Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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In-vitro screening of bio-potency of Cocos nucifera haustorium and its efficacy against HepG2 cell line
Get PDFCocos nucifera (coconut) has been extensively studied for its nutraceutical and medicinal properties, but research on the haustorium of C. nucifera is limited. This study aimed to analyze the antioxidative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties of the C. nucifera haustorium. Antimicrobial studies were conducted using a well diffusion technique, while antioxidative assays included DPPH, ABTS, and H2O2 tests. Anti-inflammatory effects were assessed using the egg albumin denaturation and HRBC assays, and the anticancer activity was evaluated with the MTT assay. Among the tested bacterial strains, the maximum inhibition zones were 13.33 ± 0.58 mm for E. coli and 12.67 ± 0.58 mm for S. aureus at a 100 µg/mL concentration. Regarding antifungal activity, the haustorium extract demonstrated minimal effect against Candida albicans. The antioxidative activity was notable, with DPPH showing 74.74 ± 1.05%, ABTS at 78.45 ± 0.86%, and hydrogen peroxide at 71.64 ± 0.68%, all at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. The anti-inflammatory effects were assessed through the egg albumin denaturation assay, which showed an activity of 72.68 ± 0.87%, and the HRBC assay, which demonstrated 83.93 ± 0.90%. These results were comparable to the standard Diclofenac sodium, which showed 81.33 ± 0.95% inhibition in the egg albumin denaturation assay and 88.3 ± 0.66% in the HRBC assay at 50 µg/mL. Similar trends were observed for anticancer activity against the HepG2 cell line. The treatment caused the cells to shrink and fragment, indicating that the haustorium exhibits significant anticancer properties, leading to apoptosis in human HepG2 cells with an IC50 concentration of 43.91 µg/mL, without affecting normal cells. In conclusion, the results of this study highlight the medicinal properties of the haustorium of C. nucifera, suggesting it as a potential and promising candidate for developing novel drugs in the field of ethnopharmacology
Transplantation of mature Argan trees (Argania spinosa L. Skeels): recovery rate optimization
Get PDFTransplanting adult argan trees (Argania spinosa L. Skeels) is a vital strategy for conserving this endemic Moroccan species, especially as its natural habitats face threats from major infrastructure projects. This study examined the key factors that influence the success of mature argan tree transplantation, focusing on the effects of seasonal timing, crown management, and preconditioning treatments on survival rates over a three-year period. A controlled experiment was conducted in the Souss region of Morocco, involving 282 adult trees. A factorial experimental design assessed three main variables: seasonal timing (spring, summer, autumn), crown management (total cutback versus pruning/trimming), and preconditioning (root pruning and irrigation for 2, 4, or 6 months before transplant, alongside control samples). Survival rates were closely monitored, and the data were analyzed using Generalized Linear Models (GLM). The results indicated that the seasonal timing had a significant impact on the success of transplantation. Autumn transplantations achieved over 50% survival rates, while only 10% survival was observed in spring. Notably, total crown cutback led to improved survival, exceeding 70% in optimal seasons. Preconditioning for six months showed varying effectiveness based on the season; it significantly enhanced spring transplantation outcomes (when applied in autumn) but did not provide substantial benefits for summer operations (when applied in spring). These findings emphasize that seasonal timing is a critical factor for successful argan tree transplantation, with non-spring seasons proving far more favorable. Additionally, effective crown reduction consistently enhances viability by reducing transpirational stress during the relocation process. The specific effectiveness of preconditioning highlights the need to tailor its application to particular environmental conditions and seasonal contexts for maximum benefit. This research offers a robust, evidence-based protocol for large-scale conservation translocations of A. spinosa, providing actionable insights for responsible species management. The study underscores the essential importance of strategic planning and diligent long-term post-transplantation monitoring to ensure ecological resilience and the sustainable preservation of this vital species
Effect of Mycorrhizal Inoculation (Terea) on Water Stress Tolerance in Different Tomato Cultivars (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Benin
Get PDFIn the context of climate change, which is leading to more erratic rainfall, it is crucial to identify solutions that enhance crop resistance to water stress. This study evaluates the impact of mycorrhizal inoculation on the growth and yield of three tomato cultivars: Akikon (V1), Tounvi (V2), and Anita F1 (V3), under water stress conditions. A factorial block design was employed, combining uninoculated (I0) and inoculated (I1) plants with Terea inoculum, and subjected to either conditions without water stress (S0) or conditions with water stress, achieved by watering every 12 days (S1). Various growth, phenology, and yield parameters were measured. The results revealed highly significant differences among the cultivars for most of the measured parameters (p < 0.001). Mycorrhizal inoculation was shown to positively influence plant growth. Additionally, water stress significantly reduced leaf length (p < 0.01) and increased the number of burnt leaves (p < 0.05). Notably, the inoculated cultivars maintained relatively stable yields despite experiencing water stress. Among the tested tomato cultivars, Akikon (V1) exhibited increased plant height (94.89 ± 1.69 cm) and collar diameter (6.37 ± 0.17 cm) following mycorrhizal inoculation, even under stress conditions. The cultivar Tounvi (V2) demonstrated the best vegetative growth response to water deficit. In contrast, Anita F1 (V3) achieved the highest fruit weight yield, with inoculated plants showing a significant increase (1.9 t/ha). In conclusion, mycorrhizal inoculation enhances water stress tolerance and improves tomato yields, with responses varying by cultivar. Among the tested cultivars, Akikon and Tounvi showed improved growth, while Anita F1 excelled in yield and resilience. Thus, mycorrhizal inoculation represents a promising strategy to strengthen agricultural resilience and sustainability in Benin amid climatic challenges
Antiproliferative and Antimetastatic Ethanol Extract of Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Peel in Decreasing the Expression of Ki-67 and MMP-1 in Colon Cancer
Get PDFThis study investigates the efficacy of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) in inhibiting cancer cell growth and metastasis by modulating the expression of Ki-67 and MMP-1 in colon cancer tissue. The study involved six groups of mice (n = 5): a normal control group, a group with DSS-induced colon cancer, two positive control groups that received aspirin or ellagic acid, and two treatment groups that received different doses of PPE at 240 and 480 mg/kg, along with DSS induction. After the mice were sacrificed, their colon cancer tissues were fixed and subjected to immunohistochemical staining to assess the expression levels of MMP-1 and Ki-67. The results indicated that PPE significantly decreased the expression of both markers compared to the negative control (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that PPE may be an effective anticancer agent by suppressing cancer cell proliferation and metastasis
Phylogenetic and Morphological Study of Desmodesmus Strains from Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve
Get PDFThis study focused on five microalgal strains resembling Desmodesmus isolated from the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve. The objective was to assess the effectiveness of morphological and molecular methods for algal identification and to evaluate the genetic diversity of the relevant taxa. The five isolated and reference strains were cultured axenically in a BG-11 medium. Both microscopy (at magnifications of 40× and 100×) and molecular techniques (using ITS and 18S rRNA markers) were employed for analysis. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. The results indicated that five of the ten strains were consistently identified using both approaches. Molecular data prompted a taxonomic reassignment for the three remaining strains, while morphological traits were more decisive for two reference strains. Phylogenetic analyses revealed significant genetic diversity within Desmodesmus, highlighting the ecological adaptability of genetically distinct variants. This study emphasizes the reliability of molecular tools in algal taxonomy, particularly for differentiating between Desmodesmus and Scenedesmus-like taxa. It contributes to understanding microalgal genetic diversity in the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve and provides a foundation for future ecological and biotechnological applications.
Optimized in vitro micropropagation and microtuber production in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) through apical buds using hormone regulation and tissue culture techniques
Get PDFPotato is an essential crop worldwide, and optimizing micropropagation techniques is important for enhancing germplasm conservation and large-scale production. This study focuses on the in vitro propagation of two potato varieties, Agata and Fianna, emphasizing optimizing sterilization protocols, shoot induction, rooting, and microtuber production. Apical buds from healthy, disease-free plants were selected as explants. These buds were surface-sterilized using 70% ethanol and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) with Tween-20. The explants were excised from tuber sprouts and cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of plant growth regulators, including benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 0.10–0.40 mg/L, gibberellic acid (GA3) at 0.20–1.00 mg/L, and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) at 0.01 and 0.04 mg/L to promote root development. The study also explored the effects of these hormonal treatments on shoot induction, proliferation, and rooting. Significant differences were observed between the two varieties regarding oxidation, contamination, and aseptic conditions, with Fianna demonstrating better resistance to oxidation and contamination than Agata. Shoot multiplication was most efficient with BAP concentrations of 0.40 mg/L for Fianna and 0.30 mg/L for Agata. Root induction was maximized with higher sucrose concentrations (110 g/L) and GA3 (1.00 mg/L) for Agata, while moderate concentrations of these compounds produced optimal results for Fianna. Microtuber formation was most successful with moderate sucrose (80–100 g/L) and GA3 (0.25–0.75 mg/L) concentrations. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing tissue culture practices for potato propagation, enhancing both microtuber production and the overall efficiency of potato production systems
MOLECULAR PROFILING OF BLAST RESISTANCE GENES IN LOCAL MALAYSIAN RICE (Oryza sativa L.)
Get PDFPaddy fields in Malaysia have been affected by rice blast disease since the early years of rice cultivation, and it continue to suffer from its devastating effects due to the rapid evolution of the causal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. Although Malaysia is home to various local indica rice, the potential for resistance among these resources remains limited. This study aims to investigate the distribution of blast resistance genes in Malaysian rice cultivars and to categorize them into clusters based on genetic similarities. We extracted DNA from 75 rice accessions and performed molecular genotyping for four blast resistance genes (denoted as Pi) using allele-specific functional markers: the major genes Pi33 (RM72) and Pi27(t) (RM259), as well as the minor genes pi21 (RM1359) and Pi26 (RM413). The results of this profiling analysis were used to construct a hierarchical dendrogram for cluster analysis. The findings revealed that Pi33 had the highest distribution frequency at 60.00%, followed by Pi27(t) at 49.33%, Pi26 at 34.67%, and pi21 at 21.33%. All rice accessions were grouped into eight clusters, with four accessions, viz., Malinja, Bahagia, Serendah, and Bario, classified together in Cluster 8 for harboring 100% of the Pi genes. Meanwhile, Cluster 1 included 17 candidates with the highest similarity to the widely used resistant variety IR64. In conclusion, this study provides a framework for marker-assisted breeding to develop blast-resistant rice cultivars with multigenic resistance, contributing to sustainable rice production in Malaysia
Characterization and valorization of incinerated distillery spent wash ash with sugarcane bagasse: An environmental perspective
Get PDFDistilleries that use sugarcane molasses are among the most polluting industries in India. Many of these distilleries have recently adopted zero liquid discharge (ZLD) practices by incinerating distillery spent wash, which produces a large amount of incinerated ash as solid waste. This distillery's spent wash ash is often applied to agricultural practices as a source of potash without considering its other physicochemical properties. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to characterize the incinerated spent wash ash to identify its organic and inorganic constituents for potential sustainable development applications while avoiding adverse effects on soil. The complete analysis of the ash revealed an alkaline pH of 9.50 ± 0.85, along with various salts and heavy metals, such as iron, nickel, and chromium (ranging from 2335.21 to 2363.00 mg/kg), as well as nitrogen (10400-11312 mg/kg) and potassium (11314.80-13550.00 mg/kg). Additionally, organic compounds like 2,4-dimethylbenzene and dichloroacetic acid, which are toxic and potentially carcinogenic, were detected. Seed germination tests using Vigna radiata showed that even at low concentrations (2%), the ash inhibited growth, with radicles being more negatively affected than plumules. These findings confirm that fresh incinerated ash is highly toxic and unsuitable for direct agricultural use. The study recommends proper optimization through composting or other degradation techniques to detoxify the ash before disposal, thereby contributing to sustainable waste management practices
Assessment of Fish eDNA in River Systems and the Correlation with Water Quality Parameters
Get PDFThis study aimed to assess the composition of fish communities in the Lower Ciliwung River and their relationship with environmental variables using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding. Water samples were collected from three distinct sites along the river, and fish species were identified through their DNA markers. A total of 20 fish species were detected, including the Amazon sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys pardalis), Malagarasi tilapia (Oreochromis malagarasi), and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Notably, four species could only be identified at the genus level. The fish community exhibited varying species richness across the three sites, with 14 species found at Site 1, 5 species at Site 2, and 12 species at Site 3. Site 1 had the highest diversity, which was influenced by concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO) and total phosphate (TP). Site 2, characterized by high levels of total suspended solids (TSS), hosted more generalist species, while Site 3, which had elevated amounts of ammonia, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD), supported species associated with high DO availability. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) revealed that TP had the most significant impact on the distribution of the Amazon sailfin catfish at Site 1, whereas other species at Site 2 exhibited no specific environmental drivers. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of eDNA metabarcoding as a valuable method for assessing fish communities and understanding how water quality influences biodiversity. The findings underscore the need for targeted conservation strategies based on environmental parameters to protect aquatic ecosystems
Enzyme-Labelled Protein-Ligand Assay (ELPLA): A Novel Method for Measuring Thiamine in Biological Fluids and Food Matrices
Get PDFReliable and cost-effective methods for thiamine quantification are essential in clinical diagnostics and nutritional monitoring. Traditional techniques, such as HPLC and ELISA, have limitations in terms of cost, sensitivity, and technical complexity. This study introduces the Enzyme-Labeled Protein-Ligand Assay (ELPLA), a novel method utilizing thiamine-binding protein (TBP) for the sensitive and specific measurement of thiamine levels in serum. TBP was purified from mung beans and quantified using a bovine serum albumin (BSA) standard curve, achieving a coefficient of determination (R² = 0.9999). We tested its stability under varying temperatures and chemical conditions. ELPLA was optimized using specific concentrations of TBP and a thiamine-avidin conjugate, with evaluation of its precision, accuracy, and linearity. The method was compared with HPLC and ELISA in serum samples from three groups: healthy individuals, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and chronic alcohol users. Our findings showed that TBP maintained good thermal stability at -20 °C with optimal binding at a pH of 7.5. ELPLA exhibited remarkable precision (coefficient of variation, CV = 2.85%) and recovery rates (88–104%), with linearity remaining consistent even after serial dilution. Results correlated well with HPLC (r = 0.992) and ELISA (r = 0.861). Both ELPLA and HPLC detected significant differences in serum thiamine levels among the groups, while ELISA displayed limited sensitivity. Overall, ELPLA stands out as a robust, sensitive, and cost-effective alternative to existing methods. Its simplicity and reliability make it suitable for routine clinical and nutritional use, particularly in low-resource settings. Further validation across various biological matrices and food systems is recommended