November 2015

Sugarcane in vitro culture technology: Opportunities for Kenya’s sugar industry

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is one of the most important crops in Kenya and has wide range of economic importance. The sugar industry contributes up to 15% to the country’s agricultural gross domestic product and an estimated 25% of the population depends on the industry for their livelihood. However, the industry has been facing several challenges including declining yields due to use of poor quality...

Author(s): Richard Wekesa, Justus M. Onguso, Bernard A. Nyende and Leonard S. Wamocho

November 2015

Production of α-amylase from some thermophilic Aspergillus species and optimization of its culture medium and enzyme activity

This paper aimed to evaluate the thermophilic and hyperthermophilic fungi isolated from extreme conditions capable of secreting α-amylase, an enzyme that has a commercial value especially in the production of bread in the food industry and also to ensure their optimization. In this study, thermostable amylase activities of some thermophilic Aspergillus species were evaluated. The suitable medium and microorganisms...

Author(s): Arzu Unal

November 2015

Bacillus sp. R2 α-amylase production optimization: Pasta cooking water as medium of amylase production

α-Amylases (EC 3.2.1.1; 1,4-α-D-glucanglucanohydrolase) are enzymes that are widely studied and used in industries. Their major source is microorganisms. This study aimed to prepare a readily available medium for industrial amylase production. An optimization of amylase production conditions by Bacillus sp. R2 and medium composition were done. Pasta cooking water was selected as basal medium due to its...

Author(s): Slimane Choubane, Omar Khelil and Ben Amar Cheba

November 2015

Polyphenolic constituents and antioxidant/antiradical activity in different extracts of Alstonia scholaris (Linn.)

Alstonia scholaris (Linn.) leaves extracted in aqueous, dichloromethane (DCM), methanolic and ethanolic solvents were assessed for different polyphenolic constituents endowed with antioxidant/antiradical activity. Total phenolic, flavonoids and tannin contents were significantly (P<0.05) higher in ethanolic extract as compared to other extracts. The antiradical activity and efficiency was significantly (P<0.05)...

Author(s): Pawan K. Verma, Rajinder Raina, Mudasir Sultana, Shahid Prawez and Maninder Singh