February 2006
Research progress on property and application of theaflavins
Theaflavins is a group of very important material from black tea with functions as antioxidant, cancer suppressor and inhibitor of pathogenic microorgnisms. A discription is given on the property, chemical structure and application of theaflavin in this paper. The present research situation of theaflavins both in China and abroad is also reviewed. Key words: Theaflavins, property, application.
February 2006
Analysis of genetic diversity in accessions of Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Rorke) Baill
Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was used to assess genetic diversity and relationships among 15 accessions of Irvingia gabonensiscollected from Cameroun, Gabon, and Nigeria. Twelve AFLP+3 primers produced 384 polymorphic fragments. Average genetic distance (AGD) between the 15 accessions was 58.7% (32-88%). AGD and range of genetic distance among accessions from Cameroun, Nigeria and Gabon were 62%...
February 2006
Gene frequencies of ABO and rhesus blood groups and haemoglobin variants in Ogbomoso, South–West Nigeria
The distribution and gene frequencies of ABO and rhesus (Rh) blood groups and haemoglobin variants for samples of the Nigerian population at Ogbomoso was determined. Data consisting of records of blood groups and haemoglobin types of different ages ranging from infants to adults for a period of 4 to 6 years (1995 – 2000) was collected from Baptist Medical Centre (BMC), Ladoke Akintola University of...
February 2006
Optimization of DNA isolation and PCR protocol for RAPD analysis of selected medicinal and aromatic plants of conservation concern from Peninsular India
Genetic analysis of plants relies on high yields of pure DNA samples. Here we present the optimization of DNA isolation and PCR conditions for RAPD analysis of selected medicinal and aromatic plants of conservation concern from Peninsular India containing high levels of polysaccharides, polyphenols and secondary metabolites. The method involves a modified CTAB extraction employing polyvinyl pyrrolidone while grinding,...
February 2006
Construction of barley consensus map showing chromosomal regions associated with economically important traits
In the past, it has been difficult to accurately determine the location of many types of barley molecular markers due to the lack of commonality between international barley linkage maps. In this study, a consensus map of barley was constructed from five different maps (OWB, VxHs, KxM, barley consensus 2 and barley consensus 2003) to produce the consensus AD-2005 map with 1536 markers. The QTL that have been identified...
February 2006
Yield stability analysis of pearl millet hybrids in Nigeria
Genotype x environment interaction in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] was studied for grain yield by growing 90 genotypes consisting of 81 hybrids and 9 inbred parents at 5 locations for 2 years. Genotype x environment interaction was observed, a large component of which was accounted for by non-linear regression on the environment means. Although the linear portion was significant, its magnitude was...
February 2006
A survey of the microflora of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) and the resulting “Zobo†juice
The dried calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) is locally processed into a non-alcoholic drink known as ‘Zobo’ in Nigeria. This popular drink is quite cheap compared to other bottled soft drinks but its acceptability is still limited because of its very short shelf life (24 h at room temperature). The composition and numbers of the microflora of the dried calyx of the Roselle plant and its...
February 2006
Influence of intra-row spacing and mulching on weed growth and bulb yield of garlic (Allium sativum l.) in Sokoto, Nigeria
Two field experiments were conducted during 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 dry seasons under irrigation at Kwalkwalawa Research Fadama Farm of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto to investigate the response of weed growth and bulb yield of garlic to intra-row spacing and mulching. The treatments consisted of three intra-row spacings (10, 15, and 20 cm) and four mulching rate (0, 5, 7 and 9 t/ha). These were laid out in split...
February 2006
Esterase and protease activities of Bacillus spp. from afitin, iru and sonru; three African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) condiments from Benin
Fifty strains of Bacillus spp. comprising Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis previously isolated from afitin, iru and sonru were examined for esterase and protease activities. The electrophoretic profiles of fermented African locust bean protein (ALBP), using strains presenting the highest protease activities in casein agar, were analyzed by SDS-PAGE to select strains with good ability to be used as starter...
February 2006
Purification and biochemical properties of a new thermostable xylanase from symbiotic fungus, Termitomyces sp.
A xylanase was purified from symbotic fungus, Termitomyces sp. by chromatography on columns of DEAE-Sepharose, CM-Sepharose, gel filtration and Phenyl-Sepharose. The preparation was shown to be homogenous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme displayed two protein bands on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and its molecular mass was estimated to 80-87 kDa. The xylanase exhibited...
February 2006
Evaluation of acute and subacute toxicities of aqueous ethanolic extract of leaves of Senna alata (L.) Roxb (Ceasalpiniaceae)
We investigated the acute and subacute toxicities of hydro-ethanolic extract of leaves of Senna alata (L.) Roxb. in Swiss mice and Wistar albino rats. The mice were divided into 6 groups of 10 animals and each group received once by intra-gastric gavages 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 times 1000 mg/kg dose of extract. Distilled water served as the control. For the subacute toxicity, three groups of 10 rats (5 males...
February 2006
Coagulants modulate the hypocholesterolemic effect of tofu (coagulated soymilk)
The recent increase in soymilk and tofu (coagulated soymilk) consumption especially in western countries is due to the recognition of the health benefits of soy foods. The amount and the type of coagulated biomolecules (such as isoflavones) vary with the type of coagulant, and this will inevitable alter their biological activity. This study sought to assess the effect of some coagulants (calcium chloride, alum and steep...
February 2005
Production potentials of anti-Plesiomonas shigelloides antibody
Out of the one hundred and fifty stool human samples screened for the prevalence of Plesiomonas shigelloides, only 3 (2%) were positive for the organisms. The positive isolates were used to produce P. shigelloides antibody in experimental animals (rabbits). Autopsy revealed marked inflammation of the liver, spleen and the kidney in the experimental animals not protected with the antibodies. This...
September 2006
The nutritional value of fourteen species of edible insects in southwestern Nigeria
Seventeen species of edible insects representing nine families from south western Nigeria were analyzed for nutrient composition. They include the orders of Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Isoptera. Analeptes trifasciata, Rhynchophorus phoenicis and Zonocerus variegatus has the highest crude protein content (29.62, 28.42 and 26.8%, respectively). The Ether Extract content ranged from 1.50 to...
February 2006
Fungal enrichment of cassava peels proteins
About 60% of the cassava produced all over the world is used for human consumption. These peels waste were found to contain 42.6% carbohydrate, 1.6% protein, 12.1% ether extract, 5.0% total ash and 22.5% crude fibre. With the advent of biotechnology approaches, there are opportunities for economic utilization of agro-industrial residues such as cassava peels waste. The Microorganisms isolated from the fermenting cassava...
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