ISSN 2736-1624
Research Article
Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-004, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Determination of effective nodulation in early juvenile soybean plants for genetic and biotechnology studies
E. T. Gwata1*, D. S. Wofford1, K. J. Boote1, and H. Mushoriwa2
1Department of Agronomy, University of Florida, P. O. Box 110300, Gainesville, FL – 32611 – 0300, USA.
2Crop Breeding Institute, P. O. Box CY 550, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Accepted 21 October, 2019
Abstract
Symbiotic fixation of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is a complex physiological process influenced by the interaction of genetic elements in the higher plant species and rhizobia. No standardized, efficient method is available to critically examine the effect of altering the genetic elements in either component by selection and/or genetic engineering. At planting, seeds of a tropical (‘TGX-4E’) and non-tropical (‘Soma’) soybean cultivar were inoculated individually in sand-filled Conetainers® in a greenhouse with each of two strains within two rhizobial types (Bradyrhizobium japonicum and cowpea). Six weeks after inoculation, each plant was classified into one of two categories; vigorous plant with dark green leaves indicating effective nodulation and N2-fixation (+), and stunted plant with chlorotic yellow leaves indicating ineffective nodulation and no N2-fixation (-). The results indicated that this non-destructive method could be used to identify major genetic differences in the soybean and inoculant. Therefore, this method could be used to rapidly identify genetic segregants resulting from selection in plant breeding programs and/or genetic engineering.
Key words: effective nodulation, rhizobia, tropical soybean type, symbiosis.
K. J. Boote and H. Mushoriwa, E. T. Gwata*, D. S. Wofford
Page: 1 - 4
https://doi.org/10.46882/FAFT/1248Short Communication
Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-002, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Short communication
Prevalence of Bartonella infection among patients with fever
Kei Numazaki
Department of Pediatrics, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8543, Japan. Tel: (011) 611-2111 EXT.3413, Fax: (011) 611-0352, E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 16 September, 2019
Abstract
Bartonella henselae has been associated with an increasing spectrum of clinical syndromes including cat scratch disease. The prevalence of Bartonella infection among patients with unexplained fever in San Francisco was much greater than has previously been documented. However, out of 29 Japanese children with fever of unknown origin, only one had serum IgG antibody to B. henselae. Although general prevalences of serum antibodies to some infectious agents in healthy adults are higher than those of healthy children, the prevalence of B. henselae infections in Japanese population is not so high as expected.
Key words: Bartonella henselae, cat scratch disease, fever of unknown origin.
Kei Numazaki
Page: 1 - 2
https://doi.org/10.46882/FAFT/1246Research Article
Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Plasmodium falciparum malaria resistance to chloroquine in five communities in Southern Nigeria
Patrick O Erah*, Gertrude Arienmughare and Augustine O Okhamafe
Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Accepted 19 September, 2019
Abstract
Chloroquine is still a first-line antimalarial drug in uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Increasing resistance to chloroquine has been reported in many parts of Nigeria. Clinical and parasitological responses and classes of resistance to chloroquine in falciparum malaria in five communities in Delta region, southern Nigeria were assessed. Chloroquine was administered to 218 patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. The levels of parasitemia, clinical response and classes of resistance were monitored for 7 days. High levels of therapeutic failures of chloroquine in P. falciparum malaria were recorded in the region. The frequencies of clinical and parasitological failure of chloroquine were 25.7% and 55%, respectively. These frequencies were significantly lower in children below 5 years than older people. R2 and R3 resistance occurred in 37.2% and 17.4% of the patients, respectively. The therapeutic failure of chloroquine was not gender dependent. We conclude that chloroquine is still effective in the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in some communities in Delta region of Nigeria. However, resistance to chloroquine is likely. These results may be used as an important indicator of the significant level of therapeutic failure of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria to chloroquine in Nigeria.
Keywords: Chloroquine, falciparum malaria, resistance, clinical failure, parasitological failure.
Gertrude Arienmughare and Augustine O Okhamafe, Patrick O Erah*
Page: 1 - 6
https://doi.org/10.46882/FAFT/1245Research Article
Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Abia State of Nigeria
Chigbu, Chinwe .O. and Ezeronye, O.U.*
Department of Biological Science, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
Accepted 26 September, 2019
Abstract
A total of 70 ear and nasal swab samples collected from 35 persons, 16-hospital population and 19 non-hospital population was examined for presence of Staphylococcus aureus. Eighty percent of the population studied were found to be carriers of S. aureus. Of the 28 positive cases, 35.7% were carriers of S. aureus in both the ear and nostrils, while 14.3% and 50.0% had it only in their ear and nostrils, respectively. The S. aureus isolates varied in their antibiotic susceptibility pattern when tested for their sensitivity to 16 antibiotics. Eighty percent of the isolates were resistant to more than one antimicrobial agent. All the isolates showed resistance to nalidixic acid and 100% sensitivity to rifampicin.
Key words: Staphylococcus aureus, antibiotic resistance, inhibition zone diameter.
Chigbu , Chinwe .O. and Ezeronye, O.U.*
Page: 1 - 5
https://doi.org/10.46882/FAFT/1243Research Article
Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Removal of Cu (II) and Zn (II) ions from wastewater by cassava (Manihot esculenta Cranz) waste biomass
Horsfall, M. Jnr*, Abia, A. A. and Spiff, A.I.
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Uniport P.O. Box 402, Choba, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Accepted 14 September, 2019
Abstract
The ability of cassava waste biomass (untreated and acid treated) to remove heavy metals (Cu(II) and Zn(II) ) from single-ion solution and wastewater was investigated. All experiments were conducted using 10mM solutions of mixed metal ions of CuSO4.5H2O and ZnCl2. The uptake capacities of the two metal ions tested on the untreated and acid treated cassava waste biomass were 71.3 and 85.2 mg/g for Cu(II), and 43.4 and 58.1 mg/g for Zn(II) in single-ion solution. For wastewater, the uptake capacities of untreated and acid treated biomass was found to be 40.1 and 59.7 mg/g for Cu(II), and 38.6 and 38.7 mg/g for Zn(II), respectively. Metal ion uptake capacities in wastewater were lower than in single-ion solution probably due to competition of metal ions of different sizes on available binding sites. Uptake capacities of these metal ions on the biomass surface increased with acid treatment. Equilibrium sorption studies showed that the extent of metal uptake was enhanced by chemically modifying the cassava waste biomass by thiolation. Cassava waste biomass saturated with metal ions shows remarkable ability for metal recovery by dilute acid treatment, and can be used repeatedly for removal of heavy metals in single-ion solution and in wastewater effluents.
Key words: Wastewater, bioremediation, heavy metals, biosorption, cassava waste.
Abia , Horsfall , M. Jnr*, A. A. and Spiff, A.I.
Page: 1 - 5
https://doi.org/10.46882/FAFT/1241Research Article
Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-004, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Mycoflora and mycotoxins in kolanuts during storage
L. O. Adebajo* and O. J. Popoola
Department of Biological Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University**, P.M.B. 2002, Ago–Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Accepted 20 September, 2019
Abstract
The mycoflora, levels of afllatoxins and the presence of ochratoxin A and zearalenone in nuts of Cola acuminata and C. nitida were determined immediately after curing and after 3, 6 and 9 months of storage in leaf-lined baskets. Five field fungi and 11 storage fungi were isolated. Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium were the predominant genera. None of the target toxins was detected immediately after curing. Increasing quantities (5 to 160 ppb) of each of the aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 were recorded as from the 3rd month while zearalenone and ochratoxin A were detected only after the 6th and 9th month, respectively.
Key words: Kolaunts, mycoflora, mycotoxins, storage.
L. O. Adebajo*, O. J. Popoola
Page: 1 - 4
https://doi.org/10.46882/FAFT/1240