ABSTRACT
The potential of activated charcoal in the purification of fungal glucoamylase was investigated. Various concentrations of activated charcoal (1-4% w/v) were used to concentrate crude glucoamylase from Rhizopus oligosporus at different temperature values (30-50°C). Effects of pH (3.0-6.0) and contact time (0-60 min) on enzyme purification were also monitored. Activated charcoal (3% w/v) gave a 16-fold purification in a single-step purification at 50°C for 20 min and pH 5.5. The result of SDS-PAGE analysis of purified glucoamylase showed two major protein bands with corresponding molecular weight of 36 kDa and 50 kDa. The method is inexpensive, rapid, and simple which could facilitate downstream processing of industrial enzyme.
ABSTRACT
A total of 2772 randomly selected junior secondary school pupils (aged 8-14) from 60 schools were examined for dermatophytic infections by direct microscopy and culture-based laboratory diagnostic methods. Of these, 641 (23.21%) had dermatophytosis. Out of these, 376 (13.56%) were male while 265 (9.56%) were female. Aetiological agents identified with infection were Microsporum canis (30.19%), Microsporum audouinii (32.92%), Trichophyton interdigitale (14.37%), Trichophyton soudanense (9.73%) and Trichophyton tonsurans (12.05%). Most of the dermatophytes encountered were anthropophilic species. Microsporum canis was the only zoophilic dermatophyte. Differences were not observed in infection pattern for all the different geo-political zones that make up the state. The head and the skin of the students were more frequently infected than the nails and toes. Infection frequency increased steadily up to age 11 after which it drastically decreased.
