Mohammed Aliyu-Paiko

• Ph.D Aqua Anim Nutri & Biotech
• Professor at Universiti Putra Malaysia

We seek advice on the best source for bacteria or fungal starter culture to use, for fermentation of a plant resource containing quinine, quinone and related components.

Does any one have ideas to share?

I see that the number of retractions from journals is growing by the hour and is even threatening to outstrip the numbers of newly accepted journal articles if certain control mechanisms are put in place.

In response to the growing quantum of "academic fraud", many numbers of plagiarism software have made it to the market place and it seems like checking fraud has also opened up the market for software developers on Plagiarism checking. Eventually, there is also no regulations (to the best of my knowledge) to determine which of the software works best. There have been concerted efforts to compare the performance among the top 10 plagiarism checkers and it is not conclusive if the effort is for marketing or academic purpose or for both (Check here https://www.scribbr.com/plagiarism/best-plagiarism-checker/ ).

The question thus arises; which plagiarism checker software is the BEST for detecting similarity index and as such, academic fraud?

I think more academic publications are needed on this subject matter, because it seems like more needs to be done, to reduce (if not eliminate) plagiarism

My area of interest is centered around additives in fish feed (probiotics, prebiotics and phytobiotics) and the influence on improving immune status, as a substitute to the use of antibiotics.

If the molecular screening that is being carried out is inclusive of that for genes of some immune parameters (for antioxidant enzymes etc), I am certainly interested.

Thank you

As alternative to antibiotics, fish nutritionists are exploring potential candidates to boost immune system of test animals and better prepare them to withstand opportunistic pathogens. Phytobiotics are increasingly being tested and the results are a mixed grill of success stories and not so successful ones.

In the tropics where many plants seem to have been recommended, which ones seem promising, which, when added in the diet, culture water for fish or administered to fish any other way, would be expected to produced effects?

Fish and poultry nutritionists are increasingly trying out many potential probiotic candidates and prebiotic sources, to enhance the immune response of the test animals. In the process of doing these, many researchers focus on testing different indexes, from hematology parameters, antioxidant enzymes to those others that may be considered as having increased regulation of genes.

Differences in parameters focused upon by different workers makes comparison of results challenging and in certain cases, experimental results shown to have worked prove ineffective in practical situations.

The question is, if we are to agree that certain probiotic candidates are effective in experimentation, what 2 to 3 parameters should guide such conclusion. Can we agree on "maximum of 5 Marker indexes" that could lead to positive effects in practical terms?

I am running a trial to evaluate the effect of graded levels of some phytobiotics (black pepper, papaya seeds etc) in diets for broiler chicks during starter period on the activities of some immune enzymes (Catalyze, Superoxide dismutase and Glutathione peroxidase). I also wish to study the effects on the dietary treatments relative to the control the effects on stress response. I am thus seeking suggestions on easy, efficient and practical methods to stress 5 week old broilers so that I may evaluate the stress responses via serum cortisol concentration (if practicable).

Could anyone please suggest to me a method that they adopted or are familiar with that is practicable? I will cite the work if it is already in the literature.

Thank you.

Can someone help me with a simple method for determining Aflatoxin B in feed samples. Preferably, a spectrophotometric method but not involving a standard curve as we lack Aflatoxin B standard because it is expensive.

I want to apply for Humboldt fellowship but my immediate challenge is to search for a host. This is as my Postgraduate studies was in Asia and most of my referees are not Humboldt fellows. What are the best ways to secure a host for this fellowship that seems like an interesting experience?

Anyone with similar experience and ideas to share please?

Thank you

Insects are viewed as the next sustainable sources of cheap, quality proteins for feeds to rear farmed animals. This is as fish and soy based proteins are becoming increasingly unsustainable, due to rising competitions among the uses to which these resources are put. Unfortunately, growing insects has not yet been fully adopted as business enterprises as production processes are still crude and yet to be standardized.

In your experience, which insects would you suggest as the fasted growiing to yield the highest quality protein that is cheap and sustainable, and why?

Would you say that people will readily consume farm animals grown with such insects?

Many fermented foods are consumed worldwide, and many could be found in Asia and Africa. Different microorganisms are responsible for the fermentation processes. However, reports in the literature are varied with regards the fermented foods that contains probiotic candidates. Among the fermented foods in Africa you have been privileged to review/work with or research upon, which one would you say is the repository of the most probiotic candidates, especially LAB?