Asian Journal of Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Goat Milk as a Nutrient-Dense Functional Food: Composition, Bioactive Components, Health Potential and Product Innovation

K. Barate Abhijit — 2026-10-24

Goat milk is increasingly investigated as a nutrient-dense food matrix with potential functional applications. This narrative review examines its macronutrient and micronutrient composition, bioactive constituents, health-related evidence and processing opportunities, while distinguishing findings from laboratory, animal and human studies. Goat milk differs from cow milk in aspects of casein distribution, fat-globule characteristics and fatty acid composition; its proteins, minerals and oligosaccharides contribute to nutritional and technological interest. Protein digestion, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation can release peptides investigated for antioxidant, antimicrobial and angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory activities. Experimental studies have also examined the interactions of goat milk oligosaccharides with intestinal inflammation and microbiota. However, evidence concerning isolated components and processed fractions should not be extrapolated directly to ordinary milk consumption. Human studies of nutritionally adapted goat milk infant formula primarily address growth and safety, whereas direct evidence supporting specific therapeutic effects remains limited. Fermentation, membrane fractionation and enzymatic hydrolysis provide pathways for product development, while emerging methods require goat-specific validation of sensory properties, component retention, stability and microbiological safety. Variation associated with breed, feeding, lactation and processing further complicates direct comparisons between studies. Overall, goat milk offers a versatile basis for nutritious foods and targeted ingredients, but clinical claims require clearly defined exposures, suitable comparators, reproducible measurements and well-designed human trials.

Exosomal MicroRNAs in Endothelial Repair: A Review of Molecular Mechanisms

Amina Sulaiman Khalid — 2026-10-29

Background: The vascular endothelium regulates vascular permeability, haemostasis, vascular tone and inflammatory responses. Endothelial injury compromises vascular homeostasis and contributes to cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Exosomes mediate intercellular communication by transporting bioactive molecules, including microRNAs (miRNAs), to recipient cells.

Aim: This review examines the molecular mechanisms through which exosomal miRNAs may contribute to endothelial repair and restoration of vascular homeostasis.

Methods: A narrative review of literature concerning exosomes, miRNAs, endothelial injury and repair, angiogenesis, inflammation and oxidative stress was undertaken. The evidence was synthesised thematically according to the cellular responses and signalling pathways described.

Results: Exosomal miRNAs are associated with processes relevant to endothelial recovery, including migration, proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress. The reviewed evidence describes roles for miR-21, miR-126, miR-125b, miR-146a, miR-182-5p, miR-25-3p and miR-210. Their reported molecular targets and signalling pathways include PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK and NF-κB, as well as regulators of endothelial survival, inflammatory responses and vascular growth. These mechanisms may contribute to re-endothelialisation, recovery of barrier integrity and improved vascular function. However, the direction and extent of these effects depend on the cellular source, miRNA cargo and injury context.

Conclusion: Exosomal miRNAs represent potential modulators of endothelial repair and candidates for biomarker and therapeutic investigation. Further work is needed to establish cell-specific effects, improve vesicle isolation and characterisation, clarify delivery mechanisms and assess clinical applicability.

Influence of Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metal Concentrations of Mosquito Breeding Sites on Malaria Vector Abundance in Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State, Nigeria

P. C. Nwachukwu — 2026-10-16

Malaria remains a major public-health burden in Nigeria, yet local evidence linking breeding-site chemistry with malaria-vector abundance is limited. This study examined how physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal concentrations of mosquito breeding sites influence Anopheles vector abundance in Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State, Nigeria. An environmental-entomological survey was conducted using 48 breeding-site observations drawn from eight communities: Amapu Ntigha, Ihie, Mbawsi, Nsulu, Okpuala Ngwa, Umunna Nsulu, Umuode and Umuomainta. Three habitat types—drainage ditches, farm runoff channels and stagnant pools—were assessed across early and late rainy-season conditions. Anopheles larval abundance per 10 dips was quantified by combining Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus counts. Water samples were analysed for temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, nitrate, phosphate and selected heavy metals. Descriptive statistics, habitat comparisons, Spearman’s rank correlation and negative binomial regression were used.A total of 1,764 Anopheles larvae was recorded across the ten-dip observations, with a mean abundance of 36.75. Farm runoff channels had the highest mean abundance (43.38), followed by drainage ditches (39.69) and stagnant pools (27.19). Sites sampled during the late rainy season recorded a higher mean abundance (41.75) than sites sampled during the early rainy season (31.75). Nsulu had the highest community mean (53.17), while Umuomainta had the lowest (26.33). Nitrate showed the strongest positive association with Anopheles abundance (Spearman’s rho = 0.565, p < 0.001) and remained significant in the adjusted negative binomial model (IRR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.05–2.58; p = 0.029). Heavy metals were not significant predictors after adjustment. Nutrient enrichment, particularly nitrate contamination, appears to be a key environmental driver of malaria-vector productivity in the study area. The evidence supports integrated larval-source management and routine hydrochemical surveillance for malaria control.

Bacterial Colonization and Biofilm-Associated Phenotypes in Selected Urinary Devices from Hospitalized Patients in Egypt

Mohammed Abd-Elrazik — 2026-10-27

Background: Retrieved urinary devices may harbor bacterial and fungal communities attached to their surfaces. Colonization of a device is distinct from symptomatic catheter-associated urinary tract infection. This study describes the organisms cultured from urinary devices selected because adherent material was visible and illustrates the laboratory approaches used to characterize associated biofilms.

Methods: A hospital-based descriptive series included 130 retrieved urinary devices bearing macroscopically or microscopically visible adherent material. The collection comprised two-way silicone Foley catheters (n = 40), two-way rubber Foley catheters (n = 50), three-way silicone Foley catheters (n = 15), suprapubic catheters (n = 6), and ureteric/Double-J stents (n = 19). cultures, phenotypic identification with VITEK 2, crystal-violet microtiter and qualitative adherence assays, scanning electron microscopy and ica-targeted PCR were described. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was also performed on subsets of isolates.

Results: Growth was reported from all 130 devices included after selection for visible adherent material. Described species included Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The images document representative surface deposits, assay appearances, scanning electron micrographs and PCR fingerprint patterns. AST isolate totals were reported for E. coli (n = 43), P. mirabilis (n = 3), P. aeruginosa (n = 13) and S. epidermidis (n = 37). Isolate-by-device counts, individual crystal-violet measurements, gene-specific PCR assignments and agent-level susceptibility counts were not available for quantitative analysis.

Conclusions: This selected series demonstrates culture recovery of bacteria from urinary devices bearing visible adherent material and documents complementary laboratory images of biofilm-associated phenotypes. The selected sample cannot estimate device-colonisation prevalence or catheter-associated urinary tract infection incidence; the available susceptibility information does not establish organism-specific resistance rates.

Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Activities of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Jatropha tanjorensis (J.L) Ellis and Saroja on Root Meristem of Allium cepa Bulb

Chinyelu Clementina Osigwe — 2026-11-05

The growing use of plant-derived preparations worldwide has increased the importance of evaluating their safety. Jatropha tanjorensis, a leafy vegetable also employed in traditional medicine, has received relatively little investigation regarding the cytotoxic and genotoxic activity of its ethanolic leaf extract. We therefore examined these effects in the Allium cepa root meristem assay. Onion bulbs were treated for 72 hours with 1.25, 2.5 or 5.0 mg/mL extract; tap water was the negative control and methotrexate (0.1 mg/mL) the positive control. Measurements comprised root number and length, the mitotic index and chromosomal aberrations. One-way analysis of variance and the Tukey–Kramer multiple comparison test were used to analyse the data. Relative to the negative control, root length was significantly lower at every extract concentration (p < 0.05), falling from 4.22 ± 0.10 cm to 0.08 ± 0.02 cm at 5.0 mg/mL. A significant decrease in root number occurred only at 5.0 mg/mL. At the highest concentration, the mitotic index was 36.40 ± 3.76%, compared with 77.60 ± 5.48% for the negative control. Chromosome stickiness became more frequent as concentration increased, and aberrant cells accounted for 20.33 ± 3.26% at 5.0 mg/mL. No micronuclei or chromosomal breaks were detected in extract-treated groups. Under the conditions examined, the extract thus produced concentration-related effects on root growth, cell division and chromosomal characteristics in Allium cepa. Studies in mammalian models are needed before its safety for human use can be established.