Guava Psidium Research Articles

Characterization of Copper Nanoparticles synthesized Using the Leaf Extracts of Lawsonia inermis, Eucalyptus globulus, Psidium guajava, and Azadirachta indica

Green synthesis of nanoparticles using plant extracts is a sustainable, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and cost-efficient approach. In this study, copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were synthesized using the mehandi Lawsonia inermis, nilgiri Eucalyptus globulus, guava Psidium guajava, or neem Azadirachta indica leaf extracts and 1mM CuSO4.5H2O salt solution in a ratio of 1:3 at 800C temperature and characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis. All the CuNPs showed colour change with characteristic surface plasmon resonance bands. The plasmon resonance bands of L. inermis, P. guajava, and A. indica CuNPs peaked at 300nm while those of E. globulus CuNPs peaked at 400nm. The CuNPs synthesized from L. inermis, E. globulus, and P. guajava leaf extracts exhibited brown colour while those synthesized from A. indica leaf extracts showed green colour. Eleven bands were present in L. inermis and A. indica CuNPs in the range of 538.61-3649.06cm-1 and 3867.26-519.02cm-1, respectively, while ten were in the E. globulus and P. guajava CuNPs in the range of 407.25-3326.78cm-1 and 3325.93-407.07cm-1, respectively. The L. inermis, E. globulus, and A. indica CuNPs were spherical, except P. guajava CuNPs which were flaky in shape. The particle size of L. inermis CuNPs was found in the range of 8.20 to 15.94nm; E. globulus CuNPs in the range of 7.52 to 67.47nm; P. guajava CuNPs in the range of 18.90 to 73.80nm and A. indica CuNPs in the range of 9.86 to 22.05nm.

Extraction, Characterization, and Utilization of Psidium Guava Leaf Extract in Textile Wet Processes

Extraction, Characterization, and Utilization of Psidium Guava Leaf Extract in Textile Wet Processes

Diurnal Activity Budgets and Feeding Habits of Grivet Monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops aethiops) in Fragmented Moist Afromontane Forest

ABSTRACTGrivet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops aethiops) are opportunistic omnivores and extremely adaptable in both rural and urban environments. A study was conducted out in human‐dominated fragmented moist Afromontane forest of wondo genet to investigate the diurnal activity budgets and feeding habits of grivet monkey. Data collection was carried out from February to September 2022 covering both wet and dry seasons. During each scan, individuals were recorded as performing one of the following activities: feeding, moving (searching for food), resting, grooming, playing and others such as drinking, vocalisation and defecation, or aggression and sexual activity. Dietary composition and preferences were assessed using scan sampling method. Proximate analysis was conducted to examine the nutritional makeup of feeding food items. The greatest proportion of the activity time budget of the grivet monkey was devoted to feeding, resting and moving, with relatively higher time devoted to feeding and moving and less time devoted to resting when compared with grivet monkeys inhabiting natural habitats. Grivet monkey utilised 42 food items grouped into 41 plant species and 1 insect. Psidium guava and Desmodium intortum, relatively with higher crude protein and less fibre, were the most preferred plants consumed. The study has pointed out that grivet monkeys in the human‐dominated landscape of Wondo Genet remnant moist afromontane forest tend to prefer to consume on fruit tress such as Persea americana, Mangifera indica and Psidium guava, which contain high nutritional content that are planted and managed around homesteads. It is recommended to plant and sustainably manage grivet monkeys' natural foods in human‐dominated landscape of Wondo Genet remnant moist afromontane forest to sustainably conserve the species and avoid/reduce human‐grivet monkey conflict.

Abiotic factors shape mosquito microbiomes that enhance host development.

Metazoans rely on interactions with microorganisms through multiple life stages. For example, developmental trajectories of mosquitoes can vary depending on the microorganisms available during their aquatic larval phase. However, the role that the local environment plays in shaping such host-microbe dynamics and the consequences for the host organism remain inadequately understood. Here, we examine the influence of abiotic factors, locally available bacteria, and their interactions on the development and associated microbiota of the mosquito Aedes albopictus. Our findings reveal that leaf detritus infused into the larval habitat water, sourced from native Hawaiian tree "ōhi'a lehua Metrosideros polymorpha, invasive strawberry guava Psidium cattleyanum, or a pure water control, displayed a more substantial influence than either temperature variations or simulated microbial dispersal regimes on bacterial community composition in adult mosquitoes. However, specific bacteria exhibited divergent patterns within mosquitoes across detrital infusions which did not align with their abundance in the larval habitat. Specifically, we observed a higher relative abundance of a Chryseobacterium sp. strain in mosquitoes from the strawberry guava infusion than the pure water control, whereas the opposite trend was observed for a Pseudomonas sp. strain. In a follow-up experiment, we manipulated the presence of these two bacterial strains and found larval developmental success was enhanced by including the Chryseobacterium sp. strain in the strawberry guava infusion and the Pseudomonas sp. strain in the pure water control. Collectively, these data suggest that interactions between abiotic factors and microbes of the larval environment can help shape mosquito populations" success.

2-heptanone and 2,3-butanediol from endophytic Bacillus subtilis GEB-1 against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii: a computational and experimental approach

ABSTRACT Meloidogyne enterolobii is regarded as one of the most severe and threatening pathogens worldwide. Guava production in India is quenched by the invasion of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii. Bacterial bio-control agents confer resistance against nematodes by producing various bioactive molecules. Exploiting these biomolecules will lead to the development of novel nematicidal formulations for managing plant parasitic nematodes. Considering this, our present investigation was focused on the isolation and identification of endophytic bacterial communities from wild guava Psidium eugeniaefolia. Amongst various endophytes, Bacillus subtilis GEB-1 exhibited a 90% reduction in the population of M. enterolobii. Cell-free supernatant extracts of B. subtilis GEB-1 revealed the presence of seventeen unique biomolecules. Attempts were made to dock these biomolecules against major protein targets of M. enterolobii such as E3 ubiquitin ligase, Neurotransmitter-gated ion-channel, G protein-coupled receptor kinase, Peptidase M12B domain-containing protein, Hyaluronidase through molecular docking techniques. The results of in-silico studies revealed that all seventeen biomolecules had a significant impact on protein targets of M. enterolobii. Among other bacterial metabolites, 2-heptanone and 2,3-butanediol were found to have a greater binding affinity with protein targets of M. enterolobii. Furthermore, the in-vitro evaluation of 2-heptanone and 2,3-butanediol at different concentrations confirmed their nematicidal activity against eggs and second-stage juveniles of M. enterolobii. Hence our present study revealed that bacterial metabolites, 2 heptanone, and 2,3-butanediol can be explored as novel nematicidal molecules against guava root-knot nematodes, M. enterolobii.

Immobilized lipase enzyme on green synthesized magnetic nanoparticles using Psidium guava leaves for dye degradation and antimicrobial activities.

Zinc ferrite nanoparticles (ZnF NPs) were synthesized by a green method using Psidium guava Leaves extract and characterized via structural and optical properties. The surface of ZnF NPs was stabilized with citric acid (CA) by a direct addition method to obtain (ZnF-CA NPs), and then lipase (LP) enzyme was immobilized on ZnF-CA NPs to obtain a modified ZnF-CA-LP nanocomposite (NCs). The prepared sample's photocatalytic activity against Methylene blue dye (MB) was determined. The antioxidant activity of ZnF-CA-LP NCs was measured using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) as a source of free radicals. In addition, the antibacterial and antibiofilm capabilities of these substances were investigated by testing them against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus ATCC 25923) and gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli ATCC 25922) bacterial strains. The synthesized ZnF NPs were discovered to be situated at the core of the material, as determined by XRD, HRTEM, and SEM investigations, while the CA and lipase enzymes were coated in this core. The ZnF-CA-LP NCs crystallite size was around 35.0nm at the (311) plane. Results obtained suggested that 0.01g of ZnF-CA-LP NCs achieved 96.0% removal of 5.0ppm of MB at pH 9.0. In-vitro zone of inhibition (ZOI) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results verified that ZnF-CA-LP NCs exhibited its encouraged antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli (20.0 ± 0.512, and 27.0 ± 0.651mm ZOI, respectively) & (1.25, and 0.625μg/ml MIC, respectively). ZnF-CA-LP NPs showed antibiofilm percentage against S. aureus (88.4%) and E. coli (96.6%). Hence, ZnF-CA-LP NCs are promising for potential applications in environmental and biomedical uses.

Anti-Obesity Potentials of Methanol Extracts of Phragmanthera Incana Leaves Hemi-Parasitic on Guava, Cashew, Kolanut and Mango Trees in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats

The anti-obesity potential of methanol extracts of Phragmanthera incana leaves hemi-parasitic on guava Psidium guajava (PIPG), cashew Anacardium occidentale (PIAO), mango Mangifera indica (PIMI) and kolanut Cola acuminata (PICA) trees were evaluated. Thirty high-fat diet-induced rats were grouped into six; four experimental, negative control and positive controls were orally administered lipid emulsion (5 mL/kg). Experimental received 400 mg/kg body weight from each of the four methanol extracts in addition to the lipid emulsion, positive control received 120 mg/kg bw Orlistat in addition to lipid emulsion while negative control received lipid emulsion alone. Blood samples were collected from ophthalmic venous plexus at 0, 90, and 180 minutes to determine plasma pancreatic lipase (PL) activity, alpha amylase activity and lipid profiles. PL inhibitory activity of the four methanol extracts showed that methanol extracts of PICA and PIAO had greater than 50% inhibition at 400 µg/mL. The α-amylase inhibitory activity of PICA was significantly higher (p < 0.05) when compared with PIAO, PIPG and PIMI. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in total cholesterol, low density Lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and atherogenic index of plasma of PICA when compared with other treatment groups after 180 minutes of extracts administration was observed. Methanol extract of PICA was found to exhibit higher inhibitory pancreatic lipase and α-amylase activities and higher hypocholesterolemic activity when compared with those of guava (PIPG), cashew (PIAO) and mango (PIMI). This indicates that methanol extract of P. incana leaves could serve as a source of phyto-compounds that could be developed as antiobesity drugs.

Integrated Control of Some Fungal Diseases Affecting Guava and Pomegranate from Farm to Fork in Egypt

These studies aim to identify a group of pathogens and design an integrated control program reducing the infection in Guava Psidium guajava and Pomegranate Punica granatum by cross inoculation method. Almost eight fungi were collected from governorate Ismaelia and Behera in 2019. Alternaria alternate, Fusarium spp, Phomopsis psidii, Macrophomina spp., Cercospora spp. Botrytis cineria and Pestalotia spp. were the most frequencies isolated fungi on all fruits. In the second season 2020 we treated trees with biocides, fungicides and fertilizer they gave significant differences between the treated treatments and control .The bluegreen algae bio treatment, showed the best results compared with both of RizoN and Plantagaurd treatments, the percentage of disease severity on the leaves was 13.4%, compared to the control45%, the best chemical treatment was Fungalpro, Topsin and Collise, where the disease severity was 0% in case of guava ,the same results obtained in pomegranate .At the end of the season, the best results were in the treatment with fungalpro which gave the least disease severity percentage on each of the leaves, branches and fruits in both guava and pomegranate .In the third season 2022 we applied integrated control program there were a significant decrease in pathogenic fungi in leaves, branches, flowers and ripe fruits, as the population at the end of the season for some fungi reached zero, such as Phomopsis sp. and Pestalotia sp. As Alternaria fungus, the results showed significant differences compared with the control, with regard to Guava, the percentage of disease severity in fruits was 8.75% and 9.75% in both Ismailia and South of Tahrir, respectively, compared to the control, which reached 85.5% and 88.5% in Ismailia and South of Tahrir, respectively. The results for pomegranate followed the same pattern.

Preparation of Semi-Solid Dosage Forms Containing Psidium Guava Leaves Extract as Antimicrobial Preservative

Guava leaves extract has several medicinal activities as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. Several studies have been proposed to use guava leaves extract in several preparations. However, applying guava leaves extract as a preservative in a pharmaceutical product has not been studied previously. In the present work, Guava leaves extract was used as natural preservative instead of chemical ones (methyl and propyl paraben). Guava leaves were extracted with ethanol 95% as extraction solvent with a percentage yield of 20%. This extract was tested by HPLC; several phenolic compounds were detected. To determine the ability to use this extract as a preservative, antimicrobial effectiveness test (preservative efficacy test) was conducted for extracted powder in purified water at different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 % w/w), against three bacteria, one gram-positive (S. aureus), two gram-negative (P. aeruginosa, E. coli) and two fungi: one yeast (Candida albicans) and one mold (Aspergillus (Niger) brasiliensis). Results showed that 2% was effective and passed the test of preservative effectiveness test; this concentration was used in semi-solid pharmaceutical products. For this purpose, six different preparations (Ketoconazole shampoo, Clotrimazole Cream, Permethrin Cream, Gentamycin Cream, Ibuprofen gel, Indomethacin emulgel) were used. Chemical preservative was replaced by natural one (guava leaves extract powder) to serve as a preservative. Three out of the six preparations (Ketoconazole shampoo, Clotrimazole Cream, Ibuprofen gel,) passed preservative efficacy test. These preparations were fully checked-up by chemical (drug content,) physical (odor, physical appearance) and biological test (total count test) for three months at accelerated conditions. These results confirmed that these pharmaceutical preparations were stable and effective. As a conclusion Guava leaves extract can be used at 2% as natural preservative instead of chemical ones which have adverse side effects on human health.

Highways to invasion: Powerline servitudes as corridors for alien plant invasions

AbstractHuman use of powerline servitude corridors for the secure transmission and distribution of electricity disturbs natural landscapes and changes vegetation patterns. We examined vegetation communities under two powerlines in the Limpopo province, South Africa (Khakhu line 22KV and Fundudzi 132KV powerlines). Twelve invasive alien species were identified in Khakhu and Fundudzi, dominated by Khaki bush Tagetes minuta, common guava Psidium guajava, black‐jack Bidens pilosa, fierce thorn apple Datura ferox and common lantana Lantana camara. Sites closest to human settlements showed high alien species richness, whilst sites located further away were dominated by alien L. camara, but had a low overall species richness. Conversely, areas away from human settlements showed lower levels of alien invasion. Weak overlaps in the principal coordinates analysis polygons for the two powerline servitudes suggest that alien plant compositions are dissimilar, with five identified species groups being identifiable among sites, and thus a high potential for invasion success from multiple taxa. The research findings showed that powerline corridors could potentially trigger invasion success via disturbance as they act as pathways for arrival and should be a focus for management efforts to prevent further spread.

Isolation and Characterization of Aeromonas jandaei from Nile Tilapia in Lake Volta, Ghana, and Its Response to Antibiotics and Herbal Extracts.

Production of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus contributes to economic growth in many countries. However, there has been a decline in its production over the years due to the influx of bacterial infections, with Aeromonas jandaei as an emerging threat. In this study, we identified and characterized A. jandaei from cage-cultured Nile Tilapia in Akosombo Stratum II of Lake Volta in Ghana and evaluated its response to commonly used antibiotics using the disc diffusion and agar well diffusion methods for herbal extracts at various concentrations (10, 30, 50, 70, and 100 mg/mL). The herbs considered included guava Psidium guajava leaf, bitter leaf Vernonia amygdalina, neem Azadirachta indica leaf, and their cocktail (GBNL in the ratio of 1:1:1). The bacterium was isolated from swab samples from the head kidneys of 27 moribund Nile Tilapia collected from nine fish farms. Samples were screened for A. jandaei by culturing and identification using morphological and molecular techniques. The bacterium isolate from fish in the study, identified as A. jandaei GH-AS II, had 92-93% identity to A. jandaei reference strains. Infection of healthy Nile Tilapia (n = 210) with the bacterium isolate showed that 1.0 × 10⁵ CFU/mL was the lethal dose causing 50% mortality. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that A. jandaei GH-AS II was resistant to tetracycline and ampicillin. Herbal extracts at the various concentrations inhibited the growth of the bacterium isolate, with a significant increment in the zones of inhibition with increasing concentrations of leaf extracts. However, GBNL showed prominence compared to the other extracts only at 100 mg/mL. Management of A. jandaei GH-AS II by using herbal extracts at Nile Tilapia farms in Lake Volta may be recommended since the use of antibiotics, such as tetracycline and ampicillin, may not yield the needed result.

Evaluation of safety of aqueous extract of Tapinanthus sessillifolius parasitic on Psidium guava

This article was initially uploaded to AJOL with the incorrect authors, the AJOL site and PDF have been amended and information displayed is accurate. 
 Plants products have been a source of food and medicines since antiquity. Tapinanthus sessillifolius commonly known as African mistletoe is used in lifestyle preventive medicine to enhance wellbeing and for treatment of various diseases. The heavy metals, macro elements were determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and some physico-chemicals were also evaluated for consistency of the extract. The acute and subchronic toxicity studies of aqueous fresh leaf extract of Tapinanthus sessillifolius was evaluated in albino mice and rats. This is to determine its safety profile by evaluating its effects on feed and water intake, body weight, relative organ weight and changes in some biochemical parameters after 21 days daily oral administration to rats. The results, estimated LD50 to be greater than 2000 mg/kg/bw. The extracts had no adverse effect on the efficiency of food and water consumption. Relative organ weight and the biochemical parameters tested were not significantly different p<0.05 when compared to untreated animals. This was supported by histopathological studies of the organs where no adverse lesions were observed on tissues. However, there were lymphatic aggregates infiltration in one of the lungs rat treated with 800mg/kg. The toxic heavy metals, lead, cadmium and arsenic were not detected while moisture and ash were 7.09 % and 16.2% respectively falling within the permissible limit of WHO and RDA. Repeated oral administration of fresh leaf extract of Tapinanthus sessillifolius is relatively safe.

Antifungal Activities and Approximate Analysis of the Extracts of Spearmint (Menthaspicata), Guava (Psidium guajava) and Sabar (Aloe vera)

Antifungal Activities and Approximate Analysis of the Extracts of Spearmint (Menthaspicata), Guava (Psidium guajava) and Sabar (Aloe vera)

Efficacy evaluation of extraction technologies for guava (Psidium guajava L.) leaves extract

Efficacy evaluation of extraction technologies for guava (Psidium guajava L.) leaves extract

Metal Nanoparticle Synthesis Using Fruit Extracts as Reducing Agents and Comparative Studies with a Chemical Reducing Agent

Nanoparticle synthesis using plant extracts is biologically safe, cost-effective, and environment-friendly, hence attracting many researchers owing to its advantages over chemical or physical methods. In the current study copper and silver nanoparticles have been synthesized by chemical and biological methods (using fruit extract). The leftover fruits collected from the fruit vendors and were used for the study, such as guava (Psidium guajava L), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) as a source of ascorbic acid, while lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck) and orange (Citrus X sinensis) as a source of citric acid. Quantification of ascorbic acid and citric acid present in fruit extract was performed by Iodometric and acid-base titrations, respectively, followed by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) to confirm their role in nanoparticle production. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–visible (UV–VIS) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The number of particles produced with fruit extract as a reducing agent was more compared to chemical methods. The size and structure of the synthesized nanoparticles produced using fruit extracts were similar to those produced chemically. Also, the antibacterial effect of Cu and Ag nanoparticles was seen against Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes strains.

The effect of red guava (Psidium guajava L.) juice on pregnant women’s hemoglobin level

Anaemia in pregnancy has been the main nutritional issue in Indonesia. It is one of the factors that cause pregnant women to end up with death. An alternative to avoid anaemia among pregnant women is consuming fruits with the highest source of iron and vitamin C, such as red guava, which can synthesize haemoglobin. This study aimed to analyze the influence of red guava (Psidium guajava L.) juice on pregnant women’s haemoglobin levels in Kota Utara Community Health Center, Gorontalo. This pre-experimental research employed a one-group pre-test post-test design. The fruit used was ripe red guava (2.5 months after flowering) with red flesh, soft texture, and sweet taste. As many as 250 mL of guava juice were given to pregnant women in the third trimester for 14 days. Moreover, 60 respondents were selected as the sample using purposive sampling. The data on haemoglobin levels were collected and analyzed in univariate and bivariate analysis with a paired t-test. Cyanmethemoglobin method was performed in the procedure for determining haemoglobin levels, in which the blood was taken and then diluted with Drabkin's diluent solution, resulting in hemolysis of erythrocytes and conversion of haemoglobin to hemiglobincyanide (cyanmethaemoglobin). The resulting solution was then examined with a spectrophotometer (colourimeter), whose absorbance was proportional to the level of haemoglobin in the blood. The results indicated a significant difference in pregnant women’s haemoglobin levels before and after consuming red guava juice. In conclusion, consuming red guava juice positively influences the haemoglobin level of pregnant women in the site area. The study recommended consuming 250 mL of red guava juice every day as an alternative to increase pregnant women’s haemoglobin levels.

Demonstration of microbiological status of fresh fruits and determining the efficiency of different decontaminating agents against the isolated bacteria

Consumption of fresh fruits increases along with the promotion of healthier lifestyles. However, many foodborne illnesses have been reported due to the consumption of contaminated fruits. Fresh produces are subjected to various treatments for minimizing these outbreaks. The present study demonstrates the role of various simple household methods including water washing and some other common chemical treatments for the removal of bacterial load. By performing the spread plate technique, total heterotrophic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp., Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. were determined in 60 samples of 6 categories including Apple (Malus domestica); Grape (Vitis vinifera); Guava (Psidium guajava); Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa); Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana); Malabar plum (Syzygium cumini) before and after washing with tap water, hot water, 100 mg/L sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 50 mg/L calcium lactate, 4% acetic acid and 2 mL/L CleanAva for 20 mins at room temperature. All the tested solutions were found to be effective and reduced bacterial loads in fruits compared to the unwashed fruits samples (P<0.01). Treatment with NaOCl, calcium lactate, acetic acid and CleanAva was the more effective washing technique rather than hot water wash. Two to three log of the bacterial load was reduced when samples were subjected to treatment with chemical decontaminating agents. The efficiency of washing depends on the purity of water, and the types and concentration of the disinfectant solutions. An appropriate washing technique needs to implicate to diminish bacterial load and the risk of foodborne infections caused by fruits.

Effects of wildfire ash from native and alien plants on phytoplankton biomass

Wildfires are natural or anthropogenic phenomena increasing at alarming rates globally due to land-use alterations, droughts, climatic warming, hunting and biological invasions. Whereas wildfire effects on terrestrial ecosystems are marked and relatively well-studied, ash depositions into aquatic ecosystems have often remained overlooked, but have the potential to significantly impact bottom-up processes. This study assessed ash-water-phytoplankton biomass dynamics using six plant species [i.e., three natives (apple leaf Philenoptera violacea, Transvaal milk plum Englerophytum magalismontanum, quinine tree Rauvolfia caffra) and three aliens (lantana Lantana camara, gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis, guava Psidium guajava)] based on a six-week mesocosm experiment with different ash concentrations (1 and 2 g L−1). We assessed concentrations of chemical elements, i.e., N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and B from ash collected, and examined potential differences among the species. High concentrations of P, K, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and B were recorded from Transvaal milk plum ash and low concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu and Zn were recorded from apple leaf. An increase in phytoplankton biomass (using chlorophyll-a concentration as a proxy) for all treatments i.e., 1 and 2 g L−1 and plant species was observed one week after, followed by decreases in the following weeks, with the exception of 2 g L−1 for lantana, gum and control groups. Silicate concentrations (i.e., used as a proxy for diatom abundance) showed increasing patterns among all ash treatments, with the exception of controls. However, no clear patterns were observed between native and alien plant ash for both chl-a and silicate concentrations. We found that ash has notable effects on water chemistry, particularly nitrate, which increased throughout the weeks, whereas, pH and conductivity were high at low ash concentrations. The impacts of ash on water chemistry, chl-a and silicate concentrations vary with individual species and the amount of ash deposited into the system.

Improvement of prebiotic activity of guava purée by-products through cellulase treatment

ABSTRACT The effects of cellulase treatment on the prebiotic activity and structural properties of by-products from guava (Psidium guajava L.) purée processing was investigated focusing on Refiner (the seed-rich fraction), siever (the peel-rich fraction), and decanter (the pulp-rich fraction). After cellulase treatment, each by-product was separated into ethanolic extract (EEC) and alcohol insoluble fiber (AIF). Cellulase treatment led to the dissolution of the insoluble fiber in all the by-products. Subsequently, the molecular weight distribution and prebiotic activity of the EEC were determined. All cellulase-treated by-products showed a shift from high to low in molecular weight distribution, with a higher prebiotic activity score. Cellulase treatment also affected the microstructure, crystallinity index, and chemical bonds in AIF as observed through Scanning Electron Microscope, X-ray crystallography analysis, and Fourier-transform Infrared spectra analysis. The structural lattice changes manifested as an improved capacity in binding bile acids. Cellulase treatment is a feasible method to unleash the recalcitrant nature of guava by-products.

ENRICHED AND DEODORIZED FISH AMINO ACID AS SOURCE OF NUTRIENTS ON TOMATO PRODUCTION IN ZAMBOANGA CITY, PHILIPPINES

Strong fishy odor and limited available nutrients have been the common concerns among vegetable farmers which resulted to high refusal and low adoptability of Fish Amino Acid (FAA) in Zamboanga City, Philippines. The reason why the conventional FAA was enriched and deodorized or this is called the EDFAA. Three (3) plant-based materials such as guava (Psidium guajava L.), talisay (Terminalia catappa) and Acapulco (Cassia alata) leaves were selected and singly added in proportion to FAA and each were subjected for sensory evaluation by participating vegetable farmers to determine the level of acceptability. Fish waste for the making of FAA were collected from wet markets and canning factories. Scores were tabulated and analyzed using the Hedonic and descriptive method, where EDFAA with Acapulco leaves extract added with banana extract significantly emerged as the most acceptable EDFAA attributed to its reduced strong-fishy odor. As a final product, EDFAA was tested to determine the growth and yield performance of tomato crop applied in drench. This was carried out using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven (7) treatments replicated three (3) times with six (6) subsamples per replication. Results showed, tomato crop was significantly improved by the periodic drenching of 40% EDFAA in terms of the yield as compared to other treatments. The application of EDFAA can be an alternative low-cost liquid fertilizer in drench application and a good source of nutrients to various vegetable crops in urban agriculture.