African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12496

Table of Content: 1 June, 2016; 15(22)

June 2016

Comparative assessment of different poultry manures and inorganic fertilizer on soil properties and nutrient uptake of maize (Zea mays L.)

This study investigated soil physicochemical properties and nutrient uptake of a drought-tolerant maize variety (DT-SR-WC2) in a derived savanna zone of Southwestern Nigeria when different composted poultry manures (CPM) and inorganic fertilizer (IF) were applied. This was with a view to determining the essential trace elements and nutritional quality of the test crop. The experiment was a randomized complete block...

Author(s): Moses B. Adewole, Olusegun M. Otitoju and Aderonke A. Okoya

June 2016

Effects of 1.84 GHz radio-frequency electromagnetic field on sperm maturation in epididymis micro-environment

In recent years, intense interest has been drawn to the effects of radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on reproduction. To explore the effects of RF-EMF on sperm maturation in epididymis microenvironment, 24 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three exposed groups (SAR 1, 2 and 4 W/kg) and one sham group. The rats in exposed group were exposed to 1.84 GHz RF-EMF for 5 days (1 h/day)....

Author(s): Guangzhou An, Jing Li, Shenglong Xu, Tao Zhao, Kangchu Li, Jiajin Lin, Yan Zhou, Lihua Zeng, Guozhen Guo and Gui-Rong Ding

June 2016

Investigation of yeast genes possibly involved in mtDNA stability using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Screening of Caenorhabditis elegans genes possibly involved in the mitochondrial genome maintenance was performed using our previous validated method of RNAi combined with ethidium bromide. This was to knock down C. elegans genes homologous to yeast genes known to be involved in mtDNA stability but of unknown molecular function or to identify transient components that could play important role on the stability of mtDNA...

Author(s): Addo M. G., Cossard R., Pichard D., Obiri-Danso K., Rötig A. and Delahodde A.

June 2016

Molecular characterization of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genotypes using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers

19 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and five Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers were used to characterize 35 potato accessions originating from Mexico, Europe and U.S.A, with the aim of generating information on the genetic diversity and relationship among the genotypes for better exploitation in breeding programs. A total of 222 and 82 loci were generated by the RAPD and ISSR primers, respectively. Both...

Author(s): Onamu R., Legaria J., Rodríguez J. L., Sahagùn J. and Pèrez J.

June 2016

In vitro regeneration of ‘Feizixiao’ litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

A simple efficient in vitro plant regeneration system was developed by indirect somatic embryogenesis of ‘Feizixiao’ litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.). Pollen in the anther of monocytes was used to induce callus. Two auxins (naphthalene acetic acid [NAA] and 2,4-dichloriphenoxyacetic acid [2,4-D]), and two cytokines (kinetin [KT] and 6-benzyladenine [BA]) were tested to explore their influence on callus...

Author(s): Guo Wang, Huanling Li, Shujun Wang, Jinhua Sun, Xinchun Zhang and Jiabao Wang

June 2016

Standardization of DNA extraction from invasive alien weed Parthenium hysterophorus

DNA isolation from the weed, Parthenium hysterophorus is complicated due to the presence of high amount of allelochemicals in the form of secondary metabolites that causes hindrance in extraction and enzymatic reactions. A modified and efficient DNA extraction from P. hysterophorus leaf has been developed. The present protocol is a modified version of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method constituting high salt...

Author(s): Javed Ahmad, Mohamed M. Ibrahim, M. Affan Baig,  Arlene A. Ali and M. Irfan Qureshi

June 2016

Subcritical water extraction of bioactive compounds from dry loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) leaves and characterization of triterpenes in the extracts

Medicinal properties of loquat leaf extracts (LLEs) are associated with their constituents of phenolic compounds and triterpenes. In this study, the efficacy of subcritical water extraction (SWE) technique was assessed by comparing with conventional solid-liquid extraction (CE) and Soxhlet extraction (SE). Results showed that the highest yields of total polyphenols were 82.7 ± 1.5 mgGAE/g leaf weight (LW), total...

Author(s): Erasto Mlyuka, Shuang Zhang, Zongping Zheng and Jie Chen,

June 2016

Nutritional profiles of tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus) plant organs during its growth cycle

This study was carried out to determine major nutrient profiles changes of tiger nut plant during its growth period. The plant leaves, roots, tuber moisture, starch, fat and protein were analyzed by oven drying, enzymatic hydrolysis, glucose assay, soxhlet extraction and kjeldahl methods. The results show the moisture content was decreased during its growth cycle but varied with different plant organ. For leaves, the...

Author(s): Jing Si-qun#, Ebeydulla Rahman#, Zheng-hui Chen and Yao-xiang Wang

June 2016

Bioremediating silty soil contaminated by phenanthrene, pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene using Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp.: Biosurfactant/Beta vulgaris agrowaste effects

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are recalcitrant contaminants which are routinely found in numerous environmental matrices, contributing to ecological degradation. In this study, the removal of LMW and HMW PAHs with 4- and 5-benzene rings, by Bacillus licheniformis STK 01, Bacillus subtilis STK 02 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa STK 03, was evaluated in silty soil for a period of 60 days. Subsequently, a...

Author(s): Olusola S. Amodu,, Tunde V. Ojumu and Seteno K. O. Ntwampe

June 2016

Temporal profiles of intra- and extracellular laccase isoenzymes from Pleurotus ostreatus produced in submerged and solid-state cultures

Laccases are enzymes that have a great potential for use in breaking down toxic compounds. Fungal laccases show high enzymatic activity, especially those produced by basidiomycetes. Depending on the culture conditions and the strain used, a variety of isoenzymes and/or enzymatic activities can be obtained. In this study, extracellular laccase enzymes produced by Pleurotus ostreatus was identified in a submerged culture...

Author(s): Anahí Armas-Tizapantzi, Elizet Cuatecontzi-Cuautle, Francisco J. Fernández, Arturo Estrada-Torres and Alba Mónica Montiel-González