February 2014
Molecular characterization of induced mutagenesis through gamma radiation using RAPD markers in Jatropha curcas L.
Genetic variability in Jatropha curcas was induced by different doses (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 kR) of gamma-rays. Gamma radiation induced earliness in flowering and the plants set flowers earlier than that of control, which took longer duration of 327 days for flowering. The improved reproductive and yield parameters such as days taken to first flowering, flowering population, male to female ratio and...
February 2014
A protocol for large scale genomic DNA isolation for cacao genetics analysis
Advances in DNA technology, such as marker assisted selection, detection of quantitative trait loci and genomic selection also require the isolation of DNA from a large number of samples and the preservation of tissue samples for future use in cacao genome studies. The present study proposes a method for the preservation of sample tissues for DNA extraction and for manual extraction of large number of samples using...
February 2014
Sensibility of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin to Pelargonium sidoides extract (EPs 7630®) assessed by conidia germination speed parameter
Pelargonium sidoides, known as umckaloabo, is a plant originally from South Africa and its extract is used in popular medicine. The fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, an important entomopathogen used in biological control of pests, is also employed as model for the evaluation of toxicity and compatibility of different products, considering, among other parameters, conidia germination speed. Therefore, this study aimed to...
February 2014
Prospects of increasing the presence of Helianthemum kahiricum Dell. pastoral North African plant by means of micropropagation
Helianthemum kahiricum has great potential in forage, in traditional medicine, for halting desert encroachment and stabilizing sand dunes through their excellent root systems development, and in the improvement of soil organic matter content. H. kahiricum is threatened with extinction because of overgrazing abuse and increasing human disturbance. For these reasons, in vitro propagation is essential for...
February 2014
Influence of spectral properties on cassava leaf development and metabolism
Cassava’s importance as a food security crop in Sub Saharan Africa will be enhanced by its special traits such as tolerance to drought and high yields under hydrothermal stress. Some of the special traits which include the light reflective and absorptive properties of the leaves that depend on the surface characteristics of the leaves, are variety dependent and may influence the plants’ reaction to light;...
February 2014
AtNEA1-identification and characterization of a novel plant nuclear envelope associated protein
In animal and yeast cells, a cross nuclear envelope structure linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) is formed by outer nuclear membrane SUN proteins and inner nuclear membrane KASH proteins. However, little information was acquired about plant SUN-KASH structure until they were found in plant SUN proteins in 2010 and KASH proteins in 2012. The SUN-KASH complex alongside with actin in the microfilament...
February 2014
Managing physicochemical parameters in compost systems to enhance degradation of petroleum wastes from a sludge dam
Physical, chemical and biological parameters were optimized during composting to enhance degradation of oil sludge. Mixtures of oil sludge, garden soil, poultry manure and the bulking agents were co-composted in static piles of about 1 m3 on wooden pallets overlaid with nylon fibre sheets. Temperature, moisture, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total carbon, total N, heterotrophs and respiration of compost...
February 2014
Optimization of ethanol production from food waste hydrolysate by co-culture of Zymomonas mobilis and Candida shehatae under non-sterile condition
A complete conversion of the hexose and pentose sugars in the food wastes hydrolysates (FWH) to ethanol is a prerequisite for maximizing the profitability of an industrial process for bioethanol production. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the effects of nitrogen source [(NH4)2SO4], phosphorus source (KH2PO4), yeast extract and inoculum size on ethanol production from FWH by co-culture of...
February 2014
Optimization of aqueous extraction process to enhance the production of phytase by Rhizopus oryzae using response surface methodology coupled with artificial neural network
Aqueous extraction process was optimized to reduce endotoxins from mixed substrate (1:1) for further phytase production by Rhizopus oryzae in solid state fermentation. 23 factorial design of experiment was combined with either a back-propagation artificial neural network (ANN) or the response surface methodology (RSM) for optimizing the process variables (length of extraction time, substrate loading and different pH of...
February 2014
Toxicity study of diethyl phthalate on Clarias gariepinus fingerlings
Diethyl Phthalate (DEP) is used as a plasticizer, a detergent base, in aerosol sprays, as a perfume binder and after shave lotion. It is known to be a contaminant of fresh water and marine ecosystem. Therefore, a study was designed to determine the acute toxicity effects of DEP on a fresh water fish, Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. The fish was treated with 50, 75, 100 and 150 µg/l. DEP was dissolved in distilled...
February 2014
Biodiesel production from butter factory effluent
The increase in energy demand coupled with the depletion of fossil fuels has increased the need for renewable and sustainable energy sources. Butter waste effluent was identified as a possible feedstock for biodiesel. The effects of the temperature, alcohol to oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration and the reaction time were investigated to determine the optimal reaction conditions of the transesterification reaction....
February 2014
Effects of some anti-diabetic plants on the hepatic marker enzymes of diabetic rats
This study was embarked upon in order to evaluate the effects of the chloroform extracts of the leaves of Psidium guajava, Anacardium occidentale and Eucalyptus globulus and fruits of Xylopia aethiopica on hepatic marker enzymes of diabetic rats. The degree of hepatic damage caused by diabetes mellitus and the effects of the extracts were assessed using standard methods for assaying the activities of alanine...
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