Research Papers/Topics in Biological Science

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...

Heavy Metals Bio-Accumulation In Tilapia And Catfish Species In Lake Rukwa Ecosystem Tanzania

ABSTRACT Investigation on accumulation of selected heavy metals of Zinc, Mercury, Copper, Lead, Chromium and Nickel in sediment, water and muscle tissues of Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) and Oreochromis esculentus (Singida tilapia) fish was done in Lake Rukwa, Tanzania. Samples were obtained from transects of 100 m long extending from Luika and Songwe River mouths to offshore. Water and sediment samples were collected directly from the study sites while fish were obtained from fisherf...

Environmental Factors Associated With Juttadinteria Albata (L. Bolus) L. Bolus, Population Structure And Assessment Of Its Performance In Trial Planting At Sendelingsdrif Mine

ABSTRACT Juttadinteria albata is a leaf succulent plant species endemic to the southern Namib in the Succulent Karoo in Sendelingsdrif near the Orange River. The proposed strip mining for diamonds at NAMDEB‟s new Sendelingsdrif mine may contribute to the loss of up to 39% of J. albata population. This may increase the risks of extinction for J. albata and species which may be interacting with it. The aim of the study was to investigate the biology of J. albata for ecological restoration po...

Evaluation Of Antimalarial Properties Of Indigenous Plants Used By Traditional Healers In Namibia

ABSTRACT Malaria is on the decline in Namibia and the country is moving towards pre-elimination of the disease. However, some communities preferring traditional medicines and not accepting allopathic medicine may prevent elimination. Ethnomedicines need to be integrated into mainstream malaria case management to achieve malaria elimination by 2020. To do so, they need to be documented and validated to allow their safe and effective use. Seven indigenous plants were investigated for antiplasmo...

Assessment Of The Quantiferon Tb Gold In-Tube Test For The Diagnosis Of Pulmonary Tuberculosis In Namibian Patients

ABSTRACT Namibia had a tuberculosis (TB) case notification rate of 589 per 100 000 population in 2010. TB diagnostic methods, especially the conventional microbial culture to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), takes long to produce results and those with active TB can spread the infection and treatment is delayed. Immunodiagnosis of TB by interferon-gamma (IFN-ɣ) release assays is relatively very rapid, in comparison to culture, as results can be obtained within 24 hours. T...

Seasonal Foraging Behaviour Of The Plains Zebra And The African Elephant In Relation To The Occurrence Of Anthrax In Etosha National Park, Namibia

ABSTRACT It is generally assumed that herbivores acquire gastrointestinal anthrax by ingesting spores, hence information on foraging behaviour of ungulates can be a fundamental component in understanding epidemiology of anthrax. This study investigated seasonal foraging behaviour in relation to the timing of anthrax mortalities in zebras (wet season, anthrax peak) and elephants (dry season, anthrax peak) in Etosha National Park. Zebra diet composition and foraging efficiency was determined us...

Genetic Diversity Of Ganoderma Species In The North-Eastern Parts Of Namibia

Abstract The genus Ganoderma Karst. (1881) is the largest and most complex genus of polypore fungi, characterized by the presence of pores instead of the gills on the lower side of the fruiting body. The colonisation of Ganoderma species on trees is noticed by the appearance of their cap shaped, hard, crusty and shiny fruiting bodies. Ganoderma extract have been used for centuries in Asia’s traditional medicine and to date Ganoderma mushrooms are an important source of modern medicinal and ...


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