December 2005
Techniques for detecting genetically modified crops and products
The cultivation of genetically modified crops is becoming increasingly important; more traits are emerging and more acres than ever before are being planted with GM varieties. The release of GM crops and products in the markets worldwide has increased the regulatory need to monitor and verify the presence and the amount of GM varieties in crops and products. Labeling legislation and...
December 2005
Seed constraint to cultivation and productivity of African indigenous leaf vegetables
Non-availability of improved seeds constitutes a major constraint to the cultivation and productivity of the indigenous leaf vegetables (ILVs) of Africa. Research on African ILVs has focused mainly on the ethnobotany, collection, preservation, and the assessment of food value and chemical composition of the ILVs. No serious breeding and seed production research has been done on the ILVs. This paper examines some factors...
December 2005
Application of tissue culture to cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) breeding: An appraisal
Summary of the previous works on the in vitro culture of cashew is highlighted with emphasis on the critical factors that influence the explants response and plantlet regeneration. The recalcitrant nature of cashew has been attributed to the limited success recorded so far in the in vitro culture of the crop and abnormal development has been reported in the calli derived from its explants. Browning of explants in cashew...
December 2005
Developing Bt maize for resource-poor farmers – Recent advances in the IRMA project
This paper presents an overview of the advances in the IRMA project, which develops insect resistant maize varieties for resource-poor farmers, using both conventional breeding and genetic engineering. The project started in 1999 and is active in product development, impact assessment, and communication, all within the Kenya regulatory framework. So far, four application for introduction of tissue or commencement of...
December 2005
Bt maize for small scale farmers: a case study
The role of biotechnology in small holder agricultural systems has been the subject of much debate in South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region as a whole. The debate has centered on the suitability of biotechnology crops in small holder agricultural systems. In South Africa, genetically modified (GM) white maize was approved for commercial production in 1998. To educate and inform...
December 2005
Structure, health benefits, antioxidant property and processing and storage of carotenoids
The conjugated system in which the p electrons are delocalised over the entire length of the polyene chain is responsible for the molecular shape, chemical and physical reactivity and the antioxidant properties of carotenoids. It is sensitive to heat, light and oxygen. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxidation is the major cause of carotenoid destruction during processing and storage of food. Bio-availability of carotenoids...
December 2005
Risk and health implications of polluted soils for crop production
Studies of polluted soils have shown heavy metals contamination of the soils as well the uptake of these toxic elements by plants. Consequently, there are reasons for concern over elevated concentration levels of heavy metal/toxic elements in polluted soils. This can ultimately result in high human and animal exposure to these toxic elements through food-chain transfer, ingestion of wind blown dust or direct ingestion...
December 2005
Amylases and their applications
Amylases are widely distributed and are one of the most studied enzymes. These enzymes have wide scale application ranging from textile to effluent treatment. Key words: Amylases, starch degrading enzymes, applications.
December 2005
Phytochemical constituents of Cassia fistula
Since the advent of modern drug treatments, traditional medicine has greatly receded in occidental societies. Moreover, only a limited number of medicinal plants have received detailed scientific scrutiny thereby prompting the World Health Organisation to recommend that this area be comprehensively investigated. Cassia fistula Linn is used extensively in various parts of the world against a wide range of...
December 2005
Kinetics of radionuclides and heavy metals behaviour in soils: Implications for plant growth
The extent of metal and radionuclide contamination in the world is immense. In soils, metals and radionuclide can be dissolved in solution, or ion exchanged in reaction, complexed with soil organics or precipitate as pure or mixed solids. Soluble contaminants are subject to migration with soil water, uptake by plants or aquatic organisms or loss due to volatilization. Lead, chromium, zinc, arsenic and cadmium are the...
December 2005
Bioremediation of textile effluent using Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Enormous volumes of effluent are generated at different stages of textile manufacturing, as a result of the use of copious amounts of chemicals and dyes. Several tons of textiles required to meet up with societal demands are produced daily in this industry. Effluent derived from the textile and dyestuff activities can provoke serious environmental impact in the neighboring receptor water bodies because of the presence...
December 2005
Loa loa and Mansonella perstans: Neglected human infections that need control in Nigeria
Despite the continued endemicity of Loa loa and Mansonella perstans infections in many parts of Nigeria, there has been no meaningful large-scale control program against them. This paper presents the epidemiological status of the infections in Nigeria, evaluates and emphasizes the severity of the recorded clinical symptoms, justifies the need for a control program, and proffers possible control measures. It is shown...
December 2005
Overview of b-lactamase incidence on bacterial drug resistance
The bacterial drug resistance is its ability to grow in presence of high concentration of an antibiotic. The massive and often unsuitable use of antibiotic tends to select the resistant mutants that are then disseminated. The β-lactam antibiotics represent an antibiotic family widely used because of their remarkable tolerance by animal organism. This practice generated the resistance from many bacteria in...
December 2005
About factors that determine trypanotolerance and prospects for increasing resistance against trypanosomosis
The current threat of African trypanosomosis on sustainable livestock production and food security coupled with failure of tse-tse fly control, chemotherapy and chemoprophylaxis to control the present resurgence of the disease has increased the imperative need for increasing trypanotolerance in livestock. The innate ability of trypanosome infected animals to control anaemia and development of parasitaemia are some of...
December 2005
Micronutrients as therapeutic tools in the management of sickle cell disease, malaria and diabetes
The Global use of micronutrients in health care delivery has taken center stage due to the realization of their importance in disease management. Sickle cell disease, malaria and diabetes are among the diseases plaguing a good population of the developing world and the cost implication for their management is very high. Sickle cell disease and malaria have anemia as a common factor and immunological disturbances are...
December 2005
Honey, milk and antibiotics
The indiscriminate use of antibiotics has made many microorganisms develop resistance to them. This has created immense clinical problems in the treatment of infectious diseases. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative antimicrobial agents for the treatment of infectious diseases. Non-antibiotic approaches to the treatment and prevention of infection includes the application of honey and milk. Milk naturally...
December 2005
The relationship between drug abuse and microbial infections
Drugs of abuse such as cocaine, opiates, alcohol, and marijuana among others alter the neuropsychological, pathophysiological responses as well as the immune functions. Studies have shown that there are correlative observations between the use of these drugs and increased levels of microbial infections among drug users. These correlations appears to have effects on the immune system and are receptor mediated, directly...
December 2005
Optimising oral systems for the delivery of therapeutic proteins and peptides
Therapeutic proteins/peptides are mostly administered as parenteral (injectable) preparations as a result of their poor oral bioavailability which is due to degradation by proteolytic enzymes, poor membrane permeability and large molecular size. However, the oral route would be preferred to the parenteral administration because it is more convenient for self-administration, non-invasive and more patient friendly....
December 2005
Plasmodium falciparum malaria and antimalarial interventions in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities
Plasmodium falciparum malaria is one of the most important parasitic diseases affecting sub-Saharan Africa, despite the availability of interventions. It exerts tremendous socio-economic and medical burden on the continent, particularly in under five children and pregnant women. In this review, we have attempted to highlight the problems, constraints and the opportunities that are available for effective prevention and...
December 2005
Microbial resistance to antibiotics
Organisms that are normally sensitive to the action of an antibiotic may sometimes develop resistance or insensitivity to it. This, they may do through destroying the antibiotic or by retaining their growth even in the presence of the drug. Microbial resistance to antibiotics is now widespread and poses a serious clinical threat. Microorganisms develop resistance to antibiotics by any of the following mechanisms: ...
December 2005
Traditional fermented protein condiments in Nigeria
Traditional fermented condiments (dawadawa, iru, ogiri) based on vegetable proteins, and consumed by different ethnic groups in Nigeria have been the pride of culinary traditions for centuries. It is evident that these products have played a major role in the food habits of communities in the rural regions serving not only as a nutritious non-meat proteins substitute but also as condiments and...
December 2005
Potential hazards and risks associated with the aquaculture industry
Aquaculture, the farming of aquatic organisms, is fraught with potential hazards and risks which are categorized into occupational, environmental, food safety and public health. This paper reviewed major hazards and risks associated with the aquaculture industry and proffered strategies for their management and control. Aquaculture stakeholders should therefore ensure that guidelines and policies which...
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