Isolation, identification and antimicrobial activities of some fungi associated with marine algae

Ninety four fungal isolates belonging to nineteen fungal genera and thirty seven species were isolated from different algae samples collected from Abou-keer, Alexandria, Egypt, during the four seasons of 2004. The marine fungal genera were Helicascus, Sigmoidea and Varicosporina, while the terrestrial fungal genera were Acremonium, AIternaria, Aspergillus, Chrysonilia, Cladosporium, Dendryphiopsis, Fusarium, Geotriclium, Helminthosporium, Moniliella, Mucor, Penicillium. Scopulariopsis, Trichoderma, Ulocladium and Verticillium. All fungal isolates were tested against some pathogenic bacteria, yeast and fungi. The results revealed that, Penicillium brevicompactum [APt] and Varicsporina ramulosa [SPa] were the most promising fungi which were active against gram positive, gram negative bacteria and fungi

Potential antidotal effect of naloxone against captopril acute toxicity in albino rats

Captopril, is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor which is widely used in the management of hypertension, has many new potential applications opening the way for wider deployment. Naloxone which is an opioid antagonist was reported to block the inhibitory effect of B-endorphin on the centrally mediated pressure action of angiotensin II thus reversing hypotension. This work aimed at evaluating the acute toxic effects of captopril and to detect the potential protective role of naloxone in ameliorating this toxicity. Seventy adult albino rats of both sexes were divided into 7 equal groups. Group [I]. [II] and [III: negative and positive control groups. Group [IV] [Naloxone group]: naloxone was given in a single I.P dose of 0.06mg/rat. Group [V] [Captopril group,: Captopril was given in a single toxic oral dose of 13.5mg/rat. Group [VI] [Captopril and Naloxone]: a single I.P dose of naloxone [0.06mg/rat] was given 1 hour after captopril single oral toxic dose. Group [VII]: A single I.P dose of naloxone [0.06mg/rat] was given 2 hours after captopril single oral toxic dose. After 24 hours from naloxone intake. the animals were anaesthesized, blood pressure and pulse rate were measured after aortic exposure. Then the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for investigating liver function tests, kidney function tests and serum electrolytes. Liver and kidney specimens were also examined histologically. It was found that captopril significantly decreased the blood pressure but did not affect pulse rate. Captopril also significantly affected the liver function tests. kidney function tests, and serum electrolytes. The administration of naloxone 1 hour and 2 hours after captopril significantly improved blood pressure, liver function tests, kidney function tests and serum electrolytes There was non significant difference between the administration of naloxone 1 hour or 2 hours after captopril. The biochemical results were coinciding with the histological results. So, naloxone was found to have an antidotal effect against captopril toxicity. The very common use of captopril in medical practice, together with the severity of the toxicity, may cause calls for increased awareness and an antidotal management

Isolation and identification of fungi associated with feed stuffs and determination of mycotoxin producing ability

A general survey was carried out during the period 1987 / 88 on the microflora associated with animal feedstuffs collected from different factories in east Alger. A total number of 139 fungal isolates were obtained and classified in 12 different genera, namely: Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Cordana, Cunning/lamella, Fusarium, Gliocladium, Mycotypha, Penicillium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Rhopalomyces. Aspergillus isolates were found most widely distributed in the samples. They were 68.3% of the total isolates obtained. Aspergillus ochraceus was 36.8% of the Aspergillus isolated and 25% of the total fungal isolates. Isolates were tested for their ability to produce antibiotics in culture media. All were capable of producing different levels of toxins active against gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Subsequent investigations have revealed that the majority of fungal organisms included in the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium are able to produce ochratoxins

Production of ochratoxin A in a semisynthetic medium

Seven Aspergillus and two Penicillium strains were tested for the production of ochratoxin A and B. The isolates were grown on Czapek liquid medium supplemented with varying amounts of sucrose [0-4%]. All of the isolates were capable of producing different levels of ochratoxin A in nutrient medium containing 4% sucrose and 2% yeast extract after 13 days of incubation at 28° as static cultures. Aspergillus ochraceus produced up to 31.36mg/100ml of ochratoxin A and trace amount of ochratoxin B under these conditions. The Penicillium strains produced less ochratoxin A than A. ochraceus

SCP Production from methanol as sole source of carbon using fungi

Nine fungal isolates related to four genera. Aspergillus, Gliocladium, Penicillium and Trichoderma were screened for their capabilities to assimilate methanol. The isolates were grown on methanol 2% containing medium as a sole carbon source for different incubation periods under shaken and static conditions. G. deliquescens [I] has shown to produce the maximal mycelial yield and protein content. Maximal mycelial yield was obtained after 8 days of incubation under static condition. The protein content of mycelium increased [21.5%] at elevated concentrations of methanol [4%]. The content of all of the individual amino acids in the protein was determined. With the exception of an insufficient content of methionine, the essential amino acids composition were consistent and in excess of the content of many other sources of protein

Histopathological changes in pregnant rat's liver following repeated halothane exposure

Adult white rats were divided into 3 groups; 6 rats each, [two males and four females]. Group I was exposed to 1.5% halothane for 20 minutes every other day for 6 exposures. The rats were mated and exposed another 10 exposures. Group II was given 0.1% phenobarbitone in milk one week before, and during the period of exposure to halothane which was similar to the first group. Group III was kept as a control. At the suspected date of delivery, the rats were sacrificed, and specimens were taken from the liver for hematoxylin and eosin stain, PAS reaction and Sudan black stain. Repeated exposure to halothane did not affect the pregnancy rate, but it resulted in hepatic focal and centrilobular necrosis with glycogen poverty and moderate lipid content. The portal spaces showed thick connective tissue and lymphocytic infiltration. Phenobarbitone reduced the pregnancy rate and resulted in 16.5% fetal mortality with more hepatic necrosis and increase in glycogen and lipid content

Single cell protein production from methanol

Four Candida Strains were grown on media containing glucose 2%, or increasing amounts of methanol [1-4%] as carbon source, to select the yeast which possess high productivity at high methanol concentration [methanol tolerant]. Soluble and insoluble products were harvested at different periods. Candida pseudotropicalis showed maximum yield of growth on the glucose medium in the first 72 hr which was 3 fold that of C. pellicula [after 216 hr]. The same phenomena was observed with C. flaveri and C. utilis as compared after 144 hr. Significant growth was detected in C. pseudotropicalis in medium containing 4% methanol after 144 hr incubation. Methanol concentration in the medium affects the growth rate and prolonged the lag phase of microorganisms. C. pellicula afforded cells of high protein content when grown for 72 hr on medium containing 1% methanol, while C. pseudotropicalis exhibited its higher protein content after 216 hr on 2% methanol concentration. Utilization of glucose, as sole carbon source, led to production of cells of the lowest protein content. C. flaveri was characterised by its higher carbohydrate proportion when grown on low methanol concentration [1%]

Synthesis of some heterocyclic carboxamide derivatives for possible biological activity

It is well known that several khellinone derivatives possess pronounced biological activity. Thus aminomethyl benzofurans were found to possess anaesthetic and spasmolytic activities. 5-Cinnamoylbenzofurans have been tested in mice for hypotensive and vasodilating properties. Therefore, the aim of the present investigation is to synthesize some new benzofuran derivatives of potential biological activity through the reaction between amines and khellinone or visnaginone derivatives [I] to form the corresponding amides. When ethyl 3-[4,7-diinethoxy-6-hydroxy-5-benzofuranyl]-[Ia] and ethyl 3-[4,6,7-trimethoxy-5-benzofuranyl]-l, 3-diketobutyrate [Ib] were treated with different amines, i.e. n-butyl-, isopropyl-, benzyiamine, panisidine or morpholine the corresponding amides [II a-f] were obtained, respectively

Effect of saline and dextran infusion on blood albumin after slight and moderate blood loss

The effect of saline or dextran 70 infusion on the serum albumin level was studied after mild and moderate blood loss. From this experimental study in was shown that infusion of normal saline resulted in a decrease in the albumin level early after infusion than rapid recovery was noticed. Infusion of dextran 70 produced more manifest reduction than normal saline and took longer time to reach to the original value. Decreased albumin concentration caused by dextran infusion could be due to Shifting of albumin into the extravascular compartements [Mornison, 1956] or to the inhibition of synthesis [Craigic et al., 1969] or to the retention of addition fluid within the circulation [Gruber, 1965] or due to failure of Dextran 70 to increase rate of lymph flow [Table III]. The prolonged reduction in the circulating albumin after dextran 70 infusion could be explained by the delayed excretion of dextran 70. Only half the dose given is eliminated by excretion via the kidney within the first 24 hours. The whole given dose takes about 14 days to be elimenated [Artursson et al., 1964]

effect of halothane anaesthesia on blood and plasma volumes in bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly

Ten male patients with bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly were the subject of this study. Another ten male patients of nearly the same age and body weight were taken as control. The plasma and blood volumes were estimated before and 30 minutes after 2% halothane anaesthesia without any surgical interference. The plasma volume was determined by Evens blue dye method and the total blood volume was calculated from the haematocrit value. There was no significant difference between the mean blood volumes of the two groups before the administration of halothane. The 2% halothane administration for 30 minutes, significantly increased the mean total blood volumes in both groups, although the difference between the mean percent increases was not significant. The mean haematocit values of both groups did not display any significant change before or following the exposure to halothane. Patients with bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly developed more hypervolaemia during halothane anaesthesia, possibly mainly due to an increase in the plasma volume. The effect of halothane anaesthesia on the blood volume was the subject of conflicting reports. Some authors [Payne and colleagues, 1959, and Grable and associates, 1962] reported an increase in blood volume, while other [Morse and colleagues, 1963] could not detect any change in blood volume following the administration of halothane. Hepatosplenic bilharziasis is a disease associated with changes in haemodynamic pattern [Mousa, 1967] and these changes can be modified by the action of various drugs especially the vasoactive ones. The purpose of this study is to report the effect of halothane anaesthesia on the plasma and blood volumes in hepatosplenic bilharziasis