This study investigated the ameliorating potential of Annona muricata on Testosterone Propionate-Induced Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in male Wistar rats. Sixty (60) adult rats weighing 150 to 250g were grouped into six (6) of ten (10) rats. Group 1 (positive control) was fed with regular rat feeds and water. Group 2 (negative control), and Groups 3 - 6 were given regular feeds, water, and 3 mg/kg propionate for 28 days to induce benign prostatic hyperplasia. Group 3 to 6 were treated with 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 mg/kg A. muricata extract respectively for 28 more days. Semen quality, Benign prostatic hyperplasia biomarkers, oxidative stress enzymes, Biomarkers of cardiac, renal, and hepatic function, Haematological indices as well as testis histology were investigated in treatment groups relative to controls. Results of Groups 3 to 6 show a significant (p<0.05) increase in sperm motility, viability, and count, with a significant decrease (p<0.05) in dead and abnormal sperm cells relative to the negative control. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a BPH indicator, showed a decrease and Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) an increase, however, both changes were non-significant (p>0.05). Cardiac biomarkers creatinine kinase MB (CKMB), D-dimer, and myoglobin, as well as liver, were not affected. The photomicrographs showing lesion in negative control were ameliorated by different concentrations of A. muricata extract and the tissues were restored to normal in treatment Groups 3 to 6. Annona muricata possesses ameliorative potentials on testosterone propionate-induced benign prostate hyperplasia. It has a positive effect on spermatogenesis and therefore, can boost semen quality.

The Production of amino acids such as valine by fermentation has become an essential technology of Industrial microbiology. Valine has extensive industrial applications, which is used as intermediate for the synthesis of agricultural pesticides and semi-synthetic veterinary antibiotics. This research work was aimed to isolate Bacillus cereus from the soil capable of valine production and optimize the condition for maximum yield. The valine production was optimized initially by one factor at a time (OFAT) and response surface methodology (RSM). Optimum valine yield (3.53mg/ml) was obtained at pH 7.5, temperature of 40℃ incubation time of 58hrs and 125rpm agitation rate, the response surface plots (3D and contour) revealed a significant interactions between pH, temperature and incubation time to valine yield. The results of the characterized valine produced using Bacillus cereus shows similar properties with the commercially produced valine by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and boiling point. Based on the study, the isolated Bacillus cereus could have a potential for industrial production of valine under optimized conditions.