Lightweight concrete masonry units based on processed granulate of corn cob as aggregate

A research work was performed in order to assess the potential application of processed granulate of corn cob (PCC) as an alternative lightweight aggregate for the manufacturing process of lightweight concrete masonry units (CMU). Therefore, CMU-PCC were prepared in a factory using a typical lightweight concrete mixture for non-structural purposes. Additionally, lightweight concrete masonry units based on a currently applied lightweight aggregate such as expanded clay (CMU-EC) were also manufactured. An experimental work allowed achieving a set of results that suggest that the proposed building product presents interesting material properties within the masonry wall context. Therefore, this unit is promising for both interior and exterior applications. This conclusion is even more relevant considering that corn cob is an agricultural waste product.

Mycotoxin contamination of Maize and Guinea corn from markets in Plateau State, Nigeria

Maize (Zea mays) and guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor) are major food items in Plateau state, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the markets and store/warehouses used for this study; sample collection employed a simple random sampling method from different sampling points within designated areas. A total of 18 representative samples were collected and analyzed for the following mycotoxins: aflatoxins (Aflatoxin B1 - AFB1, Aflatoxin B2 - AFB2, Aflatoxin G1 - AFG1 and Aflatoxin G2 - AFG2), fumonisins (Fumonisin B1 - FB1 and Fumonisin B2 - FB2 ) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Out of 12 samples analyzed for Aflatoxins, AFB1 was detected in 5, AFB2 in 1, AFG1 in 1 and AFG2 in 6 samples respectively. The highest concentration of AFB1 and AFG2 were found in maize samples from Pankshin market. Only maize samples from Mangu market were contaminated with AFB2 and also harboured the lowest concentration of AFG2. AFG1 contamination occurred in only guinea corn from Shendam market. and FB1 was detected in all 18 samples analyzed. The mycotoxin CPA was not detected in any of the samples. Aflatoxins levels in analyzed samples were regarded as safe based on Nigerian and European Union maximum permissible levels of 4g/kg. With the exception of two samples, FB1 levels in analyzed maize samples were within European Union maximum permissible levels of 1,000 to 3000g/kg. The health and food safety implications of these results for the human and animal population are further discussed.

Biotechnological approaches for yield improvement of anticancer alkaloids in the plant Catharanthus roseus

Dissertação de mestrado em Biologia Molecular, Biotecnologia e Bioempreendedorismo em Plantas

Polyphasic approach including MALDI-TOF MS/MS analysis for identification and characterisation of Fusarium verticillioides in Brazilian corn kernels

Fusarium verticillioides is considered one of the most important global sources of fumonisin contamination in food and feed. Corn is one of the main commodities produced in the Northeastern Region of Brazil. The present study investigated potential mycotoxigenic fungal strains belonging to the F. verticillioides species isolated from corn kernels in 3 different Regions of the Brazilian State of Pernambuco. A polyphasic approach including classical taxonomy, molecular biology, MALDI-TOF MS and MALDI-TOF MS/MS for the identification and characterisation of the F. verticillioides strains was used. Sixty F. verticillioides strains were isolated and successfully identified by classical morphology, proteomic profiles of MALDI-TOF MS, and by molecular biology using the species-specific primers VERT-1 and VERT-2. FUM1 gene was further detected for all the 60 F. verticillioides by using the primers VERTF-1 and VERTF-2 and through the amplification profiles of the ISSR regions using the primers (GTG)5 and (GACA)4. Results obtained from molecular analysis shown a low genetic variability among these isolates from the different geographical regions. All of the 60 F. verticillioides isolates assessed by MALDI-TOF MS/MS presented ion peaks with the molecular mass of the fumonisin B1 (721.83 g/mol) and B2 (705.83 g/mol)

Improving diagnostic yield in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding - how virtual chromoendoscopy may be the answer

Background and aim: A significant proportion of patients presenting with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) have negative small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) examinations, and yet remain at risk of rebleeding. We aimed to evaluate whether a second-look review of SBCE images using flexible spectral color enhancement (FICE) may improve the detection of potentially bleeding lesions. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study including consecutive patients with OGIB subjected to SBCE, whose standard white light examination was nondiagnostic. Each SBCE was reviewed using FICE 1. New findings were labeled as either P1 or P2 lesions according to bleeding potential. Patients were followed up to assess the incidence of rebleeding. Results: A total of 42 consecutive patients were included. Sixteen patients (38%) experienced rebleeding after a mean follow-up of 26 months. Review of SBCE images using FICE 1 enabled the identification of previously unrecognized P2 lesions, mainly angioectasias, in nine patients (21%) and P1 lesions, mainly erosions, in 26 patients (62%). Among patients who experienced rebleeding, 13/16 (81%) were diagnosed with P1 lesions with FICE 1 (P=0.043), whereas 3/16 (19%) had confirmed nondiagnostic SBCE and only 1/16 (6%) had newly diagnosed P2 (plus P1) lesions. An alternative source of bleeding outside the small bowel was found in only 3/16 (19%) patients with rebleeding during the follow-up. Conclusion: In a significant proportion of patients with OGIB, FICE 1 may detect potentially bleeding lesions previously missed under conventional white light SBCE. Review of nondiagnostic SBCE with FICE 1 may be a valuable strategy to obviate the need for further investigations in patients with OGIB, particularly for those who experience rebleeding.