Category Archives: b_original_articles

Agatha Arimiche Nwabueze*¹ and Emmanuel Obiajulu Nwabueze²

1. Department of Fisheries, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba, Nigeria

2. Department of Food Science and Technology, Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Nigeria

Abstract

The impact of environmental variables on abundance, growth and condition factor of Gymnarchus niloticus from two lakes in Umueze-Ossissa, Southern Nigeria was investigated to provide baseline information for effective management of the lakes. G. niloticus were collected fortnightly for a period of 12 months from fishermen who used set nets and percentage abundance determined. Length-weight relationship was used to determine growth pattern, condition factor and relative condition factor. Environmental variables such as water quality parameters affecting fish abundance were predicted with multiple regression analysis. G. niloticus was more abundant in Otu Lake than in Abiandu Lake. Male G. niloticus were significantly (P<0.05) more than female with male to female ratio of 1:1.8 and 1:1.7 in Otu and Abiandu lakes respectively. Gymnarchus niloticus showed negative allometric growth in the two lakes studied meaning that fish get slimmer as it increases in size. Condition factor of G. niloticus ranged from 0.24 to 4.09 and 0.59 to 3.73 and relative condition factor from 0.82 to 1.08 and from 0.92 to 1.12 in Otu and Abiandu Lakes respectively. High air temperature observed corresponded with high number of fish, while high amount of rainfall corresponded with low number of G. niloticus. Water quality parameters showed that depth, transparency, DO and BOD were significantly higher (P<0.05). The model used successfully predicted G. niloticus abundance. These findings are useful during planning for effective management of the lakes for sustainable economic and livelihood development of the area.

Key words: Environment, Gymnarchus, growth, lake, Ossissa, Nigeria

Daniel Ashie Kotey1,2*, Yoseph Assefa2,3, Johnnie Van den Berg 4

¹Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, P.O. Box 7, Bunso, Ghana.

²Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa.

³Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Swaziland, Luyengo, M205, Swaziland.

⁴Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.

Abstract

 The assessment of the comparative performance of existing technologies especially those identified as alternatives under smallholder farmers’ conditions can enhance the sustainable dissemination and adoption of improved agricultural technologies. To this end, the performance of a genetically modified (GM) stacked-trait herbicide and insect resistant Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize hybrid was compared to a GM herbicide tolerant hybrid, a non-GM hybrid and an open pollinated variety (OPV). The trials were conducted in three localities under natural stem borer infestation in irrigated and non-irrigated (dryland)No stem borer infestation was observed on Bt maize plants from the seedling to the flowering stages in all fields at all trial sites. Stem borer infestation was higher under irrigation compared to dryland conditions. The stem borer complex on non-Bt maize plants under irrigation was dominated by Chilo partellus whilst only Busseola fusca larvae were recorded under dryland conditions. The yield of the Bt maize variety under irrigation was significantly higher than that of the OPV but not different (P>0.05) from that of the non-Bt hybrids. No significant (P>0.05) difference in yield was between Bt and non-Bt maize varieties under dryland conditions. The results highlight the need to base dissemination and adoption decisions of relatively expensive agricultural technologies such as GM maize on the results of context specific field trials.

Keywords:  GM maize open pollinated maize, smallholder, stem borer

Jonathan Siamey^1,2, Duodu Kwame Ansah², Daniel Ashie Kotey^1*

¹ CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Bunso, Eastern Region of Ghana

²Sunyani Technical University, Sunyani

ABSTRACT

The use of Sitophilus zeamais resistant maize germplasm for breeding new varieties can contribute to reduce hazardous insecticide use on stored maize. This study evaluated six maize genotypes, five genebank accessions (GH2354, GH3239, GH3324, GH3609, GH6182) and one commercial variety (OBAATANPA) for resistance to S. zeamais infestation. Maize grains were infested with adult weevils and data on number of grains with weevil damage, percentage weight loss, median developmental time and index of susceptibility was collected. Differences in the number of days to first adult emergence between genotypes were not significant (P > 0.05). Differences between genotypes for all other parameters evaluated were however significant (P < 0.05). Accession GH3609 recorded the most damaged grains (23.32%) and the highest (15.41%) grain weight loss, whereas OBAATANPA recorded the lowest (9.81%) damaged grains whilst the lowest weight loss (8.26%) was observed in GH6182. The proportion of damaged grains correlated with weight loss (r = 0.96) and index of susceptibility (r = 0.82).  All evaluated genotypes were susceptible to S. zeamais attack. Little research has been conducted to identify S. zeamais resistant maize germplasm in Ghana. The results of this study should serve as baseline information in the screening for resistance to S. zeamais.

Keywords: Accession, genotypes, index of susceptibility, median developmental time, resistance

Ikpefan O. Emmanuel¹, Ayinde B. Adesina², Ikpefan J. Ohonmoimen³, Mudassar Azah⁴ and Farooq A. Dar⁵

¹ Department of Pharmacognosy and Traditional Medicine, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

²Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

³ Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Science, Delta State University,  Abraka, Nigeria

 ⁴ Dr. Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research International Centre of Chemical and Biological    Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi- 75270

Abstract

 Sacrocephalus latifolius is one of the recipes used in traditional medicine for the treatment of cancer ailment in South-western Nigeria. This work was aimed at evaluating the extract and fractions of this plant against human breast (MCF-7) and lung (NCI-H460) cancer cell lines as well as their antioxidant activity. While the ant-proliferative assay was done using the SRB-assay for the extract (1-250 µg/mL) and fractions (1-100 µg/mL), the DPPH antioxidant assay was recorded at concentrations between 25-400 µg/mL. Against the MCF-7 cell lines, the extract and ethyl acetate fractions recorded growth-inhibitory activities at all concentrations with GI₅₀ of 73.02 and 63.38 µg/mL. While the chloroform fraction recorded cytotoxicities of -1.14 and -6.19 % at 50 and 100 µg/mL with GI₅₀ and TGI of 43.18 and 89.70 µg/mL, the hexane and aqueous fractions were inactive. Similar pattern of activity was recorded against NCI-H460 cell lines with the chloroform fraction exhibiting a higher sensitivity with GI₅₀ and TGI of 24.12 and 54.50 µg/mL respectively. The antiproliferative activity was further corroborated by the higher antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ of 17.91 µg/mL), total phenolic (86.30 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid contents (72.74 mg QUE/g) of the chloroform fraction. The folkloric use of S. latifolius in the treatment of tumor ailments has been justified by this work.

Keywords: Sacrocephalus latifolius, anti-proliferative, cytotoxic, MCF-7, NCI-H460, DPPH, antioxidant, cancer, cell-lines, fractions, SRB-assay, DPPH

⁵Hamdard A1- Majeed College of Eastern Medicine, Faculty of Eastern Medicine, Hamdard University, Karachi, Pakistan

Beni Hidayat^{1, 3,*}, Udin Hasanudin², Siti Nurdjanah², Neti Yuliana², Syamsu Akmal³, M. Muslihudin³

¹Doctorate Program, Agriculture Science, University of Lampung, Lampung, Indonesia

²Agricultural Product Technology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Lampung, Lampung, Indonesia

³Agricultural Technology Department, Politeknik Negeri Lampung, Lampung, Indonesia

Abstract

Fermented cassava pulp flour-based composite flour (FCPF-based composite flour) is a composite flour consisting of fermented cassava pulp flour, cassava starch, and xanthan gum which has the potential to be developed as a gluten-free flour.  This study was aimed to increase the resistant starch (RS) content of FCBF-based composite flour through the application of the partial gelatinization (PG) autoclaving-cooling process.  Other aims were to characterize its chemicals properties, granular morphology, polarized optical microscopy, amylographic profile, X-ray diffraction pattern and relative crystallinity, degree of starch hydrolysis. and estimated glycemic index (EGI).  The results of the study revealed that PG autoclaving for 15 min and cooling time 72 h was the optimal treatments that increased the RS content of  FCPF-based composite flour from 1.75% to 7.31%.   This study indicated that the increasing of resistant starch content of FCPF-based composite flour changed its chemicals properties, granular morphology, polarized optical microscopy, amylographic profile, X-ray diffraction pattern and relative crystallinity; and lowering the degree of starch hydrolysis and value of estimated glycemic index (EGI). Increased the RS content would improve the functional properties of FCPF-based composite flour.

Keywords: resistant starch, fermented cassava pulp, composite flour, gluten-free flour

Maylem Excel Rio S.1,3, Rivera Shanemae M.1*, Ramos Gerald E. 1, Atabay Edwin C. 1,2, Venturina Emma V.2, Atabay Eufrocina P.1

¹Reproduction and Physiology Section, Philippine Carabao Center,  National Headquarters and Genepool, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija Philippines 3120

²Philippine Carabao Center at Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines 3123

³Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA 74074

ABSTRACT

Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) induction helps alleviate the adverse effects of several types of stress in the cells. It can also play a significant role in sperm protection and survival during the extreme conditions of the semen cryopreservation process. The present study was conducted to investigate the role of this protein in spermatozoa of water buffalo by analyzing the changes in its gene expression, protein induction, and distribution after cryopreservation. Differences in HSP70 mRNA and protein levels between fresh and frozen semen samples were determined through real-time PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Cellular localization patterns of HSP70 in the different sample groups were then detected in an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Lastly, the average sperm motilities of the semen sample groups were evaluated and compared. Results showed that the HSP70 mRNA expression decreased by fifty percent (P<0.05) while the protein level significantly rose by sixty percent (P<0.05) in the frozen sample group. The localization of HSP70 protein in the sperm head also shifted from the equatorial segment in the fresh sample group to the post-acrosomal region in frozen semen samples. Moreover, the average sperm motility appeared to fluctuate with the mRNA level and comparably decreased by fifty percent (P<0.05) in the frozen sample group. These changes on the HSP70 in spermatozoa exhibited the adverse effects of the underlying capacitation-like event in the cryopreservation process. Overall, these findings presented a valuable insight into the current buffalo semen cryopreservation technique and a potential approach to its improvement.

Keywords: Cryopreservation; HSP70; Spermatozoa; Water Buffalo

Aidar Khakimzhanov, Vladimir Kuzovlev, Aset Abaildayev*

M.A. Aitkhozhin Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Abstract

Chitinases are important protective enzymes in plants and belong to a special group of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins. The main target of these enzymes is various pathogenic fungi that contain chitin in their cell walls. Under the influence of fungi, chitinases produced by plants, hydrolyze chitin, which leads to suppression of the growth and death of the pathogen. Considering their important protective role, much attention is paid to the studies of these enzymes. Individual isozymes of chitinase are often used in testing and breeding agricultural plants for resistance to fungal diseases. In this work, we studied the isoenzyme composition and a number of physicochemical properties of wheat chitinases, which are important for a better understanding of their functioning in this grain crop. It was found that in seedlings of 7 days old, chitinases are localized both inside and outside the cells. Intracellular chitinase is represented only by basic components, whereas extracellular – by acidic ones. Using an affinity sorbent, the forms of the enzyme with a chitin-binding domain (CBD) were determined, which had isoelectric points (pI) of 9.3, 9.0, 8.6, 8.2, 8.0, 7.6, 5.7 and 4.6. According to SDS-PAG electrophoresis, the molecular weight (M.w.) of these enzymes corresponded to the values of 33, 35 and 56 kDa and they were not the glycoproteins. In the spectrum of isoelectric focusing (IEF) of chitinases, exochitinases were identified, which had pI values exclusively in the acidic range of 4.3-5.2. Significant differences were revealed in the thermal stability of chitinases. The acidic components were most resistant to elevated temperatures.

Keywords: Triticum aestivum L., Seedling, Chitinase, Isoenzymes, Chitin-binding domain

Reny Herawati1*, Dwi Wahyuni Ganefianti1, Hesti Pujiwati1, Bambang Sapto Purwoko2, Iswari Saraswati Dewi3

¹Crop Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu, Indonesia; ²Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University,Indonesia;

³Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development, Indonesia.

ABSTRACT

Aluminum can possibly have direct or indirect adverse effects on plant growth; however, this effect is not the same for all plants, even in the same species.  The roots of plants are most sensitive to Al toxicity accompanied to initial symptoms such as the inhibition of cell extension and retarded development of root systems. This study was aimed to evaluate doubled-haploid (DH1) upland rice derived from anther culture to Al stress and to study the genetic diversity and population distribution of DH lines due to Al stress. Al tolerant test was carried out in a greenhouse using factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Yoshida nutrient solution containing Al of 0 and 45 ppm was the first factor, while the second was the lines obtained from previous experiments (DH1), the four parents (SGJT36, SGJT28, Fatmawati, and Way Rarem), while Dupa, and ITA131, respectively as an Al tolerant and susceptible checks.. The results showed that root length, shoot length, and shoot dry weight had high heritability values and correlated well with the observed characters. Al tolerant doubled haploid upland rice lines derived from anther culture varied widely. Based on the Relative Root Length (RRL), out of 58 lines tested, 19 genotypes were highly tolerant, 29 lines were moderate, while 10 were low. The DH1 rice derived from P3 showed high, moderate, and low tolerance, while those from P6 showed high and moderate tolerance only.

Keywords: Aluminum (Al) tolerance, Doubled Haploid (DH), Upland rice lines.

Adnan F. Al-Azzawie

 Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Tikrit, Tikrit, Iraq

Abstract

Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) gene polymorphism A986S (rs1801725) is a genetic factor of the calcium homeostasis and susceptibility of osteoporosis. Although, its role in premenopausal and postmenopausal women with osteoporosis is yet to be investigated. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the CaSR gene polymorphism A986S and evaluate its correlation with biochemical parameters in premenopausal and postmenopausal Iraqi women with osteoporosis. Blood samples were obtained from 100 women (53 premenopausal and 47 postmenopausal) diagnosed with osteoporosis by specialist physicians and 70 healthy women of the same age as the control group. Serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations were estimated. Genomic DNA was extracted from the whole blood and used for polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis to detect CaSR A986S polymorphism. The results obtained showed that calcium and phosphorus levels were significantly lower (p value < 0.01) in the osteoporosis women compared with healthy groups. Frequencies of T allele and TT genotype were significantly higher (p value < 0.01) in the osteoporosis patients compared with controls, while there were no significant differences in the frequencies of the patient group. Conversely, there were no differences in the calcium and phosphorus levels and there was the presence of T allele of the CaSR A986S genotypes. Thus, our finding revealed that the CaSR polymorphism A986S was one of the genetic susceptibility factors for the premenopausal and postmenopausal in Iraqi women with osteoporosis and had little effects on mineral levels.

Keywords: CaSR gene polymorphism A986S, Osteoporosis, Iraqi Women.

Shabnam Javed¹, Amna Shoaib², Zaid Mahmood³, Saiqa Ishtiaq⁴

¹Institute of Chemistry, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan

²Institute of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan

³Department of Chemistry, The University of Lahore, Pakistan

⁴University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal Campus, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

The objective of the present study to check free-radical-scavenging and hepatoprotective properties of methanolic extract of Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC. aerial parts against isoniazid and rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in male rats. Results exhibited that methanolic extract and all three sub-fractions (hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate) of M. buxifolia displayed greater free-radical activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content. However, ethyl-acetate followed by chloroform sub fractions showed the better total phenolic and total flavonoid content. To assess hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extract of M. buxifolia, four groups of the rate were made. Group 1 served as a control, group 2 served as hepatotoxic group (isoniazid and rifampicin orally each 50 mg/kg), group 3 served as standard group received silymarin (200 mg/kg), and 4 served as extract treatment groups, received 500 mg/kg methanolic extract. The results suggested that level of liver markers (total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatases, alanine aminotransferases and aspartate aminotransferases) significantly elevated in group 2. The methanolic extract significantly prevented isoniazid-rifampicin by decreasing raised level of liver markers of Group 4, and also improved histopathological profile of liver. The results indicated the protective effect of methanolic extract of M. buxifolia against liver injury, which might be ascribed to presence of high level of phenolics and flavonoid along with high free-radical activity in the plant extract.

Keywords: Monotheca buxifolia, Sapotaceae, Hepatoprotective, Antioxidant, Induced liver toxicity