African Journal of Agriculture

African Journal of Agriculture Vol. 1 (3), pp. 028-029, September, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
 
Short Communication

Preservative property of Aframomum danielli fractions in stored grains

Fasoyiro S. B.

Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, P.M.B. 5029, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 8 June, 2013

Abstract

The use of petroleum ether and ethanol fractions of Aframomoum danielli was explored in the preservation of stored grains; soybean, cowpea and maize. Preservation property of A. danielli increased with increase in concentration of fractions used. The ethanolic fractions showed higher activity in reducing fungal infestation than petroleum ether fractions.

Key words: Preservative property, Aframomoum danielli, stored grains.

African Journal of Agriculture Vol. 1 (3), pp. 024-027, September, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
 
Full Length Research Paper

Aerobic dehalogenation activities of two petroleum degrading bacteria

¹*Igbinosa O. Etinosa, ²Ajisebutu O. Stella and ¹Okoh I. Anthony

¹Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice, 5700 South Africa.

² Department of Microbiology Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +2348028319562.

Accepted 31 June, 2013

Abstract

Two petroleum degrading bacteria were screened for 2,4-dichlorophenyacetic acid (2,4-D) degrading abilities and assessed for their dechlorination potentials. The bacterial isolates were previously identified to be Corynebacterium sp. (SOGU16) and Achromobacter sp. (SOGU11). Axenic cultures of the isolates metabolise 2,4-D as the sole source of carbon and energy. The optimum pH for dioxygenase specific activities was between 7.6 and 8.0 and the optimum temperature was between 30 and 35°C. The cell-free extracts of the cultures in the 2,4- D demonstrated biological degradation of the 2,4-D compound. The observations made in this study are sufficient to conclude that the isolates obtained have reasonable potentials for application in bioremediation of both petroleum and 2, 4-D contaminated sites.

Key words: 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic, bioremediation, petroleum degraders.

African Journal of Agriculture Vol. 1 (2), pp. 022-023, August, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
 
Short Communication

Physico- chemical characterization and cytotoxicity studies of seed extracts of Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A.   Juss.

R.  G. Ayo¹, O. T. Audu² and J. O. Amupitan²

¹Samaru College of Agriculture, Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

²Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +2348036371606.

Accepted 22 May, 2013

Abstract

The seeds of Khaya senegalensis were extracted using petroleum ether and methanol with the aim of determining the physico-chemical properties of the seed oil and the cytotoxicity of the two extracts. The refractive index of the oil was found to be 1.458, while the relative density was 0.953. The iodine and saponification values were 88.40 and 195.58, respectively. The peroxide and acid values were 4.6 and 2.69, respectively. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay of petroleum ether and methanol extracts of the seeds showed that the extracts were moderately cytotoxic at high concentration. The LC₅₀ values using Probit analysis method for petroleum ether and methanol extracts were 827.39 and 51.79 µg/ml, respectively. Therefore, the seed oil of K. senegalensis was found to be non-drying oil and the extracts from the seeds may contain bioactive compounds of potential therapeutic and prophylactic significance.

Key words: Khaya senegalensis, Meliaceae, physico-chemical characteristics, seed oil, cytotoxicity.