Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

Abstract: Rhizobia form root nodules that fix nitrogen (N2) in symbiotic legumes. Extending the ability of these bacteria to fix N2 in non-legumes such as cereals would be a useful technology for increased crop yields among resource-poor farmers. Although some inoculation attempts have resulted in nodule formation in cereal plants, there was no evidence of N2 fixation. However, because rhizobia naturally produce molecules (auxins, cytokinins, abscicic acids, lumichrome, rhiboflavin, lipo-chito-oligosaccharides and vitamins)…

Abstract: Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2004 Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr © 2004 International Scholars Journals Review Small round structured viruses (SRSVs) and transmission electron microscopy Etsuko Tajiri-Utagawa Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashimurayama-shi, Tokyo 208-0012, JAPAN. E-mail: etu@nih.go.jp. Tel: +81(42)561-0771. Accepted 24 December 2003 Key words: Small round structured viruses, Calicivi…

Abstract: Thirty-two isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis were isolated from wilted lentil plants collected from different lentil growing areas in north-west Algeria. A pathogenicity test was performed for all isolates. Results indicated that the Fol isolates represent a single race but differ in their aggressiveness on the susceptible lines. The amount of genetic variation was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with a set of 6 RAPD primers and 3 AFLP selective nucleotide primer pairs. All amp…

Abstract: The extent of morphological variability of endod (Phytolacca dodecandra) sampled from 17 localities in Ethiopia that varied from 1600 to 3000 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l) was investigated using 16 characters. Statistical analyses were performed using leaf hairiness and altitude as categorical variables. Cluster analysis performed using average taxonomic distance matrix revealed the separation of most plants into their respective leaf hairiness and altitude groups. When leaf hairiness was used as categorical var…

Abstract: Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) is an important tree in the semi-arid ecosystem with beneficial attributes. However, very little information is available in its reproductive biology. In order to better control the reproduction system of B. aegyptiaca, three experimental approaches are used: floral morpholgy, fluorochromatic procedure and hand pollination. The floral morphology shows that B. aegyptiaca flowers are hermaphrodite and gathered in several types of inflorescence (clusters, fascicles or glomerules). They blosso…

Abstract: The effects of soaking duration on germination and seedling growth of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) Roma VF, UC82B and Xina varieties were investigated. The treatments consisted of three soaking durations (12, 24, 36 h) and control replicated four times in a latin square design. Results indicated significant enhancement of germination by all soaking durations except for Xina variety where 36 h treatment showed no significant difference from the control. Maximum total germination (%) was obtained under 24 h…

Abstract: Eight strains of Bacillus were isolated from non treated soil, characterized and used for the digestion of feather wastes in the laboratory. Non-protein nitrogen (NPN) and total protein (TP) were determined during the incubation time and the microbial counts of the different strains during feather hydrolysis were also monitored. Results of the screening test showed that the solid pieces of feather were completely digested by all the strains. The most efficient isolated strain selected was compared with Bacillus sub…

Abstract: Experiments were carried out to determine the potential of using the powder and essential oil from dried ground leaves of Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) to control storage deterioration and aflatoxin contamination of melon seeds (Colocynthis citrullus L.). Four mould species: Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. tamarii and Penicillium citrinum were inoculated in the form of conidia suspension (approx. 106 conidia per ml) unto shelled melon seeds. The powdered dry leaves and essential oil from lemon grass were mixed…

Abstract: Different extracts from marine algae (Cystoseira tamaricifolia) were tested for their antimicrobial activities. These extracts were examined for their activities on growth of moulds and yeasts and mycotoxines formation by moulds. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined in every case in terms of dilutions. A total inhibition (100%) was obtained with the ethanolic crude extract on all the fungal species at the concentration of 10%. The aqueous extract showed an activity only on some strains used whi…

Abstract: In Kenya there is currently no screening of antimicrobial drug residues in milk. This study evaluated the improved tube test as a possible screening method using seven representatives of the β-lactam antibiotics. The group comprises antimicrobials most frequently used to treat bacterial infections in dairy cows. Each antimicrobial was tested at five concentrations based on established codex alimentarius maximum residue limits (MRLs). Test parameters studied were practicability and limits of detection (LODs) compare…

Abstract: This in vivo study was designed to investigate the potential of aluminium (Al), in the absence of added iron, to participate in either antioxidant or pro-oxidant events. Some markers of oxidative stress were determined in liver and brain of rats exposed to aluminium lactate, either alone or in the presence of dietary supplements of selenium (se) as selenite. Exposure to aluminium for 21 days resulted in a statistically significant (P0.05) was observed in the GSH content. Contrary to what is known, Al exposure resul…

Abstract: Trypanosoma brucei gambiense was isolated twice from each of 23 patients in Côte d’Ivoire. Genetic characterization using RAPD (Random Primed Amplified Polymorphic DNA) showed additional variability within a given isoenzyme profile (zymodeme), confirming that this fingerprinting method has a higher discriminative power (faster molecular clock) than isoenzymes. RAPD confirmed also the evidence of multiple infections by different genotypes in the same patient despite a low genetic variability among Trypanosoma brucei…

Abstract: In addition to inadequate understanding of swarming motility and virulence of Proteus, there is paucity of information on the relative effectiveness of the various anti-swarm agents. The anti-swarming effects of urea, sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) and trihydroxymethylglycine (Tris) on 40 clinical isolates of Proteus Spp. were comparatively investigated and plasmids associated with swarming were characterized. The three substances elicited a comparable concentration-dependent anti-swarming property at 0.25 – 1.25% on…

Abstract: The recombinant green fluorescent protein (GFPuv) was expressed by transformed cells of Escherichia coli DH5-α grown in LB/amp broth at 37oC, for 8 h and 24 h. To evaluate the effectiveness of different parameters to improve the expression of GFPuv by E. coli, four variable culturing conditions were set up for assays by a fractional factorial (24-1) design at two levels: (i) the effect of storing (24-48 h) the seeded broth at 4oC prior to incubation at 37oC; (ii) the effect of agitation speed (100-200 rpm); (iii) t…

Abstract: A β-glucosidase genomic DNA from Cellulomonas biazotea NIAB 442 was isolated and coated onto tungsten microprojectiles for direct transformation of the gene into Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Transformation of β-glucosidase into S. cerevisae conferred the ability to hydrolyse esculin and cellobiose, indicating that the gene is expressed in the bombarded yeast.[...]