December 2014
Seasonal influence on sexual hormones and semen plasma parameters of Arabian sand gazelles (Gazalla subgutrosa marica) in Saudi Arabia
The plasma levels of testosterone (T), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were evaluated in Arabian sand gazelles Gazalla subgutrosa marica to reveal their relation with the sexual desire and testicular efficiency. The levels of those hormones fluctuated over the year; the FSH peak (2.212 ml/mlu) was in October (the beginning of reproductive season). LH level peaked in November (0.73...
December 2014
Selective isolation and screening of fungi with herbicidal potential and evaluation of herbicidal activity against Vernonia species
In irrigated agriculture, weed control through chemical herbicides, creates various environmental and health hazards which lead to the search for an alternate method of weed management, which is an eco-friendly and effective means. Biological control of weeds using microorganism is now extensively studied to control various economic important weeds. In the present study, herbicidal activity of crude metabolites...
December 2014
Partial purification and some physicochemical properties of Aspergillus flavus α-amylase isolated from decomposing cassava peels
α-Amylase is one of the most important enzymes of great significance due to its wide area of potential application in food, fermentation, textile, paper, detergent and pharmaceutical industries. This study aimed at production of α-amylase from an indigenous fungal source and also ascertaining the properties of the enzyme for maximal activity. The enzyme was isolated from decomposing cassava peels,...
December 2014
An active form of calcium and calmodulin dependant protein kinase (ccamk) of Medicago truncatula
The DMI3 gene of the model legume Medicago truncatula encodes a calcium and calmodulin dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) involved in the signalling pathways leading to the establishment of both mycorrhizal and rhizobial root symbiosis. The removal of the auto-inhibitory domain that negatively regulates the kinase activity in M. truncatula results in a constitutively-active form, inducing symbiotic responses in the...
December 2014
In vitro anthelmintic effects of crude aqueous extracts of Tephrosia vogelii, Tephrosia villosa and Carica papaya leaves and seeds
The prevalence of anthelmintic resistance and the consumer demand for alternative farming systems that limit the use of chemical anthelmintics has made the search for alternative gastrointestinal nematode parasites control methods crucial. Traditional medicinal/herbal plants can offer an alternative to the reliance on chemical anthelmintic drugs. This study evaluates the efficacy of crude aqueous extracts of Tephrosia...
December 2014
Thinking out of the box: MADS-box genes and maize spikelet development
Due to the importance of maize as an agricultural crop and its stature as an ideal model plant for the study of developmental biology in monocots, it is natural that research into its genetic structure has gained worldwide attention. Unfortunately, although much progress has been made in our understanding of the genetic control of the maize spikelet over the last decade, the depth of research in this field still lags...
December 2014
Anti-toxoplasma gondii activity of constituents from Balsamocitrus camerunensis L (Rutaceae)
Isolation, characterization and anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity of constituents from the CH2Cl2/MeOH (1/1) extract of the roots of the cameroonian plant Balsamocitrus camerunensis L. were investigated in this study. Four known coumarins derivatives were isolated, namely, marmin (1), imperatorin (2), xanthoxyletin (3), 6,7-Dimethoxycoumarin (4) and an acridone derivative namely 1-hydroxy-3-methoxy-acridone (5). Their...
December 2014
Effect of three types of composts of olive oil by-products on growth and yield of hard wheat "Triticum durum Desf.â€
The extraction of olive oil generates colossal by-products quantities; generally unexploited and causes serious environmental problems in Algeria. In tackling this problem, we performed three types of composts (C1: 50% cows manure, 50% olive husks and olive mill wastewaters; C2: 50% olive husks treated by the lime, 50% cows manure with fresh urea and olive mill wastewaters; C3: 50% olive husks, 50% cows manure and...
December 2014
Screening and detection of extracellular cellulases (endo- and exo-glucanases) secreted by filamentous fungi isolated from soils using rapid tests with chromogenic dyes
The screening plate method is commonly used for previous detection of cellulases produced by micro-organisms with biotechnological potential. In this manuscript, the authors aim to evaluate the hydrolytic ability of different fungi isolated from soil for the production of cellulolytic enzymes for cellulose degradation and determining the enzymatic index (EI) in relation to the growth of fungal colony and halo. The fungi...
December 2014
Use of pectin in the postharvest conservation of tangerine
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the postharvest behavior of tangerine coated with different pectin concentrations during storage under controlled temperature (22°C ± 0.1). Fruits with green color (± 90% of the surface) were divided into four groups: fruits without any coating (T1) and fruits coated with pectin solution at 4 g / 100 g (T2), 6 ml / 100 ml (T3) and 8 g / 100 ml (T4)....
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