June 2007
Regulation and accumulation of secondary metabolites in plant-fungus symbiotic system
Plants have evolved adaptive strategies to mutualistic microbes penetration for both mycorrhizal fungi and endophytic fungi. Subsequently, an array of host plant defense responses and signal transduction is generated. A group of secondary metabolites are accumulated inducibly or enhanced constitutively in plant tissues during the process. Symbiotic fungi usually perform compatible and friendly...
June 2007
In vitro antibacterial activity of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) root bark extract against some microorganisms associated with urinary tract infections
The medicinal plant Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) was screened for the phytochemical components and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa which are associated with urinary tract infections. Aqueous solutions are more potent than methanolic solutions and activity is concentration...
June 2007
Cytotoxicity and antimicrobial studies of 1,6,8-trihydroxy-3-methyl-anthraquinone (emodin) isolated from the leaves of Cassia nigricans Vahl
Emodin was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of Cassia nigricansVahl. The structure of the emodin was established by chemical spectroscopy. The LC50(lower – upper limits) of the emodin was 42.77 (11.80 – 72.94) µg/ml. Emodin was found to be highly cytotoxic. It showed significant antimicrobial activity on some common pathogens. The isolation of this active principle...
June 2007
Isolation of a 60 kDa protein with in vitro anticancer activity against human cancer cell lines from the purple fluid of the Persian Gulf sea hare, Aplysia dactylomela
Sea hares have greatly attracted the interest of all those investigating chemical defense substances. Most of these substances are low molecular weight compounds derived from algal diets. In vitro anticancer effect of a 60 kDa protein isolated from the purple fluid of Aplysia dactylomela on four human cancer cell lines was investigated in this study. A 60 kDa protein was purified from...
June 2007
Use of some isolated fungi in biological Leaching of Aluminum from low grade bauxite
In this investigation the biological leaching of aluminum by isolated fungi from low grade bauxite (<50% Al2O3.) was studied. X-ray diffraction investigation indicated that silicate and aluminosillicate minerals were major mineral composition. Wet chemical and electron disperse X-ray analysis showed the presence of aluminum, iron, silica and titanium. Biological leaching tests were carried out using...
June 2007
Effect of benzimidazole fungicides and calcium chloride on Alternaria alternata and Penicillium expansum rot during storage of pears
The present study assayed the effect of the fungicides benomyl, methyl-thiophanate, thiabendazole and calcium chloride on fungal decay of pears caused by Alternaria alternata and Penicillium expansum. Both in vitro and in vivo, the efficacy of fungicides alone against the two fungi was shown to be weak and without any practical interest. In vitro, CaCl2 alone was...
June 2007
Vitamin A status and ocular lesions in some rural Nigerians with onchocerciasis
The vitamin A and ocular lesions in 98 rural Nigerians who excreted microfilariae in their skin tissues and had at least one clinical manifestation of onchocerciasis were investigated. The highest prevalence rate of 18 (69.2%) occurred among adult males with leopard skin. The overall mean vitamin status of (20.3 ± 2.6 µg/dl) was comparatively lower (χ2 = 41.0; p>0.05) than...
June 2007
Down regulation of fibulin-1 in squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus
The molecular events involved in the development of squamous cell oesophageal cancer remain poorly understood. To elucidate the probable genetic events involved, genes that are differentially expressed between normal and tumour oesophageal tissue were identified. Differential display reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was carried out on both malignant and adjacent normal oesophageal tissue of the...
June 2007
Production of parthenolide in organ and callus cultures of Tanacetum parthenium (L.)
The in vitro micropropagation of the seeds of Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Schultz-Bip. family Asteraceae was performed on half strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.2% gibrellic acid. The explants were in vitro cultured on MS-medium using different plant growth regulators, culture media ingredients and carbon sources. Parthenolide content in the different...
June 2007
Studies on the use of Zizyphus spina-christi against pain in rats and mice
Zizyphus spina-christi (Rhamnaceae) grows wild in tropical Africa and Asia and can be domesticated. It has folkloric usage in pain related ailments throughout these regions. In view of the claimed therapeutic potentials, investigation of the plant’s root bark was initiated in our laboratory. The plant material was first sequentially extracted with hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate and methanol, and...
June 2007
Biosuper as a phosphate fertilizer in a calcareous soil with low available phosphorus
Laboratory assays were conducted to produce phosphorus (P) biofertilizers from rock phosphate (RP), applying sulphur at different rates of 10, 15 and 20% and inoculated with Thiobacillus. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of the biofertilizers in a calcareous soil with low available P from the Qazvin plain of “Qazvin State”, grown with corn (Zea mays L.). The...
June 2007
Effect of different media on the in vitro growth of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) explants
The effect of media composition on the growth of cactus explants was investigated. Two media designated A and B were used in this study. Medium A contained basal Murashige Skoog salt (MS salt) and vitamins supplemented with 5% sucrose and 1% BAP (benzyl amino purines) and media B containing vitamins and MS salt supplemented with 3% sucrose, 1.25 mg/l BAP, and 0.25 mg/l IAA (indole acetic acid). These media...
June 2007
Determining the tolerance level of Zea mays (maize) to a crude oil polluted agricultural soil
This research sought to investigate the tolerance level of Zea mays (maize) on a crude oil contaminated soil using indices of plant performance such as plant height, leaf area and fresh cob yield. In the experiments described, conditions of a major spill were simulated by pouring different amounts of crude oil on experimental pots containing agricultural soil. Maize seeds were then grown amidst...
June 2007
Studies on degradation of chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon by using immobilized cell crude extract of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
In this work Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NCIM-2074) has been identified as potential organism to decompose chlorobenzene by its crude extract through immobilization technique. P. aeruginosa was grown on chlorobenzene as sole source of carbon and energy. Chlorobenzene was used as an inducer to develop specific intracellular enzymes which will decompose chlorobenzene to non-toxic substances....
June 2007
Influence of divalent metal ions on degradation of dimethylsulphide by intact cells of Thiobacillus thioparus TK-m
Dimethylsulphide degradation by intact cells of Thiobacillus thioparus TK-m was stimulated by the addition of divalent metal ions (Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Mn2+). Mixtures of divalent ions were also found to be stimulatory with the exception of the Ca2+ + Mn2+combination (Mg2+ + Mn2+ > Mg2+ + Ca2+ > Ca2+ + Mn2+). Key words: Thiobacillus...
June 2007
Effect of vitamins and bivalent metals on lysine yield in Bacillus megaterium
The effects of vitamins and bivalent metals on lysine accumulation in Bacillus strains were investigated. Biotin enhanced lysine production in all the Bacillus strains, while folic acid and riboflavin stimulated lysine yields in Bacillus megaterium SP 86 only. All bivalent metals stimulated lysine accumulation in B. megaterium SP 86 and B. megaterium SP...
June 2007
Generation of cell suspensions of East African highland bananas through scalps
The improvement of East African highland bananas (EAHBs) using conventional breeding methods is difficult due to their biology and therefore focus on improving them has shifted to exploring methods for establishment of embryogenic cell suspensions, which can then be targeted, for genetic transformation. Shoots of four cultivars namely ‘Musakala’, ‘Kibuzi’, ‘Mbwazirume’ and...
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