International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 9 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Determination of the plasmid size and location of δ-endotoxin genes of Bacillus thuringiensis by pulse field gel electrophoresis

Roderick L. Rolle*, Anthony O. Ejiofor, Terrance L. Johnson

Biological Science Department, Tennessee State University 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd. Nashville, TN. 37209-1561^a

Accepted 16 May, 2020

Abstract

The genes encoding the δ-endotoxins of Bacillus thuringiensis are located on plasmids ranging in size from 45 to 1000 kb. Plasmid size and variety are diagnostic features for characterizing subspecies of this aerobic spore-forming crystalliferous entomopathogen. Two of 25 B. thuringiensis isolates obtained from Middle Tennessee were characterized into subspecies on the basis of size, number, and varieties of plasmids they host using pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). By using specific pulse angle (120°), field strength (5 V/cm), pulse time (26 h), and agarose concentration (1.2%) these DNA molecules were separated from other genomic DNA. The purified DNA product the agarose gel was tested for homology to 49 δ-endotoxin gene using PCR.. The PFGE data for 5 of the 25 isolates collected in Tennessee showed distinct banding patterns. Two of the isolates had only 1 band whereas the others had more than 4 ranging from 45 to 1000 kb in size. Isolate 6 and 10 both yielded one 49 kb fragment that contained the cry1A gene.

Key words: Bacillus thuringiensis, δ-endotoxin, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, plasmid.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 9 (5), pp. 001-002, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Cassava starch as an alternative to agar-agar in microbiological media

Y.U. Dabai and *S. Muhammad

Department of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 February, 2020

Abstract

Cassava starch powder produced locally was tested for its ability to serve as a solidifying agent in microbiological nutrient media, using different aqueous percentage concentration in pour plates and slants. 10% concentration produced setting usually associated with solid nutrient media within 30 min. Cassava starch powder can therefore be a potential solidifying agent in microbiological nutrient media as an alternative to agar-agar.

Key words: Cassava, agar-agar, media, microbial growth.

Key words: Anthracnose cassava    resistance.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 9 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Phylogeny of the genus Morus (Urticales: Moraceae) inferred from ITS and trnL-F sequences

Zhao Weiguo^1,2, Pan Yile¹*, Zhang Zhifang Jia Shihai², Miao Xuexia², Huang Yongping²

¹Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province 212018, China.

²Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China.

Accepted 20 March, 2020

Abstract

Both nuclear ribosomal ITS and chloroplast trnL-F sequences were acquired from 13 mulberry genotypes belonging to nine species and three varieties, and one paper mulberry. The later belongs to genus B. papyrifera, designed as outgroup, and were analyzed. Within the genus Morus, the sequence diversity of ITS was much higher than that of trnL-F. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on these data (separately or combined) show that the genus Morus is monophyletic group. Strict consensus tree obtained through the Neighbor-joining method can be divided into five major clades in the genus Morus, according to combined sequence data. M. bombycis, M. alba var. venose formed clades A and B, respectively. Clade C comprises of 5 species; M. rotundiloba, M. atropurpurea, M. mongolica, M. australi, and M. mongolica var. diabolica. Clade D comprises of 3 species; M. wittiorum, M. laevigata, and M. alba. Clade E comprises of 2 species; M. multicaulis, and M.alba var. macrophylla. The results from cluster analysis were basically in agreement with the existing morphologic classification.

Key words: Morus, phylogeny, ITS, trnL-F.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 9 (4), pp. 001-009, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Indigenous Angiosperm biodiversity of Olabisi Onabanjo University permanent site

Mike O. Soladoye, Mubo A. Sonibare*, Adeniyi O. Nadi, and Dolapo A. Alabi

Department of Plant Sciences and Applied Zoology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B. 2002, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 January, 2020

Abstract

The conservation of the genetic variability of the indigenous angiosperm community is a sine qua non. A survey of indigenous angiosperm biodiversity of the Olabisi Onabanjo University permanent site was undertaken. Plants collected were dried, poisoned and mounted on herbarium sheets, proper identification and confirmation in recognized herbaria were carried out. A total number of one hundred and thirty-eight (138) plant species belonging to fifty-five (55) families were collected. Of these, one hundred and twenty-seven are dicotyledons and eleven are monocotyledons. Leguminosae is the largest family with thirteen plants followed by Rubiaceae with eleven and Euphorbiaceae with nine plants. Trees were found to have significantly contributed to the ecosystem with a total number of fifty-four species, while forty-three of shrubs were recorded, climbers ten, herbs twenty-eight, grasses and sedges three. From this study it is obvious that the University permanent site is not only rich in plant biodiversity but also very rich in socio- economic values. Consequently it is highly advisable that a representative sample of this vegetation is protected for posterity so that all the indigenous plants of the study area may not be lost to the development projects embarked upon by the University.

Key words: Conservation, indigenous angiosperm, biodiversity, Olabisi Onabanjo University.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

In vitro regeneration of hybrid plantlets of cashew (Anacardium occidentale l) through embryo culture

Aliyu, O. M.^1* and Awopetu J.A.²

¹Department of Plant Breeding, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, P. M. B 5244, Ibadan, Nigeria.

²Department of Agronomy, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Accepted 19 November, 2019

Abstract

Embryos from immature nuts of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) were cultured in vitro to regenerate improved hybrid plantlets. Explants (embryo) were excised from developing F1 hybrid immature nuts derived from diallel cross and harvested at 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-weeks after pollination (WAPo) for in vitro culture. The explants were surface sterilized, aseptically dissected and cultured into pure basal Murashige and Skoog (MS) agar medium and MS medium supplemented with 1 mM each of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), benzyladenine (BA) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) and subsequently observed for germination and survival rates until successful ones were transferred to the field. Age of explants was found to significantly influence both the germination and survival rates. Explants of 6 weeks old and above were found to give better germination rate and highest survival percentage in this study. Only MS medium supplemented with 1 mM of gibberellic acid (MS+GA₃) supported germination and growth at 2-WAPo, suggesting the essentiality of GA₃ as a growth regulator to a very young cashew embryo. Analysis also showed that factors such as medium composition, age of embryo and genotype (accession) significantly influence the germination rate of cashew embryo. It was observed that cashew embryos were found to be autonomy of growth regulator as the age increases and medium composition is only critical at very young age of the embryo. Successful germinated explants simultaneously produced shoot and root and were ready for transfer to field and acclimatization, between 90 and 112 days after inoculation.

Key words: Anacardium occidentale, in vitro culture, explant, embryo.