1. Identification of Mannose-Binding Protein from Milkfish (Chanos chanos F.) Serum

    Anacleto M. Argayosa, Joshua Rovie L. Daclan, Miguel S. Acuin, Ma. Lourdes Nilles-Bije

    Abstract: Lectins are integral part of the innate immunity of vertebrates performing roles in cell recognition and the neutralization of pathogens through protein-carbohydrate interactions. Mannose-binding protein, a type of lectin, isolated from the sera of milkfish by affinity chromatography was subjected to molecular weight analysis using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The protein bands showed molecular weights of 55 kDa, 30kDa and 12 kDa under reducing condition. Non-reducing and native PAGE conditions suggest multimeric structure of the 30 kDa MBP. The 55kDa and 12 kDa MBPs are possibly other mannose-binding proteins or co-eluting proteins that require further analyses to understand their characteristics and properties. A 50 kDa MBP showed strong agglutinating activity against Candida albicans suggesting the presence of mannan moieties on the surface of the yeast cell.

    Keywords: Fish innate immunity, Mannose-binding protein, Affinity chromatography, SDS-PAGE, Candida albicans.

    Pages: 277 – 288 | Full PDF Paper
  2. Kuwait Environmental Remediation Program (KERP): Remediation Demonstration Strategy

    Dhari Al-Gharabally, Aisha-Al-Barood

    Abstract: Kuwait had 114 square kilometers of its desert severely damaged by 798 detonated oil wells at the hands of Iraqi Troops. Crude oil gushed from the damaged oil wells, forming lakes that contaminated over 40 km2 of the land. Consequently, wet and dry oil lakes were created in low-lying areas of the desert and contaminated soil piles were generated during the recovery phase to stop the spread of oil. Contaminated land desert altered soil properties, which caused the deaths of plants (e.g. biota) and animals; and penetrated deeper into the soil layers and threatening pollution of precious groundwater resources. The United Nation Compensation Commission (UNCC), Kuwait National Focal Point (KNFP), and Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) cooperated in a joint project to undertake comprehensive efforts to remediate the approximate 26 million cubic meters of heavily oil contaminated soils. Demonstration remediation technologies are sought as viable solutions to develop suitable action plans for remediating the heavily oil contamination soil. The objective of this field demonstration study is to determine the viability, applicability and effectiveness of proven remediation technologies in treating oil contaminated soil. This project will be implemented within selected sites in the KOC’s operational oil fields in South-East Kuwait (SEK) to remediate of three features (i.e. wet, dry oil lakes and oil contaminated piles). A successful remediation technologies demonstration project will be a key indicator for developing soil remediation strategy plans for full-scale implementation in SEK and other eligible areas.

    Keywords: Demonstration strategy, oil lakes, oil contaminated soil, remediation technologies, total petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH).

    Pages: 289 – 296 | Full PDF Paper