Biotechnology Journal International
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Microbial Diversity of Nigerian Sludge and Its Potential for Use as Biofertilizer
No full textSludge samples were collected from a wastewater treatment plant in Nigeria for characterization and evaluation for agricultural applications. Conventional and Molecular techniques were adopted for the isolation and identification of indigenous microorganisms and resulting isolates were characterized and identified by consulting Bergey’s manual of determinative bacteriology and subjected to further screenings to assess their biofertilizer potential using standard microbiological techniques. The viable cells obtained were enumerated and were found to be in the range of 1.03 ± 0.09 x103 cfu/g to 7.45 ± 0.78 x103 cfu/g for heterotrophic Bacteria and 1.63 ± 0.74 x103 cfu/g for fungal community. The Molecular analysis carried out revealed a rich assemblage of diverse species of microorganisms with Bacteria (99.40%) being the most dominant group, followed by Fungi (0.39%) and others (0.21%). Thirty (30) isolates belonging to four (4) Phyla was recovered culturally and identified with Firmicutes 9(30%) being the most dominant group, followed by Proteobacteria 8(26.7%) and Zygomycota 1(3.33%) was the least dominant. The phosphate solubilization index range from 0.86 to 6.3 for bacterial and 2.5 to 3.8 for fungal isolates respectively. The molecular analysis also revealed microbes adept at improving soil fertility to include those in the order Rhizobiales and Actinomycetales. Although pathogens are of a concern in the land application of sludge, our findings have revealed rich microbial consortia of heterotrophic microorganisms whose beneficial attributes can be harnessed to produce nutrient rich biofertilizer and soil amendment
Characterization of Brassica napus (Canola) Germplasm Based on Microsatellite Markers
No full textBrassica napus L. is a major oilseed crop all over the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of B. napus germplasm by using simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. In the current study, ten SSR markers were used for studying genetic diversity of ten Brassica cultivars. Out of 110 total bands, 68 bands were polymorphic with 52.11% average polymorphism. Mean value of Nei’s genetic diversity and Polymorphism Information Content was 1.7, and 0.2630, respectively. These mean values show that there are moderate allelic differences between Brassica cultivars. The Nei’s genetic distance among various cultivars was 0.3281 and 0.125 which showed that germplasm of Brassica cultivars are different from each other, which is probably due to anthropogenic interventions and environmental factors. Thus, genetically different lines identified in this study could be employed in breeding programmes to develop higher-quality canola inbred varieties in future
Effects of Groundnut Shell Incorporation Rates on the Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria
No full textPurpose: The aim of the study was to assess the effects of groundnut shell incorporation rates on the growth and yield of maize.
Research methods: The study was carried out at the students’ demonstration farm of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State, in 2018. Seeds were sown on a prepared land treated with four (4) doses of groundnut shells (0, 25, 50 and 75 tons/ha) arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), replicated 4 times. Each plot was marked out at 2.0 m length × 2.0 m width with 0.5 m gap between the replicated plots and blocks. Maize growth parameters were determined at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after sowing and maize yield parameters were determined at 10 and 12 weeks after sowing (WAS).
Findings: The groundnut shell application rates increased maize growth parameters such as, plant height, number of leaves per plant, leave area index, and stem girth, number of cobs per plant and cobs weight. The results revealed that plant height, number of leaves, leaf area index and stem girth were significantly (P≤ 0.05) influenced by the treatments, except for the control treatment at 2- WAS. The higher application rates (50 and 75 t/ha) of groundnut shell significantly (P≤ 0.05) influenced the plant growth components better than the 25 and 0 t/ha treatment rates.
Research limitations: There were no limitations to report.
Originality/Value: The results suggests that groundnut shell incorporation rate at 50 t/ha could be recommended as the most appropriate and profitable for high performance of maize plants in Mubi. The results generally suggest that maize plants may tolerate even higher rates of groundnut shell incorporation beyond the rates used in the study
Effect of Pre and Post Infection Administration of Zinc and Selenium on some Biochemical indices in Wistar Rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei
No full textAims: The effect of pre and post-infection administration of zinc and selenium on Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in wistar rats on some biochemical parameters were investigated.
Study Design: The study was designed to evaluate the effect of pre and post infection administration of zinc and selenium on Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in wistar rats.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna and Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, between January 2014 to March 2014.
Methodology: Fifty four (54) wistar rats were divided into nine groups of six (6) rats each. Groups III-IX were infected intraperitoneally with 1x103parasite load. Animals in group III were infected but untreated while the infected/treated groups received prophylactic (IV, V and VI) and therapeutic (VII, VIII and IX) treatment with zinc and selenium 50mg/kg and 10mg/kg body weight respectively.
Results: Results obtained showed that serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) activities in the infected-untreated control group were significantly different (P<0.05) and higher as compared to infected treated and normal control. Similarly, the two minerals significantly decreased (P<0.05) the levels of Urea and Creatinine in the infected treated when compared to the infected untreated rats, with the exception of creatinine value of the post-infected treated with selenium where there was no significant (P>0.05) decrease. On the other hand, a significant (P<0.05) increase in serum levels of total Protein, albumin and total bilirubin and no significant (P>0.05) difference in direct bilirubin was recorded in infected treated group compared to infected untreated and normal control.
Conclusion: It was concluded that administration of zinc and selenium ameliorate the infection-induced biochemical changes in tissues and organs associated with Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in Wistar rats
Poplar Allene Oxide Synthase 1 Gene Promoter Drives Rapid and Localized Expression by Wounding
No full textPromoters play critical roles in controlling the transcription of genes and are important as tools to drive heterologous expression for biotechnological applications. In addition to core transcription factor-binding motifs that assist in the binding of RNA polymerases, there are specific nucleotide sequences in a promoter region to allow regulation of gene expression. The allene oxide synthase (AOS) gene family are cytochrome P450s that are responsive to a variety of environmental stress, making them good candidates for the discovery of inducible promoters. Populus AOS homologs separate phylogenetically into two clades. Based on the 19 promoter motifs with significant abundance differences between the two clades, Clade I AOS genes are likely more responsive to hormones, salt, and pathogen, whereas clade II homologs are likely inducible by water stress. In this study, an upstream promoter from a Clade I poplar AOS encoding gene (AOS1) was cloned and used to drive the expression of a ß-glucuronidase (GUS) gene in Arabidopsis. AOS is an essential enzyme in the lipoxygenase pathway that is responsible for the production of many non-volatile oxylipins in plants, including the jasmonates, which are regulatory phytohormones coordinating a variety of biological and stress response functions. Consistent with AOS transcript expression patterns, we found that the poplar AOS1 promoter drives rapid and localized expression by wounding. The study provides insight on the responsive elements in the poplar AOS promoters, but more importantly identifies a strong wound-inducible and localized promoter for future applications
Temporal Evolution of Organochlorine Pesticides Residues in Kola Nuts (Cola nitida Vent Nuts. Schott & Endl.) Processing in Eastern of Côte d’Ivoire
No full textAims: The objective of this study is to monitor the evolution of organochlorine residues levels in kola nuts collected from various actors in the eastern producing region of Côte d\u27Ivoire.
Study Design: Kola nuts samples were collected from farmers, collectors and urban stores in the Eastern of Côte d’Ivoire.
Place and Duration of Study: Health Department of Hydrology Health and Toxicology, Training and Research Unit of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, running 2016-2019.
Methodology: A total of 225 samples were analyzed using Gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (Agilent 7010B Triple Quadrupole GC/MS System).
Results: Data showed that all 21 pesticides analyzed were detected in kola nuts samples. Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference in OCPs sub-group used by actors during the three-crop studied. The mean levels of HCHs, DDTs and cyclodienes were ranged from 5±1– 136.67±77.3 µg/kg FW, 5±1 – 116.67±63.2 µg/kg FW and 5±1 - 145±63.2 µg/kg FW, respectively. Otherwise, farmer’s levels of OCPs were lower than those detected in kola nuts from collectors and urban stores samples. Thus, compared to the MRL set by the World Health Organization/Food and Agricultural Organization, the farmer’s samples are lower than limits fixed, unlike the contents registered with collectors and urban stores. In the latter, nearly 80% to 100% of kola nuts collected are contaminated with hexachlorinated residues (HCHs) and heptachlor.
Conclusion: There is the need to keep monitoring ecotoxicological chemical substances in kola nuts produced in Côte d’Ivoire and take steps that ensure health safety of end users. Care should be taken since residues could pose chronic health risk for adults and children
Molecular Detection and Typing of Cervical Human Papillomavirus in a Selected Population in Bayelsa State: Comparison with the National and International Trend and Clinical Significance
No full textBackground: The link between cervical lesions and human Papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and 18 is well established, but the magnitude of the risk of association and the importance of other high-risk hpv types is uncertain in Bayelsa state.
Aims: The study was aimed at detecting and typing of cervical hpv among selected subjects, establish the relationship between cervical dysplasia and hpv and also asses the level of knowledge of hpv, perception and attitude of women in Bayelsa State.
Materials and Methods: Questionnaires were used to assess the level of knowledge of hpv and cervical cancer. Papanicolaou stain for cervical cytology and Haematoxylin and Eosin stain used to study general tissue structure. Nested PCR was used to detect and multiplex PCR for typing. Results: The prevalence of hpv spectrum among participants was 52% while high risk hpv was 24%. Five (5) subtypes were identified. The subtypes identified were hpv 52(40.4%) most predominant, followed by 51(1.9%), 45(1.9%), 31(1.9%) and hpv 30 (9.6%). The age-specific prevalence showed a peak prevalence of 44.2% in the ages of 25-34 years and lowest in the age group (15-24years). Sequence alignment showed a single point mutation for hpv 45 and several points\u27 mutation for hpv 52 at certain points of the sequenced nucleotides with Sequence no: 53CN12 and SeqH2011055303 and accession no: MG195999 and MG196000. HPV 52 was highest compared to previous studies, national and international. The level of knowledge on hpv infection and cancer of the cervix was low among subjects with a percentage score of 38.9%. Among other variables studied, life time sexual partners showed a statistically significant relationship in the prevalence of hpv (OR=0.02, P˂0.01). Perceived seriousness on hpv infection was high among hpv positive subjects compared with hpv negative participants ( =16.39, p ˂0.01).
Conclusion: The emergence of hpv 52 in the study area requires public health attention and thus urgent need for local hpv vaccines production
Construction of an Agrobacterium Mediated RNAI Genetic Transformation Vector Targeting the Replicase Gene of Indian cassava mosaic virus and Evaluation of Their Transformation Ability in Cassava Immature Leaf Lobes
No full textCassava mosaic virus is one of the major problems affecting cassava industry in India. Currently there are no effective strategy to completely protect cassava from cassava mosaic viruses. In order to attain cassava mosaic virus resistance RNAi vectors targeting the replicase gene of Indian cassava mosaic virus is constructed in this study. Their efficiency to transform cassava immature leaf lobes were also studied here. Replicase gene of Indian cassava mosaic virus in Tamilnadu are cloned and sequenced. Conserved domains are identified and sub cloned to CSIRO RNAi vector system and transformation studies are done in immature cassava leaves. Two different RNAi vectors were constructed, utilizing a conserved 440bp of 5’ end of ICMV Rep (AC1) gene which also corresponds to a part of AC4 gene, and functions as a viral RNAi suppressor protein. The partial Rep gene of ICMV was cloned in sense and anti-sense orientations in the RNAi intermediate vector, pHANNIBAL. After cloning into pHANNIBAL, the cloned RNAi gene cassettes of ICMV is released and cloned into the binary vector, pART27, which contains the kanamycin-resistance gene as a plant selectable marker. In order to use hygromycin as a selection agent in cassava genetic transformation, RNAi–Rep gene cassettes of ICMV were cloned into pCAMBIA1305.2. These constructs were named pICR1 and pICR2 respectively. The Genetic transformation studies in cassava leaves done using pICR2 vector could generate PCR positive plants. An agrobacterium mediated replicase RNAi vector is developed and that can be transformed into cassava immature leaf lobes. Their efficiency to silence the Indian cassava mosaic virus should be studied further
Structural Modelling and in-silico characterization of a Novel Thermophilic β-amylase from Clostridium thermosulfuregenes
No full textβ-amylase is a hydrolytic enzyme that is involved in breaking down starch and producing energy. Since the discovery of β-amylase, it has been applied in various applications especially in the food industry. In this study, a novel β-amylase from Clostridium thermosuluregen, a thermophilic anaerobic bacterium that ferments its extracellular emulsion to ethanol at 62 ℃ was modelled and studied using bioinformatics tools and compared with B. cereus β-amylases that functions at mesophilic conditions. The results showed that the overall structural conformations, secondary structures, and important residues involved in active and binding sites were identified in both proteins. The results revealed that the modelled β-amylase of C. thermosulfuregen is very similar with respect to the global conformation, location of active and binding sites. Both proteins showed identical structural domains with the thermophilic variant possessing a high percentage of hydrophobic amino acid residues, polar amino acid residues, and differences in secondary composition such as loops and beta sheets as the potential evolutionary thermal adaptations that make it stable enzyme that functions up to 70 ℃. The results suggest that the thermal stability are not dependent on one single unique mechanism and may use one or a combination of the mechanisms to sustain its structural conformation at a higher operating temperature. Overall, considering the common properties of this modelled protein with the β-amylase of B. cereus, it can be assumed that if the β-amylase of C. thermosulfuregen were expressed in-vitro, it would produce a stable protein that possesses the hydrolysis function for C. thermosulfuregen to break down the starch and sugar formation
Induction of Embryogenic Callus in Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) by Cotyledon, Nucellus and Testa with Antioxidants Effect
No full textAims: This work aims to evaluate the influence of different growth regulators combined with antioxidants on the induction of callus with different explants in cashew.
Materials and Methods: Nucellar tissues, cotyledons and testa from elite tree nuts are cultured on media that differ in their concentration of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP: 0 mg/l; 0.25 mg/l; 0.5 mg/l) and Acid 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic (2,4-D: 0 mg/l; 0.8 mg/l). Therefore, for the control of the browning of the explants, the effect of activated charcoal and polyvinylpyrrolidone was tested. The amount of callus formed is evaluated after 28 days and after 90 days by simple observation according to a given scale.
Results: Analysis of variance of callus formation 28 days after the culture of explants shows that the interaction between growth regulators and antioxidants significantly influences (p < 0.05) the induction of callus. The combination BAP 0.25mg/l and 2,4-D 0.8mg/l produces on average more callus (0.47 ± 0.00). There is a very significant difference (P < 0.05 to p<0.001) in the effect of growth regulators and antioxidants on obtaining callus after 90 days of cultivation. The 0.25 mg/l combination of BAP and 0.8 mg/l of 2,4-D still appears to be the best combination of growth regulators for callus with 58% of callus formed. Cotyledons in the presence of PVP respond better than activated charcoal. The nucellus are the explants that respond better in the presence of activated charcoal. The test for Least Significant Difference reveals that PVP significantly promotes (p <0.05) the production of a large number of calli (77%) unlike activated charcoal (9%) after 90 days of culture.
Conclusion: Summary, for obtaining viable and embryogenic callus in cashew, the combination of BAP at 0.25 mg/L and 0.8 mg/L of 2,4-D is the best and this in the presence of PVP with cotyledons