Cloning and sequence analysis of the nucleotide-binding domain of an α-glucan, water dikinase gene from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

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Adapting the Study of Chemistry in Senior Secondary Schools in the Gambia to Cost-Reducing Strategies

In an attempt to elaborate the concept of cost reduction, the researchers tried to explain why the judicious application of expendables and the need to miniaturize experimental models should be introduced in schools, embellishing and drawing examples from relevant literature materials. The researchers further explored, through a survey, the perception of Gambian based teachers on the extent to which their experience and qualification had influenced their judicious use of expendables. And, through an experimental study, the researchers compared the learning outcome derived from student learners who were taught chemistry by the conventional macro model on the one hand with their equivalent counterparts taught the same chemistry concepts by the micro model on the other hand. In the survey design; three research questions were answered and three hypotheses tested while in the experimental design two research questions were answered and one hypothesis tested. By means of multi-stage random sampling techniques, samples of 100 chemistry teachers and 200 senior chemistry students were used for the study. A questionnaire validated and reliably determined with a composition of 27 items was administered to the chemistry teachers, while a standardized test of ten items was also administered to two equivalent groups of 100 chemistry students each taught by the macro and micro models, respectively. At the level of 0.05 probability, qualification and experience, acting independent of each other, were significant factors in adjudging the extent to which chemistry teachers had applied expendables judiciously. At the same level of probability, no significant difference existed between the learning outcomes obtained in the use of the two models, even though the chemistry students taught chemistry by the micro model had a slight edge over their macro model counterparts. Finally, relevant recommendations were made

MORPHOTAXONOMIC RE-CLASSIFICATION OF C. ANNUUM VAR. ACCUMINATUM FINGERH AS C. FRUTESCENS VAR. ACCUMINATUM

The taxonomic identities of some Capsicum varieties are somewhat controversial. This study is aimed at using morphological characters to ascertain the Capsicum species to which variety accuminatum belongs. The study was conducted at the Experimental Plot of the Department of Pure and Applied Botany, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Latitude: 7.214952; Longitude: 3.437090) using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in 10 replicates. Quantitative and qualitative characters were evaluated through measurements and visual observation respectively. Data were analyzed using Statistical Analysis Systems version 9.2 and Duncan's Multiple Range Test was used to separate means at p ˂ 0.05. The reults revealed erect growth habit, lanceolate leaf shape, pendant flower position, white corolla colour, obtuse fruit shape at pedicel, elongated fruit shape, and pointed fruit shape at blossom end on variety accuminatum as characteristic features of C. frutescens. Plant canopy width 103.41±(4.30) cm, number of branches per plant 24.70±(0.15), days to flowering 73±(0.21), fruit length 11.69±(0.07) cm and fruit width 5.78±(0.05) cm in variety accuminatum are closer to mean values in C. frutescens. This study showed that variety accuminatum is morphologically and evolutionary related to C. frutescens. Therefore, re-naming of C. annuum var. accuminatum is hereby suggested and proposed to be C. frutescens var. accuminatum.   &nbsp

An investigation of the health hazards of some of the chemical content of powdered juice sold in the Gambia

This short piece takes a limited look at the health hazards of the chemical contents of seven fruit juices sold in The Gambia. All of them have very negative effects on health. The following additives were considered: sweeteners, coloring agents, flavoring agents and acidifiers vis-à-vis established studies. [African Journal of Chemical Education—AJCE 5(1), January 2015

Pollen morphological studies of selected flowering plants in Federal University Of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

The taxonomic classifications of some flowering plants into families have been a subject of review in recent times. This is because many were classified in the early days of taxonomy using plant morphological characters alone. This study assessed pollen characters of ten flowering plants in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria with a view to identifying valuable taxonomic characters which could be employed for resolving classification controversies associated with the use of morphological characters alone. Pollen study was conducted using acetolysis method. Means, standard deviations and coefficient of variations were calculated while photomicrographs of pollen grains were taken at X400 magnification. The result showed tricolporate, pantoporate, triporate, tricolpate and heterocolpate pollen types while exine patterns were granulate, reticulate, psilate and echinate. Results of pollen shape revealed oblate spheroidal, prolate and subprolate while there were variations in pollen characters among species of the same family in apertural type, sculpture, exine surface pattern, pollen shape and pollen fertility. This suggests that apertural type, sculpture, exine surface pattern, pollen shape and pollen fertility could be useful in resolving taxonomic issues related to classification associated with grouping of some flowering plants into the same family on the basis of morphological traits alone

Assessment of the Level of Mercury Present in Soaps by the Use of Cold Vapour Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometric Analysis – A Gambian Case Study

Sixteen brands of soap were analysed for their total mercury content using cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The aim was to find out if the soaps contained mercury and if so, what quantity. In addition, are the quantities acceptable for health purposes. Mercury was found to be present in some soaps which did not indicate it on their labels, as required by law. The amounts of mercury found in the soaps were generally low, and may not lead to any short term mercury-linked health problems. A very low limit of detection was obtained.Keywords: Mercury, The Gambia, Soaps, Indigenous industry, Fluorescenc

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF FUSARIUM WILT OF CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus) BY ANTAGONISTIC LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM RHIZOSPHERE OF FIVE MEDICINAL PLANTS

Fusarium wilt is one of the important diseases of cucumber and causes economic loss to farmers. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of rhizosphere lactic acid bacteria as biocontrol agents of Fusarium wilt of cucumber. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated and identified from the rhizosphere of five medicinal plants. The in-vitro antagonistic activity of LAB strains on F. oxysporum f.sp. cucumerinum was evaluated by dual culture method. The screen house experiment was then conducted to assess the effect of antagonistic LAB isolates on Fusarium wilt disease incidence in cucumber plants. The antagonistic LAB strains were further characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing technique. The total LAB counts of rhizospheric soil samples ranged from 7.0×105 cfu/g to 15.0×105 cfu/g. The LAB isolates were identified as strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus (21.4%), L. plantarum (35.7%), L. fermentum (28.6%), L. alimentarius (7.1%) and L. brevis (7.1%). Treatment of cucumber seeds with antagonistic LAB strains significantly reduced Fusarium wilt of cucumber incidence from 95% to 48%. Lactobacillus fermentum isolated from the rhizosphere of A. indica exhibited strong disease suppression (49.5%). The study therefore revealed that the rhizospheric-LAB could be applied to reduce the manifestation of Fusarium wilt in cucumber.   &nbsp

Intraspecific reproductive variabilities in capsicum frutescens (L.) in Nigeria

Natural intraspecific and interspecific crosses among Capsicum species are very high, resulting in intermediary forms which are complex to categorize. It is likely that through these crosses, new species or varieties may have arisen. The present study evaluated intraspecific reproductive variablities among eight accessions of C. fructesens. Each accession was planted in 10-litre plastic buckets arranged in single lines of inter- and intra-row (70 cm x 50 cm) and filled with loamy soil in five replicates at the Department of Pure and Applied Botany Screen House, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Latitude 7°9'N, longitude 30°21'E), Nigeria. Quantitative and qualitative reproductive characters were evaluated through measurements and visual observation, respectively. Means were separated using the Duncan's Multiple Range Test at p ˂ 0.05 (Statistical Analysis Systems version 9.2). The wide variation in the flower position, corolla colour, corolla spot colour, anthocyanin spots, fruit colour at intermediate and maturity, fruit set, days to flowering and fruiting, number of seeds per fruit and locules between AS002 and other accessions revealed that AS002 was significantly different. The study, therefore, suggests AS002 to be a new species in Nigeria, suspected to be C. baccatum, and also the best among the accessions for breeding purposes