Potential of some autochthonous wild plants of Burundi for vegetable oil and valuable compounds production / Potencial de algumas plantas silvestres autóctones do Burundi para a produção de óleos vegetais e compostos valiosos

Abstract Twelve species of indigenous plants have been studied in order to valorize some natural resources of Burundi (Eastern Africa) to investigate possibilities of vegetable oil production. Physicochemical properties and oil contents were determined from seeds harvested through five ecogeographic zones. From oilcake extracts, total sugars contents, proteins (TPrC), polyphenolic (TPhC), and flavonoids were quantified using spectrophotometry. Furthermore, antioxidant activity of oilcake extracts was assessed by 2, 2-diphenyl-b-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. All oil contents obtained were found to be quite similar to those of common oleaginous seeds. The two highest were found in Parinari curatellifolia (61.44 ± 4.81% Dry Matter) and Myrianthus arboreus (48.26 ± 5.96% DM). More than half of the species have shown TPrC ranging from 10 to 24% dry matter of oilcake (DM). Brachystegia longifolia was revealed exceptionally stronger antioxidant potential: effectiveness antiradical of 163.06 ± 26.29 mL/μg.min (DPPH assay) and reducing power of 2618.21 ± 161.22 GAE/100 g DM (FRAP assay). TPhC were positively correlated (p < 0.05) to the antioxidant activity. This pioneering work on these wild species highlight the potential for producing vegetable oil and valuable biomolecule sources likely for food, cosmetics, pharmacy and industry.

Resumo Doze espécies de plantas indígenas foram estudadas para valorizar alguns recursos naturais do Burundi (África Oriental), para investigar as possibilidades de produção de óleo vegetal. As propriedades físico-químicas e o conteúdo de óleo foram determinados com base em sementes colhidas em cinco zonas ecogeográficas. A partir de extratos de bagaço de óleo, os teores de açúcares totais, proteínas (TPrC), polifenólicos (TPhC) e flavonoides foram quantificados por espectrofotometria. Além disso, a atividade antioxidante dos extratos de bagaços foi avaliada por ensaios de 2,2-difenil-b-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) e antioxidante redutor de ferro (FRAP). Todos os conteúdos de óleo obtidos foram encontrados para ser bastante semelhantes aos das sementes oleaginosas comuns. Os dois maiores foram encontrados em Parinari curatellifolia (61,44 ± 4,81% de matéria seca [MS]) e Myrianthus arboreus (48,26 ± 5,96% de MS). Mais da metade das espécies mostrou TPrC variando de 10% a 24% de MS de tortas. Brachystegia longifolia revelou um potencial antioxidante excepcionalmente mais forte: eficácia antirradical de 163,06 ± 26,29 mL/μg.min (DPPH assay) e poder redutor de 2.618,21 ± 161,22 GAE/100 g de MS (ensaio FRAP). TPhC correlacionaram-se positivamente (p < 0,05) com a atividade antioxidante. Este trabalho pioneiro sobre essas espécies selvagens destaca o potencial para a produção de óleo vegetal e fontes valiosas de biomoléculas para alimentos, cosméticos, farmácia e indústria.

Potential of some autochthonous wild plants of Burundi for vegetable oil and valuable compounds production.

Twelve species of indigenous plants have been studied in order to valorize some natural resources of Burundi (Eastern Africa) to investigate possibilities of vegetable oil production. Physicochemical properties and oil contents were determined from seeds harvested through five ecogeographic zones. From oilcake extracts, total sugars contents, proteins (TPrC), polyphenolic (TPhC), and flavonoids were quantified using spectrophotometry. Furthermore, antioxidant activity of oilcake extracts was assessed by 2, 2-diphenyl-b-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. All oil contents obtained were found to be quite similar to those of common oleaginous seeds. The two highest were found in Parinari curatellifolia (61.44 ± 4.81% Dry Matter) and Myrianthus arboreus (48.26 ± 5.96% DM). More than half of the species have shown TPrC ranging from 10 to 24% dry matter of oilcake (DM). Brachystegia longifolia was revealed exceptionally stronger antioxidant potential: effectiveness antiradical of 163.06 ± 26.29 mL/µg.min (DPPH assay) and reducing power of 2618.21 ± 161.22 GAE/100 g DM (FRAP assay). TPhC were positively correlated (p < 0.05) to the antioxidant activity. This pioneering work on these wild species highlight the potential for producing vegetable oil and valuable biomolecule sources likely for food, cosmetics, pharmacy and industry.

Potential of some autochthonous wild plants of Burundi for vegetable oil and valuable compounds production

Abstract Twelve species of indigenous plants have been studied in order to valorize some natural resources of Burundi (Eastern Africa) to investigate possibilities of vegetable oil production. Physicochemical properties and oil contents were determined from seeds harvested through five ecogeographic zones. From oilcake extracts, total sugars contents, proteins (TPrC), polyphenolic (TPhC), and flavonoids were quantified using spectrophotometry. Furthermore, antioxidant activity of oilcake extracts was assessed by 2, 2-diphenyl-b-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. All oil contents obtained were found to be quite similar to those of common oleaginous seeds. The two highest were found in Parinari curatellifolia (61.44 ± 4.81% Dry Matter) and Myrianthus arboreus (48.26 ± 5.96% DM). More than half of the species have shown TPrC ranging from 10 to 24% dry matter of oilcake (DM). Brachystegia longifolia was revealed exceptionally stronger antioxidant potential: effectiveness antiradical of 163.06 ± 26.29 mL/g.min (DPPH assay) and reducing power of 2618.21 ± 161.22 GAE/100 g DM (FRAP assay). TPhC were positively correlated (p 0.05) to the antioxidant activity. This pioneering work on these wild species highlight the potential for producing vegetable oil and valuable biomolecule sources likely for food, cosmetics, pharmacy and industry.

Resumo Doze espécies de plantas indígenas foram estudadas para valorizar alguns recursos naturais do Burundi (África Oriental), para investigar as possibilidades de produção de óleo vegetal. As propriedades físico-químicas e o conteúdo de óleo foram determinados com base em sementes colhidas em cinco zonas ecogeográficas. A partir de extratos de bagaço de óleo, os teores de açúcares totais, proteínas (TPrC), polifenólicos (TPhC) e flavonoides foram quantificados por espectrofotometria. Além disso, a atividade antioxidante dos extratos de bagaços foi avaliada por ensaios de 2,2-difenil-b-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) e antioxidante redutor de ferro (FRAP). Todos os conteúdos de óleo obtidos foram encontrados para ser bastante semelhantes aos das sementes oleaginosas comuns. Os dois maiores foram encontrados em Parinari curatellifolia (61,44 ± 4,81% de matéria seca [MS]) e Myrianthus arboreus (48,26 ± 5,96% de MS). Mais da metade das espécies mostrou TPrC variando de 10% a 24% de MS de tortas. Brachystegia longifolia revelou um potencial antioxidante excepcionalmente mais forte: eficácia antirradical de 163,06 ± 26,29 mL/g.min (DPPH assay) e poder redutor de 2.618,21 ± 161,22 GAE/100 g de MS (ensaio FRAP). TPhC correlacionaram-se positivamente (p 0,05) com a atividade antioxidante. Este trabalho pioneiro sobre essas espécies selvagens destaca o potencial para a produção de óleo vegetal e fontes valiosas de biomoléculas para alimentos, cosméticos, farmácia e indústria.

Healthcare costs of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in veterans: role of vitamin D deficiency.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infections are frequently associated with hospitalization and increased healthcare costs. Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to increased costs for patients with these infections and there is evidence that vitamin D may have an antimicrobial role. To evaluate the role of vitamin D deficiency in the costs incurred with these infections, we studied the relationship of serum 25(OH)D levels to healthcare costs in veterans in the southeastern United States. Patients with both infections were vitamin D deficient to a similar extent and so were combined for further analysis. Vitamin D deficient patients had higher costs and service utilization than those who were not vitamin D deficient. Those with vitamin D deficiency had higher inpatient costs compared to the non-deficient group, and this difference was across most categories except for the number of inpatient hospitalizations or total number of days as an inpatient. Vitamin D deficiency was not significantly related to outpatient cost or service utilization parameters. We conclude that vitamin D deficiency is intimately linked to adverse healthcare costs in veterans with MRSA and P. aeruginosa infections. Vitamin D status should be assayed in patients with these infections.

Healthcare costs of Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile infections in veterans: role of vitamin D deficiency.

Clostridium difficile and staphylococcal infections are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Vitamin D deficiency may also contribute to increased healthcare costs. There is increasing evidence that vitamin D may have an antimicrobial role. We examined the relationship of serum 25(OH)D levels to staphylococcal and C. difficile infections to determine if vitamin D deficiency was associated with adverse outcomes. In the outpatient setting, vitamin D deficiency in patients with C. difficile and staphylococcal infections were associated with significantly increased total outpatients costs and fee-based consultation. Laboratory expenses had a trend towards higher costs in the vitamin D-deficient group but did not reach statistical significance. The differences were most clearly seen in the in-patient group with enhanced laboratory, pharmacy and radiology costs. These differences resulted in vitamin D-deficient patients with C. difficile or staphylococcal infections having costs more than five times higher than the non-deficient patients. The total length of hospital stay was four times greater in the vitamin D-deficient group. In addition, the total number of hospitalizations was also significantly greater in the vitamin D-deficient group. Surgery costs demonstrated a tendency to be higher in the vitamin D-deficient group but failed to reach statistical significance. Vitamin D deficiency is intimately linked to adverse health outcomes and costs in Veterans with staphylococcal and C. difficile infections in North East Tennessee. We recommend that vitamin D status be checked in patients with these infections and appropriate therapy be instituted to restore vitamin D level to normal in an expeditious manner.

Reproductive parameters in captive hand-reared black-bellied sandgrouse.

Flock breeders of black-bellied sandgrouse originated from wild-laid eggs collected in west central Morocco in 2003 and 2004, were hatched, and hand-reared in captivity in the framework of a reinforcement population program. Three to five pairs of different ages were housed in an aviary. Egg-pulling procedure was used and eggs incubated artificially. Breeding parameters, hatchability, and posthatching mortality were recorded. The black-bellied sandgrouse showed a seasonal breeding pattern with a laying period extending from 7 to12 weeks. The clutch frequency varied from 3 to 7 clutches per female per season. The mean clutch size was 2.66+/-0.47 eggs, and the mean interclutch interval was 10+/-2.7 days. The average total egg production was 12+/-5.83 eggs per female varying with age from 8 to18 eggs per female. Egg hatchability of incubated eggs increased with age and varied from 37.5 to 72.2%. Chick mortality occurred only in the first week after hatching, averaging 60.5%. The obtained results showed that black-bellied sandgrouse can be successfully bred in captivity and opened the possibility of controlling, managing, and maximizing their production for the reinforcement of the local declining wild populations. Zoo Biol 27:269-281, 2008. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.