African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12496

Table of Content: 29 May 2013; 12(22)

May 2013

Palm yellows phytoplasmas and their genetic classification

Palm yellows phytoplasmas have been a subject of debate because of two recent outbreaks. Firstly, a lethal yellowing-type phytoplasma disease was recorded on a number of palm species of mainly the genus Phoenix in Florida in 2008. Shortly afterwards, Sabal palmetto which has never been threatened by a phytoplasma before, was suddenly attacked by a phytoplasma strain similar to the one that...

Author(s): Khayalethu Ntushelo, Monica L. Elliott and Nigel A. Harrison

May 2013

Low genetic diversity and absence of population differentiation of hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) revealed by mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b region in Ganga and Hooghly rivers

We investigated the mtDNA cytochrome b based genetic structure of anadromous clupeid hilsa, Tenualosa ilisha, from the rivers Ganga and Hooghly. Six different haplotypes were observed, in sample size of 240, with a single dominant haplotype present in both rivers. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) of Ganga and Hooghly populations does not suggest existence of population structuring in...

Author(s): M. P. Brahmane, S. N. Kundu, M. K. Das and A. P. Sharma

May 2013

Genetic variability within n-rDNA region of ectomycorrhizal isolates originating from temperate ecosystems

Identification of Ectomycorrhiza Fungi (ECM) based on morphological characters has been laborious and time consuming, especially samples collected from the environment. Additionally, due to its microscopic nature and limited morphological characters, intraspecies variation is difficult to detect. In view of this, this study aimed at confirming the earlier identification of these fungi, which was...

Author(s): Sanjeev Kumar and Alok Adholeya

May 2013

An effective method for extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA from formalin preserved tissue samples of snow leopard

Formalin-preserved biological samples obtained from endangered species are valuable in assessing genetic diversity. To make use of snow leopard samples preserved in formalin over a period of two to seven years, we optimized the method of extracting DNA from these samples. We used (a) phenol chloroform : isoamyl alcohol, (b) the Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit (Qiagen, Germany), (c) the Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue...

Author(s): Bheem Dutt Joshi, Sudhanshu Mishra, Sujeet Kumar Singh and S. P. Goyal

May 2013

Characterization of three novel pigment-producing Penicillium strains isolated from the Mexican semi-desert

Fungal pigments are used in diverse industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, textile, among others. The need of new organic pigments involves the search for new microbial sources. In this study, three fungal strains isolated from Quercus sp andLarrea tridentata were morphological, physiological and molecularly characterized. Different temperatures (8, 16, 20, 24 and 32°C) and pH (4, 6, 7, 8 and 10)...

Author(s): Tanya Cecilia Espinoza-Hernández, Raúl Rodríguez-Herrera, Cristóbal Noé Aguilar-González, Faustino Lara-Victoriano, Manuel Humberto Reyes-Valdésand Francisco Castillo- Reyes

May 2013

Comparative genetic diversity analysis of oat (Avena sativa L.) by microsatellite markers and morphological rainfed expressions

Equivalence was appraised between phenotypic and molecular markers (ISSR) to analyze the genetic diversity of 20 high yielding genotypes representing different geographical zones of the world. A moderate range of genetic similarity (0.84 to 0.20) was observed on the basis of 20 inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers, where it was found high (0.995 – 0.204) on the basis of 7 primary...

Author(s): Yogesh Ruwali , J. S. Verma  and Lalan Kumar

May 2013

Molecular diversity analysis in selected fodder and dual purpose oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)

Genetic variability among 15 oat genotypes comprising fodder and dual purpose oat varieties from different geographical regions was analyzed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker method in Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (G.B.P.U.A. & T.), Pantnagar. The results show appreciably high genetic diversity among the oat...

Author(s): Yogesh Ruwali, Kalyan Singh, Sundeep Kumar and Lalan Kumar

May 2013

Comparative genetic diversity studies in mustard (Brassica Juncea) varieties using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis

Four random primers was utilized for detecting genetic diversity of five mustard varieties as the detection of genetic diversity is essential for proper use in the genetic improvement of the mustard. A total of 20 bands were scored corresponding to an average of five bands per primer. Level of genetic polyphorphism was in the range of 0 to 66.66%. A dendrogram constructed using the unweighted pair group...

Author(s): Mudasir Yousuf, Towseef Mohsin Bhat and Rajdeep Kudesia

May 2013

Zygotic embryo in vitro culture of Cocos nucifera L. (sv. East African Tall variety) in the coastal lowlands of Kenya

In vitro embryo culture of Cocos nucifera L. was carried out with the aim of determining whether it can be applied as an alternative coconut propagation tool to address the lack of planting materials in Kenya. Zygotic embryos excised from mature healthy pyrenes of high yielding Cocos nucifera L. (sv. East African Tall, a coconut variety from Kenya) were cultured using Murashige and Skoog (MS)...

Author(s): Najya Muhammed, Richard Nyamota, Suhaila Hashim and Joyce N. Malinga

May 2013

Relationships between stem diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height, crown length, and crown ratio of Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn in the Nigerian Guinea Savanna

Trees show considerable variation and flexibility in their size of crowns, height and stem diameter at breast height (dbh). Dbh has been used as predictor variables in diameter and height growth equations. Relationships between dbh, tree height, crown length, crown height and crown ratio of Vitellaria paradoxa were investigated and regression prediction models were derived. Dbh, as a...

Author(s): Toma Buba

May 2013

In-vitro propagation of Picralima nitida (Stapf) through embryo culture

Embryo abortion in wide crosses and seed dormancy has hampered the mass propagation of selected tree germplasm from the wild. An in vitro plant regeneration protocol was successfully established in Picralima nitida (Stapf), a medicinal tropical plant, by culturing excised embryo from mature seeds collected from the wild. Seeds were sterilized and dissected; embryos were raised in vitro in...

Author(s): Gbadamosi, Alaba E.

May 2013

Synthesis and accumulation of free amino acids during somatic and zygotic embryogenesis of Acca sellowiana (O. Berg.) Burret

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is an analogous process to zygotic embryogenesis (ZE); both complex processes are influenced by a significant number of genetic and environmental factors. Amino acids are considered important regulators of morphogenesis in several plant species, therefore the aim of this study was to determine the role of amino acids in embryo ontogeny in Acca sellowiana. Endogenous levels of...

Author(s): Rosete Pescador, Gilberto Barbante Kerbauy, Lauricio Endres, Hugo Pacheco de Freitas Fraga and Miguel Pedro Guerra

May 2013

Physicochemical characterization of organic matter during co-composting of shea-nut cake with goat manure

Wastes constitute a source of pollution for the environment. By composting, the value of organic matter (OM) can be improved in agriculture. From this perspective, the aim of this our work was to study the biodegradation of shea-nut cake, which is a food industry waste. The shea-nut cake was composted with caprine manure for six months. Chemical parameters were followed during composting. The compost obtained had a pH...

Author(s): Sanonka Tchegueni, Moursalou Koriko, Edem Koledzi, Magnoudéwa B. Bodjona, Koffi A. Kili, Gado Tchangbedji, Gnon Baba and Mohamed Hafidi

May 2013

Characterization of cucumber mosaic virus isolated from yam (Dioscorea spp.) in West Africa

Millions of people in the West African sub-region depend on yam for food and income. In 2008, cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), one of the most economically important plant viruses was detected in yam fields in Ghana, Benin and Togo, three of the five topmost yam producing countries in the world. Some strains of CMV are reportedly more virulent than others thus the need to characterise the strain isolated from yam. Sap...

Author(s): A. O. Eni, , P. Lava Kumar, R. Asiedu, O. J. Alabi, R. A. Naidu,  Jd&#;A. Hughes and M. E. C. Rey

May 2013

Genetic transformation of garlic (Allium sativum L.) with tobacco chitinase and glucanase genes for tolerance to the fungus Sclerotium cepivorum

Garlic yield and quality have decreased due to white rot disease caused by Sclerotium cepivorum Berk. A transformation protocol to introduce tobacco chitinase and glucanase genes into garlic embryogenic calli using Agrobacterium tumefaciens has been established. LBA4404 strain having pC2301CHGLU plasmid with TaCh, glu, gusand nptII genes (coding for chitinase, glucanase,...

Author(s): Erika Lagunes-Fortiz, Alejandrina Robledo-Paz, M. Alejandra Gutiérrez-Espinosa, José Oscar Mascorro-Gallardo and Eduardo Espitia-Rangel

May 2013

Inhibitory effect of marine algae collected from the East and West coast of India against luciferase and luminescence producing Vibrio harveyi

This study explored the development of inhibitors from marine algae against luminescence disease causing Vibrio harveyi. Organic solvents such as ethyl acetate (EA) and methanol:chloroform (CM) were treated to extract compounds from marine algae such as Skeletonema costatum, Ulva fasciata and Kappaphycus alvarezii. Antagonistic effect of algae extracts was determined against marine V....

Author(s): Krishnamoorthy Sivakumar and Sudalayandi Kannappan

May 2013

Effect of saline irrigation water on yield and yield components of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Salinity is an agricultural problem which decreases or restricts crop production worldwide. Saline water can be used in crop production if the yield reduction can be ameliorated. For this purpose, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in Rasht, North of Iran to assess the effects of water salinity levels at different growth stages of rice on yield and its components. Treatments included four levels of saline water (2,...

Author(s): Farshid Aref

May 2013

Estimates of combining ability and heterosis for growth traits in a full diallel cross of three strains of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

We attempted to determine the combining ability and heterosis of body weight by performing 3 × 3 complete diallel crosses derived by crossing 3 common carps (Cyprinus carpio var. jian, Cyprinus carpio haematopterus Temminck et Schlegel and Cyprinus carpio haematopterus). In total, 1650 fish were tagged when they were 1.5 months of age. After 5 months, Jian carp (♂) × Huanghe carp (♀) attained greater...

Author(s): Shengyan Su, Pao Xu, and Xinhua Yuan,

May 2013

Recombination frequencies between cultivated soybean (Glycine max) and its wild relative Glycine soja based on molecular marker analysis

Close relatives of cultivated crops provide an invaluable source of genetic variation in crop improvement and exploiting such variation often forms a critical part in a breeding program. The usability of the wild soybean Glycine soja was investigated in this study by analyzing populations derived from two wide crosses between a common cultivar and two different G. soja accessions using simple...

Author(s): Zhang Yue-ying, Zhao Qing-song, Yang Chun-yan, Zhang Meng-chen, Yan Long, Qiu Li-juan and Liu Chun-ji

May 2013

Phylogenetic relationship among Kenyan sorghum germplasms based on aluminium tolerance

Eighty nine (89) sorghum lines sourced from various parts of Kenya were used to determine phylogenetic relationships based on ten DNA fragments at AltSB loci with SbMATE, ORF9 and MITE primers. Nine lines of varying aluminium tolerance levels were selected to compare their SbMATE gene expression via the real-time PCR quantification of SbMATE gene expression. The sorghum line MSCR O2 expressed a thousandfold more...

Author(s): Cheprot, Reuben K., Matonyei, Thomas K., Were, Beatrice A., Dangasuk, O. George, Onkware, Augostino O., Ouma, Evans O., Too, Emily J., Liu, J, Gudu, S and Kochian, L. V.

May 2013

Cryopreservation of achenes of caju-de-árvore-do-cerrado (Anacardium othonianum Rizz)

The aim of the present study was to determine the water content limit for the cryopreservation of caju-de-árvore-do-Cerrado (Anacardium othonianum Rizz) achenes and assess the effect of the thawing method on their performance. Achenes were dried in silica gel until water contents of 14, 12, 8 and 4% w.b. (wet basis) were reached and then were stored in cryogenic cylinders in direct contact with liquid...

Author(s): Lílian Abadia da Silva, Juliana de Fátima Sales, Fabiano Guimarães Silva, Pedro Henrique Castro Magalhães Ferreira

May 2013

Profile of cry from native Bacillus thuringiensis isolates and expression of cry1I

The characterization of 255 Bacillus thuringiensis isolates of Coorg, Sharavatti and BR hills, containing genes known to be active against coleopteran and lepidopteran insect species was done through PCR amplification using the specific and degenerate primers. The isolates were also tested for their insecticidal activity againstPlutella xylostella. Among the coleopteran specific genes screened, the most...

Author(s): A. S. Pooja, P. U. Krishnaraj and S. K. Prashanthi

May 2013

Assessing wines based on total phenols, phenolic acids and chemometrics by multivariate analyses

The aim of this study was to investigate the phenolic profile of some red wines produced from native Turkish grape varieties (Vitis vinifera Öküzgözü, V. viniferaBoÄŸazkere and V. vinifera Shiraz) and some red fruit wines produced from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) and black mulberry (Morus nigra L.). Red grape wines and fruit wines...

Author(s): Hatice Kalkan Yıldırım

May 2013

Stability of wheat germ oil obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide associated with lipase ethanolysis

Wheat germ oil was extracted using an environmental friendly solvent, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) at a semi-batch flow extraction process. The supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction was carried out to extract oil at temperature of 40°C and pressure of 25 MPa. Ethanolysis was performed with 1,3-regiospecific lipase at different temperatures (40 to 70°C) to produce diglycerides and...

Author(s): Jeong-Eun Sim, Joo-Hee Lee and Byung-Soo Chun

May 2013

Effect of dietary vitamin D3 supplementation on meat quality of naked neck chickens

Consumers’ interest of indigenous chicken meat is increasing. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on meat quality of indigenous male naked neck chickens. Different supplementation levels of 0, 2000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 IU of vitamin D3 per kg DM of feed were used. 13 weeks old male naked neck chickens with a mean live weight of 1200 ± 3 g were...

Author(s): M. Mabelebele, J. W. Ng’ambi and D. Norris

May 2013

Functional properties of soy-enriched tapioca

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of soy-substitution on functional properties of tapioca a partially gelatinised irregular starch grit made from cassava. Starch was extracted from cassava tubers and soy-tapioca was produced by incorporation of full-fat soy flour into moist starch at four levels of substitution; 15: 85, 25: 75, 50: 50 before granulation and gelatinization. Functional properties of...

Author(s): Otegbayo, B.O., Samuel, F.O. and Alalade, T.