International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology

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

Short Communication

Sorption kinetics and intraparticulate diffusivities of Cd, Pb and Zn ions on maize cob

Abia, A. A.¹ and Igwe, J. C.²*

¹Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry,University of PortHacourt, River State, Nigeria.

²Department of Industrial Chemistry,Abia State University,P. M. B. 2000 Uturu, Abia State Nigeria.

Accepted 22 September, 2019

Abstract

The kinetics of sorption and intraparticulate diffusivities of Zn, Cd and Pb using maize cob was studied. The amount of the metal ions adsorbed increased with time. The highest sorption rates of the three metal ions were 71% for Zn²⁺, 32% for Cd²⁺, and 30% for Pb²⁺. The fractional attainment of equilibrium showed that Zn²⁺ reached equilibrium before Pb²⁺ ion and then Cd²⁺ ion. This study showed that the sorption of Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions on maize cob is particle diffusion controlled. The rate coefficients for particle diffusion were 0.07 min^-1 for Zn²⁺, 0.053min^-1 for Pb²⁺ and 0.081min^-1 for Cd²⁺.

Key words: Adsorption, Kinetics, intraparticulate diffusivity, heavy metal, maize cob.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 9 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Influence of fixed-oils in the dispersion of some water-insoluble antimicrobial compounds

Onilude^1*, A. A., Adeleke, O. E.², Fadahunsi, I. F.¹ and Fatoyinbo, T.O.¹

¹Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

²Department of Microbiology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Accepted 21 September, 2019

Abstract

Ampicillin trihydrate, salicylic acid and griseofulvin were subjected to interphasal partitioning between an organic and aqueous phases formed from mixtures of sterile fixed-oils and distilled water. The fixed-oils used were groundnut oil, cotton-seed oil, vegetable oil and cod-liver oil. At each of the varying concentrations of the respective antimicrobial compounds, more molecules of each compound were found to have partitioned into organic (oily) phase than the aqueous phase. Based on physico-chemical and susceptibility studies report with Staphylococcus aureus, groundnut oil and cod-liver oil ranked better than cotton-seed oil and vegetable oil oils in their dispersion ability of the drugs. The results support the use of the local fixed-oils as suitable dispersion media in pharmaceutical oil-based preparations and susceptibility testing.

Key words: Interphasal partitioning, local fixed-oils, pharmaceutical oil-based preparations, suscepti-bility testing.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 9 (2), pp. 001-006, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The effect of spawn grains, culture media, oil types and rates on carpophore production of Lentinus squarrosulus (Mont.) Singer

Nwanze PI^1*, Khan AU², Ameh JB³ and Umoh VJ³

¹Department Of Biological Sciences, College of Natural And Applied Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, P.M.B. 0006, Edo State, Nigeria.

²Department of Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Kaduna State, Nigeria.

³Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Accepted 14 September, 2019

Abstract

Lentinus squarrosulus, an indigenous mushroom species commonly found growing on dead logs in the Zaria environ of Kaduna State was cultured on six different media which were inoculated separately with three different spawn grains and amended with six different oils at five different rates. The various media, oil type and rate all had a highly significant effect (p<0.01) on the stipe length, stipe and pileus diameters and carpophore wet and dry weights of L. squarrosulus. Spawn grains, however, had a significant effect on all the above parameters except pileus diameter. The results reveal that corn and millet spawn induced comparable carpophore wet weights which were superior to that induced by wheat spawn. Corn spawn induced the longest stipe length and heaviest carpophore dry weight while millet induced the widest stipe diameter. The oil rate of 0.014 ml/g induced the longest stipe length, heaviest carpophore wet weight and widest pileus diameter while the highest oil rate (0.028 ml/g) induced the widest stipe diameter and heaviest carpophore dry weight. Coconut oil induced superior results for all the parameters tested except stipe diameter. Animal bedding and rice media induced optimum results for all the parameters.

Key words: Lentinus squarrosulus , spawn grain, carpophore production, non-composted media, polypropylene heat resistant bags, supplemented media, flushes, oil type and rate.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 9 (2), pp. 001-009, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Breeding in bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.): strategic considerations

F.J. Massawe^*, S.S. Mwale, S.N. Azam-Ali and J.A. Roberts

Tropical Crops Research Unit, University of Nottingham, School of Biosciences Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.

Accepted 14 September, 2019

Abstract

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) has a large number of landraces throughout Africa where small-scale farmers have preserved its genetic diversity on-farm. To date, the full genetic diversity of the crop remains largely unexploited. Until recently bambara groundnut never received any appreciable research effort, especially for its genetic improvement. Until then, only selection breeding was practised in which existing landraces were evaluated and their seeds multiplied. However, no new combinations resulting from hybridisation had ever been produced. Recently, collaborative research efforts involving partners from Africa and Europe have produced the first crosses of bambara groundnut. The creation of these crosses is a significant scientific and practical achievement and opens up the possibility of breeding true varieties of this crop. This paper shows how different strategies have been combined to establish the basis of a strategic breeding programme in bambara groundnut. The paper also illustrates the use of landraces in the bambara groundnut breeding programme, as an example of the contribution that landraces can make to increasing productivity in marginal environments and the conservation of a crop’s genetic resources on-farm.

Key words: Vigna subterranea, underutilised, breeding, molecular technologies, landraces, bambara groundnut.