Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Developments in the use of Y-chromosome markers in forensic genetics

Neil Leat, Liezle Ehrenreich, Mongi Benjeddou and Sean Davison

Department of Biotechnology University of the Western Cape Bellville 7535 South Africa.

Accepted 09 November, 2017

Abstract

Sexual assault is a significant problem facing South African society. The South African Police service indicates that between April 2003 and March 2004 over 52 733 rapes were reported. Our research focuses on the development and implementation of genetic identity testing systems for use in sexual assault cases. Genetic identity testing is achieved by examining polymorphic regions of DNA. Typically sets of polymorphisms are examined together to provide a genetic profile. The polymorphic markers most commonly used lie on the autosomal (1-22) chromosomes. While they have an excellent capacity to distinguish between individuals they do have disadvantages. In sexual assault cases it is often difficult to separate the female victim’s profile from the rapist’s profile. Analysis of Y-chromosome markers overcomes this by generating male specific profiles. In this review we highlight recent developments in the use of Y-chromosome markers in forensic genetics.

Key words: Polymorphism, Y-chromosome, markers, South African.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Contributions of biotechnology to the control and prevention of brucellosis in Africa

Henk L. Smits¹ and Sally J Cutler²

¹KIT Biomedical Research, Royal Tropical Institute / Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen (KIT), Amsterdam, The Netherlands and ²Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Weybridge, UK.

Accepted 22 November, 2017

Abstract

Zoonotic diseases such as brucellosis have a major impact on the health and economic prosperity of the developing world. Recent advances in our understanding of brucellosis and new developments in diagnostics and vaccine technology provide unique opportunities for biotechnology companies in developing countries to make an essential contribution to the control of this disease.

Key words: Brucellosis, biotechnology, zoonosis, livestock, public health, diagnostics, vaccine.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis strains from Jordan and their toxicity to the Lepidoptera, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller

Maher Obeidat¹*, Dhia Hassawi¹, Ihab Ghabeish²

¹Al-Balqa’ Applied University, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Biotechnology Department, Al-Salt 19117, Jordan

²Al-Balqa’ Applied University, Faculty of Al Salt, Al-Salt 19117, Jordan.

Accepted 10 August, 2017

Abstract

Bacillus thuringiensis was investigated in four different habitats (grain dust, olive-cultivated soils, waste and industrial-byproducts contaminated soils, and animal byproducts-contaminated soils). The bacterium was highly abundant in soils contaminated with animal byproducts. Eight serotypes with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis being the most common. Out of the twenty-six isolated strains, five strains (serotype: kenyae, kurstaki, kurstaki HD1 and thuringiensis) that produced bipyramid crystal proteins were toxic to the lepidoptera larvae of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller. The SDS-PAGE protein profile analysis showed a relationship between the crystal protein shape and the toxicity to the larvae of the tested insect.

Key words: Bacillus thuringiensis serotypes, Ephestia kuehniella, parasporal crystal proteins.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis strains from Jordan and their toxicity to the Lepidoptera, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller

Maher Obeidat¹*, Dhia Hassawi¹, Ihab Ghabeish²

¹Al-Balqa’ Applied University, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Biotechnology Department, Al-Salt 19117, Jordan

²Al-Balqa’ Applied University, Faculty of Al Salt, Al-Salt 19117, Jordan.

Accepted 10 August, 2017

Abstract

Bacillus thuringiensis was investigated in four different habitats (grain dust, olive-cultivated soils, waste and industrial-byproducts contaminated soils, and animal byproducts-contaminated soils). The bacterium was highly abundant in soils contaminated with animal byproducts. Eight serotypes with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis being the most common. Out of the twenty-six isolated strains, five strains (serotype: kenyae, kurstaki, kurstaki HD1 and thuringiensis) that produced bipyramid crystal proteins were toxic to the lepidoptera larvae of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller. The SDS-PAGE protein profile analysis showed a relationship between the crystal protein shape and the toxicity to the larvae of the tested insect.

Key words: Bacillus thuringiensis serotypes, Ephestia kuehniella, parasporal crystal proteins.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-004, March, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Mutation induced enhanced biosynthesis of lipase

K.V.V.S.N. Bapiraju^1*, P. Sujatha¹, P. Ellaiah² and T. Ramana¹

¹Department of Biotechnology, Andhra University, India.

²Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Andhra University, India.

Accepted 15 September, 2017

Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation is to enhance production of biomedically important enzyme lipase by subjecting the indigenous lipase producing strain Rhizopus sp. BTS-24 to improvement by natural selection and random mutagenesis (UV and N-methyl-N’-nitro-N-nitroso guanidine, NTG). The isolation of mutants and the lipolytic activity of selected mutants were described. The best natural selectant BTNS₁₂ showed 110% higher lipase activity than the wild strain (BTS-24). The lipase yield of the best UV mutant BTUV₃ was 164% higher than the parent strain (BTNS₁₂) and 180% times higher than the wild strain (BTS-24). Also, the lipase yield of the best NTG mutant BTNT₂ was 133 % higher than the parent strain (BTUV₃) and 232% higher than the wild strain (BTS-24). The results indicated that UV and NTG were effective mutagenic agents for strain improvement of Rhizopus sp. BTS-24 for enhanced lipase productivity.

Key words: Lipase, Rhizopus, UV, NTG.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN 7295-2849 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Microbial conversion of Cr (VI) in to Cr (III) in industrial effluent

Muhammad Faisal and Shahida Hasnain*

Department of Botany, University of The Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore-54590, Pakistan.

Accepted 26 April, 2017

Absract

Bacterial strains (CrT-11, CrT-12, Bravibacterium sp. CrT-13, CrT-14) were isolated from the effluents of tanneries. All strains could resist very high concentration of K₂CrO₄ that is up to 40 mg ml^-1 on nutrient agar and 25 mg ml^-1 in nutrient broth. They have wide pH (5 to 9) and temperature (24 to 42˚C) growth range. They exhibited multiple metals (Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Co, Pb) and antibiotics (streptomycin, ampicillin, tetracycline, kanamycin, chloramphenicol) resistances. All the strains were able to reduce Cr (VI) in to Cr (III) aerobically. Bravibacterium sp. CrT-13 accumulates and reduce more Cr (VI) at all the concentrations applied in comparison to the other strains. These bacterial strains also take up and reduce Cr (VI) present in industrial effluents, and their reduction potential was not significantly affected in the presence of different metallic salts.

Key words: Cr (VI) reduction, bacteria, industrial effluent, heavy metals.