African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12501

Table of Content: 5 August, 2015; 14(31)

August 2015

Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation and regeneration in elite rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar BRRI dhan56

Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar BRRI dhan56 was carried out in this study. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA 4404, which harbors the plasmid pIG121 that carries the genes for ß-glucuronidase gene, served as a reporter gene in the histochemical assay and the neomycin phosphotransferase ΙΙ (NPT ΙΙ) gene for the identification of resistance to...

Author(s): Md. Mahmudul Islam, Zahida Yesmin Roly, Mst. Zannatun Naim and Md. Khalekuzzaman

August 2015

Impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, fruit yield, nutritional and lycopene contents of three varieties of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill) in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Field experiments were carried out to assess the impact of 100% NPK fertilizer recommendation (300 kg NPK 20:10:10), 100% Tithonia compost (TC), 75% NPK + 25% TC, 50% NPK + 50% TC, 25% NPK + 75% TC and control (non-fertilized plant) on the growth, fruit yield, nutritional and lycopene contents of three tomato varieties (Raoma VF; Ogbomoso local and Califonia wonder). The experiment was a split plot fitted into a...

Author(s): Ilupeju, E. A. O, Akanbi, W. B., Olaniyi, J. O., Lawal, B. A., Ojo M. A. and Akintokun, P. O.

August 2015

Physiological and enzymatic changes in rice seeds stored at low temperatures

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of low temperatures on the physiological and enzymatic changes of rice seeds. The seeds were packed in airtight chambers and maintained at temperatures of 8 and -50°C for periods of 15, 30 , 45, 60, 75 and 90 days. The same procedure was adopted for the control treatment with the seeds kept at a temperature of 25°C. The seeds were evaluated regarding germination test;...

Author(s): Raimundo Wagner de Sousa Aguiar, Deyvid Rocha Brito, Magnólia de Mendonca Lopes, Gil Rodrigues dos Santos, Clovis Maurilio Sousa, Ezequiel Marcelino Marcelino da Silva and Julcemar Didonet

August 2015

The mineral composition of five insects as sold for human consumption in Southern Africa

Edible insects have been proposed as an alternative protein source that is economically and environmentally preferable to livestock, and certain species may be high in nutrients that benefit human health. We present data describing the mineral content of five edible insects as sold in South Africa and Zimbabwe. We report high variation between and within species, and note that these insects contain significant...

Author(s): Charlotte L. R. Payne, Mitsutoshi Umemura, Shadreck Dube, Asako Azuma, Chisato Takenaka and Kenichi Nonaka

August 2015

Comparative physico-chemical and proximate analysis of oils of Shea nut, Sesamum indicum, Cucurbita pepo, Cucumis melo seeds commonly cultivated in West Africa

In rural areas of developing countries like Burkina Faso, nutritive elements are mainly composed of vegetable source. Shea nut, seeds of Sesamum indicum, Cucumis melo and Cucurbita pepo, four species widely consumed were studied. The proximate parameters: moisture, proteins and fat were analysed. Saponification value, iodine value, acid value and peroxide value of selected nut and seeds oils and fatty acids were also...

Author(s): Cheik Amadou Tidiane OUATTARA, Marius Kounbèsiounè SOMDA, Rachel MOYEN and Alfred Sabedenedjo TRAORE

August 2015

Comparative study of bioethanol production from sugarcane molasses by using Zymomonas mobilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The study was designed to compare the bioethanol production from Zymomonas mobilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae using molasses as production medium. The focus was on the retention time at lab scale. Bioethanol and petroleum blend can be used in existing gasoline engines. Present study showed a more cost-effective procedure for production of ethanol from sugar-cane molasses by using bacterial strain "Z....

Author(s): Asif H. Khoja, Ehsan Ali, Kashaf Zafar Abeera A. Ansari, Azra Nawar and Muneeb Qayyum

August 2015

Silica gel matrix immobilized Chlorophyta hydrodictyon africanum for the removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions: Equilibrium and kinetic studies

Chlorophyta hydrodictyon africanum was immobilized on a silica gel matrix to improve its mechanical properties. The algae-silica gel adsorbent was used for batch sorption studies of a cationic dye, methylene blue (MB). Optimum adsorption was obtained with a dosage of 0.8 g bio sorbent. Results from sorption studies show that 124.11 mg·g-1 of MB could be adsorbed at an optimum pH of 8 and immobilization of 300 mg...

Author(s): Muzarabani Norman, Mupa Mathew, Gwatidzo Luke and Machingauta Cleopas

August 2015

Characterization of immobilized post-carbohydrate meal salivary α-amylase

Saliva containing amylase was collected from an individual 5 min after a carbohydrate meal and filtered using a dialysis bag to remove starch particles. The filtered saliva was immobilized on calcium alginate beads. The effect of experimental parameters like pH, temperature and substrate concentration on the activity of the immobilized post-carbohydrate meal salivary α-amylase was determined. The immobilized...

Author(s): Tatah, V.S. and Otitoju, O.

August 2015

Effect of DGAT1 gene mutation in sows of dam-line on the composition of the produced milk and piglet rearing during 21-day lactation

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 gene (DGAT1) involved in the synthesis and transport of triglycerides is located on chromosome 4 in pigs, in the region with about 200 QTLs responsible among other things for: fat thickness, daily gains, fat content and composition of fatty acids. It is thus probable that the gene polymorphism (as in cows) may affect the fat content in colostrum and milk of sows. The objective of the...

Author(s): Magdalena Szyndler-NÄ™dza and Katarzyna Piórkowska