African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12496

Table of Content: 10 July 2013; 12(28)

July 2013

Immobilization of microbial cells: A promising tool for treatment of toxic pollutants in industrial wastewater

The review articles on cell immobilization have been published since 1980 and reflect the general interest in this topic. Immobilized microbial cells create opportunities in a wide range of sectors including environmental pollution control. Compared with suspended microorganism technology, cell immobilization shows many advantages, such as resistance to toxic chemicals. This review presents the potential of...

Author(s): Suzana Cláudia Silveira Martins,Claudia Miranda Martins, Larissa Maria Cidrão Guedes Fiúza and Sandra Tédde Santaella

July 2013

Molecular dynamic simulation of complex NS2B-NS3 DENV2 protease with potential inhibitors of cyclic tripeptide

The pathogenic dengue virus (DV) is a growing global threat for which there is no specific treatment and prevention. Several vaccines have been developed against the disease, but they only prevent the disease and reduce the risk of death. Consequently, the antiviral drug becomes the most powerful treatment to solve this problem. The virus possesses a two component NS2B-NS3 protease that cleaves viral precursor proteins,...

Author(s): Usman Sumo Friend Tambunan, Irwan Kurniawan and Arli Aditya Parikesit

July 2013

Pyramiding of blast and bacterial leaf blight resistance genes into rice cultivar RD6 using marker assisted selection

Blast caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae (Hebert) Barr. and bacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) are two major diseases of rice (Oryza sativa). The use of varietal resistance is the most appropriate strategy for controlling the diseases, and molecular assisted selection can potentially accelerate breeding programs. The objective of this study was to pyramid...

Author(s): W. Pinta, T. Toojinda, P. Thummabenjapone and J. Sanitchon,

July 2013

Molecular investigations on grain filling rate under terminal heat stress in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Grain yield under post anthesis high temperature stress is largely influenced by grain filling rate (GFR). To investigate molecular basis of this trait, a set of 111 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from Raj 4014, a heat sensitive genotype and WH 730, heat tolerant cultivar was phenotyped during  2009-2010 and 2010-2011 crop seasons, under field conditions. The difference in GFR (dGFR) between the timely and...

Author(s): Girish Chandra Pandey, Jagadish Rane, Sindhu Sareen, Priyanka Siwach, N.K. Singh and Ratan Tiwari  

July 2013

Random amplified polymorphic DNA based genetic characterization of four important species of Bamboo, found in Raigad district, Maharashtra State, India

Bamboos are arborescent grasses belonging to the family Poaceae and are groupedunder...

Author(s): Waghmare Vijay N. and Bagde Uttamkumar S.

July 2013

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) diversity of cassava in South, East and Central Africa in relation to resistance to cassava brown streak disease

This study was conducted to: (1) determine the amount and structure of the genetic diversity of cassava in southern, eastern and central (SEC) Africa using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, (2) determine the frequency and distribution of alleles putatively associated with resistance to cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) derived from the variety ‘Namikonga’, and (3) examine the genetic relationships...

Author(s): A. Pariyo, P. Tukamuhabwa, Y. Baguma, R. S. Kawuki, T. Alicai, P. Gibson, E. Kanju, B.W. Wanjala, J. Harvey, I. Nzuki, I. Y. Rabbi and M. Ferguson

July 2013

Controlled transmission of African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) by Bemisia tabaci from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) to seedlings of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.)

Jatropha curcas, a plant with great biodiesel potential is also used to reduce the population of whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci on cassava fields when planted as a hedge. We therefore, investigated the transmission of African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) by the whitefly vector from cassava to seedlings of ten accessions of J. curcas as part of a wider investigation on the possible role...

Author(s): Harry Mensah Amoatey, Andrew Sarkodie Appiah, Kenneth Ellis Danso, Samuel Amiteye, Robert Appiah, George Yao Percy Klu and George Kwabena Owusu

July 2013

Explant establishment for callus initiation of a Nigerian “endangered” leafy vegetable, Gnetum africanum (WILLD)

A prerequisite for successful in vitro culture is the establishment of an aseptic technique, thus the experiment was to investigate suitable sterilization regimes for the leaf explants of Gnetum africanum, an endangered green leafy vegetable. Three sterilization regimes were tested to establish the best regime using three to four days old leaves. The surface sterilized explants were later aseptically...

Author(s): Iloh, A. C. , Isu, N. R. and Kuta, D. D.

July 2013

Evaluation of luteolin from shells of Korean peanut cultivars for industrial utilization

Luteolin is a medicinally valuable phyto-chemical, which was indentified in plants. This study was aimed to analyse the luteolin content in peanut waste (shell) of 42 peanut cultivars. The concentration of luteolin varied in the range of 546.8 to 4485.0 mg/kg and a significantly higher concentration of luteolin (4485.0 mg) was found in Mikwang. This is the first report on luteolin analysis in Korean...

Author(s): Ramalingam Radhakrishnan, Suk-Bok Pae, Byoung-Kyu Lee and In-Youl Baek

July 2013

Seaweed liquid extracts effect on Salvia officinalis growth, biochemical compounds and water deficit tolerance

The foliar spray of seaweed liquid extracts (SLE) (Fucus spiralis and Ulva rigida) was applied at three different concentrations (12.5, 25 and 50) to the plants of Salvia plants (Salvia officinalis L.) submitted or not to water stress (moderate and severe stress). The application of seaweed extract significantly enhanced growth parameters. The highest plant height...

Author(s): Mimoun EL KAOAUA, Halima CHERNANE, Abdelali BENALIAT and Lamya NEAMALLAH

July 2013

Investigating the effect of Aspergillus niger on starch degradation: Process variable optimization and kinetics

The enzymatic hydrolysis of cassava starch (Mannihot esculenta) to glucose wasstudied; considering various process parameters such as temperature, pH, inoculums age, cell loading and substrate concentration. Aspergillus niger was isolated from deteriorated groundnut seeds and used as amylase source. After characterization, amylase exhibited optimum activity at pH 4.7 and temperature 58°C. The cells...

Author(s): Osaribie, N. A., Okonkwo, P. C. and Aderemi, B. O.

July 2013

Evidence of cross gene regulation of some virulence factors of Porphyromonas gingivalis by Streptococcus intermedius

Periodontal disease has been associated with poor dental care, which promotes the accumulation of bacteria and the development of diseases of the mouth. Porphyromonas gingivalis are anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria found in the subgingival plaque. They are largely responsible for chronic periodontal disease.Streptococcus intermedius is a Gram positive coccus found in the supragingival plaque. The objective of...

Author(s): Victor E. Aguirre-Arzola, Benito Pereyra-Alferez, Rosa Isela Sanchez-Najera, Luis J. Galan-Wong, Myriam A. De La Garza-Ramos, and Andrea G. Alcazar-Pizaña

July 2013

Isolation, Characterization and Molecular weight determination of Cellulase from Trichoderma viride

Cellulose hydrolyzing enzyme from fungus Trichoderma viride was purified and characterized. The cellulase production was variable depending upon the type of cellulose the fungus grew on; it was higher when grown on cellulose or whatmann filter paper than on other carbon source viz carboxy methyl cellulose. Enzyme purification to homogeneity was carried out by anion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose....

Author(s): Salwee Yasmin, R. L. Mattoo and F. A. Nehvi

July 2013

Biochemical characterization of a thermoactive and thermostable lipase from a newly isolated Trichosporon coremiiforme strain

Nonstop demand for greatly thermostable and thermoactive active lipase encourages the research for the new enzyme sources. In this study, a strain of Trichosporon coremiiforme was isolated from the traditional tannery in the city of Fez in Morocco, lipase production and their lipolytic activity was studied. Pure T. coremiiforme lipase (TCL) was obtained after ammonium sulfate fractionation, G-75 gel...

Author(s): Faouzi Laachari, Soumya Elabed, Adel Sayari, Iraqui Mohammed, El Hassan Harchali, Abdelhafid Boubendir and Saad Koraichi Ibnsouda,

July 2013

A thirteen week ad libitum administration toxicity study of Tartrazine in Swiss mice

Tartrazine is a colorant widely used in food products, drugs and cosmetics. The current study evaluates the effect of sub-chronic ingestion of Tartrazine in drinking water at doses of 0, 0.1, 0.45, 1, and 2.5% for 13 weeks in mice. Ours results show that female body weight gain and food consumption decreased in all treated groups, while fluid consumption increased. The red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit...

Author(s): Nabila Mehedi, Nawel Mokrane, Omar Alami, Soraya Ainad-Tabet, Chahinaize Zaoui, Omar Kheroua and Djamel Saidi

July 2013

Evaluation of the diets formulation type on performance of Arian broiler breeder hens

A study was conducted to determine the effects of diet formulation type on broiler breeder performance of 50 to 64 weeks of age. 336 female and 48 male breeders in eight treatments with six replicates (7 females with a male) were used in the form of a randomized trial design 2×2×2 factorial. Eight experimental diets were formulated based on three factors: first factor included two levels of apparent and true...

Author(s): Javad Nasr and Akbar Yaghobfar