October 2013
Molecular survey of the Texas Phoenix decline phytoplasma population in Florida, USA
A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to amplify 16S-23S intergenic spacer (IGS) region from DNA samples individually extracted from 25 Sabal palmetto (cabbage palms) showing symptoms of Texas Phoenix decline (TPD) in West Central Florida. The IGS region was also amplified from DNA from other palm species showing symptoms of TPD and lethal yellowing (LY). A subset of the aforementioned...
October 2013
Genetic analysis of wild and cultivated germplasm of pigeonpea using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers
The reliability of the quantification of genetic diversity using only one type of marker has been questioned as compared to the combined use of different markers. To compare the efficiency of the use of single versus multiple markers, the genetic diversity was quantified among 12 diverse pigeonpea germplasm comprised of eight wild and four cultivated using both random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and simple sequence...
October 2013
Study of simple sequence repeat (SSR) polymorphism for biotic stress resistance in elite rice variety JGL 1798
To provide ready to use markers for back ground selection in marker assisted breeding of rice, we used GPP 2 as donor parent for xa13, Xa21, Gm4 resistance to bacterial blight, gall midge and NLR 145 as another donor parent for Pi-kh gene resistance to blast and JGL 1798 as recurrent parent was investigated using 128simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers covered on chromosome number 1-12. ...
October 2013
Occurrence of aflatoxin contamination in maize kernels and molecular characterization of the producing organism, Aspergillus
Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites produced mainly by Aspergillus flavus andAspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent carcinogen, teratogen and mutagen. 660 pre- and post- harvest maize samples were collected from major maize growing areas in Tamil Nadu, India. Aflatoxin contamination was observed in 40.22% of the samples tested of which, 22.97% of pre-harvest and 53.93% post-harvest maize samples...
October 2013
Estimation of genetic diversity of the Kenyan yam (Dioscorea spp.) using microsatellite markers
Yam landraces in Kenya have not been fully characterized both at morphological and molecular level. Application of molecular markers can overcome this bottleneck. 187 accessions comprising of 166 yam landraces and 21 Yam DNA samples from IITA, Nigeria were extracted from leaf samples grown at Muguga and genotyped at BeCA. DNA was extracted using CTAB method. Twelve (12) primer pairs were used for genotyping and PCR...
October 2013
Isolation and characterization of altered root growth behavior and salinity tolerant mutants in rice
Generation, screening and isolating mutants for any developmental and adaptive traits plays a major role in plant functional genomics research. Identification and exploitation of mutants possessing contrasting root growth behavior and salinity tolerance in rice will help us to identify key genes controlling these traits and in turn will be useful for manipulating abiotic stress tolerance through tilling and genetic...
October 2013
Assessment of microbial diversity under arid plants by culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches
In this work, microbial community structure of two distinct arid plants like ker (Capparis deciduas) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) was assessed and defined by culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches on the basis of 16S rRNA and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. The average Jaccard’s similarity coefficient values for cultivated bacteria that is within ker and pearl millet...
October 2013
Application of Cry1Ab/Ac Bt strip for screening of resistance for Maruca vitrata in cowpea
Maruca vitrata is a significant constraint to cowpea production in most cowpea growing areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Yield losses caused by M. vitrata in these regions are estimated in millions of tons annually and the prevalence of M. vitratainfestation is steadily increasing. Recombinant DNA technology have led to development of some cowpea lines with Maruca resistance as well...
October 2013
Upshot of the ripening time on biological activities, phenol content and fatty acid composition of Tunisian Opuntia ficus-indica fruit
Total phenol content and the antioxidant activities of three cultivars of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. were evaluated. The results show that the ecotypes were significantly different according to their fatty acid composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activity, as well as their polyphenol profiles. Rossa fruit collected in August exhibited the higher phenolic content (15.48 mg GAE g−1 DW)...
October 2013
Experimental design applied to the optimization and partial characterization of pectin-methyl-esterase from a newly isolated Penicillium brasilianum
The objective of this work was to optimize the medium composition for maximum pectin-methyl-esterase (PME) production from a newly isolated strain of Penicillium brasilianum by submerged fermentation. A Plackett-Burman design was first used for the screening of most important factors, followed by a 23 full experimental design, to maximize the enzyme production. The...
October 2013
Purification and characterization of protease from Bacillus cereus SU12 isolated from oyster Saccostrea cucullata
Protease-producing bacterium Bacillus cereus SU12 was isolated from oysterSaccostrea cucullata. Fifteen strains of bacteria were isolated from oyster S. cucullata and screened for secretion of protease on casein agar plates. Among them, SU12 isolate was selected due to its high enzyme production capacity and was identified as B. cereus SU12 on the basis of its morphological,...
October 2013
Ginger-supplemented diet ameliorates ammonium nitrate-induced oxidative stress in rats
The present study was designed to evaluate the capacity of ginger to repair the oxidative stress induced by ammonium nitrate. 50 male rats were divided into 5 groups; they underwent an oral treatment of ammonium nitrate and/or ginger (N mg/kg body weight + G% in diet) during 30 days. Group I served as control (C); group II (G) received a diet with 2% of ginger; group III (N) received a toxic dose of ammonium...
October 2013
Acute and sub-chronic pre-clinical toxicological study of Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae)
Averrhoa carambola L., a species belonging to the Oxalidaceae family, is associated with neurological symptoms in individuals with renal diseases. The objective of this work was to accomplish a pre-clinical toxicological study of the hydroalcoholic extract (HE) from A. carambola leaves. Wistar rats and Swiss mice, both male and female, were used in these experiments. The rats were used in the acute...
October 2013
Recovery of water from cacti for use in small farming communities
In this study, an extensive investigation was conducted to determine if declared weeds could be used as a source of water for agricultural practices in dry areas. The objective of this study was to determine if declared weeds could successfully be used as a source of water for agricultural practices in dry areas by extracting the water by means of mechanical and chemical methods. The Cereus jamacura cactus,...
October 2013
Comparative antioxidant and hypoglycaemic effects of aqueous, ethanol and n-hexane extracts of leaf of Vitex doniana on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in albino rats
Several herbal preparations are used to treat diabetes, but their reported hypoglycemic effects are complex. This study therefore was designed to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Vitex doniana leaves on oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally using 50 mg/kg streptozotocin, while diabetic rats were treated...
October 2013
Investigation of some important phytochemical, nutritional properties and toxicological potentials of ethanol extracts of Newbouldia laevis leaf and stem
The pytochemicals, nutritional and toxicological potentials of the ethanol extracts of the leaf and stem of Newbouldia laevis was investigated in this study. The percentage yields of N. laevis ethanol leaf and stem extracts were found to be 7.44 and 3.30% (w/w), respectively. The preliminary phytochemical screening showed that ethanol leaf and stem extracts contains alkaloids, flavonoids and...
October 2013
Water and energy saving bioprocess for bioethanol production from corn grain applying stillage liquid part recirculation
The distillery stillage is a major and arduous byproduct generated during ethanol production in distilleries. The liquid part of this stillage was proved that can be recycled in the ethanol production from corn, without disturbing the fermentation process. The corn seeds were fermented employing the conventional non-pressure method for gelatinizing as well as including a novelty: Recirculation system of distillery...
October 2013
Biodigestion of cassava peels blended with pig dung for methane generation
Biogas production from cassava (Manihot esculentus) peels and pig dung under a mesophilic temperature condition was investigated. Three blends of the wastes and a control labeled as B1, B2, B3 and C representing blend 1 (50:50 peel/dung), blend 2 (30:70 peel/dung), blend 3 (10:90 peel/dung) and control (pig dung alone) were used, respectively. Biodigestion of the wastes blends and control was carried out simultaneously...
October 2013
The use of earthworm flour for lactic acid biomass production
The potential use of Californian red earthworm flour as a nitrogen source for the production of lactic biomass was assessed. Three fermentation substrates, earthworm flour (EF), earthworm flour + yeast extract (EF + YE) and a commercial substrate MRS (control) were used. The substrates were formulated using 60 g L-1 of glucose as the carbon source and 34 gL-1 of earthworm flour as the nitrogen source.Weissella...
October 2013
Isolation and characterization of anticoagulant compound from marine mollusc Donax faba (Gmelin, 1791) from Thazhanguda, Southeast Coast of India
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are linear polysaccharides found in the extracellular matrix and biological fluids of animals where they interact with hundreds of proteins and perform a variety of critical roles. There are five classes of animal GAGs: heparan sulfate (HS), chondroitin sulfate (CS), dermatan sulfate (DS), keratan sulfate (KS) and hyaluronan (HA). Many biological functions can be monitored directly by their...
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