Biotechnology Journal International
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In vitro Direct Regeneration of Cotton (Gossypium spp.) Cultivars of Sudan
No full textIn vitro direct plantlets’ development from different explants of cotton was studied using nine cultivars which have been developed in Sudan. The influence of various phytohormones on morphogenetic response of different explants of each cultivar was tested. The best medium for multiple shoot induction from shoot tip explants was Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L Zeatin. In this medium, the highest regeneration percentage (92%) and the maximum number of shoots (2) were recorded for Sudac K cultivar. Shoot elongation and rooting of most of the shooted explants were obtained in 0.05 mg/L Gibberellic acid (GA3)-supplemented MS medium. Embryo axis explants were best regenerated in MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L Kinetin + 0.1 mg/ L 2,4-D in seven of the nine tested cultivars. The highest shooting percentage (80%) was recorded for Shambat-B followed by Hamid cultivar (75%). The majority of the shoots (62.4%) showed root formation in MS medium supplemented with Kinetin + 2,4-D medium. Non- rooted shoots derived from shoot tip and embryo axis explants showed a range of 90-100 rooting percentages when transferred into 0.1 mg/ L IBA- supplemented MS medium. Cotyledonary nodes explants of cultivars Abdin, Kheiralla, Barakat-90, Knight and Barakat were found to form shoots in 0.1 mg/L Kinetin-supplemented MS medium, with the highest percentage (79%) recorded for Barakat cultivar. Rooting was induced, for all shooted explants, in ½ strength MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L NAA
Effects of Exogenous Salicylic Acid on the Antioxidative System in Bean Seedling Treated with Manganese
No full textIn the present study we investigated the role of salicylic acid (SA) in regulating Mn-induced oxidative stress in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) leaves. Exposure of plants to 100 µM Mn inhibited biomass production and intensively increased Mn accumulation in leaves. Concomitantly, Mn significantly enhanced protein carbonyl, H2O2 content and lipid peroxidation as indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. SA (10, 50 and 100 µM) pretreatment alleviated the negative effect of Mn on plan growth and led to decrease in oxidative stress induced by Mn stress. Furthermore, SA enhanced the activities of catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11), but lowered that of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and guaiacol peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7). The data suggest that the beneficial effect of SA could be related to avoidance of oxidative damage upon exposure to Mn thus reducing the negative consequences of oxidative stress caused by Mn toxicity
Molecular Diversity Analysis of Coat Protein Gene Encoded by Legume Begomoviruses and PCR Assay to Detect Yellow Mosaic Viruses Infecting Soybean in India
No full textAim: Coat protein (CP) genes encoded by Legume yellow mosaic viruses (LYMVs) were analysed to study molecular diversity and to devise effective PCR based assay to distinguish major Begomovirus species (Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus and Mungbean yellow mosaic virus) infecting soybean
Design of the Study: All the known coat protein gene sequences encoded by begomoviruses causing yellow mosaic disease (YMD) in legumes were obtained from GenBank. YMD infected soybean leaf samples were collected from different parts of India during Kharif 2012 and species of virus infections identified using CP gene based primers in a PCR assay.
Methodology: DNA polymorphism, phylogeny, and test of theory of neutral evolution were studied to decode variability and molecular evolutionary lineage of LYMVs encoded CP gene. CP based primers have been designed and employed to differentiate MYMIV and MYMV using infected soybean samples collected across India.
Results: Nucleotide diversity and DNA polymorphism studies revealed relatively low levels of diversity in CP genes encoded by LYMV isolates. Test of neutral evolution and codon substitution analysis also reiterated the operation of purifying selection indicating deleterious mutations in CP gene are not tolerated in the LYMV population. Geographical confinement of species of yellow mosaic viruses infecting soybean is further validated as diseased soybean samples collected from Northern and Central India showed infection due to MYMIV and samples obtained from Southern and Western India were infected with MYMV.
Conclusion: Evolutionary genomic analysis revealed conserved nature of LYMV encoded CP gene however a variable region has been identified.PCR assay for differentiation of two major begomoviruses viz.,) MYMV and MYMIV infecting soybean in India has been standardised. This is the first report of population genetics in LYMVs and it’s implications for yellow mosaic disease (YMD) resistance breeding in soybean are also discussed
Performance of Short Chain Length Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production by Comamonas sp EB172 in Large Scale Bioreactors Based on Constant Impeller Tip Speed
No full textAims: In this study, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) or PHBV, a short chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) production by a local isolate Comamonas sp. EB172 using 500 g/L mixed organic acids were investigated in 10 L and 150 L stirred tank bioreactors based on constant impeller tip speed (minimum 0.56 m/s and maximum 2.22 m/s).
Results: The ratio of the three acids i.e., acetic, butyric, and propionic, were 2:1:1, mimicking clarified mixed acids obtained from anaerobically treated palm oil mill effluent. In pH controlled fed-batch cultivation, in 10 L bioreactor, the strain could accumulate 84% PHBV with biomass concentration of about 4.08 g/L under dual nutrient limitation strategy i.e., dissolved oxygen and nitrogen limited conditions. By maintaining similar tip speed in 150 L bioreactor, a final biomass concentration of 5.35 g/L with a PHBV content of 72% and volumetric productivity of 0.083 g/L/h were obtained. The calculated yield was 0.259 g PHBV/g mixed acids.
Conclusion: Both the yield and PHA content in 150 L bioreactor were comparable to that obtained in 10 L scale where PHBV content ranged from 70- 90% (w/w) of the cell with yield of 0.27- 0.4 g PHBV/g mixed acid, respectively. This is the first report of utilizing mixed organic acids for PHBV biosynthesis in large scale
Comparison of Enset Starch with Other Widely Known Commercial Starches and Its Significant Applications in Pharmaceuticals
No full textEnset [Enset ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman], a plant widely cultivated in south and southwest of Ethiopia has been shown to be a rich source of starch. A review regarding comparison of enset starch with other widely known commercial starches and its significant applications in pharmaceuticals was presented. After a brief historical introduction, details of the use of enset crop in Ethiopia were noticed. Many experimental studies suggested that, enset starch has potentials in pharmaceutical industries as tablet excipients as binder and disintegrant, sustained release agent, pharmaceutical gelling agent and other excipients. The review further compare the potentials of enset starch with commercially available other starch in terms of ease of availability, physical and chemical properties and efficiencies
Influence of Various Nitrogen Sources on Biomass and Lipid Production by Chlorella vulgaris
No full textChlorella vulgaris is a unicellular, photosynthetic fresh water green alga with high concentration of chlorophyll. This microalga synthesizes biomass by trapping energy from the sun. It has valuable components particularly pigments and protein thus, can be utilized in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and agricultural industry. The organism was obtained by blooming in a 10:90 mixture of cow dung extract and pond water from fresh water pond at the African Regional Aquaculture Centre [ARAC] at Aluu, Rivers State, Nigeria. Blooming was enhanced by intermittent manual aeration under natural illumination with a bank of fluorescent tubes emiting ca15 µE/m²/s each. The isolate was cultured using a synthetic medium and identified as Chlorella vulgaris on the basis of its molecular characteristics by Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] technique. The potential of producing biomass and lipid from Chlorella vulgaris using three different nitrogen sources namely potassium nitrate, urea and sodium nitrate in a synthetic medium were investigated. The best growth of about 279 mgL-1 cell dry matter and 5.27% lipid content was obtained with urea as compared to the other nitrogen sources. Potassium nitrate gave 68 mgL-1 cell dry matter with about 1.53% lipid content, while sodium nitrate resulted in 236 mgL-1 cell dry matter and 0.73% lipid content. The maximum specific growth rate (µ=0.198) with a doubling time of 5.05 was recorded with urea at a concentration of 0.055 mgL-1, NaNO3 at the same concentration with urea had (µ=0.182) and a doubling time of 5.5, but KNO3 showed the least specific growth rate (µ= 0.169) with doubling time of 6.33. Overall, urea gave higher yields of biomass and lipid, caused small fluctuations with the medium during the algal growth
Recovery of Biomass Energy on the Farm: Identification of Cellulolytic Bacteria in Agricultural Residues for On-Site Bioethanol Production
No full textFarms are significant sources of unused biomass, conversion of which into energy would contribute to decreasing the environmental footprint associated with farming activities. A promising alternative for energy conversion involves bioethanol production. Bioethanol can be fermented from simple sugars that in turn must be extracted from biomass. To this end cocktails of enzymes may be used to deconstruct lignocellulosic biomass, but their cost and efficiency are often prohibitive. One could circumvent these drawbacks by finding locally-established, well adapted bacteria that produce enzymes with relevant specificities. Here we identified such bacteria and compared their ability to hydrolyse cellulose from agricultural and industrial biomass residues. By collecting environmental samples at a local farm we identified 54 strains, of which 12 exhibited cellulolytic activity. Based on 16S rDNA sequence analyses, we found that these strains were relatives of Bacillus aryabhattai, B. cereus, B. licheniformis, B. pseudomycoides and B. thuringiensis species. This article reveals the first experimental evidence of cellulase activity from B. aryabhattai, confirming earlier predictions. The abilities of these strains to produce simple sugars from carboxymethyl cellulose, treated maize biomass, and papermaking primary sludge were investigated. B. licheniformis and B. thuringiensis related strains both showed high extracellular cellulase activity and sugar production when grown on treated maize. This study suggests that local microbial biodiversity should be considered when developing enzymatic strategies for exploitation of farm residues
Haematological and Serum Biochemical Indices of Growing Rabbits Fed Diets Containing Varying Levels of Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal
No full textAims: To determine the influence of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) on haematological and serum biochemical indices of growing rabbits fed diets containing varying levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal.
Study Design: Completely randomized design.
Place and Duration of Study: At the Rabbit unit of the Teaching and Research farm of Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ivo L.G.A., State, Nigeria, between May, 2015 and July 2015.
Methodology: 48 growing rabbits were used for this study. Four diets were formulated such that diets T1, T2, T3 and T4 contain MOLM at 0%, 10%, 20% and 30%, respectively. The diets were offered to the growing rabbits, which were randomly divided into 4 groups of 12 rabbits each, with 4 animals constituting a replicate in a completely randomized design pattern. Each animal received the experimental diet for 49 days. Blood samples were drawn from each animal on the last day of the trial and evaluated for haematological and serum biochemical indices, data obtained were analysed statistically.
Results: Results showed that packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin Mean cell haemoglobin concentration and white blood cell differed (P<0.05) significantly, while red blood cell, mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell volume were similar (P>0.05) among the groups PCV ranged between 35.01–36.59%. Haemoglobin was improved (p<0.05) by Moringa oleifera leaf meal at 30% inclusion level. White blood cell (WBC) count of weaner rabbits in treatment groups was significantly (p<0.05) higher and better than the control. All the serum biochemical indices were significantly (P<0.05) except creatinine. Cholesterol was lowest at 30% inclusion indicating the anti-diabetic properties of the test ingredient.
Conclusions: All the parameters studied fell within the normal range reported for clinically healthy rabbits; an indication that MOLM had a beneficial effect on health status of rabbits
Assessment of Antiproliferative Potential of Hexalobus crispiflorus (Annonaceae)
No full textBackground: Hexalobus crispiflorus root aqueous extract (HC) is used to treat breast cancer in Nigeria.
Aim: To evaluate the antiproliferative effects of HC using Sorghum bicolor seed radicle as test subject.
Materials and Methods: Ten millilitres each of one to seven mg/ml HC in distilled water was poured into 9 cm wide Petri dishes overlaid with cotton wool and filter paper. Twenty viable seeds of Sorghum bicolor (Guinea corn) were spread on each plate and incubated in the dark. The lengths (mm) of the radicles emerging from the seeds were measured at 48, 72, and 96 h. The control seeds were treated with 10 ml of distilled water containing no extracts. The experiments were carried out in triplicates. The mean radicle lengths (mm) and percentage inhibition were determined. HC was characterized using colour reactions and HPLC-UV-DAD.
Results: Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes and steroids. HPLC spectrum gave nine peaks with caffeic acid and rutin eluting at 5.22 and 7.76 minutes respectively. HC significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited S. bicolor seed growth over a period of 48 – 96 h against the control seeds. At 96 h, HC dose-dependently inhibited seed growth, gave inhibition of 35.41%, 40.67%, 58.24%, 61.34% and 63.68% for seeds treated with 1 mg/ml, 2 mg/ml, 4 mg/ml, 6 mg/ml and 7 mg/ml respectively with IC50 of 3 mg/ml. Methotrexate 0.176 mg/ml as positive control gave inhibition of 99.11% at 96 h.
Conclusion: This result indicates the propensity of HC to inhibit the proliferation of S. bicolor seed radicle, hence provide preliminary evidence for its use to treat breast cancer.
 
Phenotypic Detection of Virulence Markers, Antibiotic and Disinfectant Susceptibility of Bacterial Isolates from Automated Teller Machine Keypads, Computer Keyboards and Mice in Uyo, Nigeria
No full textThe occurrence and virulence markers of bacterial isolates from Automated Teller Machine Keypads (ATM), Computer Keyboards (CK) and Computer Mice (CM) were determined using standard bacteriological methods. The susceptibilities of the isolates to antibiotics and disinfectants (Savlon, Dettol and hydrogen peroxide) were determined by disc diffusion techniques. The bacterial isolates on the 12 CMs from cyber cafés were Staphylococcus aureus 7 (58.3%), Bacillus spp 5 (41.7%), Staphylococcus epidermidis 4 (33.3%), Streptococcus spp 4 (33.3%), Escherichia coli 2 (16.7%), Enterococcus spp 2 (16.7%) and Pseudomonas aureginosa 1(8.3%). S. aureus was the predominant bacterial isolate from CKs and ATM keypads, while Bacillus spp. had the lowest percentage of occurrence. A total of 23 (47.9%) CK swab samples had single bacterial growth, while 25 (52.1%) had mixed bacterial flora. Of the 12 CM from cybercafés, 3/12 (25.0%) showed growth of single bacterial isolate, while 9 /12 (75.0%) had mixed bacterial growth. More than 52% S. aureus, Streptococcus spp and Enterococcus spp were sensitive to ofloxacin and streptomycin, while ≥ 39.1% E. coli were resistant to ceftriaxone and ampicillin. The results showed that between 46/146 (31.5%) and 61/146 (41.8%) of the isolates produced DNase, TNase and amylase. Of the 73/146 (50.0%) lipase producing bacterial isolates, the widest clear zone was observed on the tributyrin agar plate containing S. aureus SA-C2. More than 21.9% bacterial isolates produced capsules, haemolysins, caseinase and gelatinase. Savlon showed the highest antibacterial activities than Dettol and hydrogen peroxide. The highest and lowest inhibitory zones were observed in the plates containing P. aureginosa PA-B2 and S. aureus SA-A6 having the mean ± SD of 14.0 ± 0.5 mm and 6.4 ± 1.2 mm, respectively. The ATM, computer keyboards and mice harboured multidrug resistant pathogenic bacteria that may be transferred to / among the users and Savlon could be first choice of disinfectant for the cleansing / disinfecting of these fomites