November 2009
Construction of an expression vector for Lactococcus lactis based on an indigenous cryptic plasmid
To construct an expression vector for Lactococcus lactis, the EmPMT fragment which contained the erythromycin resistance gene, P32 promoter, multiple cloning site (MCS) and terminator (T) was subcloned into the small cryptic plasmid pAR141. The resulting vector, designated as pAR1411, was found to be stably maintained in L. lactis MG1363 after transformation for at least 100 generations...
November 2009
cDNA, genomic sequence cloning and overexpression of ribosomal protein s20 gene (RPS20) from the Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
RPS20 is a component of the 40S small ribosomal subunit encoded by RPS20 gene, which is conserved between eukaryotes, prokaryotes and archaebacteria.The cDNA and the genomic sequence of RPS20 were cloned successfully from the Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) using RT-PCR technology and touchdown-PCR, respectively. Both sequences were analyzed preliminarily and the cDNA...
November 2009
Analysis of expressed sequence tags derived from inflorescence shoot of Tectona grandis (teak)
Teak Inflorescence Shoot Stage 4 (TIS4) shoots bearing the floral meristems were used to construct a cDNA librariy with insert size range of 1500 - 5000 bp. The titer of the library was 7.5 x 105 pfu/ml (primary) and 4.5 x 109 pfu/ml (amplified). EST generation and analysis were performed using the cDNA library where a total of 1384 plaques were randomly picked and their inserts PCR-amplified using...
November 2009
Determination of genetic variability of Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties using microsatellite markers
The microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker analysis was done to determine the allelic diversity and relationship among thirty-five Asian cultivars of rice including 19 aromatic, 13 non-aromatic and 3 japonica type cultivars. A total of 144 alleles were detected at the 32 SSR loci, of which 141 (98%) were polymorphic. The number of alleles generated by each marker ranged from 2 to 13 with...
November 2009
Genetic homogeneity among Ugandan isolates of Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum revealed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis
The Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used to detect the genetic diversity among Ugandan isolates of Xanthomonas campestrispv. musacearum (Xcm), the causal agent of banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) disease. Seven random primers were used because of their ability to amplify reproducible and reliable fingerprints generated between 6 - 12 amplicons each from the Xcm isolates...
November 2009
Molecular detection of Brucella spp. from broth culture of clinical samples in Nigeria: Its role in vaccine quality control
PCR was employed to detect Brucella spp. from broth cultures of clinical samples using a group specific primer based on IS6501 sequence. The sensitivity and specificity of this assay was confirmed by Southern hybridization analysis using a digoxigenin-labeled DNA probe while reproducibility of the analysis was confirmed by repetition of the test. Also, ERI1 and ERI2 primers were...
November 2009
Isolation and expression pattern of COR15b and KIN1 genes in watermelon and pumpkin
COR15b and KIN1 (COR 6.5) genes encode polypeptides of 15 KDa and 6.5 KDa, respectively. They are involved in the dehydration tolerance mechanisms and play important role under cold stress. cDNA sequences of COR15b and KIN1 genes were firstly isolated from leaves of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata). Sequencing results indicated that the open...
November 2009
Analyses of karyotypes and comparative physical locations of the resistance gene, Xa-5, between Oryza sativa and Oryza officinalis
A rice BAC library is being used widely in rice genome researches due to its distinctive advantages over other library systems. Physical locations of the rice bacterial blight resistance gene, Xa-5, was mapped comparatively with a BAC clone linked to this gene, in Oryza sativa, a cultivated rice and Oryza officinalis, a wild rice. Xa-5 was in situ hybridized...
November 2009
The role of phenolic compounds in the determination of wilt disease tolerance of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis JACQ)
Oil palm defence reaction to the vascular wilt disease was characterized by the production of phenolic compounds in the roots and pseudobulbs infected at the prenursery stage. The study was aimed at discriminating between tolerant and sensitive ones by the phenolic reaction of the roots and pseudobulbs after their infection with the Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.elaeidis, the pathogenic agent of...
November 2009
In vitro propagation of Alternanthera sessilis (sessile joyweed), a famine food plant
A complete protocol for micropropagation of Alternanthera sessilis using leaf explants was developed. Leaf explants from A. sessilis established on Murashige and Skoog medium were treated with various concentrations and combinations of auxins and cytokinins to determine the best method for callus formation, shoot regeneration and root formation. MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l BAP and 1...
November 2009
Pollen characteristics and in vitro pollen germination of Cedrus libani A. Rich
This study aims to determine the germination characteristics, pollen tube developments, effects of germination media and temperature and incubation durations of the pollens obtained from the four clones (11342, 11344, 11345 and 11351) of Cedrus libani A. Rich. (Lebanon Cedrus) obtained from clonal seed orchard (with national registration no: Eskisehir 117) between 2004 and 2006 as well as of those...
November 2009
Optimal control of a batch bioreactor for the production of a novel antifungal substance CF66I
More than 80% of the plant diseases are caused by fungi. Usually, fungi not only destroy the plants, but also produce mycotoxins that are harmful to human health. At present, chemical fungicides are mainly used for the prevention of fungi-related plant diseases, however, research and development of biological prevention and controlling are of great importance. In this work, the effects of pH and temperature...
November 2009
Growth, nodulation and yield of black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] as influenced by biofertilizers and soil amendments
EM (effective microorganisms) is a commercial biofertilizer mainly consists of photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of EM application and two strains of nitrogen fixing Bradyrhizobium japonicum (TAL- 102 and MN-S) on plant growth, nodulation and yield of black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] in different soil...
November 2009
Micropropagation of superior eucalyptus hybrids FRI-5 (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn x E. tereticornis Sm) and FRI-14(Eucalyptus torelliana F.V. Muell x E. citriodora Hook): A commercial multiplication and field evaluation
Micropropagation protocols for multiplication of highly important Eucalyptus hybrids have been achieved. Two Eucalyptus hybrids namely as FRI-5 (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn x Eucalytpus tereticornis Sm) and FRI-14 (Eucalyptus torelliana F. V. Muell x Eucalyptus citriodora Hook) selected for micropropagation using nodal segments as explants from the mature trees...
November 2009
Exogenous application of plant growth regulators increased the total flavonoid content in Taraxacum officinale Wigg
The effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) were studied on growth, total flavonoid, gibberellins (GA) and salicylic acid (SA) contents of Taraxacum officinale(dandelion), a widely used medicinal plant in Korea. All the four PGRs used; gibberellic acid (GA3), kinetin (Kn), salicylic acid (SA) and ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) were applied at the rates of 0.5 and 1.0 mM. GA3markedly...
November 2009
Determination of native woody landscape plants in Bursa and Uludag
Around Bursa and Uludag is a wide range of native woody plants of which are commonly used for landscape planning. The present study pointed out a total of 72 plant species, consisting of 36 trees, 32 shrubs, 7 treelets and 4 climber groups, around the region which are notified to be suitable for rural and urban planning with the intentions of solitary, group, alley, wind-break, ground cover and attractive...
November 2009
Sensory evaluation: The last hurdle in varietal development of yams (Dioscorea rotundata, poir) in Ghana
In variety development, sensory evaluation is not only the most important hurdle after all the necessary agronomic characteristics have been developed but also a major determinant of acceptability of the variety, as well as a major determinant in the subsequent adoption and use of the variety. Eight yam genotypes out of thirty-six genotypes evaluated for yield, pest and disease tolerance and stability over a...
November 2009
Morphological abnormality among regenerated shoots of banana and plantain (Musa spp.) after in vitro multiplication with TDZ and BAP from excised shoot-tips
Five cultivars of Musa spp (banana and plantain); ‘Berangan Intan’, ‘Berangan’ (AAA), ‘Rastali’, ‘Nangka’ (AAB) and ‘Baka Baling’ (ABB) were chosen to compare the effect of benzylaminopurine (BAP) and thidiazuron (TDZ) on multiplication efficiency in relation with frequency of abnormal shoot regeneration. Shoot tips ofMusa spp....
November 2009
Isolation of phytohormones producing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria from weeds growing in Khewra salt range, Pakistan and their implication in providing salt tolerance to Glycine max L.
Present investigation was made to isolate and characterize plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (Rkh1 - Rkh4) from rhizosphere of four weeds: Chrysopogon aucheri,Lactuca dissecta, Solanum surratense and Sonchus arvensis thriving under high salinity (EC: 2.3 dS/m) of Khewra salt range and the results were compared with strain Rak isolated from rhizosphere (EC: 0.2 dS/m) of Solanum...
November 2009
Micropropagation of Origanum sipyleum L., an endemic medicinal herb of Turkey
Origanum sipyleum L. (Lamiaceae) is an endemic species of the Western Anatolia, Turkey. Essential oils of oreganos are utilized in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. A micropropagation protocol was developed using seedlings-derived explants. Shoot apices of 17d-old seedling were cultured and shoots multiplied on Murashige-Skoog modified (MSM) containing 550 mg/l of CaCl2 for sustained growth....
November 2008
Physiological and antioxidant responses of three leguminous species to saline environment during seed germination stage
The study investigated the physiological behaviors and antioxidant responses ofMedicago sativa, Melilotus officinalis and Astragalus adsurgens to saline environment during seed germination stage. At 300 mM NaCl treatments, the final germination percentage of M. officinalis was much higher than that of M. sativa and of A. adsurgens and the initiation of...
November 2009
Biodegradation of PAHs by fungi in contaminated-soil containing cadmium and nickel ions
The study investigated the degradation of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a) fluoranthene, benzo(a) pyrene, chrysene and phenanthrene in a soil that was sterilized and inoculated with the nonligninolytic fungi, Fusarium flocciferum and Trichoderma spp. and the ligninolytic fungi,Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus in the presence...
November 2009
Ultramicroscopic observation of recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2 on the surface of formvar-carbon coated copper grids under different relative humidity and incubation time using negative stain transmission electron microscopy
The purpose of this investigation was to compare the effects of different relative humidity (RH) on the microcosmic conformation of the recombinant AAV-2 virion at22°C. rAAV-2 virions prepared on copper grid were placed in a high, middle or low RH cabinet and incubated for 72, 48 and 24 h, respectively. The rAAV-2...
November 2009
Growth response of eight tropical turfgrass species to salinity
Irrigation seawater of different salinity levels (0, 24, 48 and 72 dSm-1) were applied to experimental plants grown in a plastic pots filled with a mixture of sand and peat (9:1). The results were analyzed using SAS and treatment means were compared using LSD Test. The results indicated that Paspalum vaginatum (seashore paspalum) (SP), Zoysia matrella (manilagrass) (MG), Pasplaum...
November 2009
Separation and recovery of organic acids from fermented kitchen waste by an integrated process
Organic acids produced from anaerobic digestion of kitchen waste were recovered using a new integrated method which consisted of freezing and thawing, centrifugation, filtration and evaporation. The main organic acid produced was lactic acid (98%). After the freezing and thawing process, 73% of the total suspended solids were removed and the organic acids were elevated from 59.0 to 70 g/L. The evaporation...
November 2009
Zooplankton abundance in the River Kars, Northeast Turkey: Impact of environmental variables
The zooplankton of the River Kars was studied from May to October 2005 at five sampling stations. Thirty different zooplankton taxa were recorded, consisting of one copepod, four cladocera and twenty-five rotifers. The highest zooplankton densities were recorded in July and the lowest in October. Water temperature and nutrients were the main environmental factors which affected zooplankton abundance in the...
November 2009
Molecular diagnostics and phylogenetic analysis of ‘Candidatus phytoplasma asteris’ (16SrI- Aster yellow group) infecting banana (Musa spp.)
The presence of phytoplasma in diseased banana plants exhibiting acute stunting symptoms was detected by the polymerase chain reaction using a primer set specific for the 16SrRNA gene of phytoplasma. The amplified DNA fragments of 1500 bp were cloned in pGEMT-Easy plasmid cloning vector and sequenced. The BLASTN and phylogenetic analyses revealed the infecting agents to be the closely related...
November 2009
Linking climate change and progressive eutrophication to incidents of clustered animal mortalities in different geographical regions of South Africa
Cyanobacterial blooms have become an increasing problem in South African freshwater bodies. Since certain species of cyanobacteria are well-known for biosynthesis of potent hepatic and neurotoxins, such blooms can pose a significant threat to the health of animals and humans. The massive proliferation of these organisms in rivers and lakes is largely due to progressive eutrophication. However, a warming trend...
November 2009
Potential probiotic of Lactobacillus johnsonii LT171 for chicken nutrition
The objective of this research was to investigate the potential probiotic ofLactobacillus johnsonii LT171. It had aggregation (60 min) and antibacterial effects against Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coliO78:K80. It showed amylase and protease activity and high clear zone in culture medium containing calcium phytate; cell surface hydrophobicity, 85.21...
November 2009
The effects of different warm stratification periods on the seed germination of some Rosa taxa
In this study, the effects of different warm stratification periods on the seed germination of some Rosa species such as Rosa heckellana ssp. vanheurckiana,Rosa canina, Rosa pulverelanta and Rosa dumalis naturally grown in the Van region were investigated. In 2007, seeds of these species were kept at 25°C warm stratification for 10, 11 and 12 weeks, and then...
November 2009
Response surface optimization of D(-)-lactic acid production by Lactobacillus SMI8 using corn steep liquor and yeast autolysate as an alternative nitrogen source
The production of D(-) lactic acid from Lactobacillus LMI8 sp. was studied, using 2 low-cost nitrogen sources: corn steep liquor (CSL) and yeast autolysate (YA). A central composite design was used to determine maximal lactic acid production. The surface response method was used to evaluate the results of the experiments. The assays were performed in 250 mL Erlenmeyer flasks containing 100 mL...
November 2009
Diesel degradation and biosurfactant production by Gram-positive isolates
Accidental leakages during hydrocarbon fuels transportation and other activities are inevitable, making these hydrocarbons the most common global environmental pollutants. Current understanding in diesel degradation involves the study of Gram-negative microorganisms. Seven Gram-positive and one Gram-negative diesel degrading bacteria isolated from contaminated soil were used in this study. The...
November 2009
The effect of rhizobacterial inoculation on growth and nutrient accumulation of tissue-cultured banana plantlets under low N-fertilizer regime
Banana, an important fruit crop, requires high amounts of N-fertilizers for commercial cultivation. This, however, is costly and can be hazardous to the soil environment when used excessively. Biofertilizer is globally accepted as an alternative source of N-fertilizer and can substantially supplement the N requirement while enhancing the uptake of water and mineral nutrients of crop plants. An experiment was...
November 2009
Enhanced production of subtilisin of Pyrococcus furiosus expressed in Escherichia coli using auto-inducing medium
A subtilisin gene identified in the reported genome sequence of Pyrococcus furiosus was amplified and inserted in pET-22b(+) vector to produce the recombinant plasmid pET-SB. Escherichia coli BL-21 (DE3) CodonPlus was transformed with this plasmid and the enzyme was expressed up to 30% of the total cell protein on induction with IPTG. The expressed protein appeared at a position...
November 2009
Plasmids profiles, antibiotic and heavy metal resistance incidence of endophytic bacteria isolated from grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)
Little is known about the bacterial communities associated with the plant inhabiting desert ecosystem. In this study, the bacterial population associated with grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) plant, growing desert soil was analyzed using the culture dependent approach. A total of 111 bacterial isolates were isolated from stems and leaves samples, collected from different locations and subjected to further...
November 2009
Antibiotic resistance profile of bacterial isolates from food sold on a University campus in south western Nigeria
The antibiotic resistance profile of bacterial isolates from cooked food samples sold in different eateries on the campus of the University of Ado-Ekiti was investigated. A total of seventy-eight bacterial isolates belonging to six genera were encountered in the following proportion: Escherichia coli (29.5%), Klebsiella spp. (25.6%), Proteusspp. (18.0%), Salmonella spp....
November 2009
Nutrient content and anti-nutritional factors in shea butter (Butryospermum parkii) leaves
Sample of shea-butter leaves were analyzed for, anti-nutrients and proximate composition. The proximate result showed that the leaf has high content of carbohydrate (13.82%) compared to other types of leaves. The content of anti-nutrients observed is low; phytate (0.19%), tannic acid (1.50%) and oxalate (0.80%) and these can be tolerated by the body system. The low level of these constituent will not...
November 2009
Fe (III) complex of mefloquine hydrochloride: Synthesis, antimicrobial and toxicological activities
As part of the ongoing research for more effective antimalarial drug, Fe (III) complex of mefloquine hydrochloride (antimalarial drug) was synthesized using template method. Mefloquine was tentatively found to have coordinated through the hydroxyl and the two nitrogen atoms in the quinoline and piperidine in the structure, respectively. Characterization has been done on the basis of analytical, conductance,...
November 2009
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) degradation by laccase from a tropical white rot fungus Ganoderma lucidum
Laccase enzyme was produced from an isolate of the white rot fungus, Ganoderma lucidum Chaaim-001 BCU. The enzyme was subsequently evaluated for its degradative ability towards sixteen types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The G. lucidum laccase degraded antracene completely with or without a redox mediator (2 mM 1-hydroxybenzotriazole) and also degraded benzo[a]pyrene,...
November 2009
Anti-inflammatory activity of Wigandia urens and Acalypha alopecuroides
The anti-inflammatory activity of the chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts ofWigandia urens and Acalypha alopecuroides were investigated on carrageenan-induced paw edema at doses of 400 mg/kg. The three extracts of W. urens, and the aqueous extract of A. alopecuroides caused significant inhibition of the edema (58.1±6.5% and 63.5±5.4%, respectively)....
November 2009
Plant tissue culture study on two different races of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.)
This study was performed on two races of purslane; agronomic purslane and wild one. All the explants were cultured on MS basal medium supplement with 30 g/l sucrose, 8 g/l agar and different plant growth regulator. Petioles, shoot tips and leaves of wild purslane and also leaves of agronomic purslane were cultured in different concentrations and combinations of IBA and BAP (Both in the same four levels, 0, 1,...
November 2009
Effect of particle size of granules on some mechanical properties of paracetamol tablets
Solid dosage forms are invariably multiparticulate systems of heterogenous particle size distribution. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of particle size distribution of paracetamol granules on some tablet mechanical properties of paracetamol tablets. Granules were formed by wet massing paracetamol powder (200 g) with 20% (w/w) of maize starch mucilage as binder. Resulting granules were...
November 2009
A comparison of efficacy between conventional and modified methods of the chronic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion model
The objective of this study is to develop and compare the efficacy of a modified versus conventional rat model of chronic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. Sixty Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups, a modified group (mask respiratory support and short-time chest-opening) and a conventional group (tracheal intubation and long-time chest-opening). Operation time, surgical success rate,...
November 2009
Blood shortage situation: An audit of red blood cells order and pattern of utilization
The objective of this work is to audit blood utilization by different specialties in the hospital using the Cross-match ratio as a guide to achieving effective transfusion practices. This was a prospective study. The blood bank of University Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria was used for the study. We analysed all blood orders from January to December, 2008. Data collection included number of units of...
November 2009
A taxonomic review of the species of the genus Amara Bonelli (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Pterostichinae) from south-central Turkey
The twelve species and subspecies of the pterostichine genus Amara Bonelli living in the study area represent about 22% of the Turkish species of this genus. This study is based on material collected primarily in the province of Kahramanmaraş, but also in the surrounding provinces of Adana, Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Kayseri, and Malatya, situated in south-central Turkey, in the Taurus Mountains, and...
November 2009
Resistance of maize varieties to the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
This study aimed at evaluating commonly used maize varieties, collected from Melkasa and Bako Agricultural Research Centers and Haramaya University, Ethiopia, against the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motsch., one of the most important cosmopolitan stored product pests in maize. A total of 13 improved maize varieties were screened for their relative susceptibility to S. zeamais. The Dobie...
November 2009
Induction of haploid embryo and plant regeneration via irradiated pollen technique in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne ex. Poir)
The effects of gamma ray doses (50, 100, 200 and 300 Gray) at different times (July 9, 11, 15, 21 and 28) on the obtention of gynogenic haploid embryo and plant regeneration via irradiated pollen technique were investigated in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne ex Poir.). Production of haploid embryo and plant increased significantly at the lower irradiation doses of C60 (50 and 100 Gy) and...
November 2009
Establishment of in vitro fast-growing normal root culture of Vernonia amygdalina - a potent African medicinal plant
Fast-growing normal root culture of Vernonia amygdalina, a potent African medicinal plant was established from leaf explants of in vitro raised shoot induced from the stem nodal segments on murashige and skoog (MS) medium containing 0.5 mg l-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) in combination with 0.5 mg l-1 naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). In vitro raised plantlets were...
November 2009
Enzymatic hydrolysis of esters from 2-carboxy-6-methoxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran acid
In this work we describe the results of the enzymatic hydrolysis of esters from 2-carboxy-6-methoxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran acid using Candida antarctica lipase supported on acrylic resin, with enantiomeric excesses ranging between 80 to 99%. Key words: 2-Carboxy-6-methoxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran acid, Candida antarcticalipase,...
November 2009
Effects of application methods and species of wood on color changes of varnishes
In this study, the color effects of wood materials to coloring with different application methods (brush, roller sponge and spray gun) and waterborne varnishes were investigated according to ASTM-D 2244. For this purpose, the experimental samples of Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.), oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) and oak (Quercus petreae L.), which are commonly used woods in the...
November 2009
Effect of different flocculants on the flocculation performance of microalgae, Chaetoceros calcitrans, cells
The possibility of using flocculation technique for the separation of microalgae,Chaetoceros calcitrans, biomass from the culture broth was investigated. The flocculation experiments were conducted in 500 mL beaker using culture broth obtained from 10 L photobioreactor. The harvesting efficiency of 90 and 60% was obtained in flocculation without flocculants conducted for 10 days at 27ºC (in light...
November 2009
Oxytocic and anti-implantation activities of the leaf extracts of Graptophyllum pictum (Linn.) Griff. (Acanthaceae)
This study was aimed at evaluating Graptophyllum pictum aqueous extract (GPAE) and ethanol extract (GPEE) in vitro for oxytocic and in vivo for anti-implantation activities. The oxytocic screening of the extracts was carried out on the isolated strip of gravid rat uterus in mid pregnancy and was compared with the activity of an agonist drug, oxytocin. GPEE exhibited oxytocic...
November 2009
Potential of replacing pawpaw fruit and leaves with cabbage peels as a natural feedstuff in the diet of Achatina achatina linne (African giant land snail)
An experiment was carried out to assess the growth performance of African Giant Land Snail Achatina achatina Linnie fed with three natural feedstuff; pawpaw fruit, pawpaw leaves and cabbage leaves. A total of 24 growing snails of approximately one year old were used for the study. These were randomly divided into six groups and then allotted into the three experimental diets, arranged in a...
November 2009
Phytochemical constituents and effects of aqueous root-bark extract of Ficus sycomorus L. (Moracaea) on muscular relaxation, anaesthetic and sleeping time on laboratory animals
Aqueous extract of the leaves, stem-bark and root-bark of Ficus sycomorus were screened for chemical constituents and effects on muscle relaxation, local anaesthetic and sleeping time on 20 wister rats (138.7 - 143.9g ± 22.4 ) and one rabbit (1300 g ± 0.00). The extract contained tannins, alkaloids, reducing compounds, saponins, flavonoids, steroid, terpenoids and anthracenoside. The...
November 2009
Evaluation of Sorghum bicolor leaf base extract for gastrointestinal effects
The leaf base of Sorghum bicolor (Family: Gramineae, Poaceae) was cold-macerated with 70% v/v methanol. The aqueous methanolic extract was further fractionated into non-polar, medium polar and very polar components using hexane, ethylacetate and water (aqueous), respectively. The gastrointestinal effects of these extracts were tested on intestinal motility (transit) in mice, castor oil-induced diarrhoeal model...
November 2009
Altered membrane permeability in multidrug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from extra-intestinal infections
The study was conducted with the objective of examining the outer membrane proteins and their involvement during the transport of β - lactams in multidrug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from extra-intestinal infections. Also, the response of gram negative bacterial biomembrane alteration was studied using extended spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) positive strains of E.coli in the...
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