Seed protein electrophoresis of some members of the family fabaceae

Seed storage protein profiles of 10 members of the family Fabaceae were assessed using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Total seed storage protein of the studied plants resolved on 10% SDS polyacrylamide gels showed variations in their banding pattern. Results of SDS-PAGE pattern also revealed a band common to all the plant species studied which suggests that this band could be tagged as generic band among members of Fabaceae. The maximum genetic affinity of 0.93 was observed between Vigna subterranea and Arachis hypogaea, while minimum genetic affinity of 0.32 was observed between Senna siamea and Albizia lebbeck which further reveal wide genetic diversity among the studied plant species. This observation also suggested that V. subterranea (Bambara groundnut) and A. hypogaea (groundnut) are genetically very close and should be put together taxonomically. Nineteen (19) major bands were recorded and only S. siamea had two specific bands which indicate that these two bands could be used to distinguish this species from other legumes considered in this study. It could be concluded that SDS-protein electrophoresis is an important tool for genetic analysis and this protocol has revealed a considerable amount of genetic diversity among the 10 studied plant species for their discrimination.Keywords: Fabaceae, sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), storage protein, genetic affinity, electrophoresisAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(31) 3730-373

Proximate analysis of some dry season vegetables in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

Vegetable is a vital component of human diet that should be eaten all year round, but they are scarce during dry season in Anyigba community in Kogi State, Nigeria. Available dry season vegetables suchas the leaves of Manihot esculentum (Cassava), Piper guineese (Oziza), Chromolena odorata (Akintola), Solanum melanogaster (Garden egg) and Voandzeia subteranea (Babara-nut), are either not acceptedas conventional vegetable or they are classified as non edible leaves from neighboring States. This study compared the nutrient content of these vegetables with that of Telfaria occidendalis (Ugwu). Theresult of the sensory evaluation carried out showed that T. occidendalis had sensory evaluation mean value of 6.28, which was statistically significantly different (P = 0.001) when compared with the meanvalue of S. melanogaster (5.64). The highest mean value from the sensory evaluation was recorded in C. odorata (6.44). However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the mean values of the sensory evaluation of M. esculentum, P. guineese, C. odorata and V. subteranea (6.02, 6.22, 6.44 and 6.10 mean values respectively) when compared with that of T. occidentalis (6.28). In the proximate chemicalanalyses, it was observed that M. esculentum and C. odorata contained higher protein (29.30 and 32.40%, respectively), than T. occidentalis (13.33%). Also, the Carbohydrate content of P. guineese andV. subteranea (77.17 and 89.42% respectively) was higher than that of T. occidendalis (63.64%). M. esculentum, C. odorata, P. guineese and V. subteranea are recommended as edible vegetables