March 2007
TEM-145 and TEM-146 β-lactamases produced by Escherichia coli isolates from state hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Two Escherichia coli isolates which were isolated from the urine of patients in state hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa were investigated to determine the sequence of the TEM β-lactamases responsible for their resistance to β-lactamase inhibitors. The isolates were subjected to MIC determinations, iso-electric focusing analysis, plasmid analysis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the...
March 2007
Characterization of wheat varieties by seed storage-protein electrophoresis
Wheat grains of thirteen varieties were collected from different ecological regions of Pakistan. The variability of seed storage-proteins was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Electrophorogram for each variety were scored and Jaccard‘s similarity index (JSI) was calculated. Genetic diversity of wheat was evaluated by constructing the dendrogram for high molecular...
March 2007
Genetic variations and degree of correlation in four ecological variants of Gaultheria fragrantissima Wallich in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Western Ghats, India
The four ecological variants (ovate, lanceolate, elliptic-lanceolate and oblanceolate leaf types) of Gaultheria fragrantissima (family, Ericaceae) in Nilgiris are varied much between them in respect of 12 characters studied. The magnitudes of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were more or less equal for many characters and it indicates the least influence of...
March 2007
Studies of microbial development on mycorrhizosphere and rhizosphere soils of potted maize plants and the inhibitory effect of rhizobacteria isolates on two fungi
Extracts from maize rhizosphere and mycorrhizosphere soil (both sterilized and unsterilized) were studied to assess the compatibility of the arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) fungus (Glomus mosseae) with certain soil fungi, bacteria and rhizobacteria followed by assessment of the inhibitory effect of the identified rhizobacteria on growth in culture of some selected fungi. The treatments were “non sterile soil without...
March 2007
Isolation, characterization and expression analysis of BrMyb from Erwinia carotovora subsp. Carotovora diseased Chinese cabbage
Plant MYB Transcription factors play important roles in defense responses. We described here a novel gene BrMyb encoding MYB transcription factor homologue was isolated from Erwinia carotovora subsp. Carotovora (Ecc) pathogens diseased Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) and named as BrMyb. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned BrMyb revealed a single open reading frame of 1047 bp coding for 348 amino...
March 2007
Effects of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid formulations as yield stimulants on Hevea brasiliensis
Stimulation of Hevea brasiliensis is a common practice in rubber estates. The chemicals commonly used are formulations of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon). Low frequency of tapping must be accompanied by use of yield stimulants in order to enjoy the economics of low tapping frequency. It is thus necessary to evaluate the effects of the available yield stimulants on Hevea in order to better...
March 2007
Macronutrient composition of three cucurbit species cultivated for seed consumption in Côte d’Ivoire
Dry seeds from three indigenous cucurbits [Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (Thumb.) Matsum. & Nakai., Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin, and Cucumis melo var. agrestis L.] largely cultivated in Côte d’Ivoire and consumed as sauce thickeners were analyzed for their proximate composition and compared to a local landrace of peanut (Arachis hypogae L.). The protein contents were...
March 2007
The effects of sodium azide and colchicine treatments on morphological and yield traits of sesame seed (Sesame indicum L.)
Seeds of Sesame (Sesame indicum L.) were exposed to varying concentrations of sodium azide and colchicine solutions ranging from 0 - 0.250% (w/v). Variations in the percentage germination and survival, number of days to maturity, plant heights, total leaf area/plant, chlorophyll content, pollen sterility, dry matter and fruit size were recorded in the C1 and C2 generations. The frequency of...
March 2007
Genetic diversity of seed lipid content and fatty acid composition in some species of Sesamum L. (Pedaliaceae)
Genetic diversity in seed oil content and fatty acid composition in six wild species of genus Sesamum viz., Sesamum mulayanum, Sesamum capense, Sesamumlaciniatum, Sesamum latifolium, Sesamum occidentale and Sesamum schinzianumwere studied and compared with the cultivated species Sesamum indicum or sesame. Seed oil content ranged from...
March 2007
Seasonality of the mycoflora of the crown disease complex of the vegetative organs of the grapevine Vitis vinifera cvar Anap-e-Shahe
The mycoflora associated with lesions on the vegetative organs of Anap-e-Shahe cultivar of grapevine in Zaria were monitored for 3 years. The symptoms varied with the seasons but were the same over the years studied. The mycoflora detected on the lesions were consistent with the symptoms. Except for pruning interruptions, Epicoccumsp., Penicillum sp., Aspergillus sp....
March 2007
Variation of productivity and nutritive values of oat (Avena sativa) with geographical locations in Gansu Province of Northwest China under irrigation and fertilization conditions
Field experiments were conducted in low, medium and high sites; Jingqianghe, Huangzangsi and Lanzhou areas of Gansu Province, China from 2000 to 2001 to investigate the effects of geographical locations on herbage dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive values of oat. It was found that the plant growing in Jingqianghe area yielded the highest forages (16046.0 DM/hm2) at high accumulation rate (300 kg ha-1d-1) and within...
March 2007
Influence of different cytokinins used in in vitro culture on the stoma morphology of pistachio (Pistacia vera L. cv. Siirt)
Three different cytokinins (BA, kinetin and TDZ at 1 mg/l) were tested in order to study their effects on pistachio stoma morphology. Additional BA concentrations of 0.25, 0.625 and 2 mg/l were also tested. The stoma morphology of pistachio leaves in vitrowas affected by cytokinins. Stomas obtained from 1 mg/l BA medium were similar to those developed in vivo. TDZ, kinetin and other BA concentrations resulted...
March 2007
Identification of potential fungal strain(s) for the production of inducible, extracellular and alkalophilic lipase
In the present study, a total of 32 fungal organisms belonging to 3 different genera were isolated from various sources of which 4 (three Aspergillus sp. and one Mucor sp.) were found to be positive for lipase production. Rhodamine B rapid screening technique was used to determine the lipase activity. Mucor sp. was found to exhibit a maximum fluorescence zone at 350 nm. Among the...
March 2007
Contribution to light transmittance modelling in starch media
Light transmittance (%T) studies were carried out at 650 nm in several types of starch-based media such as natural tropical and non tropical starch pastes and simplified model media. With natural starch pastes (1% db), the clarity ranged from 8%T (ginger starch) to 79%T (potato starch), with intermediate values for cassava starch (47%T) and waxy maize (35%T). These values depended mainly on the...
March 2007
Production and characterization of fungal amylase enzyme isolated from Aspergillus sp. JGI 12 in solid state culture
Aspergillus species isolated from various seeds were screened for their ability to produce amylase. A selected strain, Aspergillus sp. JGI 12, showed the highest amylase activity in solid state fermentation. Different substrates were screened for enzyme production. Coconut oil cake, groundnut oil cake and rice bran were found to be very good substrates for enzyme production. Different combinations; wheat...
March 2007
Analgesic and anti- inflammatory activities of the ethanolic stem bark extract of Kigelia africana (Bignoniaceae)
The ethanolic extract of Kigelia Africana, Family: (Bignoniaceae) was evaluated for analgesic property using acetic acid induced mouse writhing and hot plate reaction time and anti-inflammatory property using the carrageenan induced paw edema and its probable mechanism evaluated in mice and guinea pigs. K. africana extract showed a dose dependent significant reduction of the number of writhes (P<0.001)...
March 2007
Proximate and microbial analyses of burukutu and pito produced in Ilorin, Nigeria
The organoleptic property of burukutu and pito was investigated. The pH ranged between 3.9 and 5.3, alcoholic content 0.0 and 1.8%, dry matter 1.7 and 5.3, and crude protein 0.8 and 3.2%. The Magnesium content of the samples range between 13 - 116 ppm, laboratory prepared burukutu was found to contain the highest calcium and the lowest was found in pito (unfermented). The calcium content of the samples...
March 2007
The histopathologic effects of Securidaca longepedunculata on heart, liver, kidney and lungs of rats
Securidaca longepedunculata is a savannah shrub commonly used by traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria; the plant is reputed to have over one hundred medicinal indications. In this investigation, the histopathologic effects of S. longepedunculata on the heart, kidneys, liver and lungs of rats were examined. Albino rats (Sprague Dawley strain) weighing 200 – 250 g were given 2 mg/kg (I.P) of...
March 2007
Hypocholesterolaemic effect of ethanolic extract of fresh leaves of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass)
Hypocholesterolaemic effect of ethanolic extract of fresh leaves of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) was investigated using albino rats. Hypercholesterolaemia was induced in the animals by feeding with egg yolk fortified diet for 14 days. The plant extract was administered orally to two groups, doses of 200 and 100 mg/kg body weight respectively for 7 days. Physical activities, food and water intake and body...
March 2007
HPLC determination of sugars and atomic absorption analysis of mineral salts in fresh figs of Tunisian cultivars
The major nutrient components in fig (Ficus carica L., Moraceae) are sugars and mineral elements, mainly starch, followed by glucose, fructose, K, Ca, Mg, Na and Zn. These nutrients composition are some of the most important elements in the assessment to the commercial quality of fig fruits. In this study, we assessed glucose and fructose contents in different Tunisian fresh fig cultivars using high...
March 2007
Optimization of process conditions for cassava (Manihot esculenta) lafun production
Optimization of cassava (Manihot esculenta, NR8082 clone) lafun production and evaluation was carried out using response surface methodology. The selected experimental design had three variables and five levels referred to as central composite design. Process variables were inoculum volume, fermentation time and drying temperature. Inoculum volumes were 1.50, 2.00, 2.50, 3.00 and 3.50 l. Fermentation times...
March 2007
Reduction of ochratoxin A (OTA) in spiked cocoa powder and beverage using aqueous extracts and essential oils of Aframomum danielli
In this study, attempts were made to artificially contaminate cocoa powder and cocoa beverage with standard ochratoxin A at 100, 120, 140, 160, 180 and 200 ppb. All these levels were far above the EU regulatory limits of 2 ppb for cocoa and cocoa products. Concentrations of Aframomum danielli essential oils used were 0, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 ppm and aqueous extracts 0, 500, 700 and 750 ppm in the cocoa powder...
March 2007
Some physico-chemical characteristics and heavy metal profiles of Nigerian rivers, streams and waterways
Water samples of 72 rivers, streams and waterways in Southern Nigeria were carefully collected and the following physico-chemical analyses subjected on the samples. Temperature, colour, taste, turbidity, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity and heavy metal profiles (Pb, Cr, Cd, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu) were assessed among the entire samples collected. The turbidity (NTU) of 93% of all the samples was higher...
March 2007
Parasitological examinations and food composition in the gut of feral African carp, Labeo coubie in the Cross River, Southeastern, Nigeria
The food composition and the parasitic infections of the African carp (Labeo coubie)were investigated. Analysis of stomach content of 445 specimens of L. coubie in the Cross River shows that it as a detritivore/herbivore, as well as a benthic feeder with a wide feeding range. There was no significant difference in seasonal variation of the food composition of L. coubie as virtually all the food items...
March 2007
Evaluation of larvicidal activity of the leaf extract of a weed plant, Ageratina adenophora, against two important species of mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus
An attempt is made in the present study to analyse the larvicidal effect of the leaf extract of a vastly grown (in the hilly regions of the Nilgiris district) weed plant, Ageratina adenophora on two important mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The larval mortality of fourth instar larvae of A. aegypti and C.quinquefasciatus after 24 h of treatment...
March 2007
Response of maize and cucumber intercrop to soil moisture control through irrigation and mulching during the dry season in Nigeria
Replicate field plots were used in experiments aimed at evaluating the yield potentials of maize and cucumber intercrop resulting from the control of soil moisture through irrigation and mulching, for a period of eleven weeks. Three irrigation depths, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 mm; and two mulch levels, zero mulch and 10 ton/ha of oil palm bunch refuse as mulch material were employed, while the third option involved...
Advertisement
Advertisement
