Abstract The metabarcoding of prokaryotic and fungal (Ascomycota only) ribosomal DNA was used to describe the microbial communities in soils of a remnant equatorial rainforest, maize–bean intercrop, and sugarcane in western Kenya. Cropping systems influenced the microbial community composition and functional traits (energy source and nutrient cycling) of bulk soil in each crop. Microbial richness and diversity tended to increase with cultivation intensity. The soil of the maize–bean inte...
Abstract Aim: To screen the Kenyan Ganoderma lucidum for phytochemicals and to investigate it's potential in the management of some disease-causing microbes. Study Design: Hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extraction; phytochemical study and anti-microbial activities were analysed on Kenyan G. lucidum mushroom. Place and Duration of Study: Masinde Muliro University Science laboratories from January 2019 and March 2019. Methodology: Sequential extraction of dried samples was done using hexan...
Abstract Background Grains of important food and export crops in Africa are susceptible to contamination by toxin-producing moulds. Aflatoxins are mycotoxins associated with liver damage and cancer in humans and animals. These toxic substances are produced by fungi (such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus) in food and feed exposed to poor conditions during crop cultivation, storage or processing of harvest. The presence of aflatoxins in especially maize and peanuts in Kenya is...
Abstract The soda lakes of Kenya provide an extreme environment where diverse groups of microorganisms thrive. They are characterized by great variation in temperature, halophillic and alkaliphilic- extreme conditions. Lake Sonachi has been the study site for this research. The study sort to isolate, characterize and identify fungi, screen for potential exo-enzymes and secondary metabolites production that may be of industrial application. Malt extract agar was used in the isolation of fungi...
Abstract A SSU rRNA gene clone library was constructed to establish the diversity of eukaryotic plankton in the African soda lake Nakuru during a phase of low salinity (9.7 ppt = hyposaline). Normally, the lake is mesosaline (up to 50 ppt) and its phytoplankton is dominated by few species of cyanobacteria, in particular Arthrospira fusiformis, which is the main food resource of Lesser Flamingos. Our study recovered a unique phytoplankton species composition characterized by a high diversity ...
Abstract: The typical dry bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, is the essential food legume for direct human consumption. They play a significant role in food security and nutrition. Despite their nutritional importance, its production growth rates have declined in Kenya due to diseases, insect pests, plant nutritional deficiencies, and drought. Therefore, this study's main objective was to determine whether there are differences in bean varieties' tolerance to whitefly transmitted viral diseases. The ...
Abstract: There are many examples of associations between insects and fungi. Where the fungi involved are pathogens, such associations may be of economic importance. Insects of no economic concern alone can also become important pests because of their association with fungal pathogens. Insects may assist in the spread of pathogens by carrying them on or in their bodies. Insects may also predispose plants to infection by creating wounds during feeding, oviposition or other behavioural activit...
Abstract: The woodwasp Sirex noctilio is one of the most serious invasive pests of Pinus plantations in the southern hemisphere. Extensive control programs have been developed to manage this pest, of which biological control has been a major component. This thesis examined the factors that could influence the control of S. noctilio in South Africa. A critical comparison of S. noctilio infestations and control efforts throughout the southern hemisphere revealed that control has not been unifo...
Abstract: Malva genus (mallow) is widespread in tropical and temperate region belongs to the family Malvaceae. Malva parviflora L. is used as a food and also widely used in traditional and modern medicine for so many treatments. The aim of the present study was to investigate phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of small flowered mallow (Malva parviflora). Qualitative Phytochemical screening indicated the methanolic leaf extract indicated the presence of te rpenoids, flavonoids...
Abstract: Soil and water conservation practices in Tigray, northern highlands of Ethiopia are given special emphasis for the restoration of degraded lands. However, information on the effect of SWC practices on the dynamics of soil biota is limited. This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effect of two decades long community-based soil and water conservation (CBSWC) practices, viz, stone terraces, exclosure with and without stone terraces which were evaluated against no...
Abstract: Fresh fruits are essential components of the human diet and there is considerable evidence of the health and nutritional benefits associated with the consumption of fresh fruits. However, during processing contamination from raw materials, equipment or food handlers could be easily transferred to the final product of fruit juices resulting food-borne illnesses. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the microbiological safety of avocado, mango and papaya fruit juices a...
Abstract: Cellulases are complex hydrolytic enzymes working synergistically on the hydrolysis of cellulose to produce smaller sugar components including glucose units. These enzymes have tremendous environmental, industrial and agricultural applications including enhancement of the degradability of lignocellulosic materials. In this research fungal isolates were isolated from forest and compost soil samples and allowed to produce cellulases; and the extent to which the cellulases enhance the...
Abstract: Antimicrobial efficiency of Datura stramonium plant parts (leaf, seed, stem and flower) crude extracts were examined using Ethanol, Chloroform and DMSO as solvents and tested against four bacterial and two fungal human pathogens like Bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Escherichia coli ATCC25922, Salmonella typhi ATCC1331, Streptococci agalactecia ATCC13311 and Fungi: Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus using agar disc diffusion method. The antimicrobial activities were...
Abstract: Medicinal plants have been used for centuries to treat diseases. Differences in antimicrobial activities may affected by geographical area and other conditions.This study was carried out to screen the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activities of leaf,friut and root extracts of U.dioca against pathogenic bacteria and fungus. U.dioca is a medicinal plant which belongs to the family Urticaceae.The Leaf,friut and root of this plant were collected. The phytochemical screeni...
Abstract: ommon mullein, also known as Wooly Mullein (Verbascum thapsus L., Scrophulariaceae) has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times. The aim of the present study was to investigate qualitative screening of major phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.) root, leaf and fruit methanolic extracts. The qualitative analyses of major phytochemicals were tested for tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, termenoids and alkaloi...