May 2022

Commercialization of genetically modified crops in Africa: Opportunities and challenges

Genetically modified (GM) crops offer potential for enhancing agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers in Africa. After nearly three decades of research and development collaboration and regulatory capacity strengthening, several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are moving towards commercializing GM crops for the benefit of smallholder farmers. South Africa approved genetically modified (GM) cotton, maize...

Author(s): Endale Gebre Kedisso, Karim Maredia, Joseph Guenthner and Muffy Koch

May 2022

Preliminary verification of the adoption status of some yam (Dioscorea rotundata and Dioscorea alata) varieties in Nigeria using microsatellites markers

The persistent low yield and farmers’ preference of their traditional yam varieties over the improved varieties necessitated this study to verify the adoption status of the released varieties in Nigeria. A total of 48 accessions of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) were sampled from six states of Ebonyi, Enugu, Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa and Oyo within Nigeria yam-belt and were genotyped for relatedness to four released...

Author(s): Nwogha J. S., Obidiegwu J. E., Okereke R. N, Bhattacharjee R. and Oselebe H. O.

May 2022

Efficient callus-mediated system for commercial production of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) planting material in Ghana

An efficient callus-mediated regeneration system was developed for high-frequency production of planting material of sugarcane genotypes LSC and B36464. Spindle leaf segments cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with 2,4-D or picloram at 1, 2, 3 or 4 mg/L resulted in callus induction. Callus induction was higher on 2,4-D amended medium compared to picloram. Nevertheless, for both auxins, callus induction improved...

Author(s): Azu Elaine, Elegba Wilfred, Asare Abigail Tweneboah, Asare Kwame, Akama Christian, Asare Patience, Annor Clement, Azure Samuel and Danso Kenneth

May 2022

Characterization and antimicrobial activities of lactic acid bacteria isolated from selected Nigerian traditional fermented foods

For production and preservation of traditional fermented foods, the genera, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been used. This study was carried out to determine the characteristics and the antimicrobial activities of lactic acid bacteria isolated from selected Nigerian traditional fermented foods. Changes in pH and titratable acidity (TA) of the samples were investigated for a period of four days (96 h). Eleven tentative...

Author(s): Ohaegbu Chinedu Godspower, Ngene Anayochukwu Chibuike, Asuquo Unyime Inyang, Coulthard Oluwatoyin Debby and Nwachukwu Ejikeme

May 2022

New technique for improving fish packaging hygiene and prolonged shelf life

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have received great attention due to their optical, physical, and antimicrobial properties. They have toxic effect against microbes without any effect on mammalians cells. They are used in several applications including extending the shelf life of food. The study aims to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations of ZnO NPs against different aquaculture fish fungus species and...

Author(s): Elsharawy Nagwa T., Baabdullah Wafa A. and Alkaladi Ali