May 2007

Single-strand-specific nuclease from Basidiobolus haptosporus (Nuclease Bh1)

Nuclease Bh1 is a multifunctional enzyme and catalyses the hydrolysis of ssDNA, 3’AMP and RNA in a ratio of approximately 1:1:0.05. It is a single polypeptide chain of 30 kDa and contains 15% carbohydrate. All three activities of the enzyme showed the same pI, indicating that they are associated with the same protein. The ssDNase, 3’AMPase and RNase activities of nuclease Bh1 showed the same pH and...

Author(s): Neelam, A. Desai and Vepatu, Shankar

May 2007

Effects of amendments and bioaugumentation of soil polluted with crude oil, automotive gasoline oil, and spent engine oil on the growth of cowpea (Vigna ungiculata L. Walp)

The effects of sawdust and waste cotton as soil amendment and bioaugumentation withPleurotus pulmonarius (pp) on soil polluted with crude oil (COIL), automotive gasoline oil (AGO), and spent engine oil (SEO) on the growth of cowpea (Vigna ungiculata L. Walp) was investigated. There was a significant improvement (P = 0.05) on the growth of cowpea when polluted soil was amended and bioaugmented with P....

Author(s): Adedokun, Olutayo M. and Ataga, A. E.

May 2007

Advanced fullerene-type texture and further features of the macadamia nutshell as revealed by optical 3D microscopy

Optical three-dimensional digital microscopy with symmetric or asymmetric frontal ring illumination and with composition of images at equidistant focus also for surface reconstruction is used for the study of various qualities of the rough macadamia nut / seed (fat) at various levels of magnification. The almost spherical object with two off-axis poles has an unreported advanced fullerene-like surface structure...

Author(s): Gerd Kaupp and  Maria Kaupp

May 2007

Equilibrium sorption properties of palm kernel husk and N330 filled natural rubber vulcanizates as a function of filler volume fraction

The absorption and diffusion of organic solvents such as toluene, diesel and kerosene into natural rubber vulcanizates filled with palm kernel husk and N330 was studied at ambient temperature, using the immersion/weight gain method. The results showed no further weight change after 24 h The absorption and the diffusion characteristics of the solvents in the palm kernel husk and N330 filled natural rubber vulcanizates...

Author(s): Akporhonor, E. E., Egwaikhide, P. A. and Okieimen, F. E. 

May 2007

Phytochemical constituent and antioxidant activity of extract from the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum

Extracts from the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum were investigated for phytochemical constituent and antioxidant activity. Tests for tannins, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides were positive in both methanolic and aqueous extracts. The methanolic extract of O. gratissimum had a DPPH scavenging activity of 84.6% at 250 µg/ml and a reductive potential of 0.77 at 100...

Author(s): Afolabi C. Akinmoladun, E. O. Ibukun, Emmanuel Afor , E. M. Obuotor  and E.O. Farombi 

May 2007

Use of indigenous plant extracts for the protection of mechanically injured sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] tubers

Protection of mechanically injured Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) tubers from fungal rot with extracts of some indigenous plants namely; Alchornea cordifolia, Annona muricata, Allium sativum. Gacinia cola and Zingiber officinale was investigated. The following fungi; Aspergillus flavus link Ex fr, Aspergillus niger Van Tieghern, Botryodiplodia...

Author(s): Amienyo, C. A. and Ataga, A. E.