February 2009
A review on the molecular mechanism of plants rooting modulated by auxin
Adventitious root formation is a key step in vegetative propagation of woody or horticultural species, and it is a complex process known to be affected by multiple factors. The process of roots development could be divided into three stages: root induction, root initiation, and root protrusion. Phytohormones, especially auxin, played an essential role in regulating roots developments. This review focused on recent...
February 2009
Biological activity and phytoconstituents of essential oil from fresh leaves of Eriosema englerianum
Essential oil was extracted from fresh leaves of Eriosema englerianum byhydrodistillation and its major phytoconstituents determined by GC-MS. The major phytoconstituents were O-cymene, terpinolene and ascaridole with a yield of 0.28%. Antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested against nine human bacterial pathogens and three opportunistic fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus...
February 2009
Screening for anti-methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteriocin producing bacteria
Methicillin resistant bacterial infections give a tough challenge in the selection of antibiotics. Traditional use of antibiotics is worsening the problem day by day. So, it is essential to sort out other strategies which can replace antibiotic therapy successfully. Bacteriocins are the proteinaceous compounds with a narrower spectrum of antimicrobial activity but its use as antibiotic is not common. No one...
February 2009
Production of recombinant proteins GST L1, E6 and E7 tag HPV 16 for antibody detection of Tunisian cervical cancer patients
In the present work recombinant proteins were produced for used in LUMINEX in order to undergo serological study of Tunisian female population. HPV types 16 L1, E6 and E7 sequences fused to their 3’-end to a sequence encoding the terminal undecapeptide of the SV40 large T-antigen (tag) were isolated from plasmids and inserted into a pGEX vector for expression as GST fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. Coding...
February 2009
Genetic diversity of Pakistani maize genotypes using chromosome specific simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer sets
For improvement of maize crop presence of genetic diversity in the germplasm is very important. This study was conducted to determine genetic diversity among 17 Pakistani maize genotypes using 10 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer sets. All the amplification products were in the range of <250-750 bp. To estimate the genetic diversity among the genotypes, bivariate data matrix was generated and genetic...
February 2009
Genetic variation in Coffea canephora L. (Var. Robusta) accessions from the founder gene pool evaluated with ISSR and RAPD
Discovered in Congo in 1898, Coffea canefora var. robusta accounts for 25 to 40% of the coffee grown in the world. Most genetic diversity of robusta coffee accessions conserved in ex situ collections has been estimated from morphological characteristics. There are limited studies on genetic variability and diversity in C. robusta. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and...
February 2009
Aflatoxin in mould infested sesame seeds
Experiments were carried out with two species of seeds of sesame (Benniseed) (Sesamum indicum Link, and Sesamum radiatum Schumach) inoculated with a storage fungus (Aspergillus flavus) previously isolated from seeds of sesame The inoculated seeds were incubated for 10, 15 and 20 day intervals at 30°C. Results showed that S. indicum inoculated with the test...
February 2009
In vitro propagation and free radical studies of Smilax zeylanica Vent
A method of micropropagation through multiple shoots formation from nodal segments of Smilax zeylanica Vent. has been developed. The nodal explants were cultured on half strength MS medium containing BA (0.5 mg/l) and IAA (1 mg/l) with activated charcoal (100 mg/100 ml) produced single shoot within 7-10 days. Shoots were multiplied by using nodal segments of in vitro regenerated shoot in...
February 2009
Seed germination and in vitro propagation of Piliostigma thonningii – an important medicinal plant
Piliostigma thonningii is a multipurpose tree of high priority for conservation in Nigeria. Almost all its parts are used in traditional medicine and its seeds are a good source of antioxidant micronutrients, rich in crude protein and carbohydrate. Its seeds are however dormant and the plant is uncultivated. Seed germination and in vitro regeneration experiments were carried out on P....
February 2009
Acceptability of improved crop production practices among rural women in Aguata agricultural zone of Anambra State, Nigeria
The acceptance of improved crop production practices by rural women in Aguata Agricultural Zone of Anambra State, Nigeria was examined in this paper. The objectives of the study include identification of the available improved crop production practices, determination of the women’s adoption level, identification of problems that limit the rural women’s acceptability of improved crop production...
February 2009
Planting time and mulching effect on onion development and seed production
A field experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of planting time and mulches on bulb growth and seed production of onion (Allium cepa L.) cv. Taherpuri. Planting time and mulches had significant influence on almost all parameters studied. Onion planted on 21 November had better agronomic traits contributing towards yield formation. Growth and seed production was accelerated by black polythene....
February 2009
Effect of aqueous plant extracts on tea red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae, Nietner (Tetranychidae: Acarina) and Stethorus gilvifrons Mulsant
Four aqueous plant extracts (APEs) of Acorus calamus (L), Xanthium strumarium(L), Polygonum hydropiper (L) and Clerodendron infortunatum (Gaertn) were evaluated under both laboratory and field conditions at 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0% (w/v) concentrations against tea red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae (Nietner). Also, the impact of APEs on survival and feeding...
February 2009
Comparative essential oils composition and insecticidal effect of different tissues of Piper capense L., Piper guineense Schum. et Thonn., Piper nigrum L. and Piper umbellatum L. grown in Cameroon
This study compared the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of different tissues of Piper capense, Piper guineense, Piper nigrumand Piper umbellatum grown in Cameroon. The GC and GC/MS analysis showed qualitative and quantitative differences between these oils. Oils from the fruits were rich in a-pinene (5.6 - 12.3%) and b-pinene...
February 2009
Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of recalcitrant cottons (Gossypium hirsutum)
Many restrictive factors still remain in cotton tissue culture such as long duration, unpredictability and a high degree of genotype dependence. The main objective of this study was to develop a protocol allowing consistent somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from five recalcitrant cotton cultivars. Our results showed that the best medium for calli induction is MSB (MS medium + vitamine B5)...
February 2009
Shoot organogenesis in oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.)
Efficient plant regeneration through organogenesis was achieved from callus cultures derived from leaf explants of Elaeagnus angustifolia. Calli were obtained on MS medai containing 3% sucrose and different concentrations of TDZ (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 mg/l). Maximum percentage response for callus formation was 85% on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l of TDZ. Shoot organogenesis...
February 2009
Optimization of base catalyzed transesterification of peanut oil biodiesel
This paper is confined to the production and physico-chemical characterization of peanut oil biodiesel (POB). An optimum conversion of POB from triglycerides (TD) was achieved by using 1:6 molar ratio (methanol : oil) at 60oC. Fuel properties of POB were determined and compared with ASTM (American Standard Testing Material). The kinemetic viscosity at 40oC (eta) of POB (100%) was 5.908, specific gravity...
February 2009
Effect of Cassia hirsuta (L) extract on DNA profile of some microorganisms
The effect of ethanol extract of leaf of Cassia hirsute (L) on the DNA profile of some selected pathogenic microorganisms were investigated using PCR-RAPD analysis to generate DNA fingerprint. The change in molecular configuration of organisms with and without extract shows a wide disparity between the sensitive and the resistant organism. Thus, this study demonstrates that some of the organisms are...
February 2009
Production of lipase and biomass by Staphylococcus simulans grown on sardinella (Sardinella aurita) hydrolysates and peptone
Fish protein hydrolysates from low cost fish species (Sardinella aurita) were prepared and tested as carbon and nitrogen sources for microbial growth and lipase production by Staphylococcus simulans. When cultivated in media containing Whole Sardinella Hydrolysate (WSH) or Meat Sardinella Hydrolysate (MSH), lipase production was significantly low, 5 and 10 U/ml, respectively. However, lipase production...
February 2009
Polyphasic taxonomic characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from spontaneous sorghum fermentations used to produce ting, a traditional South African food
Ting, an indigenous cooked fermented food made from sorghum flour, is consumed extensively in South Africa. Due to the spontaneous nature of the sorghum fermentation considerable variations in the sensory and microbial quality of the end-product may occur, thus hampering large-scale production of this food. The use of starter cultures purified from the fermented sorghum may be an alternative approach to...
February 2009
Bioethanol production by immobilized Sacharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus cells
Bioethanol can be produced by fermentation of sugars from various waste agricultural materials. Whichever system for bioethanol production is chosen, the attention must be paid to the overall economics and energy consumption. The aim of the present study was to investigate the immobilization of Sacharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus yeast cells for bioethanol production from corn meal...
February 2009
Preliminary studies on the antimicrobial properties of Buchholzia coriacea (wonderful kola)
In this work, the antimicrobial properties of fresh Buchholzia Coriacea (wonderful kola) and its extracts was investigated. The proximate composition of the fresh kola was also determined. B. coriacea was dried, milled and extracted using two different solvents of varying polarity: hexane and methanol. The effect of the fresh kola, hexane and methanol extracts was tested on some food borne...
February 2009
Chromium-induced accumulation of peroxide content, stimulation of antioxidative enzymes and lipid peroxidation in green gram (Vigna radiata L. cv. Wilczek) leaves
Chromium (Cr)-induced oxidative damage and changes in contents of chlorophyll, protein, peroxide and malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of enzymatic antioxidants were investigated in 4-day-old green gram (Vigna radiata L. cv. Wilczek) seedlings. Cr increased the contents of peroxide and MDA but decreased the contents of chlorophyll and proteins. Cr reduced the activities of catalase (CAT) and...
February 2009
Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in sportsmen two hours after strenuous exercise and in sedentary control subjects
Regular exercise has well documented health benefits. However, exercise can also induce imbalance between oxidant stress and antioxidant status. This study was designed to investigate the serum lipid profile and non-enzymatic antioxidants markers (serum uric acid and albumin) as well as lipid hydroperoxide (a marker of oxidative stress) in 39 sportsmen after 2 h of strenuous training exercise and also...
February 2009
Antioxidant activity of plants methanolic extracts containing phenolic compounds
The presence of natural antioxidant in plants is well known. This paper reports the antioxidative activities of some methanolic plant extracts namely ‘ulam raja’ (Cosmos caudatus), ‘kesum’ (Polygonum minus), ‘selom’ (Oenanthe javanica),‘pegaga’ (Centella asiatica) and ‘curry leaf’ (Murraya koenigii). The analysis carried out was total phenolic...
February 2009
Fraction V of bovine albumin improves the adherence and survival of adult rat cerebral cortex neurons in primary culture
Primary embryonic or young neuronal cells are used to study physiology or pathology of neurons. However, they are not optimal as a model for age-related changes in physiology or late-onset disease. Successful culturing of neurons from adult animals, however, has been historically difficult. Because the attack of anoxia and mechanical/chemical force in the course of the single neuron separated from the brain,...
February 2009
Detoxification of copper fungicide using EDTA-modified cellulosic material
Pesticides are poisons and can be particularly dangerous when misused or carelessly disposed. The detoxification of a copper fungicide (KOCIDE 101) using maize cob, a cellulosic material, was studied. Based on copper as the active agent (after a sorption period of 1 h), the concentration of the fungicide reduced from an initial value of 2000 to 206.25 ppm for the unmodified maize cob and to 24.31 ppm for the...
February 2009
Equilibrium modeling and pH-dependence of the adsorption capacity of Vitex doniana leaf for metal ions in aqueous solutions.
This study involved the examination of biomass, Vitex doniana leaf powder, in the adsorption of heavy metals from water. The water samples were obtained from two sources in Nasarawa town in Nasarawa State, Nigeria; River Tammah (one of the two major river sources of water for drinking, domestic, irrigation and other agricultural uses in the town) and the confluence of two rivers called...
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