Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-010, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Mycotoxins in food in West Africa: current situation and possibilities of controlling it

S.A. Bankole* and A. Adebanjo

Department of Biological Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, PMB 2002, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Accepted 19 August 2019

Abstract

This review presents the different mycotoxins (aflatoxins, fumonisins and ochratoxin A) produced in agricultural crops in the West African sub-region. The acute and chronic toxic effects of the various mycotoxins are presented. Maize and groundnuts have been found to be excellent substrate for aflatoxin contamination, while fumonisins are widely distributed in maize. Other food products for which mycotoxin contamination has been reported in the sub-region include dried yam chips, tiger nut, melon seeds and stored herbal plants. Mycotoxin contamination is favoured by stress factors during plant growth, late harvesting of crops, high ambient humidity preventing thorough drying, unscientific storage practices and lack of awareness. Control measures include education of the populace on the danger of mycotoxin contaminated diet, early harvesting, rapid drying, sorting, sanitation, use of improved storage structures, smoking, insect control, the use of botanicals and synthetic chemicals as storage protectants, fumigation, biological control, the use of resistant varieties and detoxification of mycotoxin contaminated grains.

Key words: Mycotoxins, aflatoxins, food, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, surveillance, toxicology, prevention, control, West Africa.

Key words: DNAzol, DNA isolation, bacteria, yeast.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Influence of NPK fertilizer on tuber yield of early and late-planted cassava in a forest alfisol of south-western Nigeria

Agbaje G. O.* and Akinlosotu T. A.

Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Obafemi Awolowo University,Moor Plantation, P.M.B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Accepted 19 August, 2019

Abstract

Four new cassava varieties ( NR 8082, TMS 00033, TMS 91/ 453 and TMS 00447) were fertilized with NPK ( 20- 10-10) at the rates of 0, 200, 400, and 800 kg/ha in an experiment with the crop planted early (April) in 1999 and then late (September) in 2000. Tuber yield was 28% higher in early-planted cassava than in the late cultivation. Yield was reduced by 44% in NR8082, 15% in TMS 00033 and 45% in TMS 00447 as a result of late planting. Tuber yield from NR 8082 (44t /ha) was the highest for early-planting while TMS 00033 gave the highest yield (31 t/ha) in late planting. Fertilizer influence on tuber yield was not significant in early-planted cassava. In late-planted cassava, significant reduction in yields was observed from the application of 400 and 800kg/hectare of fertilizer. Incidence of tuber rot was influenced by varietal differences rather than fertilizer rates. Incidence of rot was lowest in NR8082 (9-10%) and TMS 00033 (10-11%) in both plantings and the severity was mild in all the varieties. TMS 00033, a low cyanide variety, have tuber yields above 30 t/ha in both early and late plantings and is therefore recommended for adoption trials by farmers.

Key words: Early and late planting, cassava varieties and tuber rot.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The value of morpho-anatomical features in the systematics of Cucurbita L. (Cucurbitaceae) species in Nigeria

Ikechukwu O. Agbagwa* and Benjamin C. Ndukwu

Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 September, 2019

Abstract

Comparative studies on the morphology and anatomy of the three species of Cucurbita L. (C. moschata, C. maxima and C. pepo) in Nigeria were carried out. The morphological features of significance include variations in the number of tendrils, fruit size, shape, nature of fruit stalk, leaf shape and flower colour. Seed-coat anatomy revealed four distinct zones, which varied in thickness and tissue layers. Similarities were observed in the distribution, differentiation and number of layers of cells and tissues in the leaf, petiole and stem sections. There were, however, variations in number of bicollateral vascular bundles in their petiole. While the number is 10 in C. moschata, 14 in C. pepo, it is 16 in C. maxima. Parietal placentation and 15 anther-lobes are reported for these species for the first time. The usefulness of these parameters in the taxonomic delimitation of these species is discussed.

Key words: Cucurbita, morpho-anatomy, placentation, seed-coat, taxonomy, vascular bundles.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Synergism of cockroach (Periplaneta americana) α-amylase and α-glucosidase hydrolysis of starches

Lucien Patrice Kouame^1*, Edmond Dué Ahipo¹, Sebastien Lamine Niamke², Françoise Akissi Kouame¹ and Alphonse Kamenan¹

¹Laboratoire de Biochimie et Technologie des Aliments de l’Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences et Technologie des Aliments de l’Université d’Abobo-Adjamé (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire), 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.

²Laboratoire de Biotechnologie de l’Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Biosciences de l’Université de Cocody (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire), 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.

Accepted 15 September, 2019

Abstract

Cockroach Periplaneta americana α-amylase hydrolysed starch to maltose and maltodextrin. However, this enzyme was not active against maltose and maltotriose (2 h of reaction). α-Glucosidase of the same organism exhibited activities toward maltose and maltodextrin to glucose. Synergism was observed especially between both enzymes to produce glucose for cockroach P. americana nutrition.

Key words: α-Amylase, α-glucosidase, cockroach, Periplaneta americana, synergism.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 9 (12), pp. 001-004, December, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Review

An overview of the microbial α-amylase family

N. S. Reddy*, Annapoorna Nimmagadda and K. R. S. Sambasiva Rao

Centre for Biotechnology, Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar -522 510, A.P., India.

Accepted 21 May, 2019

Abstract

Amylases are enzymes which hydrolyze the starch molecules into polymers composed of glucose units. α-Amylases are ubiquitous in distribution, with plants, bacteria and fungi being the predominant sources. Most of the microbial α-amylases belong to the family 13 glycosyl hydrolases, and they share several common properties. But different reaction specificities have been observed across the family members. Structurally α-amylases possess (β/α) ₈ or TIM barrel structures and are responsible for hydrolysis or formation of glycosidic bonds in the α-conformation. Stability of the α-amylases has been widely studied; pH and temperature have very important roles to play. Engineering the enzymes for improved stability enhances their use industrially. This review focuses on the distribution, structural-functional aspects and factors for enhancing the stability of α-amylases.

Key words: α-Amylase, TIM barrel, glycosylhydrolases.