African Journal of Virology Research

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 001-003, January, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Isolation and molecular detection of Plesiomonas shigelloides containing tetA gene from Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) in a Korean aquarium

Jin Woo Jun¹, Ji Hyung Kim¹, Casiano H. Choresca Jr.¹, Sang Phil Shin¹, Jee Eun Han¹, Dal Sang Jeong² and Se Chang Park^1*

¹Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea.

²Department of Aquaculture, Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hwaseong 445-760, Republic of Korea.

Accepted 19 November, 2010

Abstract

An Asian arowana (dragonfish; Scleropages formosus) that had been reared for public exhibition in a private commercial aquarium in Seoul Korea was recently found dead. A bacterial pathogen was cultured from the fish’s kidney, identified, and confirmed as Plesiomonas shigelloides, using a Vitek System^®2, PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolated strain proved resistant to commercial antibiotics and the presence of the tetracycline resistance gene (tetA) was detected via genetic analysis. In this paper, we have described the isolation and identification of P. shigelloides from an Asian arowana reared in a private aquarium in Korea.

Key words: Asian arowana (dragonfish; Scleropages formosus), Plesiomonas shigelloides, tetracycline resistance gene (tetA).

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Biodegradation of low density polyethylene (LDPE) by fungi isolated from marine water– a SEM analysis

R. Pramila and K. Vijaya Ramesh*

Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Quaid-e-Millath, Government College for Women, Chennai -600 002, India.

Accepted 26 August, 20110

Abstract

Fungi, isolated from sea water, were subjected to growth in a medium containing low density polyethylene (LDPE) as the sole carbon source with and without yeast extract. Increasing fresh weight of the fungi in the medium supplemented with LDPE after regular time intervals gave the evidence that the fungi were utilizing LDPE as the carbon source. Further confirmation of LDPE utilization was carried out by the Sturm test where the degradation was attributed to the amount of carbon dioxide evolved during the growth period. The two fungi that showed good growth in medium supplemented with LDPE proved to degrade LDPE with higher efficiency in earlier reported results Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis of the fungal treated LDPE films provided a solid evidence of biodegradation. Fungi were identified as Aspergillus spp. LDPE degradation is a severe environmental crisis in the world and we have proved that microorganisms can be used for bioremediation in this line.

Key words: Biodegradation, low density polyethylene (LDPE), Aspergillus, marine fungi, Sturm test.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 4 (12), pp. 001-005, December, 2010. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus inoculum production in rice plants

Tanzima Yeasmin*, Parmita Zaman, Ataur Rahman, Nurul Absar and Nurus Saba Khanum

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Rajshahi.Rajshahi-6205. Bangladesh.

Accepted 21 June 2007

Abstract

Mangifera indica showed highest percentage (100%) of mycorrhizal colonization in Rajshahi University Campus, Bangladesh that was used as a stock plant in pot culture experiment. These root pieces have the ability to serve as a source of mycorrhizal inoculum for crop plants. After using mycorrhizal inoculum, the soil nutrients as well as root colonization for rice plants were greatly affected. Soil nutrients were increased (nitrogen-0.03 times and phosphorus 8 times compared to sterile soil), whereas the percentage of rice roots colonization of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) was also increased 9 times after mycorrhizal inoculation. Mycorrhizal enrichment greatly improved the soil nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus as well as growth of rice plants.

Key words: Arbuscular mycorrhiza, rice, soil phosphorus, nitrogen.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 4 (11), pp. 001-004, November, 2010. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Fungal contaminants of the oil palm tissue culture in Nigerian institute for oil palm research (NIFOR)

I. B. Omamor, A.O. Asemota, C. R. Eke and E. I. Eziashi*

Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Plant Pathology Division, P.M.B. 1030, Benin City, Edo State. Nigeria.

Accepted 14 July, 2010

Abstract

Twenty-five species of fungi belonging to 14 genera were identified as fungal contaminants of the oil palm tissue culture materials (explant, callus/embroid and plantlets). Of these genera Penicillium sp. occurred most frequently (40.8%), followed by Curvularia sp. (14.5%) Cladosporium sp. (13.4%), Aspergillus sp. (10.1%), Acremonium, Fusarium and Alternaria spp. (4.5%) respectively. Rhizopus (3.4%), Trichoderma, Pestalotia and Helminthosporium spp. (1.1%) respectively. Paecilomyces, Dreschlera and Pythium spp. were the least frequents (0.6%) respectively. These fungal species were found to cause death of the culture material. Some probable sources of contaminations such as handling of plant materials, culture vessels and the laboratory were discussed.

Key words: Fungal contaminants, oil palm tissue culture.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 4 (10), pp. 001-006, October, 2010. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Study of fungal diseases on medicinal plants of Betul forest with mycotaxonomic treatment

Arief Gangadhar Tilak*, Sandhi Armrett, Vallabhbhai D. E. and Singh Chopra

Department of Botany, Microbiology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. H.S. Gour University, Sagar (M.P.) 470 003, India.

Accepted 15 June, 2010

Abstract

Medicinal plants are widely used for treatment of diseases all over the world. According to world health organization report, about 80% of the world populations are taking interest in indigenous medicinal plants remedies. During frequent surveys for phytoparasitic foliicolous microfungi, interesting specimens were collected from Betul forest division of Madhya Pradesh, which upon detailed examination proved to be undescribed fungal taxa of hyphomycetes, namely, Spiropes celastracearum sp.nov. and Ulocladium verruculosa sp.nov., infecting the leaves of Elaeodendron glaucum Pers. (Celastraceae) and Bauhinia purpurea L. (Fabaceae) respectively. These have been compared with their allied taxa for showing their distinct identity.

Key words: Medicinal plant, Fungal diseases, hyphomycetes, mycotaxonomy, Spiropes celastracearum, Ulocladium verruculose.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 4 (9), pp. 001-004, September, 2010. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Mycological evaluation of a ground cocoa-based beverage

T.O. Oyetunji

Department of Microbiology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, PMB 2002, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria.

Accepted 04 July, 2008

Abstract

Cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao) are processed into cocoa beverage through fermentation, drying, roasting and grounding of the seed to powder. The mycological quality of 39 samples of different brand of these cocoa – based beverage referred to as ‘eruku oshodi’ collected from 3 different markets in south – west Nigeria was determined by serial dilution using the pour plate method on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and Harold agar. The most frequent genera of moulds in the samples investigated were Aspergillus and Mucor with each having an incidence of 43.6%. The other moulds recovered in decreasing order of occurrence were Rhizopus (23.1%), Penicillium (18.0%) and Mycelia sterilia (18.0%). The yeast recovered was mainly Saccharomyces. The health implications of the isolated fungi were highlighted thus calling for improved hygienic practices in production of the beverages.

Key words: Ground cocoa-based beverages, moulds, yeast.