Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

Abstract: Genetic analysis of plants relies on high yields of pure DNA samples. Here we present the optimization of DNA isolation and PCR conditions for RAPD analysis of selected medicinal and aromatic plants of conservation concern from Peninsular India containing high levels of polysaccharides, polyphenols and secondary metabolites. The method involves a modified CTAB extraction employing polyvinyl pyrrolidone while grinding, successive long-term Chloroform : lsoamyalcohol extractions, an overnight RNase treatment with all…

Abstract: In the past, it has been difficult to accurately determine the location of many types of barley molecular markers due to the lack of commonality between international barley linkage maps. In this study, a consensus map of barley was constructed from five different maps (OWB, VxHs, KxM, barley consensus 2 and barley consensus 2003) to produce the consensus AD-2005 map with 1536 markers. The QTL that have been identified in previous barley studies were then incorporated into the integrated consensus map to provide a…

Abstract: Genotype x environment interaction in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] was studied for grain yield by growing 90 genotypes consisting of 81 hybrids and 9 inbred parents at 5 locations for 2 years. Genotype x environment interaction was observed, a large component of which was accounted for by non-linear regression on the environment means. Although the linear portion was significant, its magnitude was smaller than that of the non-linear component indicating the significance of environmental effects on t…

Abstract: The dried calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) is locally processed into a non-alcoholic drink known as ‘Zobo’ in Nigeria. This popular drink is quite cheap compared to other bottled soft drinks but its acceptability is still limited because of its very short shelf life (24 h at room temperature). The composition and numbers of the microflora of the dried calyx of the Roselle plant and its resulting juice (Zobo) were examined using standard microbiological methods. The dried calyx obtained from a retail market wa…

Abstract: Two field experiments were conducted during 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 dry seasons under irrigation at Kwalkwalawa Research FADAMA Farm of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto to investigate the response of weed growth and bulb yield of garlic to intra-row spacing and mulching. The treatments consisted of three intra-row spacings (10, 15, and 20 cm) and four mulching rate (0, 5, 7 and 9 t/ha). These were laid out in split plot design and replicated three times. Intra-row spacing was assigned to main plots and mulching…

Abstract: We investigated the acute and subacute toxicities of hydro-ethanolic extract of leaves of Senna alata (L.) Roxb. in Swiss mice and Wistar albino rats. The mice were divided into 6 groups of 10 animals and each group received once by intra-gastric gavages 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 times 1000 mg/kg dose of extract. Distilled water served as the control. For the subacute toxicity, three groups of 10 rats (5 males and 5 females) were treated per os with distilled water (control), 500 or 1000 mg/kg of extract every 48 h for 2…

Abstract: Out of the one hundred and fifty stool human samples screened for the prevalence of Plesiomonas shigelloides, only 3 (2%) were positive for the organisms. The positive isolates were used to produce P. shigelloides antibody in experimental animals (rabbits). Autopsy revealed marked inflammation of the liver, spleen and the kidney in the experimental animals not protected with the antibodies. This study showed that the trial rabbits were suitable for the production of antibodies against P. shigelloides, and further d…

Abstract: Fifty strains of Bacillus spp. comprising Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis previously isolated from afitin, iru and sonru were examined for esterase and protease activities. The electrophoretic profiles of fermented African locust bean protein (ALBP), using strains presenting the highest protease activities in casein agar, were analyzed by SDS-PAGE to select strains with good ability to be used as starter cultures. All the Bacillus spp. tested showed esterase activity against tributyrin with high variab…

Abstract: A xylanase was purified from symbotic fungus, Termitomyces sp. by chromatography on columns of DEAE-Sepharose, CM-Sepharose, gel filtration and Phenyl-Sepharose. The preparation was shown to be homogenous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme displayed two protein bands on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and its molecular mass was estimated to 80-87 kDa. The xylanase exhibited maximum activity at 65-70°C and at pH 5.6, but it retained more than 80% of its activity in the pH range 5.0-6.0…

Abstract: The recent increase in soymilk and tofu (coagulated soymilk) consumption especially in western countries is due to the recognition of the health benefits of soy foods. The amount and the type of coagulated biomolecules (such as isoflavones) vary with the type of coagulant, and this will inevitable alter their biological activity. This study sought to assess the effect of some coagulants (calcium chloride, alum and steep water from pap production) commonly use in the production of tofu in Nigeria on the serum choles…

Abstract: About 60% of the cassava produced all over the world is used for human consumption. These peels waste were found to contain 42.6% carbohydrate, 1.6% protein, 12.1% ether extract, 5.0% total ash and 22.5% crude fibre. With the advent of biotechnology approaches, there are opportunities for economic utilization of agro-industrial residues such as cassava peels waste. The Microorganisms isolated from the fermenting cassava waste were Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, and A. fumigatus. These and Trichoderma sp. from soil w…

Abstract: Microbial growth on and utilization of environmental contaminants as substrates have been studied by many researchers. Most times, substrate utilization results in removal of chemical contaminant, increase in microbial biomass and subsequent biodegradation of the contaminant. These are all aimed at detoxification of the environmental pollutants. Several microbial growth and biodegradation kinetic models have been developed, proposed and used in bioremediation schemes. Some of these models include Monod’s, Andrews…

Abstract: There is still disagreement with regard to identifying the sister group of the tetrapods? Different hypotheses were suggested for this relationship. The aim of this article was to present and summarize some of these studies, which were based on the possible phylogenetic relationship between Chondrichtyes and land vertebrates (tetrapods).[...]

Abstract: This paper describe a technique for carbon dioxide (CO2) measurement based on the displacement of acidifying liquid in burette at constant pressure. It was adapted to allow the growth of Leuconostoc sp. on semi-synthetic media and milk. A highly precise measurement was obtained using the chemical reaction of sodium carbonate with hydrochloric acid. This method has been proven to present an excellent linear response from 0 to 0.895 mM of CO2 with a high sensitivity. With cultures in milk medium, kinetics of CO2 evol…