June 2018

Morphological variability and molecular characterisation of thirty soybean genotypes using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

The genetic and morphological diversity of soybean germplasms was studied using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and morphological traits such as plant height, height of cotyledon leaves, basal leaf length, basal leaf width, basal leaf area, terminal leaflets number, terminal leaflet length, terminal leaflet width, terminal leaflet area and basal leaf petiole length. A total of 30 germplasms were...

Author(s): Titilayo Akande, Lucky O. Omoigui and Joseph Ikwebe  

June 2018

Surface plasmon resonance and antimicrobial properties of novel silver nanoparticles prepared from some indigenous plants in Uyo, Nigeria

Synthesis of nanoparticles was done by green method. Aqueous extracts of Vernonia amygdalina, Telferia occidentalis and Lasianthera africana were used as the model vegetables. Silver nitrate was used as the silver precursor, while the plant extracts served as the reducing agents and Xanthan gum (0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.00% w/v) was introduced as stabilizing agents. Twelve batches of silver nanoparticles were synthesized:...

Author(s): Tenderwealth Clement Jackson, Bernard Opatimidi Patani and Ntiido Ndifreke Udosen  

June 2018

Identification and genetic diversity of Jordanian potato soft rot isolates, Pectobacterium carotovorum subspecies carotovorum (DYE 1969)

Bacterial soft rot disease is one of the most important factors affecting potato production in Jordan. Based on biochemical and physiological analyses, Jordanian isolates of soft rot from potato were identified as Pectobacterium carotovorum subspecies carotovorum (DYE 1969). Phylogenetic analysis using pmrA gene sequence data showed that isolates from different regions were closely related to each other, whereas little...

Author(s): Ibtihal Abu-Obeid, Hamed Khlaif and Nida Salem  

June 2018

Studies on enhanced African black soap from Theobroma cacao (cocoa) and Elaeis guineensis (palm kernel oil)

The indigenous African organic soap is formed by saponification. Using the local and ancient method, with slight modifications, palm kernel oil (Elaeis guineensis) and the filtrate of burnt cocoa pod ash (Theobroma cacao) were used to prepare African black soap (C11H23COO-K+). The prepared black soap was thereafter divided into five parts. Part A was the control without additives, while parts B, C and D were enhanced...

Author(s): Adebomi A. Ikotun, Esther O. Faboro, Adejoke S. Kolade and Abimbola A. Owoseni