Biotechnology Journal International
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Exo-Inulinase Production by a Catabolite Repression-Resistant Mutant Thermophilic Aspergillus tamarii-U4 in Solid State Fermentation
No full textIn this study, spores of inulinase-producing thermophilic Aspergillus tamarii were subjected to UV mutagenesis, and colonies obtained were screened for inulinase production on inulin-glucose agar. The thermal stability of the inulinase was also investigated. A mutant strain U4 was found to produce 2.8 times inulinase titre (62.1U/mL) as against the wild strain (22.2U/mL). Inulinase production by this U4 strain was also found not to be significantly (P≤0.05) affected by the presence of glucose. The inulinase produced retained 64% of its activity after incubation at 65ºC for three hours. Solid-state fermentation for inulinase production by the strain U4 showed that wheat bran supported the highest inulinase titre 218.3U/gds while banana peels supported the lowest inulinase production titre of 80.5U/gds. Further optimization of cultural parameters revealed that incubation time of 5 days, 60% initial moisture content of the substrate, 2% inoculum density 2%, temperature 55ºC and pH 4.5 were optimal for inulinase production. Under optimized conditions, inulinase titre of 426.6 U/gds was observed. The pattern of inulin hydrolysis by the inulinase revealed the presence of monosaccharide as the main product of hydrolysis. Inulinase production at elevated temperatures by the mutant Aspergillus tamarii-U4 and its catabolite resistant properties showed that the organism is a potential industrial candidate for the production of exo-acting inulinases
Isolation of High Lignolytic Bacteria from Termites’s Gut as Potential Booster in for Enhanced Biogas Production
No full textBacteria strain capable of degrading lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose were isolated from wood Feeding termite gut using spread plate technique. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing methodology was adopted in the identification of the isolate. The isolate’s Morganella morganii (strain S4L2C (MH745964) were found to have a high lignin degradation potential. The organism was able to reduce the lignin content of rice straw from 17.43% to 7.29% after 30 days of pretreatment with 53.27% reduction of the lignin content. This study revealed that termite’s gut bacteria are Potential sources of lignocellulose degrading bacteria for the biological conversion of biomass to biogas production
Effect of Tuber Size and Intra-row Spacing on Yield and Quality of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)
No full textA study was conducted to determine the effect of tuber size and intra row spacing on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield and subsequent growth in the 2017 production season. The experiment was laid out in a 3x4 combination arranged in a split-plot design with three replications (three levels of tuber size: 20-30 mm, 30-40 mm and 40-50 mm and four levels of intra row spacing\u27s: 8, 12, 16 and 20 cm). For the optimum emergence and successful growth of potato tubers for processable yield, a size of 40-50 mm and spacing of 20 cm between plants, respectively were identified as the best treatments to be used in the study area
A Thermostable and Alkalitolerant Arabinofuranosidase by Streptomyces lividus
No full textAim: The study aimed at producing and purifying thermostable and alkalitolerant microbial arabinofuranosidase using local Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) as substrate.
Study Design: This is an experimental design in which samples were collected thrice and subjected to laboratory analyses from which quantitative data were obtained and analysed.
Place and Duration of Study: Ibadan, Nigeria, Five months.
Methodology: Bacterial strains were isolated from degrading PKC by serial dilution and pour plate technique on formulated Modified Basal Salt Agar Medium and incubated at 50°C for enzyme activity screening. Plates were afterwards flooded with 1% congo red solution for visualization of hydrolysis zone. Its arabinofuranosidase activity was optimized in solid state fermentation in PKC. Production temperature, pH, moisture content, inoculum size and agitation were studied for optimization test. Optimal production temperature and pH for arabinofuranosidase by isolate was 45°C and pH 9. Produced arabinofuranosidase was purified to apparent homogeneity with ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialysis and column chromatography techniques. Stability of arabinofuranofuranosidase obtained to temperature, pH, substrate concentration and some ions was determined as well as its molecular weight using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).
Results: Isolate with highest arabinofuranosidase activity was selected and identified as Streptomyces lividus. Purity level attained was 16.36 fold. Enzyme had a specific activity of 25.4 U/mg, and total enzyme activity of 13.2 U. Molecular weight of enzyme appeared as a band of 30 kDa. Purified arabinofuranosidase enzyme revealed optimum temperature and pH as 60oC and 9 respectively. Enzyme was stable over a broad pH range of 3-11, and temperature of 30-80oC. Residual activity after incubating for 1 hour at 70oC was 64%. Enzyme kinetics studies showed Km and Vmax values for P-nitrophenyl arabinofuranoside were 2.3mM and 0.7U/min respectively.
Conclusion: Apart from Solid State Fermentation (SSF) of PKC being a potential fermentation technique for production of arabinofuranosidase by Streptomyces lividus, the enzyme was highly stable
Optimization of Conditions for Callus Induction from BC2F1 Population (Ranbir Basmati x PAU148) through Anther Culture
No full textWith different culture conditions and concentrations of growth regulators and supplements, Anther culture technique can be easily employed for the production of haploids under in vitro conditions.
Aims: The present study was undertaken with the objective to optimize the development of doubled haploids using anthers for in vitro induction of callus on N6 medium.
Place and Duration of Study: The samples (BC2F1 seeds) were raised previously in Skuast-J. From total degree program of 3 years, this work related to tissue culture technique was done in one year from January 2018 to January 2019.
Methodology: The effect of levels of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D) i.e. 0 to 3 mg/L in basal N6 media was observed on callus induction frequency (CIF). The effect of duration of cold pre-treatment was observed on callus induction frequency at 2.5 mg/L of 2, 4-D by giving the cold pre-treatment at 4ºC from 8 to 12 days. Also the effect of different amino acids was checked on callus induction frequency.
Results: Highest callus induction frequency of 9.39 per cent was observed in N6 medium fortified with 2.5 mg/L 2, 4-D and lowest callus induction frequency of 2.52 per cent at the concentration of 1.0 mg/L. The cold pre-treatment for 10 days gave highest callus induction frequency of 1.44 per cent and lowest callus induction frequency of 0.44 per cent was obtained at cold pre treatment for 8 days. The highest callus induction frequency of 12.55 per cent was observed in case of media supplemented with 25 mg/L tryptophan and 40 mg/L cysteine and lowest callus induction frequency of 7.18 per cent was observed when media was supplemented with 560 mg/L proline.
Conclusion: The cold pre-treatment of 10 days at 4ºC on media supplemented with 2.5 mg/L of 2, 4-D and combination of 25 mg/L tryptophan and 40 mg/L cysteine proves to provide best androgenesis conditions for anthers from BC2F1 population
The Effect of Temperature on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Two Invasive Plants in Rorippa
No full textAims: By studying the response of seed germination and seedling growth of invasive plants, Rorippa amphibia and Rorippa sylvestris, to temperature, the influence of temperature on the invasive ability of two species of Rorippa were further analyzed, which provided a theoretical basis for revealing the diffusion and invasion mechanism of two invasive plants in Rorippa.
Study Design: Seed germination and seedling growth test of two invasive plants in Rorippa at different temperature was studied by means of laboratory culture. The germination percentage, germination index, germination potential of the seeds and the total leaf number, root length, lateral root number, biomass and root shoot ratio of seedlings were determined.
Place and Duration of Study: Seeds were collected from the Shenyang Agricultural University of Liaoning Province in July 2018. Experiments were done in the College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, and conducted in April 2019 for a month.
Methodology: The petri dish method was used at the experiment of seed germination. The seedling growth experiment was carried out by pot sowing.
Results: At the seedling stage.R. amphibia has the strongest tolerance at 30°C, while the R. sylvestris does at 35°C. The low temperature is more beneficial to the accumulations of the seedlings, R. amphibia is the most tolerant at 25°C, and R. sylvestris is at 30°C at the seedling stage.
Conclusion: The response of the seeds and seedlings of the two species to temperature was basically the same. Higher temperature promoted seed germination and inhibited seedling growth, while lower temperature inhibited seed germination. The response of seeds and seedlings of R. sylvestris to high temperature makes it more invasive in the process of global warming
Public Perception on Labeling of Genetically Modified (GM) Foods in Ghana: Implications for Food Policy
No full textLabeling of genetically modified (GM) food and other food ingredients from GM source has become an important national policy issues receiving serious attention not only in Ghana but globally. This paper focused on public perceptions of labeling of GM foods in Ghana as a way of garnering a view of the public understanding of the technology that has become so much controversial for which several millions of public sector money is spent on education in the last few years. The survey which elapsed over a period of three months, shows results that indicate a dearth of knowledge on the technology and yet a high demand for labelling of the products, even though not many people read the labels on food products. This leads to the question as to ‘who is doing the listening’. The authors conclude that the limited knowledge and technology essentials among others explain why the public seems to reject the technology and call for labelling of the products in spite of the fact that labelling is nothing but a choice variable, which has nothing to do with safety measure. Modifying the present attitude of the opponents of the technology and the demanders of labelling ignoring the cost that may be involved require extensive education and awareness creations throughout the country using tailor made communication forms to address various different groups
A Study on Keratin-Associated Protein (KAP) 3.2 Gene and Its Polymorphism in Sandyno Breed of Sheep
No full textThe current study investigates the polymorphic patterns of keratin-associated protein (KAP) 3.2 gene in Sandyno breed of sheep. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples of 51 numbers of Sandyno breed. Ovine specific primer associated PCR amplification of KAP 3.2 gene revealed product at 393 bp and genotyped by PCR-SSCP (Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism) method and visualized under silver staining technique. KAP 3.2 gene locus revealed 3 genotypes, viz. AA, AB and BB with a frequency of 0.84, 0.16 and 0 in Sandyno breed with allele frequencies of A(0.92) and B(0.08). Regarding population genetic indices, the effective number of alleles (Ne) for KAP 3.2 in Sandyno breed of sheep was found to be 1.1716. The PIC values was 0.1356 and FIS values was negative (– 0.0864) in this breed. The result revealed that the selected population of Sandyno breed of sheep was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium without any significant deviation from the population mean and was monomorphic for KAP 3.2 gene
Assessment of Mutagenicity Induced by Different Mutagens in Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)
No full textCoriander is one of the most widely used herb. Coriander generally grown for leaf and grain purpose throughout the world. Induction of mutation is considered to be effective in improving various characteristics in plants like seed germination, plant vigour, yield etc. In present study we used three different chemical mutagens Colchicine, Sodium azide (SA) and Methyl methane sulphonate (MMS) on four different varieties of coriander (Green wonder, Cross-91, Mrudul and Surabhi). The study was performed by exposing the seeds of four varieties of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) to Colchicine (0.01%,0.02%,0.03% and 0.04%), Sodium azide (SA) at (0.1%,0.2%,0.3% and 0.4%) and Methyl methane sulphonate (MMS) at (0.01%,0.02%,0.03% and 0.04%) respectively. The observations were made on seed germination in field and laboratory conditions and the observations on seedling height, number of primary branches and leaves were made in field conditions. All the mutagens significantly affect the germination and seedling growth. The study revealed that germination percentage, plant height, no. of primary branches and leaves decreased with increase in dose/concentration of mutagen. Among three different chemical mutagen we observed that colchicine is better mutagen for induction of mutagen after that sodium azide (SA) had good results for seed treatment. Some of the concentrations of methyl methane sulphonate (MMS) (0.01% & 0.02%) were better. Among all four varieties of coriander Cross-91 gave better result after that Mrudul and Surabhi respond well to some concentrations. We categories the effectiveness of mutagen to induce mutation in coriander as MMS>SA>Colchicine
Molecular Identification of Crude Oil-Degrading Bacteria and Screening for Catechol 2, 3 Dioxygenase (C23O) Gene
No full textAims: To identify crude oil-degrading bacteria isolated from polluted soils and waters and screen the presence of catechol 2, 3 dioxygenase (C23O) gene encoding oil-degradation in the strains with the highest degradative activity.
Study Design: Laboratory-experimental design was used in this study.
Place and Duration of Study: Crude oil polluted soils and waters were collected from Awoye, Mese and Oluwa villages in Ondo State, Nigeria and three different flow stations (Agbada-Aluu shell, Obite, and Bonny) in Rivers State, Nigeria.
Methodology: The identities of the isolates were confirmed by extracting their total genomic DNA using standard DNA protocols while a portion of 16S bacterial gene of their DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primers E9F and U1510R and sequenced using Sanger method. Degenerate primers were used to isolate and identify the gene encoding C23O, responsible for the degradation of oil. Molecular cloning of the gene was done by transforming into Escherichia coli DHα. The correct inserts from the selected clones were performed by colony PCR. The isolated gene was sequenced with a Dye terminator sequencing kit and the product was analyzed with Prism DNA sequencer.
Results: The results obtained from the conserved sequence of the 16S rRNA coupled with the nucleotide sequence revealed ten (10) crude oil-degrading bacteria, with CFfab 14 and CFfab 12 having the highest and lowest degrading activity of 78.92 ± 0.9 Unit/mL/h and 43.89 ± 1.3 Unit/mL/h on day 3 respectively.
Conclusion: The gene C23O responsible for the production of catechol 2, 3 dioxygenase was isolated from strains CFfab 5, CFfab 14 and CFfab 15. The nucleotide base sequence of the gene was determined to be 238 bp. It is expected that in bioremediation, indigenous microorganisms from polluted environments should be screened for the possible existence of this unique gene sequence for effectiveness. Further studies could be conducted on the possibility of cloning this C23O gene into other bacteria for more efficiency and effectiveness in the bioremediation process