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Sugarcane Germplasm Collection in Western Cameroon
Doris Besem Arrey,
Afui Mathias Mih,
Etake Sylvie Essomo
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2016
Pages:
139-145
Received:
4 October 2016
Accepted:
22 October 2016
Published:
17 November 2016
Abstract: Sugarcane is losing its diversity owing to the many uses including biofuel production and genetic erosion. This study was carried out to collect sugarcane germplasm in Western Cameroon and to identify their uses and possible genetic erosion. Information was gathered from selected villages in two agro-ecological zones in Western Cameroon. The data were gathered through questionnaire, interviews and group discussion with pre-identified informants in the study area. Field trips were made to sugarcane fields to observe sugarcane landraces. A total of 290 questionnaires were distributed out to 203 males and 87 females of diverse age groups between 20 and 70 years. Majority of the population interviewed (37.9%) were between the age 41 and 50 years. Eighty three percent of the population had attained primary education and were knowledgeable on sugarcane plant. Five sugarcane landraces were identified in the study. The landraces included ‘Buea sugarcane’, ‘Strong canda’, ‘Strong bark’, ‘Yellow cane’ and ‘Bakweri sugarcane’. These canes had varied uses ranging from food to medicine. The highest fidelity value was recorded by ‘Buea sugarcane’. There was genetic erosion of this plant due to lack of market, shortage of land, diseases and introduction of improved cash crops. The tendency of the uses of local sugarcanes in this study area point out that sugarcane plays a major role in the lives of the population. To minimize dangers of the emerging uses of sugarcane as biofuel and the threat to genetic erosion, the existing biodiversity needs to be conserved.
Abstract: Sugarcane is losing its diversity owing to the many uses including biofuel production and genetic erosion. This study was carried out to collect sugarcane germplasm in Western Cameroon and to identify their uses and possible genetic erosion. Information was gathered from selected villages in two agro-ecological zones in Western Cameroon. The data w...
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Gap Filling for a Human MHC Haplotype Sequence
Yuanwei Zhang,
Tao Zhang,
Zuhong Lu
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2016
Pages:
146-151
Received:
29 November 2016
Published:
1 December 2016
Abstract: The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is recognized as the most variable region in the human genome and has susceptibility to > 100 diseases. We constructed a complete MHC haplotype sequence of MCF cell line by gap filling based on whole genome sequencing (WGS) data. Gaps spanning ~ 1 Mb were filled and 31 genes were annotated in these gaps. This sequence could be used as reference to identify disease associations within this haplotype or similar haplotypes. The method for gap filling can be applied to other MHC haplotypes or other genomic region.
Abstract: The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is recognized as the most variable region in the human genome and has susceptibility to > 100 diseases. We constructed a complete MHC haplotype sequence of MCF cell line by gap filling based on whole genome sequencing (WGS) data. Gaps spanning ~ 1 Mb were filled and 31 genes were annotated in these gaps...
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Biological Potentials of Ginger Associated Streptomyces Compared with Ginger Essential Oil
Herivony Onja Andriambeloson,
Rado Rasolomampianina,
Rahanira Ralambondrahety,
Rigobert Andrianantenaina,
Marson Raherimandimby,
Fidèle Randriamiharisoa
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2016
Pages:
152-163
Received:
11 October 2016
Accepted:
25 October 2016
Published:
2 December 2016
Abstract: Medicinal plants and associated microorganisms are recognized to have beneficial relationship. These two organisms are well known for their ability to produce bioactive secondary metabolites which the similarity has been demonstrated in a few works. This study had for objective to assess biological potentials of actinomycetes isolated from ginger rhizomes and its rhizospheric soil and to determine their similarity and efficiency with ginger essential oil. Among the 63 actinomycetes strains isolated from the rhizomes and rhizospheric soils of two ginger countries plantations of Soavinandriana Itasy-Madagascar, biological activity tests showed that 16 strains (2 endophytes and 14 from rhizospheric soils of ginger) exhibited antimicrobial activity against at least one germ. The strains are more active against Gram+ bacteria and fungi than Gram- bacteria. Only, one strain isolated from ginger rhizospheric soil of the site n°2 (AHO 18) inhibited the development of all tests germs. The tests conducted on six representative strains selected on the basis of antimicrobial assay showed that extracts from the isolates AHO 3 and AHO 43 have strong antiproliferative activity on cells HT-20 (colon cancer) with IC50 values of 5µg/ml and 2,2μg/ml, respectively; strong antimalaria activity against the chloroquino-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain (IC50=1,25μg/ml for AHO 3 extract and 2,5<IC50<5µg/ml for AHO 43 extract) and antioxidant activity (IC50=15mg/ml for AHO 3 extract and 10,6mg/ml for AHO 43 extract). The 2 isolates based on phenotypic and molecular characterization using their 16S rRNA gene were identified as Streptomyces chrysomallus (isolate AHO 3) and Streptomyces sp (isolate AHO 43). Moreover, the two essential oils of ginger tested showed antimicrobial activity against all tests germs used and antioxidant activity. Only, ginger essential oil from the site n°2 exhibited moderate antiproliferative potential (IC50=14μg/ml) on colon cancer cells and high antiplasmodial activity (2,5<IC50<5µg/ml). Streptomyces sp showed similar and strong biological activities than those of ginger essential oil from the site n°2. Chemical screening of the Streptomyces sp extract and the essential oil H2 revealed the common presence of terpens and phenolic compounds.
Abstract: Medicinal plants and associated microorganisms are recognized to have beneficial relationship. These two organisms are well known for their ability to produce bioactive secondary metabolites which the similarity has been demonstrated in a few works. This study had for objective to assess biological potentials of actinomycetes isolated from ginger r...
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An Impact of the Trivedi Effect® - Biofield Energy Healing Based Herbomineral Formulation on Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Expression in Mouse Splenocytes
Mahendra Kumar Trivedi,
Alice Branton,
Dahryn Trivedi,
Gopal Nayak,
Ariadne Esmene Afaganis,
Barbara Marie Bader,
Brian A. Weekes,
Daphne Luisa Dumas,
Denise Marie Fiedler,
Dennille Mellesia Smith,
Desi Pano,
Donna Felice Galla,
Donna Maria Alija,
Elaine Barbara Mullins,
Elaine M. Scorza,
Ellia O'Donnell,
Fabio Massimo Paciucci,
Frances Goodman Warlick,
Haddon Norman Salt,
Inthirani Arul,
Jacqueline Y. Andrews,
James Jay McLeran,
James Stephen Burnett,
Jean Caroline White,
Mayank Gangwar,
Snehasis Jana
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2016
Pages:
164-174
Received:
18 November 2016
Accepted:
28 November 2016
Published:
8 December 2016
Abstract: Due to the increased popularity of herbomineral preparations in the healthcare sector, a new proprietary herbomineral formulation was formulated consisting of ashwagandha root extract and three minerals viz. zinc chloride, magnesium gluconate, and sodium selenate. The objective of the study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of Biofield Energy Healing (The Trivedi Effect®) on the test formulation using murine splenocyte cells. The herbomineral formulation was divided into two parts; one defined as the control, while the other part was treated with the Biofield Energy Healing Treatment performed from a remote distance by twenty renowned Biofield Energy Healers (The Trivedi Effect®) and defined as the Biofield Treated formulation. The splenocyte cells were exposed to test formulations at concentration from 0.00001053 to 10.53 µg/mL and were analyzed after 48 hours for cell viability using MTT assay. The expression of the cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and MIP-1α) was determined using ELISA assay. The cell viability data showed that all the tested concentration ranges were found to be safe with percentage cell viability at more than 80%. Further, TNF-α expression was significantly inhibited in the Biofield Treated test formulation group with respect to the vehicle control, while at 0.001053 and 0.1053 µg/mL, the expression was suppressed by 1.70% and 8.16%, respectively in the Biofield Treated test formulation compared to the untreated formulation. However, a significant immunosuppression was reported in IFN-γ expression at 0.00001053, 0.0001053, 0.01053, 0.1053, and 1.053 µg/mL by 12.63%, 2.31%, 8.31%, 9.15%, and 7.86%, respectively in the Biofield Treated test formulation compared with the untreated test formulation. The MIP-1α expression was inhibited by 8.31%, 21.53%, and 8.70% at 0.0001053, 0.01053, and 0.1053 µg/mL, respectively in the Biofield Treated formulation compared with the untreated test formulation. However, IL-1β expression was significantly suppressed by 19.72% at concentration 0.00001053 µg/mL in the Biofield Treated test formulation compared with the untreated test formulation. Thus, the down-regulation of tested cytokines and chemokines in the Biofield Energy Healing test formulation might be applicable for controlling acute and chronic inflammation in many clinical diseases. Overall, the results demonstrated that The Trivedi Effect®- Biofield Energy Healing (TEBEH) has the capacity to potentiate the immunomodulatory activity of the test formulation, which can be useful against autoimmune disorders. Biofield Treated Test formulation may also be useful in anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, stress management and in preventing immune-mediated tissue damage in organ transplants by improving overall health and quality of life.
Abstract: Due to the increased popularity of herbomineral preparations in the healthcare sector, a new proprietary herbomineral formulation was formulated consisting of ashwagandha root extract and three minerals viz. zinc chloride, magnesium gluconate, and sodium selenate. The objective of the study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of Biofield Energy Hea...
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Genetic Diversity of Nigella sativa from Different Geographies Using RAPD Markers
Sudhir S. P.,
Alagappan Kumarappan,
Jainendra Malakar,
H. N. Verma
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2016
Pages:
175-180
Received:
8 October 2016
Accepted:
10 November 2016
Published:
12 December 2016
Abstract: Nigella sativa is one of the important commercial medicinal herbs. It is extensively used in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. It is used in various medicinal, food and cosmetic preparations. It is proved to be anti-diabetic, anti-allergic, anti-cancer, antibacterial, antioxidant (free radical scavenger), anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory agent. The medicinal value of Nigella sativa seed is linked to its rich chemical contents, which is significantly influenced by geographical location, environmental conditions, and genetic makeup. In this study, the genetic diversity of Nigella sativa plant using RAPD markers was investigated. The samples were collected from various geographies like India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey. Plant DNA was extracted using Norgen's Plant/Fungi DNA Isolation Kit. 20 different Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers were used to study the polymorphism in amplified bands among the 8 DNA samples of Nigella sativa from different geographies. Out of 20 RAPD primer used, 8 RAPD primers had provided amplification during PCR and scorable bands on 1.5 % agarose gel electrophoresis. Common DNA bands or fragments present in all accessions were not included in data as they are of a non-informative type. Only unambiguous and scorable polymorphic fragments were taken into consideration for analysis. The polymorphic bands were scored as 1 (as present) and 0 (as absent). Using UPGMA (unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages) and similarity coefficients, the relationships among the accessions were established. Based on the UPGMA method, the dendrogram divided the eight accessions into 4 clusters. Cluster 1 consisted of accessions S1 (India) and S2 (Pakistan) with a minute diversity of 0.101. Cluster 2 consisted of accessions S4 (Saudi Arabia), S6 (Syria) and S8 (Tunisia) along with S7 (Turkey) accession with minute genetic deviation. Cluster 3 consisted of accession S3 (Egypt). Cluster 4 consisted of accession S5 (Oman). Accession S3 (Egypt) and S5 (Oman) shown high genetic variations from other accession under study. The dendrogram indicated that there is significant impact of geographies on genetic diversity of Nigella sativa accession tested. This genetic diversity enables the Nigella sativa to adapt itself to varied environmental conditions in these geographies. The information on genetic diversity can further be linked to active medicinal compounds of the Nigella sativa seed. This could be very useful for the selection of germplasm resource for breeding and commercial sourcing.
Abstract: Nigella sativa is one of the important commercial medicinal herbs. It is extensively used in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. It is used in various medicinal, food and cosmetic preparations. It is proved to be anti-diabetic, anti-allergic, anti-cancer, antibacterial, antioxidant (free radical scavenger), anti-inflammatory, and immunomo...
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Effect of Biomaterial Treatments on the Storage Stability and Quality of Cowpea
Joseph Shian Alakali,
Ignatius Chukwuemeka Alaka,
Patience Dooshima Nomji
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2016
Pages:
181-186
Received:
7 October 2016
Accepted:
26 October 2016
Published:
12 December 2016
Abstract: The insecticidal effect of four biomaterials namely, Garlic (Al. sativum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Black pepper (Piper guineese L.) and Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citrates Staph) leaf powders, applied at 10% and 5% concentration on Cowpea grains against the Cowpea weevils (Callosobruchus maculatus fab.) were evaluated after 42 days. Their effectiveness at both dosages on proximate composition, grain damage, progeny development, grain loss and frass weight were determined. Use of the biomaterials showed good retention of some nutrients like protein and fat and did not adversely affect the other nutritional parameters. The carbohydrate values of treated samples were slightly lower (54.47 – 58.55%) for 10% and (54.56 – 59.53) for 5%. than the control (60.83 – 61.24). There was no significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in the ash contents among biomaterials. The biomaterials showed effective control of cowpea seed damage, weevil perforation index, progeny development, and weight loss and frass weight. These effects were more at 10% concentration than at 5%. Their efficacy in order of effectiveness are as follows black pepper > ginger > garlic > lemon grass. The biomaterials, especially black pepper and ginger are good alternative to the use of chemicals for preservation of cowpea.
Abstract: The insecticidal effect of four biomaterials namely, Garlic (Al. sativum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Black pepper (Piper guineese L.) and Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citrates Staph) leaf powders, applied at 10% and 5% concentration on Cowpea grains against the Cowpea weevils (Callosobruchus maculatus fab.) were evaluated after 42 days. Their effect...
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Diversity of Yam (Dioscorea spp.) Populations in South Western Region of Cameroon
Joseph Ako Oben,
Andrew Enow Egbe,
George Bindeh Chuyong,
Pascal Tabi Tabot
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2016
Pages:
187-194
Received:
15 November 2016
Accepted:
28 November 2016
Published:
6 January 2017
Abstract: Yams are Dioscoreaceae grown in the tropics and sub-tropics and used as food and for related pharmaceutical properties. The South Western Region of Cameroon is a major yam producing zone. This study which evaluates morphological variability between ten linguistically different yam types grown in South Western Cameroon will serve as a necessary step for subsequent genetic study of the species. The yams, collected from nine sites, were planted in a completely randomized design in four locations. Analysis of data on nine morphological vines traits reveals that, the yam types constituted five main clusters. Cluster 1 with 61.3% similarity consists of five accessions of D. rotundata - Ikom, Calabar, White, Agar and Igbo yams. This cluster has three sub-groups with 84.9% similarity. Cluster 2 consists of Yellow yam (D. cayenensis) with 48.5% similarity to members of Cluster 1. Ghana Water yam and Swệt yam constitute Cluster 3 with 83.4% similarity while Sugar yam and Water yam constitute the 4th and 5th clusters respectively. The ten yam types are actually five cultigens –rotundata, rotundata-cayenensis complex, cayenensis, dumetorum and alata; and the significant variability (P<0.05) observed with respect to the morphological characters evaluated may be the basis for the linguistic polymorphism noticed in the naming of the different yam types. Although genetic analysis is recommended to determine firm similarities, the establishment of clear links remains problematic because of the high hybridisation noticed among members of the Dioscoreaceae; and considering that yams types were introduced in the zone from different lands over many centuries.
Abstract: Yams are Dioscoreaceae grown in the tropics and sub-tropics and used as food and for related pharmaceutical properties. The South Western Region of Cameroon is a major yam producing zone. This study which evaluates morphological variability between ten linguistically different yam types grown in South Western Cameroon will serve as a necessary step...
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An Ethnobotanical Study of Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw) Cheesman) in Angacha Woreda, Kembata-Tembaro Zone, South Region, Ethiopia
Ashenafi Ayenew,
Abiyselassie Mulatu,
Bruk Lemma,
Demissie Girma
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2016
Pages:
195-204
Received:
8 November 2016
Accepted:
10 December 2016
Published:
12 January 2017
Abstract: An ethnobotanical study was conducted on enset (Ensete ventrcosum (Welw.) Cheesman) in Angacha Woreda, Kembata Tembaro Zone, South Region, Ethiopia. The study was aimed at documenting indigenous knowledge and practices on use and conservation of enset local varieties in South Region, Ethiopia. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews, discussion, direct field observation, preference ranking, direct matrix ranking and paired comparison techniques. A total of 154 locally known enset local varieties were documented. Nine enset local varieties (‘Sisqela’, ‘Geshera’, ‘Direbo’, ‘Leqaqa’, ‘Sebera’, ‘Ongame’, ‘Gembewa’, ‘Abatmerza’ and ‘Sheleqe’) were found to be the most popular local varieties, cited by more than 80% of the key informants. Direct matrix ranking showed that ‘Ongame’, ‘Direbo’ and ‘Sisqela’ as the top most culturally important enset local varieties. Diversification was found to be the traditional management and conservation strategy of the local people. Sixty two percent of the key informants cultivated and maintained about 15-56 enset local varieties to meet with their diversified demands (nutritional, fiber, fermentative quality, high yield and disease and drought resistance). The results in the present study indicate that the local people in the study areas have a rich knowledge on use, management and conservation of enset local varieties. Therefore, in situ conservation of enset local varieties in association with their uses should be encouraged and strengthened to ensure sustainable use of this multi-purpose plant.
Abstract: An ethnobotanical study was conducted on enset (Ensete ventrcosum (Welw.) Cheesman) in Angacha Woreda, Kembata Tembaro Zone, South Region, Ethiopia. The study was aimed at documenting indigenous knowledge and practices on use and conservation of enset local varieties in South Region, Ethiopia. The data were collected using semi-structured interview...
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