Real-time PCR versus traditional and Nano-based ELISA in early detection of murine trichinellosis

Trichinellosis is a serious foodborne zoonosis. It poses a serious risk to public health worldwide. Early serological diagnosis of trichinellosis is influenced by an immunological 'silent' phase following infection. This highlights the necessity for developing sensitive diagnostic approaches to be employed when antibodies cannot be detected. In this work, the validity of traditional ELISA, Nano-ELISA and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were evaluated in early diagnosis of Trichinella spiralis. Swiss albino mice were orally infected with 100 and 300 muscle larvae/mouse. Mice were sacrificed 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, and 28 days post-infection (dpi). Blood samples were tested for circulating antigen by traditional ELISA and Nano-ELISA using anti-rabbit polyclonal IgG conjugated with AgNPs and for Rep gene by SYBR green real-time PCR. Rep gene detection by SYBR green real-time PCR could detect T. spiralis with 100% sensitivity in the mild infection group at 8 dpi, while in the severe infection group it reached 100% sensitivity at 4 dpi. Nano-ELISA could detect T. spiralis circulating antigen from 4 dpi in both mild and severe infection and reached 100% sensitivity at 8 dpi and 6 dpi in mild and severe infection, respectively. However, traditional ELISA could detect T. spiralis circulating antigen from 6 dpi and reached maximum sensitivity at 15 dpi in the mild infection group, while in the severe infection group detection began at 4 dpi and reached 100% sensitivity at 8 dpi. Nano-ELISA and real time PCR, using Rep gene, are useful tools for the detection of early T. spiralis infection even in its mild infection state.

Nutritional Composition, Techno-Functional Properties and Sensory Analysis of Pan Bread Fortified with Kenaf Seeds Dietary Fibre

Kenaf seeds are underutilized source of food with good source of dietary fiber, protein, essential oil, and phytocompounds. The objectives of this study were to determine the nutritional composition of kenaf seeds, the techno-functional properties of kenaf seeds dietary fibre (KSDF), and sensory analysis of pan bread fortified with dietary fibre that was extracted from kenaf seeds. Analyses showed that kenaf seeds are rich in dietary fibre (28.87 g/ 100 g), protein (27.07 g/ 100 g), oil (23.78 g/100 g) and mineral (5.55 g/100 g). The dietary fibre that was extracted through enzymatic hydrolysis (KSDF (EH)) exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) greater water-binding capacity (WBC), oil-binding capacity (OBC) and viscosity than non-enzymatic hydrolyzed kenaf seeds dietary fibre (KSDF (NEH)) and defatted kenaf seed meal (DKSM). Different formulations of bread were prepared by replacing 10% of wheat flour with wheat bran fibre (positive control), rice bran fibre and KSDF, with white bread unfortified with fibre as negative control. Addition of 10% KSDF to bread formulation significantly (p < 0.05) reduced bread height, volume, specific volume, water activity and firmness, and increased proofing time and bread surface colour. Results from the sensory evaluation of the bread samples also showed that KSDF bread was the most acceptable in comparison to rice bran and wheat bran fortified breads. This study shows that kenaf seed has valuable source of dietary fibre with the potential to be used as a functional ingredient in the development of functional breads.

Stingless Bee-Collected Pollen (Bee Bread): Chemical and Microbiology Properties and Health Benefits

Stingless bee-collected pollen (bee bread) is a mixture of bee pollen, bee salivary enzymes, and regurgitated honey, fermented by indigenous microbes during storage in the cerumen pot. Current literature data for bee bread is overshadowed by bee pollen, particularly of honeybee Apis. In regions such as South America, Australia, and Southeast Asia, information on stingless bee bee bread is mainly sought to promote the meliponiculture industry for socioeconomic development. This review aims to highlight the physicochemical properties and health benefits of bee bread from the stingless bee. In addition, it describes the current progress on identification of beneficial microbes associated with bee bread and its relation to the bee gut. This review provides the basis for promoting research on stingless bee bee bread, its nutrients, and microbes for application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

A preliminary study of the bioactivity of vegetative proteins extracted from Malaysian Bacillus thuringiensis isolates

Vegetative proteins from Malaysian strains of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis strains (Bt 11, Bt 12, Bt 15, Bt 16, Bt 17, Bt 21 and Bt 22) and Bacillus sphaericus H-25 strains (Bs 1 and Bs 2) were screened for haemolytic, cytotoxic and larvicidal activity. SDS-PAGE profiles of the Bacillus thuringiensis strains studied consistently showed major bands of 33-37 kDa and 47 kDa. Bt 16 also showed two bands of 66 kDa and 45 kDa similar to the previously reported binary vegetative protein, Vip1Ac (66 kDa) and Vip 2Ac (45 kDa). Both the Bacillus sphaericus strains showed a 35 kDa band that was similiar to a previously reported vegetative protein, the Mtx2 protein. Bs 2 also contains a 37 kDa band, similar to another vegetative protein, the Mtx 3 protein. With the exception of Bt 17 and Bt 21, vegetative proteins from all Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus sphaericus strains were highly haemolytic to human erythrocytes, causing more than 75% haemolysis at the highest concentration of 200 microg/ml. High haemolytic activity was associated with high cytotoxic activity with most of the haemolytic strains being indiscriminately cytotoxic to both CEM-SS (human T lymphoblastoid) and HeLa (human uterus cervical cancer) cell lines. Interestingly, the less haemolytic vegetative proteins from Bt 17 and Bt 21 demonstrated cytotoxic activity comparable to that of the highly haemolytic vegetative proteins. Bt 21 displayed toxicity towards both cell lines while Bt 17 was more toxic towards CEM-SS cells. Bioassay against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae revealed that vegetative proteins from the Bacillus thuringiensis strains had activity against both species of larvae but vegetative proteins from Bacillus sphaericus were weakly larvicidal towards Cx. quinquefasciatus only.