Tag Archives: Characterization

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Cocoyam (Colocasia esculentum and Xanthosoma sagittifolium) (L) Schott germplasm from Nigeria using Simple Sequence Repeat-SSR marker (Published)

Colocasia esculentum (L) Schott and Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L) Schott, commonly called cocoyam is one of the orphan crops with great potentials, but neglected by researchers and growers despite their high demands by consumers in recent times. Consequently, some of the local varieties have become almost extinct; this calls for the need to revive interest in these crops. This study was undertaken to characterize six cocoyam accessions collected from Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, Nigeria, using 13 qualitative and 6 quantitative Agro-morphological descriptors as well as simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers. The crops were laid out in a field using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in 4 replications. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test showed that the 6 accessions were not significantly different (P>0.05) in crop span, crop height, number of leaves, leaf width and leaf length. This indicates that these features cannot be used to distinguish between Colocasia and Xanthosoma spp. The qualitative traits were more useful in distinguishing between the two cocoyam species. Three of the primers used for molecular studies successfully amplified a few of the cocoyam accessions, indicating their suitability for genetic diversity studies in Colocasia esculenta and Xanthosoma spp.

Keywords: Characterization, Colocasia esculenta and Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Simple Sequence Repeat-SSR, germplasm

Extraction, Isolation and Characterization of Mannitol from aerial part of Striga hermonthica Del (Published)

Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth is a common hemi-parasitic plant growing in a variety of food crops like maize, millet, rice and sorghum roots.  It has many medicinal uses include abortifacient, dermatosis, leprosy, ulcer, pneumonia, jaundice and antibacterial activities. The plant material was extracted and concentrated under reduced pressure. Bioassay guided isolation was done by chromatographic methods. Compound coded “003” was isolated as white amorphous substance from combined hexane and ethyl acetate extracts. Spectral analysis was carried out to characterize the isolated compound. The proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H-NMR) spectrum of isolated compound 003 displayed seven chemical shifts; δ H 4.31ppm, δ H 3.38 ppm, δ H 3.61 ppm, δ H 4.39 ppm, δ H 3.46 ppm, δ H 4.12 ppm and δ H 3.55 ppm. This also showed that there are seven different types of protons in the compound. Interpretation of the spectrum also revealed that signal of alcoholic protons of OH were observed downfield compared with the signal of protons directly attached to carbons. The Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹³C-NMR) spectrum gave three peak signals at δ C 64.3, 71.9 and 70.3 ppm corresponding to C₁/C₆, C₂/C₅ and C₃/C₄ respectively. Based on the comparison of the spectra of the isolated compound with reported spectral data in the literature, the chemical structure of the isolated compound 003 was deduced and identified as Mannitol. The chemical structure was also confirmed by ¹H-¹H Correlation Spectroscopy (COSY), Hetero-nuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) and Hetero-nuclear Multiple Bond Correlation (HMBC) spectra.

Keywords: Characterization, Extraction, Isolation, mannitol, striga hermonthica

Morphology, Characterisation and Classification of Nun River plain Soils in Bayelsa State, Nigeria (Published)

With the mounting pressure on available land for agriculture due to industrialization, increased population and climate change, rational use of available land is inevitable. This cannot be achieved without adequate and current information and knowledge on the characteristics of the soils. Hence, the morphological, physical and chemical characteristics of the Nun River plain soils of Bayelsa State were studied. Nine profile pits were dug on various landscape positions (levee crest, middle slope and lower slope) in Odi, (ODI) Koroama (KRM) and Niger Delta University teaching and research farm (NDU), making three pits in each location. The soils were dominated by silt-sized particles, weakly structured in the upper layers and consistence also friable to slightly firm. pH was moderately to slightly acid, ranging from 5.64 to 6.30, available P (mg/Kg) from 0.6 to 22 and organic C from 0.11 to 5.26%, exchangeable bases, except K and CEC were low. The soils are classified according to United States Department of Agriculture (Soil Survey Staff, 2014) and Food and Agriculture Organisation and (FAO/ISRIC, 2014) as Inceptisol and Cambisol, having udic moisture regime and iso hyperthermic temperature regime. Only ochric epipedon and cambic B horizon are encountered as diagnostic horizons. The ODI1soils was classified as Humic Dystrudepts (Fluvic Cambisol), ODI2 soils, KRM2, NDU2 and NDU3 into Aquic Dystrudepts (Fluvic Cambisol), ODI3 Aeric Epiaquepts (Fluvic Cambisol), KRM1, Udic Dystropepts (Humic-fluvic Cambisol), KRM3, Typic Epiaquepts (Fluvic Cambisol), and NDU1, Udic Dystropepts (Fluvic Cambisol).

Citation: Achimota Ayadei Dickson, Payou, Tugwell Ogboin & Joseph Onyindoubara Tate (2021) Morphology, Characterisation and Classification of Nun River plain Soils in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, Global Journal of Agricultural Research , Vol.9, No4, pp.25-48

Keywords: Characterization, Classification, Morphology, Nun River, floodplain

Characterization Classification and Management of Some Soils in Ujam District of Makurdi, Benue State. (Published)

An intensive soil survey was carried out in Ujam District the two sites chosen were designated: (1) Tse-Tswam and (11) Tse-Ordam.  The aims were to characterize, classify and proffer management practices for the soils. At each site, three profiles pits were sunk and morphologically described. Samples collected from identified genetic horizons were subjected to analyses using standard analytical procedures. The soil profiles ranged from deep (118cm) to very deep (200cm); well to imperfectly drained; epipedons’ colour varied from very dark brown (7.5YR 2/3)/brownish black (7.5 YR 3/1) due to melanisation; subsoils dull reddish brown (5YR4/4) to rediomophism and brownish gray (10 YR 5/1), imprint of gleization; Mottles on the subsoils may be attributed to drainage impedance; sandy loam or loamy sand surfaces with clay to sandy clay loam subsoils; weak fine crumb to moderate/ strong fine-coarse subangular blocky structures. The soils had medium to high sand (41.20-83.00%), very low to medium clay (06.02.58- 43.25%) and low silt (10.65-16.96%) fractions; medium bulk density (1.19-1.38gmcm^-3) and porosity (48.68-56.60%). Soil reaction was slightly acid (5.67-6.50); low organic carbon (1.05-0.30%), nitrogen (0.03-0.18%), Available phosphorus (3.00-10.10%) and EC (0.10-0.13dms^-1). CEC was very low (6.34-9.10cmolkg^-1) likewise CaCO₃ (0.00-2.00%); medium to high base saturation (48.80-91.90%). All soil units (1-V1) possessed argillic horizons with base saturations that were ≤50%(NH₄OAc at pH 7) and were classified into Alfisols at soil order level; units 1, 1V and V further qualified into Eutric Haplustalfs (Eutric luvisols/Lixisols Clayiec,kandic), 11 and V1 into Kandic Haplustalfs (Eutric luvisols/Lixisols Clayiec,kandic) while units 111 and V were placed into (Vertic Epiaqualfs (Eutric luvisols/Lixisols Clayiec,kandic) at subgroup. Organic/mineral fertilizers will improve soil fertility, structure and water retention of the soils.

Keywords: Base saturation, Characterization, Classification, Management, argillic, fertilizers, haplustalfs, soil profiles, vertic epiaqualfs

Characterization, Classification and Management of Some Soils in Ujam District of Makurdi, Benue State (Published)

An intensive soil survey was carried out in Ujam District, the two sites chosen were designated: (1) Tse-Tswam and (11) Tse-Ordam.  The aims were to characterize, classify and proffer management practices for the soils. At each site, three profiles pits were sunk and morphologically described. Samples collected from identified genetic horizons were subjected to analyses using standard analytical procedures. The soil profiles ranged from deep (118cm) to very deep (200cm); well to imperfectly drained; epipedons’ colour varied from very dark brown (7.5YR 2/3)/brownish black (7.5 YR 3/1) due to melanisation; subsoils were dull reddish brown (5YR4/4) due to rediomophism and brownish gray (10 YR 5/1) as imprint of gleization; Mottles on the subsoils may be attributed to drainage impedance; sandy loam or loamy sand surfaces with clay to sandy clay loam subsoils to sandstone parent material and weak fine crumb to moderate/strong fine-coarse subangular blocky structures. The soils had medium to high sand (41.20-83.00%), very low to medium clay (06.02.58- 43.25%) and low silt (10.65-16.96%) fractions; medium bulk density (1.19-1.38gmcm^-3) and porosity (48.68-56.60%). Soil reaction was slightly acid (5.67-6.50); low organic carbon (1.05-0.30%), nitrogen (0.03-0.18%), Available phosphorus (3.00-10.10%) and EC (0.10-0.13dms^-1). CEC was very low (6.34-9.10cmolkg^-1) likewise CaCO₃ (0.00-2.00%); medium to high base saturation (48.80-91.90%). All soil units (1-V1) possessed argillic horizons with base saturations that were ≤50%(NH₄OAc at pH 7) and were classified into Alfisols at soil order level; units 1 and 111 further qualified into Eutric Epiaqualfs (Vertic luvisols Clayiec,kandic), 11 into Dystric Haplustalf (Dystric Luvisol Kandic, Clayiec) and 1V into Arenic Haplustalfs (Vertic Luvisols arenic, Dystric). Units V was placed into (Haplic Eutrustalf (Glayeic Luvisol Eutric,kandic) at subgroup while soil unit V1 was keyed into Glayiec Haplustalf (Glayeic Luvisol Kandic, Clayeic). Organic/mineral fertilizers incooporation into these soils will improve soil fertility, structure and water retention.

Keywords: Base saturation, Characterization, Classification, Management, argillic, fertilizers, haplustalfs, soil profiles, vertic epiaqualfs

Towards the Reformation of the Child: a Study of Zoe and Janet Graham’s My Grandma is a Witch (Published)

Children are precious gifts from God and so they are seen as the root of love binding families together. In many parts of Africa, any family without children is assumed not complete yet. This is why men and women who are married do anything to have children. In many parts of Africa, women who have no children for their husbands are derided. In most cases, their husbands are under pressure to marry another wife just to have children. Those who have children are happy. However, it is better for a family not to have a child than to have children not trained; untrained children are threats to parents and to the society at large. The researchers are of the view that literature is an indispensable means of educating the child. The researchers see the structural approach as the appropriate theory for analyzing the paper. They have explored Graham’s My Grandma is a Witch and have observed that the authors have used apt method of characterization as a means of educating the child.

Keywords: Characterization, Didactic, Graham, children, children’s literature

Towards The Reformation of The Child: A Study of Zoe and Janet Graham’s My Grandma Is a Witch (Published)

Children are precious gifts from God and so they are seen as the root of love binding families together. In many parts of Africa, any family without children is assumed not complete yet. This is why men and women who are married do anything to have children. In many parts of Africa, women who have no children for their husbands are derided. In most cases, their husbands are under pressure to marry another wife just to have children. Those who have children are happy. However, it is better for a family not to have a child than to have children not trained; untrained children are threats to parents and to the society at large. The researchers are of the view that literature is an indispensable means of educating the child. The researchers see the structural approach as the appropriate theory for analyzing the paper. They have explored Graham’s My Grandma is a Witch and have observed that the authors have used apt method of characterization as a means of educating the child.

Keywords: Characterization, Didactic, Graham, children, children’s literature

Contribution in the Mechanical Characterization of Two Rivers Sand From the South-Mifi River of the Mifi Basin in Cameroon (Published)

The valorization and the use of natural resources as building materials require a meticulous study of its geotechnical properties. Thus a study of river sands and crushed stones of the Area of the West Cameroon in the Department of MIFI was carried out with an aim of promoting its rational use in Civil Engineering constructions. After the fieldwork, laboratory studies have been focused on the mechanical characterization of the Sands samples of various careers taken; such as (Proctor test, test CBR and the formulation of the Concrete) and geotechnical references. These data made Object of traditional statistical treatments of the Mechanical Characterization; variability of each mechanical parameter, the search of correlations between some parameters and a factorial analysis of the whole data. The study concludes that the representative samples of the analyzed aggregates have mechanical properties which differed from the upper side of the South-Mifi River to the lower side of the river. The CBR from the upper side of the river is 15.05 and to the lower side 5.61 either a variation of 62.72 %.The normal Proctor from the upper side river gives a dry density of 1.33g/cm³ for an optimal water content of 17.41 % and to the lower side river the dry density is 1.23 g/cm³  for an optimal water content of 25.8 %.From the upper side, the modified Proctor test , the dry density is 1.53 g/cm³ for an optimal water content of  16.9 % and to the lower side river the dry density is 1.39 g/cm³ for a water content of 21.5 %.For the concrete compression resistance at 28 days, from the upper side river , the resistance strength is 26.70 MPa and to the lower side the resistance strength is 24 MPa.

Keywords: Characterization, Civil engineering., Crushed stones, Geotechnical, Mechanical, Sand grain size

Purification and Characterization of Psuedomonas Aeruginosa Iz Cellulase Grown On Corn Cobs (Published)

Partial purification of crude Psuedomonas aeruginosa IZ cellulase enzyme was carried out by ammonium sulfate fractionation (85%). The specific activity of cellulase increased 493.3% (from 0.15 U/ml protein in the crude enzyme to 0.89 U/ml protein after ammonium sulfate treatment) while the unit protein was decreased 21.9% (from 48.5 mg/ml in the crude enzyme to 37.9 mg/ml after ammonium sulfate treatment) with activity preservation and a purification fold of 5.93.  Further purification of the partially purified enzyme was achieved using anion exchange chromatography on DEAE sephadex A-50. The cellulase activity was enriched after this step of purification; the specific activity increased 301.1 % (from 0.89U/ml protein after ammonium sulfate treatment to 3.57 U/ml protein after anion exchange chromatography) with a purification fold of 23.8. The protein was reduced by 56.99 % (from 37.9 after ammonium sulfate treatment to 16.3 after anion exchange chromatography).  The highest active cellulase fractions obtained from anion exchange chromatography on DEAE sephadex A-50 were loaded on a Sephadex G-100 column for Gel filtration chromatography. The specific activity of cellulase was further increased by 85.71 % (3.57 U/ml protein after anion exchange chromatography to 6.63 U/ml after gel filtration) with purification factor fold of 44.2 and protein decreased by 39.26 % (from 16.3mg/ml after anion exchange chromatography to 9.9 mg/ml after gel filtration chromatography). The optimum pH and incubation temperature for the purified Psuedomonas aeruginosa IZ cellulase enzyme were 6.5 and 35˚C respectively. The enzyme kinetics studies indicated that the enzyme activity is dependent on the concentration of the substrate. When the relation between the enzyme activity and the substrate concentration was treated by Lineweaver-Burk analysis, it was found that K_m and V_max were 4 mg/ml and 7.2 U/ml respectively.

Keywords: Characterization, Psuedomonas aeruginosa IZ, Purification, cellulase, corn cobs

Contribution in the Mechanical Characterization of two Rivers Sand from the South-Mifi River of the Mifi Basin in Cameroon (Published)

The valorization and the use of natural resources as building materials require a meticulous study of its geotechnical properties. Thus a study of river sands and crushed stones of the Area of the West Cameroon in the Department of MIFI was carried out with an aim of promoting its rational use in Civil Engineering constructions. After the fieldwork, laboratory studies have been focused on the mechanical characterization of the Sands samples of various careers taken; such as (Proctor test, test CBR and the formulation of the Concrete) and geotechnical references. These data made Object of traditional statistical treatments of the Mechanical Characterization; variability of each mechanical parameter, the search of correlations between some parameters and a factorial analysis of the whole data. The study concludes that the representative samples of the analyzed aggregates have mechanical properties which differed from the upper side of the South-Mifi River to the lower side of the river. The CBR from the upper side of the river is 15.05 and to the lower side 5.61 either a variation of 62.72 %.The normal Proctor from the upper side river gives a dry density of 1.33g/cm³ for an optimal water content of 17.41 % and to the lower side river the dry density is 1.23 g/cm³  for an optimal water content of 25.8 %.From the upper side, the modified Proctor test , the dry density is 1.53 g/cm³ for an optimal water content of  16.9 % and to the lower side river the dry density is 1.39 g/cm³ for a water content of 21.5 %.For the concrete compression resistance at 28 days, from the upper side river , the resistance strength is 26.70 MPa and to the lower side the resistance strength is 24 MPa.

Keywords: Characterization, Civil engineering., Crushed stones, Geotechnical, Mechanical, Sand grain size

Identification and Characterization of the Phenolic Profile of A Hydroalcoholic Extract of Punica Granatum (Published)

More than half the world’s population use or used at some point a herbal because of its potential healing. The pomegranate, as well as another 70 medicinal plants are listed as species of interest to the public health system in order to generate new effective and safe medicines. The objective of this study was to evaluate a hydroalcoholic extract of Punica granatum about their biochemical and biophysical characteristics. The extract was serially diluted and exposed to different conditions. The values of wavelengths, absorbance, pH and conductivity were observed. The analysis values, it can be concluded that the extract in question has the characteristic of stability in the different conditions and that has possibly flavonoids, tannins and anthocyanins in its composition.

Keywords: Anthocyanins., Biochemistry, Biophysics, Characterization, Flavonoids, Punica Granatum, Tannins

Preparation, Characterization and Study the Biological Activity of New No2, Novel N2o2 Ligands and Their Complexes with [Co (Ii), Cu (Ii), Ni (Ii), Mn (Ii) and Hg (Ii)] Ions (Published)

A new two Schiff bases derivatives was synthesized and characterized with studying their biological activity and employed anganese (II),Cobalt (II),Nickel(II),Copper(II) and Mercury (II) complexes: 2 – ((Z) – 4 – ((Z)-2-hydroxy-1, 2-diphenylethylideneamino)-1, 5 – dimethyl – 2-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-ylideneamino) benzoicacid and (E)-4-(2-hydroxy-1, 2-diphenylethylideneamino)-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one. The first ligand were obtained through a reaction of Benzoin and 4-Aminoantipyrine while the second result from the condensation of the first ligand with 2-amino benzoic acid. Ten new coordination compounds were synthesized and structurally characterized: [Co(L₁)(Cl)], [Cu(L₁)(Cl)] [Ni(L₁)(Cl)],[Mn(L₁)(Cl)],[Hg(L₁)(Cl)],[Co(L₂)],[Ni(L₂)],[Cu(L₂)], [Mn(L₂)] and [Hg (L₂)]. All of the suggested chemical structures of the prepared ligands and metal complexes are confirmed by using FT- IR, UV, ¹H& ¹³C-NMR spectra. Most of the prepared compounds show antibacterial activity to (Staphylococcus aureus), (Escherichia coli), (Bacillus subtilis) and (Pseudomonas aeroginosa).

Keywords: 2-Aminobenzoicacid, 4-Amino Antipyrine, Benzoin, Biological Activity, Characterization, Schiff Bases

Purification and characterization of Psuedomonas aeruginosa IZ cellulase grown on corn cob (Published)

Partial purification of crude Psuedomonas aeruginosa IZ cellulase enzyme was carried out by ammonium sulfate fractionation (85%). The specific activity of cellulase increased 493.3% (from 0.15 U/ml protein in the crude enzyme to 0.89 U/ml protein after ammonium sulfate treatment) while the unit protein was decreased 21.9% (from 48.5 mg/ml in the crude enzyme to 37.9 mg/ml after ammonium sulfate treatment) with activity preservation and a purification fold of 5.93.  Further purification of the partially purified enzyme was achieved using anion exchange chromatography on DEAE sephadex A-50. The cellulase activity was enriched after this step of purification; the specific activity increased 301.1 % (from 0.89U/ml protein after ammonium sulfate treatment to 3.57 U/ml protein after anion exchange chromatography) with a purification fold of 23.8. The protein was reduced by 56.99 % (from 37.9 after ammonium sulfate treatment to 16.3 after anion exchange chromatography).  The highest active cellulase fractions obtained from anion exchange chromatography on DEAE sephadex A-50 were loaded on a Sephadex G-100 column for Gel filtration chromatography. The specific activity of cellulase was further increased by 85.71 % (3.57 U/ml protein after anion exchange chromatography to 6.63 U/ml after gel filtration) with purification factor fold of 44.2 and protein decreased by 39.26 % (from 16.3mg/ml after anion exchange chromatography to 9.9 mg/ml after gel filtration chromatography). The optimum pH and incubation temperature for the purified Psuedomonas aeruginosa IZ cellulase enzyme were 6.5 and 35˚C respectively. The enzyme kinetics studies indicated that the enzyme activity is dependent on the concentration of the substrate. When the relation between the enzyme activity and the substrate concentration was treated by Lineweaver-Burk analysis, it was found that K_m and V_max were 4 mg/ml and 7.2 U/ml respectively.

 

Keywords: Characterization, Psuedomonas aeruginosa IZ, Purification, cellulase, corn cobs

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF STENOTROPHOMONAS SP.FZ L-ASPARAGINASE UNDER SOLID STATE FERMENTATION (Published)

L-asparaginase has emerged as one of the most important clinically used enzymes as it exhibits chemotherapeutic potential in treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukimia and lymphosacroma. A novel bacterium L-asparaginase producer was isolated from Lebanese soil and was identified as Stenotrophomonas sp.FZ using 16srRNA. The enzyme was produced under solid state fermentation using the wheat bran as carbon and nitrogen source The enzyme was partially purified by acetone precipitation with 73.32 % yield and a purification factor of 6.32 fold. Further purification includes gel filtration chromatoghraphy on Sephadex G-75 and C-25 ion exchange chromatogrraphy with final purification factor of 329.061 fold and 54.312 yield%. The total protein was reduced by 99.83% and the specific activity was increased to be 1.6124IU/mgX1000. The maximum enzyme activity was recorded at pH 7 and 35°C with a linear relationship concerning the increase in enzyme concentration. The effect of substrate concentration showed a progressive increase in the enzyme activity in a concentration dependent manner till it reaches a plateau where saturation was reached. The kinetics parameters(Km and Vmax ) of Stenotrophomonassp L-asparaginase production were 96.71 mg/ml and 3333.33 umol/ml/min respectively. The theapeutic potential of this enzyme is well established.

Keywords: Characterization, L-Asparaginase., Purification, Stenotrophomonassp, Therapeutic Potential

PARTIAL PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ENDO-Β-GLUCANASES OF TWO NIGERIAN MALTED MAIZE VARIETIES (Published)

In this study, two Nigerian maize varieties (Farz 23 yellow and Farz 34 white) were malted at controlled experimental variables to determine the optimum conditions for the development of β-glucanases. The independent variable employed were steeping time, germination time and kilning temperature; and the measured (dependent variables) were diastatic power (DP), cold water extract (CWE) and hot water extract (HWE). Some properties of the two varieties were compared with those of sorghum (SK 5912). The properties of the grains were obtained as 1000-corn weight, (W) 241g and (Y) 248g; moisture content (%) 13.2, 12.8; germinative energy (%) 96, 92; germinative capacity (%) 99, 96; water sensitivity (%) 83, 82; broken kernel (%) 0.9, 1.1; protein (N×6.25%) 8.65, 9.02; and fat (ether extract, %) 3.70 and 4.14. The β-glucanases purified 2.59 and 0.56 folds for the yellow and white varieties respectively by a combination of 5M sucrose fractionation, ion exchange on Q-Sepharose and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200; with a yield of 0.8% (yellow) and 7.6% (white). The specific activity for the yellow maize enzyme was 0.312µ/mg and 0.381µ/mg for the white. The optimal condition for the glucanase activity for the white variety were 50oC and pH 5.0 and 7.0, while maximum stability was achieved at 40oC, pH 5.0 and 7.5 (16h); and for the yellow 60oC and pH 5.0 and maximum stability at 40oC, pH 6.0 (16h). The purified enzyme of the white variety was appreciably activated by Co2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+ gave inhibitory effects. The yellow variety glucanase activity was only enhanced by Mn2+ and fairly by Co2+. The yellow variety glucanase displayed remarkable wide substrate specificity and rapidly hydrolyzed amylose, amylopectin and starch. On substrate concentration the white maize enzyme indicated substrate enhancement on both Sigma cell type 20 and CMC. The Km values as obtained from Lineweaver-Burk plots for the white maize glucanase were 0.119 and 0.102mg/ml for CMC and Sigma cell respectively, and 0.072 and 0.0451mg/ml in same order for the yellow maize glucanase. Their corresponding Vmax were 3.7 and 3.5mg/ml/min for the white maize enzyme and 4.0 and 9.0mg/ml/min protein for the yellow maize enzyme. The very low Km values Sigma cell type 20 and CMC for the yellow indicates a high affinity of the yellow glucanase to the substrates. On overall assessment, the glucanases presents a promising application in the mashing conditions of the brew house.

Keywords: Characterization, Maize, Malting, Purification, β-glucanase

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF L-ASPARAGINASE FROM A SOIL ISOLATE UNDER SOLID STATE FERMENTATION (Published)

L-asparaginase has emerged as one of the most important clinically used enzymes as it exhibits chemotherapeutic potential in treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukimia and lymphosacroma. Soil microbial isolates were screened for potential producers of L-asparaginase using a phenol red indicator growth medium and the microbe producing the largest hydrolysis zone was selected. The isolate was characterized by biochemical tests and was found to belongs to Stenotrophomonas sp. The enzyme was partially purified by acetone precipitation with 73.32 % yield and a purification factor of 6.32 fold. Further purification includes gel filtration chromatoghraphy on Sephadex G-75 and C-25. The maximum enzyme activity was recorded at pH 7 and 35°C with a linear relationship concerning the increase in enzyme concentration. The effect of substrate concentration showed a progressive increase in the enzyme activity in a concentration dependent manner till it reaches a plateau where saturation was reached. The kinetics parameters (Km and Vmax ) of Stenotrophomonas sp L-asparaginase production were 96.71 mg/ml and 3333.33 umol/ml/min respectively.

Keywords: Characterization, L-Asparaginase., Purification, Stenotrophomonas sp

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF STENOTROPHOMONASSP.FZ L-ASPARAGINASE UNDER SOLID STATE FERMENTATION (Published)

L-asparaginase has emerged as one of the most important clinically used enzymes as it exhibits chemotherapeutic potential in treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukimia and lymphosacroma. A novel bacterium L-asparaginaseproducerwas isolated from Lebanesesoil andwas identified asStenotrophomonas sp.FZ using 16srRNA. The enzyme was produced under solid state fermentation using the wheat bran as carbon and nitrogen source The enzyme was partially purified by acetone precipitation with 73.32 % yield and a purification factor of 6.32 fold. Further purification includes gel filtration chromatoghraphy on Sephadex G-75 and C-25 ion exchange chromatogrraphy with final purification factor of 329.061 fold and 54.312 yield%. The total protein was reduced by 99.83% and the specific activity was increased to be 1.6124IU/mgX1000. The maximum enzyme activity was recorded at pH 7 and 35°C with a linear relationship concerning the increase in enzyme concentration. The effect of substrate concentration showed a progressive increase in the enzyme activity in a concentration dependent manner till it reaches a plateau where saturation was reached. The kinetics parameters(Km and Vmax ) of Stenotrophomonassp L-asparaginase production were 96.71 mg/ml and 3333.33 umol/ml/min respectively. The theapeutic potential of this enzyme is well established.

Keywords: Characterization, L-Asparaginase., Purification, Stenotrophomonassp, Therapeutic Potential