Biotechnology Journal International
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α-L- rhamnosidases Produced under Solid State Fermentation by Few Aspergillus Strains
No full textThe production of α-L-rhamnosidase from Aspergillus ochraceous MTCC -1810, A. wentii MTCC- 1901, A. sydowii MTCC- 635, A. foetidus MTCC-508 under solid- state fermentation using easily available agro- industrial residues such as corn cob, rice bran, sugarcane bagasse, wheat bran and citrus peel as substrate. Among these, sugarcane bagasse in combination with naringin and sucrose were found to be the best substrate. The α-L-rhamnosidase production was highest after the 4th day of incubation at 30ºC and a substrate to moisture ratio of 1:1 w/v. Supplementation of the medium with 10% naringin caused the maximum production of the enzyme. The temperature optima and pH optima of α-L-rhamnosidases were determined in the range of 50-60ºC and 4.0-5.0 respectively. The α-L-rhamnosidases secreted from the above fungal strains is suitable for the debittering of orange fruit juice
African Cassava: Biotechnology and Molecular Breeding to the Rescue
No full textCassava is an important African food crop, where it is a staple to about 250 Million people. It is a household name in Nigeria, the world largest producer of the root crop. It is propagated from stem cuttings and well known for its adaptation to wide range of adapho-climatic conditions and including those unfavourable for other crops. However cassava production, exploitation, utilization and acceptance are limited by diseases and pests, cyanogenesis, low protein content and quality, and post-harvest physiological deterioration. The breeding research activities of IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) Ibadan, Nigeria, CIAT (International Centre of Tropical Agriculture) located in Cali, Colombia and National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Nigeria have transformed cassava to double as a food security crop as well as a cash and industrial crop. Of recent, Bio Cassava Plus, an initiative sponsored by Bill and Melinda Gates, has been using experimental biotechnology approaches to address several of the main constraints to African cassava. This review presents the many advantages of cassava to the small-scale farmer and its potentials for industrial applications. It also describes the roles of biotic and abiotic factors hampering the production yield, root quality, nutritional adequacy, marketability and acceptance, and commercial processes. The use of conventional breeding and biotechnology in unravelling the milieu of these constraints is discussed as well
Evaluation of Reproductive Characteristics and Feed Utilization of Two Strains of Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Geoffrey, 1809)
No full textIntraspecific hybridization studies were carried out in two strains of Heterobranchus bidorsalis obtained from two ecological zones in Nigeria – Yola (Sudan savannah) and New Bussa (Guinea savanna) with the aim of evaluating the fecundity, percentage fertilization, hatchability, growth rate and survival rate pure breeds and hybrids of both strains. The study was conducted in triplicates for a period of 56 days. Heterobranchus bidorsalis strains obtained from Yola had higher fecundity compared to the New Bussa broodstock. The average number of eggs in one gram obtained from female Yola broodstock (680) was significantly greater than those obtained (per gram) from the female New Bussa broodstock (647). The mean weight of female broodstock obtained from Yola was 7.8 kg while that from New Bussa was 2.5 kg, with a mean total length of 102 cm and 75 cm respectively and a total weight of 400 g and 160 g of stripped eggs. The pure breed (NN♀ x NN♂) and hybrid (NN♀ x YY♂) both had the highest percentage fertilization (30%). The highest percentage hatchability was recorded in the pure breed (YY♀ x YY♂) with 74.43%. In terms of weight (8.80 g) and length (7.22 cm), the pure breed (YY♀ x YY♂) had the best growth performance than the other crosses. YY♀ x NN♂ hybrid had the least growth rate in terms of weight (6.73 g) and length (4.70 cm). There were significant differences (p<0.05) between the specific growth rate (SGR) in the treatments with an average of 5.2%/day. The pure breed (NN♀ x NN♂) had the lowest survival rate (46.7%) and 80% was the highest percentage survival as recorded in the hybrid (NN♀ x YY♂)
Use of Palm Male Inflorescence and River-Sand as Acclimatization Substrate for Plantain (Musa sp.) Cultivars
No full textThe objective of this work was to investigate the use of Palm Male Inflorescence (PMI) and river-sand as substrate for the acclimatization of plantain. Plantlets from three plantain cultivars (Batard, Ebanga and French Clair) were obtained after 16 weeks of tissue cultures and the plantlets were subjected to routine acclimatization under screen house conditions using two different substrates mixed in different ratios (100% Sand, 100% PMI, 75% PMI, 60% PMI and 50% PMI). The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with ten (10) replications; each replicate consisting of one micro-pot. The different substrates used significantly influenced the performance of the cultivars. The best medium for acclimatization for French Clair was 60% PMI in terms of percentage survival of plantlets (96.88%), plantlet height (6.03 cm), diameter (0.60 cm), number of leaves (4.42 leaves), leaf area (20.23 cm2), leaf emergence rate (1.64), number of roots (7.70 roots), and root length (18.86 cm). Ebanga plantlets had the best results with 75% PMI in terms of percentage survival of plantlets (96.88%), plantlet height (6.18 cm), diameter (0.62 cm), number of leaves (4.39 leaves), leaf area (20.48 cm2), leaf emergence rate (1.76), and total fresh weight (10.05 g). Meanwhile with Batard cultivar, 50% PMI was the best substrate in terms of percentage survival of plantlets (96.88%), plantlet height (4.41 cm), diameter (0.55 cm), number of leaves (4.55 leaves), leaf area (12.96 cm2), leaf emergence rate (1.55), and number of roots (5.73 roots). This study clearly show that PMI can be a viable substrate to use with sand in plantlet acclimatization; however, the different plant cultivars had optimal result at different proportions of PMI
Genome-wide Characterization of MicroRNAs from Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)
No full textAims: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, short (~21-nucleotide), non-coding RNA molecules that play important roles in post-transcriptional gene silencing by directing target mRNA cleavage or translational inhibition. The main aim of this study is to identify and characterize miRNAs from economically important and high stress tolerant crop mungbean (Vigna radiata L.).
Study Design: Conserved miRNAs and their targets were characterized from mungbean using computational and RT-PCR approach.
Place and Duration of Study: Division of Plant Biology, Bose Institute, P 1/12 CIT Scheme VII M, Kolkata- 700054, India between January 2011- November 2015.
Methodology: Conserved miRNAs and their targets from mungbean were identified in this study using homology based strict filtering approach. Software tools such as mfold and psRNATarget were used during this study. Predicted mungbean miRNAs were validated by RT-PCR technique.
Results: In this study using recently published draft genome sequence of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) and applying genome-wide computational-based approaches a total of 56 potentially conserved microRNAs belonging to 28 families were identified. 3 putative mungbean miRNAs (vra-miR160a, vra-miR162b and vra-miR398b) were successfully validated by RT-PCR. Using psRNATarget tool a total of 88 potential miRNA target transcripts were also recognized for the identified mungbean miRNAs which include a number of transcription factors.
Conclusion: For the first time 56 conserved microRNAs and 88 potential target sequences were identified in mungbean. Predicted target transcripts were found to be involved in development, metabolism and stress responses
Sensitivity, Approach and Awareness about Genetically Modified Crops among Undergraduate Students: An Online Survey
No full textThe Survey-based studies provide the guidelines and feedback for policy makers about adopted and newborn technology. Biotechnology is the new branch of applied science and is emerging as the separate branch of the study in Agriculture (Agri-Biotechnology), Pharmacy (Pharma-Biotech), Environment Science (Environment Biotechnology), medical (Medical Biotechnology) and Industry (Industrial Biotechnology). The products of the biotechnology in many fields have been accepted by human society except Agriculture. After ‘Green Revolution’ the major breakthrough in Agriculture was an introduction of genetically modified crops but also brought controversies with it. There is a tug of war between GM crop supporters and Anti-GM crop organizations which have spread many myths in the society about this neonatal technology. Perception, approach and awareness about genetically modified crops issues among undergraduate students get affected due to ever increasing debate on the ‘Digital and Broadcasting Media’ platforms. To catch these digital techno-savvy young undergraduate student’s perception the web-based online survey was done through predesigned Google form. Total 136 respondents participated in a web-based online survey and the percentage of male and female participants were 48 and 52, respectively. The education branch wise participants in the study were highest for Agri-biotech (26%) and least for Engineering (13%), while for agriculture, pharmacy and agribusiness management the participation percentage was 16, 22 & 23, respectively. This study concluded that the students were affirmative towards the use of technology but receive awareness about the GM crops issue through unreliable source i.e. internet (30%), newspapers (21%) and television (16%). There is need of further continuous self-sustaining and long lasting awareness campaign with the self-motivated support from scientists working on the GM technology
Characterization of Spent Bleaching Earth and Its Utilization for Improving Manure-based Biogas Production
No full textAim of the Study: To utilize spent bleaching earth (SBE) to improve biogas production efficiency through co-digesting with manure and provide a practical way of disposing the SBE.
Design of the Study: The SBE was collected from two edible oil refineries in Dar-es salaam, Tanzania. Composition was analysed in triplicate to determine its suitability for biogas production. Thereafter, the SBE was mixed with manure at (%) 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 100 for biogas production.
Methodology: The residual oil from the SBE was recovered via solvent extraction system (soxtherm). Total solids, volatile solids and pH were determined using standard methods. Physicochemical parameters of the SBE were determined using AOCS Official methods. Total carbon and total nitrogen were analysed using elemental analyser whereas the fatty acid profile of the residue oil was established using gas-chromatography techniques. Methane potential of mixtures SBE and manure at different proportions was investigated using a multi-channel analyser, methane potential test system in 500 mL glass bottles with reaction volume of 300 mL.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was completed in 2 years from 2015-2016. Samples of SBE were collected from two edible oil refineries in Dar-es salaam, Tanzania from March to July 2015 and all experiements were conducted between January and April 2016 at Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organization.
Results: Two types of waste; soapstock ca.3150 metric tons and SBE ca.2800 metric tons are generated per year. SBE contains high percentage (%) of total solids ca.98, volatiles solids 35, oil content 30 and C: N ratio 258. Macronutrients expressed in percentage (%) were MgO 4.6, CaO 4.2, K2O 1.0, P2O 55.2, whereas as micronutrients were (%) F2O3 8.0 and MnO2 0.1. Mixing of cow dung manure with SBE at the rate of 50% on volatile solids bases improved methane yield by 9-fold (508ml/gVS compared to 55ml/gVs for only manure). The methane yield for only SBE was 16-fold (867 mL/gVS) compared to only manure (55ml/gVs). The SBE is therefore a cheap, abundantly available, excellent substrate for biogas production
Heat Shock Proteins in Cassia Species
No full textAim: Abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, chemical toxicity and oxidative stress, are serious threats to plants. Heat shock proteins can assist in protein refolding under stress conditions at molecular levels. The proposed study was aimed to analyze and characterize the heat shock proteins at the molecular level in the Cassia species.
Study Design: The experiments designed were intended to study and characterize the heat shock proteins in the Cassia species using molecular approach.
Methodology: The samples were subjected to the varying heat treatments (30⁰C, 37⁰C and 42⁰C), and the proteins obtained were further sequenced for similarity search. The peptide sequence was synthesized chemically and conjugated with Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) for the production of antibodies. Western blot was carried out with the polyclonal antibodies to confirm the results.
Results: The gel analysis revealed a clearly visible over-expressed band at the highest induced temperature (42ºC) depicting the presence of a heat shock response in Cassia. BLASTp search of the peptide sequences obtained from trypsin digestion followed by LC-MS resulted in 14 hits, out of which one of the peptide was similar to a known HSP, thioredoxin peroxidase from Nicotiana tabacum. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies were synthesized against the KLH-tagged peptide. The Western blot confirmed binding of probes to the heat shock band observed for the temperature treatment at 42ºC.
Conclusions: The obtained stress proteins can be used as molecular biomarkers for identifying the structural adaptive changes in plants based on their ecological habitats. The study can also help us in synthesizing the HSPs which could aid in protecting the plants against heat stress and maintain the homeostasis.  
Phytochemical Study and Alpha-amylase Inhibitory Properties of Leaf Extracts of Croton zambesicus (Müll. Arg.)
No full textAims: This study was designed to determine the phytochemical contents, percentage of alkaloids and flavonoids and also to determine the alpha-amylase inhibitory properties of the n-hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts from the leaves of Croton zambesicus (Müll. Arg.) in-vitro.
Study Design: Phytochemical Screening, determination of percentage alkaloids and flavonoids and in-vitro evaluation of alpha-amylase inhibitory activities of the leaf extracts.
Place and Duration: This work was carried out in the Chemistry Laboratory of the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry Unit), School of Pure and Applied Science, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu and the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria, between March and November, 2016.
Methodology: Croton zambesicus leaves was successively extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol by maceration to obtain the respective extracts. Phytochemical screening of the extracts for the presence of alkaloids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, saponins, flavanoids, anthraqiunones and reducing sugar was carried out using standard method. The percentage of alkaloids and flavonoids was determined using Harborne and Boham and Kocipaiabyazan methods respectively. Alpha-amylase inhibitory properties of the leaf extracts were carried in-vitro qualitatively by starch-iodine colour assay and then quantified using dinitrosalicyclic acid reagent (DNSA reagent) using acarbose as the standard.
Results: The results showed alkaloids, cardiac glycosides steroids and antraquinone derivatives were detected in all the extracts while tannins, saponins and flavonoids were detected only in the ethanol extract. The percentage of alkaloids and flavonoids in the Croton zambesicus leaf are 16.67±3.06% and 2.67±1.16% respectively. Starch iodide indicator indicated a positive Alpha-amylase inhibitory properties in the hexane and the ethanol extracts. The ethanol extract exhibited the most alpha-amylase inhibitory property (IC50= 78.7 ± 1.7) followed by the hexane extract (IC50= 89.2 ± 1.1) while the lowest was observed in the standard drug, acarbose (IC50= 114.9 ± 11.3).
Conclusion: The result of this study showed Croton zambesicus leaf extracts can effectively inhibit pancreatic alpha-amylase hence could be a source of new drugs for reducing post-prandial glucose level in diabetic patients
Use of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Regions to Characterize Macaw Progenies
No full textAims: The present study aimed to investigate the genetic structure of A. aculeata (macaw palm) groups by analyzing individual polymorphism of different ITS regions.
Study Design: Experimental design study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Forest Engineering (Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri/MG) and Germoplasm Bank of macaw (Universidade Federal de Viçosa/MG), between February 2014 and December 2015.
Methodology: DNA extracted from 42 leaf samples of Macaw palm. Five universal oligonucleotide primer pairs specific for different internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA of Macaw (ITS 1, ITS 2, ITS 3, ITS 4, and ITS 5) used for PCR amplification.
Results: Of 42 analyzed samples, 20 resulted in reproducible bands for primers ITS 1 and ITS 2, 21 for ITS 3 and ITS 4, 24 for ITS 2 and ITS 5, and 22 for ITS 4 and ITS 5. Samples were grouped based on these results.
Conclusion: Therefore, it was possible to identify genetic differences among Macaw progenies based on the quality of ITS sequences