African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12486

Table of Content: 28 February 2011; 10(9)

February 2011

Clade identification of symbiotic zooxanthellae of dominant sclerectinian coral species of intertidal pools in Hengam Island

  Zooxanthellae of reef-building corals are unicellular dinoflagellates of theSymbiodinium genus, which has an important role in bleaching phenomenon.Symbiodinium and their coral hosts are sensitive to environmental stresses that include salinity, high temperatures, low temperatures, extreme light levels and turbidity. Tidal pools have harsh conditions due to lack of nutrients, food and...

Author(s): Mohammad Hassan Shahhosseiny, Pargol Ghavam Mostafavi, Seyed Mohammad Reza Fatemi and Elnaz Karimi

February 2011

Genetic parameters and correlations among linear type traits in the first lactation of Holstein Dairy cows

  The main objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters and relationships of 10 linear type traits in the first lactation of Holstein dairy cows. 3274 records for type traits was used (Ag, angularity; Sta, stature; Bdp, body depth; Rw, rump width; Rs, rear leg side view; Fa, foot angle; Fu, fore udder attachment; Ruh, rear udder height; Sl, suspensory ligament and Ud, udder depth) for the...

Author(s): Sajjad Toghiani

February 2011

Molecular marker screening of tomato, (solanum lycopersicum L.) Germplasm for root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne species) resistance

  Tomato is one of the crops in which genetic resistance has specially been effective against root-knot nematodes. In this study, molecular screening was done on some tomato germplasm to detect markers for the gene that confers resistance (Mi) with specific primer (Mi23/F//Mi23/R). The cultivars; VFNT, FLA 505-BL 1172, 2641A, “Adwoa Deede” and Terminator FI showed the marker for the homozygous...

Author(s): Y. Danso, R. Akromah and K. Osei

February 2011

The use of microsatellite markers for genetic diversity assessment of genus Hordeum L. in Kerman province (Iran)

  In this study, gene diversity and genetic relationships among 30 genotypes of genusHordeum from Kerman province (Iran) were assessed using 10 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers. Seven of these markers were highly polymorphic. A total of 96 alleles were detected. The number of alleles per microsatellite marker varied from 2 to 18. Except for Bmag0603, HVM36 and HvWAXY4, all the other markers showed on...

Author(s): M. Adeli Sardou, A. Baghizadeh, A. Tavasoli and S. Babaei

February 2011

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for simultaneous detection of shiga-like toxin (stx1 and stx2), intimin (eae) and invasive plasmid antigen H (ipaH) genes in diarrheagenic Escherichia coli

  Despite the fact that diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) has been identified as a major etiologic...

Author(s): Sharifi Yazdi MK, Akbari A. and Soltan Dallal MM,

February 2011

Micropropagation of Ocotea porosa (Nees & Martius) Barroso

  The objective of this work was the establishment of a micropropagation protocol forOcotea porosa by multiplication of shoots from axillary buds. Different concentration of BAP (0; 2.5; 5 or 10 µM) or BAP+KIN (0; 1.25; 2.5 or 5 µM) were investigated to optimize the multiplication. Shoot growth was stimulated with reduced concentration of BAP (0; 0.5; 1 or 1.5 µM) or KIN (0.5 or...

Author(s): L. L. Pelegrini, L. L. F. Ribas, F. Zanette and H. S. Koehler

February 2011

Performance of chickpea genotypes under two different environmental conditions

  Seed yield of 20 genotypes of chickpea was investigated under two different environmental conditions of Pakistan during 2007 to 2008. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications in each environment. Within environment, genotype main effect was significant. Similarly, genotype by environmental interaction was also significant. Genotypes at Karak produced...

Author(s): Rozina Hamayoon, Hamayoon Khan, Shahenshah, Lubna Naz, Iqbal Munir, M. Arif, Ibni Amin Khalil and Amir Zaman Khan

February 2011

Effects of cold stratification pretreatment and pH level on germination of Centaurea tchihatcheffii Fisch. et Mey. seeds

  Centaurea tchihatcheffii Fisch. Et. Mey. is a critically endangered (CR) plant species due to destruction of habitat, strong anthropogenic pressure, biotic and abiotic factors. It grows in limited areas in GölbaÅŸi district of Ankara, Turkey and in the world. It is very necessary to conserve it and prevent its extinction. Previous studies emphasise that low germination rate of its seed is primarily...

Author(s): YeÅŸim Okay, Asli Günöz and Khalid Mahmood Khawar

February 2011

Disease occurrence and fruit quality of pre-harvest calcium treated red flesh dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus)

  A study aiming at increasing Ca content in red flesh dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) via pre-harvest fruit CaCl2 spray in relations to postharvest disease occurrence and fruit quality parameters was conducted. From day 7 after anthesis, red flesh dragon fruits (H. polyrhizus) were sprayed at weekly interval for four times with different concentration of CaCl2 (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 gl-1). Fruit Ca...

Author(s): Muhd Azlan Abd Ghani, Yahya Awang and Kamaruzaman Sijam

February 2011

Enhanced fodder yield of maize genotypes under saline irrigation is a function of their increased K accumulation and better K/Na ratio

  Poor quality irrigation water adversely affects the growth and yield of crops. This study was designed to evaluate the growth, fodder yield and ionic concentration of three promising maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes under the influence of varying quality irrigation water, with different salinity levels. The genotypes, such as EV-1097, Kisan and Akbar were irrigated with usable (electrical conductivity, EC...

Author(s): I. Rajpar, I. Jandan, Zia-ul-hassan, G. M. Jamro and A. N. Shah

February 2011

Early growth performances of various seed sources of black (Prunus serotina Erhr.) and wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) seedlings on low and high elevation sites in the western Black Sea Region of Turkey

  The growth performances of one-year old seedlings of various black cherry (BC) and wild cherry (WC) seed sources (SSs) that were planted on low elevation sites (LES) and high elevation sites (HES) in the western Black Sea Region (BSR) of Turkey were assessed one and five years after planting (YAP). Significance between and within-species variations were found for seedling growth. On species basis, WC was...

Author(s): Derya EÅŸen, Oktay Yıldız, Åžemsettin Kulaç, Emrah Çiçek, Cengiz ÇetintaÅŸ, Bilal Çetin, Neval GüneÅŸ, and ÇiÄŸdem Kutsal

February 2011

Evaluation of bacteria for biological control of early blightdisease of tomato

  Twenty three bacterial isolate out of 190, exhibiting inhibitory affects againstAlternaria solani in preliminary tests, were screened for their activity towards A. solani Ell. and G. Martin) Sor. by a dual-culture in vitro assay on nutrient agar (NA) medium and in vivo (whole plant) test. In vitro studies indicated that all the 23 bacterial isolates inhibited the...

Author(s): Sabriye Yazici, Yusuf Yanar and Isa Karaman

February 2011

Effects of heating treatment on some of the physical properties of varnish layers applied on various wood species

  The aim of the current study is to determine the effects of different heat treatment and varnish combination applications on some of the physical properties of wood materials sampled from limba (Terminalia superba), iroko (Chlorophora excelsa), ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and Anatolian chestnut (Castenea sativa Mill.) species. The heat treatment was applied at two levels (150 and...

Author(s): Nevzat Çakicier,  Süleyman Korkut and Fatma Deniz Güler 

February 2011

Biomass expansion factors of Olea ferruginea (Royle) in sub tropical forests of Pakistan

  Wood biomass gives information about total productivity of the forest as well as individual tree. Olea ferruginea (Royle) which is small and evergreen is widely distributed in native sub tropical forests of Pakistan and extensively used as fuelwood domestically. This study was carried out in the sub tropical forests of Pakistan at 33° 38’ north and 73° 00’ east latitude and...

Author(s): Mehreen Abbas, S. M. Nizami, Aamir Saleem, Saeed Gulzar and Irshad A. Khan

February 2011

Water application rate and frequency affect seedling survival and growth of Vangueria infausta and Persea americana

  Adequate amount of water is critical to successful tree nursery operation among resource-constrained smallholder farmers in Africa. Two experiments were undertaken with the objectives of evaluating effects of water application rate and frequency on seedling growth and survival of Persea americana and Vangueria infausta. In experiment 1, water was applied to seedlings at 500 ml per 1 L...

Author(s): Simon A. Mng’omba, Festus K. Akinnifesi, Gudeta Sileshi, Oluyede C. Ajayi, Betserai I. Nyoka and Ramni Jamnadass

February 2011

Effects of cytokinins on secondary somatic embryogenesis of selected clone Rayong 9 of Manihot esculenta Crantz for ethanol production

  In 2005, the Rayong-FCRC released a new high-yielding cassava cultivar designated Rayong 9 (R9) for ethanol production. However, the rate of distribution to farmers has been limited by the traditional vegetative propagation method of this crop which does not always satisfy the needs in planting material. The objective was to improve secondary somatic embryogenesis of the cassava clone Rayong 9 (R9) selected...

Author(s): P. Wongtiem, D. Courtois, B. Florin, M. Juchaux, D. Peltier, P. Broun and J.P. Ducos

February 2011

Screening of drought oxidative stress tolerance in Serbian melliferous plant species

  This study was designed to examine and compare antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activities of leaves of six different melliferous plant species (Populus alba, Robinia pseudoacacia, Sophora japonica, Euodia hupehensis, Tilia sp.,Fraxinus sp.) from Serbia in order to evaluate their drought oxidative stress tolerance. Experiment was conducted during June, July and...

Author(s): D. Štajner, S. Orlović, B. M. Popović, M. Kebert and Z. Galić

February 2011

Genetic analysis of Myanmar Vigna species in responses to salt stress at the seedling stage

  Twelve (12) Vigna genotypes were investigated for the evaluation of their tolerance levels in responses to four concentrations of NaCl (0, 75, 150 and 225 mM) at seedling stage. In the investigation, salt stress inhibited almost all the growth parameters as well as relative water content; however, the degree of reduction was highly dependent on different genotypes and salinity levels. Generally, the...

Author(s): Khin Thuzar Win, , Aung Zaw Oo, Tadashii Hirasawa, Taiichiro Ookawaand Hirata Yutaka

February 2011

Accumulation and bioaccessibility of trace elements in wetland sediments

  Accumulation of trace metals in sediment can cause severe ecological impacts. In this study, determination of elemental concentrations in water and sediment was done. Shadegan wetland is one of the most important wetlands in southwest of Iran and is among the Ramsar-listed wetlands. Wastewaters from industries, urban activities and agricultural run off are released into this unique wetland in the region. In...

Author(s): Azamalsadat Hosseini Alhashemi, Abdol Reza Karbassi, Bahram Hassanzadeh Kiabi, Seyed Massoud Monavari and Mohammad Bagher Nabavi

February 2011

Can net photosynthesis and water relations provide a clue on the forest decline of Quercus suber in North Tunisia?

  Net photosynthesis, sap flow density (SFD) and water use efficiency (WUE) were measured in a Quercus suber forest in north Tunisia in an attempt to explain the forest decline. In general, sap flow was positively related to light intensity and water loss, indicating that high light intensities can increase the SFD up to the saturation point in the cork oak. CO2 assimilation of cork oak in...

Author(s): Lee, S. H., Woo, S.Y., Nasr, Z., Zineddine, M., Khaldi, A. and Rejeb, M. N.

February 2011

Preliminary biological screening of microbes isolated from cow dung in Kampar

  Five distinct morphologically and physiologically isolates were isolated from cow dung at Kampar, Perak, Malaysia and cultured on nutrient agar (NA) plates. Morphological studies including microscopic examination, gram-staining and endospore staining were performed. Isolates K1 and K5 were gram-negative, while isolates K2, K3 and K4 were gram-positive. Isolates K2 and K4 were able to form endospore....

Author(s): Teo, K. C. and Teoh, S. M.

February 2011

Changes occurring in plain, straining and winter yoghurt during the storage periods

  In this study, winter yoghurt, straining yoghurt and yoghurt samples produced from homogenized and non-homogenized sheep and a mixture of sheep and cows milks were evaluated during the storage periods. Winter yoghurt, straining yoghurt and yoghurt samples were stored in sterile jars in the refrigerator (4°C). Some chemical and physical analyses were made to determine the effect of milk types (cow and...

Author(s): Åženol Köse and Elvan Ocak

February 2011

Nigerian indigenous yoghurt (kindirmo) production using Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus mutants as starter culture

  The production of Nigerian indigenous yoghurt (kindirmo) using Lactobacillusbulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus mutants as starter culture was investigated. The results of milk fermentations using L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus mutant isolates when compared with their wild-type strains (control) indicated that the pH values of “kindirmo”...

Author(s): Ismaila Yada Sudi, Nandita De, and  Umaru Ali Dunkrah

February 2011

Purification and characterization of a milk-clotting protease from Mucor pusillus: Method comparison

  Crude enzymatic extract obtained from five fermentations (300 g of wheat bran) was characterized by a clotting activity of 0.34 ± 0.08 UP/ml with a strength ratio of 1/1: 200. The comparative study of the summaries from 2 purification protocols showed that it is possible to recover 6% of the initial proteins with a 44.54% activity after gel filtration (protocol I), which appeared more technically...

Author(s): A. Nouani,  F. Moulti- Mati,  S. Belbraouet  and  MM. Bellal

February 2011

Immobilized lipase from potential lipolytic microbes for catalyzing biodiesel production using palm oil as feedstock

  Biodiesel has been regarded as a biodegradable and non-polluting fuel. Enzymatic transesterification reaction for manufacturing biodiesel from vegetable oils with alcohol is an attractive approach. However, the cost of enzyme remains a barrier for its industrial implementation. The aim of this research was the screening of lipase-producing microorganisms and the studies of potential lipase-mediated biodiesel...

Author(s): Pakorn Winayanuwattikun, Chutima Kaewpiboon, Kingkaew Piriyakananon,  Warawut Chulalaksananukul, Tikamporn Yongvanich, and Jisnuson Svasti

February 2011

Optimization of glucose oxidase production by Aspergillus niger

  The glucose oxidase was produced by fermentation using Aspergillus niger isolated from potato as producer organism and glucose as the carbon source (substrate). Maximum production of the enzyme (1.59 µmoleHQMin-1ml-1) was achieved at 10% glucose concentration after 48 h of submerged fermentation. The pH for the optimal production of enzyme was found to be 5.5 (enzyme activity 1.56...

Author(s): Shazia Khurshid, Muhammad Akram Kashmiri, Zahid Quershi and Waqar Ahmad

February 2011

The effect of initial pH on the kinetics of ferrous-iron biooxidation at low temperature

  The general understanding in bioleaching of sulphide minerals is to keep pH low.  A number of published articles have reported the effect of pH on biooxidation rates of ferrous-iron and/or sulphur by bioleaching microbes, although most of these studies were conducted at optimum or near optimum temperature for microbial performance. Consequently, a series of experiments were conducted in this study to...

Author(s): H. N. Ongendangenda and T. V. Ojumu

February 2011

Physicochemical properties of nanostructured lipid carriers as colloidal carrier system stabilized with polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80

  Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), a colloidal carrier system offer many advantages as drug carrier. Incorporation of liquid lipid can improve the loading capacity of drugs in the NLCs. The NLC20 and NLC80 were produced by high-pressure homogenization technique, stabilized with polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy showed that these NLCs were spherical. Photon...

Author(s): Chee Wun How, Rasedee Abdullah and Roghayeh Abbasalipourkabir

February 2011

Optimization of a fed-batch fermentation process for production of bleomycin by Streptomyces mobaraensis ATCC 15003

  The objective of this work was to optimize inoculum size and pH for rapid production of bleomycin by Streptomyces mobaraensis ATCC 15003 by fed-batch fermentation. In both batch- and fed-batch fermentations, neither production period for bleomycin by S. mobaraensis nor the amount of BLM were affected by increasing the inoculum size from regular 10 to 30% (v/v) level. A fed-batch bioreactor...

Author(s): Hesham H. Radwan, Ihab M. Moussa and Ibrahim A. Alsarra,

February 2011

Antidepressant screening and flavonoids isolation from Eremostachys laciniata (L) Bunge

  Eremostachys laciniata (L) Bunge (Lamiaceae), a rich source of flavonoids, has been investigated for chemical constituents and in vivo antidepressant property using forced swim test (FST) model. Five important compounds were isolated, including luteolin (1), apigenin (2), 5,8-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone (3), 5,7-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxyflavone (4) and luteolin 7-O-β-glucoside (5)....

Author(s): Muhammad Nisar, Salimullah Khan, Ahsana Dar, Wajid Rehman, Razaullah Khan and Irfanullah Jan

February 2011

Incidence and susceptibility pattern of clinical isolates from pus producing infection to antibiotics and Carica papaya seed extract

  The prevalence of bacterial pathogens isolated from pus producing infections (wound, eye and ear) randomly collected from the Medical Microbiology Laboratory of University College Hospital (UCH),Ibadan, Nigeria was determined. Their susceptibility to selected antibiotics and Carica papaya seed extracts was investigated. Bacterial pathogen identity was confirmed based on standard methods which...

Author(s): A. O. Idowu, B. B. Oluremi and N. I. Seidu

February 2011

Preliminary report on hepatic and cardiovascular risk assessment of automobile mechanics in Nigeria

  Automechanics are among the job professionals in proximity to diesel and gasoline exhaust whose components are known to be toxic. This raises serious public health concern. This study is a population-based-cross-sectional survey, set up to investigate the risk of cardiovascular and hepatic injury incurred by people engaged in work as mechanics. For information on the year of experience, socio demography,...

Author(s): Ajani, Emmanuel O., Ajibola, Abdulwaheed, Salau, Bamidele A., Odufuwa, Temitope K. and Odewabi, Adesina Olalekan

February 2011

Genetic diversity and population structure of Chinese honeybees (Apis cerana) under microsatellite markers

  Using 21 microsatellite markers and PCR method, the polymorphisms of 20 Apis cerana honeybee populations across China was investigated and the genetic structure and diversity of the populations were explored. The results showed that 507 alleles (mean 24.14 per locus, ranging from 13 to 45) were observed in 842 honeybees. Wuding bee had the highest level of heterozygosity (0.695), and the...

Author(s): Ting Ji, Ling Yin and Guohong Chen

February 2011

The effects of jig color and lunar bright on coastal squid jigging

  Squid jigging experiments were carried out to determine whether differences occurred between different colors and lunar brightness in Middle Eastern coast of Aegean Sea. Five different colors of jigs (red, blue, green, orange and white) were used together in same angle. According to one-way analysis of variance results, red jigs were found to be the most efficient in squid capturing (p...

Author(s): Ali UlaÅŸ and Ilker Aydin