Category Archives: b_original_articles

Original Articles

In vitro and In vivo antioxidant effect of Spirulina platensis against Lead induced toxicity in rats

Thura Alyasiri*¹, Salah Alchalabi², Ithar AlMayaly¹

¹Department of Biology, College of Science, Baghdad University, Iraq

²Biotechnology Research Center, Al-Nahrain University, Iraq

Abstract

Lead is considered one of the wide spread environmental pollutants in Iraq. Nowadays, some types of algae can be the solution by utilizing them as natural medications to cure many diseases. This scientific article is intended to examine spirulina action as an antioxidant to cure lead acetate induced injury in rats. The total numbers of rats used were (48), the rats were divided into eight groups, (42 rats) represented the treated group and 6 rats represented the control group. 36 Rats of treated groups were injected initially with different concentrations of lead acetate; while the rest 6 rats were only fed with Spirulina. All our samples were examined by biochemical, hematological and immunohistological methods. Our experiments proved that Spirulina had an antioxidant action which can support the body defense system. Malondialdehyde (MAD), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) were increased in lead injected group; while they decreased in the spirulina fed group. There was a significant enhancement in lipid profile values of treated group that were fed spirulina. In addition, it noticed that the values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in rats injected by lead, then fed spirulina were decreased; this decrement was evidence in the histological results. Moreover, the hematological results of rats fed with spirulina appeared that the leukocyte and platelet numbers also decreased; while the erythrocyte, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels were increased, unlike, rats injected with only lead. The conclusion was that Spirulina ability to do obvious decrement in the poisonous action of lead was done by its scavenger free radical activity and its effective antioxidant activity.

Keywords: In vivo, Antioxidant, Spirulina, Lead toxicity, Hepatoprotective

Improving the growth of Centella asiatica using surfactant modified natural zeolite loaded with NPK nutrients

Leave a reply

Noor Asyraf Noor Azman, Nik Ahmad Nizam Nik Malek*, Norfarah Syuhaidah Mohd Noor, Muhammad Arshad Javed

Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering,

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

Abstract

There is great interest in using sustainable fertilizer to enhance medicinal plant quality such as Centella asiatica, which is known for its various medicinal properties. Here, we examined the performance of NPK-Organo-Zeolite (NPKOZ) as a controlled release fertilizer for the growth of C. asiatica. Natural zeolite that has been modified with surfactant hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium (HDTMA) and addition with ammonium (N), phosphate (P) and potassium (K) was characterized with X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In a leaching study, it was found the NPKOZ showed fewer losses of nutrients. For the plant growth study, a comparison was made with eight different treatments including chemical fertilizers monoammonium phosphate and monopotassium phosphate for 70 days. Morphological (number of flowers, branches and leaves, specific leaf area and plant biomass) and biochemical growth parameters (N, P, K and chlorophyll contents) of the plant were analysed. Second cultivation was also conducted to compare potted, hydroponic and verticulture systems with or without NPKOZ. The NPKOZs treatments resulted in the highest number of leaves, branches and flowers among all treatments. In addition, the chlorophyll contents were also the highest with NPKOZs application. The NPK contents in the C. asiatica plants were comparable with that of chemical fertilizers tested. This study showed that NPKOZ fertilizer with verticulture system is a suitable sustainable controlled release fertilizer for the improvement of the growth of C. asiatica.

Keywords: Centella asiatica, Surfactant modified zeolite, Controlled release fertilizer

Co-inoculation of auxin producing PGPR and rhizobia enhanced growth of Vigna mungo (L.) under cadmium stress

Leave a reply

Rabiya Ikram, Basharat Ali*

Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cadmium resistant bacteria to enhance the growth of black gram (Vigna mungo) under cadmium (CdCl₂) stress. For this purpose, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and strains of rhizobia were isolated from the rhizosphere of different plants. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of bacteria confirmed the presence of the strains of Bacillus cereus, B. thuringiensis, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Rhizobium. L-tryptophan dependent auxin production was determined colorimetrically by growing strains in Nutrient broth. B. Cereus HG, B. thuringiensis JAF and Rhizobium sp. IBA showed highest levels of auxin production that ranges from 140 to 146 µg ml^-I. For pot trials, soil was amended with 50, 100 and 200 mg kg^-1. In single bacterial inoculations, significant shoot length response was up to 65% and 39% with P. fluorescens WN-1 and B. cereus CF at 200 mg kg^-I, over respective CdCl₂ treated control. Similarly, for fresh biomass, 2.2 and 1.3 fold increases were shown by B. cereus CF at 100 and 200 mg kg^-ICdCl₂stress, respectively. For mixed culture of PGPR, combination MC-3 (CF-WN-1, A-2) significantly promoted shoot length (1 fold) at 50 mg kg^-ICdCl₂. In case of mixed culture of PGPR and rhizobia, up to 1 fold increases were observed for shoot length, root growth and fresh biomass with MCR-1 (IBA, HG, BS-1) at 100 mg kg^-I CdCl₂. Finally, it can be concluded that strains isolated from the rhizosphere of different pants showed promising results for plant growth promotion in cadmium amended soils.

Keywords: Bacterial auxin, Cadmium stress, PGPR, Growth promotion, Phytoremediation, Vigna mungo

Intra-specific variations among wheat genotypes for phosphorus use efficiency

Leave a reply

Muhammad Abbas*, Muhammad Irfan, Javaid Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yousuf Memon

Soil and Environmental Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), Tando Jam, Sindh, Pakistan

	Search for:

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) deficiency in Pakistani soils severely limits the crop production, hence, the development of P-efficient cultivars seems inevitable to uphold the productivity of P-impoverished agricultural systems. Ten wheat genotypes (AA-V1, AA-V2, AA-V3, MSH-3, MSH-5, BWQ-4, EST-28/11, EST-29/9, ESW-9525 and NIA-Sunder) were evaluated for P-efficiency and responsiveness under two phosphorus levels viz., 20 and 200 µM in hydroponic culture. Completely randomized design with two way factorial arrangement was used and the treatments were replicated five times. Seven days old seedlings were shifted to solution culture and grown for four weeks after transplanting. The plants were then harvested for recording growth and phosphorus related attributes. Low P level markedly reduced shoot and root dry weight, P concentration and accumulation in wheat genotypes. However, P utilization index of shoot and root were improved by 30 and 13% at low P supply. Shoot P utilization index was positively correlated (r > 0.43; n = 50) with shoot dry weight and shoot P accumulation at both P levels. Genotypes were grouped into four classes by regressing shoot dry weight at low P level and physiological P-use efficiency. Genotypes AA-V3 and NIA-Sunder were categorized as efficient and responsive (ER) genotypes, while AA-V1, BWQ-4 and EST-28/11 were identified as efficient but non-responsive (ENR). Genotypes AA-V2 and MSH-5 formed the non-efficient but responsive (NER) group. Non-efficient and non-responsive (NENR) category included MSH-3, EST-29/9 and ESW-9525. The results of present study indicated that AA-V3 and NIA-Sunder were the most P-efficient and responsive genotypes as they have the potential to yield more under varying levels of P availability. However, the results should be confirmed under filed conditions.

Keywords: Genotypes, Hydroponics, P-efficiency, Plant nutrition, Wheat

Effects of water stress on growth, yield, quality and physiological responses of two stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) varieties in Rabat region, Morocco

Leave a reply

Abderrahmane Benhmimou¹*, Mohammed Ibriz¹, Chaouki Al Faïz², Fatima Gaboun²,

Naima Shaimi², Fatima Zahra Amchra³, Mounira Lage²

¹Genetic and Biometry Lab, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, P.O. Box 133, 14000, Kenitra, Morocco

²Regional Center of Agricultural Research, P.O. Box 6356, Avenue Mohamed Belarbi Alaoui, 10101 Rabat, Morocco

³Laboratory of Materials, Environment and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, P.O. Box 133, 14000, Kenitra, Morocco

Abstract

Since no information is available about the response of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) to water stress under Moroccan conditions. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of water stress on growth, yield, quality and physiological responses of two stevia varieties (Canada and Candy). Three water regimes were applied: R100 (100% of field capacity (FC)), R80 (80% of FC) and R50 (50% of FC) as determined by pot weight. Water stress significantly reduced stomatal conductance (Gs), photosynthetic rate (A) and transpiration rate (E) by 72.50%, 78.54% and 74.45 % at R50, respectively as compared to R100. With the continuing of water stress time, plant allocated less plant height leading to reductions of 20.27% at R50 as compared to R100. All of the above responses led to reduced dry leaf yield. By contrast, the stevioside, rebaudioside A and total steviol glycoside contents were increased in R50 stevia leaves than R100 (23.58%, 13.50% and 11.73%, respectively). The cv Candy displayed a higher dry leaf yield (34.33 g/plant) and leaf physiological responses compared to cv Canada, which experienced a great decrease. By contrast, the cv Canada recorded a higher total steviol glycoside content (19.63%) than the cv Candy (12.63%). The interaction effects indicate that cv Candy, for R100, displayed a greater dry leaf and SG yields, while these parameters were greatly reduced under R80 and R50. By contrast, the cv Canada always showed a lower dry leaf and steviol glycoside yields and a greater total steviol glycoside contents, that enable it to have a better adaptation to water stress conditions. The variation of cv Canada and cv Candy responses to water stress suggested the higher adaptation of cv Canada to water stress compared to cv Candy.

Keywords: Stevia, Water stress, Steviol glycoside, Leaf physiological responses

Sensitivity of legumes and soil microorganisms to residue of herbicide mixture of atrazine and mesotrione

Leave a reply

Marulak Simarmata*¹, Puji Harsono¹, Hartal Hartal²

¹Department of Agronomy, University of Bengkulu, Indonesia, 38371

²Department of Plant Protection, University of Bengkulu, Indonesia, 38371

Abstract

Mixing of herbicide compounds in one formulation is one way to prevent weed resistance, but it may increase herbicide persistence in the soil and cause eco-toxicity. The research was aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of legumes and the response of soil microorganisms to the residue of the herbicide mixture of atrazine and mesotrione. Herbicide mixture was applied on the soil surface in polybags at 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 x field rate (FR). Seeds of soybean, yard long bean, peanut, and mung bean were planted 2 weeks after herbicide application and grown in greenhouse for 4 weeks. Planting legumes was repeated in the same polybag at 8 and 14 weeks after herbicide application. The trials were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. Data observed were subjected to analysis of variance and means were further separated by LSD test (P ≤ 0.05). Harmful effects of herbicide residues on legumes seedlings identified ascrop injury (CI), decreased greenness level of leaves (GLL), and decreased dry biomass weight (DBW) were observed at 2 and 8 weeks after application. After 14 weeks, CI and decreased GLL were evident only on soybean, but DBW of legume seedlings was remaining depressed. Similarly, a population of soil bacteria and fungi enumerated as colony forming unit (CFU) per gram of soil were inhibited up to 18 weeks. Efficacy of herbicide residues (EHR) counted as percent of reduction of DBW and CFU on legumes and microorganisms, respectively, were stronger by increasing the rates of herbicide applied andthe EHR persisted until 18 weeks after herbicide application.

Keywords: Atrazine, Ecotoxicity, Herbicide carryover, Legumes, Mesotrione

A computational approach to execute siRNA generating hotspots targeting dual DNA and RNA viral infections in potato

Leave a reply

Amir Hameed^1*, Shabih Fatma², Muhammad Noman¹, Temoor Ahmed¹, Javed Iqbal Wattoo³

¹Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

²National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faisalabad, Pakistan

³Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Among biotic stresses afflicting potato plants, viruses are the most damaging and are responsible for large economic losses worldwide. Co-infections with multiple viruses are common in potato, with an enhanced disease impact being observed in affected plants. RNA interference (RNAi) provides an applied methodology to selectively reduce the expression of targeted genes through the expression of sequence-specific short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). This silencing mechanism can be implemented to induce resistance against multiple viruses in transgenic plants through the endogenous delivery of siRNA cassettes. The current study was aimed to identify the efficient siRNA execution sites in dominating viral genomes to simultaneously target both DNA and RNA viruses in potato. To achieve this objective, we followed a computational approach to identify the viral silencing targets by comparative pairwise sequence analysis of different isolates of Potato leafroll virus (PLRV; + single-stranded (ss) RNA virus) and Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV; ssDNA virus). The identified consensus sequences [300bp of PLRV-coat protein (CP); 180bp of ToLCNDV-precoat protein (AV2)] were further used as template sequences to predict the likely siRNAs execution sites and to characterize their putative thermodynamic attributes. The identified template sequences were computationally tested for triggering a siRNA-mediated targeting of viral genomes and proved to be highly efficient and site-specific. This methodology could be applied for engineering an RNAi-mediated virus resistance in transgenic plants with commercial applications.

Keywords: Potato, RNAi, Resistance, siRNA, Virus

Yield, nutrient content and rumen in vitro digestibility of giant sensitive tree (Mimosa pigra) as dairy feed

Leave a reply

Suntorn Wittayakun, Wera Innaree, Pat Pranamornkith

Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Lampang Campus, Lampang 52000, Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate quantity and quality of Mimosa pigra as dairy feed. Parts of Mimosa pigra including leaf, leaf with rachis, and seed pods were determined for yield, nutritive value, and in vitro digestibility using rumen fluid form a dairy bull. The overall percentage of feed parts including leaf, leaf with rachis, and seed pods accounted for 43.97 % fresh weight of the whole plant. The crude protein (CP) of Mimosa pigra was similar among plant parts ranged from 16.36 to 18.87% while seed pods was relatively high in ADF (P<0.05).

It was also observed that in vitro true digestibility and in vitro digestibility coefficients in leaf and leaf with rachis were higher than those in the seed pods (P<0.05). This study demonstrates that Mimosa pigra, especially leaf and leaf with rachis has potential to use for substitution or supplement in dairy ration.

Keywords: Mimosa Pigra, Giant Sensitive Tree, Nutritive Value, Digestibility, Dairy Cattle

The re-extraction of oil from oil palm empty fruit bunch residues and oil palm mesocarp fibers and measures in reducing greenhouse gas emission

Leave a reply

Hotman Manurung*^1,2 , Jansen Silalahi³, Donald Siahaan⁴, Elisa Julianti⁵

¹Study Program of Natural Resource and Environmental Management, Graduate School University of Sumatera Utara, Jalan. Prof. Maas, Medan, Indonesia, 20155

²Department of Agricultural Products Technology Faculty of Agriculture, University of HKBP Nommensen, Jalan Sutomo No.4A Medan 20234

³Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sumatera Utara, Jalan. Tri Dharma No. 5 Medan 20155

⁴Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute, Jalan. Brigjen Katamso 51 Medan 20158

⁵Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Sumatera Utara, Jalan. Prof. Sofyan No. 3 Medan 20155

Abstract

Oil palm Mill (POM) produces oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFBs) and oil palm mesocarp fibers (OPMF) which still contain oil and carotenoids. POM utilizes EFB_S and OPMF as a fuel to heat up the boiler and to generate electrical energy leading to the dissolve of oil and carotenoids in vain and causes greenhouse gas (GHG). The research is aimed at isolating and investigating the quantity and quality of oil of EFB_Sand OPMF, OPMF oil characteristics comprising of fatty acid composition and antioxidant activity and to determine the effect of GHG emission reduction after OPMF oil is macerated. The residual sample used is collected from 4 POMs. Oil isolation was done by maceration. EFB_S and OPMF were compared with a hexane ratio of 1:20 (w/w), while the duration for maceration lasted for 48 hours in a room with temperature. Oil quantity parameters include residual oil content with soxhlet method and macerated oil yield. Oil quality parameters include: carotenoid levels, deterioration of bleachability index (DOBI) and free fatty acids (FFA). OPMF oil characteristics included oil fatty acid composition which was determined by GC method and antioxidant activity with 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and GHG reduction by emission factor method. The quantity and quality of oil isolated from OPMF residues is higher than oil isolated from EFB_S due to: oil content was higher by 3.91% (2.86% in EFB_S), oil yield was 3.47% (2.26% in EFB_S) carotenoid levels were higher at 2305 ppm (915.25 ppm in EFB_S), DOBI is higher by 3.49 (1.14 in EFB_S), and FFA is lower by 9.68% (21.58% in EFB_S). The fatty acid in OPMF oil has generally the same composition as the CPO fatty acid which is dominated by palmitic acid by C16:0 and oleic acid by C18:1, respectively at an average of 30.31% at CPO of 44.0%) and 33.22% at CPO of 39.2%). OPMF Oil antioxidant activity half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was at 8.49 ppm. The effect of GHG emission reduction after OPMF oil macerated could reach 88.77% of the total amount of GHG emissions resulted from OPMF burning before maceration.

Keywords: EFB_S,OPMF Oil, Carotenoids, DOBI, Antioxidants, GHG

A removal of Zn metal concentrate using Rhizophora apiculata mangrove plants

Leave a reply

Mohammad Razif, Isbir Farhan

Department of Enviromental Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Sukolilo Surabaya 60111, Indonesia

Abstract

Pollutants from industrial waste can pollute the river water and have a negative impact in estuary ecosystem, changes in heavy metal content. One of the industries whose waste contains heavy metals (Chromium, Cyanide, Copper, Zinc,Nickel,Lead and Cadmium) is the electroplating industry. The purpose of this study is to calculate how much the efficiency of Rhizophora apiculata mangrove plants in Zn metal removal made from ZnSO₄.7H₂O artificial solution using laboratory scale reactor with the batch system.

Plant acclimatization process has been done with Zn metal exposure test for seven days using soil media without pollutants and using tap water. After the acclimatization, preliminary test in the form of Range Finding Test (RFT) was conducted. The results of the RFT were concentrations of 100 mg /L, 200 mg /L, 300 mg /L which were feasible to be used in the main study phase. The main study phase was done by adding artificial solution into each tub of plastic reactor measuring 270 mm x 233 mm which has been filled with Rhizophora apiculata mangrove plant along with soil media. Samples were taken every five days within 20 days, and Zn concentration was measured using a spectrophotometer. The pH and temperature measurements were intended to monitor whether the pH and temperature of the waste water during the study were within the normal range for Rhizophora apiculata growth.

Based on the result of the study, the efficiency of metal removal of Rhizophora apiculata mangrove plant at a concentration of 100 mg/L was 89,83%, at concentration 200 mg/L the efficiency of metal removal was 84,92% and at the concentration 300 mg/L the efficiency of metal removal was 74,94%.

Keywords: Mangrove, Zn metal, Rhizophora apiculata, Spectrophotometer

Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology © 2013	Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology is licensed under
Terms & Conditions FAQs Privacy Policy