ISSN 2736-1756
Short Communication
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2006
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2006 International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Clonal propagation of Pelargonium sidoides: A threatened medicinal plant of South Africa
FB Lewu, DS Grierson and AJ Afolayan*
Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa.
Accepted 18 November, 2005
Abstract
Pelargonium sidoides is used in herbal medicine for the treatment of various infections. Apart from the local uses, the roots are being indiscriminately harvested for local and export trade. A study was conducted to determine the appropriate plant part and the minimum vine length suitable for the clonal propagation of P. sidoides in two separate experiments. In the first experiment, three vine tip cuttings (2, 4 and 6 cm) of the species were rooted in potted experiment in a green house. In the second experiment, ten days old petioles were excised from their mother plants and rooted alongside 6 cm vines length to assess suitable plant part for vegetative propagation of the species. Data were collected and analyzed on various growth and development indices. In the first experiment, the 6 cm vine length exhibited best result for different parameters measured. Petioles gave significant yield difference over 6 cm vine length and generally showed high potential for vegetative propagation in terms of rooting ability and survival rate. The importance of these findings on the propagation and conservation of P. sidoides is discussed.
Key words: Clonal propagation, ex situ conservation, medicinal plant, Pelargonium sidoides, stem cutting.
DS Grierson and AJ Afolayan*, FB Lewu
Page: 1 - 10
Short Communication
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2006
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2006 International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Genetic diversity of Capsicum using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAs
O.A. Adetula
National Horticultural Research Institute, Idi- Ishin, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 4 November, 2005
Abstract
Pepper (Capsicum sp.) is one of the most popular and widely grown vegetables in Nigeria. A total of one hundred and fifty germplasm collections were characterised, evaluated and conserved in the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan Nigeria. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was performed on selected forty accessions of Capsicum annum and Capsicum fructences to estimate genetic diversity and taxonomic relationships. Cluster analysis using UPGMA seperated the accessions into four major groups. Based on the morphological and molecular data, remarkable difference was exhibited by the Capsicum accessions.
Key words: RAPD, genetic diversity, Capsicum.
O.A. Adetula
Page: 1 - 10
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2006
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2006 International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
High level production of the recombinant gag24 protein from HIV-1 IN Escherichia coli
Ramón E. Narciandi Díaz1*, José Motolongo Viquillon2, Luis Pérez Figueroa2.
1Department of Technology Transfer, 2Division of Vaccine HBsAg, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Ave 31 e/158-190, Playa, P.O.Box 6162, Havana 10600, Cuba. Web site: http//www.cigb.edu.cu.
Accepted 28 July, 2005
Abstract
The gag24 gene of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) was expressed under the control of the tryptophan promoter in Escherichia coli. The effect of several parameters on the production of gag24 was studied. The expression level achieved (25%) depended on the host strain and the induction conditions. The developed fermentative process was scaled-up to 50 L, where 417 mg/L of volumetric production and 34 mg/L.h of productivity, were obtained.
Key words: Escherichia coli, gag24, HIV-1, scale-up.
Ramón E. Narciandi DÃaz*, José Motolongo Viquillon and Luis Pérez Figueroa
Page: 1 - 10
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2006
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2006 International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Factors affecting delivery and transient expression of -glucuronidase gene in Dendrobium Sonia protocorm-like-body
Janna OA1*, Maziah M2, Ahmad Parveez GKA4, Saleh K3
1Department of Microbiology, 2Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences,
3Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
4Malaysia Palm Oil Board, Biology Division, 50720 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Accepted 18 November, 2005
Abstract
The effect of the biolistic device parameters and other factors affecting delivery and expression of uidA gene in Dendrobium Sonia was investigated. Three week old protocorm like body (PLB) were bombarded with gold microparticles coated with pAHC25 plasmid harbouring the uidA gene which encodes -glucuronidase. The factors investigated were the helium pressure, target distance, macrocarrier flight distance to stopping screen, distance from stopping screen to target tissues, vacuum pressure, gold microparticles size, spermidine and calcium on DNA precipitation, and the number of bombardments. Two days after bombardment, the PLB were subjected to histochemical GUS assay, and transient GUS activity was recorded as blue spots using a Leica stereomicroscope. All the factors tested showed significant effects (p<0.05) on the delivery of DNA and expression of the uidA gene in Dendrobium PLB except for calcium. Surviving PLBs were able to grow and regenerate normally into plantlets.
Key Words: biolistic transformation, orchid, Dendrobium, protocorm like body,-glucuronidase assay.
Maziah M, Ahmad Parveez GKA and Saleh K, Janna OA*
Page: 1 - 10
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2006
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2006 International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Optimization of ISSR marker for African edible-seeded Cucurbitaceae species’ genetic diversity analysis
Djè Y1, Tahi GC3, Zoro Bi IA1, Malice M2, Baudoin JP2 and Bertin P3
1Laboratoire de génétique, UFR des Sciences de la nature, Université d’abobo-adjamé, 02 BP 801, Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.
2Unité d’horticulture et phytotechnie tropicale, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques de Gembloux, Belgique.
3Laboratoire d’écologie et amélioration végétale, Université catholique de Louvain-la-neuve, Belgique.
Accepted 14 October, 2005
Abstract
We applied a molecular approach using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers on three African edible-seeded cucurbits (Citrullus lanatus L. Matsumura and Nakai, Cucumeropsis mannii L. Naudin and Cucumis melo var. agrestis L. Naudin). To obtain clear and reproducible bands on 1.5% agarose gels, we screened 21 ISSR primers and three parameters (annealing temperature, gel tray, and voltage and running time). The resolution of 11 ISSR markers was performed, with optimal annealing temperature (Ta) varying from 50 to 52°C. The best combination to obtain clear and well-distinguished band patterns was 1.5% agarose gel with a 20-lanes tray (6 mm width) at 80 V for 5 h. Applying the 11 ISSR primers on DNA extracted from an accession of C. lanatus, 66 bands with 4 to 11 bands per primer was observed.
Key words: ISSR, Cucurbits, genetic diversity, molecular markers, optimization.
Djè Y, Tahi GC, Malice M, Zoro Bi IA, Baudoin JP and Bertin P
Page: 1 - 10
Research Article
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2006
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2006 International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Detection of GMO in food products in South Africa: Implications of GMO labelling
C.D. Viljoen*, B.K. Dajee and G.M. Botha
GMO Testing Facility, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
Accepted 9 November, 2005
Abstract
Genetically modified (GM) crops currently account for 29% of crop production worldwide. South Africa is currently the only country in Africa to commercially grow GM crops. Despite a lack of regulations to provide for food labelling that allows for consumer preference, many products carry negative or positive labels with regard to genetic modification. The aim of this study was to test different maize and soy products to determine the uptake of GM food into the human food chain as well as the validity of “non-GMO” (genetically modified organisms), “GMO free” or “organic” labels, on local as well as imported products. Of the 58 products selected and sampled randomly, 44 tested positive for the presence of GM. Furthermore, of the 20 products with a GM related label, 14 tested positive for GM. These results demonstrate the extent of GM in the human food chain in South Africa and highlight the need for effective regulations to protect consumers against misleading claims.
Key words: Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), genetic modification (GM), food, labelling.
B.K. Dajee and G.M. Botha, C.D. Viljoen
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