December 2009

Phytoextracting cadmium and copper using Mucuna pruriens

  Mucuna pruriens var pruriens commonly known as Mucuna, a fast-growing, high-biomass-accumulating plant was investigated to underscore its suitability for metal (Cd and Cu) extraction in an oil spill condition. Process enhancement was made using NPK, UREA and Poultry manure fertilizers. These amendments facilitated metals availability in the order PM>NPK>UREA for Cd extraction and PM>UREA >NPK...

Author(s): E. O. Nwaichi, M. O. Wegwu and E. N. Onyeike

December 2009

Evaluations of the methanol extract of Ficus exasperata stem bark, leaf and root for phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activities

  The methanol extract of Ficus exasperata (stem bark, leaf and root) was investigated for activity against some human pathogenic organisms.  Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponin, tannins, steroids and phlobatannins with no traces of alkaloids and anthraquinones.  The results of in vitro antimicrobial screening of the methanol extract exhibited a...

Author(s): E. A. Adebayo, O. R. Ishola, O. S. Taiwo, O. N. Majolagbe and B. T. Adekeye

December 2009

Effect of auxins and auxin polar transport inhibitor (TIBA) on somatic embryogenesis in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

  The phytohormone auxin plays an important role in growth, developmental and physiological processes. The effect of auxins, 2,4-D, NAA, IAA, Dicamba and picloram, was tested for somatic embryogenesis in groundnut. Among the different auxins tested 2,4-D favored the best response of somatic embryogenesis with induction of 18.3 somatic embryos per explant that were big, healthy, succulent and green in color....

Author(s): K. Venkatesh, A. Roja Rani, Nirmala Baburao and G. Padmaja