Biological Science Research Papers/Topics

Prevalence Of Sickle Cell Trait And Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency And Their Association With Immunoglobulin- G Antibody Responses To Selected Plasmodium Falciparum Antigens In

ABSTRACT The prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and sickle cell trait (SCT) may vary within very close localities in malaria endemic areas due to dynamics in malaria incidence and demographics. Immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) circumsporozoite protein (CSP) and apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA1) confer protection against malaria. Both G6PD deficiency and SCT increase resistance to Pf malaria and it is not well understood if this...

Nutritional Contribution Of Atmospheric Deposition To The Strandveld Vegetation Of West Coast South Africa

Abstract Ecosystem nutrient availability depends on the balance between rates of nutrient inputs and losses. Nutrients may be lost through fire and displacement of ash, herbivory, leaching and volatilization. The main pathways through which nutrients may be acquired are weathering of rock and atmospheric deposition. Symbiotic and free-living diazotrophic bacteria and blue green algae also contribute N. In ecosystems with limited occurrence of N2-fixation and occurring on low-nutrient bedrock,...

A Comparative Study Of The Effectiveness Of Alkaline Soaking, Bleach And Boiling For Pasteurization Of Substrate In The Cultivation Of White Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus Ostreatus)

Abstract A study was carried out on substrate pasteurisation for P. ostreatus cultivation. The major aim of this work was to compare the effectiveness of wood ash, hydrated lime, bleach and boiling for pasteurisation of the substrate for cultivation of white oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus, on maize straw. To achieve this objective, weed occurrence, the number of days to completely colonise the straw (NDCC), the number of days to initiate primordial sprouting (NDIPS), the number of prim...

An Investigation Into The Effects Of Storage Periods On Germination Vigour And Malt Quality In Malting Barley (Hordeum Vulgare), Variety “Hope” :A Case Study At Delta Beverages, Kwekwe Maltin

ABSTRACT Malts with high extract values, high enzymatic activities and good modification are fundamental to increase the brewing yield and efficiency. To produce malt that meets these requirements, the barley employed must have minimal post-harvest dormancy and be able to germinate rapidly and uniformly. The aims of this study were to assess the changes in seed germination vigour trends and the general storage stability of a Zimbabwean two-row malting barley variety “Hope” as the post-ha...

Suitability Of Yellow Maize As An Alternative To White Maize As An Adjunct In Lager Beer Brewing

ABSTRACT Yellow maize is used as a raw material in many food industries but its use as an adjunct in beer brewing has not received much attention. This study was carried out at Delta Beverages Southerton Plant, Harare, to determine the suitability of yellow maize as an adjunct in larger beer brewing in terms of proximate analysis of its milled grits and wort analysis. The proximate composition of the yellow maize milled grits was determined through analysis of moisture content, gelatinization...

Association Between Ncr3 Promoter Polymorphisms With Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria Outcomes In Paediatric Population (Aged Below 3 Years) In Siaya County In Western Kenya

ABSTRACT Malaria is the main cause of paediatric morbidity and mortality in holoendemic areas. The populations in these areas have similar transmission intensity and infection rates of Plasmodium falciparum malaria but present different malaria outcomes. The cause of the different clinical outcomes is poorly understood. Pf. has exerted selective pressure on the human genome leading to genetic variability in the host’s immune response genes mediating protection and susceptibility to Pf. mala...

EVALUATION OF α-AMYLASE AND α-GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITORY COMPOUNDS FROM Zanthoxylum chalybeum STEM AND ROOT BARK

ABSTRACT Management of diabetes mellitus using conventional drugs is either unaffordable, unavailable or has undesirable side effects. Medicinal plants such as Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Rutaceae) have found prominence in management of diabetes and previous studies showed the efficacies of aqueous root and stem bark against in vivo alloxan and streptozotocin–induced diabetes in rats. However, the phytochemical evidence for these activities was never established. Therefore, this study was to est...

SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERNS AND TOLERANCE MECHANISMS OF Staphylococcus epidermidis BIOFILMS TO PHYSICO-CHEMICAL STRESS EXPOSURE

ABSTRACT Bacterial biofilms remain a major public health burden. Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm is the predominant cause of biofilm-associated infections. Kisumu county has a high circulation of antibiotic resistance genes, which is attributable to S. epidermidis biofilm, necessitating effective S. epidermidis biofilm control. Given the high tendency of bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics, S. epidermidis biofilm control using physico-chemical disinfection is a suitable approach....

A Comparison Between Molecular And Serological Methods In The Detection Of Bovine Brucella Species

ABSTRACT Bovine brucellosis is endemic in Zimbabwe and is an important veterinary disease, responsible for large losses in livestock through abortions and still-born calves. It is also a zoonotic disease and as such poses a threat to public health. For this reason, it is important for every farmer to know the status of their herd. This study was carried out to compare the reliability of serological tests with molecular test in the detection of bovine brucellosis. A total of 17 whole blood and...

Evaluation Of The Interaction Between Beauveria Bassiana And An Aphicide For The Management Of The Tobacco Aphid Myzus Persicae Nicotianae

ABSTRACT Aphids (Myzus persicae nicotianae) cause damage by sucking sap from the plants leading to distortion and wilting of the foliage, and eventually reducing economic yields. In order to minimise losses to viral diseases, it is important to use insecticides in association with fungi to control insect pests in an environmental and ecological friendly way without contaminating the environment. A study was carried out from October, 2013 at Kutsaga Research Station in the laboratory to evalua...

A comparative study of antibacterial properties of Elephantorrhiza elephantine (Muzezapasi) and Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Mukundanyoka) against those of commercial drug Azithromycin on Escherich

Abstract A study was carried out at the Midlands State University during the month of September 2016, to compare the antibacterial properties of Elephantorrhiza elephantine (Muzezapasi) and Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Mukundanyoka), against those of the commercial drug Azithromycin on Escherichia coli. Plant extracts were purchased, sun dried and ground into fine powders. Azithromycin tablets were also purchased. Escherichia coli bacteria were isolated from the University toilets. Confirmatory tes...

New fungicides for the management of pythium root rot in floatbed seedling production system

ABSTRACT Pythium root rot possess major threats on float bed seedling productions. It is caused by oomycetes in the Pythium genus. It causes a huge of loss money as well as the seedlings. It is critically important to control this disease before it causes economic losses. A study was carried out from September 2013 to November 2013 at Kutsaga Research Station in the greenhouse. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of metalaxyl + mancozeb from a new source (Citchem) for the co...

Studies on The Rhizosphere Mycoflora of Celosia Argentea and Hibiscus Esculentus

Abstract Rhizosphere studies of two local green vegetables, Celpsia argentea Linn and Hibiscus esculentus. Linn (new name Abelmoschus esculentus) were studied from vegetative stage to senescence. The viable seeds of both vegetables were collected and planted on garden beds made from sandy loam soil. Samples were collected at two-week intervals at 9.00 hrs in the the morning. Morphologically, A. esculentus (okra) had 3 leaves with more dense rooting system at 2 weeks than C.argentea (solo) wit...

Bacteriological Quality Of Bottled Drinking Water Versus Municipality Tap Water In Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT The most important characteristics of drinking water that have to be assured, monitored and conserved are its safety. Water safety is a growing concern as its quality is not thoroughly monitored especially in third world countries due to lack of proper labs and funding. Unsafe water contains a lot of microorganisms that are a threat to health, most of which contain faecal coliforms that cause serious illnesses like gastrointestinal diseases. Due to the present Zimbabwe water status, ...

Community Poultry Project for Conserving the Wildlife Species in Magombera Forest, Tanzania

ABSTRACT Aims: Poaching of wildlife is a major challenge in their conservation, including endemic ones like Procolobus gordonorum Matschie. Local communities in Udzungwa and Magombera poach for subsistence and small scale commerce. The Community poultry project adjacent to Magombera forest contributed towards enhancing the conservation of wildlife species through providing community with poultry as an alternative livelihood where meat and income can be generated in legal and convenient metho...


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