International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

C-banding analysis of chromosome translocations in doubled haploid wheats

Shimelis Hussein*

University of the Free State, Department of Plant Sciences, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa. Current Address: University of Limpopo, School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa.

Accepted 18 March, 2019

Abstract

C-banding analysis of plant chromosomes has various applications including construction of karyotypes to identify lines with polymorphic banding patterns, to study structural aberrations and other cytogenetics research. 66 double haploid (DH) lines were produced from crosses of stripe rust susceptible common wheat cultivar ‘Plamiet’ (Triticum aestivum, 2n=6x=42; AABBDD) with resistant cultivar ‘Cappelle-Desprez’ (CD) characterized with 5B/7B reciprocal chromosome translocations. C-banding analysis was conducted to detect the presences of the 5B/7B translocations among the DH wheat lines. The analysis detected that 35 DH lines were positive and 31 negative for translocations. The differentiated lines will be studied to establish weather previously proposed gene(s) present on the translocated 5B or other chromosome(s) could confer resistance.

Key words: Cappelle-Desprez, C-banding, karyotype, Palmiet, stripe rust, translocation.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-010, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Novel pGreen/pSoup dual-binary vector system in multiple T-DNA co-cultivation as a method of producing marker-free (clean gene) transgenic rice (Oriza sativa L) plant

A.S. Afolabi^{1, 2,}* B. Worland¹, J. Snape¹ and P. Vain¹

¹Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, U.K.

²Department of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, U.K.

Accepted 14 September, 2019

Abstract

The possibility of producing marker-free transgenic rice plants using a novel dual binary pGreen/pSoup vectors, in multiple T -DNA co- cultivation, was investigated and demonstrated to be feasible. The T-DNA in pSoup (pRT47) vector was engineered to contain the selection marker hygromycin phosphotransferase (aphIV) gene (plus intron in 5 UTR), and the green fluorescent protein (gfp) as a reporter gene both driven by the CaMV35S promoter and the nopaline synthase terminator. T- DNA in the pGreen (pRT18) vector harboured the phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (bar), as selection marker gene, and the b - glucuronidase (gusA) plus intron as a reporter gene, both driven by the maize 5 ubiquitin region and the nopaline synthase terminator. Both the pGreen and pSoup plasmids were transformed into E. coli strain DH5 using the PEG -transformation technique and into Agrobacterium strains AGL1using a freeze- thaw method. AGL1 was then used to transform embryogenic nodular units (ENU), derived from mature seeds of the model rice genotype Nipponbare. Selection on herbicide (PPT) or antibiotic (hygromycin) of co-cultured ENUs led to the production of numerous independently transformed callus clones containing both T-DNAs from the selected and unselected vector. While co-transformation frequencies were 71% and 80% for the hygromycin only and herbicide (PPT) only selection, respectively, data showed that co-expression frequency is most useful for the production of marker free transgenic rice. About half (50%) of the independent transgenic plant lines contained at least one unlinked T- DNA integration. In this work, we showed for the first time, that the novel dual-binary pGreen/pSoup can efficiently produce marker-free transgenic rice.

Key words: pGreen/pSoup, dual-binary vectors, T-DNA co-cultivation, marker-free, clean gene, transgenic, rice, hygromycin, PPT.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antibacterial screening of the root, seed and stembark extracts of Picralima nitida

Nkere, C. K.¹* and Iroegbu, C. U.²

¹Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.

²Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Current Address: Department of Microbiology, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State. 

Accepted 09 September, 2019

Abstract

Ethanol, benzene, chloroform and aqueous (cold and hot) extracts of Picralima nitida (seed, stembark and root) were tested against five bacterial strians using the agar-well diffusion method. The ethanol extracts of the root and stembark (Er and Esb) were active against 100% of the test organisms, repectively. The benzene and chloroform extracts exhibited no activity. Of the fifteen extracts teated, 40.0% were active against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12600, 20.0% each against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145 and Escherichia coli ATCC 11775, 33.3% against Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051 and 13.3% against Salmonella kintambo Human 1,13,23:mt: -. The MIC values for the ethanol extracts range from 6.25 to 50 mg/ml, while the MIC values for the cold water seed extract (CWs) was 50 mg/ml. The results provide a rationalization for the traditional use of P. nitida for the treatment of various diseases.

Key words: Picralima nitida, ethnomedicine, phytochemical analysis, Nigeria.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Confirmation of the use of Latex IgM on cerebrospinal fluid for improving stage determination of Human African Trypanosomiasis

P. Truc¹*, Vincent Jamonneau¹, Jean-François Guegan²

¹Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UR177 « Trypanosomoses Africaines », International Campus of Baillarguet, IRD / CIRAD, TA 207 / G 34 398 Montpellier cedex 5 France.

²Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Génétique et Evolution des Maladies Infectieuses, UMR 2724 IRD-CNRS, Equipe "Evolution des Systèmes Symbiotiques", 911 Avenue Agropolis B.P. 64501 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5 France.

Accepted 10 May, 2019

Abstract

The clinical evolution of the chronic form of Human African Trypanosomiasis starts with the haematolymphatic or first stage (P1). The meningoencephalitic or second stage (P2) begins when trypanosomes reach the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The classical stage determination method is based on CSF cell count, CSF protein concentration and/or the presence of trypanosomes detected in CSF. However their cut-off values and the sensitivity of detection of trypanosomes in CSF remains doubtful while the appropriate treatment depends on this determination of disease stage. Thus, the classical stage determination is reconsidered using new serological tests, and results were compared to the clinical data. Thirty- eight patients were classified into 4 clinical groups according to the observed degree of severity of neuropsychiatric signs. Based on multivariate analysis to evaluate the relevance of the new serological tests as compared with clinical groups, we confirm that Latex IgM CSF, cheap and easy to perform under field conditions, may improve stage determination of the disease.

Key words: Human African Trypanosomiasis, stage determination, Latex IgM.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-004, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Bioactive metabolites in improved cowpea seeds

Ameen, O. M.¹*, Fatope, O. M.², Usman, L. A.¹ and Adebayo, S. A.¹

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.

²Chemistry Department, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khod Oman.

Accepted 12 November, 2019

Abstract

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has developed some pest and disease resistant cowpeas. From these the seeds of 8 cowpea cultivars were extracted with ethanol, and partitioned into chloroform and water- soluble fractions, the water-soluble fraction was further extracted with ethyl acetate. Residues from ethanol, chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions for each of the 8 cowpea cultivars were screened against brine shrimp larvae. The seed extracts of cowpea cultivars IT93K – 596– 9 – 12, IT90K – 277 – 2 and IT93K – 452 – 1 were found to be most active, indicating that they contain cytotoxic compound(s).

Key words: Cowpea, bioactive compund, biotechnology, brine shrimp larvae, cytotoxicity.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-003, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Biosorption of zinc (II) by Rhizopus arrhizus: equilibrium and kinetic modelling

B. Preetha* and T. Viruthagiri

Department of Technology, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar- 608 002.Tamil Nadu, India.

Accepted 10 May, 2019

Abstract

The adsorption of zinc (II) ions on Rhizopus arrhizus, a filamentous fungus, was investigated in a batch reactor. Batch adsorption studies were carried out by varying biomass loading. A contact time of 120 min was required to reach equilibrium. Specific zinc (II) uptake decreased with increase in biomass loading and these results were analyzed in light of the Lagergren equation and the process followed a second order rate kinetics. The equilibrium data were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich- Peterson and BET adsorption isotherms. The characteristic parameters for each isotherm were determined. All the isotherms provided the best correlation for zinc (II) onto the R. arrhizus.

Key words: Zinc, biosorption, Rhizopus arrhizus, kinetic models, adsorption isotherms.