May 2013
The potential for upgrading traditional fermented foods through biotechnology
Fermented foods play an important socio–economic role in developing countries as well as making a major contribution to the protein requirements of natural populations. In general, traditional fermented foods are made under primitive conditions, which result in low yield and poor quality. This paper outlines the present status of some indigenous fermented foods and beverages with some information on the...
May 2013
Secondary metabolites of the argan tree (Morocco) may have disease prevention properties
The argan tree (Argania spinosa L. Skeels) is native to Morocco, where after the Holly oak it constitutes the second most common tree in the country. Recent studies suggest that dietary argan oil, an endemic seed oil from argan fruits, may have a relevant role in disease prevention, and its consumption could protect against atherosclerosis and cancer. Unfortunately, in less than a century, more than a third...
May 2005
Assessment of the genetic diversity of geographical unrelated Microcystis aeruginosa strains using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs)
Molecular marker analysis is becoming increasingly capable of identifying informative genetic variation. Amplified fragment length polymorphism markers (AFLPs) are among the recent innovations in genetic marker technologies, and provide a greater capacity for genome coverage and more reproducible results than previous technologies. We have investigated the usefulness of AFLP, which is based on the selective...
May 2005
Centromeric banding pattern of mitotic chromosomes in Vigna vexillata (TVnu 73)
Vigna vexillata chromosome characterization was carried out using the Leishman C-banding technique. The results showed that the chromosomes mostly exhibited bands at both the centromeric and telomeric regions. These bands will serve, as a valuable marker for the identification of the chromosomes. Chromosomes 2 were the most variable and differed from the other chromosomes by the presence of...
May 2005
Isolation of a Lactobacillus plantarum strain used for obtaining a product for the preservation of fodders
An important problem in the field of animal nutrition is the preservation of fodder, which is done in silos for maintaining the nutritive value of the fodders. In anaerobic conditions, the lactic bacteria ferment the glucosides in the silo, leading to the formation of lactic acid and acetic acid, which cause the pH to decrease and inhibit the development of butyric bacteria. The enrichment of the ensiled...
May 2005
Polyphasic identification of a new thermotolerant species of lactic acid bacteria isolated from chicken faeces
Two thermotolerant and desiccation tolerant lactic acid bacteria (TDLAB) were pointed out from twenty isolated strains from soils and dried chicken faeces. Samples were collected in poultry farms in the vicinity of Dakar, Senegal (West Africa). The two new isolates were called Sp.4 (Sp.4=CWBI-B534=LMG7278) and Sp.20 (Sp.20=CWBI-B545=LMG7279). They are Gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively...
May 2005
Identification of cultivable Bifidobacterium species isolated from breast-fed infants feces in West-Algeria
Gastrointestinal microflora exerts a high impact on its host mainly by performing a great variety of metabolic activities, protecting the host against colonization by pathogen and stimulating the gut immune system. The integration of bifidobacteria in dairy products is of interest for reinstalling the intestinal microflora. The mother's milk is a prebiotic factor which stimulate the bifidobacteria growth...
May 2005
Autochthonous fungal strains with high ligninolytic activities from Tunisian biotopes
This work represents the first report on the ability of autochthonous fungi of Tunisia to produce ligninolytic enzymes. Three hundred fifteen fungal strains were isolated from different Tunisian biotopes. These fungal strains were first screened for lignin-modifying enzymes on solid media containing Poly R-478 or ABTS. Of the 315 tested strains, 49 exhibited significant ABTS-oxidation activity, expressed...
May 2005
Reproductive performance of rabbits fed maize-milling waste based diets
The influence of maize-milling waste on the reproductive performance of rabbits was assessed. The treatments comprised of autoclaved and unautoclaved maize-milling waste, groundnut cake/maize meal diets formulated with 0 (I), 25 (II), 50 (III), 75 (IV) and 100% (V) replacement of maize with maize-milling waste. Each of the diets contains 18% crude protein and was unpelleted. There were two parity...
May 2005
Effects of rock phosphate amended with poultry manure on soil available p and yield of maize and cowpea
The effect of rock phosphate (Sokoto and Ogun rock phosphates) amended with poultry manure on soil available phosphate (P) and yield of maize and cowpea grown sequentially was evaluated for four cropping seasons. The results obtained showed superiority of single super phosphate (SSP) application over either Sokoto or Ogun rock phosphates. However, complementary application of the Sokoto and Ogun rock...
May 2005
Application of biotechnology in fish breeding. II: production of highly immune genetically modified redbelly tilapia, Tilapia zillii
The present study aims to produce a highly immune, genetically modified redbelly tilapia, Tilapia zillii with accelerated growth as a result of direct injection of shark (Squalus acanthias L.) DNA into skeletal muscles of fish fingerlings at concentrations of 10, 20, 40 and 80 µg/fish. The results showed that the fish injected with 40 µg/fish had significant (P≤0.05) superiority of growth...
May 2005
Extracts of Pterocarpus osun as a histological stain for collagen fibres
The staining ability of Pterocarpus osun extract on tissue sections was determined. 2 kg of P. osun stem was dried, milled to obtain a fine powder and a red pigment extracted from the powder with 1 L of 70% ethanol at 78°C for 24 h. The alcoholic and acidic extracts were used to stain tissue sections. Collagen fibres, red blood cells and muscles were stained in shades of reddish brown. Preliminary...
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