Health Concerns on Microbiological Quality of Bottled Drinking Water Sold in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Pages 163-170
Kennedy D. Mwambete and Esther K. Sangwa
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2013.03.01.2
Published: 23 January 2013

Abstract: Background: Dar es Salaam City has over 10 million habitants, who are constantly circumvented by water-borne diseases. The city experiences humid and hot weather throughout a year, which lead to high consumption of bottled drinking water because of being perceived as safer than tap or well water. Waterborne disease outbreaks still create havoc among the city habitants. This study determines heterotrophic plate count (HPC) values in bottled water and performs antimicrobial resistance tests on isolated microorganisms.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Fifty-four samples of bottled water were randomly purchased from shops, supermarkets and streetvendors. HPC values were determined and microbial contaminants identified. The disk diffusion method was employed for testing antimicrobial resistance of microbial contaminants against four widely used antibiotics.

Results: HPC values were variable (4.7 x10² to 7.0 x10⁵ cfu/ml). Majority (86.7%) of analyzed samples revealed high HPC values. Four bacterial species were isolated and identified from 47 samples. Predominant bacterial contaminants were Brevundimonasvesicularis (54.5%), while Pseudomonas thomasii was only isolated from one brand A sample.Brand E samples had the highest HPC values (2.2 x 10⁴ to 2.16 x10⁵ cfu/ml) while F samples were free from microbial contaminants. A total of 21 (46.7%) bacterial isolates were resistant to commonly used antibiotics namely ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, cotrimoxazole and chloramphenicol.

Conclusion: Of 54 analyzed bottled water samples, 47 had high HPC values. High rates of antibacterial resistance was exerted against ciprofloxacin (68.2%) and ampicillin (56%). This calls for responsible authorities to impose more stringent measures on in-process quality control among bottled water producers and indefatigably conduct post- production surveillance to avert the endemic water-borne outbreaks resulting from consumption of such products.

Rose, a Potential Nutraceutical: An Assessment of the Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity
Pages 30-37
Vui Fui Vun, Siong Chin Poh and Hip Seng Yim
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2013.03.01.4
Published: 23 January 2013

Abstract: Rosa hybrida L. was reported to contain high total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The scarce information on antioxidant properties of Malaysian cultivated R. hybrid L. had lead to the present study, which aimed to determine the effect of different solvent extraction on the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of roses of different colours. All the 23 R. hybrida L. cultivars’ petals extracted with 70% ethanol had significantly higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity compared to the water extraction. The five cultivars (03, 203, 205, 402 and M203) that comprise the highest DPPH scavenging activity were subjected to various antioxidant assays. Cultivar M203 showed highest total phenolic content (TPC) at all concentration. Cultivar M203 and 402 gave higher DPPH radical scavenging ability (EC₅₀=107.08 µg/ml) and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation scavenging ability (EC₅₀=258.13 µg/ml). In ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, cultivar M203 has the highest trolox equivalent value at 200, 300 and 500 µg/ml concentrations while in b-carotene bleaching assay, cultivars 03, 205, and M203 (at the concentration of 500 µg/ml) showed higher antioxidant activity than synthetic antioxidant (BHA). Strong positive correlations were found between TPC and antioxidant activities, hence, suggesting that the high antioxidant activity of selected R. hybrida L. petals might be mainly contributed by the phenolic compounds. In general, cultivar M203 showed the best antioxidant activity with nutraceutical potential.

Yo Jyo Hen Shi Ko (YHK) Modulates the Expression of Proteins Involved in de novo Lipogenesis and Lipid Exportation in Experimental Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Pages 48-58
Isabel Veloso Alves Pereira, Claudia Pinto Marques Souza de Oliveira, José Tadeu Stefano, Victor Debas, Nathalia Cavalheiro Halla, João Avancini Ferreira Alves, Francisco Rafael Martins Laurindo and Flair José Carrilho
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2013.03.01.6
Published: 23 January 2013

Abstract: Previous study by our group showed the protective effect of Yo Jyo Hen Shi Ko (YHK) a natural compound in experimental nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether YHK modulates lipid metabolism.

NASH was induced in male ob/ob mice by methionine/choline-deficient (MCD) diet for 4 weeks. YHK-treated animals (YHK) received YHK solution orally (20 mg/kg/day) by gavage while MCD (n=6) group received only vehicle. The control animals (CTRL; n=6) received standard diet. Liver fragments were collected for mRNA and protein isolation. The analysis of gene expression and protein was performed by RT-qPCR and western blot, respectively.

A significant decrease in srebp1c mRNA and protein expression and fasn mRNA expression was observed in MCD+YHK group. A significant increase in MTP protein expression was observed in the MCD+YHK vs MCD group while a decreased expression was observed in the MCD vs CTRL group. The expression of the scd1 in the MCD group was diminished. The Perilipin protein expression was augmented in the MCD group in comparison with MCD+YHK and CTRL groups.

YHK modulated genes involved in the synthesis and exportation of hepatic lipids, probably limiting hepatocyte lipid accumulation, reducing lipogenesis and upregulating lipid exportation suggesting that the YHK can be a promising drug for treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Mango Modulates Blood Glucose Similar to Rosiglitazone without Compromising Bone Parameters in Mice Fed High Fat Diet
Pages 115-126
Edralin A. Lucas, Angela Brown, Wenjia Li, Sandra K. Peterson, Yan Wang, Penny Perkins-Veazie, Stephen L. Clarke and Brenda J. Smith
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2012.02.02.1
Published: 05 June 2012

Abstract: Both consumption of high-fat diet and one of the commonly used pharmacological therapies for modulating blood glucose, rosiglitazone, are associated with negative effects on bone. Previously, we reported that a diet supplemented with freeze-dried mango modulated blood glucose similar to rosiglitazone in mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet. This study examined the effects of the addition of freeze-dried mango pulp or rosiglitazone to a HF diet on bone parameters in mice. Six week old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned into one of five dietary treatment groups (n=8-9 mice/group): control (9.5% calories from fat), HF (58.9% calories from fat), HF+1% or 10% mango (w/w), and HF+rosiglitazone (50 mg/kg diet) for eight weeks. Bone parameters were assessed via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and micro-computed tomography. Both the HF and HF+rosiglitazone groups had lower whole body, tibial, and vertebral bone mineral density compared to the HF+1% mango group. Trabecular bone volume, number, and separation as well as bone strength were also compromised by HF+rosiglitazone while the mango diets maintained these bone microarchitecture parameters to that observed in the control group. These results suggests that addition of mango to the diet may provide an alternative approach to modulating blood glucose without negatively affecting skeletal health, though human studies are needed to confirm these findings. Additionally, the bioactive component(s) in mango and the mechanisms by which it modulates blood glucose and exerts potentially osteoprotective benefits warrants further investigation.

Effect of Grape Seed Extract on Blood Pressure in Subjects with Pre-Hypertension
Pages 155-159
M. Robinson, B. Lu, I. Edirisinghe and C.T. Kappagoda
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2012.02.02.6
Published: 05 June 2012

Abstract: Pre-hypertension affects approximately 31% of the adult population of the United States over the age of 18 years. It is defined in the 7^th report of the Joint National Committee (JNC - 7) on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure as a systolic blood pressure of 120-139 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure of 80-89 mmHg. JNC-7 also recommended that individuals considered to be prehypertensive require health-promoting lifestyle modifications to prevent cardiovascular disease. This study was undertaken to determine whether a grape seed extract (GSE) which is a nutraceutical containing vasodilator phenolic compounds lowers blood pressure in subjects with pre-hypertension. The subjects were randomized into a placebo or an experimental group (GSE at a dose of 300 mg/day) and treated for 8 weeks. Serum lipids and blood glucose were measured at the beginning of the study and at the end. The blood pressure was recorded using an ambulatory monitoring device at the start of the treatment period and at the end. Both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower after treatment with GSE. Treatment with the placebo had no effect on blood pressure. There were no significant changes in serum lipids or blood glucose values. These findings suggest that GSE could be used as a nutraceutical in a lifestyle modification program for patients with pre-hypertension.