African Journal of Virology Research

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 9 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Production, purification and partial characterization of lipase from Trichoderma Viride

M. Akram Kashmiri, Ahmad Adnan* and Beenish Waseem Butt

Department of Chemistry, G C University, Lahore, Pakistan

Accepted 14 February, 2015

Abstract

A new strain of lipolytic Trichoderma viride was isolated from the soil on a selective medium that contained olive oil as the only source of carbon and energy. The isolated strain was cultivated for lipase production in shake flasks at 30±1^oC and the fermentation pattern was studied. The maximum extracellular lipase activity of 7.3 U/mL and the maximum intracellular activity of 320 U/g mycelium were noted after 48 h. Although maximum fungal biomass was present at 13.6 g/L at 60 h but highest specific growth rate was observed between 6 and 18 h. The extracellular lipase present in the broth was purified 134-folds with an overall yield of 46% through purification procedure of ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion exchange and gel permeation chromatography. The K_m value of the purified enzyme for triolein hydrolysis was found to be 1.229 m.mole/L.

Key words: Fermentation, specific growth rate, fungal lipases, Michaelis constant, yield.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 9 (4), pp. 001-004, April, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation for the retention of reproductive structures by Bt and non-Bt intra hirsutum cotton hybrids in different sowing dates and spacings

S.L. Ahuja

Central Institute for Cotton Research, Regional Station, Sirsa, Haryana 125 055, India. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 09 January, 2015

Abstract 

The retention of the reproductive structures (bolls) was evaluated at 90,120 and 160 days of maturity in eight Bt and non-Bt hybrids from three Private R&D establishments on three dates of sowings (90,120 and 160 days of maturity) and two spacings of 67.5 x 60 cm and 100 x 30 cm. Ankur group Bt hybrids; 651, 2226 and 2534 had reproductive structures retentivity higher than their non-Bt counterpart hybrids in all the three sowings and spacings. However, RCH group Bt hybrids; 134 and 138 had lesser/comparable boll retentivity in first two observations at 90 and 120 days in the earliest and the next sowing. In the last sowing with wider inter row spacing their trend was similar to Ankur group hybrids in the first sowing. MRC 6301 also behaved like RCH group hybrids. Bt hybrids of all the three establishments had more reproductive structure retentivity than their non-Bt hybrids counterparts in early, closer inter row and wider intra row sowing except for Bt hybrid RCH134 which had the highest bearing in the late sowing with wider inter row and closer intra row spacing. Association study indicated similar trend of boll bearing in Bt and non-Bt hybrids in early sowing and this trend seems to be reverse in later sowings.

Key words: Bt hybrids, Gossypium hirsutum non-Bt hybrids, reproductive structure, spacings.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 9 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Azide-based mutagenesis suppresses Striga hermonthica seed germination and parasitism on maize varieties

S. Kiruki*, L .A. Onek and M. Limo

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, P. O Box 536 Njoro, Kenya.

Accepted 11 January, 2015

Abstract

Small-scale farmers currently produce more than 90% of the maize grown in Kenya. However, the parasitic weed, Striga hermonthica has become a menace because it is a widespread parasitic weed causing severe damages to major cereals like maize and sorghum. Mutant lines of maize were created in the laboratory using sodium azide (NaN₃) and their performance in respect to the degree of Striga resistance screened. The presence of active chemical stimulants in the root exudate was further investigated. This is the first report on mutagenic conversion of Striga-susceptible to Striga-resistant maize varieties (K9908, K9910 and K9911). Stable performances of the new varieties have been demonstrated in Striga-infested fields in western Kenya by agronomic researchers.

Key words: Azide-based mutagenesis, biochemical characterisation, Striga hermonthica.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-003, March, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An endophytic Taxol-producing fungus BT2 isolated from Taxus chinensis var. mairei

B.H. Guo¹, Y.C. Wang¹, X.W. Zhou¹, K. Hu², F. Tan², Z.Q. Miao¹ and K.X. Tang^{1, 3*}

¹Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Plant Biotechnology Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Fudan-SJTU-Nottingham Plant Biotechnology R&D Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China.

²School of Life Science and Technology, Southwest Normal University, Chongqing 400715, P.R.China.

³State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan-SJTU-Nottingham Plant Biotechnology R&D Center, Morgan-Tan International Center for Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China.

Accepted 21 October, 2014

Abstract

BT2, a newly isolated endophytic fungus from Taxus chinensis var. mairei, was observed to produce Taxol. Besides Taxol, a potent anticancer drug, BT2 could also yield taxane baccatin III, which was an important intermediate for Taxol and semi-synthesis of Taxol in industry. The isolation of such a fungus may provide a promising alterative approach to produce Taxol, and BT2 can serve as a potential material for fungus engineering to improve Taxol production.

Key words: Baccatin III, endophytic fungus, Taxol, Taxus chinensis var. mairei.

Key words: Biostimulant, fertilizer, amaranthus.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 9 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Optimising oral systems for the delivery of therapeutic proteins and peptides

Ikhuoria M. Arhewoh, Edith I. Ahonkhai and Augustine O. Okhamafe

Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City 300001. Nigeria.

Accepted 19 October, 2014

Abstract

Therapeutic proteins/peptides are mostly administered as parenteral (injectable) preparations as a result of their poor oral bioavailability which is due to degradation by proteolytic enzymes, poor membrane permeability and large molecular size. However, the oral route would be preferred to the parenteral administration because it is more convenient for self-administration, non-invasive and more patient friendly. Consequently, efforts have intensified over the past two decades to maximize the extent of absorption of protein and peptide drugs in order to achieve optimum bioavailability via the oral route. A suitable oral delivery system should retain the drug and maintain its integrity until it gets to the region of maximum absorption where the protein/peptide is released. It would be advantageous for such a delivery system to be capable of attaching itself to the absorptive cells in that region during the course of drug release by means of specific interactions with the tissue components. Furthermore, movement of drug should be independent of prevailing factors in the gut during passage. This review examines the various efforts and strategies that have been used to pursue the goals of effective oral peptide delivery, progress made so far, as well as current trends and future prospects. Relevant issues and phenomena such as membrane permeability control, intestinal absorption, paracellular pathway and targeting have also been discussed.

Key words: Protein and peptide delivery, delivery systems, oral administration, targeting, intestinal absorption.