February 2014
Somaclonal variation associated with oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) clonal propagation: A review
Somaclonal variation refers to any phenotypic or genotypic modifications that arise from in vitro culture. In the oil palm, it is characterized by fruit mantling and abnormal vegetative growth. Tissue culture remains the only means of micro propagation of oil palm as its biological characteristics do not allow for vegetative propagation by conventional means. The early success of plantlets production inspired many oil...
February 2014
Virulence, serotype and phylogenetic groups of diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli isolated during digestive infections in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
The virulence, serotype and phylogenetic traits of diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli were detected in 502 strains isolated during digestive infections. Molecular detection of the target virulence genes, rfb gene of operon O and phylogenetic grouping genes Chua, yjaA and TSPE4.C2 was performed. Prevalence of strains harbouring virulent genes was 7.8%. The virulent genes eaeA, bfp, stx2, st1, lt, aggA, east1, ipaH, ial,...
February 2014
Evaluation of two okra species [Abelmoschusesculentus (L.) Moench and Abelmoschuscaillei (A. Chev.) Stevels] exposed to crude oil contaminated soil in Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria
Six accessions of cultivated okra [Abelmoschus caillei (A. Chev.) Stevels and Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] were evaluated for growth parameters in crude oil contaminated soil. Morpho-agronomic characters such as numbers of days from sowing to germination, dry and fresh weight of the accessions in both soil samples was determined. Others were copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb)...
February 2014
Effect of incorporation of cauliflower leaf powder on sensory and nutritional composition of malted wheat biscuits
Cauliflower leaves are rich in β-carotene and iron and has highest waste index. Therefore, an attempt was made to utilize its leaves in value added product, thus reducing the wastage. The malted wheat flour was blended with cauliflower leaf powder in the ratios of 10, 20 and 30% for the development of biscuits. The developed products were stored for 90 days to ascertain the changes in proximate composition and...
February 2014
Thidiazuron-induced shoot organogenesis of Cleome viscosa (L) through cotyledonary explants culture
A reproducible protocol for direct shoot organogenesis of Cleome viscosa, an important medicinal weed herb was developed. The seed explants were collected primarily from field grown mature plants for in vitro germination on different strength of MS basal medium with or without selection of GA3 at various concentration (0.1 to 1.0 mg/L). The highest rate of seed germination (55.3%) was noticed on full strength MS basal...
February 2014
Assessment of allelopathic potential of Cassia sophera L. on seedling growth and physiological basis of weed plants
Allelopathy is described as both beneficial and deleterious biochemical interaction between plant and weeds, and/or plant and microorganisms through the production of chemical compounds that escape into the environment and subsequently influence the growth and development of neighbouring plants. The present laboratory experimental study was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effect of Cassia sophera (L.) on three...
February 2014
Xylanase from Fusarium heterosporum: Properties and influence of thiol compounds on xylanase activity
The properties of xylanase purified from Fusarium heterosporum that was grown in barley-brewing residue under solid-state fermentation and the effects of thiol compounds on the reactivation of the metal ion-inhibited xylanase were investigated. Xylanase was purified to homogeneity by ion exchange chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 19.5 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel...
February 2014
Infection potential of vegetative incompatible Ganoderma boninense isolates with known ligninolytic enzyme production
Ganoderma boninense produces ligninolytic enzymes namely lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP) and laccase to degrade the lignin composition in plant cell walls. The present study aimed to evaluate the infection potential of vegetative incompatible isolates of G. boninense in causing Basal Stem Rot (BSR) disease in oil palm through the production of ligninolytic enzymes. Vegetative incompatibility test was...
February 2014
Comparison of humic acids production by Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma reesei using the submerged fermentation of oil palm empty fruit bunch
The remarkable properties of humic acids have generated a broad spectrum of applications in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural fields, and encouraged fermentation studies focusing on humic acids production. This work compares the humic acids production of Trichoderma (viride and reesei) species using empty fruit bunch as the substrate during submerged fermentation. The performance of each species was compared by...
February 2014
Characterisation of the vaginal microflora of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive and negative women in a sub-urban population of Kenya
Lactobacilli predominate normal vaginal microflora and are important in maintenance of vaginal health. The current study set out to identify and compare culture isolates of vaginal microflora of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive (HIV+) and HIV negative (HIV-) women at different phases during menstrual cycle from a sub-urban population of Kenya. Seventy four (74) women, 41 HIV+ and 33 HIV-, followed up two...
February 2014
Characterization of blue green algae isolated from Egyptian rice field with potential anti-hepatitis C active components
Several species of cyanobacteria has been recognized for its therapeutic value that can be used for treatment of malnutrition, cancer and viral infection. Many natural occurring cyanobacteria are known to produce toxins, for example, species of the genera Microcystis, Nodularia, Nostoc, Anabaena, Aphanizomenon, Cylindrospermopsis, and Planktothrix (Oscillatoria). Cyanotoxins are classified according to their mode of...
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