IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY
Year:2012 | Volume:25 | Issue:2|Papers Count:18

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the wastewater of fish meal factories as medium upon production of single cell protein using Chlorella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Different amount of substitute of stick water was used instead of the standard medium in bacteri yeast (0, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 100%) and in algae (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%). Batch culture method was used for production of microorganisms in lab. Amount of OD and biomass in algae each 24 hour was measured. Chlorophyl a was measured in maximum growth peak and specific growth rate was measured. Biomass, OD and COD reduction in bacteri and fungi every 12 hour was measured. In maximum growth time protein of bacteri, yeast and algae was measured. Result in algae shown that maximum of production was in control treatment and substitution of stick water was not useful. In production of algae just result of 20% stick water was useful. Amount of biomass in algae in control treatment and 20% of stick water were obtained 1.31 and 1.25 g/l respectively. Amount of chlorophyll a in algae in above treatments 0.9 and 0.87 respectively and growth rate was obtained 0.9 and 0.87 respectively. Amount of protein in control treatment and 20% of stick water was 42.70 and 41.57% dry weight respectively. In production of bacteri and yeast using of stick water was useful. Amount of biomass in bacteri in control treatment, 60 and 100% of stick water was 1.99, 2.51 and 2.59 g/l respectively. Amount of COD reduction in bacteri in control treatment, 60 and 100% of stick water was obtained 76, 81.9 and 80.7% respectively. Amount of protein in bacteri in control treatment and 60 and 100% of stick water was 67.3, 66.4 and 64.9% respectively.Amount of biomass in yeast in control treatment, 60 and 100% of stick water was 4.17, 4.88 and 5.06 g/l respectively. Amount of COD reduction in control treatment, 60 and 100% of stick water was 75, 80.5 and 81.2% respectively. Amount of protein in yeast in control treatment and 60 and 100% of stick water was 48, 46.65 and 45.55% respectively. According to results of in this research substitution of 60 and 100% of stick water was adequate for production of bacteri and yeast. The maximum 20% of stick water is substitutable for production of algae.

The uptake of nitrate is carried out by two transport system, named low affinity transport system (LATS) and high affinity transport system (HATS). The LATS is active in high concentration of nitrate (in mM level) while the HATS usually functions in lower concentration (in mM level). HATS are coded through the gene families of NRT2. Since it has been reported that ammonium has inhibitory effect on Nitrate uptake, in this research, the effect of two concentrations of ammonium (5 and 10 mM) on the rate of nitrate uptake in tobacco transformed plant, Nicotiana plumbaginifolia which it has been transformed using the AtNRT2.1 and AtNRT3.1 genes from the Arabidopsis thalianaplant in hydroponic culture was studied. The existence of the transferred gene was confirmed by PCR and electrophoresis. The results demonstrated that ammonium is able to inhibit the influx of nitrate through the direct inhibition of membrane transporters. However, when the plants were pretreated by ammonium 24 h, nitrate uptake was inhibited completely in both transgenic and wild types with no significant difference. This indicates that probably, inhibition of nitrate uptake affect on both NRT2.1 gene expression and transporter functions.

In order to investigate the effects of seed priming with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on phyllochron and leaf appearance rate of corn, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at the Research Farm of University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2008. Factors were: three corn cultivars (SC-404, SC-410 and SC-434) and seed priming with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in four levels (without priming, seed priming with Azosprilium, seed priming with Azetobacter and seed priming with Azosprilium+Azetobacter). The results showed that phyllochron, time between the appearance of successive leaves on a shoot, was significantly affected by corn cultivar, seed priming with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and interaction between of seed priming and corn cultivars. Seed priming with Azetobacter decreased the phyllochron but increased rate of leaf appearance. Response of corn cultivars was different to these characteristics.Leaf appearance rate in SC-404 was more than SC-410 and SC-434. The highest leaf appearance rate and the least of time for phyllochron were obtained with seed priming of SC-404 cultivar with Azetobacter. Leaf area index was increased due to seed priming with Azetobacter. In all of priming levels, process of variances leaf area index was similar until 37 days after sowing. From 44-65 days after sowing reached to a maximum level (4.96) and then decreased slowly till 79 days after sowing. This might be related to increasing aging of leaves, shadding and competition between plants for light and other resources. The highest leaf area index obtained in treatment combination of seed priming of SC-404 cultivar with Azetobacter and the least of it was in without priming.Number of leaf per plant and leaf dry matter increased in seed priming with Azetobacter.Thus, it is suggested that in order to increase leaf appearance rate, number of leaf per plant and leaf area index, seeds priming of SC-404 cultivar with Azetobacter be applied in conditions of Ardabil Plain.

The indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is the most abundant and significant natural auxin that in addition to plants, different microorganisms are able to produce this hormone. In this study, the IAA production by different strains of Rhizobium was surveyed. All bacteria (consisted of 12 different strains of Rhizobium) were isolated from root nodules of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), lentil (Lens culinaris), bean (Phaseolus luntus) and pea (Pisum sativum). The optimization of IAA production was done by "Design Taguchi Experiments" using Qualitek-4 (W32b) software. Extraction and purification of IAA was performed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) method. The results showed that nine strains were producers of IAA hormone and the best strain of these Rhizobia (strain 1) which was isolated from pea (Pisum sativum), had the highest production of IAA (439 ppm). Concentration of IAA production in these local strains was almost 4 times more than other analyzed strains in the literatures. It was revealed that mannitol, as a carbon source and potassium nitrate as a nitrogen source in the presence of 3 mg/ml L-tryptophan after 72h of incubation, were the optimum condition for production of IAA in vitro. Finally, pure IAA was obtained by TLC.

Combustion of sulfur components of fossil fuels such as oil causes the emission of SO2 in the atmosphere. Sulfur components are one of the important factors in pollution of the atmosphere due to the formation of acidic rain in the environment. Conventional approach for desulfurization of oil is chemical procedure of hydro desulfurization (HDS). However, this procedure has low efficiency for desulfurization of ring components of sulfur such as dibenzothiophene (DBT). Thus the new methods such as biodesulfurization were proposed for desulfurization of ring components of sulfur.Biodesulfurization is a non-destructive method that it can remove sulfur from of hydrocarbons of petroleum in the mild conditions and it can be potentially used as complementary method with HDS. For industrial application of biodesulfurization, this approach need to isolation of new desulfurization bacteria and increasing desulfurization activity of them by genetic engineering methods. In this review, we are evaluated biodesulfurization method and advances of it in the two last decades.

Epigenetic changes are regulators of gene expression in diverse biological phenomena such as embryonic development, genetic diseases and cancer. Polycomb proteins are a group of epigenetic key players proved to be involved in chromatin structural changes and gene regulation through histon posttranslational modifications. SUZ12 is an important member of polycomb complex in human and has been considered as a biomarker of chromatin epigenetic changes in the cell. SUZ12 down regulation has resulted in activation of progenitor cells and hematopoitic stem cells. Here, SUZ12 gene expression pattern was studied aiming at the relationship of a possible epigenetic modifications and CML in human. First, CML patient blood samples were tested for the occurrence of ABL-BCR translocation through Multiplex-PCR. Then, SUZ12 expression pattern was analyzed through Semi-quantitative RT-PCR in these patients.SUZ12 expression level showed significant reduction in CML patient comparing to the control group. This result is in agreement with the notion that cancer and epigenetic changes are linked and also CML may originate from higher activity of hematopoietic stem cells.

Paraoxonase (PON1) is a serum enzyme which has antioxidant properties and plays an important role in prevention of LDL-oxidation. Due to possible role of ROS agents and free radicals in increasing the risk of infertility, this research has been based upon association between L55M polymorphism and female infertility. Infertile individuals were chosen among endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome patients. In order to study L55M polymorphism it has been designed a forward primer 25bp and a reverse primer 28bp in length. PCR conditions were then optimized and its products were digested using restriction enzyme Hin 1II. Based on LSD test, the MM allele could increases and the LM allele could decreases the risk of infertility (p<0.05). Also, There was significant difference between PON1 activity among endometriosis patients and fertile individuals (p<0.005).

Identification of animal taxa living in prohibited hunting area and protected areas is one of the essential tasks for protection of biological diversity in these areas. For this purpose, in this study the rodent diversity of Anjerk prohibited area was investigated.Anjerek prohibited hunting area is situated in the east of Baft city (23, 000ha) in Kerman province. Sampling was carried out in different places such as cultivated areas, gardens, houses and rocky areas. The collected specimens were identified with respect to their morphological, external, cranial and dental characteristics. During a faunistic study on different species of the rodents in this area six species belonging to five genera, five subfamilies and for families were collected. Sampling was performed from different places such as cultivated area, houses, gardens are stony areas using live traps. The results revealed that six species exist in this area which is as follows: Mus musculus, Calamyscus bailwardi, Meriones persicus, Meriones libycus, Cricetulus migratorius and Dryomys nitedula. An identification key was constructed for recognition of rodent species in this area.

Drought stress is one of the most important factors in arid and semiarid regions that lead to disorder in growth and development of plants especially at germination stage.Because of importance of safflower as an oil and therapeutic crop, achieving to genotype (s) that be capable of the drought stress at initiating growth stage is necessary.For this purpose, germination and plantlet growth of 10 genotypes were tested in drought stress conditions at four levels including 0 (control), -4, -8 and -12 Bar using PEG6000. This experiment was conducted at laboratory of Agronomy and Plant Breeding Department of Razi University in 2006-2007 as a factorial design in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Traits that were studied including: percentage of final germination (FG), germination rate index (PI), germination stress index (GSI), rootlet length (RL), shootlet length (SL) and dry weight of shootlet and rootlet. Data were subjected to variance analysis and mean comparison.Results indicated that in most considered traits, effect of potential levels of genotypes and their interaction were significant. Rootlet length had more sensitive than other traits to decreasing of water potential, hence, root length were increased in these conditions.Also, there was observed a positive and significant correlation among the traits: GSI (0.71**), PI (0.41**) and SL. Thus, by these traits, can be attempt to selection of tolerant cultivars. In general, results represented that considerable genetic diversity is occur among genotypes. Regarding the studied traits, "Zarghan 279" genotype had been high tolerance to drought stress at germination stage, "Varamin 295" and "IL-111" had been low tolerance.

This investigation was carried out monthly from October 2006 till August 2007 at seven creeks of Mahshahr using bottom trawl with mesh size of 24 mm. In this study, the following factors were measured: total frequency, mean of total weight and length, change in weight and length, and biomass of Metapenaeus affinis to estimate population parameters and catches management. Overall, 1167 M. affinis with biomass of 57.71 tons were captured. The maximum abundance was observed in Ghazaleh creek. For male population, mean of the total length and total weight was 95.2 (mm) and 6.14 (gr). Mean of total length and weight of female population was 98.18 (mm) and 7.61 (gr). In both of gender a value was similar and b was greater in female. Maximum length for male and female was 100-105 mm. In this study female frequency was higher than males. Both abundance and recorded length and weight of female were higher than those of male population. Frequency of this species was greater in warm months in this nursery grounds.

Today, one of the most important problem in society is the increasing rate of population. As far as, the study on the effect medicine plants is so important. Because some of the medicine plants plays an important role on reduction the reproduction. In this study the effect alcoholic extract of Physalis alkekengi fruit on rat’s fetuses and measuring the rate of its effect on reproduction at the 15th day of pregnancy was investigated. Twenty female rat randomly divided in 4 groups including control, experimental 1, 2, 3 groups that each one included 5 rats. Experimental 1 group received 8g/kg body weight and experimental 2 group, 10g/kg body weight and experimental 3 group, 12g/kg body weight alcoholic extract of physalis alkekengi fruit at the 6th day of pregnancy. 217 fetuses removed from uterus at the 15th day of pregnancy to study according to morphologic and histologic. The present data showed that alcoholic extract physalis alkekengi fruit's intraperitoneal injection at the 6th day of pregnancy caused significant reduction fetuses weight in experimental groups and reduction of crown rump length in experimental 2, 3 groups in comparison with control group. Studies on liver and heart tissue indicated that the number of liver megakaryocytes and the number of liver and heart non- differentiation red blood cells in experimental 1 and 2, 3 groups have increased significantly in comparison with control group. Moreover study on fetuses vertebral column in experimental 1and 2, 3 groups in comparison with control group shows a significant increase in vertebral column curvature. Also morphometry studies showed that all of embryos control group were healthy but in embryos experimental groups from example hypodermic bloodshed, abnormal increase vertebral column curvature and also number abortive embryo.Alcoholic extract Physalis alkekengi fruit probably can have negative effects on fetuses deficiency development and cell differentiation of some cells. According to reported physiological effects of physalins such as physalin F, alcoholic extract teratogenic effects might be related to physalin F. But it´s essential to have more quantitative and qualitative researches in order to have conclusive result.Thus it is recommended to pregnant womenfolk than up to researches completion about this medicinal plant have not used this plant in pregnancy period.

In this research, seasonal variation of chemical composition and fatty acid profile of fillet from cultured common carp were assessed.40 cultured fish samples were examined (10 samples per season) during 4 seasons. Protein, lipid, fatty acid profile and moisture content were determined during sampling period. Lipid and protein content of cultured fish fillet decreased from summer to spring, moisture content of fillet increased from summer to spring. Saturated fatty acids (14: 0 and 16: 0) don't fluctuate very much throughout the year. The maximum concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexanoic acid were found in autumn and winter respectively. The major fatty acids identified in the carp fillet were oleic, palmitic, linoleic, stearic, palmitoleic, arachidonic, (AA), docosahexanoic acid (DHA), linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), respectively, in all seasons. Poly- unsaturated fatty acids increased in cold seasons.

The effect of maturation on the pigments, split rate and dry weight composition of two cultivars (Ahamdaghai and Ohadi) of pistachio nut (Pistacia vera L.) was investigated.Sampling from developing fruits with 3 replicates, at 10 days interval from 95 DAF to 175 DAF was performed. The results showed a maximum value of chlorophyll at 155 DAF in both cultivars. At this time the highest value (9.34 mg.g fw-1) of kernel chlorophyll content was in Ahmadaghai cultivar and then decreased significantly in both cultivars. The anthocyanin content of pistachio kernels increased significantly with maturation, reached a maximum value of 15 (mmol.g-1 fresh weight) at 165 DAF in Ahmadaghai cultivar and 10.5 (mmol.g-1 fresh weight) at 145 DAF in Ohadi cultivar.Afterwards, it started to decline gradually up to 175 DAF (the end of sampling) in both cultivars. During maturation a significant increase in split rate was observed and reached a maximum value of 70% in Ahmadaghai cultivar and 62% in Ohadi cultivar at 165 DAF. With reaching to harvesting time gradually kernel dry weight increased and reached to highest amount at 145 and 155 DAF in Ohadi and Ahmadaghai cultivars respectively. This study offeres 135 DAF and 165 DAF for green kernel and ripe pistachio harvesting.

In order to effect quantitative and qualitative characteristics on the amount of Pistacia atlanticatrees of secondary products produced from seed and gum in the forests of ilam habitat, an area of 150 hectares of forest were selected. Then random samples of 45 plots with dimensions (50×50 meter) were found. Within each plot all trees and Pistacia encoded factors acting recorded morphological trees (diameter at breast height, crown diameter, crown height, number of branches, crown health and safety and trunk health and safety) in the form of statistic was prepared. Using SPSS software and associated statistic methods, each of these characteristics on the amount of gum and seed production was calculated. The results showed that significant difference at 5%level between the factors of breast height diameter, total height, crown diameter, number of branches and crown health gum production rate can be seen. This means that the factors often correlated to the amount of productive trees pressers gum. Also factors like crown height, crown diameter and crown health have been able to communicate with the amount of tree seeds rates were significantly associated with increase so that in each of these factors the amount of tree seeds also increased (p<%5). Factors of breast height diameter, total height and branch number correlated to the amount of tree seeds were not significant (p>%5).

Sampling was conducted seasonally from three stations (A1- upstream; A2-intermediate; A3- downstream) along reservoir from June 2007 to March 2008.Phytoplankton population changes were investigated in order to calculate phytoplankton indices in each site. In the present study, 46 algal species were determined. These were belonged to five classes: Diatoms (Bascillariophyta); green algae (Chlorophyta); bluegreen algae (Cyanophyta); Pyrrophyta and Euglenophyta. The water quality in sampling sites was studied based on the more utilized ecological indices such as Index of Dominance, Richness, Shannon-Wiener species Diversity index and evenness index.The lowest values of Species diversity index was observed in the summer. Evenness index showed the lowest values during summer and higher values in the spring. The present study revealed that Aras Dam reservoir is eu-hypertroph water.