Vol. 13 Issue 1
M. N. Aldosari, A. A. Alhozab, M. Hmeidan and I. Alothaymeen
The nutritive value of discarded Dates was estimated using Awassi sheep. Discarded Dates were minced and dissolved in warm water, then slowly added to chopped wheat straw. The mixture was dried in an oven at 60°C for about 48 hours. Four diets containing 0% (T1), 10% (T2), 20% (T3) and 30% (T4) of discarded Dates plus 35% chopped wheat straw (DM basis) were made. The prepared diets were fed ad libitum to 32 Awassi lambs. This feeding trial lasted for 63 days followed by a 14 day digestibility trial. The results obtained showed the growth performance, feed intake and feed conversion of the four rations were average daily gain, 0.185, 0.214, 0.232, and 0.233 kg; average dry matter intake (% liveweight), 4.22, 4.44, 4.68, 4.62 kg; dry matter conversion ratio (kg DM/kg gain), 7.89, 7.29, 7.2 and 6.95. Growth performance data amply illustrated the superiority of the Dates containing rations over the control in the parameters referred to above. As for the digestibility data revealed no significant difference between treatments as far as the digestibility of the dry maller, organic matter, crude protein and crude fiber were concerned.
M. A. Khan
Floristic studies of 17 diatom samples, collected from 6 various localities of Libya in the altitudinal range of 10 m (Dernah) to 697 m (Jadu), yielded a total of 71 taxa (17 are new records for Libya).
Species richness was shown by Navicula (12 taxa) followed by Nitzschia (11 taxa). Diatom composition indicated that a sample from Ain-ul-Zarga, Jadu, had maximum number of taxa (26) with Cocconeis placentula var. euglypta dominating. Amphora veneta was well represented taxon in all the samples from Wadi el Majanin (near Aziziyah), whilst Nitzachia denticula dominated the sample from Dernah and Al-Khums. Two other samples from Al-Khums and a sample from Tripole had, however, dominance of Navicula halophila.
Variability in diatom species composition and their relative abundance was pronounced in the samples from Ghadamis. Thus, Stauroneis pachycephala dominated in Ain-ul-Taliat, followed by Diploneis ovalis as very common taxon, whilst Achnanthes brevipes was dominant in Ain-ul-Deban. Relatively diverse epiphytic diatom growth (11 taxa) was observed on filamentous algae in Ain-ul-Faras, Biddulphia regina dominating the community.
The majority of taxa are shown to be alkaliphilus and indicative of oligohalobe status.
Abdullah Yahia Basahy
Three local varieties of Sorghum grains (Hamra, Baidha and Shahla) were analyzed for their contents of some organic and inorganic constituents. Qualitative photochemical screening showed important contents. Fats, nitrogen, protein, amino acids and other constituents such as Ca, Na, K, Mg, Mn, Fe and Zn. Preliminary comparisons were made of the content of fat, protein, amino acids and certain minerals for three varieties of Sorghum bicolor which grows widely in Southern Saudi Arabia. The results indicate that these grains are nutritive as a staple food, feed and/or fodder.
M. Al-Othman and R. M. Al-Ssum
Gel electrophoretic pattern of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), prepared from Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, revealed variable banding, assuming quantitative and qualitative differences leading to three main distinctive profiles. The first is a ladder-like banding arrangement of molecules, with various oligosaccharide repeating units and variable affinity to the silver stain (lightly and deeply stained bands). The second banding pattern consists of profiles which are characterized by aggregates of molecules with homogenous oligosaccharide repeating units and forming largely deeply stained bands. The third banding patterns are those having limited number of bands running to the far end of the lanes and staining differently. The toxicity of the studied LPS is closely related to the number of deeply stained bands.
Hmoud Fares Al-Kahem
Specimens of Oreochromis niloticus were exposed to lethal and sublethal concentrations of Saudi crude oil. The LC-50 value was computed as 13.81 ml/l. The fish exposed showed changed in behaviour. Hyperglycaemia was observed in the fish exposed to sublethal concentrations and it persisted for the whole period of investigation. Glycogen level in muscle and liver became depleted. The reduction was more in higher concentrations in the latter phase of treatment.
J.S. Ajarem and M. Ahmed
The effects of pipe tobacco extract on locomotory behavior and brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were investigated in groups of male Swiss-Webster albino mice injected subcutaneously with 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg body weight in aliquots of 0.1 ml normal saline. The behavioural indices namely numbers of squares crossed, squats as well as durations of locomotion and immobility were observed at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min post injection (PI). The mice were also allowed to cling to a wire and the time taken to fall down (clinging time) was used as an indication of myorelaxation. The brain AChE level was estimated at 30 and 120 min PI. A significant, dose-dependent suppressive effect of the extracts was observed on all tested behavioural indices. The brain AChE activity was significantly elevated at lower doses, whereas it was initially inhibited with the high dose of 20 mg/kg body weight before returning to baseline. There seems to be some sort of correlation between the behavioral indices tested and brain AChE activity due to tobacco extract treatment.
Sulaiman A. Al-Yahya
A resistant and a susceptible corn hybrids were stored for 50 days at 22 % moisture content in storage unit of 1 Kg capacity at 26°C. The hybrids were tested by measuring the dry matter loss which was obtained by determining the amount of carbon dioxide evolved from respiration of stored grains. This measure indicates deterioration rate of grain in storage. Fungal growth in these hybrids was also analyzed. Analysis includes percentage of fungal infection, visible fungi in addition to grain germination rates.
This study indicated that percentage of fungal infection and loss rate in the stored grain weight increased upon increasing of storage time. All tests, indicated deterioration and decrease of seed germination in the resistant corn hybrid to be significantly less than in the susceptible corn hybrid.