Pub Date : 2024-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02418
M.A. Alsayyad , T.A. Aggour , U.A. Abu Risha , M.H. Griesh , M.O. Arnous
Fifty groundwater samples were collected from the Oligocene sand and Middle Eocene limestone aquifers and analyzed for major ions and stable isotopes. Aquifer sediment samples were examined to determine hydraulic properties, and sixty-six well logs were investigated to understand the subsurface geology. The study reveals that lithofacies, mineral composition, and geologic structures significantly influence groundwater quality and behavior. Karst features in the Middle Eocene limestone aquifer create subsurface caves, leading to challenges such as abrupt salinization and well failure. In the Oligocene aquifer, groundwater is predominantly of the sodium chloride type. In the Middle Eocene aquifer, 80 % of samples are sodium chloride, with variations of sodium bicarbonate (10 %) and sodium sulfate (10 %) types. Remote sensing from 2013 to 2021 shows significant agricultural expansion, with vegetation increasing by over 227 km². This growth, driven by large agricultural projects, has led to substantial groundwater consumption, resulting in a 5-meter decline in water levels within just one year (from 2020 to 2021). The over-extraction poses a risk to the aquifers, threatening long-term sustainability. Understanding the region's geology is crucial for mitigating these issues and ensuring sustainable groundwater management.
{"title":"The effect of geology and agricultural development on the groundwater, West Minia, Egypt","authors":"M.A. Alsayyad , T.A. Aggour , U.A. Abu Risha , M.H. Griesh , M.O. Arnous","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02418","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02418","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fifty groundwater samples were collected from the Oligocene sand and Middle Eocene limestone aquifers and analyzed for major ions and stable isotopes. Aquifer sediment samples were examined to determine hydraulic properties, and sixty-six well logs were investigated to understand the subsurface geology. The study reveals that lithofacies, mineral composition, and geologic structures significantly influence groundwater quality and behavior. Karst features in the Middle Eocene limestone aquifer create subsurface caves, leading to challenges such as abrupt salinization and well failure. In the Oligocene aquifer, groundwater is predominantly of the sodium chloride type. In the Middle Eocene aquifer, 80 % of samples are sodium chloride, with variations of sodium bicarbonate (10 %) and sodium sulfate (10 %) types. Remote sensing from 2013 to 2021 shows significant agricultural expansion, with vegetation increasing by over 227 km². This growth, driven by large agricultural projects, has led to substantial groundwater consumption, resulting in a 5-meter decline in water levels within just one year (from 2020 to 2021). The over-extraction poses a risk to the aquifers, threatening long-term sustainability. Understanding the region's geology is crucial for mitigating these issues and ensuring sustainable groundwater management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article e02418"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142420355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The transition metal-azo dye complexes have attracted attention in both fundamental and applied research due to their electronic and structural properties, particularly due to their potential to yield new compounds with diverse biological activities and anticancer agents. A novel square planar-trans-Pd(O,N)2 was synthesized with a high yield utilizing a one-pot approach employing (E)-methyl 2-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)diazenyl)benzoate as the AZO-dye ligand. In order to analyze their structure and understand their properties. The desired complex was characterized using FT-IR, UV–Vis, NMR, and CHN-EA techniques. Subsequently, theoretical modeling of the complex was performed using MEP/MAC/NPA methodologies. Two methodologies were employed to monitor the coordination process of AZO-ligand with Pd(II): UV–Vis absorption and FT-IR spectrum analysis. The TD-DFT and DFT/IR behaviors were simultaneously assessed to compare the experimental results with theoretical predictions. Furthermore, both SC-XRD and DFT analysis demonstrated that the deprotonated phenolic diazene form of the AZO-ligand attached to the Pd(II) center by utilizing one nitrogen atom of the AZO-ligand and the ionic oxygen of the phenol. The SC-XRD analysis verified the presence of a slightly distorted square-planar geometry around the PdII center in the neutral trans-Pd(O,N)2 complex. All of the oxygen atoms in the complex participated in non-classical C-H….O hydrogen bonding, leading to the formation of novel edge-fused rings R22(24) and R22(12) synthons. These synthons create a 3D-network with a linked parallel matrix. Interestingly, Hirshfeld surface analysis (HSA) stimulation revealed many hot sites on the complex surface, confirming the formation of strong non-classical [C-H....O] interactions. From the observed docking behavior with the DNA, it can be concluded that the trans-Pd(O,N)2 showed superior binding compared to the free AZO-ligand. The results of this work are a contribution to the study of this class of metal complexes and their physicochemical properties and offer promising perspectives for the realization of new works.
{"title":"Synthesis and characterizations of a novel trans-Pd(O,N)2 complex with an AZO-dye ligand: Crystal structure, theoretical studies and DNA binding interactions","authors":"Souheyla Chetioui , Zineb Fellahi , Amel Djedouani , Jean-Pierre Djukic , Abeer A. AlObaid , Khalil Shalalin , Anas AlAli , Nidal Jaradat , Ismail Warad","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02411","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02411","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transition metal-azo dye complexes have attracted attention in both fundamental and applied research due to their electronic and structural properties, particularly due to their potential to yield new compounds with diverse biological activities and anticancer agents. A novel square planar-<em>trans</em>-Pd(O,N)<sub>2</sub> was synthesized with a high yield utilizing a one-pot approach employing (E)-methyl 2-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)diazenyl)benzoate as the AZO-dye ligand. In order to analyze their structure and understand their properties. The desired complex was characterized using FT-IR, UV–Vis, NMR, and CHN-EA techniques. Subsequently, theoretical modeling of the complex was performed using MEP/MAC/NPA methodologies. Two methodologies were employed to monitor the coordination process of AZO-ligand with Pd(II): UV–Vis absorption and FT-IR spectrum analysis. The TD-DFT and DFT/IR behaviors were simultaneously assessed to compare the experimental results with theoretical predictions. Furthermore, both SC-XRD and DFT analysis demonstrated that the deprotonated phenolic diazene form of the AZO-ligand attached to the Pd(II) center by utilizing one nitrogen atom of the AZO-ligand and the ionic oxygen of the phenol. The SC-XRD analysis verified the presence of a slightly distorted square-planar geometry around the Pd<sup>II</sup> center in the neutral <em>trans</em>-Pd(O,N)<sub>2</sub> complex. All of the oxygen atoms in the complex participated in non-classical C-H….O hydrogen bonding, leading to the formation of novel edge-fused rings R<sup>2</sup><sub>2</sub>(24) and R<sup>2</sup><sub>2</sub>(12) synthons. These synthons create a 3D-network with a linked parallel matrix. Interestingly, Hirshfeld surface analysis (HSA) stimulation revealed many hot sites on the complex surface, confirming the formation of strong non-classical [C-H....O] interactions. From the observed docking behavior with the DNA, it can be concluded that the <em>trans</em>-Pd(O,N)<sub>2</sub> showed superior binding compared to the free AZO-ligand. The results of this work are a contribution to the study of this class of metal complexes and their physicochemical properties and offer promising perspectives for the realization of new works.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article e02411"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142420351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-27DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02409
Seth Etuah , Awura-Abena Amoah Osei , Faizal Adams , Isaac Abunyuwah , Nicholas Oppong Mensah , Bright Owusu Asante , Fred Nimoh
The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent of price transmission along the agri-food supply chain in selected regions in Ghana. The extent of transmission was used to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the agricultural marketing systems in the area. Efficient marketing systems are expected to reduce the issue of regional price fluctuations, encourage fair income distribution throughout the supply chain, and improve food security. The preliminary time series stationarity/unit root and seasonality tests were performed using the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test (ADF)/Kwiatkowski, Phillips, Schmidt, and Shin (KPSS) and Canova-Hansen seasonal stability tests respectively. Following the detection of statistically significant threshold effects by the Supremum Likelihood Ratio (Sup-LR) tests, the extent of price transmission was investigated using two-region threshold vector error correction models. The initial tests found that the monthly wholesale, retail, and producer price series for maize, cowpea, and yam used in the study were first difference stationary rather than seasonally integrated. The findings revealed that price signals in the agri-food markets were not fully transmitted across the supply chain. Thus, the extent of price transmission was generally low, creating unexploited arbitrage opportunities along the chain. The study identified high transfer costs (proxied by the threshold parameter) and actor-specific market power (as revealed by the Granger causality test) as the primary obstacles to effective market functioning in the area. Minimizing transfer costs through infrastructural development such as improvements in road networks linking farming communities and markets, access to price information, and regular stakeholder engagements could help improve the functioning of the agri-food markets.
{"title":"Vertical price transmission in agricultural markets in Ghana","authors":"Seth Etuah , Awura-Abena Amoah Osei , Faizal Adams , Isaac Abunyuwah , Nicholas Oppong Mensah , Bright Owusu Asante , Fred Nimoh","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02409","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02409","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent of price transmission along the agri-food supply chain in selected regions in Ghana. The extent of transmission was used to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the agricultural marketing systems in the area. Efficient marketing systems are expected to reduce the issue of regional price fluctuations, encourage fair income distribution throughout the supply chain, and improve food security. The preliminary time series stationarity/unit root and seasonality tests were performed using the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test (ADF)/Kwiatkowski, Phillips, Schmidt, and Shin (KPSS) and Canova-Hansen seasonal stability tests respectively. Following the detection of statistically significant threshold effects by the Supremum Likelihood Ratio (Sup-LR) tests, the extent of price transmission was investigated using two-region threshold vector error correction models. The initial tests found that the monthly wholesale, retail, and producer price series for maize, cowpea, and yam used in the study were first difference stationary rather than seasonally integrated. The findings revealed that price signals in the agri-food markets were not fully transmitted across the supply chain. Thus, the extent of price transmission was generally low, creating unexploited arbitrage opportunities along the chain. The study identified high transfer costs (proxied by the threshold parameter) and actor-specific market power (as revealed by the Granger causality test) as the primary obstacles to effective market functioning in the area. Minimizing transfer costs through infrastructural development such as improvements in road networks linking farming communities and markets, access to price information, and regular stakeholder engagements could help improve the functioning of the agri-food markets.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article e02409"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142420354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-26DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02410
Olabisi Rasheedat Oladipo , Abiola John Asaleye , Ademola Andrew Onabote , Damilola Felix Eluyela , Rotimi Ayoade Ogunjumo , Joseph Olufemi Ogunjobi , Olufemi Adebayo Oladipo , Stephen Adesina Ibitowa
Nigeria faces persistent challenges of high unemployment and poverty, worsened by its over-reliance on the oil sector. While many studies have investigated the relationship between oil price volatility and human capital development, few have examined how this relationship impacts both basic and advanced human capital channels in developing economies; this study addresses that gap by using a Structural Vector Auto Regression (SVAR) approach to investigate how oil price shocks influence human capital channels. Co-integration tests reveal significant long-term relationships among the variables. For the basic channel, oil price shocks are negatively associated with secondary school enrollment but positively linked to primary school enrollment. In the advanced channel, oil price has a positive effect on government expenditure on tertiary education but negatively affects tertiary institution enrollment. The impulse response function confirms that oil price fluctuations significantly affect both basic and advanced channels of human capital. The findings show the detrimental impact of oil price shocks on Nigeria's human capital development, which may negatively affect sustainable development. The study emphasises the urgent need for economic diversification to reduce the economy's vulnerability to oil shocks and promote long-term growth and human capital development.
{"title":"Oil price shocks and human capital channels in Nigeria","authors":"Olabisi Rasheedat Oladipo , Abiola John Asaleye , Ademola Andrew Onabote , Damilola Felix Eluyela , Rotimi Ayoade Ogunjumo , Joseph Olufemi Ogunjobi , Olufemi Adebayo Oladipo , Stephen Adesina Ibitowa","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02410","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02410","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nigeria faces persistent challenges of high unemployment and poverty, worsened by its over-reliance on the oil sector. While many studies have investigated the relationship between oil price volatility and human capital development, few have examined how this relationship impacts both basic and advanced human capital channels in developing economies; this study addresses that gap by using a Structural Vector Auto Regression (SVAR) approach to investigate how oil price shocks influence human capital channels. Co-integration tests reveal significant long-term relationships among the variables. For the basic channel, oil price shocks are negatively associated with secondary school enrollment but positively linked to primary school enrollment. In the advanced channel, oil price has a positive effect on government expenditure on tertiary education but negatively affects tertiary institution enrollment. The impulse response function confirms that oil price fluctuations significantly affect both basic and advanced channels of human capital. The findings show the detrimental impact of oil price shocks on Nigeria's human capital development, which may negatively affect sustainable development. The study emphasises the urgent need for economic diversification to reduce the economy's vulnerability to oil shocks and promote long-term growth and human capital development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article e02410"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142356703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-26DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02405
Kulwa Mwita Mang'ana , Silver John Hokororo , Daniel Wilson Ndyetabula
Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprises (Agri-SMEs) handle 60 % of all food production and trade worldwide. Despite their crucial contribution to developing economies, there is a widespread concern about their poor performance, largely due to poor Financial Management Practices (FMPs). This study used a survey of 427 Agri-SMEs in Tanzania to investigate managers’ perception towards FMPs and whether the implementation of FMPs impact the achievement of Agri-SME business objectives. Descriptive statistics were employed to characterize managers’ technological and financial backgrounds. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to assess perceived ease of use of FMPs and perceived usefulness of FMPs. The findings revealed that managers' perceptions of financial management practices significantly and positively influence the organizational performance of Agri-SMEs. Specifically, the perceived usefulness and ease of use of financial practices were key drivers of improved performance. Additionally, about 62 % of Agri-SMEs have not adopted Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Furthermore, 63 % of Agri-SME managers report limited exposure to financial management training. These findings imply that there is need for enhanced financial management technology adoption and managers’ frequency retooling on financial management practices.
{"title":"Agri-SME managers' perception of financial management practices in Tanzania","authors":"Kulwa Mwita Mang'ana , Silver John Hokororo , Daniel Wilson Ndyetabula","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02405","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02405","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprises (Agri-SMEs) handle 60 % of all food production and trade worldwide. Despite their crucial contribution to developing economies, there is a widespread concern about their poor performance, largely due to poor Financial Management Practices (FMPs). This study used a survey of 427 Agri-SMEs in Tanzania to investigate managers’ perception towards FMPs and whether the implementation of FMPs impact the achievement of Agri-SME business objectives. Descriptive statistics were employed to characterize managers’ technological and financial backgrounds. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to assess perceived ease of use of FMPs and perceived usefulness of FMPs. The findings revealed that managers' perceptions of financial management practices significantly and positively influence the organizational performance of Agri-SMEs. Specifically, the perceived usefulness and ease of use of financial practices were key drivers of improved performance. Additionally, about 62 % of Agri-SMEs have not adopted Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Furthermore, 63 % of Agri-SME managers report limited exposure to financial management training. These findings imply that there is need for enhanced financial management technology adoption and managers’ frequency retooling on financial management practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article e02405"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142420353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-26DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02412
Benjamin Musah Abu , Daniel Bruce Sarpong , Yaw Bonsu Osei-Asare , Charles Yaw Okyere , Taeyoon Kim
For smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, increasing productivity and agricultural commercialization are mooted as one of the pillars for agricultural development. However, the measurement of agricultural commercialization has been restricted to the household crop commercialization index (HCCI) that focuses on crops neglecting livestock. This study develops an extended metric of agricultural commercialization named household crop-livestock commercialization index (HCLCI), which combines crop and livestock commercialization with the argument that it is superior to the overly used HCCI. Fractional regression is used to estimate the determinants of the extended metric using secondary and primary data from Ghana. Results indicate that agricultural commercialization is low when examined with the HCCI and the HCLCI. However, the HCLCI (at 26.44 % and 29.76 %, respectively, for the GLSS7 and primary data) is much lower relative to the HCCI (at 35.20 % and 38.24, respectively) but higher than the livestock commercialization index (10.93 % and 8.21 %, respectively). The underlying simultaneous factors that boost agricultural commercialization are infrastructure variables (i.e., road, market, transport, and bank), institutional variable (i.e., agricultural cooperatives) and scale of production (i.e., land endowment and crop production diversity). These findings imply that Ghana needs to invest in infrastructure and farmer institutional development to boost agricultural commercialization.
{"title":"Determinants of an extended metric of agricultural commercialization in Ghana","authors":"Benjamin Musah Abu , Daniel Bruce Sarpong , Yaw Bonsu Osei-Asare , Charles Yaw Okyere , Taeyoon Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02412","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02412","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>For smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, increasing productivity and agricultural commercialization are mooted as one of the pillars for agricultural development. However, the measurement of agricultural commercialization has been restricted to the household crop commercialization index (HCCI) that focuses on crops neglecting livestock. This study develops an extended metric of agricultural commercialization named household crop-livestock commercialization index (HCLCI), which combines crop and livestock commercialization with the argument that it is superior to the overly used HCCI. Fractional regression is used to estimate the determinants of the extended metric using secondary and primary data from Ghana. Results indicate that agricultural commercialization is low when examined with the HCCI and the HCLCI. However, the HCLCI (at 26.44 % and 29.76 %, respectively, for the GLSS7 and primary data) is much lower relative to the HCCI (at 35.20 % and 38.24, respectively) but higher than the livestock commercialization index (10.93 % and 8.21 %, respectively). The underlying simultaneous factors that boost agricultural commercialization are infrastructure variables (i.e., road, market, transport, and bank), institutional variable (i.e., agricultural cooperatives) and scale of production (i.e., land endowment and crop production diversity). These findings imply that Ghana needs to invest in infrastructure and farmer institutional development to boost agricultural commercialization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article e02412"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142356705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-24DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02368
Dennis Kipngenoh Cheruiyot, George Isanda Omwenga, Eliud Nyaga Mwaniki Njagi
The therapeutic use of L-asparaginase derived from bacterial sources has been constrained by various challenges, including toxicity and repression. This has prompted the exploration of alternative sources, particularly eukaryotic microorganisms like fungi, to enhance the safety and effectiveness of the L-asparaginase enzyme. This study aims to investigate the fungal endophytes inhabiting Periploca linearifolia and Prunus africana as a potential source of novel L-asparaginase. Additionally, the study seeks to examine the impact of incubation time and pH on L-asparaginase production. Standard surface sterilization techniques were used for isolation of endophytic fungi. Based on the research findings, 24 % of the fungal endophytes demonstrated a positive reaction for L-ASNase activity and were identified as Colletotrichum sydowii, Fusarium sporotrichioides, Fusarium solani, Cercospora canescens, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium pancosmium, Phoma sp, Penicillium ubiquetum, septoria sp and Penicillium commune. A significant variation in the production of L-asparaginase based on the time of incubation and pH was observed. Most endophytic fungal isolates exhibit optimal enzyme activity on the 6th day of incubation. However, both Septoria sp and Colletotrichum sydowii recorded the highest L-asparaginase activity on the 9th day of incubation. Fusarium solani demonstrated peak activity of 12.4 ± 1.12 UI/mL on the 12th day of incubation. The optimal pH for L-asparaginase production by fungal endophytes was found to be between 5 and 6. The fungal endophytes isolated from medicinal plants have the potential to serve as sources of novel L-asparaginase. Furthermore, it is evident that fungal endophytes display considerable variation in L-asparaginase production, influenced by the duration of incubation and pH conditions.
{"title":"Molecular phylogenetic characterization of L-asparaginase-producing endophytic fungi inhabiting Prunus africana and Periploca linearifolia: Effect of incubation time and pH on enzyme production","authors":"Dennis Kipngenoh Cheruiyot, George Isanda Omwenga, Eliud Nyaga Mwaniki Njagi","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02368","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02368","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The therapeutic use of L-asparaginase derived from bacterial sources has been constrained by various challenges, including toxicity and repression. This has prompted the exploration of alternative sources, particularly eukaryotic microorganisms like fungi, to enhance the safety and effectiveness of the L-asparaginase enzyme. This study aims to investigate the fungal endophytes inhabiting <em>Periploca linearifolia</em> and <em>Prunus africana</em> as a potential source of novel L-asparaginase. Additionally, the study seeks to examine the impact of incubation time and pH on L-asparaginase production. Standard surface sterilization techniques were used for isolation of endophytic fungi. Based on the research findings, 24 % of the fungal endophytes demonstrated a positive reaction for L-ASNase activity and were identified as <em>Colletotrichum sydowii, Fusarium sporotrichioides, Fusarium solani, Cercospora canescens, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium pancosmium, Phoma sp, Penicillium ubiquetum, septoria</em> sp and <em>Penicillium commune</em>. A significant variation in the production of L-asparaginase based on the time of incubation and pH was observed. Most endophytic fungal isolates exhibit optimal enzyme activity on the 6th day of incubation. However, both <em>Septoria</em> sp and <em>Colletotrichum sydowii</em> recorded the highest L-asparaginase activity on the 9th day of incubation. <em>Fusarium solani</em> demonstrated peak activity of 12.4 ± 1.12 UI/mL on the 12th day of incubation. The optimal pH for L-asparaginase production by fungal endophytes was found to be between 5 and 6. The fungal endophytes isolated from medicinal plants have the potential to serve as sources of novel L-asparaginase. Furthermore, it is evident that fungal endophytes display considerable variation in L-asparaginase production, influenced by the duration of incubation and pH conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article e02368"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227624003107/pdfft?md5=255f87d0a0d91897fb17d156e987e32a&pid=1-s2.0-S2468227624003107-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142314867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-24DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02408
E.H. Sebbar , Y. Khattari , Y. Chaibi , T. El Rhafiki
The objective of this work is to examine the humidity and the heat transfer distribution in a full scale aerated room in a steady and turbulent flow regime under winter conditions and for six different Moroccan climate types. To assimilate winter conditions, the floor is considered as a heating source and is stabilized at a high temperature (TH), on the other hand, all other walls are subjected to convection heat transfer mode with an external temperature as a function of the climatic region and a surface transmission coefficient required by the Moroccan Agency of Energy Efficiency (AMEE). Four configurations are treated basing on the outlet and inlet openings position on the vertical walls for introducing and extracting air. Computational fluid dynamics was used to resolve the physical processes numerically. The developed physical model was validated on the basis of humidity and temperature distribution of the indoor environment. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the impact of ventilation on the distribution of humidity and temperature, and to seek the best configuration (size and position of entry/exit openings) that provides thermal comfort, as well as the impact of the thermal requirements imposed by the AMEE on residential thermal comfort in the studied Moroccan climatic zones. This work has allowed to find the optimal ventilation configuration during the winter season by analyzing several comfort indicators in the room.
{"title":"Improvement of the hygrothermal efficiency numerically using CFD modeling in a full-scale ventilated room with Moroccan climates","authors":"E.H. Sebbar , Y. Khattari , Y. Chaibi , T. El Rhafiki","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02408","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02408","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this work is to examine the humidity and the heat transfer distribution in a full scale aerated room in a steady and turbulent flow regime under winter conditions and for six different Moroccan climate types. To assimilate winter conditions, the floor is considered as a heating source and is stabilized at a high temperature (T<sub>H</sub>)<sub>,</sub> on the other hand, all other walls are subjected to convection heat transfer mode with an external temperature as a function of the climatic region and a surface transmission coefficient required by the Moroccan Agency of Energy Efficiency (AMEE). Four configurations are treated basing on the outlet and inlet openings position on the vertical walls for introducing and extracting air. Computational fluid dynamics was used to resolve the physical processes numerically. The developed physical model was validated on the basis of humidity and temperature distribution of the indoor environment. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the impact of ventilation on the distribution of humidity and temperature, and to seek the best configuration (size and position of entry/exit openings) that provides thermal comfort, as well as the impact of the thermal requirements imposed by the AMEE on residential thermal comfort in the studied Moroccan climatic zones. This work has allowed to find the optimal ventilation configuration during the winter season by analyzing several comfort indicators in the room.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article e02408"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142323098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-24DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02407
Mohamed El-Mashtoly , Fawzy I. Magouz , Shawky Darwish , Asem A. Amer , Amr I. Zaineldin , Mahmoud S. Gewaily , Mahmoud A.O. Dawood
Chlorella vulgaris (CV) has been investigated in aquaculture and shown as a potential functional feed additive. Therefore, this study tested the effects of dietary CV and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) on the growth performance, blood biomarkers, and antioxidative capacity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Fish were allocated in four groups in triplicates, where each glass aquaria was stocked with 15 fish with 4.25±0.11 g/fish. Fish offered four test diets for 84 days: control (free from CV or/and SC), CV-supplemented diet (5 %), SC-supplemented diet (0.05 %; (10 × 109 CFU/g), and a mixture of CV and SC-supplemented diet (5 % CV+ 0.05 % SC), respectively. The results indicated that fish-fed CV or SC revealed enhanced growth performance (final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate) and protein efficiency ratio, while the feed conversion ratio was reduced compared to the control. Fish-fed dietary SC or CV and SC mixture revealed higher villi length than the control. Besides, villi width and muscular thickness enhanced significantly in carps-fed CV and SC compared to the control. Fish-fed dietary CV and/or SC revealed lower moisture content and higher crude protein and total lipids than the control. The results indicated that fish-fed CV or SC revealed higher serum total protein than the control. On the other hand, the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were markedly reduced in carps-fed dietary CV and/or SC compared to the control. The results indicated that fish-fed CV and/or SC revealed higher lysozyme activity, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase than the control. The superoxide dismutase of fish-fed CV or SC is higher than that of the control or CV and SC mixture. Additionally, the malondialdehyde levels (MDA) were markedly reduced in carp-fed dietary CV and/or SC compared to the control group. In conclusion, dietary C. vulgaris and/or S. cerevisiae can enhance growth performance and feed utilization in common carp. Besides, the biochemical blood markers and activated antioxidative capacity indicated that common carp fed C. vulgaris and/or S. cerevisiae revealed stable health status.
{"title":"Dietary Chlorella vulgaris and Saccharomyces cerevisiae enhanced the growth performance, blood biomarkers, and antioxidative capacity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)","authors":"Mohamed El-Mashtoly , Fawzy I. Magouz , Shawky Darwish , Asem A. Amer , Amr I. Zaineldin , Mahmoud S. Gewaily , Mahmoud A.O. Dawood","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02407","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02407","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Chlorella vulgaris</em> (CV) has been investigated in aquaculture and shown as a potential functional feed additive. Therefore, this study tested the effects of dietary CV and <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em> (SC) on the growth performance, blood biomarkers, and antioxidative capacity of common carp (<em>Cyprinus carpio</em>). Fish were allocated in four groups in triplicates, where each glass aquaria was stocked with 15 fish with 4.25±0.11 g/fish. Fish offered four test diets for 84 days: control (free from CV or/and SC), CV-supplemented diet (5 %), SC-supplemented diet (0.05 %; (10 × 10<sup>9</sup> CFU/g), and a mixture of CV and SC-supplemented diet (5 % CV+ 0.05 % SC), respectively. The results indicated that fish-fed CV or SC revealed enhanced growth performance (final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate) and protein efficiency ratio, while the feed conversion ratio was reduced compared to the control. Fish-fed dietary SC or CV and SC mixture revealed higher villi length than the control. Besides, villi width and muscular thickness enhanced significantly in carps-fed CV and SC compared to the control. Fish-fed dietary CV and/or SC revealed lower moisture content and higher crude protein and total lipids than the control. The results indicated that fish-fed CV or SC revealed higher serum total protein than the control. On the other hand, the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were markedly reduced in carps-fed dietary CV and/or SC compared to the control. The results indicated that fish-fed CV and/or SC revealed higher lysozyme activity, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase than the control. The superoxide dismutase of fish-fed CV or SC is higher than that of the control or CV and SC mixture. Additionally, the malondialdehyde levels (MDA) were markedly reduced in carp-fed dietary CV and/or SC compared to the control group. In conclusion, dietary <em>C. vulgaris</em> and/or <em>S. cerevisiae</em> can enhance growth performance and feed utilization in common carp. Besides, the biochemical blood markers and activated antioxidative capacity indicated that common carp fed <em>C. vulgaris</em> and/or <em>S. cerevisiae</em> revealed stable health status.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article e02407"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142420254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-21DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02402
Petro Karungamye
Solid waste management in developing countries faces challenges such as rising populations, inadequate planning, poor collection and storage, improper disposal, insufficient technology, and a lack of basic waste management knowledge. Predominantly, waste is disposed of in open dumps, on vacant land, or burned by residents, leading to significant pollution and health risks. Developing countries should adopt solid waste management techniques used by developed nations, with waste-to-energy (WTE) technology being particularly suitable. WTE reduces waste volume and mass, environmental impact, health risks, and reliance on fossil fuels. Fossil fuel exploitation poses severe environmental risks, highlighting the need for secure, sustainable, and renewable energy sources. Biochemical technologies, ideal for high-moisture waste prevalent in developing countries, offer a promising solution. This study examines the potential of WTE valorization in developing countries, evaluating the pros and cons of various WTE conversion technologies and their feasibility. The findings indicate that WTE technologies are underutilized in developing countries. The review suggests that WTE can provide renewable energy, meet energy demands, and improve solid waste management, thereby addressing environmental pollution in developing countries.
{"title":"Energy recovery from solid waste valorisation: Environmental and economic potential for developing countries","authors":"Petro Karungamye","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02402","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02402","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Solid waste management in developing countries faces challenges such as rising populations, inadequate planning, poor collection and storage, improper disposal, insufficient technology, and a lack of basic waste management knowledge. Predominantly, waste is disposed of in open dumps, on vacant land, or burned by residents, leading to significant pollution and health risks. Developing countries should adopt solid waste management techniques used by developed nations, with waste-to-energy (WTE) technology being particularly suitable. WTE reduces waste volume and mass, environmental impact, health risks, and reliance on fossil fuels. Fossil fuel exploitation poses severe environmental risks, highlighting the need for secure, sustainable, and renewable energy sources. Biochemical technologies, ideal for high-moisture waste prevalent in developing countries, offer a promising solution. This study examines the potential of WTE valorization in developing countries, evaluating the pros and cons of various WTE conversion technologies and their feasibility. The findings indicate that WTE technologies are underutilized in developing countries. The review suggests that WTE can provide renewable energy, meet energy demands, and improve solid waste management, thereby addressing environmental pollution in developing countries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article e02402"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142323093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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