African Journal of Virology Research

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 2756-3413 Vol. 14 (8), pp. 001-005, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of new generation maize steak virus (MSV) resistant maize varieties for adaptation to a southern guinea savanna ecology of Nigeria

G. Olaoye

Department of Agronomy, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 17 May, 2020

Abstract

Five new generations of maize streak virus (MSV) resistant varieties were evaluated along with two checks in replicated trials and for two years in a Southern Guinea Savanna Ecology of Nigeria, which is an endemic zone for the disease. Difference in grain yield between favourable growing season in 2002 and unfavourable season in 2001 was 1.68 t/ha^-1, representing 30.2% yield increase of 2001 performance. Results further showed that while both rust and streak diseases appeared to have been put in check, the genotypes showed slight susceptibility to leaf blight and curvularia leaf spot, ranging from 5-7 and 4-8%, respectively. Genotypic differences were significant for grain yield, agronomic traits as well as incidences of leaf blight and curvularia leaf spot. Acr 91 Suwan-1-SR C₁ was the most productive of new generations of MSV resistant varieties, having yielded significantly higher than OPV check by 32% and comparable with the hybrid check for grain yield. The variety could therefore serve as replacement to existing cultivar and also as source of genes for future maize breeding activities in the development of superior maize varieties for the southern guinea savanna ecology.

Key words: Zea mays L., genotypes, grain yield, leaf diseases, adaptation.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 2756-3413 Vol. 14 (8), pp. 001-007, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Multiple inflammatory and antiviral activities in Adansonia digitata (Baobab) leaves, fruits and seeds

Vimalanathan Selvarani and Hudson James B.*

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Accepted 14 July, 2020

Abstract

Adansonia digitata (Baobab) is a traditional African medicinal plant with numerous applications, including treatment of symptoms of infectious diseases. Standardized commercial preparations of Adansonia digitata leaves, fruit-pulp and seeds were acquired and extracted with three different solvents, water, methanol and DMSO. The extracts were compared quantitatively for antiviral MIC₁₀₀ (minimal inhibitory concentration) values against influenza virus, herpes simplex virus and respiratory syncytial virus and for their effects on cytokine secretion (IL-6 and IL-8) in human epithelial cell cultures. The leaf extracts had the most potent antiviral properties, especially the DMSO extracts and influenza virus was the most susceptible virus. Pulp and seed extracts were less active but significant. Cytotoxic activities were only evident at much higher concentrations of extract. Several of the extracts, especially leaf extracts, were also active as cytokine modulators, some being pro-inflammatory and others being anti-inflammatory. The results overall indicated the presence of multiple bioactive compounds in different parts of the plant and these activities could explain some of the medical benefits attributed to traditional leaf and pulp preparations, in the treatment of infectious diseases and inflammatory conditions.

Key words: Adansonia digitata, Baobab, antiviral, inflammatory, cytokines.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 2756-3413 Vol. 14 (7), pp. 001-004, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Review 

Plant retroviruses: structure, evolution and future applications

Essam A. Zaki^*

Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Research Institute, GEBRI, Research Area, Borg El Arab, Post Code 21934, Alexandria, Egypt.

Accepted 20 May 2020

Abstract

Retroelements, which replicate by reverse transcription, have been detected in higher plants, higher animals, fungi, insects and bacteria. They have been classified into viral retroelements, eukaryotic chromosomal non-viral retroelements and bacterial chromosomal retroelements. Until recently, retroviruses were thought to be restricted to vertebrates. Plant sequencing projects revealed that plant genomes contain retroviral-like sequences. This review aims to address the structure and evolution of plant retroviruses. In addition, it proposes future applications for these important key components of plant genomes.

Key words: Interspecies gene flow, plant genes vectors, plant retroviruses, retroelements, sequence divergence, transgenic plants.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 2756-3413 Vol. 14 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Genetic variability and relatedness of the Asian and African pigeon pea as revealed by AFLP

S. Wasike, P. Okori*, and P.R. Rubaihayo

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Makerere University P.O. Box 7062 Kampala, Uganda.

Accepted  21 February, 2020

Abstract 

Amplified fragment length polymorphism was used to study genetic variability and relatedness between African and Asian pigeon pea cultivars. Forty-one samples, 32 African and 9 Asian varieties were subjected to the analyses. The genetic data was subjected to phenetic and analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA). Phenetic analysis revealed no major clusters and indicated limited genetic variability among the samples. AMOVA at continent wide hierarchical level, revealed a significantly weak population structure (φF _ST = 0.05, P= 0.001) and Fishers’ exact tests (P<0.05) provided no support for population differentiation. AMOVA based on treating the cultivars as samples from a panmictic population revealed a stronger genetic structure (φF_ST = 0.09, P= 0.001). Estimates of average gene diversity were not significantly different among samples but were relatively higher for Indian samples. This study suggests that East Africa pigeon peas are closely related but less genetically diverse than Indian cultivars, which could also serve as source of novel traits for the latter. The study also demonstrated that AFLP is a suitable tool for DNA fingerprinting and genetic studies of pigeon pea.

Key words: AMOVA, Cajanus cajan, genetic diversity, genetic structure.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 2756-3413 Vol. 14 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic tree of lactobacillus species from the vagina of healthy Nigerian women

Kingsley C. Anukam^{1, 2, 4}*, Emmanuel O. Osazuwa², Ijeoma Ahonkhai² and Gregor Reid^1,3

¹Canadian Research & Development Centre for Probiotics, Lawson Health Research Institute, 268 Grosvenor St.,London, Ontario Canada.

²Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy University of Benin, Nigeria.

³Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.

⁴Chidak Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, 200 M.M. Way, Benin City, Nigeria.

Accepted 23 May, 2020

Abstract

Lactobacilli are ubiquitous in nature and in humans they play a very significant role in the general health maintenance of the host. Identification of lactobacilli has previously been based on culture-dependent methods and recently molecular techniques involving gene sequencing are now the ‘gold standard’. Scarce information exists in Africa on the real identity of Lactobacillus species, albeit phylogenetic distances among the species present in the human vagina. In this study, 185 vaginal swabs were collected from healthy premenopausal women (18 to 48 years). Bacterial DNA was extracted, amplified using PCR, with group specific Lactobacillus primers, and processed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Phylogenetic tree was constructed with the sequences of the V2-V3 region of 16S rRNA gene. Results show two distinct divisions among the Lactobacillus species. The study presents a new understanding of the nature of the Lactobacillus vaginal microbiota of women in Nigeria, which may lead to the design of probiotic-lactobacilli for biotherapy.

Key words: Lactobacilli, gene sequence, phylogenetic tree, human vagina, Nigerian women.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 2756-3413 Vol. 14 (6), pp. 001-007, June, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The alcoholic fermentative efficiency of indigenous yeast strains of different origin on orange juice

Wahab. O. Okunowo*, Rufus. O. Okotore and Akinniyi. A Osuntoki

Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos. P.M.B. 12003. Lagos. Nigeria.

Accepted 24 March, 2020

Abstract

The alcoholic fermentative ability of yeast strains; Saccharomyces cerevisiae (isolated from yam), S. cerevisiae (from sugarcane molasses), S. carlsbergensis (from sugarcane molasses) and S. cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus (from orange juice) were examined on orange juice (Citrus sinensis). The quality of the wine produced on the basis of the acidity, ash content, vitamin C and the alcohol content were assayed. The fermentation efficiency varied between 48.05% with S. cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus and 99.46% with S. carlsbergensis. The highest ethanol concentration, yield and productivity were 6.80 ± 0.07% (w/v), 0.46 gg^-1 and 0.57g l-1h^-1, respectively. The rate of sugar utilization was least, (2.76 g/day) with S. carlsbergensis and highest (3.07 g/day) with S. cerevisiae from yam. The total alcohol produced was least (3.19 ± 0.21%, w/v) with S. cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus and highest (6.80 ± 0.07%, w/v) with S. carlsbergensis. The optimum pH ranged between 3.81 for S. cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus and 3.71 for S. cerevisiae (from yam). The Vitamin C level was highest (9.02 mg/100 g) with S. cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus and lowest (6.65 mg/100 g) with S. carlsbergensis.

Key words: Saccharomyces, yeast strains, fermentation, orange wine.