Biotechnology, genetic conservation and sustainable use of bioresources

The loss of Africa's forests and bioresources is occurring at an alarming rate, a consequence of increasing population pressure, agricultural land degradation, urbanization and neglect. There is a growing recognition worldwide that conservation and sustainable management of bioresources are pressing priorities in the world today. The choice of conservation methods and techniques depend on the objectives of the particular conservation effort, the breeding system and behaviour of the species in question as well as the available resources including funds, trained personnel, infrastructure and technologies. The use of biotechnological tools and “bioprospecting” will open new vistas in medicine, agriculture, silviculture, horticulture, environment and other important issues. This paper reviews some biotechnological tools that could be harnessed in promoting conservation and sustainable use of bioresources. Key words: Bioresources, genetic conservation, biotechnology. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 2 (12), pp. 704-709, December 200

Genetic diversity in African nutmeg (Monodora myristica) accessions from South Eastern Nigeria

Twenty-one accessions of African nutmeg (Monodora myristica Gaertn. Dunal), an endangered spice plant, were collected from the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria and analyzed for genetic diversity using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Twenty-one (21) decamer primers were tested out of which 10 that gave reproducible band patterns were selected for the study. A total of 77 bands were generated, ranging from 3 for OPB17 to 13 for OPT07, and were all polymorphic. The mean polymorphic information content (PIC) and genetic diversity (He) were 0.673 and 0.697, respectively, indicating high genetic variation among the accessions. Cluster analysis delineated the accessions into four major groups. The maximum similarity index (0.88) based on Dice coefficient was recorded between AGL-01 and CRS-01 while the least (0.13) was between UGA-02 and EKW 01. The derived data was thus able to determine the extent of molecular variation underlying RAPD size polymorphism. Results obtained from this study proved that RAPD could be successfully used as a molecular tool for diversity study in M. myristica. The distributive pattern of genetic variation of M. myristica accessions provides important baseline data for conservation and improvement strategies for this species.Keywords: African nutmeg, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), genetic variation, polymorphic information content (PIC), similarity index, Monodora myristicaAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(42) 4105-411

Inheritance of stripe pattern on fruits and seed colour in \"Egusi\" melon, Colocynthis Citrusllus L.

No abstractKeywords: inheritance patterns; fruit stripes; seed colour; Colocynthis citrullusGlobal Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 4(1) 2005: 29-3

Intraspecific hybridization in “Egusi” melon, Colocynthis citrullus L.

Intraspecific hybridization in Melon, Colocynthis citrullus L. was carried out in the botanical garden of university of Calabar using three varieties namely “sewere” (S) “barablackedge” (BB) and “barawhite edge” (BW). They were crossed in all possible combinations including their reciprocals. Average percentage fruit set of 18.1 was recorded. Colour of young fruits and colour of mature fruits were each found to be controlled by a single gene pair (monogenic inheritance). Chi-square analysis of the data on inheritance showed a good fit between observed and expected ratios in all the populations. Analysis of variance for some growth characters studied showed that most of the hybrids obtained did not differ significantly from their parents (P >0.05) in leaf length, number of leaves per branch, stem width, vine length at maturity and height at branching. However, hybrid BW X BB was found to have produced significantly (

Building a golden triangle for the production and use of artemisinin derivatives against falciparum malaria in Africa

Use of the conventional quinoline- and sulphanamide-based drugs for the symptomatic treatment of malaria is gradually being replaced by artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) due to increasing resistance by the Plasmodium parasite. This development has drastically increased artemisinin demand worldwide, and Artemisia annua L. is currently the only commercial source for thesupply of this vital antimalarial drug to the international market. Recent advances, however, demonstrate that the production of isoprenoid precursors in microorganisms is a feasible complementary strategy that would help reduce artemisinin cost in the future. The key genes encoding for enzymes regulating the biosynthesis of artemisinin in planta are fully understood to enable metabolic engineering of the pathway, and results from pilot genetic engineering studies in microbialstrains thus far are very inspiring. This review, therefore, explores the current status of artemisinin derived drugs against malaria and highlights some implications of crop agronomy, biotechnology andsolvent extraction strategies in enhancing the total yield of artemisinin for the production of ACTs, which are responsible for saving the lives of countless numbers of patients in malaria-stricken societies and are currently in very high demand, especially in Africa

Effect of crude extract of carica papaja seeds on the reproductive efficiency of male albino rats

No Abstract.Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 13 (3) 2007: pp.365-36