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Isolation and characterization of lycopene β cyclase from Capsicum frutescens: characterization of lycopene β cyclase from Capsicum frutescens
No full textLycopene β cyclase (LCY-B) catalyzes the conversion of linear lycopene to cyclic β carotene, a crucial component of the photosynthetic machinery and a source of vitamin A for humans and animals. The gene was amplified in fragments using primers designed from conserved sequences of available nucleotide sequences from NCBI and a sequence of 1494 bp was observed upon amplification of the complete gene. The deduced amino acid sequence had a significant overall similarity with sequences of other Capsicum plants. It was observed that C. frutescens occurred in the same cluster as C. annuum and C. baccatum, while LCYB from all the other plants of the Solanaceae family were placed in one cluster signifying the conserved nature of the protein. The tertiary structure obtained from the protein was validated using the Ramachandran plot and ERRANT scores were determined. The protein function analysis gives insight into important parameters of the protein such as the number of cysteine residues, glycosylation sites, phosphorylation sites, etc
The improvement of antioxidant contents and fruit quality of Sukkary date cultivar using various Potassium levels and Irrigation interval
Full text linkSukkary date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) were treated with three levels of potassium fertilizer combined with three irrigation intervals regime, five replicates were allocated per treatment, to enhance better date peel color; decrease loose crust, and subsequently, improve high market ability. Potassium sulfate (49% K2O) was applied annually at a rate of 490 g (as common fertilization applied in the farm in which this experiment was carried out, therefore, it was considered as a control treatment), 735 g, or 980 g K2O per palm tree, each level was divided into three equal doses. The first dose was added one month after pollination; the other two doses were added at two month interval, whereas the irrigation treatments were as follows: 24 hrs (as common irrigation application in the farm used for this study, and it was considered as a control treatment), 48 hrs, or 72 hrs. The results showed a great decrease in the loose crust dates at harvesting time. An inverse proportional relationship between irrigation intervals and loose crust of dates was observed. The High potassium fertilizer treatment accompanied with 72 hrs irrigation interval treatment produced a significantly higher date quality regarding with bright yellow color, less darkening, and loose crust. High potassium fertilizer treatments (735, or 980 g K2O per palm) increased total yield, improved date weight, size, and color. Moreover, increasing potassium level affected significantly the date total antioxidant. This study showed that, a potential means to control peel darkening and loose date crust and improve quality of cv. Sukkary dates, which ultimately improves its market ability, through implementing appropriate potassium and irrigation regimes
Plant defense mechanism in combined stresses - cellular and molecular perspective
Full text linkThe various abiotic stresses negatively influence the growth and development of plants. However, recent predictions of global climate change models have amplified the chances that plants will encounter new and more combinations of abiotic and biotic stresses. The plants adopt different strategies in combined stresses as compared to a single stress. This stress combination can be antagonist or synergistic depending on the interaction of stresses. Plants are sessile, to resists these stresses they activate defense mechanism which are complex cellular and molecular responses under combined stress conditions. At the cellular level, various kinds of biomolecules are produced that have positive and negative effects against stresses. The basic cellular process generates more reactive oxygen species (ROS) in stress conditions and causes extensive damage and inhibition of photosynthesis. Various plant hormones are involved in cellular activations to adapt the plants under stressful conditions. Further, to overcome the adverse effects of stress, the plant activates several molecular cascade mechanisms involving kinases, transcription factors, micro-RNAs, heat shock proteins, epigenetic changes. Besides, plants developed a robust signal perception and transduction mechanism to cope effectively with unfavorable conditions. Phytohormone plays a crucial role in signaling that is activated in response to combined stress conditions and in individual stress which are activated in response to abiotic and biotic stress combinations. Besides, ROS is also involved in signaling. They control a broad range of biological processes and have a conserved signaling network. Therefore, the crosstalk between different signaling pathways activates defense mechanisms and helps in the survival of plants from the various combined abiotic and biotic stress conditions
Habitat suitability study for green gram production under present and future climatic scenarios in Kibwezi East Kenya
Full text linkThe species distribution model was used to predict the suitability of green gram production under the present, RCP 4.5 and 8.5 climate scenarios. An ensemble of a species distribution model comprising six models was developed. Validation of these models revealed that all models were robust with the best model being random forest (RF) with Area Under the Curve (AUC) = 0.98 and Deviance = 0.29 while the least was the generalized linear model (GLM) with AUC = 0.87 and Deviance = 0.71. The green gram habitat suitability greatly decreased under RCP 8.5 climate scenario prediction whereby about half of the agricultural land in the Kibwezi East Sub County was highly unsuitable for green gram production. The Habitat suitability predictions showed that Thange ward out of the four wards in the location was the most suitable for green gram production. However, as per the predictions its suitability for green gram production may be affected by climate change under all climate scenarios. Results from this study give decision-makers a foundational understanding of the likely effects of climate change in the 2050s compared to the present scenario on habitat suitability for green gram production and a basis for creating strategies and policies to enhance adaptation and create resilience to its effects
Studies on quality of turmeric powder influenced by pre–treatments of fresh sliced rhizomes: Influence of pre–treatments on quality of turmeric powder
No full textThe curcumin is an active component of turmeric which is highly valued and ingredient of many traditional herbal medicines. The objective of the present experiment was to retain the curcumin in turmeric powder and to improve the quality of turmeric powder. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with ten different treatments. An attempt was made to to address the concerns about reduction in curcumin content due to the traditional curing and processing methods and to prepare high quality turmeric powder by assessing the effect of various pre–treatments on the chemical and physical parameters. The results indicated that blanching of turmeric rhizomes at 90ºC ±2ºC for 5 minutes significantly impacts the physical, chemical, and sensory properties of the turmeric powder. The beneficial compounds like curcumin, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, oleoresins and essential oil in blanched rhizomes was retained in turmeric powder which helps in optimizing the nutritional and medicinal value of turmeric
Livelihood Diversification: A Panacea to Food Security by Rural Farmers in Osun State
Full text linkThe study analyzed the livelihood diversification of rural women to improve food security in Osun state Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 129 respondents for this study. Primary data for this study were collected through an interview schedule. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square as well as linear regression was used to test the hypotheses. Results revealed the need to increase family income and ensuring family food security was the highest reason for diversifying livelihood. The result further showed crop production and crop processing are the highest income for rural women. The data revealed the rural women in Osun state are not economically secure and the hypotheses showed that the monthly income from primary occupation determines the economic security of the rural women, trading as a form of livelihood diversification contributed positively to the food security of the rural women. The research concluded that livelihood diversification influences the economic security of rural women and diversification to trading contributed significantly to their economic security. It is recommended that the provision of favorable farming conditions and accessibility to loans at reduced interest rates will improve rural women’s economic security in Osun State, Nigeria
Determinants of household food insecurity in Tanzania: A Heckman approach
Full text linkHousehold food insecurity is a predominant issue in Tanzania, particularly affecting rural areas where poverty rates are higher. This problem can lead to poor nutritional quality and hinder mental, social, and economic development. The study utilized data from the 2017/18 Tanzania Household Budget Survey to analyse the determinants of food insecurity. Employing the Heckman approach to address the sample selection problem, the study found that household characteristics such as sex of the household head, location, education level, access to credit, household size, marital status, and income significantly reduce the problem of food insecurity among insecure groups. Male-headed, urban location, credit-accessible households and married heads were less food insecure compared to female-headed, rural location and households without access to credit, respectively. In addition, higher household income and education level, as well as smaller household size, positively impacted food expenditure among households. The findings suggest the need for improved credit services, formal education promotion, and targeted food programs, particularly in rural areas, to address household food insecurity effectively in Tanzania
Optimization of stable genetic transformation protocol in castor (Ricinus communis L. cv. TMV 5) using beta glucuronidase reporter gene for pioneer of desirable genes
Full text linkThe simple and stable protocol was standardised for castor (Ricinus communis L. cv. TMV 5) genetic transformation using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harbouring the binary plasmid pBAL2 (18.8 kb). Cotyledonary nodes from ten days old, in vivo seedlings were utilized as target cells for Agrobacterium mediated transformation. Explant pre-culture studies were carried out at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 day intervals. The 4th day old explants cultivated on mMS medium (MS medium+B5 Vitamins) using plant growth regulators had the highest response percentage (50.6%). Kanamycin (0-175 mg/L) and Hygromycin (0-13 mg/L) sensitivity in well-developed shoots was investigated. Of the two antibiotics, Kanamycin 50 mg/L and Hygromycin 3 mg/L was found optimum. Different levels of acetosyringone (0-200 mg/L) were used in the co-cultivation medium to study the transformation efficiency of castor. Among the different concentrations, maximum number of explants showed GUS expression at 100 mg/L of acetosyringone in the co-cultivation medium at 2 days of co-cultivation period and the Cotyledonary node produced multiple shoots development and plantlet establishment in 0.3 mg/L TDZ, 0.6 mg/L PF-68, kanamycin 50 mg/L, 0.3 mg/L GA3, 1.5 mg/L IBA and 0.6 mg/L AgNO3. The rooted shoots were successfully acclimatized. Histochemical GUS assay was used to monitor T-DNA delivery into the target cells. PCR and Southern hybridization were used to confirm the transformants with the NPT II and GUS gene. A very high frequency (29.3%) of β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene expression was obtained through Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer into cotyledonary node explants of Castor. The standardized protocol would be useful for Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of Cator with desirable gene of agronomic importance
Ethnomedicines in the 21st century: challenges and opportunities in the contemporary world
Full text linkThe ethnomedicine industry inherently developed de novo in the evolutionary history of humanity to provide healthcare services. This industry has existed long before the currently preferred conventional medicine and by then was the only trusted means of healthcare to humanity. Ethnomedicine has evolved and diversified into specializations along ethnic groupings worldwide. Nevertheless, attitude towards ethnomedicine is usually polarized varying from contemptuous dismissal to romantic glorification. Rarely does one come across people with balanced views. The discussion is based on 9 issues: view of ethnoknowledge of health from the early days, discovery and development of ethnomedicines, specializations in ethnomedicines, challenges and limitations, terminologies that shape ethnomedicine industry, merits and demerits of ethnomedicines, existing opportunities and the way forward. The ethnomedicine industry, just like any other field of professionalism, was not without challenges and limitations that affected its realization of full potential. In this discussion, 24 challenges and limitations are outlined but not limited to:- lack of information on standards, safety and efficacy, capacity building of ethnopractitioners, colonialism, climate change, witchcraft, socio-politics, recognition of ethnosystems, research and biased documentation, emerging diseases and pathogens, market value-chain, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, anthropogenic activities, sources of ethnomedicines, legal frameworks, harvesting, preparation, administration and storage methods, gender issues, poor remembrance of ethnomedical knowledge, existence of quackery, sources of ethnomedicines, biopiracy and bioprospecting, lack of mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation of ethnomedicines, advancement in human evolution and civilization, biological evolution and invasive alien species, stigmatisation due to poor perceptions and attitudes about ethnomedicines and competitive supremacy amongst ethnopractitioners and conventional practitioners, have all not favoured the industry. However, the use of ethnomedicines has tremendously increased and continues to increase albeit the above challenges and limitations facing the industry. The challenges and limitations are broadly and critically discussed while outlining opportunities and giving away forward
Effect of Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) seed extracts on serum prolactin levels of non-lactating female Wistar rats
Full text linkDespite the traditional use of Cucurbita pepo seed to enhance milk production during lactation, its effect in non-lactating females remains scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of n-hexane (nHE), Dichloromethane (DCM) and Aqueous ethanol (Aq. Eth) extracts of C. pepo seed on serum prolactin levels of non-lactating female Wistar rats. A total of 44 non pregnant female rats weighing 190 g were randomly grouped into 11 groups of 4 rats, for treatment as follows: A (control): 0.5 mL 5% Tween 80 (vehicle); B (positive control): 10mg/kg Clomiphene Citrate, C, D & E: 142.86, 285.71, and 428.57 mg/kg of nHE; F, G & H: 142.86, 285.71, and 428.57 mg/kg of DCM; and I, J & K: 142.86, 285.71, and 428.57 mg/kg of Aq. Eth extracts of C. pepo seed. Vaginal cytology monitored the estrous cycle daily, and blood samples were obtained for serum prolactin at various oestrus cycle phases. There was no significant (P>0.05) variation in serum prolactin levels in rats treated with 142.86 mg/kg, 285.71 mg/kg, and 428.57 mg/kg of all three extracts of C. pepo during the Proestrus, estrus, and metestrus phases relative to the control. A significant (P<0.05) increase in serum prolactin levels was observed at the diestrus phase in rats treated with 142.86 mg/kg, 285.71 mg/kg, and 428.57 mg/kg of n-HE, 428.57 mg/kg of DCM and 142.86 mg/kg, 285.71 mg/kg of Aq. Eth extracts of C. pepo seed, relative to the positive control group. Rats treated with 142.86 mg/kg of Aq. Eth had a significant increase in serum prolactin in the diestrus phase, relative to the control. The findings of this study show that C. pepo seed extracts may exhibit a phase-specific effect within the estrous cycle of non-lactating female rats and as such may have potential applications in regulating prolactin levels