional GBS PCR assay. Participants were grouped into group A (GBS present, 17 patients) and group B (GBS absent, 78 patients). Details with regard to labor and delivery were recorded and placental pathology was examined to detect histological chorioamnionitis. Ninety-five infant data were also recorded. All neonates of group A (17 out of 95 with known positive maternal GBS) underwent collection of simultaneous specimens from surface sites for PCR before their first bath and within four hours of birth. RESULTS: GBS carriage rate in the study sample was 17.89%. Chorioamnionitis confirmed in three patients by placental pathology (one was in group A and two in group B) was statistically not significant. Twenty-two women had rupture of membranes (< 12 hours) before delivery (four from group A and 18 from group B) that was not statistically significant. There were three infants out of 17 in group A who had GBS colonized at one or more sites by PCR which was statistically significant. However, only one infant was admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) that was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Maternal GBS carriage is associated with a significant increase in neonatal infection rate but is not associated with an increase in neonatal intensive care admission. An accurate evaluation of colonization rate (using a larger sample) is desired to evaluate neonatal invasive disease and determine the cost effectiveness of PCR to select an appropriate preventive strategy in Egypt.

Variations and genotypes of interleukin-10 in diabetes mellitus complicating chronic hepatitis C virus infection

To study whether genetic polymorphism influence lnterleukin-10 [IL-10] production and immune derangement that may contribute to the development of Diabetes Mellitus [DM] in chronic Hepatitis C Virus [HCV] infection, Two groups of HCV positive patients with liver cirrhosis [23 diabetic and 29 non-diabetic] were studied in addition to 10 healthy subjects. IL-10 serum levels were assayed for all the studied groups using ELISA technique. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] in the promoter region of IL-10 gene namely -1082 [A/G] and-592 [A/C] were genotyped in the HCV groups using Polymerase Chain Reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] Technique. Serum IL-10 levels were found to be significantly higher in each of HCV groups compared to healthy control group [P<0.01] with positive correlation to liver enzymes, Fasting Blood Sugar [FBS] and negative correlation to serum albumin. Significant differences of IL-10 levels were detected in diabetic compared to non-diabetic HCV patients [9.94 +/- 3.5 versus 7.68 +/- 2.0 pg/ml, P<0.05].The frequency of carriage of allele G of-1082 A/G and allele C of-592 A/C markers were found to be higher in diabetic HCV compared with non diabetic patients [p=0.024, OR=3.12[95% Cl, 1.16- 8.39] and [p=0.045, OR=2.64 [95% Cl, 1.02, 6.84]] respectively. Haplotype analyses of both markers revealed that the carriage of haplotype GC was significantly higher in diabetic HCV compared to that of non diabetic patients [p<0.0001 and OR=7.49] [95% Cl, 3.45, 15.87]] It was concluded that IL-10 gene polymorphism and subsequently high IL-10 levels is associated with chronic HCV infection and may be involved the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus