African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12472

Table of Content: 10 September, 2014; 13(37)

September 2014

Assessment of genetic diversity analysis in contrasting sugarcane varieties using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

Sugarcane is an important crop in the country economically, politically and sociologically. It is the second largest agro-industry next to textiles. The selection and combination of parents for crossing rely on an understanding of their genetic structures and molecular diversity. In the present study, 28 sugarcane genotypes were used for genomic diversity analyses based on 30 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers...

Author(s): Vivekanand Pratap Rao, Reshu Chaudhary, Sanjay Singh and R. S. Sengar and Vinay Sharma

September 2014

Effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 on germination and seedling growth of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] and LD50 for in vitro screening for drought tolerance

Millet crop is an important cereal for food security and the fight against poverty and malnutrition in the arid Sahel. It is a staple grain for millions of people in West Africa and India. It has the advantage of tolerating drought-prone environments and low fertility soils. Recent climate change exacerbates the phenomenon of drought; hence, improving pearl millet drought tolerance became a present necessity. The...

Author(s): DAOUDA OUSMANE Sani and MOUHAMADOU MOUNKAILA Boureima

September 2014

Inducing and identifying artificially-induced polyploidy in bananas

In the present work, polyploidy was induced in the diploid banana varieties 'Malbut', 'Gold', 'Lidi', and 'Thong Dok Mak' through the use of colchicine and oryzalin, and that condition was identified through stomatal analysis, flow cytometry, and chromosome counts. Shoots produced in vitro were treated with colchicine at concentrations of 0, 2.5, 7.5 and 12.5 mM for 24 and 48 h, and with...

Author(s): Leila Aparecida Salles Pio, Moacir Pasqual, Sebastião de Oliveira e Silva, Hermínio Souza Rocha, Hélida Mara Magalhães and Janay de Almeida Santos-Serejo

September 2014

Removal of trace element by isolates of Aspergillus brasiliensis EPAMIG 0084 and Penicillium citrinum EPAMIG 0086 in biofilters

Coffee beans processing generates a large volume of wastewater composed of trace elements which can be detrimental to human health. The present study aimed at evaluating the capacity of strains of Aspergillus brasiliensis and Penicillium citrinum in tolerating and removing trace elements namely: Cu, Mn and Zn from coffee wastewater. The use of fungi in the treatment of polluted wastewater has emerged as a viable...

Author(s): Aline Ramalho Brandão Pereira, Cláudio Roberto Fonsêca Souza Soares, Júlia Ferreira da Silva, Manuela da Silva and Sara Maria Chalfoun,

September 2014

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of Salmonella serotypes in cow raw milk and milk products in Nigeria

The presence of Salmonella and human pathogens in unpasteurized milk remains a public health hazard. The study reported the phenotypic and molecular characterization of Salmonella serotypes in cow raw milk, cheese and traditional yoghurt marketed for man’s consumption in Nigeria. Isolation of Salmonella was done on Salmonella and Shigella agar by pour plate method at 37°C. Susceptibility to antibiotics was...

Author(s): Oluduro Anthonia Olufunke, Thonda Olukemi Abike and Kolawole Deboye Oriade

September 2014

Reduction of oligosaccharide content of soybeans by the action of Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from fermented cereals

Most African foods used in weaning are usually fermented cereals which supplies mainly carbohydrate. Unless these are supplemented with other nutrient sources, they may lead to excessive intake of carbohydrate which might cause malnutrition in growing children. Minimum dietary requirements of a child for protein could be met through fortification with legumes like cowpea, peanuts or soybeans but they contain raffinose...

Author(s): Adeyemo, S. M. and Onilude, A. A.

September 2014

Sensory, physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of Greek style yogurt flavored with pequi (Caryocar Brasiliense, Cambess)

The aim of this study was to develop Greek yogurt flavored with pequi and to assess its physicochemical and microbiological characteristics, as well as its shelf-life, sensory acceptance and purchase intent. Four yogurt formulations were prepared: no addition of Pequi pulp (control - treatment 1), 1% pequi pulp (treatment 2) 2% pequi pulp (treatment 3) and 3% pequi pulp (treatment 4). The levels of fat, moisture and ash...

Author(s): Silva, B. S., Resende, S. R., Souza, A. K, Silva, M. A. P., Plácido, G. R. and Caliari, M.

September 2014

Effects of jaboticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba) peel on blood glucose and cholesterol levels in healthy rats

The jaboticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg) peel was lyophilized and the proximate composition, total anthocyanins and polyphenolic content were determined. The effect of the freeze-dried jaboticaba peels (FJP) in the plasmatic levels of glucose, lipid fractions, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in Wistar adult male rats was investigated. The animals were distributed in four...

Author(s): Ângela Giovana Batista, Alice Vieira Leite-Legatti, Miriam Camila Garcia de Lima, Marcelo Alexandre Prado and Mário Roberto Maróstica Júnior

September 2014

Improving oxidative stability of ghee using natural oxidants from agri-industrial wastes

Bioactive compounds found in peanut skin (PS), pomegranate peels (PP) and olive pomace (OP) cake were extracted using ethanol (80%), ethyl acetate and hexane. The ethanol extract showed slightly better antioxidant characteristics than ethyl acetate and hexane extracts. Extracts showed varying degrees of antioxidant potential in different test systems in a dose-dependent manner. In general, it was observed that extracts...

Author(s): Kahled M. El-Zahar, and Gehan A. El-Shourbagy

September 2014

Role of folic acid in chlorpyrifos induced teratogenicity in mice

Folic acid is known to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects, in animal experiments however, it has not been effective in reducing the congenital anomalies caused by antiepileptics and many other chemicals. Pesticides of organophosphate group such as chlorpyrifos are widely used in agriculture and household, and are shown to be teratogenic in animal studies. This study was designed to explore the effect of folic...

Author(s): Raafea Tafweez

September 2014

Intestine histology, nutrient digestibility and body composition of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed on diets with both cotton and sunflower seed cakes

Physiological response of Nile tilapia to diets with both sunflower (SFSC) and cotton seed cakes (CSC) at increasing proportions (10%CSC25%SFSC; 15%CSC20%SFSC; 20%CSC15%SFSC; 25%CSC10%SFSC and a control that was a commercial tilapia diet) was investigated in two trials using diets containing 25% crude protein. Trial 1 run for 120 days in 15 happas of 1 m3 stocked with 35 fish of 5.72 g. Each treatment had three...

Author(s): Margaret Aanyu, Constantine Chobet Ondhoro, Euglance Ganda, Drago Charles Kato and Rose Komugisha Basiita

September 2014

Chemical composition of medicinal plants used as auxiliary treatments for obesity

The objective of this study was to find substances of pharmacological interest in a variety of medicinal plants, such as Aloe vera (L.) Burm. (aloe), Simaba ferruginea St. Hil. (calunga), Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC (carqueja), Garcinia cambogia Desr. and Tournefortia paniculata Cham. (Marmelinho), to aid in the treatment of obesity and other diseases. To reach this goal, phytochemical screenings were performed,...

Author(s): Anderson Assaid Simão, Angelita Duarte Corrêa, Fabiola Lage Fonseca, Juliana Mesquita Freire, Jovane Santa Silva, Rodrigo Martins Fraguas, Mariana Aparecida Braga, Estela de Rezende Queiroz and Flávia Cintia de Oliveira