IOSR-JESTFT   Volume-9 ~ Issue-3 ~ March 2015

Abstract: The primary aim of this survey was to generate the criteria and indicators for monitoring ecotourism sustainability in a protected watershed within a sustainable framework. This survey employed the Delphi technique accompanied by individual face-to-face meetings. The author met with panel members which comprised a multi-disciplinary team consisting of representatives from different related ecotourism fields. Three rounds of questionnaires were administered to a panel of local experts consisting of ten academic and non-academic researchers. These experts provided input into generating the criteria and indicators. At the end of second round, the panel members reached a consensus on a set of indicators which include, 21 indicators related to environmental aspects, eight on economic aspects, six on cultural aspects, 21 on social aspects, and five on institutional aspects. The selected indicators would be applied in the Northern part of Iran by the Iranian Cultural, Heritage, Handicraft and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO).

Keywords: Ecotourism, sustainability, indicators, Delphi, monitoring, watershed.

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Summary: Investigations were carried out on the association of some reproductive hormones (Estradiol, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormones, Prolactin and Luteinizing hormone), and pregnancy induced hypertension in Nigerian women. The levels of these hormones were determined in 120 patients. 40 of these subjects were normotensive pregnant women, another 40 of them were hypertensive pregnant women tested be to having pregnancy induced hypertension. Another 20 of the subjects were normotensive non pregnant women while the last groups of 20 people were hypertensive non pregnant women who were not users of contraceptives. The mean values of these hormones were determined in the pregnant subjects of 2nd trimester, 3rd trimester and 3- 6 days after delivery. Progesterone and Estradiol levels as revealed in the result obtained showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in both normotensive pregnant and hypertensive pregnant women as the pregnancy proceeded from 2nd to 3rd trimester.

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Summary: The effects of various doses of aqueous extract of the leaves and seeds of Persea Americana, a widely used medicinal plant, on the enzyme activities of some rat tissues were studied. The effect of these extracts on cholesterol as a metabolite was also investigated. The enzymes assayed were Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphate (ACP), Alanine Aminotransaminase(ALT), and Aminoaspartate Transaminase (AST). The results obtained showed that there was a significant decrease (P<0.05), in the activities of all enzymes studied in the liver of the rat. There was a concomitant increase in the activities of these enzymes in the plasma possibly due to leakages into the blood. This result indicates a probable damage to the hepatic cells which may be as a result of prolonged usage of the aqueous extract of the leaves and seeds of Persea Americana. Also, there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the cholesterol level in the plasma and liver of rats. The result obtained indicates Persea Americana to have hypocholesteric effect, thereby suggesting it may help in the treatment of hypertension and thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: Medicinal plant, Persea Americana, Enzymes and Cholesterol

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Summary: The present study was aimed to isolate and screen the ability of citric acid producing Aspergillus spp from soil. Citric acid is the most important organic acid, used as a natural preservative and conservative. It is also used to add an acidic or sour taste to foods and soft drinks. In this study, fungal samples were isolated from soil samples, using serial dilution agar plating method and the isolates were identified based on their microscopic and morphological characteristics. From the isolates, the dominant fungal species, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus were sub-cultured using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium and the fungal species were used for citric acid production. The spores were mixed in the fermentative medium for 72 hours at 30±1° C. After incubation, the citric acid content was estimated by titrimetric method. Among the two species, higher citric acid production was shown by Aspergillus niger S-6. Then it was undertaken for optimisation under various pH, temperature, Carbon and Nitrogen sources. In this assay, the maximum production of citric acid was observed in Aspergillus niger S-6 at pH 6.0, temperature 30±1° C, Carbon source Glucose and Nitrogen source Ammonium sulphate.

Keywords: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, citric acid.

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[6]. Nadeem, A., Syed, Q., Baig, S., Irfan, M. and Nadeem, M (2010) Enhanced Production of Citric Acid by Aspergillus niger M-101 using Lower Alcohols. Turkish Journal of Biochemisrty 35(1): 7-13.