African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12512

AJB Articles

Chlorella vulgaris DPSF 01: A unique tool for removal of toxic chemicals from tannery wastewater

February 2018

The present study investigated the removal of toxic pollutants and reduction of heavy metals from tannery wastewater using Chlorella vulgaris. The physiochemical parameters like pH, electrical conductivity (EC), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total solids (TS), total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride, total hardness (TH), bicarbonate, magnesium, ammoniacal nitrogen, phosphate and heavy...

Author(s): P. S. Subashini and P. Rajiv

Efficacy of lantana (Lantana camara) extract application against aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae) in rape (Brassica napus) over varied periods of time

February 2018

Contact bioefficacy of lantana (Lantana camara L.) leaf extract (LLE) against rape aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae L.) in three rape (Brassica napus L.) seed brands at given time (hours) periods was explored. Samples of pounded young leaves mixed with distilled water (3 kg l-1, 2 kg l-1 and 1 kg l-1) were prepared. Dimethoate (7.5 ml 10 l-1) and distilled water were the positive and negative controls, respectively....

Author(s): Culver Mvumi and Precious R. Maunga

The antibacterial activity of bacterial endophytes isolated from Combretum molle

February 2018

Although intense research has gone into the exploration of various Combretaceae species towards the discovery of therapeutic relevant compounds, their endophytes have never been explored as potential repositories of alternative sources of novel and medically beneficial equivalents. In the present study, five bacterial endophytes (Lysinibacillus, Staphylococcus, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas and Bacillus species) were...

Author(s): Mamonokane O. Diale, Eunice Ubomba-Jaswa, and Mahloro H. Serepa-Dlamini

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus: Diagnosis and metabolites

February 2018

The existence of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) was figured out in different locations in Al-Ahsaa of Saudi Arabia. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results of samples collected showed that TYLCV existed in all locations. Using AVcore and ACcore primers, begomoviruses family were detected in symptomatic tomato plants and by using TYv2664 and TYc138 (specific primers for the detection of TYLCV), the results proved...

Author(s): Ahmed Mohamed Soliman, and Maged Elsayed Mohamed,

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus and watermelon chlorotic stunt virus induced gene silencing in tobacco plants

February 2018

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) and Watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (WmCSV) are the most widespread and damaging viruses to cucurbits in the Middle East. CYSDV and WmCSV are cucurbit-infecting bipartite whitefly-transmitted viruses. Post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) is a universal mechanism by which plants are able to systemically switch off the expression of targeted genes via the reduction...

Author(s): Ahmed Mohamed Soliman, Adel Abdelsabour Rezk, and Khalid Abdallah Alhudaib

Isolation, purification and partial characterization of thermostable serine alkaline protease from a newly isolated Bacillus thuringinsis-SH-II-1A

February 2018

In the present study, the isolation, purification and partial characterization of thermostable serine alkaline protease produced from Bacillus thuringinsis SH-II-1A was reported. The culture was isolated from soil of slaughter house waste and identified further from ribosomal sequence. The crude enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis and Sephadex G-200 gel permeation chromatography up to 17.04...

Author(s): Sunil L. Harer, Manish S. Bhatia and Neela M. Bhatia

Characterization of biodiesel obtained from atemoya (Annona squamosa × A. cherimola) seed oil

February 2018

Biodiesel is derived from renewable sources, such as vegetable oils, by means of a transesterification process in which triacylglycerols are transformed into smaller molecules of esters of fatty acids and glycerol. The transesterification reactions of ‘Gefner’ atemoya (Annona squamosa × A. cherimola) seed oil extracted by pressing (physical) and solvent (chemical) processes were studied, with analysis...

Author(s): Luciana Soares Da Cruz, Bárbara Lemes Outeiro Araújo, Luiz Roberto Marques Albuquerque, Pedro Castro Neto, Angelita Duarte Corrêa and Luciana de Matos  Alves Pinto

The nitrogen-fixing Frankia significantly increases growth, uprooting resistance and root tensile strength of Alnus formosana

February 2018

Restoration of Alnus formosana (Burk.) Makino on landslide areas is important for agroforestry, forestry and soil erosion control in Taiwan. To ensure successful reforestation, A. formosana seedlings have to develop strong root system for nutrient and water acquisition as well as anchorage. Inoculating of A. formosana with symbiotic nitrogen-fixing actinobacteria Frankia may help mitigate drought and nutrient...

Author(s): Jung-Tai Lee and Sung-Ming Tsai

Polymerase chain reaction amplification of 16S rDNA from three nosocomial bacterial isolates in Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria

February 2018

A wide variety of opportunistic pathogens has been detected in hospital surfaces. Medical center surfaces can serve as reservoirs of pathogenic bacteria. Among this pathogens, Pseudomonas species are one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections, frequently found in hospital environments. Polymerase chain amplification system remains one of the best methods for the rapid detection of low numbers of pathogenic...

Author(s): Richard, R., Denwe, S. D.., Yerima, M. B. and Olatunde, S. K.

Morphophysiological diversity of rhizobia nodulating pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) growing in Ethiopia

February 2018

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is an important protein source grown in several tropical and sub-tropical countries, and is considered a multi-purpose plant that is resistant to the conditions where drought and salinity is a common phenomenon. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diversity of rhizobial isolates obtained from root nodules of pigeon pea plants grown in central and southern Ethiopia. A total...

Author(s): Tulu Degefu, Endalkachew Wolde-meskel, Makka Adem, Asnake Fikre, Tilahun Amede and Chris Ojiewo  

A comparative study on bacterial conversion of selected agricultural biomass to ethanol

February 2018

The aim of the study was to investigate the bioethanol production potentials by indigenous bacterial isolates screened for amylolytic and cellulolytic activities. Cassava peels were obtained from local ‘garri’ producers, while corn grains and corn cobs were gotten from retailers within the Erinfun farm settlement along Afe Babalola University Road, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria on June 4, 2015. The...

Author(s): Oso B. A., Ogunnusi T. A. and Oyetunji O. A.  

Development and improved selected markers to biosurfactant and bioemulsifier production by Rhizopus strains isolated from Caatinga soil

February 2018

This study screened four Rhizopus species as biosurfactant producers using different markers. First of all, Rhizopus spp. UCP 1607 was identified as Rhizopus arrhizus by morphological and molecular methods. The production of biosurfactant/bioemulsifier was investigated by submerged fermentation using soybean post-frying oil (5% v/v) and sodium glutamate (1% w/v) medium. The primary markers’ hemolysis and parafilm...

Author(s): Milagre A. Pele, Dayana Montero-Rodriguez, Daylin Rubio-Ribeaux, Adriana F. Souza, Marcos A. C. Luna, Michele F. Santiago, Rosileide F. S. Andrade, Thayse A. Lima e Silva, André L. C. M. A. Santiago and Galba M. Campos-Takaki  

Toxicological and safety assessment of tartrazine as a synthetic food additive on health biomarkers: A review

February 2018

Recently, progressive use of synthetic food additives increase the attention paid on their benefit and toxicity in food, especially for the young. One of these additives is artificial azo dyes tartrazine. This study aimed to provide an outline of the existing evidence on the beneficial and side effect of food additive with special reference to tartrazine on different organ health. The methods include updated search for...

Author(s): Kamal A. Amin, and Fawzia S. Al-Shehri  

Controlled fermentation of the zoom-koom dough using two isolates of lactic acid bacteria (LAB 1 and LAB 5) as starter cultures: Effect on hygienic, rheological, nutritional and sensorial characteristics of the final product

January 2018

Zoom-koom is a popular non-alcoholic beverage in Burkina Faso, which is based on cereals and mainly produced by women with important socio-economic implications. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of controlled fermentation using two selected isolates of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as starter cultures, on the rheological and hygienic quality of zoom-koom. The starter cultures were used singly in monoculture and both...

Author(s): Tapsoba Fidèle Wend-bénédo, Sawadogo-Lingani Hagrétou, Kaboré Donatien, Zongo Sandrine, Compaoré-Sérémé Diarra, and Dicko Mamoudou Hama

Bio-preservation of Nigerian soft-white cheese in submerged consortium of bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria culture

January 2018

Bio-preservation of Nigerian soft-white cheese (wara) in submerged consortium of bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) culture was investigated. Lactobacillus acidophilus PIT17 and Lactococcus lactis PIT30 were isolated from pito using the pour plate technique on MRS medium. The selection of L. acidophilus PIT17 and L. lactis PIT30 for the bio-preservation studies were based on their ability to produce...

Author(s): Mohammed S. S. D., Wartu J. R., Aminu A. H., David A. A. D. and Musa B. J.  

Identification and major technological characteristics of Lactococcus and Lactobacillus strains isolated from "hamoum", an Algerian fermented wheat

January 2018

Twenty-eight strains of lactic bacteria were isolated from fermented wheat "hamoum" and phenotypically attributed to the following species: seven strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, six strains of Lactobacillus brevis and 15 strains of Lactobacillus plantarum. The acidifying behavior of the strains is considerably variably demanding on considered strain. The amounts of lactic acid produced reached 9.7...

Author(s): Khadidja KALBAZA, Halima ZADI-KARAM and Nour-Eddine KARAM

Evaluation of genetic diversity of okra accessions [Abelmoschus esculentus (L. Moench)] cultivated in Burkina Faso using microsatellite markers

January 2018

Okra is a traditional vegetable grown throughout Burkina Faso. Despite a food and non-food valorization of all parts of the plant, its genetic diversity is still little known. Thus, 50 accessions of okra from Burkina Faso were characterized using 19 microsatellite markers in order to determine the level and structure of genetic diversity. The results reveal a total of 34 alleles including 3 rare alleles and a number...

Author(s): Mahamadi Hamed OUEDRAOGO, Nerbéwendé SAWADOGO, Téyouré Bénoît Joseph BATIENO, Wend-Pagnangdé Marie Serge Félicien ZIDA, Ali Lardia BOUGMA, Antoine BARRO, Zakaria KIEBRE and Mahamadou SAWADOGO

Antibacterial effect of Thymus sp. and Boswellia sp. extracts on Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates

January 2018

The antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Boswellia and thyme (Boswellia sp., and Thyme sp.) was evaluated against 20 clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae and 5 isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Essential oils were prepared using methanol and water (1:1) with HPLC technique. Antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were measured using disk diffusion method against 20 isolates of...

Author(s): Sahar K. Al-Dosary

Dormancy breaking and germination of cat thyme Teucrium marum (Labiatae)

January 2018

Cat thyme is an important medicinal plant used for treating many diseases. With renewed interest as arthropod deterrent and repellents, there is immediate need to cultivate cat thyme on large scale in the laboratory. To improve cat thyme seed germination, obstacles involved in its seed dormancy must be investigated. To address such challenges, mechanical abrasion and chemical treatments were used to enhance the rate of...

Author(s): Chauhan K. R., Natarajan S., and Webb M.

Optimized production of phytase by solid-state fermentation using triticale as substrate and source of inducer

January 2018

This study was carried out to evaluate the process of phytase production by Aspergillus niger in solid-state fermentation (SSF) using triticale waste. A waste that currently has no use was reported for this biotechnological process, and is of high impact due to the null use. The process was carried out using an additive free medium, supplemented with only one nitrogen source. Under these conditions, phytase activity of...

Author(s): Alberto A. Neira-Vielma, Cristóbal N. Aguilar, Anna Ilyina, Juan C. Contreras-Esquivel, María das G. Carneiro-da-Cunha, Georgina Michelena-Álvarez and José L. Martínez-Hernández

Antioxidant and antikindling effect of Tapinanthus globiferus growing on Ficus glumosa in pentylenetetrazole induced kindled rats

January 2018

Tapinanthus globiferus growing on Ficus glumosa is a plant used locally for the treatment of epilepsy. It is found in West Africa on many tree crops. The present study aims to investigate the anti-kindling and antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of T. globiferus. A total of 40 rats were divided into 4 groups (n=10). Groups 1 to 3 received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively, of the extract orally, followed by...

Author(s): Abubakar, K., Yunus, A. T., Abubakar, M. R., Ugwah-Oguejiofor, J. C. and Muhammad, A. A.

Effect of antioxidants (taurine, cysteine, α-tocopherol) on liquid preserved Kolbroek boar semen characteristics

January 2018

Successful artificial insemination depends on maintaining longevity of semen in the reproductive tract, and semen characteristics among others. The study compared efficacy of Androhep extender supplemented with 75 mM taurine, 5 m M-cysteine, or 200 mg/l alpha-tocophero on liquid preservation of Kolbroek boar semen characteristics over 24 and 48 h after storage at 17°C. Total motility was evaluated using computer...

Author(s): Chatiza, F., Mokwena, P. W., Nedambale, T. L., and Pilane, C.

Biodegradation of phenol by free and immobilized Candida tropicalis NPD1401

January 2018

The present research aimed to evaluate the free and immobilized cell of Candida tropicalis NPD1401 for phenol degradation. Immobilized cell of C. tropicalis degraded efficiently up to 98% at a concentration of 1000 mg/l of phenol whereas free cells degraded up to 63% of the same concentration under 9 days of incubation. Stored immobilized beads were reused after 15 days and found to have successfully degraded 62.1% of...

Author(s): Satish Kumar, Neeraj, Viraj Krishna Mishra and Santosh Kr. Karn

Effect of Moringa oleifera leaves extract on the oxidative stress and gastric mucosal ulcer induced by indomethacin in rats

January 2018

Indomethacin is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory and pain relieving medication; however, it has the side effect of gastric ulcer formation which is an actual common gastrointestinal illness that may result in dangerous complications and even death. Various diseases have been treated widely by the use of oriental herbal medicines, this study aims to evaluate the antiulcerative and antioxidative effect of two doses...

Author(s): Hessah Mohammed Almuzafar

Application of cassava harvest residues (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in biochemical and thermochemical conversion process for bioenergy purposes: A literature review

January 2018

Bioenergy production from biomass and agricultural wastes has gained significant interest due to rising fossil fuel prices and their decrease in air pollutant emissions. This review paper evaluates the state-of-art for the several applications from cassava harvest residues and their use in bioenergy industry, using different thermochemical and biochemical processes. Regarding the great available literature for this...

Author(s): Alyson L. P. Rodrigues, Glauber Cruz, Maria E. P. Souza and Wolia C. Gomes

Semen quality characteristics and testosterone levels of rabbit bucks fed Costus afer leaf

January 2018

Previous studies have shown Costus afer to possess ethno-medical and ethno-veterinary properties, however, the link between C. afer and reproductive activities are not clear. The aim of this research was to assess the impact of C. afer leaf on semen quality characteristics and testosterone levels of adult buck rabbits. Eighteen adult crossbred New Zealand and Chinchilla breeds were divided into three treatments (A, B...

Author(s): P. K. Ajuogu, , U. Herbert, P. C. Ibeh, M. B. Nodu, U. H. Ukpabio, C. G. Onyegbule and A. O. Akintola

Isolation, characterization and antibiotics susceptibility of β-glucuronidase producing Escherichia coli and other enteric bacteria from ground beef

January 2018

The current work aimed to determine the prevalence of Escherichia coli in fresh ground beef purchased from butchers' shops in Suez Governorate, Egypt, and the antibiotics susceptibility pattern of the isolated bacteria. E. coli was isolated and detected on tryptone bile glucuronide agar (TBGA) plates as chromogenic selective medium for this species. The sensitivity and resistance of the isolated bacteria to...

Author(s): Abdel-Hamied M. Rasmey, Salha G. Desoki and Mohamed Deabes

Influence of spacing and application of biofertilizer on growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

January 2018

The adequate spacing in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) influences its growth and fruit production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth, the leaf composition and okra production in different spacing with and without biofertilizer. This research was carried out from October, 2012 to March, 2013, at the Federal University of Paraiba, Areia county, Paraiba State, Brazil. The experimental design was a...

Author(s): Juliete Araújo da Silva Nunes, Járisson Cavalcante Nunes, Jandiê Araújo da Silva, Ademar Pereira de Oliveira, Lourival Ferreira Cavalcante, Denizard Oresca and Ovídio Paulo Rodrigues da Silva

Inflorescence developmental polymorphism and its horticultural significance in plantain (Musa spp. AAB)

January 2018

Inflorescence developmental polymorphism and its horticultural significance in plantain (Musa spp. AAB) was investigated in this study. The study was designed to evaluate the consistency of inflorescence dichotomy as well as the horticultural significance of the double and triple bunching plantain phenotypes during several production cycles. Four plantain accessions with different types of multiple bunches or...

Author(s): Norah Godwin Ekanem, and Ebiamadon Andi Brisibe,

Response of four cultivars of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) plantlets free of cassava mosaic virus to micropropagation in different media

January 2018

The aim of this study was to identify the best medium for the micropropagation of four cultivars (Six-mois, M61/061, Yalipe and Rendre) of cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) plantlets free of mosaic virus. The effect of media on the morphogenesis in vitro was studied using different growth regulators combinations, added to MS medium, M0: MS without growth regulator; M1: MS+NAA (0.02 mg/l) ; M2 : MS+BAP (0.05 mg/l); M3:...

Author(s): Simplice Prosper Yandia, Christophe Bernard Gandonou, Semballa Silla, Innocent Zinga and Fatiou Toukourou

Plant cell suspension culture of Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum. in shake flask and stirred tank reactor scale: A comparative study

December 2017

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of changing the shake flask for a stirred-tank bench bioreactor on the performance of Thevetia peruviana cultures. Maximum cell growth of 18.59 and 8.46 g DW/L for shake flask and bench bioreactor at day 14 was obtained, respectively. The end of the exponential growth phase in shake flask was correlated with total sugar consumption, while this behavior was not observed in...

Author(s): Juan Pablo Arias, Karol Zapata, Benjamín Rojano, Mariana Peñuela and Mario Arias

Chemical composition of neem and lavender essential oils and their antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi causing ginseng root rot

December 2017

The aim of this study was to assess in vitro, the antifungal activity and characterize the chemical constituents of the essential oils of Azadirachta indica (neem) and Lavandula angustifolia (lavender).  The essential oils of A. indica and L. angustifolia plants were tested against several isolates of pathogenic fungal genera causing root rot disease of ginseng. Agar plate assay indicated that lavender oil at 10%...

Author(s): Khalid Abdallah Hussein, and Jin Ho Joo,

Changes observed in Pritchardia pacifica palms affected by a lethal yellowing-type disease in Mexico

December 2017

Lethal yellowing (LY) is a devastating disease, affecting more than 35 palm species. One of them, Pritchardia pacifica, was found to be very susceptible in Florida and it is affected by a LY-type syndrome in Yucatan, Mexico. In this study, plants of P. pacifica were exposed naturally to feral insects in an area affected by LY in Mexico. All the plants exposed died showing symptoms of leaf decay with death occurring...

Author(s): María Narváez, Elizabeth Ortíz, Carmen Silverio, Jorge M. Santamaría, Francisco Espadas and Carlos Oropeza

Effects of Salaha-A (herbomineral drug) on blood parameters of rats and in silico inhibition of P-glycoprotein by it bioactive compounds

December 2017

The drug under study is a herbomineral drug containing tortoise shell ash and ground seeds of Piper nigrum used in the treatment of cancer. Salaha-A was found to contain essential minerals that could have medicinal importance to human. Calcium was found to be the major element in the tortoise shell ash and piperine is the pioneer alkaloid found in Piper nigrum. This work evaluates the effects of Salaha-A at different...

Author(s): Rahma M. Adamu, Magaji G. Taura and Balwant K. Malik

Trichoderma as biological control weapon against soil borne plant pathogens

December 2017

The genus of Trichoderma is widely applied for the biocontrol of phytopathogenic fungi in agriculture sector. Moreover, Trichoderma species are also excessively exploited in different industrial purposes due to their production of important lytic enzymes such as chitinases, glucanases and proteases. Several genetic improvement trials are carried out for maximizing the role of Trichoderma as biological control agents via...

Author(s): Khalid S. Abdel-lateif,

Overexpression of key enzymes of the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway for improving squalene production in Escherichia coli

December 2017

2-C-Methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway has been extensively employed for terpenoids biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. In this study, to obtain key-enzymes of MEP pathway for squalene production, overexpression of different combination of MEP pathway genes were compared. Squalene production in strain YSS12 with overexpressed dxs, idi and ispA of MEP pathway from E. coli was improved by 71-fold when compared...

Author(s): Haiyuan Liu, Shu Han, Liping Xie, Jie Pan, Wei Zhang, Guihua Gong and Youjia Hu

Evaluation of serum sialic acid and other risk factors in diabetes mellitus

December 2017

The main cause of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is disturbed carbohydrate metabolism indicated by hyperglycemia. Insulin secretion is disturbed by inflammatory process in the body due to imbalanced diet, hormonal disturbance and genetics. The serum sialic acid has been investigated as a parameter to evaluate intensity of DM2. 200 individuals of both genders were included and were divided into four groups (50 each)...

Author(s): Saghir Ahmed Jafri, Khaleeq Ur Rehman, Nazia Ilyas, Abu Bakar Imran, Muhammad Qasim and Shazia Zahra,

Genetic and population diversity of bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.) in Chapada Limpa extractive reserve, Maranhão State, Brazil

December 2017

Landscape studies illustrate how the structure and configuration of ecological/agroecological zones influence the genetic diversity of a species. Thus, the aim of the present study is to assess how landscape structure and conservation influence the genetic diversity indices of Platonia insignis Mart. (bacuri) in Chapada Limpa Extractive Reserve, Chapadinha County, Maranhão State, Brazil. The study was carried out...

Author(s): Edyane Moraes dos SANTOS, Carlos Alberto de Sampaio MONTEIRO NETO, Claudio Adriano de Jesus NASCIMENTO, Francisca Helena MUNIZ and José de Ribamar Silva BARROS

Peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities associated to somatic embryogenesis potential in an elite hybrid genotype of Theobroma cacao L.

December 2017

Cross-fertilization and somatic embryogenesis stand as potential useful tools for genetic improvement and vulgarization of agronomical interesting cocoa planting material for sustainable cocoa culture. Manual cross-fertilization (♀SNK13×♂UPA143) was conducted. ♀SNK13×♂UPA143 derived hybrid genotypes were tested for their susceptibility to black pods disease (BPD). The most tolerant hybrid genotype...

Author(s): Minyaka Emile, Niemenak Nicolas, Ngangue Latta Tanguy Armand, Madina Banen  Colette Vanessa,  Bahoya Joseph Aime and Omokolo Ndoumou  Denis

Evaluation of productivity of sweet potato genotypes for first and second generation bioethanol production

December 2017

The increased supply of ethanol fuel and its spread as an alternative to fossil fuels depend on the exploration of biomasses that can be regarded as alternatives to sugarcane and maize. In this study, the agricultural productivity and the potential for production of ethanol from roots and the aerial portion of twenty sweet potato genotypes were evaluated. The roots and branches were harvested 180 days after planting....

Author(s): Daniel José Silva Viana, Silvânia Saldanha da Silva Pinto, Karen Paola Fróes Dias, David Lee Nelson, Lílian de Araújo Pantoja, Nísia Andrade Villela Dessimoni Pinto, Valter Carvalho de Andrade Junior and Alexandre Soares dos Santos

The impact of over-expression of NPK1 gene on growth and yield of sorghum under drought stress

December 2017

Sorghum bicolor L. is an important crop in many tropical regions, yet it has received little attention in applying modern biotechnologies for improvement due to transformation difficulties. Drought is among the most important factors limiting sorghum productivity. The Nicotina Protein Kinase 1 (NPK1) gene confers tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. The present work was conducted to determine the amenability...

Author(s): Shireen K. Assem, Mohamed M. Zamzam, Mohamed E. Saad, Basita A. Hussein and Ebtissam H. A. Hussein

Anaerobic decomposition of submerged macrophytes in semiarid aquatic systems under different trophic states, Paraíba State, Brazil

December 2017

The macrophytes play an important role in the regulation of biological and chemical processes in aquatic ecosystems, particularly in shallow lakes. They also play an important role in storage and nutrient cycling, serving as a source of organic matter to native environments. The aim of this study was to describe the kinetic aspects of the nutrients released during the anaerobic decomposition process of Egeria densa...

Author(s): Vanessa Virginia Barbosa, José Etham De Lucena Barbosa, Luiz Ubiratan Hepp, Marcela Bianchessi Cunha Santino and Janiele França Nery

Comparative biosorption of Pb2+ ions from aqueous solution using Moringa oleifera plant parts: Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic studies

November 2017

This research article presents a comparative study of the adsorption properties of Moringa oleifera biomass using Pb2+ ions as test analyte. The investigated parameters which affected the adsorption process were the effect of pH, initial concentration, adsorbent dose, contact time, and temperature. The comparison of adsorption process was evaluated in the pH range of 3 to 8, concentration range from 5 to 20 ppm,...

Author(s): Stephen Nyoni, Edmore Satiya, Netai Mukaratirwa-Muchanyereyi and Munyaradzi Shumba

Variability of seed oil content and fatty acid composition in Shantung maple (Acer truncatum Bunge) germplasm for optimal biodiesel production

November 2017

Shantung maple seed oil methyl esters have emerged as the potential feedstock for producing biodiesel. The goal of this work was to assess variations in seed oil content and fatty acid compositions for optimal biodiesel production among 138 Shantung maple accessions native to 14 regions of China. Dramatic differences in seed oil content were observed among trees grown in the various regions tested; seeds of trees grown...

Author(s): Qian Qiao#, Mei-Jing Ye#, Fen-Fen Si, Hong-Jian Ren, Kai An, Zhen Feng, Lin Zhang and Zhong-Kui Sun

Effect of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) as feed additives, on growth and haematology of Clarias gariepinus Juvenile

November 2017

The rebirth and use of medicinal plants in aquaculture has become necessary as the use of synthetic drugs and chemicals is been discouraged due to their aftermath effects on cultured organisms and aquatic environment. A 56-day study was conducted to assess the effects of Roselle and ginger as dietary additives, on growth and hematology of Clarias gariepinus juvenile. Total of 150 C. gariepinus juveniles...

Author(s): Ogueji E. O., Iheanacho S. C., Dada A. O., Yaji A. J., Ifejimalu A., Ibrahim B. U., Mbah E. C., Okafor E. A. and Nnatuanya I. O.

Diversity and extracellular enzymes of endophytic fungi associated with Cymbidium aloifolium L.

November 2017

Cymbidium aloifolium is an epiphytic orchid used in treatment of many human ailments. The endophytic fungi associated with orchids are diverse and have potential to produce many bioactive compounds including extracellular enzymes. A total of 165 endophytic fungi representing 22 different fungal species were obtained from root, leaf and flowers of C. aloifolium. The colonization rate (CR) and isolation rate (IR) varied...

Author(s): Shubha J. and Srinivas C.

In vitro selective cytotoxicity of activated parasporal proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis serovars kumamotoensis and tohokuensis against human cancer cell lines

November 2017

The anti-cancer activity of alkali-solubilized protease-activated parasporal proteins produced by 78 local Bacillus thuringiensis strains and 14 reference B. thuringiensis strains was screened against five human cancer cell lines (CACO-2, Hep2, HepG2, K562, and MCF-7). Activated parasporal proteins were tested for their hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. It was found that activated parasporal proteins of 25...

Author(s): Maher Obeidat

Correlation and path coefficient analysis of agronomic and quality traits in a bioenergy crop, sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

November 2017

Sweet sorghum is considered one of the best sources of bioethanol due to its higher total reducing sugar content, which ferments completely to produce ethanol coupled with its adaptation to the changing climate. A study was carried out in Ethiopia, during the 2015/16 crop season, to determine the extent of phenotypic and genotypic relationships among 13 agronomic traits and six quality components of 28 sweet sorghum...

Author(s): Chalachew Endalamaw, Asfaw Adugna and Hussein Mohammed

A method of rapid in vitro proliferation and morphological characterization of the medicinal plant Aloe vera L.

November 2017

Morphological characterization was carried out on Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) accessions collected from different locations in India. The experiments were conducted on 12 Aloe accessions and the leaf length, width, thickness, stem length, and thickness were measured using vernier calipers. The plantlets were chemically treated with 2.5% (w/v) of sodium hypochlorite which is an alternative safer surface...

Author(s): Chandra Sekhar Singh B., Diriba Adugna A. and Roja Rani A.

Effect of different stablizers on quality characteristics of the set-type yogurt

November 2017

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of seven different stabilizers on some properties of set-type yogurt. Stabilizers used were sodium caseinate, gelatin, carrageenan, xanthan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum (LBG), native corn starch. For the control group, no stabilizer was added. During the storage period, while the fat and pH values of the yoghurt samples were reduced, the stabilizers had no effects on...

Author(s): Emine Macit and Ihsan Bakirci

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