February 2006
Microbial growth and substrate utilization kinetics
Microbial growth on and utilization of environmental contaminants as substrates have been studied by many researchers. Most times, substrate utilization results in removal of chemical contaminant, increase in microbial biomass and subsequent biodegradation of the contaminant. These are all aimed at detoxification of the environmental pollutants. Several microbial growth and biodegradation kinetic models have been...
February 2006
Is there any phylogenetic relationship between teleosts and the elasmobranchs?
There is still disagreement with regard to identifying the sister group of the tetrapods? Different hypotheses were suggested for this relationship. The aim of this article was to present and summarize some of these studies, which were based on the possible phylogenetic relationship between Chondrichtyes and land vertebrates (tetrapods). Key words: Phylogenetic, relationship, Chondrichthyes and...
February 2006
Subcloning and expression of human alpha-fetoprotein gene in Pichia pastoris
Alpha-fetoprotein protein (AFP) is naturally found in fetal serum while production and appearance after birth is indicative of presence of malignant tumors. Therefore, by measuring this protein during fetal period and after birth, it is possible to diagnose abnormalities and tumors in fetus or the newborn. The objective of this study was to produce and purify AFP protein using DNA recombinant technology to apply in...
February 2006
Expression of melanin and insecticidal protein from Rhodotorula glutinis in Escherichia coli
Both the salmon/red melanin and the insecticidal producing genes of Rhodotorula glutinis was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli using plasmid pZErO-1. This work suggests that in Rhodotorula species melanin and insecticidal toxin are co-expressed and therefore possibly co-evolved. Key words: Rhodotorula glutinis, Escherichia coli, Melanin,...
July 2005
Petroleum-hydrocarbon utilization by native bacterial population from a wastewater canal Southwest Nigeria
The application of a consortium of native bacterial species in bioremediation processes has long been desired in Nigeria because they would be cost effective and efficient in terms of acclimation time. Two Nigerian crude oils (Bonny light and Escravos blend) were exposed to the wastewater canal via oil impregnated membrane filters (0.45 µm diameter) for 21 days in a microcosm experiment. Bacterial...
January 2006
Bacteria associated with compost used for cultivation of Nigerian edible mushrooms Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr.) Singer, and Lentinus squarrosulus (Berk.)
The bacteria involved in an outdoor single phase composting using sawdust and wheat bran as substrates for cultivation of Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr.) Singer, andLentinus squarrosulus (Berk.), two Nigerian edible mushrooms were identified. Composting was carried out for 2 weeks. The highest core and peripheral temperatures were 68 and 48ºC, respectively, while the lowest temperature was 32ºC....
January 2006
Effects of application of phosphorus fertilizer on brown blotch disease of cowpea
A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of level of phosphorus application on brown blotch disease of cowpea during the planting seasons of 2001, 2002 and 2003. Application of phosphorus from Single Super Phosphate at 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg P2O5/ha significantly increased the number of petioles, pods, nodules, seed/pod leaf area and yield. The higher the level of application of phosphorus the...
February 2006
In vitro production of growth regulators and phosphatase activity by phosphate solubilizing bacteria
Crops absorb phosphorous in the form of soluble orthophosphate ion. The solubility of phosphate is inhibited by the presence of iron and aluminium in acidic soils and calcium in neutral and alkaline soils. This leads to fixation of phosphorous, making it not available to crop plants. The phosphate solubilizing bacteria (phosphobacteria) secretes some kinds of organic acids which act on insoluble phosphates and convert...
February 2006
Biodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene and its alkylated derivatives through the sulfur-specific pathway by the bacterium RIPI-S81
RIPI-S81 is a new dibenzothiophene (DBT)-desulfurizing bacterium, which was isolated by Research Institute of Petroleum Industry in Iran. Resting cells and growing cells of RIPI-S81 was able to convert alkylated dibenzothiophenes (Cx-DBTs) to hydroxybiphenyls such that they were almost stoichiometrically accumulated as the dead-end metabolites of Cx-DBTs desulfurization in the medium containing minimal...
February 2006
Evaluation of the chemical composition of two Nigerian medicinal plants
Nigerian medicinal plants (Aspilia africana and Bryophyllum pinnatum) were analyzed for their chemical composition, vitamins and minerals. The results revealed the presence of bioactive constituents comprising alkaloids (1.24 to 1.48 mg/100 g), saponins (1.46 to 1.72 mg/100 g), flavonoids (1.46 to 1.86 mg/100 g), phenols (0.06 mg/100g) and tannins (0.04 to 0.5 mg/100g). The medicinal plants contained ascorbic...
February 2006
Toxicity test and bacteriophage typing of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from food contact surfaces and foods prepared by families in Zaria, Nigeria
Strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from foods prepared in five families in Zaria Local Government Area were screened for enterotoxin production and phage pattern. Toxigenic strains of S. aureus were screened by the cat toxicity (emetic response), coagulase and DNase production tests and later phage typed by group I, II, III and IV phage sets at RTD (routine test dilution). Out of...
February 2006
Proximate analysis of Lentinus squarrosulus (Mont.) Singer and Psathyrella atroumbonata Pegler
Lentinus squarrosulus and Psathyrella atroumbonata, two mushroom species commonly found growing on dead leaves and logs, were collected from the Zaria environ and taken to the laboratory for further studies. Each of the mushroom species was separated into its stipe and pileus and used for proximate analysis. There was a highly significant difference (p<0.01) in the proximate composition of the two...
February 2006
Antimicrobial activity of Solanum tomentosum
Acetone, methanol and water extracts from the leaves of Solanum tomentosum were investigated for their antimicrobial activities. Growth inhibition was determined using agar dilution assays against ten selected bacterial and three fungal species. Acetone and methanol extracts were active against the Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. None of the extracts inhibited the growth...
February 2006
Induced growth of phytoplankton using two fertilizers (NPK and agrolyser) under laboratory conditions
An investigation was carried out on the ability of two types of fertilizer; agrolyser-micronutrient and NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium)-macronutrient in inducing phytoplankton growth for sixteen days under laboratory conditions. The parameters studied were abundance, species diversity and occurrence of the phytoplankton. Twelve 14 L plastics tanks labeled A, B, C and D was used. Each letter represented a...
February 2006
A new manometric method for measuring carbon dioxide production by dairy starter culture: a case of Leuconostoc mesenteroides
This paper describe a technique for carbon dioxide (CO2) measurement based on the displacement of acidifying liquid in burette at constant pressure. It was adapted to allow the growth of Leuconostoc sp. on semi-synthetic media and milk. A highly precise measurement was obtained using the chemical reaction of sodium carbonate with hydrochloric acid. This method has been proven to present an...
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