Relative Mutagenecity of Some Food Preservatives on Plant Cells

Abstract: The present investigation was designed to evaluate the mutagenic activity of food preservatives sodium metabisulphite (SMB) and potassium metabisulphite(KMB) in Vicia faba root meristems. The effect on protein banding pattern and isozyme variations were also investigated. The tested chemicals significantly decreased the mitotic index (MI), and increased the mitotic abnormalities. Reduction in the mitotic activity and induction of chromosomal aberrations were dosedependent at all concentrations and treatment periods..These abnormalities include stickiness, cmitosis, laggards, bridges, micronuclei, fragments and unseparated. All treatments changed the frequency of mitotic phases when compared with the control groups. At SDS-protein level, the studied chemicals show many alterations in the leave storage protein banding patterns expressed as disappearance of some bands or appearance of novel one or change in bands intensity. Also there was a change in the expression level of peroxidase and this regulation was estimated by the band density

Ultrastructure Traits and Genetic Variability of Red Palm Weevil <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i> (Olivier) Adults from Different Geographical Locations in Egypt

The Red Palm Weevil (RPW) is one of the most damaging pests to palm cultivation; this invasive weevil poses a threat to the palm industry. The characterization and identification of this pest in order to determine its biological diversity is the first step in controlling it, which will help in developing effective control programs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the biodiversity of and characterize RPW from five different Egyptian geographical locations at morphological and genetic levels using morphometric analysis, scanning electronic microscopy and two different genetic markers. Our results revealed no significant differences between length and width of the adult body among RPW adults from different geographical locations. Different typologies of prothoracic spots were observed, indicating a degree of diversity in the RPW populations. The magnitude of the different body parts was measured among both males and females. Significant differences were exhibited between length of the antennal seta, as well as forelegs, the lengths and widths of the pronotum, and the rostrum length between both sexes. Both RAPD and ISSR used DNA markers, generating reproducible and distinct banding patterns. The polymorphic banding patterns that have resulted from all studied populations confirmed that these markers demonstrate genetic variability amongst the studied Egyptian populations of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. The recorded differences may be due to the presence of different red palm weevil genotypes. The obtained results might have potential applications in developing a new tracking and control strategy for this invasive pest

Ultrastructure Traits and Genetic Variability of Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) Adults from Different Geographical Locations in Egypt

The Red Palm Weevil (RPW) is one of the most damaging pests to palm cultivation; this invasive weevil poses a threat to the palm industry. The characterization and identification of this pest in order to determine its biological diversity is the first step in controlling it, which will help in developing effective control programs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the biodiversity of and characterize RPW from five different Egyptian geographical locations at morphological and genetic levels using morphometric analysis, scanning electronic microscopy and two different genetic markers. Our results revealed no significant differences between length and width of the adult body among RPW adults from different geographical locations. Different typologies of prothoracic spots were observed, indicating a degree of diversity in the RPW populations. The magnitude of the different body parts was measured among both males and females. Significant differences were exhibited between length of the antennal seta, as well as forelegs, the lengths and widths of the pronotum, and the rostrum length between both sexes. Both RAPD and ISSR used DNA markers, generating reproducible and distinct banding patterns. The polymorphic banding patterns that have resulted from all studied populations confirmed that these markers demonstrate genetic variability amongst the studied Egyptian populations of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. The recorded differences may be due to the presence of different red palm weevil genotypes. The obtained results might have potential applications in developing a new tracking and control strategy for this invasive pest

Callus induction and regeneration of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni

Abstract: Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is an important non-caloric sweetening herb.It has some kind of diterpenoidsteviol glycosides that had no negative effect on blood sugar level.In the present study, efficient plant regeneration via callus was established. Explants were cultured on MS supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) alone and the combination with 1.0 mg/L BA were used to initiate callus. Maximum frequency of callus induction (89%)were observed on MS supplemented with 2.0 mg/L2,4-D.Multiple shoots were obtained on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/L BA and 1.0 mg/LNAA from friable, granule and healthy calli which obtained after 45 days.Regeneration percentage, number of shootlets/ callus part, length of shootlets, number of nodes and number ofleaveswere 86 %, 13.2, 4.36 cm, 4.0 and 8.0, respectively