African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Table of Content: June 2020; 19(6)

June 2020

Responses of soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) associated with variable plant density stress applied at different phenological stages: Plasticity or elasticity?

The study evaluated developmental responses associated with plant population density stress applied at different phenological phases and effects on grain yield in determinate and indeterminate soybean (Glycine max L.). A split-split plot design with four replications, with variety (main plot), plant density (sub plot) and thinning time (sub-subplot) was adopted. Two determinate genotypes (Lukanga and SC Semeki) and an...

Author(s): Noah Manda and Mebelo Mataa  

June 2020

Sub-acute and chronic toxicity of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Azadirachta indica extract

In this study, biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and its toxicity were investigated. Different functional groups responsible for adsorption, morphology and absorption of the nanoparticle were characterized using UV-Vis, Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses, respectively. The toxicity of orally administered Azadirachta indica AgNPs was assessed in...

Author(s): Emma Nghilokwa, Judith Sokei, Peter Mwitari and Naomi Maina

June 2020

Optimization of plant growth regulators for meristem initiation and subsequent multiplication of five virus tested elite sweet potato varieties from Ethiopia

Vegetatively propagated crops are exposed to pests every growing season, providing them with the opportunity to feed on the plants and transmit diseases. Meristem culture is an important method to clean for viruses to restore high yields. Media optimizations with different concentrations and combinations of 6-benzylamino purine (BAP) and Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) were tested for their effects on shoot initiation...

Author(s): Dereje H. Buko, and Trine A. K. Hvoslef-Eide  

June 2020

Selection for and biochemical characterization of DDT resistance in laboratory strains of Anopheles arabiensis

Resistance to conventional insecticides still constitutes a major obstacle to control of malaria vectors. Xenobiotic pollutants encountered by aquatic stages of natural populations of malarial vector species in agricultural and domestic environment are often selected due to resistance to various insecticides. The Laboratory Matatuine (MAT) and Kayamba (KGB) strains of Anopheles arabiensis were subjected to controlled...

Author(s): Yayo A. M., Ado A., Safiyanu M. and Hemingway J.  

June 2020

Comparison and optimization for DNA extraction of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

The extraction of high-quality DNA from okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is notoriously troublesome due to the high contents of polysaccharides, polyphenols, and different secondary metabolites. We have tested seven extraction buffers on silica dried okra leaves. Here, we describe a simple, rapid and modified procedure for high-quality DNA extraction from okra, which is amenable for downstream analyses. In...

Author(s): Letebrhan Kidane, Marie Kalousova and Hewan Demissie

June 2020

Lactic acid bacteria fermentation of coconut milk and its effect on the nutritional, phytochemical, antibacterial and sensory properties of virgin coconut oil produced

Coconut oil has profound health benefits but the high content of fatty acids is a concern to many consumers, as several processing methods have failed to produce oil with considerable change in fatty acid content. In this study, selected lactic acid bacteria including Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus pentosus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Enterococcus faecium were used to ferment coconut milk for production of...

Author(s): Olateru Comfort T., Popoola Bukola M., Alagbe Gbolahan O. and Ajao Omobayonle  

June 2020

TetraSOD® activates the antioxidant response pathway in human cells: An in vitro approach

The combined action of both endogenous and exogenous factors stimulates the production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells. They are neutralized by an elaborate antioxidant defense system, superoxide dismutase (SOD) being the first line of enzymes involved in ROS scavenging. However, when ROS production cannot be counteracted by cellular antioxidant mechanisms oxidative stress happens, inducing...

Author(s): Pilar Ramírez, Sonia Torres, Carmen Lama, Lalia Mantecón, Carlos Unamunzaga and Carlos Infante  

June 2020

Potential applications of enzymes on the extraction of vitexin from dried Mas Cotek leaves

Mas Cotek or Ficus deltoidea var. deltoidea leaves extracts contain various beneficial properties such as antidiabetic, antihypoglycemic and antioxidant activities, which can be enzymatically extracted in water. Vitexin is one of the antioxidants and remarkable compound of flavone C-glycosides found in Mas Cotek leaves. Cellulase is one of the essential enzymes applied to hydrolyze cellulose into fermentable sugars and...

Author(s): N. Alim, A. Naila, A. Ajit, A. Z. Sulaiman and M. N. Che Isa

June 2020

Assessment of genetic diversity among cassava landraces using single nucleotide polymorphic markers

This study seeks to determine the genetic diversity among cassava landraces using single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers. One hundred and five cassava landraces were assayed with 195 SNP markers. Major allele frequency varied from 0.500 to 0.942 with an average of 0.728. Average gene diversity, heterozygosity and polymorphic information content (PIC) were 0.359, 0.314 and 0.286 respectively. These values were...

Author(s): Ruth Naa Ashiokai Prempeh, Joseph Akwasi Manu-Aduening, Marian Dorcas Quain, Isaac Kwasi Asante, Samuel Kwasi Offei and Eric Yirenkyi Danquah  

June 2020

Cytotoxic effects of some essential oils on Mcf-7, Hfs and Hct116 cell lines

This study investigates the chemical composition and cytotoxic effects of three essential oils of rosemary, lemon and orange, as well as its effects on breast cancer (MCF-7), human foreskin fibroblasts (HFS) and colorectal carcinoma (HCT116) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods, leading to identification of a different compound by GC-MS. Eicosapentaenoic acid (13.79%) and heptatriacotanol (13.79%)...

Author(s): Nehad A. Shaer, Nouf  S. Al-Abbas, Amal A. Mohamed, and  Mehal A. Alqriqri