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Characterization of the Mucilages of Four Food Plants, Abelmoschus esculentus, Beilschmiedia mannii, Corchorus olitorius, and Irvingia gabonensis, from Côte d’lvoire
No full textAims: The objective of this work is to characterize the mucilage of food plants from Côte d’Ivoire.
Study Design: Mucilage food plants edible parts were dried, mucilage were extracted and Physicochemical and nutritive constituent content have been evaluated.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Laboratory of Biochemistry and Food Sciences, Biosciences Unit, at Felix Houphouet-Boigny University between January and December 2014.
Methodology: The study was carried out on fruits of A. esculentus (okra), B. mannii (sran), I. gabonensis (kplé) and leaves of C. olitorius (kplala) collected. The mucilage of different plants has been extracted. Physicochemical and nutritive constituent content have been evaluated.
Results: The mucilage contents of B. mannii, I. gabonensis, A. esculentus and C. olitorius were respectively 63.00 ± 2.69%, 56.34 ± 5.44%, 34.86 ± 5.27% and 25.81 ± 4.13%. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations of the mucilages have showed varying forms. Ash, pH, total polyphenols, lipids, proteins and insoluble fibers differentiated the studied mucilages to p˂0.001. The mucilages obtained are rich in minerals (ash content between 4.11 ± 0.19% and 10.71 ± 0.20%) and soluble fibers (72.86 ± 7.63% and 80.34 ± 5. 58%). These mucilages are very low in energy (36.66 ± 17.44 kcal/100 g at 50.71 ± 30.22 kcal/100 g).
Conclusion: Mucilages of selected plants are rich in ash and have low energy value
Isolation and Identification of Actinomycetes from Mangrove Soil and Extraction of Secondary Metabolites for Antibacterial Activity
No full textThe mangrove ecosystem of India is an extensively unexplored source for actinomycetes with the potential to produce secondary metabolites of biological importance. In this study, twenty two actinomycetes were isolated from different soil samples collected from the Bhitarkanika mangrove forest along Odisha coast, India. These isolates were identified as Streptomyces sp. based on their morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics as described in the International Streptomyces Project. Out of twenty two actinomycetes (designated as BSA-1 to BSA-22) isolates, only four isolates (BSA-5, BSA-10, BSA-11 and BSA-15) displayed significant antimicrobial properties in term of antagonistic activity against six human pathogenic bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus brevis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli). All these isolates exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity in a range of 14.0-22.0 mm as inhibition zone against the above studied human pathogens with highest activity displayed by the isolate BSA-11. The isolate, Streptomyces sp. BSA-11 was further identified up to the species level by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The BLAST analysis confirmed that Streptomyces sp. BSA-11 was homologous to Streptomyces himastatinicus of order Actinomycetles and class Actinobacteria. The novel actinomycete, Streptomyces himastatinicus BSA-11 from Bhitarkanika has the ability to produce extracellular potent bioactive compounds which can be a potential source of many antimicrobials
Factors Affecting on Induction of Microrhizomes in Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), Cultivar Local from Sri Lanka
No full textAims: In-vitro produced microrhizomes in ginger are favored as planting material over other conventional planting materials as they are free from soil born pathogens. This study was conducted to develop an efficient protocol for production of healthy microrhizomes including the investigation of effect of different growth regulators, sucrose concentration and photoperiod exposure levels.
Place and Duration of Study: The entire study was conducted in plant tissue culture research unit of the Department of Export Agriculture, Walpita, Sri Lanka between November 2013 and August 2015.
Methodology: In-vitro produced shoots established in hormone free medium were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (1962) (MS) medium fortified with eight treatments of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0.0, 2.0, 0.4 and 6.0 mg L-1 of BAP) and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.1 and 0.2 mg L-1 of NAA) structuring in factorial design to study the effect of growth regulators for formation of microrhizomes. In-vitro produced shoots were cultured on MS medium fortified with different concentration of sucrose (30, 60, 90 and 120gL-1) separately. Effect of the solid/liquid nature of the medium and the different photoperiod level on induction of microrhizome was also studied.
Results: Results revealed that medium containing 4.0 mgL-1 BAP with 0.1 mgL-1 NAA showed the best response followed by 6.0 mgL-1 BAP with 0.1 mgL-1 NAA for induction of microrhizomes within 60 days. Increased level of NAA did not enhance mocrorhizome induction. Results of different concentration of sucrose revealed that MS medium fortified with 90 g L-1sucrose recorded the highest fresh and dry weight of microrhizomes followed by the treatment with 60 g L-1 sucrose. However, plantlets supplemented with more than 90 g L-1 of sucrose exhibited lower weight of microrhizomes, but higher root induction and root fresh weight probably due to accumulation of water. Different photoperiod exposure levels revealed that 16 hrs of light and 4 hrs of dark condition with solid medium produced highest fresh weight (3.72 g) and highest number of microrhizomes (9.6).
Conclusion: Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with 4 mgL-1 BAP, 0.1 mgL-1 NAA and 90 gL-1 sucrose in solid form with 16-h photoperiod for 10 weeks of culture duration were the best conditions for induction microrhizomes in ginger, cultivar Local
Molecular Biology of Microbial Pectate Lyase: A Review
No full textPectate lyase represents an important member of pectinase group of enzymes responsible for the pathogenesis and softening of plant tissues. It also has role in fruit juice clarification and in retting of natural fibers. The biochemical characterization of pectate lyases from diverse microbial sources and plants along with an insight to the protein structure has been dealt earlier but there is a lack of exclusive review on the molecular biology of pectate lyases. This review tries to fill the gap by highlighting the various aspects of molecular biology of microbial pectate lyases especially the cloning and expression of pectate lyase genes from diverse sources attempted so far. The topics covered in this review are a brief description about enzymes associated with degradation of pectin, its classification, applications, updated information about the biochemical characterization of microbial pectate lyases and cloning and expression of microbial pectate lyase genes
The Role of Factor X lll val 34 Leu Polymorphism in Intracerebral Hemorrhagic Stroke among Jordanian Patients: Molecular Analysis
No full textThe polymorphism in the factor X lll A-submit gene (F X lll val 34 Leu) has been recongized as a risk factor for primary intracerebral hemorrahge (pich). In addition, F X lll valu 34 leu has a significant ethnic heterogenty.
Objective: To study the possible role of a common mutation in the gene for coagulation factor X lll -A (val 34 Leu) as a risk factor for primary intracerebral hemorrhage stroke (pich) among Jordanian patients.
Patients and Methods: A total thirty patients that have clinically suffered from cerebral hemorragic stroke, who are all aged between (40-62) years were entrolled in this study.
DNA was extracted from plasma samples. Genotyping of F X lll val 34 Leu polymorphism was detected by a 192 bp, PCR-technique and the PCR product was digested with Ddel restriction enzyme.
Results: In this study two bands in fragment length (192 bp and (161 bp) were found in seven patients as positive results 25% the other patients showed one fragment of 192 bp as negative results (75%).
Conclusion: These results suggested that factor Xlll val 34 Leu has a role in the pathogenesis primary intracerebral hemorrhage (pich), this may be related to impaired cross-linking of fibrin
Phytochemical Characterization of Couch Grass (Cynodon dactylon) and Its Growth Promoting Potential on the Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii Post-Larvae
No full textAim: To study the phytochemical profiles of Cynodon dactylon with three different solvent extractions, such as petroleum ether, acetone and ethanol, and their growth promoting ability on Macrobrachium rosenbergii PL.
Study Design: Complete extraction of C. dactylon using non-polar, middle polar and polar solvents in order to see the quality of primary phytochemicals present, and the profiles of secondary phytochemical components. Further to see which solvent extraction has effectively promoting the survival, growth, and contents of total protein, carbohydrate and lipid in M. rosenbergii PL.
Methodology: Soxhlet extraction of C. dactylon was made with petroleum ether, acetone and ethanol, and concentrated/condensed by using rotary vacuum evaporator at 40-50°C and then dried at 40°C under hot air oven. These extracts were subjected to qualitative analysis of primary phytochemical substances and GC-MS analysis of secondary phytochemical compounds. Artificial feeds were formulated with incorporation of three solvents extracts of C. dactylon separately at three different concentrations (0.1%, 0.5% and 1% levels each). M. rosenbergii PL was fed with these feeds for a period of 90 days to assess the survival, growth and basic biochemical constituents.
Results: The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, polyphenols, cardiac glycosides and quinonines in petroleum ether, acetone and ethanolic extracted C. dactylon. GC-MS spectrum of C. dactylon revealed that presence of 19 active principle compounds overall, of which 7 compounds from petroleum ether extracted C. dactylon, 5 compounds from acetone extracted C. dactylon and 7 compounds from ethanolic extracted C. dactylon. Many of the phytochemicals identified are bioactive compounds and possesses biological properties. Incorporations of extractions of C. dactylon at 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% (dry wt.) with artificial feed formulated revealed that among the three solvents extractions, ethanolic extracted C. dactylon incorporated feeds fed M. rosenbergii PL particularly at 1.0% showed enhanced (P < 0.05) growth performance including weight gain (WG), survival rate and contents of basic biochemical constituents (total protein, carbohydrate, lipid and ash) of muscle, followed by acetone and petroleum ether when compared with control PL fed without incorporation of C. dactylon.
Conclusion: The primary phytochemicals and secondary bioactive compounds present particularly in ethanolic extracts of C. dactylon produced the best survival, growth, nutritional indices and biochemical constituents in M. rosenbergii PL. Thus, the present work recommends incorporation of 1.0% of ethanolic extract of C. dactylon as feed additive to achieve better survival, growth and production of M. rosenbergii PL in the nursery. 
Comparative Evaluation of the Proximate Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Ground Musa paradisiaca (Plantain) Peels and Leaves
No full textThe study was conducted between May and August, 2015. It determined and compared the proximate composition (measured in percentage, %) of the ground Musa paradisiaca peels and leaves, and the antibacterial activity (measured in millimeter, mm) of the aqueous and ethanol extracts (at concentration of 100 mg/ml) of the respective sample, using standard protocols. The peels percentage yield (91.59±1.26%) was higher (p<0.05) than that of the leaves (84.29±1.54%). Apart from the protein content (18.09±0.09%), the other proximate parameters viz: fat (9.60±0.16), crude fibre (39.17±0.83) and ash (22.24±0.23) in the ground leaves were higher (p<0.05) than the corresponding value in the peels. Higher carbohydrate (32.47±0.48) and moisture (12.78±0.58) were recorded in the peels than in the leaves. The anti-bacterial activity (mm) of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves against Staphylococcus aureus was 9.33±0.58 and 12.33±1.15, respectively while against Escherichia coli was 14.00±1.73 and 18.67±1.15, respectively. The ethanol extracts of the peels had higher (p<0.05) antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (14.33±1.53, 15.00±2.00) respectively than the respective value obtained for aqueous extracts. However, unlike the activity against S. aureus, there was no difference in activity against E. coli based neither on the extracting solvents nor on the study samples. Thus, Musa paradisiaca peels and leaves could serve as nutrient and antibacterial sources. However, the peels compared to the leaves may serve as better source for carbohydrate but with poor storability while the leaves may serve as better source for the other determined nutrients and as antibacterial against the studied pathogens. The study further revealed that the activity of the samples against E. coli was unaffected by the solvent type and that ethanol could be preferred to water as the extracting solvent for activity against S. aureus. Further studies are required, hence recommended to harness the present findings and ultimately to reduce their solid waste contribution
Plant Regeneration and Its Functional Analysis within Transgenic Rice of ASG-1, an Apomixis-specific Gene Isolated from Apomictic Guinea Grass
No full textAims: To analyze the function of the ASG-1, an apomixis-specific gene has been isolated from apomictic guinea grass, the combination of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system and pSMA35H2-NG binary vector were used for transformation of ASG-1 to ‘Nipponbare’ of rice, and its functional analysis of transgenic rice was carried out.
Study Design: 1) plant regeneration of transgenic rice of ASG-1 was achieved, and 2) it was followed by experiments with the obtained non-graining ear in the whole plants (NGEP) using comparative observation in both pollens of guinea grass and the T0 NGEP with Nomarski differential interference-contrast microscopy (DIC).
Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Environmental and Horticultural Science, Minami Kyushu University, between September 2012 and October 2015.
Methodology: As a preliminary transformation, a β-glucuronidase (GUS) was used to infect the callus. Plant regeneration of the transgenic rice of ASG-1 were achieved. DNAs of the transgenic rice were used for detection of ASG-1 by PCR. For analysis of NGEP, the anthers and ovaries of the transgenic rice and guinea grass were used for comparative observation with DIC.
Results: 1) GUS was successfully expressed in calli of both rice and guinea grass. 2) The transgenic rice plants of ASG-1 were then obtained from the culture of seed-derived calli. 3) The natures of T0 callus and T1 plants were confirmed. 4) A subset (~15%) of T0 plants showed morphological sterility with NGEP. 5) The ovaries of the NGEP showed identical characteristics to “Nipponbare” and other normal T1 plants; however, the pollen showed normal rates of <38%. 6) The pollen of guinea grass at anthesis showed rates of normal pollen as low as that of the NGEP rice.
Conclusion: ASG-1 may play a role in regulating pollen sterility. Comparing these findings with our previous reports, we identified co-localization for ASG-1 in pollen of both rice and guinea grass, suggesting that the trait of ASG-1 influencing pollen sterility might be inherited from guinea grass to rice through the transformation process
Assessing the Genotoxic Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), Cosmetics and Alomo Bitters (Alcoholic Drink) Using Allium Test
No full textGenotoxic effect of aqueous leaf extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica) NZI, Alomo bitters alcoholic drink (ABAD) and cosmetics (Baby-face facial cleanser, BFFC; Peau clair body lotion, PCBL and Vanilla essence roll-on, VERO) were assessed using Allium test. The root tips were treated with serial dilutions of the test chemicals at 20%, 40%, 60% and 100% for 3 hours along with the control, hydrolyzed in 18% HCl, squashed and stained with FLP orcein. Aberrations such as C-metaphase, precocious, stickiness (sticky metaphase), ghost cells, nuclear lesions, chromosome erosion, laggards, binucleated cells, anaphase bridges and vagrant chromosomes were observed in the root tips studied. These products are used widely by humans around the world and Nigeria in particular. Although, the products elicited varying chromosomal abnormalities, they also have beneficial effects. Also, the products showed genotoxic effects even at low concentrations on Allium cepa root cells. In a long run, the use of these products may cause serious damages on the chromosome of plants, animals and humans. More effort is required to actually ascertain the active constituents of these products that elicited the genotoxic effects. Constant use and consumption of these products is therefore discouraged
Contribution of GFP Expressing Dermal Papillae Cells to the Formation of Chimeric Embryos and their Survival in Uterine Environment
No full textAims: This is an innovative cell-based research project focused on the hair follicle dermal papillae (DP) as a source of key-element cells for regeneration of hair growth. DP is major dermal compartment which has a role in hair formation at embryogenesis and is able to differentiate down an endothelial lineage for in vitro functional assays. In the present study, we have tested the potential of DP cells from the lower end bulb region of hair follicles for multilineage differentiation in vivo. We have postulated that DP cells’ epigenetics can be changed under the influence of embryonic microenvironment when they are injected into early embryos which would demonstrate plasticity, regenerative and inductive properties of hair follicle dermal cells.
Study Design: Pilot research.
Place and Duration of Study: School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Durham, the UK, between February 2007 and December 2009.
Methodology: To identify the capacity of functional contribution to organogenesis we microinjected various numbers of Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP)-expressing Dermal Papillae cells (GFP-DP cells) into mice blastocysts and transferred embryos to the foster mothers for the generation of chimeric fetuses.
Results: GFP-expressing cells were detected in 3% of the epiblast egg cylinders formed from microinjected blastocysts cultured in absence or presence of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Surgical transfer of microinjected blastocysts resulted in 4.5% of fetuses developing fully. GFP- DP cell lineages were detected in tissue samples under fluorescence and confirmed immunohistochemically. Our finding displayed subcultural localization of GFP as a proof of chimaeric tissue from unborn pups carrying DP cell lineages which had multiplied in bone marrow, parenchyma and connective tissue, brain and hair bulbs.
Conclusion: The results confirm the capability of a small population of DP cells to convert into embryonic stem-like cells, multiply and contribute to organs and tissue. This makes them a reasonable source for regenerative studies and replacement therapy