Chitinases (designated as SPCs) were isolated from „Shilbilati‟ potatoes, a potato prototype cultivated in Bangladesh by affinity chromatography on a chitin column. SPCs agglutinated rat erythrocytes at the minimum concentration of 7 μg/mL and showed toxicity against brine shrimp nauplii with the LC50 value of 20 μg/mL. The chitinases also agglutinated seven bacterial strains among the twelve as studied. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhi were the most sensitive towards the SPCs and were agglutinated at 1.2, 2.5 and 5.0 μg/mL protein concentrations respectively. Antibacterial tests demonstrated that SPCs showed inhibitory activity against the pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhi. Antifungal activity was investigated by the disc diffusion method. Five fungal species (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium vasinfectum, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus) and two fungal genus (Penicillium and Mucor sp.) were examined in the assay. SPCs showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Fusarium vasinfectum and Penicillium sp.

Introduction: High-calorie diets, particularly the quality of dietary fats, are regarded as an independent risk factor for developing obesity, hyperlipidaemia, and liver diseases. The present study examined the impact of rice bran oil (RBO) on organ-specific fat deposition, lipid profile, and liver function enzymes in Long Evans rats. Methods: Long Evans rats (n=24) were fed for six weeks with a controlled high-fat diet (HFD) to induce hyperlipidaemia and abnormal liver function. Rats were then divided into two groups: one group continued feeding on HFD, and the other group was fed with a RBO diet, replacing the fat source. After six weeks of feeding, six rats from each group were sacrificed and required analytical tests were performed. The remaining obese rats (n=12) were divided into continued HFD and RBO diet, and after sacrificing, essential analytical tests were done. Results: RBO feeding to hyperlipidaemic rats for six weeks significantly reduced brown adipose tissue, abdominal adipose tissue, epididymal adipose tissue, and liver fat compared to continuing HFD group (p<0.05). Similarly, serum levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were all decreased, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in response to RBO compared to HFD (p<0.05). Additionally, rats fed with RBO showed reduced alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels when compared with continuing HFD-fed rats (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that RBO supports the reduction of fat storage from major fat depots, controls lipid profile, and restores healthy liver functions in rats.