African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

AJB Articles

Evaluation of genetic diversity of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) landraces from West Africa using microsatellite markers

November 2018

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is an important staple food crop, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of West Africa. However, the genetic diversity of pearl millet in these regions is poorly understood, and yet it is useful in identification of landmarks for in situ germplasm conservation and breeding programs, particularly in establishment of heterotic groups. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess...

Author(s): Mary N. Onsarigo and Dionysious K. Kiambi  

Comparison of four DNA extraction methods in Heliconia (Heliconia L.)

November 2018

Molecular analysis in plants requires the use of high quality DNA. Currently, there are a myriad of DNA extraction protocols, which still seems that their applicability across different species is not straightforward. The aim of the present study was to evaluate four different cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-based DNA extraction protocols for Heliconia species from lyophilized fully mature leaves. A split-plot...

Author(s): Olvera S., Cortés-Cruz M., Contreras-Toledo A., Ortiz S., Avendaño-Arrazate C., Olivera A., Canul J. and Grajales M.  

Bioremediation potentials of sunflower and Pseudomonas species in soil contaminated with lead and zinc

October 2018

This study was conducted to assess the ability of sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) inoculated with Pseudomonas species to remediate soils contaminated with heavy metals (lead and zinc). The contaminants were added to 20 kg soil in pots as lead nitrate (Pb (NO3)2) and zinc nitrate (Zn (NO3)2); 400 mg/l metal concentrations were added to 20 kg soil in pots. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design...

Author(s): Elizabeth Temitope Alori, Abiodun Joseph, Ojo Timothy Vincent Adebiyi, Ajibola Patrick Aluko and Chidera Onyekankeya  

Applications of genomic copy number variations on livestock: A review

October 2018

Genomic copy number variations (CNVs) have significantly modified genomic regions during inversions, translocations, duplications and deletions that keep shaping phenotypic variation through changes in gene dosage, regulation and transcript structure. The objective of this review was to discuss the current application of CNVs on domestication, adaptations, productions, coat colour, morphology and diseases of livestock,...

Author(s): Habtamu Abera Goshu, Min Chu and Ping Yan

Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of cowpea rhizobia from soils of Ethiopia

October 2018

Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of cowpea rhizobia indigenous to soils of Ethiopia are unknown. Forty indigenous cowpea rhizobial isolates were collected from cowpea-growing areas of the country and were characterized for their growth and genetic properties. Based on their cultural characteristics, the isolates were categorized into fast (FG), slow (SG), and extraslow-growings (ESG). The FG, SG, and ESG...

Author(s): Girmaye Kenasa, Fassil Assefa and Mussie Y. Habteselassie  

Anti-diabetic and some haematological effects of aqueous and ethanol leaf extract of Eriosema psoraleoides in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats

October 2018

This study investigates the anti-diabetic and some hematological effects of aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts of Eriosema psoraleoides in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Forty-eight albino mice were used for the lethal dose (LD50) study, while twenty-eight Wistar rats were used for the diabetic and haematological study. The result of the phytochemical analysis shows some important phytochemicals that could confer...

Author(s): Nduka, Florence O., Ogugua, Victor N., Joshua, Packer E., Okpachi, Victor E., Gometi, Sandra A. and Nwigwe, Juliet O.  

Propolis as natural additive: A systematic review

October 2018

Propolis extract is a resin collected by the bees and contains numerous active substances with a recognized pharmaceutical potential use. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of studies with the use of propolis as a food additive and the microencapsulation technology for incorporation of the product in food. Studies in Portuguese, English and Spanish were identified from online databases, Lilacs,...

Author(s): Marly Silveira Santos, Maria Leticia Miranda Fernandes Estevinho, Carlos Alfredo Lopes de Carvalho, Karina Teixeira Magalhães-Guedes, Rosane Freitas Schwan and Rogeria Comastri de Castro Almeida

Resveratrol inhibits cell viability and proliferation via apoptotic pathways in ovarian cancer

October 2018

Ovarian cancer is the most common female malignancy and the main cause of death from gynecological malignancies. Resveratrol (3,4,5 tri-hydroxystilbene) is a phytoalexin and a polyphenolic compound present in human dietary material such as peanuts, mulberries, grapes and red wine. We demonstrated that resveratrol depressed the proliferation of HO8910PM cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner in vitro (P <...

Author(s): YAO Jing-ping, XU Fei, LI Rong, LI Meng and QU Jun-wei  

Comparative survey of three processes used for the extraction of total phenol content and total flavonoid content of Anacardium occidentale L. and the assessment of its antioxidant activity

October 2018

Three processes were used for the extraction of total phenol and total flavonoid contents of Anacardium occidentale L. and to determine its antioxidant activity. Whatever the extraction process was, the total flavonoid and total phenol contents were of the same order. With the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), 666.07 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g dry matter (DM) of total phenol content was obtained from the...

Author(s): MADJITOLOUM BETOLOUM Salomon, TALLA Emmanuel, NYEMB Jean Noël, NGASSOUM Martin Benoît, TSATSOP TSAGUE Roli Karole and MAHMOUT Yaya  

Next-generation sequencing platforms for latest livestock reference genome assemblies

September 2018

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) or high-throughput sequencing platforms refers to different modern sequencing technologies that allow scientist to sequence millions to billions of reads (base pairs) in a single, much more quicker and cheaper cost than the previously used Sanger (first generation) sequencing method. Next-generation sequencing platforms classified as second generation sequencing platforms which require...

Author(s): H. Gatew and G. M. Tarekegn,  

The effect of different nutrient media on in vitro shoot and root proliferation of Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews

September 2018

Murashige and Skoog (MS), Knudson C (KC) and Vacin and Went (VW) nutrient media are among the most widely used for micropropagation of orchid species. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of these growth media on in vitro shoot and root proliferation of Vanilla planifolia by using nodal segment as explants. Three different media; Murashige and Skoog (MS), Knudson C (KC) and Vacin and Went (VW) were...

Author(s): Noorhazira Sidek, Nuraini Shafinaz Mohd Anuar, Laila Naher and Kharul Azmi Mu’azzam Abdul Rahman

Genetic diversity of blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson) in selected counties in Kenya using simple sequence repeats (SSRs) markers

September 2018

Genetic diversity of blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson) is essential for efficient breeding and improvement of its pomological traits and yield. In this research, simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were used to determine the genetic diversity of 90 blackberry accessions collected from six different counties in Kenya. From 11 SSR markers used to genotype the blackberry accessions, a total of 127 alleles were generated....

Author(s): Jared A. Ochieng, Maurice E. Oyoo, Robert M. Gesimba, Paul C. Korir, Pascal P. Okwiri Ojwang’ and James O. Owuoche

Phytochemical and proximate composition of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) fruit from Nsukka, Nigeria

September 2018

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is very common, cultivated throughout the world and often eaten as a raw vegetable without cooking. In this study, the phytochemical and proximate compositions of cucumber were investigated. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of the homogenate of C. sativus fruit showed that reducing sugars (574.36 ± 3.88 mg/g) was highest amount when compared to other phytochemicals, alkaloids...

Author(s): Uzuazokaro Mark-Maria Agatemor, Okwesili Fred Chiletugo Nwodo and Chioma Assumpta Anosike  

Trichoderma atroviride 102C1: A promising mutant strain for the production of a β-glucosidase, -xylosidase and -L-arabinofuranosidase activities using agroindustrial by-products

September 2018

Holocellulolytic accessory enzymes are very important in assisting hydrolysis of biomass. The use of these enzymes in the enzymatic hydrolysis of plant biomass is very important for obtaining building blocks in the concept of biorefinery. In previous studies, the mutant strain Trichoderma atroviride 102C1 was tested for production of endoglucanases, FPases and endoxylanases. This study aimed at evaluating the efficiency...

Author(s): Jéssica Caroline Araujo SILVA, André Luiz Grigorevski-Lima, Elba Pinto da Silva BON, Rosalie Reed Rodrigues COELHO and Rodrigo Pires do NASCIMENTO

Chromium (III) and its effects on soil microbial activities and phytoremediation potentials of Arachis hypogea and Vigna unguiculata

September 2018

The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of chromium (III) nitrate on soil microbial activities and growth performance and phytoremediation potentials of two staple leguminous crops, namely cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and groundnut (Arachis hypogea). Pristine sandy loam soil samples were polluted with nitrate salts of chromium (III) at four different levels (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) in triplicates. There...

Author(s): Chibuzor Nwadibe Eze, Chuks Kenneth Odoh, Emmanuel Aniebonam Eze, Paul Ikechukwu Orjiakor, Simeon Chukwuemeka Enemuor and Uchenna Jude Okobo  

Characterization of fluorescent Pseudomonas from Oryza sativa L. rhizosphere with antagonistic activity against Pyricularia oryzae (SACC.)

September 2018

The aim of this work was to select and characterize native Cuban fluorescent Pseudomonas from the rhizosphere of Oryza sativa with in vitro and in vivo antagonistic activity against Pyricularia oryzae. A total of 200 isolates were recovered with the typical growth and cultural characteristics of fluorescent Pseudomonas. The results showed that 12.5% of total isolates were capable of inhibiting mycelial growth, with...

Author(s): Annia Hernández-Rodríguez, Yanelis Acebo-Guerrero, Gema Pijeira Fernández, Acela Díaz de la Osa and Gloria Maria Restrepo-Franco  

Identification and evaluation of secondary metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in native strains of Trichoderma species

September 2018

Trichoderma species is a heterotrophic saprobion organism, which competes with other microorganisms, preventing them from developing. This fungus has mechanisms of action, among which are: production of antibiotics and metabolites, and hyperparasitism, which also promotes the induction of systemic resistance in plants. In this study, five native Trichoderma strains which were collected from agricultural land in...

Author(s): Martínez-Padrón Hadassa Yuef, Torres-Castillo Jorge Ariel, Rodríguez-Herrera Raúl, López-Santillán José Alberto, Estrada-Drouaillet Benigno and Osorio-Hernández Eduardo

Heterozygote polymorphisms of ARG16GLY and GLN27GLU ADRB2 gene is risk protective for obesity in Javanese population of Indonesia

September 2018

The relationship between obesity and insulin resistance is influenced by various factors, including genetics. ADRB2 gene polymorphisms of Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu showed inconsistent results toward obesity and insulin resistance in some populations. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of the genetic polymorphisms of Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu of the ADRB2 gene and to analyze risk factors for obesity and insulin...

Author(s): Nazula Rahma Shafriani, Pramudji Hastuti and Ahmad Hamim Sadewa  

The technological influence of the different methods of extraction on the initial concentration of thymol in the essential oil of thyme (Thymus satureioides)

September 2018

The present study deals with the influence of the technological factor in relation to the technique used for the extraction of essential oil of thyme, its chemical composition, and in particular, the concentration of thymol as the principal chemo-typical active substance of this variety of thyme from the Moroccan High Atlas. The working protocol includes the extraction of the essential oil by three different methods...

Author(s): Imad eddine Elkacimi, Yahia Cherrah and Katim Alaoui

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentiality of Solanum xanthocarpum

September 2018

Inflammation is the body’s immune response to combat suspected harmful effect by a stimulus. Antioxidants prevent chain of reaction that would result in the production of free radicals. Prolonged usage of steroids as anti-inflammatory agents is unsafe, demanding search for anti-inflammatory compounds with sustainable future. In this study, seeds and leaves of Solanum xanthocarpum were explored in vitro for their...

Author(s): Rohini Pungle, Aditya Tambe, Anil more and Arun Kharat  

Genetic diversity of seed storage protein in the Ethiopian garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.)

September 2018

The Ethiopian garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) is an important crop extensively used as food and medicine. In this study, total seed storage proteins of 112 garden cress genotypes collected from diverse growing regions in Ethiopia were investigated to assess patterns of genetic diversity and relationships. Using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), a total of 1774 stable protein bands...

Author(s): Legesse Tadesse, Firew Mekbib, Adugna Wakjira and Zerihun Tadele

Reduction of organic load from palm oil mill effluent (POME) using selected fungal strains isolated from POME dump sites

September 2018

Environmental concerns are becoming important global tasks. Palm oil mill effluent (POME) contains oil and grease and also rich in organic matter in the form of total suspended solids which can increase biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of POME. It is generated in huge quantities during the production of crude palm oil and pollutes land, water and atmosphere if left untreated. The current...

Author(s): Suseela Lanka and Muralidhar Pydipalli  

Evaluation of the effects of plant aqueous extracts as anti-diabetic agents on alloxan induced diabetic male rabbits

September 2018

This study investigates the effect of barley (Hordeum vulgare), black plum (Syzygium cumini) and Chinese tree leaves (Pistacia chinesis) aqueous extracts  on serum glucose, cholesterol, urea, uric acid level and body weight of normal and alloxan-induced diabetic male rabbits. Rabbits were kept in fasting condition for 12 h, then diabetes was induced using alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/Kg) . From the 7th day of...

Author(s): Hadia Akber Samoo, Jagarwanti Maheshwari, Atta Muhammad Babar, Ather Hameed Sheikh, Imrana Khushk, Muhammad Aqeel Bhutto, Jawaid Ahmad Khokhar, Abdul Sattar Qureshi, Syed Akbar Shah and Aftab Hussain Khaskheli  

Genetic diversity in Radix species from the middle and south of Iraq based on simple sequence repeats

September 2018

Ten newly developed microsatellite loci were isolated from an AG20 and CAG20 enriched genomic DNA library of Radix sp. from Iraq. The simple sequence repeats (SSR) comprised 76.0% di-, 20.0% tri- and 4.0% tetra-nucleotide repeats. The number of alleles for all 10 loci ranged from 4 to 18, with a mean of 11.3 alleles per locus. The observed (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) values varied from 0.286 to 0.8670.927...

Author(s): Ali BM Al-Waaly, Kanokporn Triwitayakorn, Nattaya Srisawad, Duncan R Smith, Mohammad K Mohammad and Supajit Sraphet

Antioxidant activity of essential oil of three cultivars of Amomum subulatum and standardization of high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method for the estimation of 1,8-cineole

September 2018

Essential oils of the fruits of three cultivars of Amomum subulatum (Family-Zingiberaceae), such as varlangy, seremna and sawney were isolated. Antioxidant potential was determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging and FeCl3-reducing models and the presence of 1,8-Cineole was quantified using the developed high performance thin...

Author(s): Aftab Alam and Rita Singh Majumdar  

Variation of concentrations of thymol and carvacrol in the essential oil of thymus satureoides during aging

September 2018

The aim of this work is to do a stability study of two chemo-typical active ingredients (thymol and carvacrol) of the essential oil of thyme “Thymus satureoides” collected from Azilal Region, Morocco. Specimen identification was performed for the raw obtained plant materials and the  essential oil extraction carried out through initial and final chemical characterization of the essential oil - at t = 0...

Author(s): Imad Eddine Elkacimi, Yahia Cherrah and Katim Alaoui

Isolation and regeneration of protoplasts from leaf explants of Rhyncholaelia digbyana

August 2018

A protocol for the isolation and regeneration of protoplasts from leaf explant of Rhyncholaelia digbyana is presented. The protoplasts were isolated using hemicellulase enzymes at 1.5, 2.25, and 3% (w/v), pectinase at 0.5 and 0.75% (w/v) and cellulase at 1 and 2% (w/v). Protoplast counting was carried out with a Neubauer camera and an optical microscope at 40X, and viability was determined with Evans blue dye at 0.025%...

Author(s): Luis Alberto Mota-Narváez, Gilbert José Herrera-Cool,Teresa del Rosario Ayora-Talavera, Nancy Santana-Buzzy, and Guadalupe López-Puc  

Detection of genetically modified DNA in processed maize and soybean products in Nigeria

August 2018

Cultivation and commercial utilization of genetically modified (GM) crops has significantly increased in many parts of the world and particularly in developing countries where food security is a challenge. Despite stringent regulations requiring that food made from GM foods should be properly labelled, evidence of unlabelled foods made from GM crops sold in local markets in many of these countries is increasing. This...

Author(s): Andrew Chibuzor Iloh, Paul Chidozie Onyenekwe and Opeolu Oyejide Ojo,  

Preservative potentials of essential oils of three Nigerian spices in mixed fruit juice and their antioxidant capacity

August 2018

The study was conducted to evaluate the preservative potentials of essential oils (EOs) of Piper guineense, Xylopica aethiopica and Tetrapleura tetraptera in mixed fruit juice and determine their antioxidant capacity. The preservative effect at varying concentrations was evaluated using S. cerevisiae, S. aureus and B. cereus as test isolates. The antioxidant properties were determined using 1,1-...

Author(s): Ogueke Chika C., Nnadi Nkechi B., Owuamanam Clifford I., Ojukwu Moses, Nwachukwu Ikenna N., Ibeabuchi Chidi J and Bede Evelyn N.

Simple and rapid detached leaf technique for screening common beans (Phaseolus vulgarise L.) in vitro against angular leaf spot (Pseudocercospora griseola) disease

August 2018

A rapid and reliable detached-leaf technique was developed for screening common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) genotypes against angular leaf spot (ALS) disease caused by Pseudocercospora griseola. It is helpful to differentiate between susceptible and resistance common bean genotypes. Detached leaves of common bean tested genotypes were inoculated by immersing them into a spore suspension followed by placing into petri...

Author(s): Yayis Rezene, Kassahun Tesfaye, Clare Mukankusi, Esther Arunga and Paul Gepts  

Camwood (Baphia nitida) alcoholic extract: A suitable counter stain for haematoxylin in the demonstration of liver and kidney histomorphology

August 2018

The counter staining ability of Camwood (Baphia nitida) alcoholic extract and its electrostatic compatibility with haematoxylin was determined. One gram of locally sourced red paste was subjected to simple extraction in 100 ml of 70 and 95% alcohol, respectively. Primary staining of buffered formalin fixed, paraffin embedded liver and kidney tissues was done with haematoxylin followed by counter staining with extract...

Author(s): Omowumi, B. J. , Benard, S. A., Afolabi, O. O., Fowotade, A. A. and Olutunde, O. A.  

Genetic diversity among elite chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties of Ethiopia based on inter simple sequence repeat markers

August 2018

The inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker was used in this study for genetic fingerprinting and identification of released chickpea varieties and for the determination of the genetic relationships among these cultivars. A total of 19 released chickpea varieties were subjected to ISSR analysis with the objective of evaluating the genetic diversity among the cultivars. A total of 20 ISSR primers were initially...

Author(s): Zerihun Jida, Shiferaw Alemu and Destaw Mullualem

Development and validation of a high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method for the quantification of rutin and isoquercetin in Morus nigra L. (Moraceae)

August 2018

Morus nigra L. is widely used by the population of the São Francisco Valley (Brazil) for the treatment of several diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis etc. The objective of this study was to develop and validate an analytical method that is capable of identifing and quantifing flavonoids in the ethanolic crude extract (Mn-EtOH) and its ethyl acetate phase (Mn-AcOEt) obtained from M. nigra leaves...

Author(s): Pedrita Alves Sampaio, Grasielly Rocha Souza, Pedro Guilherme Sousa de Sá, Nathália Andrezza Carvalho de Souza, José Marcos Teixeira de Alencar Filho, Pedro José Rolim-Neto, Jackson Roberto Guedes da Silva Almeida and Larissa Araújo Rolim  

Effect of spices on the microbiological quality of Hibiscus sabdariffa (zobo) drink and molecular characterization of the associated spoilage organisms

August 2018

Hibiscus sabdariffa drink (zobo) was preserved with three concentrations of cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and mixture of cloves and ginger, respectively while the control had no spice. The bottled H. sabdariffa drink was stored at 28 ± 2°C for 16 days. The total bacteria and fungi counts were determined every 48 h during storage. Bacterial and fungal growths were not detected in...

Author(s): Adeoye, B. K., Oyewole, O. B. , Idowu, M. A., Obadina, A. O., Ani, I. F. and Ngozi, E. O.    

Isolation and identification of bacterial endophytes from Crinum macowanii Baker

August 2018

The widespread distribution of Crinum macowanii across the African continent has entrenched the plant’s medicinal usage in treating diverse diseases. While its phytochemistry is well established, its microbial symbionts and their utility have not been described. As such, five bacterial endophytes, viz. Staphylococcus species C2, Staphylococcus species C3, Bacillus species C4, Acinetobacter species C5 and...

Author(s): Rebotiloe F. Morare, Eunice Ubomba-Jaswa, and Mahloro H. Serepa-Dlamini  

In vitro regeneration of Neocarya macrophylla (Sabine) Prance, wild fruit of Niger

August 2018

Neocarya macrophylla is a spontaneous fruit species that constitutes the dominant population of Dallol Bosso in Southwestern Niger. In order to test the in vitro regeneration ability of this species, micro-propagation was applied to micro-cuttings from young almond seedlings. The Murashige and Skoog basal medium was enriched with several concentrations of naphthaleneacetic...

Author(s): Aboubacar Kolafane and Sidikou Djermakoye Seyni Ramatou  

Biomanagement of Rose and carnation wastes in flower industries with three epigeic earthworm species: Eisenia fetida, Eisenia andrie and Dendrobanae veneta

August 2018

The horticulture sector in Ethiopia is being challenged by multifaceted hitches, among which managing excess wastes produced from the farms and minimizing the cost of inorganic fertilizers are the major ones. The performance of three epigeic earthworm species, Eisenia fetida, Eisenia andrie and Dendrobanae veneta, in managing flower (Rose and Carnation) wastes through vermicomposting was evaluated. The study was done...

Author(s): Gezahegn Degefe, Girum Tamire and Said Mohammed  

Effect of sample extraction, preparation methods on HPLC quantification of plumbagin in in vivo and in vitro plant parts of Plumbago zeylanica L.

August 2018

Plumbagin is an important therapeutic compound of Plumbago zeylanica L., the commercial demand of this compound warrants optimizing a suitable method to isolate plumbagin in large scale. The present study was undertaken to obtain the maximum recovery of plumbagin content by employing different extraction methods viz., ultra-assisted extraction (UAE), maceration extraction (ME), soxhlet extraction (SE), serial soxhlet...

Author(s): Krishna Muralidharan, Malaiyandi Jayanthi, Ramasamy Surendran, Muthusamy Balasubramanian and Shanmugam Girija  

Co-expressing house fly cytochrome P450 6A1 and human cytochrome P450 reductase in Escherichia coli to bioconvert insecticide aldrin

August 2018

Aldrin used in agricultural as well as industrial or home pest control is known to be a persistent organic pollutant, having chronic adverse effects on wildlife and humans. The degradation of aldrin has drawn a lot of attentions. In this study, house fly cytochrome P450 6A1 (CYP 6A1) or both house fly cytochrome P450 6A1 and human NADPH-P450 reductase (CPR) together was expressed in Escherichia coli cells to study their...

Author(s): Yating Wu, Yong Li, Xiaosheng Liang, Nan Jiang and Yunhua Wu  

Nuclear isolation and purification using SDS/urea (NIPSU) method for efficient and rapid extraction of high-purity genomic DNAs from Jatropha curcas L: A comparative analysis of DNA isolation protocols

August 2018

Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha) has gained popularity for its potential use in biodiesel production in arid regions, and its yield improvement by molecular breeding has been anticipated. However, Jatropha is known for its recalcitrance in the extraction of pure genomic DNAs. In this study, four DNA extraction methods were comparatively examined for their efficiency and quality of genomic DNA isolations from Jatropha....

Author(s): Yoshihiko Nanasato,, Ryo Uenoyama, Kaede Tomooka, Atsushi Kato, and Kinya Akashi,  

Comparative analysis of the chemical compositions of indigenous watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seeds from two districts in Limpopo Province, South Africa

August 2018

Seeds from different indigenous watermelons were analysed for their chemical composition such as phenolics, proteins, oils, minerals, ash and fibre content as well as antioxidant activity measured in methanol extract using 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The morphological variations of watermelons, which revealed diversity in terms of fruit and seed colour were also assessed. Average percentages for lipid...

Author(s): Emmanuel Alpheus Mogotlane, Phatlane William Mokwala and Phetole Mangena

Circular RNA expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients

August 2018

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, chronic autoimmune disease involving synovial inflammation and joint destruction. Lack of knowledge on RA pathogenesis hinders development of effective treatments. The aim of this study was to examine whether circular RNAs (circRNAs), which are involved in the development of other diseases, may also play a role in RA. Expression profiles of circRNAs were compared between...

Author(s): Xinqiang Song, Erqin Dai, Pengpeng Zhang, Shuai Wang, Lei Wang, Lei Chen, Yapeng Han and Yuan Luo#  

Evaluation and comparison of staining effect of Punica granatum flower extract on testis and ovary of Wistar rats: First results

August 2018

The evaluation and comparison of the staining effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum) flower extract (dye solution) on histological sections of rat testis and ovary provides a simple, quick technique for the visualisation of both cells. In the developed procedure, this work shows the staining effect of P. granatum flower extract used at different pH of dye bath and temperatures on the histological sections of rat testis...

Author(s): Nilgün Güler KuÅŸçulu  

In vitro inhibitory potentials of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Hyptis suaveolens on fungi associated with postharvest spoilage of Brassica oleracea

August 2018

The inhibitory potential of Hyptis suaveolens leaf and root extracts on fungi associated with postharvest spoilage of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) was examined. Collection of diseased cabbage was done in sterile sample bags . Isolation of fungi was carried out by inoculating small sections of diseased tissues excised from the cabbages unto Petri-dishes containing Acidified Potato Dextrose Agar (APDA)....

Author(s): Chidiebere R. Agbawodike, Ayodele A. Sobowale, Jonathan S. Gbolagade and Ifeanyi Oscar N. Aguzie  

Application of molecular and biotechnological techniques in plant disease management: A review

August 2018

Plant diseases are a major challenge in crop production. They are caused by nematodes, bacteria, fungi, viruses as well as plant nutritional factors. Diseases interfere with the normal physiological and metabolic processes of plants. This results in various effects including wilting, stunting, yellowing and death of plant tissues and organs. Crop losses due to diseases manifest in form of reduced yield, poor quality...

Author(s): Olivier Dayou, Maina Mwangi , Andrew Ogolla Egesa, Peter Munyao Muteti and Careen Ihazano Chumba  

Technological properties and sugar tolerance performance of palm wine yeasts isolated from parts of Nsukka, Nigeria

August 2018

The ability of yeasts to survive and produce significant ethanol in high sugar medium and high ethanol environment is essential for the use of such yeasts in industrial and edible ethanol production. Four Saccharomyces spp. strains () isolated from palm wine and an industrial strain were studied in high glucose medium for ethanol production and ability to survive in high sugar medium. Saccharomyces cerevisiae...

Author(s): Nsikak U. Stephen, Obeta J. Ugwuanyi and Ukponobong E. Antia  

Genetic variability, heritability and expected genetic advance of yield and yield related traits in common bean genotypes (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) at Abaya and Yabello, Southern Ethiopia

August 2018

This experiment was conducted to evaluate 36 common bean genotypes including seven released varieties to generate information on the extent of genetic variability, heritability and expected genetic advance of yield and yield related traits. The field experiment was conducted in 2015 at two locations (Abaya and Yabello) and genotypes were planted in triple lattice design. Data were collected on yield and important...

Author(s): Ejigu Ejara, Wassu Mohammed and Berhanu Amsalu  

Evaluation of Curcuma zerumbet (Zingibaraceae) rhizome extracts sub-acute toxicity on Wistar rats

July 2018

Plant extracts have been lately used by the population to treat various types of diseases, and this has been notably encouraged by the World Health Organization (WHO). Curcuma zerumbet (Zingiberaceae) belonging to the family of the Zingiberaceae, is herbaceous, perennial and, utilized by the population to treat gastric disorders. However, data on the subacute toxicity of this species are scarce in the literature....

Author(s): Márcia Seixas de Castro, Carlos Cleomir de Souza Pinheiro, Helyde Albuquerque Marinho and Amadis Batista Francisco  

Biotransformation of the residual liquid from the wet coffee benefit by Kluyveromyces marxianus

July 2018

The search for biotechnological alternatives for the use of residuals generated in the agro-industrial processing of coffee is a current problem. This study evaluated the biotransformation of the liquid residual of the humid coffee benefit using the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus CCEBI 2011. It was demonstrated that this strain is able to effectively use the reducing and neutral sugars in 24 h, for a yield of 40% in the...

Author(s): Cassamo Ussemane Mussagy, Kodjovi Kekeli Agbozouhoue and Manuel Serrat-Díaz  

Biosurfactant production by Bacillus subtilis UFPEDA 86 using papaya (Carica papaya L.) waste as substrate: Viability studies and pH influence of the culture medium

July 2018

Biosurfactants are surface-active compounds derived from microorganisms and offer several advantages over chemical surfactants, such as low toxicity, good biodegradability and ecological acceptability. Even though interest in biosurfactants is increasing, these bioproducts do not compete economically with synthetic surfactants due to the overall costs of the bioprocess. The use of inexpensive raw materials is an...

Author(s): Camylla Carneiro Soares, Adrielly Silva Albuquerque de Andrade, Gabriela Fontes Deiró Ferreira, Andrea Farias de Almeida, Janice Izabel Druzian and Ana Katerine de Carvalho Lima Lobato,  

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